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North East apartment conversion moves to public hearing
Jacquelyn Drain
Aug 18, 2026
Lilly Simons and Lauren Simons are proposing to turn the building at 185 Route 44 into an eight-unit apartment building. The structure once served as a restaurant and then as office space but has been vacant for several years, Lauren Simons said.
Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — The Greyhouse Apartment conversion occurring on 181-185 Route 44 made progress this week toward bringing the first housing to the Town of North East’s boulevard district following the area’s rezoning in April.
The North East Planning Board continued discussions on site plans for the apartments at their meeting on Aug. 12. The project, proposed by local petroleum distributor GRJH Inc., seeks to convert a former office building into eight apartments. Plans call for five one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom units and one studio.
At the meeting, mother-and-daughter duo Lauren and Lilly Simons presented on the changes made to plan drawings following the board’s last meeting on July 22. Since the meeting, the owners have agreed to install one EV charging station per the zoning requirements. Additionally, an inspection was done and concluded that the septic tank is not compromised in any way.
Despite these changes, there is still more that must be done in order to finalize the plans.
The town’s zoning law requires that a sidewalk be installed in front of the complex because it is in the boulevard district. However, there currently is no sidewalk along Route 44 to connect to at either edge of the property.
“We really can’t incorporate sidewalks without the rest of the development happening alongside with our budding property,” said Lauren Simons. “Do you want us to put a four foot sidewalk in front of our property going nowhere?”
Without existing sidewalks to connect to, consistency and location are large issues if individuals decide for themselves where and when sidewalks are installed.
“You’re basically saying whoever does it first decides for everybody where it’s gonna be,” said Dale Culver, chairman of the board. “What if the guy that finally starts the sidewalk decides ‘I don’t like their trees so I’m gonna put the sidewalk here,’ and then they are forced to take out those trees. I can see it happening.”
To curb this confusion, the board will draft an addendum for all plans moving forward until grants are found to create a pathway across Kelsey Brook and to install sidewalks on the road. The passage will state that property owners understand that they will be financially responsible for adding sidewalks in accordance with what the town decides in order to ensure consistency.
“Until we have a way for crossing Kelsey Brook, it is ludicrous to talk about putting sidewalks in,” Town Supervisor Chris Kennan said.
There was significant debate on whether or not the complex is required to provide an affordable housing unit. The zoning law states that if a complex has 10 apartments there must be one affordable housing unit. Beyond 10 a rounding system is used, meaning if there are 16 apartments that translates to 1.6 which would then be rounded up, requiring two affordable units. Confusion stemmed from whether or not the rounding applied to properties with fewer than 10 apartments which would then require the Simons to include an affordable unit.
“It’s just common sense to me that the language is crystal clear,” said Board Member Leslie Farhangi. “Less than 10 means no affordable housing unit needed therefore it stops, you don’t even go to the next section to consider rounding.”
The plans also include an office space on the first floor. The board stated that because the complex is not to be used for business purposes, it must be clearly defined that the office will not be rented out and will be used as a leasing office.
The board directed that before the next meeting, GRJH Inc. must present clarified information about the proposed lighting. Additionally, they must add the phrase “on site rental office use” to the plans to specifically define the proposed leasing office.
A public hearing has been set for Aug. 26 on the condition that the outlined changes be made to the plans with submission to the board at least a week before the hearing.
“We don’t want to hold the project up if it is going to create sorely needed units in our town,” Culver said. “But knowing on your end that the details have to be there.”
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Grocery plans delayed, timber harvest planned in Pine Plains
Graham Corrigan
Aug 18, 2026
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains Planning Board met last week to discuss the new grocery store at 7723 S. Main St., hear a request for timber harvest at 3228 Route 199, and review site plans to settle an easement dispute at 2775 Church St.
Only one of the three went as planned — the South Main street owners postponed their appearance, and site plans for the easement on Church Street were not submitted in time.
Plans for a timber harvest on Route 199 moved forward. Christopher Prentiss, representing Lower Hudson Forestry Company, detailed plans to harvest 42 of the property’s 78 acres. 426 trees will be removed, and 25 log trucks will complete the job in about six weeks.
The property has been managed by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation since 1988. No harvesting will occur within 800 feet of the wetland on the property’s eastern border.
A public hearing will be held on Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Drainage dispute on 199
Elsewhere in the meeting, a property dispute between two properties adjacent to Stissing Mountain Jr./Sr. High School continues to drag on.
The property owners, Gallatin Barn Creations Inc., were represented last week by attorney Thomas Angell. They allow Ceen Properties, an industrial lot behind their property, an easement for their driveway. Gallatin Barn Creations is asking Ceen to widen and pave the driveway — and cover the maintenance for 10 years. After that, the cost will be split between the two owners. They’re also asking Ceen to improve the new drainage system, replacing the old with a new one, designed by a professional engineer.
Those plans have yet to materialize. At the Planning Board’s August meeting, Ceen representative Wesley Chase was apologetic. “The plan of attack was to bring the map with the amended application,” he said. “But after speaking with the board, I did not have time to get the application.”
Ceen is currently navigating another dispute. In April, they appeared before the Planning Board after propane tankers were sighted in their lot. When it was initially approved in 2022, the space was planned for campers and boats. The town issued a violation order for parking propane trucks at a site not approved for that use.
“I don’t know what the rules and regulations for these trucks are, but that would have been explored in a site plan and special permit review process,” Planning Board Attorney Warren Replansky said at the time.
In the months since, Ceen has been working on a full survey of the site with a detailed site plan. But the town will have to wait another month to see it. Gallatin’s representative claims the driveway is twice as wide as the allowed 10 foot easement. Additionally, they claim Ceen built a retention pond that drains from Ceen’s property into Gallatin’s.
“My client and Ceen’s ownership have been friends for decades,” Gallatin’s representative said. “He was trying to work something out for them, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable.”
“It pains me to see members of the community at each other’s throats,” said Planning Board Chair Michael Stabile.
Stissing Farms continues rental violations
The meeting closed with a discussion on the rental properties at 34 Town Centre Road. Known as Stissing Farms, the collection of condominiums was not initially approved as rental units. The Planning Board considered sending the owners a violation notice, and noticed that the original application had changed multiple times before landing on condominiums.
The board resolved to contact the property owners and ask them to meet with the board before progressing to a violation notice.
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Jeff Rosati
Millerton News
Aug 18, 2026
WEST CORNWALL — Jeff Rosati, 72, of West Cornwall, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026.
Born in New Milford on January 18, 1954, Jeff was the devoted son of the late Kathren Valtrum.
After graduating from New Milford High School, he began his career with Eversource as a meter reader, dedicatedly serving the company for 42 years before retiring in 2014 as Chief Garage Mechanic.
In 1979, during a chance meeting while getting a haircut, Jeff met the love of his life, Bernetta (Marshall). Their love story was one for the record books, sharing a deeply devoted marriage of 45 years.
In 1983, Jeff and Bernetta found their forever home in Cornwall, building a life centered on hard work and quiet kindness.
In his retirement, “Little Jeffy” was happiest being outdoors or in his barn. He loved tinkering on projects, tending to his garden, and caring for his hummingbirds. A treasured friend who was always willing to lend a helping hand, he could often be found happily mowing the lawn or pulled over roadside on his beloved John Deere tractor catching up with neighbors.
Jeff will be profoundly missed by his loving wife, Bernetta; the Marshall family of Crane, Texas; and countless friends across Cornwall who held him dear.
A Graveside Service will be held at North Cornwall Cemetery, Rattlesnake Rd., West Cornwall, CT on Thursday August 20 at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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William O’Connell
Millerton News
Aug 18, 2026
AMENIA — William (Bill) O’Connell died peacefully surrounded by family at Sharon Hospital on Aug. 12, 2026, due to complications of cancer. Bill was born into a large Irish Catholic family in Bay Shore, New York, on March 3, 1964. After Bill completed kindergarten, the family moved upstate, settling on Depot Hill in Amenia, New York, where he was a lifelong resident. He attended Catholic School at Immaculate Conception, transferring to Webutuck Middle School in the sixth grade. He graduated from Webutuck High School in 1982.
As a child he was an avid (obsessed) fisherman, asking for a new fishing pole every year for his birthday. He was given permission to skip school every opening day of fishing season. He cherished fond memories of growing up as a “Depot Hill Gang” member. He enjoyed playing soccer, basketball, and baseball throughout high school. While hitchhiking home from his job as a lifeguard at the Millerton Town Pool, good looks and charm got him discovered. First as a print model, then as an actor in eleven television commercials and as an extra in a couple of movies. Anyone who knew him at that time was fair game for a ride to the train station or directly into the city for the many auditions he went to. He was a painter by trade, working in partnership with his brother Michael, at O’Connell Painting for many years serving the tri-state area. Bill was adventurous, loved to travel, and spent several months on a walk-a-bout through Australia and New Zealand. Bill was always up for a concert, a Giants game, or picking the freshest berries on the way to a cool fishing spot. He was well known locally at many recreational leagues for indoor soccer, darts, pool, cards, and golf. He was quite a competitor at everything he enjoyed. Bill and Michael organized the annual O’Connell Paint Can Open for many years, with loyal enthusiasts flying in to attend year after year. In the latter years, complications from multiple ailments made his life increasingly difficult, dulling his natural shine. The bright spot of that time was how patient and attentive he was while caring for his mother, Frankie. Being present in her daily life so she could remain at home. This obituary was lovingly composed by his siblings, who loved him dearly.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, John & Evelyn O’Connell, and is survived by his three siblings; Karen Grimaldi (Mark) of Salisbury, Connecticut, Michael O’Connell of Florida, and Kathleen Lacko of Casper, Wyoming; two nieces and three nephews, Connor Washburn (Hannah), Mickaela Grimaldi, Liam Girmaldi, Kenny Lacko, and Marykate Lacko, dozens of cousins, and countless friends who will miss him tremendously.
A graveside service and burial will take place on Thursday, Aug., 20, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Amenia, New York. Rev. Andrew O’Connor will officiate. A reception in Bill’s honor will follow at the Amenia Steakhouse. Memorial contributions may be made to the Amenia Fire Company & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 166, Amenia, NY 12501. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service or to plant a tree in Bill’s memory please visit www.conklinfuneral.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546.
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Joyce Gertrude Cassetta
Millerton News
Aug 18, 2026
MILLBROOK — Joyce Gertrude (Kirstein) Cassetta of Millbrook, 96, passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 10 at Maplewood. Joyce was born Sept. 15, 1930, in Ossining New York to Ethel (Travis) and Franz Kirstein. She was the second eldest of 6 children, and the only member of her family to graduate high school. Joyce married Michael A. Cassetta (deceased) of Tarrytown in 1950. Joyce and Mike built their first home in East Irvington where they raised their family. Joyce was an outstanding cook, avid gardener, enjoyed curling and ice skating. Joyce also served over 50 years in the Eastern Star. She is survived by 3 of her 4 children, 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She has one surviving sister, Shirley. Our deepest gratitude to those who cared for her, especially her son Mark. Joyce will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery.
Stephen M. Brandt
Millerton News
Aug 18, 2026
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