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More funds approved for Lower River Road bridge

CORNWALL — An additional $150,000 in funding to rebuild the Lower River Road bridge was approved at the annual town meeting Oct. 28.Even as residents were voting, workers from Mohawk Northeast Construction were working under the floodlights to stay on schedule to build a stronger version of the bridge destroyed Aug. 28 by Tropical Storm Irene. They have until Dec. 10 to complete the bridge, per their contract with the town.Project Manager Roger Kane reported the drilled subfootings and abutment on the north side were completed that day, and two of six on the south side were in. The going has been on pace, if not rougher than anticipated. Test borings showed they would be up against a lot of rocks and old cobblestones that have piled up by the bridge, which spans Mill Brook just before its convergence with the Housatonic River. Those results drove the decision to drill bedrock footings, rather than ramming in sheets of steel.Still, they were surprised by the size of the boulders that have washed down the brook in flood waters over the decades.“One thing everyone agrees on is that Cornwall has got some huge, tough stones,” Kane said. “We grind through them all day long.”Kane said he is very impressed with the contractor’s capabilities and cooperativeness. “They know their stuff. I’m learning a lot out there. It’s going to be the strongest bridge in town, and they plan to be done before Thanksgiving.”Total cost is estimated at $620,000. The latest appropriation is in addition to $450,000 approved at an Oct. 8 town meeting. The capital projects line item for bridges has a $70,000 balance, allowing costs to be covered plus a contingency fund. Some of that will go toward a $500 per day incentive for an early project completion. FEMA has agreed to reimburse the town for 75 percent of costs.

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Marilyn Josephine Kay

Marilyn Josephine Kay

MILLERTON — Marilyn Josephine Kay (Masterson), 93, whose life was characterized by a quiet strength, graceful and cheerful presence, enduring athleticism and an abiding community spirit, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A long-time resident of Millerton, New York with her late husband and local veterinarian Kent Kay, DVM, Marilyn spent her final years surrounded by the love and care of her Minnesota family.

Born Feb.19, 1933, in New York City, Marilyn was the youngest of four daughters. Raised by a single mother, Marilyn learned early on the values of independence and determination—traits that would define her entire life. She excelled academically and athletically, attending Hunter College and channeling her passion for movement into work as a physical education teacher.

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Natacha (Nathalie) Kondratiev

Natacha (Nathalie) Kondratiev

MILLBROOK — Natacha (Nathalie) Kondratiev was born on August 4 1960 in New York City. She grew up, with her five siblings, in Flushing, NY. Natacha went to school at the Lycée Français in New York City. She spent many summers in France with her family where she was able to indulge her love of horses daily, almost to the exclusion of all else. She loved horses from early childhood, and that love dominated her life until the very end.

Natacha went to NYU with the intention of studying for a degree in veterinary medicine but switched majors and received a BA in French. She continued her love for horses in her late teens by taking riding lessons from professionals at Waterfall Farm in Danbury, Connecticut. When Paul Okolowicz moved Waterfall Farm to North Mabbettsville Road in the Millbrook Hunt Country, Natacha followed him there, eventually becoming employed as groom and riding instructor.

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Jeremiah Joseph Larsen

Jeremiah Joseph Larsen

HARWINTON — Jeremiah Joseph Larsen, 44, of 274 Litchfield Rd. died Sunday June 14, 2026 at the Yale New Haven Health Center in New Haven. Jeremiah was born May 9, 1982 in Bristol, CT. He was the son of Jeffrey L. and Ruth M. (Wilkinson) Larsen of Harwinton, CT

Jeremiah graduated from Lewis Mills High School in Burlington. He worked for several local landscapers in the Northwest Corner including Leno’s Lawn Service, Green Acres Landscaping and most recently Paul Kaminski Landscape Management in Harwinton. Jeremiah was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time with his two sons, Hayden and Finn Larsen, of East Canaan, CT and extended family. He and his ex-wife Jessica Strattman continued to work closely to provide the best for Hayden and Finn. Jeremiah also was known for his love of cutting grass.

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Donald Harry Duncan

Donald Harry Duncan

MILLERTON — Donald Harry Duncan, 78, a lifelong area resident died peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at his home in Millerton, NY, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Sharon E. (Drake) Duncan and loving father of Bruce, Alex and Steven Duncan, adored grandfather of Sydney, Chelsea, Bailey, Gabriel, Ariana, Braeden and Tony and caring brother of Patricia Flood and James Duncan.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday July 1, 2026 from 11am to 12pm at South Amenia Presbyterian Church, 229 South Amenia Road, Wassaic, NY 12592. A funeral service will begin at 12pm at South Amenia Presbyterian Church. Reverend Zora Cheatham will officiate. A communal reception in Don’s honor will be held immediately following the service in the fellowship hall next door to the church. Burial at Irondale Cemetery will take place in the future. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service or to plant a tree in Don’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546.

Fallen tree downs power lines, blocks Route 112

Eversource crews work to repair damaged power lines after a tree fell near onto Route 112 just north of the Interlaken Inn on Monday, June 22.

Photo by Nathan Miller

LAKEVILLE — A tree fell on Route 112 Monday, June 22, downing power lines and blocking traffic north of Route 41 near the Hotchkiss Four Corners.

Eversource crews on scene at 4:45 p.m. said power lines were being repaired and utility service had been restored to customers in the area.

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Francis Lynehan

Francis Lynehan

DOVER PLAINS — Francis “Butch” Lynehan, 75, a twenty-year resident of Dover Plains, New York, formerly of Sharon, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Vassar Bros. Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Born Aug. 29, 1950, in Sharon, he was the son of the late William W. and Nellie (Kluun) Lynehan.

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