North East and Millerton: A year in review

North east — The town of North East and village of Millerton faced many opposing opinions on several proposed projects throughout 2012.However, the community also enjoyed several events together.JanuaryJohn Merwin started off 2012 by taking over as the town of North East supervisor in January.The North East Community Center (NECC) headed up the Dial-A-Ride program to provide transportation for six towns including North East.FebruaryThe GOP nominated Dave McGhee and John “Jack” Thomas while Democratic support went to incumbents Yosh Schulman and Debbie Middlebrook for the two two-year term village trustee seats. The Moviehouse went digital in February updating its systems to offer state of the art sound, 3-D movies and a host of special events.The community gathered for a presentation on Feb. 2 for a proposed 36,000-square-foot supermarket project from Southern Realty & Development LLC (SRD). The project was announced for a location behind Thompson Plaza on Route 44.MarchThe Village Board approved water usage of approximately 2,000 gallons per day for the proposed supermarket. SRD addressed the Town Board in regards to extending the water line to the proposed location which the board reaffirmed their interest in doing, pending the project’s success.Bill Brunese, lifelong Millerton resident, celebrated his centennial at his home at Geer Village in North Canaan, Conn. His secret to keeping young? “Keep working,” he said.Middlebrook and Schulman both retained their seats on the Village Board after winning the local election.AprilNECC hosted a cleanup day to prepare for a new community garden behind its facility on South Center Street. Community members added their input on the garden’s layout and purpose to best serve the community.Town Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Tim Shaffer resigned after selling his home in Millerton. “I’d like to thank the board members and community for their continued support,” he said.The Village Board faced controversy after an audit report showed $16,000 in misappropriated funds.“The board and I accept our culpability. Mistakes have been made which require further actions,” said Mayor John Scutieri.MayThe Town Board voted in May to appoint Jim Campbell to the councilman position left vacant by Shaffer.Arnoff Moving and Storage flipped the switch on the area’s largest solar farm in an ongoing effort to go green.The SRD supermarket public hearing continued throughout May, drawing residents from Amenia, Pawling and more to speak out on the issue.Dan and Noah Katz, owners of several Freshtown locations, shared information with the public stating their belief that the proposed site would not work for the project.JunePossible delays for the proposed grocery store came about in June as five bog turtles were found within “a turtle’s walking distance” of the SRD site.The Planning Board gave the supermarket application a conditioned negative declaration. A petition was also submitted to the Planning Board, signed by nine family-owned grocery stores, opposing the project. 52 Main opened its doors to the new tapas bar on Main Street, adding a new restaurant next to The Moviehouse.JulyIrving Farm Coffee House was sold by Steve Dalton back to the original owners, David Elwell and Steve Leven of Irving Farm Roasting Company. The business shifted from artificial flavors to a focus on special roasts.The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) was met with a packed house on July 19 as the public hearing for Brooke Lehman’s special use permits for the farm-based education center, The Watershed Center, was met with much controversy.AugustThe Watershed public hearing continued in August. Concerns about Lehman’s personal and political persuasions were aired in the press, but it was the merits of the application that were discussed at ZBA meetings.SeptemberSoup n Scoop opened its doors in the corner plaza at the junction of routes 22 and 44 in Millerton. Bringing in a unique combination of Hale & Hearty Soups and SoCo Creamery ice cream the new eatery provides variety for the town.The Town Board appointed a new attorney for all matters pertaining to The Watershed Center after Attorney to the Town Warren Replansky recused himself due to conflict of interest. George Rodenhausen, a land-use attorney from Rhinebeck, was appointed to the position.The town’s consultants reconsidered the recommendation for a conditioned negative declaration and decided against it, raising much controversy between members of the board involved.OctoberMillerton teen Kiersten Duncan raised $675 in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Albany on Oct. 6. A total of 75 percent of those funds stay within the community to support breast cancer initiatives.The Oblong Neighbors Association filed an Article 78 lawsuit in protest to the determination of nonsignificance following the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process on The Watershed Center.In a surprising turn of events, Ken Thompson said he wanted to reconsider granting authorization to SRD for the proposed supermarket application. That authorization is essential for the project to progress according to current plans.NovemberLifelong Millerton resident Dot McGhee celebrated her 100th birthday this year, saying, “I can’t believe all the fuss.”Cozzy’s Pizzeria moved from Thompson Plaza to Route 22, next to Soup n Scoop, in an attempt to raise visibility. “It’s the same quality food in a new space,” said owner Cozzy DeBernardo.DecemberThe year came to an end with one of the biggest holiday celebrations the town has seen to date.An evening-long celebration was held throughout the town among participating businesses, which offered the public food, drinks and fun activities. There was also a holiday parade and an open-house at the firehouse.Watershed Center applicant Brooke Lehman decided to submit an amended special permit application as a result of all of the issues raised by the community, prompting the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to rescind its negative declaration environmental review finding. That action, in turn, was reason enough for opponents to the project to drop the Article 78 lawsuit that was filed against The Watershed Center applicants, the ZBA and others involved in the project. The amended application’s review will restart in February.