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Town Board

Town Board Meeting — June 4, 2026

Town Board Meeting Summary — June 4, 2026

Supervisor Rosanna Hamm presided. Present: Councilperson Nicole Ahearn, Councilperson Vicki Doyle, Councilperson Walter Dietrich. The board also entered and exited executive session at both the start and end of the meeting.

Highway Garage — Bids Authorized

In Progress

The board adopted Resolution 51, authorizing the formal solicitation of bids for general construction, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work in connection with the new highway garage and salt storage facility on Route 22. The bid opening is scheduled for July 9, 2026. Bid documents are available on the town's website and have been published in the Millerton News.

"Amenia Spy Catcher" — Play at Town Hall

Playwright and Amenia resident George Fansen presented an update on his historical drama, "Amenia Spy Catcher," celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The play, which Fansen wrote and received grant funding for, has a full cast and is scheduled for performances in the Town Hall Theater on August 21–23, 2026. Set designer David Palmieri is donating professional expertise; costume design is underway. The board discussed a request for approximately $2,241 for stage lighting materials, pending a structural engineer's assessment of the town hall's I-beams (estimated at $1,850). The board agreed to seek a second engineering quote before committing to the assessment cost.

Tree Removal at the Burial Ground — Approved

The board approved a motion to hire Lee Trees to remove trees at the town's burial ground at $2,700 per day

Route 44 Sidewalk

In Progress

Supervisor Hamm reported a complication: the original contractor, Pasqual, declined the project after his bonding company refused to bond the work as initially planned (patchwork rather than full replacement). The county's inspector and DOT will meet with Pasqual on site to review his concerns. If unresolved, the project will proceed to the third bidder on the original list.

EMS Services — Regional Collaboration

Supervisor Hamm reported on a June 1st meeting with County Legislator Eric Alexander and Stanford Supervisor Julia Desto regarding a potential regional EMS solution. Initial conversations involve combining ambulance services among the towns of Amenia, Northeast, Washington, and Stanford, and possibly the Village of Millbrook, with the goal of dramatically reducing costs. A Zoom meeting is scheduled for June 12th with supervisors from all participating municipalities. Northwell Health is being pursued as a potential partner.

Habitat for Humanity

In Progress

Habitat for Humanity CEO Elco Kessels visited town hall and confirmed that project funding is fully secured. Construction on the Depot Hill Road property is expected to begin in August 2026.

Community Events and Upcoming Items

  • Comprehensive plan review committee meeting: Tuesday, June 9, 6:00 p.m. at town hall.
  • Classic car show and flower event: Main Street closure approved (Resolution 49).
  • Town employee performance check-ins: Councilperson Ahearn introduced a proposal for informal performance check-ins focused on appreciation and employee feedback. Copies of a sample form were distributed.

Public Comment: Shared Courtroom Proposal

Chris Kennan, Supervisor of the neighboring Town of Stanford, addressed the board. The Town of Stanford recently purchased a former Jehovah's Witnesses building on Route 22 for a new town hall but is struggling to fit a courtroom that meets the Office of Court Administration's current requirements. State law permits towns to share a courtroom (though not a court clerk's office). Kennan said Stanford is exploring whether to share a courtroom with Amenia, Stanford, or Pine Plains, and invited further conversation. He also thanked the Town of Amenia's highway department for mutual aid support following the death of Stanford's highway superintendent.

Resolutions

  • Resolution 49: Authorizing closure of Main Street for the classic car show and flower event — approved.
  • Resolution 50: Amending assignment of court clerk duties to the clerk of the justice — approved.
  • Resolution 51: Authorizing solicitation of bids for general construction, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work for the new highway garage and salt storage facility — approved.

This summary was generated from the YouTube recording of the meeting. It is intended as a public service and may contain minor transcription inaccuracies.

▶ Watch the full recording on YouTube

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