William J. Kemble is reporting for the Daily Freeman the Rhinebeck Town Board has agreed to settle a court battle with Dutchess County that has caused needed handicapped accessibility improvements at the Rhinecliff train station to be delayed. Under the terms of the settlement, the town and Amtrak will each pay $5,000 to the county. The agreement, authorized March 23, waives about $59,000 in back taxes owed by Amtrak’s parent company, National Railroad Passenger Corp. “The county makes us whole on our property taxes,” Rhinebeck Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said. “...The deed is clear.” Dutchess County acquired the title to the 2.4-acre property in 2001, due to the nonpayment of special district taxes for firefighting, water and lighting service. The county will now return the title to the railroad. “I want our historic station to be maintained,” Spinzia said. “We did everything we can to lift any impediments to Amtrak being able to fix the station, and that’s what’s important.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.