At a glance: key Ulster County Legislature votes March 18, 2025 On March 18 the Ulster County Legislature handled multiple agenda items: extensions and bond authorization for UCRRA (Res. 83 / 83a), lease with iPark (Res. 89), transit committee appointments (Res. 95), parental leave (Res. 119), and vendor reporting (Res. 124). Vote tallies are noted below.

The Ulster County Legislature made significant decisions on March 18, from bonding for a Reuse Innovation Center to new parental leave policies—what does this mean for the community?

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #PublicPolicy

Ulster County approves $10 million bonding authority for Reuse Innovation Center amid oversight dispute After heated debate over oversight and transparency, the Ulster County Legislature voted 15–8 to authorize the Resource Recovery Agency to seek bonding up to $10,000,000 for a Reuse Innovation Center at a Flatbush property; a separate 60‑day extension of the agency’s service agreement passed 23–0.

Ulster County has sparked controversy by approving a $10 million bonding authority for a Reuse Innovation Center, igniting a heated debate over oversight and transparency!

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #TransparencyInGovernance #ResourceRecovery #SustainableDevelopment

Ulster County adopts 12‑week parental leave program after debate over costs and scope The Ulster County Legislature adopted Resolution 119 to create a parental‑leave program offering paid leave (12 weeks at full wages per discussion), 19–4, after debate over fiscal impact, inclusion of foster care and eldercare, and whether benefits continue to accrue. A motion to send the resolution back to committee was proposed and withdrawn.

Ulster County has just approved a groundbreaking 12-week parental leave program, but fierce debates over costs and inclusivity linger.

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#UlsterCounty #NY #FamilyStability #CitizenPortal #WorkforceInvestment #FiscalTransparency #UlsterCountyParentalLeave

Speakers urge protections for Colony Farm and farmworker housing during Ulster County farmland plan hearing Three public commenters told the Ulster County Legislature they support the draft Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan and urged specific additions: designate the former prison farmland (Colony Farm) as an Ulster County Ag Park, pursue dedicated farmworker housing, and strengthen supports for organic farms.

Ulster County is on the verge of transforming its agricultural landscape, with calls to designate Colony Farm as a vital Ag Park and tackle urgent farmworker housing needs!

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalProtection #OrganicFarming #FarmworkerHousing

People USA outlines 24/7 crisis support center to Ulster County legislators People USA presented a peer‑run, 24/7 crisis stabilization model and usage data from a Dutchess County center (2024: ~3,000 guests; ~2,000 mental‑health related visits; ~700 substance‑use), and requested legislative engagement and a facility tour when local centers open.

People USA is proposing a groundbreaking 24/7 Crisis Support Center for Ulster County, aiming to transform mental health care and divert thousands from emergency services!

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #UlsterCountyCrisisSupport #CommunityCollaboration #SubstanceUseRecovery

Baker Tilly recommends single 34-grade pay structure for Ulster County in salary study Baker Tilly presented a countywide salary study recommending a single 34-grade, nine-step pay structure for Ulster County, outlined three implementation scenarios with estimated one-time costs and urged routine maintenance; legislators pressed the consultant on peer selection, missing municipal data and geographic adjustments.

Baker Tilly's bold recommendation for a new pay structure in Ulster County could reshape employee compensation and ensure fairness—will the committee take the plunge?

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#UlsterCounty #NY #SalaryReform #CitizenPortal #UlsterCountyPay #CompensationTransparency #PublicEmployment

Joppenbergh Mountain
Rosendale, New York
#RockinTuesday #ColorADay #bluetue #rosendaletrestle #walkillvalleyrailtrail #trees #rocks #sky #nature #ulstercounty #newyork #photography

Ulster County Legislature approves wide set of contracts and local laws after heated debate; public raises landfill, oversight and union concerns The Feb. 18 Ulster County Legislature meeting included sustained public opposition to a proposed landfill in Wawarsing, debate over living-wage exemptions for youth employment, a tight vote on midterm salary increases for elected officials, approvals for the Golden Hill housing project and multiple sheriff contracts and appointments.

The Ulster County Legislature faced fierce public opposition over a proposed landfill, while also navigating heated debates on living wages and salary revisions in a pivotal meeting that could shape the future of local governance.

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#UlsterCounty #NY #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal

Ulster County audit committee hears 2024 audit plan, approves Sept. minutes Auditors from O'Connor Navy told the Ulster County audit committee that 2023 statements were issued Sept. 27, 2024, and outlined 2024 fieldwork, the single-audit program list, two primary audit risks and the impact of GASB 101 on compensated‑absence liabilities.

Ulster County's audit committee is gearing up for a critical 2024, facing significant risks and new regulations that could reshape their financial landscape!

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #AuditRiskManagement #FinancialTransparency #GovernmentAccountability

County health officials brief legislators on lead remediation plan, staffing and language access Health Department staff described a state program to inspect pre‑1980 rental units for lead hazards and said the county budget includes inspection and records positions; officials also highlighted language‑access contracts and outreach plans and cautioned about clinical staff recruitment challenges.

Ulster County is set to launch a proactive lead safety program for rental properties in 2025, but the success hinges on state funding and contract finalizations.

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#UlsterCounty #NY #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #UlsterCountyHealth #CommunityOutreach #LeadSafety

Ulster County committee flags staffing gaps and multi‑million increases in social services budget during 2025 review Committee heard department‑level budget presentations showing large increases for family assistance, special education and early intervention; members and staff flagged staffing shortages, redirected ARPA funds for mental‑health projects and new state partnerships for lead remediation and veteran caregiver supports.

Ulster County's proposed 2025 budget reveals alarming multi-million dollar increases for social services, amidst ongoing staffing shortages and urgent housing demands.

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #EmergencyHousing #SocialServices #MentalHealth

#kingstonny #nokings3 #nk3 #resist #ulstercounty #nokings #nowar #noice #indivisibleulsterny18&19

#kingstonny #nokings3 #nk3 #resist #ulstercounty #nokings #nowar #noice #indivisibleulsterny18&19

#kingstonny #nokings3 #nk3 #resist #ulstercounty #nokings #nowar #noice #indivisibleulsterny18&19

#kingstonny #nokings3 #nk3 #resist #ulstercounty #nokings #nowar #noice #indivisibleulsterny18&19

#kingstonny #nokings3 #nk3 #resist #ulstercounty #nokings #nowar #noice #indivisibleulsterny18&19

#kingstonny #nokings3 #nk3 #resist #ulstercounty #nokings #nowar #noice #indivisibleulsterny18&19

#kingstonny #nokings3 #nk3 #resist #ulstercounty #nokings #nowar #noice #indivisibleulsterny18&19

Plan now to see our louvered roof in action at the Grand Am BBQ Championship at the Ulster County Fairgrounds on May 1-3, 2026. 

hvsunrooms.com 

#sunrooms #hudsonvalley #fourseasons #hudsonvalleyny #ulstercountyfair #ulstercounty #ribfest #grandambbq

NO WAR WITH IRAN rally held March 7, 2026 in Kingston, NY
youtu.be/H_0xK35Wen8
#noiranwar
#iran
#dsa
#kingston
#ulstercounty

We, in Ulster County, NY, are very fortunate to have a smart thoughtful Sheriff who has made his department a beacon for helping residents feel safe. Here's a video from his re-election campaign kickoff. Enjoy.
youtu.be/bNGa6kLbbLI
#indivisibleulster
#ulstercounty
#indivisible
#sheriff
#junafigueroa

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.”
—LaoTzu
#waterwednesday #ashokanreservoir #sky #clouds #catskills #water #trees #nature #hudsonvalley #ulstercounty #newyork #photography

Committee adopts amendment to Resolution 108, confirms two EMC reappointments and postpones river-rights local law The committee amended and unanimously adopted Resolution 108 to align the Hudson 7 agreement language and funding intent, confirmed reappointments of Sarah Underhill and Victoria Lucarini to the Environmental Management Council, and voted to postpone a proposed local law declaring "riverhood" (rights of certain waterways) for one month to give time for legal review and public-readiness work.

Ulster County's committee just made waves by amending a key resolution, confirming vital reappointments, and hitting pause on a groundbreaking "riverhood" law!

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #SustainabilityEfforts #EnvironmentalManagement #UlsterCountyEnvironment

Ulster County agency selects Big Reuse for Reuse Innovation Center; site search continues The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency has selected Brooklyn nonprofit Big Reuse to operate a proposed Reuse Innovation Center; Executive Director Mark Ryder said kickoff meetings are underway but implementation awaits a suitable site and the agency is working with brokers to find options in Kingston and surrounding areas.

Ulster County is one step closer to a sustainable future with Big Reuse leading the charge on a new Reuse Innovation Center, but the race for the perfect site is on!

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #SustainabilityInitiatives #UlsterCountyReuse #LocalOpportunities

Ulster County Department of Environment outlines Climate Smart strategy and new Local Government Climate Action Partnership County Environment Director Andy Bickering reviewed recent climate metrics for Ulster County, described the department's support for municipal Climate Smart Communities participation, and outlined a new Local Government Climate Action Partnership created under Executive Order 3 of 2026 to coordinate county and municipal climate planning and capacity-building.

Ulster County is stepping up its climate game with a new Local Government Climate Action Partnership and ambitious goals to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions!

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#UlsterCounty #NY #SustainableCommunities #CitizenPortal #ClimateAction #LocalGovernment #UlsterCountyEnvironment

Environmental group urges Ulster County committee to oppose Farm Bill pesticide preemption Jeff Horsfield of the Environmental Working Group told the Ulster County committee that two Farm Bill provisions would preempt state and local pesticide rules and label addendums, and asked the committee to send a letter to Rep. Josh Riley urging him to oppose those provisions and support striking language that would bar local regulation.

Local governments may soon lose their power to regulate pesticides as crucial amendments in the House Farm Bill threaten state and local rights.

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalRegulations #PesticideSafety #LocalGovernmentRights #UlsterCountyEnvironment

Developer outlines 250 MW battery storage plan for Hurley Avenue site; legislators press on fire safety and liability Terrigen representative Mark Turner described a proposed 250-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage project at 430 Hurley Avenue and answered legislators' questions about past fires, testing, remediation liability and first-responder protocols; Turner said Terrigen had two enclosure fires among nine operating sites and that remediation would be the company's responsibility.

Terrigen's ambitious plan for a 250-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage system in Ulster County raises critical questions about fire safety and community impact.

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CommunityImpact #CitizenPortal #UlsterCountyEnergy #PublicSafety #RenewableEnergy

Brochures for the re-election campaign of Ulster County Sheriff, Juan Figueroa.

Ulster County Sheriff, Juan Figueroa.

A portion of the crowd at the kickoff for the re-election campaign of Ulster County Sheriff, Juan Figueroa.

Supporters for the re-election campaign of Ulster County Sheriff, Juan Figueroa.

Our beloved Ulster county Sheriff kicked off his re-election campaign today. Here are a few photos from the event. #sheriff
#ulstercounty
#juanfigueroa
#elections

Ulster County approves five‑year sales tax sharing deal amid town predictability concerns The legislature approved a five‑year sales tax agreement with the City of Kingston by a 16–6 vote after debate over a Medicaid contingency, discretionary 'excess' sharing language and whether to pursue a shorter term. Supporters said it raises the towns' baseline to 3.5%; critics said it leaves ambiguity.

Ulster County just approved a controversial five-year sales tax sharing agreement, but will it really provide the predictability towns need?

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#UlsterCounty #NY #MunicipalBudgeting #SalesTaxReform #CitizenPortal #UlsterCountyTowns #FiscalTransparency

NEW EPISODE: The case that made sojourner truth: How a formerly enslaved woman beat the establishment

Listen here: loom.ly/TTCqGGY

#BlackHistoryMonth #SojournerTruth #NYCourts #UlsterCounty #JuryDuty #AmiciPodcasts