Recent News & Events
Welcome, Amberly Jane Campbell, to the Ulster County Team!
Ulster County is thrilled to announce the appointment of Amberly Jane Campbell as the new Assistant Deputy County Executive. With a robust background in journalism and community outreach, Amberly brings a wealth of experience to the important job of leading our communications and public engagement efforts. Amberly previously served as Publisher of the Shawangunk Journal and Co-Founder of Kingston Wire, and her dedication to transparency and accessible information aligns perfectly with the office's mission. Welcome, Amberly!
Housing Action Fund Opens Applications on March 11
In 2023, County Executive Metzger worked with the Legislature to create a $15 million Housing Action Fund to help expand the supply of housing for our residents that is both affordable and sustainable. We're excited to report that the application process for the first round of projects will open on March 11, with up to $3 million in grants to be awarded this year.
Eligible projects include affordable rental and homeownership initiatives, preservation of affordable housing, emergency and supportive housing, housing-related infrastructure, and other projects aimed at addressing the housing crisis.
Learn more about the Housing Action Fund by visiting Participate Ulster and register for a webinar on the application process on March 19 at 6 PM, hosted by the Ulster County Planning Department.
County Executive and Legislators Advocate for Better Traffic Study of Proposed Mega-Warehouse in Plattekill
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has requested that the NYS Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) require a more rigorous assessment of the traffic impacts of the proposed 451,000-square-foot mega-warehouse, planned for Route 44/55 in Plattekill, than has been undertaken to date.
The letter to NYS DOT was co-signed by Minority Leader Kevin Roberts (Plattekill) and Legislators Debra Clinton (Gardiner, Shawangunk), Megan Sperry (New Paltz, Esopus), and Limina Grace Harmon (New Paltz), and elevates concerns raised by the Ulster County Planning Board, local elected officials, and residents about the road safety and traffic impacts of the proposed facility. Read more about the letter.
NYS Counties Support Passage of the NYS Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
At the annual Legislative Conference of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), County Executive Jen Metzger called on the State Legislature to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act to make corporations–not local governments and taxpayers–responsible for reducing their waste and paying for recycling. County Executive Metzger chairs NYSAC's Standing Committee on Climate Action, Energy, and Environment, which has led the Association's advocacy efforts for this legislation. The bill would reduce plastics pollution and save communities hundreds of millions of dollars in recycling and disposal costs and enjoys the unanimous support of New York's 62 counties.
Last week's annual NYSAC Legislative Conference in Albany was attended by some 800 County representatives from across the state, including 15 Ulster County elected officials.
Human Rights News
Governor Hochul has signed legislation extending the unlawful discrimination statute of limitations to give individuals more time to seek redress, justice, and accountability. All New Yorkers who experience unlawful discrimination will now have three years instead of just one to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights. Learn more about this important development in the protection of human rights in our state.
The Ulster County Human Rights Department is here to help if you are experiencing or have experienced discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital or familial status, age, or arrest/conviction record in the workplace, housing, public accommodation, education or credit. To file a complaint, please visit our webpage.
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