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A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger |
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Spring greetings, Ulster County! As we celebrate Earth Day this month, I'm excited to announce the April 27 launch of the Ulster County Nature Bus – free public transportation on designated Saturdays to and from scenic and recreational destinations around the county through mid-October. We want to expand opportunities for our residents to enjoy our County’s outdoor natural attractions, including community members who do not own a car or do not drive. You’ll find more information on the program, below, and I hope you’ll join me on the bus!
Read on for other news and events, including the launch of the “Corrections to Careers” program in the County jail, plans to create County mental health clinics for youth and families, a grant to the County Office of the Aging to help seniors make needed repairs to their homes, and more.
All my best,
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Recent News & Events
Ulster County Launches the ‘Nature Bus’ Earth Day Week
The Ulster County Nature Bus program kicks off on Saturday, April 27, for community members to visit and explore the County's natural treasures and destination favorites like Sam’s Point, Ashokan Rail Trail, Walkway Over the Hudson, Minnewaska, and the Catskills Visitor Center, to name a few. The program is entirely free, and residents can take buses from Kingston and Ellenville to a park or preserve along three different routes to enjoy a morning or day out of doors. The full bus schedule can be found here, with destinations for people of all abilities and ages. It's a great way to spend a Saturday with family and friends!
A joint program of UCAT and the Ulster County Department of Tourism, the Nature Bus will run on scheduled Saturdays through mid-October.
The program was initiated by the County Executive's Office to expand opportunities for our residents, including those without a car or who do not drive, to visit the County's pristine natural treasures and outdoor recreational destinations. With an estimated 7.5% of Ulster County residents lacking car ownership, and even higher percentages in urban centers like Kingston and Ellenville, this program helps fill a gap in access while providing all residents with the chance to take a fun and free excursion and connect with nature.
Eight Ulster County Organizations Receive Grants to Shrink Their Carbon Footprint
We want to extend an Earth Day congratulations to the eight nonprofit organizations and faith-based institutions in our county that have been awarded grants by Partners for Climate Action to reduce their carbon footprint, including YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County in Midtown, Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, Old Dutch Church in Kingston, Hudson Valley Research Lab in Highland, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills, Marbletown Community Center, Jewish Congregation of New Paltz, and Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties.
The organizations will use the funding for projects like solar panel installations, heat pump upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements that will reduce energy bills for the long term while fighting climate change. The County government applauds these efforts and is working to decarbonize its own buildings and facilities with an $18 million County Decarbonization Capital Reserve--the first in the state!
County Plans Two New Mental Health Clinics for Youth and Families
On Tuesday, April 16 the County Legislature approved County Executive Metzger’s proposal to create two new mental health clinics for youth and families. With youth in Ulster County, and throughout the country, experiencing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional distress, it is critical that we expand the capacity of clinical support in our community. The new clinics will offer diagnostic assessments, individual therapy, family therapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and referrals. The Ulster County Department of Mental Health is thrilled that this funding is approved and is moving quickly to make these clinics a reality.
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Corrections to Careers Program Underway at County Jail
County Executive Metzger visited the Ulster County Jail this week to welcome men and women participating in the "Corrections to Careers" program, an initiative launched by her office in partnership with the Ulster County Office of the Sheriff and the Carpenters Local 279 to provide a pathway for incarcerated individuals to become a full apprentice with the Carpenter’s union or another trade of their choice after their release from jail. The 12-week program is led by Carpenters Local 279 Council Representative Matthew Ross, and eight men and five women are currently participating. On the County Executive's visit, many remarked that they were excited for the opportunity, which is the first of its kind in the state.
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Ulster County Secures $25K Grant from Bank of Greene County for Senior Home Repairs
The Ulster County Office for the Aging (OFA) has received a $25,000 grant from the Bank of Greene County to help pay for a variety of crucial repairs to the homes of older adults, fostering environments where they can maintain their independence and safety. From fixing porch steps to addressing malfunctioning well pumps, these funds will help alleviate financial burdens and enhance the quality of life for seniors, with availability slated for summertime.
For more information on home repairs or to volunteer with OFA, contact the Ulster County Office for the Aging at (845) 340-3456.
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Ulster County Recognizes April as Ulster County Donor Awareness Month
Last week, the County Executive joined County Clerk Nina Postupack and the Department of Motor Vehicles in raising a flag to foster awareness of donorship, an important life-saving program. They were joined in the ceremony by Ulster County Legislature Chair Peter Criswell and representatives from other County elected offices, along with New Paltz resident Butch Dener, who shared his personal story of how his own life was saved by a liver donation. (Donations of a portion of a liver can actually be made by a live donor because of this organ's remarkable ability to regenerate and grow back to its normal size!)
Ulster County is proud to partner with Donate Life NYS to help save lives, and we encourage our residents to sign up today to be a community hero by becoming an organ and tissue donor.
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Ulster County Planning Department Receives Heissenbuttel Award for Planning Excellence
Congratulations to the Ulster County Planning Department for receiving the Heissenbuttel Award for Planning Excellence! The annual award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and innovative contributions to planning practice and consistent support for promoting sound planning principles. Congrats to Dennis and the entire hard-working County team!
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April 14 to April 20 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Ulster County honors the dedication and service sacrifice of our public safety telecommunicators. This week, and beyond, we thank them for their tireless commitment to keeping our communities safe!
Upcoming Lunch & Learn: De-Escalation Workshop - Tuesday, April 23
The Ulster County Restorative Justice Community and Empowerment Center invites you to a special Lunch & Learn: De-Escalation Workshop on Tuesday, April 23. The workshop will be run by Tamara Cooper, LMSW from the Family of Woodstock, and will include valuable information on self-regulation, our capacity to help others through co-regulation, and other tips for managing different types of aggression.
📅 Tuesday, April 23
🕕12 PM - 1:30 PM
📍 Restorative Justice Community and Empowerment Center, 733 Broadway, Kingston, NY
This event is open to the public and County employees. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch. To RSVP, email kmap@co.ulster.ny.us or call (845) 802-7966.
Three-Part “Death Literacy 101” Workshop Series with the Office for the Aging
The Ulster County Office for the Aging, in partnership with Bevival and the Ulster County Women’s Network, invites you to join us for a FREE, 3-part workshop series on Death Literacy– everything you want to know, long before the time of need.
📅 Fridays: April 26, May 3, May 10
🕕 1 PM - 2:30 PM
📍 Office for the Aging Senior Hub, 1091 Development Ct. Kingston, NY
Discover valuable insights and practical advice from experts on preparing for the end of life. Topics include identifying goals, estate planning, Swedish "death cleaning," and more.
RSVP by Monday, April 22 by calling (845) 340-3456.
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Join the Ulster County Climate Corps
The application process is open for the Ulster County Climate Corps, a paid 10-week summer internship program that provides hands-on experience working on climate solutions in government and in the community. This is the only program of its kind in the state, launched last year by County Executive Metzger, and is open to high school (16+), college, and graduate school students, and anyone eager to make a difference. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through May, or until the program is filled, whichever comes first.
Gain experience in government and help Ulster County achieve our ambitious climate and sustainability goals!
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Job Openings in Ulster County
Consider a career in public service and earn a living by making a difference! Visit the civil service portal and apply today to join our team. Here are just some of the rewarding positions we're hiring for:
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Commissioner of Health ($183,511.00/year)
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Senior Projects Manager - Electrification ($89,425/year)
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Director of the Youth Bureau ($79,926.00/year)
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Deputy Director of Emergency Communications/Emergency Management - Interoperability ($79,607/year)
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Public Transit Grants and Procurement Specialist ($64,996/year)
The Ulster County Government strictly adheres to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and Americans with Disability Act.
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