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A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger |
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Dear Friends,
Last week, the County Legislature held its January organizational meeting, adopting its committee structure and electing legislative leadership, including the re-election of Legislators Peter Criswell as Chair of the Legislature, Abe Uchitelle as Majority Leader, and Kevin Roberts as Minority Leader. I look forward to our continued work together in this new legislative session.
Read on for news about our new UCAT solar charging system, takeaways from the Governor's State of the State Address, our Department Spotlight on the County Department of Health, and more. I hope you're staying warm in this cold snap!
All my best,
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Recent News & Events
New Solar Array to Power UCAT Buses
The New York Power Authority (NYPA), under contract with Ulster County, has successfully installed 480 solar panels on the roof of Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT)’s main building and garage, generating 220,268 kWh of renewable electricity to power electric bus charging. This system is supported by NYSERDA funding and a state grant secured by County Executive Jen Metzger in 2020, during her time in the State Senate.
This installation marks a key milestone in UCAT’s transition to clean energy, with plans for an upgraded backup generator to ensure power during outages. The first phase of this project, completed in 2022, introduced charging infrastructure for the County’s first three electric buses, and two more are expected to join the fleet in the spring!
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Ulster County Executive Attends State of the State Address
Last Tuesday, County Executive Metzger joined other County Executives from across New York for Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address in Albany. The County Executive applauded a number of initiatives announced by the Governor to improve affordability and help struggling households, including:
- A major increase in the child tax credit, expected to reduce child poverty by 8.2%.
- Universal free school breakfasts and lunches.
- $110 million investment in new and expanded childcare facilities.
- A middle-class tax cut to the lowest level in 70 years.
- A ban on private equity firms bidding on houses to ensure opportunities for local residents.
- $100 million to build starter homes and provide down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
- Free community college for adults (ages 25-55) pursuing high-demand fields, like nursing, advanced manufacturing, green careers, and engineering.
Also great for the County's work on climate change is the Governor’s commitment of $100 million for non-MTA transit electrification, which will aid our efforts to electrify UCAT, and her proposal for a $1 billion fund to support climate and clean energy investments in our communities.
Another big win for our communities on climate was the signing in December of the Climate Superfund Act into law, which holds major fossil fuel companies financially responsible for the damaging impacts of climate change. The County Executive had advocated with the Governor's office to sign the law, which establishes a fund that companies will pay into to support projects that strengthen our communities’ resilience to the impacts of a changing climate.
County Executive Previews State of the County at RVBA Breakfast
County Executive Metzger previewed her State of the County address at the annual Rondout Valley Business Association breakfast at the Mohonk Mountain House last Thursday, highlighting accomplishments in 2024 and plans for 2025 on housing, agriculture, climate action, small business support, arts & culture, and transportation, among other County priorities.
The County Executive will give her State of the County address on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 pm. The address will be live-streamed and available in both English and Spanish. More information to come!
Empowering the Next Generation at the Ulster BOCES SkillsUSA Leadership Conference
On Wednesday, Jan. 8. County Executive Jen Metzger spoke to over 100 Ulster BOCES students at the SkillsUSA Leadership Conference at SUNY Ulster–a day of knowledge-sharing and skill-building by students to enhance their personal and professional growth. The County Executive shared her own personal story and offered three qualities she believes are important to good leadership:
- A leader leads even when no one is watching.
- A leader takes ownership of their mistakes instead of making excuses.
- A leader inspires others to be their best selves.
This conference highlighted the value of fostering leadership skills in our youth, ensuring they are well-equipped for future success.
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A Visit from the New York State American Legion Commander
Ulster County was honored to welcome the NYS American Legion Commander and their team for a visit on Friday, Dec. 10. During their time in the County, they met with County Executive Metzger and the County Veterans Services Department to discuss priority needs for veterans, including mental health support and job training opportunities. The meeting also highlighted the County’s ongoing efforts to support those who have served.
The visit concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Ulster County Memorial Roll of Honor. Special thanks to the American Legion team for their visit and to Veterans Services Department Director Mark Cozzupoli for hosting!
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Ulster County Department of Health (DOH)
Department of Health employees Jim Nerone, Scott Benson, Terri Williams, and Anthony Gariolo are recognized with the Golden Faucet Award for exemplary performance that represents public health at its best.
The Ulster County Department of Health (DOH) is dedicated to protecting and improving the health of all our residents and our communities. The Health Department works to prevent chronic diseases, respond to insect-related illnesses, prevent lead poisoning, prepare for public health emergencies, and provide immunizations and nutritional services to children and adults.
Environmental health is also a big focus: Health Department engineers and sanitarians oversee the health and safety of drinking water, septic systems, food establishments and vendors, public pools, and summer camps. Last but not least, the Health Department's team of Medical Examiners protects public health by investigating and establishing causes of death.
The Department’s team of public health experts is here to serve you!
Join the Ulster County Board of Health!
The Ulster County Board of Health (UCBOH) is a seven-member advisory board to the Department of Health that provides oversight and guidance on public health matters. Members of the Board consult on critical issues, review and assess programs, and advise County leadership on initiatives that strengthen community health.
Are you passionate about public health and eager to make a difference in your community? We’re currently seeking applicants to join the Board. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to the County’s health policies and programs, working alongside professionals dedicated to improving the well-being of our residents.
We especially encourage applications that help widen geographic representation in the County beyond the Kingston area, including candidates from Ellenville, Southern Ulster, Northwestern Ulster, and surrounding communities. Individuals with legal experience are also encouraged to apply.
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Seeking Input on the County's Draft Agricultural & Farmland Protection Plan
Here are some great farm facts about what our Ulster County farmers produce!
- Fruit is the big one – Ulster County ranked #2 in the state (after Wayne County) in the sales of fruits, including apples, grapes, peaches, plums, pears, and a wide variety of berries. We rank #3 in the number of orchards, with apples accounting for 90% of the acreage.
- We rank #9 in the sales of sheep, goats, and their products.
- Since 2002, farms have shifted away from raising beef and dairy cattle. The number of dairy farms fell 67%, and the number of beef cattle farms, by about 50%. (Only 1% of the County's farms today produce dairy as a principal product.)
- More farms are producing grains, raising chickens for their eggs, and growing vegetables, nursery, greenhouse, and floriculture products as their primary activity.
- 28% more farms are growing grains and oilseed than in 2002.
- Ulster County also has many equine farms and ranks #5 in value of horses, ponies, and mules sold.
- Whether it’s growing fruits, veggies, corn, and grains or raising sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens — you can get almost anything from our Ulster County farms!
Ulster County has completed a draft Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan with actions and strategies to foster a thriving, resilient, and sustainable agricultural community. Review the draft plan and share your feedback by January 31, 2025. You can leave feedback directly on the Participate Ulster site or email Senior Planner Burt Samuelson at bsam@co.ulster.ny.us.
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Mid-Hudson Energy Transition Free Appliance Upgrade Program
The City of Kingston is offering income-qualifying Kingston homeowners and renters FREE energy-efficient appliances through Mid-Hudson Energy Transition. Funded by the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this initiative offers induction stoves, heat pump water heaters, and portable heat pumps – all zero-emissions technologies that are energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly, and support healthy indoor air quality
Applications are now open! To qualify, applicants must meet the Kingston income requirement of 80% Area Median Income, either own their home or have legal authority to make changes, and for tenants, landlord approval is required.
Please note, these programs are operated by MHET and the City of Kingston and are not managed by Ulster County.
Grant Opportunity for Breast Cancer Education and Support
The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is accepting applications to fund breast cancer education, outreach, and support programs. Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies that serve the Hudson Valley are welcome to apply. Applications are due on Jan. 31, 2025.
This information is being provided for the benefit of Ulster Residents, these programs are not operated or controlled by the County of Ulster.
Volunteers Needed to Assist with Annual Point-in-Time Count
The Ulster County Continuum of Care — a coalition of County government and nonprofit partners run by CARES NY — will be holding its annual Point in Time Count for unhoused individuals from Jan. 23-25 throughout the County. This federally mandated count, along with the annual Housing Inventory Count of residential resources, is crucial for understanding homelessness in our community and impacts funding for local services. Teams will host resource events and will conduct canvasses to ensure an accurate count of our most vulnerable population. The data collected will help us better plan how to reach and assist homeless individuals in Ulster County.
If you are interested in learning more, volunteering, or donating supplies, please contact:
📧 Laura Nordstrom, Director of Housing and Homelessness, at Lnor@co.ulster.ny.us
📧 Rhonda Garcia from CARES of NY at Rhonda.Garcia@cccsos.org
📧 Lisa McDonald from RUPCO at lmcdonald@rupco.org
Seeking a Senior Transportation Planner to join our Planning Department
Help support the Ulster County Transportation Council (UCTC) in shaping the future of our transportation systems—key priorities include traffic safety and nonmotorized planning and analysis—visit the civil service portal and apply today!
The Ulster County Government strictly adheres to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and Americans with Disability Act.
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