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A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger
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Dear Friends,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as a County government, we are committed to breaking the stigma around mental health and helping our residents get the care they need to thrive. I was deeply disappointed to learn that the Administration in Washington last week halted $1 billion in grants for mental health services in schools, but our County remains committed to supports for young people, including the County's Mental Health in Schools program for middle school students — now in its third year.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and there is help available if you or someone you care about needs to talk with someone. You can call or text 988 (assistance is available 24 hours, 365 days), or contact the Ulster County Department of Mental Health at (845) 340-4110 or dmh@co.ulster.ny.us during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM).
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Recent News & Events
County Executive Jen Metzger and Chair of the Legislature Peter Criswell Sign Historic Ukrainian ‘Sister Community’ Agreement With Chernivtsi Regional Council
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Chair of the Legislature Peter Criswell held a historic virtual ceremony with their Ukrainian counterparts to sign a Sister Community agreement with the Chernivtsi Regional Council — the first county in the U.S. to enter into such a partnership with a Ukrainian province. The agreement fosters the exchange of information and ideas in such areas as education, culture, and municipal services.
Attending the ceremony were Ulster County Human Rights Director Joe McDonald, Ulster County resident Tim Distel, Father Ivan Kaszczak (Pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Kerhonkson), Danylo and Katherine Mykula (Hudson Valley Chapter of the Ukrainian American Youth Association ), Stephen Barankewicz (Soyuzivka Heritage Center, Kerhonkson), and Woodstock Film Festival co-founder Meira Blaustein, who’s parents met in the Chernivtsi region in 1945.
County Executive Opposes Utility Rate Hike at Public Service Commission Hearing
County Executive Jen Metzger spoke out against Central Hudson's proposed rate hike at a public hearing of the NYS Public Service Commission last week at the Restorative Justice Center in Kingston, and called for the utility to do more to prevent mounting arrears and shut-offs as residents struggle to pay their bills. Less than a year ago, the utility raised its delivery rates by a whopping 8% for electricity and 9% for gas, and is now asking for another 5.3% increase for electricity and 5.9% for gas. Residents at the hearing recounted problems with billing errors, faulty meter readings, soaring bills, and poor customer service, and expressed zero trust in the utility, whose parent company, Fortis, reported over $1.5 billion in profits last year.
If you couldn’t make it to the hearing, there’s still time to make your voice heard — you can post your comments directly on the NYS Department of Public Service webpage for this rate case.
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Ulster County Observes Mental Health Awareness Month
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Ulster County Department of Mental Health partnered with NAMI Mid-Hudson to host Ending the Silence — a special community event held on May 5 at American Legion Post 193 in Highland.
The gathering welcomed 14 participants for an impactful evening focused on recognizing early mental health warning signs, suicide prevention, and sharing personal stories of recovery to help break the stigma surrounding mental health — in fact, several participants were empowered to share their own stories after the discussion. Deputy County Executive James Amenta was also in attendance and spoke to the incredible impact of the presentation and the importance of continuing this vital work across Ulster County.
Highland's Mary Dutka Recognized as Ulster County’s 2025 School Bus Driver of the Year
Congratulations to Mary Dutka of the Highland Central School District on receiving the County's 2025 School Bus Driver of the Year award! Mary has safely delivered children to and from school for nearly 40 years, and has earned wide praise for her spotless safety record, care for students, and dedication to the job. This annual award of the Ulster County Traffic Safety Board recognizes drivers with exceptional service and safety records.
During the award ceremony, the County Executive also recognized New Paltz High School senior Ethan Gregor for his Eagle Scout project on bus safety. Traffic Safety Coordinator Brian Slack, Legislator and former Highland teacher Gina Hansut, and Sheriff Juan Figeroa joined the celebration of these bus safety champions, together with teachers, school administrators, friends, and family.
Ellenville NAACP Hosts Conversation with County Elected Officials
The Ellenville Chapter of the NAACP organized a "Conversations with Your Countywide Elected Officials" to give the community an opportunity to learn about the work of the different offices — County Executive, County Comptroller, District Attorney, and Sheriff — and how this work affects the lives of Ellenville residents. The community members asked great questions on a wide range of topics, including public transit, oversight over UCRAA, discovery reforms, the impacts of federal immigration policies, opportunities for youth, and affordable housing, among other issues.
Thank you to the Ellenville NAACP for bringing us all together for this frank and wide-ranging conversation, and thank you to the Common Good bookstore for hosting!
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The Ulster County Board of Elections (BOE) is responsible for administering fair, accurate, and secure elections for all voters in Ulster County. Their mission is to safeguard democracy by ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot with confidence. The BOE is also committed to making the voting process transparent, inclusive, and efficient. The following data and milestones reflect these ongoing efforts:
- In 2024, Ulster County successfully administered three major elections — Presidential Primary, Local Primary, and General Election — serving over 120,000 registered voters, including a record-breaking 36,000 early voters in the general election.
- A team of over 500 trained election inspectors ensures that all 80 poll sites operate smoothly and fairly.
- 90% of polling locations have been upgraded to exceed ADA accessibility and safety standards, making voting easier for all.
- Voters can request assistance, use accessible voting machines, or cast an affidavit ballot if their name isn’t on the rolls.
- The BOE has partnered with local high schools to pre-register over 1,500 16- and 17-year-olds so they are ready to vote when eligible, and is also offering in-person mock elections at elementary schools to build civic engagement from an early age.
"Every vote counts, and every voter matters. We are proud to be the stewards of the democratic process for the people of Ulster County." — Ashley Torres and John Quigley, BOE Commissioners.
Get Ready to Vote—and Get Involved!
The Ulster County Board of Elections provides a wide range of resources to help voters stay informed, register with ease, and participate in upcoming elections.
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Participate in the Annual “I Voted” Sticker Contest — Students age 9–18 are invited to submit artwork by June 30 for a chance to be featured on Ulster County’s official “I Voted” sticker. The top 5 designs, selected by BOE Commissioners, will go to a public vote this summer, and the winning design will be used in the General Election on Nov. 4.
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Become an Election Inspector — Earn $18.50/hour while helping to ensure fair and accurate elections. Election Inspectors (Poll Workers) are trained by the BOE to run elections in accordance with state and federal law. Training sessions begin in August and run through October.
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Vote Early in the Primary Election — Early voting runs from Sat., June 14, through Sun., June 22, giving voters more flexibility to cast their ballots.
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Online and Automatic Voter Registration — Registering to vote is easier than ever with a secure online platform that allows qualified individuals to register in minutes from a computer or smartphone. Partners such as the DMV are also integrating automatic voter registration across agencies serving the public in Ulster County.
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Visit VoteUlster.com — Check your registration status, update your voter information, find your polling place and get turn-by-turn directions, apply online for a vote-by-mail ballot, and track absentee ballots securely — all in one place.
It’s International Compost Awareness Week!
Compost Awareness Week takes place from May 5 - May 9. This year’s theme, “Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost,” reminds us that we have the choice of turning our food waste into compost (great for soil health!) rather than trash to be hauled hundreds of miles to a landfill, where it produces climate-damaging methane emissions as that waste breaks down. The choice is ours!
Attend one of the composting presentations being offered this week at local libraries, and you can also check out this quick home composting guide from Cornell Cooperative Extension-Tompkins County.
Join Us on the Nature Bus - Saturday, May 10 & Saturday, May 17
The Ulster County Nature Bus returns with updated routes for 2025! The Nature Bus runs every Saturday through the end of September and is completely FREE for both transportation and admission to parks and preserves. Nature Bus destinations are accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
🗓️ Sat., May 10📍River Route — The Nature Bus departs from Kingston Plaza, with a stop at Garraghan Drive. Destinations include Sojourner Truth State Park, Kingston Point Beach, Black Creek Preserve and the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park.
🗓️ Sat., May 17📍Ridge Route — From New Paltz, the Nature Bus picks up riders at the NYS Thruway Park and Ride, New Paltz Gardens, and New Paltz Trailways; from Ellenville, the Nature Bus departs from Liberty Square. Destinations include the Mohonk Preserve Testimonial Gate Trailhead, Mohonk Preserve Visitors Center, and Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Make the most of your trip by wearing appropriate footwear, and don’t forget to bring water. Each bus has a bike rack (first come, first served), and helmets are required when biking in state parks. Only service animals are allowed. For questions, call UCAT Dispatch at (845) 334-8458.
Upcoming Annual STOP DWI Allocation Meeting
The annual STOP DWI allocation meeting is an opportunity for local police agencies to request funding for DWI task force activities. While the public cannot participate, they are welcome to observe.
🗓️ Mon., May 12
🕑 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
📍Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center (733 Broadway, Kingston)
The STOP DWI program supports efforts to reduce drunk and drugged driving crashes, making our roads safer for everyone.
Help Shape the Future of Midtown Linear Park!
Join us for the next community event in the Midtown Linear Park Community Space design project! We’re hosting a Community Open House and Youth Guided Site Walk to gather your insights and ideas.
📅 Tues., May 13
🕔 5 PM – 7 PM
📍 Broadway Bubble (718 Broadway, Kingston)
This event is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the design process and ensure the new park reflects the community’s needs and desires. What to expect:
- Explore drawings and diagrams detailing the site’s context, history, ecology, and community aspects.
- Participate in guided site walks led by the Kingston YMCA Farm Project.
- Share your feedback and observations about the site and discuss opportunities and challenges.
- Give ideas on the types of programs and activities to envision what the future park could become.
Can’t make it? This is just one of several events — visit Participate Ulster to see the full schedule, stay involved, and share your thoughts by taking our short survey. Together, we can create a vibrant, inclusive space for everyone to enjoy!
Assist in Ulster County’s Efforts to ThinkDIFFERENTLY
The ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative encourages our communities to be more inclusive and supportive for individuals of all abilities—by shifting the way we think, plan, interact, and provide services to be accessible for all. Now we need your help:
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Struggling to Pay Utility Bills?
Central Hudson is required to offer utility bill discounts to income-eligible customers. If you receive SNAP, HEAP, Medicaid, SSI, or a Veteran’s or Survivor’s pension, you qualify. Visit this Central Hudson webpage to learn more and to sign up.
This information is being provided for the benefit of our residents. These programs are not operated or controlled by Ulster County.
$1 Million in Grants Available for New York Farmers' Markets
New York State is offering $1 million in grant funding to help farmers' markets improve infrastructure, expand marketing, and enhance local food system resilience. Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 and support projects like booth construction, cold storage, website development, and more. Applications are open now and will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 27, 2025, or until funds are expended.
This information is being provided for the benefit of Ulster Residents, these programs are not operated or controlled by the County of Ulster.
Faith & Climate Training Coming to the Hudson Valley
From June 13–15, the Center for Earth Ethics will host a Faith & Climate Training at The Ashokan Center in Olivebridge. This program is designed for spiritual and lay leaders of all faiths who are looking to strengthen their communities' relationship with the land and take action on climate change. Participants will explore:
- Climate science and policy
- Ethical communication
- Local watershed and foodshed issues
- Eco-justice initiatives
- Spiritual support and pastoral care
The training is by application and invitation only. Participants will leave with valuable tools, resources, and new connections to support their work on climate issues.
This information is being provided for the benefit of Ulster Residents, these programs are not operated or controlled by the County of Ulster.
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.
Apply for a Rewarding Job with 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. We’re currently hiring for these critical roles:
Ulster County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer and fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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