A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger

Dear Friends, The U.S. war in Iran has caused oil and gas prices to skyrocket, with no relief in sight in the near term. Thankfully, we are nearing the end of the home-heating season, but the price spikes are being felt by our residents at the pump, and by our farmers who are paying much more for fuel and inputs (which will inevitably affect food prices). Households and businesses could also see more utility bill increases because of our grid’s heavy dependence on natural gas and supply pressures created by the oil crisis, which have increased demand for natural gas exports. Shifting to a clean energy economy supports energy security, price stability, and energy affordability for the long term. We remain committed in Ulster County to clean energy solutions. At this week’s NYS Association of Counties Legislative Conference, where I chair the Standing Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment, the state’s 57 counties unanimously passed resolutions calling for increased state support for residential energy efficiency programs and transportation electrification, among other measures. More on this and other Ulster County news below! All my best,

Recent News & Events

Ulster County Launches New Paramedic Certification Program!

County Executive Metzger this week announced a new partnership between SUNY Cobleskill and the Ulster County Emergency Services Department to bring SUNY Cobleskill's award-winning paramedic certification program to Ulster County. The new program will launch in August, and builds on the Emergency Services Department's free New York State EMT training program that kicked off last fall. The addition of a local paramedic program will strengthen local EMS capacity, help our EMS workers reach new heights in their careers, and meet the need for high-quality emergency care for our residents. Thank you to the Ulster County Legislature for approving the program at this week's legislative session!  

We’ll keep you updated with more info on this program as it becomes available. For now, you can learn more about the Cobleskill Paramedic Program here. 

Joshua Stratton-Rayner confirmed as New Economic Development Director

This week, the Ulster County Legislature confirmed Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger's appointment of Joshua Stratton‑Rayner to lead the County's Economic Development Department. Joshua steps into the role officially after serving as Deputy Director since 2022 and as Interim Director since the beginning of this year. 

Joshua has played a central role in several major initiatives, including the County’s first comprehensive arts and culture plan, IMAGINE Ulster; the forthcoming Main Street Forward program for downtown district development; and efforts that helped secure significant New York State economic development awards for the Barrel Factory in Kingston, iPark 87 in the Town of Ulster, and the redevelopment of the Wellington Hotel in Shandaken. He also serves on the City of Kingston’s Zoning Working Group.

“Joshua brings to this role a great combination of strategic insight, creativity, and experience working with local businesses and community stakeholders, and he has a proven track record advancing the economic priorities of the County in his prior role as Deputy Director," said County Executive Metzger. “I look forward to our continued work together to build a resilient, thriving, and sustainable local economy that leaves no one behind." 

Join us in congratulating Joshua on his new appointment!

Ulster County's Naturalization Ceremony Is Back; 36 Community Members Gain Citizenship!

Last Friday, 36 Ulster County residents from 17 countries became U.S. citizens at a beautiful naturalization ceremony at the historic County Courthouse in Kingston. Families, friends, and local officials packed the room to celebrate this momentous achievement. 

The path to citizenship is long and hard, and was made unnecessarily more stressful for local immigrants when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services canceled the naturalization ceremony this past December. Our new citizens deserve the dignity of this special ceremony, and we are thrilled that this tradition has resumed.

New Archival Exhibit Highlights Women Shaping Democracy in Ulster County

Next time you’re in Kingston, stop by the County Office Building to see a new archival exhibit in honor of Women’s History Month! The exhibit includes newly curated materials from the League of Women Voters of the Mid-Hudson Region and the Ulster County Archives that highlight the first women elected to local office and trace the impact of women’s leadership in shaping democracy in Ulster County. You can find all this and more in the Nina Postupack Archives Gallery, on the 2nd floor of the County Office Building at 244 Fair Street in Kingston. 

We had a terrific opening celebration on Wednesday, and the exhibit will stay open at least through the end of March. Thank you to the Ulster County Clerk’s Office, the County Board of Elections, and the League of Women Voters of the Mid-Hudson for putting this exhibit together.

Statewide Burn Ban in Effect Through May 14

Spring is nearly here, and so is the annual burn ban. As the snow melts and temperatures rise, New York State is at an increased risk of wildfires in the spring. In effect from March 16 through May 14, the annual burn ban prohibits residents from burning vegetation and brush with a few exceptions.

The ban does NOT apply to:

• Barbecue grills and similar outdoor cooking devices
• Contained campfires under 3 feet high and 4 feet wide in a fireplace, hibachi, or fire ring
• Agricultural waste burning on farms larger than 5 acres
• Emergency burning by police or public safety agencies
• Prescribed burns under 6 NYCRR Part 194 regulations
• Firefighter and fire investigation training under NYS guidelines
• Fires approved by the Division of Air Resources for disease or invasive species control

These restrictions are in place to reduce the risk of wildfires — please follow the rules and stay safe! Learn more here.

Ulster County Officials Join Counties Statewide to Advance Shared Priorities

Ulster County was well-represented at the annual New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) Legislative Conference, where the state’s 57 counties consider and adopt resolutions on issues of common concern that they want the Governor and State Legislature to prioritize. The conference also offers educational workshops on a wide range of county government topics, which are particularly valuable for our many new Legislators in attendance!

County Executive Metzger chairs NYSAC’s Standing Committee on Climate Action, Energy & Environment, which sponsored several resolutions — passed unanimously by the plenary — supporting state actions to help residents reduce energy costs and take advantage of clean energy resources, and to expand state investments in clean water infrastructure.

County Executive Metzger also co-led a well-attended Renewable Energy and Farmland Protection Summit, together with the Standing Committee on Agriculture, to develop recommendations for state action that ensures a balanced approach to meeting our renewable energy and food production needs. 

Climate Corps Internship Applications Due Friday

Today is the last day to apply for Climate Corps!!

This paid, 10-week summer internship program gives students and emerging professionals hands-on experience working on climate-related projects in County government, supplemented by professional development sessions, guest lectures, community engagement, and fieldwork. 

• Program runs from June 8 - August 14
• 2-5 days a week
• $18/hour
• Open to applicants ages 16 & up
• Applications due March 20

Learn more and apply at https://ulstercountyny.gov/climate-corps.

Recognizing Our Veterans of the Month for February and March

Ulster County is proud to recognize Ellenville Army Veteran David Bennett and Kingston Marine Corps Veteran Mike Binns as the February and March Veteran of the Month, respectively! 

David served in the Army from 2009 to 2013, stationed in places as far-ranging as Alaska and Afghanistan. Since leaving the military, David has worked as an X-ray/CT scan technician and  traveled the country mentoring young, predominantly minority men, from 17-23 on skills like finances, healthy living, interview preparation, and public speaking. He now lives in Ellenville with his wife, Janesther, and their three daughters. Please join us in thanking David for his service to this nation and community! 

Mike served in the Marine Corps from 2001 to 2005. He was deployed to the Western Pacific on a Navy Ship, then to Kuwait, and then Iraq. He fought in multiple heavy combat operations before returning to his hometown of Kingston, where he lives with his wife Kristen and their two sons. In 2019, he started working with the Ulster Detachment 253 Marine Corps League to support local Marines. In 2021, he took over the Ulster County Toys for Tots program, providing holiday gifts to more than 9,000 children around the County. Thank you to Mike for your service and ongoing commitment to community! 

You can learn more about Toys for Tots on their Facebook page, or by emailing ulstermcl253@gmail.com.

County Officials Celebrating in the St Patrick's Day Parade

☘️Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 

Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Dina Suggs, Budget Director Ken Juras, County Comptroller March Gallagher, and Legislators Peters, McCollough, Donaldson, Donavan, and Collins joined local, state, and federal officials in last Sunday's parade procession in Kingston. Thank you to the Ulster Ancient Order of Hibernians for bringing the community together!

County Spotlight: The Ulster County Warming Centers

It’s been a long winter with bitter cold temperatures, so today we're highlighting a lifesaving program the County administers: the Ulster County warming centers. Prolonged exposure to cold weather can be deadly, especially when there’s snow or rain. For people with nowhere else to go, the warming centers offer comfort, a warm bed at night, nutritious meals, and connections to other services they may need. 

Ulster County operates two Warming centers, one in Kingston, one in Ellenville. The Kingston warming center operates 24/7 and has been sheltering 40 to 60 people a day; the Ellenville center has served between seven and 10 people a day and operates from 5 PM to 9 AM, except during extreme winter weather, when it moves to a 24/7 schedule. Both centers are open through the end of March, although hours can be extended beyond that date if freezing temperatures persist.  

A Collaborative Effort

Ulster County’s Department of Social Services took an innovative approach to shelter operations, partnering with a coalition of neighbors and caring community members under the leadership of 2nda Iglesia Pastor Fernando Salazar, Broadway Bubble Manager Enma Villacis, and Jeanne Edwards, former Kingston Common Council member. The leadership team runs day-to-day operations at both warming centers, managing staff and volunteers, coordinating services like food, supplies, and  building security, and helping meet the needs of the people they serve. The team works closely with  Ulster County Director of Housing and Homelessness Laura Nordstrom, who oversees the contract and program.

The Department of Emergency Services and local law enforcement coordinate to make sure anyone who needs shelter gets to the centers. Emergency Services declares a “Code Blue” when temperatures (including wind chill) are below freezing for more than two hours. During a Code Blue, local law enforcement agencies are required to transport unhoused people to the warming centers (and we activate the Ellenville center to a 24-hour schedule!) 

A Starting Point for Support  

The warming centers keep people safe and alive during the hard winter months — but there’s a less obvious benefit too: They allow our supportive service providers to connect with people in need who might otherwise be hard to reach. 

Caseworkers from County programs like Adult Services and the Safe Options Support Critical Time Intervention team (SOSCTI) are frequently at the warming centers, offering urgent support for those who need it, and building relationships with clients who might not know what services are available to them, or might refuse help for one reason or another.  

Here’s an example of the great work they do: This winter, a man who’d been unhoused for many years was brought to the warming center by concerned community members. He was having some medical problems and could benefit from government programs like SNAP and Medicaid. The problem was, he thought he couldn’t access them because he hadn’t had any ID or personal documents for over 40 years.  

Warming center staff called in an Adult Services caseworker who worked to get this individual connected with supportive services. After some digging, they tracked down a report from the 1980s that had needed to apply for assistance services. Ultimately, they were able to get him into a rehab facility, and are currently working to place him in a long-term assisted living facility.  

DSS works with a lot of warming center regulars to find them housing options for the future, or at least connect them with services like SNAP and Temporary Assistance. The centers also bring in representatives from other local organizations, like the Sheriff’s ORACLE program, which helps treat Opioid addiction, and the Institute for Family Health, which sends doctors to check on guests and teach classes about personal health and wellbeing.

How can I help?  

Laura Nordstrom, our Director of Housing and Homelessness at DSS, explains it this way: “The cold weather season makes people think about homelessness, and it makes people want to reach out because they recognize the need at that time of year. But folks are in need year-round.”

• Any time of year, if you want to support our unhoused community, whether through donating or volunteering, reach out to Director Nordstrom at lnor@ulstercountyny.gov.  
• Consider a career with DSS! You can find job listings on the Ulster County Civil Service Portal. 

Thank you to everyone who comes together to keep the warming centers running! 

Upcoming Events & Happenings

Blood Drive at the Restorative Justice Center

The Ulster County Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center is hosting a blood drive sponsored by the Junior League of Kingston! Come save lives on March 26!

📅 Thursday, March 26
🕐 1 — 6PM
📍 Restorative Justice Center, 733 Broadway, Kingston

Learn About Human Rights at Local Libraries

The Ulster County Department of Human Rights is hosting two upcoming awareness events in the coming weeks. On March 26, they’ll be at the Gardiner Library from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, then on April 3, they’ll be at the Highland Public Library from 10 AM to noon. 

Stop by to receive guidance on dealing with discrimination, get connected with support services and advocacy agencies, and have your questions about your legal rights answered.

Have questions about the event, or human rights in Ulster County? Contact humanrights@ulstercountyny.gov.

Leadership Workshop at The Restorative Justice Center

Looking to develop your leadership skills? Please join the Ulster County Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center for “The Making of a Leader,” a talk with Aaron Hines, Assistant Dean for SUNY New Paltz’s Graduate Business Program. In this workshop, Mr. Hines will discuss the essential qualities of a leader and how to strengthen them through everyday practice, and he’ll lead engaging activities to reinforce your learning. 

The event will be hosted at the Ulster County Restorative Justice Center on Monday, March 23, from 6 — 7:30 PM. RSVP with Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator Kim Mapes at kmap@ulstercountyny.gov or (845) 802-7966.

📅Thursday, April 2
🕐6 – 7:30 PM
📍Ulster County Restorative Justice Center, 733 Broadway, Kingston

Learn About Innovative Housing Solutions at the ADU Expo!

The City of Kingston, Ulster County, and the City of Kingston Housing Task Force are partnering to host the area's first-ever accessory dwelling unit (ADU) expo.

ADUs are additional units on residential properties like  basement apartments, garage conversions, or cottages. Among many other benefits, ADUs can provide rental income to homeowners and offer an affordable way for renters to live in residential neighborhoods or can help older residents “age in place."

This expo will bring together homeowners and residents interested in ADUs as a housing solution with builders, architects, designers, and policymakers.

The event is free, but registration is recommended. You can learn more and RSVP here.

📅Friday, April 10
🕐12 – 6 PM
📍Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center, 467 Broadway, Kingston

Participate Ulster: We Want to Hear From You!

Help Shape the Ulster County Sustainable Tourism Plan

Ulster County Tourism, in partnership with Beyond Green Travel, invites you to share your perspectives in a brief survey that will directly inform the development of Ulster County’s new Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan — the first step in shaping a long-term framework to guide how tourism is planned, managed and supported across the County. This initial strategy will help ensure that tourism supports local communities and the economy while preserving what makes Ulster County a special place to live and visit for years to come.

You can fill out the survey here: ulstercountyny.gov/sustainable-tourism-survey. For more information, visit the Sustainable Tourism Participate Ulster Page.

Share Your Thoughts on Reimagining SUNY Ulster

Reimagining SUNY Ulster is about exercising careful, long-term stewardship so that our college remains strong, accessible, and rooted here for decades to come. Launched by the County Executive in partnership with the College, the goal is to make sure that the physical campus is meeting the needs of the students who use it, and that the college remains a vital community asset well into the future. The committee leading this effort is composed of representatives from the college, County government, and host community.

The Committee's first meeting was held on March 17. You can find the meeting's presentation, on demographic and socioeconomic trends in the Hudson Valley, on the SUNY Ulster Participate Page. The next public meeting will be announced soon. Learn more about the initiative, find documents for the committee's work, and share your ideas with the Committee before the meeting on the Reimagining SUNY Ulster Participate Page. 

Connect, Engage & Serve: Opportunities and Resources

Job Openings in Ulster County

Ulster County is Hiring!  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.

• Park Supervisor - New Paltz Pool – $22.00/hour
• Social Welfare Examiner Trainee (NY HELPS) – $24.60/hour
• Bus Driver - $25.32/hour

The Ulster County Government strictly adheres to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and Americans with Disability Act.