April 3, 2020 - In This Issue:
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

We are keeping updated on Coronavirus and doing our best to share this information widely.  What you need to know today:
  • We have 26 confirmed cases in Kingston as of today, and a total of four deaths in Ulster County.  
  • We have had an overwhelming response for the Kingston Emergency Food Hotline. So much, in fact, that we need more healthy volunteers who are willing to deliver meals to those in need. V olunteers can register here:  COVID-19 Volunteer  Response Team Interest
  • If you would like to donate to help the Emergency Food Hotline continue to provide these meals, please consider giving to the YMCA of Kingston,  People's Place or Family of Woodstock. We appreciate any contribution!
  • In order to deter gatherings, tennis courts and pickleball courts in Kingston parks are now closed.
  • We are asking everyone to abide by the guidelines of staying home if you are sick, distancing yourself from others even if you are well, and washing hands and surfaces often. For the sake of yourself and your community, stay safe and take good care.
  • We would also love to hear from folks in the community who witness small (or large!) acts of kindness. Email the Mayor's office with your story.
As always, contact th e County's COVID-19 hotline with questions: 845-443-8888. 

-Steve
Mayor Asks NYS for Tax Deadline Extension

Mayor Noble has contacted Governor Andrew Cuomo to request a property tax deadline extension without penalty for current taxpayers in the City of Kingston.
 
The 2020 property tax installment for non-escrowed, second half payments is due April 30. However, Mayor Noble has requested an extension of the current tax installment deadline for the City of Kingston homeowners to be extended without interest or penalty until May 21, 2020.  In order to offer this 21-day extension to Kingston residents, Governor Cuomo must issue an Executive Order pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 925-a (2), authorizing the City of Kingston to extend the payment period.
 
"During these challenging and unprecedented times, I am looking for any and all measures that will alleviate the fear and anxiety of members of our community and to help provide some relief," said Mayor Noble.  "My office has received calls from constituents expressing concerns about their inability to pay their taxes on time as a result of the hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is my duty as Mayor to help in any way I can, and I urge the Governor to grant us this extension."   
 
Each fiscal year, the City of Kingston taxes are due in two equal installments.  The first installment is due within 45 days after tax levy has been set by resolution of the Common Council, which this year was February 14, 2020.  The second 
installment is then due within 120 days after the tax levy has been set, which this year is April 30, 2020.

View Mayor Noble's letter to Governor Cuomo  HERE. 
KCSD Expands Breakfast and Lunch Pick-Up Sites

The Kingston City School District is now offering more food distribution sites, where students' families can pick up breakfast and lunch go-bags. Starting Monday, April 6, the following locations will be open:


 JWB Middle School from 11:00am-12:00pm

JFK Elementary School from 11:00am-12:00pm
GW Elementary School from 11:00am-12:00pm
Sawkill Manufactured Home Park (Sawkill Rd.) from 12:30pm-1:30pm
Stuyvesant Charter Apts. from 12:30pm-1:30pm
Corner of Downs St. & Bruyn Ave. from 12:30pm-1:30pm

Kingston Emergency Food Hotline

Anyone in need of food within the City of Kingston can call the Emergency Food Hotline at 888-316-0879 to receive prepared food or grocery delivery. The hotline is operating in both English and Spanish.
 
Home-delivered meals are being prepared by local restaurants through Ulster County's Project Resilience , with an additional 600 meals prepared by Family of Woodstock staff at the Everette Hodge Community Center . The meals are then sorted and prepared for delivery at the YMCA every week day.
 
In addition to prepared meals, People's Place Pantry is distributing hundreds of bags of groceries every week day. The People's Place Community Cafe also remains open and continues to serve approximately 150 takeout meals per day.

Our community has really come together in this time of crisis and I'm humbled to see all the work being done to serve our neighbors. 
The prepared food delivery hub at the YMCA of Kingston 
"Kingston Recovers" Resources for Residents and Businesses

The City of Kingston continues to update the Kingston Recovers webpage, which provides resources for local businesses in this time of crisis and uncertainty.  

We have also created a page for residents, Kingston Resident Recovers, with information about unemployment insurance, mortgage relief, stimulus checks, home repair loans and more. 

We will continue updating both pages as more resources become available.
Map of Ulster County Positive COVID-19 Cases

The second Ulster County mobile testing site opened this week in Ellenville, in addition to the testing site in the Town of Ulster. If you feel you need testing, you must first speak with your primary care provider to receive a prescription or order for the COVID-19 test. At that point, you will receive a number to call for an appointment. If you show up to one of the mobile testing sites without an appointment, you will be turned away.

As the test results come in, the Ulster County Executive's Office has created a website that is updated daily with all the County's positive COVID-19 cases, broken down into each town/city. The map and many of the County's Coronavirus resources are be found at:  covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/
CLICK HERE to view the map in real time. 
Happy Retirement to Kevin Gilfeather! 

We would like to wish our Kingston Parks and Recreation Superintendent Kevin Gilfeather a very happy retirement! Kevin has been with the Parks & Recreation department for almost 24 years. He will be missed, but we wish him well in embarking on this new chapter. Good luck, Kevin! 
Roadwork Update 

While Governor Cuomo has issued a halt for all non-essential construction work statewide, essential work is still happening in the City of Kingston during this time. Essential construction work includes roads, bridges,  transit facilities, utilities, hospitals or health care facilities, affordable housing, and homeless shelters. 

As a utility service, Central Hudson's gas line replacement work will continue without entry into customers' homes and without interruption of services.  Main installations are ongoing in Midtown. For the latest updates on where Central Hudson crews will be digging, visit: https://www.cenhud.com/about-us/projects/gas-projects/

NYS DOT-led projects are also continuing in the City of Kingston, including building the Empire State Trail. Crews are currently working on erosion control measures, and drainage along Route 32. Minor traffic delays should be anticipated next week.

Next week, construction on the I-587 Roundabout will include drainage and temporary traffic signal work. Traffic delays should be expected. 

Drivers should be aware that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver license.
Kingston 311
The  Kingston 311 app, website and phone  system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests. The Kingston 311  app, available for  Android  &  iPhones , is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. 

This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311.  Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us. 
Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
[email protected]

The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit: