Latest Covid-19 Information |
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New Kingston Police Initiatives |
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City of Kingston Awarded $50,000 Tree Grant |
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Broadway Businesses Are Open |
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DEP Discharges in Esopus Creek |
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday/Thursday Updates |
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
Dear Friends,
Last weekend's Clean Sweep event was a big success. All together, we collected 4,440 pounds of garbage, 1,500 pounds of yard waste, 200 pounds of metal, one mattress, and eight tires.
I had a great time seeing my colleagues and friends sprucing up City Hall and Kingston Point Beach, as well as so many locations across Kingston. It was heartening to see this kind of community effort. Thank you to the Friends of Historic Kingston for organizing the Clean Sweep event, and to all who participated in the beautification of our great City!
-Steve
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COVID-19 Information
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As of Friday, May 7, there are 312 active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County, 85 in Kingston, and there have been 257 deaths across the County. More local resources at Ulster County Covid-19 Information
- Effective May 19, most business capacities limits will be removed in New York. Patrons will still need to keep 6 feet distance.
- Beginning May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit will increase to 500 people. Beginning May 19, the indoor social gathering limit will increase to 250 people. The indoor residential gathering limit will increase to 50 people. Any event in excess of the social gathering limits may only occur if all individuals present proof of full vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test.
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The Open Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers has been extended through December 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health or directly through insurers.
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Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for counseling.
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New Community Policing Initiatives to Begin this Month
The City of Kingston will begin deploying several proactive police-community engagement initiatives starting this month.
The initiatives include walking or bicycle patrols, attending community meeting and events, field information gathering, traffic details, and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Details will be conducted on an overtime basis under the supervision of a police sergeant with officers who elect to participate.
Each of the five participating sergeants will be given up to six hours of overtime per week to deploy at least two officers in one of the new operations. The sergeants will choose the timing of their deployment that best fits the initiative. Each sergeant will be reviewing any reports submitted by the officers and will provide a written summary of their operation to the Deputy Chief every two weeks and will provide monthly reports at Police Commission meetings. Any relevant data obtained from these reports will be sent to the Crime Analyst for compilation and analysis.
The focus will be community trust building and information gathering, however, if officers come across criminal activity, they may address it appropriately.
“We hope these initiatives will demonstrate our commitment to trust-building with true community policing endeavors, while also empowering our officers to take community engagement into their own hands with this grassroots approach,” said Mayor Noble. “This is a model that has not yet been seen in our area. We are proud to lead the way by introducing these new initiatives to garnering community trust while giving our officers autonomy over the public engagement process.”
“We see this as a positive community policing initiative and anticipate it will be a highly effective response to the recent increase in gun violence,” said Chief Tinti. “A report from the New York Attorney General’s Office expressed concern over the law enforcement partnership conducted last year, and we have heard that loud and clear from our community as well. We know we need to approach police-community interaction differently, and we hope these positive initiatives will be a step in the right direction.”
“Engagement and forming partnerships with the community are essential aspects of community policing and is imperative when developing trust between police and citizens,” said Alderwoman Rita Worthington. “Toward that end, we remain committed to proactively building community relations with law enforcement through forums, events and meetings, and I remain positive that these police-community engagement initiatives will be one of many steps toward fostering that trust.”
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a cooperative partnership between the Kingston Police Department and Building Department staff to provide property owners and tenants with assistance in property upgrades and repairs such as lighting installation, overgrowth removal, and other community-based issues that create a safer environment for all.
Studies on the impact of foot patrol efforts in high crime areas show reduction in violence and a significant gain of community knowledge and information.
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The City of Kingston Wins $50,000 Tree Grant
In celebration of Arbor Day last Friday, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced $1.18 million in grants which were awarded to communities across the state to inventory, plant, and maintain public trees.
The grants are part of the second phase of grants through DEC's Division of Lands and Forests’ Urban and Community Forestry Program, which works to increase public awareness of the importance of trees and help communities develop and implement comprehensive tree management plans to create healthy forests while enhancing quality of life.
The City of Kingston was awarded $50,000 for city-wide tree planting. We are so excited to accept this grant, and add many beautiful new trees to our community!
Last week we celebrated Arbor Day by planting two trees at local schools and 18 new trees were planted along the Pine Grove Avenue median. As a part of the Broadway Streetscape Project a total of 76 trees will be going in soon along the Broadway corridor. This $50,000 grant will go a long way in adding to the ongoing revitalization and greening of our community. We thank DEC and City of Kingston staff who worked to secure this grant.
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Broadway Businesses Are Open |
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As we all are aware, there are many infrastructure improvement projects happening in Kingston right now. The Broadway Sewer repair will be ongoing until mid-May and the Broadway Streetscape Project is also underway, creating new sidewalks from the I-587 Roundabout project to the Grand Street intersection at the Y. The Broadway Streetscape Project is expected to be completed this fall and will include paving.
We know this a hardship for shops and restaurants, so we are highlighting local businesses along Broadway who are open and who can use your patronage.
This week, we are spotlighting The Anchor once again. Situated at the nexus of the Broadway Streetscape and I-587 Roundabout projects, the Anchor is being uniquely impacted by all the roadwork. We would just like to remind everyone of their incredible burgers, wings, and beers to name a few of the amazing items on their menu. Not only can you do takeout and delivery, the Anchor has recently opened a patio!
A NOTE TO BUSINESSES: Please join Mayor Noble and Alderman Don Tallerman for the next monthly roundtable meeting with business owner/operators on Thursday, May 13 at 2:00pm. Details/log-in info are here.
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DEP Discharges Causing Turbid Water in Esopus Creek
This week I attended a press conference hosted by Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan which highlighted the impacts to the Lower Esopus Creek from turbid water discharges made by New York City Department of Environmental Protection from the Ashokan Reservoir.
Since late December of 2020, NYC DEP has released billions of gallons of turbid water, containing millions of pounds of sediment. This practice, including the release of this highly turbid water from the Ashokan Reservoir, is currently under review by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYC DEP has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement concerning the use of the Ashokan Release Channel.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the NYC DEP regarding the releases to the Lower Esopus can be found on the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s website here.
Make your voice heard! Written comment concerning the Draft EIS can be submitted to Kristen Cady-Poulin, Environmental Analyst, at 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233, and must be postmarked no later than June 16, 2021. Email comments to DEPPermitting@dec.ny.gov must be received by 5:00pm on June 16, 2021.
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday/Thursday Updates
Mayor Noble has been giving regular live updates since mid-March 2020. His twice-weekly updates can be heard on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00pm via Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.
Mayor Noble was not able to give his Thursday update this week. Please click below to hear Tuesday's update.
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Roadwork Update
Central Hudson: Main installation will continue on W. Union St and Abeel St with lane closures and detours. Main tie-in work will also take place on Ravine, German, and Ridge Streets. Service replacements will continue on Hunter St, W. Union St, and Hone St.
Broadway Sewer: crews are 30’ away from tying in the new sewer line to the existing active sewer manhole at the west end of the job. Once all connections are done and line is completely tested it will go active, likely in the next two weeks. Road reconstruction will begin once sewer work is completed.
Broadway Streetscape: work continues with curb installation and prepping for sidewalk placement possibly next week. Bioswales being installed and some plantings of trees on the south side may start next week. The final lightpoles on the west end were erected. Vaults into the basements are moving forward.
I-587 Roundabout: Re-configuration of the intersection at I587, Albany Avenue and Broadway will commence the night of Monday, May 10. Project will be moved to Phase 5 configuration (Roundabout) for Tuesday, May 11. Place Work Zone Traffic Control for one evening of night work on May 10. Stripe for Phase 5 re-configuration (Roundabout) and remove traffic signals. In addition, installation of highway street lighting will continue through the week of 5/10. Expect minor delays.
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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.
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov
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:
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