City Awarded $1M in Federal Funding for Flatbush & Foxhall | | Mayor Proposed Occupancy Tax for Hotels | Mayor Proposes Two Tax Exemptions | School Speed Zone Cameras Being Installed | | Mayor Appointed to NYCOM Board | | Pike Plan Construction Update | | City of Kingston Board & Commission and Job Opportunities | | |
Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
Last week I proposed a suite of tax legislations. The first is imposing an occupancy tax for hotels and short-term rentals. This accommodation tax will assist City government in continuing to deliver all of the crucial services visitors and tourists depend on when they stay in Kingston. Our nearby neighbors like Newburgh, Catskill, Poughkeepsie, and Fishkill have all implemented local occupancy taxes, while Kingston has none. This is an opportunity for us to capitalize on the keen interest in Kingston and the many attractions, festivals, and natural resources that we offer to visitors, to benefit the greater community by helping to keep our City more affordable for its residents.
I also proposed two tax exemptions - one for low-income residents who have purchased homes through affordable homeownership programs and entities like the Kingston City Land Bank, RUPCO’s First Time Homebuyers program, and Taproot Community Land Trust, making their tax bill commensurate with their home purchase price. We want to ensure that folks who take advantage of these programs are then not overburdened with property taxes and can stay in their homes long term.
And I am recommending that the Common Council pass a resolution to adopt the Veteran’s Exemption Local Option, which allows for a 100% exemption from local taxes for disabled veterans who meet certain criteria. I believe that offering this exemption for the men and women who served this Country, and who were disabled doing so, should not be further burdened by property taxes in our City.
-Steve
| | City Awarded $1M for Flatbush/Foxhall Project | | |
Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand secured $1,000,000 in federal funding for the City of Kingston’s Safe & Accessible Flatbush & Foxhall Project.
In a joint announcement, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand announced that they secured $29,398,000 in federal funding for Hudson Valley projects, which was just signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Appropriations bill.
Mayor Noble said, “I want to thank Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their ongoing support of not only this crucial infrastructure project, but for the City of Kingston’s vision for a safer, more equitable city. The Safe & Accessible Flatbush & Foxhall Project has been many years in the making, and we are grateful for this funding, which will help us move this long-awaited project forward. We know that once completed, this project will improve safety at critical junctions and ultimately will help spur revitalization of a significant commercial corridor in Midtown Kingston. I want to also thank our Congressman Pat Ryan for his support.”
The Safe and Accessible Flatbush and Foxhall Project aims to add and improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure to connect the Colonial Gardens Apartments and residential streets in Midtown to surrounding business districts. The project will create a sustainable and attractive streetscape in the heart of the City, and will enable residents from all socioeconomic backgrounds to live and work within walkable distances that are safe to navigate.
The streets in the project area currently have intermittent sidewalks and cross railroads that are hazardous for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Approximately two miles of sidewalks will be built and painted crosswalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps will be installed. The City will also work with CSX to improve safety for all users at the two railroad crossings situated on the route. Bicycle infrastructure will be added along both avenues, connecting to other infrastructure projects, including the Empire State Trail and the Kingston Greenline network of trails, complete streets, and linear parks.
The City contracted GPI for design work, which can be found at EngageKingston, but must first complete sewer work that is expected to begin in 2026. Construction for the streetscape project is expected for 2027.
More on the Safe & Accessible Flatbush & Foxhall Project at https://engagekingston.com/safe-and-accessible-flatbush-and-foxhall.
| | Senator Schumer in Kingston supporting the project in May 2024 | | Mayor Proposes Occupancy Tax for Hotels | | |
Mayor Noble has proposed the Common Council pass a resolution to implement a City of Kingston occupancy/lodging tax.
As proposed in his 2026 Budget, Mayor Noble is recommending that the City of Kingston institute a occupancy tax on short-term lodging up to 3%.
Newburgh has a 5% occupancy tax, while Catskill and Coxsackie have a 4% and Poughkeepsie has a 3% occupancy tax. This tax would apply to local hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and short-term rentals like Airbnb.
If the Common Council approves of the proposed tax, they would pass a resolution asking the State legislature to pass a home rule bill requesting the Governor approve this bill for Kingston to begin collecting the occupancy tax. It’s expected that the legislation could be adopted by the end of this year’s legislative session in June.
The 2026 Adopted Budget includes an estimated revenue of $100,000 from the occupancy tax. Budgets can be found at https://kingston-ny.gov/budget.
| | Mayor Proposes Two Tax Exemptions | | |
Mayor Noble has proposed that the City of Kingston opt into the Real Property Tax Law 457-A program, which would allow for a partial tax exemption for eligible residential properties sold to a low-income household.
Mayor Noble said, “This exemption would help low-income eligible Kingston residents, who have purchased homes through affordable homeownership programs and entities like the Kingston City Land Bank, RUPCO’s First Time Homebuyers program, and Taproot Community Land Trust to have a tax bill that is commensurate with their home purchase price. We want to ensure that folks who take advantage of these programs are then not overburdened with property taxes and can stay in their homes long term.”
Governor Hochul recently signed new legislation allowing New York’s taxing jurisdictions to opt into this program.
A low-income household is defined as one earning no more than 80% of the area median income upon initial occupancy, as certified by a land bank, community land trust, or governmental entity. The law states that the total exemption amount may range between 25% and 75% of the property’s assessed value. Mayor Noble is recommending that the City of Kingston opt in at the 50% level.
Mayor Noble has also proposed a Veteran’s Exemption Law that would give 100% disabled veterans in the City of Kingston exemption from property taxes.
New York State recently passed legislation that would allow municipalities to adopt a local law or resolution for any seriously disabled veteran who was honorably discharged or released and is rated 100% disabled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, shall be fully exempt from property taxation, special district charges, assessments and special ad valorem levies.
| | School Speed Zone Cameras Being Installed | |
The first of the school speed zone cameras has been installed.
Mayor Noble said, “During the last two years, meeting with residents during my Listening Tours, and hearing from folks across the City, the number one neighborhood concern has consistently been speeding and traffic safety. I have worked to lower the speed limit citywide, install more signage, implement safe streets projects on Henry Street and Franklin Street, and create a Traffic Safety Unit at the Kingston Police Department. But still the problem of speeding has persisted. We hope these new school speed zone cameras will help calm traffic and protect our school children by deterring speeding. After some delays in shipping, we have received all of the equipment, and our staff is working to get the cameras installed swiftly. There will be a 30-day warning period, starting Monday. After 30 days, these cameras will begin automatically ticketing any vehicle that is speeding in a school zone during operating hours. We take traffic safety seriously, and once folks start receiving these auto-generated tickets, we expect they will, too.”
The first set of cameras have been installed on Broadway in the northbound and southbound lanes in front of Kingston High School. Cameras are scheduled to be installed on W. O’Reilly near the high school entrance, Washington Avenue at Marius Street for George Washington Elementary and on Delaware Avenue at Corporate Drive for JFK Elementary.
The speed limit is 15 miles per hour in the elementary school zones and 20 miles per hour in the high school zones. Cameras will be operational on weekdays from 7:00am to 4:00pm at JFK and George Washington and 7:00am to 8:00pm at Kingston High School during the school year. Cameras will be active if/when summer school is in session.
The equipment, which was purchased from Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions, Inc., will bill speeders by mail, issuing tickets with a charge of $50 and a $25 late fee. Every violation will be reviewed by the City’s Parking Violations Bureau. No other use of the personal or identifying information will be shared or accessed by other entities.
Speed zone signs will be installed in all four ticketing areas. There will be a 30-day grace period, during which speeders in the school zones will be issued warnings by mail. After 30 days, tickets will be issued.
In the 2026 Adopted Budget, revenue from the school speed zone cameras was estimated at $200,000. Revenue generated in the first year will go toward operating expenses and traffic enforcement.
| Mayor Noble Appointed to NYCOM Board | | |
Mayor Noble has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM). NYCOM President, Mayor William F. Brazill of the Village of Minoa, made the selection. The Executive Committee is responsible for governing the Conference of Mayors and establishing its overall policies.
“Mayor Noble brings to the Executive Committee exactly the kind of leadership and on-the-ground experience that NYCOM values,” said NYCOM President Mayor Bill Brazill. “He understands the challenges our cities and villages face and has consistently shown how thoughtful planning, strong advocacy and community engagement can deliver real results.”
“Mayor Noble has been a forward-thinking mayor who leads with both vision and practicality,” said NYCOM Executive Director Barbara Van Epps. “His focus on infrastructure, housing and environmental stewardship aligns closely with NYCOM’s priorities, and we are excited to have his voice and perspective on our Executive Committee.”
Founded in 1910, NYCOM serves and represents cities and villages in New York State ranging from the smallest village to New York City.
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Snow Removal No Parking Areas | |
As the Department of Public Works continues storm cleanup and snow removal, please watch out for No Parking signs. DPW will be posting areas throughout the City 24 hours in advance of snow removal. Vehicles parked in these areas during the posted times will be towed.
This allows snow blowers and dump trucks to come through and clear the snow banks and plow to the curb.
| Pike Plan Construction Update | | |
Pike Plan removal is continuing despite the frigid temps, and is approximately 50% completed.
Three crews are now working on Wall Street, while one crew remains on Front Street. Care is being taken to weather- and waterproof the exteriors of each building as crews work their way down the blocks.
A weekly construction update will be posted on the City website here.
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City of Kingston Job and Board/Commision Opportunities | | |
The City of Kingston is hiring! The following positions are currently open:
For more information on civil service exams and job opportunities, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/employment
The following civil service exams are scheduled:
The City has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community. The following currently have openings:
- Planning Board (alternate)
- Historic Landmark Preservation Commission
- Ethics Board (Democrat, Republican and/or non enrolled)
- Conservation Advisory Council
- Zoning Board of Appeals
- Ulster County Planning Board (Kingston representative)
Find the application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.
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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. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.
This system is a valuable resource to submit municipal service requests. Examples include:
- Streetlight replacement
- City signage, including overgrowth blocking traffic signs
- Snow removal, reporting parking violations, and other snow issues
- Parks & playground repairs
- Report graffiti or vandalism
- Trail issues
Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us, use the app or visit www.kingston-ny.gov/311/
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov
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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: www.kingston-ny.gov
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