Mayor's Message

Kingston Police Department Creates Traffic Safety Unit

MHET Free Energy-Efficient Appliances

Kingston Repair Cafe on February 22

Grants 101 Workshop on February 26

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

City of Kingston Board & Commission Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

We have heard the concerns of the community loud and clear regarding traffic safety in Kingston. You all have asked for more traffic enforcement on our City streets to make the community a safer place to walk, bike, and drive. In response we have created the Traffic Safety Unit.

This new KPD unit was created specifically to increase enforcement to make sure all of Kingston’s road users are obeying the law. Just in the first few weeks, we have seen great success in slowing folks down, enforcing traffic laws, and even confiscating illegal drugs during these stops.

I want to thank Chief Tinti, Lieutenant Negron, the Traffic Safety officers, and the entire Police Department for their commitment to the safety of our City.

As we look to the weekend snow forecast, stay tuned for additional Snow Emergency information.

City offices will be closed on Monday, February 17 in observance of Presidents' Day. Trash/recycling will not be picked up on Monday, and will be delayed one day next week.

-Steve

Kingston Police Department Creates Traffic Safety Unit

The Kingston Police Department has created a new Traffic Safety Unit, which currently includes two officers who are assigned to specifically address traffic concerns and are the primary responders to traffic crashes.

The officers have, or will attend, training in the areas of commercial vehicle enforcement, crash management and reconstruction, child passenger safety, Advanced Roadside Impairment Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), and bicycle safety.

The Traffic Safety Unit’s primary focus is the enforcement of vehicle and traffic laws, and will be responsible for:

· Identifying and addressing traffic hazards

· Conducting vehicle and driver safety checkpoints

· Overseeing school crossing guards

· Implementing educational programs that include new driver awareness

· Promoting safe driving behaviors by focusing on high collision areas

· Implementing seatbelt safety programs which include child seat installations

· Leading community education programs focused on traffic safety

Since January 1, 2025, the Traffic Safety Unit has conducted 342 stops, issued 325 summonses and 111 warnings, made 13 arrests, and assisted in five crashes.

MHET Free Energy-Efficient Appliances

Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET), in partnership with the City of Kingston, is offering free energy-efficient appliances to income-eligible residents. This initiative is designed to help households reduce energy costs, improve home efficiency, and create healthier living environments—all at no cost to participants.

Eligible residents may receive a new induction stove, heat pump water heater, or portable heat pump through this program. These modern, energy-efficient appliances can enhance home safety, lower utility bills, and promote cleaner indoor air. MHET is committed to ensuring that all Kingston residents, regardless of income, have access to these essential upgrades.

Who Can Apply? This program is open to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households in Kingston. Special consideration will be given to:

● Households with seniors or young children

● Residents facing high energy bills or utility debt

● Renters who pay their own utility bills (with landlord approval)

● Households with stoves or water heaters over 15 years old Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all appliances are distributed.

Due to high demand, induction stoves have limited availability. Residents are encouraged to express interest in heat pump water heaters and portable heat pumps in advance of their release. More at https://www.mid-hudson.energy/.

Repair Cafe on Saturday, February 22

The Kingston Repair Cafe will be held on Saturday, February 22 from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Clinton Avenue Methodist Church, located at 122 Clinton Ave.

Please limit to 2 items for repair. Masks are strongly recommended indoors.

More information at https://www.repaircafehv.org/. For questions, or to volunteer, email RepairCafeKingstonNY@gmail.com

Grant Writing 101 Workshop

Kingston’s Office of Grants Management will host a free Grant Writing 101 workshop on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 12:00pm at City Hall.

The Grant Writing 101 workshop will be geared toward supporting local nonprofits to secure grant funding for their organizations. The workshop will cover fundraising basics, research, eligibility, applications, budgets, project management, reporting, and more.

While designed to help nonprofits, anyone interested in learning grant writing basics is welcome to attend. The hybrid event will be available in-person at City Hall and online via Zoom.

Grant Writing 101

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

12:00pm

City Hall, Conference Room 1

420 Broadway, Kingston, NY

Online registration

For in-person registration, please contact Grants Manager Natalie Kikel at nkikel@kingston-ny.gov or 845-334-3961.

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

Mayor Noble's weekly radio show, "It's the Mayor" airs on Tuesdays at 5:00pm on Radio Kingston.

This week, Mayor Noble spoke with the City of Kingston's Parking Supervisor Vinnie Perry about the enhanced parking enforcement and Snow Emergency parking. Click below to hear their conversation.

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

Central Hudson– the current project area has wrapped up. Work in a new project area will begin in March, including Fairview Ave, Howland Ave, Stickles Ave, Merilina Ave, Boulder Ave, Voorhees Ave, Alcazar Ave, Merritt Ave, Court Ave, and Catskill Ave.

Central Hudson will host an open house informational meeting for residents in the new work area at City Hall on Thursday, February 20 at 6:00pm.

Archtop Fiber– one crew will be in the area of Flatbush Ave and E. Chester Street beginning later next week or the following week. They will finish on Grant, then move to Lincoln, Hutton, and Clifton Ave.

A second crew will move onto Greenkill Ave, S Clinton Ave, S Prospect St, Klingberg Ave, Petit Ave, Washington Ave and Brook St.

Final restorations will pick up in the spring.

Active work on Prospect Street, Clinton Avenue, or ADA ramps projects is expected to be on hiatus until spring.

The weekly roadwork update can be found on the City website here.

City of Kingston Job and Board/Commision Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring! The City has an immediate opening for a full-time Traffic Electrician, part-time Housing Inspector, and other job openings.

• Traffic Electrician
• Part-time Housing Code Inspector
• Motor Equipment Operator
• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator

For more information, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/employment

The City has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community.

The following currently have openings:

• Ethics Board
• Recreation Commission
• Conservation Advisory Council
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Kingston Local Development Corporation Board

Find the application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.

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/