Mayor's Message

Snow Emergency Procedure Reminder

Kingston Fire Department Now Operating EMS Service

Live Well Kingston's Monday Walking Group

Organics Program Update

Dietz Stadium Construction Update

City of Kingston Job Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I kicked off the new year with my annual State of the City address, which I delivered at the swearing-in ceremony on January 1. If you weren't able to attend or catch the livestream, you can watch my speech here.

The theme of this year's State of the City was 'Rising to the Moment' because I am honored and humbled to be your Mayor for a third term and because I know from experience, that when we meet the moment together, we can overcome any challenges. I'm proud to serve this great community. Here's to a great 2024 and a productive 4-year term!

We are expecting a good bit of snow this weekend, starting Saturday evening. We will send another newsletter tomorrow with Snow Emergency timing, so please watch your inbox for that declaration.

Please note: due to the amount of snow and the expected impact on our area, we will be ticketing and towing vehicles not in compliance with Snow Emergency rules. Tickets are $100 and towing incurs fees as well. We appreciate everyone's cooperation for our first big snow of the season.



-Steve

Snow Storm Prep: Snow Emergency Procedures

We expect to declare a Snow Emergency tomorrow, Saturday, January 6. Make sure you are signed up for our Smart911 updates to get a call or text.

When a Snow Emergency is declared, alternate side parking rules are in effect for all roadways except Snow Emergency Routes and dead-end streets. To allow Public Works to effectively clear snow, there is no on-street parking along Snow Emergency Routes or dead-end streets for the duration of a snow event. In addition, no parking is allowed within 50 feet of any street corner and vehicles must not block fire hydrants, driveways, entryways/exits for parking lots, or in any hazardous manner. The best place for vehicles during a Snow Emergency is always off-street.

“As we prepare for the possibility of snow accumulation this weekend, we thought it would be helpful to remind folks of not only the Snow Emergency parking rules, but also best practices to ensure the safety of all,” said Mayor Noble. “In addition to removing your vehicle from the street, if possible, or moving to the correct side of the street as soon as a Snow Emergency is declared, you are also responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of your property within 12 hours of a snow event. We need the cooperation of all residents to make the snow removal process a smooth one.”

DPW Superintendent Ed Norman said, “We will be brining on Friday for road pretreatment, and are well-equipped for the winter season, but the public’s cooperation is imperative for successful snow clearing. We have 49 pieces of equipment available for drivers and laborers to clear the streets, but as always, we ask for the public’s patience as we clear 90 miles of road across the city. In addition to moving your vehicle, it’s important to also remove any obstructions in the snow storage areas, such as basketball hoops, flower planters or pots, trash and recycling cans, and or anything that could be damaged by rolling snow from the plows. If you have any issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.”

DPW snow equipment includes: 11 large 6-wheel dump trucks with plow and salters, one large 10-wheel dump truck with plow, one large 10-wheel dump truck with plow and salter, seven small dump trucks with plows and salters, 13 pick-up trucks with plows, one brine truck, two large loaders, four skid loaders, two roll-off trucks, one enclosed riding snowblower, five walk-behind snowblowers, and one mechanics truck with plow.

Alternate side parking means that, during a Snow Emergency, parking is permitted on the odd side of the street on odd numbered calendar days and on the even side of the street on even numbered calendar days. The odd or even side of the street is determined by house numbers. At 7:00am the following day, vehicles must move to the opposite side of the street. Vehicles not in compliance will be ticketed and towed.

During a Snow Emergency, regular alternate side parking rules are suspended. On-street and off-street parking meters are suspended. Pre-existing parking restrictions which allow or prohibit parking on a particular side of the street are temporarily superseded by Snow Emergency alternate-side-of-the-street parking rules.

As a reminder, Snow Emergency Routes include the following streets:

Abeel Street

Albany Avenue

Andrew Street

Boulevard

Broadway

Clifton Avenue

Cornell Street

Delaware Avenue

East Chester Street

East Strand

Elaine Drive

Flatbush Avenue

Foxhall Avenue

Frog Alley

Garden Street

Garraghan Drive

Greenkill Avenue

Hasbrouck Avenue

Hurley Avenue

Linderman Avenue

Lucas Avenue

Marys Avenue

North Street

O'Reilly Street

Pearl Street

Schwenk Drive

Washington Avenue

Wilbur Avenue

A Snow Emergency is typically announced if more than 3 inches of snow are forecasted, and plowing is required. The City of Kingston will announce a Snow Emergency in the following ways:



• Online at www.kingston-ny.gov and at the City of Kingston Facebook page.
• By phone via Smart 911. Sign up to receive calls or texts here.
• By e-mail. Recipients of the Mayor’s newsletter will receive an e-mail notification. Sign up for the newsletter here.
• Via media—all local media will be alerted.

For a snow-related service request or to report hazardous road conditions, call the DPW Dispatch at 845-338-2114 or use Kingston 311. For towed vehicles, call the Kingston Police Department at 845-331-1671.

For those who are unable to move their vehicle off the road, the following municipal parking lots are free and open to the public during a Snow Emergency:

More information about Snow Emergency routes and procedures can be found at: www.kingston-ny.gov/snowemergency. 

EMS Service Now Operated by Kingston Fire Department

Beginning on January 1, 2024, the Kingston Fire Department began responding to ambulance calls in the City of Kingston.

Empress, a third-party company, had previously provided ambulance services in Kingston, taking over for Mobile Life in July of 2023. However, in response to Empress’ requirement to enter into a paid contract where City taxpayers would be required to contribute over $500,000-1,000,000 per year for service beginning on January 1, the City put together a plan to provide immediate coverage while plans and discussions continue with the Common Council.

“It is critical that we continue to provide immediate lifesaving ambulance transport services to our residents,” said Mayor Noble. “In the last six months, the Kingston Fire Department has responded to over 100 emergency medical calls with our own ambulance due to a lack of private ambulance availability in our City. That fact, combined with a request to enter into a six-figure contract with the private entity, forced us to look at our own resources and what type of plan we could put together to best serve our residents and visitors. I commend Chief Rea and the members of the Kingston Fire Department for their willingness to work with me to get this program up and running so quickly.”

Beginning in early January, the City of Kingston will have one Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit and one Basic Life Support Unit (BLS) operating in the City of Kingston out of Central Station. The Mobile Mental Health Ambulance will serve as a back-up BLS unit. The Mobile Mental Health Program will continue to run with dedicated staff Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm. Our emergency medical transport service will be provided to all those who live, work, or visit the City of Kingston regardless of whether they have insurance or the ability to pay.

In October, Mayor Noble and Chief presented to the Kingston Common Council (watch here) regarding the situation of ambulances in the City of Kingston. Ambulance discussions will continue with the Common Council in January and February related to additional staffing and insurance billing services for this program.

If you are having a medical emergency, you will still call 911 and the Kingston Fire Department will be there to assist you. 

Live Well Kingston's Monday Walking Group

The Midtown Mondays Walking Group returns beginning January 22, 2024.

Live Well Kingston is offering a free 6-week indoor walking program inspired by the Arthritis Foundation Walk with Ease Program. Participants will receive an Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease Guidebook at the end of the program.

Each one-hour class will include:

• A brief discussion on arthritis, (and other related conditions) and how to exercise safely and comfortably.
• Warm-up movement and stretches (this can be done seated or standing).
• Walking laps around the gymnasium at your own pace.
• Cool-down movement and stretches.

Bring a neighbor or companion. Aides and caregivers are welcomed to join. Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. Water refill station is available. Restrooms and gymnasium are on the ground floor. 

Join us Mondays from 11:00am–12:00pm on January 22 and 29, February 5, 12, and 26, and March 4 at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center at 467 Broadway.

To register, call 334-3951 and leave your name and phone number. Or email msebro@kingston-ny.gov.

To learn more about Age Well visit us at Live Well Kingston.

Organics Program Update

The Kingston Organics program has hit the six-month mark! To date, 397 families equaling 882 individuals are registered for the free, voluntary program.

At the 11 neighborhood sites and 10 municipal buildings, to date: we have collected 28,980 pounds (14.49 tons).

So far, we have had 100% compliance with no contamination! There have been no animals noted and zero complaints from neighbors.

The City has applied for grant funding to advance Phase 2, which will include voluntary curbside collection for businesses and residents.

For more information and to register for a Kingston Organics food waste drop-off location, please visit: www.engagekingston.com/Kingston-organics.

Dietz Stadium Construction Update

Work is progressing at the Dietz Stadium construction site. Mass re-grading at south end of field has progressed west and heading north toward the back of the grandstand, rock removal from this area continues. Foundation excavation of the ticket booth, visitor concessions and visitor side storage building is complete and concrete footings/foundation wall have been poured, backfilling in these areas is underway.

The interior demolition and slab cuts of the grandstand are complete. Interior excavation, trenching and forms for the new wall footings and for plumbing and electric under slab service has started.

New conduit runs inside the grandstand where applied to existing structure have been installed and all under slab/underground conduits at the ticket booth and visitor concession are in.

All under slab runs of plumbing have been laid out and coordinated with other trades within the grandstand. Heating and ventilation main trunk lines have also been coordinated and marked for installation.

City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring! Current openings include:

• School crossing guards

Job descriptions and details available at https://kingston-ny.gov/Employment.

Upcoming Civil Service Exams include:

Purchasing Assistant on February 10, 2024

Purchasing Coordinator on February 10, 2024

Senior Account Clerk on February 10, 2024

Network Support Technician

Park Maintenance Supervisor on March 2, 2024

The Kingston Civil Service Commission is now offering the Police Officer physical agility examination on a continuous recruitment basis starting in 2024. Please visit the City of Kingston website to view the announcement in full at www.kingston-ny.gov/Employment.

The City of Kingston has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community. Application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.