Latest Covid-19 Information |
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City of Kingston Receives Low Fiscal Stress Score |
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Mayor Visits Jewish Federation's Sukkah |
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Tower Repair at City Hall Underway |
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Job Training Opportunities for Young Adults |
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show |
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
Dear Friends,
This week, the NYS Comptroller released his 2020 Fiscal Stress Score results. The City of Kingston received a very low stress score, which clearly demonstrates how we as a City were able to weather the pandemic last year, and come out with strong financial standing. I am proud to say that by utilizing sound budgeting techniques, coordinated planning, and our departments’ ability to stay within their budgets, we have been able to consistently improve our financial footing year after year during my time leading the City of Kingston.
We have begun the process of working with the consultant who will be helping us determine how to best utilize our American Rescue Plan Act funds. You will be hearing much more in the coming days and weeks about getting involved in that process. There will be many opportunities for community engagement, and I encourage everyone to participate.
-Steve
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COVID-19 Information
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As of Friday, September 24, there are 474 active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County (down 99 from last week), 79 in Kingston (down 17), and there have been 279 deaths across the County. More local resources at Ulster County Covid-19 Information
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Kingston Receives Low Fiscal Stress Score |
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The Office of the New York State Comptroller has released the City of Kingston’s fiscal stress score for 2020. On a scale of 0 to 100, the City received a score of 1.7%. A lower number indicates a lower fiscal stress score.
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring System was implemented in 2013 to keep the public informed about the factors impacting local governments’ financial health. The system evaluates local governments on financial indicators including year-end fund balance, cash-on-hand, short-term borrowing, fixed costs and patterns of operating deficits and creates fiscal stress scores.
City of Kingston Comptroller John Tuey said, “Kingston’s fiscal stress score of 1.7% is on a scale of 0% to 100%, with a lower score indicative of a stronger financial ranking. I’m pleased to see us continuing to track in the right direction on the NYS Comptroller’s scoring model, which takes into account key financial indicators that drive fiscal health. The entire City of Kingston team, including our elected officials, department heads, and staff, have been willing and able partners in achieving this outcome.”
For more info on the 2020 Fiscal Stress Score results, see the full report here.
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Happy Retirement to Chief Brown
Today we bid a fond farewell and happy retirement to much beloved Kingston Fire Chief Mark Brown. Chief Brown has been a firefighter for 46 years and with the Kingston Fire Department for 35 years. He has served as the Chief since 2013, and during that time has been the recipient of numerous certifications and awards, including both local and State EMS Awards for Excellence.
Thank you for your years of dedicated service, Chief Brown. We'll miss you!
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Mayor Noble Visits Sukkah in TR Gallo Park
This week, Mayor Noble visited the Jewish Federation of Ulster County's sukkah, erected in honor of the festival of Sukkot. The sukkah will be in T.R. Gallo Park until Monday, September 27 and is open for visitors.
The Jewish Federation of Ulster County recently launched a support hotline. Victims of and witnesses to anti-Semitic acts can report the incidents to the Ulster County Federation 24 hours a day by calling 845-859-9858 or filling out an interactive form on the UJFC’s website (UCJF.org).
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Tower Repair at City Hall
Restoration of the City Hall bell tower is underway. The project includes cleaning and masonry repointing on the tower exterior, masonry repointing on the tower interior, and minor repairs to the Council Chambers.
An aerial lift has been placed near the front entrance at City Hall, and scaffolding will be erected around the tower later in the project. The City of Kingston has awarded a contract for tower cleaning and masonry restoration to PCC Contractors of Schenectady and Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation of Albany will be overseeing the construction management. Interior tower restoration is expected to be complete by April 2022 with the exterior repairs completed by July 2022.
City Hall at 420 Broadway was built in 1872, after the towns of Kingston, Rondout, and Wilbur merged together to create the City of Kingston as we now know it. In 1927, a fire destroyed the tower and severely damaged the roof. During the extensive repair process, the Council Chambers were also built. When officials decided to move municipal offices to the Rondout area in 1972, the current City Hall sat vacant for over 20 years. In the mid-90s, a campaign to preserve the historic building raised $6.5million. In 2000, the fully restored City Hall was reopened. The first phase of the City Hall tower project included a new roof and gutter repairs in 2019. The tower restoration is Phase 2.
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Scaffolding being erected at City Hall |
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Roadwork Update
Broadway Streetscape: permanent pavement marking will occur on Broadway from the YMCA to the roundabout this Saturday, September 25, starting at 7:00am. All intervening intersections will be impacted. This work may cause delays to traffic at times. Two crews will be working: one crew for regular white symbols/striping and one crew for special green striping. Flaggers and required traffic control will be implemented.
Broadway/Grand Street Intersection: The curb installation is completed for Grand Street. Fine Grading between Grand and Prince is ongoing. Installing concrete between the curb and pavement on Broadway next week.
Paving: Preparation for paving on Navara Street and Linderman Avenue from Washington Avenue to Twin Ponds Drive began this week. Paving is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 29 and be completed by October 1, weather permitting. During this time, there may be detours and changes to the traffic pattern.
Central Hudson: Gas service installations will continue next week on Main Street between Washington Ave and Lafayette Ave and on Pearl Street at Valentine Ave. There may be temporary road closures and detours.
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Lighting work on Broadway |
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Job Training Opportunities for Young Adults Available |
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As a part of Ulster County's Greater Vision Initiative to curb gun violence, grants are being offered for young adults between 18-24 who live in Kingston.
To assist these young adults in finding permanent full-time jobs by providing paid internships, providing grants for training, and/or on-the-job training, each young person will be assigned a case manager who will work closely with them to develop a plan of action and support them in executing the plan. There are no income guidelines but the young people must be out of school and interested in full-time employment.
Interested young adults are encouraged to call 845-340-3170 or click here.
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show |
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Mayor Noble's weekly radio show is back on Tuesdays at 5:00pm. It's the Mayor! airs live on Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook page.
Click below to hear Mayor Noble's interview with Rebecca Garrard, the Legislation Director at Citizen Action discussing Good Cause Eviction.
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
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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