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July 17, 2020 - In This Issue:
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
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Dear Friends,
First, I want to congratulate the Kingston High School Class of 2020! We wish all the graduates the best of luck for a bright future.
A couple of Covid-related notes:
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Ulster County women and minority-owned businesses, along with businesses in low- and moderate-income census tracts, are now eligible for up to $100,000 in loan funding. The monies, targeted at stabilizing small businesses and non-profits hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, are available here or call the Ulster County Recovery Service Center at 845-443-8888 or the Ulster County Office of Economic Development at 845-340-3556 for more information.
Please continue to stay safe, and take care.
-Steve
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Statement About Recent Gun Violence in the City of Kingston
The recent rash of gun violence is unprecedented and scary. With a perfect storm of the Coronavirus pandemic and the economic devastation in its wake, along with political unrest and escalating disorder across the Country, our community is suffering. I am concerned and committed to restoring peace to our beloved City.
We are pulling in all available resources to end this cycle of violence. The Police Chief has asked for assistance from the New York State Police and the Ulster County Sheriff's Office. Effective immediately, the Sheriff has assigned deputies and the State Police will be providing troopers imminently. Chief Tinti has also requested additional resources to aid the investigations. I want to sincerely thank all of the officers who are going above and beyond to help protect our community.
Though this is an uncertain and unparalleled time in our City, we as a community can come together to end this violence. In order to move forward, we must hold each other accountable. Restoring and healing our community will take everyone doing their part.
Anyone who has information about these incidents, please reach out to the Kingston Police Department. You can remain anonymous by calling the tip line: (845) 331-4499.
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Round of Paving Next Week
The next round of paving will begin next week, weather depending. The following streets will be milled and paved:
Tremper Ave. from Albany Ave. to Elmendorf St.
Elmendorf St. from Tremper to Broadway
Clinton Ave. from Maiden to Franklin St.
Milling will begin Monday, July 20 and paving will begin Thursday, July 23 and be completed on Friday, July 24, weather depending.
These streets were chosen for paving to alleviate some of the traffic detouring off of Broadway during the Streetscape project construction. Once these roads are paved, traveling through Midtown will be much smoother, while we continue to make vital improvements to our infrastructure across the City of Kingston.
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Parks and Recreation Paddling Programs
The Good Morning Paddle program, a guided kayak tour along the waterfront with bird and wildlife-watching, will be held on July 25 and August 22 from 9:30-11:30am
at Kingston Point Beach. The Kayaking 101 program, which teaches the basic kayaking maneuvers with a guided tour, will be held on August 8 and September 5 also at Kingston Point Beach. All programs are $30 for Kingston residents and $40 for non-residents, and
include a tour guide, kayak, life vest and paddle. Reservations are required and can be made at www.kingstonparksandrec.org or by calling 845-481-7330.
KC Keegan-Twombly, Kingston Parks and Recreation Environmental Educator says, "Kayaking offers a peaceful retreat and a chance to explore the Hudson River in a way very few people get to experience. Kingston Parks and Recreation is happy to be able to offer this opportunity in not only a safe way, but a fun way as well. We hope you will join us as we discover the hidden secrets along the Hudson!"
In Phase Four of New York State's reopening plan, low-risk outdoor activities are permitted with strict COVID-19 protocols in place. The Kingston Parks and Recreation Department will be adhering to all guidelines and recommendations, which can be found here, including physical distancing, hygiene and disinfecting equipment, and health screenings for participating staff.
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Volunteers for Food Delivery Program Still Needed
Volunteers are still needed to deliver, schedule, and support the organizing for the Kingston Emergency Food Collaborative. To sign up, click here
bit.ly/kefcvolunteer.
Starting at the onset of the pandemic, multiple organizations came together to remove barriers to food access and ensure that members of our community have food.
To date, the Kingston Emergency Food Collaborative (KEFC)
has delivered groceries and prepared food that equated to over 303,226 total meals to more than 4,306 people.
This program was meant to be a limited emergency response, has continued due to the extended effect of the pandemic. Limited meal and grocery delivery are continuing in partnership with Family of Woodstock, Inc. at the City of Kingston's Everette Hodge Community Center, People's Place, and Catholic Charities. The KEFC is currently looking for volunteers to deliver groceries and meals from these partners and manage a hotline and database of food requests.
In addition to these efforts, the KEFC is having conversations about how to increase food security and reduce barriers to food in the City of Kingston over the long term. Individuals and organizations are invited to participate. The Hudson Valley Food Bank . Feeding America reports that in 2018 there were 18,870, or 10.5% of Ulster County residents, were food insecure. The KEFC is working to address the immediate need and to eliminate this need in future.
Participating organizations have included, but aren't limited to: A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center, Catholic Charities, The City of Kingston, Cornell Cooperative of Ulster County, Exago Inc., Family of Woodstock, Hudson Valley Farm Hub, The Kingston City School District, Kingston Food Coop, The Kingston YMCA Farm Project, Land to Learn, Live Well Kingston, People's Place, Rise Up Kingston, UlsterCorps, Ulster County Community Action, Wild Earth, and The YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County.
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Scenic Hudson Visioning Meetings
Scenic Hudson is inviting residents of Kingston, the Town of Ulster and greater Ulster County to participate in discussions and provide input in planning a nature-based park on the 520-acre riverfront property the organization protected last year. A collaborative endeavor with New York State's Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, City of Kingston and Town of Ulster, the new state park will provide a place to explore nature, enjoy outdoor recreation and learn about local history.
Partnering with local community groups, Scenic Hudson and its consultants will hold meetings in several online formats, along with interviews with stakeholders, to facilitate active dialogues with residents to understand how the future park can help realize community connectivity as well as recreational and economic benefits. The intent of this public input is to ensure the resulting park is responsive to the goals and meets the needs of the community, region and state.
The first online public engagement session will take place from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. It will include short virtual video tours of the existing landscape, a presentation on visions and opportunities for the site's future, insights from local community leaders and a public Q&A.
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Ulster County Long Range Transportation Plan Survey
The Ulster County Transportation Council (UCTC) is updating its Long Range Transportation Plan, which provides the long-term strategic framework for transportation policy, planning, and decision-making.
The UCTC is asking for public input via an online survey on how to invest in the County's transportation future over the course of the next 25 years. We encourage you to share your thoughts!
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Mayor Noble's Updates - Now Tuesday & Thursday
Mayor Noble has been live on Radio Kingston
daily
since mid-March to give the latest information about Coronavirus and issues effecting the community. These updates have also streamed on the City of Kingston Facebook page for the past 12 weeks.
He will now be giving his updates on Tuesdays and Thursday at 5:00pm.
Click below to hear Thursday's update.
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Roadwork Update
Central Hudson: Final pipe connections in the intersection of Maiden Lane and Albany Ave were completed on Monday, as well as final pipe connections on Andrew Street and at the intersection of Pearl St and Wall Street. Service installation with full services to be completed on Andrew Street and Mary's Ave, on Pearl Street starting at the Clinton Street and heading toward Washington Ave. Service installation with full services to be completed on West & East O'Reilly Streets, then moving to Hoffman Street next week.
Empire State Trail: DOT is currently working on shoulder widening on the east side of Route 32. Paving was completed and the guide rail was installed. Next week, crews are tentatively scheduled to work on shoulder widening on the west side of Route 32.
I-587 Roundabout: Sewer installation on E. ST. James Street and drainage installation work continued this week. Broadway will be excavated and fine graded above the previously installed new sewer main in preparation for asphalt placement next week. Installation of conduit and light poles has begun. Water main installation is complete for Stage 2A. Asphalt paving for 2B alignment is scheduled for July 21. Striping and switch over to 2B alignment are scheduled for July 24.
Broadway Streetscape: The first traffic signal pole base has been placed at the SE corner of Henry and Broadway. More sidewalk is planned for placement on the south side of Broadway this Wednesday from Henry Street to Franklin St. Included in this placement of concrete will be gutter work from just west of the YMCA on the south side to the railroad underpass.
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Kingston 311
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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