[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6581280,"mediaKeyId","3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3","parentId",3169149,"title","AmeriCorps RSVP funding canceled nationally; Sullivan County plans volunteer fair and coordinates food‑security response","audioSeconds",208,"startMs",1446000,"endMs",1654000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3&start=1446&end=1654","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3/thumbnail_1446000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6581280/Sullivan-County/New-York/AmeriCorps-RSVP-funding-canceled-nationally-Sullivan-County-plans-volunteer-fair-and-coordinates-foodsecurity-response","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581280-d3a7b3680cd9c3647b134bbb332b956b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159298&Signature=OSSAr6EhXMjgcbe-SDEMwVxXU0TjRwiV0Tl2Jrlc9dl-77EtBOzcIy5ndUonv7zh0DyIuwU4CHr5rNSVisHcmUHD-Hl-scZPhH82jFrIHzlf1bzfv5Lb9pgoXS5ZFXz18k7t0zrmshtLp~IrcLjz3yLH~PJm6NPbJTn1jkvA9xCB3olQfXKy0hIW0JHIL9CZNhx9R2BP7AXM5w0u9pbVqbODLSG9StNlzhgeFOSdTxrAQ09HkuqtL6gWcsEkGYAUFo90YjJMvVzrahhHO7mJHVSl6X5W9Ek-ENuuJSzcSChKkzPhsuLLQMAzqyMIDMTnVZkVpjvTbPcTcz-8dXqXtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sullivan County","date","2025-05-01T11:26:00Z","article","County staff told the Legislature that the RSVP AmeriCorps program was not renewed at the national level and that many AmeriCorps staff have been placed on administrative leave or let go, complicating drawdown of remaining grant funds for local programs.

Staff described RSVP’s role in Sullivan County: in 2024 the local RSVP volunteers provided 14,170 hours of service across 116 volunteers, and performed critical services for the Office for the Aging including out‑of‑county medical transportation and delivery of homebound meals. County staff said they have temporarily reallocated other local funds to cover service gaps while they reconsider program design.

To bolster volunteer recruitment and match volunteers with local nonprofits and service providers, county RSVP coordinator Monica Russa is hosting a volunteer fair on May 17 at Cornell Cooperative Extension from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. County staff said the event will include nonprofit vendors seeking volunteers and that outreach materials have been distributed.

Separately, the Sullivan Catskills Food Security Coalition (led by county staff, Cornell Cooperative Extension and other partners) will meet on May 5 to map pantry coverage and emerging needs. County staff said increased food‑pantry use is being driven by working families whose wages have not kept pace with rising rents and utility bills; the coalition will look at contingency plans and coordination to avoid waste and improve distribution.

Ending: Staff urged residents in need to reach out to the Office for the Aging or other local partners and said the county will continue coordinating volunteers and nonprofit partners to maintain services while federal program uncertainties persist.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sullivan County - Planning and Community Resources Committee on 2025-05-01 11:00 AM - May 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff said the AmeriCorps RSVP program was not renewed nationwide; Sullivan County will run a volunteer fair May 17 and is convening a food‑security coalition to map pantry needs as demand rises among working families.","taxTitle","Sullivan County, New York","taxId",14534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581285,"County schedules special meeting to declare lead agency for broadband grant as aggressive build timeline continues",54,1336000,1390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3&start=1336&end=1390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6581285/Sullivan-County/New-York/County-schedules-special-meeting-to-declare-lead-agency-for-broadband-grant-as-aggressive-build-timeline-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581285-afe48c3a88e5f4675f8d1bf47e699602/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159298&Signature=TzNnKzME0qDDqKyVOgI3d9vRHw~koXYp15jkjccQLIVMeRJbegsqsEXDZb-0Z5YUMZZFZg0ICAouWBFBa6n2D-IA72x9ilrdgmQ0CkCA1rU-vRTKtkeHk0n10vJjWEA~si0nk-y6MV4hGRHB9YjJpkzfgbBPEGXzGFpOFzS~c~al~NgHlyj4tSTLGrSJrjzrKnw9-bjSLqpP~4nV8u0kgOSZaO8vRFjFylz7ZAZzxWQQUWS~DhUSXqr4Q2kefs4PszJmxWhcFspycROhmHNwi1oTohCQPi8zr5ZxcXPHdSu7k545S-w1vmzccDC4xCuIJOPoWcQmbiUHgdo4kD4X-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sullivan County staff told the Legislature they set a special meeting to declare a lead agency and consider environmental review for a broadband infrastructure grant with an aggressive construction timeline.

Staff said the county initiated the SEQR/\"scoping\" (referred to in the meeting as a seeker process) on April 4 and that the process includes a 30‑day notice period; because the 30th day falls on a weekend staff scheduled a special meeting at 10:25 a.m. on the next available Thursday immediately after the management and budget meeting so the Legislature can act to declare a lead agency and consider whether to issue a negative or positive declaration.

County staff described the project scope as running roughly 253 miles of fiber with multiple wireless towers to be equipped, and emphasized the aggressive schedule needed to meet grant requirements. Staff said the county has sent seeker letters and that it is necessary to move quickly so the county can select contractors and comply with grant timetables.

The special meeting was scheduled to ensure the county meets the procedural deadlines; staff said additional agenda items may be considered at the special meeting but that the broadband action was time‑sensitive.

Ending: Staff asked legislators to attend the special meeting and said they will circulate the seeker materials and any submitted comments prior to the session.","Sullivan County staff set a special meeting to declare lead agency and consider SEQR for an aggressive broadband grant requiring about 253 miles of fiber and tower work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581290,"County reports more than $200,000 in 2023 savings from solar and hydro credits; contracts lock rates for decades",141,836000,977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3&start=836&end=977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3/thumbnail_836000.jpg","/articles/6581290/Sullivan-County/New-York/County-reports-more-than-200000-in-2023-savings-from-solar-and-hydro-credits-contracts-lock-rates-for-decades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581290-3e84d6421bca4aa6d108c159b6f0843e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159298&Signature=gWKAhLvvIOaojyKxr3cQojaWeXh0BRFzKYJibzVuiH2S~Nh4ogVV5I7Pxq6ke~Vz75BdO1ISyA~ErQJ7J3KUQa8r56rflwDWQYJ6uBYBQvxmGiU~BU-DIozD~3xNn6uhV4PCLy7vCMuAdq4R7HWd3TsxMpixdHc6y4~tv8LpCXX4-YDBTA2oNsoby2~zfKkh6lWA5zNWDd8m2iknwDgmCt5tluxQswi5TGpp~0wA7OkdQUB71GdBa2RWs5WPoW5mL26c19P4eE5uzSYBH-fEwDXZPm66N7VPfMNCmfJwJBUjF~7rFlJXZ0~AppeMXzVXZlD6CCpIuR6Gu0S3tKZE4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff reported that Sullivan County’s solar and hydroelectric projects generated more than $200,000 in net savings for the county in a partial 2023 accounting and described the long‑term contracts that underpin those savings.

Staff said that from January through August 2023 the county purchased hydroelectric credits costing $168,794.69 that offset $296,634.82 in NYSEG bills (net savings $127,837.13). Over the same period the county purchased solar credits for $80,986.30 that offset $161,811.49 in bills (net savings $80,825.19). Staff characterized total savings in that period as more than $200,000. The county credited the savings to contracts signed under the prior monetary remote net metering rules.

At the meeting staff said the solar contract rate is effectively locked at 7.1 cents per kilowatt hour and that the hydro contract began at about 8.2 cents per kilowatt hour with a roughly 2% annual escalator. County staff said the solar contract began in 2017 and runs for 20 years (through about 2037); the hydro contract began after service started in 2022 and runs for 20 years (through about 2042).

Staff emphasized that the projects were grandfathered into older metering provisions (monetary remote net metering/value stack) that provided full monetary credit for generation and that the contracts are long‑term instruments that produce savings relative to current utility supply and delivery rates. Staff pledged to provide updated, current savings figures in a future report.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to track and report the fiscal impact of renewable projects and would provide an updated accounting when available.","County staff recounted savings from solar and hydro credits and described long‑term contracts that have locked energy rates well below current market averages.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581295,"Sullivan County approves updated unsafe‑structure removal guidelines, sets $100,000 program",121,3681000,3802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3&start=3681&end=3802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3/thumbnail_3681000.jpg","/articles/6581295/Sullivan-County/New-York/Sullivan-County-approves-updated-unsafestructure-removal-guidelines-sets-100000-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581295-1aafb64e6c4057b9191fbd858124297b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159298&Signature=dCbKGbGrMtlFfIhgPdRUejv-n-DK4nPfT776OWmmvO2ceJliBOT8vmCB8CcNS8Dzr6iBCuuXzwcGs28L5eExpvZ9RKa7KoTZxbfG0yQJczUN7sGEztb14pRtt0qMCUeIJixumRZeeL8wYVCxb1XRSxhZ2pDGW4gRVbVQxXxrPRTuUs9WPF-zbXEaYUiTHjOWOsvxd7WneaQfDuLbf1aTacfzAs2G70muKePht01rjd0oXhwmWWtZ9lo0EOdIKxjUYy0RR1l6Ouh6mUbkh1Uq2xavJA9UEnSN2ZqOjcEkutmWyUgkNpGvh5RZY6C5YpQaHn~5RMxlggw19nkE8-0S5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sullivan County Legislature approved updated program guidelines and an initial funding authorization for removal of unsafe structures, after a discussion about eligibility, hazardous‑materials costs and the limits of county authority.

Under the updated guidelines presented to the Legislature, a county fund of $100,000 would be available on a first‑come, first‑served basis to help municipalities remove structures deemed unsafe. County funding would cover up to 50% of a demolition project but would be capped at $25,000 per property; towns could count in‑kind services such as use of public‑works crews as part of the local match. County staff said the county would provide funding only and would not supply trucks or demolition crews for private property unless the county owned the parcel.

Program criteria in the draft guidelines prioritize public safety, visibility (structures highly visible on a state or county road, in hamlets, village gateways or downtowns) and redevelopment potential. A county staff member told the Legislature that municipalities sometimes take ownership of abandoned properties with redevelopment plans; in those cases county funding could supplement town efforts to remove blight and open sites for parking or redevelopment.

Legislators flagged hazardous‑materials and cost‑recapture issues as complicating factors. One legislator noted that abatement expenses for asbestos and lead can significantly raise the cost of demolition and will affect how far the county funding stretches. Another member urged county legal and finance staff to review whether recent court rulings affecting tax foreclosure and recoupment could change the calculus for using county funds or relying on subsequent foreclosure to recover costs.

The Legislature moved resolutions 1 through 3 in a block at the meeting's end and approved them by voice vote (moved by \"Pat,\" seconded by Louie; \"Aye\" recorded and counted as four in favor), according to the meeting record. County staff said they will bring a technical amendment back to the committee to align language for a previously approved town‑specific grant before disbursing funds to that municipality.

Ending: County staff said they will circulate the final application and guidelines to municipalities and will consult the treasurer and county counsel on hazards, cost recovery and program administration before issuing the first round of grants.","Legislators approved updated guidelines to provide up to $100,000 annually for removal of unsafe structures; county funds would not pay for demolition equipment and would cap county share at 50% (up to $25,000 per property).",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581299,"Sullivan County legislators back joining review of proposed town‑line solar project near Neversink",140,2435000,2575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3&start=2435&end=2575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169149-06925c9d2881bb6c5cdeb7a7f96dc1e3/thumbnail_2435000.jpg","/articles/6581299/Sullivan-County/New-York/Sullivan-County-legislators-back-joining-review-of-proposed-townline-solar-project-near-Neversink","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581299-929cadf1bf0b8505b6cc7eb600b1a8c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159298&Signature=FfzdOQNBkJE1Dy72plyGkDilVfU7L~drzAkOJuAIJDVXnD3gpPJRI7--ICx4TDZBE-FrcAO84owkUH53JiZJSwfna5bg9JrcZpGcXTvrfgLF5dr2Wp-vbxkq3eP9tA6Q12M~ZxINyMEWlyg~k8ebNXzMwUralKzg26OD851h3uOfk401JWSWUc3Cyz7~C~WkG4OvVUvywa4AydPUEPsgkdLF2cA8MqBjriV-3K3nWbUzAG8B3jFGykgvWbO1qXKyPFOFwyikIAdMKR3BlyDYQol-hCEYMHIp0uZCkdtpel985GeraPTPoV5oFh1Tj~9wdmDlkhTambu1P19ukwD1CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sullivan County legislators discussed a proposed utility‑scale solar array on the Thompson–Forestburgh town line and signaled support for the county to participate in the state permitting process by applying for intervener funds to pay for independent studies.

County staff said the developer, identified in public meetings as RWE, expects to file a formal application with the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) in the early fall. When that application is filed the host municipalities and the county will have 30 days to apply for intervener funding — a pool of roughly $200,000 paid by the applicant that can be used to fund independent environmental or engineering work to inform ORES’ decision. By rule 75% of those intervener funds are designated for host communities (about $150,000), staff said.

The issue matters because of the scale and location of the project. County staff described the total project area as roughly 3,000 acres, with the solar array itself expected to occupy about 1,200 acres and require the clearing of an estimated 500 acres of woodland in places near the Neversink River. Legislators and residents raised concerns about potential flood impacts, proximity to the Neversink unique area and the need for independent study to evaluate hydrology, ecology and visual impacts.

\"If you wait until the day the application is filed, you've got 30 days — you don't have enough time to put an application together,\" a county staff member said, urging the Legislature to consider whether the county should prepare to apply for intervener funds. County staff also said they would help publicize how residents can submit comments to the project's docket at the Department of Public Service master matter page once it is available.

Several legislators said they supported county involvement so the county and the two towns could coordinate rather than work at cross purposes. \"I would support the county's involvement,\" one legislator said during the discussion; several other members indicated agreement. County staff said that if the county does participate they will coordinate with the Town of Thompson and the Town of Forestburgh on how to split the host share of funds and on what studies to commission.

County staff also cautioned that ORES, the state permitting authority, has authority to waive local zoning requirements in siting decisions and that the state's permitting timetable includes prescribed public‑comment moments rather than unlimited local control. That statutory structure was among the reasons some legislators said the county should use intervener funds if it intends to mount technical or legal review.

Public comments at the meeting included residents who said they oppose the project; meeting participants urged staff and the press office to make clear to affected residents how to submit formal comments and when the county will consider applying for intervener funds.

The Legislature did not take a formal binding vote at the meeting to commit to filing for intervener funds; members instead expressed support and requested the county planning and legal staff prepare the materials that would be needed if RWE files its application this fall. Staff said they are researching similar large projects elsewhere in New York to gather lessons learned and draft a coordinated approach with the host towns.

Ending: County staff said they will notify legislators and the public when RWE files and will circulate guidance on how residents can file comments to the ORES docket. The county also plans a joint meeting with Thompson and Forestburgh so the municipalities and county can coordinate a response and potential intervener funding application.","County legislators signaled support to join host towns in seeking intervener funds and independent studies after a utility‑scale solar developer signaled plans for a project that would span the Thompson–Forestburgh town line and border the Neversink area.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

AmeriCorps RSVP funding canceled nationally; Sullivan County plans volunteer fair and coordinates food‑security response

County schedules special meeting to declare lead agency for broadband grant as aggressive build timeline continues

County reports more than $200,000 in 2023 savings from solar and hydro credits; contracts lock rates for decades

Sullivan County approves updated unsafe‑structure removal guidelines, sets $100,000 program

Sullivan County legislators back joining review of proposed town‑line solar project near Neversink