[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",5980666,"mediaKeyId","5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52","parentId",5807088,"title","Ulster County Legislature Issues Proclamation for Hunger Action Month; Regional Food Bank and Local Pantries Urge Support","audioSeconds",266,"startMs",588000,"endMs",854000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52&start=588&end=854","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52/thumbnail_588000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980666/Ulster-County/New-York/Ulster-County-Legislature-Issues-Proclamation-for-Hunger-Action-Month-Regional-Food-Bank-and-Local-Pantries-Urge-Support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980666-d31e8d4ed064c812fb1a24cb58e916f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773188674&Signature=EI5gLOX4El-8Je8HthBhVZpw~GW5VVtcCwd5r1dlbnqr-lF-8y689uY90YfmPEzC3RK7G~5qwPDPttXMYH9Wd8EJKq2LgstS4UKT9KuHwSi0yhcfSLcB5uSQJ~HLMurgNsiCKcaSD8SF6-2pYLjMJwEV7ftWfWtBOIVmn~j3DFqU4QKFWIYeBrpa4hijMcwv0-oY5NO~Acb2s97Rze2yUv7OdpX-F2G85BGN2oSdUeXhJO~VDlMnzwFugHdDeXmOekT~fbbI3YN1kKRyAealDJ9AQ~bCUfGut7mL7szv8pW9dR1bvZgEFHrFbS6aLYDjVaBItc-qDAZPiE-Nk75lRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ulster County Legislature","date","2025-09-17T12:18:16Z","article","The Ulster County Legislature presented a proclamation in recognition of Hunger Action Month to representatives of the Regional Food Bank, which distributes food across 23 counties, according to remarks at the meeting. County leaders said the proclamation acknowledges the Regional Food Bank's role and the work of local food pantries and volunteers.

Vice Chair Sperry introduced the proclamation, which said the Regional Food Bank and its partners distribute more than 54,000,000 pounds of food annually and that nearly 25,000 people in Ulster County — described in the proclamation as about one in seven adults and one in five children — lack consistent access to nutritious food.

Barry Lewis, senior public affairs officer for the Regional Food Bank, and Felicia Collin, Hudson Valley executive vice president, accepted the proclamation with local partner organizations including Christine Hein of People's Place, Paul Rakoff of Family of Woodstock, and Rick Orlando of Good Neighbor Food Pantry on the dais.

Christine Hein of People's Place described growing demand in Kingston-area services: \"Last month alone, just in the community cafe, we did over a thousand meals compared to the same time last year,\" she said, and added that People's Place handles SNAP outreach and application assistance and sees many households repeatedly denied SNAP benefits. Hein also noted that undocumented residents are not eligible for SNAP and therefore rely on local pantries.

Rick Orlando (Good Neighbor Food Pantry) highlighted changing demographics of pantry users, saying he has \"seen a dramatic increase in young families\" who are seeking help because the rising costs of rent, insurance and other necessities leave less income for food.

Speakers and the proclamation urged continued donations and volunteer support. Vice Chair Sperry and the legislature thanked the food-bank representatives and local pantry volunteers, and the proclamation was entered on the legislative record.

What happens next: The proclamation recognizes Hunger Action Month; the Regional Food Bank and local pantries continue to solicit donations, volunteers and partnerships to meet increased demand.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ulster September 16, 2025 Legislative Session","oneSentenceSummary","The Ulster County Legislature presented a proclamation recognizing Hunger Action Month to the Regional Food Bank; local partners described rising food insecurity and urged continued community support amid SNAP cuts and increased need.","taxTitle","Ulster County, New York","taxId",14535,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980670,"Ulster County Libraries Highlight Expanded Digital, Museum and Learning Services Supported by County Funding",585,3000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52&start=3&end=588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52/thumbnail_3000.jpg","/articles/5980670/Ulster-County/New-York/Ulster-County-Libraries-Highlight-Expanded-Digital-Museum-and-Learning-Services-Supported-by-County-Funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980670-78bed90b57b392fc6ce891f211265546/orig.mp4?Expires=1773188674&Signature=fIXwVOD4VGEtx2D90oIoFlquA8CR7nD4vH6gUTDyar7bWAin0C4~ctue6bQgfnkJKbj3F2zvb5zd7JbMNBPiTKc-sPtafa3AE~kJ-0hckBzDuut8D4o-X2JbFfMeglJK8RCgTkq0nF~6B~DU6iaVLTKuUNAxsabwuYGlHOi~I2agKy8lz6pM3SfUyp0SjjqMsToRFWE7Tcoaigmp3Bk2zosHaj1yqOkeE07Om9mTOynmZBVl8TtpqN0IP-npZCJf79AH-Ug5RlOBD8SjJZmMsYsrKL~4PR4TEijkx5h92o5XrFo7IP6lz4~L9pqBBHHj05-LCizPm03FyjAttawfXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katie Scott Childress, director of the Rosendale Library and president of the Ulster County Library Association (UCLA), told the Ulster County Legislature that county funding helps local libraries provide digital and in-person services including a streaming platform, museum and park passes, historical newspaper access and classes.

Childress said the UCLA's largest budget item is a streaming service called Canopy, which patrons use for documentaries, classic films and online courses. She described museum passes, noting the Guggenheim pass admits four adults and cited a typical admission price of about $30 per person. The association added the Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville and the Children's Museum of Manhattan this year to serve families with children.

The countywide newspaper subscription purchased through ProQuest gives residents access to five major daily newspapers and historical archives, Childress said, and she described the difference between that academic access and a commercial news website subscription.

Childress described other services funded by the county association: LibCal, a reservation system that lets patrons reserve museum passes and register for library programs; LibraryAware, an email/newsletter platform for library outreach; Universal Class (600+ online courses with continuing-education credit); and Libby, which the libraries use to purchase and lend audiobooks.

She also listed recent facility and program improvements across the county: Marlborough library renovations, Woodstock moving to a new building, Olive Library opening a branch in Shokan, Wallkill Library renovations, Rosendale picnic tables, and Gardner Library benches made from collected plastic bags.

Childress thanked the legislature for funding and emphasized libraries as \"centers of community and learning,\" noting that families and patrons value access to museum passes, courses and historical newspaper archives supported by county funding.

What happens next: Library programs will continue under current funding; Childress said the UCLA evaluates services annually and sometimes phases out resources when newer platforms supplant them (for example, craft databases replaced by Canopy's hobby courses).","Katie Scott Childress, director of Rosendale Library and president of the Ulster County Library Association, briefed the legislature on county-supported library services including streaming service Canopy, LibCal reservations, ProQuest newspaper access and museum pass circulation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980675,"Public Urges Legislature to Back Full-Time Investigator for District Attorney; Resolution Passes 21–1",1130,1113000,2243000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52&start=1113&end=2243","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52/thumbnail_1113000.jpg","/articles/5980675/Ulster-County/New-York/Public-Urges-Legislature-to-Back-Full-Time-Investigator-for-District-Attorney-Resolution-Passes-211","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980675-3a8708496a6be397342555df7559545f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773188674&Signature=lb-0Wee1I-CYaCF~9SaoYSrgwdE0x3zbK9WQTQ7PvND9H7ttuZUgkyXTZRwjVZMAIeBhsNSXPM6jKsIki5lIGtaqGAE3CP469~MXdRKJnTBLcGxEotvisBAUGjDjfb8EwrEcSamRvqGs49Utph-ama-GvtVUTT8rfxe1utgCCNCn6rqb23IIghtxT1o5tAAU5KSKWlncMjUeezhgThK5t1KIkI5hyoX2fQkgWStwDNLLxF~LSMLxgLZjsW5yuNUy78oJ~c3Gh-JLQfX9kEShoqW~QslQ0jzT1hiiE-XsnjYzv5uDpVBttnVdr7-AM~t5sB8Pfbztv~hMAPk3zzgBcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ulster County Legislature voted 21 to 1 to amend the 2025 county budget and reclassify a part-time investigator in the District Attorney's office to a full-time position, a change advocates said is necessary to support investigations of crimes against minors.

Anne Peters, a resident of the village of Saugerties, spoke during public comment on Resolution 4 37 and urged the legislature to \"vote yes for this resolution,\" saying investigations into alleged decades-long abuse require more time and resources. \"Investigating crimes against children is already difficult,\" Peters said, adding that hesitation \"in the face of crimes against children is unacceptable.\"

The resolution, described in the meeting as amending the 2025 Ulster County position listing and budget for the District Attorney, carried a strong majority. The clerk recorded the vote as \"a short yes with 1 no: Legislator Guevarais.\" The resolution increases staffing capacity in the DA's office to support ongoing investigations; the transcript notes the estimated cost for this reclassification was cited as under $7,000 during public remarks.

Background and context: Peters referenced a DA report to the Saugerties town board alleging a \"disturbing cover up culture\" going back more than 20 years and said that collecting evidence in such investigations requires prompt action and additional staff time. The transcript does not provide further detail about the underlying investigation beyond Peters' remarks.

What happens next: Per the resolution, the county budget and position listing have been amended for 2025 to reflect the investigator's full-time status; any operational details such as hiring, start date and supervisorial assignments will follow county personnel procedures and DA office staffing processes.","A public commenter urged the Ulster County Legislature to approve reclassifying a part-time investigator to full-time in the district attorney's office; the body approved Resolution 4 37 by a 21–1 vote.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980680,"Ulster County Legislature Approves $60 Million Bonding Cap for Resource Recovery Agency Amid Debate",803,1435000,2238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52&start=1435&end=2238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5807088-f7c86feb04449e25c8d8a784a11c8c52/thumbnail_1435000.jpg","/articles/5980680/Ulster-County/New-York/Ulster-County-Legislature-Approves-60-Million-Bonding-Cap-for-Resource-Recovery-Agency-Amid-Debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980680-fbc6f252ef3822a547f0be7f94307a04/orig.mp4?Expires=1773188674&Signature=V4JyJnLTM0em2Tpgj3G0KqmJ~rANXtXAk2kHbY3-innN1sXkhqB4W-y5WedRgiiyTeasbkBfcpzw2lwZIAkDNOTkndlfVozWzikOUDQuBozLz0L81gUWcBFyIFI2ESQMYwUJNWQyJ~MkTM2w7z1jzztCXsCNm0NA7-77y5ttcLkgvEyf0MdpCksBpkasp53N2z9aGHsqCfuNQadM4LYGtPBBVHA56Je43p0ytKtgDNYn4e5Ry50okGzBuMP~zvgSFbBJTgNyWZ70bU0H8ue~POh3fSWm8W4a8yVZP5S~Klroodvs-o~EX~gONVH0LzR6raCgeRfO09nCgIXvYd5dpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ulster County Legislature voted 16 to 6 to approve a service agreement that raises the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency\u0000(UCRRA) bonding authority to $60,000,000, a change supporters said matches the agency's 10-year plan while opponents warned it weakens legislative oversight and exposes taxpayers to implicit risk.

Legislator Kevin Kovacs said the increase would replace a deliberate check that required the agency to seek legislative approval for large borrowing and called the proposal a \"blank check.\" \"If we approve this 60,000,000 cap tonight, we've replaced that healthy process with a rubber stamp,\" Kovacs said.

The change, presented as resolution 209 (authorizing the chair to execute a service agreement with the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency), drew supporters who said the larger cap reflects modern costs and a multiyear capital plan. Legislator Nolan said the agency presented a 10-year project list that could use up the requested amount and noted the contract would run five years against a 10-year plan.

Legislator Matthew Hewitt argued the cap is intended to permit significant investments in resource-recovery infrastructure and that the total figure represents the aggregate debt ceiling, not a single project draw. \"Maximum diversion will cost significant dollars,\" Hewitt said, and the county should be prepared to invest in projects with long-term payoffs.

Public commenter Chris Hurlburt, who addressed the legislature during public comment, urged a transparent feasibility and return-on-investment study before committing to local processing capacity. \"We spend over $10,000,000 a year trucking garbage nearly 250 miles,\" Hurlburt said, and he recommended a public ROI study to assess costs, savings and job potential.

Opponents, including Minority Leader Roberts and Legislator Litz, sought stronger contractual limits and safeguards. Roberts said he could not support the process as presented and asked for a \"firewall\" to pause spending if the agency drew funds too quickly. Litz noted the UCRRA board had not yet voted to ratify the contract and questioned the sequence of approvals.

Supporters emphasized the county currently lacks a standing bond cap while the agency is out of contract, and said a new agreement would restore defined terms. Majority Leader Ushitao noted that without a new contract the agency would continue operating with no bond cap.

The motion passed 16 to 6. Clerk roll-call statements recorded two named yes votes in one count as Legislators Corcoran and Walls, and later the clerk announced the final tally as 16 yes, 6 no. The contract amendment will govern UCRRA borrowing and operations for the term specified in the agreement.

Background: The UCRRA has proposed capital projects including recycling and food-waste processing; supporters said grants and revenue streams could offset costs and that local processing could reduce trucking, generate jobs and produce revenue from compost, energy and tipping fees. Opponents warned of long-term debt-service costs and urged tighter oversight language in the agreement.

What happens next: The approved service agreement takes effect per its terms; the UCRRA and county will proceed under the new cap and the agency may pursue projects within that ceiling subject to the contract's provisions.","The Ulster County Legislature voted 16–6 to authorize a service agreement raising the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency\u0000bonding cap from $500,000 to $60,000,000 after extended debate about oversight, taxpayer risk and waste diversion plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ulster County Legislature Issues Proclamation for Hunger Action Month; Regional Food Bank and Local Pantries Urge Support

Ulster County Libraries Highlight Expanded Digital, Museum and Learning Services Supported by County Funding

Public Urges Legislature to Back Full-Time Investigator for District Attorney; Resolution Passes 21–1

Ulster County Legislature Approves $60 Million Bonding Cap for Resource Recovery Agency Amid Debate