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Ulster County approves easement for NYSEG utility pole on Herdman Road amid erosion and trail concerns
Summary
The committee authorized a permanent easement for New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG) to install a pole on Herdman Road in Shandaken, while members raised concerns about streambank erosion, narrow corridor placement and possible trail impacts; DPW had not reviewed the latest amendments at the time of the meeting.
The Ulster County Legislature Public Works and Capital Projects Committee voted Aug. 25, 2025, to authorize the chair to sign a permanent easement with New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG) to install a new pole and anchor on Herdman Road in the Town of Shandaken.
Legislator Donaldson described the proposed pole location as within the Ulster and Delaware corridor and near the Esopus, saying the corridor is narrow at that point and showing maps supplied by NYSEG. Donaldson said the proposed pole placement would sit on the creek side in a portion of the corridor where the stream bank “already seems to be undermining” and noted several existing poles in a short stretch. “I’m a little troubled by this and wonder if we could get NYSEG to put the … new pole over on state land and stay out of the county’s corridor entirely,” Donaldson said.
Committee members and county staff said they had not yet had a chance to review the most recent amendments to the easement paperwork. Deputy officials said the committee’s authorization is an approval for the easement; placement specifics and potential mitigations could be addressed in follow-up with NYSEG and during the Ways and Means review. The transcript included an ambiguous reference to an easement fee described as either $10 per year or a one-time $1 fee; the precise amount and term were not specified during the meeting.
Legislator McCullough moved the resolution; Legislator Donaldson seconded. The committee voted unanimously to approve the easement and said staff would report back on the item later.
