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Committee approves multiple DPW capital amendments and equipment purchases totaling millions
Summary
The committee approved amendments and contracts for drainage design, architectural services, bridge repairs, fire-suppression work, pest control, and a $3.67 million highway equipment capital project; several items were designated Type II under SEQR and passed unanimously.
The Ulster County Public Works and Capital Projects Committee approved a series of Department of Public Works measures that amend capital budgets, authorize contract amendments and establish a new highway equipment capital project.
Resolutions approved included an amendment adding $75,000 for additional design services for the Zanda Hook drainage project in Hurley (Resolution No. 301 of 2025); a $67,410 contract amendment to Bergman Associates for architectural and engineering services (Resolution No. 302); additional repairs for a multi-bridge superstructure project after initial work revealed more damage (Resolution No. 303); a $33,000 contract amendment for MMG Fire Equipment to expand fire-suppression and extinguisher inspection services (Resolution No. 304); and a $67,928.56 contract for pest control services with United States Pest Service (Resolution No. 305). The committee also established Capital Project No. 735 for 2025 highway equipment purchases totaling $3,670,000 (Resolution No. 306/735).
Deputy Executive Laval told the committee the additional design work for the Zanda Hook drainage project was intended to include downstream design that could help the project qualify for future Resilient New York funds. The Zanda Hook resolution was designated a Type II action under SEQR, the State Environmental Quality Review Act, meaning no further environmental review was required under SEQR for that item.
On the Bergman Associates amendment, the committee approved the change to proceed with contracted design and engineering services. Regarding bridge repairs, the department said initial inspections had gone in-depth on one of five named bridges and uncovered substantial issues; the resolution increases funding to address newly identified work.
The MMG Fire Equipment amendment increases the aggregate contract above $50,000 to cover additional fire-suppression systems and extinguisher inspections in county office buildings.
Members questioned the pest-control contract about the use of glue-based traps. Department staff explained that the contract covers insect-monitoring strips used as a diagnostic tool; the vendor will monitor traps periodically and respond to calls for service. Committee members expressed concern about outdoor glue traps catching non-target wildlife and asked the county to work with the vendor on methods that minimize bycatch. The pest-control resolution passed by recorded voice vote and was recorded in the meeting as passing 5–0.
The resolution establishing the highway equipment capital project lists items the department intends to acquire, including trailers, tandem and tri-axle snowplows, dump trucks with plows and sanders, pickup trucks with plows, tractors, a Caterpillar loader and an electric Bobcat skid steer. Committee members said the equipment list will help answer constituent questions about the purpose of the $3.67 million authorization. The equipment resolution was also designated Type II under SEQR.
All the resolutions noted in this item passed the committee by voice vote; several were described on the record as unanimous.
