Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Ulster County committee approves multiple capital projects, contracts and funding
Loading...
Summary
The Ulster County Public Works and Capital Projects Committee approved a slate of capital projects and contract actions on Dec. 8, including UCAT bus shelters, a fleet‑management contract, passing‑zone safety measures, bridge repairs and facility upgrades; one vote included an abstention for employment reasons.
The Ulster County Public Works and Capital Projects Committee on Dec. 8 approved a package of capital projects, contracts and budget amendments that the Department of Public Works said advance road, bridge and facility safety and transit improvements.
The committee voted to establish capital project #746 to purchase Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) bus shelters in 2026 and approved a county contract with Samsara Inc. for fleet‑management software. It also accepted $438,097 from the New York State Unified Court System for work on county courthouses and approved amendments and contracts for passing‑zone safety measures, bridge repairs and building improvements.
Why it matters: The actions fund equipment and repairs the county said are needed to improve safety and service — from shelters for transit riders to speed‑management measures on higher‑speed county roads — and to advance several capital projects that DPW officials said have been in planning for multiple years.
The most prominent project approved was the UCAT bus‑shelter capital project. Amanda Laval, deputy executive, said the effort "just start[s] the process of work on bus shelters," including a larger shelter at Development Court and a municipal engagement process to identify other high‑need sites. Committee members suggested considering movable or temporary shelters to respond to shifting ridership patterns.
Also approved: a county contract with Samsara Inc. for fleet software (100% county funded), and acceptance of $438,097 from the New York State Unified Court System for courthouse needs. The committee amended and approved a highway safety capital project to add passing zones and radar signs on roads with 45 and 55 mph limits, and approved a related contract for speed‑management work.
Bridges and contract amendments: The committee established four 2026 bridge projects (Hayden Bridge, Dougherty Bridge, Bootle Hole Bridge and Dean Bridge) and approved a $336,127.47 amendment with HVV Construction Inc. to cover unforeseen additional repairs after crews discovered more extensive concrete‑deck deterioration than bid documents indicated. A DPW representative said the original package covered five superstructures and that three required additional work.
Facility projects: The committee amended and approved funding changes for Boyceville Substation building improvements, including electrical engineering, ventilation and roof upgrades that DPW said could allow future photovoltaic installations. A doors‑replacement project for county buildings was also approved.
Votes at a glance: resolution numbers and outcomes - Res. 604 — establish capital project #746 (UCAT bus shelters): passed (moved by Legislator McCullough; seconded by Legislator Litz). - Res. 624 — contract with Samsara Inc. (fleet software): passed (moved by Legislator Litz; seconded by Legislator McCullough). - Res. 625 — accept $438,097 from NYS Unified Court System: passed (moved by Legislator Litz; seconded by Legislator McCullough). - Res. 626 — amend capital project #520 (passing zones/radar signs): amended and passed (moved by Legislator McCullough; seconded by Legislator Kovacs). - Res. 638 — contract for speed/safety work (vendor as named in transcript): passed. - Res. 629 — Boyceville Substation improvements: passed 4–0–1 (Legislator Litz abstained, stated employment reason). - Res. 631, 633 — facility capital amendments and door replacements: passed. - Res. 635 — establish bridge capital projects (#742–745): passed. - Res. 636 — contract amendment with HVV Construction Inc., $336,127.47: passed.
What’s next: DPW officials said some items may proceed through Ways & Means for final accounting adjustments; the department also flagged near‑term deadlines for multiple solar projects (discussed separately) tied to investment‑tax‑credit rules. The committee received updates on Ag Society license negotiations and on planned solar and storage projects for county facilities.
