Ulster County Legislature adopts organizational rules, clerk appointment and committee structure in 23–0 block vote

The Ulster County Legislature adopted four organizational resolutions as a single block by a unanimous 23–0 vote at its organizational meeting.

Chair Peter Criswell (presiding) asked the body to convene as the Committee of the Whole to consider the resolutions. The four measures were identified on the agenda as: Resolution 1, adopting the rules of order; Resolution 2, appointing Victoria Febella as clerk of the Ulster County Legislature; Resolution 3, creating the standing committees for 2026; and Resolution 4, designating official newspapers. Legislator Hewitt moved to block the four resolutions in committee; the motion was seconded and the committee advanced the block to the floor. On the floor, the legislature voted to adopt the block, recorded as 23 in favor and 0 opposed.

The chair then opened a public-comment period for matters on the agenda and for matters not before the legislature; the clerk reported no members of the public had signed up to speak. The meeting included memorial remarks naming several recently deceased community members; a legislator added the name of Timothy Murphy of Saugerties and offered condolences.

The clerk announced the next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Legislative Chambers on the sixth floor of the Ulster County Office Building at 244 Fair Street in Kingston, and noted the resolution submission deadline of Jan. 21, 2026. The meeting adjourned after the routine organizational business was completed.