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Peter Criswell elected chair as Ulster County Legislature adopts four organizational resolutions
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Summary
At its organizational meeting, the Ulster County Legislature swore in members, elected Peter Criswell chair by a 19–4 roll-call vote and adopted four procedural resolutions (rules, clerk appointment, standing committees and official newspapers) as a 23–0 block; no public speakers registered.
Peter Criswell was elected chair of the Ulster County Legislature on a 19–4 roll-call vote during the body’s organizational meeting, which also swore in new and returning legislators and advanced four routine organizational resolutions as a unanimous block.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence before Justice David m Gandon administered the oath of office to legislators. After swearing in and brief housekeeping, members moved to select a temporary chair to run the nomination process for the permanent chair. Amy Chatel was nominated and assumed the gavel as temporary chair to oversee the election.
Why it matters: The election determines who presides over the legislature’s agenda and committee assignments for the year; the adopted resolutions set the legislature’s procedural rules, designate a clerk, establish standing committees and name official newspapers for legal notices.
Nominations and vote
Legislator Sperry nominated Peter Criswell and gave a detailed endorsement of Criswell’s leadership record; Legislator Levine seconded the nomination. Legislator Lopez nominated Minority Leader Kevin Roberts as an alternative and argued a bipartisan selection would signal commitment to balance. After nominations were closed, the clerk conducted a roll-call vote. The clerk announced: “By a vote of 19 to 4, the chair of the legislature is Peter Criswell.”
Criswell, speaking after the result was announced, said he was grateful for colleagues’ confidence and framed his role as one of stewardship: “To be elected chair of this body for a third time is an honor I don't take lightly... My priority as chair has always been to ensure that every legislator, regardless of party, perspective, or district, feels heard, respected, and supported.”
Blocking and adopting organizational resolutions
The majority leader asked the body to convene as the Committee of the Whole to consider four organizational resolutions together. The resolutions were described on the record 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 the year 2026; • Resolution 4 — designating official newspapers.
Members moved to block the four resolutions and advance them for a single up-or-down vote. The block was adopted and announced on the floor as adopted 23 to 0.
Other business and next steps
Clerk Pavella (office name appears in the record as Pavella/Favella) confirmed no members of the public had signed up to speak on agenda items or other matters after three calls for public comment. Legislator Sperry read names of recently deceased community members for remembrance. The clerk announced the next regular meeting and administrative deadlines: the next regular meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, 02/17/2026 at 7:00 PM in Legislative Chambers, Ulster County Office Building (244 Fair Street, Kingston, NY), and the resolution deadline was listed as Wednesday, 01/21/2026.
What the actions mean
The chair election is a formal leadership choice that determines who will preside over committee assignments and floor proceedings; the blocked resolutions set routine governance rules and administrative assignments for the legislative term. No substantive policy decisions or contested ordinances were taken at this meeting.
The meeting adjourned with no public comment and the legislature in recess until its next scheduled meeting.
