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Ulster County holds public hearings on senior tax break, school-bus safety and workforce board renaming
Summary
The Ulster County Legislature heard public testimony March 18 on three proposed local laws: a partial county tax exemption for low-income senior homeowners, owner liability for vehicles that fail to stop for school buses, and renaming the Workforce Investment Board to the Workforce Development Board; speakers at the hearings voiced support for the senior tax change and bus-safety proposal.
The Ulster County Legislature convened March 18 and opened three consecutive public hearings on local laws that would change county policy on property tax relief for seniors, school-bus safety and a workforce board name and residency requirement.
Clerk Victoria A. Fabella called the first hearing on Proposed Local Law No. 2 of 2026, which would amend Ulster County Code §312-4 to establish a partial county tax exemption for residences of senior landowners with limited income. Two members of the public spoke in support: John Malley and Yvonne Sewall. During the public comment period on resolutions later in the meeting, Pamela Timmons of Esopus also told the Legislature she supports the proposed senior exemption.
The second hearing considered Proposed Local Law No. 4 of 2026, a demonstration program that would impose owner liability where an operator of a vehicle in Ulster County fails to stop for a school bus displaying a red visual signal and stop-arm. Michael Lewin-Jacus, identified in the record as a Mt. Tremper school bus driver, spoke in favor of the measure.
The third hearing addressed Proposed Local Law No. 5 of 2026 to amend Administrative Code A38-3(A)-(D) to change the name of the Workforce Investment Board to the Workforce Development Board and to modify the residency requirement for board membership. No members of the public signed up to speak during that hearing.
Each hearing was formally adjourned by motion of Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle, with the first hearing’s adjournment seconded by Legislator Clinton, the second by Legislator Levine, and the third by Legislator Marino.
Why it matters: The senior tax exemption would directly affect qualifying older homeowners’ county property tax bills; the school-bus proposal addresses enforcement gaps noted by at least one local driver and could shift responsibility in cases where passing motorists do not stop for school buses. The workforce-board changes would rename the board and alter member residency rules, which affects governance of county workforce programs.
What’s next: The hearings were closed and the measures remain before the Legislature for further consideration or vote at a subsequent session.
