Ulster County committee approves SUNY Ulster roof and infrastructure work orders, sets budget hearing

The Ulster County committee on economic development, planning, education, employment, arts and community development on April 7 approved multiple work orders with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York for projects at SUNY Ulster and set a public hearing for the college's tentative 2026–27 budget.

The committee set a public hearing on the tentative SUNY Ulster budget for May 19, 2026, at 6:45 p.m., and the college was invited to present to the committee at its May 5 meeting. ‘‘Once [the college trustees] adopt it, we will make it available to the public,’’ staff member Michael said, describing the usual timing for posting the tentative budget.

The committee approved Resolution 161, authorizing DASNY to provide design, testing and construction services for the Burroughs Hall roof under capital project 489. Legislator Donovan said she had ‘‘noticed water damage on the ceilings of some of the buildings. So, I’m glad that we are going to be addressing that through fixing the roof,’’ and staff said they would check when that section of the building’s roof was last replaced (the speaker said it was likely in the early 2000s and that they would confirm the record). The transcript lists a project amount as “1,93,648,” which is unclear in the record and requires confirmation in the county’s written resolution packet.

The committee also approved Resolution 163, a $32,000 professional-services feasibility study for the Hasbrouck Hall roof (capital project 654) aimed at emergency preparedness. Staff said the study would evaluate installing a backup generator to supply power for public-safety functions; staff added that, if installed, ‘‘this would be the first’’ backup generator on campus (staff: Michael).

Resolution 165, approving a DASNY work order for water service-line replacement under capital project 696, was approved with professional-services costs listed in the transcript as $184,441. The committee was told the cost breakdown reflects a roughly 50/50 split between state and county funding.

Each of the measures was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee’s agenda materials and the county clerk’s posting should be consulted for the official dollar amounts and contract documents, as some figures in the verbal record were unclear or transcribed incompletely.

The committee heard an update on a public ‘‘re-imagining’’ process for SUNY Ulster’s Kingston campus and was told that community breakout sessions provided substantial feedback; the committee plans to review that feedback in a closed meeting before additional public meetings and a recommendation in May.

The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.