May 24, 2024 - In this issue: | |
Sojourner Truth Statue to Be Displayed at City Hall | |
Successful Results from Gun Buyback | |
City of Kingston Awarded Solar Grants | |
2024 Music and Movies in the Parks | |
Henry Street Project Ribbon Cutting | |
2024 Distinguished Artist Award | |
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
It was wonderful to cut the ribbon on the Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project this morning. This streetscape project has been several years in the making, and now will make such a difference in the lives of so many families and young school students.
We were lucky to be joined by the George Washington Peace Singers who helped us ring in the completion of the Henry Street project with songs about friendship and peace. It’s a rewarding project that can improve safety and accessibility while also bringing the community together.
This week, we announced that Kingston was awarded $847,000 for a solar array to power municipal buildings. This forward-thinking sustainability project aligns with our City’s goal of reaching 100% renewable energy, while also saving Kingston taxpayers money. We are grateful to NYSERDA for recognizing Kingston's leadership and progressive initiatives in the area of sustainability.
-Steve
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The annual Memorial Day ceremony will take place Monday at City Hall at 1:00pm, followed by the parade at 1:45pm.
In the event of severe weather, we will move the ceremony indoors, and the parade will be cancelled.
City offices will be closed on Monday, May 27. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, and will be delayed one day next week.
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Sojourner Truth Statue to be Exhibited at Kingston City Hall | |
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SUNY New Paltz President Wheeler and Mayor Noble announced that Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom, 1826 a bronze statue of the 19th century civil rights activist with deep Hudson Valley roots, will be temporarily exhibited at Kingston City Hall later this year.
The statue, created by Ulster County artist Trina Greene, depicts Truth in the year during which she escaped enslavement, a key pivot point in a life devoted to historic and effective advocacy for abolition, temperance and women’s rights.
After a year in Kingston, the statue will also be displayed in Newburgh before being permanently installed on the SUNY New Paltz campus in 2026.
The agreement between the University and regional partners will create opportunities for observation and reflection on Truth’s legacy, in regional communities with deep connections to her life and work.
“This plan recognizes Truth’s significance to communities across the Hudson Valley, and ultimately resolves her presence on our campus,” said SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler. “This journey honors Sojourner Truth’s chosen name. As an itinerate 18th century preacher, abolitionist, feminist and mother, Sojourner Truth traveled across the country sharing her truth. We also honor her commitment to education by eventually installing the sculpture at an institution of higher learning.”
“In recent years, Kingston has become more connected to Sojourner Truth’s legacy, and to be able to have her statue on temporary display here in Kingston’s City Hall is both an honor and a great opportunity for the public to continue its educational journey,” said Mayor Noble. “Sojourner Truth fought for justice and equality, tenets that we strive to uphold at City Hall each and every day. We will be proud to have this work of art depicting a true hero here in our care. I want to thank Dr. Wheeler and the SUNY New Paltz community for their willingness to share this privilege with us.”
Community and educational events in coordination with the statue exhibition will be held throughout the year of its display.
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Kingston Gun Buyback Results | |
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The NYS Attorney General's Office announced that 134 firearms were turned in at a community gun buyback event in Kingston, including 24 assault weapons, 76 handguns, and 18 long guns.
“Every firearm removed from someone’s home and from our communities is a potential crisis averted and a tragedy avoided,” said Attorney General James. “Gun buyback events, organized by my office and our partners in local law enforcement, are great ways to ensure firearms do not end up in the wrong hands. I thank the City of Kingston’s Police Department and everyone who worked with my office to help safeguard our communities and protect New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence.”
“We are pleased with the collection from this year’s gun buyback program, as we know that removing any firearm from the community has the potential to save lives,” said Mayor Noble. “I thank the Attorney General’s Office for their ongoing investment in the safety of Kingston, and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and the Kingston Police Department for their continued efforts to end gun violence in our community. Ensuring the safety of our residents is my top priority, but it takes support at every level. I am proud to report that we are seeing the results of our joint efforts with a decrease in crime in Kingston.”
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City of Kingston Awarded Solar Grants | |
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The City of Kingston has been awarded eight New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities Program grants, totaling $847,000, toward a solar installation on City property.
The eight awarded grants will fund a project to install a ground mount solar array at 514-528 First Avenue in Kingston. The First Avenue Yard is an empty city-owned parcel, which the Department of Public Works has been working to level in preparation for the installation. The energy generated from the over 400-panel solar array will be used to remotely power over 300,000 kWh of City municipal accounts. Installation is expected in 2025.
This funding was awarded to the City in recognition of the years of leadership in implementing high-impact clean energy actions, including upgrading the City fleet to electric, converting the City’s streetlights to LED, adopting the NYStretch Energy Code, and much more.
The City of Kingston is currently the highest-ranking Clean Energy City in New York State, and the second highest ranking overall community statewide after Croton-on-Hudson.
More on Kingston solar projects at: www.engagekingston.com/solar-projects.
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2024 Music/Movies in the Park | |
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Music in the Parks and Movies Under the Star series will return in 2024.
Free and open to the public, the series will feature established and emerging local musical performers along with favorite family films.
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Soul City Band featuring Madelyn Phelan (Motown Soul)
7:00-8:30pm
TR Gallo Park
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Saints of Swing featuring Ms. Rene Bailey (New Orleans Swing)
7:00-8:30pm
Academy Green Park
Friday, August 9, 2024
Roadhouse 60’s (Oldies Rock & Roll)
7:00-8:30pm
8:30pm Movie: ET
Kingston Point Beach Park
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Alessandra (Latin)
7:00-8:30pm
8:30pm Movie: Barbie (in Spanish with English subtitles)
Hutton Park
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Levanta (World Beat)
2:00-3:30pm
Live Performance Art – Nancy Ostrovsky
Jazzoetry – Poet Laureate Kate Hymes
TR Gallo Park
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and picnics. In the case of bad weather, rain dates will be announced. More info at www.kingston-ny.gov/musicintheparks.
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Henry Street Project Ribbon Cutting | |
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A ribbon cutting for the Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project was held on Friday, May 24 with Mayor Noble, Council members, City staff along with students, parents and staff from George Washington school, including a performance by the GW Peace Singers!
The Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project will improve safety for pedestrians, including ADA accessibility. The project includes sidewalk reconstruction, curb installation, drainage improvements, a raised intersection at Henry and Wall Streets, a bicycle shelter at George Washington school, new signage, striping, paving, and more.
Construction began in April 2023. Funding for the project came from the NYSDOT Transportation Alternatives Program and Kingston’s ARPA funding.
More information at https://engagekingston.com/henrystreet.
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2024 Distinguished Artist Award Ceremony | |
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Congrats again to the 2024 Distinguished Artist Award recipient-- visual artist/illustrator Matthew Pleva!
Matthew is so deserving of this award, which highlights not only talented local artists, but especially those who give back to their local arts and youth community.
The City of Kingston's Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Kingston Arts Commission spearheaded this award with support from Midtown Arts District's Lisa Kelley and technical support from Radio Kingston.
If you weren't able to make the ceremony at City Hall this week, click below to watch the event.
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show | |
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Mayor Noble's weekly radio show, "It's the Mayor" airs on Tuesdays at 5pm on Radio Kingston.
This week, Mayor Noble spoke with City of Kingston Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs Kitt Potter and MAD Executive Director Lisa Kelley about the 2024 Distinguished Artist Award, Music and Movies in the Parks, and other upcoming arts program. Click below to listen to their conversation.
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Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update | |
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Paving: this week, Delaware Avenue from Broadway to Hasbrouck Avenue, Jansen Avenue, Staples Street, and Susan Street were paved.
The next round of paving is expected to be announced soon.
Prospect Street Sewer Project - the contractor will mobilize in June.
Wurts Street Bridge-- no construction work over the holiday weekend. Next week, work continues on various steel repairs, caulking and painting, electrical work, south slope prep, and preparation for the removal of the safe span and paving.
Central Hudson-- Construction will continue the week of May 28 on Pine St and Fair St. Expect road closures and/or lane closures in areas of active construction.
Service replacements will continue the week of May 28 on Saint James Street and Fair St. Lane closures and/or detours are expected.
Kingston Water Department --will close Flatbush Ave from Farrelly to Clifton on Tuesday, May 28 starting around 8:00am to locate a leak.
Weekly roadwork updates will be posted on the City website here.
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Fresh paving on Jansen Ave. | |
City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities | |
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The Kingston 311 app, website, and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests.
The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.
This system is a valuable resource to submit municipal service requests. Examples include:
- Streetlight replacement
- City signage, including overgrowth blocking traffic signs
- Snow removal, reporting parking violations, and other snow-related issues
- Parks & playground repairs
- Report graffiti or vandalism
- Trail issues
Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us, use the app or visit www.kingston-ny.gov/311/
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov
The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit:
www.kingston-ny.gov
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