Mayor's Message

Midtown Make a Difference Day - Today!

City Receives Grant for Organics Program

Lead Abatement to Begin at Midtown Center

Good Cause Legislation Facts

Kingston Eats Cooking Class

Weekly Roadwork Update

City of Kingston Job Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

I am so pleased to see the Midtown Make a Difference Day community celebration return! This event is a great opportunity for folks to get to know their neighbors, and a reminder that together, we can make a positive difference in our community.

We are also pleased to announce today that the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center will soon undergo a lead abatement and environmental remediation. We are grateful to be able to make these improvements and will be working to complete this project in a safe, efficient, and timely manner so we can get the building back open to the public as quickly as possible.

-Steve

Midtown Make a Difference Day- Today!

Midtown Make A Difference Day is returning on Friday, July 26, from 4:00-7:00pm on Franklin Street in Midtown. This year’s event theme is Reunited!

 

Midtown Make A Difference Day welcomes residents of all ages to connect with their neighbors, engage with local organizations, and celebrate the spirit of community. The festivities will be hosted by Jessieca McNabb, a well-known comedian and community organizer, who co-hosts “We Got Next” on Radio Kingston. Marvin Campbell will be providing music as the event's DJ. Various community-based organizations will be present, offering resources and information on topics such as health, education, employment, and recreation in Ulster County.

Thanks to generous sponsorship from Rose Women’s Care Service, Family of Woodstock, Inc., the City of Kingston, and Radio Kingston, food and activities will be free for all participants.

Please note that Franklin Street will be closed from Broadway to Prospect Street during the event, and on-street parking will not be permitted. A portion of the event will take place at the AME Zion Church off Franklin Street.

Kingston Receives Grant for Organics Program

The City of Kingston has received $538,409 from the New York State’s Climate Smart Communities grant program, which supports projects that advance greenhouse emission reductions. With the funding, the City of Kingston’s Sustainability team, along with the Department of Public Works, will continue to implement the Kingston Organics program to reduce solid waste and utilize food scraps for composting.

Launched in July 2023, the Kingston Organics Diversion Program has significantly reduced the amount of food waste sent to the landfill. As of July 22, a total of 1,035 participants, representing 473 households, have participated, diverting 33.65 tons of food waste from the Seneca Meadows Landfill. The waste is picked up at 11 locations in the city by the Department of Public Works and delivered to the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency, where it is processed into compost and sold locally. The program is not only saving the city money—it costs $20 per ton to dispose of the food scraps, compared with $115 per ton to dispose of solid waste—but also reducing carbon emissions resulting from fewer truck trips to the Seneca Meadows Landfill, which is located 235 miles away. And the program is completely sustainable, transforming a waste product into compost, which, among other beneficial uses, is used by gardeners to add nutriments to the soil.

More about the Kingston Organics program, including free registration for City of Kingston residents, can be found at https://engagekingston.com/kingston-organics

Lead Abatement to Begin at Midtown Center

The Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center will undergo an extensive lead and asbestos abatement project, starting on August 5, 2024. The project is expected to be completed by mid-October.

The abatement work is being overseen by Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies of Wappingers Falls. The abatement is being done by United Safety of Lincoln Park, NJ. R. Bradley Construction of Kingston will serve as general contractor and will restore the space for public access after the abatement is complete. Mobilization and site preparation has already begun, with the lead abatement expected to occur between August 19-October 8, 2024.  Work will continue to occur with additional painting and installation of new bleachers and play equipment, which is expected to be completed by December, and will be funded by the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center gym will be closed, but staff is expected to remain in the building and the public will be able to access the Parks and Recreation office and other services via alternative entrances. Signage will be posted for entry points to the building.

This project was made possible by funding from ARPA and support from NoVo in Kingston. 

Good Cause Eviction Facts

Kingston’s Good Cause Eviction was passed by the Common Council and signed into law by Mayor Noble on July 12, 2024.

The legislation provides housing security and stability to Kingston tenants by limiting the grounds on which a landlord can evict a tenant. The legislation also provides guidance for landlords on the items that are considered “good cause” for eviction and sets guidelines for “reasonable” rent increases.

In Kingston, Good Cause Eviction applies to any housing unit owned by a landlord who owns two or more housing units anywhere in New York State except a housing unit that has a monthly rate above 300% of fair market rent as published by the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

For the latest list of the rent stabilized buildings in the City of Kingston, visit https://engagekingston.com/etpa

More info on Good Cause, including: how it works, how it impacts rent increases, how it impacts landlords, contact info, and more at: https://kingston-ny.gov/.../48370/Good_Cause_Fact_Sheet.pdf

For all of Kingston's housing initiatives, visit https://kingston-ny.gov/housing

Kingston Eats Cooking Class

Chef Jodi Rae and Live Well Kingston are offering a free cooking workshop on August 8 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm!

Join Chef Jodi Rae as we celebrate our Kingston Eats veggie and fruit of the month, tomatoes and melons. Inspired by what you might find at the farmers' market, the menu includes a refreshing cantaloupe gazpacho, harvest ratatouille, and two types of sorbet: watermelon and peach. Big thanks to Sunflower Market for sponsoring the food!

The workshop is intended for adults. Teens aged 16 and up may attend with an adult. Space is limited; Registration via https://www.cceevents.org/e/farm-fresh-cooking-workshop is required by Tuesday, August 6.

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

Clinton Avenue Intersection Project: Storm drainage work continuing, with the roadway expected to be open during construction. Operation may be 1-way at times. Be alert for flaggers. 

Prospect Avenue Sewer Project: Underground utility work is continuing. The road will be open during construction. Be alert for workers and flaggers.

Central Hudson— Crews will be working on Wall St and Pine St.

Paving -- the next round of paving is Millers Lane from Lucas Ave to the city line, Grandview Avenue from Lounsbury Place to Millers Lane, Cummings Avenue, Patriots Place, and Heritage Court. Milling is scheduled to begin Friday, August 16 and continue through the following week, with paving being completed by Monday August 26, weather depending. 

During this same time frame, Broadway from West O’Reilly Street to McEntee Street will be milled and paved. Milling is expected to being the week of Monday, August 19 and paving is expected to be completed by Friday August 23, weather depending. During milling and paving operations, all vehicles must remain off the street. 

Weekly roadwork updates will be posted on the City website here.

Sewer work on Prospect Ave.

City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring! The following positions are currently open: 

Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanic II

Housing Code Inspector - Part-time vacancy

Junior Planning Aide

The City is currently looking to fill several positions within the Department of Public Works, including:

Skilled Laborer with a salary $53,459 +of + benefits

Motor Equipment Operator with a salary of $56,272 + benefits

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator with a salary of $59,344 + benefits

More information available at https://kingston-ny.gov/employment.

The City of Kingston has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community.

The following currently have openings:

• Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission 
• Live Well Kingston Commission
• Complete Streets Advisory Council
• Conservation Advisory Council
• Zoning Board of Appeals

Find the application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.

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/