Development News for Ulster, New York

Town Board Supports Efforts to Address CSX Freight Train Noise and Improve Grade Crossings

During public comment, Legislator Mike Berardi and Legislator Kovacs presented information regarding noise concerns from CSX freight trains and discussed potential collaborative approaches with other municipalities to address CSX. The town board subsequently passed a motion supporting these efforts, indicating a willingness to engage with CSX on noise mitigation. The discussion also involved the town's efforts to address noise from grade crossings at Morton Boulevard, Old Neighborhood Road, Grant Avenue, and North, which involve discussions with CSX, state, and county agencies. These efforts aim to improve grade crossing security to relieve CSX of the obligation to blow horns, thereby reducing noise. Specific potential solutions like closing the grade crossing at Katrine Lane and integrating Old Neighborhood Road into a Ring Road system were mentioned.

Town Board Votes to Support Feasibility Study for West-Side Passenger Rail Service

The Town Board passed a motion to support a feasibility study for instituting passenger rail service on the west side of the river, utilizing the existing track bed that runs across Bois's Lane and out over Lanari Boulevard. This action follows a similar approval by the city of Kingston. Legislator Berardi highlighted the need for corrective action and potentially a separate track bed for passenger use, noting that 12 track crossings identified in a 2006 study between the city of Kingston and the town of Ulster for quiet zones have yet to be rehabilitated. He supported the feasibility study as it does not commit the county or municipalities to construction costs. The board's support means the town of Ulster is now on record in favor of the study. The discussion also touched upon previous efforts to restore a second track line for freight efficiency and the right-of-way currently existing in the town.

Town Board Approves New Water Billing Code and Authorizes Agreements for Brigham Lane Sewer Project

The Town Board discussed and approved the creation of a new billing code, EK05, for the East Kingston Water District. This code is designed for three to seven-inch meters with a minimum quarterly usage of 100,000 gallons, and will be charged at a rate of $662 per quarter. This action follows a previous decision regarding the Cherry Hill Water District and is necessary to accommodate two major customers who require the larger meters. The board also authorized the supervisor to sign agreements with Blower Associates ($7,000) and Bernier and Larius ($8,500) to prepare and submit a grant application for the development of a public sewer system on Brigham Lane. An agreement was also authorized with RCAP Solutions for an income study, at no cost to the town, to support the grant application. Finally, a resolution was approved to transfer $20,000 from the landfill closure reserve to the Brigham Lane sewer capital project for grant preparation, subject to a permissive referendum.