fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Submit Your Event
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Send Letter to the Editor
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Our Newsletters
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s UP
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Subscribe to the What’s UP newsletter
  • Opinion
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s UP
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Subscribe to the What’s UP newsletter
  • Opinion
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Town of Ulster firefighters cool with county using their training facility

by Hugh Reynolds
November 24, 2017
in Politics & Government
0

 

(Photo by Phyllis McCabe)

Town of Ulster firefighters are expressing concern about access and scheduling, but they support the county plan to locate a town-operated northern Ulster fire-training facility off Ulster Landing Road.

There have been ongoing negotiations between town and county officials regarding title to the 50-acre parcel, Town Supervisor Jim Quigley said, “Nobody is going to be thrown out on their ass,” said Quigley. “The town will require guaranteed preferential access for our departments.”

No vote was taken among the 50 volunteers at the Russell Brott Senior Center, but the consensus followed a two-hour informational meeting hosted by the town board on Nov. 15. The firefighters decided such a facility would be an asset to the town. Some of the 50 volunteer fire companies in Ulster County send their members to nearby counties for training. Ulster has had its own training facility for more than 20 years.

Regular training is vital for force efficiency and safety of firefighters and residents, the firefighters believe. A countywide fire training center has been under discussion for more than 30 years.

County Planning Director Dennis Doyle walked the group through the history of a county fire training center, with slides, photographs and schematics of the proposed site. Doyle also spoke briefly about the second county-designated training site in Walker Valley. Sites in New Paltz and Marbletown were also considered.

In April, County Executive Mike Hein announced the county would build a fire training center on county-owned property near the community college in Stone Ridge. Doyle said that site was selected because of central location and proximity to the college, where fire training classes would be established. Facing stiff opposition from the Cottekill community — a petition opposing the site collected more than 1,200 signatures — Hein switched to the current two-site proposal earlier this month.

The county estimates construction costs at $4.5 million, with $2,275,000 anticipated from state grants administered by SUNY Ulster. The county is designating the fire center as a “training facility,” with classroom sessions to be held at SUNY Ulster. Renovation of several classrooms at the Stone Ridge campus is part of the plan.

County planners and consultants believe environmental issues, road access and neighborhood concerns about traffic issues could be addressed at the Ulster site. “Most of the area we plan to use is already disturbed,” Doyle said. The property contains a burn tower, administrative offices, parking and underground utility lines. The county is seeking lead agency status for the environmental review process.

Town Councilman Rocco Secreto lives near the site. Re-elected this month as the lone Democrat on the town board without opposition, he asked that his six neighbors on sparsely populated Ulster Landing Road be kept apprised of progress.

The property firing range used by town police will be retained. Had town Police Chief Kyle Berardi anything to add? “Considering I’m in a room full of firemen …,” he began. After the laughter died down, Berardi spoke to the close cooperation between town volunteer and police agencies and the opportunities the county facility could provide for mutual training.

Hein had initially placed the cost of construction of one site at $2 million. Doyle said the county did not yet have exact figures on the present proposal, not yet in its design stage. Hein has recommended a total of $4,551,000 in the county’s five-year capital plan for fire training facilities, with $3,094,683 designated for 2018. The legislature is expected to approve the capital plan at its Dec. 6 special meeting.

Doyle said he hoped the county could start construction at the two sites by March.

Tags: sunny ulster
Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher

Hugh Reynolds

Related Posts

Reported threats of violence punctuate rail-trail debate  
Politics & Government

Reported threats of violence punctuate rail-trail debate  

June 11, 2025
Kingston mayor Steve Noble wants 200 new apartments in the Rondout
Politics & Government

Kingston moves toward financing its own housing stock

June 11, 2025
Bill to legalize medically assisted suicide passes in New York State Senate
News

Bill to legalize medically assisted suicide passes in New York State Senate

June 10, 2025
Hurley clerk and highway superintendent races
Politics & Government

Hurley clerk and highway superintendent races

June 10, 2025
Three candidates for two seats
Politics & Government

Three candidates for two seats

June 10, 2025
New Paltz planners need help reviewing 650-unit apartment proposal
Politics & Government

Public hearing kicks off for controversial New Paltz Apartments annexation

June 9, 2025
Next Post
Vice crackdown in Saugerties and Port Ewen

Shandaken man dies in Poughkeepsie; two held on murder charges

Weather

Kingston, NY
64°
Clear
5:18 am8:33 pm EDT
Feels like: 64°F
Wind: 4mph SSW
Humidity: 74%
Pressure: 29.95"Hg
UV index: 0
FriSatSun
77°F / 59°F
70°F / 57°F
70°F / 59°F
powered by Weather Atlas

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Our Newsletters
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Art
    • Books
    • Kids
    • Lifestyle & Wellness
    • Food & Drink
    • Music
    • Nature
    • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    • Hey Kingston
    • New Paltz Times
    • Woodstock Times
    • Week in Review

© 2022 Ulster Publishing