Saugerties town budget increases spending 3%
The Saugerties Town Board has approved a budget for 2020 that will increase spending by 3.06 percent, a total of $393,322, from this year’s $13.2 million dollar plan.
All posts by Christina Coulter
Ryan vetoes ‘Dan Torres Law’
The Ulster County Legislature passed a measure forbidding county appointees from holding elected office 12-11. But County Executive Pat Ryan said this week that he will veto the measure, which has — intentionally or not — been taken as an attack on Deputy County Executive Dan Torres, who’s also a New Paltz town councilman.
Ulster County Legislature censures Hector Rodriguez
For the first time in its history, the Ulster County Legislature voted to condemn one of its own, New Paltz Democrat Hector Rodriguez, for sexual harassment and predatory behavior. Rodriguez’s expressionless face loomed over the room, projected onto a wall by a too-close webcam that he used to Skype into the meeting, while legislators voted 17-5 for his censure. His screen went black during the voting; Rodriguez abstained from the vote and made no comment.
Judge in Saugerties dump case might have conflict
A potential conflict of interest for Saugerties Town Justice Chris Kraft in the matter of accused illegal dumpsite owner Joe Karolys caused the trial on misdemeanor charges that Karolys accepted dumping of construction and demolition debris on his three Saugerties properties outside of a court-mandated 7 a.m.-3 p.m. window to be moved to Woodstock Town Court. Now, it seems another conflict of interest may result in the trial having to be moved again.
Judge overturns county ethics board’s findings against Saugerties legislator
In a 10-page ruling, Judge Richard Mott annulled the Ulster County Ethics Board’s finding that by voting twice on matters connected to the county’s contract with the CSEA — which affected his wife, a county employee — County Legislator Joe Maloney violated ethics laws.
Ulster considers public financing for elections
The county’s proposed campaign finance reform law, which would allow candidates for countywide office or county legislature to tap into a $75,000 fund per year in county money for their campaigns prompted more than a dozen speakers, over half of whom were in opposition and emphatic about their positions, and about 50 onlookers at the county legislature’s public hearing on the proposed law on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
More than two dozen, including county exec, take dump protest to Saugerties contractor’s house
Shivering and chanting on a cold and snowy Tuesday morning, a group of about 30 protestors confronted oncoming trucks laden with construction and demolition debris depositing their loads at 1446 Route 212, the home of Saugerties resident Joe Karolys.
Fire damages home in Saugerties village
Three residents of 9 Lafayette St. awoke to the blare of their fire alarm and the smell of smoke on the morning Nov. 13, but were able to escape unharmed, firefighters said.
In Saugerties, drive for a rebuilt animal shelter gets boost
A detailed rendering of a new Saugerties animal shelter and a schematic of its interior have been commissioned by a committee of local stakeholders. According to Adele Zinderman, daughter of shelter founder Marie Post and administrator of the Saugerties Animal Welfare Fund, these plans are a crucial element to receive needed grant funding for the proposed building.
Fate of controversial Saugerties dumps now in judge’s hands
The fate of three controversial construction and demolition waste dumping sites in Saugerties is now in the hands of a state Supreme Court judge.
