Posted January 23, 2025
For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2025
Chair Peter Criswell Announces Complete 2025 Annual Legislative Calendar,
Appoints Megan Sperry Vice Chair of the Legislature
(Kingston, NY) – Today Chair Peter Criswell has re-appointed Legislator Megan Sperry (District 17) as Vice Chair, released the 2025 Annual Legislative Calendar as well as the Standing and Special Committee calendar and updated assignments of members. Foremost among changes made is the creation of the Housing & Transportation Committee.
"I am pleased to announce the seating of the 2025 committees and to re-appoint Legislator Megan Sperry as Vice Chair of the Ulster County Legislature," said Peter Criswell, Chair of the Ulster County Legislature. "Her continued leadership and dedication to our work have been invaluable. This year, I've made minimal changes to committee assignments and retained all current chairs, ensuring continuity as we tackle the challenges ahead. I want to extend my gratitude to Legislator Jeff Collins for accepting the chairship of the newly formed Housing and Transportation Committee. The work of this committee will address crucial issues facing our community, including affordable housing and sustainable transportation solutions, which are essential to the well-being and growth of Ulster County."
All Committee meetings are open to the public and are additionally available for view via livestream at the Legislature’s YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@UlsterCountyLegislature/streams.
2025 Legislative Session Schedule
Meetings are held in the Legislative Chambers on the 6th floor of the County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston, at 7:00 PM unless determined otherwise.
**Please Note: Meeting Dates and locations are subject to change. Please check the Legislature’s website for the most up to date schedule.
Regular Legislative Meetings Resolution Deadlines
Tuesday, February 18th Wednesday, January 22nd 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, March 18th Wednesday, February 19th 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, April 15th Wednesday, March 19th 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, May 20th Wednesday, April 23rd 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, June 17th Wednesday, May 21st 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, July 15th Wednesday, June 18th 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, August 19th Wednesday, July 23rd 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, September 16th Wednesday, August 20th 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, October 21st Wednesday, September 24th 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, November 18th Wednesday, October 22nd 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, December 16th Wednesday, November 19th 12:00 Noon
2025 Standing Committee Schedule
Please Note: Meeting Dates and locations are subject to change. Please check the Legislature’s website for the most up to date schedule.
All Legislative Committee Meetings are Livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@UlsterCountyLegislature/streams
Economic Development, Planning Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture
Location: KL Binder Library, 6th Floor, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston
Time: 6:00 PM (or immediately following the Energy, Environment & Sustainability Committee)
Dates: First Tuesday of the month
To set legislative policy and review contracts for all aspects of Ulster County Department of Economic Development, Ulster County Department of Planning, Office of Employment and Training, Ulster County Community College, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, Arts, Tourism and Libraries. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision herein, policies and contracts regarding housing matters, including but not limited to temporary, emergency, affordable, workforce and senior housing, shall not fall under the jurisdiction of this Committee. Responsible for issues pertaining to: Ulster County Industrial Development Agency, Ulster County Planning Board, Revolving Loan Fund Committee, Shovel Ready Committee. To foster relations and communications with the Ulster County Economic Alliance and local Chambers of Commerce. To establish policy relating to agriculture and farmland preservation.
Megan Sperry, Chair Chris Hewitt
Herbert Litts, III, Deputy Chair Eric Stewart
Debra Clinton Richard Walls
Thomas Corcoran
Energy, Environment and Sustainability
Location: KL Binder Library, 6th Floor, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston
Time: 4:00 PM
Dates: First Tuesday of the month
To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the Department of the Environment, Environmental Management Council, and all environmental matters and green initiatives of the County, including the protection of waterways and the County’s recycling efforts. To set policy and review contracts pertaining to but not limited to the activities of the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency.
Chris Hewitt, Chair Herbert Litts, III
Richard Walls, Deputy Chair Kathy Nolan
Joseph Donaldson Eric Stewart
Manna Jo Greene
Health, Human Services and Human Rights
Location: KL Binder Library, 6th Floor, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston
Time: 5:00 PM (or immediately following the Housing & Transportation Committee)
Dates: First Thursday of the month
To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments and Divisions: Health, Human Rights, Mental Health, Social Services, Community Action, Office for the Aging, Youth Bureau, and Veterans Affairs. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision herein, policies and contracts regarding housing matters, including but not limited to temporary, emergency, affordable, workforce and senior housing, shall not fall under the jurisdiction of this Committee.
Abe Uchitelle, Chair Limina Grace Harmon
Craig Lopez, Deputy Chair Eric Kitchen
Jeff Collins Greg McCollough
Thomas Corcoran
Housing & Transportation
Location: KL Binder Library, 6th Floor, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston
Time: 4:00 PM
Dates: First Thursday of the month
To set policy and review contracts pertaining to all housing related matters, including but not limited to temporary, emergency, affordable, workforce, and senior housing. To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments and Divisions: Department of Transportation (Ulster County Area Transit), and all Ulster County transportation matters, including but not limited to Ulster County rails and trails.
Jeff Collins, Chair Eric Kitchen
Thomas Corcoran, Deputy Chair Greg McCollough
Debra Clinton Eric Stewart
Limina Grace Harmon
Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Location: Legislative Chambers, 6th Floor, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston
Time: 5:00 PM
Dates: First Wednesday of the month
To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments and Divisions: Ulster County Sheriff and the Law Enforcement Center, Public Defender, District Attorney, Probation, Restorative Justice, Emergency Management/ Emergency Communications, Arson Task Force, Fire Coordinator, EMS Coordinator, STOP DWI, Consumer Fraud Bureau, and Weights and Measures.
Gina Hansut, Chair Joseph Maloney
Chris Hewitt, Deputy Chair Greg McCollough
Debra Clinton Rich Walls
Aaron Levine
Laws, Rules, and Government Services
Location: KL Binder Library, 6th Floor, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston
Time: 4:00 PM
Dates: Second Thursday of the month
To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments and Divisions: Board of Elections, County Clerk, County Attorney, Risk Management and Board of Ethics. To oversee legislative policy and legislative proposed revisions to the Ulster County Charter and the Administrative Code. To review and maintain the Rules of the Legislature and to review and approve all local laws for legal sufficiency only, unless Laws and Rules, Government Services is the committee of original jurisdiction. To approve all late resolutions, considering lateness and content prior to submittal to the full Legislature. To approve resolutions required to be referred to it under the Rules of the Legislature.
Jason Kovacs, Chair Limina Grace Harmon
Aaron Levine, Deputy Chair Eric Kitchen
John Gavaris Abe Uchitelle
Gina Hansut
Public Works, Capital Projects and Transportation
Location: KL Binder Library, 6th Floor, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston
Time: 6:00 PM
Dates: Second Monday of the month
To set policy and review contracts pertaining to the following County Departments and Divisions: Public Works (including Parks, Highways, Buildings and Grounds, and Fleet Management), the Electrical Licensing Board, and all Capital Projects.
Kathy Nolan, Chair Jason Kovacs
Herbert Litts, III, Deputy Chair Greg McCollough
Joseph Donaldson
Ways and Means
Location: Legislative Chambers, 6th Floor, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston
Time: 5:30 PM (or immediately following the Laws, Rules & Government Services Committee)
Dates: Second Thursday of the month
To recommend the Legislature’s position on all budgetary and financial matters of the County. To review contracts pertaining to the following departments: Comptroller, Finance, Budget, Personnel, General Services, Information Services and Real Property Tax Services. To approve all resolutions with financial impacts to the County, excluding those financial impacts limited solely to legislative advertising expenses.
John Gavaris, Chair Jason Kovacs
Kevin Roberts, Deputy Chair Kathy Nolan
Jeff Collins Abe Uchitelle
Gina Hansut
