Referred to: The Health, Human Services and Housing Committee (Chair Walter and Legislators Corcoran, Erner, Lopez, Nolan, Petit, and Uchitelle), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Cahill, Fabiano, Ronk, and Walter)

Chair of the Health, Human Services and Housing Committee, Eve Walter, and Deputy Chair Craig V. Lopez offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Veterans Service Agency; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 468 of November 20, 2018, Capital Project 528 was established for the development of a Veterans’ Cemetery to serve all of the veterans in Ulster County (the “Project”) with funding included for the necessary engineering and design services for the Project; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 306 of July 2019, Ulster County declared its intent to act as lead agency for the construction of an expansion of the New Paltz Rural Cemetery located at 381 Plains Road in the Town of New Paltz with a portion located in the Village of New to be dedicated to burial of veterans utilizing lands owned by the New Paltz Rural Cemetery Association (“NPRCA”); and 

WHEREAS, in accordance with Resolution No 306 of July 2019, Ulster County conducted a coordinated review for this unlisted action and circulated its Notice of Intent to serve as Lead Agency, together with the EAF and accompanying documentation to all interested and involved agencies pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617.6(b)(2)(i) and 6 NYCRR Part 617.6(b)(3) with no objections to such lead agency designation; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 147 of March 16, 2022 the Ulster County Legislature has adopted and issued a Negative Declaration as required under 6 NYCRR Part 617 (the “Regulations”) and Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law of New York State ("SEQRA"); and

WHEREAS, the County and NPRCA have negotiated a proposed easement that allows the County to make the needed improvements while providing for NPRCA to continue to operate the cemetery for the burial of Ulster County veterans in the expansion area; and 

WHEREAS, the County and NPRCA have agreed on their responsibilities as enumerated in a proposed Memorandum of Understanding whereby NPRCA maintains responsibility for the expansion area of cemetery to be utilized for the burial of veterans as provided for in the easement to Ulster County; and 

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of State Division of Cemeteries (“NYSDOSDC”) by letter dated October 5, 2021, granted NPRCA approvals for the expansion of the New Paltz Rural Cemetery including the execution of the easement to Ulster County, and construction of various aspects of the Project as per the plans submitted by the NPRCA; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature, in order to effectuate the Project and the expansion of the Veterans Cemetery in New Paltz, is hereby authorized to enter into the grant of an easement by NPRCA to Ulster County and a Memorandum of Understanding between NPRCA and Ulster County each in the form as filed with the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature or as modified with the approval of the County Attorney and Legislative Counsel; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature is hereby authorized to provide any assurances or certifications as required by NPRCA or NYSDOSDC with the approval of the County Attorney and Legislative Counsel,

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                     NOES:               

Passed Committee: Health, Human Services and Housing on _____________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on _____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$10.00 – 2022 APPRORIATIONS