Greene County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Greene County Public Works recommends Windham Transfer Station contracts

The Greene County Public Works Committee voted to recommend the construction of the Windham Transfer Station, awarding a $4,010,326 general contract to Jersen Construction Group and a $241,800 electrical contract to CDE Electric, Inc. The committee also approved budget amendments to add $1,537,958.28 in state highway funds and to transfer $4,659,626 from reserves to cover construction costs. These recommendations now go to the Finance Committee and the full Legislature for final approval.

Windham Transfer Station

From official minutes, the committee's actions include:

• General contractor: Jersen Construction Group, $4,010,326
• Electrical contractor: CDE Electric, Inc., $241,800
• Budget amendment: $1,537,958.28 in state highway funds (CHIPS, PAVE NY, EWR, POP) to the 2026 Highway Budget
• Budget amendment: $4,659,626 from Reserve Future Projects to Capital Project #174

Public hearings

Two public hearings were held on August 19. No votes were taken.

• **Columbia-Greene Community College 2026-27 operating budget**: One speaker, Mr. Izzo, raised questions about the college's fund balance, audit findings, and financial transparency.
• **Local Law Intro 2 of 2026 (disabled veteran property tax exemption)**: No public comments were made. Legislator Hobart asked about LGBTQ-related discharge language; staff said it covers veterans discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Pending items on recent agendas

The following items were listed on agendas for meetings held in the past two weeks. Minutes have not yet been published for these meetings, so outcomes are not known.

• **County Services Committee (Aug. 10)**: Agreement with Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium for aging services; election fee increase.
• **Resources Committee (Aug. 17)**: Resolution calling for a two-year delay of federal SNAP administrative and benefit cost shifts under H.R. 1; urging New York State to hold counties harmless; awarding bids for the Cairo Senior Center Project #161.
• **Public Works Committee (Aug. 17)**: Awarding a paving contract for Clarke Street in Catskill.
• **Economic Development and Tourism (Aug. 17)**: Guest speaker from the Catskills Comedy Festival; Haines Falls Pedestrian Improvement Project SEQRA lead agency intent.
• **Government Operations (Aug. 17)**: Declaring .275 acre of county-owned property as surplus and offering it to the highest bidder.
• **Finance Committee (Aug. 17)**: Accepting the 2026-27 Columbia-Greene Community College budget; sheriff's agreements with six school districts; Windham Transfer Station contracts; election fees; paving contract; Treasurer's July report.
• **Greene County Legislature (Aug. 19)**: Local Law No. 2 of 2026 (disabled veteran tax exemption); SNAP delay resolution; college budget; sheriff agreements; Windham Transfer Station contracts.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days.

Greene County committees approve school resource officer contracts, preschool special-ed deal

The Greene County Public Safety Committee approved six agreements to place School Resource Officers in local school districts for the 2026-27 school year, with costs reimbursed by the districts. The unanimous votes were the most consequential decisions from the past week's committee meetings, which also included approval of a preschool special-education contract and two grant-funded capital projects.

Public Safety Committee

Meeting August 5, the committee unanimously approved six School Resource Officer agreements with the Sheriff's Office. The amounts, reimbursed by each district, are:

• Cairo-Durham CSD: $150,556.25 for two officers
• Catskill CSD: $75,278.12
• Coxsackie-Athens CSD: $75,278.12
• Greenville CSD: $75,278.12
• Hunter-Tannersville CSD: $75,278.12
• Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD: $75,278.12

The committee also unanimously approved two grant-funded capital projects: Capital Project #181 for $61,618 from a State Homeland Security Grant, and Capital Project #182 for $255,344 from a PSAP Grant. It approved out-of-state travel for Daniel King, Deputy Director of Emergency Services, to attend the IAEM conference in Long Beach, CA.

The Sheriff reported plans to join a lawsuit against the state over a law barring ICE cooperation contracts. No further details were provided in the minutes.

Health Services Committee

The Health Services Committee, also meeting August 5, unanimously approved two action items:

• A services agreement with Coordinated Care Services, Inc. for mental health management and technical assistance.
• A center-based provider contract with Astor Services for preschool special education.

Both items were moved for adoption and will go to the Finance Committee and the full Legislature for final approval.

Pending: College budget

The County Resources Committee and the full Legislature have agenda items related to the proposed 2026-2027 operating budget of Columbia-Greene Community College. The County Resources Committee is scheduled to hear a presentation from college representatives, then consider setting a public hearing and adopting the budget. The full Legislature has a resolution to set a public hearing. No decisions have been reported; minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

No meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days, according to the provided data.

Greene County committees advance Cementon redevelopment, adopt police spouse tax exemption

Greene County lawmakers took action on a range of land-use, personnel, and tax matters this week, with the Economic Development and Tourism Committee approving a key planning document for the 1,700-acre Cementon Redevelopment Area in the Town of Catskill and the full Legislature adopting a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty.

Cementon Redevelopment Moves Forward

The Economic Development and Tourism Committee adopted the final scoping document for a General Environmental Impact Statement tied to Capital Project #163, the Cementon Redevelopment project. The vote was 8-0. The document outlines the scope of work for a conceptual master plan covering approximately 1,700 acres in the Town of Catskill. This step sets the parameters for environmental review as the county considers future development of the site.

Legislature Adopts Tax Exemption Law, Approves Nurses Agreement

The Greene County Legislature met July 15 and adopted Local Law No. 1 of 2026, which grants a real-property tax exemption to the surviving spouse of a police officer killed in the line of duty. The vote was 10,000 ayes to 0 noes under the county's weighted voting system.

The Legislature also approved an agreement with the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) regarding nurses, covering working conditions and salaries from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. That vote was 8,702 ayes to 1,298 noes. The Health Services Committee had previously approved the same agreement 6-1 on July 13.

Additionally, the Legislature set a public hearing on Local Law Intro #2, which would grant a property and special district tax exemption to the primary residence of seriously disabled veterans. The Finance Committee had approved that public hearing 8-0 on July 13.

Other Legislature actions included authorizing payment of general and highway claims, adopting a resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a time capsule at the Greene County Justice Center, establishing a "Think Differently" small group, and authorizing a lease of 8 Union Street, Catskill, NY, to the Matthew 25 Food Pantry.

County Administrator Term Extended

The Government Operations Committee voted 7-0 to extend the term of County Administrator Shaun S. Groden to April 1, 2028. The committee also moved for adoption of a chargeback for assessment roll related services and materials, also on a 7-0 vote.

Public Works Committee Approves Bids and Infrastructure Projects

The Public Works Committee approved a series of items on 8-0 votes, including advertisements for bids for county facility cleaning services, refuse removal, and roof replacement at the Greene County Office Building. The committee awarded bids for propane, #2D diesel fuel, and gasoline, and accepted a proposal for culvert rehabilitation on Willowbrook Road in Greenville.

The committee also authorized a solid waste contract with Seneca Meadows, Inc., extended an agreement with County Waste Ulster, LLC, declared Windham Transfer Station site improvements an unlisted action, and approved a budget amendment for the sale of highway and solid waste equipment.

Finance Committee Acts on Contracts and Services

The Finance Committee approved 16 items on July 13. Notable votes include the UPSEU nurses agreement (7-0), a security camera system for the 911 Center/DES (7-0), a new recording system for the 911 Center (7-0), and the Willowbrook Road culvert rehabilitation proposal (7-0). Two Preschool Special Education Program provider contracts and a Public Health Department/Health Research, Inc. agreement each passed 6-1.

The committee also awarded an aging services bid to Ginsburg's Inc. (7-0), authorized a NY Connects/HIICAP expansion agreement (7-0), and authorized a Columbia-Greene Community College Foundation agreement (7-0).

County Services Committee Approves Food and Healthcare Agreements

The County Services Committee voted 8-0 to award a food supply bid to Ginsburg's Inc. and authorized an agreement with the Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium, Inc., covering NY Connects and HIICAP programs through March 2027.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Greene County committees advance Cementon redevelopment, fuel bids, and nurses agreement

Greene County's standing committees met July 13 and approved a wide range of contracts, bids, and policy actions — all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most consequential land-use decision was adoption of the final scoping document for the Cementon Redevelopment Area, covering roughly 1,700 acres in the Town of Catskill. The full Legislature met July 15, but minutes from that session have not yet been published.

Cementon Redevelopment Scoping Document Adopted

The Economic Development and Tourism Committee adopted the final scoping document for Capital Project #163 — Cementon Redevelopment (8-0). The document outlines the scope of work for a conceptual master plan on approximately 1,700 acres in the Town of Catskill and governs what a General Environmental Impact Statement will study.

County Administrator Term Extended

The Government Operations Committee approved an extension of County Administrator Shaun S. Groden's term, setting a new expiration date of April 1, 2028 (7-0). The same committee moved for adoption of a chargeback for assessment-roll-related services and materials (7-0).

Nurses Agreement with UPSEU Approved

The Health Services Committee approved a contract agreement with the United Public Service Employees Union regarding nurses (6-1). The agreement covers working conditions and salaries from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. The Finance Committee separately approved the UPSEU agreement (7-0).

Public Hearing Set for Veteran Tax Exemption

The Finance Committee approved a public hearing regarding a local law to provide full property and special district tax exemptions for seriously disabled veterans (8-0).

Public Works: Fuel Bids, Culvert, Waste Contracts, and Food Pantry Lease

The Public Works Committee approved multiple items, all by 8-0 votes:

• Awarded bids for propane, #2D diesel fuel, and gasoline.
• Accepted a proposal for Willowbrook Road culvert rehabilitation in Greenville.
• Authorized a solid waste contract with Seneca Meadows, Inc.
• Authorized an extension of the County Waste Ulster, LLC agreement.
• Authorized a lease of 8 Union Street, Catskill, NY to Matthew 25 Food Pantry.
• Approved advertisements for bids for county facility cleaning services, refuse removal, and Greene County Office Building roof replacement.
• Declared Windham Transfer Station site improvements an unlisted action.
• Approved a budget amendment for the sale of highway and solid waste equipment.

Finance Committee: 911 Center Upgrades and Additional Contracts

The Finance Committee approved several items beyond the veteran tax exemption hearing and UPSEU agreement:

• Authorized a security camera system for the 911 Center/DES (7-0).
• Authorized a new recording system for the 911 Center (7-0).
• Accepted the Willowbrook Road culvert rehabilitation proposal (7-0).
• Authorized the Seneca Meadows, Inc. waste disposal contract (7-0).
• Extended the County Waste Ulster, LLC agreement (7-0).
• Awarded the aging services bid to Ginsburg's Inc. (7-0).
• Authorized the NY Connects/HIICAP expansion agreement (7-0).
• Authorized the Columbia-Greene Community College Foundation agreement (7-0).
• Approved the Public Health Department/Health Research, Inc. agreement (6-1).
• Approved two Preschool Special Education Program provider contracts (each 6-1).

County Services: Food Supply and Healthcare Consortium

The County Services Committee awarded a food supply bid to Ginsburg's Inc. (8-0) and authorized an agreement with the Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium, Inc. (8-0). The healthcare agreement covers NY Connects and HIICAP programs through March 2027.

July 15 Legislature Meeting — Agenda Only

The Greene County Legislature met July 15, but minutes have not yet been published. The agenda listed a motion to adopt Local Law No. 1 of 2026, which would provide a real-property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a police officer killed in the line of duty. A public hearing on that proposed law was also scheduled. Additional agenda items included the UPSEU nurses agreement, authorization to advertise bids for the Greene County Office Building roof replacement, the lease of 8 Union Street to Matthew 25 Food Pantry, and solicitation of an RFP for NextGEN 9-1-1 call-handling equipment for the Greene County 9-1-1 Center. Outcomes for these items are not yet available.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Readers seeking the July 15 Legislature results should watch for the official minutes to be published.