Ulster County committee amends radio capital project and OKs SEQR negative declaration for Wawarsing tower

The Ulster County Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee on May 5 approved an amendment to capital project No. 482 to apply a 2023 statewide interoperable communications grant toward the countywide radio system and adopted a SEQR negative declaration for a planned public safety radio tower in Wawarsing.

A Department of Emergency Services representative said Commissioner Erickson could not attend and that the grant received in 2023 will be used for the radio project. The representative described the proposed tower site as behind the Town of Wawarsing Highway Garage and said they had not heard of community opposition.

Chair Clinton moved both measures out of committee. The committee then voted to adopt Resolution 236 to amend the 2026 capital fund budget for the radio system and Resolution 237 to issue a negative declaration under 6 NYCRR Part 617 (State Environmental Quality Review Act) for the Wawarsing tower project. The actions clear administrative and environmental-review hurdles so the county can proceed with project planning.

Why it matters: Upgrading interoperable communications is a core public safety infrastructure priority; the grant funding reduces local capital burden and the SEQR negative declaration allows the project to advance without further environmental review under Part 617.

What’s next: Staff will incorporate the grant funds into the capital project budget and proceed with project planning and siting steps for the Wawarsing tower.