Ulster County committee approves packet of local laws, sets multiple public hearings and appoints elections commissioner

The Ulster County Laws, Rules & Government Services Committee met June 11 and advanced a package of routine and substantive items, adopting several local laws and setting public hearings while unanimously approving an appointment to the county Board of Elections.

The committee adopted Resolution 307 (Local Law No. 6 of 2026) to regulate pet sellers, aligning county code to recent changes in New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. The measure had been the subject of a public hearing in May with no speakers and was adopted without opposition.

Members adopted Resolution 309 to clarify appointing authority and composition language in the county charter and administrative code related to the county board of health; the chair clarified that the change originated in the legislature, not the executive.

The committee set public hearings for two proposed tax-exemption laws. Resolution 310 will hold a hearing July 14, 2026, at 7:05 p.m. on a proposed partial real property tax exemption (50% of assessed county value) for eligible residential property transferred to low-income households (sponsored by Legislator Grossman). Resolution 311 sets a July 14, 2026, 7:10 p.m. hearing on a proposed exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty; members asked whether language covers domestic partners or transferability to children and agreed the public hearing would enable further input.

The committee also set a July 14, 2026, 7:15 p.m. hearing for proposed Local Law No. 12 (Resolution 312) to permit food trucks and mobile vendors at the County Pool Complex (Libertyville Road, New Paltz) with DPW permit and insurance.

The committee unanimously approved Resolution 329 appointing Carrie L. Williams as the Republican commissioner of elections to fill an unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2028. Williams, who identified herself as acting commissioner and said she has worked in the office 19 years, introduced her background to the committee.

Chair Criswell also sponsored Resolution 330 to require referral of all budget amendments and transfers to the Ways and Means Committee before full-legislature consideration; members confirmed the rule requires consideration — not passage — by Ways and Means and approved the change unanimously, calling it an oversight improvement.

Committee members listed forthcoming items, including a proposed local law on river rights and clean water and a postponed public safety identifiability standard. The committee adjourned after a brief final procedural note.