Greene County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Greene County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Town of Halcott emergency medical funding
Windham's ambulance budget is jumping 21.5% next year and Ashland's 14.5%, driven by higher wages, insurance, and a new hire. Mountaintop towns are asking the county to keep or increase the ambulance assistance they received this year, and plan to apply for a state grant together.
County EMS service contract for 2027
The county will pay $1,050 per person for up to 20 residents to become certified EMTs, in exchange for 18 months of local service. Officials called the volunteer EMT shortage a life-or-death problem.
2027 County Budget Hearing Set
The county's proposed 2027 budget keeps the property tax levy flat at $27.4 million for the eighth straight year, with nine towns seeing lower rates and five higher. The catch: it leans heavily on sales tax and reserves, which may not sustain the county past 2029-2030.
Senior & Disability Property Tax Exemption Income Limits
The county is weighing an increase to the income cap for senior and disabled property tax exemptions — from $37,000 to $38,500 for a full 50% exemption, sliding up to $46,899.99. It's tied to the 3.6% Social Security cost-of-living bump so existing recipients don't lose their break. A public hearing is planned for December.
Highway and Bridge Repairs Funded
The aging River Road bridge in New Baltimore is being replaced under the federal bridge program. A. Colarusso & Sons won the $2.74 million contract, with CDM Smith handling inspection.
Verizon Copper Landline Discontinuation
Verizon wants to shut off traditional copper phone lines by November 30, 2026, pending FCC approval. For many rural residents, those lines are the only reliable way to call for help — especially during power outages and for seniors who don't use cell phones. The county's daily senior check-in program also depends on them.
High-potency 7-OH (synthetic kratom) sale ban
7-OH is a synthetic compound derived from kratom that the FDA warned about in July 2026 and that the DEA considers an imminent hazard to public safety. The state Legislature passed a ban on selling products above 2% total alkaloids or 1 mg per serving, and the county is adding its voice urging the Governor to sign it.
NY Connects and HIICAP services for seniors and disabled residents
The Hearthstone Care contract now covers Level II personal care — help with bathing, dressing, toileting and walking — at $35 an hour, with an extra $2 an hour for the seven remote Mountain Top towns where help is hard to find.
Community Action cash-flow crisis from late state payments
Community Action of Greene County told the committee that late state contracts forced a partial staff layoff and heavy reliance on a line of credit. The agency sheltered 23 people, served 101 domestic violence victims, distributed over 4,000 food packages, and paid $434,790 in rent and security deposits to local landlords last year.
Challenge to NY Sanctuary Legislation
The county unanimously endorsed a national law firm's lawsuit against New York's 2026 sanctuary immigration law. The Sheriff advised the county not to join as a plaintiff since it isn't a border county and holds no 287(g) contract, but lawmakers still voiced full support.
Emergency Services Upgrades and Disaster Planning
A new capital project (No. 179) was created under an ESInet readiness grant, moving the county's 911 dispatch network toward modern IP-based technology.
Snow & Ice Control Supply Contracts
State-bid salt jumped from $69 to $99 a ton, costing the county at least $435,000 just to meet its minimum winter allocation. Legislators are frustrated that Albany County pays $75 a ton for salt from the same nearby port and want the state to explain the difference.
Cairo Senior Center kitchen equipment purchase
The county is equipping the new Cairo Senior Center's kitchen, which will produce roughly 100,000 meals a year for seniors. The committee delayed the $298,900 award to see if State-contract vendors offer better pricing, since federal grant money is on the line.
Full tax exemption for seriously disabled veterans
A proposed local law would fully exempt the primary residences of seriously disabled veterans from county taxes and special district charges. A public hearing is set for August 19, 2026.
Cementon Redevelopment Area Conceptual Master Plan
The county is studying future redevelopment of roughly 1,700 acres of former cement plant and industrial land in Cementon and Alsen. The scoping document just adopted will guide a full environmental study of what could go there — advanced manufacturing, warehousing, mixed-use development, plus trails and conservation land.
Contractor accountability on construction projects
Legislator Mike Bulich criticized paying architects and engineers in full before major projects like the Justice Center are finished, and asked the county to consider holding back more money until work is completed.
New Deputies' Association Contract
The county locked in a three-year labor agreement (2026-2028) covering salaries and working conditions for county deputies. It passed 12-2, with Bulich and Hobart dissenting.
Kaaterskill Clove Visitor Management Dispute
The county formally objected to the state DEC's plan that could bring reservation systems, timed entry, or visitor caps to the Kaaterskill Clove area in Hunter. Local officials argue those limits would hurt tourism towns and just push crowds elsewhere; they want more parking, traffic management and staffing first.
Greene County Justice Center construction cost growth
The county keeps adding to the Justice Center price tag — another $321,000 this month alone, pushing the general construction contract past $20 million. Five legislators voted no on both change orders, signaling growing unease with the project's costs.