Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Greene County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues with high priority
County EMS service contract for 2027
Greene County EMS President Mark Evans was scheduled to brief the Finance Committee on the state of the county's ambulance service. Updates like this often cover staffing, funding, and response-time concerns that affect residents countywide.
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.
2027 County Budget Hearing Set
The county will hold its public hearing on the tentative 2027 budget October 28 at Catskill High School — your chance to weigh in before the budget is finalized.
Greene County Office Building roof replacement
The county's main office building gets a long-overdue new roof, and reserves already set aside for exactly this purpose cover the full $741,839.69 price tag — no new taxes needed.
Proposed Hudson Valley Power Authority and Central Hudson electricity costs
Central Hudson is offering to fund utility feasibility studies for development sites like Cementon, saving the county those costs — though Legislator Hobart questioned whether letting the utility do the study is a conflict of interest. A formal MOU could come next month.
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.
Delinquent Property Taxes Rising
Collections on $10.5 million in delinquent taxes are running about $2 million behind last year, which the Treasurer attributes to economic stress — a warning sign for county and town finances.
Greene County Transit future operations
ARC Mid-Hudson was the only bidder to keep operating the county's bus system, and the county just took delivery of ten new buses. The two-year deal starting January 2027 keeps service running countywide.
Highway and Bridge Repairs Funded
The Route 67 culvert in Greenville will be repaired for up to $44,016.40 by Town and County Bridge and Rail.
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.
Verizon Copper Landline Discontinuation
Verizon is pulling the plug on copper landlines, and lawmakers worry rural and elderly residents will lose phone service during power outages — fiber backups only last about eight hours, and storms here can knock out power for days. Legislator Legg wants the county to lead a protest, with letters going to the FCC and Public Service Commission. The county administrator plans to have a letter of protest on Tuesday's full board agenda.
Windham Transfer Station improvements
The Hunter Transfer Station is way over capacity — usage grew more than six-fold since 2018. Rebuilding Windham with separated commercial and residential drop-offs will spread out the load and fix a notoriously cramped site.
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.