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Proposal for The Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness
Introduction
This proposal is for a comprehensive evaluation how Ulster County citizens could benefit from intermunicipal cooperation between Ulster County Town, City and County Highway Departments. The evaluation will cover, but not be limited to sharing resources, intermunicipal agreements, collaborative efforts and possibly combination / merger of departments.
County Overview
Ulster County consists of 20 towns and one city. Highways and roads are a mix of state, county and town roads including The New York State Thruway (I87), which runs directly through Ulster County and has three interchanges. Refer to table 1 for a list of municipalities, road / highway mileage and population. A map of Ulster County is also included. At present, with minor exceptions, each municipality maintains and plows all town roads within it’s borders, and the state maintains the state roads, and the county maintains and plows the county roads.
Description of Project
• Perform comprehensive inventory of resources of all participating municipalities including trucks, garage locations, salt storage facilities and related equipment.
• Study configuration of roads and highways of participating municipalities using Graphic Information Systems (GIS) to study and map the most efficient routes for plowing, brush clipping and maintenance of roads and highways regardless of status (county or town).
• Review plans with participating highway superintendents, town boards and legislative oversight committee.
• Work on equitable compensation methods for town and county highway departments for maintenance of roads not in municipal jurisdiction.
• Write intermunicipal contracts and agreements using Ulster County Attorney Office, Contracts Manager and Town Attorneys.
• Implement plan.
• Form task force of highway professionals to review effectiveness of implementation and recommend changes, additions and improvements to plan.
GoalsParticipating Municipalities
Anticipated Problems
Assistance requested from Commission
• Technical
• Review of similar efforts
• Computer expertise for GIS
• Legal Assistance with contracts and agreements
• Financial
• Other
Appendix 1
Ulster Highway Jurisdictions
Municipality Highway Responsibility Population

Appendix 2
Ulster County Map