The City of Kingston, NY

    Welcome to the City of Kingston, NY

    Kingston, dating to the arrival of the Dutch in 1652, is a vibrant city with rich history and architecture, was the state's first capital, and a thriving arts community. City Hall is in the heart of the community at 420 Broadway, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except July & August (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).  Come tour our historic City, with restaurants that are among the region's finest, and local shopping that promises unique finds.

    Historic Churches

    Kingston is home to many historic churches. The oldest church still standing is the First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston which was organized in 1659. Referred to as The Old Dutch Church, it is located in Uptown Kingston. Many of the city's historic churches populate Wurts street (6 in one block) among them Hudson Valley Wedding Chapel is a recently restored church built in 1867 and now a chapel hosting weddings. Another church in the Rondout is located at 72 Spring Street. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1849. The original church building at the corner of Hunter Street and Ravine Street burned to the ground in the late 1850s. The current church on Spring Street was built in 1874.

    Kingston, NY

    Kingston became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British on October 13, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga. In the 19th century, the city became an important transport hub after the discovery of natural cement in the region, and had both railroad and canal connections.

    Kingston, NY

    The town of Rondout, New York, now a part of the city of Kingston, became an important freight hub for the transportation of coal from Honesdale, Pennsylvania to New York City through the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This hub was later used to transport other goods, including bluestone. Kingston shaped and shipped most of the bluestone made to create the sidewalks of New York City.

     

    Contact Us

    City Hall Address:
    420 Broadway
    Kingston, New York
    12401

    Phone:
    (845) 331-0080

    The Kingston CAC has established a Wood Burning/Air Quality Sub-Committee to address air quality concerns in the City that are not already being addressed through the Climate Smart Kingston and Sustainability work being done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  

    Two particular concerns include: 1) Particulates from Wood Burning and 2) Vehicle Idling 

    Burning Wood

    credit: Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

    Burning wood is one of the dirtiest ways to heat your home.

    It contains tiny particles and toxic chemicals that can seriously affect health. 

    Based on data gathered from the U.S. Energy Information Administration it was estimated that 1,573.63 tons of wood was used as fuel in the City of Kingston in 2010. This created 193 tonnes of CO2e. 


    The Kingston Conservation Advisory Council:

    - endeavors to educate residents about the health and environmental risks of burning wood. Listen now to a CAC interview on Wood Smoke Pollution with WKNY Radio Kingston's The Source with Hillary Harvey. 

    - works toward informed enforcement of current Air Pollution and Smoke Control code (http://ecode360.com/12699897) in conjunction with the Building Safety Division of the Kingston Fire Department.

    - is examining other municipalities’ regulations and best practices regarding wood burning.

    Community Call to action!

    Inform Yourself!


    Learn More: Kingston CAC Wood Burning Informational Brochure

    Burning wood or wood pellets is not simply a personal choice; it affects others. To protect your family’s and neighbors’ health, as
    well as our community’s air quality, consider alternatives:

    -Switch to gas, electric, or solar heat
    -Switch to a gas or electric fireplace insert
    -Do not burn wood outdoors

    For more information 

    Contact Kingston CAC at CAC@kingston-ny.gov 

    Resources 

    -American Lung Association
    http://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/residential-wood-burning.html

     


    Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment:
    http://uphe.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/UPHE-wood-smoke-report-2016-update-PDF.pdf


    U.S. Centers for Disease Control:
    https://www.cdc.gov/air/particulate_matter.html


    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
    https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/wood-smoke-and-your-health

     

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    Vehicle Idling 

     

    Image result for vehicle idling

    According to Kingston's Climate Action Plan (September 2012), idling an internal combustion engine can burn a half gallon to one gallon of fuel per hour, depending on the engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. 

    Recommendations from the Climate Action Plan to reduce transportation related emissions:

    • Adopt local anti-idling ordinance.
    • Work with local institutions and businesses such as Health Alliance to reduce vehicle idling.
    • Work with delivery services to reduce vehicle idling.
    • Work with Kingston City School District to reduce school bus idling by creating idle-free zones around schools.
    • Investigate clean diesel technologies to reduce diesel emissions and their impact on human health.
    • Replace old equipment with clean diesel equipment. 
    • Retrofit existing equipment to reduce diesel emissions. 
    • Examine and consider the use of bio-diesel in City equipment. 
    • Require any contractors within the City of use clean diesel equipment. 

    NYS Environmental Conservation Law prohibits heavy duty vehicles, including diesel trucks and buses, from idling for more than five (5) minutes at a time. 

    Simple tips to remember: 

    • Drive at the speed limit

    • Avoid sudden stops or starts

    • Resist topping off the fuel tank

    • Check tire pressure monthly

    • Keep your vehicle well-maintained

      

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