Niagara Bottling Timeline

View the Niagara Bottling Timeline

• “A Jazz Singer Fights Niagara Bottling” in New Yorker Magazine.
  July 1,  2016  “I don’t think anyone was counting on this at all, this kind of organized effort. And now it is what it is, and we keep going,” Martin said. “What’s more important than drinking water? Nothing.”
• Historic Water Sales Referendum Passes in City of Kingston
  November 5, 2015  Between February and November, citizens waged another large campaign to place water powers on the November ballot to include the common council in any water sales outside of Kingston’s Corporate Boundary. In doing so, the threat of another Niagara Bottling proposal in the future could be dashed.  More voters participated in the water sales referendum than they did to elect mayor that year, passing by a landslide (Timeline for the Water Sales Referendum process to come. You can scroll back to review all items that pertain to water on KingstonCitizens.org HERE)
• Niagara Bottling Company Pulls Out of Town of Ulster Location.
  Feb 13, 2015  Niagara Bottling Company Pulls Out of Town of Ulster Location. “Katt Speculated that growing local opposition to the proposal was part of the reason for the company’s withdrawal. “I think that they saw the opposition had grown, and they feel it is better to look elsewhere.””
  
  
• KingstonCitizens.org urges the public to contact Kingston Water Department Superintendent Judith Hansen 
  Feb 12, 2015   KingstonCitizens.org urges the public to contact Kingston Water Department Superintendent Judith Hansen to request that she respond to an ongoing, four-month-old FOIL request.
  
  
• Empire State Development Announces New Mid-Hudson Regional Director.
  Feb 11, 2015   Empire State Development Announces New Mid-Hudson Regional Director. Aimee Vargas appears to have been replaced by Meghan Taylor.
  
  
• KingstonCitizens.org publishes a response to Governor Cuomo’s remarks about Infrastructure in NYS
  Feb 7, 2015   KingstonCitizens.org publishes a response to Governor Cuomo’s remarks in Syracuse where he said the State has “no plans to send millions of dollars to Syracuse or other upstate cities to fix leaky aging water systems.” Three suggestions specific to the City of Kingston are featured: longer range capitol improvement plans; conservation water pricing and assessing the continued value of independence for the Kingston Water Department.
  
  
• KingstonCitizens.org Attends ToU Town Board meeting.
  Feb 5, 2015   Town of Ulster Town Board meeting. Niagara and the draft Scoping Document by Chazen & Company are not on the agenda; there is no mention of it during the meeting.
• First organizational meeting of the Community Water Protection Task Force.
  Feb 5, 2015   First organizational meeting of the Community Water Protection Task Force.
• Kingston Common Council passes a Resolution requesting an 80-day Public Comment period & Kingston…
  Feb 4, 2015  Kingston Common Council passes a Resolution requesting an 80-day Public Comment period and a City of Kingston Public Hearing on Niagara’s Public Scoping Document in SEQR.
  
  
• KingstonCitizens.org informs the public that there will be an opening on the Kingston Water Board…
  Feb 4, 2015  KingstonCitizens.org informs the public that there will be an opening on the Kingston Water Board of Commissioners. Mayor Gallo will appoint a Kingston City resident to the five-year term, beginning June 1, 2015; all interested applicants are encouraged to apply.
  
  
• KingstonCitizens.org requests that all Interested and Involved Agencies in SEQR send a request to…
  Feb 3, 2015  KingstonCitizens.org requests that all Interested and Involved Agencies in SEQR send a request to ToU Town Board and Supervisor Quigley to ask for a longer Public Comment period and multiple Public Hearings to allow greater public participation on the proposed environmental review laid out in Niagara’s Draft Scoping Document. There is still no communication from The Chazen Companies regarding delivery date for the overdue Scoping Document.
  
  
• KingstonCitizens.org and a coalition of organizations and communities launches a new petition to …
  Feb 2, 2015   KingstonCitizens.org and a coalition of organizations and communities launches a new petition to send to Governor Cuomo. It states that “Niagara Bottling should NOT be awarded 10 years of tax abatements” via the Start-Up NY program. Niagara’s abatements, along with NYS’s allowance of manufacturers’ tax credits, could amount to an estimated $50+ million in ten years.
  
  
• Country Wisdom article quotes project engineer Peter Romano of the Chazen Companies.
  Feb 1, 2015  Country Wisdom article quotes project engineer Peter Romano of the Chazen Companies: “…the scoping documents should be ready sometime in February. Niagara seems to feel this is a good site and one worth fighting for. They came back and asked us to go ahead and prepare scoping documents. After the town approves those, the public comment can begin. It’s still early in a long process.”
  
  
• Woodstock NY Transition, Woodstock Land Conservancy (WLC) and Woodstock Farm Festival (WFF) kick …
  Jan 28, 2015  Woodstock NY Transition, Woodstock Land Conservancy (WLC) and Woodstock Farm Festival (WFF) kick off their prescient winter film and community discussion series — “Breakthrough Solutions for Restoring People and Planet” — with the first film, Watersheds: Our Lifeboats.
  
  
• KingstonCitizens.org attends the Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting
  Jan 22, 2015  KingstonCitizens.org attends the Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting and learns that the Draft Scoping Document, required to begin the SEQR timeline process, has not been delivered by The Chazen Companies on behalf of Niagara Bottling Company. The ToU has received no communications from Chazen or Niagara regarding the project.
  
  
• Woodstock Land Conservancy (WLC) creates a Watershed Task Force to work on a comprehensive water …
  Jan 20, 2015Woodstock Land Conservancy (WLC) creates a Watershed Task Force to work on a comprehensive water policy for the region. The public may make tax deductible donations through WLC to develop and sustain collaborative watershed protection work, including that being done by KingstonCitizens.org.
• KingstonCitizens.org hosts a “Tapped” screening and public education forum at the VFW in the Town…
  Jan 15, 2015  KingstonCitizens.org hosts a “Tapped” screening and public education forum at the VFW in the Town of Ulster. It is well attended and during Q&A, there is a good deal of discussion.
• Discussion of Niagara on “The Same Boat” radio program.
  Jan 14, 2015  Representatives from KingstonCitizens.org, Woodstock Land Conservancy and SUNY Ulster Environmental Club discuss Niagara on “The Same Boat” radio program.
• KingstonCitizens.org attends Kingston Water Board meeting.
  Jan 14, 2015 KingstonCitizens.org attends Kingston Water Board meeting. Meeting included a Resolution to define rules of conduct regarding public participation in water board meetings (0:42 – 8:32) and the Cooper Lake Dam Project (8:42 – 14:35). Resolution re: Rules of Conduct for Kingston Board of Water Commissioners’ Meetings.
• KingstonCitizens.org attends the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meeting
  Jan 14, 2015  KingstonCitizens.org attends the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) meeting to understand their role as an Involved Agency in SEQR for the proposed Niagara Bottling Company project. Jennifer Schwartz Berky (entire recording) Rebecca Martin (0:00 – 5:10).
• SaveCooperLake.org hires a consultant, HydroQuest
  Jan 12, 2015  SaveCooperLake.org hires a consultant, HydroQuest, to do a preliminary assessment of hydrologic issues associated with the sale and distribution of “Surplus” Cooper Lake Water.
• Town of Ulster Town Board Workshop.
  Jan 8, 2015. Town of Ulster Town Board Workshop. The public requests a 60 day Comment Period in SEQR and additional Public Hearings on Draft Scoping Document. Still no word from The Chazen Companies on the long-anticipated and overdue Scoping Document. ToU Supervisor Quigley is out of town on a five-week vacation.
• KingstonCitizens.org responds to President Katt and requests meeting to discuss Start-Up New York.
  Dec 31, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org responds to President Katt and requests meeting to discuss Start-Up New York.
• SUNY Ulster President Donald Katt writes letter to KingstonCitizens.org
  Dec 29, 2014  SUNY Ulster President Donald Katt writes letter to KingstonCitizens.org in response to on Start-Up New York, President Katt says that “Reviewing the process and the credentials that were considered in the case of Niagara Bottling, I cannot imagine an outcome other than that which we reached given the defined role that the college performs.”
• Niagara Bottling is not included in Start-Up NY funding announcement by Governor Cuomo.
  Dec 29, 2014. Niagara Bottling is not included in Start-Up NY funding announcement by Governor Cuomo.
• Kingston Times article “Niagara-SUNY Ulster alliance could bring bottler huge tax breaks.”
  Dec 26, 2014. Kingston Times article “Niagara-SUNY Ulster alliance could bring bottler huge tax breaks.” Though Niagara’s request for $10.8 million was not included on Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council’s (MHREDC) list of projects (announced in early December), Ulster County Community College President Don Katt said that the project is still in the running for benefits under the state’s Start-Up NY program.
• Scenic Hudson/City of Kingston Request Longer Public Comment Period in SEQR.
  Dec 19, 2014. Scenic Hudson and City of Kingston Alderman/Majority Leader issue letters to Town of Ulster requesting a longer Public Comment period in SEQR.
• Village of Saugerties issues letter to Town of Ulster requesting a longer Public Comment period i…
  Dec 16, 2014. Village of Saugerties issues letter to Town of Ulster requesting a longer Public Comment period in SEQR.
• KingstonCitizens.org gives a presentation before the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees.
  Dec 16, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org gives a presentation before the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees. “Can We Do Better?” KingstonCitizens.org asks the SUNY Ulster Board of Directors not to enter into the Start-Up New York program with Niagara Bottling.
• SUNY Ulster Environmental Club VP Gives Presentation to SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees
  Dec 16, 2014. SUNY Ulster Environmental Club’s Vice President gives a presentation to SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees (at their request), and presents several options for national / international university sustainability initiatives that SUNY Ulster could join. A PowerPoint presentation on Campus Sustainability Rating Programs is included. The Club’s President presents to the Trustees a petition (with 1,348 signatures) requesting SUNY Ulster rescind their partnership with Niagara. Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System.  American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment
• SUNY Ulster Environmental Club Launches MoveOn.org Petition
  Dec 15, 2014. SUNY Ulster Environmental Club launches MoveOn.org petition requesting that SUNY Ulster rescind its partnership with Niagara Bottling. 1,348 signatures are collected from students and community members.
• KingstonCitizens.org Begins Letter Writing Campaign to Urge Denial of Start-Up NY Funds to Niagara
  Dec 15, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org begins a letter writing campaign to urge the Empire State Development Corporation not to include Niagara Bottling in the Start-Up NY Program.
• KingstonCitizens.org Hosts “Tapped” Screening at BSP in Kingston
  Dec 14, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org hosts a “Tapped” screening and public education forum at BSP in Kingston. It is co-sponsored by Woodstock Land Conservancy, Riverkeeper and Esopus Creek Conservancy, and well attended.
• KingstonCitizens.org Begins Letter Writing Campaign Focused on Extending SEQR Public Comment Peri…
  Dec 12, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org begins a letter writing campaign to request that the Town of Ulster extend the SEQR Public Comment period to 60 days because Chazen / Niagara have still not delivered the Scoping Document. Citizens are also urged to request public hearings at additional locations to allow public input on the draft Scoping Document. A Facebook page is created for the SEQR Timeline.
• KingstonCitizens.org Hosts “Tapped” Screening in Saugerties
  Dec 12, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org hosts a “Tapped” screening and public education forum at The Inquiring Mind Bookstore, Saugerties. It is co-sponsored by Woodstock Land Conservancy, Riverkeeper and Esopus Creek Conservancy, and well attended.
• KingstonCitizens.org Offers Private “Tapped” Screening at Woodstock Day School Assembly.
  Dec 12, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org offers a private screening of the trailer for “Tapped” at Woodstock Day School Assembly. The students are only allowed to show the trailer (not the full length film). Student Body president, Jazmin Kay, is the only presenter due to the politicized nature of the Niagara proposal, and she discusses the issue as it pertains to her senior project on Youth and Civic Engagement.
• NYS denies $10.8 million in CFA Funding to Niagara.
  Dec 11, 2014. New York State announces that Niagara Bottling Company will not receive critical public funding for their facility build. The company’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) was previously selected as a priority project through the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. The amount requested was $10.8 million dollars. The Coalition of signatories issued a media release responding to the decision. Several regional initiatives are funded, including a project by Catskill Mountainkeeper, one of the Coalition partners.
• Coalition Delivers 1587 Signatures to MHREDC
  Dec 11, 2014. The coalition delivers the full Change.org petition to the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. 1587 citizens signed, requesting that the MHREDC deny grant funds to Niagara Bottling Company in the 2015 round of grant announcements. KingstonCitizens.org’s Rachel Marco-Havens travels to Albany to represent the people of the region and deliver a hard copy of the petition. Links to Petition & Video from Capital visit attached. Photo Gallery from Capital visit.
• KingstonCitizens.org Attends Kingston Water Board Meeting
  Dec 10, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org attends the Kingston Water Board Meeting, where discussions regarding the Cooper Lake Dam and other items take place. Draft of KWD Five Year (2014-2019) Capital Plan http://www.kingston-ny.gov/filestorage/8463/8511/10396/draft_2015-2019_CIP.pdf http://kingston-ny.gov/filestorage/8463/8511/10396/draft_2015-2019_CIP.pdf
• Governor Cuomo Postpones REDC Award Ceremony for CFA Grants
  Dec 9, 2014. Due to inclement weather, Governor Cuomo issues a 26-hour postponement of the REDC Award Ceremony for CFA grants. The Ceremony will occur on 12/11/14 at noon.
• 1st Round of Petition Signatures Delivered to MHREDC, Other Officials, Media
  Dec 7, 2014The first round of petition signatures is delivered via email to Aimee Vargas, Director of Empire State Development for the Mid-Hudson Region; several other public officials; members of the MHREDC; and local media to ensure that the petition receives consideration prior to the official announcement of REDC Awards on at 10 AM on December 10th.
• Local Elementary Students Create PSA Video Inspired by “Tapped”
  Dec 7, 2014. Three local elementary school children watch “Tapped” and immediately create a PSA video, “Say No to Single Use Plastic Bottles.”
• KingstonCitizens.org hosts “Tapped” screening at Bearsville Theater; hundreds attend.
  Dec 7, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org hosts “Tapped” film screening & public educational forum at Bearsville Theater. The event sponsors (KingstonCitizens.org, RiverKeeper, Woodstock Land Conservancy and Esopus Creek Conservancy) and other speakers host a Q&A following the film. Event is very well attended with hundreds of citizens in attendance and provides the opportunity for Woodstock residents to sign the petition about MHREDC funding and obtain fact sheets for further distribution.
• Watershed Coalition writes to MHREDC requesting denial of Niagara’s funding application
  Dec 6, 2014. A growing coalition of 15 Ulster County & NYS organizations signs a letter to Aimee Vargas, Director of Empire State Development for the Mid-Hudson Region, requesting that the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) not award funds to the Niagara Bottling Company on December 10th. A public petition is also created on Change.org.
• KingstonCitizens.org hosts Food & Water Watch Educational Panel at Kingston Public Library.
  Dec 4, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org hosts Food & Water Watch Educational Panel at Kingston Public Library. “Bottled Water: Bad for the People and the Environment.” Speaker Alex Duchamp notes an unprecedented turnout for this event.
• KingstonCitizens.org creates a fact sheet: “Is Niagara Bottling Company Right for Ulster County?”
  Dec 4, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org creates a fact sheet “Is Niagara Bottling Company right for Ulster County?” It is printed / available for download, and distributed regionwide by KingstonCitizens.org’s Street Team; at “Tapped” film screenings / educational events; municipal meetings; community hubs; and via a dedicated link on the website.
• H2O Keep It Local logo adopted for outreach materials
  Dec 2, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org begins using a new logo, H2O Keep It Local, for outreach materials.
• Kingston Common Council’s Resolution to hire its own municipal lawyer defeated 5-4
  Dec 2, 2014. Kingston Common Council votes on #227 Resolution to allocate additional funds ($25,000) for the Council to hire its own municipal lawyer; following debate, the Resolution is defeated 5-4. Without “Involved” Agency status, Kingston taxpayers will be asked to foot the bill for legal, scientific and engineering costs during SEQR.
• KingstonCitizens.org gives presentation to Red Hook Planning Board
  Dec 1, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org attends Red Hook Planning Board meeting to do brief presentation on the work of the coalition. Niagara representatives and the property owners of the spring in Cokertown (Red Hook) did not appear. Soon after this meeting, KingstonCitizens.org learns that Niagara is no longer interested in the Cokertown/Red Hook springs because of hazardous waste too close to the spring.
• Kingston Water Department Posts New Engineering Documents.
  Nov 28, 2014. CDM Smith ‘Niagara Water Bottling Plant Demand Analysis Results’ that the Kingston Water Board had had created to explore Niagara’s 1 million and 1.75 million GPD water request and Schnabel Engineering of the Cooper Lake Dam & West Dike preliminary Engineering Phase 1.
• KingstonCitizens.org Sends a FOIL Request to Empire State Development
  Nov 26, 2014. KingstonCitizens.org Sends a FOIL Request to Empire State Development requesting a copy of the Niagara Bottling Company’s Consolidated Funding Application in the amount of $10.8 million dollars for their facility build. The application has been pushed back month after month.
• Town of Woodstock Town Board Votes to Hire an Attorney
  Nov 26, 2014. Town of Woodstock Town Board votes to hire an attorney to defend the watershed and ToW’s legal water rights and interests. Since the ToW is not an “Involved” Agency in SEQR, Woodstock taxpayers would have to pay for all costs during SEQR (legal, scientific, engineering) to protect the Town’s rights and interests.
• KingstonCitizens.org FOILs Empire State Development re: 2014 CFA for Niagara
  Nov 24, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org FOILs Empire State Development’s Records Access Officer with requests for 2014 CFA for Niagara Bottling LLC (aka Niagara Bottling Northeast) for 2014 and the minutes of all meetings of the MHREDC at which the Niagara Bottling proposal was discussed.
• KingstonCitizens.org offers Free Screenings of the Documentary ‘Tapped’
  Nov 23, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org with the support of the Woodstock Land Conservancy, Riverkeeper and Esopus Creek Conservancy is proud to sponsor free screenings of the film “Tapped” throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley region. The first of three showings in this ongoing film series will be held in December in Kingston, Woodstock and Saugerties.
• KingstonCitizens.org hosts Public Educational Forum “Bottled Water: Bad for People and the Environment” with Food and Water Watch.
  November 23, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org to host a public educational forum and discussion called “Bottled Water: Bad for the People and the Environment” on Thursday, December 4^th at the Kingston Public Library 55 Franklin Street, in Kingston NY from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.  Guest panelist will be Alex Beauchamp, Northeast Regional Director of Food and Water Watch (Washington, DC).
• Regional Community Accomplishments on the Proposed Niagara Bottling Proposal.
  November 21, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org gives kudos to coalition partners for their successes so far.
• Video: ToU Town Board defeats ToW and CoK’s Involved Agency request.  Makes a Pos Dec for the proposed Niagara Bottling process.
  November 21, 2014  The Town of Ulster Town Board  under the leadership of Supervisor James Quigley passed several resolutions that included a Resolution for the City of Kingston and Town of Woodstock to become Involved Agencies (Denied Unanimously, though with some hesitation),  2) A resolution clearing Lead Agency to construct a water bottle facility. (Resolution passed unanimously.) 3) A resolution declaring a positive SEQR declaration (passed unanimously).
• The Wittenberg Center Supports a Pos Dec in SEQR. November 19, 2014   “We are writing concerning the proposed Niagra Bottling Plant SEQR review process. We are asking for a positive declaration on the following grounds. We strongly believe that both Cooper Lake and the location of the proposed Niagara plant are potential Level One archeological sites.
• Mayor Shayne Gallo This Morning on Kingston Community Radio
  November 19, 2014.  The Mayor’s support of the Niagara Bottling proposal cost him his election the following year.
• What to Expect: Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting Thursday, 11/20/17 at 7:30pm.
  November 18, 2014.  The Town of Ulster Town Board will meet on Thursday, November 20th at 7:00pm.   Scheduled to occur that evening is the Town of Ulster Town Board to give final approval of itself as being “Lead Agency” in the proposed Niagara Bottling Company SEQR process.
• LTE: The Future of Kingston’s Water Supply Must Not Be Left in the Hands of the Town of Ulster.
  November 17, 2014. “The future of the water supply for residents of Kingston must not be left in the hands of the Town of Ulster, “from where the water does not come and for whom it was not intended.”  Niagara Bottling Company filed an incomplete Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) to the State, which was approved by both the Town of Ulster’s Planning Board and its Town Board. The Town of Ulster has shown Kingston and neighboring communities good reason to be concerned by their insistence to take the role of Lead Agency in the SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) process: as Lead Agency, they would assume the responsibility to determine whether this project has any potential environmental impact.  This poses a conflict, given the Town of Ulster’s clear interest in seeing this project move forward, regardless of the possible environmental risks.”
• NY NOW “Water Infrastructure Debate in the Hudson Valley” featuring KingstonCitizens.org.
  November 14, 2014  “Our InnovationTrail report takes us to Kingston NY where the city is considering selling water to a bottling co. to pay for infrastructure improvements. Some residents feel it’s a risky proposition.”  (starts at 16:05)
• Video: Kingston Water Board Meeting 11/12/14.
  Nov 13, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org Jennifer Schwartz Berky quizzes the Kingston Water Board on the wisdom of selling its municipal water supply to a private company.
• Action: Request Pos Dec Determination in SEQR for Niagara Bottling.
  November 8, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org asks the public to contact those listed below to alert them that the ACTION in the current Environment Assessment Form (EAF) for SEQR (drafted by Niagara/The Chazen Companies) is too narrow in scope and might jeopardize a positive declaration determination which would allow for a full Environmental Impact Statement  and further public Comment.
• ToU Supervisor on Fiscal Benefits/Impacts of Niagara Bottling. “Have we seen anything? No. Because they don’t exist yet.”
  November 7, 2014   “What confidence should the people be expected to have in a municipality wanting  ‘Lead Agency’ in SEQR, on a proposal that may have unprecedented regional consequences, without having any preliminary factual information at all?”
• Insightful Letter to the DEC from Town of Woodstock Supervisor Jeremy Wilber.
  November 1, 2014   Written by Town of Woodstock Supervisor Jeremy Wilber shares solid arguments as to why the DEC should be Lead Agency in SEQR for the proposed Niagara Water Bottling project.
• Support Kingston Common Council’s ‘Involved Agency’ Status in SEQR.
  October 30, 2014  “The Niagara Bottling Company’s proposal must be thoroughly evaluated for its environmental and economic impacts on our region. It is premature and irresponsible to agree to sell our water before due diligence is performed.”
• KingstonCitizens.org Announces New Citizen Committees to Focus on Proposed Niagara Bottling Water Sale in Kingston.
  October 27, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org proudly announces it’s new Citizen Committees to focus on the Proposed Niagara Bottling Water Sale in Kingston, NY.
• Kingston Water Board Commissioners Appointments and Terms
  October 27, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org acquires the appointment and terms of the current City of Kingston Water Board Commissioners Appointments.
• Corporation Council Andy Zweben “The City of Kingston is not an “Involved Agency”.
  October 25, 2014  Perhaps the most disappointing letter that I have seen in the past four weeks since beginning this work is one initiated by the City of Kingston’s Corporation Council Andrew Zweben – a public sector lawyer dated 10/24/14 -appears to be working against our Common Council’s memorializing resolution.
• DEC Declines Lead Agency Role. Request the SEQR Action expand its scope.
  October 24, 2014  Although the DEC declined to take Lead Agency of the SEQR for the proposed Niagara Bottling Company project, they do bring many important things to light in their letter. All of which can help us to ultimately assure a fair SEQR process which is our aim.

• In Solidarity.
  October 23, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org encourages the impacted communities to come together.
• Important Meeting / Important Vote: Kingston Common Council on November 4.
  October 23, 2014  Kingston Common Council set to vote on a memorializing resolution to support the DEC as Lead Agency of the SEQR process for Niagara and to request Kingston as an Involved Agency in SEQR.
• Kingston Water Department ‘Will Serve’ Letter Issued on September 15th, 2014.
  October 22, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org receives a copy of the City of Kingston’s water department ‘Will Serve’ letter to Niagara Bottling, confirming that their requests can be serviced by Kingston. This was all done prior to the Town of Ulster Planning Board was given their initial presentation by Niagara.
• 10/21/14 Planning Board Meeting Primer for the Town of Ulster Planning Board Meeting regarding Niagara Bottling Facility.
• City of Kingston: Water Supply Permit and Water Supply Applications of 1954 and 1929.
  Nov 24, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org FOILs DEC to get the City of Kingston’s most recent Water Supply permit.
• SEQR: Interested Vs. Involved Agencies.
  October 18, 2014  WTown of Ulster pressured by the public expands the list of ‘involved’ and ‘interested’ agencies in SEQR.
• What to Expect: Town of Ulster Meetings – Town Board and Planning Board.
  October 16, 2014  WKingstonCitizens.org prepares to question the Town of Ulster as Lead Agency of the Niagara Bottling proposal.
• Video: Kingston Conservation Advisory Council Meeting on October 14.
  October 15, 2014  We pack the house again with more people than the last time for a public Q/A session led by the CAC with CoK Water Superintendent Judith Hansen.
• Niagara Bottling Company Proposal.  Could Tax Abatement for 10 Years Impact Kingston City School District?
  October 12, 2014  We learning that through Start-Up NY, Niagara Bottling stood to gain 10’s of millions of dollars in grants and tax abatements.
• What to Expect: October 14th Meeting Hosted by the Kingston Conservation Advisory Council (CAC).
  October 11, 2014  After KingstonCitizens.org outreach to its CAC to take action, the council created a public Q/A session with Kingston Water Department Superintendent Judith Hanson on the proposal.
• VIDEO: Kingston Water Board Meeting on October 8.
  October 9, 2014  Following the council meeting, KingstonCitizens shows up to quiz the Water Board on their decision to support Niagara Bottling.  Town of Ulster Supervisor James Quigley is in attendance. The bottling facility was proposed to be in the Town of Ulster at Tech City.
• VIDEO: Public Comment from the October 7 Kingston Common Council Meeting.
  October 8, 2014  Hours of public comment at the first chance the public has to question the City of Kingston on its wisdom to sell it’s municipal water supply to a private corporation.
• Food and Water Watch Testifies at Kingston Common Council.
  October 8, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org packs City Hall with upwards to 300 members of the public as well as experts such as Food and Water Watch from New York City to support the citizens in their quest for information and answers.
• City of Kingston’s Water and SEQR.
  October 6, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org preps the public on the State Environmental Quality Review Act and Niagara Bottling.
• Kingston Cooper Lake “Safe Yield”. How’d They Come Up With That?
  October 4, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org comes to know that water is finite and the City of Kingston’s water department may have underestimated what it can – and cannot – offer based on its safe yield.
• “What to Expect: October 7th Common Council Meeting in Kingston”
  September 30, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org organizes the public to get in front of the common council during the public comment period at the very next council meeting (even though Niagara is not on the agenda).
• “Your Water Is At Play”.  KingstonCitizens.org first message to the public about the proposed Niagara Bottling project.
  September 22, 2014  KingstonCitizens.org broadcasts the Niagara Bottling proposal to the public.