Tensions rise in Plattekill | Southern Ulster Times

Michael Lembo served on the Town of Plattekill Planning Board for 10 years.

2026 New York General Election

Lembo described himself as an old-school Democrat with conservative values and said he also wanted progress. He said: “I’d like to encourage more businesses to come into the town. It’ll broaden our tax base. Since I graduated from high school in 1975, what new businesses have we had? Dunkin’ Donuts, two Dollar Generals, Stewart’s, Hannaford, a body shop and a lawn mower repair shop. It’s almost 50 years and a lot hasn’t happened.” This statement was made during Lembo's 2023 supervisor campaign.

Lembo running for Plattekill supervisor

Lembo said the planning process had become too cumbersome for businesses seeking to open in town, adding that other towns work faster. He said: “We need to streamline the process to make it simpler for the applicant so it’s not a long, drawn-out process.” This statement was made during Lembo's 2023 supervisor campaign.

Lembo pointed to the hamlet of Pine Bush as a possible business model for Plattekill. “When I was on the wrestling team in high school, we used to go to Pine Bush and there was nothing,” Lembo said. “Now they have everything you could want. They still have agriculture, which I feel we could continue to do, too.” This statement was made during Lembo's 2023 supervisor campaign.

Wants to attract more businesses to Plattekill to broaden the town's tax base.

Calls for simplifying the planning process for business applicants.

Supports continuing agriculture while pursuing business growth in Plattekill.

- Wants to attract more businesses to Plattekill to broaden the town's tax base.
- Calls for simplifying the planning process for business applicants.
- Supports continuing agriculture while pursuing business growth in Plattekill.

Economy

Lembo said park improvements were expected to receive attention during the coming year. “I’d like to…explore some different options, possibly a splash pad and fencing around the playground area, maybe get some shade sails to put over the playground because there aren’t any trees,” he said.

Election 2026: Plattekill supervisor running for reelection against Highway Department employee

Lembo said park improvements were expected to receive attention during the coming year. After discussing possible playground improvements, he added: “I’d like to see if we can put some crushed stone on the walking trails in Felten Park where in different times of the year it’s muddy.”

Plans to explore a splash pad, playground fencing, and shade sails at the town park.

Wants to add crushed stone to muddy sections of Felten Park walking trails.

- Plans to explore a splash pad, playground fencing, and shade sails at the town park.
- Wants to add crushed stone to muddy sections of Felten Park walking trails.

Public Services

As of October 22, 2026, Michael Lembo did not have a website or any information online.

Housing & Urban Development

Formed a committee with three fire districts that established a townwide ambulance district with a 24/7 emergency response team.

Lembo described accomplishments from his first 10 months in office: “I set up a committee with the three fire districts to guide us as we formed a townwide ambulance district. That ambulance district was made official on Aug. 26 this year, giving Plattekill a 24/7 dedicated emergency response team.”

Public Safety

Secured a $1.6 million bond for the Old East Road culvert-pipe project.

Lembo said accomplishments during the past 10 months would be important during the coming year. “I secured a bond for the Old East Road culvert pipe project, which was $1.6 million,” he said.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Lembo said he feels landfills have outlived their usefulness anyway. “We should be concentrating more on recycling,” he said. “We should get rid of these landfills. They’re just polluting the ground. I feel Ulster County is going in the wrong direction looking to put a landfill someplace. There isn’t any community that wants a dump in their backyard. They need to get away from that old way of thinking.” This statement was made during Lembo's 2023 supervisor campaign. A targeted search found no newer contrary or superseding statement.

The article reports that Lembo was adamantly opposed to a proposed county landfill at two Plattekill sites. He said: “I’ve dealt with it because the Resource Recovery Agency 35 years ago wanted to locate one on my property and I had to fight it,” Lembo said. “When I heard they wanted to have one located here again, I started a petition opposing it.” This statement was made during Lembo's 2023 supervisor campaign. A targeted search found no newer contrary or superseding statement.

Opposes locating a landfill in Ulster County and advocates replacing landfills with more recycling.

- Opposes locating a landfill in Ulster County and advocates replacing landfills with more recycling.

Energy & the Environment

Michael Lembo

Formed a committee to examine transfer-station practices as the town seeks to address financial losses.

As of October 22, 2026, Michael Lembo’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Lembo said he wants to find ways to control costs and improve efficiency at the transfer station. “I put a committee together to research what other transfer stations are doing,” he said. “We’ve been losing money, so I want to see what we’re doing, not the way everybody else is.”