Newburgh · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Newburgh public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 City Budget
The council was scheduled to discuss preparations for the 2027 city budget, which shapes next year's taxes, services, and staffing.
Council Meeting Schedule
Newburgh City Council has a work session Nov. 5 and a regular meeting Nov. 9, both in person at City Hall. It’s your chance to watch local decisions happen or show up and weigh in.
Property tax levy above the tax cap
Local Law No. B of 2026 would let the city levy property taxes above the state limit set by General Municipal Law Section 3-c. That directly affects homeowners' property tax bills.
Water Filtration Plant Filter and SCADA Improvements
The council was scheduled to consider a $7.77 million contract with Gallo Construction Corp. to upgrade filters and the SCADA control system at the city's water filtration plant. It's one of the largest infrastructure investments on the agenda and affects the reliability of the city's drinking water.
Tax Certiorari Consent Judgments on Downtown Properties
Eleven resolutions would settle tax refund lawsuits against the city on properties including several Broadway buildings, 296 Liberty Street and 189 Grand Street. These settlements can reduce the city's tax revenue.
Fire Captain examination scheduling
Five exams were on the calendar: Police Officer agility testing on November 7, plus Senior Clerk, Senior Account Clerk, Principal Account Clerk, and Code Enforcement Officer exams in November and December. These build the hiring pools for city jobs.
Halloween curfew for minors
A proposed curfew would keep kids 16 and under off city streets from 9 p.m. Halloween night through 6 a.m. Sunday. It's aimed at safety but raises questions for families with older teens at events.
Police technology contracts (Tasers and body cameras)
Three separate deals with Axon Enterprise were on the agenda: Tasers for five years, camera upgrades, and a five-year body camera renewal. Together they represent nearly $1 million in police technology spending.
Non-Bargaining Unit Salary and Benefit Plan
Resolution No. 43 would amend and restate the salary and benefits plan for non-union city employees, affecting pay for a slice of the municipal workforce.
DPW garage roof replacement
The DPW garage roof is so bad it rains inside the building — mechanics are working in puddles. Wade put $150K for design and $600K for construction in the budget, but says the real cost is closer to $1 million and it should be a capital/bond project.
DPW staffing shortfall since 2010
About 32 DPW positions were cut in 2010 and never restored — the department runs on roughly half its old workforce. Councilmembers Martinez and Stewart discussed adding permanent positions and raising temp pay from $18/hour, but Stewart stressed the city needs new revenue first.
2026 Citywide Paving Program
The council was scheduled to discuss the 2026 paving plan, which determines which city streets get repaved this year.
Fire department staffing and overtime
The fire department is at 54 of a desired 62 sworn firefighters and Chief Puller wants two more positions plus about $1 million in overtime so Engine 1 doesn't get browned out when someone calls in sick. Councilmembers praised the department's overtime discipline and pushed for higher base salaries so firefighters stop leaving for better-paying departments like Arlington.
1 Lafayette Project PILOT Agreement
A presentation on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes deal for the 1 Lafayette development. PILOTs affect how much property tax revenue the city collects from major projects.
Delano-Hitch Recreation Park grant application
The city was set to apply for a state KICKS grant of up to $150,000 to rehabilitate Delano-Hitch Recreation Park.
Bourne and Kenney PILOT agreement
A payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the Bourne and Kenney affordable housing development would set how much the project pays the city instead of full property taxes.
Emergency sewer repairs on Broad Street
A $485,000 transfer within the sewer fund would pay for emergency sewer repairs on Broad Street.
Water department staffing and rate stability
Veteran water staff with 87 combined years are retiring, and Vradenburgh wants long-overdue pay upgrades for positions untouched in 30 years. Big equipment purchases may go into a bond paid through facility fees instead of water rates, keeping user rates flat.
Recreation Department turnaround and 2027 programs
Overtime at the rec was $37,000 over budget by July but is now down 95.6% under new guardrails. The pool earned over $200,000 this summer, drawing visitors from surrounding towns. New 2027 asks include a maintenance mechanic, weekend fishing at Washington Lake and Browns Pond, and a trial return of ice skating at Delano Hitch.
PFOS and Catskill Aqueduct water reimbursement amendments
Amendments to two state DEC contracts that reimburse Newburgh for water purchased from the Catskill Aqueduct and for extra costs of providing alternative drinking water amid PFOS contamination.
Support staff for volunteer boards and council
Corporation Counsel said her office is the de facto administrator for several unstaffed boards — printing flyers, booking rooms, processing vouchers. Multiple council members asked to add an administrative support position in the 2027 budget to take that off the attorneys' plates.
Low pay in the Tax Collector's office
The tax collector's cashiers collect 90-95% of the city's revenue but sit at grade 4 — some earning under $50,000 after decades. Council members across the board said they want raises worked into the city manager's budget before November.
Police staffing, overtime and a traffic unit
The chief says five officer vacancies force heavy overtime (toward $1 million this year) and wants six new officers — three for a traffic unit — plus civilian FOIL and lobby clerks so sworn officers can get back on the street.
Broadway pedestrian and traffic signal improvements
The city is removing a stop sign on Broadway as part of the ongoing Broadway Pedestrian and Traffic Signal Improvement Project. The change follows from signal upgrades meant to make Broadway safer for people walking.
Ambulance service renewal
The council was to consider renewing Empress Ambulance's contract for emergency medical services from 2027 through 2029. This determines who answers 911 medical calls in the city.
Charter Review Commission
A local law would establish a Charter Review Commission, with a public hearing set for May 11, 2026 — potentially reshaping how city government is structured.
City Manager vacancy
The council was scheduled to discuss an anticipated vacancy in the City Manager's office — a top leadership post that affects how every city department is run.
West Trunk Sewer Rehabilitation Contract No. 3
Another sewer grant application — up to $4.4 million with a 25% match — to design and rebuild the West Trunk Sewer. Aging sewer infrastructure means expensive failures if it's not addressed.
South Interceptor Sewer Improvements
The council was scheduled to consider three state grant applications totaling up to more than $18 million for major sewer work — the South Interceptor Phase V and West Trunk Sewer Contract No. 3. These are core pieces of the city's long-term sewer control plan.
Lead Service Line Replacement Funding
The council was to consider backing a state bill that funds replacing lead water service lines. Support could help Newburgh compete for pipe-replacement dollars.
City Manager Search
With an interim city manager in place, the council discussed how to plan the transition of the city manager position.
2025 City Audit
The city's outside accounting firm was scheduled to present the 2025 audit — a look at how well the city managed its money last year.
Long Term Control Plan Sewer Contracts
Three ARCADIS contracts totaling about $2.18 million were slated for discussion — South Interceptor ($496,300), West Trunk Sewer ($712,900), and Liberty Street sewer separation ($974,900). These design contracts advance the city's multi-year effort to cut sewer overflows into the Hudson.
Bourne and Kenney Apartments (Pennrose)
Developer Pennrose was scheduled to present the Bourne and Kenney Apartments project, paired with a proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with the project's housing development fund company. The PILOT shapes how much the property contributes to city finances.
Delano-Hitch Recreation Park Rehabilitation
A change order on the pool mechanical contract would actually reduce the cost by about $7,900, bringing the contract to roughly $297,300. The aquatic center improvements continue a city recreation investment.
Flock Group Master Services Agreement
The council was to discuss a master services agreement with Flock Group Inc., the company behind automated license plate reader cameras — a public safety technology with privacy considerations.
Washington Lake Dam Engineering Assessment
The council was set to discuss a $25,000 engineering assessment of the Washington Lake Dam — the reservoir serving Newburgh's water supply. Knowing the dam's condition matters for water safety and future repair budgeting.
Kearney Realty PILOT and development agreements
The city considered amending its site development agreement with Kearney Realty & Development Group and a PILOT deal — a tax break in exchange for development. PILOTs shift who pays property taxes, so the terms matter to every taxpayer.
Gun Violence Elimination and Traffic Safety Grants
The council was asked to authorize applying for a $910,000 state GIVE grant to fund gun violence reduction work (city pays 25% of salaries) and a $49,000 traffic safety grant with no match.
Police Department Recruitment
The city is running Police Officer exams on May 9, including a Spanish-speaking track, at Newburgh Free Academy, plus an open house for candidates to meet officers. The exam date, locations, and a pending press release were confirmed.
Police Department 2025 update and new position
The Police Department was set to present its 2025 update, and a separate resolution would add one Public Safety Attendant position to the department.
City Charter review
The council opened a discussion on reviewing the City Charter — the document that defines how city government works. Any changes could reshape how the city is governed.
Clearview AI Facial Recognition Contract
The Council was scheduled to consider a $17,100 one-year contract for Clearview AI facial recognition software for the Police Department. Facial recognition raises questions about surveillance, accuracy, and privacy for residents.
Fair and Welcoming City Resolution
Resolution No. 46 would prohibit using city personnel and resources for civil immigration enforcement and reaffirm Newburgh as a fair and welcoming city. It directly affects how local government interacts with immigrant residents.
City finances and police overtime
The fourth-quarter report showed property tax collections at 104% of budget, but police overtime hit 77 points over target because of a manpower shortage. That's a budget pressure residents could feel in next year's spending plan.
Newburgh Landing Pier reconstruction
A $3.2 million federal community project funding agreement with Orange County would pay for rebuilding the Newburgh Landing Pier, a key waterfront amenity.
Liberty Street Sewer Separation Grant (LTCP Phase II)
The council was scheduled to consider applying for up to $7 million in state funding, with a 20% local match, for sewer separation work between Ann and Renwick Streets. This is part of the city's long-term plan to reduce combined sewer overflows.
Little Britain Road Bridge Replacement Grant Application
The council was scheduled to authorize a federal BUILD grant application of $6.19 million to replace the aging bridge carrying Little Britain Road over Quassaick Creek. The local match would come from state touring route funds, so the grant largely protects the city's own road budget.
North Street Sewer Separation Project Financing
A $7.15 million bond was proposed to separate combined sewers on North Street between Carpenter and Fullerton avenues — part of the city's long-term plan to cut sewer overflows into area waterways.