Newburgh · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Newburgh public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Fire Department Security Upgrades
The Fire Headquarters and Engine 3 at 492 Broadway would get updated cameras and a new entry system under an agreement with CDR Electronics Co., Inc.
Mayor and Council Salary Increase
A public hearing was scheduled for November 9, 2026 on a local law amending City Charter Section C4.00 to increase the annual salaries of the Mayor and Council Members.
Community Cleanup Initiative
Newburgh is cleaning up West Parmenter Street on October 30. If you live or work nearby, expect a fresher block—and possibly some temporary disruption while crews work.
Brown's Pond Water Withdrawal Alternatives Analysis
The council was scheduled to consider contracts for water quality testing ($12,824) and algae treatment ($3,691 per treatment) at Browns Pond. This relates to the city's drinking water source protection.
cierre de servicios municipales por el Día de las Elecciones
Newburgh City Hall is closed Tuesday, Nov. 3, for Election Day, and only emergency services will be running. If your trash pickup normally falls that day, check the schedule—it may shift. Plan any city business for another day.
Newburgh Colored Burial Ground Memorial Project SEQRA Review
The council was asked to designate itself lead agency for environmental review of a memorial at the historic Newburgh Colored Burial Ground. This is a first step in honoring a significant piece of the city's Black history.
Newburgh Colored Burial Ground Memorial
The council was asked to designate itself lead agency for environmental review of a memorial at the historic Newburgh Colored Burial Ground. This is a first step in honoring a significant piece of the city's Black history.
Lutheran Street Fire Flow Analysis
A $7,500 Arcadis study would check whether water pipes on Lutheran Street can deliver enough flow for firefighting.
NECSD desk audits
An update on desk audits of Newburgh Enlarged City School District positions, carried forward as old business with email correspondence.
June 2026 personnel report
K. Thomas asked the commission for reinstatement to an eligible list, which would restore the ability to be considered for appointment from that list.
Upcoming Civil Service Examinations
The commission certified hiring lists for positions including fire captain, police sergeant, and several clerk roles, and set dates for upcoming exams. These lists determine who can be hired into city jobs over the next two years.
City Comptroller Recruitment
The city plans to spend up to $28,000 on a consulting firm to recruit its next City Comptroller, the city's top financial officer.
Standardized garbage cans
A longtime council legislative priority: uniform 95-gallon carts with attached lids for every home, like Poughkeepsie and Kingston did. DPW supports it — fewer lids filling with water, less litter — but it's a budget item likely tied into a future bond.
Jobs for local young men and the formerly incarcerated
Councilmembers Shakur and Harvey pushed on DPW hiring: the street sweeper program employs formerly incarcerated residents, and Shakur said three young men were wrongly denied sanitation jobs over licenses. Wade confirmed sanitation only requires a Class D driver's license and 80 people applied for the latest labor posting.
Rental registry trust fund sits untouched at $328K
Councilmember Monteverde flagged a rental registry trust fund with $328,000 sitting unused for years — money collected from rental licenses that was supposed to fund code staff. She asked that it be tapped to avoid hitting the general fund.
Firehouse building repairs
The Grand Street firehouse hasn't been painted or recarpeted in about 20 years and the garage doors are so old that parts aren't available anymore. The chief wants to start a repair and upgrade program, while Engine 3's 1866 Broadway firehouse is also aging.
Fire Department vehicle grant
The city could accept an $85,000 state grant — at no cost to local taxpayers — to buy a new fire vehicle with emergency equipment.
License plate reader contract with Flock Group
A proposed resolution addresses the city's use of fixed automated license plate readers and a contract with Flock Group, Inc. — a policing tool that raises privacy questions for drivers.
Senior program funding questions
Councilmember Zorrilla noticed the senior travel line drops from about $21,000 spent in 2025 to nothing requested for 2027. Councilmember McLymore also pressed not to cut seniors. Staff agreed to review the line.
Aging water valves and main break risk
Many large valves date to the late 1800s — one broke during the Ellis Avenue main break that shut off half the city. The 2027 budget starts a proactive insertion-valve replacement program, about one per year.
Public Art Installation at 86 Broadway
DMU Music, Inc. was slated to get a license to access City-owned property at 80 Broadway to support a public art installation at 86 Broadway, adding to the city's cultural landscape.
ARC public outreach and web presence
The Architectural Review Commission wants business cards and a website so historic-district property owners can find guidelines and access state historic tax credits. Council members floated a shared site for all land-use boards to keep costs down and avoid splintering information.
Conservation Advisory Council tree program
The CAC is asking for about $32,500, mostly for planting 15-25 trees a year focused on 'heat island' neighborhoods that lack shade. The city also wants an updated tree survey to clarify which trees are the city's responsibility versus a homeowner's.
Brownfield Opportunity Area master plan
The BOA study moves to a master plan phase expected to span two budget years, with $125,000 budgeted if grants don't come through — the first of a new neighborhood-scale planning approach that could eventually lead to zoning changes.
Dutch Reformed Church stabilization
The city has no pathway forward to stabilize the crumbling Dutch Reformed Church, and a preservation group wants a new agreement to do work with its own funding. The mayor recalled the failed 2017 Olympic project as the last serious attempt.
Rising sludge disposal costs
Getting rid of wastewater sludge now costs $1.5 million a year and could nearly double if New York bans land application of sludge. A newly awarded state biosolids study grant is the first step toward cutting costs and odors.
NECSD Senior Data Processing Clerk title classification
The school district asked the commission to adopt and classify a new Senior Data Processing Clerk title, which affects how that position is filled and paid under civil service rules.
Sale of 252 Liberty Street
The city was set to consider selling the city-owned property at 252 Liberty Street to Wesley Laidlaw for $180,000 in a private sale, returning it to the tax rolls.
Johnston Street one-way designation
An ordinance would make S. Johnston Street between Ann Street and Broadway one-way northbound, extending the current one-way section. Drivers and neighbors on those blocks would feel the change day to day.
FY2025 CDBG performance report public hearing
A public hearing was scheduled for August 10 on the city's federal block grant annual report, with 15 days for residents to comment on how CDBG funds were used.
183 Prospect Street tax foreclosure settlement
A settlement of 2022 tax-lien foreclosure litigation for the property at 1 Grand Street was on the agenda.
Delano-Hitch Recreation Park Rehabilitation Grant
The city was set to apply for a state KICKS grant of up to $150,000 to rehabilitate Delano-Hitch Recreation Park.
NYCLU FLOCK/ALPR Presentation
The NYCLU was scheduled to present on FLOCK automated license plate readers. These cameras raise privacy questions about how long location data is kept and who can access it.
17 Johnston Street Redevelopment Agreement
A third addendum to the site development agreement with The Newburgh Ministry was proposed for the transfer and redevelopment of the 17 Johnston Street property.
Purchasing Agent eligible list
The Commission was asked to declare the Purchasing Agent eligible list appropriate for use, which lets the city start hiring from it.
Upcoming civil service examinations for police and city positions
Civil service exams are coming up: school office manager and labor supervisor tests on April 18, and police officer exams — including a Spanish-speaking version — on May 9. These feed future hiring lists for city jobs.
Sale of 60 Hasbrouck Street
The city was scheduled to consider selling a property at 60 Hasbrouck Street to Ramon Garcia for $50,000 in a private sale.
Firefighter Training and Grant
The council was scheduled to take up the FY2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant and an MOU with state homeland security for municipal firefighter training.
Payment of claims
Three claim payments totaling about $164,000 were scheduled for a vote, including a $150,000 settlement to Rajohine Johnson.
Flock License-Plate-Reader Program
An update on the city's Flock license plate reader cameras — a surveillance technology with public-safety benefits and privacy considerations.
Assistant Fire Chief exam scheduled for February 7, 2026
All four Assistant Fire Chief candidates passed and the eligibility list was set for four years. Police Sergeant and Fire Captain exams are scheduled for June, and the May 9 police officer exam was reported successful.
Tree Trimmer job description amendment (City of Newburgh)
The city's Tree Trimmer job spec was revised: two years of experience now required (up from one), a Class B CDL stays mandatory, and vague 'encouraged' certifications were removed because they couldn't be enforced as minimum qualifications. This shapes who can be hired to the position.
Human Resources Generalist job description amendment (NECSD)
The Newburgh Enlarged City School District asked to add a promotional component to the HR Generalist job description — requiring two years of permanent district status in principal titles — which would limit the candidate pool to internal district employees for advancement.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Administration Building Rehabilitation
Three change orders with contractors Barone, E-J Electric, and DJ Heating & Air Conditioning were proposed for the wastewater plant admin building rehab project. Change orders adjust the cost and scope of ongoing work at a key city facility.
NYS EFC SECURE Cybersecurity Grant
The council was to consider applying for a $50,000 state grant to strengthen cybersecurity for city utilities — with no city match required.
Orange County Sales Tax Revenue Correction
The Comptroller was scheduled to brief the council on a correction to how Orange County distributes sales tax revenue — a issue that can affect city budgets.
Broadway Traffic Signal Upgrades and Courthouse Fire Alarms
Items on Broadway infrastructure: fire alarm repairs at the Broadway Courthouse ($5,158.16), a change order on the Broadway pedestrian and traffic signals project, and two NYSDOT supplemental agreements for traffic signal upgrades on PINs 8758.75 and 8005.26.
Pending city litigation
The council met behind closed doors to discuss proposed, pending, or current litigation involving the city. Residents won't know the subject or outcome unless the council announces it later in open session.