It’s that time again--The City of Newburgh has announced its and Regina Angelo’s annual search for the perfect blue space, 35-foot Christmas tree to display on Lower Broadway.  The chosen tree must meet Regina’s high standards for Newburgh’s Christmas Tree.  It can be seen by some of the ships going up and down the Good Old River, warming their cold winter night. 
For over 30 years, Regina and the City’s Department of Public Works has sought out, cut down, transported, and decorated the Christmas Tree that is set up in the center of the City, outside City Hall.  Trees from past years have originated from within the City limits as well as from other Hudson Valley communities including New Windsor, Town of Newburgh and Marlboro. 
Interested parties who are aware of a potential tree are encouraged to contact Social Events Coordinator Regina Angelo at (845) 565-5429 or Department of Public Works Superintendent George Garrison at (8545) 565-3297, who will do the leg work to check out the arboreal candidates.    
COVID- 19 has changed the way we celebrate the traditional tree lighting ceremony.  The large crowd of children and adults enjoying and singing along with a choir will not be there, neither will the cookies and hot chocolate.  Mr. and Mrs. Santa may be there.  Still, the special tree decorated and lit will be there, and we’ll be able to enjoy it, albeit vicariously, through a virtual ceremony livestreamed via the City’s social media outlets. 
Everyone is encouraged to stay home and celebrate in warmth and go to tag @CityofNewburgh on Facebook, or @CityofNewburghnygov on Instagram, lighting of the City of Newburgh Christmas Tree with the hashtag #NBNYvirtualtreelighting. 

For questions about the livestreaming ceremony, contact Eliana Diaz, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, at (845) 569-7301 or ediaz@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov.  
  
Happy birthday greetings to Ann Wagner Kuzmik who is celebrating her candles and cake day.  May this be a most happy birthday, despite lockdowns, dear Ann, and may the year ahead be all that you would hope it to be. 
 
  The City of Newburgh is ambitiously undertaking its second round of paving this year despite initial delays.  The Department of Public Works is on schedule to conclude a second major paving project by the first week of December.  
Over the course of the last week, DPW crews concluded milling Forsythe Place, Broad Street, Catherine Street, First Street, Second Street, Third Street, Nicoll Street and Campbell Street. Drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to approach these areas with caution.  
Due to the COVID-19 health care crisis and restrictions, the 2020 paving season was initially delayed and began in early July.  The City’s 2020-2024 comprehensive paving plan accounts for resurfacing of nearly 50 streets citywide, which include more than 25 miles of roads.   
Thus far, paving in 2020 has taken place on Grand Street (from Washington to Clinton), Liberty (from Broadway to South), and Colden (from Washington to Renwick). 
Although COVID-19 modified many day-to-day functions, our residents can rest assured that providing increased quality services while ensuring the safety of our employees is a top priority.  This is undoubtedly demonstrated in this second round of paving, which was originally part of the 2021 paving season per the 5-year paving plan that was unveiled earlier in 2020. 
The Department of Public Works oversees all elements of road resurfacing, and works in close collaboration with both the Water and Engineering Departments to ensure that multiple schedules for infrastructure maintenance align.  
The process starts with making sure the curb ramps at intersections are ADA compliant. Often times, considerable work is needed to meet compliance.  Once the pedestrian ramps are in finished, the City is able to mill the roads and remove the top layer of asphalt so that the surface can be prepped for the final stage of paving, which is often just as labor intensive as the ADA curb work.   
 
Thanksgiving Day Volunteers Needed!  This year due to COVID-19, Safe Harbors of the Hudson will be providing “To Go” Thanksgiving meals to their Cornerstone residents.  They need Volunteers to help with meal prep and distribution:  Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26: Meal Prep: 9:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Meal Distribution: 11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m.   
Please sign-up at volunteersignup.org/QYKT3.  They will then send an email with details about where to go and about COVID compliance.  Masks will be mandatory during the volunteer shift.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email jtraugot@safe-harbors.org.   
 
From the City:  In response to the recent “Yellow Zone” designation by the State of New York, the City of Newburgh urges all residents and businesses to double down on efforts to keep the community healthy and safe.  What does it mean to be designated a “Yellow Zone?” 
A “Yellow Zone” area either is put in place as a broader buffer area to ensure a COVID outbreak is not spreading into the broader community (“Yellow Buffer Zone”) OR is implemented independently based on the below metrics (“Yellow Precautionary Zone”).  The purpose of a Yellow Buffer Zone is to 1) restrict some activity to help prevent further spread from Red and/or Orange Warning Zone area; 2) provide a larger defined geographic area where metrics can be monitored daily to ensure COVID is not spreading beyond the Red Zone or Orange Warning Zone.  
How does our status as a “Yellow Zone” affect me, my family, or my business?  Once the geographic focus area has been formed, including buffer areas where necessary, the state will implement appropriate restrictions, which are listed below to limit spread of the virus. In addition, all zone areas will be subject to:: 
Activity Restrictions:  Houses of Worship: Capacity is immediately reduced to 50% until further notice.  Non-Residential gatherings: Maximum attendance is reduced to 25 individuals regardless if their location be outdoors or indoors.   
Residential gathering: Maximum attendance is reduced to 10 individuals regardless if their location be outdoors or indoors.   
Local Businesses: Remain open and must continue to adhere to already adopted CDC guidelines and sanitary practices. 
Dining: Indoor & outdoor dining is reduced to only accommodate a four (4) person maximum per table and must continue to adhere to already adopted CDC guidelines and sanitary practices. 
Over the last several weeks, the City of Newburgh and the surrounding region has seen significant upticks in cases, and the advisory being issued today is meant to safeguard against increased exposure. 
Residents are encouraged to avoid non-essential functions including out-of-state travel and remain in compliance with applicable guidelines related to the pandemic.
Over the past weekend, the overwhelming majority of the City of Newburgh remained in compliance with Executive Order 202.74, limiting hours of operation for bars, restaurants and other establishments.  As such, the City encourages all residents to limit activities between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. to whatever extent they can. It would be prudent to limit all travel to essential functions and practice social distancing and wearing a mask when doing so.  
The COVID Response team in the City of Newburgh will continue to enforce regulations and work with the community to both increase outreach and educational efforts 
The public is encouraged to remain aware of the steps each of us can take to reduce transmission of COVID-19.  Health organizations are working around the clock to ensure people can get assistance for medical and mental health needs. Find information on our Health Resources webpage, including increased testing locations and services in the City of Newburgh website. 
Support Local Businesses:  Our local businesses are adapting to rules to encourage social distancing and minimize the spread of COVID-19.  We urge the community to continue to support them in this time of need.  A list of local businesses and their operations is maintained on the City’s website.  
Food Security:  Food pantries, phone hotlines, and occasional bulk food events are operating in our community. Please share this information with people who are in need.  We maintain a list of these resources and it is updated frequently. 
Nonprofits & Community Advocacy:  Social services organizations are serving our community’s most vulnerable residents.  Find a list of social services organizations and nonprofits in Newburgh on our website 
We are seeing the results of Love versus Hate, which has been dividing families and friends, and helping or hurting strangers.  Please be mindful that sowers of hate, reaper a terrible harvest.  If you have cut people off because of differences, use the spirit of Thanksgiving to try to heal the wounds. 
As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.