At the conclusion of the Town of Newburgh’s annual reorganization meeting January 14, Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio shared the town’s list of accomplishments from 2018.

In addition to concluding the year with a 2019 budget that abides by the state’s 2% property tax cap, and maintaining a Moody AA-2 rating, the town was able to acquire several grants for town projects. Three grant writers were hired this past year, and as a result the town qualified for several grants, including a grant covering the installation of a new water main at Colden Park for $25,000.

The town also negotiated with the New York City Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to receive $1.8 million dollars towards improvements at Chadwick Lake’s filter plant. The board approved the purchase of property around Chadwick Lake to help continue to protect the town watershed.

When a tornado hit the town in May, causing the deaths of two Newburgh residents, the highway department, police department, and volunteer ambulance core and firefighters helped get the majority of the power back on and roads reopened within three days. This with the help of the National Guard, the Governor’s office, and New York State Office of Transportation.

The town police department added six new officers to the force this past year, promoting several officers, as well as adding a bomb-detection canine unit. Also, accident reports can now be found and requested on the town of Newburgh’s online home page, at the cost of five dollars.

Additional improvements included the passage of a sign law regulating the use of signage in the town, specifically on utility poles.

“Making our town look a little bit better, like it should,” commented Piaquadio.

Finally, Piaquadio added that the Rockefeller Christmas tree this year had come from the town of Newburgh.

“The town board will continue to strive to improve the quality of life for our residents, and to provide the necessary services while keeping our tax increases to a minimum,” concluded Piaquadio.

“I want to thank all of our employees, because with them we’re kind of overseers and advisors looking to protect our residents. But without them in the trenches every single day, we would be a lacking town. So I thank all of the employees,” said councilwoman Betty Greene.

Specifically, councilman Paul Ruggiero thanked a town resident for donating a new washing machine to the town’s animal shelter. The town Animal Control department entirely operates off of donations made by town residents.

Improvements for 2019 include digitizing the Freedom of Information Law process, currently fulfilled manually with paper documents, which would greatly expediate the process. In the next few months the town will work to begin accepting credit cards, and hopefully get a grant to scan all of the documents kept in the offices, which include birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates that go as far back as 1880.

The town is also looking to fill an opening on the Ethics Board and for the position of Town Historian in the near future.

“These accomplishments weren’t just me,” stated Piaquadio. “It has to do with all town employees, because of their talent and dedication.”

Also at the town of Newburgh’s Jan 14 meeting, the town board presented sergeant Theodore Brucato, officers Julia Haight and Connor Stenglein, and EMTs Brian Pilus and Eric Chatfield with Life Saving Awards.

These officers and EMTs were first responders to a call on November 1, 2018 at a hotel off of 9W. A newborn baby was found abandoned in a hotel room toilet, not breathing. The first responders were able to provide first aid and get the infant breathing, which was then transported to St. Luke’s Hospital. The baby is reportedly doing well.

Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio presented the officers and EMTs who were present with the awards, commenting, “When you save an infant on the first day of his life, you saved an entire lifetime, and I cannot thank you enough.”