A law that Newburgh Town officials hope will generate a half million dollars annual in sales tax revenue, was approved by the Newburgh Town Council on Monday night.

At that meeting, the board voted 4-0 to enact a five-percent sales tax on hotel, motel and B&B occupancy. (Councilman Paul Ruggiero, who was absent, did not cast a vote but sent in a letter to support the measure).

“Hotels are full again,” said Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio who said the town had been seeking this law for more than a decade, but needed state approval.

He said the law was first proposed by the late Councilman George C. Woolsey in 2007. He said the town tried again in 2010, 2015 and 2017 before it was signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2020.

As of January 1 of this year, municipalities in Orange County now have the ability to impose an additional five percent, thanks to bills introduced by State Senator James Skoufis (D-Woodbury) and Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh). The Towns of Wallkill and Woodbury have already followed suit, while Orange County is allowed to impose a five percent occupancy tax of its own. The combined state, county and local municipal tax will total 18.125 for travelers spending a night in the Town of Newburgh.

Monday night’s meeting was attended by several members of the Woolsey family, as Piaquadio and the council presented roses to Marie Woolsey, widow of the late councilman.

The Town Board also approved an emergency measure to help local restaurants, by extending the provision to allow outdoor seating through the remainder of the year.

“The Town previously authorized outdoor dining for establishments that had seating outdoors under emergency regulations,” Town Attorney Mark Taylor explained at a public hearing lst month. “This local law will extend only to those establishments for this calendar year.”