The Town of Newburgh will enter Fiscal Year 2025 with a $61.3 million budget, staying $322,000 below the New York State-mandated tax cap. The spending plan, approved unanimously by the town board during a special meeting last month, takes effect Jan. 1.

Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio, joined by Councilmen Scott Manley and Anthony LoBiondo at the meeting, presented the budget and emphasized its focus on maintaining essential services without significantly raising tax rates. Councilman Paul Ruggiero was absent.

“As Town Supervisor and Chief Fiscal Officer, I am honored to present the Town of Newburgh’s 2025 budget,” Piaquadio said. “This $61.3 million budget reflects weeks of analysis, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering police protection, well-maintained roads, recreation opportunities, clean water, and more—all while staying under the tax cap.”

The combined General and Highway Fund tax rate of $15.64 per $1,000 of assessed value represents a 1.54% increase from last year’s $15.41. The budget supports 162 full-time employees and 101 part-time staff, including 49 full-time and 13 part-time police officers. Public safety remains a priority, as highlighted by the town’s Youth Officer program, which offers Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) to fifth graders in five schools and runs a Junior Police Academy each summer.

The highway department will retain 28 full-time employees. Recreation programs remain robust, with plans for 24 bus trips, summer camps, and special events. Meanwhile, construction continues on a 35,000-square-foot recreation center at Chadwick Lake Park, slated for completion in 2025.

“My philosophy, as well as the board’s, has always been to save for a rainy day and maintain a healthy fund balance,” Piaquadio said. He noted the town’s strong financial position, underscored by its Aa2 bond rating from Moody’s and a financial stress rating of zero from the New York State Comptroller’s Office—the best score possible.

In addition to the primary budget, the board approved a resolution for the 2025 budgets of the Highway and Special Improvements Districts. These budgets, which also take effect Jan. 1, include various adjustments across lighting, water, sewer, drainage, and highway improvement districts, as well as the Town of Newburgh Ambulance District.