Newburgh council reallocates bond funds, approves Plum Street CCMG application

The Town of Newburgh Town Council on Oct. 14 approved a revised breakdown of bond-funded capital projects and authorized staff to apply for the 2025 CCMG grant for the Plum Street project, a multi-utility drainage and road reconstruction effort that officials say requires additional town funding.

Deputy Town Manager Andrea Baboni told the council staff had analyzed the town’s $4,084,142 original bond balance, the projects already allocated (about $3,000,500), and soft costs (approximately $740,000), and concluded the town would face a shortfall unless it reallocated funds. "We're roughly gonna need about an additional $700,000 to make that project work," Baboni said, referring to Plum Street.

The council’s action follows staff presentations of three reallocation options intended to keep Plum Street as the next CCMG project while limiting the town’s contingency shortfall. Town Engineer Drew Blaney described the Plum Street scope as complex because "every single utility in that corridor has to relocate" and said the project ties to safety and chronic flooding that has affected properties in the area.

Why it matters: the town learned its CCMG award level changed from $1.5 million in prior cycles to $1.0 million for this round, increasing the local match required for projects previously scoped under an expectation of higher grant funding. Council members and staff said that change, and a delay in an easement needed to finalize Plum Street design, are the primary drivers behind the reconfiguration of projects.

What the council approved: by roll call the council adopted a…