Council approves cleanup and roof replacements at Old Lock and Dam Park buildings

The Town of Newburgh council on July 9 approved cleanup and roof-replacement work at the Old Lock and Dam Park to address moisture and storm-related wear.

Council approved a quote from Servpro for $6,352.57 to remediate remaining basement moisture and prep the control building following flooding; staff said the work should reduce long-term moisture issues and prevent damage to the facility’s interior. Town staff noted FEMA reimbursement is possible but not assured; officials said they were “not counting on it” for budgeting purposes.

Separately, council approved replacement of the cedar roofs on the small red brick house and the nearby gazebo at a combined quoted cost of $15,977. Staff explained the red brick house roofing is cedar-shake material and that limited local contractors perform cedar-shake work, and that the gazebo roof appeared to be the original and decades old. A councilor questioned whether insurance claims might cover the work; staff said no pending insurance claim had been filed for the park roofs and the town’s deductible is $10,000.

Council members emphasized preserving the historic character of the buildings. The town’s historic administrator indicated the roof work would be “like for like” (cedar to cedar), which would not require a separate Historic Preservation Commission approval before the council vote. The motions to approve the cleaning and to proceed with the roof replacements both carried by voice vote.

Council directed staff to identify the fund source for the roof work during midyear budget review; staff said they were reviewing midyear expenses and would assign the cost to an appropriate fund.