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Port Jervis council votes to terminate $1 million USDA urban forestry grant over reimbursement uncertainty
Summary
After debate about financial risk and the need for a local tree‑management plan, the Port Jervis Common Council voted to terminate participation in a $1,000,000 USDA sustainable forestry subaward, citing uncertainty over future reimbursements and the grant program's status.
Port Jervis — The Common Council voted to terminate the city’s subaward under a $1,000,000 USDA sustainable forestry grant following council concern that the city could be left holding unreimbursed costs.
Corporation counsel outlined the resolution and noted the award date and program name, saying the city could exercise its right to terminate the subaward and discontinue participation “at this time.” Council members pressed city staff on whether terminating would trigger penalties; staff said the city “will not be penalized should we decide to turn back that grant” but that reimbursement practices remained uncertain.
Councilman Siegel argued for continuing some work, citing tree loss in the city: “The way I see it is that we’ve already lost one species of tree, ash,” and said a management plan would be important. Other council members emphasized the financial risk of fronting funds without firm reimbursement guarantees. Councilman Jason Vicarello moved to pass the termination resolution; the motion was seconded and carried.
Council members said the vote does not foreclose pursuing other grant opportunities. City staff referenced alternative state funding sources and said that, if the council later chooses to reapply, staff would shift to developing an RFP and public outreach for the program’s work. Corporation counsel confirmed final documents and any resulting contracts would be subject to legal review.
The council adopted the resolution to terminate the USDA subaward and discontinue participation in the urban forestry program; the motion passed without a recorded roll‑call tally in the transcript. The council discussed next steps for tree management and said they would pursue other state grant options rather than expose the city to uncertain reimbursement liability.
