Town of Newburgh approves $26.25 million contract and issues notice to proceed for flow-equalization basin

The Town of Newburgh council voted March 25 to approve an owner–contractor agreement with Reynolds Construction LLC for a new flow equalization (EQ) basin and to give the company a notice to proceed, starting a 730‑day construction schedule. Engineer Drew Blame told the council Reynolds had provided required bonds and insurance and recommended execution of the agreement. "Engineer recommends town execute the owner contractor agreement," he said during the meeting.

Council took two linked actions: it approved the contract amount (stated in the meeting as $26,252,000) and then approved a separate motion to issue the notice to proceed dated March 25, 2026. The engineer noted the 730‑day schedule that will govern completion and mobilization once the notice is issued.

The vote was taken by voice; the meeting minutes record the motions as carried. The contract award follows the town's procurement and bonding review and will move the project into the construction phase. The engineer indicated all pre-contract requirements (bonds and insurance) had been satisfied by Reynolds Construction LLC.

Town staff did not provide an itemized project budget or a financing breakdown during the meeting. Council members did not ask for additional contingencies or separate funding sources on the record at the time of the vote.

Next steps: with the notice to proceed issued, the town and contractor will begin pre-construction activities and mobilization under the 730‑day schedule. The council did not set a public milestone schedule at the meeting; staff and the engineer are the point people for future construction updates.