Newburgh Town Board adopts water and sewer rate local law, approves $1.18M audit and multiple year‑end transfers

The Town of Newburgh Town Board on Dec. 8 approved a local law that sets water and sewer rates effective Jan. 1, 2026, accepted the town’s annual audit and made multiple year‑end fiscal adjustments.

Town Attorney Mark C. Taylor presented the proposed Local Law amending Chapter 104 (Schedule of Fees) to establish meter rates for the Consolidated Water District and Colden Park Water District, excluding sales to the Town of New Windsor and the New York State Thruway Authority. The board opened a public hearing, heard no public comment, closed the hearing and voted 5–0 to adopt Local Law No. 6 of 2025.

The board voted unanimously to accept the annual audit in the amount of $1,181,967.61 after Town Accountant Ronald E. Clum presented the report. Clum also asked the board to approve year‑end budget transfers totaling $191,000 to rebalance account lines before the close of the fiscal year; the transfers were approved 5–0.

Other fiscal and procurement actions approved include: - Approval of a cash transfer to correct negative year‑end balances in small drainage funds (transfers between Amberfields, Chester Court and Mountain Lakes/Blue Sky drainage districts), approved 5–0. - A $20,000 recreation department budget transfer from Youth/Adult personal services to facility utilities, approved 5–0. - Authorization to use account 5144 to pay Newburgh Veterinary Hospital a total of $1,947.25 for animal control veterinary services (vote 5–0). The meeting record lists line items inconsistently; the total approved was $1,947.25 (see clarifying details). - Approval of Change Order #28 for the Newburgh Recreation Center to furnish and wire four additional curtain motors, $40,527.00, approved 5–0. - Filter Plant end‑of‑year rebalancing reallocating $87,000 across chemicals, repairs, telephone, sludge hauling and consultants, approved 5–0. - Hiring of Daniel C. Byam as Court Clerk, contingent on paperwork, required tests and fingerprinting, at a rate of $25.5095 per hour, approved 5–0.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting minutes): - Local Law No. 6 (2025) — motion by Councilman Scott Manley; second by Councilman Paul R. Ruggiero; vote 5–0 — outcome: adopted. - Audit approval ($1,181,967.61) — motion by Councilman James Politi; second by Councilman Paul R. Ruggiero; vote 5–0 — outcome: approved. - Year‑end budget transfers ($191,000 total reallocations) — motion by Councilman Scott Manley; second by Councilman James Politi; vote 5–0 — outcome: approved. - Cash transfer due to/due from for drainage districts — motion by Councilman Scott Manley; second by Councilman Anthony R. LoBiondo; vote 5–0 — outcome: approved. - Recreation budget transfer ($20,000) — motion by Councilman Paul R. Ruggiero; second by Councilman James Politi; vote 5–0 — outcome: approved. - Animal control veterinary payment (total $1,947.25) — motion by Councilman Paul R. Ruggiero; second by Councilman James Politi; vote 5–0 — outcome: approved. - Rec Center Change Order #28 ($40,527) — motion by Councilman Anthony R. LoBiondo; second by Councilman Scott Manley; vote 5–0 — outcome: approved. - Filter Plant account reallocations ($87,000) — motion by Councilman Scott Manley; second by Councilman Paul R. Ruggiero; vote 5–0 — outcome: approved. - Hiring of Court Clerk Daniel C. Byam — motion by Councilman Anthony R. LoBiondo; vote 5–0 — outcome: approved (contingent on onboarding steps).

Why it matters: The local law sets the town’s water and sewer meter rates for 2026 and the suite of transfers and approvals rebalance the town’s fiscal accounts before year end, authorize a small capital change to the new recreation center and finalize routine personnel and vendor payments.

What’s next: The new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The recreation center ribbon cutting is scheduled for Dec. 12, and by statute or local policy the adopted local law will be filed and made available in town records.