Newburgh Town Board approves $1.215M audit, recreation purchases, hires and $85,000 budget transfer

The Town of Newburgh Board on Sept. 8 approved a series of routine financial and personnel measures, including formal acceptance of the town audit, purchases for the new Recreation Center and a budget transfer to cover shortfalls at Chadwick Lake.

The board voted 4–0, with Councilman Anthony R. LoBiondo absent, to accept the independent audit in the total amount of $1,215,405.39 after a motion from Councilman Paul Ruggiero. Councilman Ruggiero later moved approval of the August 2025 Status Report and Budget Status Report, which the board also approved.

The board approved several Recreation Department expenditures and personnel actions. Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Jim Presutti requested purchase of office furniture for the new Recreation Center; the board authorized the purchase and installation in the total amount of $134,775.63. The board also approved a copier purchase for the department in the amount of $12,290.00 and appointed Joseph Finch, a current part-time recreation laborer, to a full-time Recreation Aide position effective on or after Sept. 15, 2025 at a rate of $21.4208 per hour under the CSEA contract (motion by Councilman Ruggiero; passed 4–0).

Animal Control payments were authorized from the town’s 5144 account: $1,947.61 to Newburgh Veterinary Hospital (itemized in the minutes as $772.13 for canine services and $1,175.48 for feline services) and $50.95 to Flannery Animal Hospital. Both payments were approved on recorded motions.

The board approved three change orders for the Newburgh Recreation Center presented by town engineer representative Patrick J. Hines: Change Order No. 18 (mezzanine steel opening) for $2,190.00; Change Order No. 19 (Type D pendent fixtures) for $11,470.00; and Change Order No. 20 (interior paint color change) for $1,344.00. All three motions carried 4–0.

To cover shortfalls in Chadwick Lake accounts, the board approved a budget transfer totaling $85,000. The transfer moves funds from several accounts into Chadwick Lake accounts for sludge hauling and chemicals as detailed in the meeting record; the motion was made by Councilman Scott M. Manley and approved 4–0.

The board also authorized release of remaining landscape maintenance security in the amount of $3,938.00 for the HCS Balmville Dollar General (PB Project #20-04), based on the town engineer’s representation that the two‑year warranty period had lapsed and no landscaping issues had been observed.

Votes at a glance: - Audit approval: $1,215,405.39 (mover: Councilman Paul Ruggiero; second: Councilman James Politi). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - Authorization to interview candidates for full- and part-time dispatcher positions (mover: Councilman Scott M. Manley; second: Councilman Paul Ruggiero). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - Recreation Center furniture: $134,775.63 (mover: Councilman James Politi). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - Recreation copier: $12,290.00 (mover: Councilman Scott M. Manley). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - Appointment of Joseph Finch as full-time Recreation Aide at $21.4208/hr starting on or after Sept. 15, 2025 (mover: Councilman Paul Ruggiero). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - Newburgh Veterinary Hospital invoice: $1,947.61 (mover: Councilman Paul Ruggiero). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - Flannery Animal Hospital invoice: $50.95 (mover: Councilman Scott M. Manley). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - Change Orders 18–20 for Recreation Center (movers: Manley/Ruggiero/Politi as recorded). Outcome: all approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - Budget transfer: $85,000 to cover Chadwick Lake shortfalls (mover: Councilman Scott M. Manley). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent. - HCS Balmville Dollar General landscape security release: $3,938.00 (mover: Councilman Paul Ruggiero). Outcome: approved, 4–0, 1 absent.

The minutes record that the board reserved public comments to be added by addendum, and that the board entered executive session to discuss creating a sick bank for an employee; no action was taken in executive session. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Clarifying details: all dollar amounts and the Recreation Aide hourly rate are taken verbatim from the meeting record; the Recreation Aide start date is stated as "on or after September 15, 2025." The landscape security release references Town of Newburgh PB Project #20-04.