Newburgh Town Board adopts higher animal‑shelter fees, OKs Neversink Drive stop and approves audits, hires and construction change orders

The Town Board of the Town of Newburgh on Aug. 11 unanimously adopted a local law increasing impoundment, adoption and rabies vaccination fees for dogs and cats and approved a package of administrative, personnel and construction actions.

The board, acting after a public hearing that produced no public comment, approved amendments to Chapter 104 (Schedule of Fees) that set adoption fees as follows: $125 for any cat other than a kitten, $150 for any kitten, $200 for any puppy, $150 for any dog other than a puppy, and $0 for a senior dog adopted by a person 65 years of age or older. Supervisor Gilbert J. Piaquadio confirmed the required legal postings; Councilman Anthony R. LoBiondo made the motion to adopt and it passed 5–0.

The board also approved a Local Law amending Chapter 174 (Vehicles and Traffic) to designate a new stop intersection on Neversink Drive. Town Attorney Mark C. Taylor characterized the traffic law action as a Type II action under SEQRA, describing it as routine agency administration; the motion by Councilman Paul Ruggiero passed unanimously.

In financial business, the board approved the audit with an original total of $2,407,749.08 and an identified error of $69.24, for a final audit amount of $2,407,679.84. Councilman Scott M. Manley moved to approve the audit and the July 2025 Status and Budget reports; both motions passed 5–0.

Personnel and contract actions approved by the board included: • A $1,005.08 payment from account 5144 to Newburgh Veterinary Hospital for animal control services ($128.40 canine; $877.68 feline), approved on motion; • Approval to hire Erick Quiralte as a full‑time MEO H1 for the Highway Department (start on or after Aug. 25, 2025); Superintendent Mark A. Hall Jr. noted the hire is contingent on paperwork, fingerprinting, CDL physical and drug/alcohol testing and that the 2025 MEO H1 rate is $29.1792 per hour; the motion passed unanimously; • Authorization to post internally and begin hiring a part‑time tax clerk in the Receiver of Taxes office to replace Donna Cucchiara upon her planned retirement at the end of December; Receiver Joseph P. Pedi said an external search will follow if no internal candidate is suitable.

On capital projects the board approved three Newburgh Recreation Center contract adjustments: Change Order No. 15 (additional security items, $9,387.00) and No. 16 (gymnasium lighting revisions, $24,043.00), and accepted Change Order No. 17 as a credit for maple flooring substitution ($1,855.35 credit). The board also authorized going out to bid for the Nob Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection Improvements project, which includes installation of recirculating media filters, a UV disinfection system and a new control building; bids are to be received by Oct. 7, 2025, and the work will be procured under two contracts (general and electrical).

The board unanimously passed a resolution directing the Code Compliance Supervisor to inspect and report in writing on a potentially unsafe building at 21 Victoria Drive (SBL108‑1‑4), which sustained major structural damage in a fire in September 2024. Town Attorney Mark C. Taylor presented the resolution under town code provisions authorizing inspections of buildings alleged to be dangerous or unsafe.

All votes on recorded motions at the meeting were 5–0 in favor unless otherwise noted. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

Next procedural steps: the animal‑fee local law is effective Sept. 1, 2025; bid documents for the Nob Hill project will be released pursuant to the board’s authorization; the building inspection report for 21 Victoria Drive will be returned to the board when completed.