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Town of Newburgh adopts three local laws that cut jail terms while raising fines for zoning, stormwater and clearing violations
Summary
After public hearings, the Town Board voted unanimously to adopt three local laws that reduce maximum imprisonment terms and increase fines for offenses related to zoning, stormwater management and clearing and grading; the board said changes aim to improve judicial efficiency and enforcement.
The Town of Newburgh Town Board adopted three local laws on March 10 that lower maximum jail terms while increasing civil and criminal fines for zoning, stormwater and clearing-and-grading violations.
Town Attorney Mark C. Taylor presented the measures during a public hearing, saying the changes are intended to "enhance judicial efficiency" and make enforcement more effective. The board opened the hearing at 7:02 p.m. after the town clerk verified notices were posted and published as required under state law.
The laws amend: Section 185-52 (Zoning penalties), Subsection 157-12H (Stormwater Management penalties) and Subsection 83-14C (Clearing and Grading penalties). Each restructures penalties by reducing the maximum imprisonment term referenced in the code (six months to 15 days in several places in the draft) while raising first-, second- and third-offense fines and clarifying civil-penalty and abatement procedures. The measures explicitly state an intent to supersede portions of Town Law cited in the drafts (Sections 268 and 135 where noted).
During public comment Letitia Williams asked, "What is a Local Law?" Taylor replied that a local law is a statute or ordinance enacted by a local government that applies within its jurisdiction. When asked later why the board was amending the laws, Taylor and Councilman Anthony R. LoBiondo said the changes are designed to make court processing of violations easier; as LoBiondo put it, "Taking these charges from a misdemeanor to a violation is much easier for the courts to handle."
The board first approved a negative SEQRA designation and acceptance of lead-agency status before voting on the local laws. Motions to adopt Local Law No. 1 of 2025 (zoning), Local Law No. 2 of 2025 (stormwater) and Local Law No. 3 of 2025 (clearing and grading) were moved and carried unanimously, recorded as 4 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain, 1 absent (Supervisor Gilbert J. Piaquadio absent).
Board members and town staff said the changes are intended to make enforcement more efficient and to provide a stronger financial deterrent to noncompliance; the laws also preserve injunctive remedies by allowing the town to seek court orders against willful violators. The measures take effect according to the statutory process for adopted local laws.
The town clerk certified that notices had been posted on the town website and at Town Hall and published in the Mid-Hudson Times as required for the public hearings. The board closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
The Town Board handled other routine business during the meeting, including approval of the audit and various personnel and procurement items.
