The Newburgh City Council met on November 9, 2026, for a regular meeting that included two public hearings (the 2027 budget and a proposed local law to increase council and mayoral salaries), a city manager update, approval of three resolutions, and extensive public comment. The meeting ran from 7:00 PM to adjournment. City Manager Update - The City of Newburgh was awarded a $10 million New York State Water Quality Improvement Program grant for the South Interceptor Sewer Improvements Project, replacing an undersized 36-inch sewer with a 54-inch sewer to increase wastewater flow capacity. - The city is seeking a donated evergreen tree (at least 25 feet) for holiday display. - Non-emergency departments will be closed on November 11 for Veterans Day; no yard waste/bulk pickup that day. - The annual Trunk Retreat on Broadway drew over 5,000 attendees, the largest crowd in the event’s history. - The Recreation Department, DPW, and Water Department planted 22 new trees at Zelano Hitch Park. - A water main break at Lake Street apartments was repaired; a precautionary boil-water notice was issued and later lifted. - Code Compliance Department statistics for October: 179 construction permits (value $1.3 million), 1,034 inspections (638 passed), 421 notices of violation (23 in Broadway corridor), and 14 violations sent to court. Public Hearings Public Hearing: 2027 Budget Speakers addressed the proposed budget with specific concerns and requests: - A Lake Street resident (name not given) raised issues about sewage problems, taxi safety, LGBTQ bathroom access, and police canine units, suggesting a GPS-controlled taxi system and better bathroom accommodations. - Carla Johnson (Lake Street) urged the city to allocate funding for mental health and drug treatment services, noting that many crimes are drug-related and that hospitals lack resources to help. - Dennis Grant (Ward 1) asked for details on police overtime budgeting, employee turnover costs, and whether the city would use its rainy day fund before raising taxes. - Pastor Rosie (Ward 1) proposed replacing expensive flock cameras with red-light cameras, which she said would generate revenue and improve safety. She also noted that sidewalk beautification projects had reduced parking for businesses. - Jules Ridgway (Ward 4) flagged four areas: an 80% reduction in senior programming funding (from $36,000 to $7,000), a 36% reduction in funding for boards/commissions, unspent funds for a business district study, and the need for tenant protection policies. - Michael LeBron (Grand Street) raised multiple technical concerns: interfund charges not matching ($1.32 million discrepancy), fiscal 2025 actuals contradicting fund balance, under-budgeted contractual spending and overtime, a lump vacancy factor, fire salary cuts, overstated pass-through state aid, and an out-of-date multi-year plan. - Colin Foley (Prospect Street) called for more road repair funding, describing “craters” that could swallow small cars. Public Hearing: Local Law to Increase Mayor and Council Salaries - Pastor Rosie (Ward 1) opposed the self-vote raise, arguing that the newly formed Charter Review Commission should handle such decisions for transparency and fairness. - Cassandra Mercado (Human Rights Commission member) spoke emotionally about working for free and questioned why council members would need raises when volunteers do unpaid work. - Dennis Grant (Ward 1) asked for specifics: how much the increase would cost taxpayers annually, what justifies it, and how it compares to similar cities (Middletown, Peekskill, Poughkeepsie). - Michael LeBron (Grand Street) opposed the raise as insufficient, advocating for full-time salaries of $85,000 for council members and $135,000 for the mayor. Public Comments on General Matters - Carla Johnson (Lake Street) questioned fire department response times, noting that a fire station near her home is not used for calls in her area. - Cassandra Mercado called for active police/fire presence during code compliance walkthroughs, improved bathroom access for LGBTQ individuals, and youth programs to give teenagers a voice. - Pastor Rosie announced an indoor sale at 104 Broadway on November 15. - Pebbles (resident) urged residents to stay engaged for the upcoming city election. - Megan Galbraith (Ward 1) urged the council to push the Town of Newburgh to pass a moratorium on the ICE facility at 800 Corporate Boulevard, providing legal language from the Dignity Not Detention partnership. - Jules Ridgway (Ward 4) celebrated the 2026 election results, noting a 24% increase in city voter turnout (4,458 votes), with 1,856 early votes. He thanked coalition partners and announced a community celebration on December 9. - Michael LeBron (Grand Street) read a quote from Shirley Chisholm’s 1972 presidential announcement. Council Comments and Discussion - Council Member Martinez thanked the public, encouraged civic engagement, and praised city departments. She later called for a council retreat to set a unified vision and prioritize legislation. - Council Member MacLamore announced upcoming events (Chat & Chew at Cerome Place Nov 17, tenant meeting at 123 Grand St Nov 30, Thanksgiving bash for Lake Street seniors Nov 24). He stressed collaboration over duplication of efforts. - Council Member Monteverdi expressed hope from the election results and advocated for no property tax increase in the 2027 budget, while acknowledging rising costs like a 16% increase in health insurance (+$2.4 million). - Council Member Shakur declined to comment. - Council Member Stewart announced mental health first aid training in early 2027, promised to break down budget numbers for residents, and noted that Ward 3 had the highest voter turnout (1,463 votes) among the four wards. He also announced a Lake Street meeting on Nov 14 and a year-end town hall for Ward 3. - Council Member Zoria highlighted collaboration successes (Trunk Retreat with school district, 22 trees planted), defended the budget process, and listed the council’s top legislative priorities for 2027, including a surveillance technology local law, rental registry enforcement, public value standards for city assets, economic development, sound financing policy, green light legislation, and climate smart communities. - Mayor Harvey celebrated the “blue tsunami” election results, emphasized the need for lobbying to secure state/federal grants, defended council self-votes on salaries (noting all legislative bodies do the same), compared the mayor’s salary favorably to other towns, and argued that economic development must be discussed alongside tax policy to avoid raising taxes. Resolutions (All Approved) - Resolution 260-2026 (Award of Bid No. 6.26 – Newburgh Combined Sewer Control Facility Electrical Construction Contract): Awarded to J & J Sass Electric, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $5,087,000. Approved unanimously. - Resolution 261-2026 (Agreement with Hill Treekeepers, Inc. for Scarlet Oak Treatment Services): $2,500 for soil reinvigoration at 123 Grand Street. Approved unanimously. - Resolution 262-2026 (Security Upgrades to Fire Headquarters and Engine 3): Agreement with CDR Electronics Co., Inc. for camera and entry system upgrades at 22 Grant Street and 492 Broadway, totaling an unspecified amount. Approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - All three resolutions were passed unanimously. - The 2027 budget will be further discussed in a work session; the council will consider public input before voting at the end of November. - The public hearing on the salary increase local law was closed; no immediate vote was taken. - The council agreed to schedule a retreat in the first quarter of 2027 for strategic planning. - Council members committed to improving constituent services, increasing transparency, and advancing the legislative priorities list. - City Manager Jason Moores will follow up on requests for code enforcement data by ward, the status of the Lake Street senior building inspection, and the parking lines near SUNY Orange and Ebenezer Baptist Church.
