Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Newburgh public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues in environment
Scarlet Oak Tree Preservation at 123 Grand Street
The city proposes spending $2,500 on soil reinvigoration to preserve the landmark scarlet oak tree at 123 Grand Street.
Stewart Air National Guard Base Environmental Investigation
The Army wants to install monitoring wells and take soil and water samples on four more city-owned parcels as it investigates PFAS contamination from firefighting foam at the base. Same terms as the city approved in 2023 and 2024.
Scenic Hudson open space purchase at 139 Ellis Avenue
The council is backing Scenic Hudson's county grant application to buy part of the Ellis Avenue property for conservation — another piece of the decades-long waterfront-to-Crystal Lake greenway vision.
Conservation Advisory Council tree program
The CAC is asking for about $32,500, mostly for planting 15-25 trees a year focused on 'heat island' neighborhoods that lack shade. The city also wants an updated tree survey to clarify which trees are the city's responsibility versus a homeowner's.
Natural Resources Inventory for Newburgh
The city now has a full catalog of its trees, water and environmental risks — showing Ward 3's Crystal Lake area is the most environmentally stressed. Council wants a community workshop to share it.
Crystal Lake Blueblocks Floating Gardens
A resident asked the city to extend the same algae cleanup it gave Downing Park to Crystal Lake, the city's largest green space, which is being choked by algae blooms.
Lockwood Basin Fish Stocking
The city will spend $4,980 to stock largemouth bass and feeder fish at Masterson Park for a kids' catch-and-release fishery, and will ask Orange County to add city ponds to its annual stocking program.
Hudson Highlands Conservation Act Membership
A resolution of support was proposed affirming Newburgh's intent to join the Federal Highlands Conservation Act Region, which supports conservation of the Highlands region.
MS4 stormwater compliance
The council was asked to sign the state-required annual stormwater report, keeping Newburgh in compliance with its MS4 permit.
Drinking water quality concerns
A resident reported a caustic bleach smell in city water causing skin irritation, and asked whether water quality is still being monitored given funds previously spent on treatment.
Consolidated Iron Superfund site monitoring
The city was scheduled to hire LaBella Associates for $7,550 to keep sampling groundwater and reviewing safety controls at the delisted Consolidated Iron Superfund site — ongoing environmental due diligence.
EV charging stations in Ann Street municipal lot
The city will apply for a DEC grant of up to $500,000 with no match to install two dual-plug EV charging stations in the Ann Street Municipal Lot, potentially moving the timeline up to June 2026.
Brownfield Cleanup at Little Britain Road Service Center
Central Hudson needs access to two landlocked city parcels for dye testing to track contaminated groundwater from its Little Britain Road plant. Councilmembers asked whether Washington Lake could be affected.