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Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, April 24, 2019
I n B rief
Town to appoint acting town clerk
In the wake of town of Newburgh town clerk Andrew
Zarutskie’s passing, the town board will vote May 12 to
appoint deputy town clerk Joseph P. Pedi as acting town
clerk.
Zarutskie held the position since he was elected in 2001
until his death on April 2, 2019. Pedi will officially run as
a Republican candidate for the position in the November
election.
The Town of Newburgh Democratic Committee is
anticipating running an opposing candidate for the town
clerk position, slating a write-in vote for the primary in
June.
- Lauren Berg
Town to apply for
community development grant
The town of Newburgh held a public hearing at
its April 22 workshop meeting to solicit public input
on potential projects for a community development
block grant. The FY2020 Orange County Community
Development Block Grant would award funds for the
purpose of district upgrades.
“Some of the things we can ask for [include] acquisition
and disposition of real property, public works, public
facilities or site improvements, code enforcement,
housing and health code issues, clearance demolition and
rehabilitation for public use or economic development,
housing rehabilitation loans and grants, special projects
for the elderly and disabled, provisions for the public
services – shelters, clinics, senior nutrition, etc. – payment
of non-federal shares of other grant programs, and
relocation payments and assistance,” town supervisor
Gil Piaquadio explained.
The application for the grant is due April 26 and
requires detailed proposals from the municipality
as to how the funds would be allocated. However, no
suggestions were offered from the public at the April 22
meeting. Piaquadio hopes the grant could be used for
sewer district upgrades to help it be more efficient.
“[This] program is intended to benefit lower to
moderate-income residents of the town,” explained
attorney for the town Mark Taylor.
The Community Development Program has made
$71,681,472 available to Orange County and participating
municipalities. Municipalities that are awarded the grant
will be notified in November 2019, and would have the
grant money available by January 1, 2020.
- Lauren Berg
Woman accused of stealing
$13,500 from Boy Scout Troop
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler
announced that on Monday, April 22, 2019, Kelley
Zamenick, 43, of New Windsor, was arrested by an
Orange County District Attorney’s Office investigator
and charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the
Third Degree, and eight counts of Falsifying Business
Records in the First Degree.
Felony complaints filed in the Town of Newburgh
Justice Court allege that Zamenick was the Committee
Chairperson for both a Boy Scout Troop, and a Cub
Scout Pack, that were sponsored by the Gardenertown
United Methodist Church, and that between 2016 and
2018, she embezzled over $10,465 from the Boy Scout
Troop and over $3,040 from the Cub Scout Pack. The
complaints also allege that Zamenick created and
submitted false documents, including eight forged bank
statements, to facilitate and conceal her commission of
the embezzlements.
The investigation commenced after the Charter
Representative of the Pack contacted the Orange County
District Attorney’s Office to report suspicions that there
may have been an embezzlement of the Boy Scout and
Cub Scout funds. Zamenick surrendered to Orange
County District Attorney Office investigators at the
Town of Newburgh Police Department, who aided in the
arrest.
Hoovler thanked the Gardenertown United Methodist
Church for bringing the case to the attention of the
District Attorney’s Office and for all their assistance in
the investigation.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Borek is
prosecuting the case. Criminal Investigator Gary Cooper
is the lead investigator on the case.
“Scouting is worthwhile program that develops
character, leadership skills and future community
leaders,” said Hoovler. “Those who join or donate to the
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts have the right to know that
their money is going toward the programs they support.
I thank the Gardenertown United Methodist Church,
not only for sponsoring these worthwhile organizations,
but also for being good stewards of the finances the
Troop and Pack that they sponsor. Their actions in
discovering irregularities in the financial records and
bank statements, bringing the matter to the attention
of law enforcement, and aiding in the investigation
might well have prevented even more money from being
stolen.”
Orange County Chamber
to open Newburgh office
The Orange County Chamber of Commerce will be
opening a satellite office in the City of Newburgh, to
bring its presence back into the city after a 20 year
absence. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held today,
April 24 at 1:30 p.m.
The discussions to open a new office came up after
the chamber noticed an increase in the amount of time
spent in the City of Newburgh. The office will be open
once a month at 280 Broadway at the Fresh Start Cafe.
The chamber plans to open another satellite office in
Middletown as well.
“We are very grateful to work with RECAP to bring
the power and the resources of the Orange County
Chamber of Commerce back into the City,” said CEO and
President, Lynn Allen Cione. “If we find we need more
offices, or need to open more often we will do so. Our goal
is to meet the needs the businesses have, not telling them
how to do things. Both cities are in a renaissance right
now and we want to help the cities, the people and most
importantly the businesses.”
The organization will bring in professionals from the
small business world to provide the resources needed as
well as networking opportunities for business owners.
“We want to make sure that our urban centers feel
they are apart of the larger business community, that
they can promote their businesses and grow,” said Allen.
“It’s a strong belief that for the county to be successful
the cities need to be successful and they are becoming
very successful. Tremendous things are happening in
Newburgh and we want to support everything that is
happening there.”
- Katelyn Cordero
Area fire companies participate
in RecruitNY Weekend
Three area volunteer fire companies will participate
in the ninth annual RecruitNY Weekend on April 27-28.
RecruitNY is a cornerstone campaign of the Firemen’s
Association of the State of New York (FASNY) with
the goal being to increase membership in the State’s
volunteer fire service.
“RecruitNY not only provides an opportunity for
residents to meet men and women in their communities
who work hard to keep them safe but also allows them to
learn if joining the fire service might be right for them,”
Orange County Executive Neuhaus said. “Volunteer
firefighters are part of the backbone of our communities
and I thank them for their bravery and dedication. These
men and women have made a commitment to public
service and have shown a willingness to risk their own
lives to save others each and every day.”
During the weekend, volunteer fire departments will
open their doors and provide the public with a glimpse
of what it is like to be a volunteer firefighter. Potential
volunteers will have the opportunity to speak with
active volunteers and participate in typical fire service
activities. The weekend also gives citizens a better
understanding of the role the local fire department plays
in protecting their community.
“Becoming a volunteer firefighter can be an extremely
rewarding and satisfying experience,” Tankasali said.
“It is a great way to meet some of your neighbors,
learn valuable life-saving skills and give back to your
community.”
Established in 2011, RecruitNY is an undertaking by the
Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY)
and supported by the New York State Association of Fire
Chiefs (NYSAFC), Association of Fire Districts of New
York State, Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State
of New York, and County Fire Coordinators Association
of the State of New York.
Locally, the following companies will host open house
on Sunday, April 28.
Cronomer Valley FD: (296 N Plank Rd, Newburgh, NY)
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Goodwill FD: (1 South Plank Rd, Newburgh, NY) 9 a.m.
to 2 p.m.
Orange Lake FD: Dan Leghorn Eng. Co. (426 S Plank
Rd, Newburgh , NY) 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.