Mid Hudson Times Dec. 12 2018 | Page 4

4 Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Pearl Harbor remembered I n B rief Water and sewer rates increase in Town of Newburgh The Town of Newburgh board approved a motion on December 10 to increase its water and sewer rates for the 2019 fiscal year. The rate increase, which is the first in three years, is due to increasing operation and maintenance expenses. The impact of the increased rate on businesses and households is determined by different levels of water usage. For the first 7,000 gallons households will see a two dollar increase, a minimum of $18 up from $16 previously charged per fiscal quarter. The next 10,000 gallons increased from $4.40 to $4.55 per 1,000 gallons, and the next 82,500 gallons of water increased by five cents from $5.20 to $5.25 per 1,000. The highest level, usage of 100,000 gallons of water or more (usually consumed by commercial use), increased by five cents from $6.20 to $6.25 per 1,000 gallons of water. - Lauren Berg City tree lighting is Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Top: Gold Star Mothers toss flowers in the Hudson during Friday’s Pearl Harbor Day observance. Above: The Newburgh Free Academy Junior ROTC Drill team performs. Metro-North talks tourism in Newburgh Continued from page 1 Newburgh to their followers on social media. “This is the best way to spread tourism, it starts with one blogger and then others will start coming,” said Haynes. “Cross-marketing is everything when it comes to promoting Newburgh.” The City of Newburgh has a website with Metro-North to highlight some of the attractions and events Newburgh has to offer. Orange County Tourism also distributes a newsletter with events taking place in the county. “Our department was impressed by how many people came out,” said Alexandra Church, Newburgh City Planner. “We are happy to continue our partnership with Metro-North.” Fillo asks local businesses and organizations to contact her to put information on either the Newburgh Metro- North website or the Orange County Tourism newsletter. She can be reached by email at efillo@cityofnewburgh- ny.gov or call 569-7386. The Broadway Tree arrived December 5, 2018. This year’s beautiful blue spruce was donated by Mr. Brown from the town of Newburgh. This year’s tree will be dedicated to former Mayor Judy Kennedy and former Assemblyman Frank Skartados. The Christmas tree will be lit on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Hot chocolate, cookies and presents will be given out. All are invited! Michael Bigg, Jr., Inc. and Quality Autobody, Vails Gate, once again, donated their crane to assist the process from takedown to placement in the Broadway median. Crane operator John Ammirati offered his expertise for the 17th year in a row. DPW Superintendent George Garrison and his expert crew, Hector Iglesias, Chris Mcguiness, Tony Martinez, Pat Shaughnessy, Sal Minuta, John Colurciello, George Dunlop, Steve Gorden and James Bandura, orchestrated everything from take- down to installation of the tree in the median just down from City Hall. The DPW crew decorated the exceptional tree with hundreds of white lights and over 500 ornaments. The City of Newburgh is grateful to the families that were very helpful this year in offering their tree. From the search for the perfect tree Special Events Coordinator, Regina Angelo has coordinated the City’s holiday celebration for more than a quarter century. “I have gone back through all the pictures and each year we have had the most beautiful tree. I am very grateful to Mr. Brown and to everyone who helped spread the word for us,” she said. “I also want to thank Michael Bigg, Jr. Inc., the City DPW, the City of Newburgh Police Department, for all they do every year to make the delivery of the tree and the lighting event possible and enjoyable.”