Mid Hudson Times Dec. 19 2018 | Page 4

4 Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, December 19, 2018 Maloney announces $2 million for addiction treatment Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) announced a $1,999,614 investment from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Access: Supports for Living, Inc. (ASFL) in Orange County. The investment, funded through HHS’ Center for Mental Health Services and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, will help promote the treatment of mental and behavioral health for 12,000 people in the Hudson Valley. Access: Supports for Living is in the process of being certified as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), an organization designed to streamline and improve the way that states deliver behavioral health services for Medicaid beneficiaries. “Orange County has the highest opioid overdose death rate in the State of New York – we need all the help we can get to fight addiction and other mental health issues that are hurting our communities,” said Rep. Maloney. “This investment will ensure literally thousands of people get the help they need to get healthy again.” “The team at Access: Supports for Living is thrilled to receive this award that will substantially increase access to mental health and substance abuse services for community members when they need it, close to home,” said Amy Anderson-Winchell, LCSW, President and CEO of Access: Supports for Living. “The integrated model, which includes the collaborative work of providers across Orange County, will eliminate existing gaps in behavioral health care, helping fight the opioid crisis, and promote recovery and wellness for more than 12,000 people in the Hudson Valley. We thank Congressman Maloney for his steadfast support of behavioral health treatment providers and the people we serve in the Hudson Valley.” Access: Supports For Living will, collaboratively with other providers in the community, use the funding to directly support adults and children seeking behavioral health services in Orange County. Originally founded in 1963, Access has grown to a more than $90 million non- profit serving over 10,000 people each year across the Hudson Valley. Services include behavioral health care, support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and support for families and children with a range of needs, including interaction with the child welfare system. CCBHCs have shown tremendous results in improving access to mental and behavioral health treatment and addiction treatment. By providing a comprehensive range of mental health services to vulnerable individuals regardless of their ability to pay or location of residence, CCBHCs significantly improve the quality of community mental health and addiction services. Habitat dedicates 95th house On Saturday, December 15, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh dedicated 25 Johnston Street. Sponsored by PresbyBuild, this is Habitat Newburgh’s 95th home. Lumber from the 2017 Rockefeller Center® Christmas tree is built into the walls of this house. The iconic tree will live on as a part of this beautifully rehabbed home. Volunteers transformed this building from a dilapidated shell into a wonderful house; now this family will transform it from a house into a home. “The Rockefeller Center® Christmas tree brings joy and light to millions, and now it is shining that light on Habitat for Humanity’s work in this community,” says Habitat Newburgh Executive Director Matthew Arbolino, “We are so grateful to be the recipients of this special gift. This house means that homebuyer Lakisha and her children will be able to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.” In a more than decade-long tradition, Tishman Speyer, the owner and manager of Rockefeller Center, has donated lumber from the tree to Habitat for Humanity. This is the fourth time that this holiday symbol has become part of a Habitat home in Newburgh. At the dedication ceremony, the many supporters and volunteers who helped build the house were present as the keys were presented to the soon-to-be homeowner Lakisha Atkins and family. DoD agrees to remediate air base Continued from page 1 only looking to cover their own liabilities.” On Friday, Senator Chuck Schumer announced the Department of Defense will be taking responsibility for Recreation Pond with the installation of a $2 to $3 million dollar remediation plan. Army Corps Engineers are expected to visit Newburgh in January to create a plan for remediation and the installation of stormwater filtration equipment. The stormwater filtration is expected to start running within three to six months. “I am so pleased after years of foot dragging the DOD and ANGB are moving in a positive direction and commencing plans to implement long-awaited and desperately needed interim remedial measures around Stewart Air National Guard Base,” said Schumer. “No resident of Newburgh should have to worry that they will be harmed by the water they drink, nor should contaminated water continue flowing off base over two years since its discovery.” The PFOS contamination is the primary source of concern for many, in Ciaravino’s closing comments he refers to documents revealing contaminations other than PFOS dating back to 1998. “At the end of the day there is no reason anyone should ever drink water from Washington Lake,” said Ciaravino in his closing statement to City Council. In reference to the documents released by the city, Public Affairs Superintendent for the New York Air National Guard, Sara Pastorello, maintains that all contracted work and surveys done for the base are accessible by the public. I n B rief IDA seeks to fill board vacancies The City of Newburgh Industrial Development Agency has two vacancies and one pending vacancy on its seven-member Board of Directors. In making the announcement, Agency Chairman, Joshua L. Smith noted that “Only city residents may serve on the Agency’s board.” Interested citizens are asked to visit “Board of Directors Duties and Responsibilities” on the Agency’s website at www. cityofnewburgh-ny.gov/industrial-development- agency, under the Policies & Bylaws section. Members of the Agency are not compensated, must attend monthly meetings, and review Agency business prior to a meeting. New members are required to participate in a state-sponsored educational webinar, as well as become familiar with the Agency’s by-laws and all applicable state laws and mandated policies. Any resident interested in serving and sharing their talents, thoughts, and ideas, is asked to send a resume and letter of interest to Joshua L. Smith, Chair of the IDA Board, at ida@cityofnewburgh- ny.gov or mail to City of Newburgh Industrial Development Agency, 83 Broadway, 3rd Flr., Newburgh NY 12550. Selected candidates will meet with the Agency’s Governance Committee to discuss various aspects of the Agency and their interest in serving on the Board. Following the briefing, the Agency will present its recommendations to the City Council for their review and appointment. Applicants may also direct any questions to the Agency’s Executive Director at ida@cityofnewburgh- ny.gov, deadline to apply is December 31, 2018. New Windsor hotel seeks tax exemption The Orange County Industrial Development Agency last week adopted an initial resolutions for the creation of a Fairfield Inn by Marriot on the campus of New York Stewart International Airport in New Windsor. Airport Properties VIII, LLC seeks a 10-year PILOT, a sales tax exemption of $424,411 and a mortgage recording tax exemption of $73,063 for the creation of a Fairfield Inn by Marriot in New Windsor, NY. The four-story, 83-room hotel would be open for operation in the spring of 2020. If financial assistance from the IDA is granted, the project would create a total of 23 jobs – 19 full-time positions and four part-time positions. In a letter accompanying Airport Properties VIII, LLC’s application, Edmond J. Harrison, General Manager at New York Stewart International Airport, reported that its passenger traffic increased 61 percent since last year. The project for a proposed hotel also received support from Orange County Tourism Director Amanda Dana, noting the airport’s positive economic impact and the county’s deficit compared to its visitor growth and increased tourism spending.