City lights sparkle
4
Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , December 21 , 2016
City lights sparkle
In Brief
The City of Newburgh Christmas tree is bathed by street lamps after Wednesday ’ s lighting ceremony
Town adopts 2017 sewer rates , ZBA application and pet adoption fees
By SHANTAL RILEY sriley @ tcnewspapers . com
The Town of Newburgh has adopted new sewer rates , pet adoption fees and zoning board of appeals application fees for 2017 . Public hearings were held for the code changes at Newburgh Town Hall on Monday night .
“ This is something we ’ ve been trying to do for a number of years ,” said Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio , speaking about the new sewer rates .
Sewer rates
The 2017 sewer rates were set as follows : $ 4.80 per 1,000 gallons in the Crossroads Consolidated Sewer District ; $ 5.20 per 1,000 gallons in the Nob Hill Sewer District . There will be a minimum sewer operating and maintenance charge of $ 36.00 per quarter for these districts .
The Crossroads Consolidated Sewer District includes the former Algonquin , Crossroads , Gidney , Meadow Hill South , Meadow Hill North , 17K / UA , Fleetwood and Wintergreen Sewer Districts .
The Roseton Hills Sewer District will see a combined operation-maintenance-facility charge of $ 96 per quarter , per residential-dwelling unit , whether or not an
Workers protest Highway Dept . layoffs
Continued from page 1
Todd DePew was supposed do the reviews , but he didn ’ t .”
Employee evaluations were supposed to take place earlier this year as per an agreement between the town and the CSEA , Ladlee said . “ They were good drivers ,” said fellow highway department worker and CSEA town unit President Bill Healy , who took part in picketing .
The three workers were demoted to laborer positions , Healy explained , titles the town plans to eliminate at the end of the month . “ The whole thing is questionable ,” said Ladlee , pointing to the demotions that followed the grievance filing . “ It was blatant , anti-union animus .”
Town of Newburgh Supervisor Gil Piaquadio responded to Ladlee ’ s comments by email Tuesday . “ The CSEA filed a grievance and an arbitrator will hear the case and make suggestions ,” he wrote . “ That is the system and we cannot not override it with public demonstration .” apartment or condominium unit on each parcel as listed on the latest , completed assessment roll .
ZBA application fees
The new zoning board of appeals application fees were brought about at the request of Town of Newburgh ZBA Chairman James Manley Jr ., “ who argued that the town ’ s costs were not being currently covered by the fees ,” said town board attorney Mark Taylor .
The 2017 ZBA application fees include a charge of $ 250 for appeals of code compliance determinations , $ 250 for use and area variances for single and two-family residences , $ 150 for special permits and $ 250 for ZBA interpretations of code ; a $ 50 fee will be charged for all applications requiring public hearings and proceedings requiring a court reporter .
Pet adoption fees
The new fee for adopting a cat , dog , kitten or puppy is $ 75 ; there is no charge for any senior dog adopted by a person 65 and older . All fees take effect Jan . 1 .
New towing fees were also approved by the Newburgh Town Council on Monday . To see a full list of 2017 fees , visit the Town of Newburgh website at Townofnewburgh . org .
Piaquadio explained that an investigation into the allegations against DePew was conducted by town Police Chief Bruce Campbell , and “ all highway employees were questioned ” during the investigation .
“ The town board reviewed this investigation with counsel and what action was taken is a personnel issue and will not be discussed in public . Because the CSEA filed a grievance on this issue it will be investigated by an arbitrator and the town will await the arbitrator ’ s comments and suggestions .”
Piaquadio said the town would comply with any decisions made by the arbitrator .
This is not the first time DePew has been accused of racist behavior toward town employees . In 2012 , town water department worker Hassan Gray filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court alleging , among other claims , that DePew and town Water Department Supervisor Douglas Elliott used racial slurs to refer to him . The town paid $ 70,000 to settle the lawsuit .
Suspect sought in
Citizens Bank heist
City of Newburgh Police are seeking a lone suspect in connection with a robbery that took place at Citizens Bank on Broadway on Dec . 15 .
The robbery took place in broad daylight at 3:55 p . m ., according to city police . A suspect was captured on video camera , wearing a dark hat , a dark winter coat and what appear to be pajama pants .
Police report no weapons were “ displayed or discussed ” during the robbery , which took place five minutes before the bank closed . Police did not say how much money was stolen . The bank is located at 456 Broadway .
The bank was robbed previously in October , 2010 . Highland Falls resident Ryan Hayes was arrested and charged following the heist . The bank was robbed again in August , 2014 ; Kingston resident Steffon Williams was charged in that robbery .
An investigation is ongoing . Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact City of Newburgh Police Department at 845-561-3131 .
- Shantal Riley
Four charged in prostitution sweep
On Tuesday , December 13 , , Town of Wallkill Detectives conducted a Prostitution Investigation in the Town of Wallkill that led to the arrest of four adults . Arrested were the following :
George Brischler , 36 , of Sparrowbush was charged with Patronizing a Prostitute . Brischler was released with an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at the Town of Wallkill Court on January 4 at 9 a . m .
Monique Boyd , 33 of Middletown was charged with Prostitution . The defendant was arraigned before Judge Peter Green , Town of Wallkill Court , where she was remanded to Orange County Jail $ 1,500 bail /$ 3,000 bond . The defendant ’ s next appearance is on January 4 , at 9 a . m .
Allen L . Maja , 28 , of the Town of Wallkill was charged with Prostitution . Maja was released with an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at the Town of Wallkill Court on January 4 , at 9 a . m .
Dominique Morris , 29 of the Town of Newburgh was charged with Prostitution . The defendant was arraigned before Judge Peter Green , Town of Wallkill Court , where she was remanded to Orange County Jail $ 2,000 bail /$ 4,000 bond . The defendant ’ s next appearance is on January 4 , at 9 a . m .