NPBA to meet at Bistro
4
Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , September 14 , 2016
PFOS info meeting planned for Sept . 19
Stewart Air National Guard Base was declared be a state Superfund site by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation last month .
Continued from page 1
our drinking water ,” said Rep . Maloney . “ I will continue working with the CDC and state and local officials to ensure Newburgh has the resources it needs to provide clean drinking water and prepare for any potential health risks associated with the contamination .”
State Senator Bill Larkin praised this week ’ s announcement .
“ From the moment this health crisis was discovered I have continuously called on the New York State Department of Health to become more active in its response , to offer blood testing , and to create a health assessment program for the greater Newburgh community ,” said Senator Bill Larkin . “ I applaud the Department of Health for their decision to finally offer blood testing and am hopeful that federal , state , and local officials will continue working together to protect the welfare of those exposed to contaminated water .”
The DOH is working on specific details for testing and more information should be coming in the next few weeks .
The city , meanwhile will host a public information meeting on perflurooctane sulfonate ( PFOS ) contamination of the city drinking water on Monday .
Representatives from the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will speak at the meeting . There will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation .
“ We want Washington Lake cleaned up ,” said City Manager Michael Ciaravino , testifying before the New York State Legislature at a public hearing on water quality and contamination in Albany last week . “ We want it restored to what it should have been , but for this contamination .”
While the city is being reimbursed for the use of Catskill Aqueduct water , Ciaravino explained , the DEC has yet to fully commit to paying for the city ’ s out-ofpocket expenses related to the water problem . Those costs could rise to $ 276,000 by the end of year , he said .
“ We operate on razor-razor thin margins ,” said Ciaravino , noting the city was near bankruptcy a few years back . “ We do not have the capacity to be able to wait out extensive , long-term litigation while we wait to be reimbursed .”
PFOS was detected at elevated levels in the city ’ s drinking water supply in the spring . Tests at the time showed very high levels of PFOS at the nearby Stewart Air National Guard Base . The city stopped drawing water from Washington Lake - its main source of drinking water - and switched to using water from Brown ’ s Pond and then the Catskill Aqueduct .
On Monday , Ciaravino penned a letter to the DEC , noting a “ significant spill of PFOS-containing material at the ANG Base as early as 1990 .” The spill , he wrote , resulted in the release of 4,000 gallons of the PFOScontaining material .
“ It is assumed ” that this PFOS release eventually made its way into Washington Lake , he wrote , but more study is needed to find out . “ Nonetheless , we now have reason to believe that PFOS may have been present in the lake for the last 25 years ,” Ciaravino wrote .
Last month , the DEC declared the air base to be a state Superfund site , and the likely source of the water contamination . Ciaravino has called for blood tests for city residents since the water problem was highlighted in May . “ Why ( are ) other communities getting the testing and the City of Newburgh is not ?” he asked , furthering a “ narrative of distrust perpetuated in our community .”
“ We want action to immediately begin testing ... These are people drinking the water for 20 and 30 years ,” he said at the hearing .
On Sept . 7 , Ciaravino wrote EPA ’ s Regional Administrator Judith Enck to request the EPA begin the process to add the air base to the agency ’ s National Priorities List , ensuring full remediation at the federal level .
The information meeting takes place at 7 p . m . on Monday , Sept . 19 at the Mount Saint Mary College Aquinas Hall Theater , located at 330 Powell Avenue .
In Brief
Maloney seeking academy applicants
Representative Sean Patrick Maloney ( NY- 18 ), member of the West Point Board of Visitors , announced his office is accepting applications for students from the Hudson Valley to seek a United States Service Academy nomination from his office . Rep . Maloney has the ability to nominate students to the U . S . Military Academy at West Point , U . S . Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs , the U . S . Naval Academy at Annapolis , and the U . S . Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point . Students applying to the U . S . Coast Guard Academy in New London do not need a Congressional nomination . In June , 12 students from the Hudson Valley accepted offers of appointment to one of the nation ’ s service academies .
“ It is my honor to not only represent the U . S . Military Academy at West Point in Congress , but each year to be a small part of one of our country ’ s oldest traditions of nominating the Hudson Valley ’ s most accomplished and motivated young leaders for acceptance into a service academy ,” said Rep . Maloney . “ Service Academies like West Point provide a top notch education while preparing our young men and women for a life of selfless service to our country .”
Interested students must submit their completed applications to Maloney ’ s district office at 123 Grand Street in Newburgh , NY 12550 , no later than October 31 , 2016 . All applicants who have submitted their completed application materials will be contacted to schedule their interview with Rep . Maloney ’ s Service Academy Selection Board .
The application process is open to all interested high school seniors in New York ’ s 18th Congressional District . Students are encouraged to research the specific academies on their respective websites for further information on the nomination and selection process . Detailed information and a downloadable application are available here or also at seanmaloney . house . gov . Any questions may be directed to Oscar Dunham , Senior Veterans Advocate , at 845-561-1259 .
NPBA to meet at Bistro
The Newburgh Professional and Business Association will hold their first of three fall monthly gatherings on Thursday September 22 , at the new Liberty St . Bistro .
The event theme is Catch the Buzz , and both members and non-member in our business community are welcome to an energizing evening of news , ideas , and great conversations .
Guests will enjoy discounted prices at the bar , and a uniquely crafted cocktail designed for event .
Owner Mike Kelly is also offering a 10 percent discount on dinner to any of the guests that evening , providing they make a reservation in advance .
To attend please RSVP to info @ newburghpba . org .
For dinner , please visit LibertyStreetBistro . com or call the restaurant directly at 562-3900 and mention the Association in reservation notes or over the phone .