Mid Hudson Times Sept. 11 2019

T IMES MID HUDSON BJ’s Wholesale Club eyes 17K site Vol. 31, No. 37 3 SEPTEMBER 11 - 17, 2019 3 ONE DOLLAR Ringing the bell Page 18 SERVING NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR Final Farewell By MALLIKA RAO The Town of Newburgh Planning Board held long discussions about an upcoming BJ’s Wholesale Club during its first meeting of the month in September. BJ’s Wholesale Club is expected to be located on the intersection between Route 17 K and Auto Park Place. In the discussion of the project’s development, a couple of critical questions arose. The first was the issue of placing a traffic light at the four-way intersection of Route 17 K where BJ’s Wholesale Club is set to be built. The U.S. Department of Transportation sent out their comments on the site plan, which provided an alternative to the traffic light being built, according to Ken Wersted, the traffic consultant of the town planning board. “Based on these comments, I would believe that the alternative of having a left turn restricted on 17 K would be their preferred plan,” he said. One resident weighed in on the matter. “I go into Auto Park Place every day, and you don’t realize how much traffic is there,” he said, “so I can’t imagine making a left to go westbound from BJ’s.” Continued on page 5 Bob McCormick A police honor guard salutes as the body of Senator William Larkin is carried outside St. Thomas of Canterbury Church last Thursday. The retired State Senator passed away on August 31. City tables Facilities Master Plan By LINA WU [email protected] At last Thursday’s City Council planning meeting, Robert Mitchell of Mitchell Associates Architects presented his initial plan for doing a needs assessment of city-run buildings. With the help of city staff, Mitchell developed a $98,500, seven-week proposal titled the Facilities Master Plan. His plan focused on seven major buildings in the city, including the likes of: City Hall, the police headquarters, the fire department and more. Councilwoman Karen Mejia suggested in order for it to be a correct master plan, all city- run properties should be focused on. Mejia explained the wastewater treatment plant, and the courthouse on Broadway should be focused upon. Mitchell redesigned his plan to include all properties. The plan’s cost changed to $107,400. At Monday’s City Council meeting, the plan was brought up in a resolution CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE - WWW.MHTIMESONLINE.COM to authorize the City Manager to accept a proposal and execute an agreement with Mitchell Associates Architects. The resolution was tabled for a later date. The $107,400 plan would amend Resolution No. 364-2018, the 2019 city budget to transfer funds from health insurance to executive office-consultant services. Councilman Anthony Grice and Councilwoman Hillary Rayford brought up concerns over the plan being Continued on page 5