Mid Hudson Times Nov. 30 2016

TIMES NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION FIRST-PLACE AWARD FOR GENERAL EXCELLENCE, 2016 MID HUDSON Vol. 28, No 48 3 NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2016 Page 44 NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR Spending plan adopted Monday night by city council includes tax rate increases The City of Newburgh budget for 2017 was adopted at City Hall on Monday, receiving narrow approval by city lawmakers. The $44,410,285 spending plan ushers in tax increases for both homeowners and businesses - what city Mayor Judy Kennedy described as a compromise. “Between a rock and hard place, that’s right where we are,” said Kennedy on Tuesday night. The new rates increase taxes by about $26 on a $200,000 home and by $59 on a non-homestead property of the same value. The new tax levy of $19.4 million stays flat for the third year in a row. The levy remains within the state-mandated ONE DOLLAR Lady Goldbacks take to the court City adopts $44.4 million budget By SHANTAL RILEY [email protected] 3 tax levy limit, said city Comptroller Katie Mack. The levy generates a homestead tax rate of $19.65 per $1,000 of assessed property value and a non-homestead tax rate of $26.13 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The rates were raised by 13 cents and 30 cents, respectively. The council was presented with a “plan Continued on page 4 NFA presents ‘The Grinch’ Fit for a chief Cameron will continue to receive police-chief salary in 2017 By SHANTAL RILEY [email protected] Photo provided The Newburgh Free Academy Dance team will present The Grinch this weekend with shows on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the main campus auditorium. WWW.MIDHUDSONTIMES.COM A month after the Newburgh Civil Service Commission forced acting Police Chief Dan Cameron to step down, the Newburgh City Council has voted to allow him to keep his police-chief salary. “We could save overtime if the council would consider paying at the deputychief position, which is currently at the chief-pay level,” explained City Manager Michael Ciaravino at a Nov. 10 council work session. With the passing of the 2017 city budget on Tuesday, Cameron’s pay was restored to the police chief-salary while he serves as deputy police chief moving forward into next year. Cameron’s pay was reduced from $116,000 to $101,000 after the civil service commission ruled he could not continue as acting police chief due to his refusal to take an open exam earlier this year. Cameron refused to take the test on principal, claiming the test requirements were unfair to internal candidates at the City of Newburgh Police Department. In October, when the civil service commission ruled that time had run out Continued on page 4