Newburgh City Council members with one abstention approved Monday, March 11 a license and access agreement with Safe Harbors of the Hudson, Inc. and its contracted agents to access city owned property for environmental evaluation activities. These activities are related to the Brownfield Opportunity Area Nomination Study of the “Newburgh, NY Hillside.”

As previously reported, the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Nomination Study will focus on the hillside land along the riverfront that currently is vacant. Through the study, the site would be evaluated for contamination clean-up and potential future redevelopment. A brownfield site is classified as a property having either known or perceived contamination which could be a barrier to potential future development.

The abstention was by Councilman Ramona Monteverde, who works for Safe Harbors.

Corporation Counsel Michelle Kelson explained to the city council during the March 7 work session that Safe Harbors volunteered and applied for a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would fund the work needed for evaluation of the existing conditions of the hillside. The city was not eligible to apply for the grant. The grant awarded to Safe Harbors was $500,000.

A request for proposal was sent out by Safe Harbors which was accepted by HRP Associates, who have worked with the city in the past with environmental work according to Kelson. The agreement would be for Safe Harbors and HRP to access the city owned properties. The agreement in full detail is available on the city website for public review.