Newburgh Town Council discusses solar exemptions

By Mallika Rao
Posted 11/6/19

Among the topics discussed during the most recent Town of Newburgh workshop meeting were property tax exemptions for buildings that maintain solar energy systems.

As Town Attorney Mark Taylor …

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Newburgh Town Council discusses solar exemptions

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Among the topics discussed during the most recent Town of Newburgh workshop meeting were property tax exemptions for buildings that maintain solar energy systems.

As Town Attorney Mark Taylor put it, the tax exemptions will only be applied to facilities that established solar energy systems that meet the guidelines stated by the Real Property Tax code of Orange County.

What this means is that buildings that established solar energy systems before July 1, 1988, between January 1, 1991 and January 1, 2005, can be eligible for this tax exemption.

Additionally, buildings with alternative fuel systems built between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2025 are eligible.

This comes as solar energy is becoming a more popular source of energy for residential and commercial properties in the Town of Newburgh.

“There are too many places in the town where solar power is being used,” said Taylor. “Perhaps other municipalities should step up to the plate in respect to solar farms.”

The town board also approved two new hires. It has hired Michael Carfura as a part-time police officer, while Katherine A. Keenan was appointed court clerk for the town court.

The Gomez-Mill House Foundation has requested $5,000 from the county for maintenance purposes.

Board member Scott Manley acknowledged the popularity of this tourist attraction and need for funds.

“I went up there and it’s a pretty open house,” he said. “It’s one of the more historical attractions. We should help them out.”

Fellow member James Presutti agreed.

“More people go there than you realize, it seems to be so tucked away,” he said.