It was announced at last week’s New Windsor Town Board that the town’s Information Technology Department will be discontinuing service with the Towns of Monroe and Tuxedo. Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti said this has nothing to do with the current corruption investigation being conducted by the district attorney’s office.

However, Bedetti has had conversations with Chief Information Technology Officer John McDonald about reviewing the 21 other intermunicipal agreements and what the future might hold. Meetings will determine what is manageable and what is not going forward. Once the department has offered suggestions, the town board will be able to weigh in with their thoughts.

In other business from the meeting:
Short-term rentals. The town’s attorney drafted a short-term rental agreement based on last month’s discussion by the board. Bedetti said he wanted the agreement to include language requiring the owner to live in the prospective rental. Councilwoman Sylvia Santiago worried this could cause an uptick in illegal finished basements which would allow the owner to stay in the home while renting out the larger space. Bedetti countered saying there are inspections which must be conducted before granting permission for a short-term rental. Councilman Michael Schwartz suggested annual fire inspections should be conducted while Bedetti posed inspections prior to each rental period.

Budget. Preparation of the 2027 budget is underway. Currently the allowable levy increase under the tax cap is $595,037, but substantial increases are expected in retirement, wages, and benefits. Bedetti said the increase in medical benefits won’t be known until the budget is passed. Other notables heading into the budget season are water charges from New York City are down 1.6 percent while the town is experiencing a six percent increase from its wells. A new CSEA contract is currently being negotiated while the PBA contract is set for discussion next year. The goal is to remain under the cap, however, the board will hold a public hearing regarding a proposed local law to override the tax levy limit at 7 p.m. on Sept. 2. The board has remained under the cap every year except for last year.

Bond. The board adopted the issuance of a $3,306,000 bond for the Stewart Airport infrastructure improvement project. The project will consist of inflow and infiltration improvements, replacement of sewer main, and other related improvements.

Moratorium. A six-month moratorium is now in place on warehouses, distribution facilities, and self-storage facility approvals, other than those in the airport zone, while a partial update to the comprehensive plan is conducted.

Vacuum truck. A WQIP grant, through the Department of Environmental Conservation, in the amount of $400,000, allowed the town to purchase a new vacuum truck. Delivery of the truck is expected in October.

Grant. The town received a $20,000 grant funded by the New York State Youth Sports and Education Program Funding through the Orange County Youth Bureau for the Reconnecting Every Child program.

Community Day. New Windsor’s annual Community Day will be from noon to 8 p.m. on Sept. 19. Enjoy food, various craft vendors, rides, music, and a fireworks display. Community Day is held at Kristi Babcock Memorial Park.