By Alberto Gilman
The Town of Newburgh held its first town board meeting of 2025 on Monday, Jan. 13, setting the stage for the year ahead with reorganization efforts and welcoming a new member to the board.
Supervisor Gil Piaquadio presided over the meeting, joined by council members Scott Manley, Anthony LoBiondo, Paul Ruggiero, and newly elected Councilman Jim Politi. The meeting began with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Politi’s swearing-in ceremony. Politi, whose granddaughter Lola held the Bible, took the oath of office administered by Town Judge Richard Clarino. He fills the seat of the late Councilwoman Elizabeth Greene.
2025 Meeting and Holiday Schedules Adopted
The board approved the 2025 schedule, with regular town board meetings set for 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, and workshop meetings scheduled for the fourth Monday. All meetings will be held in the Public Meeting Room at Town Hall, 1496 Route 300, unless otherwise noted. Special and emergency meetings will be called as needed under Local Law No. 4 of 1998. The town’s official publication remains the Mid Hudson Times.
Key Appointments for 2025
Several appointments for the year were confirmed, including:
• Town Attorney: Mark Taylor, Rider, Weiner & Frankel, P.C.
• Labor Attorney: Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petigrow & Mayle LLP
• Engineers: MHE Engineering
• Registrar of Vital Statistics: Town Clerk Lisa M. Vance-Ayers, with Dominique Rivera as Deputy Registrar
• Freedom of Information Officers: Vance-Ayers (FOIL Officer) and Dawnmarie Busweiler (Deputy FOIL Officer)
• Safety Officer: Gerald Canfield
• Sole Assessor: Molly Carhart (term ends September 2025)
• Financial Advisor: Munistat Services Inc.
The board also approved appointments for tax certiorari attorneys, planning board members, ethics board members, and other town personnel.
Town Leadership and Liaison Assignments
Supervisor Piaquadio named Melisa Clark-Dawson as Secretary to the Supervisor and Scott Manley as Deputy Supervisor, with Manley granted a take-home vehicle. Alan Crawford will continue as town historian.
Council liaisons for town departments were assigned as follows:
• Scott Manley: Accounting, zoning board, planning board, police, and code compliance.
• Anthony LoBiondo: Town clerk, justice court, buildings and grounds, and Chadwick Lake Trail.
• Paul Ruggiero: Highway, water, sewer, and animal control.
• Jim Politi: Ambulance corps, assessor, recreation, and fire bureau.
Supervisor’s Remarks
Supervisor Piaquadio highlighted the town’s achievements in 2024, including the start of construction on a new recreation and senior center at Chadwick Lake, maintaining an Aa-2 Moody’s rating, and securing several grant awards. The highway department resurfaced over 10 miles of road, while the Colden Park Water Main Replacement Project nears completion. The police department grew its ranks with new hires and promotions, and upgrades to the town justice court are on the horizon.
The meeting concluded with the board expressing optimism for the year ahead and welcoming Councilman Politi to his new role.