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• 
  Orange County Executive Order: Burn Ban - State of Emergency Declared on October 28th

  Executive Steven M. Neuhaus Issues Burn Ban Executive Order

  COUNTY OF ORANGE

  EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 13 OF 2024

  DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN ORANGE COUNTY 

  DUE TO PROLONGED DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS 

  AND PROHIBITING CERTAIN BURNING ACTIVITIES 

            I, Steven M. Neuhaus, County Executive of the County of Orange, State of New York, do hereby declare as an EXECUTIVE ORDER the following:

  WHEREAS, the entirety of the County of Orange (hereinafter the “County”) has been experiencing prolonged dry weather conditions over the course of several months, which has resulted in extremely dry vegetation and environmental conditions that are susceptible to fire; and

  WHEREAS, said prolonged dry weather has created a real, immediate and continued danger of wildfires and fire-related hazard, and the concomitant perilous effect on the lives and safety of the inhabitants that live in the effected portions of the County, and which require immediate measures to protect the lives, health and safety of the public; and 

  WHEREAS, local fire officials are reporting elevated fire danger levels that are a direct threat to the lives, health and safety of the residents and visitors in the County; and 

  WHEREAS, the National Integrated Drought Information System currently lists the County as being “Abnormally Dry” and provides that September 2024 was the 8th driest September on record for Orange County over the past 130 years; and  

  WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 24 of the Executive Law of the State of New York, the County Executive of Orange County, as its Chief Executive, is authorized to proclaim a local state of emergency within any part or all of the territorial limits of the County of Orange, and in connection therewith the County Executive may promulgate local emergency orders to protect life and property or to bring the emergency situation under control.

  NOW, THEREFORE, I, Steven M. Neuhaus, as County Executive and Chief Executive of the County of Orange, New York do hereby find the public safety to be imperiled by the present and imminent conditions created by the above-referenced weather conditions and the resulting risk of fire and fire-related hazards to the lives of residents, officials, rescue workers and other in the County of Orange and, consequently, to safeguard the lives, health, safety and property of the public, I do hereby declare a STATE OF EMERGENCY for the entirety of the County of Orange pursuant to, inter alia, New York State Executive Law Sections 24 and 25, beginning at 1:00 p.m. this date, October 28, 2024, and continuing until such time that I declare the State of Emergency is no longer necessary or such declaration expires by law, whichever is first; and

  I FURTHER ORDER, that as a result of my Declaration of a State of Emergency and above findings, that for the duration of this Declaration and Order subject to extensions, if necessary, that the following is hereby PROHIBITED within the boundaries of the County of Orange:

  All outdoor burning of any material, including, but not limited to, yard waste, household paper products, bonfires, campfires, warming fires, outdoor fireplaces, outdoor chimneys and any cooking fires unless such an activity is expressly authorized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

  The following exceptions shall apply to the above list: (i) outdoor cooking for food exclusively is permitted within a contained gas or charcoal grill; (ii) any firefighting training; and (iii) any burn operations expressly approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

  Pursuant to New York Executive Law § 24(5), any person who knowingly violates this Executive Order is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

            This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and, pursuant to New York Executive Law § 24(3) shall be (1) signed in quadruplicate, (2) published as soon as practicable in a newspaper of general circulation in Orange County and transmitted to the radio and television media for publication and broadcast, and (3) filed within 72 hours or as soon thereafter as practicable in the (i) office of the Clerk of the County Legislature, (ii) office of the County Clerk, (iii) office of the Secretary of State, and (iv) State Office of Emergency Management within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, either directly and/or through the County of Orange Division of Emergency Management.

  ORDERED this 28th day of October, 2024

  Hon. Steven M. Neuhaus

• Update from Supervisor Meyers on New Windsor precautions in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

  Based on the recommendation of New York State that local governments have 50% of employees working remotely due to the spread of COVID-19, Supervisor Meyers is taking action for the health and safety of our employees and ensuring our government continues to function for New Windsor residents. Town Departments are having employees work from home or in split shifts where possible without affecting services to the public. The New Windsor Police and New Windsor Ambulance are taking extra precautions to protect their officers and staff. Additional precautions are being taken with our highway, water and sewer departments to ensure staff availability to run critical town infrastructure.

  Town Hall is still open to the public for the time being, however the Town is encouraging the public not to come to Town Hall or our Recreation department unless it absolutely necessary. Please conduct business via phone, email, online or via US mail where possible. New Windsor offers online utility bill payments, court fines and fees payments, online FOIL requests, online mapping, and more on our website at newwindsor-ny.gov.

  Above all, Supervisor Meyers would like to assure the public that even if Town Hall does close to the public, the New Windsor government will continue to function and provide all critical services to our residents. We will continue to provide residents and businesses with information as it becomes available.

• 
  New Windsor designated a yellow COVID-19 hot zone by New York State

  The State of New York has designated New Windsor as a COVID-19 hot zone (yellow) as of today, November 19.  In Orange County, New Windsor has been the number two municipality for positive cases in the last number of days.  Two other designated yellow hot zones in Orange County at the moment are the Cities of Newburgh and Middletown.

  Supervisor Meyers is asking our residents to please adhere to the guidelines issued by the Department of Health. These include, but not limited to, wearing masks, frequent hand washing and social distancing. Supervisor Meyers is very concerned about the impact on the Town if we are moved to an orange hot zone.

  Listed below are the three zones and the information about each.

• Message from Supervisor Meyers Regarding Town Finances

  From Supervisor Meyers:
  
  I want to give a quick synopsis of where the Town of New Windsor is heading next year as it relates to the town’s finances/taxes. The town, as is the case with many businesses and residents, is not in great financial condition. The town comptroller has cautioned me a number of times regarding his concerns as it relates to the town’s fiscal condition going forward next year. Two huge issues/problems facing the town are the economy and our union contracts with our unionized employees. These contracts were negotiated a couple of years ago during different economic times. An attempt was made to seek some concessions from the PBA and the CSEA - to no avail as of this time. Many of our businesses and residents are struggling (nationally 25% of businesses have gone out of business and are not coming back). I have been told many times recently by owners and residents: “I don’t know how I am going to pay my taxes.” We cannot continue going forward as if nothing is wrong.
  
  I will update our taxpayers over the coming weeks as to what steps I am going to propose to the Town Board to address this situation. To me, raising taxes is not an option.
   

• Supervisor Meyers advises that the New Windsor waives property tax exemption renewal requirement for Senior Citizens and Disabled Individuals

  Supervisor Meyers advises that the New Windsor waives property tax exemption renewal requirement for Senior Citizens and Disabled Individuals
  On January 6, 2022, the New Windsor Town Board passed a resolution waiving the renewal application requirement for Low Income Senior Citizens and Individuals with Disabilities with Limited Income. This option was allowed by a recently issued Executive Order by Governor Hochul. The goal is to protect these people from having to file the applications with the Assessor’s Office due to Covid. For the next tax cycle. these individuals will receive the same exemption at the same percentages that they received last year without having to file the renewal applications. This same Resolution was also passed last year.
  Veterans Property Tax Exemption- New York State moves back the commencement date for the Vietnam War.
  The State of New York recently amended the commencement date of the Vietnam War from February 28, 1961, to November 1, 1955. Certain veterans may now qualify for a greater exemption. Veterans that had been receiving a Cold War exemption may now qualify for having served during a period of war. The Town of New Windsor Assessor’s Office will be sending a letter to those property owners that are currently receiving a Cold War Veterans exemption to inform them they may benefit from this change and should look into filing for the Alternative Veterans exemption. The next exemption filing deadline is March 1st, 2022.

• 30 Day Public Notice Review and Comment Update Hazard Mitigation Plan

  TOWN OF NEW WINDSOR TOWN BOARD
  NOTICE OF THIRTY (30) DAY PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE ADOPTION OF AN UPDATE TO TOWN-WIDE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

  The Town of New Windsor is preparing an update of their previously adopted 2016 Hazard Mitigation Plan. This update to the Plan allows the Town to remain eligible for future Federal and New York State mitigation and disaster funding. 

  Public notice is hereby given that the Town of New Windsor Town Board is soliciting public review and comment on its Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan for a period of thirty (30) days commencing on January 15, 2021 and continuing through February 15, 2021. The Town Board has therefore directed the Town Clerk to post a complete copy of the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan on the Town of New Windsor’s website at: www.newwindsor-ny.gov for public review and comment. In addition, a complete copy of the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan is on file and available for inspection in the Town Clerk’s Office located at the Town of New Windsor Town Hall, 555 Union Avenue, New Windsor, New York 12553.  Current Town Hall business hours are, by appointment only, Monday through Friday, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

  The Town of New Windsor Town Board is holding a public hearing on the draft Plan at its March 3, 2021 Town Board Meeting at 555 Union Avenue, New Windsor, New York 12553, at 7:00 p.m.

  Due to public health and safety concerns related to COVID-19 and in accordance with Executive Orders issued by the Governor of the State of New York, the Town intends to conduct this hearing remotely.  Please check the Town’s website and Facebook page prior to the Public Hearing for updates, which may be necessary due to a lifting of the Governor’s Executive Order.  If conducted remotely, the public can view the hearing on the Town’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/NewWindsorNY/) or listen by telephone.  Information on how to listen by telephone will be posted before the meeting on the Town’s website at http://newwindsor-ny.gov/New-Windsor-Connect/Online-Meetings (a link to this page can also be found on the top right hand side of the Town’s homepage at http://newwindsor-ny.gov/).  Any member of the public that wants to be heard regarding the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan may email questions or comments, before or during the hearing, to hmpc@newwindsor-ny.gov.  Every effort will also be made to give the public the opportunity to participate in the hearing via videoconference.  Instructions on how to participate will be posted before the hearing on the Town’s Facebook page and on the Town’s website, at the web address listed above.    

  The Town Board and the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee are inviting input on the Plan from surrounding municipalities and all interested parties. All persons wishing to be heard will be given the opportunity to speak at the public hearing, in accordance with above protocols, or may submit written comments to:  hmpc@newwindsor-ny.gov on or before March 3, 2021.