Town of Newburgh resident Margaret Gaydos sought to put the Town Board on the spot Monday night when she quizzed them about efforts to reach contract agreements with the CSEA and PBA.

“When was the last attempt to settle contracts with the unions?” she asked.

Deputy Supervisor George Woolsey, sitting in for Wayne Booth who was out of town, replied that he has sat in on the CSEA negotiations for the past three years.

“What’s the issue?” asked Gaydos. “Why can’t contracts be settled without attorneys being involved? She added.

“There are two sides to these negotiations,” Woolsey responded, correcting someone who believed that workers have been working without a contract for three years.

“One year,” he said. “It’s just been one year.”

Contract negotiations are in the hands of the lawyers now, Woolsey said, adding that his experience is that little is accomplished during head-to-head negotiations..

Gaydos earlier had asked the board what its policy is about allowing Town residents to use Town Hall or other Town facilities to be used for meetings.

Town Clerk Andrew J.  Zarutskie said the Town has a policy it adopted about 15 years ago forbidding organizations like Kiwanis or other groups (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts) from using the Town Hall. Other Town buildings (such as Parks and Recreation) may be used by these groups when they are available.

Town Board members chimed in when it came to recent stories about Newburgh Mayor Nick Valentine’s suggestion that the 9/11 terror trials be held at the Newburgh Courtroom.
Deputy Supervisor Woolsey stated that he is opposed to having 9/11 trials held locally as suggested by Valentine. “I personally oppose having the trials held locally,” he said. “I want that on the record.”

Councilman Eugene Bello agreed, saying “I can certainly agree with you on that, George. The City of Newburgh is not equipped to handle such a trial.”

Also concurring with their fellow board members were Councilman Gil Piaquadio and Councilwoman Betty Greene. Piaquadio said the trial should be held at a secure facility and Greene said she worries “that Town Police would be called in away from our Town residents and our utmost concern is for the protection of our Town people.”

In other actions, the board:

Approved the expenditure of $1,100 from the T-94 Animal Control budget line. The approved expenditure was for fencing, gates and fabric for dog runs at the Town’s Animal Shelter;

Approved a $1,265.60 expenditure to replace a Dell 960 computer in Chief of Police John Mahoney’s office. It was explained that the computer is more than five years old and has become incompatible with other computers that do business with the Town. The computer is supplied off state bid through a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Woolsey said the Town tries to by locally whenever it can but frequently goes off state bid because it simplifies the procedutre for the Town;

– Delayed the purchase of a Dell 960 computer for the Water Department while it obtains information about making the purchase through a local provider as suggested by Town resident Bill Corbin. Councilman Gil Piaquadio said he would research the subject (pricing and add-ons) and report back to the board in two weeks;

– Was informed that Town Hall will be closed for four days between Feb. 12 (Lincoln’s birthday) and Feb. 15 (President’s Day). Persons wishing to do business at Town Hall are advised they should do it before Feb. 11 or on Feb. 16 or thereafter.

By ALLAN GAUL
agaul@tcnewspapers.com