NEWBURGH – The City of Newburgh’s back is up against the wall in terms of trying to secure the funding to retain a dozen firefighters when a federal grant expires this summer.
The city is applying for a third round of the SAFER grant, but it remains unclear if it is eligible for it.
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney’s office has been working to secure federal funding, but on Monday, he renewed his belief that the city must take responsibility for paying to keep the men on the job.
“I have been very clear about how important it is that the city pick up this responsibility,” the congressman said. “They have had years to plan for it. The county has pointed to a source of funds that would be useful. We are trying to go back and secure additional funding based on certain local commitments that we are trying to secure.”
Maloney is talking about over $500,000 in additional sales tax revenue Orange County has given to Newburgh. City officials note that if that money is applied to retain the firefighters, it would only cover the cost through the end of the year and officials would face the same issue of where to find funding – $1 million – to cover the cost for a full year in 2019.
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