NEWBURGH – The Newburgh Illuminated Festival will apparently go on this summer following a straw vote by the Newburgh City Council Monday night.
The festival committee and three members of the council held negotiations last Friday and came to compromises that would have the festival held on July 22.
The informal vote by the council on Monday night saw four members supporting it, two abstaining and one absent. A formal vote must be held at a future meeting.
Compromises agreed upon in the negotiation session include a noon start to the event and a phased conclusion by 9 p.m., a footprint change, no fee for businesses that operate within the footprint of the event, and other considerations.
Voting informally for the festival this summer were Mayor Torrance Harvey and Council Members Robert Sklarz, Ramona Monteverde, and Gizelle Martinez. Members Anthony Grice and Omari Shakur abstained and Member Patty Sofokles was absent.
