Boards & Commissions

Board and Commission Appointment Policy and Procedure

A uniform policy and procedure for the appointment of individuals to serve on the City’s boards and commissions.

Appointments List

A list of all current City board and commission vacancies which will expire during the next calendar year with the name of the incumbent appointee, the date of appointment, and the date the term expires.

Board & Commission Application

Submit completed application or letter of intent to City of Newburgh Executive Office, attn: City Manager, 83 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550 or e-mail to Boards@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov

Apply online: https://cityofnewburgh.seamlessdocs.com/f/BoardApplication

Architectural Review Commission

The Architectural Review Commission (ARC) is constituted under City Code §300-37 and consists of seven members appointed by the City Manager for five-year terms, and two alternates appointed by the City Manager for two-year terms. The ARC is empowered by City Code §300-38 to preserve the character of the City’s historic and architectural design districts through review and (dis)approval of proposed changes to the exterior of buildings and landmarks in such districts.

Arts & Cultural Commission

The City of Newburgh Arts and Cultural Commission (NACC) is established in Chapter 14 of the City Code and consists of no more than 15 members appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The NACC is empowered by City Code §14-1 to advise and make recommendations to the City government and its agencies on issues related to the development of art and culture; insuring public funding for the arts and arts education; promoting arts and culture as an integral part of community life; fostering a creative environment reflective of the multicultural nature of the City of Newburgh and to guarantee equal access to the arts; enhancing access to, appreciation of and participation in the arts for all persons; providing more educational opportunities for all persons to learn about the arts, and increasing the role played by the arts in education in all forms.

Board of Assessment Review

The Board of Assessment Review is constituted under §C7-30 of the City Charter and consists of five members appointed by the City Council for five-year term. The Board of Assessment Review shall hear and determine complaints in relation to assessments and shall have all the powers and duties imposed by law on Boards of Review by Article 5 of the Real Property Tax Law and by any other law.

Board of Electrical Examiners

The Board of Electrical Examiners is constituted under Chapter 30 of the City Code and consists of five members. The Board of Electrical Examiners is responsible for approving applicants for licenses to conduct electrical work within the City, under the requirements of the Electrical Code, and to maintain a list of such approved electrical contractors.

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics is constituted under City Code §34-5 and consists of five members appointed by the City Council for five-year terms. The Board of Ethics renders advisory opinions to the officers and employees of the City of Newburgh with respect to Article 18 of the General Municipal Law and §34-5(F) of the City code pursuant to the written request of any member of the general public, any officer or employee of the City of Newburgh or any member of the Board of Ethics.

Conservation Advisory Council

The Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) is constituted under City Code §159-4 and consists of seven residents appointed by the City Council for two-year terms. The CAC is an advisory body authorized to conduct studies, surveys, and inventories of the natural and man-made features within the City to create and maintain a Natural Resource Inventory and Open Space Map for the City.

Citizens Advisory Committee

The Citizens Advisory Committee is constituted under Chapter 12 of the City Code and consists of seven members appointed by the City Council for two-year terms. The Citizens Advisory Committee’s sole purpose is to create a committee composed of citizens from the wards of the City of Newburgh who shall be responsible for developing a pool of individuals interested and qualified to serve on the Districting Commission as provided in §C1.21 of the City Charter.

Civil Service Commission

The City of Newburgh Civil Service Commission is established in City Charter §15.10 under authority of New York State Civil Service Law §15. The Commission consists of three members appointed by the City Council for six-year terms. The Commission is responsible for administering the New York State Civil Service Law’s merit and fitness requirements for all exams, qualifying appointments, and promotions for the following jurisdictions: the City of Newburgh, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, and Newburgh Housing Authority.

Districting Commission

The Districting Commission is established every 10 years following the availability of the necessary decennial federal census data to evaluate existing wards and redistrict them as necessary so that they remain compact and contiguous and in compliance with established standards of state and federal law for equal and fair representation of all people in the City of Newburgh.

Examining Board of Plumbers

The Examining Board of Plumbers constituted, under City Code Chapter 230 & NYS General City Law Article 4,consists of three residents appointed by the City Manager for three-year terms. Plumbing permits are required for all water, sewer, street openings, renovations, and the replacement of fixtures, boilers, and water heaters within the City limits.

Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is constituted under Chapter 51 of the City Code and consists of seven members appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. Pursuant to §239(Q) of the General Municipal Law, the HRC is empowered to foster mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious and nationality groups in the community and to inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between various racial, religious and nationality groups and to report complaints to the New York State Division of Human Rights alleging unlawful discriminatory practices.

Newburgh Industrial Development Agency

The City of Newburgh Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is a public benefit corporation created under Title 2, Article 18-A of the NYS General Municipal Law to advance the City Council’s interests and prerogatives by promoting the economic welfare, recreation opportunities, and prosperity of the City’s inhabitants.

Police Community Relations and Review Board

The Police Community Relations and Review Board (PCRRB) is established under Chapter 72 of the City Code and consists of seven residents appointed by the City Council. The goals of the Board are to improve communication between the City of Newburgh Police Department and the community, increase police accountability and credibility with the public, and create a fair and impartial complaint process.

Planning Board

The Planning Board is constituted under Chapter 76 of the City Code and consists of seven members appointed by the City Manager for seven-year terms, and two alternates appointed by the City Manager for two-year terms. The Planning Board oversees subdivision, site plan and special use permit approvals throughout the City of Newburgh in an effort to ensure compliance with the Zoning Code, to evaluate and mitigate environmental impacts of proposed development, and to provide for orderly growth pursuant to the City of Newburgh Master Plan.

Strategic Economic Development Committee

The Mayor’s Strategic Economic Development Advisory Committee (SEDAC) is a volunteer, community-led, non-chartered advisory board of residents, business owners, community leaders, and stakeholders tasked with analyzing, reviewing, and advising the City Council on economic development opportunities that are effective, inclusive, and equitable.

Transportation Advisory Committee

The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) is constituted under Chapter 71 of the City Code and consists of nine members appointed by the City Council for two-year terms. The TAC is empowered by §71-1 of the City Code to develop and/or review needs assessments, transportation planning and policies, studies and projects, as well as ensure that parking, traffic and transportation goals and objectives developed in the forty-year sustainable Master Plan are met.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is constituted under Article XIII of the City Code and consists of seven members appointed by the City Manager for seven-year terms, and two alternate members appointed by the City Manager for two-year terms. The ZBA is an administrative body that reviews all applications seeking relief from decisions made by the Zoning Enforcement Officer (a.k.a. Building Inspector) as it relates to the use, placement of structures, off-street parking, and other such requirements for every parcel of land as required by the City of Newburgh Zoning Code.