NEWBURGH – Dozens of Newburgh city residents told the city council Monday evening that the city does not need a police and fire commissioner when both departments already have chiefs.

Both proposals are tucked in the city manager’s 2026 budget.

Among the speakers was Dr. Robert Gervasi, the president of Mount St. Mary College, who agreed with the unanimous consent of the residents who expressed their feelings to the lawmakers.

“I think the proposal to create commissioners is, frankly, misguided,” he said. “I don’t impugn any kind of motive. It is impossible to know what is someone else’s heart, but we can agree on the objective merits and reality that people have already brought forth, I think, is quite true.”

The college president said the city should “professionally develop the leade

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