Newburgh neighbors blame 'neglectful' developer for unplowed Morris Avenue
News 12’s Ben Nandy reports from Middletown where the people are digging out from nearly a foot of snow.
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Residents of Morris Avenue are snowed in again, and Newburgh city officials are losing patience with a developer they said is neglecting the neighborhood.
City officials said, since the developer of the neighborhood is failing to complete certain infrastructure work, it is still illegal for city crews to plow here.
It is a common occurrence here - streets are left unplowed and neighbors are left trapped.
"I called out from my job because there's no way to take out the car," one resident said.
Residents have had to shovel the street themselves or hire a private contractor to plow it, ever since they moved in four years ago.
"The City of Newburgh is telling us this block is not on the map yet," neighbor Danny Smith said in disbelief.
City officials said their crews cannot plow here because the developer -- Iconic Properties -- must still finish work on the street, curb and sewer.
Until then, the area is still considered private property.
The state constitution prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars for private purposes.
"It's very disheartening because we come here, we pay our taxes," resident Tyler Parris said. "And we're still not being met with what's needed for us."
News 12 left messages for Iconic Properties, asking when the company plans to finish the necessary work.
As of Tuesday evening, the company has not responded.
City officials said they empathize with Morris Avenue residents, and that Iconic Properties is neglecting the neighborhood.
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