Port Jervis Council approves local law prohibiting camping and sleeping on public property

The public hearing for Local Law No. 4 of 2025 was held during the April 14 Port Jervis Common Council meeting.

Described in the hearing notice as “a Local Law amending Chapter 398 of the City Code of Port Jervis to provide for the prohibition of camping and sleeping on public property” except if permitted by city officials.

This includes campers and vehicles parked along the street for Wi-Fi use.

City resident Peter Tomasi addressed the council about it. Tomasi is the Church Council President at Saint Peter’s Church, which provides a winter warming station from November to March where the homeless can take shelter for the night.

He questioned how the law might affect the homeless and other displaced people who have no place to stay during the other months of the year.

After the council’s executive session, it was explained that city police are trained to aid individuals who may be found sleeping or camping on public property and not to automatically ticket them.

Local Law No. 4 was passed. Councilman Stanley Siegel summed up its intent: “It’s about people camping on our public trails and in our public parks.”

Hires and appointments

Two full-time officers will join the Port Jervis Police Department with start dates in early May, pending satisfactory background checks and completion of all necessary paperwork.

A seasonal employee of the Department of Public Works will begin employment this month.

Heather Marino was hired as the city assessor.

Yvonne Duryea has been appointed to the Civil Service Commission and David Gonzalez to the Zoning Board.

No Empty Chair

The New York State No Empty Chair campaign will run from April 21 to April 25. The purpose is to educate teens on the dangers they may face during the prom and graduation season in the hope they will be kept safe and able to attend these important events.

Arbor Day

April 26th the Arbor Day ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Spongy moth information and saplings will be available.

Tourism grant

Tourism Board Chair Laura Meyer was acknowledged for her efforts in securing a $4,999 grant through Orange County Tourism.

Upcoming events

A new community event, the Delaware River Boat Regatta, will be held at West End Beach on Aug. 23 from noon to 6 p.m.

May 3 will be the city-wide yard sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Maghogomock Hook and Ladder chicken barbecue also will be held May 3 from noon to 6 p.m.

In other business

An invitation was extended to city landlords to attend the Port Jervis Landlords’ Association meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.

Councilwoman Misty Fuller presented the news outlets for the city. Times Herald-Record as the official newspaper, Pike County Dispatch for notices and local laws, WDLC as the radio station and PJTV 23 as the official television station were all voted in by the council.

Tim Simmons of the Port Jervis Fire Department Special Operations Team made a presentation of $1,250 to John Faggione, Recreation Director. The funds, proceeds from the Port Polar Plunge, will be used to assist with paying for lifeguard services this summer.

Faggione, along with Chip Estenes, received personalized Polar Plunge sweatshirts as a show of appreciation for their support of the Plunge. Estenes raised $1,026 for this year’s event.

A moment of silence was held in memory of Veronica “Ronnie” Gioia, a school crossing guard from Matamoras, Pa., who died April 3, and lifelong Port Jervis resident Daniel Aumick, who died April 6.