Local, county, and state officials are investigating a mysterious odor that has been lingering in many portions of New Windsor and Cornwall. State officials and the Orange County Haz-Mat Team have been deployed to the area to investigate.
Readers first alerted The Newburgh News of an odor resembling men’s cologne in the area of the Five Corners in Vail’s Gate last night. The strange smell has continued through today.
Cornwall Town Supervisor Joshua Wojehowski reported that he has been in contact with Governor Kathy Hochul’s Regional Office as well as New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Kelly Turturro. State officials have deployed teams to investigate the source of the smell and to determine if there is any danger to the public.
Numerous people have reported feeling ill or having other effects, Wojehowski noted. He is urging anyone feeling sick to seek medical assistance.
This afternoon, the Orange County Department of Health reported many residents have found a mysterious residue on their vehicles. Environmental health staff from Orange County are currently in the field investigating.
The Orange County Hazardous Materials Team is investigating to determine the origin. The New Windsor, Cornwall, and Washingtonville Police Departments are checking manufacturing businesses in their jurisdictions for any releases or leaks, but nothing has been found so far.
Some residents have speculated that the odor and residue could be from the train derailment and hazardous material spill in Ohio that has made national headlines. This is speculation and has not been confirmed by any official agencies.
Officials from multiple agencies are continuing to investigate into the evening.
