Today is Independence Day, and with schools on summer recess and families off on vacations, it has been a very quiet week at Town Hall. The summer recreation program is off to a strong start in its first week, and concerts at GPAC have been very well attended. There are lots of upcoming outdoor events. More details are shared below.

Town News & Announcements

The 2024 Summer Camp’s six-week, half-day program started this week and runs through Friday, August 9. You can register for the one and two-week sessions. The camp brochure details over 100 sports camps, enrichment classes, and fun activities.

Tawasentha Park’s pool’s swimming hours are weekdays from Noon to 7pm, and weekends from 11:30am to 7pm. Adult Lap swim is available on Monday through Thursday from 11am to Noon and on weekends from 10am to 11:30am.

After a night off tonight because of the holiday, the Guilderland Performing Arts Center’s 2024 season will continue next Thursday, July 11 at 7:30pm with a concert by the Guilderland Town Band. The food truck that evening is Buena Comida, with tacos and Latin American fare. Park Playhouse Stage Company’s production of The Marvelous Wonderettes takes place the following weekend on Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21 at 7:30pm, with an additional 4pm matinee on Saturday, July 20.

Tawasentha Park’s adult exercise facility has proven to be very popular which likely contributed to the recognition of the Town as the State’s healthiest community based on the use of the new facility. You can also use a free app available for tracking your use of the equipment. There are also wide-ranging group activities, such as Functional Fitness, Functional Strength Training, Lifted Vision Community Yoga, Tai Chi, and Total Body Circuit. Please bring water and wear comfortable, exercise clothing and sneakers.

On Friday, July 12 from Noon to 5pm, the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Town Hall. You can make an appointment by entering “Guilderlandtown” as the sponsor code at www.redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

On Wednesday, July 24 at 7pm, the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will meet to discuss the draft comprehensive plan. The CPUC members are now working on assigned topic areas, and are expected to unveil their draft with the public before the meeting.

Community Caregivers has an ongoing need for volunteer drivers who can transport seniors for medical and other essential trips. This type of support helps keep our neighbors in their homes. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Community Caregivers at info@communitycaregivers.org or by calling (518) 456-2898.

Please remember that the sale and, except where licensed, the use of fireworks, such as sparkling devices, firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, spinners, and aerial devices, is illegal in Albany County. The unlawful sale or use of fireworks can result in a violation, class B or class A misdemeanor, or class E felony. The illegal use of fireworks is dangerous to persons and property, and unnecessarily disturbs dogs, cats and wildlife.

The Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates for Equipment Operator II, Police Officer, Paramedic, Stormwater Management Officer, Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher, and Laborer positions in the Highway, Parks and Water Departments.

Community Events and Resources

The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce is spotlighting local restaurants during Restaurant Week which will run from Monday, July 15 to Monday, July 22, with fixed price menus for $24.24. The participating restaurants include Athos, Barcelona, Café Calabria, Hedge Bistro, Jacob & Anthony, MezzaNotte Ristorante, Northern Barrell, Peaches Café, Sage Bistro, and Tara Kitchen. More restaurants are expected to participate. The Chamber is also sponsoring a Biking, Burgers & Beverages event on Thursday, July 18 from 5pm to 7pm at the Albany County Rail Trail in Voorheesville. The event will include craft and vendor tents, live music, food and beverage, and bicycle safety and skills course.

The Guilderland Public Library’s monthly events calendar has interesting activities for all ages, including a virtual seminar on Thursday, August 15 from 2pm to 3:15pm, entitled The Golden Ticket to College Admissions Is Not What You Think: Redefining Success for Parents of Teens, when a former Stanford University admissions officer will share insights on the application process.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s summer calendar is full of activities for children and adults, including on Monday, July 8 at 2pm, an Introduction to Invasive Plants, an hour-long tutorial about invasive species in our area, with an indoor talk and outdoor walk to learn what invasive species are and how they differ from native species. On Wednesday, July 17, the Preserve is hosting “Nature Night Out”, when you can enjoy live music and a meal from food truck vendors, take a Story Walk along the trail, and learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Pine Bush with interactive Discovery Center exhibits. The Discovery Center will be opened until 7:30pm to take advantage of longer sunlit hours.

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s summer events calendar includes a guided hike of the Bozen Kill Preserve starting at the trailhead in Altamont on Saturday, July 20 at 10am. Stewards will lead hikers along the trails and discuss the area's unique geology, history, flora and fauna. On Sunday, August 11 from 10am to 1pm, MHLC is hosting Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants with Ondatra Adventures, when Dave Muska of Ondatra Adventures will explain the edible and medicinal plants that inhabit the Bozen Kill Preserve.

The New York State Library’s summer calendar is full of free public programs, including seminars, trainings, book talks, and walking tours. On Monday, July 15 from 1pm to 2pm, the State Library is hosting a webinar on accessing resources through NOVELny, a Statewide Internet Library, providing access to wide-ranging resources.

The Summer Movie Express at Regal Cinemas at Crossgates, which shows two kid-friendly movies for $1 per ticket on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August 7, continues next week with a double-billing of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie on July 9 and 10.

The CDC has expressed concerns that, as of June 25, COVID-19 infections are growing in 44 states. The CDC also noted that the presence of COVID in the sampling of wastewater remains low but has recently increased with the highest rates in the western states.

The CDC also released updated recommendations for vaccination against COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), based on input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. For the COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 vaccine when they become available later this year. The 2024-2025 vaccine is formulated to protect against currently circulating variants of COVID-19 and will protect people from the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. For the flu vaccine, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions, receive an updated 2024-2025 flu vaccine to reduce the risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications this fall and winter. While the CDC recommends flu vaccination as long as influenza viruses are circulating, it added that September and October remain the best times for most people to get vaccinated. For the RSV vaccine, the CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine for everyone ages 75 and older, and at-risk people ages 60 to 74. The CDC added that the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer or early fall, before RSV usually starts to spread in the community.

Town Hall and the Transfer Station will be closed tomorrow for the 4^th of July holiday. I hope that you have safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor

Town News & Announcements

Upcoming Meetings at Town Hall

Community Events and Resources