After two weeks with not even a drop of rain, we are finally receiving a measureable rainfall.  It should help improve conditions at Western Turnpike Golf Course for its fall season, often the best time to enjoy the course.  Leaves are now changing in color and beginning to fall.  The first day of the Highway Department’s vacuuming of leaf piles is less than two weeks away.  More details are shared below.  

Town News & Announcements

At its Tuesday, October 1 meeting, the Town Board will hold a public hearing at 7pm on the draft Town of Guilderland ADA Transition Plan.  The draft is the result of an 18-month review, inspection, rating, and action plan for Town-maintained sidewalks, with the help of a consultant.  You can provide comments at the public hearing or online.  The draft ADA plan is also available for review at Town Hall and Guilderland Public Library.

On Thursday, October 10 at 7pm, the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will consider comments offered at its September 10^th public hearing, and written comments submitted thereafter.  Written comments can be submitted online at the CPUC’s webpage, or mailed or dropped off at Town Hall through tomorrow.  

On Saturday, October 12 from 8am to 2pm, the Town is hosting the 2024 Fall Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Highway garage.  No pre-registration or event passes are required; just bring proof of Town residency, like a driver’s license or tax bill, or have a blue-colored sticker for Town parks and Transfer Station.   Please review the information sheet on what are acceptable and non-acceptable materials.  You can help the Town reduce the event’s cost by not discarding latex paint cans. The State’s paint care law allows you to bring paint cans to local vendors for proper disposal.  

The Town’s Fall Newsletter, which was mailed to over 12,000 residences, includes the Highway Department’s calendar, starting on Tuesday, October 10 for vacuuming leaf piles from the edge of your lawn.  The newsletter also details what’s happening or planned for, including park enhancements, sidewalks, and other significant public improvements.

We are proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Hometown Heroes Banner Program which recognizes active duty and veteran service members, both living and deceased, for their bravery, courage, and sacrifice.  Each banner honors a current or former Guilderland serviceperson by name, branch of service, and photo.  The banners will be displayed at Tawasentha Park at a special event held at GPAC.  In late fall, the banners are made available to sponsors.  Banners may be sponsored by individuals, families, businesses or organizations at a cost of $150 per banner.  The deadline for applications is February 28, 2025.  If you have any questions regarding banners, please call the Parks & Rec Office at (518) 456-3150.

On Tuesday, October 1, the Guilderland Garden Club will receive 20% of proceeds for sales (in-house, take out, and Grub Hub) between 4pm and 7pm at Bountiful Bread in Stuyvesant Plaza.

We are very pleased to announce that the Town received a $100,000 grant, sponsored by Assemblymember Phil Steck, to renovate the fire training facility and reconstruct its driveway and parking area.  The fire training facility has a classroom, and space for training firefighters on techniques.  The facility is adjacent to the fire tower in Guilderland Center that is being replaced with a new tower, with support of a $500,000 award from Albany County, and yearly contributions by the Town and the nine fire departments serving the Town.   These collective improvements are essential for the mandated hands-on training for fighting fires.   

On Wednesday, October 2 from 5pm to 8pm, the Fort Hunter Fire Company, located at 3525 Carman Road, is hosting its annual open house, with a live fire demonstration at 6:30pm, a tour of the firehouse, training for using fire extinguishers, and fire and safety games.  It is an opportunity to learn more about how volunteer firefighters serve our community every day, and consider how you might help by volunteering.  

The Town’s Senior Services Department September newsletter has information about classes and seminars, medical and shopping transportation, legal aide, community meals, and much more.   

The Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates for Deputy Receiver of Taxes, Police Officer, Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher, and Laborer positions in the Highway, Parks and Water Departments.  

Community Events & Resources

The Guilderland Public Library’s monthly events calendar includes on Wednesday, October 2 from 2pm to 3:15pm, a virtual author talk entitled A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats with Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. The talk will discuss the remarkable biodiversity of bats on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, where seventy-six species coexist.  The Smithsonian scientists’ expertise has been paired with photography of National Geographic in the book Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats.

On Saturday, September 28, from 2pm to 6pm, the McKownville United Methodist Church at 1565 Western Avenue is hosting a drive-thru Brooks Barbeque fundraiser.  

On Saturday October 5 from 10am to 2pm, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve is hosting its annual Smokey Bear Day at the Discovery Center located at 195 New Karner Road.   It is an opportunity to learn more about why proper fire management is an important natural component in protecting the Preserve’s ecosystem.  Among the benefits is the thinning of the forest canopy to allow sunlight to reach native plant species that are overtaken by those that like shade.  Other beneficial effects include reducing fuel buildup and preventing catastrophic losses of uncontrolled wildfires. Smokey Bear and a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Ranger will make appearances throughout the day, and Albany Pine Bush Preserve Fire Management and Education staff will be on hand.  

The NYS State Library has in-person and virtual seminars, including tomorrow at Noon to 1pm, an online seminar entitled The Forgotten Lives of Ordinary People Along the Erie Canal about the people who lived, worked, and died along the banks of the Erie Canal which was completed in 1825 and was a monumental achievement. 

Last evening, the Federal government revived its program which allows residents to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests for free delivery by the Post Office.   The FDA is reminding residents to check this website to see if the expiration date for your at-home COVID-19 test has been extended.   The CDC reports that the summer surge in COVID-19 continues to recede, with rates growing or likely growing in only 3 states, declining or likely declining in 23 states (including New York State), and stable or uncertain in 22 states.  

The State’s weekly fall foliage report and map is now showing that leaves are at or nearing peak in the high peaks of the Adirondacks.  In Albany County, the report finds that there has been a 20% change around the Cohoes Falls in Cohoes, and 25% at Thacher Park.  

I hope that you have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.  

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor