Our beautiful fall weather is taking a pause for a few days, with the first of the season frost warning, followed by unseasonably coldish and windy weather for a couple of days. Weather here, however, can turn on a dime, with next week forecasted to be in 70’s and sunny weather. Conditions remain near perfect for enjoying Town parks and open space, extensive hiking trails, and an outing at the Western Turnpike Golf Course. More details are shared below.

Town News & Announcements

At its October 10th meeting, the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee had detailed discussions about public comments and possible changes to the draft plan. The CPUC has scheduled a vote on the revised plan for Tuesday, October 29 at 6pm. The revised plan will be posted online as soon as it is made available. Once adopted, the plan update will be forwarded to the Town Board for its consideration, including a public hearing.

On Saturday, October 26 from 10am to 2pm in the Guilderland Library’s auxiliary lot, the Police Department is holding Drug Take-Back Day, a bi-annual even where you can safely dispose of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs. Please note that this disposal includes controlled, non-controlled, and over-the-counter substances, including pet medication, and with or without the original packaging. The only exception is that syringes and sharp items cannot be disposed of at this event. It is very easy to do: just place the medications, with personal information removed, if possible, in a bag, drive to the drop off point and stay in your vehicle, and provide access to the bag in the vehicle to the police officer. No identification is required and no questions are asked.

The Town of Guilderland’s ADA Transition Plan will be considered for adoption by the Town Board at its November 7 public meeting. The draft ADA plan remains available for review at Town Hall and Guilderland Public Library. 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.

I thank approximately 300 residents for turning up for last Saturday’s Town 2024 Fall Household Hazardous Waste Day. The participation picked up this year but likely will not soon exceed the record turnout during the pandemic when the cleaning out of garages and basements was very popular.

Parks & Rec is offering Morning Basketball on Saturdays at different morning times depending on grade level from December 7 to February 1.

The Highway Department’s vacuuming of leaf piles is keeping pace with its posted calendar. Please remember that the schedule allows for vacuuming streets twice but that Highway crews might reach your street before its scheduled date. If that occurs, please don’t worry or call the Highway Department. Leaf piles should be placed on the edge of the lawn, and not on the paved surface. The Highway crew will return on the scheduled dates.

On Tuesday, October 22 at 10am, there will a ribbon-cutting for the new fire training tower that will provide an essential role in the required training for volunteer firefighters in the nine fire departments that serve the Town. The old fire training tower, which helped with the training of thousands for firefighters over the past five decades, will remain in service for non-burning training. At the same time as the new tower’s ribbon-cutting, there will a ground-breaking ceremony for the renovation of the adjacent fire training center which was made possible by a generous grant of $100,000 sponsored by Assemblyperson Phil Steck.

The Town’s new ambulance station (EMS Station III) started operations earlier this week. There will a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the new station on Wednesday, October 30 at 10am. Over the past several years, EMS calls have climbed every year, with a record number of 6,717 response last year, far more than the 5,050 responses in 2015. The added capacity and the new station’s central location will help EMS to maintain its industry leading response times.

On Friday, November 8 at 10am at Town Hall, the Town will hold a ceremony in recognition of its designation as a Purple Heart Town. With its designation as a Purple Heart, the Town honors and remembers military personnel wounded or killed in combat. The Town will also reserve parking spots for "Purple Heart" recipients and their family members at Town Hall, Senior Center, and Tawasentha Park.

The Town’s 2025 Hometown Heroes Banner Program 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.

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

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

Community Events & Resources

I had the pleasure yesterday morning of joining more than 30 seniors at the Guilderland Public Library for Senior Connects! for a friendly chat on a wide-range of interesting topics. The meetings take place every Wednesday from 11am to 12:30pm. Among the topics discussed at prior meetings were downsizing home, senior resources, hobbies, books, movies, favorite day trips, and local events. Pre-registration is not required.

On this upcoming Saturday, October 19 from 8am to 2pm, the Guilderland Central School District is hosting its bi-annual Recycling Extravaganza at the Farnsworth Middle School front parking lot at 6072 State Farm Rd in Guilderland, NY. The event is open to residents and non-residents of the school district. Please see what vendors are participating and what items are recyclable.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s fall calendar is full of fall activities, including the celebration of Halloween, with a “Howl and Prowl” on Friday, October 25 from 4pm to 7pm and Saturday, October 26 from 10am to 3pm. You can enjoy Halloween-themed activities, including hands-on crafts and learning about the eerie creatures in the Preserve. Costumes are encouraged, and the event is suited for all ages.

On Saturday, November 9 from 8am to Noon, the Albany County Soil & Water Conservation District is sponsoring a free electronic recycling event for computers, phones, printers, copiers, servers, and more at the Albany County DPW facility at 449 New Salem Road in Voorheesville. There is a fee of $0.35 per pound for televisions and monitors.

On Saturday, December 21, from 1pm to 3:30pm, Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy is celebrating the winter solstice with a grand opening celebration of the 225-acre addition to the Bozen Kill Preserve. There will be a hot beverage to warm up before heading out for a guided tour of the new trails.

On Friday, October 18, from 8:30am until 1:30pm on the Crossgates’ lower level, the annual Capital Region Senior Expo returns, with exhibitors covering topics such as health and wellness, financial planning, retirement living options, legal matters and more. The Expo will offer live music, interactive activities, flu shots and opportunities for socializing. For more information and to stay updated on event details, please visit lifepathny.org

A reminder that the Federal government has 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 State’s weekly fall foliage report and map is now showing that leaves are at peak conditions in the high peaks of the Adirondacks and the Catskills. In Albany County, the report finds that there has been a 60-65% change around the Cohoes Falls in Cohoes, and 60% or more 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

Town News & Announcements

Upcoming Meetings at Town Hall

Community Events & Resources