Town News & Announcements

Last Friday, Town staff, first responders, friends, and family celebrated the well-deserved retirement of EMS Director Jay Tyler with a walkout ceremony at EMS Station 1.  State Senator Pat Fahy and Assemblymember Gabrielle Romero presented legislative proclamations, and a beautiful sign was unveiled that names the new EMS Station III as Tyler Station.  Jay was instrumental in the planning and construction of the new ambulance facility.  Jay’s 21-year career with the Town had many significant achievements including the successful launch of a new advanced life support ambulance service (akin to an “Emergency Room on Wheels”), industry-setting initiatives to the pandemic, drafting State legislation to address long-lasting issues impacting EMS services, and the State DOH’s recognition of the EMS Department as EMS Agency of the Year.  The most lasting legacy is likely Jay’s compassion and dedication to the community.     

The spring calendar is full of other activities, particularly on Saturday, April 26, while not Earth Day (April 22), has several pro-environment events, including from 11am to 1pm, Town Park Cleanup Day where you can pick one of the Town’s parks and open spaces, and volunteer to help clean up trash and litter.  You can pick up bags at Tawasentha Park at the event or at the Park & Recreation Office, opposite Tawasentha Park’s entrance, between 8am and 3pm on Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25.  You can get more information by calling the Parks & Rec Office at (518) 456-3150 or by emailing Parks Foreman Dave Jenkins at jenkinsd@togny.org.  

Also, on Saturday, April 26 from Noon to 2pm, the Town is participating in Caring for Your  Cemetery Day by cleaning gravestones and removing brush at the Town-owned Guilderland Cemetery in Guilderland Center.  You can get more information by calling the Parks & Rec Office at (518) 456-3150 or by emailing Parks Foreman Dave Jenkins at jenkinsd@togny.org.

Parks & Rec is accepting applications through Tuesday, April 15 for summer positions including camp counselors, lifeguards, lifeguard manager, and pool booth attendants.  There are also seasonal laborer positions at the golf course and parks maintenance. Salaries depend on position.  Please contact the Parks & Recreation office at 518-456-3150, between 8am and 3:30pm on weekdays with any questions.

Parks & Rec’s Pickleball for Beginners takes place from Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 6 from 9am to 11am at Tawasentha Park.  The course can advance your Pickleball game from beginner to an advanced beginner/intermediate player, and also learn the basic skills and rules of the sport.   Paddles, if needed, and balls will be provided.  

Please remember that, in all Town parks and open spaces, dogs must be on a leash at all times.  Your dog may be very friendly, but hikers and park patrons do not know that and the presence of an unleashed dog can be disconcerting.   The exceptions to this rule are the Town’s two dog parks at Nott Road Park and behind EMS Station 1 in Westmere.   

The draft Comprehensive Plan Update is currently being reviewed by the Planning Board and its report to the Town Board should be ready this month.  When completed, the Planning Board’s report will be posted online.  The Town Board will likely schedule its next public hearing on the draft in May.  You can follow the review progress on the Town’s website.  You can access the Comprehensive Plan Update and its appendices online or review hard copies at the Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall.  

Please remember that Highway crews only pick up lawn bags and tied brush and will not vacuum leaves until fall.   Leaf piles should be bagged.  The Highway Department has also completed its sweeping of sidewalks and is now sweeping streets and cleaning out stormwater drains.    

The Town’s Senior Services Department’s April newsletter has information about classes and seminars, book discussions, tax preparation assistance, trips, medical and shopping transportation, next month’s book discussion, legal aide, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more.  On Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm, the Guilderland Public Library is the home for Senior Connects!, where seniors can have a friendly chat on a wide-range of interesting topics.  The prior topics included home downsizing, senior resources, hobbies, books, movies, favorite day trips, and local events.  No registration is required.

Please remember that, if your home has a septic system or cesspool that adversely impacts certain designated waterbodies, you may be eligible for reimbursement for replacement costs under the Septic System Replacement Fund Program.  The program reimburses eligible property owners with grants for up to 50% of the costs (up to $10,000) of their eligible septic system projects. Grants are awarded only to those septic system projects that will significantly and quantifiably reduce environmental and/or public health impacts from cesspools or septic systems.   You can check your property’s eligibility by entering your property’s address.  This rare opportunity is a collaboration between the State, County, and Town, and property owners to address a pressing environmental and public health issue. 

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

Community Events & Resources

Please join the Guilderland Garden Club on Monday, April 14 at 11am at Town Hall for a presentation by the Capital District Audubon Society on how to prevent and reduce bird collisions with glass windows and doors, and buildings. Every year, thousands of birds are lost or hurt by avoidable collisions.

On Saturday, April 26 from 10am to 11:30am, the YMCA is hosting Dance (Zumba) for Circle of Champs!, a fundraiser to support sending Circle of Champs kids to summer camp. The event is free, with donations appreciated. There will be raffles and snacks.  

On this upcoming Saturday, April 5 from 8am to 10am, the Fort Hunter Volunteer Fire Dept Auxiliary is sponsoring its annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, with pancakes, scrambled eggs, French toast sticks, sausage, bacon, coffee and juice.

On Saturday, May 17 from 8am to 2pm, the Westmere Fire Department is hosting a Flea Market, with breakfast sandwiches, hamburgers and hotdogs, donuts, cookies, and ice cream.  If you would like to participate as vendor and sell your products at this event, you can email for information. 

The Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District has opened its Spring Fish Stocking Program for private pond owners, with various species available including Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Fathead Minnow, and Triploid Grass Carp. Prior to stocking a pond, landowners should obtain a Farm Fish Pond License from the NYS DEC.  This license is free and is good for five years.   Orders are being accepted through April 14, with orders available for pickup on May 1 at the District garage at 24 Martin Road. 

A reminder that DOT is replacing State Route 146’s bridge over the Normans Kill, just past Tawasentha Park’s entrance as you proceed towards Guilderland Center and Altamont.  A temporary bridge will be installed to keep both lanes open, and accessible by first responders and residents.  The anticipated two-year project involves the total replacement of the bridge, with two lanes and a multi-use (bicycle & pedestrian) trail that will connect Tawasentha Park and the Winter Recreation Area.  The next stage will include extending the multi-use trail to Western Avenue.