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It is hard to believe that October has arrived which means that Drug Take Back Day and Household Hazardous Waste Day are approaching. After temperatures dipping into the 30s this morning, much warmer weather in the 80s is forecasted for the weekend. Autumn activities, like apple and pumpkin picking at local orchards and farms, and fall festivals are taking place. More details are below. |
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Town News & AnnouncementsThe Town’s adoption of the Town Comprehensive Plan Update is nearing completion, with the Town Board holding its fifth public hearing next Tuesday, October 7 at 7:30pm. The latest Plan Update is now available online and hard copies will be made available for review at the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, Guilderland Public Library, and Altamont Free Library. It is anticipated that the Town Board will adopt the final Plan Update at a meeting in November. The Town’s Fall newsletter has been mailed today and should arrive in mailboxes over the weekend and next week. Over 20,000 copies will be mailed to residents. The newly styled newsletter is also available on the Town’s website. In addition to the Highway Dept.’s calendar for vacuuming leaf piles, the newsletter includes 2026 Western Turnpike Golf Course Membership information, upcoming event for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, updates on the replacement of over 9,000 water meters, details about the first Town Holiday Tree celebration in early December, and much more. |
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On this coming Sunday, October 5, starting at 3pm, the Town’s American Revolution 250th Anniversary Committee is hosting a “Spirit Walk” at the Guilderland Center Cemetery on Osborne Road. The event will have costumed members of the Cemetery Committee who will talk about noted persons buried in the cemetery from colonial times to the present time. Cider and donuts will be provided. Please wear footwear for uneven ground and note that there are no bathrooms on site. The rain date is Sunday, October 12. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Jenkins at (518) 456-3150 or at jenkinsd@townofguilderland.gov. As previously announced, the Water Dept.’s replacement of over 9,500 water meters has started. When installed, the Water Dept. will receive early notice of leaks or abnormal uses of water. When received, please take the time to schedule an appointment time. The appointment should take about 30 minutes, with a brief break in water service. Please call the Water Dept. if you have any questions at (518) 456-6474. The Parks & Rec Dept.’s 2026 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 March 27, 2026. If you have any questions regarding banners, please call the Parks & Rec Office at (518) 456-3150. On Saturday, October 18 from 8am to 2pm, Household Hazardous Waste Day will take place in the Highway garage located at 6338 French’s Mill Road in Guilderland Center. Because the Town’s pays part of the cost, the event is open to Town residents only. No pre-registration is required. Please have the current Parks/Transfer Station vehicle sticker or proof of Town residency (tax bill, driver’s license). Please carefully review the lists of acceptable and non-acceptable items. Do not arrive before 8am, and when you reach the drop-off location, staff will remove the materials from your vehicle.
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On Saturday, October 25 from 10am to 2pm, Drug Take Back Day will be held at the auxiliary parking lot at the Guilderland Public Library. This nationwide event is an opportunity for the confidential, safe, and responsible disposal of unused or expired prescription medications. Please note that needles are not included. On Saturday, October 25 from 9am to 1pm, the Guilderland Central School District is hosting its bi-annual Recycling Extravaganza at the Farnsworth Middle School front parking lot at 6072 State Farm Road. The event is open to residents and non-residents of the school district. The Senior Services Department’s October newsletter has information about classes and seminars, trips, medical and shopping transportation, visiting author, October fall crafts, legal aid, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more. On Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm, the Guilderland Public Library is the home for Seniors Connect!, where seniors can have a friendly chat on a wide-range of interesting topics. On Wednesday, October 16, Seniors Connect! will celebrate its one-year anniversary. The Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates interested in applying for Recreation Administrative Assistant in the Parks and Recreation Department. This position is covered by the Hiring Emergency Limited Placement (HELP) Program under which competitive exams are not required. More information about HELP program is available from Albany County Civil Service website. The Town also has open positions for Police Officer, Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher, and Laborer positions in the Highway, Parks and Water Departments.
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Upcoming Meetings at Town HallThe following is a list of dates and times for currently scheduled meetings of boards and committees at Town Hall over the next 30 days. Please check the Town’s calendars for the latest news about public meetings and community events, possible changes in agendas and cancellations, and the latest contents of agenda packets. Unless stated otherwise, each of the listed meetings start at 7pm, and are livestreamed on the Town website, and broadcasted on Verizon channel 34, and Spectrum channel 1303. Within days of a broadcasted meeting, an indexed recording, with links to each listed agenda item, is also posted online.
Town Board Tuesday, October 7 Planning Board Wednesday, October 8 Traffic Safety Committee Tuesday, October 14 American Revolution 250th Anniversary Committee Wednesday, October 15 at 3pm (neither taped nor televised) Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday, October 15 Conservation Advisory Council Monday, October 20 Town Board Budget Workshop Tuesday, October 21 at 6pm (neither taped nor televised) Town Board Tuesday, October 21 Town Board Budget Workshop Thursday, October 23 at 6pm (neither taped nor televised) Industrial Development Agency Tuesday, October 28 Town Board Budget Workshop Thursday, October 30 at 6pm, if needed (neither taped nor televised) |
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Community Events & ResourcesOn Wednesday, October 15 from 6pm to 8pm, the Westmere Fire Department is hosting a free community seminar entitled "Seasonal Affective Disorder, What it Is and Ways To Emotionally Manage the Long Northeast Winter!". This timely seminar will be presented by Joe Germano, LCSWR, Executive/Clinical Director of Karner Psychological Associates. No pre-registration is required. |
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Community Caregivers’ upcoming weekly Lunchtime Chats includes on Wednesday, October 8, A Trip to Edinburgh, and on Wednesday, October 15, The Day the Mona Lisa Disappeared. You can join and listen in on these one-hour chats by calling (518) 992-6661. Community Caregivers is looking for volunteer drivers who can transport seniors for medical and other essential trips, and help 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. Community Caregivers has received a federal AmeriCorps Seniors Demonstration grant to recruit additional 78 volunteers, age 55 and older, to serve Albany and Rensselaer counties. Volunteers will select from several types of opportunities to serve their community and the number of hours they are able to commit. AmeriCorps volunteers will provide nutrition/food support, companionship, transportation, respite services, referrals, education/training, and outreach, and are eligible to receive a stipend for their services. If you are interested in applying to become a trained AmeriCorps volunteer, please contact Community Caregivers at americorps@communitycaregivers.org. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s fall calendar includes welcoming Smokey Bear this upcoming Saturday, October 4, from 10am to 2pm, who will be visiting the Pine Bush Discovery Center to teach visitors about prescribed fire and wildfire prevention. There will be games, interactive exhibits, fire trucks and equipment to see, and Smokey Bear goody bags for visitors to take home. The Preserve is also offering times for Drop-in Bird Banding Observation on next Saturday, October 11 from 7am to Noon; and Tuesday, October 21 from 7am to Noon. You can see wild birds up close and personal as Preserve scientists carefully fit them with uniquely coded leg-bands, before releasing them back to the wild. The bands are provided by the US Geological Society Bird Banding Lab to licensed banders so scientists can identify individuals, and also study how long birds live, where they breed, and when and where they migrate.
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On Monday, October 20 from 5pm to 7pm at the Chalet Pavilion in Tawasentha Park, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero is hosting a Fall Frolic, an opportunity to meet and engage with local representatives in a relaxed, community-oriented setting. There will be refreshments and lawn games. 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 45% change in Thacher State Park with mostly muted yellow and orange leaves, plus some red and brown leaves, and 35-40% change at Cohoes Falls in Cohoes with muted russet, yellow and red leaves. Town Hall will be closed on Monday, October 13 for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. Peter G. Barber Town Supervisor
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