October 23, 2025

It looks like the future weather is fairly typical with high temperatures in the low 50s and lows right around freezing. While the growing season is over, Western Turnpike Golf Course is open for pleasant fall outings. The course has usually stayed open through the Veterans Day holiday. Two important community events, Drug Take Back Day and Recycling Extravaganza, take place this weekend. More details are below.

Town News & Announcements

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Town Board closed the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update, with the stated goal of adopting the final Plan Update at the Board’s November 18 meeting. It will be the end of an over four-year process. The latest draft is posted online, and will be updated to address the remaining written public comments through Tuesday, November 11. To help with identifying substantiative changes, i.e., not typos, in the 162-page document, there will be a separate document containing pages of those more significant changes.

You should have received the Town’s Fall newsletter in the mail. It is also available on the Town’s website, and hard copies are available at both libraries and the Town Clerk’s Office. The newsletter has the Highway Dept.’s calendar for vacuuming leaf piles, discounts on 2026 Western Turnpike Golf Course memberships, scheduled events for the celebration of the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution, the ongoing replacement of over 9,000 water meters, and details about the first Town Holiday Tree celebration on Saturday, December 6.

The Water Dept.’s program to replace over 9,500 water meters is on pace, with about 6% of new meters installed. So far, there have been no significant issues and the new meters have taken about 30 minutes to complete, with a brief shutoff of water. When you receive the letter notice, please take the time to schedule an appointment time. Please call the Water Dept. if you have any questions at (518) 456-6474.

On Saturday, December 6 at 7pm, the Town is holding its first annual Tree Lighting celebration near the clubhouse at Western Turnpike Golf Course. It will start with a holiday parade of decorated fire and other trucks that will end at the clubhouse. Music, food, and warm drinks are planned. In addition to the lighting of a Town holiday tree, 20 trees are available for purchase in memory of a loved one, as a symbol of peace & hope, or for celebrating the season by pre-purchasing and decorating the tree. The trees will be secured in place by Town staff near the Town holiday tree. The cost of each tree is $75.00 which includes the cost of the tree, electricity, and a lead cord. You will provide LED lights (not incandescent), ornaments, and decorations. For more information, please contact Town Clerk Lynne Buchanan at Town Hall at (518) 356-1980 or Dave Jenkins at the Parks & Rec at (518) 456-3150.

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.

The Parks & Rec. Dept. has opened registration for its Saturday Morning Basketball for children in grades 1 to 5 at Farnsworth Middle School. The program emphasizes basketball fundamentals, with an emphasis on fun, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The program will use a league format, with games taking place every Saturday morning. The program has a limited number of spots available to maintain an optimal player-to-coach ratio and ensure quality instruction. The camp takes place on Saturdays from December 6 to February 7, with no camp during the school break on December 27 or January 3. Camps for Grades 1 and 2 are from 8:30am to 9:30am, and grades 3, 4, and 5 from 9:30am to 11am.

Drug Take Back Day

On this upcoming Saturday, October 25 from 10am to 2pm, Drug Take Back Day will be held at the auxiliary parking lot at the Guilderland Public Library. 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.

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. Please check out the list of acceptable and non-acceptable items.

November 7, 2025

On Friday, November 7 from Noon to 5pm, the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Town Hall. It is easy to schedule a donation appointment online by entering the code “guilderlandtown” or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

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.

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.

Upcoming Meetings at Town Hall

The 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.

Industrial Development Agency

Tuesday, October 28

Town Board Budget Workshop

Thursday, October 30 at 6pm, if needed (neither taped nor televised)

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wednesday, November 5

Town Board

Thursday, November 6 at 6pm (2026 Budget Hearing)

Town Board

Thursday, November 6 (regular meeting)

Planning Board

Wednesday, November 12

Conservation Advisory Council

Monday, November 17

Town Board

Tuesday, November 18

American Revolution 250th Anniversary Committee

Wednesday, November 19 at 3pm (neither broadcasted nor taped)

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wednesday, November 19

Tree Preservation Committee

Thursday, November 20

October 24, 2025

Community Events & Resources

Tomorrow from 9:30am to 10:30am, UAlbany is hosting a moderated discussion on the topic of leadership with Representatives Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson. The event will take place in the Campus Center Ballroom on UAlbany’s Uptown Campus.

October 25, 2025

On this coming Saturday, October 25 starting at 9am at Keenholts Park, Guilderland Girls Softball is hosting Melodies of Fall, with a charity softball tournament involving 19 teams. There will be games, cider donuts, face painting, pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, pony rides, a petting zoo, dugout trick or treating, and more. The event benefits The Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Medical Center.

YMCA Basket Brigade

The Guilderland YMCA has launched its 2025 Basket Brigade for Thanksgiving, and requests you help in delivering meals to families. Each meal delivery includes 2 boxes of stuffing, box of potatoes, can of yams, box of brownie mix, 2 cans/packets of gravy, 2 cans of fruit, 4 cans of veggies, and a can of cranberry sauce. You can help by dropping off food donations at the YMCA and/or by making a financial donation. The YMCA also has a few volunteers opportunities for its Halloween Bash this Saturday, October 25 from 2pm to 4pm.

November 6, 2025

On November 6 from 6pm to 8pm, UAlbany is partnering with the New York Power Authority on a do-it-yourself workshop on energy savings tips. This free workshop takes place on UAlbany’s Uptown Campus at the Massry School of Business, Room 137. Food will be provided and all participants will receive a free home weatherization kit.

October Lunchtime Chats

Community Caregivers’ upcoming weekly Lunchtime Chats includes on Wednesday, October 29 at 1pm, Haunted by Humor: Mark Twain's A Ghost Story. 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.

The Guilderland Public Library’s fall calendar is full of opportunities, including Read or Treat event on this upcoming Saturday, October 25 from 4pm to 6pm. For this family event, you can dress up in your favorite costume and trick-or-treat through the Library’s decorated halls at themed tables filled with goodies. The Library will close early at 2pm to prepare for this special event.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s fall calendar includes, on the upcoming Sunday, October 26 at 10am, Beginner Bird Walk and Roll, an approximately 0.4-mile adventure walk through the Preserve to look for birds, and how to use binoculars and identify birds by sight and sound. The Preserve will have binoculars and field guides to help with identifying birds. On Saturday, November 8 at 10am, the Preserve is holding Volunteer Conservation Day, when you can walk along trails and cut back any overgrown vegetation around trail posts. All equipment including gloves and tools will be provided. Please dress appropriately for the weather and outdoor working conditions, and bring your own water.

The Preserve asks us to share news that it is looking for a full-time Preserve Steward with Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor