I wish everyone a joyous and relaxing Christmas holiday.  With the New Year approaching, you can soon reserve pavilion rentals at Tawasentha Park and there are opportunities to start the year at special events.   More details are below.  

Town News & Announcements

Your opportunity to reserve pavilions, cabanas, and picnic areas at Tawasentha Park for the 2026 season opens on Monday, January 5 at 8am.  To reserve a facility, residents must complete and submit the Request for Use of Facilities Form/ Know the Rules and provide full payment (credit card, check, or cash) to the Parks & Rec. Department. An Alcoholic Beverage, Beer & Wine Permit can be obtained for an additional fee. 

Parks & Rec.’s cross-country ski trails at the Western Turnpike Golf Course remain temporarily closed but there may be enough snow over the holidays for a reopening.  You can also find winter trails for snowshoeing in Town parks, Vosburgh Open Space, and Community Gardens.  If you need skis or snow shoes, they are available for rent at the Parks & Rec.’s Office on weekdays between 8am and 3:30pm.  While the golf season is over, there is time before the end of the year to purchase 2026 memberships at 2025 fees.   Please call the Pro Shop at (518) 456-0786 if you have any questions.  

Parks & Rec. has few open spots for its Winter Break Bonanza, a fun camp for children in grades 1 to 6 of tag games and activities like Jailbreak, Pins Down, Survivor, Seven-Base Kickball, Indoor Soccer, Basketball, and much more.   It takes place during the school break from Friday, December 26 through Wednesday, December 31 from 9am to 11am at Guilderland Elementary School.  The deadline to register online is tomorrow.  

With a few warmer days last week, the Highway Department resumed the vacuuming of leaf piles and will continue circulating around town until completed or winter weather returns.  Highway trucks also pick up leaf bags and tied brush year-round.  Please also remember that, except when allowed on posted street signs, that overnight parking is not permitted on Town roads until after April 1.  

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 Senior Services Department’s monthly newsletter has information about classes and seminars, upcoming trips, heating assistance program, medical and shopping transportation, a visiting author, fall crafts, legal aid, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more.  On Wednesdays from 11am to 1 pm, 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 also accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates interested in applying for 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.

Town Board

Tuesday, January 6 (2026 Organizational Meeting) 

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wednesday, January 7

Community Events & Resources

State Parks, DEC, and the Canal Corporation are hosting New Year’s Day Hikes at sites across the State, including parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands.  The 15th annual event includes self-guided treks, and staff- or volunteer-led hikes, with many locations offering multiple options that allow time and space to enjoy nature’s winter wonders.  The walks and hikes are family-friendly and typically range from one to five miles depending on the location and conditions. 

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 calendar of upcoming events includes the third episode of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution on Sunday, December 28 from 2pm to 4pm.  Each episode is two hours long.  The remaining five episodes will be shown on consecutive Sundays in the new year.  On Tuesday, January 13 at 2pm, David Brooks, a prominent commentator and best-selling author, with have a virtual conversation about his book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply.  

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s winter calendar includes Almost Full Moon Hike on next Friday, January 2 at 6pm, and an opportunity to experience the Preserve at night with a 1-mile hike over rolling sand dunes and an almost full moon rise.  On Wednesday, January 21 at 1pm, a celebration of Squirrel Appreciation Day, with a showing of A Squirrel’s Guide to Success, a 53-minute film about a squirrel family, and discover the secrets of their success, followed by a short hike to explore squirrel habitat and investigate the signs they leave behind.  On Wednesday, February 4 at 7pm, the Preserve is offering volunteer online training for the Great Backyard Bird Count.  The virtual session will explain how to identify local species, use eBird to share your sightings, and get involved in the 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count.

Town facilities will be closed for tomorrow and Friday for the Christmas holiday, and will also be closed on New Years’ Day and Friday, January 2.   

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.  

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor