Mother Nature has started April in historic fashion, with a rare earthquake followed by a total eclipse. The good news is that no damage was done by the earthquake, and the total eclipse was amazing to see. But even more rare than an earthquake or an eclipse, the NY Mets, who are off to their usual lackluster start, actually have won two of three games on the road against the Atlanta Braves.
I am pleased to report that the 2024 summer recreation program has had very strong registrations, and that Western Turnpike Golf Course will, fingers crossed, likely open soon. GPAC’s 2024 season has also been announced. More details are shared below.
Town News & Announcements
The Highway Department’s removal of accumulated winter debris with front loaders has picked-up pace and will likely end this month. Please remember that Highway crews circulate all year picking-up lawn bags and tied branches in five-foot lengths. Please place the accumulated debris at the edge of the road but not on the road’s paved surface. Please also do not block or place debris on stormwater drainage grates or ditches.
The 2024 opening of Western Turnpike Golf Course is getting very close. Keep an eye on the golf course’s webpage for the latest news, including the opening of the driving range and the golf course, and also take the time to reserve tee times that can be quickly booked at the start of the season. Please remember that, with the course’s opening, the very popular walking on cart paths must end for safety reasons.
The Hedge Bistro will open on Monday, April 15 for the golf season, with lunch and dinner seven days a week. New this year will be a daily barbecue option. The menu can be viewed on Hedge Bistro’s website.
PGA Professional Joe Lavigna is teaching adult seminars for beginning golfers and golfers looking to improve their play, with a focus on swing fundamentals and short game aspects. The weekly classes will take place for four consecutive weeks in May, June and July. WTGC is also offering a junior program for golfers aged 7 to 17 years.
Next Tuesday, April 16 at 7pm, the Town Board will hold a public hearing on a proposed six-month moratorium on larger residential development. The moratorium is intended to support the Comprehensive Update Committee’s draft recommendations by providing time for the Water Department to consider steps to address markedly increased water usage by single-family homes during summer months and allow the Planning Department to propose steps that promote affordable housing options.
Saturday, April 27 is loaded with significant community events. First, Guilderland Parks & Rec will be hosting a Help Clean Up Your Parks, Trails and Sidewalks event. Please contact CJ Gallup at gallupcj@togny.org. This event is in conjunction with Clean Up Guilderland, a volunteer effort to pick up litter in public rights of ways and spaces. Two pop-up orientation tents will be used, with one at The Star Plaza’s lot at Western Avenue and State Route 155, and a second at the parking lot behind Hilton’s Tru/Homewood Suites on Western Avenue. Volunteers will have a designated area to clean, bags, gloves, and bright colored t-shirts, with light snacks courtesy of Crossgates. You can sign up by contacting Kathy Burbank, the effort’s organizer, at kburbank01@gmail.com.
Second, the Guilderland Central School District’s spring Recycling Extravaganza isfrom 10am to 2pm in FMS’s front parking lot. You can drop off sneakers, bikes, cardboard, plastics, clothing, electronics (but not TVs), cell phones, and gently used instruments. Please take a look at the list of acceptable and unacceptable donations.
Third, the Guilderland Police Department is holding the National Drug Take Back Day in the Guilderland Public Library’s auxiliary parking lot from 10am to 2pm. You can safely and confidentially dispose of unused, expired or unneeded prescription medications. Please remember that no needles or sharp items are accepted.
On Tuesday, April 30, the Police Department will be holding a Neighborhood Watch meeting at Town Hall, starting at 6:30 pm. If you are unable to attend this meeting in person, you may attend via google meets using the following information, Video call link: https://meet.google.com/awg-zoip-sox or dial: ?(US) +1 740-561-3897 PIN: ?783 618 450#.
A reminder that DEC’s ban on residential brush burning runs through May 14. The regulations allow backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter and small cooking fires but with only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood. DEC’s Fire Danger Map for the 2024 fire season shows each region’s potential fire risk.
With more pleasant weather, and more hikers and people in Town parks, please remember that dogs must be on a leash at all times in Town parks and open space. The only exceptions are the dog parks located at Nott Road Park and behind EMS Station 1 in Westmere.
The next session of Parks & Rec’s Bird Walk will run from Sunday, May 5 to Sunday, June 9, with the exception of Mother’s Day, May 12. Jeanette Roundy, a local bird expert, will lead the outings in the Town’s Community Gardens, and also in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and Schodack Island State Park. The program will use Ebird, a free downloadable app sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, to keep track of bird species.
Parks & Rec’s registration has opened for the 2024 Summer Camp which will run from Monday, July 1 to Friday, August 9. The camp brochure, with over 100 activities, is available online. Parks & Rec has registration opportunities for entry level summer camp counselors who must be at least 16 years. While previous experience as a counselor-in-training, teacher, childcare, or related field is preferred, it is not required. There are also openings for lifeguards, lifeguard managers, and pool booth attendants at Tawasentha Park pool, and seasonal laborers.
A reminder that Parks & Rec is also offering an opportunity to learn about Pickleball, the nation’s fastest growing sport. You can learn the sport’s basic skills and rules and sharpen your beginning skills and strategies. Paddles and balls will be provided. The class will take place at Tawasentha Park, starting on Monday, June 5 to Friday, June 9, from 9am to 11am.
The Guilderland Performing Arts Center’s 2024 season has been announced, with nine concerts, all on Thursdays starting at 7:30pm, except for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6 at 6pm. It opens with the Guilderland Town Band on Thursday, June 20 at 7:30pm. At each concert, there will be food and beverages for sale.
The Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates for a full-time Police Officer, Stormwater Management Officer, Laborer in the Highway, Parks and Water Departments, and Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher.
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