I have received numerous compliments about the new look of the Schoolcraft House.  It was recently repainted with colors selected by Town Historian Mary Ellen Johnson and Parks & Recreation Director CJ Gallup to reflect the appearance of the historic home in the 1860’s.  

On Monday, September 9 at 11am at Town Hall, the Guilderland Garden Club is presenting “The Art of Bonsai" by Dave Hodgetts, Vice President of the Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society.  You can learn more about the art of bonsai, its origins and history, and the elements of a bonsai display.   

On Saturday, October 12 from 8am to 2pm, the 2024 Fall Household Hazardous Waste Day takes place at the Highway garage.  Please do not arrive before 8am because there is no street parking, insufficient parking space on-site, and the DEC-certified contractor, who oversees the event, will start at 8am.  No pre-registration or event passes are required; just bring proof of Town residency, like a driver’s license or tax bill, or have a yellow-colored sticker for Town parks and Transfer Station.  

Before packing your vehicle, please consider the helpful information sheet on safety procedures, and the lists of acceptable and non-acceptable materials.  Please help the Town reduce the cost of this event by not discarding latex paint cans.  More than a year ago, the State adopted a new paint care law under which you can bring your paint cans to local vendors for proper disposal.  

At the Town Board’s August 13 meeting, CHA Consulting, Inc. presented an overview and maps of the Town’s next sidewalk project which will complete the sidewalk on Carman Road from Western Avenue to Old State Road, and a new sidewalk on East Old State Road from Carman Road to Hillview Drive.  This project extends the pedestrian link for more residential neighborhoods to reach Lynnwood Elementary School, Vosburgh Open Space, and shopping, restaurants, and services.  You can provide comments on this sidewalk project online through August 30.  

Community Caregivers is hosting a Trivia Night tonight from 6pm to 8pm at Indian Ladder Farm, a fundraiser with cash bar for beer and cider, and wood-fired pizza.  Community Caregivers has an ongoing need for volunteer drivers who can transport seniors for medical and other essential trips.  This support helps 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 Tawasentha Park pool is open, and if weather permits, it will stay open through Labor Day, Monday, September 2.  The swimming hours are weekdays from Noon to 7pm, and weekends from 11:30am to 7pm, with adult lap swimming on Monday through Thursday from 11am to Noon and on weekends from 10am to 11:30am.

Due to continuing rainy weather, the Highway Department’s remaining paving schedule has been slightly adjusted.  The paving of Fuller Station Road is being completed, and paving crews will start on Ostrander Rd next week.  The paving of Pinewood Dr., Birchwood Dr., and Parkwood Dr. near Town Hall will be paved on Tuesday, August 27 and Friday, August 30.  Please note that these dates might be impacted by adverse weather.  

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

On Friday, September 6 from Noon to 5pm, the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Town Hall.  You can register for an appointment online and entering “Guilderlandtown” in the sponsor code box or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.  While supplies last, the Red Cross is offering a free Red Cross t-shirt for donors.  

On Saturday, September 21, the University at Albany and the NYS Writers Institute are hosting the Annual Albany Book Festival.  The festival involves a wide-ranging list of local and regional authors, local publishers, and literary organizations. 

The Guilderland Public Library’s monthly events calendar has interesting activities for all ages, including on Saturday, September 7, from 9:30am to 2pm, the Library is hosting a Crafts Fair.  If you are interested in participating as a vendor, the Library has shared an application.  

On Thursday, September 19, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, the Guilderland Food Pantry is holding “A Taste of Guilderland” for its 45th Anniversary Celebration.  The fundraiser takes place in the gymnasium at Christ the King Church.   There will be food from local restaurants, live music, a photo booth, and raffles, auctions and games.  

On Saturday, September 7 from 1pm to 4pm, the Guilderland YMCA is inviting the public to Super Hero, a friends and family picnic.  Here’s a link for more details and registration. 

On Sunday, September 8 from 11am to 3pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension is sponsoring Family Farm Day at the Patroon Land Farm located at 132 Ketcham Road in Voorheesville.  The Farm is operated by the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.   This free event will take place, rain or shine, with the opportunity for a hands-on farm experience, farm tours, food vendors, music and activities.  

State DOT is now completing ADA modifications on sidewalks, curbing repairs, and stormwater improvements at intersections along Route 20 (Western Avenue) from State Route 155 to State Route 146 (Carman Road).  Starting next week, with weather permitting, it will begin milling the same stretch, and follow-up with paving after Labor Day.   The project is scheduled for completion in mid-September.  There will be weekday single lane closures on eastbound Route 20 from 10am to 6pm and westbound from 6am to 2pm.  There may also be single lane closures on weekdays from 7pm to 7am.  

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s upcoming summer calendar includes Batty for Bats, tonight at 7:30pm; Discover the Pine Bush at Karner Barrens tomorrow at 10am; and Naturalist Walk on Saturday, August 17 at 11am.  On Tuesday, August 27 between 6pm and 7:30pm, the Preserve will observe the Common Nighthawk, which is neither common nor a hawk, and is experiencing declines.  The birds are in a midst of 6,500 mile migration.

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s summer events calendar includes on Sunday, September 8, from 7:30pm to 9pm, Owl Prowl at the Bozen Kill Preserve when hike guide and nature educator George Steele will explore the preserve at dusk and learn all about owls and other birds that make their homes there.

MHLC staff is having an informal gathering on Tuesday, August 27, from Noon to 2pm, to celebrate its move to new offices at Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s Discovery Center.   While no registration is required, if you do plan to attend, please email connect@mohawkhudson.org so that MHLC can estimate the number of attendees.  You can enter through Discovery Center’s main door and MHLC staff member or volunteer will give you access to the MHLC’s new offices on the second floor.  If you have any questions, call the MHLC office at (518) 436-6346.

On Saturday, September 14 from 10am to 2pm, the Helderberg Reformed Church in Guilderland Center is hosting a church yard sale.   

A reminder that NYS Parks’ Get Offline, Get Outside program which offers free pool or beach access at State parks this summer is continuing.  You can find a state pool or beach near you on State Parks’ swimming interactive map of freshwater lakes, salty ocean waters, Olympic-sized swimming pools, and other aquatic offerings.   

The CDC again is finding a summer surge in COVID-19, with rates growing or likely growing in 25 states, but likely declining in New York State.  While rates are climbing, they are far from other peak surges.  COVID-19 deaths peaked nationwide in January 2021 with nearly 26,000 weekly deaths nationwide and hospitalizations reached a peak in January 2022 at 35.4 per 100,000 people.  The recent surge has 600 deaths per week, and 4.1 people per 100,000 hospitalized. The CDC has not yet approved or authorized the updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 season. 

Town Hall will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 2, and the Transfer Station will also be closed on Tuesday, September 3.