Today is the first day of the new school year, for most of the Town. As you may know, Town children, who attend public schools, mostly attend the Guilderland Central School District but some students also attend the Mohanasen, Schalmont, South Colonie, and Voorheesville Central School District. Please be mindful of children waiting for the school bus, and do not pass a school bus with its stop sign extended and lights flashing. In the next few weeks, you will have the opportunity to provide comments on two important documents, the draft Comprehensive Plan Update and draft Americans with Disabilities Transition Plan. More details are shared below.

Town News & Announcements

Last Thursday afternoon, approximately 30 persons participated in the pop-event held by the consultant at the Guilderland Public Library, as part of the public engagement component for the Comprehensive Plan Update process. Next Tuesday, September 10 at 7pm, the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will hold a public hearing on the draft plan. Written comments on the draft plan can also be mailed or dropped off at the Planning Department at Town Hall or online on the plan’s webpage. On Thursday, October 10 at 7pm, the CPUC will meet to consider the public comments and possible revisions to the draft plan.

At its Tuesday, October 1 meeting, the Town Board will hold a public hearing at 7pm on the draft Town of Guilderland ADA Transition Plan. The draft if the result of an 18-month review, inspection, rating, and action plan for Town-maintained sidewalks. You can provide comments at the public hearing or online. The draft ADA plan is also available for review at Town Hall and Guilderland Public Library.

On next Monday, September 9 at 11am at Town Hall, please join the Guilderland Garden Club for “The Art of Bonsai" presented by Dave Hodgetts, Vice President of the Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society. You will have the chance to learn about the art of bonsai, its origins and history, and the elements of a bonsai display.

On Thursday, September 19 at 7pm at the Mynderse-Frederick House in Guilderland Center, the Guilderland Historical Society is hosting a presentation by Aaron Mair about the Battle of the Normanskill and the important role of the 1^st Rhode Island Regiment. The public is invited to attend.

On Saturday, October 12 from 8am to 2pm, the Town is hosting the 2024 Fall Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Highway garage. A reminder that the event will not start until 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.

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.

We are proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Hometown Heroes Banner Program which 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 February 28, 2025. If you have any questions regarding memberships, please call the Parks & Rec Office at (518) 456-3150

The Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates for Recreation Administrative Assistant, Police Officer, Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher, and Laborer positions in the Highway, Parks and Water Departments.

Community Events & Resources

Tomorrow 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, from 10:30am to 5pm, 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. More information is available by calling (518) 442-5620 or by email at writers@albany.edu

The Guilderland Public Library’s monthly events calendar has interesting activities for all ages, including a Craft Fair on Saturday, September 9 from 9:30am to 2pm. On Wednesday, September 11 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty of Upstate NY Genealogy will provide family history consultations on a drop-in basis, with no need to make an appointment.

On this 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.

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 28, from 2pm to 6pm, the McKownville United Methodist Church at 1565 Western Avenue is hosting a drive-thru Brooks Barbeque fundraiser.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s upcoming summer calendar includes Morning Meander: Blueberry Hill East, tomorrow at 10am; Birds Take Flight on Sunday, September 8 at 7am, and Full Moon Hike at Blueberry Hill, on Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30pm. On Saturday, September 14 from 6am to Noon, the Preserve is holding Barrens Birding Blitz, a team birding competition for birdwatchers of all skill levels from novice to expert. There will be traversing and sit & spot teams covering different parts of the Preserve, with teams competing to spot and identify as many species as possible. The Preserve is home to over 200 bird species.

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s summer events calendar includes on this 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.

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.

For another week, the CDC again is finding a summer surge in COVID-19, with rates growing or likely growing in 20 states, but now likely declining in New York State. Since last week’s email, CDC has approved the updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 season. In response to increasing infection rates, the Federal government will soon revive its program that allows residents to order four free at-home COVID-18 tests for free delivery by the Post Office. The opportunity to register for the program will not start until late September. The program had ended on March 9.

I hope that you have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor

Town News & Announcements

Upcoming Meetings at Town Hall

Community Events & Resources