I also thank residents for taking time to help the Highway Department’s snow clearing efforts by taking the time to remove garbage cans, basketball hoops, and other obstructions from the paved surface, and not parking vehicles overnight on Town roads.  Highway plows were out very early today, and will likely have to deal with another storm (20 inches?) this weekend.  It looks like it is becoming more like a typical winter, with total snow amount now just above average, and winter storms passing through every few days.  I thank the Highway staff for their stellar work for maintaining our roads.  

A reminder that the deadline to register for the Parks & Recreation ‘s February Break Fun~N~Games Camp is Monday, February 17.  The Break Camp takes place during the upcoming winter school break week from Tuesday, February 18 through Friday, February 21 from 9am to 11am at Guilderland Elementary School.  The instructor is Mike Schaffer, Physical Education Teacher at Lynnwood Elementary. The program is for students in Grades 1 to 6, and includes warm-up tag games followed by games such as Jailbreak, Pins Down, Basketball, Seven-Base Kickball, Indoor Soccer and many more.

The Town’s 2025 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 deadline for applications is Friday, February 28.  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.  If you have any questions regarding banners, please call the Parks & Rec Office at (518) 456-3150.

The Town’s Senior Services Department’s February newsletter has information about classes and seminars, tax preparation assistance, trips, medical and shopping transportation, next month’s book discussion, legal aide, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more.  On Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm, the Guilderland Public Library is the home for Senior Connects!, where seniors can have a friendly chat on a wide-range of interesting topics.  The prior topics included home downsizing, senior resources, hobbies, books, movies, favorite day trips, and local events.  No registration is required.

Parks & Rec is now accepting applications for summer positions including camp counselors, lifeguards, lifeguard manager, and pool booth attendants.  There are also seasonal laborer positions at the golf course and parks maintenance.  Applications are due by Tuesday, April 15, and interviews will take place in May.   Salaries depend on position.   Please contact the Parks & Recreation office at 518-456-3150, between 8am and 3:30pm on weekdays with any questions.

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

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is hosting its annual Night at the Discovery Center on Wednesday, February 19 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at its Discovery Center.  Visitors are invited to stop by the Discovery Center after normal business hours to explore, pick up an activity kit and see the exhibits come to life.  All ages are welcome for this free special event and no pre-registration is required.  Light refreshments will be served. 

This Saturday, February 15 at 10am, the Preserve is sponsoring Frozen Flora, when you can learn about what happens to wildflowers and how to identify them in the winter.  After an informational presentation, there will be a short hike. 

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy has opened 4-miles of trails in its Upper Bozen Kill Preserve, a 225-acre property at the end of Bond Road.  The new trail system also connects to the existing trail system at the Lower Bozen Kill Preserve.  The total trails are nearly 6 miles.  You can access the new entrance to the Upper Bozen Kill Preserve by continuing north on Westfall Road past the existing Lower Bozen Kill Preserve entrance and turn left on Bond Rd.  A parking lot and preserve kiosk is located at the end of the road.  The trail system is open year-round, and given its elevation, often, like this week, has sufficient snow for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.  

This Saturday, February 15 at 10am, the MHLC is hosting Winter Wildlife Tracking, when Dan Yacobellis, a certified Level 3 Track & Sign facilitator, who has studied the animals of the northeast and their habitats for three decades, will lead a hike at the 208-acre Winn Preserve in Altamont.

The New York State Library’s calendar of public programs includes, on next Tuesday, February 18 from 1pm to 2pm, A Protest History of the United States, an online talk by Professor Gloria Browne-Marshall about the history of protest movements and rebellion in the United States.   On Friday, February 28, from Noon to 1pm, the State Library is sponsoring an onsite walking tour of the State Library’s Local History and Genealogy Resources, including published genealogies, local histories, church records, Daughters of the American Revolution records, United States and New York State Census records, newspapers on microfilm, and city directories.

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, February 17 for Presidents’ Day.  The Transfer Station will also be closed on Tuesday, February 18.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.  

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor