October 16, 2025

After a rainy weekend, we will be settling into a typical fall pattern with temperatures in upper 50s and lows 60s. In the upcoming community calendar includes Household Hazardous Waste Day and UAlbany’s Homecoming this weekend, and Drug Take Back Day and Recycling Extravaganza next weekend. More details are below.

Town News & Announcements

At its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, October 21, the Town Board will hold likely last public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update, with the goal of adopting the final Plan Update at the Board’s November 18 meeting. The latest draft is posted online, and will be updated to address public comments and the seemingly quixotic search for the illusive last typo. Hard copies are also available for review at the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, Guilderland Public Library, and Altamont Free Library.

More than 20,000 copies of the Town’s Fall newsletter have been mailed, and is also available on the Town’s website. Hard copies have been left at both libraries and with the Town Clerk. The newsletter has the Highway Dept.’s calendar for vacuuming leaf piles, discounts on 2026 Western Turnpike Golf Course memberships, scheduled events for the celebration of the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution, the ongoing replacement of over 9,000 water meters, and details about the first Town Holiday Tree celebration on Saturday, December 6.

I have been receiving compliments about the professional and efficiency of the Water Dept.’s ongoing replacement of over 9,500 water meters. The new meters will provide the Water Dept. with early notice of leaks or abnormal uses of water. When you receive the letter notice, please take the time to schedule an appointment time. The appointment should take about 30 minutes, with a brief break in water service. Please call the Water Dept. if you have any questions at (518) 456-6474.

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 Parks & Rec. Dept. has opened registration for its Saturday Morning Basketball for children in grades 1 to 5 at Farnsworth Middle School. The program emphasizes basketball fundamentals, with an emphasis on fun, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The program will use a league format, with games taking place every Saturday morning. The program has a limited number of spots available to maintain an optimal player-to-coach ratio and ensure quality instruction. The camp takes place on Saturdays from December 6 to February 7, with no camp during the school break on December 27 or January 3. Camps for Grades 1 and 2 are from 8:30am to 9:30am, and grades 3, 4, and 5 from 9:30am to 11am.

On this upcoming Saturday, October 18 from 8am to 2pm, Household Hazardous Waste Day will take place in the Highway garage located at 6338 French’s Mill Road in Guilderland Center. Because the Town’s pays part of the cost, the event is open to Town residents only. No pre-registration is required. Please have the current Parks/Transfer Station vehicle sticker or proof of Town residency (tax bill, driver’s license), and carefully review the lists of acceptable and non-acceptable items. Do not arrive before 8am, and when you reach the drop-off location, staff will remove the materials from your vehicle.

Drug Take Back Day

On next Saturday, October 25 from 10am to 2pm, Drug Take Back Day will be held at the auxiliary parking lot at the Guilderland Public Library. This nationwide event is an opportunity for the confidential, safe, and responsible disposal of unused or expired prescription medications. Please note that needles are not included.

On next Saturday, October 25 from 9am to 1pm, the Guilderland Central School District is hosting its bi-annual Recycling Extravaganza at the Farnsworth Middle School front parking lot at 6072 State Farm Road. The event is open to residents and non-residents of the school district.

November 7, 2025

On Friday, November 7 from Noon to 5pm, the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Town Hall. It is easy to schedule a donation appointment online by entering the code “guilderlandtown” or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Holiday Tree Reservation Form

On Saturday, December 6 at 7pm, the Town is holding its first annual Tree Lighting celebration near the clubhouse at Western Turnpike Golf Course. It will start with a holiday parade of decorated fire and other trucks that will end at the clubhouse. Music, food, and warm drinks are planned. In addition to the lighting of a Town holiday tree, 20 trees are available, but several trees have been purchased in memory of a loved one, as a symbol of peace & hope, or for celebrating the season by pre-purchasing and decorating the tree. The trees will be secured in place by Town staff near the Town holiday tree. The cost of each tree is $75.00 which includes the cost of the tree, electricity, and a lead cord. You will provide LED lights (not incandescent), ornaments, and decorations. For more information, please contact Town Clerk Lynne Buchanan at Town Hall at (518) 356-1980 or Dave Jenkins at the Parks & Rec at (518) 456-3150.

The Senior Services Department’s October newsletter has information about classes and seminars, trips, medical and shopping transportation, visiting author, October fall crafts, legal aid, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more. On Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm, 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 accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates interested in applying for Recreation Administrative Assistant in the Parks and Recreation Department. This position is covered by the Hiring Emergency Limited Placement (HELP) Program under which competitive exams are not required. More information about HELP program is available from Albany County Civil Service website. The Town also has open 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.

Conservation Advisory Council

Monday, October 20 (cancelled)

Town Board Budget Workshop

Tuesday, October 21 at 6pm (neither taped nor televised)

Town Board

Tuesday, October 21

Planning Board

Wednesday, October 22

Town Board Budget Workshop

Thursday, October 23 at 6pm (neither taped nor televised)

Industrial Development Agency

Tuesday, October 28

Town Board Budget Workshop

Thursday, October 30 at 6pm, if needed (neither taped nor televised)

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wednesday, November 5

Town Board

Thursday, November 6 at 6pm (2026 Budget Hearing)

Town Board

Thursday, November 6 (regular meeting)

Planning Board

Wednesday, November 12

Conservation Advisory Council

Monday, November 17

Town Board

Tuesday, November 18

UAlbany’s Homecoming takes place this weekend, with a full schedule of public events, including a home game on Saturday at 3:30pm football game against Rhode Island. UAlbany is anticipating a large amount of vehicular and pedestrian traffic around the Uptown Campus throughout the duration of the Homecoming weekend.

October 24, 2025

On Friday, October 24 from 9:30am to 10:30am, UAlbany is hosting a moderated discussion on the topic of leadership with Representatives Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson. The event will take place in the Campus Center Ballroom on UAlbany’s Uptown Campus.

November 6, 2025

On November 6 from 6pm to 8pm, UAlbany is partnering with the New York Power Authority a do-it-yourself workshop on energy savings tips. This free workshop takes place on UAlbany’s Uptown Campus at the Massry School of Business, Room 137. Food will be provided and all participants will receive a free home weatherization kit.

A reminder that on Saturday, October 18 from Noon to 2pm, there is a No Kings Day March that will take place in McKownville on sidewalks starting from Fuller Road’s intersection with Executive Drive down to Western Avenue and east to Knowles Terrace, crossing Western Avenue, and back on sidewalks to the starting point. Please be mindful of pedestrians in this area, particularly with UAlbany’s Homecoming taking place nearby.

October Lunchtime Chats

Community Caregivers’ upcoming weekly Lunchtime Chats includes on Wednesday, October 22, America's Notorious Outlaw: The Tale of Pretty Boy Floyd. You can join and listen in on these one-hour chats by calling (518) 992-6661. 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 YMCA is looking for volunteers to help with its Halloween Bash to be held on Saturday, October 25 from 2pm to 4pm. Volunteer opportunities include goodie bag filling, set-up, event set-up, event assistance, activity stations, treat distribution, and clean-up. You can dress up in your favorite costume.

The Guilderland Public Library’s fall calendar is full of opportunities, including Read or Treat event on Saturday, October 25 from 4pm to 6pm. For this family event, you can dress up in your favorite costume and trick-or-treat through the Library’s decorated halls at themed tables filled with goodies. The Library will close early at 2pm to prepare for this special event.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s fall calendar includes Drop-in Bird Banding Observation on Tuesday, October 21 from 7am to Noon. You can see wild birds up close and personal as Preserve scientists carefully fit them with uniquely coded leg-bands, before releasing them back to the wild. The bands are provided by the US Geological Society Bird Banding Lab to licensed banders so scientists can identify individuals, and also study how long birds live, where they breed, and when and where they migrate.

The Preserve asks us to share news that it is looking for a full-time Preserve Steward with Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission.

October 20, 2025

On next Monday, October 20 from 5pm to 7pm at the Chalet Pavilion in Tawasentha Park, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero is hosting a Fall Frolic, an opportunity to meet and engage with local representatives in a relaxed, community-oriented setting. There will be refreshments and lawn games.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor