I wish everyone a joyous and relaxing New Year.  Next week, the Town Board will hold its organizational meeting, with swearing-in of new officials, appointments to boards and committees, scheduling dates and times for meetings, and other required tasks.   More details are below.  

Town News & Announcements

On January 6 at 7pm, the Town Board will hold its organizational meeting and will start with the swearing in of new Town Board member Kevin McDonald and new Town Justice Christine Napierski.  It will include a proclamation honoring the Hon. Denise Randall for her public service commitment to the community.  

Your opportunity to reserve pavilions, cabanas, and picnic areas at Tawasentha Park for the 2026 season opens on Monday, January 5 at 8am.  To reserve a facility, residents must complete and submit the Request for Use of Facilities Form/ Know the Rules and provide full payment (credit card, check, or cash) to the Parks & Rec. Department. An Alcoholic Beverage, Beer & Wine Permit can be obtained for an additional fee. 

Parks & Rec.’s cross-country ski trails at the Western Turnpike Golf Course are still closed.  There was not enough snow to groom the trails.  You can find winter trails for snowshoeing in Town parks, Vosburgh Open Space, and Community Gardens.  If you need skis or snow shoes, they are available for rent at the Parks & Rec.’s Office on weekdays between 8am and 3:30pm.  

The Highway Department is wrapping up the vacuuming of leaf piles.  Please remember that Highway trucks pick up leaf bags and tied brush year-round, and are now picking up discarded Christmas trees.  Please also remember that, except when allowed on posted street signs, that overnight parking is not permitted on Town roads until after April 1.  

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 Senior Services Department’s monthly newsletter has information about classes and seminars, upcoming trips, heating assistance program, medical and shopping transportation, a visiting author, fall crafts, legal aid, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more.  On Wednesdays from 11am to 1 pm, 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 also accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates interested in applying for 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.

Town Board

Tuesday, January 6 (2026 Organizational Meeting) 

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wednesday, January 7

American Revolution 250^th Anniversary Committee

        Wednesday, January 21 at 3pm

Community Events & Resources

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 Public Library’s calendar of upcoming events includes the fourth episode of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution on Sunday, January 4 from 2pm to 4pm.  Each episode is two hours long.  The remaining four episodes will be shown on consecutive Sundays.  

On Monday, January 5 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm, the Library is hosting Art Nouveau: Humanity in Harmony with the Natural World, a virtual event to learn more about Art Nouveau, an elegant decorative style that revolutionized visual art and architecture across Europe and the United States at the end of the 19th Century and into the 20th .  On Tuesday, January 13 at 2pm, the Library is hosting a virtual conversation with David Brooks, a prominent commentator and best-selling author, about his book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply.  

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s winter calendar includes Almost Full Moon Hike tomorrow at 6pm, an opportunity to experience the Preserve at night with a 1-mile hike over rolling sand dunes and an almost full moon rise.   On Wednesday, January 21 at 1pm, a celebration of Squirrel Appreciation Day, with a showing of A Squirrel’s Guide to Success, a 53-minute film about a squirrel family. Discover the secrets of their success, followed by a short hike to explore squirrel habitat and investigate the signs they leave behind.  On Wednesday, February 4 at 7pm, the Preserve is offering volunteer online training for the Great Backyard Bird Count.  The virtual session will explain how to identify local species, use eBird to share your sightings, and get involved in the 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count.

I wish you and your family a safe, prosperous, and joyful New Year.  

Town facilities are closed today for the New Years’ Day and tomorrow Friday, January 2.   

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.  

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor