1.8.2026

January 8, 2026

The New Year has started, with the Town Board’s organizational meeting taking required steps for the year ahead.  Town parks and open space are getting lots of use, and the Highway Department is now picking up discarded Christmas trees.  More details are shared below.  

Town News & Announcements

At its 2026 organizational meeting, the Town Board welcomed new member Kevin McDonald and the swearing-in of re-elected member Amanda Beedle and new Town Justice Christine Napierski.   The Board also issued a proclamation honoring the Hon. Denise Randall for her public service commitment to the community.  The Board also made over 50 appointments to boards, committees, and other positions.   

While the cross-country ski trails at the Western Turnpike Golf Course remain closed, the trails at the Vosburgh Open Space saw heavy usage over the holidays.  With temperatures in the 40s, the snowshoe trails are likely in trouble for the next few days.  When snow returns, I would expect a quick return to winter activities 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 Hedge Bistro is the winter home for the Guilderland Farmers Market which takes place on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm.   Local vendors offer crafts, foods, and arts & craft gifts, and a special winter tulip market.  

The Highway Department trucks are now picking up discarded Christmas trees.  Please make sure to remove all ornaments, lights, decorations, tinsel, and don’t wrap the tree in plastic or other material, and do not discard artificial trees, no matter how real they may appear.  A reminder that Highway crews pick up leaf bags and tied brush year-round.  Please also remember that, except when allowed on posted street signs, that overnight parking is not permitted on Town roads until after April 1.  

Your opportunity to reserve pavilions, cabanas, and picnic areas at Tawasentha Park for the 2026 season has opened  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. 

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.

 

Conservation Easement Review Board

Monday, January 12

 

Traffic Safety Committee

Tuesday, January 13

 

Planning Board

Wednesday, January 14 

 

Town Board

Tuesday, January 20

 

Zoning Board of Appeals-CANCELLED

Wednesday, January 21

 

American Revolution 250th Anniversary Committee

Thursday, January 22 at 3pm (neither broadcasted nor taped)

 

Industrial Development Agency

Tuesday, January 27

 

Planning Board

Wednesday, January 28

 

Town Board

        Tuesday, February 3

1.9.2026

Blood Drive

Community Events & Resources

Tomorrow from Noon to 6pm, the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Town Hall.  To sign up for blood donations, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code: “guilderlandtown”. 

The Guilderland Central School District has opened registration for its Continuing Education program for the winter session starting on Monday, January 26.  The 25 available courses include cooking, foreign languages, self-improvement, creative writing, dancing, investing and much more.  The registration deadline is Friday, January 16.   

The Guilderland Public Library’s calendar of upcoming events includes the fifth episode of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution on Sunday, January 11 from 2pm to 4pm.  Each episode is two hours long.  The remaining three episodes will be shown on consecutive Sundays.  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 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 Saturday, January 24 at 11am, the Preserve is hosting Discover the Pine Bush at Karner Barrens, an opportunity for an authentic first-hand experience of the Preserve on an 0.9-mile hike when you can learn about how fire and ice shape the ecosystem and explore the unique diversity of life that depends on the pine barrens for its survival. Snowshoes will be provided if needed. 

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.

On Saturday, February 21 from 10am to 12:30pm, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy is sponsoring Winter Wildlife Tracking at the Upper Bozen Kill Preserve at the end of Bond Road in Guilderland.  Dan Yacobellis, a certified track & sign facilitator, will share his decades of experience in winter tracking during a hike in the new preserve.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.  

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor

9.18.2025
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5209 Western Tpk., Guilderland, New York, 12084

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