The summer season seems to be fast moving, with August beginning next week. There is still plenty of time to enjoy upcoming performances at Guilderland Performing Arts Center, the return of the Altamont Fair, and participate in the summer recreation program. More details are shared below.

Town News & Announcements

On Tuesday, August 6, annual National Night Out takes place at Tawasentha Park from 6pm to 9pm. Since 2009, the Town Police Department has hosted this event which allows the community to interact with police officers, fire department members, EMS personnel, and local organizations who serve the community. There will be free ice cream, popcorn, and food available for purchase from vendors, and children’s games. The Refrigerators will perform at 6pm at the nearby GPAC.

The Altamont Fair returns this year from Tuesday, August 13 to Sunday, August 18, with the opportunity to purchase tickets online for carnival rides at a discount, and a schedule of shows, performances, and things to do.

The Guilderland Performing Arts Center’s 2024 season continues tonight at 7:30pm with a performance by Acquanett, an 80s rock band. The food truck is Buena Comida, with tacos and Latin American fare. I thank fellow residents for attending Park Playhouse Stage Company’s performances of The Marvelous Wonderettes last weekend. Well over 1,000 persons attended the free events. We are very optimistic that the stage group will return next year.

Last evening, the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee had very productive and detailed discussions on its draft comprehensive plan update. The CPUC scheduled a public hearing on the final plan for Tuesday, September 10 at 7pm. The CPUC will then meet on Thursday, October 10 at 7pm to consider the public comments and possible revisions to the draft plan. Once the plan is adopted by the CPUC, it will be forwarded to the Town Board for next steps.

Parks & Rec.’s 2024 Summer Camp has already reached its mid-point. You can register for the one and two-week sessions. The camp brochure details over 100 sports camps, enrichment classes, and fun activities.

Tawasentha Park’s adult exercise facility has proven to be very popular which likely contributed to the recognition of the Town as the State’s healthiest community based on the use of the new facility. You can also use a free app available for tracking your use of the equipment. There are also wide-ranging group activities, such as Functional Fitness, Functional Strength Training, Lifted Vision Community Yoga, Tai Chi, and Total Body Circuit. Please bring water and wear comfortable, exercise clothing and sneakers.

Tawasentha Park pool’s swimming hours are weekdays from Noon to 7pm, and weekends from 11:30am to 7pm. Adult Lap swim is available on Monday through Thursday from 11am to Noon and on weekends from 10am to 11:30am.

Last evening, the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee discussed its draft of the updated comprehensive plan. The CPUC members have been working on assigned topic areas, and will discuss refinements to the draft comprehensive plan that is posted on the Town website.

A reminder that the Town’s water usage restrictions are in effect. The use of automatic underground sprinklers is limited to between 1am and 4:30am on odd days for properties with odd numbered street addresses and on even days for properties with even numbered addresses. For above-ground manually placed sprinklers and hand-held sprinklers, the water use is limited to between 6:30am and 8:30am and 6:30pm and 8:30pm on odd days for properties with odd numbered street addresses and on even days for properties with even numbered addresses. There are no water restrictions for hand-held sprinkling of non-commercial vegetable and flower gardens. Please contact the Water Department before filling a swimming pool. These restrictions are in place to maintain adequate water capacity and pressure in homes, businesses, and fire hydrants.

Community Caregivers’ upcoming summer lunchtime chat includes Navigating Common Chronic Diseases: Key Insights and Information, tomorrow at 1pm, and Empowering Minds: Mental Health and The Journey to Support on Tuesday, July 30 at 1pm. You can easily participate by calling (518) 992-6661. Community Caregivers has an ongoing need for volunteer drivers who can transport seniors for medical and other essential trips. This support helps 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 Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates for Court Scheduling Liaison, Police Officer, Stormwater Management Officer, Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher, and Laborer positions in the Highway, Parks and Water Departments.

Community Events & Resources

The Guilderland Public Library’s monthly events calendar has interesting activities for all ages, including on Wednesday, August 7 from 2pm to 3:15pm, Behind the Scenes at the Space Station, a virtual tour of the International Space Station with Dr. Jennifer Levasseur, curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. On Thursday, August 15 from 2pm to 3:15pm, the Library is holding a virtual seminar entitled The Golden Ticket to College Admissions Is Not What You Think: Redefining Success for Parents of Teens, when a former Stanford University admissions officer will share insights on the application process.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s summer calendar includes tonight at 8:30pm when you can celebrate National Moth Week (who knew?) by joining a NYS Entomologist for Moth Mania! to spend an evening attracting, observing, and identifying moths in the Preserve.

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s summer events calendar includes on Sunday, August 11 from 10am to 1pm, Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants with Ondatra Adventures, when Dave Muska of Ondatra Adventures will explain the edible and medicinal plants that inhabit the Bozen Kill Preserve.

MHLC has launched a new volunteer initiative for specialized training in hemlock management and survey techniques. Volunteers will visit parts of MHLC’s preserves that are too sensitive for public access. If you are interested in volunteering for the hemlock conservation program, please contact Marshall@mohawkhudson.org.

The New York State Library’s summer calendar is full of free public programs, including seminars, trainings, book talks, and walking tours. Tomorrow from 1pm to 2:30pm, the State Library is offering an in-person Genealogy Research with Ancestry Library Edition (Onsite) when senior librarians will demonstrate the Ancestry Library online database that is accessible at the State Library. It will include how to access Census records, genealogy and history books, maps and other resources that are freely available to the public. The seminar will include search tips and strategies, how to save records, printing and how to create a family tree via Ancestry.

The Summer Movie Express at Regal Cinemas at Crossgates, which shows two kid-friendly movies for $1 per ticket on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August 7, continues next week with a double-billing of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Kung Fu Panda 3 on July 30 and 31.

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.

The CDC notes that, as of July 16, COVID-19 infection rates continue to spread nationwide with the rate growing or likely growing in 42 states, including New York State. The CDC has noted that this summer’s increase is caused, in part, by new variants and decreasing immunity from previous infections and vaccinations. The CDC has not yet approved or authorized the updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 season.

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