Our beautiful fall weather is forecasted to continue through this long weekend.  Gardens are still hanging in there with no frost yet, but morning temperatures are noticeably colder and daylight is much shorter.   These are perfect conditions for enjoying Town parks and open space, extensive hiking trails, and an outing at the Western Turnpike Golf Course.  More details are shared below.  

Town News & Announcements

Tonight at 7pm, the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will consider comments offered at its September 10^th public hearing, and written comments submitted thereafter.  The CPUC may adopt the final Comprehensive Plan Update at that meeting.  The plan will be forwarded to the Town Board for its review, with a public hearing.   

You still have time to provide comments online on the Town of Guilderland’s ADA Transition Plan before it is considered for adoption by the Town Board at its November 7 public meeting.  The draft ADA plan is also available for review at Town Hall and Guilderland Public Library.  The draft is the result of an 18-month review, inspection, rating, and action plan for Town-maintained sidewalks, with the help of a consultant.  

On this Saturday, October 12 from 8am to 2pm, the Town is hosting the 2024 Fall Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Highway garage.  No pre-registration or event passes are required; just bring proof of Town residency, like a driver’s license or tax bill, or have a blue-colored sticker for Town parks and Transfer Station.  Please review the information sheet on what are acceptable and non-acceptable materials.  You can help the Town reduce the event’s cost by not discarding latex paint cans. The State’s paint care law allows you to bring paint cans to local vendors for proper disposal.  The Transfer Station is aware that this event takes place on Yom Kippur but has no control over the scheduling of this DEC-sponsored event that requires the presence of a certified hazardous disposal company.  Please call the Transfer Station at (518-861-6776) to schedule an alternative drop off date.

The Highway Department’s vacuuming of leaf piles has begun.  The online calendar lists the two days for vacuuming each street.  Please remember that the schedule allows for vacuuming streets before the scheduled date.  If that occurs, please don’t worry or call the Highway Department.  Leaf piles should be placed on the edge of the lawn, and not on the paved surface.  The Highway crew will return on the scheduled dates.  

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 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 February 28, 2025.  If you have any questions regarding banners, please call the Parks & Rec Office at (518) 456-3150.

The Town’s Senior Services Department September newsletter has information about classes and seminars, medical and shopping transportation, legal aide, community meals, and much more.   

On Friday, November 8 at 10am at Town Hall, the Town will hold a ceremony in recognition of its designation as a Purple Heart Town.  With its designation as a Purple Heart, the Town honors and remembers military personnel wounded or killed in combat. The Town will also reserve parking spots for "Purple Heart" recipients and their family members at Town Hall, Senior Center, and Tawasentha Park. 

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

Please note that Town facilities will be closed on Monday, October 14 for the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day.  The Town’s Transfer Station will also be closed on Tuesday, October 15.

Community Events & Resources

The Guilderland Public Library hosts Seniors Connect!, when seniors gather on Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm for a friendly chat on wide-ranging topics.  At prior meetings there were discussions about downsizing home, senior resources, hobbies, books, movies, favorite day trips, and local events.   Pre-registration is not required.   Next Wednesday, October 16 Seniors Connect will be celebrating their one year anniversary.

Next Thursday, October 17 from 1:15pm to 3pm, the Guilderland Historical Society is holding its annual meeting at Guilderland Public Library, and will include a talk at 2pm by John Haluska about the rich history of the Great Western Turnpike.  

On Saturday, October 29, from 8am to 2pm, the Guilderland Central School District is hosting its bi-annual Recycling Extravaganza at the Farnsworth Middle School front parking lot at 6072 State Farm Rd in Guilderland, NY.  The event is open to residents and non-residents of the school district.  Please see what vendors are participating and what items are recyclable.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s fall calendar is full of fall activities, including tomorrow at 10am, a Morning Meander: Kings Highway Barrens, a 1.5-mile hike over sandy hills over a new trail at Kings Highway Barrens.  Also, tomorrow at 4pm, the Preserve is hosting Photos and Foliage, when you can learn about why leaves change color in the fall and tips for photographing them along a 1.4-mile hike. 

On this upcoming Saturday, October 12 from 3pm to 5pm, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy is holding a Sip & Stroll at the Bender Melon Farm Preserve, with complimentary wine provided by Capital Wine & Spirits. Judy Stacey, former City Gardener for the City of Albany, and Tom Pfeiffer, former Forester for City of Albany, will lead the hike.  More information, including a required signed waiver, is available here.  

On Saturday, December 21, from 1pm to 3:30pm, MHLC is celebrating the winter solstice with a grand opening celebration of the 225-acre addition to the Bozen Kill Preserve.  There will be a hot beverage to warm up before heading out for a guided tour of the new trails.

A reminder that the Federal government has revived its program which allows residents to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests for free delivery by the Post Office.   The FDA is reminding residents to check this website to see if the expiration date for your at-home COVID-19 test has been extended.    

The State’s weekly fall foliage report and map is now showing that leaves are at peak conditions in the high peaks of the Adirondacks and the Catskills.  In Albany County, the report finds that there has been a 45% change around the Cohoes Falls in Cohoes, and 60% or more at Thacher Park.  

Back on June 11, the NY Mets were 11 games under .500, with a less than 1% chance of making the playoffs.  The Mets are defeating the odds and are now on their way to the National League Championship Series.  For fellow Mets fans, this is a once in generation miracle.  

I hope that you have an enjoyable and relaxing long weekend. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.  

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor