February 27, 2025

Our inconsistent winter weather, with warmer temperatures and rain, has unfortunately to lead to the closing of cross-country ski trails at the Western Turnpike Gold Course. Colder weather is on its way, but little precipitation is expected. Please check the Parks & Rec.’s new winter sports’ webpage for latest conditions. More details are shared below.

Town News & Announcements

On Tuesday, March 4 at 7pm, the Town Board will hold a public hearing on a 4-month moratorium on certain residential development. A moratorium is a common tool to maintain the status quo while the Town Board considers adopting the updated Comprehensive Plan Update. On Tuesday, March 18 at 7pm, the Town Board will also hold a second public hearing on the draft Comprehensive Plan Update. You can access the Plan Update and its appendices online or review hard copies at the Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall or the Guilderland Public Library.

I thank Town resident John Haluska for his diligent efforts to preserve the Town’s rich history by restoring State highway markers and proposing new markers for overlooked important persons and significant events, including most recently for the Van Vauken Brothers who served in the American Revolution. To secure funding for a proposed marker from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, the applicant must prove that the marker is historically accurate and based on primary source research. The markers preserve the Town’s history, educate the public, encourage pride of place, and promote tourism.

March 14, 2025 Blood Drive

On Friday, March 14 from Noon to 5pm, the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Town Hall. There is currently an emergency shortage of platelets and type O blood. You can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800- RED-CROSS or online and entering “guilderlandtown” in the search box.

Please remember that, if your home has a septic system or cesspool that adversely impacts certain designated waterbodies, you may be eligible for reimbursement for replacement costs under the Septic System Replacement Fund Program. I know several homeowners have taken advantage of this program to upgrade their septic systems. The program reimburses eligible property owners with grants for up to 50% of the costs (up to $10,000) of their eligible septic system projects. Grants are awarded only to those septic system projects that will significantly and quantifiably reduce environmental and/or public health impacts from cesspools or septic systems. You can check your property’s eligibility by entering your property’s address. This rare opportunity is a collaboration between the State, County, and Town, and property owners to address a pressing environmental and public health issue.

The State’s deadline for applying for property tax exemptions is this Saturday, March 1. This deadline is firm, and the Town Assessor cannot under any circumstances extend this deadline. If you are a senior citizen (65 years of age or older by December 31, 2025), a person with a qualifying physical disability, a veteran, eligible firefighter, or other exemptions, please make sure to apply before March 1. For more information on exemptions, please visit the website, call (518) 356-1980, or stop by the Assessor’s office.

With spring arriving is less than a month, you might want to consider reserving a pavilion at Tawasentha Park for family outings and local business events. Walk-in reservations (with payment) have priority over phone, faxed or emailed reservation requests (with payment). To request booking a pavilion, please submit a completed Request for Use of Facilities/Know the Rules and required payment (credit card, check or cash) to the Town of Guilderland. You can drop off the required forms or mail them to Guilderland Parks & Recreation Department at 181 State Route 146, Altamont, NY 12009, or faxed to 518-456-3156. You can view the availability calendar for Tawasentha Park Pavilion Rentals

Hometown Heroes

The application deadline for the Town’s 2025 Hometown Heroes Banner Program is tomorrow. For the 8^th year, the Town will recognize active duty and veteran service members, both living and deceased, for their bravery, courage, and sacrifice. Each banner will honor 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 will be made available to sponsors. Banners may be sponsored by individuals, families, businesses or organizations at a cost of $150 per banner. If you have any questions regarding banners, please call the Parks & Rec Office at (518) 456-3150.

The Town’s Senior Services Department’s February newsletter has information about classes and seminars, tax preparation assistance, trips, medical and shopping transportation, next month’s book discussion, legal aide, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more. On Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm, the Guilderland Public Library is the home for Senior Connects!, where seniors can have a friendly chat on a wide-range of interesting topics. The prior topics included home downsizing, senior resources, hobbies, books, movies, favorite day trips, and local events. No registration is required.

Parks 2025

Parks & Rec is now accepting applications for summer positions including camp counselors, lifeguards, lifeguard manager, and pool booth attendants. There are also seasonal laborer positions at the golf course and parks maintenance. Applications are due by Tuesday, April 15, and interviews will take place in May. Salaries depend on position. Please contact the Parks & Recreation office at 518-456-3150, between 8am and 3:30pm on weekdays with any questions.

The Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates 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, Verizon channel 34, and Spectrum channel 1303. Within days of the meeting, an indexed recording, with links to each listed agenda item, is also posted online.

Town Board

Tuesday, March 4

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wednesday, March 5

Conservation Advisory Council

Monday, March 10

Planning Board

Wednesday, March 12

Town Board

Tuesday, March 18

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wednesday, March 19

Tree Preservation Committee

Thursday, March 20 at 2pm (not broadcasted)

Industrial Development Agency

Tuesday, March 25

Planning Board

Wednesday, March 26

Town Board

Tuesday, April 1

Community Events & Resources

Please be advised that the 30-day annual review period for Albany County Agricultural Districts began on February 1 and allows property owners who have predominantly viable agricultural land to be included in a certified Agricultural District. Landowners interested in adding a parcel to one of the County’s Agricultural Districts must complete an Agricultural District Review Worksheet. If you have any questions, please check out the County’s website.

Community Caregivers, which offers wide-ranging services and support for seniors and their supporters, has weekly lunchtime phone chats on topics of interest, including, tomorrow at 1pm, Mary Therriault, RN will present “Caregiving Training Series: Elevate Your Impact,” a chat about effective communication for caregivers. You can help with Community Caregivers in fulfilling its mission by volunteering your time and/or making donations.

The Guilderland Public Library’s upcoming calendar includes tonight from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, a virtual presentation of Strange History From along the Erie Canal at Schoharie Crossing, when a representative of the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, will share the site’s history related to the canal, railroad, and people, and will touch upon its strange history of murder, mayhem, arson, accidents and more. On Wednesday, March 12, from 2pm to 3:15pm, the Library is hosting a virtual chat with bestselling author Dan Heath about his book, Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working, and will discuss methods to find “leverage points” to maximize efforts. The Library is also looking for volunteers to sort donations and help with its upcoming book sale.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s upcoming calendar, includes on Saturday, March 1 at 11am, Owl Investigation, an indoor program to learn how owls live in the Preserve and the signs that they leave behind, including dissecting owl pellets. On Monday, March 10 at 11am, the Preserve is hosting Discover the Pine Bush at Karner Barrens, when experts will guide you on an 0.9-mile hike over rolling sand dunes where you will discover the Preserve’s natural history and seasonal surprises and transformations.

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy has opened 4-miles of trails in its Upper Bozen Kill Preserve, a 225-acre property at the end of Bond Road. The new trail system also connects to the existing trail system at the Lower Bozen Kill Preserve. The total trails are nearly 6 miles. You can access the new entrance to the Upper Bozen Kill Preserve by continuing north on Westfall Road past the existing Lower Bozen Kill Preserve entrance and turn left on Bond Rd. A parking lot and preserve kiosk is located at the end of the road. The trail system is open year-round, and given its elevation, often has sufficient snow for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The New York State Library’s calendar of public programs includes, tomorrow from Noon to 1pm, the State Library is sponsoring an onsite walking tour of the State Library’s Local History and Genealogy Resources, including published genealogies, local histories, church records, Daughters of the American Revolution records, United States and New York State Census records, newspapers on microfilm, and city directories.

The Guilderland Food Pantry, which has addressed food insecurity in our community since 1979, needs your help. The Pantry’s currently most needed items are ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, jelly & jam, and coffee (ground & K-cup). Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the Pantry during regular hours or left in the collection bin located outside the Pantry at 4 Charles Boulevard. The Pantry is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 11:00am.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor