On this upcoming Saturday, September 13 from 10am to 2pm at Tawasentha Park, the Town is hosting a free rabies clinic for dogs, cats, and ferrets.   The clinic is sponsored by Albany County Department of Health and the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.

The Guilderland Historical Society’s next meeting takes place on Thursday, September 18 at 1pm at the Guilderland Public Library.  It starts with a short business meeting, and will be followed by a presentation about the Town’s new 11 historic markers that were made possible by funding secured by the Historical Society from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and also planned markers to commemorate the Town’s history.  

On Saturday, October 18 from 8am to 2pm, Household Hazardous Waste Day will take place in the Highway garage located at 6338 French’s Mill Road in Guilderland Center.  Because the Town’s pays part of the cost, the event is open to Town residents only.  No pre-registration is required.   Please have the current Parks/Transfer Station vehicle sticker or proof of Town residency (tax bill, driver’s license).  Please carefully review the lists of acceptable and non-acceptable items.   Do not arrive before 8am, and when you reach the drop-off location, staff will remove the materials from your vehicle.   

On Saturday, October 25 from 10am to 2p, Drug Take Back Day will be held at the auxiliary parking lot at the Guilderland Public Library.  This nationwide event is an opportunity for the confidential, safe, and responsible disposal of unused or expired prescription medications.  Please note that needles are not included. 

Please remember that, in all Town parks and open spaces, dogs must be on a leash at all times.  Your dog may be very friendly, but hikers and park patrons do not know that and the presence of an unleashed dog can be disconcerting.   The exceptions to this rule are the Town’s two dog parks at Nott Road Park and behind EMS Station 1 in Westmere.   When the Western Turnpike Golf Course closes for the golf season, the cart paths are open for walking.  

The Senior Services Department’s September newsletter has information about classes and seminars, trips, medical and shopping transportation, legal aide, monthly meal calendar, games, and much more.  On Wednesdays from 11am to 12:30pm, the Guilderland Public Library is the home for Seniors Connect!, where seniors can have a friendly chat on a wide-range of interesting topics.   On Wednesday, October 16, Seniors Connect! will celebrate its one-year anniversary.  

The Town is accepting letters of interest and resumes from candidates interested in applying for the fulltime position of Deputy Receiver of Taxes.  It is one of a handful of positions where Town residency is required.   The Town also has openings for Police Officer, Telecommunicator/911 Dispatcher, and Laborer positions in the Highway, Parks and Water Departments. 

Community Events & Resources

On Saturday, September 21 from 1pm to 4pm at Tawasentha Park, there will be a fundraiser in memory of Robert McNamara, a generous benefactor for numerous charities in our community.  It will be tailgate party similar to Bobby Mac’s feasts before NY Giants games at MetLife Stadium.  More than 20 local restaurants will cook their best tailgate food. The event will close with awards for The Judge’s Choice, People’s Choice, and Best Dressed Booth.  The fundraiser will benefit Bobby’s favorite local charities. 

On Thursday, September 18, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, the Guilderland Food Pantry is holding “A Taste of Guilderland” for its 46th Anniversary Celebration.   The fundraiser takes place in the gymnasium at Christ the King Church.  There will be food from local restaurants, live music, a photo booth, and raffles, auctions and games.  The Pantry is currently in need of tuna (pouches), mac & cheese (microwavable cups), ravioli (microwavable cups), and ramen noodles (microwavable cups).  Food donations can be dropped off at the Pantry during regular hours or left in the collection bin located outside the Pantry.

Community Caregivers’ upcoming weekly Lunchtime Chats includes tomorrow Exploring Newport, Rhode Island, and  Hank Williams: Country's First Superstar on Wednesday, September 17.  You can join and listen in on these one-hour chats by calling (518) 992-6661.  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 Albany Pine Bush Preserve’s fall calendar includes Barrens Birding Blitz on next Saturday, September 20 from 6am to 1:30pm.   This annual community event takes place during the peak of fall bird migration.  This friendly competition is a full day event, with teams birding and counting the species they see and hear throughout the preserve.  Birdwatchers of all skill levels, from novice to expert, are invited.   Teams will compete to spot and identify as many species as possible in the time allotted.  The event will culminate in an awards ceremony and catered lunch in the Discovery Center at 12:30pm.   Reservations ($25) are required, and include a t-shirt, event guidelines, birding guide (score sheet), lunch, and a chance to compete for team prizes. 

The Preserve is also offering times for Drop-in Bird Banding Observation on Tuesday, September 23 from 7am to Noon; Saturday, October 11 from 7am to Noon; and Tuesday, October 21 from 7am to Noon.  You can see wild birds up close and personal as Preserve scientists carefully fit them with uniquely coded leg-bands, before releasing them back to the wild. The bands are provided by the US Geological Society Bird Banding Lab to licensed banders so scientists can identify individuals, and also study how long birds live, where they breed, and when and where they migrate.   On next Thursday, September 18, at 7pm, the Preserve is hosting a science lecture entitled “Avian response to the restoration and management of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve,” when you can learn more about the effects of the Preserve’s habitat management on birds.  

A reminder that the Guilderland YMCA’s Running Start program is continuing despite the start of school.  The program’s goal is filling 115 backpacks for students attending schools in Guilderland, Voorheesville, and Berne Knox Westerlo School Districts who have been identified by school counselors for extra support to start the school year ready and confident.  Each child receives a new backpack filled with essential school supplies, including a $100 gift card to help purchase clothing and shoes for the upcoming school year.  You can help by making a financial donation online by selecting “Guilderland Community” from the dropdown, or dropping off binders, notebooks, lined papers, rulers, glues, and pencils, pens, crayons and markers at the YMCA.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.  

Peter G. Barber

Town Supervisor