January 21, 2022

 

SPECIAL ALERT for IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COVID-19 Rapid Test Kit Distribution in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York:

Dear Cornwall residents, neighbors, and friends:

On behalf of Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski, and both the Village and Town Boards, we have been designated a COVID-19 rapid test kit P.O.D. (point of distribution) tomorrow morning, Saturday, January 22, 2022, in the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York.

Now, please understand, this allocation of FREE test kits is being made available to ALL Orange County residents. This does NOT serve as a Cornwall-centric only giveaway. We have more than enough kits and will distribute until we run out. But ALL intended recipients MUST enter the queue from 9W and along Shore Road. NO EXCEPTIONS. Exit will be up Dock Hill Road and then through Cornwall-on-Hudson via egress roads.

Details: 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning at Donahue Memorial Park (the Cornwall-on-Hudson riverfront). Two packages (4 total tests) per vehicle – WITH proof of Orange County, NY residence.

Access: You MUST access the P.O.D. from 9W, and along Shore Road to DMP. Follow all the signage and the police and DPW officials’ directions along the route. Please be patient with our volunteers, they are here to serve you and the Orange County community.

Members of both the Village and Town Boards will be there along the route.

Looking forward to seeing anyone who needs test kits.

On behalf of Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski and both community boards,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

IMPORTANT UPDATE Regarding New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s COVID-19-Related Executive Order and How It Impacts Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Municipal Facilities:

Last Friday, Governor Hochul announced that, beginning Monday, all indoor public places – including restaurants, gyms, and offices, must either require people entering to wear a mask or show proof of vaccination. The edict does not permit a policy “mix and match.” The choice is one or the other.

The mandate can be found here:

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-major-action-address-winter-surge-and-prevent-business-disruption

With this in mind, and having consulted with other local municipalities as well as reviewed guidance from the CDC and the Orange County Department of Health, all Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson indoor facilities (Village Hall and DPW Building) will require all employees and visitors to wear a mask.

Our community in Cornwall-on-Hudson has done an excellent job in reaching a vaccinated rate of 74% amongst eligible recipients. Those interested in receiving a vaccine and/or booster can take advantage of the point of distribution (pod) locations available in Orange County and identified at below link:

https://www.orangecountygov.com/2038/Vaccine

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has made clear that the County is not in a position to enforce this mandate. We will simply ask that all visitors to our Village buildings please comply with the request and if unable to do so, we will be happy to meet with you outside of the building to service your needs.

The mandate will remain in effect for one month, at which point the Governor’s Office will reassess and advise.

Appreciate the understanding. Any issues/questions, please reach out to me at (845) 534-4200 (x311).

James A. Gagliano

Mayor

August 20, 2021

 

Dear Cornwall-on-Hudson residents, neighbors, and friends:

 

Been a month since I sent a dispatch from 325 Hudson Street. And, while there has been considerable coverage of the Village Board’s doings within the pages of The Cornwall Local and I continue to greatly enjoy the multitude of folks who take me up on my open invitation and stop inside Village Hall to meet face-to-face, it is important that I use this medium to share some important items in the conduct of our Village government. 

I made a tough call – but the RIGHT call – to place Village facilities (Village Hall, DPW Building and our Water Treatment Plants) under a 14-day mask mandate on Tuesday. The CDC and the Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) released a countywide alert that acknowledged the uptick in hospitalizations related to the Delta variant – and they “strongly urge” and “recommend” indoor masking for “ALL PERSONS” (vaccinated or unvaccinated). This pertains to all Village facilities – for employees and visitors alike.

Would like to acknowledge local elected officials’ support of a DASNY grant that we were just awarded from New York State. While it will take some time for it to wind its way through the bureaucratic process, we will be receiving $50,000.00 in monies directed to our pavilion project at the waterfront in Donahue Memorial Park. Thanks to Supervisor Randazzo, Assemblyman Schmitt, Legislator Kevin Hines, County Executive Neuhaus, and especially NYS Senator Skoufis for their efforts in helping us secure this windfall.

At Monday’s Village Board Meeting (which are all available online through our streaming service), resident Maureen Buckley made an impassioned plea to encourage the Village to reconstitute a “welcome wagon” for Village newcomers. Her enthusiasm truly inspires me. Anyone else interested in participating in the formation of a committee to tackle this effort to welcome newcomers, please email Mrs. Buckley at: MACJLB66@gmail.com.

Mixed emotions here – We will miss Ms. Wynn Klosky, who is stepping down from her position on the Planning Board. We also welcome Mr. Garry Michel, who was appointed by the Village Board to fill her vacancy. We also bid farewell to Building Inspector Bill Horton. Former Code Enforcement Officer Benny Maggio returns next week to help us fill the vacancy until the end of the year. Know someone interested in position? Contact us.

Also, on Monday night, the Village Board approved the official Village seal (finally). Check out the attached image of the seal, replete with image of the gazebo and Hudson River.

Have a safe and healthy weekend, all. I am truly inspired and motivated by all of you.

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Friday, February 19, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

The white stuff keeps coming down and our public works guys keep clearing it away. Dave Halvorsen and his crew are doing a great job. So many hours, so many safe streets and sidewalks. Thank you!

Our next Village Board meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, February 22, by teleconference. Among items on the agenda is the approval of the purchase of the Donahue Farm property.  

The Police Reform Committee will hold its fifth and last meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, via teleconference. The committee will review its latest draft report before sending it to the Village Board. The report is on our website. The Village Board must send its report to Albany by April 1.

We often get inquiries about online payment of utility bills (garbage, sewer and water). I’m happy to report that online payment is coming! Several staff members and I will be involved in a training session next week. We don’t have a launch date yet, but we will let you know as soon as we can.

Have a good weekend!

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

Friday, February 12, 2021

 

Dear Village Folks:

The Village created a bit of history Monday night, annexing property from the Town of Cornwall and adopting a new comprehensive plan.

 

The Village Board met with the Town Board to conduct a joint Public Hearing regarding the annexation. It was the first joint meeting in more than a dozen years. It would appear that everyone recognizes the benefits to all because no one spoke at the public hearing. Attorney for the Village John Furst outlined the benefits, including a more efficient operation of the Village water system and the annual savings of $60,000 in town and school taxes. Later, in separate meetings, both boards approved the annexation.

 

The Village Board also passed the 2020 Comprehensive Plan Monday night. I want to thank the Comprehensive Plan Committee, Led Klosky, chair; Mary Aspin, Deputy Chair; Dominic Cordisco, Bill Grisoli and Lorraine McGuinness. They worked for over the course of three years to provide the Village a blueprint for its future development. This is an historic moment for the Village: Our previous Comprehensive Plan was 60 years old. Thanks also to Jeff Small, former Village Planning Board chair, who attended many of the work meetings.

 

Enjoy the weekend! Stay warm. Stay safe.

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

Friday, February 2, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

What a snow storm! We haven’t had so much snow in some time.

Thanks once again to our Public Works employees for digging us out and clearing our streets. They worked long hours to keep us safe. I also want to thank our Water Department employees for clearing our water supply properties to keep the water flowing.

The agreement allowing the Village to create a hiking trail on the property owned by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission has spurred some conversation. Bob McCue has just published a new book, Cornwall Landing – Our Times and I’ve enjoyed talking with him about the past and future of the property once owned by the Consolidated Edison utility company. Bob’s book is filled with photos, including some of the former hotel, the Villa Pennisi that once stood on the Palisades property. Bob has graciously donated a copy of his book to the Village Museum.

The Village Board and Cornwall Town Board will hold a joint public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday regarding annexation of town property where the Village has its Black Rock Water Treatment Plant. The annexation will save the Village $60,000 in town and school taxes annually.

I’m are still working on details of the purchase of the Donahue Farm property. We hope to close soon.

Monday’s Village Work Session includes a resolution to pass a new comprehensive plan. I’m grateful to our Comprehensive Plan Committee that has held more than 30 meetings over three years in working on a document to replace our 60-year-old plan.

Have a great weekend!

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

Friday, January 29, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

Baby, it’s cold outside! Hope you are all keeping warm and safe.        

At our busy Business Meeting Monday night, the Village Board passed a dozen or so resolutions. We postponed passing the 2020 Comprehensive Plan so trustees could take a look at yet another revised draft. I hope to pass the plan at our February 8 Work Session. I’m looking forward to passing the plan – our current Comprehensive Plan is 60 years old.

The board discussed the annexation of Cornwall Town property where the Village has its Black Rock Water Treatment Plant. The annexation has been on my radar for many months. It will save the Village $60,000 in town and school taxes. I am grateful to Supervisor Dick Randazzo and the Town Board for agreeing to allow the Village to annex the property.

We talked about the purchase of the Donahue Farm property. I’m still working on details with counsel and our engineering firm, and the board is researching financing. 

The board also discussed the property owned by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission at the Rt. 218 gate. The commission has granted the Village permission to create a hiking trail on the property. I’ve long wanted to regain use of this property, which Consolidated Edison took from the Village to build a power plant on Storm King Mountain. When Con Ed lost the “Battle of Storm King Mountain,” it gave the property to the Palisades commission.

The Village Riverfront Committee hiked the property last Saturday. Chairman Dave Work and I met with the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference on Monday for guidance on creating the new trail. Some of you will be familiar with the hotel that once graced the property; it had several names, one of them being the Villa Pennisi.

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

January 22, 2021

 

Dear Village Folks:

 

I want to the commend the RiverFest Committee for taking a positive outlook on this year’s celebration of Hudson River.

 

At its meeting this past Wednesday, the RiverFest Committee decided to proceed with the intention that RiverFest will happen on June 6, 2021. Chairman Wynn Gold will update the website and FB page in the next few days. The committee will begin accepting vendor applications with the caveat that payments will be returned if the event is cancelled again. The committee will also start booking bands with the same understanding. Ultimately, New York State will decide whether RiverFest can happen.

 

As I’ve mentioned several times during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is providing a great service to people in need of food. The Food Bank, located in our Village, is always looking for volunteers. You can reach the Food Bank at 534-5344.

 

Please support our restaurants. And stay safe!

 

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

January 15, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

Good Friday afternoon.

I’m happy to report that the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to the Village’s first responders. Our police officers and firefighters are getting vaccinated. The vaccine has also become available to our essential workers, employees in the Public Works and Water departments.

We recently posted a wonderful video of majestic Storm King Mountain on the Village website. The video shows Storm King in all its glory. Kathleen Christensen, Village Historian, is developing a small library on the Battle for Storm King, the 17-year successful effort to stop Con Edison from building a power plant on the mountain.   

At the Village Board’s Work Session Monday night, I announced plans to purchase Donahue Farm. The property has many potential uses including a community center, an athletic playing field, hiking and a wedding venue. The property was the original site of the Cornwall Independence Day Celebration.  

As we continue to cope with COVID-19, please carry on with staying safe: wash your hands frequently, wear your mask and keep six feet away from people.

Enjoy your weekend.

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

January 8, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

Happy New Year!

The Village’s 20^th annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop successfully took place virtually. Some people showed up but nothing like the usual crowd. My thanks to the Cornwall-on-Hudson Special Events Committee, Storm King Engine Company and the Village Police Department for making it happen. You can find ball drop on the committee’s Facebook page.

As we continue to deal with COVID-19, Village Hall will remain closed until further notice. Village staff continues to serve residents as smoothly as possible. We recently installed an intercom at the front door to ease communication.

The Village Board will hold a Special Meeting in conjunction with its Work Session at 7 p.m. Monday, January 11, via teleconference, to conduct a Public Hearing on the 2021-22 Budget. The access code will be available via the Village’s website and Facebook Page.

The Police Reform Committee will hold its second meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, via teleconference. The public is welcome. The access code will be available via the Village’s website and Facebook Page.

Stay safe.   

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor