March 28, 2022

 

Mayor’s Message (Public Safety Edition):

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

On behalf of the Village Board, I could not be prouder to announce that the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department rolled out body-worn cameras this morning. As a career law enforcement professional, it has always been of paramount importance to me to ensure transparency for the constituency we are sworn to protect and serve, as well as guarantee the legal protections of armed public servants who willingly go into harm’s way on behalf of all of us. This was LONG overdue and serves as victory for all.

Pictured is Village Police Department’s lone appointed sergeant, John Peña, modeling the body-worn camera accoutrement on his ballistic vest during the B-Line tour today. If any resident or visitor to the Village has questions regarding our roll-out and usage of said BWCs, please stop into the police department or Village Hall and speak to Chief Steve Dixon or me. Or, simply stop any Village officer on the street and inquire regarding protocols. We are supremely proud of this effort that has taken a full year to effect.

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

March 17, 2022

 

Mayor’s Message (St. Paddy’s Day Edition):

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

Let me begin by wishing everyone a safe and healthy St. Patrick’s Day. With a surname like Gagliano, no doubt of my Sicilian heritage. But, my DNA results acknowledge my 10% Irish ancestry – and with that, I wish all, Sláinte (“Health” in Irish and Scottish Gaelic).

Would also like to extend congratulations to Deputy Mayor James P. Kane and Trustee Richard Gaillard. Both return to the Village Board after Tuesday’s election: Kane for his seventh 2-year term and Gaillard for his second. Welcome back. Now, let’s get to work.

SPOTLIGHT: The Village Building Department and its new Code Enforcement Officer, Manny A. Carmona [see attached photo of Manny, along with Planning Board Secretary, Meagan Gschwind]. Manny joins us following retirement from the United States Air Force and the Building Department in Spring Valley (Rockland County), New York. He now works full-time for the Village of Nyack, New York, and part-time for Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson. He is husband and father of three boys. His recreational pursuits include dancing, sports, motorcycles, family trips and “get-togethers.”

Mission of the COH Building Department is to “protect the lives and safety of the residents and visitors of the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, while preserving the quality of life, and contributing to economic development.” Manny wishes to remind the community that he is available to answer questions about fire safety, construction projects, property maintenance, and complaints via office phone: (845) 534-7656, Fax: (845) 534-7607, and email address: dpwadmin@cornwall-on-hudson.org.

REMINDER: Please be patient with our Department of Public Works. This winter has seen temperature fluctuations [freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw] that have done an absolute number on our Village roadways. We are in the process of cleaning up curb debris and cold-patching the most dangerous potholes. Route 218 (Hudson Street) is a State road. While it remains NYS’s responsibility, we do contribute to its continued maintenance. This roadway is scheduled to be repaved this Fall. Promise you – we’re tending to the potholes.

On behalf of the Village Board, stay safe and healthy, all.

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

Sample Ballot for Tuesday, March 15 Election

 

March 10, 2022

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

Noted American novelist and Nobel laureate, William Faulkner, in “Requiem for a Nun” famously penned the line – “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” The quote has been applied in various forms across the literary and political worlds since “Nun” published in 1951 – most recently by then-presidential candidate, Barack Obama, in 2008. History can certainly haunt us, but it also serves to guide and instruct; as in how can we know where we are headed without understanding where we have been? While buildings and properties are inanimate objects, they can also possess a “soul” of sorts.

And so, as we close in on (hopefully) the end of Winter and look towards Spring, important to share that we will continue to be stalwart caretakers and good stewards of all Village properties. If you happen to detect something overlooked on Village-owned property, please reach out to the mayor’s office: (845) 534-4200 (x311) and let us know. Across the past year, we have spent considerable time and focus on renovations, clean-ups, and cosmetic face-lifts. And while the recent purchase of some 47 acres at the old Donahue Farm property comes with challenges, it also affords us abundant opportunities. Interested in sharing your opinion for its future use? Please visit the Donahue committee’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/donahuefarmCOH/?ref=py_c

We are also performing some remediation and renovations at several Village facilities. Keep an eye open for some beautification efforts at the old Water Department municipal facility on Maple Avenue when Spring arrives. And look for the daffodils that should soon bloom along Hudson Street (Thank you, Mrs. Barbara Gosda) and provide additional splendor in and around Village Hall at 325 Hudson Street. Speaking of Village Hall …

(Photo One): Black and White image of how the future Village Hall appeared when it was a Ford car dealership in 1949.

 

(Photo Two): Color image of same building in 1962 when a Mobil gas station was added to the dealership. Check out those gas prices – 28.9 cents and 32.9 cents per gallon.

Building eventually became a bank before the Village took possession during early 90’s.

REMINDER: Please do not park along Village streets in advance of expected snowfalls.

On behalf of the Village Board, stay safe and healthy, all.

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor