April 27, 2022

 

Mayor’s Message (Summer Playground Edition):

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

It’s finally here, we are pleased to announce! Wondering about Village’s Summer Camp and Recreation Program – Summer Playground? See our official press release below.

The Village of Cornwall-On-Hudson will operate its Summer Recreation Program for six weeks, from July 5 through August 12. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at Cornwall-On-Hudson elementary school, located at 234 Hudson Street. The program is open to children who will enter grades K-7 next autumn. Our program offers games, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, and special activities.

Registration will be held on Friday, May 20 for Village residents ONLY from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Edward C. Moulton, Jr. Village Board Room, located at 325 Hudson Street. Registration for both Village and non-Village residents will be on Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in same Village Board Room. Parents and guardians must bring a form of identification which includes their address to register. They also must bring an up-to-date immunization record from their children’s health provider. *Registration is not possible without a copy of an updated immunization record.

Jenna Park will be returning as the director for the third Summer, after serving as Assistant Director for two years and as a Counselor for three years. Christopher Robinson will serve as the new Assistant Director, following two years as a counselor. Britney Lindenberger is returning as the camp’s Health Director. The program is seeking paid Counselors, with deadline for applications on May 6^th. Counselors must be at least 16 years old and must attend a two-hour training course.

 The fee for Cornwall-On-Hudson residents is $250 per child ($550 maximum per family). The fee for non-village residents is $325 per child. For further information, please call Village Hall at 534-4200.

On a personal note: One of my favorite rituals every Summer is witnessing the long line of kids marching past Village Hall en route to the Town Pool every day during camp. Huge “thank you” to Supervisor Josh Wojehowski and the Town’s Highway and Buildings and Grounds Departments, Town’s engineering firm, along with the Village’s Water Department, and CJM Plumbing for working so diligently to rectify the consistent leak problem, make the necessary repairs, protect the pond, and keep pool open for our children to enjoy throughout the Summer. It truly was/is a team effort. Well done, all.

On behalf of the Village Board,

Mayor James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

April 27, 2022

 

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

Spring has sprung in the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. If any doubt existed, the daffodils blooming along Hudson Street, thanks to former Deputy Mayor Barbara Gosda and her intrepid team of COH cultivators, should expel any potential doubts.

For this edition of the Mayor’s Message, how about a little acknowledgement of our four trustees? Elected to two-year terms, these four public servants – I can assure you – ain’t here for the money. I could not be any more humbled and privileged to receive their counsel across a host of issues affecting our Village. It’s a good feeling at every gathering to know I won’t be the smartest man in any room these four share with me. Here’s a few “fast facts” about each of our electeds, along with photograph in their “natural habitats”:

Deputy Mayor James “Jim” Kane

Jim Kane was just re-elected to his seventh term on the Village Board. As our longest-tenured trustee and a practicing attorney, he brings a wealth of legal knowledge to the Board and is still serving in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Jim is a profligate DIY’er (do-itself-yourselfer) and enjoys mixed success with home projects.

Trustee David Carnright

Trustee Dave Carnright is ubiquitous around these parts. Retired from Central Hudson and a Cornwall Lifer, he continues to serve our community by driving a bus that safely gets our kids from home to school. One of the founding members of Cornwall Youth Football, Dave serves on more volunteer committees than can be chronicled on one page. Just consider this – If it’s “a day that ends in y,” consider Dave to be in attendance at a meeting that betters our community.

Trustee Richard “Rich” Gaillard

Rich was just re-elected to his second term on the Village Board and brings valuable business acumen to our august body. Known for his costume “flair,” Rich’s modish wardrobe is the envy of every fashion-conscious gentlemen. He also brings practicality and a common-sense approach to deliberations.

Trustee William “Bill” Braine

Bill was elected to his first-term as a Village Trustee in March of 2021 and has assumed the responsibilities of the Board’s interface with the Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department and as its liaison to the Donahue Farm Property Steering/Planning Committee. Blessed with a wry wit and possessing a keen eye, another of Bill’s gifts is the ability to cut through the “noise” and sense “blind spots.”

  

We are all truly blessed that these four serve on our behalf.

Mayor James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

April 19, 2022

 

Mayor’s Message (Donahue Memorial Park Canadian Geese Mitigation Edition):

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

Apologies for double messages today, but wanted to alert residents and visitors to Donahue Memorial Park to an ongoing Village project. Last year, we received a number of complaints regarding the plentiful amount of Canadian Geese fecal matter at the park. It could certainly be a health hazard to those who sit or lie in the grass, as well as a safety hazard posed to those who slip on the feces. After reaching out to the USDA Wildlife Services Division, was advised of their efforts to capture and either harvest (donated to food banks) or relocation provision. When we publicly announced we were exploring this means, a number of residents requested we attempt other, more humane options. Several offered to donate mitigation devices that included latex, faux-predator (with-lifelike tails) geese deterrents. Two generous donors – Rick and Barbara Gioia and Tom Dicarrado provided some to Village at no cost. We thank them for their generosity.

The faux-predators will be emplaced around DMP. Will routinely rotate them to different positions during scheduled mowings of the park. Fingers crossed they serve as a solution. So, advise family and friends NOT to call Animal Control over our “foxes” and coyotes.” We expect, with good reason, to get some chuckles over this – but know we are exhausting all humane methods in order to find a way to coexist with our local wildlife.

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

April 19, 2022

Mayor’s Message (Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department Edition):

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

In this edition, we would like to highlight our intrepid police department and showcase some members of our force. As recent events in Brooklyn so perfectly highlighted last week, our nation is beyond blessed to have men and women in blue who selflessly run to the sounds of the guns. Our department is located on the backside of Village Hall, 325 Hudson Street, and remains poised to always to “protect and serve.” We are supremely proud of our police department’s rollout of the body-worn camera initiative last month.  

PHOTO #1: P.O. James Lynch

PHOTO #2: P.O. Theo Dawydko

PHOTO #3: P.O. Stephen Berean

PHOTO #4: Sgt. John Peña

PHOTO #5: P.O. Jonathan Kapczak

PHOTO #6: P.O. Antinori and Chief Dixon (along w/German tourists visiting COHPD HQ).

PHOTO #7 P.O. Thomas Moran

IMPORTANT NOTE: Village Hall just received a limited allotment of COVID-19 rapid test kits. Available on a first-come-first-served basis. Residents may simply stop by Village Hall M-F during normal business hours (8:30AM-4:30PM) and receive two kits.

Special Thanks to the Water Department last week for working 56 straight hours to mitigate a major water main leak and ensure faulty pipes were repaired and replaced, and to the Department of Public Works for handling multiple clogged storm drains across the Village after a number of heavy rainfalls. 

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

April 4, 2022

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

Almost ten months ago, the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson closed on the 47-acre Donahue Farm Property (DFP) making us its proud owners. In the ensuing months, a steering/planning committee was carefully selected and appointed by the Village Board – whose purpose was to protect every conceivable equity, ensuring the property would be protected and could be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike in perpetuity. The historical significance of the charming farm plot is certainly not insignificant. The farm’s namesake – the venerable Dr. M.J. Donahue -- was a local veterinarian and honorably served as the Village’s 23^rd mayor.

The DFP steering/planning committee has been working diligently to reimagine the property. They have formed a successful partnership with Scenic Hudson and the merger serves to ensure we remain responsible, protective stewards of the land. This past weekend, committee volunteers tackled one of the final cleanup efforts, leaving only the “Ice House” structure to be completed. In the above photos, you can see Mary Donahue, Trustee Bill Braine, Acting Committee Chair Christy Larkin, Dan Poindexter, and Dave Work in between their hauling, sorting, and pitching efforts. Without selfless folks such as these five, not much gets done in a community. On behalf of all of us – thank you and thanks to the entire committee for their wiliness to serve all of us.

Finally, you can view some pretty incredible drone footage (captured by Bill Braine) of the property and our volunteers this weekend at the following link:

Donahue Farm Cleanup No2 4/2/22 - YouTube    

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
Mayor