Related Articles

• 

  Employee Spotlight (Water Department Edition)

  March 4, 2022

   

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

   

  This serves as the second installment of our inaugural Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson recognition editions -- in order to publicly acknowledge and highlight our deserved employee workforce. Next iteration will shine a spotlight on the Police Department.

   

  Here are a quick, few “fun facts” regarding our Water Department, which services both the Village and the Town – a total of 13,000 residents. You should know:

  1) The Water Department has a $3.1M annual operating budget.

  2) For 2021, we produced 280,356,000 gallons of treated water.

  3) 52 miles of water main pipes and 325 hydrants, with 2,665 service connections (supplying 8,500+ consumers) are maintained by our department.

  4) Also maintain over 100 acres of watershed properties, 3 treatment plants, 28 pressure-regulating valves, along with 5 reservoirs and dams. In short – It’s a HUGE responsibility.

   

  Let this serve as a quick “get-to-know-better” the men and women who ensure that when we turn on the taps in our homes and businesses we have delivered clean, safe, available drinking water. It appears a simple feat – but there is far more to it than meets the eye.

   

  Photo One: Don Bryde, who serves as our Chief Water Plant Operator.

  

   

  Photo Two: Conor Watts, who serves as a Water Plant Assistant.

  

   

  Photo Three: Rich Smith, the Water Department’s Assistant Leader.

  

   

  Photo Four: (L-R), Joe McCormick (Water Maintenance Worker), Dan Nye (Water Maintenance Leader), and Anthony Gagliano (Water Maintenance Worker).

  

   

  Photo Five: (L-R), Meagan Gschwind, Stephanie Xagoraris (Administrative Assistants).

  

   

  Photo Six: A future Water Department Employee (Hopefully).

  

   

  Photo Seven: Our intrepid Water Superintendent, Michael Trainor.

  

   

  Thank you, Cornwall-on-Hudson Water Department. We ALL truly appreciate your work.

   

  On behalf of a grateful Village Board and greater Cornwall community,

   

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor
• 

  Mayor Coyne's Update for November 20

  November 20, 2020

   

  Dear Village Folks:

   

  As COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Orange County, the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson needs to continue to safeguard its residents and employees. We recognize the need to have our employees available especially as the snow season approaches.

   

  With that in mind, Village Hall will be closed to the public again as of Monday, Nov. 30, at least until Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. We will continue to provide services as usual. The drop box has become a convenient way to pay bills.

  Governor Cuomo has stressed that New Yorkers should limit their travel outside the state and there are certain guidelines the Village must follow. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me: 534-4200 x307 or 845-416-8018.

   

  I hope in this season of gratitude that we can recognize our many blessings. Stay safe. On behalf of the Village Board and all of our employees, I wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!

   

  Sincerely,

  Brendan Coyne

  Mayor

• Mayor's Notice March 27

  Dear Residents:

  I want to thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we cope with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

  Village Hall Office doors are closed and will continue to remain closed until Friday, April 10, 2020, at which time we’ll determine if it is safe to open. We are staggering hours to provide Village services and conduct Village business.

  Please continue to pay bills through the dropbox marked BILLS on the parking lot side of Village Hall to limit interaction between residents and village employees. If you have questions about Village business, please contact us at 534-4200 or info@cornwall-on-hudson.org. 

  Senior citizens may wish to take advantage of Safe Seniors, an assistance program provided by the Village Police Department. See link.

  If you’d like to volunteer, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, right here in the Village at 195 Hudson Street, is always looking for volunteers, now more than ever. To volunteer, check the website: www.regionalfoodbank.net/volunteer/.

  Please follow the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control regarding hygiene and isolating. Let’s take care of ourselves, families and neighbors. In addition to our health professionals and first responders, let’s be grateful for our Village public works, water and clerical employees.

  It’s good to see so many people walking, jogging and bicycling. Enjoy Donahue Memorial Park and the Village’s other parks.  Let’s continue to support our local restaurants by ordering food to take out.

  The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson is a strong community. Let’s help one another get through this challenging time. Stay healthy!

  Brendan G. Coyne, Mayor

• 

  Mayor's Update 2-5-21

  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

• 

  Remembering Jim Sebesta

  February 2, 2023

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

  Here is my letter to the editor of the Cornwall Local, memorializing Cornwall-on-Hudson Head Mechanic James P. Sebesta and published on front page of Cornwall Local today:

  Madam Editor:

  Our Village family is grieving. Last week, following a brief illness, Cornwall-on-Hudson Head Mechanic James Paul Sebesta, 55, passed away while surrounded by loving family. Tragically, the sudden, unexpected loss has devastated the Sebesta family – longtime Cornwall residents, including two siblings who also serve our community as public servants. Sebesta’s passing has deeply affected Village employees who worked closely with him across the nearly 23 years he served within our Department of Public Works. Our DPW Superintendent Dave Halvorsen shared this with me: “Jim Sebesta took great pride in his work. He was always up for the challenge. If he didn’t have the tool he needed for a job – he would make one. His gift was fabrication; anything from storage racks, snow plow blades, and street sweeper accessories. He often selflessly put in time after work to assist employees with their personal vehicle issues.”

  Jim’s older sister, Paula Sebesta-Howard, our Deputy Village Treasurer, allowed that her baby brother “loved tinkering with machines at a very young age.” Paula explained to me that when Jim was a child, he earned his knack for small engine repair by countless hours spent disassembling and reassembling engines with their father. Understandably emotional, she shared his three primary loves: Family (especially his grandkids), Camping, and NASCAR. I also know that Jim loved being an older brother to his little sister – Kristen Sebesta-Boyle. Kristen served as COVAC president for many years and spent countless hours serving our community in the emergency services realm. Witnessing her softly weep on the shoulder of Jim’s boss, Dave Halvorsen, on Thursday pulled on more heartstrings than I care to count.

  In my current role, I had innumerable encounters with Jim, as he fiercely advocated for his guys as an elected CSEA representative. He was a fierce negotiator on matters that impacted “his guys” and his insight and command of the facts were something that he jokingly reminded me were coming from “a simple BOCES graduate.” That humility applied the perfect patina to his rough and tumble mien. There was nothing “simple” about Jim Sebesta. He accomplished more in 55 years than most could in a century. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Brother.

  May his memory be a blessing.

  On Behalf of the Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor, Cornwall-on-Hudson

• Mayor's Notice - March 17

  Dear Residents:

  In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), I want to inform you of additional steps the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson is taking to continue to function and provide services.

  Village Hall Offices will be closed as of today, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, until Monday, March 30, 2020, at which time the Village Board will determine whether it is safe to open. We will continue to conduct Village business.

  The Village Board Election has been postponed to Tuesday, April 28, from Wednesday, March 18.

  You may continue to pay bills through the dropbox marked BILLS on the side of Village Hall to safeguard the health of residents and village employees and limit interaction.

  If you have questions about village business, please call (534-4200) or email (info@cornwall-on-hudson.org). 

  At this time, the March Village Board Business Meeting is still scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, March 23.

  The Comprehensive Plan Committee will be holding an information meeting on its plan at a date to be announced.

  More broadly, take care of yourselves, your family and neighbors. Follow the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control regarding hygiene and isolating. Be grateful for our health professionals, first responders and all those who are providing services.

  As you know, this is a fluid situation. I will continue to update you as matters change. Together we will get through this challenging time. Stay healthy!

  Brendan Coyne, Mayor