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  Mayor’s Message - Summer Playground Edition

  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

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  Summer Playground

  Village Summer Recreation Program Starts July 6

              The Village of Cornwall-On-Hudson will operate its Summer Recreation Program for six weeks, from July 6 through August 13.

              The program runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at Cornwall-On-Hudson Elementary School. The program is open to children who will enter grades K-7 next autumn. The recreation program offers games, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, and special activities. 

  read details on the Summer Recreation page

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  Mayor's Message - Summer Playground Camp Edition

  Mayor’s Message [2023 Summer Playground Camp Edition]:

  Village residents,

  Attached are two important notices that highlight arrangements made between the Town of Cornwall, Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Cornwall Central School District; related to 2023 Summer Camp/Summer Playground. With almost all of the district’s school facilities being taken offline this summer for necessary renovations and repairs, the CCSD recognized the inherent difficulties for working parents if our municipalities were unable to secure a school venue to host our camps this year -- and possibly next year, as well.

  A deal was struck to conjoin the Village and Town camps and utilize Cornwall Elementary School, located at 99 Lee Road in Cornwall, NY 12518. For efficiency and oversight purposes and to limit footprint of an expected 250 (give or take) grade school kids, kindergarteners will be directed to the Town’s Kinder Kamp (flyer one) and rising first through eighth graders will enroll as per instructions provided on flyer two. There will be no separations or distinctions related to “town” or “village” kids – only by age groups.

  These necessary adjustments may result in some frustrations over changes. Please know that this is “new” for all of us and Cornwall’s leaders are working to minimize disruptions to your plans. Camp will run from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. -- an additional hour for those accustomed to COH’s Summer Playground schedule. And to make this work, the still well-below-market-value tuition rate has been set for ALL Cornwall and Cornwall-on-Hudson residents at $300.00 for the full six-week camp. This will require both Town Council and Village Board to subsidize monies to make “numbers” work and provide some financial relief for residents due to current sky-high inflation and rising “everything” costs.

  As per the flyers, the Town of Cornwall Recreation Department (located at Munger Cottage) will handle registrations Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. There will be no separate Village registration. For families of campers accustomed to attending Summer Playground, we understand that Cornwall Elementary School at Lee Road slightly increases your commute for drop-off and pickups. If transportation is problematic, please notify Rec. Department staff at registration, and the Village will determine if numbers support provision of some type of shuttle service. Again, please be patient with us as we all deal with a “new normal” for near future. We fully understand how critical camp is for child development and working parents’ schedules. This Town, Village and CCSD collaboration was only viable and available solution here.  

  On behalf of the Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Village Mayor

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  Mayor’s Message [Village Updates Edition]

  Dear Residents and Friends of the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson,

  It has been awhile since I have provided updates via social media and there is a lot to discuss. Firstly, as I round into my final eleven months in office, you need to know the priorities of which I remain hyper-focused. They remain consistent with what I championed during my first mayoral campaign in 2021: public safety, remediation of crumbling infrastructure, and “the little things.”

  The attached photographs depict some of “the little things.” Our intrepid DPW crews continue to upgrade and tidy up our parks down at the Riverfront, along Dockhill Road and along the Boulevard. Seeding, top soiling, “freshening up” the dilapidated park signs, and assembling new picnic tables for park users. We also continue to find funding for new sidewalks. After the Curie Road project and several curb replacements (such as COH Elementary School frontage), Monday will begin the replacement of more Hudson Street sidewalks and aprons from 2 Alices to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home. This is a prime walking path and helps to interconnect the Town with our central business district in the Village, and traverses across Village Hall. With the impending Art Walks and other special events, it enhances the walkability of our special village.

  Speaking of art, the Village is in the process of initiating a loan agreement with local sculptor Vivien Collens to emplace several of her large sculptures along Hudson Street and in proximity to where the soon-to-be under construction Dockhill Road connector trail will connect the Lower Village with the Donahue Farm Property and the Riverfront. This will be a value-added feature for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. And for those frustrated by the proliferation of potholes, our crews will be out next week as the weather continues to warm and will make the necessary interim repairs. Please keep in mind that 218 and Academy Avenue are NYS roads. We also are heavily engaged with FEMA, USDA, Scenic Hudson, and Central Hudson regarding remediation and repairs related to flood damages from the four major, hyper-localized storms we have suffered since December of 2022. I know this makes no one happy to hear – but it’s a process and unfortunately, often moves at a glacial pace. Please know that your Village is on it. And expect to see some road surfaces repaved THIS season.

  Now, to the Bandstand. Erected in 1985 in honor of our Village’s centennial, it has taken some beatings from the elements and use. We determined there was major water damage to the ceiling due to a leak within the enclosed gutter system. We hired contractors (including local resident and expert carpenter Doug Spaulding) to painstakingly disassemble portions and make the repairs. Rest well knowing this remediation will result in decades more of enjoyment by Village residents. Next year, we will celebrate the bandstand’s 40th and our Village’s 140-year anniversary. And speaking of the bandstand, thanks to Eddie Hurley for again expertly booking our annual concert series. First concert is May 28th and will feature a combination of classic pop-rock and country-folk music performed by Frank Rudolph’s Main Street Music Studio “Student Band.” That same evening, the Town Supervisor and I will be co-hosting the monthly meeting of the Orange County Association of Towns, Villages, and Cities at Storm King Lounge & Fare. What a great opportunity for mayors and supervisors across County to see this community rock.

  As an aside, on Wednesday, San Miguel Academy held a “boat christening” for their rowing program. Headquartered in Newburgh, SMA performs wonders in inspiring and motivating at-risk children and helping them to succeed in the academic realm while participating in an incredibly successful high school rowing program. I was humbled to be but a small part of the event held at the Riverfront and walked away appreciative that we get to share the gift that is Donahue Memorial Park with an organization that provides so much give-back to our youth.

  Can't also forget to send a huge "thank you" shoutout to the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council for sponsoring and leading last weekend's River Sweep event at the Riverfront. Carla Castillo and Ted Warren do a wonderful job each year "herding cats" and directing the clean-up efforts. GREAT turnout this year. And what clean-up effort in Cornwall or Cornwall-on-Hudson doesn't include the amazing orange-shirted volunteers from the Cornwall Cleanup Crew? We owe all of these volunteers a HUGE debt of gratitude for helping preserve our waterfront and keep it pristine for residents and visitors and future generations alike to enjoy.

  Lastly, I, along with two Trustees Braine and Paliotta, will be attending the New York Conference of Mayors annual conference at Lake George for a few days next week. Wonderful opportunity to compare “best practices” with elected colleagues and learn a little bit more about policies and protocols in municipal government from the NYCOM team.

  All for now. Thank you all for your interest, involvement, and investment in our community.

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor

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  Mayor's Update - CREST Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology Program

  The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York was recently awarded a $54,000.00 grant from the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology Program (CREST), which is a capital grant program administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). DASNY serves as New York State’s public finance and construction authority. This was also the grant administration authority that the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson utilized to secure monies to aid in the construction of the beautiful pavilion at Donahue Memorial Park.

  The CREST program served as a useful mechanism to aid in replacing one of the Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department’s older vehicles. Our COHPD automotive fleet is undeniably aging and coupled with supply chain issues and inflation at record levels, this grant award serves to help us continue to focus on public safety for our Cornwall-on-Hudson community while avoiding hitting the taxpayers in their wallets. A total win-win for Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY.

  The greater Cornwall community has also been recently blessed with the awarding of a $4.5 million NY Forward grant award. The Village then secured a $223,875.00 grant award for construction of the Dock Hill Road connector trail – awarded through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Recreational Trails Program. What this all means is that New York State believes that reinvestment in Cornwall-on-Hudson is a great idea!

  Special credit goes to Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Chief Steve Dixon and Village Clerk Doris Wickiser. Chief Dixon identified the available CREST grant, secured Board approval to proceed, and handled process of stewarding the application through the portal with able assistance of Mrs. Wickiser. We are lucky to have such dedicated public servants like this on our Village team.

  [L-R in photo]: Village Clerk Wickiser, Mayor Gagliano, Chief Dixon, Deputy Mayor Kane, and Trustee Paliotta. Trustees Carnright and Braine were unavailable for photo.

   

  On behalf of the Village Board,

  James A. Gagliano

  Mayor

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  Mayor’s Message [Village Code Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Responsibilities Edition]

  Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson residents,

  Tuesday’s winter storm, blessedly, was not as paralyzing as some forecasters had anticipated. Regardless, the greater Cornwall area received upwards of 10.4”. The Village’s Department of Public Works did their per usual job of keeping our roadways clear and ensuring our safety on the roads. These crews deserve a lot of credit. It is a small department and they get the job done.

  Several residents had reached out to me regarding clearance of snow from sidewalks around the Village. Their valid concerns were from a public safety aspect – pedestrians (especially COHES school kids) having to veer off the uncleared sidewalks and into the roadway while on foot.

  I wanted to ensure that everyone is well versed in our Village code regarding snow and ice removal from sidewalks. Per Village code, § 135-8, the duty to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice falls on the respective homeowner or business. This includes any/all sidewalks adjoining such properties and for the “full paved width of such sidewalk.” Now, historically, the Village – as a courtesy – has endeavored to clear all sidewalks as soon as the roadways, parking spaces, and municipal lots have been cleared of snow and ice. It’s a process and takes time. But our policy to courtesy-clear sidewalks as soon as possible around the Village remains in effect.

  However, please note that by code, § 135-9 (time limit for removal), residents and businesses have “24 hours after the end of a snowfall” to clear sidewalks adjoining their property. Also, by code, § 135-11 (removal by Village), the DPW Superintendent can provide notice to a violative property owner and require remediation within four hours. Via code, § 135-12 (cost of removal), property owners could be charged “a bill for the removal of snow,” issued by the Village Clerk.

  Again, please know that under this administration, Village will continue longstanding tradition to assist residents and business owners by helping remove snow from sidewalks. Please be patient with us as we work through the priority matrices. The Village Board simply felt it imperative to better educate all of us – myself included, as I had to research – as to Village’s responsibilities.

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor