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

August 6, 2024

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Extreme Weather Notice from Cornwall-on-Hudson Mayor’s Office:

We share the following available cautionary weather updates provided by Cornwall’s Office of Emergency Management Director Kurt Hahn, as well as some helpful guidance related to the Town’s and Village’s cooperative efforts to make sand bag materials available to greater Cornwall area residents and businesses. This is “One Team, One Fight” against Mother Nature.

Significant rain is expected beginning tonight (Tuesday) into Wednesday morning. As a result, the Village Bandstand Concert Series event scheduled for tonight is postponed. Another round of wet weather is expected to arrive Friday night and roll into Saturday afternoon – all the result of Tropical Storm Debby, which is moving up the Eastern Seaboard from Florida. Flash flooding is possible in certain areas of our community, as we have experienced with recent weather events.

Both the Town’s Highway Department and the Village’s Department of Public Works have been proactively clearing storm drains, catch basins and open culverts of weather-related washout and debris in order to ensure hyper-localized storm water is able to drain free of obstructions. Please understand this is an ongoing operation and our crews will be attending to days/nights all week.

NOTE: Sand & Sandbags are available (free of charge) at the Donahue Farm Property, located at 42 Bayview Avenue in Cornwall-on-Hudson for residents of both the Town and the Village. Honor System in place -- please limit to ten sandbags per household.

Dial 9-1-1 for Emergencies

Document Storm Impacts:

https://ready.cornwallny.gov/disaster-reporter and tag @cornwalloem in your media posts.

Report Power Outages & Check Status at Central Hudson @stormcentral.cenhud.com.

Please stay safe and follow @cornwalloem for latest information as it becomes available.

Please stay safe and reach out to your respective local government officials with issues/concerns.

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson residents,

It is with heavy heart that we share in announcing the passing of Cornwall resident and Medal of Honor recipient, Captain Paul “Buddy” Bucha. Captain Bucha was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor (MOH) for his gallantry in action in the Binh Duong Province of the Republic of Vietnam between March 16th and 19^th in 1968 – the peak of combat operations and U.S. force deployments during the Vietnam War. The MOH also represents the nation’s highest award for conspicuous courage and heroism. For details related to Captain Bucha’s uncommon valor while serving as commanding officer of Company D, please visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s webpage. Reading his citation will leave you humbled and appreciative of the sacrifice and courage exhibited by him and his men during fierce combat actions near Phuoc Vinh.

I was honored to first meet him during the mid-Eighties when he spoke at a formal cadet company dining-in. As a young cadet, to me his prepared remarks and words of encouragement were beyond inspiring and were, in part, the reason I decided to join the Infantry. West Point’s natatorium (indoor pool) is also named in his honor, as he served as captain of the Division I intercollegiate Academy swim team before his graduation in 1965. A longtime resident of Ridgefield, CT, we were lucky to share him in the greater Cornwall area when he returned to a family home near his beloved alma mater several years ago. It was then that he stopped in to the mayor’s office to visit with me and yet again leave me humble and inspired. His famous words resonated yet again. “The Medal of Honor, he once said, “is proof that ordinary men and women have within them the potential to challenge fate and literally change the course of history. It only requires the courage to try.” What a sober challenge and one he more than answered in 1968.

President Lincoln famously challenged our fledgling democracy that “[a]ny nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.” With this in mind, I have ordered all flags on Village properties to be lowered to half-mast position today, Friday, August 2nd until Tuesday, August 6^th. I have also spoken with Supervisor Josh Wojehowski and members of the “Hometown Heroes” committee for Cornwall and Cornwall-on-Hudson. In coordination with American Legion Post 353, we will seek to have Captain Bucha be our first nomination for recognition via banner along our main streets when the first batch of nominees is considered and selected.

Please keep Captain Bucha’s family – especially his wonderful wife Cynthia – in your thoughts and prayers. And reflect on Captain Bucha’s humility when he was presented the MOH from President Nixon and flatly advised the president that “[t]he medal that I wear, I wear on behalf of others, not myself.” Stirring words indeed. Rest in peace, Captain Bucha. A grateful nation and your greater Cornwall community will never forget your heroism and sacrifices on our behalf.  

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

EXTREME HEAT is leading weather-related cause of death. Keep Cool, Keep Hydrated and Stay Safe! Beat the heat by visiting our local businesses (Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce) or stay cool at the Cornwall Public Library.

Cornwall Public Library Hours:

 

Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson residents,

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR HIKERS:

The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson will be conducting an “oil and chip” repair to the roadway that leads off of Bayview Avenue to the Donahue Farm Property on Monday, July 1, 2024. This roadway is the ingress/egress to the Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead at Storm King and is overseen by Scenic Hudson. The Village’s plan to improve the roadway to the parking lot at the trailhead have been signed off on by Scenic Hudson. Why are we doing this? Because the Donahue Farm Property is owned by the Village and we are required to maintain it. Having our DPW equipment remove snow and maintain access to the trailhead puts a severe beating and wear-and-tear on our fleet of vehicles. By utilizing “oil and chip” treatment – or commonly referred to as “chip seal” or “bituminous seal coat” – the existing roadway is covered with “a layer of oil and stone that seals blacktop and provides a wearable surface at a fraction of the cost of resurfacing.” Ergo, Monday – the roadway to the trailhead will be CLOSED. You can walk in to gain access to our hiking trails. But the roadway will not reopen until Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

If you have been to the farm property of recent, you’ll also notice that the Village – in concert with Scenic Hudson and our very own volunteer-led Donahue Committee – recently razed the kennel building. This is part of our improvements and beautification efforts and tied to the recent awarding of project monies from the NY Forward grant. We worked around some mature growth trees and will restore landscape to nature until the Donahue Committee puts forth a plan to erect a structure in the kennel’s footprint that supports our long-term property improvement goals.

Make sure to swing by the Hudson Highland Nature Museum’s Wildlife Education Campus (WEC) on the Boulevard. The Village was able to assist in repaving the parking lot last Fall, improving drainage issues in the process, and recently had a local business (Foley Landscaping Contractors) construct a new paver walkway and repair the steps leading into the WEC.

I have nine months and four days left in office. I will make the most out of every moment left. With a multitude of FEMA and USDA storms-related projects to proctor and oversee, as well as stewarding the NY Forward projects through engineering and design assessments and bids and contracts, there is a lot left to handle. Make no mistake about it – this Village Board is up to the daunting tasks ahead. Buckle up. Trust me -- you’re going to like what you see in the Village.

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson residents,

This Saturday evening, June 15^th, the Cornwall-on-Hudson Special Events committee will be featuring the hit Broadway spectacular, “Hamilton,” as their first 2024 “Movies on the Hudson” offering at Donahue Memorial Park. This will also serve as a fundraiser for the Cornwall Independence Day committee. Attendees will have opportunities to help effort by taking advantage of various culinary offerings, as well as available adult libations. The production will be shown on our 30’ screen shortly after dark. But come early to park and secure a good seat.

HUGE shout-out and debt of gratitude to the two plank holders of Cornwall-on-Hudson Special Events, Mike Trainor and Dominic Cordisco. Their vision and “elbow grease” have served as the margin of victory for so many fun events since the committee’s humble beginnings in 2016. This year’s committee includes Regina Shaver, Lori Beth Paliotta, Buffy Heldt, Sarah Creagan, Sally Hildebrand, and Tiffany Gagliano. We all recognize the names of these tremendous volunteers. Without Mike and Dominic and this next generation of visionaries and dedicated and committed volunteers, there would be no spectacular events for all of us to enjoy in our wonderful village. We’d be remiss in failing to mention the Sherpa-like work of Charlie Quinn, Sr. (and Jr.), Tommy Trainor and the inestimable volunteer, Drew Quimby. These guys make it happen.

Mark your calendars as upcoming events include: Cornwall Youth Committee (CYC) sponsored “Barbie” movie event at Donahue Memorial Park (DMP) on July 5^th, a Jimmy Buffet tribute concert on August 24^th (also at DMP), the Donahue Farm Oktoberfest Movie and Music event on September 21^st, the October 5^th CYC-sponsored Color Bash Run (held in both Village and Town), the Halloween-themed movie event on October 26^th at the SKE2 firehouse, and the annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop event in Village Square at midnight (with the Junior Ball Drop to be held at 6:00 p.m.). Lots to look forward to due to our incredible volunteer cadre.

Hope we see you on Saturday evening for “Hamilton,” along with some historic 16mm video footage of Cornwall’s Fourth of July parades from bygone eras. You won’t want to miss that or the film “intro” featuring two of your favorite local D-List actors. You might recognize them.

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

Disaster Field Operations Center East
Release Date: May 24, 2024 Contact: Michael Lampton (404) 331-0333 [email protected]
Release Number: 24-382, NY 20335/20336 Follow us on X, Facebook, Blogs & Instagram

SBA Opens Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in New York

ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today it will open Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in New York. SBA is opening these Centers to assist New York businesses and residents with losses due to the severe storms and flash flooding that occurred on July 9-10, 2023.
“Our Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are one of the most powerful resources at SBA’s disposal to support business owners and residents in the midst of a disaster,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., Associate Administrator for the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. “Business owners and residents can meet in person with our specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of our programs designed to help them navigate their recovery.”
The declaration covers Ontario and Orange counties, and the adjacent counties of Dutchess, Livingston, Monroe, Putnam, Rockland, Seneca, Steuben, Sullivan, Ulster, Wayne, Westchester, and Yates in New York; Passaic and Sussex in New Jersey; and Pike in Pennsylvania.
Customer Service Representatives at SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will assist businesses and residents complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Disaster Recovery Center in advance. The Centers will operate as indicated below.

Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Orange County
The Village of Highland Falls Senior Center
15 Drew Ave.
Highland Falls, NY 10928
Opening: Wednesday, May 29, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Saturday, June 1 at 4 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Permanently closes: Thursday, June 12 at 4 p.m.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 2.375% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.5% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 15, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 18, 2025.

PDF of News Release

Fact Sheet

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

It’s OFFICIAL! Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office has just issued a press release identifying the municipal, non-profit, and private sector “transformational” Mid-Hudson Region project award selections. The Cornwall community – which includes the Town and the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson – were blessed with a bounty of $4.5 million in reinvestments as part of the New York Forward grant award we received in February of 2023. Our Village-Town collaboration, coupled with the long hours and due diligence exerted by our handpicked Local Planning Committee, a plethora of committed volunteers (special shout-out to EDAC’s Steve Jones and Jason Burnham), our community planner, and the Village’s and Town’s engineering firms all served as the clear-cut margin of victory. Now, as they oft say, the hard work begins in earnest as we seek to put contracts in place and shovels in the soil. Stay tuned for exciting details soonest.

Secondly, I’d be remiss in not recognizing our Cornwall-on-Hudson Water Department under the leadership of Superintendent Mike Trainor for their recent New York State award recognition as “2024 Water System of the Year.” Staffed with only nine employees – the aforementioned Superintendent Trainor, Water Maintenance Leader Daniel Nye, Chief Water Plant Operator Donald Bryde, Assistant Leader Richard Smith, Heavy Equipment Operator Joseph McCormick, Motor Equipment Operator Luis Delacruz, and Water Maintenance Operators Daniel Dimitrov and Jason Sergeant, along with P/T Clerk Stephanie Xagoraris -- our crews perform yeoman’s work on behalf of residential and commercial water customers within the Village and Town, as well as the Cornwall Central School District. This honor reflects on their professionalism and the pride they exhibit in their daily duties to deliver pure, clean drinking water to all of us.

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

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

Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson friends and residents,

Hoping you are all enjoying the warm Spring temperatures and seeing all the blooms on the trees along Hudson Street. Just a couple of items to put on your radar:

After sixteen years of usage, it was time to replace and refurbish the dock planking and provide our boat dock at Donahue Memorial Park with a bit of tender loving care. See the attached photographs of the newly reinstalled dock. It’s safer and much more aesthetically pleasing. Make sure you thank a Department of Public Works employee when next you see one of them.

Speaking of the park, the Village Board will vote next Monday at the April business meeting to codify the fee schedule for reservations of Village park properties and facilities. This means that the new pavilion will soon be available to rent for your event. Stay tuned for posted details.

Finally, today opens Summer Camp registration (9:00 a.m.) through the Town’s new online registration site: cornwall.recdesk.com. You may also take advantage of in-person registration at Rec. Department (located at Munger Cottage). Payment online available via credit card and if in person, options include cash, check, or credit card payment. Contact Laura Kirby of Phyllis Murphy at the Town of Cornwall Rec. Department at (845) 534-2070 with any questions.

 On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
Mayor