December 31, 2020

Dear Village Folks:

I have to start again by thanking our Department of Public Works for handling difficult weather. Dave Halvorsen and his crew had to leave their families on Christmas Day to clear trees, limbs and debris from our streets and to deal with some flooding. Thanks, guys!

I also want to thank Central Hudson for restoring power in the Village and around the Hudson Valley. Many Village residents were without power on Christmas day.

So, another casualty of the pandemic: The Village’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop – no public gathering to welcome the new year. But the Cornwall-on-Hudson Special Events Committee will create a virtual countdown that will be live-streamed via its Facebook page.

Thanks for your patience and understanding as we dealt with the virus during this difficult year. Condolences to families who lost loved ones. Please continue to stay safe as the vaccines become more available.

On behalf of the Village Board and all Village employees, I wish you health and prosperity in 2021. Happy New Year!

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

Dear Village Folks:

Let me start off by thanking our Department of Public Works for handling the huge snowstorm Wednesday into Thursday. The guys worked hard to clear our streets and deserve our appreciation.

We held the Village Hanukkah Menorah lighting last Sunday and a good number of people showed up. My thanks to Suzy Yarmus for leading the event. 

Santa will be making his annual visit to the Village on a fire truck tomorrow. You can track his journey on the Storm King Engine Facebook page. SKE will also be collecting food for the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley; if you’d like to donate, just leave your donation at the bottom of your driveway.

The fire company has set up a mailbox for Letters to Santa; the mailbox is located in front of the firehouse. Children should include their mailing addresses. They can also hand letters to a firefighter as Santa makes his rounds tomorrow.

The draft 2021-22 Village Budget is posted on our website. The Village Board will hold a Public Hearing on the budget on January 11, 2021.

Take care during the holidays and continue to follow CDC procedures for COVID-19 – wear a mask and social distance. Stay safe.

On behalf of the Village Board and all Village employees, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

December 11, 2020

Dear Village Folks:

Lots of people turned out for the tree lighting last Sunday. Thanks to John and Jackie Gioia for providing some holiday songs. Thanks to the Department of Public Works, Storm King Engine Company #2, the Police Department for their efforts in creating an enjoyable evening. And thanks to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to help light the tree.

Unfortunately, the Storm King Engine was unable to have children chat with Santa due to COVID-19. However, the fire company has set up a mailbox for Letters to Santa. Children should include their mailing address. The mailbox is located in front of the firehouse.

The Hanukkah Menorah will be lit at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday, December 13, rain or shine.

The Police Reform Committee will hold its organizational meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday via teleconference. People are welcome; information on joining the meeting will be available via Facebook and the village website. 

FYI - As of Wednesday, December 9, Walden Savings Bank has limited transactions to its drive-thru lanes. Other services are available by appointment. 

Please continue to follow CDC procedures – wear a mask and social distance.

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

Under the chairmanship of Led Klosky, the Comprehensive Plan Committee includes Mary Aspin, Dominic Cordisco, Bill Grisoli and Lorraine McGuinness. They met more than 30 times over the course of three years, meeting with village department supervisors and others. In its final phase, the committee benefitted from the expertise of Kristen O’Donnell, a planner with Lanc & Tully; Mayor Brendan Coyne secured a grant to pay half of the planner’s fee.
As with many events in 2020, COVID-19 prevented the committee from finalizing its draft earlier this year. The committee held a public meeting Nov. 12.

A Public Hearing will be held December 14.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Village Board of the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson will hold a public hearing on December 14, 2020 at 7:01 P.M., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Village Hall, 325 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York 12520, to consider the proposed Comprehensive Plan.

            Due to public health and safety concerns, the public hearing will be conducted remotely via GoToMeeting, following these instructions: Link:  https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/421860237 or by dial-in at :+1 (571) 317-3122, Access Code: 421-860-23.

A copy of the proposed Comprehensive Plan may be reviewed on here on the Village website.  Written comments may be submitted prior to or at the public hearing.  Oral comments may be made at the public hearing.  Persons may appear in person or by agent.

Dated:  November 16, 2020

The Menorah Lighting will be held at the Village Bandstand this Sunday, December 13^th at 5:30 PM rain or shine.  Masks & Social Distancing required.

December 4, 2020

 

Dear Village Folks:

 

Well, we could certainly use a little cheer this year. So, I’m pleased to announce that the Village’s very own, John and Jackie Gioia, will lead us in some holiday songs Sunday night, at 6 p.m., Sunday, December 6, as we light the Village tree.

While we can’t have visits with Santa at the firehouse in 2020, due to COVID-19, we’re hoping Santa might be able to find some time to help us the light the tree.

Please wear your masks and practice social distancing.

The event will also be live-streamed on the Village’s Facebook page, thanks to the Cornwall-on-Hudson Special Events Committee.

We’ll see you Sunday night!

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

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

Dear Village Folks:

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced new COVID-19 restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms and residential gatherings in New York State.

Effective Friday, November 13, at 10 p.m., bars, restaurants and gyms/fitness centers, as well as any establishment authorized by the State Liquor Authority, will be required to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. Restaurants will still be allowed to provide curbside, food-only pick-up or delivery after 10 p.m. (no alcohol-to-go).

The Governor also announced that indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people. The limit will be implemented due to the recent prevalence of COVID spread resulting from small indoor gatherings including Halloween parties. These gatherings have become a major cause of cluster activity across the state.

This public health measure brings New York State in line with neighboring states including Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This new rule is also effective at 10 p.m. Friday.

Governor Cuomo said local governments are in charge of enforcement. The Governor took these actions because of the widespread increase in COVID cases across New York State and throughout the country.

Please continue to comply with the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control regarding hygiene, masks and social distancing.

Stay healthy!

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

ALBANY – Cashless tolling will go live on the New York State Thruway’s ticketed system during the overnight hours of Friday, November 13, into Saturday, November 14. The conversion will take place simultaneously at 58 tolling locations across the Thruway’s 450-mile ticketed system. 

The official switch will take place in the overnight hours to limit the impact on traffic. At the time cashless tolling goes live, cash will no longer be accepted as a form of payment at toll booths and printed toll tickets will not be handed out. 

To support this transition, NY E-ZPass has released a new TollsNY mobile app to help drivers manage E-ZPass accounts, find and pay Tolls by Mail invoices, and get important account alerts for tolls accrued at Thruway, MTA, and Port Authority tolling sites.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said the project will save time for motorists, as well as reduce traffic, cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality along the Thruway. 

“Cashless tolling is already improving traffic flow, allowing motorists to get to their destinations easier and quicker without having to stop to pay a toll,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Less idling also complements our clean energy goals, reducing pollution for a cleaner and greener environment. We encourage all drivers to get an E-ZPass across the state, with a new mobile app to help manage accounts and alerts to make it easier for New Yorkers.”

Dear Village Folks:

The Village’s Comprehensive Plan Committee has been working on its plan for more than two years and is holding a public meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 12, at the Storm King Engine firehouse to share its latest draft.

The committee welcomes discussion with Village residents and other interested parties regarding the plan. The plan has progressed considerably and a draft can be found on the Village website HERE. The purpose of a comprehensive plan is to provide guidance for land use and improvements in the Village.

Due to the pandemic, occupancy at the meeting is limited to 50 persons and masks and social distancing are required for public safety. We do not anticipate a capacity problem at this gathering but we do ask for everyone’s cooperation as we continue to work to protect everyone’s health.

I am grateful to our hard-working committee, chaired by Led Klosky. The members are Mary Aspin, Dominic Cordisco, William Grisoli and Lorraine McGuinness.

Hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor