Friday, January 29, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

Baby, it’s cold outside! Hope you are all keeping warm and safe.        

At our busy Business Meeting Monday night, the Village Board passed a dozen or so resolutions. We postponed passing the 2020 Comprehensive Plan so trustees could take a look at yet another revised draft. I hope to pass the plan at our February 8 Work Session. I’m looking forward to passing the plan – our current Comprehensive Plan is 60 years old.

The board discussed the annexation of Cornwall Town property where the Village has its Black Rock Water Treatment Plant. The annexation has been on my radar for many months. It will save the Village $60,000 in town and school taxes. I am grateful to Supervisor Dick Randazzo and the Town Board for agreeing to allow the Village to annex the property.

We talked about the purchase of the Donahue Farm property. I’m still working on details with counsel and our engineering firm, and the board is researching financing. 

The board also discussed the property owned by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission at the Rt. 218 gate. The commission has granted the Village permission to create a hiking trail on the property. I’ve long wanted to regain use of this property, which Consolidated Edison took from the Village to build a power plant on Storm King Mountain. When Con Ed lost the “Battle of Storm King Mountain,” it gave the property to the Palisades commission.

The Village Riverfront Committee hiked the property last Saturday. Chairman Dave Work and I met with the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference on Monday for guidance on creating the new trail. Some of you will be familiar with the hotel that once graced the property; it had several names, one of them being the Villa Pennisi.

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

January 22, 2021

 

Dear Village Folks:

 

I want to the commend the RiverFest Committee for taking a positive outlook on this year’s celebration of Hudson River.

 

At its meeting this past Wednesday, the RiverFest Committee decided to proceed with the intention that RiverFest will happen on June 6, 2021. Chairman Wynn Gold will update the website and FB page in the next few days. The committee will begin accepting vendor applications with the caveat that payments will be returned if the event is cancelled again. The committee will also start booking bands with the same understanding. Ultimately, New York State will decide whether RiverFest can happen.

 

As I’ve mentioned several times during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is providing a great service to people in need of food. The Food Bank, located in our Village, is always looking for volunteers. You can reach the Food Bank at 534-5344.

 

Please support our restaurants. And stay safe!

 

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

The Town of Cornwall and Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson will hold a joint public hearing to discuss annexation of property. For more information and to review the supporting documents, please go to the Annexation page on this site

January 15, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

Good Friday afternoon.

I’m happy to report that the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to the Village’s first responders. Our police officers and firefighters are getting vaccinated. The vaccine has also become available to our essential workers, employees in the Public Works and Water departments.

We recently posted a wonderful video of majestic Storm King Mountain on the Village website. The video shows Storm King in all its glory. Kathleen Christensen, Village Historian, is developing a small library on the Battle for Storm King, the 17-year successful effort to stop Con Edison from building a power plant on the mountain.   

At the Village Board’s Work Session Monday night, I announced plans to purchase Donahue Farm. The property has many potential uses including a community center, an athletic playing field, hiking and a wedding venue. The property was the original site of the Cornwall Independence Day Celebration.  

As we continue to cope with COVID-19, please carry on with staying safe: wash your hands frequently, wear your mask and keep six feet away from people.

Enjoy your weekend.

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

January 8, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

Happy New Year!

The Village’s 20^th annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop successfully took place virtually. Some people showed up but nothing like the usual crowd. My thanks to the Cornwall-on-Hudson Special Events Committee, Storm King Engine Company and the Village Police Department for making it happen. You can find ball drop on the committee’s Facebook page.

As we continue to deal with COVID-19, Village Hall will remain closed until further notice. Village staff continues to serve residents as smoothly as possible. We recently installed an intercom at the front door to ease communication.

The Village Board will hold a Special Meeting in conjunction with its Work Session at 7 p.m. Monday, January 11, via teleconference, to conduct a Public Hearing on the 2021-22 Budget. The access code will be available via the Village’s website and Facebook Page.

The Police Reform Committee will hold its second meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, via teleconference. The public is welcome. The access code will be available via the Village’s website and Facebook Page.

Stay safe.   

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

January 6, 2021

Mayor Coyne’s statement regarding the siege on United States Capitol

I join elected officials of every political stripe, on all levels of government, in condemning the assault on democracy in Washington, D.C., today as Electoral College electors attempted to confirm the election of our next president.

The sight of protesters scaling the walls of the Capitol during this siege is disgraceful and tragic. In a democracy we voice our preferences by voting, not by violence.

I deplore the bloodshed; one person has already died. I pray that those who were injured recover. I have every confidence that our democracy will recover.