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  Mayor’s Message [Donahue Memorial Park Reopening Plan Edition]:

  Mayor’s Message

  [Donahue Memorial Park Reopening Plan Edition]:

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

  Effective Friday, July 14, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.:

  Donahue Memorial Park (DMP) – known as “the Riverfront” – will be REOPENED to general public tomorrow, Friday, July 14, 2023 at NOON. Please note that there exist some cordoned-off parking sections north of Dock Hill Road intersection with Shore Road, due to damage from CSX’s repair operations as park was utilized as a staging area for equipment and material. Respect these barricades. We are working to get this area repaired after the season and will coordinate with CSX to ensure they handle cost. There are also a number of pieces of heavy equipment that belong to CSX and its contractors. Please avoid these as well. Our Village’s Department of Public Works employees worked diligently throughout the day today to clean up debris and leftover material from this past week’s emergency work and ensure we could reopen.

  I would also like to extend my appreciation to the vast majority of folks who understood the inconvenience and helped speed this process along by respecting the closure on Wednesday. The Village Board fully recognizes how important to our community the park is. And we recognize how critical the summer season is to the small businesses who survive on July and August tourism. Thank you again to all those who worked with me and cooperated to see this through.

  Know that many members of our community are still reeling from the aftereffects of Sunday’s storm. I have been amazed at the resiliency, positive spirit, and grim humor exhibited by so many whose homes and properties were impacted. This Board is committed to working relentlessly to see that we do everything within our powers to help make folks whole again.

  Questions/Problems/Issues – come see me at Village Hall.

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor

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  Mayor’s Message (Donahue Memorial Park Composting Toilets Installation Edition)

  December 14, 2022

   

  Mayor’s Message (Donahue Memorial Park Composting Toilets Installation Edition):

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

  A number of years ago, the Village was awarded a $60,000.00 DASNY grant for the procurement and installation of an environmentally-friendly composting toilets facility to be positioned down at Donahue Memorial Park on the Cornwall-on-Hudson waterfront. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York serves as our state’s “public finance and construction authority” and is charged with building health and education infrastructure. It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic moved folks outdoors and motivated many residents and visitors alike to enjoy leisurely outdoor activities at the riverfront. The influx of park users necessitates a more permanent restroom facility and in keeping with Donahue Memorial Park’s standing as the birthplace of the modern Environmental Movement’s efforts along the Hudson River Valley, composting toilets made for a great solution. It’s a great marriage of necessity and values commitment.

  By definition, composting toilets “provide an alternative to flush toilets by disposing of human waste while minimizing the use of water.” The process “mixes the waste with sawdust, peat moss or coconut coir and vents the flow of air outward.” This sequence “eliminates odor through an anaerobic processing system.” Don’t ask me how it works. I received a “C” in Engineering in college, and the professor was very generous with that mark. Seriously, we are excited to see how this all works and trust it improves experiences at DMP, while contributing to our sustainability and resiliency as a community. Attached are six images of yesterday’s installation. Many thanks to the folks at Quality Auto Body for housing and transporting the unit for us and to Spagnoli Excavating for the install.

  Finally, thanks again to all of our volunteers and the many committees who pitched in, worked together, and made our inaugural Winter Wonderland and dual Town and Village tree-lightings an unqualified success. Stay tuned for details regarding our upcoming annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Village Square. We have added some new wrinkles that are designed to make this the most epic ball drop ever as we welcome in 2023!

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor

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  Mayor’s Message -Donahue Memorial Park Canadian Geese Mitigation Edition

  April 19, 2022

   

  Mayor’s Message (Donahue Memorial Park Canadian Geese Mitigation Edition):

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

  Apologies for double messages today, but wanted to alert residents and visitors to Donahue Memorial Park to an ongoing Village project. Last year, we received a number of complaints regarding the plentiful amount of Canadian Geese fecal matter at the park. It could certainly be a health hazard to those who sit or lie in the grass, as well as a safety hazard posed to those who slip on the feces. After reaching out to the USDA Wildlife Services Division, was advised of their efforts to capture and either harvest (donated to food banks) or relocation provision. When we publicly announced we were exploring this means, a number of residents requested we attempt other, more humane options. Several offered to donate mitigation devices that included latex, faux-predator (with-lifelike tails) geese deterrents. Two generous donors – Rick and Barbara Gioia and Tom Dicarrado provided some to Village at no cost. We thank them for their generosity.

  The faux-predators will be emplaced around DMP. Will routinely rotate them to different positions during scheduled mowings of the park. Fingers crossed they serve as a solution. So, advise family and friends NOT to call Animal Control over our “foxes” and coyotes.” We expect, with good reason, to get some chuckles over this – but know we are exhausting all humane methods in order to find a way to coexist with our local wildlife.

  
  

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor

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  Mayor’s Message [Donahue Memorial Park Projects Edition]:

  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

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  Mayor’s Message - Donahue Memorial Park Closure Edition

  Mayor’s Message

  [Donahue Memorial Park Closure Edition]:

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

  Effective IMMEDIATELY:

  Donahue Memorial Park (DMP) – known locally as “the Riverfront” – is CLOSED to the general public until further notice. Storm damages to the railway has resulted in CSX bringing in contractors and material to repair the tracks to as far south as West Point. DMP is the closest possible staging area for personnel, equipment, and material. I have been at the riverfront multiple times since Sunday evening. It is at its most perilous at the moment – due to a multitude of heavy equipment (excavators and dump trucks) deployed to make railway repairs.

   

  I was working with CSX to ensure that this wouldn’t impact next weekend, as we have kayak companies and rowing associations that depend on weekend usage. They were hoping for quick repairs. While I understand public frustrations and am empathetic – public safety is paramount. Cornwall-on-Hudson police have been instructed to advise those unaware of this notice and on foot to CLEAR the park. Vehicles that drive around the posted CLOSED signage will be cited.

   

  Businesses and summer recreational companies have property at the waterfront and may need to check on damages. I will allow this so long as your travel to and from DMP is conducted slowly and safely. But there will be NO launches from the waterfront of ANY watercraft until this order is rescinded. I will personally notify every impacted entity. Any questions/issues, you may contact this mayor at (845) 534-4200 (x311) or my personal cell: (845) 913-5745.

  As soon as conditions on the ground change, I will IMMEDIATELY notice a change of order. Thank you for your understanding and compliance with this public safety order.

   

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor
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  Mayor’s Message (Important Spring Updates Edition)

  May 12, 2022

   

  Mayor’s Message (Important Spring Updates Edition):

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

  Apologies for the errors on our Village website and in The Local. Please see below for the important dates related to Summer Playground – our summer recreation program:

  As always, will run for six weeks, July 5 through August 12. 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, and 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 ALL OTHERS will be Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please bring a form of identification that includes home address to register. Also, requirement to bring up-to-date immunization record from children’s health provider. *Registration is not possible without a copy of an updated immunization record. Fee for Cornwall-On-Hudson residents is $250 per child ($550 maximum per family). Non-resident fee: $325 per child. For further information, please call Village Hall at 534-4200.

  Donahue Farm Property Steering/Planning Committee A/Chairwoman Christy Larkin and Trustee Bill Braine remind all of this Saturday’s (May 14^th) Open House at the Village-owned property located at 42 Bayview Avenue. Purpose: Introduce community members to the property’s vast possibilities. Stop by to learn more about DFP, meet with our intrepid volunteers, enjoy some light refreshments, and have your voices heard.

  IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding Village “Airbnb” Policy: On October 18, 2021, the Village Board, in a 5-0 vote, passed a Short-Term Rental Law – closely modeling one that the Town of Cornwall enacted on May 15, 2019. One of my mistakes as mayor, was not doing a better job messaging the law’s existence and important provisions. Here, below, and according to Code Enforcement Officer Carmona, are some tips on what Airbnb’ers need to know in order to remain in compliance with Village guidelines:

  1. Only legal single-family and two-family dwellings may be used as short-term rental properties, are subject to entire dwelling inspections and fees, and must be registered with Village Building Department.
  2. A short-term rental permit is NOT required for one-bedroom rental in owner-occupied dwelling, regardless of number of days room is rented.
  3. No signage or advertisements of the short-term rental allowed on property.
  4. No onsite mobile homes or RVs to be occupied by renters, guests, or owners.
  5. Permits MUST be updated annually or whenever change in occupancy limits.
  6. Please refer to Cornwall-on-Hudson Local Code, Chapter 131 for full details and compliance requirements. Questions: Dial Building Department (845) 534-7656.

  Many thanks for job well done go out to Michael Summerfield and Amy Bandolik – the “engine” behind efforts to bring HGTV to Cornwall for “Home Town Kick Start.” Can think of no more deserving features than Kurt Hahn and Karen Kaiser Sharp. We’re all rooting for them. And, Bridge Street makeover has afforded Town exciting opportunities. Exposure paying off with out-of-state visitors and HGTV fans spotted at Prima Pizza.

  PHOTO ABOVE: Pictured left to right is former Village Mayor Joe Gross, CCMS Sixth-Grader Avery Martin, and Carla Castillo, Chair of the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council, last Saturday at Donahue Memorial Park during River Keeper’s 11^th Annual Hudson River “River Sweep.” We owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to all the intrepid volunteers who turned out despite the chilly temperatures and soggy conditions. Bravo to all!

  Have a wonderful weekend and stay safe and healthy.

  On behalf of the Village Board,

  Mayor James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano