Please find the most up to date notices from the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson.
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.
April 21, 2023
Mayor’s Message
To all Cornwall-on-Hudson and Cornwall residents:
It is with profound sadness that I announce on behalf of the Moulton family that the Village’s 26th mayor, Edward C. Moulton Jr., 92, passed away early yesterday morning in Ossining, New York. Mayor Moulton served as the Village’s longest-tenured chief executive between 1981 and 2007. I have been in contact with the family via his son, Curt, and have been advised that a posted obituary is pending and that there will be a funeral service held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cornwall, NY, replete with full U.S. Military honors for the 20-year United States Air Force veteran. Mayor Moulton is predeceased by his beloved wife, Floranne (Terwilliger) Moulton.
The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York will acknowledge Mayor Moulton’s lifetime of dedication and service to our nation and to this community. Flags have been ordered to be lowered to half-mast position in the Village and in the Town of Cornwall. Purple mourning bunting applied to Village Hall. This honoring shall remain in effect until our former mayor’s cremains have been inurned. Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski has directed all Town of Cornwall flags assume the same posture. CCSD Superintendent Terry Dade has ordered the flag at COHES to be lowered until Monday, as well. Mrs. Moulton was a longtime teacher in the Cornwall Central School District.
I will share appropriate memoriam in the Cornwall Local in an attempt to capture what Mayor Moulton has meant to this community since moving here in 1972. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Attached are photos that showcase Village Hall mourning posture, as well as photos that include Mayor Moulton from the May 4, 2021 Village Mayors Round Table, shortly before the Village Board voted to approve naming the Board Room in Mayor Moulton’s honor.
Rest in peace, sir.
On behalf of the Village Board,
Mayor Gagliano
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
May 7, 2021
Dear Cornwall-on-Hudson residents, neighbors, and friends:
I am not going to pretend I have anything totally figured out yet. But I am straightening and bending downward the learning curve. Definitely helps to have such a dedicated Village Hall staff and seasoned Village employees.
Just one important item I’d like to highlight from this past week:
As promised, the “Village Mayors’ Roundtable” took place at Village Hall on Tuesday, May 4th. Blessed to have in attendance all living former mayors. Shared breakfast with our 24th mayor (Charles P. Obremski, 1977-1979), 26th (Edward C. Moulton, Jr., 1981-2007), 27th (Joseph J. Gross, 2007-2011), and its 28th (Brendan G. Coyne, 2011-2021). Was humbled and honored to be able to ask each mayor the greatest challenges of his administration and receive some sage advice on where they felt my immediate and long-term efforts should focus. God bless and keep these honorable public servants.
We have posted a photograph to commemorate the historic assemblage, as well of one of Mayor Moulton in front of his original desk; one he acquired in Poughkeepsie (as he recalls it). Every mayor since has used that desk.
Sadly, our 25th mayor (George R. Dempsey, 1979-1981), 93, passed away in Amherst, MA, on June 22, 2020, from injuries sustained after a fall. A WWII U.S. Navy veteran of the Pacific Theater (enlisting when war broke out at the ripe old age of 17), his New York Times obituary included this attribution: “He even served as mayor of a small village where his family had deep roots.”
Do not want to add anything else for fear of stepping on the somber reflection on the service of Mayor Dempsey. We continue to owe a debt of gratitude to his Greatest Generation. As Memorial Day approaches -- with parade -- let’s reflect on their service and sacrifices.
My best to all – James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
January 14, 2025
Mayor’s Message [Public Safety, “Et Alia” Edition]:
Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson residents, visitors, and friends,
Firstly, an apology upfront for what may seem an extended period of absence in the “mayor’s message” communications I do so enjoy sharing with our community. Certainly not a reflection of a lack of matters and issues currently being addressed and resolved. The wheels of progress have continued to grind along unimpeded or obstructed. I simply choose this platform when I sense matters of serious consequence to address – or opportunities to laud our amazing Village employees and volunteer organizations. That said, this will serve as my penultimate written message to you all as mayor of this wonderful Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. My second (and final) term concludes on April 7th and there will be a new elected leader of the Village for us all to rally behind and cheer on continued successes for our elected officials as they continue to lead us into the second quarter of the 21st century. But more on all of that soon.
Let’s begin with several somber reflections. Three days shy of the New Year, the nation lost its 39th president, Jimmy Carter: a native of Plains, Georgia and the leader of the free world during a fairly tumultuous period of our nation’s – and the world’s – history. He led with grace and truly inspired millions upon millions across the globe during his post-presidency efforts with Habitat for Humanity. Village flags have been lowered to half-mast position in keeping with federal guidelines that instruct the observances be held for a full thirty days following a POTUS’s passing. They will briefly be raised back to full-mast position in observance of inauguration day on January 20th and then be re-lowered for the remaining eight days of remembrance in honor of President Carter. I did not *invent this accommodation. It has been announced by a number of state governments and the Speaker of the House of Representatives – to apply to Congress. Please keep President Carter and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
We also lost one of our own beloved elected leaders and community pillars on January 8th. Charles “Rudy” Hahn was a well-respected member of this Village, serving 24 years on our Village Board and as deputy mayor. Difficult to find anyone around these parts who could say a cross word about Mr. Hahn. He built an incredible legacy in Cornwall-on-Hudson – none more so than his children and grandchildren; all deeply embedded in and committed to Cornwall-on-Hudson. Please keep them all in your prayers. Their patriarch made a huge impact in COH.
And also, Thursday, January 16th, Cornwall’s own true American HERO and Medal of Honor recipient, Captain Paul W. Bucha, will be formally laid to rest at his alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point. Captain Bucha peacefully passed away on July 31, 2024. Thursday’s ceremonies will be replete with full military honors. Please continue to keep his brave wife and Cornwall resident, Cynthia, “Chintz,” Bell-Bucha in your thoughts and prayers.
Now, to serious matters related to PUBLIC SAFETY. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger once perfectly posited that “[g]overnment’s first duty and highest obligation is public safety.” He was spot-on. Nothing – absolutely NOTHING – is as sacrosanct a contract with our community than the one that demands we elected officials do everything within our power and control to keep our communities safe. It’s why this Board compelled our police department to be outfitted with body worn cameras. They assist in keeping the public – and our cops – safe(r). It’s also why some four years ago, we took a hard look at the events in COH that resulted in mass gatherings . It’s no easy (or popular) feat, at times, to pull employees in on holidays, away from their families, and have them staff additional uniformed foot posts or assist in prepositioning heavy equipment and vehicles to provide a greater level of security for crowds of revelers that gather to celebrate. One only has to look at what just occurred in Germany during the Christmas Market attack and the vehicular attack on Bourbon Street that occurred shortly after we celebrated our ball drop in COH. The threat matrix, my FBI background informs, should constantly shift and adjust to blunt the advantage our complacencies provide to terrorists, or those seeking to inflict harm. In Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” he warned of an adversaries’ penchant for acting “like water,” taking the path of least resistance, and always finding the easiest route. Undertaking these “new normal” precautions does not guarantee us 100% safety. But it is a first step in hardening our defenses.
Same necessary defenses the current FBI director warned of on “60 Minutes” on Sunday evening. Speaking of the ominous threats posed by the People’s Republic of China, Director Wray particularly highlighted vulnerabilities within our critical infrastructure grid. And the first vital critical infrastructure sector he mentioned was water treatment facilities – something the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson is responsible for in its role as the lead agency in charge of the Cornwall Water System. In light of this shared intelligence, the Village will seek to begin a comprehensive review of the security template attached to our water treatment plants and reservoirs. It is necessary and timely. Just as we will seek to procure moveable sidewalk bollards to further integrate and increase security posture when we draw large crowds to events. Any resident with additional ideas or concerns in this realm, please come see the mayor to discuss.
Finally, with 83 days left in office, I commit to not limping across the finish line and promise to finish my final days as mayor with the same enthusiasm and commitment to ALL with which I entered on duty. And while I will share more (much more) about the current state of the Village and what lies ahead in my final treatise to the community in March, please know that I have considered the holding of this office to be the honor and the privilege of my lifetime. Thank you.
On behalf of your Village Board,
James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
April 23, 2021
So, the dust has finally settled following the election and the resultant April 5th swearings-in of Trustees Carnright and Braine, as well as your new mayor. Firstly, I think I can speak for Dave and Bill both, when I say that the three of us are humbled and honored and exceedingly excited to begin our terms and work on your behalf. We acknowledge our sacred responsibilities.
As your new mayor – the Village’s 29th – I would like to recognize the incredible legacy of service that Mayor Brendan Coyne has gifted our beloved community. His ten years as mayor, as well as years of service to the CCSD School Board, the Independence Day Committee, and Lions Club have left an indelibly positive mark on our Village. Thank you, sir.
I’d be remiss in not acknowledging the incredible coalescing of Village employees that have served to guide and instruct me as I round out my 3rd week in office. Jeanne Mahoney, Dave Halvorsen, Mike Trainor, Steve Dixon, Bill Horton, and your staffs/crew – thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You have helped keep this Village running smoothly, in spite of me.
Follow the Village website for upcoming Village Board meetings and public hearings. Stay tuned for exciting, upcoming news regarding the Donahue Farm property purchase and Memorial Day and Fourth of July event updates. We have a lot to be thankful for this year – no matter the pandemic hurdles.
You know how to reach me. Call me – and I WILL return the call. Stop at Village Hall when you see my Jeep in the parking lot or “gently accost” me around town when you see me out walking my dog or shopping/eating local.
We are all in this together. Enjoy the weekend. Blessings to all.
March 17, 2022
Mayor’s Message (St. Paddy’s Day Edition):
Let me begin by wishing everyone a safe and healthy St. Patrick’s Day. With a surname like Gagliano, no doubt of my Sicilian heritage. But, my DNA results acknowledge my 10% Irish ancestry – and with that, I wish all, Sláinte (“Health” in Irish and Scottish Gaelic).
Would also like to extend congratulations to Deputy Mayor James P. Kane and Trustee Richard Gaillard. Both return to the Village Board after Tuesday’s election: Kane for his seventh 2-year term and Gaillard for his second. Welcome back. Now, let’s get to work.
SPOTLIGHT: The Village Building Department and its new Code Enforcement Officer, Manny A. Carmona [see attached photo of Manny, along with Planning Board Secretary, Meagan Gschwind]. Manny joins us following retirement from the United States Air Force and the Building Department in Spring Valley (Rockland County), New York. He now works full-time for the Village of Nyack, New York, and part-time for Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson. He is husband and father of three boys. His recreational pursuits include dancing, sports, motorcycles, family trips and “get-togethers.”
Mission of the COH Building Department is to “protect the lives and safety of the residents and visitors of the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, while preserving the quality of life, and contributing to economic development.” Manny wishes to remind the community that he is available to answer questions about fire safety, construction projects, property maintenance, and complaints via office phone: (845) 534-7656, Fax: (845) 534-7607, and email address: [email protected].
REMINDER: Please be patient with our Department of Public Works. This winter has seen temperature fluctuations [freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw] that have done an absolute number on our Village roadways. We are in the process of cleaning up curb debris and cold-patching the most dangerous potholes. Route 218 (Hudson Street) is a State road. While it remains NYS’s responsibility, we do contribute to its continued maintenance. This roadway is scheduled to be repaved this Fall. Promise you – we’re tending to the potholes.
On behalf of the Village Board, stay safe and healthy, all.