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  Mayor's Message and 9/11 commemoration information

  September 8, 2021

   

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

  As we rapidly approach our nation’s somber observance of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, thought it important to mention a few things.

  Firstly, I have directed that all American flags attached to poles and located on Village properties (Village Hall, the Bandstand, Donahue Memorial Park, at our water facilities, and in front of SKE2 firehouse) be lowered to half-mast beginning on Friday morning, September 10^th, and are to remain in this position until Monday morning, September 13^th. This will honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who perished on that fateful morning – and the scores of first responders in New York City (403 in total) who died while attempting to save others’ lives. It is also a solemn acknowledgement of the scores who have died of 9/11-related illnesses. I have friends and coworkers (two FBI colleagues) who perished when the Towers toppled. I have friends and colleagues who have expired from 9/11-related illnesses and maladies. And I have teammates and fellow servicemembers who have died in far off lands, while taking the fight to the terrorists.

  All of us of age have poignant stories of where we were when our world was shattered that still September morning in 2001. Some of us have vivid recollections of the sights, sounds, and horrors we witnessed and experienced that clear, blue-sky morning in Lower Manhattan. I was not privileged to know 10-year FDNY veteran firefighter Kenneth Kumpel of Ladder 10. But our paths may have crossed, unbeknownst to either of us, that morning near the World Trade Center, before Ken made the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to save others. A member of the Cornwall Fire Department, Ken and his wife Nancy have two wonderful sons, Greg and Carl. As was chronicled in a recent New York Post piece on the FDNY’s 9/11 legacies, both sons are now firefighters with the FDNY. https://nypost.com/2021/09/06/firefighters-honor-legacy-of-their-fdny-parents-killed-on-9-11/ We are proud to call the Kumpel family – Cornwall’s own. We shall never forget Ken’s heroism and sacrifice.

  If able to, please attend the memorial service at the traffic circle in Town at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening, September 11^th. Let’s never forget the significance of this day and never ever forget the sacrifice of our brave and selfless 9/11 heroes and heroines.

   

  On behalf of the Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor

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  Mayor's Message 10-15-21

  October 15, 2021

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

  Tons of exciting events happening this weekend. Let me give you a quick rundown:

  This Saturday morning (October 16th between 9:00am - 1:00pm) at Dock Hill Creek along Dock Hill Road, “Trees for Tribs” is teaming up with the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson to plant 60 trees and remove invasive species in and around Dock Hill Creek. If interested in participating, please meet at Pagenstecher Park at 8:59:59am. Please be prepared with gloves, sturdy shoes etc. and bring a shovel, pick axe or pruning shears, if able. Event will follow Orange County DOH COVID guidelines. If you are interested in volunteering for this effort or would like more event details, please contact the Cornwall Riverfront Committee at [email protected].

  Also, this Saturday, between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Cornwall-on-Hudson will hold its annual Village-wide yard sale. Please register beforehand at (845) 534-9367.

  The Cornwall Special Events Committee announces RAIN DATE RESCHEDULING: Beetlejuice will now be showing on Sunday due to the wind and rain forecast for tomorrow.

  Details: Beetlejuice this Sunday, October 17 at Donahue Farm, 42 Bay View Avenue, Cornwall on Hudson. Music and food with the Farmhouse Market Food Truck from about 5pm on. Halloween Costume Contest with prizes at 5:30. Movie starts around 6pm. Walk if you can - parking is limited.

  Special note: Village DPW curbside bulk pickup scheduled for Monday, October 18th.

  October Village Board business meeting will be Monday, October 18th, at 7:00pm.

  Have a wonderful weekend, all.

  On behalf of the Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

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  Mayor's Message 10-22-21

  October 22, 2021

   

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

  With our last Village Board business meeting (10/18) available to view online and The Cornwall Local’s “Around Village Hall” feature in this week’s edition, no need for a detailed recitation of Board activity and all the exciting developments around our wonderful community.

  Thought it would be fun – as we enter the 2022 budget plenary season – to share Cornwall-on-Hudson’s proposed budget for 1942. Think about this: In 1942, our great nation had just recently entered the Second World War. Gas was a whopping 20 cents per gallon, the typical American home set you back a cool $3,775, a new car was $920, and a ticket to the movie was 30 cents.

  Take a look at the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson’s proposed expenditures for ’42, crack a smile, and have a great weekend, all.

  On behalf of the Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor

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  Mayor's Message - Storm Damage Edition

  Mayor’s Message

  [Storm Damage Reports Edition]:

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

  Sunday evening’s storm brought plenty of devastation and destruction to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson and greater Cornwall community. Across the past two days, Supervisor Wojehowski and I have been actively engaged with elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels in an effort to secure as much recompense for our storm-damaged municipal infrastructure and residential properties alike. These things take time – but make no mistake – this is JOB ONE for us. Everyone should take photographs and recordings of the damages your properties sustained. Make a record of EVEYTHING. Our Office of Emergency Management Director Kurt Hahn, provided following information for chronicling individual damages:

  Orange County is working with NYS to conduct preliminary damage assessments at this time. While not FEMA-related, you may report damage to your home or damage to infrastructure in your area directly by using the following RESIDENT DAMAGE SURVEY FORM link:

  https://forms.gle/VzBD9aJs9riU2k5LA

  Also, you may dial 311 for assistance. But, due to high call volume, your information may be taken and you will receive call back after call volume lessens. This opportunity is available between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., daily, for the near future.

  For more information on the disaster process, Orange County OEM encourages you to visit:

  www.FEMA.gov

  It goes without saying, but I’ll say it again – a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the first responders from COHPD, SKE2, DPW, and our Water Department for dropping everything, leaving their homes and families, and answering the bell during emergency (yet again). I’ve also been struck by the resiliency and neighborly spirit of our community across the past few days. Everything from assisting neighbors pump basements and remove yard debris to housing displaced soldiers and cadets who couldn’t make it back to West Point due to road closures and collapses.

  I remain humbled by your selflessness and concern for others. We’ll get through this together.

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor
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  Mayor's Message 9-7-21

  September 7, 2021   ***IMPORTANT MESSAGE***

   

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

  I trust that this message finds everyone safe and healthy in the wake of Tropical Storm Ida’s flood-inducing rainfall. Please know that Village Public Works employees, along with SKE2 volunteers, have been working relentlessly to ensure that clogged culverts, storm drains have been cleared, basements have had floodwaters pumped out and waters redirected, and yard debris continues to be removed. We owe them all a debt of gratitude.

  I also just conferred with Town Supervisor Dick Randazzo and followed up with a telephone call to the Manager of Orange County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Emergency Planner, Dominick Greene. Mr. Greene advises that there may be funds available for “individual assistance” from FEMA. He encouraged us to manage expectations, as there will be “needs based” assessments. This translates to the construct that bases relief monies on your household income level, as well as your existing insurance coverage. Items such as structural damage, loss of furnace, or electrical panel compromise are considered priorities. Other appliances, say a second refrigerator in your basement are obviously lower-priority losses. FEMA allows 22 days from disaster event for the County to submit a list of residents’ claims. Keep in mind, any individual claim may or may not be entertained. But we would be derelict in not compiling a list for submission and ascertaining what, if anything, can/may be replaced by FEMA.

  With this in mind. I must have said list turned over to Orange County NLT Monday, September 20^th, 2021. Therefore, any resident interested in submitting for potential claim consideration MUST have the below information emailed to the Village Hall Clerk at [email protected] NLT COB (4:30 p.m.) on Friday, September 17^th, 2021.

  Residents who sustained damage to their property, please provide ONLY the following general information:

  Name, address, email address, telephone number and a brief description of the damages you have incurred.  Please include a general description of flood damage; location such as basement, first floor, second floor; and types of damage and loss, i.e. electrical, furnace, finished basement, personal property, etc. 

  The state of emergency for the Village of COH was lifted this morning. Thank you for your patience during our response to this weather event.

  Stay safe and healthy.

  Very respectfully,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

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  Mayor's Message - Summer Playground Camp Edition

  Mayor’s Message [2023 Summer Playground Camp Edition]:

  Village residents,

  Attached are two important notices that highlight arrangements made between the Town of Cornwall, Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Cornwall Central School District; related to 2023 Summer Camp/Summer Playground. With almost all of the district’s school facilities being taken offline this summer for necessary renovations and repairs, the CCSD recognized the inherent difficulties for working parents if our municipalities were unable to secure a school venue to host our camps this year -- and possibly next year, as well.

  A deal was struck to conjoin the Village and Town camps and utilize Cornwall Elementary School, located at 99 Lee Road in Cornwall, NY 12518. For efficiency and oversight purposes and to limit footprint of an expected 250 (give or take) grade school kids, kindergarteners will be directed to the Town’s Kinder Kamp (flyer one) and rising first through eighth graders will enroll as per instructions provided on flyer two. There will be no separations or distinctions related to “town” or “village” kids – only by age groups.

  These necessary adjustments may result in some frustrations over changes. Please know that this is “new” for all of us and Cornwall’s leaders are working to minimize disruptions to your plans. Camp will run from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. -- an additional hour for those accustomed to COH’s Summer Playground schedule. And to make this work, the still well-below-market-value tuition rate has been set for ALL Cornwall and Cornwall-on-Hudson residents at $300.00 for the full six-week camp. This will require both Town Council and Village Board to subsidize monies to make “numbers” work and provide some financial relief for residents due to current sky-high inflation and rising “everything” costs.

  As per the flyers, the Town of Cornwall Recreation Department (located at Munger Cottage) will handle registrations Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. There will be no separate Village registration. For families of campers accustomed to attending Summer Playground, we understand that Cornwall Elementary School at Lee Road slightly increases your commute for drop-off and pickups. If transportation is problematic, please notify Rec. Department staff at registration, and the Village will determine if numbers support provision of some type of shuttle service. Again, please be patient with us as we all deal with a “new normal” for near future. We fully understand how critical camp is for child development and working parents’ schedules. This Town, Village and CCSD collaboration was only viable and available solution here.  

  On behalf of the Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Village Mayor