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  Mayor's Update December 18, 2020

  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

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  Mayor's Update 1-22-21

  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

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  Mayor's Update 1-29-21

  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

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  Mayor's Update 5-7-21

  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 4^th. Blessed to have in attendance all living former mayors. Shared breakfast with our 24^th mayor (Charles P. Obremski, 1977-1979), 26^th (Edward C. Moulton, Jr., 1981-2007), 27^th (Joseph J. Gross, 2007-2011), and its 28^th (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 25^th 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

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  Mayor's Update 7-2-21

  July 2, 2021

   

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

   

  Happy Independence Day on Sunday, the anniversary of our great nation’s democratic experiment. We should all be proud to be American on this day – and every other day. Keep in mind that while fireworks are postponed until next year, the IDC will still hold some 4^th events, to include the Pet Show on Saturday, and Sunday’s parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. -- as opposed to its usual 5:00 p.m. start. Let celebrate our nation and the long-awaited return to some post-pandemic normalcy together as friends and neighbors.

  Reminder that July’s work session and business meeting of the Board of Trustees will be conjoined and held on Monday, July 26^th. Our meeting protocol now includes livestreaming, 24/7 availability, on our YouTube channel (link posted at a future date).

  If you happen to walk or drive past Village Hall, you might notice the emplacement of our Village seal on the building’s exterior. Photos attached. Let us know what you think.

  One of the long-range items I have asked Jeanne Mahoney, our Village Clerk, to tackle is a review of Cornwall-on-Hudson business meeting agendas and minutes dating back to 1885. Our plan is to identify and compile a comprehensive listing of all Village leaders -- Did you know that before the Village had a mayor, there was a president? We must keep track of our history. It is far too easy to forget it and then it becomes lost to the ages.

  Here are a few other historical morsels Jeanne uncovered:

  1. The Town used to be referred to as “the Upper Village.”

  2. In 1897 – taxes were $1.061 per $100.00 (budget was 0.226 for “ordinary   expenses”, 0.375 for “extraordinary expenses”, and 0.46 for “highway.”

  3. Also, in 1897, the Village Board entered into a 3-year contract with Cornwall Electric Lighting & Power Co. for 110 street lamps to be placed along “streets, avenues, squares, and public parks”.  Lamps would be lit from “dusk to dawn except on nights and parts of nights where the moon unobstructed by clouds is of sufficient brightness to render artificial light unnecessary.”

  4. April of 1899 – The position of Highway & Water Superintendent was established and Adam Jager was appointed to the position.  Later that same month, Supt. Jager was also “authorized to perform police duty”. 

   

  Stay tuned for more COH history soon.

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  

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  Mayor's Update 3-5-21

  Friday, March 5, 2021

   

  Dear Village Folks:

   

  The next Village Work Session is Monday, February 8, via teleconference. The agenda includes the Police Reform Plan. The Police Reform Committee has worked over the course of three months and I believe the plan is appropriate for a small Village like ours that has a low crime rate. I am grateful to the 13 members of the committee. The Village must file its plan in Albany by April 1.

   

  We will hope discuss the proposed short-term rental law. We plan to hold a Public Hearing on the proposed law at our March 22 Business Meeting.

   

  The Village Election is Tuesday, March 16, from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall. Registration day is tomorrow, Saturday, March 6, from noon to 5 p.m. at Village Hall.

   

  The weather has been back and forth, typical of March. But warmer days are coming and spring will soon be here so we can get out more often.

   

  Have a good weekend!

   

  All the best,

  Brendan Coyne

  Mayor