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  Mayor's Update - July 2

  Thursday, July 2, 2020

  Village Folks:

  So, the Mid-Hudson Region is scheduled to enter Phase 4 as of Tuesday, July 7.  Phase 4 includes opening outdoor arts and entertainment to 33% percent capacity, and professional sports without fans. Other venues, such as amusement parks, bowling alleys and movie theaters remain closed.

  Independence Day is Saturday, July 4. Due to COVID-19, the Cornwall Independence Day Committee has planned a modest celebration. You can see the schedule of activities, most of which are online, on the Village’s website under Latest News. You can email photos of children’s art, children and their pets, and patriotically decorated home to [email protected]. Check the committee’s website (www.cornwall4th.org) for details. For safety’s sake, barbecues and gatherings are limited to 25 people.

   

  Village offices will be closed Friday, July 3, in honor of Independence Day. Village Hall doors will re-open Monday, July 6. New York State has required extensive safety plans to re-open and access will be limited. Please be patient as we implement these plans for your safety and the safety of village employees. The drop-box will continue to provide a convenient way to pay bills. You can contact us at 845-534-4200 and [email protected]. Our website is www.cornwall-on-hudson.org.

   

  The first summer concert is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at the Village Bandstand on the corner of Hudson Street and River Avenue. Please honor social distancing and wear a mask when you can’t.

   

  Enjoy Independence Day and stay healthy!

   

  Brendan G. Coyne

  Mayor

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  Mayor's Update - July 17

  Friday, July 17, 2020

   

  Village Folks:

   

  So, Village Hall has continued to run smoothly since we re-opened our doors on Monday, July 6, and visitors have complied with safety plans. The drop-box is always available to pay bills 24/7, located on the drive-through side of Village Hall.

   

  The next Bandstand Concert is at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 21; it features The Drizzle, a quartet playing funk, soul and R&B. Lots of people at the first two concerts. Please wear a mask when you can’t social distance.

   

  The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson got a reminder about the 2020 census this week. The village is doing well at just over a 67% response rate but we are far from 100%. If you have internet access, you can respond here: https://my2020census.gov/login. If you don’t have the census mailer, you can go here: https://my2020census.gov/app/intro/state. If you prefer to respond by phone, or have questions, call: 844-330-2020.

   

  The Village Board is combining its work sessions and business meetings in July and August. The July 20 Business Meeting will be held via teleconference. 

   

  Stay Healthy!

  Brendan G. Coyne

  Mayor

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  Mayor's Update - July 24

  Friday, July 24, 2020

   

  Village Folks:

   

  Thanks for complying with the COVID-19 protocol when you come into Village Hall. Lots of people are coming in to get permits for Donahue Memorial Park. With my desk near the receptacle for the drop-box, I can hear items being deposited and know that the drop-box has become an easy way to pay bills 24/7.

   

  The next Bandstand Concert is at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, and it features the village’s very own duo, John and Jackie Gioia. They play folk rock and often perform in the village and the Town of Cornwall. They entertained online for the Cornwall Independence Day Celebration and they helped usher in the holiday season at the village tree lighting ceremony at the bandstand in December.

   

  Lots of people have attended the first three concerts. The grounds at the village bandstand are tight, however, so as we continue to deal with COVID-19, it is important to wear a mask when you can’t social distance.

   

  Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a statement Tuesday that bars are still not open. You can have alcohol only when you’re dining. Please keep that in mind when you’re attending one of the village’s restaurants. The governor shut down four restaurants in New York City and Long Island this week because patrons were not complying with social distancing, or wearing a mask when they couldn’t social distance. 

   

  The Village Board combined its work session and business meeting in July and will do so again in August.  

   

  Stay Healthy!

  Brendan G. Coyne

  Mayor

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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 7-16-21

  July 16, 2021

   

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

   

  We continue to navigate the loosening of pandemic-related restrictions for Village functions and events. Especially as pertains to the safety and welfare of our children -- we must get this 100% right. Questions have recently arisen regarding our mask-requirement policy for youngsters attending Summer Playground (Camp) at COH Elementary School, and why we required them while Town Camp (at Lee Road School) does not. I have spoken with Village Camp Director Jenna Park and have news to deliver: 

  We continue to operate under the guidance put forth by the Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH), and while some discretion was allowable, we followed what the OCDOH “strongly recommended” and elected to err on side of complete caution. Ms. Park has continued to interface with the OCDOH and they are, as of today, satisfied with our continued precautions and see no reason that Summer Playground cannot move to *mask optional* policy beginning Monday, July 19^th. This adjustment pertains to campers only. Our staff and counselors are allowed to be unmasked only if they are vaccinated.

  We will continue to conduct daily screenings at COHES that involve temperature checks and will continue to operate in “pods” that cloister the same children and staff together throughout the summer. Parents are certainly allowed to require their child remain masked indoors, if so inclined. Sunday evening, the Summer Playground director will send out a message to all camper parents on the REMIND app, advising of this change.

  We are comfortable moving in this direction and will adjust accordingly as new guidance is provided or facts on the ground change. I, for one, know how brutally hot the un-air-conditioned gym at COHES can be. This should be a welcome change for our campers.

  As with any topic that you need clarification from the Village on, I am always available to discuss an issue or concern and more than happy to engage. Finding solutions should always be the preeminent charge of this office. I am humbled for the opportunity.

  Have a safe and healthy weekend,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

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  Mayor's Update - June 12

  Friday, June 12, 2020

  Village Folks:

   

  Good to see some more activity in the village this week as the Mid-Hudson Region entered Phase 2. Lots of diners eager to dine out enjoyed dinner outdoors at our restaurants: Painter’s, Peppetini’s, Rock Wall and Village Pizza. Please support them; they are important to the village, in more ways than one.

   

  Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the deadline for the Cornwall school district and the Cornwall library elections till Tuesday, June 16. They must be mailed to the school district’s administration building (the former library building) at 4 Idlewild Avenue, Cornwall-on-Hudson.

   

  The New York State Department of Health issued COVID-19 guidelines for summer camps. The guidelines are extensive. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that the village can proceed with its Summer Recreation Program.

  The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum will open Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21. Registration is required: www.hhnm.org/grasshoppergrove.

   

  Village Hall doors remain closed at least through Monday, July 6. The Village continues to hold its meetings virtually. The next Village Board meeting is at 7 p.m., Monday, June 15. You can contact us at 534-4200 or [email protected]. Our website is www.cornwall-on-hudson.org.

   

  Please continue to comply with the guidelines put forth by the Centre for Disease Control: Maintain six feet between people and wear a mask when you can’t.

   

  Stay healthy! Enjoy your weekend.

  Brendan G. Coyne

  Mayor