Please find the most up to date notices from the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson.
ALBANY – Cashless tolling will go live on the New York State Thruway’s ticketed system during the overnight hours of Friday, November 13, into Saturday, November 14. The conversion will take place simultaneously at 58 tolling locations across the Thruway’s 450-mile ticketed system.
The official switch will take place in the overnight hours to limit the impact on traffic. At the time cashless tolling goes live, cash will no longer be accepted as a form of payment at toll booths and printed toll tickets will not be handed out.
To support this transition, NY E-ZPass has released a new TollsNY mobile app to help drivers manage E-ZPass accounts, find and pay Tolls by Mail invoices, and get important account alerts for tolls accrued at Thruway, MTA, and Port Authority tolling sites.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said the project will save time for motorists, as well as reduce traffic, cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality along the Thruway.
“Cashless tolling is already improving traffic flow, allowing motorists to get to their destinations easier and quicker without having to stop to pay a toll,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Less idling also complements our clean energy goals, reducing pollution for a cleaner and greener environment. We encourage all drivers to get an E-ZPass across the state, with a new mobile app to help manage accounts and alerts to make it easier for New Yorkers.”
Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson residents,
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR HIKERS:
The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson will be conducting an “oil and chip” repair to the roadway that leads off of Bayview Avenue to the Donahue Farm Property on Monday, July 1, 2024. This roadway is the ingress/egress to the Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead at Storm King and is overseen by Scenic Hudson. The Village’s plan to improve the roadway to the parking lot at the trailhead have been signed off on by Scenic Hudson. Why are we doing this? Because the Donahue Farm Property is owned by the Village and we are required to maintain it. Having our DPW equipment remove snow and maintain access to the trailhead puts a severe beating and wear-and-tear on our fleet of vehicles. By utilizing “oil and chip” treatment – or commonly referred to as “chip seal” or “bituminous seal coat” – the existing roadway is covered with “a layer of oil and stone that seals blacktop and provides a wearable surface at a fraction of the cost of resurfacing.” Ergo, Monday – the roadway to the trailhead will be CLOSED. You can walk in to gain access to our hiking trails. But the roadway will not reopen until Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
If you have been to the farm property of recent, you’ll also notice that the Village – in concert with Scenic Hudson and our very own volunteer-led Donahue Committee – recently razed the kennel building. This is part of our improvements and beautification efforts and tied to the recent awarding of project monies from the NY Forward grant. We worked around some mature growth trees and will restore landscape to nature until the Donahue Committee puts forth a plan to erect a structure in the kennel’s footprint that supports our long-term property improvement goals.
Make sure to swing by the Hudson Highland Nature Museum’s Wildlife Education Campus (WEC) on the Boulevard. The Village was able to assist in repaving the parking lot last Fall, improving drainage issues in the process, and recently had a local business (Foley Landscaping Contractors) construct a new paver walkway and repair the steps leading into the WEC.
I have nine months and four days left in office. I will make the most out of every moment left. With a multitude of FEMA and USDA storms-related projects to proctor and oversee, as well as stewarding the NY Forward projects through engineering and design assessments and bids and contracts, there is a lot left to handle. Make no mistake about it – this Village Board is up to the daunting tasks ahead. Buckle up. Trust me -- you’re going to like what you see in the Village.
On behalf of your Village Board,
James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
Mayor
Dear Residents:
I want to thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we cope with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Village Hall Office doors are closed and will continue to remain closed until Friday, April 10, 2020, at which time we’ll determine if it is safe to open. We are staggering hours to provide Village services and conduct Village business.
Please continue to pay bills through the dropbox marked BILLS on the parking lot side of Village Hall to limit interaction between residents and village employees. If you have questions about Village business, please contact us at 534-4200 or [email protected].
Senior citizens may wish to take advantage of Safe Seniors, an assistance program provided by the Village Police Department. See link.
If you’d like to volunteer, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, right here in the Village at 195 Hudson Street, is always looking for volunteers, now more than ever. To volunteer, check the website: www.regionalfoodbank.net/volunteer/.
Please follow the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control regarding hygiene and isolating. Let’s take care of ourselves, families and neighbors. In addition to our health professionals and first responders, let’s be grateful for our Village public works, water and clerical employees.
It’s good to see so many people walking, jogging and bicycling. Enjoy Donahue Memorial Park and the Village’s other parks. Let’s continue to support our local restaurants by ordering food to take out.
The Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson is a strong community. Let’s help one another get through this challenging time. Stay healthy!
Brendan G. Coyne, Mayor
June 30, 2022
Mayor’s Message (Independence Day and Infrastructure Repairs Edition):
Dear Cornwall-on-Hudson residents, neighbors, and friends:
Well, as the kids would say – “It’s been about a minute.” Which translated for us Boomers and Gen. X’ers means … It has been ages since my last drafted “mayor’s message.” Please do not interpret that to mean that there is nothing going on. We have been busier, as the saying goes, than a cross-eyed rooster on an anthill.
You might have noticed the multitude of infrastructure projects underway in the Village. Some have been long-planned, such as the impending full milling and paving by NYS of 218. You’ll see workers retrofitting and pouring concrete for curbs and sidewalks adjacent to crosswalks, according to ADA-compliance standards. Note that we, the Village DPW, took on repaving the stretch of Hudson that isn’t part of 218, from Academy to First Street, last month. And you have probably seen sidewalk projects that we have contracted for repairs and/or replacement along Idlewild Avenue, as well as the length of Second Street from St. Thomas R.C. Church down to Academy.
Monies spent on critical infrastructure such as transportation byways (of which pedestrian footpaths and vehicular thoroughfares are included) are certainly well worth it. Of course, we cannot replace or “make new again” everything all at one time. But hasn’t precluded us from putting together short-term and long-term plans that “triage” levels of immediacy. Goal here is not to gouge you with taxes – but to be smart about our budget and time/money investments with our department personnel. Believe we have found the appropriate “sweet spot.” In areas where we simply cannot replace sidewalks this season, we have contracted out for concrete-cutting to smooth jagged edges and limit the dangers posed by the asymmetry of broken or lifted concrete.
We will also continue our “re-foliation” efforts in parks and along streets. You’ll notice some of the plantings last Fall along Hudson Street were strategically placed (not under power lines) and carefully selected for their indigenous, non-invasive, and height-restricted qualities. These trees are not just aesthetically pleasing, they help the environment and contribute to our community’s sustainability and resiliency.
Here are some photos to highlight the above efforts:
Water Superintendent Trainor providing me site walk-throughs at the Chestnut and Mill Streets water main and sidewalk projects (both in the Town) today.
Second Street sidewalk replacement (one).
Second Street sidewalk replacement (two).
Hudson Street sidewalk replacement (by Cumberland Farms).
Mountain Road and Hudson Street (218) NYS sidewalk repair.
Church Street and Hudson Street (218) NYS sidewalk repair.
Idlewild (near River Avenue intersection) concrete repair and polishing
Idlewild and Park Street sidewalk replacement.
Hudson Street planting (one).
Hudson Street planting (two).
Great news for those who love Cornwall’s Independence Day celebration. Word on the street is that following the 2020 cancellation due to the pandemic and last year’s streamlined (no fireworks) 2021 version – We’re BACK BIGTIME in 2022! For entire schedule and information about Monday’s events, go to: www.cornwall4th.org
One last scheduling note: The Cornwall-on-Hudson Special Events Committee advises that due to the threat of rain on Saturday, “A League of Their Own” is being moved up to Friday (tomorrow). Movie begins right after sundown, around 9:30 p.m. at DMP.
As you can well see – lots going on ‘round these parts. Stay safe and healthy. And, have a wonderful Independence Day weekend. Village Hall will be closed on Monday.
On behalf of the Village Board,
Mayor James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson friends and residents,
As the weather warms up, you’ll begin to see our Department of Public Works and associated contractors out preparing for the Spring/Summer Seasons. As a reminder: Yard Waste Pick-up begins Monday, April 1, 2024 and Bulk Pickup is scheduled for Monday, April 22, 2024.
A few ongoing projects that I felt worthy and instructive to share with you. As our Village celebrates its 140-year anniversary in 2025 and our bandstand prepares to celebrate its 140th-anniversary in August of 2026, please know that the Village will be making some repairs and providing upkeep to the current bandstand (which was a replacement in 1985). The weather has not been kind to the structure and we are committed to refurbishing this cherished facility in time for the opening Tuesday of our Bandstand Concert Series scheduled for May 28, 2024.
I’ve attached some photos hereon as well. Photos one through three highlight the great work our DPW crews are doing to repair our dock sections at Donahue Memorial Park. Sixteen years of waves and weather put a beating on the old dock. Photo four highlights the work being done at the Pavilion to interconnect a paver walkway with Shore Road, the Pavilion, and our composting toilets -- and provide electricity to the Pavilion. And finally, photos five, six, and seven are of sidewalk work currently ongoing along Curie Road. Homeowners, apartment dwellers, and children walking to the Middle School have patiently awaited this project completion for a number of years. Safety is a primary consideration – but the walkability aesthetics are a bonus.
These are just a tiny sampling of the early-Spring projects your Village is currently undertaking.
April 30, 2021
So many exciting things going on in the Village to tell you about. It truly makes coming to work every day -- less work -- and much more a blessing.
We are moving forward on Donahue Farm purchase. New York State Supreme Court approved the purchase -- required when involved party is a 501(c)(3). The Attorney for the Village is currently reviewing all relevant documents and beginning the process to close; hopefully within two weeks.
On Tuesday, May 4th, I will host a “Village Mayors’ Roundtable” attended by all living former mayors. In attendance will be the Village’s 25th mayor (C. Obremski, 1979-1981), 26th (E. Moulton, 1981-2007), 27th (J. Gross, 2007-2011), and its 28th (B. Coyne, 2011-2021). Entirely too much “living history,” subject-matter-expertise, and invaluable knowledge about our wonderful Village, its origins, and the best path forward for me to miss this opportunity. I promise a photograph to memorialize the roundtable and will share with all.
Please know that the Village Board is engaged in an examination of all the facts related to the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) set in place by the New York State legislature and enacted by the governor on March 31st. We are closely reviewing the summary of provisions and guidance provided by Orange County District Attorney’s Office and will deliberate over what Village may endeavor to opt out of, as permitted by law.
Don’t forget about the Donahue Memorial Park cleanup – the 10th annual Riverkeeper Riversweep event Saturday morning, May 1st, between 9:00am and 12:00pm. You may find more information, along with required pandemic precautions at [email protected].
We all remain in this together. Enjoy the weekend. Blessings to all.
May 7, 2021
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