January 26, 2023

 

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

This is a message I dread having to share. This morning, at approximately 5:15 a.m., our Head Mechanic, Jim Sebesta, passed away. Surrounded by loving family at Westchester Medical Center, he fought a short, heroic battle for life. I have been in contact with both of his sisters – Paula Sebesta-Howard, our Deputy Village Treasurer and Kristen Sebesta-Boyle, who served our community for years as a first responder and president of COVAC. Suffice it to say, our Department of Public Works employees who knew Jim well and worked alongside him for many years, are devastated and distraught.

Jim was hired by the Village on April 10, 2000. For almost 23 years, he served our community with honor and distinction. As our Head Mechanic, he turned enough wrenches and made enough critical mechanical decisions across decades to keep our vehicle fleet safe and operational -- in order to deliver services that Village residents have become accustomed to and which they richly deserve.

My experiences in this position with Jim are related to CSEA union matters when he acted as a delegate and would respectfully come see me to discuss a contractual matter. He was a fierce advocate for “the men” – as he referred to his colleagues. And no matter how passionately he argued a point, he was respectful and civil. His last words to me several weeks ago: “Okay, Boss, I hear you. However, you know I have to speak up for my guys.”

THAT, was the essence of Jim Sebesta.

We, as a Village team are reeling. And we will honor our fallen member.

At my direction, flags within the Village have been lowered to half-mast. They will remain in this posture until our brother has been appropriately buried. Black and purple mourning bunting has been applied to the outside of Village Hall and to a vehicle in front of our DPW Building on Shore Road.

I’d like to personally thank Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski and Highway Department Superintendent Tommy Gschwind. At the Supervisor’s direction, Town of Cornwall flags have been lowered to half-mast, as well, to honor Jim Sebesta. As Tommy told me today in a message expressing his condolences – “We are ONE Cornwall.” I will keep everyone apprised -- once funeral arrangements and services have been scheduled by the family. 

With heavy heart,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor, Cornwall-on-Hudson

December 14, 2022

 

Mayor’s Message (Donahue Memorial Park Composting Toilets Installation Edition):

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

A number of years ago, the Village was awarded a $60,000.00 DASNY grant for the procurement and installation of an environmentally-friendly composting toilets facility to be positioned down at Donahue Memorial Park on the Cornwall-on-Hudson waterfront. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York serves as our state’s “public finance and construction authority” and is charged with building health and education infrastructure. It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic moved folks outdoors and motivated many residents and visitors alike to enjoy leisurely outdoor activities at the riverfront. The influx of park users necessitates a more permanent restroom facility and in keeping with Donahue Memorial Park’s standing as the birthplace of the modern Environmental Movement’s efforts along the Hudson River Valley, composting toilets made for a great solution. It’s a great marriage of necessity and values commitment.

By definition, composting toilets “provide an alternative to flush toilets by disposing of human waste while minimizing the use of water.” The process “mixes the waste with sawdust, peat moss or coconut coir and vents the flow of air outward.” This sequence “eliminates odor through an anaerobic processing system.” Don’t ask me how it works. I received a “C” in Engineering in college, and the professor was very generous with that mark. Seriously, we are excited to see how this all works and trust it improves experiences at DMP, while contributing to our sustainability and resiliency as a community. Attached are six images of yesterday’s installation. Many thanks to the folks at Quality Auto Body for housing and transporting the unit for us and to Spagnoli Excavating for the install.

Finally, thanks again to all of our volunteers and the many committees who pitched in, worked together, and made our inaugural Winter Wonderland and dual Town and Village tree-lightings an unqualified success. Stay tuned for details regarding our upcoming annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Village Square. We have added some new wrinkles that are designed to make this the most epic ball drop ever as we welcome in 2023!

On behalf of your Village Board,

James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

Mayor

November 3, 2022

 

Mayor’s Message (Critical Infrastructure and Orange County I.D.A. Edition):

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

This probably serves as the most important message, to date, I have shared with you as the mayor. As our Village department heads can attest, I acknowledge a long-held leader axiom which directs: “Bad news comes to me immediately and good news can wait until Monday morning.” I share immediate news regarding Cornwall’s aging critical infrastructure. The Department of Homeland Security identifies sixteen sectors as “critical infrastructure.” Two of them – 1) Water and Wastewater Systems and 2) Dams Sector within the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson and Town of Cornwall require some immediate attention. Let me outline concerns and remediation plans one by one:

Firstly, please review the three attached photos of pipes that deliver water to greater Cornwall customers. Photo one depicts a failed section of 10” water main recently replaced under Hudson Street. The pipe is cast iron and was installed in 1895. Note the fissure. Twenty-five percent of our 52 miles of Cornwall water piping is 1895 vintage.

Photo two depicts failed section of 1927-installed 2” piping riddled with holes and replaced along Chestnut Street.

And finally, photo three, which highlights sediment and sludge built up within a section of 2” piping laid in1955. Should this not concern all of us?

So, what to do about it? Well, the Village Board of Trustees recently approved an expenditure of funds to have our engineers draft a comprehensive plan to include recommendations related to immediate and future required maintenance, an assessment of necessary capital improvements, and suggested funding sources. It will serve as a priority roadmap to ensure timely and necessary repairs and upgrades BEFORE we endure yet another failure of mains and connective piping. This places us in a proactive – rather than a reactive or defensive – posture. It also includes our dams. Cornwall is supplied water through two primary sources (five reservoirs and a well field) that have allowed us to avoid, of recent, having to draw water from the New York Aqueduct.

Yet, the reservoirs have to remain drawn-down to lower levels because of the aging, decrepit, failing dams that support them. This is not hyperbole when I advise that in some places (Ex: Sphagnum Reservoir), the dam is supported by plywood and 2x4 “reinforcements.” This is wholly unacceptable. Yet, repairs to that dam could cost upwards of a million and a half dollars. No easy fix and nothing cheap about necessary repairs.

And finally, regarding our wastewater (sewer) system – speaking of Cornwall-on-Hudson – the “mapping” of our sewers consists of photocopied, spiral-bound notebook paper with hand drawn lines connecting manhole covers. Not exactly 21^st century technology. We have also noted several sections within the Village where sewage backups have become more frequent. How are we tackling this issue? Firstly, there are some immediate needs to install “benches” within a number of manholes in order to better direct water flow and

ensure enough velocity for sewage movement. I will ask the Village Board to support emergency contingency funding (we have a budget line) for this effort. Longer-term plans will include gaining Board support to include, in the soon-to-be compiled 2023-2024 budget, a similar engineers-conducted sewer project (akin to the ongoing water system evaluation), which should include mapping that is more recent than some ninety years.

Final-final note on our wastewater/sewer system: As I toured the “pleasant” environs of popped, problematic manhole covers this past week, the “aromatic splendors” were somewhat exacerbated by VISIBLE clogs attributed to baby wipes. Friends and neighbors, PLEASE, ignore the hype – there does not currently exist a “flushable wipe.” Help your neighbors avoid a backup of sewage into their home because you chose to flush baby wipes, Clorox wipes, Lysol wipes, baby diapers, or a giraffe. Enough said.

The issues and remedies outlined above are all time-consuming and costly. Costs should be borne out over time and intelligently triaged. As I committed when I ran for this position, I will ensure we are actively engaged on these issues. And I will make certain we are exploring available funding sources – beyond tax dollars – wherever/whenever available.

Okay, that completes the “bad news” upfront.

Now, some good news. Bill Fioravanti, the CEO of Orange County’s Industrial Development Agency, has graciously agreed to make a short presentation (similar to the one he recently delivered at the October meeting of the Orange County Association of Towns, Villages, and Cities) that will help demystify the processes and rubric that is applied to IDA decisions regarding tax abatements. This may help bust some of the myths about the IDA’s dealings and residents will be able to view, via our livestream, the presentation when delivered at 7:00pm at the Village Board business meeting on Monday, November 21, 2022. Following the presentation, there will be a short Q&A between Mr. Fioravanti and the Village Board. Make certain to catch this in person or view online. Note: Currently, there are no Cornwall or COH matters for consideration before the IDA.

Lastly, I am thrilled to announce that, yet again, the Town and Village have made a commitment to work together, this time in relation to our observances of Winterfest and the Holiday Season – to include our two Christmas Tree lightings. Only details I can share now are the date: Sunday, December 4, 2022 and the volunteer committees participating: Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, the Cornwall Youth Committee, Main Street Committee, Storm King Engine 2 and Highland Engine Company1. Stay tuned for exciting developments and details soon shared by Supervisor Wojehowski and yours truly.        

On behalf of your Village Board,

Mayor James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

1. Presence in or upon public streets or other public areas in groups larger than five persons. Presence in or upon private property in groups larger than five persons without authorization from property owner.
2. Presence in or upon public streets or other public areas while in possession of shaving cream, eggs, soap, rocks, toothpaste, spray paint, flammable or combustible liquids, or any other items which may be used for vandalism.
3. Presence in or upon a public street or other public area with a group of any size, where one member of group is in possession of any items described in number (2) above. Likewise, presence in or upon any private property without authorization from the owner in a group of any size, where one member of group is in possession of such items described in (2) above.

ORDERED, any person knowingly violating this order be subject to arrest pursuant to Executive Law §24(5); and

ORDERED, that this order be executed in triplicate and be published, transmitted and filed pursuant to Executive Law §24(3).

BE IT SO ORDERED

VILLAGE OF CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON
JAMES A. GAGLIANO, MAYOR

PDF of Notice

August 26, 2022

 

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

One of the things I am supremely proud of as an elected leader is fact that our Village Board and the Cornwall Town Council seek to find ways to better collaborate and jointly improve our greater Cornwall community. That said, Town Supervisor Wojehowski asked me to share this conjoined NY Forward grant application effort with Village residents.

NY Forward is a new State-funded program that provides support for the revitalization of New York State’s smaller and more rural communities in order to reinvigorate local and regional economies by creating vibrant downtown destinations, all while preserving the unique characteristics of each individual community. What an honorable pursuit!

Via this NYS program, we have the unique opportunity to secure up to a $4.25 Million grant to be split equally between the Town of Cornwall and the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson. As part of our continued, joint effort to serve our community’s diverse needs, we know how critical it is to include you – our community stakeholders -- in this process.

The more input we receive from the community, the better we can craft efforts designed to make greater Cornwall the most desirous place to live, work and raise our families. Although we will be prioritizing those initiatives that are most important to our community, we will seek to ensure that ALL submitted offered ideas are fairly evaluated and considered. Even if ideas do not meet NY Forward’s requirements, we will be sure to appraise the shared feedback as part of our ongoing community development efforts.

The following survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete, dependent upon the amount of ideas and feedback you elect to provide. Please respond to these survey questions with 1-2 sentences where possible.

Link to Survey:

https://culturedesign.typeform.com/NYForward

Thank you, in advance, for your participation and feedback! Have a great weekend, all.

On behalf of the Village Board,

Mayor James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

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

For Immediate Release                                                                                             May 19, 2022

Subject: Proposed 3-Year Contract Between Cornwall and the New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NWVAC) for Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support Services

As most residents understand, individual municipalities are responsible for providing and maintaining an effective and sustainable ambulatory service to their communities. Of recent, it has become more difficult to provide this critical volunteer service due to soaring costs and the dwindling number of available volunteers. This issue has been a topic of debate within the New York State legislature recently, with legislation introduced to establish EMS (the provision of urgent pre-hospital treatment and transport for medical care) as an “essential service.” Long overdue, this effort could potentially reconfigure how ambulatory services are administered across New York State. Unless and until the County and/or State elect to make certain changes, municipalities must seek effective methods to sustain and improve services. Experts contend that the paradigm is evolving and that mergers, or consolidation, exist as an intermediate solution.

For over a year, New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NWVAC) has contracted with the Town and Village to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to Cornwall residents for a fee, while Cornwall Volunteer Ambulance Corps (COVAC) provides Basic Life Support (BLS) coverage for a fee, as well. ALS includes the highest level of emergency medicine – paramedic-level treatment – and NWVAC (or another EMS provider with ALS capabilities) has long answered calls within Cornwall for mutual aid, bereft of a contract. COVAC, staffed with Emergency Medical Technicians, or EMTs, has remained a fixture in our community since 1955.

A number of years ago, COVAC made the request to bill patients directly and a decision was subsequently reached to dissolve the “ambulance district” overseen by the Town. By billing insurance providers directly, this was to be a more efficient process that allowed for the Corps to remain solvent without monies allocated from Cornwall. The global pandemic and an attendant paucity of available volunteers has made staffing across the past several years a concern. This, coupled with significant debt accrual resulted in COVAC’s appeal for subsistence from the taxpayers – which the Town and Village jointly agreed to support.

Despite the provided financial support, there continue to exist a number of issues that have not been resolved, as relates to the professional administration of ambulatory services to our residents. Public safety is of paramount concern. Both the Town Supervisor and Village Mayor have met privately with COVAC leadership and members of COVAC’s elected board and operational membership appeared before a joint boards’ special meeting on January 11, 2022.

While COVAC maintains they have mitigated their insolvency issues and improved their first-call response rates, it is the consensus of both boards that NWVAC – widely regarded as the “gold standard” for local ambulatory care – will be contracted to cover both BLS and ALS responsibilities for Cornwall residents. This assumption of responsibilities can be considered a consolidation. Current COVAC members who wish to continue to serve Cornwall residents may interview with NWVAC, and be afforded opportunity to operate out of 1 Clinton Street location, be attired in Cornwall EMS uniforms, and respond to Cornwall service calls in a Cornwall-branded ambulance. This serves both professionalization and training standardization efforts.

On balance, we believe that this decision for establishment of a contemporary public/private partnership model -- created and supported by multiple municipalities, including Town of New Windsor, Town of Cornwall and Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson -- will ensure our residents receive the high-quality emergency medical care they deserve. NWVAC enables Cornwall leadership to remain confident in the model’s financial viability and sustainability, administrative transparency, leader oversight, and accountability while serving as an example for the region.

This was not an easy decision. Careful consideration was given to all impacted equities. Town and Village elected officials reflected deeply on the many decades of selfless service that COVAC and its volunteers have provided to our community; indeed, it is an honored local institution. But the primary responsibility of public officials is ensuring their constituents are afforded best available services for their hard-earned tax dollars. In our estimation, the proposed three-year contract with NWVAC ensures this. Know that we have explored innumerable options to guarantee confidence in the provision of EMS. And we have reviewed a number of similar municipal consolidated-services agreements. This is the best path forward for Cornwall.

On Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., inside the Edward C. Moulton, Jr. Village Board Room, located at Village Hall, 325 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York 12520, the Town and Village boards will convene a joint special meeting to address this matter publicly. Meeting will be publicly-noticed and contract provisions will be disclosed. The public will be afforded an opportunity to speak and boards will address some factors that led to this decision.

On behalf of the Town and Village Boards,

Joshua Thomas Wojehowski
Supervisor

James A. Gagliano
Mayor   

May 12, 2022

 

Mayor’s Message (Important Spring Updates Edition):

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

Apologies for the errors on our Village website and in The Local. Please see below for the important dates related to Summer Playground – our summer recreation program:

As always, will run for six weeks, July 5 through August 12. Program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at Cornwall-On-Hudson elementary school, located at 234 Hudson Street, and open to children who will enter grades K-7 next Autumn. Our program offers games, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, and special activities.

Registration will be held on Friday, May 20 for Village residents ONLY from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Edward C. Moulton, Jr. Village Board Room, located at 325 Hudson Street. Registration for ALL OTHERS will be Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please bring a form of identification that includes home address to register. Also, requirement to bring up-to-date immunization record from children’s health provider. *Registration is not possible without a copy of an updated immunization record. Fee for Cornwall-On-Hudson residents is $250 per child ($550 maximum per family). Non-resident fee: $325 per child. For further information, please call Village Hall at 534-4200.

Donahue Farm Property Steering/Planning Committee A/Chairwoman Christy Larkin and Trustee Bill Braine remind all of this Saturday’s (May 14^th) Open House at the Village-owned property located at 42 Bayview Avenue. Purpose: Introduce community members to the property’s vast possibilities. Stop by to learn more about DFP, meet with our intrepid volunteers, enjoy some light refreshments, and have your voices heard.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding Village “Airbnb” Policy: On October 18, 2021, the Village Board, in a 5-0 vote, passed a Short-Term Rental Law – closely modeling one that the Town of Cornwall enacted on May 15, 2019. One of my mistakes as mayor, was not doing a better job messaging the law’s existence and important provisions. Here, below, and according to Code Enforcement Officer Carmona, are some tips on what Airbnb’ers need to know in order to remain in compliance with Village guidelines:

1. Only legal single-family and two-family dwellings may be used as short-term rental properties, are subject to entire dwelling inspections and fees, and must be registered with Village Building Department.
2. A short-term rental permit is NOT required for one-bedroom rental in owner-occupied dwelling, regardless of number of days room is rented.
3. No signage or advertisements of the short-term rental allowed on property.
4. No onsite mobile homes or RVs to be occupied by renters, guests, or owners.
5. Permits MUST be updated annually or whenever change in occupancy limits.
6. Please refer to Cornwall-on-Hudson Local Code, Chapter 131 for full details and compliance requirements. Questions: Dial Building Department (845) 534-7656.

Many thanks for job well done go out to Michael Summerfield and Amy Bandolik – the “engine” behind efforts to bring HGTV to Cornwall for “Home Town Kick Start.” Can think of no more deserving features than Kurt Hahn and Karen Kaiser Sharp. We’re all rooting for them. And, Bridge Street makeover has afforded Town exciting opportunities. Exposure paying off with out-of-state visitors and HGTV fans spotted at Prima Pizza.

PHOTO ABOVE: Pictured left to right is former Village Mayor Joe Gross, CCMS Sixth-Grader Avery Martin, and Carla Castillo, Chair of the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council, last Saturday at Donahue Memorial Park during River Keeper’s 11^th Annual Hudson River “River Sweep.” We owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to all the intrepid volunteers who turned out despite the chilly temperatures and soggy conditions. Bravo to all!

Have a wonderful weekend and stay safe and healthy.

On behalf of the Village Board,

Mayor James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

April 27, 2022

 

Mayor’s Message (Summer Playground Edition):

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

It’s finally here, we are pleased to announce! Wondering about Village’s Summer Camp and Recreation Program – Summer Playground? See our official press release below.

The Village of Cornwall-On-Hudson will operate its Summer Recreation Program for six weeks, from July 5 through August 12. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at Cornwall-On-Hudson elementary school, located at 234 Hudson Street. The program is open to children who will enter grades K-7 next autumn. Our program offers games, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, and special activities.

Registration will be held on Friday, May 20 for Village residents ONLY from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Edward C. Moulton, Jr. Village Board Room, located at 325 Hudson Street. Registration for both Village and non-Village residents will be on Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in same Village Board Room. Parents and guardians must bring a form of identification which includes their address to register. They also must bring an up-to-date immunization record from their children’s health provider. *Registration is not possible without a copy of an updated immunization record.

Jenna Park will be returning as the director for the third Summer, after serving as Assistant Director for two years and as a Counselor for three years. Christopher Robinson will serve as the new Assistant Director, following two years as a counselor. Britney Lindenberger is returning as the camp’s Health Director. The program is seeking paid Counselors, with deadline for applications on May 6^th. Counselors must be at least 16 years old and must attend a two-hour training course.

 The fee for Cornwall-On-Hudson residents is $250 per child ($550 maximum per family). The fee for non-village residents is $325 per child. For further information, please call Village Hall at 534-4200.

On a personal note: One of my favorite rituals every Summer is witnessing the long line of kids marching past Village Hall en route to the Town Pool every day during camp. Huge “thank you” to Supervisor Josh Wojehowski and the Town’s Highway and Buildings and Grounds Departments, Town’s engineering firm, along with the Village’s Water Department, and CJM Plumbing for working so diligently to rectify the consistent leak problem, make the necessary repairs, protect the pond, and keep pool open for our children to enjoy throughout the Summer. It truly was/is a team effort. Well done, all.

On behalf of the Village Board,

Mayor James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano