Related Articles

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

  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

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  Mayor’s Message -Donahue Memorial Park Canadian Geese Mitigation Edition

  April 19, 2022

   

  Mayor’s Message (Donahue Memorial Park Canadian Geese Mitigation Edition):

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

  Apologies for double messages today, but wanted to alert residents and visitors to Donahue Memorial Park to an ongoing Village project. Last year, we received a number of complaints regarding the plentiful amount of Canadian Geese fecal matter at the park. It could certainly be a health hazard to those who sit or lie in the grass, as well as a safety hazard posed to those who slip on the feces. After reaching out to the USDA Wildlife Services Division, was advised of their efforts to capture and either harvest (donated to food banks) or relocation provision. When we publicly announced we were exploring this means, a number of residents requested we attempt other, more humane options. Several offered to donate mitigation devices that included latex, faux-predator (with-lifelike tails) geese deterrents. Two generous donors – Rick and Barbara Gioia and Tom Dicarrado provided some to Village at no cost. We thank them for their generosity.

  The faux-predators will be emplaced around DMP. Will routinely rotate them to different positions during scheduled mowings of the park. Fingers crossed they serve as a solution. So, advise family and friends NOT to call Animal Control over our “foxes” and coyotes.” We expect, with good reason, to get some chuckles over this – but know we are exhausting all humane methods in order to find a way to coexist with our local wildlife.

  
  

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor

• 

  Mayor’s Message - Donahue Memorial Park Closure Edition

  Mayor’s Message

  [Donahue Memorial Park Closure Edition]:

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

  Effective IMMEDIATELY:

  Donahue Memorial Park (DMP) – known locally as “the Riverfront” – is CLOSED to the general public until further notice. Storm damages to the railway has resulted in CSX bringing in contractors and material to repair the tracks to as far south as West Point. DMP is the closest possible staging area for personnel, equipment, and material. I have been at the riverfront multiple times since Sunday evening. It is at its most perilous at the moment – due to a multitude of heavy equipment (excavators and dump trucks) deployed to make railway repairs.

   

  I was working with CSX to ensure that this wouldn’t impact next weekend, as we have kayak companies and rowing associations that depend on weekend usage. They were hoping for quick repairs. While I understand public frustrations and am empathetic – public safety is paramount. Cornwall-on-Hudson police have been instructed to advise those unaware of this notice and on foot to CLEAR the park. Vehicles that drive around the posted CLOSED signage will be cited.

   

  Businesses and summer recreational companies have property at the waterfront and may need to check on damages. I will allow this so long as your travel to and from DMP is conducted slowly and safely. But there will be NO launches from the waterfront of ANY watercraft until this order is rescinded. I will personally notify every impacted entity. Any questions/issues, you may contact this mayor at (845) 534-4200 (x311) or my personal cell: (845) 913-5745.

  As soon as conditions on the ground change, I will IMMEDIATELY notice a change of order. Thank you for your understanding and compliance with this public safety order.

   

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano

  Mayor
• 

  Mayor’s Message [Donahue Memorial Park Projects Edition]:

  Dear Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson friends and residents,

  Hoping you are all enjoying the warm Spring temperatures and seeing all the blooms on the trees along Hudson Street. Just a couple of items to put on your radar:

  After sixteen years of usage, it was time to replace and refurbish the dock planking and provide our boat dock at Donahue Memorial Park with a bit of tender loving care. See the attached photographs of the newly reinstalled dock. It’s safer and much more aesthetically pleasing. Make sure you thank a Department of Public Works employee when next you see one of them.

  Speaking of the park, the Village Board will vote next Monday at the April business meeting to codify the fee schedule for reservations of Village park properties and facilities. This means that the new pavilion will soon be available to rent for your event. Stay tuned for posted details.

  Finally, today opens Summer Camp registration (9:00 a.m.) through the Town’s new online registration site: cornwall.recdesk.com. You may also take advantage of in-person registration at Rec. Department (located at Munger Cottage). Payment online available via credit card and if in person, options include cash, check, or credit card payment. Contact Laura Kirby of Phyllis Murphy at the Town of Cornwall Rec. Department at (845) 534-2070 with any questions.

   On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
  Mayor

• 

  Mayor’s Message (Donahue Farm Property Steering Committee Edition)

  April 4, 2022

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

  Almost ten months ago, the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson closed on the 47-acre Donahue Farm Property (DFP) making us its proud owners. In the ensuing months, a steering/planning committee was carefully selected and appointed by the Village Board – whose purpose was to protect every conceivable equity, ensuring the property would be protected and could be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike in perpetuity. The historical significance of the charming farm plot is certainly not insignificant. The farm’s namesake – the venerable Dr. M.J. Donahue -- was a local veterinarian and honorably served as the Village’s 23^rd mayor.

  The DFP steering/planning committee has been working diligently to reimagine the property. They have formed a successful partnership with Scenic Hudson and the merger serves to ensure we remain responsible, protective stewards of the land. This past weekend, committee volunteers tackled one of the final cleanup efforts, leaving only the “Ice House” structure to be completed. In the above photos, you can see Mary Donahue, Trustee Bill Braine, Acting Committee Chair Christy Larkin, Dan Poindexter, and Dave Work in between their hauling, sorting, and pitching efforts. Without selfless folks such as these five, not much gets done in a community. On behalf of all of us – thank you and thanks to the entire committee for their wiliness to serve all of us.

  Finally, you can view some pretty incredible drone footage (captured by Bill Braine) of the property and our volunteers this weekend at the following link:

  Donahue Farm Cleanup No2 4/2/22 - YouTube    

  On behalf of your Village Board,

  James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
  Mayor

• Donahue Memorial Park Opening Update

  NOTICE: Last night’s heavy rainstorms washed out portions of the CSX railway yet again. Coupled with the current forecast for more precipitation, CSX contractors have reoccupied Donahue Memorial Park (DMP) in order to repair washed-out tracks. This means more personnel, heavy equipment and material to be returned to the riverfront.

  DMP WILL reopen to the general public on schedule today at Noon. Please – all visitors, I request that you fully respect the roped-off and barricaded construction areas and avoid the work crews that will be toiling around the clock to restore train service as soon as possible.

  Thank you for understanding.

  Mayor Gagliano