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Supervisor Runion's Notes
January 2012
 I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of Guilderland’s residents and all the other readers of Our Towne Guilderland to 2012. I really appreciate the opportunity that publisher Lowell Knapp continues to provide the Supervisor’s Office in making this column available for me to use as a way of staying in touch with Guilderland’s residents. I believe that it is important for Town residents to be aware of what is happening in their
community, and this column represents one way to achieve that goal.
This is also a good time for me to remind residents that Guilderland also offers current information and live meeting broadcasts and replays on Channel 17 on your local cable system, and that the Guilderland Town website, www.townofguilderland.org, offers a wide range of continuously updated information on community events. Residents can also use the website to sign up for e-mails containing agendas and minutes of meetings of the Town Board and other boards and committees.
The difficult economic times of 2011 are carrying over into 2012 on a national, state, and regional level. These conditions continue to present Town government with significant challenges as we work to continue to provide the municipal services that maintain the quality of life in our community without increasing the financial burdens imposed on our residents.
The 2012 budget adopted by the Town Board contains no increase in the Town’s general tax rate. A limited number of fees for different services provided by the Town saw modest increases for the first time in three years. At the same time, Town employees were again provided no salary increases for 2012, several positions in the Town workforce were eliminated, a number of full-year positions were converted to seasonal status, and modifications to health insurance programs were put into place to curtail the growth of this significant expense category. I am pleased to report that these cost savings have been implemented with the active cooperation of the Town work force.
We will continue to closely monitor Town revenue and expenditures during 2012. While we are, of course, always hopeful of an economic upturn that will benefit our Town and its residents, we will not manage Guilderland’s   finances on the basis of that hope. On January 1, 2012, two new members of the Town Board took their oaths of office. I am pleased to welcome Brian Forte and Allen Maikels to the Board, and am pleased at their commitment to work with me and with current Town Board members Patricia Slavick and Paul Pastore to address the challenges facing Guilderland in a collaborative manner and with a common focus on positively impacting the quality of life of our community and its residents.
 As winter takes hold in Guilderland, many of our residents will be looking for affordable recreational opportunities close to home, and, as usual, our Town parks have a variety of options available. Sledding on the big hill at the Winter Recreation Area is always a popular family activity. Snowshoeing is an increasingly popular winter activity, and the 5 miles of trails in Tawasentha Park and the Winter Recreation Area are available for your use. Please remember that snowshoeing is
not permitted at Western Turnpike Golf Course. A limited number of snowshoe rentals are available at the Parks and Recreation Office on Route 146. Cross-country skiers can try their hand on the ungroomed trails at Tawasentha and the Winter Recreation Area, or, when the weather permits, on groomed trails at Western Turnpike Golf Course. A limited number of ski rentals are available for a fee of $7. Please check the Town website or call the Parks and Recreation Office at 456-3150 for up-to-date information about available activities.
January is a good time for regular golfers to be thinking about taking out or renewing memberships at Guilderland’s WesternTurnpike Golf Course. A membership offers the opportunity for unlimited play at a reduced cost, with an additional discount offered for Guilderland residents, plus a special early-bird discount available for new or renewed memberships that are paid by February 1. Another attractive feature of Western Turnpike memberships is that the 2012
seasonal fees will not increase in price over 2012. Call the Parks and Recreation Office at 456-3150 with any questions you may have about memberships.
On behalf of the Town of Guilderland and its employees, I would like to offer my best wishes to all our residents for a safe and happy New Year.
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