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This page includes content of recent (2026) announcement emails sent
to subscribers by the Association.
For older announcements click here
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subscription to Association email announcements.
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9 September 2026 - Reminder - September 11
Memorial Ceremony this Friday
Dear McKownville neighbors: All are invited to attend the ceremony
that the McKownville Fire Department will hold this Friday in
McKownville Reservoir Park to commemorate the 25th anniversary of
the September 11, 2001 attacks, and to honor those who lost their
lives both on and following that day. The ceremony will begin
at 8:15 a.m. Further details may be found below; 25 August
announcement.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
1 September 2026 - 1434 Western Avenue -
proposed special use permit
Dear McKownville neighbors: On Wednesday evening, September 2, the
Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to determine
whether a special use permit should be granted to allow for a
Pilates and fitness studio to be operated on the premises located at
1434 Western Avenue. The McKownville Improvement
Association has not taken a position on this matter and this email
is meant only to inform you that the hearing will take place.
Details may be found by following this link and then clicking on
Zoning Board: https://www.townofguilderland.gov/516/Town-Meeting-Videos
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
25 August 2026 - September 11 Memorial
Ceremony
Dear McKownville neighbors: The McKownville Fire Department will
hold a memorial ceremony in McKownville Reservoir Park on September
11th beginning at 8:15 a.m. All are invited. For further
details please see the following excerpt from an email I received
from the McKownville Fire Department.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
"On September 11th, 2026, the McKownville Fire Department will be
holding a memorial ceremony beginning at 8:15 am. This year marks 25
years since that horrific occurrence. Because we’re without a proper
station to host it, we’ll be holding it at the McKownville Reservoir
Park. We intend this to be a small but formal occasion open to the
community, at which we will have a bagpiper and full dress presence
by the department. We will have a blessing and prayer from Past
Chief Anthony Cortese who is also an ordained Deacon at Christ the
King Parish. A presentation will be made about the timeline of
9/11/01 and its continuing significance to so many, as well as some
of the positives that have come in the aftermath. A siren activation
will also occur at 8:46am, the time of the first plane strike on a
tower. Foam earplugs will be available.
Russ Becker, Past Chief - McKownville Fire Department"
24 August 2026 - Fundraiser for Guilderland
Food Pantry
Dear McKownville neighbors: The Guilderland Food Pantry's fall
fundraiser will take place on Thursday, September 17, 6.30 to 8.30pm
at Christ the King Church Gymnasium, located 20 Sumter Avenue.
Tickets are available now. For full details please click on
this link: https://guilderlandfoodpantry.com#news
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
18 August 2026 - Pints in the Park and
Fireworks on Campus
Dear McKownville neighbors: The weather forecast is looking
favorable for Assemblymember Gabriella Romero's "Pints in the Park'
ice cream social this Friday evening in McKownville Reservoir Park
from 5:30 to 7:00. I hope you'll be able to join us for a
relaxing evening with neighbors and some of our elected officials.
Also, Luke Rumsey, University at Albany Director of Community
Relations, has let me know that two brief fireworks displays are
coming up on campus. Here is an excerpt from his email:
"Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19th our newest Great Danes will be
welcomed into the UAlbany family with a brief fireworks display
originating from Collins Circle. I expect that the fireworks will
occur at approximately 9pm and last for about 5-minutes.
Additionally, on Friday, August 28th your UAlbany Great Danes
football team will play their first game of the season at Casey
Stadium. The 7pm game against the University of New Hampshire will
feature a short fireworks display at halftime (approximately
8:30pm). If you would like to cheer on your hometown team from the
stands, tickets can be purchased here:
https://ualbanysports.com/sports/2021/1/5/football-ticket-central.aspx"
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
12 August 2026 - New Date for Pints in the
Park with Assemblymember Romero - Friday, August 21
Dear McKownville neighbors: The 'Pints in the Park' ice cream social
that was cancelled due to the flooding event on July 29 has been
rescheduled for Friday, August 21, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in
McKownville Reservoir Park, on the lawn next to the Western Avenue
entrance to Stuyvesant Plaza. [printable
flyer pdf]
Please join us to enjoy some ice cream while socializing with
neighbors and some of your elected officials. We'll have a few
folding chairs but if you want to ensure a seat by bringing one of
your own that will be ideal. I hope to see you there!
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
29 July 2026 - Pints in the Park cancelled
for Wednesday, July 29
Dear McKownville neighbors: As you probably expect given the weather
conditions, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero's planned Pints in the
Park event that was scheduled for this evening has been postponed
until further notice. When it has been rescheduled I will send
you the details.
In the meantime, I hope that you and your homes stay as safe and dry
as possible.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
28 July 2026 - McKownville Tree Planting
Program Reminder
Dear McKownville neighbors: This is to remind you that orders for
trees through the McKownville Tree Planting Program are due, with
payment,
by this Saturday, August 1. Order form (link),
descriptions of the available trees, and photos may be found on our
website:
https://mckownville.org/2projects/1trees/MIA-2026treeorders.html
All of the trees are suitable for planting as street trees or
specimens that will enhance the beauty of your yard. The trees
come from established nurseries that have supplied municipalities
and not-for-profits in our region and beyond for many years.
Please call Laura Barry at (518) 892-4059 or Ellen Manning at (518)
482-3779 if you have any questions.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
21 July 2026 - Ice Cream Social - Pints in
the Park on Wednesday July 29 from 5.30 to 7pm [CANCELLED - see
above 29 July]
Dear McKownville neighbors: On Wednesday, July 29, from 5:30 to 7:00
p.m., Assemblymember Gabrielle Romero will host a "Pints in the
Park" event for her constituents in McKownville Park, on the lawn
adjacent to the Western Avenue entrance to Stuyvesant Plaza. This
ice cream social will be a family friendly event, and all
Guilderland residents are invited to attend. Bring your own
chairs and enjoy a summer evening chatting with your neighbors and
local officials.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
15 July 2026 - McKownville Tree Planting
Program - Orders due by August 1
Dear McKownville neighbors; Again this year the McKownville
Improvement Association is sponsoring an opportunity for you to
order trees for fall planting. All of the trees are suitable
for planting as street trees or to add beauty to your yard, and for
growing in our neighborhood.
Descriptions of available trees may be found here: https://mckownville.org/2projects/1trees/MIA-2026treeorders.html
For the order form and site requirements to be followed prior to
planting, please click on the following link:
https://mckownville.org/2projects/1trees/MIATreeFlyer-final2026.pdf
If you have any questions please call Laura Barry at (518) 892-5049,
or Ellen Manning.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
14 June 2026 - Early voting for Democratic
primary
Dear McKownville neighbors: Guilderland residents may cast votes for
the candidates in the Democratic primary at the Guilderland Library
and other Albany County early voting locations through June
21. Primary Day is June 23.
On Primary Day, the polling place for McKownville residents will be
at the McKownville Methodist Church, 1565 Western Avenue.
Full details may be found here: https://www.albanycountyny.gov/departments/board-of-elections
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
8 June 2026 - Repaving of parking lot at
Stuyvesant Plaza
Dear McKownville neighbors: As some of you are aware, the parking
lot at Stuyvesant Plaza is being repaved. Work began last night and
the project is expected to be completed on June 11, if not
sooner. In order to cause the least disruption of business for
the tenants and shoppers the work is being done overnight.
I have been told that the work performed last night most likely
generated the highest noise levels. This morning,
Stuyvesant Plaza management became aware that this noise was heard
by McKownville residents, and efforts will be made to lessen the
disturbance as the nighttime work continues over the next few
days. I hope that this will help. If you have any questions
please direct them to management at Stuyvesant Plaza or the Town of
Guilderland.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
29 May 2026 - Training exercise on UAlbany campus: Wednesday,
June 3rd
Dear McKownville neighbors: On Wednesday, June 3, from 8:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m., the University of Albany will conduct a training
exercise on the uptown campus. During this time residents may
see, and hear sounds from, multiple emergency vehicles both on and
off the campus. For full details please scroll down to see a message
from Luke Rumsey, Director of Community Relations at UAlbany.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
"Dear Community Member, The University at Albany will be
conducting a training exercise on our Uptown Campus between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The exercise will involve several police, fire, and EMS
agencies and will result in a large number of emergency vehicles
on campus. During this time, individuals in and around the campus
may intermittently hear/observe emergency vehicles with their
lights and sirens activated. A small section of the University’s
ring road may be shut down while the training exercise is
underway. However, we do not expect any impact to traffic off the
University’s footprint.
Exercises like this are conducted regularly across the
country in partnership with local first responders to ensure that,
in the event of a real emergency, campus officials and emergency
personnel are fully prepared to respond as efficiently and
effectively as possible.
This notification is to ensure community awareness and to
prevent unnecessary alarm if you observe emergency vehicles on
campus during the exercise.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free
to contact UAlbany’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Claudia
Romeo, at cromeo@albany.edu or by phone at (518) 956-8098. Thank
you for your understanding and continued support.
Sincerely, Luke Rumsey, Director of Community Relations,
University Hall 203, 1400 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12222
lrumsey@albany.edu [email]; (518) 442-5141 [office]"
23 May 2026 - Normans Kill Heritage Day -
August 15
Dear McKownville neighbors: At Thursday's meeting Town Supervisor
Peter Barber told us that on Saturday, August 15, the Town of
Guilderland REV 250 Committee will host Normans Kill Heritage Day: A
Revolutionary Kickoff Celebration at the Western Turnpike Golf
Course Pavilion. The event will feature period music and games, and
a free colonial era meal (likely chicken and root vegetables).
Attendance is limited to 250 Guilderland residents so if you're
interested please register as soon as possible.
Full information about the event and registration using a QR code
may be found here: https://www.townofguilderland.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=3213
You may also register using the form found at this link:
https://www.townofguilderland.gov/FormCenter/American-Revolution-250th-Anniversary-Ev-22/Normans-Kill-Heritage-Day-117
Please note that pre-registration is required.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
19 May 2026 - Elections, and meeting on
Thursday, May 21
Dear McKownville neighbors: Please be sure to vote today on the
2026-2027 school and library budgets and the candidates who are
running for board positions.
Also, I hope you'll join us this Thursday for our last meeting
before we break for the summer. Town Supervisor Peter Barber
will make announcements about upcoming Town activities, and County
Legislator Mickey Cleary will update us on matters before the County
Legislature. Although Assemblymember Gabriella Romero won't be
able to join us this time, one of her staff members will be in
attendance. The meeting will end with an election of Association
officers and board members followed by a social hour with
refreshments.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
12 May 2026 - Guilderland Historical Society
- May 13 event cancelled
Dear McKownville neighbors: The Guilderland Historical Society had
scheduled a ceremony for Wednesday, May 13, at 9:00 a.m. to dedicate
three new historic markers near Wesfall Road, but due to the
unfavorable weather forecast the event has been postponed until
further notice.
More information about GHS activities may be found here:
https://www.townofguilderland.gov/741/The-Guilderland-Historical-Society
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
21 April 2026 - McKownville Improvement
Association meeting reminder; Farnsworth recycling event cancelled
Dear McKownville neighbors: We hope to see you at our meeting this Thursday, 23 April at the
Hampton Inn beginning at 7:00 p.m. Following announcements
from Deputy Town Supervisor Amanda Beedle, Superintendent of Schools
Daniel Mayberry and Library Director Pete Petruski will discuss and
answer questions about the proposed 2026-2027 budgets. We will
also have an opportunity to meet candidates for the school and
library boards, and receive updates on the new firehouse. If her
schedule allows, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero will also join
us. After the business portion of the meeting we will stay to
enjoy some refreshments and catch up with neighbors.
Additionally, please be aware that the Bi-Annual Recycling event
scheduled for this Saturday at the Farnsworth Middle School has been
cancelled. We expect that the event will take place as
usual this fall. The other Town sponsored events scheduled for
this coming weekend are all going ahead as planned. Further
details may be found here: https://www.townofguilderland.gov/calendar.aspx?view=list&year=2026&month=4&day=25
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
12 April 2026 - Coyote sighting and Meeting
of the Guilderland Historical Society
Dear McKownville neighbors: Coyote Sighting: A neighbor
reported seeing a coyote on Elmwood Street this past Thursday at
5:00 p.m. It appeared to be calm but emaciated. Please
be sure that your young children and pets are accompanied at all
times by a responsible adult.
Guilderland Historical Society: The April 16 meeting of the
GHS will be held in the Helderberg Room at the Guilderland Public
Library beginning at 1:15 p.m. A business meeting of
approximately 20 minutes will be followed by a presentation by Tim
Wiles on the story of women's professional baseball as told through
baseball cards. Tim is the former Director of the Guilderland
Public Library, and prior to that role he was Director of Research
for the Baseball Hall of Fame. The public is invited to
attend.
More information on the event may be found here:
https://www.townofguilderland.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=3003&month=4&year=2026&day=16&calType=0
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
23 March 2026 - March 26 meeting of the
McKownville Improvement Association
Dear McKownville neighbors: Please be sure to join us this Thursday
evening for our first meeting of 2026 at the Hampton Inn beginning
at 7:00 p.m. Our speakers will be Town Supervisor Peter
Barber, Guilderland Town Planner Kenneth Kovalchik, and our
representative in the Albany County Legislature, Mickey
Cleary. If her schedule allows, Assemblymember Gabriella
Romero will also join us to give us an update on the 2026-2027 NYS
budget negotiations. We will also have an update from some dedicated
volunteers from the McKownville Fire Department regarding the new
firehouse that is now taking shape along Western Avenue.
Following the business portion of the meeting we will serve
refreshments, so please plan to stay for a while and socialize with
your neighbors.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
18 March 2026 - Budget Town Hall Friday,
March 20th
Dear McKownville neighbors: All Guilderland residents are invited to
a NYS Budget Town Hall this Friday, March 20, from 5:30 to
7:00 p.m. at the Altamont Elementary School, 117 Grand Street, in
the Village of Altamont.
Assemblymember Gabriella Romero and Senator Pat Fahy are hosting the
event and they invite you to come by and ask questions about the
2026-2027 budget plan. Introductory remarks will be made by Town
Supervisor Peter Barber and Altamont Mayor Kerry Dineen.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
30 January 2026 - The Book House Volunteer
Call Out
Dear McKownville neighbors: You are probably aware that the Book
House is moving from its current location to a new spot just a few
doors away. Rachel Ferluge, general manager at Stuyvesant
Plaza, forwarded the following email describing how volunteers can
help with the move on February 5 from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m.. If you want
to be a part of the Book Brigade you may sign up by calling the
number below, or stop by the store today or Saturday during normal
business hours. It sounds like a fun way to start off your
morning while helping a local business!
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
"Calling All Book Lovers & Community Helpers!
Stuyvesant Plaza is excited to support The Book House as they kick
off their big move and they need your help!
On Thursday, February 5, from 9 - 9:30 AM, Book House of Stuyvesant
Plaza is forming a Book Brigade: a human chain of volunteers passing
books from their current location to their new home near Sur La
Table. It’s a short window, a big impact, and a truly
community-driven moment you won’t want to miss.
How you can help: Volunteer for just 30 minutes and be part of this
fun, meaningful effort to keep a beloved local bookstore moving
forward (literally!).
Sign up today! Call The Book House at 518-489-4761 or stop by the
store to sign up today (Friday 30th) or tomorrow (Saturday 31st)
during business hours.
Important note: The Book House will close temporarily, starting on
Sunday, February 1 to begin move preparation.
Let’s show up, lend a hand, and pass some books together. Thank you
for supporting local and being such an amazing community!"
11 January 2026 - Traffic Safety Committee
Meeting on January 13th at 7pm
Dear McKownville neighbors: At the upcoming Traffic Safety Committee
meeting one item of discussion will be the possibility of lowering
the speed limit on Western Avenue between the Albany city line and
Fuller Road. The public is invited to attend.
Here is a link to the agenda and other meeting materials: https://play.champds.com/guilderlandny/event/486
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
--------------------------------------------
15 February 2022 - Plant McKownville
Dear McKownville neighbors: Our
neighborhood holds many attractions: lovely homes in a convenient
location, agreeable neighbors, and access to excellent schools. In
addition to these features, many of us were drawn here by streets
lined with mature trees that provide cooling shade during the summer
months and year-round beauty. Over the years, though, we have
lost many of our trees through the aging process, and others due to
a variety of adverse conditions.
With the goal of preserving and enhancing the beauty of our
streetscape, a resident volunteer has compiled lists of trees and
shrubs that can thrive in our neighborhood. You may view these
lists and a wealth of accompanying information by clicking on this link.
We hope that you'll find these materials interesting, and that
you'll consider planting a new tree this year. If you already
have a healthy tree (or two) on the street lawn in front of your
house perhaps you'll be intrigued by the thought of planting a new
tree or shrub in your yard that will attract birds and
pollinators. Native plants are especially important because
they are hosts to so many pollinators that are vital in supporting a
healthy ecosystem. Spring is season of renewal, and an excellent
time for planting a tree or shrub that can enjoyed now and by future
residents of McKownville. We're just at the start of what we
expect to be a long-term new project for the McKownville Improvement
Association and, we hope, for the neighborhood as a whole. You may
count on hearing more from us on this subject over the coming
months!
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
Older announcements from
January-December 2025
January-December 2024
January-December 2023
January-December
2022
January-December
2021
March-December
2020
Past meeting announcements
meetings in years 2017 - 2026
meetings in years prior to 2017
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