Home | Colonie.org - The Official Website of the Town of Colonie

September 25 Colonie Planning Board Meeting Cancelled

Gaining Ground

Shovels in hand, Town Supervisor Paula Mahan and Assemblyman Phil Steck were among those attending a groundbreaking for an expanded entrance to the Colonie Town Library. The project is being funded with some of the $1 million arranged by Assemblyman Steck for improvements at the library. The bigger and brighter new entrance will open up space for a new reading area and provide enhanced access to the library for patrons of every ability. Pictured at September 11, 2018 event are, from left, Town Board members Melissa Von Dollen, Linda Murphy, and Jennifer Whalen, Library Director Evelyn Neale, Supervisor Mahan, Assemblyman Steck, and Town Board member Paul Rosano.
Forward Motion

New Colonie Police Department promotions and assignments were announced at the August 30 Town Board Meeting. Pictured, first row from left, are Public Safety Dispatcher Neil Blanchard, K-9 Handler Jason Clough with K-9 Eddie, Lt. Henry Rosenzweig (newly assigned to the Administration Division), Investigator Michael Warner, Lt. Robert Barrett, Supervisor Paula Mahan, Chief Jonathan Teale, Investigator Matthew Garrigan, Sgt. Guy Jubert (newly assigned to the Investigations Unit), Administrative Officer John Rockwell, Lt. Robert Donnelly (newly assigned to the Traffic Safety Unit), Sgt. Raymond Milham, and K-9 Handler Jason Orkwis, with K-9 Lock. From left, second row, are Town Board members Paul Rosano, Jennifer Whalen, Melissa Von Dollen, Linda Murphy, and Christopher Carey. Not pictured are Anthony Sidoti, named School Resource Officer, and Sgt. Daniel Belles, newly assigned to the Administrative Division.
Splish Splash!

Colonie Town Supervisor Paula Mahan cuts the ribbon on the Town's new splash pad at the Colonie Mohawk River Town Park on Schermerhorn Road. Joining her on July 16 are Town Board members, Town employees, and a young water lover happy to help prove nothing beats the heat like a good dousing! Town Board members holding the ribbon are, beginning second from left, are Paul Rosano, Melissa Von Dollen, Christopher Carey, David and Linda Murphy (fourth from right).
Colonie's Newest Police Officers

Three new Colonie Police officers were sworn in at the June 21 Town Board meeting, bringing the total number of officers to an all-time high of 114. Pictured from left are new officers Christopher Van Alstyne and Brandon Mueller, Colonie Police Chief Jonathan Teale, Supervisor Paula Mahan, and new officer Christopher Hooks. Also pictured, second row from left, are Town Board members Jennifer Whalen, Melissa Von Dollen, David Green, Christopher Carey, and Linda Murphy.
Down the Fairway!

William Ward was able to hit the ball over 100 yards from his chair with special adaptive equipment provided through the PGA HOPE golf program at the Town of Colonie Golf Course. A paraplegic as a result of injuries sustained while serving as a U.S. Marine, Ward was one of several disabled veterans who attended the program this summer. Funded by PGA of America and coordinated through the Albany VA, PGA HOPE attracted 8 to 10 veterans each week for the seven-week course. Designed to introduce golf to non-players and hone the skills of those who already play, the Colonie program is one of just 30 nationwide. Golf Course General Manager Noel Gebauer, who took special instructor training, said the program was one of “the most rewarding things” he's been part of professionally. Plans are already underway to hold the PGA HOPE program again next year.
Colonie K-9

Officer Jerry Shaw addresses those gathered to see a demonstration of the Town's K-9 unit with police dog K-9 Vader. The demonstration was featured at the CPD's Community Night Out at the West Albany Pocket Park on June 8. The well attended event also featured food, games, prizes, and other police demonstrations.
It's In the Bag

Kids line up for a bag race at the Colonie Police Department's Community Night Out held on June 22 at Kiwanis Park. The evening of games, prizes, food, and fun was well attended. It was the second Community Night this season, the first held on June 6 at West Albany Park.
It's in the Bag Again

This time with some bigger kids, much to the amusement of the crowd at the Colonie Police Department's Community Night Out at Kiwanis Park on June 22.
All Smiles

Supervisor Paula Mahan, front row, and Town Board Member Melissa Von Dollen, back row left, join Lt. Henry Rosenzweig and others at the Colonie Police Department's Community Night Out Event at West Albany Park on June 8. A big crowd of West Albany community members came out for food, games, prizes, demonstrations, and lots of fun. This is the second year the CPD's Community Partnership for Community Services has organized free community events.
Commemorating the Fourth

Supervisor Paula Mahan, center, joined, from left, Colonie Town Justice Peter Crummey, Bruce Gembala and Louis Pierro at the Greater Loudonville Association's annual Fourth of July ceremony held in Loudon Green.
Youth in Local Government

Thirty-six students from Colonie Central, Shaker High, and CBA attended the Town's Students in Local Government Day on April 13 to learn how Town government functions in all its complexity. They also attended the Town Board meeting the night before. Pictured with the students are Supervisor Paula Mahan, center, and Town Board member Paul Rosano and Town Clerk Julie Gansle, first row, third from right and far-right, respectively. At far right, second row, is C. Michele Zilgme, Receiver of Taxes, and far right, last row, Town Board Member Linda Murphy, Town Justice Peter Crummey, and Laura Archambault of the Town's Youth Services Division.
Proud Winners

The Colonie Police Department's Tactical Team recently won the ‘Tactical Week' training exercise at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany. Eight tactical teams from around the state participated in the three-day event, running through complex and evolving scenarios based on recent emergencies. Colonie's team posted the best time and performance to take first place. The Preparedness Training Center is operated by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
Many Hands

More than 70 young people and adults from Albany County and the Town of Colonie put in more than 180 volunteer hours of hands-on labor at the Pruyn House as part of this year's Global Youth Service Day event held on Saturday, April 28. The Pruyn House was only one of several venues where students aged 12 and over could volunteer to perform three hours of volunteer labor. Local participation in the worldwide event was organized by the Town's Division of Youth Services and Albany County. Lots of fun and a gorgeous day!
Building for the Future

Supervisor Paula Mahan, Albany County Fire Coordinator Jerry Paris, and others recently welcomed Assemblyman Phil Steck to the Town's Municipal Training Center at an event outlining planned upgrades there. Major capital improvements will be made possible with $500,000 arranged by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblyman Steck, among other Town investments. Pictured, from left, are Town Senior Fire Protection Specialist Joseph Bisognano, Colonie EMS Chief Peter Berry, Fire Coordinator Paris, Supervisor Mahan, Assemblyman Steck, Lt. Robert Winn of the Colonie Police Department, Town Board Member Paul Rosano, Colonie Patrol Officers William Guthrie and Joseph Fitsimmons, and Commissioner of Public Works John Cunningham. Every year, thousands of first responders from throughout the Capital Region – including fire, police, and EMS personnel – train at the Municipal Training Center, annually logging more than 40,000 hours of specialized training.
Affordable Senior Housing

Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan and others were on hand June 20 for the ribbon-cutting of the new King-Thiel Senior Community on Elks Lane, which has 96 affordably priced apartments, all of them rented. Pictured with residents holding the ribbon are, front row, from left, Colonie Director of Planning and Economic Development Joseph LaCivita, Supervisor Paula Mahan, lead donors Kathlene Thiel and J. Eric King, and another resident. Second row, from left, Town Board Members David Rowley and Linda Murphy, Planning Board member Louis Mion, Colonie Senior Service Centers Executive Director Ed Neary, and CDPHP CEO Dr. John Bennett, who served as Capital Campaign Chair.
Cutting the Ribbon

Supervisor Paula Mahan was joined October 4 by Colonie Senior Service Centers Executive Director Ed Neary and others at a ribbon-cutting for the new handicapped parking area at Town Hall. The project was made possible with funds provided by CSSC to satisfy the public benefit requirement for its new King Thiel Senior Community Housing project. Pictured, from left front, are Colonie Town Board member Paul Rosano, Ed Neary, CSSC Director J. Eric King, Supervisor Mahan, CSSC Director Anthony Mantello, and CSSC Director Emeritus Michael Hoblock; second row, Bill Neeley, the Town's Public Works Operations Supervisor, and Joseph LaCivita, Director of Planning and Economic Development.
New Barrier-Free Playground at Mohawk River Park