Today is the Au Sable Valley Central School budget vote in the cafeteria of the Middle/High School in Clintonville until 9:00pm.  While you are there, you can visit the K through 12 Art Show in the Gymnasium (12:00 – 9:00pm), the AFES/KES combined Elementary Concert in the Auditorium (6:30pm), and/or attend the School Board Meeting in the Conference Room (6:00pm).  Lastly you can check out the grand opening of the all new Fitness Center, which will have open hours for the community.

The Town of Jay annual clean-up of Douglas Park at the Jay Covered Bridge will take place this coming Saturday, May 20^th, 9:00am to 12:00pm.  Refreshments will be provided by the Rotary Club of Au Sable Valley.  Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend and participate.  For more information, call 518-647-2204.

This past week we held our monthly Planning Board and Town Board meetings at the Community Center.  As part of our Clean Energy Community Actions grant through NYSERDA, we passed a resolution to begin Energy Benchmarking in our municipal buildings.  This qualifies us for a $5000 grant to be used towards more energy efficiency in the Town of Jay.  We would like to thank ANCA for helping with this and other initiatives through our Climate Smart Task Force.  The video for both of these meetings are available on our website: http://townofjayny.gov/ . 

Lastly, I hope all of the mothers out there had a very enjoyable Mother’s Day this past weekend.  I can tell you, I would not be where I am without the guidance from my mom and my wife.  It is to you I look to for the inspiration to do what I do.  Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!

Have a great week,
Matt.

This past week we held our first Economic Development Committee meeting at the Town of Jay.  After introductions of the 12 attendees, we discussed our mission and goals.  In this first year, we want to update our Comprehensive Plan (last updated in 1997), work on Main Street revitalization, create a visitor center/chamber of commerce, discuss short term rental regulation and work on obtainable housing.  The topics that followed next were about the local economy, potential opportunities, available resources, and the marketing and branding of the Town of Jay.  We know some of the biggest issues, but we need to know why and how they have become the biggest issues before we can correct them.  We are still looking for a few key members to join this group, and possibly a few task forces that will come out of this committee.  However, at the end of this meeting, I was so excited for the future of the Town of Jay.

On Saturday evening I attended the annual Au Sable Forks Fire Department’s Fireman’s Banquet in Altona.  It was a pleasure being invited to this event and being given the opportunity to thank our volunteers for their service.  It takes incredible dedication to train and respond to calls, which usually take place at the most inopportune times.  Our volunteer services need to be supported before they go away.  Congratulations to all of the award winners for their hard work helping keep us safe.  If you want to become a volunteer firefighter or auxiliary member, please reach out to a fire department near you!

We are still cleaning up our parks around the Town of Jay.  Our next spring cleanup is scheduled for May 20^th from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Douglas Memorial Park in Jay.  Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend and participate.  For more information, call 518-647-2204.

Lastly, it is that time of the month, meeting week!  On Wednesday, the Town of Jay Planning Board will be holding its monthly meeting at 6:00pm.  On Thursday, the Town Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:00pm.  As usual, both meetings will be available via GoToMeeting.  You can find these links on our website, the same links are reused every month.  If you are unable to attend, the video of the meeting will be available within a few days on the website as well.

Have a great week,
Matt.

Once again Mother Nature has showN her might here in the Town of Jay.  We were able to withstand the heavy rains from Monday, only to be hit with a clogged culvert on Stickney Bridge road that created huge problems up and down stream of the crossing.  I declared a State of Emergency to rectify this problem, as Stickney Bridge road is our main artery in and out of town if we have flooding on Route 9N.  I would like to give a huge shout out and thank you to the Town of Jay Highway Department for answering the call before 4:00AM and Essex County DPW for mobilizing and repairing the damage the same day.  Essex County was able to reopen Stickney Bridge Road just before 4:00PM and the Town of Jay was able to repair and reopen Carey Road around the same time.  Attached is the scene just after daybreak.

The Grove ball fields are getting some updates this year.  I have been busy with the Parks Department clearing the infields of grass, leveling the playing surface and installing new bases.  The softball field is complete, but the rain has held up progress on the baseball field.  We are so excited to have these fields in outstanding condition for this year’s youth commission seasons.  We will continue the work this fall on the outfield areas to level them up from damage from years of flooding and use.

I would like to congratulate the Au Sable Forks Fire Department on the groundbreaking of their new fire station on Monday, even though I was unable to attend.  Work on the station has started and I look forward to this upgrade once finished.  Great job to the Fire Commissioners for their hard work getting this project to move forward.

Lastly, the Knights of Columbus will be holding a blood drive Thursday, May 4^th at Holy Name School from 4:00PM to 7:00PM.  As always, blood supplies are low and your donation is greatly appreciated.  Please take the time to stop in, you never know when you may be the person in need.

Have a great week,
Matt.

This past weekend I worked with the Rotary Club of Au Sable Valley in conjunction with the Ausable River Association on roadside cleanup.  My wife and I were able to work a section of Route 9N between the rest areas of Jay and Upper Jay.  Overall the roadside cleanup picked up over 3000 lbs of garbage.  It is a shame that so much trash is littered along our roadways, but I am glad there are groups that help keep our town clean.  Thank you to all the volunteers involved.

Over the weekend I was also able to attend the gallery opening of “Through Seven Lenses, respecting the ordinary, imagining the intangible” at the Tahawus Windows Gallery in Au Sable Forks.  This exhibit is composed of over 70 vibrant watercolors by artist Larry Vanderburgh.  The Gallery is open on Saturdays, 1:00PM to 2:30PM or anytime by appointment.  All works are on display and for sale now through June 18^th.  I was also able to attend the pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Au Sable Forks Elementary School 3^rd & 4^th grades at the Au Sable Forks Fire Department.  The food was delicious, as always, and tables were nicely decorated with hand drawn placemats by the students with wonderful sayings like, “Have an Egg-cellent Day!”

The Town of Jay is looking for summer camp counselors for the summer program at AVCS this coming summer.  The program has around 250 campers signed up and a waiting list of another dozen.  This is an increase of more than 25% over last year.  Due to this, we are looking for more councilors for the program.  If you are a Town of Jay resident and are 15, 16 or 17 years old, reach out to my office for more information.  If you are 18 years or older, please reach out to Brittany Trybendis at AVCS to become a Vista employee for the program before May 15^th.

Lastly, we will be having a volunteer cleanup day in Upper Jay in conjunction with the Wells Memorial Library Saturday, April 29^th.  I will post more information during the coming week as we watch the weather.

Have a great week,
Matt.

With spring break in full swing this week, and the weather looking more like summer, I want to remind you of some of the opportunities you can take advantage of this week as you enjoy your Staycation in the Town of Jay.  On Wednesday, April 12^th, at noon, the Au Sable Forks Free Library will be hosting a “Wednesday” Marathon with free pizza!  Over the weekend, the Upper Jay Art Center will be hosting events both Saturday and Sunday, details can be found: https://www.upperjayartcenter.org/upcoming-events.  The JEMS Winter Concert Series continues with a performance Saturday evening at 6:00pm, details can be found at: https://jemsgroup.org/.  As always, the Town of Jay also has several parks, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, as well as the gym at the Community Center. http://townofjayny.gov/parks-recreation/

I would like to thank the Jay Volunteer Fire Department for holding their first ever Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at the Jay Fire Department.  It is great to see the amount of residents who took part in the event which had over 3600 eggs picked up in only 7 minutes!  Now if we could just get these kids to clean their rooms that quickly, right Mom and Dad?

Stop by the Town of Jay Town Clerk office to select and purchase your Community Garden plot in the Grove.  Last year we saw an increase over previous years and hope to book all the spaces this year.  Several plots have been already claimed, but we still have a few 10-foot x 10-foot and a couple 4-foot x 16-foot spaces available for only $20 for the season!

Lastly, I would like to remind you about this month’s meetings here at the Community Center this week.  On Wednesday, we have our monthly Planning Board Meeting at 6:00pm.  Also on Wednesday, our 4^th of July Committee will be meeting to discuss this year’s event which includes the 225^th anniversary of the Town of Jay.  Then on Thursday, we will hold our regular monthly Town Board Meeting.  The virtual links to these meetings are on our website, https://TownofJayNY.gov. 

Have a great week,
Matt.

This past weekend several families were welcomed into town for the 32^nd Annual Missing Children’s Tournament.  This event had 14 teams from all over the north country, showing off what the Town of Jay and surrounding areas have to offer.  Businesses in Au Sable Forks showed a bump in sales, and the exposure on WPTZ never hurts, here is the link of the news article: https://www.mynbc5.com/article/local-hoops-tradition-back-for-32nd-year/43486481 .  In the end, we never forget the reason for this tournament, to raise money to help the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by donating a part of the proceeds in honor of Kari Lynn Nixon.

I have been busy meeting with individuals about the Town of Jay Economic Development Committee.  I have met with several individuals who have expressed interest in being on the committee.  These individuals are business owners, residents, and professionals in the field of economic development.  I am so excited to get this group together in the next few weeks to begin getting to work.  Updates will come as available and will have a report during monthly board meetings.

Lastly, even though next week is spring break for most, the Town of Jay will be busy at work with meetings.  On Wednesday, we have our monthly Planning Board Meeting at 6:00pm.  Also on Wednesday, our 4^th of July Committee will be meeting to discuss this year’s event which includes the 225^th anniversary of the Town of Jay.  Then on Thursday, we will hold our regular monthly Town Board Meeting.  The virtual links to these meetings are on our website, https://TownofJayNY.gov.  

Have a great week,
Matt.