Hello, Residents and Community Members!
I hope everyone has been enjoying the beautiful fall weather we've experienced over the past couple of days and is looking forward to the weekend!
As we move further into October, there are several important meetings, community updates, and upcoming events I would like to share with you. This is always a busy time of year for our Town, and I also want to take a moment to recognize the individuals, organizations, and employees who continue to make our community such a wonderful place to live.
PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED LOCAL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT FOR THE 2027 FISCAL YEAR
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Town Hall, 18 N. Main Street, Au Sable Forks, NY 12912
The Town Board will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed adoption of a local law to override the tax levy limit for the 2027 fiscal year.
As we continue working through the 2027 budget process, I encourage residents to attend, stay informed, and participate in the discussion. This public hearing provides an opportunity for residents to offer comments regarding the proposed local law before the Town Board takes further action.
I also want to clarify that adopting a tax cap override does not automatically mean taxes will increase by a particular amount. Rather, it provides the Town Board with the legal authority to adopt a budget that exceeds the State's tax levy limit, should that become necessary. The Board will continue reviewing expenditures, revenues, and available options as we work toward finalizing the 2027 budget.
MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Town Hall, 18 N. Main Street, Au Sable Forks, NY 12912
Our monthly Town Board meeting will follow the public hearing.
Community participation is always welcomed and encouraged. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn about Town operations, ongoing projects, financial matters, and decisions that affect our community.
Virtual Meeting Information – Both Meetings
For those unable to attend in person, you may join virtually using the following information:
Join Online: https://meet.goto.com/488936285
Dial-In: +1 (872) 240-3311
Access Code: 488-936-285
We appreciate everyone who takes the time to remain engaged in their local government.
As preparations continue for our upcoming Halloween at the River Park event on Saturday, October 24th, I would like to recognize the continued generosity of our community!
This week, we received donations of Halloween candy from Marvin and Pam Kyea and Pam and Jeff Rushia!
A sincere thank you to both families for their kindness and generosity in helping make this event special for the children and families of our community.
Each week, we continue to see residents and local businesses stepping forward to support this event, and we are incredibly grateful. Whether it is a donation of candy, volunteering your time, or helping with preparations, every contribution plays a part in making this a wonderful community celebration.
HALLOWEEN AT THE RIVER PARK
Saturday, October 24, 2026
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
We are still welcoming individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who would like to hand out candy, decorate a trunk-or-treat station, or set up a candy station inside the park.
Whether you want to go all out with decorations or simply enjoy handing out candy to the kids, we would love to have you participate!
If interested, please contact Jessie:
Office: 518-647-5411, Extension 1
Text: 518-524-9818
Thank you again to this week's donors and to everyone who has contributed so far. Your continued support and community spirit are what make events like this possible!
While maintaining our Town facilities and public spaces is part of our employees regular responsibilities, I believe it is equally important to acknowledge the extra effort, creativity, and teamwork that go into making our community look its best, especially during the holidays.
A special thank you to Fred for taking the time to cut and retrieve nearly 500 cornstalks, which were generously donated to the Town by Russ and Jean Coonradt. Russ and Jean, thank you for thinking of our community and contributing to our fall decorations! This year, my wife, Jessie, and I also purchased hay from Maplegrand/Irwin Farms and donated it to the Town to be used as part of our fall and Halloween decorations. We were happy to contribute personally to the seasonal displays and support a local farm in the process.
We believe that taking pride in our community is a shared responsibility, and we are always glad to do our part in making our Town a little more festive and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.
I also want to recognize John and Shane for their hard work in bringing Jessie's decorating visions to life! They have already started putting out our fall and Halloween displays, hanging lights, and adding seasonal touches throughout our parks and community spaces. And they're right back at it again today!
Our parks are looking wonderful, and the cornstalks placed throughout Town have added a beautiful seasonal touch that I hope everyone is enjoying.
Taking pride in our community and working together to make it welcoming for residents and visitors is something worth recognizing. We hope our youth, families, and visitors will enjoy the decorations as much as we do
I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Fern Lake Association, Au Sable Forks Fast Pitch Association, and the many community members who continue to support JCEO through their generous donations.
Your continued kindness and willingness to help others make a meaningful difference for individuals and families throughout our community. We are fortunate to have organizations and residents who consistently step forward to lend a helping hand.
As we approach the holiday season, it is also time to begin thinking about assistance programs available to families who may need additional support.
THANKSGIVING BASKET PROGRAM & CHRISTMAS BUREAU
Registration time for Thanksgiving baskets and the Christmas Bureau is quickly approaching.
Please review the information provided below regarding registration details, eligibility requirements, and important deadlines.
We encourage anyone who may benefit from these programs to review the information and take advantage of the assistance available.
The holiday season is a time for giving, and I am continually reminded of how generous and compassionate our community truly is.
Our Black Brook/Jay Youth Commission is still actively seeking individuals interested in serving as coordinators for our upcoming youth sports programs.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Both programs are important recreational opportunities for our local children, and finding individuals willing to help organize and coordinate them is essential to their continued success.
If you are organized, dependable, enjoy working with youth programs, and have an interest in helping our community, I strongly encourage you to consider one of these opportunities.
For additional information, please contact Jessie:
Office: 518-647-5411, Extension 1
Text: 518-524-9818
Please help us spread the word! Our youth programs depend on community members stepping forward and contributing their time and talents. We want to continue providing these opportunities for our children, but we need your help to make that happen.
Please be advised that the Town Office will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026, in observance of Columbus Day.
Normal business operations will resume on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
As a reminder, Tuesday lobby hours begin at 12:00 PM (noon).
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
As I close out this week's announcements, I want to again express my appreciation to the many residents, organizations, volunteers, and Town employees who continue to give their time, resources, and energy to our community.
Whether it is donating candy for a Halloween event, contributing to JCEO, helping decorate our parks, supporting youth recreation, or simply looking out for a neighbor, these are the things that make our Town special.
Local government is about much more than budgets, roads, infrastructure, and meetings. It is also about the people we serve and the community we build together.
As we continue through budget season and prepare for the busy months ahead, I remain committed to keeping our residents informed, encouraging community involvement, and working in the best interests of the Town of Black Brook.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Town Supervisor and for allowing me to keep you informed about what is happening throughout our Town.
I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable fall weekend, and I look forward to seeing you around Town!
Supervisor Jon Douglass
Town of Black Brook
PO Box 715
AuSable Forks, NY 12912
Tel: 518-647-5411
