Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Plan - First Draft Available for Review/Comment

The first draft of the Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Plan is available for community review and comment.  As you review it, please remember:

• The draft is a foundation upon which we will build the final plan.  It is not a c...

Local COVID-19 vaccinations

January 11, 2021

From Supervisor VanLuven:  Local COVID-19 vaccinations are being coordinated by the State and Albany County.  Right now, the best information about who is eligible for vaccinations locally and how to sign up for appointme...

Help Wanted - Outreach Worker

The Town of Bethlehem is seeking candidates for the position of Outreach Worker in our Senior Services Department.  Primary duties include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: 

• Advise and assist senior citizens and their fa...

Change in Parks and Recreation Credit Card Fees

For the Parks and Recreation Department, effective January 1, 2021, all credit card purchases will include a 3.25% transaction fee.  This fee will show as a separate transaction on credit card statements, collected by the 3^rd party payment proces...

Albany County COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program

Albany County in partnership with the Advance Albany County Alliance and the Community Loan Fund has launched the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program.  Businesses may apply to the Albany County grant program for up to $5,000 to assist in paying...

Empire State Development Announces “Raising The Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund

In an effort to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund offers approximately $3 million in reimbursement grants for up to $5,000 to eligible businesses. The program is intended to support ful...

Property Tax Collection Modifications for January 2021

Due to Covid19 the Town Hall will be closed to the public for the Property Tax collection that starts in January of 2021.  We will be unable to collect cash payments at the Town Hall like we have previously.

We are asking residents to please bring...

Comprehensive Plan Update Committee – January meeting

The Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will not meet in January.  The consultant team continues to work on preparing the Community Assessment Profile and compile the results of the Needs and Opportunities survey.  The Committee’s 2021 m...

Help Wanted - Seasonal Laborers for the Highway Department Needed

The Town of Bethlehem Highway Department is seeking Seasonal Laborers who are at least 18 years of age to perform manual tasks based on the season.  These tasks will include but are not limited to:

• Raking leaves into a vacuum type collection machi...

Town Court updates due to current COVID-19 situation - as of 12/9, in person appearances cancelled

Effective 12/9/20: All in person court appearances are currently cancelled at this time as a result of increased cases of COVID-19 and further restrictions imposed by the Office of Court Administration. Please note, the Court office remains open and we ar...

Stay Connected During Bethlehem’s Comprehensive Plan Update

The Town of Bethlehem is updating its Comprehensive Plan to help guide the future of our community. The updated Comprehensive Plan will inform the community’s land use, development, policy, programs, and infrastructure decisions for the next 15 ...

Parking Ordinance - No parking on town roads 1-7 am from 11/1 to 4/15

The town has a parking ordinance in effect each year from November 1 through April 15 whereby no vehicles are allowed to be parked on any town roads between the hours of 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. regardless of the weather.  For more information on t...

The Town of Bethlehem Announces One Vacancy on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee

The Town Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee is in need of one passionate and knowledgeable resident who wants to serve their community on this volunteer advisory committee.

In February 2009, the Town Board established the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee to ...

Residential Data Improvement Project - *10/7 update* Go online to check your property information

Update October 7, 2020

For the first time since 1992, the Town has concluded its town-wide Residential Data Improvement Project. The project is designed to ensure the accuracy of property inventory data for the purposes of equitable property tax assessment...

Important Winter Reminders from the Department of Public Works

Important Winter Reminders from the Department of Public Works

Water Pipes & Water Meters

Due to the extreme cold winter weather, the Department of Public Works would like to remind our residents of ways to avoid frozen water pipes and meters. Property ...

Fire Hydrant Clearing Notice

Our Water Department employees work very hard to keep the fire hydrants cleared and accessible at all times.  The Town of Bethlehem has over 1600 fire hydrants spread out over many miles of the water distribution system.  If you have a f...

NYS Dept of Transportation Project - work on State Rte 140 bridge; lane closures expected *UPDATE*

The New York State Department of Transportation will be conducting rehabilitation of the State Route 140 (Cherry Avenue Extension) bridge, over the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail, just north of the intersection of Kenwood Avenue.  This essential co...

Domestic Violence/Abuse Telephone Numbers and Resources

As we all deal with the multiple effects that COVID-19 is having on us, the Bethlehem Police Department, and many other local law enforcement agencies are seeing a substantial increase in domestic violence related offenses and incidents. Know that there i...

From the BPD - Are any fireworks legal in New York State?

With the the summer upon us, there have been many questions on legal and illegal fireworks.  The Bethlehem Police Department would like to clarify what fireworks are legal, and which are not.  Due to recent changes by the legislature the...

Temporary Signs Information

Town code provisions adopted in 2012 clarified the rules for temporary lawn signs often used by candidates for election, not-for-profits, civic groups or others promoting their events or causes. The town code permits the use of temporary signs on private ...

Know What´s Below Before You Dig, call for FREE underground utilities markings, it's the law

If you plan to dig or do any type of excavation or construction work, State law requires you to call Dig Safely New York 2 full working days prior to starting your work not counting the day of your call, weekends or holidays. Whether you are planning to d...

Carbon Monoxide Detectors in homes MANDATORY

Beginning on February 22, 2010 all homes in New York are now required to have a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer. It´s odorless, tasteless and colorless. Breath in large amount and it can kill you. Amanda´s Law is name...

Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Extreme heat can be very dangerous, leading to heat stroke and death. Heat stroke occurs when your temperature rises quickly and your body cannot cool down.  It often occurs as a progression from milder heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps...

Debunked: 5 Lightning Myths That Could Kill You

(source: NBCNEWS.com, June 20, 2014) When it comes to staying safe from lightning strikes, everything you think you know is probably wrong. That’s the word from weather experts, who worry that outdated advice and persistent myths about thunder and lightni...

Avoid Bear Conflict and Deer in Spring Information

The Town of Bethlehem Police Department dispatchers have received numerous calls of bears seen in town so far this year.  Many callers have reported the bear was after the bird feeder and/or garbage.  Please follow the precautions as not...

Owning, possessing or harboring of certain animals must be reported to the Town Clerk by 4/1

Under Chapter 680 of the Laws of 2002 enacted General Municipal Law Section 209-cc, requires the annual reporting of the presence of wild animals (for example, certain cats, dogs, snakes, monkeys). Each person owning, possessing or harboring a wild animal...

Your House/Business Number MUST be visible

IS YOUR HOUSE OR BUSINESS STREET NUMBER LEGIBLE AND VISIBLE? In accordance with the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Codes, all new and existing residential and commercial buildings are required to display a legible street number that is visibl...

What to do before, during and after gas and electrical outages

The Bethlehem Office of Emergency Management provides information on many safety issues. A National Grid Guide to Natural Gas and Electric Outage Preparation and Safety has been posted on the office's web pages that proves to be helpful year round.

30-day annual review period for Albany County Agricultural Districts begins February 1

Please be advised that the 30-day annual review period for Albany County Agricultural Districts begins on February 1. During this period, landowners can apply to have predominantly viable agricultural land included in a certified Agricultural District.The...

Bear sightings have occurred in many locations in town - Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts

Bear sightings are not uncommon in the Town of Bethlehem and can and have occurred in numerous locations.  It doesn't matter where a bear was sighted, the following is important for everyone.

A reminder from the town's Animal Control Officer: Peop...

Bethlehem Food Pantry is available to all town residents

The Bethlehem Food Pantry is located at 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York at the Bethlehem Town Hall for town residents. It is run through Bethlehem Senior Projects, Inc. with help from Bethlehem Senior Outreach workers and is kept stocked through the...

If you are a Senior resident, 60+, see all our Senior Services Department has to offer

Get the latest Senior Services Newsletter in the Senior Services office at Town Hall, in one of the Senior Transportation vehicles or online to find out some of the great things available to our town's senior population. Social outings to plays, musicals,...

Victim and Witness Notification Program Available

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), is committed to protecting the public and ensuring that the rights of victims are carefully observed. HSI administers a Victim Notification Program which allows eligib...

Passports can be processed at Delmar Post Office

Passport forms and information are available on the internet at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/.  Completed forms can be presented to the Delmar Post Office, 357 Delaware Avenue, for processing.

Attention Elementary School Teachers - Bring Local History into Your Classroom

Bring local history into your classroom. Native Americans in Bethlehem and Cutting Ice: Big Business in Bethlehem address the needs of Social Studies Standard 1: History of the United States and New York. Contact Susan Leath at sleath@townofbethlehem.org ...

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY - Cell Phone Tip

In case of emergency (ICE) is a program that enables first responders, such as paramedics, firefighters, and police officers, as well as hospital personnel, to contact the next of kin of the owner of a mobile phone to obtain important medical or support i...

ICE SKATING INFORMATION!

For skating information 24/7, including current conditions and updates, call 518-439-4955, option 7 and follow the prompts. When the green flag is flying, the skating rink is open. If the red flag is flying, the skating rink is closed.  For skati...

NEW in 2021 - Booking for Parks and Recreation Pavilion Reservations beginning March 1

Residents of the Town Bethlehem and Town of Bethlehem based organizations may reserve pavilions at Elm Avenue Park, Henry Hudson Park, and Maple Ridge Park for recreational functions beginning March 1st (sorry, no early birds!)  Click on the link...

Change in Parks and Recreation Credit Card Fees

For the Parks and Recreation Department, effective January 1, 2021, all credit card purchases will include a 3.25% transaction fee.  This fee will show as a separate transaction on credit card statements, collected by the 3^rd party payment proces...

Summer 2021 Parks and Recreation Seasonal Staff Employment application now available!

Parks are open but... *UPDATE* 6/11

June 11

All Basketball courts and playgrounds are now open for use. Please continue to practice social distancing, mask wearing, proper hygiene, and remain home when not feeling well.

May 22, 2020

Elm Avenue Park Pool Complex closed indefinitely for Summer 2...

Bethlehem Police Department Case 81-V-28-0026 – Unidentified Human Remains

Bethlehem Police Department Case 81-V-28-0026 – Unidentified Human Remains

The Bethlehem Police Department continues to investigate the 1981 finding of human remains, in an effort to identify the decedent.

DNA of the decedent is now on file, howev...

Updates to New York State Child Safety Seat Law

Updates to Child Safety Seat Law

            Effective November 1, 2019, New York State Law has been amended requiring all children under the age of two, be restrained in a rear-facing car seat. &nb...

Police Press Release - Are any fireworks legal in New York State?

With the the summer upon us, there have been many questions on legal and illegal fireworks.  The Bethlehem Police Department would like to clarify what fireworks are legal, and which are not.  Due to recent changes by the legislature the...

Home Energy Assistance Program - application assistance for those 60+

The Home Energy Assistance Program helps people with heating and energy conservation concerns.  For the 2020-2021 heating season, the income limits are a monthly gross income of $2,610 for one person, $3,413 for two people, $4,216 for three peopl...

Food Pantry information

The food pantry is OPEN, but with some changes. We will continue to take appointments for the regular pantry hours. When you call to make the appointment you will be asked what essentials you need and what you do not want. The bags will be packed for you....