Town Board Meeting 4/14 online; input options available - online or via email

The public can provide comments during the public comment section by registering to attend the meeting via Zoom. This is the link to the registration:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hJmlkRTwQnKhwgZSml5BaA

Please register at least 15 ...

Comprehensive Plan Update Committee Meeting – April 13 at 6 PM “via Zoom”

The Comprehensive Plan Update Committee will meet via Zoom on April 13^th at 6PM.  The meeting agenda will include a recap of the feedback received from the second public meeting.  A 2035 Vision Statement, based on the value statements an...

Help Wanted - Police Records Clerk

POLICE RECORDS CLERK

The Town of Bethlehem Police Department is seeking candidates for a Police Records Clerk. This job involves performing complex clerical and secretarial tasks, requiring a high degree of confidentiality. Primary duties include, but are ...

Spring Cleanup

Given a lot of recent focus on brush and leaf pickup, I thought it would be helpful to clarify our town policies surrounding brush, leaf and yard waste pickup.

Yard Waste Removal - The Highway Department prioritizes yard waste removal every single day of t...

Spring Water Main Flushing Program - 4/5 to 5/14

NOTICETOWN OF BETHLEHEM WATER MAIN FLUSHING PROGRAMSpring 2021

AREA #1 – 4/5 to 4/23Slingerlands, North Bethlehem, Town of New Scotland

AREA #2 – 4/14 to 5/7Delmar, Elsmere

AREA #3 – 4/26 to 5/14Glenmont, Selkirk

Some discoloration may be seen during this flu...

Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts

Bear sightings are often reported throughout the town especially in spring.  A reminder from the town's Animal Control Officer: People who think they are doing wildlife a favor by feeding them and getting them used to humans are doing them a big ...

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...

Town Board Votes to Approve Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Plan

The Bethlehem Town Board voted unanimously to approve its Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Plan at a regularly-scheduled meeting, held virtually, livestreamed, and recorded, on March 24, 2021. 

The plan is the culmination of an intens...

Drug/Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, Saturday 4/24 at Elm Ave Park 10-2

This will be a "contactless" event where participants place medications in provided receptacles.  Please wear masks and maintain social distancing.  Elm Avenue Town Park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (rain or shine).

Everyone may par...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Drug/Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, Saturday 4/24 at Elm Ave Park 10-2

This will be a "contactless" event where participants place medications in provided receptacles.  Please wear masks and maintain social distancing.  Elm Avenue Town Park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (rain or shine).

Everyone may par...

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...

U Drive, U Text, U Pay

The Town of Bethlehem Police Department will be participating in a New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee enforcement initiative aimed at detecting distracted drivers. The campaign will run from April 05^th through April 12, 2021. The...

Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts

Bear sightings are often reported throughout the town especially in spring.  A reminder from the town's Animal Control Officer: People who think they are doing wildlife a favor by feeding them and getting them used to humans are doing th...

Drug/Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, Saturday 4/24 at Elm Ave Park 10-2

This will be a "contactless" event where participants place medications in provided receptacles.  Please wear masks and maintain social distancing.  Elm Avenue Town Park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (rain or shine).

Everyone may par...

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...

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....