Town of Jay Updates
We are actively preparing our town’s application by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consultant to assist with application development and community engagement for the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward grant programs. This effort aims to secure transformative funding for local economic growth and public infrastructure upgrades this fall. In the meantime, our official Summer 2026 Newsletter is now live! You can stay informed on current town projects, departmental highlights, and seasonal updates by reading the full newsletter on the town website: https://www.townofjayny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Summer-News-2026.pdf
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Sustainability and Energy Fair on Saturday, September 12th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Jay Village Green. Co-hosted by the Towns of Jay and Keene, this family-friendly event features live entertainment, food, children’s activities, and short educational seminars throughout the day. We are still actively seeking vendors, non-profits, farmers, artisans, and clean energy businesses to participate at no charge. If you would like to set up a table or support the fair as a local sponsor, please review the attached flyer or reach out directly to Knut Sauer at 914-309-9057 or k.sauer@townofjayny.gov
Septic Savvy: Enhancing Your Property and Protecting Water
Proper septic system maintenance is essential for protecting residential investments and safeguarding our shared regional watershed. To help local homeowners keep their systems running safely and efficiently, experts from across the region are hosting “Septic Savvy” on Wednesday, August 26th, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the AuSable Valley Grange (1749 Main Street, Keeseville). Proactively managing home septic infrastructure helps prevent costly failures on private property while protecting local lakes, rivers, and groundwater from contamination.
This free community event brings together professionals in engineering, environmental policy, and conservation to equip residents with practical maintenance strategies, guidance on system upgrades, and actionable details on navigating replacement funding. Hosted in partnership with the Adirondack Council, the Ausable Freshwater Center, CWICNY, Augur Lake, and the Essex County Soil and Water Conservation District, the evening will also feature complimentary pizza and light fare for all attendees.
2026 Sunburst Award Applications Open
The Essex County Arts Council (ECAC) has officially opened applications for the 2026 Sunburst Awards, offering grants between $500 and $1,000 to help local artists take the next step in their creative careers. These awards are open to Essex County creators of all ages, disciplines, and experience levels, ranging from painters, filmmakers, and musicians to artisans, educators, and traditional folk artists. Funding can be used for a wide variety of career-expanding projects, including purchasing equipment and supplies, attending training workshops, producing new work, or marketing your art.
The application process is intentionally straightforward, requiring verification of your Essex County residency and up to two work samples. Submissions are due by October 15th, with awards announced in November. I encourage all of our local creators to take advantage of this grant opportunity. Visit https://EssexCountyArts.org to complete your application, or contact ECAC Arts Administrator Casey Galligan at Admin@EssexCountyArts.org with any questions prior to October 1st.
I hope you have a great weekend,
Matt
