How to resolve AdBlock issue? BALLSTON SPA — The county Board of Supervisors hosted a Public Hearing Feb. 9 in Ballston Spa that solicited comments from residents regarding a proposed extended lease arrangement with the current operator at Saratoga Airport that would go until 2062, and a potential Local Law that addresses the make-up of the county board – and the municipal residents specifically represented – in light of the recent population growth in the county.
Regarding the latter, a standing law provides one electable supervisor for each town or city in Saratoga County for up to 25,000 residents. A second additional supervisor would be provided for populations greater than 25,000. Currently, those two-supervisor-municipalities are limited to the city of Saratoga Springs and the town of Clifton Park. The town of Halfmoon may soon join them as the law currently stands, with recent census data indicating the growing population in Halfmoon at just above 25,600.
The Board has proposed a Local Law that seeks to increase the population threshold at which an additional county supervisor would be added from 25,000 to 27,500. If approved, the county would maintain at 23 the overall number of current members on the board.
Four members of the public spoke at the Feb. 9 public hearing.
Barbara Thomas, of Saratoga Springs, expressed opposition to the proposal and referenced the county’s weighted vote system adopted in 1968 whereby each municipality would get one supervisor for every 12,5000 residents.
“At that time, both Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park qualified for two supervisors. But using that standard today, Malta, Milton, Moreau and Wilton would have two supervisors, and Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs and probably Halfmoon would have three,” said Thomas, questioning the Board’s willingness to limit the overall number of supervisors to 23, and suggesting the county instead appoint a commission that would assess equal population districts as a basis for representation.
Mary Lou Classen, of Ballston Lake, agreed and asked that the board consider the fairness of having a town like Day - with an estimated population of less than 1,000, and a town such as Halfmoon – with an estimated population of over 25,600, as having equal representation at the county level.
Speaking in support of the measure, Halfmoon resident Jeremy Connors said he is in favor of raising the trigger-threshold and maintaining the status quo of one town supervisor. “The goal is to represent the people of a town, and in Halfmoon we do that well. We support the supervisor’s decision both in the town, and here,” Connors said.
Lynda Bryan, of Mechanicville, who has served as Halfmoon Town Clerk since 2010 agreed. “I can’t imagine we would have to have a second supervisor to do any better than we are (currently) doing,” Bryan said.
The measure is anticipated to come up for a full board vote at the next meeting, on Feb. 15.
Saratoga County Airport: North American Flight Services, or NASF, currently holds two leases at the county airport with a term through April 2028 for which it currently pays approximately $7,000 per month.
The company is looking at developing a new aircraft hangar at the airport and crafting a new lease agreement to extend for a period of 40 years and consolidate the two “east” and “west” side leases into one lease.
NASF has been the Fixed Base Operator at the county airport for nearly a quarter-century and proposes that it would privately fund the design and construction of the new 22,500 square foot hangar – estimated at $6 to $7 million.
With the potential addition of a new hangar, the company is requesting the term of the lease be modified to extend to 2061. The FAA instructs what may be charged on a monthly basis by the county. The financial details still need to be ironed out, but any arrangement likely may include a sliding incremental increase in monthly payments over the length of the lease.
The Feb. 9 public hearing on the matter drew eight speakers. It included residents who live near the airport as well as those whose used its services. Commentors were divided in their opinions. Some questioned the length of the potential lease extension carrying on for the next 40 years; others said the length of time was a necessary component to meet the financial investment of the operator.
John Zilka of Ballston Spa spoke on behalf of North American Flight Services. His family operates the company.
“We are looking for a 40-year extension of our lease to meet the demand of customers. We’re privately funded, it’s not going to cost anybody any money – except ourselves, so that these airplanes can come in, they can be put in the hangar, and they don’t have to go in and out of the airport regularly to pick up and drop off passengers,” Zilka told the Board. “The airport is an economic engine and an economic driver. It’s a viable tool for people to travel here. We are looking at investing in the future of this airport.”
It is anticipated county sub-board discussion will take place regarding the matter, particularly as it pertains to the financial aspect of the lease arrangement.
As opposed to the potential Local Law regarding the population threshold for supervisor representation, a vote related to the airport lease is not anticipated to take place at the next full board meeting.
