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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Community Bank Adds Saratogian as Commercial Banking Officer

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo of 
Alyssa Mastrianni provided.

ALBANY — Community Bank announced this week that Saratoga Springs resident Alyssa Mastrianni has joined as Commercial Banking Officer on the Middle Market team, managing existing clients and expanding business relationships. In her role, Mastrianni will be the primary point of contact for clients to provide strategic advice, tailored solutions, and financial products fostering business growth and profitability.

 Mastrianni worked as a commercial banker in J.P. Morgan’s Emerging Middle Market segment. She also held roles as a treasury associate in J.P. Morgan’s Investment Bank, focusing on financial institutions and insurance, as well as earlier positions as a service associate and teller. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Alyssa is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and Saratoga Leadership.

Ballston Spa National Bank Announces Merger: $1.3 Billion Bank Being Created

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business, Featured.

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa Bancorp, holding company for Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB), and NBC Bancorp, holding company for The National Bank of Coxsackie (NBC), jointly announced on Wednesday morning a merger whereby the banks will combine forces and create a $1.3 billion community bank serving the greater Capital District and surrounding markets.

The combined bank will conduct business under the BSNB charter, with the NBC locations known as “Coxsackie Bank, a division of Ballston Spa National Bank.”

“In addition to the elevated presence in our communities, the combined company will have a larger market capitalization, greater lending limit and increased visibility and liquidity, unlocking value for both sets of shareholders,” said Christopher R. Dowd, president and CEO of BSNB, in a news release. “Consumers and businesses in the Capital Region have a demonstrated need for personalized service, greater flexibility and diversity in products. Together, we can address those needs faster and more effectively.”  

“Both our banks have similar cultures, values and philosophies,” said John A. Balli, president and CEO of NBC. “Joining forces will expand our combined footprint, create a larger, more competitive institution in the Capital Region and open the door to new opportunities for lending, investment and community partnerships.”

The combined company’s Board of Directors will consist of nine directors from BSNB and four directors from NBC. Richard P. Sleasman, the current Chairman of BSNB’s Board of Directors, will serve as Chairperson of the Board of the combined company and the combined bank.

Christopher R. Dowd, the current President and CEO of BSNB, will serve as Chief Executive Officer, and John A. Balli, the current President and CEO of NBC, will become President of the combined bank. James Dodd, current EVP and Chief Financial Officer of BSNB, and Jim Conroy, EVP and Chief Banking Officer of BSNB, will remain in their current positions. Caitlin McCrea, SVP and Chief Financial Officer of NBC, will become SVP of Finance and Treasurer for the combined bank.

The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction, and all board members from both sides have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the merger. Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the banking agencies and shareholders of both companies, and closing is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2026. The combined holding company will be known as Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. and trade under its existing symbol of BSPA. Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. currently trades on OTCPK and intends to apply to be quoted on the OTCQX in anticipation of closing.

Founded in 1838, Ballston Spa National Bank (“BSNB”) is the wholly owned subsidiary of Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. As of June 30, 2025, BSNB manages approximately $912 million in total assets and serves individuals, businesses, organizations and families through 13 full-service branches across Albany and Saratoga Counties in New York State.

Established in 1852, The National Bank of Coxsackie (“NBC”) is the wholly owned subsidiary of NBC Bancorp, Inc. As of June 30, 2025, NBC holds $525 million in total assets and serves its community through 8 full-service branches across Albany, Greene, and Schoharie Counties in New York State, with an additional commercial loan production and administrative office in Latham.

Discover Saratoga Announces Two New Hires

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Discover Saratoga recently announced two additions to its team: Heather LaFountain as office manager & member services and Terese Russell as advertising & sponsorship specialist.

LaFountain joins Discover Saratoga with more than 20 years of experience in customer service, sales, and relationship building. Her professional background includes roles as a health and wellness coach, community relations manager, and a decade as the owner of Saratoga Bootcamp. A graduate of Castleton University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Heather has lived and worked in the Saratoga region for over 30 years. In her new role, she looks forward to connecting with members and visitors while supporting the organization’s mission.

Russell brings 15 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and business development to her new role at Discover Saratoga. Most recently, she worked in Napa, California, where she promoted the hospitality industry and collaborated with Visit Napa Valley and Visit California to highlight regional tourism attractions. Locally, Terese has applied her expertise at the Saratoga Automobile Museum, Saratoga Living, and Bright Sighted Studios, specializing in sponsorships, business development, and member engagement. At Discover Saratoga, she is eager to help businesses thrive, foster meaningful community connections, and maximize the value of membership through advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Heather and Terese to the Discover Saratoga team,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga, in a news release. “Their extensive experience, combined with their passion for building relationships and supporting our members, will further strengthen our ability to promote Saratoga County as a top destination for visitors and events.”

September 26 – October 2 , 2025

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

BALLSTON 

David Vitalo sold property at 49 Forestbrook Dr to Mark Kelly for $510,000

Michaels Group Homes LLC sold property at 29 Mackenna Ct to Christopher Wienk for $711,955

William Sheldon sold property at 617 Cindy Lane to Michael Scelzi for $435,000

Katherine Kelley sold property at 33 Westside Dr. to Gregory Holmes for $206,000

Matthew Yacowenia sold property at 13 Summerhill Dr to Alejandro Garcia for $642,000

Ryan Foster sold property at 101 Scotchbush Rd to Diana Joyce for $415,000

Saratoga Custom Woodworking sold property at 528 Hop City Rd to Jaclyn Lavin for $366,000

GREENFIELD

Melanie Lafond sold property at 32 Griffin Rd to Regina Stewart for $105,000

Melanie Lafond sold property at 36 Griffin Rd to Regina Stewart for $105,000

Kenneth Brown sold property at 149 Wilton Rd to Mark Tooker for $226,000

Daniel Cullen sold property at 8 Stonewall Lane to Donald Devanney for $395,000

MALTA

 Matthew Guyette sold property at 32 Cedarwood Dr to Malcolm Thyburg for $399,000

Michael Breeze sold property at 3 Willis Way to Lauren Tozzi for $590,000

Lauren Burghardt sold property at 126 Arrowwood Pl to Julie Sparks for $290,000

Brandon Hockle sold property at 6 Rose Court to Stephen Carrow for $620,000

MILTON

Carol Normandin sold property at 114 South Street to Benjamin Jordan for $230,000

Malta Land Company LLC sold property at 48 Creekside Dr to Dominic Garrant for $782,455

Matthew Haag sold property at 76 Hoffman Court to Wesley Jackson for $845,000

NS Retail Holdings sold property at 162 West Milton Rd to Exchangeright Essential Income for $1,461,482

Timothy Hoff sold property at 21 Fawn Dr to Amanda Robie for $316,500

David Ingalls sold property at 7 Arlington Circle to Ryan Hurley for $245,000

Dominic Garrant sold property at 100 Kayaderosseras Dr to Matthew Larsen for $455,000

SARATOGA

Alam Hall sold property at 27 Hill Rd to Andrew Oligny for $1,400,000

David Cummings sold property at 132 Broad St to Dacosta Development for $480,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Joshua2Caroline LLC sold property at 1 Joshua Rd to Sarel Shapira for $2,340,000

Jessica Lang sold property at 7 Hathorn Blvd to Scott LaPointe for $407,500

Jason Ward sold property at 108B Division St to Ball Family Irrevocable Trust for $1,599,000

Robert Rosborough sold property at 4 Flying Dutchmen Way to Kyle DeAngelis for $735,520

Kerry Sherman sold property at 15 Jaipur Lane to Domenic Figliomeni for $350,000

Michael Selkis sold property at 1010 Kaydeross Park Dr to Gary Monsees for $749,500

Myles Gombert sold property at 268 Broadway 410 to Nancy O’Keefe for $1,950,000

Todd Pletcher Racing Stables Inc sold property at 8 Balmain Ct to David Harris for $1,550,000

WILTON

Nicholas Gush sold property at 15 Fairway Blvd to Brett Beckwith for $550,000

Forest Grove LLC sold property at 18 Plumas Pl to Michael Bradt for $779,405

Forest Grove LLC sold property at 16 Plumas Pl to David Kowalski for $702,744

Gilbert Prieto sold property at 22 Burnham Rd to Eric Michael for $890,000

DPW Announces Fall Leaf Pickup Schedule

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

City of Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Works Chuck Marshall announced a new fall leaf pickup schedule allowing residents to predict when DPW will be collecting lawn debris in their neighborhood. The schedule outlines the areas that DPW crews will be working each day during the week, with each section of the City experiencing a one to two-day pickup schedule. There are four street crews each working in one separate area of the city that follow a pattern as they work through different neighborhoods and streets.

“Providing a schedule for when DPW will be coming through your neighborhood to pickup lawn debris is a step in the right direction to assist residents with planning their fall property cleanup,” said Marshall. “My Deputy Commissioner Tad Roemer, worked with DPW Dispatcher Emma Delaney, and reviewed the existing routes operated by the pickup crews, discussed them with the team, and put everything onto a schedule and map.”

There are four street crews working in numbered zones for up to two days of the week. A color-coded map outlines where pickup will occur daily. Residents in zone 1 receive pickup on Monday or Tuesday, for zone 2 it’s Tuesday or Wednesday, in zone 3 pickup is Wednesday or Thursday, and zone 4 is Thursday or Friday.

Marshall recognized the workforce for their efforts in implementing the schedule, “I’m very proud of the DPW supervisors who have committed to trying this schedule in an effort to improve services to the public. It’s important to recognize their dedication and I want to thank Ray Green, Dave Kenyon, Tom McGraw, Rhonda McGourty, and J.J. Nichols.”

The schedule goes into effect on September 29th and residents are able to leave their lawn debris at the curb without containerizing. Unpredictable weather will impact the schedule with rain, wind, or snow requiring announcements on schedule changes. The map is available on the City website and Saratoga Springs DPW Facebook page.

“Since this is the first year, we expect that there will need to be adjustments during the heaviest part of leaf pickup, so we’ll be announcing updates via social media and the City website when changes are necessary,” said Marshall.

Residents can contact DPW Dispatch with any questions about the leaf pickup schedule. 518 -584-3356.

Local Lawmakers Push for Animal Boarding Reform

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

A bipartisan group of legislators from across the Capital Region gathered in Saratoga County to announce new legislation that would regulate boarding of animals statewide. 

The announcement was made after several high-profile incidents of animal abuse at boarding facilities across the region.  It also comes as over 200 charges have been brought against 10 people across eight incidents of animal abuse. 

The proposed legislation would create state-wide regulations for the boarding of animals in New York State. Under the bill, boarding facilities would be required to get a $150 license and be subject to random inspection by state officials. There would also be requirements for the conditions animals can be kept in. 

New York State Senator James Tedisco, who represents Saratoga County and part of Schenectady, called the current state of animal boarding like the “wild west.”   Tedisco said that some jurisdictions — namely New York City — have implemented regulations but they vary by area. 

“Nobody should be fearful of having to give their dog to a boarding room facility in New York state,” Tedisco said. “For every facility they need put their dog in, they should have a good comfort in feeling that their dog will be treated as safe as they’re treated in their home in that facility.” 

Similar sentiments were expressed by State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara who will serve as the bill’s sponsor the bill when it is introduced in the State Assembly. Santabarbara said that the bill will bring uniformity to the state and give families peace of mind when boarding. He also asserted that the regulations aren’t designed to hurt businesses. 

“This bill is not about adding burdens,” Santabarbara said. “It’s about creating confidence. Confidence for families. Confidence for responsible business owners, because there’s facilities out there that are doing it the right way. Confidence that tragedies like this can be prevented. We don’t want to ever have to hear about headlines like this anymore.” 

The legislation comes after two high profile incidents of abuse at boarding facilities raised serious concerns in the Capital region and beyond. In July, a French bulldog named Gus died in a Halfmoon boarding facility after suffering from heat exposure. In response, the owner of the facility was charged with several counts of animal abuse and animal cruelty, according to the Saratoga County Sherriff’s Office. 

The second incident occurred in the Washington County town of Argyle in August. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, failure to provide ventilation and water led to the deaths of 21 dogs and charges against the owners of the facility. 

In his remarks, Tedisco asserted that the owners of the Argyle facility said they forgot to turn on the air conditioning at the facility leading to the deaths of the animals and asserted that more monitoring as proscribed by the bill would have potentially prevented the tragedy. 

“I’m not sure that this facility was monitored at all to see what’s taking place,” Tedisco said. “If it was monitored, they might have been shut down before they did something to forget about turning on the air conditioner.” 

Tedisco and Santabarbara were joined by Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, Washington County District Attorney J. Anthony Jordan, Saratoga Sherriff Michael Zurlo and Undersheriff Jeff Brown and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chair Phillip Barrett, among others. 

The elected officials were joined by the families of those who had died at the facilities. One of those who spoke at the conference, Cody Shields, lost his three dogs, Brutus, Brunhilda and Loki at the Argyle facility. Shields said the night he got the news, he started working on trying to get legislation to prevent future tragedies and urged the passage of the legislation. 

“The Safe Boarding Act must become law, not just for Brutus, Brunhilda and Loki, but for every pet and family who deserves safety and peace of mind,” Shields said.  “I ask you to stand with us. Stand with the families of the 21 dogs who can no longer be here. Together, we can make sure their lives were not lost in vain.” 

Lake George Man Arrested for Trying to Sell Counterfeit Labubu at Wilton Mall

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, News.

The sale of fake dolls leads to charges for a Lake George man and has elicited concern from regulators ( Courtesy of CPSC)

A Lake George man was arrested in Wilton after he tried to sell counterfeit Labubu at the Casual Girl store in Wilton Mall. 

Steven Solimanto, 75, was arrested on the afternoon of Sept. 21 after the Saratoga Sherriff’s Department received a complaint of counterfeiting from the store. 

Solimanto allegedly tried to sell over $1000 worth of the counterfeit plush dolls. He was charged with 2nd degree trademark counterfeiting and was released on an appearance ticket. 

The dolls Solimanto is accused of counterfeiting are made by Chinese company Pop Mart and were designed by Hong Kong born, Dutch raised, designer Kasing Lung. Based on European folklore, the dolls were first designed in 2015 and later licensed to Pop Mart in 2019, according to design media firm The Art Gorgeous. In 2025 alone, the line of dolls and other merchandise has brought in over $500 million for the company, according to an earnings report from June. 

While the dolls’ unique appearance may seem like the biggest threat, the prominence of fake dolls and keychains — referred to by some as “Lafufu” — led to an urgent warning from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in August. 

“These fakes, sold both as plush figures and plush keychains, are small enough for a child to fit the doll in their mouth and block their airway,” the warning said. “CPSC has also received reports of fake Labubu dolls that break apart easily, releasing small pieces that can become choking hazards.” 

In light of the fakes, the CPSC recommends consumers to the following to ensure they’re purchasing authentic dolls. 

• Beware of bargains — deep discounts can signal fake products.

• Authentic Pop Mart Labubu dolls feature a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official Pop Mart site, and (on newer editions) a subtle UV stamp on one foot.

• Fakes often have overly bright colors or the wrong number of teeth (authentic dolls have nine).

• Know your seller — purchase only from trusted stores or online marketplaces.

• Check safety labeling — for toys with small parts, look for choking hazard warnings and independent safety certification marks.

Meet Sylvester and Felix

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Sylvester and Felix are roughly 3 & 1/2 months old and are just about the cutest kittens you can find. They purr as soon as they are picked up and love cuddles. They are typical kittens, in that they love to eat and play but will settle down once their bellies are full or they have tired themselves out. They have very sweet dispositions and will snuggle up with each other during nap time. They would be fantastic with children and with proper introduction would most likely be ok with dogs. They are vaccinated, neutered and tested negative for FIV and FeLV. The adoption fee for a bonded pair is $350 and the adoption application can be found at www.hopeanimalrescue.org. Sylvester and Felix are ready to find their forever home.

Saratoga County Recognized as One of the Top 10 Best Spots in the US to Visit this Fall by USA Today 10Best Readers

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Discover Saratoga is proud to announce that Saratoga County has placed seventh out of ten destinations for “10 Best Spots in the US to visit this Fall” in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition highlights the treasures of Saratoga County, such as the vibrant seasonal foliage, breathtaking boat tours and autumnal events that attract visitors year after year. The list of 20 nominees was selected by an expert panel, and the final results were determined by public vote.  

“We’re thrilled to have landed in the top 10 of best places to visit in the fall for the second year in a row,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga, Saratoga County’s official tourism promotion agency. “This recognition demonstrates all that Saratoga County offers as an exceptional autumn getaway. Not only does the season make us think of outdoor beauty, but delicious flavors. Discover Saratoga is excited to support some tasty annual events in the coming months.”

Hosted by Discover Saratoga, Saratoga’s 8th Annual Wing-Off will take place on Oct. 18, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the 20th Anniversary of Saratoga County’s Original Restaurant Week, will happen Nov. 3-9, 2025. Enjoy three-course dinners for $25 or $35 and lunch specials for $15 (plus tax & tip) at participating Saratoga County restaurants during Restaurant Week.

Visitors to Saratoga County have numerous fall-themed activities to enjoy, including soaking in the season’s colorful scenery at Mountain Airstrip Farm, picking apples and friendly animals at Bowman Orchards or taking a fall train ride on the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway. For more information about fall fun in Saratoga County, visit: www.discoversaratoga.org.

Sandra G. Bradwell

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

GANSEVOORT – Sandra G. Bradwell passed away September 23, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on September 29 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY.  Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.