Author: Saratoga TODAY

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.

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.” 

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.