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Author: Saratoga TODAY

B&B Plumbing & Heating Celebrates 25 Years of Business, May 18 Declared ‘B&B Plumbing Day’

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photos by Dylan McGlynn.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — B&B Plumbing and Heating celebrated a major milestone on Thursday, marking 25 years of business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

B&B is a locally-owned plumbing, heating, and cooling company based in Saratoga Springs. Co-owner B.J. Kozlowski emphasized the company’s local roots, saying it is meaningful to be recognized by the community. 

“The whole start of B&B was that a local company could serve a local town,” said Kozlowski. “I think we’re doing that, and it’s being reflected in the people that showed up today.”

Saratoga Springs Commi-ssioner of Finance Minita Sangvhi was in attendance, along with Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce vice president of communications Richard Snyder, and representatives from the offices of Senator Jim Tedisco and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.

Members of the Bill Benton Foundation were also on hand. Benton was one of the founders of B&B, and passed away in 2021. The Bill Benton Foundation is a non-profit group founded in his memory to help individuals in the trades with things such as tuition, tools, certifications, and licenses, according to their website.

Sangvhi spoke, introducing a proclamation from the city declaring May 18 to be ‘B&B Plumbing Day.’

“You’ve got a phenomenal crew, and you guys have been doing incredible work,” said Sanghvi. “This is really the key of our community, the small businesses, quality service that keeps our city and our community running and humming along. So we appreciate all that you guys do here.”

B&B was founded in 1998 by Sonny Bonacio and Benton. Kozlowski joined the company in 2012, and today is a co-owner with Bonacio.

“This means a lot to me, a lot to Sonny, a lot to all of our employees,” said Kozlowski. “We’ve strived really hard to get here. … We’ve gone through some heartbreak in the past few years, but our goal is to hang in strong, and I think we’re doing that pretty well. This is a big milestone for us.”

Kozlowski said he began working in the industry at age 16, and his experience since has “gone beyond what I could ever imagine.”

“Joining a partnership with Sonny and Billy was just an incredible opportunity,” said Kozlowski. “This is all I’ve ever done, this is all I ever want to do. I love what I do everyday. That’s what’s going to help keep us here, I think.”

B&B Plumbing is located at 25 Station Avenue, Unit A in Saratoga Springs.

Property Transactions May 26 – June 1, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

This beautiful home at 227 Northern Pines Rd in Wilton was listed by Jane Mehan of Roohan Realty and sold for $449,000.

BALLSTON

Robin Pelletier sold property at 134 Lakehill Rd to Elizabeth Clark for $384,000

Michaels and Laraway Holdings LLC sold property at 9 Summerhill Dr to Ronald Santobello for $489,900

Marc Desrosiers sold property at 7 Corona Ct Ct to Nicholas Yetto for $250,000

William Healy sold property at 4 America Way to Samantha Waters for $560,000

Barbera Homes Kelley Farms LLC sold property at 25 Paddock Place to Julia Miller for $642,638

Barbera Homes Kelley Farms LLC sold property at 26 Paddock Place to Brett White for $639,954

Pinlei Chu sold property at 42 Sycamore St to Shubo Zhang for $530,000

Robert Pelletier sold property at 215 Ballston Ave to Kyle McHugh for $350,000

Kevin Smith sold property at 380 Goode St to Peteani Residential Properties LLC for $212,000

John Seebold sold property at 2 Magnolida Lane to MTGLQ Investors LP for $523,529

Sunmark Credit Union sold property at 855 Union Ave to Sukhdev for $100,000

GALWAY

Nationstar Mortgage LLC sold property at 2648 Crane Rd to Galway Lake Rental LLC for $120,000

Kathryn Arnold sold property at 00 NYS Rt 29 to B & J Propertiez LLC for $145,000

Christopher Brown sold property at 1025 NYS Rt 29 to David Hyder for $360,000

GREENFIELD

Melissa Kruzinski sold property at 44 Russell Rd to Michael Bieniek for $425,000

John Huffman sold property at 30 Cohen Rd to Mary Ann Palmatier for $370,000

Saratoga County sold property at 315 North Greenfield Rd to Anthony Martino for $114,100

MALTA 

Malta land Company LLC sold property at 14 Spinnaker Dr  to Brendan Moran for $651,465

David Jenkins sold property at 216 East Line Rd to Janusz Krasowski for $475,751

Anthony McNeill sold property at 8 Skipperhill Lane to Eric Blum for $850,000

Emlen Hamilton sold property at 27 Kozy Lane to Paul Blazejeski for $175,000

SARATOGA

Grace Dufrain sold property at 111 Haas Rd to John Gullo for $350,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Craig Chamberlain sold property at 33 Karista Spring Dr to Babas Holdings LLC for $167,000

Payson Park Properties LLC sold property at 16 Salem Dr to Kenneth McPeek for $650,000

Colleen Potter sold property at 305 West Ave to Cheryl Rench for $300,000.

Regatta View LLC sold property at 28 Dartmouth Way to Ostoja Vucetic for $664,029

Joseph Balsamo sold property at 53 Jane St to Jolanta Gurdek for $735,000

Heidi Galli sold property at 4 Beach Ct to Sherri Shuket for $1,010,000

Homeland Properties LLC sold property at 50 Crescent St to David Pratt for $943,712.

Westside Station LLC sold property at 15A Marvin Alley to Jeffrey Vukelic for $2,159,000

Walter Schmitt sold property at 74 Walnut St to Howard Wall for $600,000

Christopher Johnson sold property at 77 Van Dam Unit 205 to Raymond Molloy for $488,000.

Boghosian Brothers Inc sold property at 483 Grand Ave to James Scripa for $179,9000

Shannon Scheidt sold property at 106 Church St to timothy Brenenstuhl for $360,000

WILTON

Patrick Fitch sold property at 75 Hearthstone Dr to Ronald Tortorella for $635,000.

McPadden Builders LLC sold property at 10 Colleen Ct to Candice Krueger for $812,942

Kathleen Phelps sold property at 11 Kerry Ct to Stephen Horne for $500,000

Board of Ethics Advises Social Media Awareness for City Office Candidates 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In February 2023, Mike Brandi, Chairman of the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee, filed a complaint with the Saratoga Springs Board of Ethics regarding posts to the official City Facebook page which he said promoted campaign pages of Mayor Ron Kim and Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi. 

The complaint alleged that the posts violated Section 13-3(k) of the Code of Ethics which states, among other things, that officers or employees not use the City “workplace” to influence any person to participate in an election campaign or political event or to contribute to a political party, committee, campaign or candidate.

The City Board of Ethics returned a two-page response to Brandi’s inquiry on May 17 regarding the matter. 

The Board, in a 4-0 ruling, said that as the City’s Ethics policy does apply to the City’s social media practices, and in finding a social media site officially created by and maintained by the city as a “workplace,” that ”the Board must find that the postings did not comply with Section 13-3 (k).” 

Additionally, the Board added: “In reaching its conclusions it finds no intent on the part of either Council member to act contrary to the Code. It will advise, however, that in the future all candidates for office have a responsibility to be aware of, and to instruct their campaign staff on, the requirements of Section 13-3(k).”     

10th Annual TUFF eNUFF Obstacle Course Challenge to Benefit The Prevention Council

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mud and fun guaranteed.   

On Saturday June 3, over 500 kids, teens, and adults will lace up their old running shoes to run, scramble over obstacles, jump muddy puddles, and trudge their way through mucky trenches at The Prevention Council’s 10th Annual TUFF eNUFF, which takes place at the BOCES Center on Henning Rd. in Saratoga Springs.  

The TUFF eNUFF mirrors The Prevention Council’s mission of Helping Youth Navigate Life’s Challenges, and highlights the community coalition-building strategy that furthers the Council’s goal of keeping schools and communities safe and free from drugs and alcohol.  

Community involvement and teamwork make this event possible, starting with the talented students at BOCES.  Heavy Equipment students build the mud course, Criminal Justice students help with parking and crowd control, and race participants can purchase food prepared by the Culinary Arts students.  

For more information, and to pre-register, go to FinishRight.com. The Kid’s Race is a 1-mile muddy course, and there is a 5K for teens and adults. Day-of registration is available. Arrive by 8 a.m. 

Fifth Annual Ballston Spa Birdhouse Festival June 11 – The Grand Unveiling Of More Than 1,000 Birdhouses

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The residents of Ballston Spa have been busy painting and decorating birdhouses to prepare for this special celebration of creativity and community spirit. The Village of Ballston Spa will be hosting the Fifth Annual Ballston Spa Birdhouse Festival in Wiswall Park and on Front Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11.

More than 1,000 birdhouses have been decorated by community members and from as far away as Albany and Vermont. These fantastic creations will hang throughout the retail district all summer, along with a 16-foot tall sculptural birdhouse in the center of Wiswall Park. 

The Birdhouse Festival is the kick-off of Ballston Spa’s summer arts and entertainment season. The Birdhouse Festival is family-friendly with free crafts and games for children, music, entertainment, food and vendors. Miller’s BBQ will serve their delicious BBQ chicken and pulled pork meals to eat in or take out. 

In addition, the Ballston Spa Fire Department will show off their new Heavy Rescue Fire Truck, and the Village Department of Public Works (DPW) will show off their recently purchased equipment. 

A favorite activity at the yearly festival is selecting favorite birdhouses and artists searching for their own works of art. Participants range in age from 4 to 94 years old and no two are alike. 

“The Birdhouse Program is an incredible community-oriented program that’s unique to the Village of Ballston Spa”, says Mayor Frank Rossi, II. “It’s what makes Ballston Spa so special, to see people work together to make our Village come alive with color, artwork and community spirit”. 

Mayor Rossi had the honor to select the 60 ‘Mayor’s Awards’ with Deputy Mayor/Trustee Bernadette VanDeinse and the Birdhouse Festival Chair, Mary Price-Bush. The Awards will be presented at 1 p.m. at the Birdhouse Festival. 

“Working with the Mayor and Trustee VanDeinse to select 60 birdhouses for the ‘Mayor’s Award’ was wonderful. Everyone put their heart and soul into creating such amazing artwork,” said Mary Price-Bush. “We’d like to thank everyone for participating in this year’s program. I’m so proud to be a part of this community; everyone cares so much about making our Village a great place to live.” 

The Festival has a rain date of June 18. The Birdhouse Festival and Program is generously sponsored by: Curtis Lumber, the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Saratoga County, the Town of Milton, Slic Fiber, New York Army National Guard and Verdant Architecture. 

Schuylerville Public Library Director Honored by Library Journal

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Caitlin Johnson, the Library Director at Schuylerville Public Library, has been named a 2023 Mover and Shaker by the Library Journal. According to the publication, the award profiles up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, and making a difference fighting against censorship, and helping improve their workplace. 

Johnson began her role as director in September 2015 and was able to quickly identify some core issues in her community like the lack of preschool opportunities and rural food insecurity. With the amazing group of people who work and volunteer at the Library, Johnson was able to initiate some innovative programs to help meet those needs. 

“Caitlin has developed a reputation for being the first to try something new and continues to bring exciting new programs and opportunities to our library to meet the needs of our community,” said Schuylerville Public Library Board of Trustees President Amy Carpenter. 

Johnson has increased community partnerships, leading to the library being a partner in the nationally award-winning Farm-2-Library fresh food distribution program, helping to get healthy free produce into the hands and bellies of residents. The Library Journal honor details the other efforts made by Johnson and staff to help meet library patrons’ basic needs, such as their annual participation in the Free Summer Meals program for children, elimination of overdue fines, Little Food Pantry open 24/7, and a free wireless internet zone in a nearby park. 

The Schuylerville Public Library is a school district library, established in 2013 to serve the towns and villages of Easton, Fort Edward, Greenwich, Northumberland, Saratoga, Schuylerville, Stillwater, Victory and Wilton. 

The Schuylerville Public Library is located at 52 Ferry St., Schuylerville. Call 518-695-6641, or visit: schuylervillelibrary.sals.edu. 

May 20 – May 26, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga Springs Police Department

Kenneth Hunter, 33, homeless, was charged May 10 with criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense. 

Amanda Wilmot, 30, of Homer, GA, was charged May 9 with operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation, following too closely, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

Kevin Johnson, 37, of Cohoes, was charged May 8 with rape in the first-degree, and criminal sexual act in the first-degree. 

Junasia Lanier, 21, of Albany, was charged May 8 with aggravated unlicensed operation, and moved from lane unsafely. 

Jessica Carter, 33, of Northville, was charged May 8 with DWI, refusal to take breath test, operating motor vehicle without signal devices/ reflectors. 

Neil Lescault, 48, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 7 with obstruct governmental administration.

Caitlin Chamberlain, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was charged May 6 with resisting arrest, and assault. 

Alejandro Torres, 21, of Albany, was charged with DWI, and two driving violations.

Alexander Kelly, 35, of Mechanicville, was charged May 5 with criminal mischief. 

Kyle Morehouse, 40, of Mayfield, was charged May 5 with circumvent interlock, and aggravated unlicensed operation – alcohol related, and vehicle equipment violation. 

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office 

May 11, the Sheriff’s Office arrested Jarret L. Eaglin, 41, of South Glens Falls at the Rensselaer County Jail on a warrant for failing to notify of a change of his address as a sex offender within the statutorily allotted 10 days after moving. Eaglin had been previously convicted of the same offense resulting in the upgraded charge. 

NY State Police

On May 17, State Police of Wilton arrested Anthony L. Porcaro, 36, of Malta. Porcaro was charged with felony grand larceny, after troopers were contacted by the Lowes in Wilton, reporting a past theft. The investigation determined that on April 29, Porcaro allegedly entered the store numerous times, subsequently stealing multiple water heaters valued at over $3,000.  

On May 16, State Police of Saratoga arrested Matthew Breen, 55, of Saratoga Springs. Breen was charged with sexual abuse in the first-degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and forcible touching. On May 8, at about 10:30 a.m., Troopers received the report that an adult man had inappropriately contact with a child. The investigation determined that Breen allegedly indecently touched a child under the age of eleven while in the city of Saratoga Springs, the previous day. Breen surrendered himself to SP Saratoga and was processed. He was arraigned at the Saratoga Springs City Court and was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash, a $10,000 bond, or a $50,000 partially secured bond.

On May 15, at about 5:22 p.m., Troopers responded to the area of North Milton Road in Milton, for the report of a dispute involving a person brandishing a hammer. The investigation determined that Tranka, D. Macwhinnie, and R. Macwhinnie allegedly came to the location and approached a vehicle occupied by three adults and two children under the age of 12.  Tranka and D. Macwhinnie allegedly struck the vehicle causing damage. All three were yelling and acting in a manner that alarmed the vehicle’s occupants.  D. Macwhinnie allegedly brandished a hammer during the incident but did not strike anyone or the vehicle with it.  Tranka allegedly exposed himself during the dispute. None of the victims exited the vehicle, and no one was injured.  All three were arrested at Tranka’s Greenfield, residence and transported to SP Saratoga for processing.  Charges: Michael B. Tranka, 56, of Greenfield: Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Public Lewdness, Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, Disorderly Conduct. Douglas N. Macwhinnie, 36 of Lake Luzerne: Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Menacing, Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct.  Richard M. Macwhinnie, 32 of Lake Luzerne: Harassment.  

On May 11, at about 11:30 p.m. State Police of Wilton responded to the report of a verbal dispute at a Greenfield home. One of the parties involved left the incident location but was located operating a vehicle in the area of Middle Grove Road. The driver was identified as Lindsey S. Robenstein, 29, of Greenfield.  Robenstein was arrested for DWI. She was transported to SP Wilton for processing, where she recorded a 0.29% BAC.  

Norman B. Wright

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SCHENECTADY — Norman B. Wright, “Skip,” 84, passed away on December 27, 2022. A celebration of life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2023 in the Polaris Pavilion at the Saratoga Spa State Park. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

Barbara Ann (Hanselman) Schaeffer 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

WILTON — Barbara Ann (Hanselman) Schaeffer was called home by her loving husband in the early hours of May 16, 2023. Per her wishes there was a burial held at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville on May 22. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com 

Judith A. Welch

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MIDDLE GROVE — Judith A. Welch, age 66, passed away on May 19, 2023 at her home. At the family’s request there will be no calling hours or service. A graveside service will be at the convenience of the family. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com