SARATOGA SPRINGS —Commissioner of Accounts Dillon Moran has set April 25 for the fourth public workshop hosted by the Accounts Department to continue the discussion about short term rentals in Saratoga Springs.
“This is a continuation of a series of workshops to encourage discussion about our community’s long history of rentals, and the current landscape and impact of short-term rentals on housing availability, neighborhoods, and safety,” Moran said, in a statement. “Saratoga Springs is a destination and a community, and the positive economic impact for locals needs to be balanced by defining short-term rentals. It is also important for local government to work toward effective and enforceable regulations especially regarding public health and safety challenges.”
Residents interested in discussing short-term rentals and potential changes necessary to address the short-term rental market are encouraged to participate.
The workshop is scheduled to take place 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs led the state in year-over-year growth of sales tax collection, according to a statement issued on March 3 by city Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi.
The city’s increase – a 14.6% increase in 2022, totaling $16,954,841.43 – mirrors New York State’s overall sales tax collection, which totaled $22.1 billion in calendar year 2022, up 12.7%, or $2.5 billion, from 2021, according to a report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
In 2021, of the cities that impose their own sales tax, Saratoga Springs had the strongest year-over-year increase, at 32.5%.
Saratoga Springs also collected $743,149 in occupancy tax, a 27% increase from 2021 and the city’s highest-ever, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 12%, Sanghvi said.
The 2022 revenues exceed those of 2019, the year of the city’s second highest occupancy tax revenue, by $80,186.
“This is the second year we’ve seen record breaking tax revenues for our city,” Sanghvi said, in a statement. “This is very good momentum for our city and reflects all the work our administration is doing to attract visitors and make our city a popular tourist destination.”
“These figures tell the story of the resilience of our community. Saratoga Springs continues to attract people because of the public and private investment in making the city a great place to live, work and play,” city Mayor Ron Kim said, in a statement.
SARATOGA COUNTY — League of Women Voters of Saratoga County member Barbara Thomas will present an online program via Zoom focused on the topic of: How to Fight Disinformation.
The PowerPoint presentation will use information developed by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) about ways to counteract disinformation. UCS says the main and most important thing to remember is to NEVER repeat disinformation – even when pointing out that it is incorrect.
This free event takes place 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, and is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County. Register in advance for this virtual event: lwvsaratoga.org/events
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Healthy Living has been named one of Progressive Grocer’s 25 Outstanding Independents. This award, honoring small businesses that bring communities together through local food, culture and more, celebrates monetary and non-monetary wins in the industry.
Since 1986, the family-owned Healthy Living has brought nutritious food opportunities to shoppers. As it has grown, the stores — in South Burlington and Williston, VT, and Saratoga Springs — have offered to-go meals, accommodations for a variety of diets and preferences, high-quality wellness sections and a place to go where shoppers can trust that their well-being is the top priority.
For more information visit healthylivingmarket.com
To see more of Progressive Grocer’s 25 Outstanding Independents visit www.progressivegrocer.com/progressive-grocer-honors-25-outstanding-independents
Program Manager Ashley Clothier and therapy horse Frankie Laine. Photo provided.
MIDDLE GROVE — Nipper Knolls Equine Center, Inc. announced they have been selected to receive a grant from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust. The funds will be used to support the equine center’s Alfred Z. Solomon Veterans Program, an eight-week program offered to veterans at no cost in a one-to-one setting.
Veterans can bring a guest if they choose to. The program covers basic horsemanship, horse training, and wagon driving.
The Alfred Z. Solomon Veterans Program is located in Middle Grove and is endorsed by the Saratoga and Adirondack peer-to-peer mentor programs. Ashley Clothier, a graduate of the program and an Air Force veteran, manages the program as a member of Nipper Knolls Equine Center.
Learn more about Nipper Knolls Equine Center, Inc. by visiting www.nipperknolls.com or www.facebook.com/nipperknolls
The New York State (NYS) Committee on Open Government, Department of State, regulates and provides opinions on Open Meetings in New York. The opinions are easily searchable and provide guidance on how to have an Open Meeting. In substance, the opinion is that during the “public comment period” comments should not be “abusive, threatening, profane or in any other way illegal”. In part, this guidance mirrors the NYS Disorderly Conduct Ordinance which states a person is guilty of disorderly conduct when he/she engages in violent, tumultuous, or threating behavior; or in a public place uses abusive or obscene language; or disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting.
It is crystal clear that these rules and conduct are not being enforced at the City Council meetings in Saratoga Springs, thus, the meetings are both an embarrassment and chaotic.
I have talked to many Saratogians recently, and in addition to being afraid of aggressive confrontation in downtown, they are now afraid to go to a City Council meeting. Unlike Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and our local Federal Buildings, Saratoga Springs has decided against the use of metal detectors to ensure there are no weapons in City Hall. Furthermore, City Hall does not post any signage indicating the rules and regulations for open meetings as well as the rules that firearms are not permitted in the building. Additionally, we have recently learned that community leaders, some of whom attend the City Council meetings, have received threats against them and their families. All of this is just an invitation for yet another critical incident to occur in the city, and we all know the last incident was clearly not handled properly by some members of the City Council, resulting in a “gag order” issued by a NYS Supreme Court Judge.
In summary, the inability for the Mayor to simply run a meeting in accordance with Open Meeting laws has led to chaos. The audience is now allowed to talk beyond their allotted time, yelling from anywhere in the chamber, with the use of profanity and abusive behavior. At one of the last meetings, Mayor Kim told the Police Department, an independent agency, to stand down and leave the room. This is the exact opposite of what other municipalities are doing. Police Officers need to be in the room to keep us safe and make an independent decision to determine if any laws are being violated.
– Tim Coll, Retired FBI Agent, running for Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner in 2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Friends of the New York State Military Museum, in conjunction with the Capital District of New York Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), will be conduct a 50th Vietnam War Commemoration ceremony at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs.
The event will recognize and honor the service of Vietnam War era veterans who served in the military during the period of Nov. 1, 1955 thru May 15, 1975 and have time on active duty even if only for training. All branches of the service – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard qualify.
The event is free and open to the public; veterans who register in advance will receive a Vietnam War era lapel pin, issued by the United States Department of Defense as part of its 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration – a multi-year program to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.
A Surviving Spouse pin will also be issued to the spouse of a deceased veteran who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces at any time during the period noted above regardless of location. Veterans and Surviving Spouses may register for the event by contacting CSM(R) Bob Van Pelt at 518-210-2868 or email at bvpcsm@aol.com.
Registration must be completed no later than March 24. Provide your name, dates of service and name of spouse/family/guest you will bring. Each individual Vietnam War Era Veteran will be recognized and presented with the lapel pin and have an opportunity to say a few words. Refreshments will be served. Prior pin awardees are welcome to attend and make remarks. Everyone attending must register.
WILTON — Anthony Ferro died on March 2. Calling hours were held on March 5 at Compassionate Funeral Care. A funeral service was held on March 6th at Compassionate Funeral Care. Interment was held at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Visit: www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
WILTON — Dorothy Louise Reeves Woodcock passed over to abundant life with Jesus on Sunday, March 5 at Wesley Health Care Center. Dorothy was born June 21, 1923, in Saratoga Springs, a daughter of the late William and Alice Lovemoney Reeves.
Dot was a lifelong resident of this area. In 1943, she married Thurlow Woodcock, Jr., her life companion until his early passing in 1988, after being wed for 45 years. Together they worked as a team after purchasing Alpine Sport Shop in 1966, promoting skiing sports in the Saratoga area. Dot was always supportive working alongside her husband. Throughout her years she enjoyed Brant Lake where they had built a camp. Also enjoying her family, gardening, and most importantly her faith, attending Wilton Baptist Church.
She is survived by three daughters, Lynn M. Pepper (Don), Sherry A. Wardell, (Bill), and Cathy J. Hay, (Jack); grandchildren, Dorothy L. Pepper, Jacqueline M. Diehl, David M. Wardell, Alicia M. Farone, Kathryn L. Gleason, Elizabeth A. Decker, Jessica C. Robinson, and Julia C. Lee; seventeen great-grand-children, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends gathered to remember her on Thursday March 9, at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373) followed immediately by a funeral home service.
Burial followed in Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Ave.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and caregivers at the Wesley Community for the phenomenal care and compassion they showed to Dottie during her time there.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Macular Degeneration at donate.fightingblindness.org
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
