Author: Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — As part of the latest round of stimulus funding, the American Rescue Plan provided direct funding to states, counties, and municipalities across the county. 

For New York State, there was a total of $360 billion in funding secured. Of that total, $6.14 billion was reserved for relief to metropolitan cities, $3.9 billion for counties and $825 million was reserved for smaller cities, towns, and villages. The Capital Region counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Saratoga received a combined $165 million in funding and the respective cities, towns, and villages of the region received a combined $263.16 million in funding. 

The funding can be used for a number of uses by state and local governments including Costs associated with responding to COVID-19; Support workers performing essential work during COVID-19; Cover revenue losses caused by COVID-19; Make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure, according to The Capital District Regional Planning Commission. 

CDRPC is a regional planning and resource center, established pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law, serving Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties.

States and local governments cannot use the stimulus funding to cover the cost of pensions or to offset a reduction in taxes.

The specific breakdown for Saratoga County in total is $74.4 million, with Saratoga County receiving $44.58 million and the municipalities receiving $29.82 million, according to CDRPC. 

Saratoga County’s municipalities saw the lowest overall allocation of the four counties. The city of Saratoga Springs saw the highest allocation with $7.7 million in funding. Clifton Park received the second most funding allocations with $3.99 million in funding followed by Halfmoon with $2.7 million. The Towns of Milton and Wilton received $2.12 million and $1.86 million, respectively. Malta, Moreau, and the Town of Ballston received $1.78, $1.7, and $1.26 million respectively.

The city of Saratoga Springs has received half its $7.7 million funding, with the balance assumed to be received next year, city Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan said. 

GALWAY ­— The Galway Public Library has announced the opening of their new Story Walk.

Visit the The Galway Public Library at 2112 East St. in Galway and proceed to the back of the library where you will see a sign marking the start of the Story Walk. Pages of a book are posted on signs along an easy to walk trail. The trail is ideal for families and promotes both literacy, exercise, and outdoor recreation. The current book that is posted is The Keeper of Wild Words by Brooke Smith and illustrated by Madeline Kloepper. 

The library will post new books seasonally.  The Story Walk is open to the public during daylight hours; sign in at the start of the trail. 

For more information please contact the library at 518-882-6385 or jpasieka@sals.edu for more information.

Ballston Spa — Help celebrate the 202nd anniversary of Abner Doubleday’s birth in Ballston Spa. 

A commission once determined that Doubleday invented the game of baseball, but if he made any contribution at all to America’s pastime, it probably was minimal. Apart from that, Doubleday had a most interesting life, including service in the U.S Army at the absolute beginning of the Civil War. During the course of the war, he attained the rank of Major General. 

Local historian David Fiske relates Doubleday’s life and achievements at the house where he lived as an infant (which now is the tap room for The Real McCoy Beer Company). Fiske will also explain the intriguing origins of the “Doubleday invented baseball” story. 

Food will be available from Flaco’s Tacos, who will be offering tasty crafted tacos and Baja-inspired fare. The event takes place from 3-6 p.m. June 26 at the Real McCoy at Ballston Spa, 28 Washington St.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) has announced their 2021 Eastern Spring Nationals to be held from Thursday, June 17 through Saturday, June 19 in Saratoga Springs.

The 2021 Eastern Spring Nationals brings AACA members from around the country to Saratoga Springs for the first time.

“The AACA is excited to be in Saratoga Springs for the first time in our 87-year history. The world’s largest antique car club has over 300 regions and chapters worldwide and we are so pleased that one of our newest regions, Saratoga Region AACA tackled bringing us to the area,” said AACA CEO Steve Moskowitz, “We thank them, as well as we thank all the magnificent help and support from the Saratoga Automobile Museum. It has been a great partnership of people dedicated to preserving history and sharing it with others.”

The automotive show field will be open, at no charge, to the public on Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa State Park. There will be food trucks on-site as well for spectators.

“The Museum is excited and proud to welcome the AACA to Saratoga Springs for the first time in their history,” said Carly Connors, executive director, “the AACA weekend should prove to be a wonderful time of celebration after a challenging year. We are positive this event will also help to bring new generations of collectors and enthusiasts into the automotive hobby.”

The Museum is located within Saratoga Spa State Park, adjacent to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Hall of Springs.

For more information about the AACA show, please visit aaca.org. For more information about the Saratoga Automobile Museum, please visit saratogaautomuseum.org