SARATOGA SPRINGS — Julie & Co. Realty has announced Emily Frost as the newest member of the brokerage.

A licensed real estate salesperson, Frost was born and raised in Queensbury. In 2011, she graduated from the State University of New York with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Communications. She applied her knowledge to a hands-on sales role managing representatives throughout the state of New York for five years. 

Frost specializes in residential sales and leases, first time home buyers, condos, and townhomes. 

For more information, call 518-350-SOLD (7653), email info@juliecorealty.com or visit www.JulieCoRealty.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital Medical Group has appointed Scarlet Clement-Buffoline of Ballston Spa as executive director of the multidisciplinary medical practice. 

Clement-Buffoline has more than two decades of administrative experience in positions of increasing responsibility at Capital Region hospitals. Most recently, she was chief operating officer for acute care services at St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany.  She also has served as vice president of administration and specialty services at Samaritan Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, both in Troy.

 At Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, Clement-Buffoline will play a lead role in overseeing operations and developing strategies to expand the practice and increase access to high-quality healthcare in the region. 

Clement-Buffoline holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and health from the State University of New York at Potsdam and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University at Albany. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Clement-Buffoline is a member of the Association of Healthcare Management – Western New York, the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, and the Healthcare Association of New York State Behavioral Health Task Force. In addition, she has served on the boards of the Troy Redevelopment Foundation, Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce, and Rensselaer County Community Services.

BURNT HILLS — Stewart’s Shops on Oct. 16 announced that it will be closing two of its shops in the upcoming weeks. 

The Burnt Hills shop on 710 Saratoga Rd. will be closed on Sunday, Oct. 25 and the Wappingers Falls shop on 2048 Route 9D, will be closed on Sunday, Nov. 8. All partners have been offered opportunities in nearby locations, the company said.

Stewart’s Shops released the following statement regarding the closures: “Unfortunately, these shops do not have the ability to accommodate the equipment or space needs to expand food-to-go offerings or gasoline and cannot expand with their ever-growing customer needs. The inability to expand coupled with rising costs have made the closures necessary.”

The closures are not a reflection of the company overall, the company added, reporting: “Stewart’s Shops continues to grow. They’re expanding to new markets and rebuilding and improving existing locations where they are seeing growth. In 2020, Stewart’s Shops is celebrating 75 years and will again invest over $45 million in construction of new shops and shop additions, with 19 new and rebuilt shops planned.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city Planning Board this week is expected to hear a site plan review regarding a mixed-use project at South Broadway and Driscoll Road. 

Plans call for the construction of a new 10,000 square foot building that will house an animal clinic, office, retail, and multi-family residences. The proposed development of a new two-story building is on land currently vacant. 

According to documents filed with the city, Dr. Susan Sikule, owner of two Just Cats Veterinary Clinics – one in Guilderland and one in Saratoga Springs – currently has a contract to purchase the near 6-acre parcel where the existing Saratoga Springs veterinary facility would be relocated. 

The proposed mixed-use building will consist of seven apartment units on the second floor and three separate commercial tenants on the first floor, one of which will be the clinic. 

BALLSTON SPA — Mayor Woolbright walked through Wiswall Park on a sun-filled Wednesday afternoon draped in a shadow of memories of the grand San Souci Hotel. The fashionable multi-story structure which once stood a few yards away housed hundreds of guests during its 19th century heyday. It was the largest hotel in the nation at the time.    

At this week’s ceremony, Ballston Spa Mayor Larry Woolbright showcased the newly restored fountain fed by the San Souci Spring, one of the initial springs that drew visitors to the village in the 1800s. If the restored fountain provided a visible symbol of the village’s renewal, the event’s unveiling of an economic development plan represents its rebirth. 

“The release of this smart and strategic economic development plan heralds a new beginning for the village of Ballston Spa, and makes it abundantly clear that we are open for business,” Woolbright said, showcasing the 72-page economic development plan. 

A product of the Saratoga Partnership’s Next Wave Communities initiative, the plan was guided by the input of residents, government leaders and members of the business community. More than 400 took part in local surveys, six focus groups were conducted, and a public forum staged. The development of the plan combines the community’s vision of itself, as well as recognizing village assets and resources.    

“Ultimately this is your plan, based on your vision,” said Shelby Schneider, President and CEO of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership. The Partnership worked with the village for more than one year to create the plan, which outlines a strategic and tactical approach to attracting visitors, residents and businesses to Ballston Spa by enriching and promoting the assets, resources, charm and character of the historic village. 

According to 2019 data, the village measures 1.6 miles and is home to 287 businesses and 5,469 residents. The median household income is $61,378 and the average home value just under $240,000. 

The Economic Development Strategy seeks to enhance the Central Business District by achieving an environment that provides a positive shopping experience and bolsters the village atmosphere for businesses, residents and visitors alike. These would be attained by implementing, among other things, architectural and transportation/ walkability improvements, developing market rate housing for adults to “age-in-place,” fostering supportive conditions for small businesses, and updating the village master plan, which was last updated in 1994.

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The 72-page economic development plan outlines four major goals, and includes a matrix of timelines for implementation, to strengthen Ballston Spa’s economic and fiscal vitality. They include: Enhancing the Central Business District; Enriching the Village’s Quality of Place; Providing support and resources to small businesses and creating an economic development and community branding strategy. 

Mayor Woolbright said the plan will build on the rich and storied past of the village and “help create a thriving village for our children, and their children.” 

The gathering in Wiswall Park included former longtime village Mayor John Romano, members of the current village board and regional business and tourism leaders, many of whom raised a toast with cups filled with spring water. Rory O’Connor, Chair of the Steering Committee called the plan “a declaration of opportunity.” 

The survey points to downtown parking availability, infrastructure and repair upgrades and lack of business diversity as some of the top challenges the village faces.  Nafeesa Koslik, who hails from the city of Hyberabad in India, said during the ceremony that she was confident she has found the perfect place to make her dream a reality. Her restaurant, Nani’s Indian Kitchen, is slated to open on Milton Avenue in the coming weeks. 

James Beaudoin, owner of the prominent 125 Bath St. property, was also in attendance. Beaudoin said he looks forward to playing a role in the “exciting vision for the village’s future,” and helping to make it a reality. After many years of being unable to do so, the Bath Street property is slated for potential future development. 

“You look around us here and the village is pretty well built-out. There’s not a whole lot of vacant space. Now this site is over six acres-plus, and it’s in the middle of the central business district,” Mayor Woolbright explained.  “It was a tannery for many years and a Brownfield Site restricted by DEC that couldn’t be redeveloped. Jim (Beaudoin) bought it, cleaned it up and he now has permission to redevelop it. He can build, he can have businesses, he can have residences. He’s working with the village on the plan of what we would like to see there,” Woolbright said. “What we would like to see is mixed-use,  some retail commercial on the bottom floor, some open space in the middle, some condos or something on the upper floors, and we’d like to see a connection up to the fair ground. It’s a strategically placed property and our vision calls for a bridge over the Gordon Creek, restaurants, bars and shops lining Washington Street.”      

The Saratoga Partnership’s Next Wave Communities initiative involves creating tailored economic development plans for individual municipalities in Saratoga County. Similar efforts are currently underway in the towns of Galway and Malta. For more information about Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, go to: saratogapartnership.org.  For more information about Ballston Spa visit the village website at: villageofballstonspa.org. 

I

’m sure those reading the headline and looking at the byline will assume that when the Chamber refers to saving LOCALS that we’re talking about local businesses.

And while that’s true, there is a bigger mission at hand. Because it also involves mobilizing our community to save our local nonprofit organizations. It means saving local neighbors who may be unemployed or in need. 

This intent was never clearer to me as we developed our SAVE OUR LOCALS campaign than a week ago when I attended an event for CAPTAIN Community Human Services. The event was to thank and honor Sue Catroppa, CAPTAIN’s current executive director, as she heads towards retirement at the end of 2020. The event was to recognize and thank Andy Gilpin, who has worked side-by-side with Sue for more than a decade at CAPTAIN and who will become the organization’s next executive director.

In advance of this event, I was honored to be asked to speak and to say a few words about Sue – – and Andy as it turned out. So as I thought about what I might say, I was reminded of something that Sue has said to me over and over again. Sue loves the work we do at the Saratoga County Chamber because we value, respect and promote the amazing work that all of our local nonprofits do to make our community a great place to live, work and play.

Take our SCORE program for instance. In 2018 and 2019, our local SCORE Chapter was one of the top five in the nation in terms of small business startups and jobs created with their help. Now with our SAVE OUR LOCALS effort, SCORE is adapting to provide totally free and completely confidential services to businesses AND nonprofits who need to adapt their business plan or model because of COVID 19. Both local businesses and local nonprofits are eligible to meet one-on-one virtually or in-person with one of our exceptional SCORE volunteers. All they have to do is call the Chamber to start the process.

To help businesses, our SAVE OUR LOCALS campaign will involve the Chamber and our partners promoting EVERY business ­­— whether you are a member or not — who offers gift cards for sale online. In the spring, we set up a similar promotion and had links to local retail stores, spas and beauty salons, restaurants, florists, fitness facilities, and more. 

Simultaneously, we will create a page on www.saratoga.org that promotes what our local nonprofits need. If our community responds and donates what local nonprofits need, this will indirectly mean that we’re helping everyone. 

Local businesses can learn a lot from the way our nonprofits are run and have been led during the pandemic. In my remarks at the CAPTAIN event, I shared a story from early April when our local economy was shut down, and I called Sue to learn more about COVID 19’s impact on our community and to see how the Chamber might help. 

Sue told me that demand for CAPTAIN’s food pantry and personal care items was up 50%. That day we spoke, she was trying to figure out how to help a young woman who was the victim of sex trafficking to find a place to stay with all of the stay-at-home restrictions in place. She said CAPTAIN also needed PPE for their employees to keep them safe.

Now CAPTAIN, like many nonprofits who work with vulnerable populations, was considered essential. So Sue also shared with me how they had established three separate teams of employees who were working shifts scheduled so they never crossed paths. She and her team had pivoted to this model to ensure their services could be sustained and people in need would always have access to what they needed. By doing this, the idea was that if one person contracted the virus that just one team would have to quarantine. That would leave the other two available to keep CAPTAIN open.

As businesses started to reopen, I shared what Sue did at CAPTAIN with many of the business owners who were asking me how to ensure they could stay open. The reality — as we’ve seen over and over again — is that it’s hard to eliminate the spread of COVID. The best we can do is minimize its spread. Sue had a model for operating a nonprofit and any business with this reality in mind.

So how can our community SAVE OUR LOCALS? Shop local. Dine out or take out local. Buy your supplies for your home or business at local stores. Hire local contractors and professional services. Think of making every purchase locally. If you must shop online, do so locally too. AND, donate your time, treasure and talent to local nonprofits. We’re all in this together. We will be Stronger Together. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Chow Bella, an indoor, climate controlled canine social club, has opened its doors for business. The dog park is located at 50 West Ave.

The 7,500 square-foot space consists of a 3,000 square-foot fenced in dog park that has tunnels, bridges and toys scattered throughout. The front of the store features a 2,200 square-foot retail space that sells premium dog food brands, beds, leashes & collars and even costumes for dogs- just in time for Halloween. There is also a small café & seating area where owners can unwind and watch their furry friends have fun with other well-behaved dogs.

In addition to the dog park and retail space, Chow Bella features a salon style grooming space with two on-staff groomers, and several self-wash stations. Hours are 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mon-Fri., 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information go to: www.chowbella.store. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A WellNow urgent care clinic is being developed on South Broadway, on a lot that had for a long time sited a Boston Market. 

The urgent care center is a collaborative joint venture forged in 2019 between St. Peter’s Health Partners (SPHP) and WellNow Urgent Care. 

During its announcement of the collaboration in September 2019, the organizations announced the first two locations to transition into co-branded facilities will be WellNow’s Niskayuna and Hudson facilities, and the first newly built co-branded facility located in Clifton Park.  At the time, WellNow Urgent Care had operated approximately three dozen locations across New York and Illinois, and St. Peter’s urgent care locations included Albany, Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, and three Rensselaer County locations. 

The new Saratoga Springs urgent Care collaboration will begin accepting patients on Jan. 1, according to the company’s website. 

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs, New York will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 6:45 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the below matter can be reached, in the City Council Room, City Hall, in the City of Saratoga Springs, New York, to hear all those persons who wish to speak in regard to the provisions of the proposed 2021 Comprehensive Budget for the City of Saratoga Springs, New York.  A second public hearing will be announced at a later date.

A copy of the proposed 2021 Comprehensive Budget and Budget Message is available for inspection in the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 474 Broadway, in the City of Saratoga Springs, Monday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and on the City web site at http://www.saratoga-springs.org.

A summary of the proposed 2021 Comprehensive Budget is as follows:

These tax rates are preliminary only, for the purpose of this proposed 2021 Budget.
Dated:  October 7, 2020
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK
By:    John P. Franck, City Clerk

MALTA — The GLOBALFOUNDRIES – Town of Malta Foundation was established to fund programs and projects that provide tangible benefits of a public nature to the community and citizens of the town of Malta.   

The Foundation is now accepting grant applications for its next round of funding. Complete grant applications must be received by the Board by Nov. 6, 2020, and grants will be announced and awarded in December. 

Applications may be submitted electronically or downloaded and mailed. 

Criteria: Applications will be accepted only from not for profit entities. Grants will be awarded only upon demonstration to the Board’s satisfaction that the grant will result in a clear benefit to the Community and Citizens of Malta. 

• Organizations based in Malta are strongly encouraged to apply; however, applications are welcome from any qualifying organization intent on contributing to the mission and meeting these criteria.

• Applications that leverage grant funding to achieve maximum benefit are preferred.

• Use of funds directly in the town of Malta is favored; however any use of funds with demonstrable benefits to the Community and Citizens of Malta will be considered.

• Applications supporting under-served segments of the community
encouraged.

Online submittal is preferred.  Application may also be submitted by mail. Emailed applications are not accepted. For more information and to download application, search online at: GlobalFoundries – Malta Foundation. Mailing address is GLOBALFOUNDRIES-Malta Foundation, P.O. Box 2914, Malta, NY, 12020