Schuylerville High School Girls’ Team After Winning the Section 2 Class B Title (Courtesy of John Schmitz)
The Schuylerville High School girls’ soccer team won its first Section 2 Class B title on Monday, Nov. 2, with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over top-seeded Mechanicville.
Not to be outdone by their counterparts, the Schuylerville boys’ soccer team captured the Section 2 Class B title on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in a single overtime win against Broadalbin-Perth, a second Sectional title in program history.
In the girls’ game, after over 100 minutes of play, junior Vaughn Reilly broke the deadlock from a corner kick. The ball was crossed to the near post by junior Juliet Letzring and flicked to the back post by senior Alexandra Hill for Vaughn Reilly to strike the ball on the volley to win the game.
The girls currently have a record of 15-3-2 and will face off at noon in the regional final against section seven winner Ausable Valley on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Stillwater.
In Schuylerville’s third meeting with Broadalbin-Perth this season, the Black Horses paralleled the girl’s team by winning in overtime from a corner kick set up by junior Thomas Tyler and dispatched by junior Colden Harrison.
The Boys are now 14-3-2 overall and will face off against section seven victor Saranac at 2 p.m. on Saturday at La Salle in the regional final.
Schuylerville High School Boys’s Team After Winning the Section 2 Class B Title (Courtesy of David Gauci)
Rendering of Tannery Commons Development from Bath Street Looking North (Courtesy of the Zoning Board of Appeals)
The proposed 168-unit apartment complex in the Village of Ballston Spa’s Central Business District has received a favorable advisory opinion from the Village’s Planning Board.
The project calls for three buildings: two four-story structures, one along Gordon Creek and one at the rear of the property, and a three-story building facing Bath Street.
The developers, Blue Ridge Cascade, need a special use permit from the zoning board of appeals to construct residential units in the business district and are yet to receive site plan approval from the planning board.
Before the zoning board of appeals make their decision, the planning board gave their advisory opinion as part of the special permit process.
The planning board homed in on special permit condition 205-72(a) under the village code in their advisory opinion, which states the development’s size and character must be in harmony with the surrounding district.
“The Board considered harmony not simply as visual similarity to neighboring buildings, but as the appropriateness of the relationship a proposed development establishes with its surroundings and the Village as a whole,” wrote Scott Burlingame, Chair, Village of Ballston Spa Planning Board on behalf of the Planning Board.
The surrounding housing on Bath Street includes a two-story apartment complex across the street and single-family homes.
During the Oct. 14 planning board meeting, Blue Ridge Cascade reaffirmed their intentions to make sidewalk and crosswalk improvements along Bath Street and towards Hamilton Street, connect the Tedisco trail perpendicularly to Bath Street along Gordon Creek, and have availability of a proposed community room for gatherings and events.
On Wednesday Oct. 28 the public had a chance to comment on the proposal at the zoning board of appeals meeting, which was overwhelmingly negative and focused on a perception that the development was not in harmony with the surrounding district.
Attorney, Betsy Brugg, representing Blue Ridge Cascade, asserted during the meeting that the same project would be in accordance with the Village code were it a hotel.
“The central business district allows for 30, 40 and 50 foot buildings. On this site, we could build this identical project as a hotel. We could slap Hilton on the wall, and you would have no jurisdiction over it.” Therefore, Brugg reasoned, “by definition it is in harmony with the zoning and the district.”
Speaking to the Zoning Board of Appeals Members, Brugg stated:
“The standard of review for your decision if it were to end up in a court would be whether your board acted in an arbitrary or capricious manner in making a decision. The decision has to be made based upon the actual evidence in the record.”
At the Aug. Zoning Board of Appeals meeting member, Kamran Parwana submitted a list of questions pertaining to the traffic study conducted in 2024 which was conducted for a previous version of the project. The study, conducted by Greenman-Pedersen Inc., concluded that the development can be accommodated by the current transportation network.
Specifically, Parwana questioned if the 0.5% annual growth rate was still applicable considering that since 2024 many new developments have been approved including the Mill Town Center, a 500-apartment complex currently under construction off Rowland Road in Milton.
Michael Wieszchowski, professional engineer and professional traffics operation engineer for Greenman-Pedersen Inc., responded to Parwana’s questions in a letter.
“The traffic study was prepared using industry-standard methodologies for both existing traffic volume adjustments and future traffic forecasting,” said Wieszchowski. “The traffic counts used in the analysis were collected less than two years ago, which is well within the generally accepted timeframe for traffic studies.”
Wieszchowski also stated that at the outset of the study in 2024 the village was contacted to identify any pending developments to be considered, to which the village gave none.
In a July 13, 2026, technical review memorandum by Creighton Manning, the village’s traffic engineering consultant Manning stated, “the supplemental information provided by the applicant has addressed our comments.” No further concerns regarding traffic were raised by Manning in the memorandum, indicating the Village’s satisfaction with the study.
At the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, Parwana stated that in his view, his questions were not given proper answers.
“I feel like I have very specific questions and, in some cases, I got some specific answers, Parwana said. “In a lot of cases, I feel like it was just ‘the traffic study is sufficient and we follow procedures,’ but it doesn’t answer the specific questions.”
Further discussion about the traffic and harmony implications of the development will be discussed at a workshop between the Zoning Board and Blue Ridge Cascade on Wednesday Nov. 25 at the Elk’s Lodge, 10 Hamilton Street.
It was a late night in Saratoga County as candidates, voters, and reporters all waited for results of the 2026 midterm elections.
The first batch of results came in at around 10:30 p.m. and continued until all precincts reported their results at 11:54 p.m.
As results came in, it became clear that there would be no wave for either party in Saratoga. As of writing, all incumbent supervisors led their respective races, and all open seats remain in the hands of their respective parties.
With several federal, state and municipal elections taking place in the County, here are the results for Saratoga County.
State Legislature
44th Senate District
On January 1, 1983, the top song in the United States was Maneater by Daryl Hall & John Oates; Zhou Zi Chew, the future CEO of Tik Tok was born in Singapore; and the New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals 7-2.
It was also the day that Republican James Tedisco was sworn in as an Assemblyman, representing what was then the 107th Assembly District in New York’s lower house. Over the next 43 years, Tedisco would represent parts of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties in both the Assembly and in the Senate starting in 2017.
That run in Albany will end this year as Tedisco was defeated by Democrat Sarah Rogerson, an immigration lawyer from Schenectady, 59,724 votes (47.22%) to Rogerson’s 65,186 votes (51.53%).
In a statement issued on the morning of Nov. 4, Tedisco conceded the election and said he spoke with Rogerson and congratulated her on the win.
“It’s been a blessing and the honor of my lifetime to be a representative and a public servant,” Tedisco said in the statement.
He also highlighted some accomplishments from his time in Albany including the passage of Buster’s Law and a bill to enable people to carry epi-pens.
In a statement released in the early hours of Nov. 4, Rogerson celebrated the win.
“It is the honor of my lifetime to take Senate District 44 into the New York State Senate Supermajority, where our residents will not only have a seat at the table, but a fighter on their side to address the crushing affordability crisis and uncertainty coming out of Washington. The time is now, and the work begins immediately,” she said in a statement.
Assembly Districts
While Saratoga’s only Senate District saw an incumbent fall to a challenger, all four of Saratoga’s Assembly Districts were won by comfortable margins.
The most competitive district was in the southern part of the county in the 112th Assembly District where Incumbent Republican Mary Beth Walsh survived a challenge from Democrat and Clifton Park Town Council member Mario Fantini, 33,327 votes (54%) to Fantini’s 26,752 votes (44%).
It was a similar story one district up in the 113th Assembly District where incumbent Democrat Carrie Woerner easily defeated Republican businessman Alan Caruso, receiving 31,784 votes (57.56%), to Caruso’s 21,403 votes (38.76%).
The race for the 113th was notable as it saw an alleged spoiler candidate on the ballot in Thomas Kenny who ran on the Working Families Party and No Kings lines. On Oct. 13, the Working Families Party disavowed Kenny and accused him of being a sock puppet candidate. An investigation into Kenny’s website by New York Focus found that it was created by the same person who created Caruso’s campaign website.
This alleged spoiler attempt failed as Kenny only received 1,325 votes (2.4%) — well below the threshold needed to impact Woerner’s victory.
The largest margin of victory for the four assembly incumbents came in the 108th Assembly District, which loops the town of Waterford into a district that includes the cities of Troy, Cohoes, and Rensselaer. Democrat incumbent John T. McDonald III defeated Republican challenger Joseph J. Adamo III, 26,288 votes (64.49 %) to Adamo’s 12,940 (31.75%).
Finally, in a district that covers parts of Warren, Washington, Essex, Fulton and the Saratoga Counties, Republican incumbent Matthew Simpson defeated democrat challenger John Gunther 32,211 votes (58.25%) to 21,223 votes (38.38%)
Municipal Elections
– Town of Ballston
It was rematch season in the Town of Ballston as incumbent Republican John Antoski once again faced off against former supervisor Eric Connolly who ran on the “Shared Future Line.” This is the third time the two have faced off with Antoski defeating Connolly twice before during the 2025 and 2026 Republican primaries.
The general election was no different with Antoski, who ran on the Republican and Conservative lines, receiving 3,555 (73%) votes to Connolly’s 1,281 votes (26%), as of time of writing.
Also in Ballston, Mary Ziegler, who ran unopposed on the Republican and Conservative Lines, was elected Tax Collector with 4,213 votes.
– Town of Clifton Park
Saratoga County’s largest Town also saw the most change. With longtime Town/County Supervisor Republican Phillip Barrett retiring, the question of who would replace him and who would serve as the second Supervisor on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors were on the ballot.
In the race to replace Barrett, current Supervisor, Democrat Ram Lalukota faced off against Republican former Deputy Supervisor and Town Council member Anthony Morelli. In this election Morelli defeated Lalukota, receiving 9,223 votes (52%) to Lalukota’s 8,400 votes (48%).
While Republicans may have won the top of the ticket in Clifton Park, they didn’t secure the second seat on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors vacated by Lalukota when he ran for Barrett’s old role. In this election, Republican Chad Gregory received 7,982 votes (46%) compared to Democrat Martin O’Connor’s 9,509 votes (54%).
Also in Clifton Park, Dan Bull, who ran unopposed on the Conservative and Democratic lines, was reelected Superintendent of Highways with 13,582 votes. The Town Clerk, Caitlin Fantini, was also reelected. She ran unopposed on the Democratic and Working Families line and received 12,376 votes.
– Town of Malta
In yet another rematch, incumbent Democrat Cynthia Young faced off against Republican Timothy Moseman in the race to decided who would serve as Malta’s Supervisor. The two faced off in 2025 for the seat with Young receiving 55% of the vote compared to Moseman’s 44%.
A year and over 3,000 more voters than last time didn’t change the result. Young once again defeated Moseman, receiving 4,124 votes (54%) compared to Moseman’s 3,543 votes (46%).
Also in Malta: Jennifer Holmes was reelected Town Clerk. She ran unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines and received 5,332 votes. Brian Cline, who ran unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines and received 5,249 votes, was elected Highway Superintendent. And finally, Nancy Fodera DeLeonardis was elected Tax Collector. She ran unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines and received 5,263 votes.
– Town of Milton
There was only one competitive race in Milton where Democrat Michele Juda faced off against incumbent Republican Supervisor Scott Ostrander. Juda had run in 2025 for Milton Town Board and narrowly lost to John Frolish and Eric Delnicki.
In one of Saratoga County’s closest elections, Ostrander survived Juda’s challenge, receiving 3,889 votes (51%) to Juda’s 3,742 (49%).
Also in the Town of Milton: Jason Miller, who ran unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines and received 5,382 votes, was reelected Highway Superintendent.
– Town of Moreau.
While Milton may be the closest race, Moreau was the biggest blowout. In this race, the only office on the ballot in Morea, incumbent Republican Supervisor Jesse Fish faced a challenge from Democrat Alexander Bennett.
Fish easily defeated Bennett, receiving 3,772 votes (61%) to Bennett’s 2,384 (39%)
– Town of Saratoga
In 2025, incumbent Saratoga Town Supervisor Republican Ian Murray didn’t have an opponent running against him and cruised to reelection with 1,221 votes.
While Murray may have faced a challenger in Democrat Paul Murphy, the result was the same. Murray survived Murphy’s challenge, receiving 1,344 votes (54%) to Murphey’s 1,139 votes (46%).
– Town of Wilton.
Last but not least of the tour of competitive supervisors’ races in Saratoga County is the Town of Wilton. The position was a democratic pick up in 2025 when then Republican Supervisor John Lant was defeated in a close election by Supervisor Dr. Toni Sturm.
While the challenger may have won in 25’, it was not to be in 26’. Sturm defeated a challenge by Lant’s former deputy Republican John McEachron, receiving 4,322 votes (56%) to McEachron’s 3,356 (44%).
Other Competitive Races in the County.
• In the race for Northumberland Highway Superintendent, Republican Michael Baker defeated Conservative William Winslow 1,278 (67%)-601 (32%)
• In the race for Greenfield Town Justice, Republican Michael Ginley defeated democrat Joseph McCabe 1857 (54%)- 1,599 (46%).
• In the race for Saratoga Town Justice, Republican Jennifer Johnston defeated Democrat Russell Kirkwood 1226 (52%)-1,123 (48%).
Federal and Statewide Elections
New York’s 20th and 21st Congressional Districts.
While the 20th and 21st Congressional Districts may split Saratoga County along north and south, their elections couldn’t be more different. In the 20th district, Incumbent Democrat Paul Tonko defeated Republican Ralph Ambrosio, 181,290 votes (63.5%) to Ambrosio’s 103,846 votes (36.4%). The race was called by the Associated Press at 10:40 p.m. on election night — about 10 minutes after Saratoga County started releasing unofficial election results.
In the 21st district, which saw Sticker Mule CEO Republican Anthony Constantino facing off against dairy farmer Democrat Blake Gendebien, the race still hasn’t been called by the Associated Press as of 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 when Saratoga TODAY is sent to print. That said, while the race has yet to be called by the AP, Anthony Constantino has declared victory and leads the race with 140,050 votes (50.9%) to Gendebien’s 134,264 (48.8%) with 95% of votes counted.
Looking at Saratoga County specifically, as of time of writing, both Democrats Gendebien and Tonko received more votes than their Republican opponent with Tonko receiving 45,304 votes to Ambrosio’s 32,327 in Saratoga and Gendebien receiving 11,461 votes in his portion of the county to Constantino’s 11,151.
How Saratoga Voted in Statewide races.
Looking at the three statewide elections — the races for Governor, Attorney General and state Comptroller — Saratoga County backed the Democrat incumbents over their Republican challengers.
The election for State Comptroller saw the largest margin of the three with Thomas P. DiNapoli receiving 59,449 (58.42%) to Republican Joseph Hernandez’s 40,704 (40%).
The smallest margin was in the race for Attorney General where Letitia A. James received 51,894 (51%) Saratoga votes to Saritha Komatireddy’s 48,353 (47.52%). Governor Kathy Hochul had similar margins, receiving 52,541 (51.63%) Saratoga Votes to Bruce Blakeman’s 47,748 (46.92%).
Marisa Benoit is a multidisciplinary artist and designer whose work explores the relationship between humanity, nature, and the unseen. With a background in graphic design and mentorship under visionary artist Alex Grey, she rediscovered her passion for oil painting while living in Brazil. Her narrative-driven paintings feature expressive landscapes, portraiture, and symbolic imagery, often using light to evoke wonder, transformation, and reflection.
Her exhibition, Gathering Light, featuring her original oil paintings, is on display at Mabee Farm Historic Site, 1100 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction, NY 12150, through December 2026. The exhibit can be viewed during regular visitor hours, Tues, Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.It is recommended to call ahead at 518-374-0263 to confirm access to the exhibition space before making a special trip.
November is National Adoption Month, an opportunity to learn more about adoption and the many people whose lives it touches. Its roots date to a Massachusetts adoption awareness week in 1976, followed by National Adoption Week in 1984 and a monthlong observance in 1995. The effort began by drawing attention to children in foster care who needed permanent families. Today, the national campaign continues that focus, particularly for teens, while November also encourages broader conversations about adoption.
For some Saratoga readers, adoption is a possibility they are beginning to explore. For others, it is part of their family, friendships, or personal history. Its reach is considerable: the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s 2022 U.S. Adoption and Foster Care Attitudes Survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that 40% of U.S. adults had a family member or close friend who was adopted.
That makes adoption relevant to conversations throughout our community, in families, schools, workplaces, and everyday relationships.
My husband and I chose Saratoga Springs when we relocated in 2011, and we have loved raising our three sons here. As a mother and aunt through adoption, I have experienced the joy of building a family this way, while continuing to learn about the distinct experiences and questions adoption can bring.
My extended family and friendships also include many adoption connections, each with different experiences and perspectives.
If you know one adoption story, you know one adoption story.
Two birth mothers, two adoptees, or two adoptive parents may have similar experiences, or very different ones.
Parents through adoption navigate the same everyday joys, challenges, milestones, and questions as other parents. We also parent through an additional lens: adoption. Learning about that lens helps us consider how our children’s beginnings, relationships, identities, and experiences may shape their lives.
Adoption has evolved significantly over the decades, but some familiar assumptions have not kept pace. For much of the twentieth century, private adoptions were commonly closed, with little or no contact or identifying information exchanged. Today, most domestic infant adoptions involve some degree of openness, which may include sharing information, photographs, letters, or time together.
Every situation is different, but every family can encourage openness in conversation: talking honestly about a child’s beginnings, honoring their history, and welcoming questions as they grow.
The way people think, feel, and talk about adoption can change with age, development, experiences, relationships, and milestones. Adoption is not a one-time conversation. It is an ongoing dialogue that takes different forms throughout life.
Families come together through domestic infant adoption, adoption from foster care, international adoption, and kinship adoption. Within each path are individual stories shaped by different circumstances, relationships, and experiences.
For anyone beginning to explore adoption, an adoption professional or attorney experienced in adoption can be a helpful first point of contact. They can explain available paths, answer initial questions, and provide guidance about laws and procedures, which vary by state.
Beyond those first steps, I encourage prospective parents and parents already raising a family through adoption to ask:
What can I learn from adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents?
How can I honor my child’s beginnings, family history, and cultural heritage?
How can I make our home a place where questions and curiosity are welcome?
What support might our family need over time?
These questions invite us to think beyond how a family begins and toward the relationships we will continue building.
Like many life experiences, adoption can bring different feelings at the same time. Love and joy can exist alongside sadness or grief related to separation, loss, or unanswered questions. Understanding begins with acknowledging these feelings without judging them as good or bad.
Conversations need not always be formal or difficult. A children’s book, a photograph, or a school assignment can offer a natural opening. Sometimes, when someone chooses to share, the most helpful response is simply, “Tell me more about that.”
We can listen with curiosity, ask thoughtful follow-up questions, and acknowledge what we do not know. We can offer invitations without pressing for answers and remember that personal details are someone’s choice to share.
Friends, relatives, and educators can help in practical ways. Teachers can adapt assignments that ask for birth photographs or biological family history. Family, friends, and co-workers can welcome questions and listen to how each person describes their own experience.
My graduate work in applied positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania deepened my interest in how conversations strengthen relationships and support well-being. That connection is central to my BEACON Communication Model, which offers a practical way to begin with someone’s story, explore meaning, acknowledge strengths, connect, remain open to possibilities, and navigate forward.
Through my work with SoulFilling, LLC, I aim to broaden the adoption conversation and make it more natural, meaningful, and ongoing.
This November, we can recognize how adoption has evolved, appreciate the many ways families are formed, and remain open to the different stories and experiences adoption holds.
If you know one adoptee, you know one adoptee. If you know one birth mother, you know one birth mother. If you know one adoptive parent, you know one adoptive parent.
There is always more than one story, and more than one conversation.
Francine Apy, MAPP, is a Communication Strategist, People & Culture Consultant, Author, and Creator of the BEACON Communication Model, which she teaches in workplace, family, and community settings. Her children’s books reflect different ways adoption can appear in stories: Brianna’s Brave Day at School, based on a true story, addresses adoption directly, while Dream Dream What Will You Dream? includes a subtle acknowledgment through the adoption symbol.
For adoption resources, information about her books, or details about BEACON, visit FrancineApy.com or contact Francine@FrancineApy.com.
Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby and Saratoga County Sheriff Jeff Brown are joining forces with Jason and Kent Nelson to help find homes for animals currently in the Saratoga County Animal Shelter’s care.
The team will host an adoption clinic Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. Community members are encouraged to attend, meet the animals available for adoption and consider giving one of them a new home.
The effort has a deep personal meaning for the Nelson family. Jason and Kent recently experienced the tragic loss of their beloved golden retriever, Wilson. Their brave and emotional search for Wilson captured the attention of the community, with hundreds of people coming together to help in any way they could. Among those who assisted were Alfie’s Rescue, the New York State Park Police, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and dozens of volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to the search.
In Wilson’s memory, Jason and Kent are now turning their experience into an opportunity to help other animals in need.
“The outpouring of support for Jason, Kent and Wilson showed us what is possible when a community comes together,” Eby said. “Now, we have an opportunity to come together again for animals that need us. The shelter is at capacity, and every adoption means giving an animal a chance at the safe, loving home it deserves. We hope people will come out on October 24th, meet these animals and consider making one of them part of their family.”
Brown noted that the response to the search for Wilson demonstrated the compassion and generosity that exists throughout Saratoga County.
“Wilson’s story touched so many people, and hundreds of members of our community stepped forward to help bring him home,” he said. “Jason and Kent are honoring Wilson’s memory in a meaningful way by helping animals that are waiting for someone to give them a second chance. Our shelter needs the community’s help and we hope this adoption clinic brings families and animals together.”
The Saratoga County Animal Shelter is currently at capacity, making community support and adoptions especially important. The adoption clinic Saturday will provide an opportunity for prospective adopters to learn more about the animals available and take the first step toward welcoming a new companion into their home.
Eby, Brown, the Nelsons, and the organizations and volunteers who supported Wilson’s search are encouraging Saratoga County residents to come together once again – this time to help shelter animals find the loving homes they deserve.
Saratoga Springs Boys’ High School Golf Team Winning the Section 2 Class A Championship (Courtesy of Jake Zanetti)
On Wednesday, October 21, Saratoga Springs won the Section 2 Class A boys’ golf championship, completing a Section 2 trifecta on the season.
The team achieved a perfect 15-0 regular season record, subsequently winning the Suburban Council championship, and now boasts a Section 2 title.
“It’s been a goal that’s been passed down from team to team over the last few years,” said Coach Jake Zanetti. “Even last night I was texting some of the boys who last won the sectionals in 2022.”
That team went 11-1 in the regular season, only losing to eventual Suburban Council champions Shaker.
This year the Blue Streaks were led by Sophomore Francisco “Ceko” Cupp who shot one under par of 71. Overall, the team displayed a dominant performance, finishing 15 strokes under runner-up Bethlehem.
Senior Cole Whitman was happy to see the team get over the line in his last year.
“Golf at its core is an individual sport, but as a team we have been hungry for this now for four years,” Whitman wrote. “We all wanted this not just for ourselves, but for one another and it feels awesome not to just finally get the win, but to go out as a champion!”
In an effort to retain summer workers through the winter at 15 Church, Chef Michael Mastrantuono devised a solution – start selling Philly cheesesteaks.
“Originally I thought if I sell 25-30 cheesesteaks out the back door, I can keep four of my line cooks that I normally have to let go,” said Mastrantuono.
In their first weekend on October 17 and 18, Cheesesteak Alley sold 750 cheesesteaks, proving the business venture is more than sustainable.
“If I could have sold 10,000 this weekend, we would have sold 10,000,” said Mastrantuono.
Cheesesteak Alley operates from 15 Church’s dormant patio Wednesday through Saturday from 3:30 to 10 p.m. or until they sell out.
The $24 cheesesteak features shaved Australian wagyu beef, confit Vidalia onions, poblano peppers, pickled peppers and cooper sharp cheese on a 12-inch semolina roll sourced from New York City.
Accompanying the cheesesteak on the menu are $8 house cut curly fries fried in beef tallow which overflow in the bag.
Social media videos have contributed to the overwhelming success and have put a hold on upcoming menu items like drunken street noodles and a smoked cheddar hot dog.
For the time being, Mastrantuono says he is focused on consistently delivering the best cheesesteak before expanding the menu.
“As 15 Church, because you have that reputation, it has to be the best Philly Cheesesteak these people have ever had,” said Mastrantuono.
Eventually Mastrantuono expects to release more menu items, whether it be a limited supply or on specific day.
Now the question on his mind is what to do during the track season when the patio will be used by the restaurant?
“It looks like I have to open up a cheesesteak restaurant in Saratoga,” Mastrantuono said. “I don’t know if I will be able to pause for the 12-week track season because this has become a massive thing.”
Ultimately, Cheesesteak alley is serving its purpose for the restaurant industry, by the restaurant industry.
“The most warming part about this whole thing is it feels like it’s bringing more of a community feel to 15 Church,” said Mastrantuono. “People who work in restaurants can’t always get an $89 dollar filet mignon. But they can roll up after work and grab a really great cheesesteak, have a really awesome meal, with that 15 Church touch.”
Cheesesteak Alley is available for pick up or delivery. Customers can order ahead on their website to lock in a pick-up time at thecheesesteakalley.com.
Meet the Candidates Running for Supervisor in the Town of Saratoga
The Town of Saratoga is one of the most unique towns in Saratoga County.
The town shares a name with the county it resides in, played a major role in the Battles of Saratoga and is home to two villages — one more than any other place in Saratoga County.
It’s also the site of an election for town supervisor this year. In this election, incumbent Saratoga Town Supervisor Ian Murray (R, C) is facing off against Paul F. Murphy (D).
Here are their pre-election day statements submitted to Saratoga TODAY
Paul F. Murphy (Democrat)
Transparent, Resident-Focused Government
I am running for Town of Saratoga Supervisor to bring transparency, accountability, and practical planning to town government. Our community faces important choices, and every resident deserves a voice in decisions that shape our future. Too often, wealthy developers wield more influence than the people who live here. We need strategic growth—not more pavement, tract housing, disruptive businesses, and parking lots that create “Northway Community Deserts.”
Preserving Our Town’s Character
I will work to preserve our unique identity as a “Hudson River to Saratoga Lake Town in the Country.” This requires zoning and leadership centered on residents’ quality of life.
Responsible Rules for Emerging Issues
My priorities include adopting proven, hyper-local zoning for Short-Term Rentals, so neighborhoods’ quality of life is protected. Data Centers should be subject to protective local zoning and voter approval. Flock camera systems should have the same standard of accountability through appropriate local rules and public consent.
Restoring and Protecting Saratoga Lake
Saratoga Lake demands immediate attention. The lake is unhealthy, and the town must fully support the Saratoga Lake Association’s restoration initiatives and long-term protection efforts.
Ethics, Representation, and Fairness
I will propose an ethics code for all town officials. I also support exploring a five-district Town Council, with each district electing one representative and the Supervisor continuing to be elected townwide. This structure would give every Saratogian a stronger voice. We should also examine approaches to property and school taxes, including whether adjusted gross income could play a role instead of relying solely on home value.
A Full-Time Commitment
As Supervisor, I will devote myself fully to serving our residents,, without a private business or county post competing for my time.
A Critical Election
Thank you to Saratoga TODAY for this opportunity. Please vote—this election is critical to Saratoga’s future.
Ian Murray Incumbent (Republican, Conservative)
First, I want to thank all the residents of the Town of Saratoga for their confidence and support as I’ve led our Town for the past four years.
I have served in Town government for nearly 30 years, with opportunities to serve on numerous committees, serve on and lead land-use boards, and help build parks, trails, and recreational facilities.
Over the past four years as your supervisor, I have remained committed to three priorities that matter most to Saratoga families: responsible finances, reliable roads, and emergency preparedness.
Through disciplined budgeting and tough decisions, I have continued to lower Town taxes while keeping us under the New York State tax cap, protecting taxpayers while maintaining essential services. This approach helps keep our finances strong, our 120 miles of roads safe, and our community moving forward.
As your supervisor, a father, a small-business owner, and a veteran, I am committed to the Town of Saratoga’s future.
If re-elected, my priorities will remain:
• Keeping taxes low.
• Maintaining and enhancing our quality of life while balancing our rural character with responsible development.
• Promoting agricultural land preservation and conservation easements.
• Leading a responsible, respectful, and financially secure Town Hall.
• Expanding preservation and recreational opportunities near Saratoga Lake and the Hudson River.
• Supporting responsible economic growth in both the Town and our villages.
Good government means planning before the storm arrives, investing wisely before equipment breaks down, and addressing problems before they become emergencies.
That’s the approach I’ve taken, and it is helping keep Saratoga strong, prepared, and moving forward.
There is more to do. If re-elected, I look forward to continuing this work and keeping Saratoga a place where families want to live, work, and grow.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you.
Respectfully,
Ian Murray
Due to space constraints, not all races were included in the print edition of Saratoga TODAY. For more candidates and races, visit our website at https://saratogatodaynewspaper.com/
