SARATOGA SPRINGS — The NY 77th Infantry Regiment monument was re-installed on its base in Congress Park this week.  The base had been vacant since the summer of 2020, when the city says the statue was vandalized. 

The 77th Infantry Regiment was mustered in on Nov. 23,1861, and mustered out June 27, 1865, according to the state Military Museum and Veterans Research Center. The companies were principally recruited at Ballston, Saratoga and Wilton. 

The piece required significant repairs to the zinc statue, according to a statement issued by the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works, which coordinated its re-installation.   

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The state Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation related to multiple arrests made in September in connection with protest-related activities that had occurred in Saratoga Springs in July, attorney John Aspland, who is representing the city of Saratoga Springs in the matter, said in a statement released this week. 

Aspland’s statement, in its entirety, is as follows: “The City of Saratoga Springs has received correspondence from the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office concerning allegations of possible violations of state and federal law as it relates to recent protests that occurred in our city.  The OAG has commenced this investigation to assess whether the protestors were targeted with excessive force and retaliatory arrests.  The City takes these allegations seriously and we will endeavor to work with the OAG to address these allegations and demonstrate the appropriateness of the actions taken by the members of the police department in response to the recent protests. The City will be working with its outside counsel in addressing the OAG’s concerns.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — An application is under consideration this week by the city Planning Board regarding a site plan review of a six-story multi-tenant commercial building and associated site at 269 Broadway.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — An application for a Historic Review of a fifth-floor addition to an existing four-story mixed-use building at 422 Broadway is under consideration this week by the city’s Design Review Commission.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – A truck accidentally crashed into Loughberry Lake last weekend, temporarily shutting down the water treatment plant at Loughberry Lake, which is the main water supply for the city of Saratoga Springs. 

The incident occurred at approximately 4 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. Oil from the vehicle was contained to the northeast portion of the lake approximately a mile from the intake system and did not pose a problem for the water treatment plant, according to a statement issued by the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works.  After the truck was removed and oil contained, the water plant was restarted at 9 a.m. Sunday.

The New York State Department of Health was notified of the situation and the N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation called in an environmental cleanup crew which deployed booms into the lake to contain any oil that had escaped from the truck.

The Greenfield Fire Department, New York State Police, New York State, and the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works (DPW) responded to the crash.

The driver of the vehicle was unharmed. It is not known if the driver was ticketed.  Residents can contact the water treatment plant operators at 518-584-1848 with any questions or concerns.

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SCHENECTADY — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is offering training for those interested in becoming a table games dealer at the casino.

Rivers Casino’s Dealer Academy, a $5,000 value is being offered free of charge, and begins on Monday, Nov. 15, at the casino training center located at 220 Harborside Dr., Suite #201, Schenectady.

Training classes will be held from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Another Dealer Academy is scheduled to begin on Dec. 27 with classes to be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

The Rivers Casino Dealer Academy teaches students a range of popular games beginning with Blackjack and other novelty table games. Once they pass their final audition and obtain their NYS gaming license, participants will be offered a part-time or full-time position as a table games dealer at Rivers Casino. 

Rivers Casino offers table games dealers hourly wages and tips in excess of $20 an hour along with a benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision plans, a 401(k) plan with company match, tuition reimbursement, and more. Complimentary shuttle bus service from the local CDTA blue line stop is also provided. 

Candidates must be able to work all shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Interested dealer school participants can learn more details and apply online at www.riverscasino.com/schenectady/careers/dealer-school.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Nov. 5, NY State Police arrested 36-year-old Samantha Guerra, of Saratoga Springs, in connection with two counts of misconduct in relation to petitions. 

Guerra was charged following an investigation into the validity of signatures present on two independent nominating petitions presented to the Saratoga County Board of Elections, according to a statement released by state Police. 

Guerra is accused of signing two of the petitions attesting to having witnessed each individual signature. Police said an investigation determined that a number of the signatures on the petitions had not been witnessed by Guerra.

Guerra (R,C,WF), came up short against Dillon Moran (D, RS) in the Nov. 2 election for Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Accounts, by a 44.85% to 42.63% margin, according to the Saratoga County Board of Elections unofficial tally, in advance of the count of absentee ballots.   

Guerra turned herself in, was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Saratoga City Court on Nov. 11, according to police.

BALLSTON SPA — Registration is open for U.S. Veterans seeking to get their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. 

The Saratoga County Office of Emergency Services (OES) is partnering with Saratoga County EMS Council to host a free EMT certification and professional development course for U.S. Military Veterans. 

The course will be held at the Saratoga County Public Safety Building in Ballston Spa and will be taught by Saratoga County EMS instructors, most of whom are veterans themselves.

The curriculum follows the New York State Department of Health Bureau of EMS certification program. Classes start Dec. 14 and meet two nights a week for six months. To participate in the program, applicants must have served in the military and must submit a DD-214. 

For more course information, contact: Russell Coonradt at emtveteran@gmail.com. To register, visit www.saratogaems.org/register.

BALLSTON SPA — The Draft Village of Ballston Spa Bicycle and Pedestrian Master has been released and will be presented at a virtual Public Meeting on Zoom on Nov. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. 

The purpose of the Plan is to enhance the Village Central Business District, surrounding area, and the NY Route 50 corridor by promoting economic development, improving safety, and creating a connected and integrated multi-modal transportation network for users of all ages and abilities. The Village of Ballston Spa is home to a diverse population including low-income individuals and other vulnerable populations such as seniors, homeless veterans, and disabled adults, many of whom don’t drive. The Plan identifies missing links in the pedestrian network, potentially unsafe crossings, and priority connections between key Village locations, including the Zim Smith Trail. 

The Draft Plan reviews existing conditions and evaluates pedestrian and bicycle existing comfort levels and describes the public involvement process. To date, the planning process has included a 1-block pop-up demonstration bicycle lane and on-street parking project on Hyde Boulevard between Chapman Street and Grove Street, a survey, four Focus Group meetings, and a Public Open House conducted on June 30. In addition to feedback during the Open House, a Demonstration Project, and survey, there were 158 comments received through the project website through September 2021. The comments were primarily focused on the desire for sidewalk improvements and noted missing sidewalk connections in the Village, encouraged connections to the Zim Smith Trail, the need for traffic calming, and improved bus shelters. 

The Draft Plan recommends solutions for pedestrian and bicycle treatments and intersections with safety concerns and describes potential projects and funding opportunities. Recommendations provide direction on priority locations and design treatments (striping, signage, repaving, and reconstruction projects). The Draft Plan also recommends creating an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan to address pedestrian connectivity concerns and will create a Village schedule for the installation of curb ramps, detectable warning surfaces, sidewalk installation or replacement, and accessible pedestrian push buttons, where needed. The Draft Plan will be used to seek funding for improvements from grants, state, and federal resources to implement the recommendations for design, engineering, and construction. 

Information about the project and a copy of the Draft Plan can be found at projects.vhb.com/ballstonspapbmp/default.htm.