Click Here for the Top Saratoga REALTORS® for August 2021

Click Here for the Top Saratoga REALTORS® for August 2021

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Sunday, Sept. 19, The Saratoga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Saratoga Battlefield Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution had the 90th Annual Wreath Laying at the DAR Monument to Unknown American Dead at the Saratoga Historical National Park. 

From 1929-1931, the early part of the Great Depression, the DAR collected from the members $11,000 to install the monument at the Battlefield on Oct. 10, 1931. At the base of the monument is a tablet with this inscription: “The unknown soldiers who perished in the battles of Saratoga, Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, 1777, and were here buried in unmarked graves, helped to assure the triumph of the war of independence to create the republic of the United States of America, and to establish liberty throughout the world. In honor of those patriots and in recognition of the bicentennial of the birth of George Washington, this memorial is erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution of New York State.” 

Special guest was New York State Regent Patrice Birner to recognize this special anniversary. If you are interested in joining the DAR, please email saratogadaughters1143@gmail.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A free household hazardous waste collection day will take place 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, Commissioner of Public Works Anthony “Skip” Scirocco announced last week. 

The event is offered in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and only open to residents of Saratoga Springs. It will be held at the Weibel Avenue Ice Rink.

The event provides residents the opportunity to safely dispose of a variety of materials such as poisons, pesticides, solvents, oil-based paints, household batteries, aerosol cans, fluorescent light tubes, and more. A full list of acceptable and non-acceptable materials can be found on the city website. 

Residents must sign up by Oct. 1. Residents looking to participate can sign up on the City website at the following link: www.saratoga-springs.org/FormCenter/Public-Works-5/City-of-Saratoga-Springs-Household-Hazar-113. 

For more information or assistance registering, contact Kari at 518-587-3550 ext. 2623.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — New Life Fellowship Church invites community members to a clothing and toy Giveaway event on Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 9 a.m. to noon at 51 Old Gick Road.

This event is free and open to the public.  Lightly used winter clothing for all ages, as well as “like-new” toys and children’s books, will be available for families and individuals in the community.

The event will practice social distancing and attendees are encouraged to wear masks while inside the church building, according to church officials.

More information about New Life Fellowship Church and its upcoming events is available at www.newlifeinsaratoga.org. or call the church office at 518-580-1810 Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

HALFMOON — As our troops head home from Afghanistan, it is an important time to be reminded of the significance of the yellow ribbon. 

Yellow ribbons traditionally represent the message of “Support our Troops.” New York State observes Yellow Ribbon Day to honor current and former members of the United States Armed Forces on April 9 of each year since 2006. 

Each year, Yellow Ribbon Day is championed by Carol Pingelski Hotaling, the “Yellow Ribbon Lady,” who began making yellow ribbons to donate to the family members of troops deployed during Operation Desert Storm. NYS Yellow Ribbon Day was originally held at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks and now takes place at the Halfmoon Town Hall. 

VFW Post 358 in Ballston Spa buys 72 rolls of yellow ribbon every year for Yellow Ribbon Day. At three county fairs this past summer, Scott Lamb, Cemetery Director at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery handed out flyers to raise awareness, which are printed by Business Products CO. of NE, Inc., a Clifton Park company who has done all Yellow Ribbon Day printing for free for the past 30 years. 

Hotaling wants to educate community members on why we put out yellow ribbons and yellow bows which can stay up year-round. The organizers of Yellow Ribbon Day hope it will grow into a National Day of Remembrance.

The next New York State Yellow Ribbon Day is Saturday, April 9, 2022, 11 a.m. at the Town Hall in Halfmoon. They will be accepting donations for NY2 Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Donations received will be used to send Freedom Boxes to our deployed troops. Blue Star Mothers send Freedom Boxes throughout the year and collect donations year-round. 

Please contact Blue Star Mothers with questions at capitalregion2bsm@gmail.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga TODAY and Spa City Digital will be hosting two nights of political debates featuring Saratoga Springs candidates on Oct. 12 and Oct. 21.

All five City Council seats – Mayor, and Commissioners of Public Works, Accounts, Finance and Public Safety, as well as two city Supervisor seats – are up for election on Nov. 2. 

To submit a question for possible inclusion, email: cbeatty@saratogapublishing.com. 

Information for Online viewing of the live debates will be announced in early October.    

Photos by SuperSource Media. 

Beekman Street celebrated its 20th anniversary as an Arts District last weekend. The three-block mixed-use neighborhood just west of Broadway serves as a meeting place where neighbors and visitors may come to meet artists and view and purchase artwork they created. 

{loadmoduleid 268}

BALLSTON SPA  — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors held their monthly meeting Sept. 21. The in-person meeting was attended by approximately 50 people. The Board addressed the following issues: 

Cost-of Living Increases Approved for Some County Officials

• The board approved a local law amending the 2021 county compensation schedule to provide a cost-of-living increase for certain county officials.  Effective Jan.  1, 2021, the measure calls for the compensation for the following county officials to be increased to the following levels:

Elected Officials – Susan Hayes-Masa, County Coroner $31,182; David DeCelle, Coroner $31,182; Michael Zurlo, Sheriff $139,601; Craig Hayner, County Clerk $120,848; Andrew Jarosh, County Treasurer $120,848.

Appointed Officials; Christopher Schall, County Auditor $ 89,598; Andrew Blumenberg, Public Defender $135,095; Margaret McNamara, Director of Human Resources $135,182; Anna Stanko, Director of Real Property $ 89,209; Tina Potter, Commissioner of Social Services $141,918

Saratoga Springs Supervisor Tara Gaston cast the lone vote against. “I’m not opposed to the increases. I just would have don’t think that now is the time,” Gaston said. “There are a number of financial issues with regard to COVID that do impact the staff at the county that I would like to see handled prior to that – but again, it’s nothing against the staff here, I fully support them.” 

Positions Created for COVID Testing in Schools

• Earlier this year, the board accepted a $3.98 million Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Reopening Schools Grant. The funds are targeted to assist with establishing COVID-19 screening and testing programs for students, teachers and staff to support and maintain safe, in-person instructions for schools. 

{loadmoduleid 268}

As such, the board approved the creation of temporary positions of COVID-19 School Epidemiology Officers – as needed at the discretion of the Commissioner of Health – at the base salary of $40/hr.; as well as the temporary creation of positions of COVID-19 School Testing Site Supervisors (base salary of $25/hour); and COVID-19 School Testing Site Coordinators (base salary of
$20/hour). 

The Impact of COVID on the County Court System

• Due to the impact COVID-19 had on the Court system in 2020, many cases could not proceed through the system to conclusion, creating a backlog of cases which are now being disposed of in 2021, the board reported.  The backlog has caused an increase in assigned counsel attorney invoices. To this purpose, the board approved a transfer of $160,000 from its Fund Balance to the Human Resources Department to pay for additional assigned counsel attorney services.

October Proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month

• The Board proclaimed October 2021 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” In Saratoga County.  The resolution cited “the horror of domestic violence (that) continues to plague our society.” In addition to resulting physical and emotional damage inflicted, the national financial ramification of domestic violence is $8.3 billion in expenses annually. The following statistics were also cited: 

– 30% to 60% of families where adult domestic violence is present, child abuse is also present; 

– Despite underreporting, domestic violence calls make up more than half of all calls to the police; 

– More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced rape, severe physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner; 

– The NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline received 8,584 calls last year.

The proclamation reports heightened public awareness is an effective tool and urges all citizens to support and participate in ongoing programs designed for the reduction and eventual elimination of domestic violence. The help hotline, which operates 24-7/365 is 1-800-942-6906. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City Council met Tuesday night, Sept. 21 to discuss a variety of issues. The meeting included four council members. City Mayor Meg Kelly was unable to attend the meeting due to a personal issue, said Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan, who ran this week’s meeting. 

City Seeks Public Input Regarding Upcoming Cannabis Deadline 

• Cities in New York have until Dec. 31 to opt-out of potentially siting dispensaries, and/or on-site consumption facilities as it relates to a local cannabis industry in their respective communities. 

Correlated to alcohol, Dispensaries are akin to a liquor store, while On-Site Consumption is more akin to a bar, explained city Attorney Vince DeLeonardis. 

To opt out, a Local Law would need to be adopted and public hearings held in advance of a Local Law, so any move to opt-out would need to be conducted sooner rather than later. Municipalities must opt out to not be a part of the measure moving forward.  If interested in permitting marijuana retailers or social consumption sites, the city need not do anything. 

Financial ramifications: a 4% local tax is to be imposed if the city allows the measure to move forward  –3% would come to the city of Saratoga Springs, and 1% would go to the county, DeLeonardis said. 

The city is actively requesting the public comment regarding the matter. Comments may be submitted via: public.comment@saratoga-springs.org. 

Next Move on Civilian Review Board is Up To City Council

Jason Golub, a member of an independent city advisory committee tasked with studying police reform, provided an update regarding the formation of a potential city Civilian Review Board. 

“I think there is plenty of evidence that a Civilian Review Board will add value to our community. I think it protects civilians, I think it protects police, I think it adds transparency and accountability,” Golub told the council Sept. 21. 

Golub had previously served as co-chair of the city’s ad hoc Police Reform Task Force – which had recommended the implementation of a CRB as part of a 50-point plan evaluated by the council earlier this year. The council voted to accept a police reform plan shortly before the state-mandated April 1 deadline, although a handful of the 50 items were removed because the city did not have the authority to implement them, or because they required further evaluation, city attorney Vince DeLeonardis said at that time. 

{loadmoduleid 268}

This week, Golub pointed to specific points as being critical to forming a successful board. Those points included securing the support and involvement of police and political leaders, ensuring the board is comprised of credible and impartial members, and setting appropriate funding that would secure budgetary needs over multiple years, as opposed to year-by-year where they may be subject to ever-changing political winds. 

Golub also provided a framework for a timeline. He suggested six months be spent in preparation and in advance of hearing any potential cases, as well as using that time to ensure that funding is in place, and setting two years for a pilot program. “To me that would be the next logical step from where we are today.” 

Absent of future City Council direction, Golub indicated last Tuesday’s presentation would serve as a final update. The City Council will now need to determine if taking steps to form a CRB is something it wants to move on. The council is scheduled to next meet on Tuesday, Oct. 5. 

Council Looks to Future Saratoga Springs as a Bike-Friendly City 

• The council unanimously voiced its support for a resolution from the Saratoga Safe Cycling Coalition and presented by Bikeatoga that calls for the city’s continued budgetary funding of future bike lane signage and striping projects. 

“As we pass this resolution I want to make the council aware that we want to work with (the department of) Public Safety, Traffic, Complete Streets, and Bikeatoga to come up with some good projects to connect our community with good bike lanes,” said Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan.  Madigan reported there is currently $233,000 available to spend on an “upcoming good, overall Complete Streets project” as well as $100,000 in the mayor’s Capital Budget passed during last month’s council meeting – “so, we’re already looking at $333,000 – which is a fair amount of money to start looking at an engineering plan and scoping out some good bike lines internally for the city.” 

City Supervisor Matt Veitch additionally noted there have been multiple talks regarding bike route systems at the County level. “We’ve come up with a proposal to present to the county for bike routes that would be sign-bicycle-routes on county roads connecting various communities,” Veitch said. “There will be at least one road in every single community designated as a bike route, and a few local roads as well that we’re going to hopefully get some of the towns to sign off on and make connections to county roads.” Veitch said the goal is to bring the measure to the county Board of Supervisors for approval in October.   

Next Steps for UDO – Public Hearings in October, Vote in November 

• A presentation was staged Sept. 21 regarding the proposed city Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO – a tool which aims to streamline the review and approval process as it relates to zoning and subdivision regulations. Public Hearings regarding the UDO, which may be reviewed on the city’s website, are slated to take place during the next two scheduled council meetings Oct. 5 and Oct. 19, with a potential vote to adopt on Nov. 16.