Click Here: Saratoga Recycles Day: New Stations, Printable Packing List & Community Composting Challenge

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A fourth and final workshop was recently conducted to review opinions from the county and city Planning Boards, the public, and the Design Review Commission, pertaining to the proposed Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO. 

A UDO is a tool combining traditional zoning and subdivision regulations, along with other development standards for items such as design guidelines, storm water management, and signs and street standards into one, easy-to-read reference document. 

The council announced the next steps regarding the UDO. They include: Inputting the most recent changes and creating a “final-final” version for public released at the next City Council meeting, on Sept. 21; Hosting Public Hearings regarding the document on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19, with an anticipated vote to adopt the UDO on Nov. 16. 

CLIFTON PARK  — Saratoga County officials announced last week that work is continuing on the Ashdown Road Bridge construction project. 

The delivery of steel has shifted the project closer to its initial timeline. The project is now estimated to be completed by mid-October.

Construction began in late spring and was initially expected to be completed in September. Delays in procurement of materials, labor shortages along with general supply chain issues caused an amended timeline of completion, according to Saratoga County officials. 

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week that the commissioner of health has designated COVID-19 a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under New York State’s HERO Act, which requires all employers to implement workplace safety plans in the event of an airborne infectious disease, helping to prevent workplace infections. 

The NY HERO Act mandates extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Under the law, all employers are required to adopt a workplace safety plan  and implement it for all airborne infectious diseases designated by the New York State Department of Health. Employers can adopt a model safety plan as crafted by the New York State Department of Labor or develop their own safety plan in compliance with HERO Act standards.

The HERO Act’s purpose is to ensure that businesses are prepared with protocols and resources to protect their employees and the public from the spread of airborne infectious diseases, like COVID’s Delta variant.

The law protects employees from retaliation for making a complaint about employer’s failure to comply with the law or the adopted plan. 

Additional information and industry-specific templates for employers are being made available on the DOL’s website, at: www.dol.ny.gov/ny-hero-act  

MALTA — At its full board meeting Sept. 7, the Malta Town Board unanimously approved in a 5-0 vote a resolution to designate the Millard-Emigh House as a historical landmark. The property, located at 340 Brownell Road, is currently owned by Dr. Geoffrey Hill and Jayne Kirber. 

• Following up on an Aug. 10 workshop, the Board voted 4-1 to use $70,000 the town had received in American Rescue Plan funds for technology upgrades – which is detailed as computer equipment board meeting upgrades.

• In July, the town received a petition signed by 29 residents concerned about the speed of motor vehicles and safety of residents on Nelson Avenue Extension. At its Sept. 7 meeting, the board formally requested that state Department of Transportation study the conditions on Nelson Avenue Extension with a goal of lowering the current speed limits on the road. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Floydwarriors.com, Inc. ‘Helping Families Cope with Cancer, One Household at a Time” is currently selling pink satin tribute bows for its 8th Annual ‘Pink Bows on Broadway’ Campaign. This only annual fundraising drive by floydwarriors.com, gives individuals ($50 donation) and businesses ($250 donation) the opportunity to recognize heroes who have battled cancer or fought alongside someone who has. Three very special “Main Event Sponsorships” ($1,500) are open, as well.

All pink bows will be prominently displayed on Broadway in Saratoga Springs THROUGH October. Each bow is accompanied by a tribute card that allows the sponsor to celebrate individual heroes including survivors, lost loved ones, physicians, fundraising warriors, special caregivers, family/friends, and any other person that deserves recognition for their involvement in the war against cancer. 

All proceeds from the campaign will benefit floydwarriors.com, a 501 (C3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide real help in the home for families undergoing cancer treatment mainly by the way of meals, cleanings and support of childcare. Floydwarriors.com started in 2010 and for the past 9 years delivered its mission, “Dinner is Done, Dishes are Clean, and The Kids are OK!” 

All sponsorships are due by Sept. 25. To purchase a bow online visit Eventbrite’s (URL) campaign or visit www.floydwarriors.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The annual Saratoga International Flavorfeast, slated this year to take place in October, has been postponed and rescheduled to take place October 8, 2022. 

“As you know, Saratoga International Flavorfeast couldn’t go on last year due to COVID-19, and as we approached this year, we thought it might be doable,” said event co-organizer Fran Dingeman, in a statement. “Unfortunately, in light of the recent increase in cases, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event and look to a brighter and safer 2022.”

For more information on how to participate in the 2022 event as a sponsor, restaurateur, retailer, or entertainer, visit www.saratogaflavorfeast.com or call 518-365-3459

MALTA ­— Malta Veteran Appreciation Program has dedicated and donated their second house to a deserving local veteran.

On Sunday, Sept. 12, a ceremony and ribbon cutting was held to welcome a local veteran and his family to their new home in Malta Gardens Park. The home, donated by the Solomon Organization, is the second Homes to Heroes project completed by the Malta Veteran Appreciation Program. 

The 3 bedroom, 2 full-bath home was fully gutted and remodeled. It now features a modern farmhouse kitchen, ample closet/storage space, plenty of natural lighting from brand-new windows, and even a small deck off the living room space. 

This is the second Homes for Heroes project completed by Malta Veteran Appreciation Program. The first was a tiny home built in the same park and donated two years ago. Local contractors, trade unions, and volunteers donate their labor and materials. You can watch a video of the full remodel process here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ey16v9Wdc4&feature=youtu.be. 

“We do this to improve the lives of veterans and improve neighborhood,” said Renee Farley, Chairperson, Malta Veteran Appreciation Program. “We are hoping to create a better community and a better park.” 

Farley also noted that three local students who volunteered their time have taken an interest in the trades and aspire to attend trade schools; even children as young as six years old were helping with the yard work. 

“The military has served us, and now it’s our turn to serve them,” said Farley.”

When the remodel is close to being complete, the Program asks the community for the names of local veterans in need. The two requirements are that they live in Saratoga County and have an honorable DD214 discharge. An appropriate veteran (and family) is picked for the size of the house, but they keep a list of names for future houses.

The Malta Veteran Appreciation Program also provides other charitable support services to veterans in Saratoga County, such as helping them get medical transportation, home repairs, and buying groceries. 

Support the Malta Veterans Appreciation Program and help locate our veterans in need by visiting www.maltavets.com or reaching out to MaltaVets@gmail.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — As the summer season comes to an end, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation offers a fall calendar packed with Sunday Strolls, bike tours, and more! Autumn Series events are offered this Sunday through Oct. 24.

On Sunday, Sept. 19, Charlie Kuenzel will explore the historic landscape architecture of Congress Park, share about the history of Saratoga and its springs, and highlight the Canfield Casino. Historic Congress Park tour meets in Congress Park in front of the Canfield Casino at 10:30 a.m. 

Additional Autumn Strolls include tours of mail-order houses of the east side on October 3rd, the return of Pups for Preservation on Oct. 17 when dogs and their humans stroll North Broadway, and the Gut neighborhood on Oct. 24.

All Sunday morning tours last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours will be limited to 30 people and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. Members who have received complimentary Stroll passes should contact the Foundation directly to reserve their ticket. 

In addition to the Autumn Strolls, the Foundation will be offering bike tours of the Saratoga Spa State Park on Sunday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 9. Bike tours last approximately three hours, attendees must bring or rent their bike, and space is limited. 

The Foundation is also hosting its popular Twilight Cemetery Tour “Madness, Murder, Untimely Deaths, and Strange Coincidences,” on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. which provides a rare opportunity to explore Greenridge Cemetery at dusk with tour leader Gloria May. Tickets for the Bike Tours and the Twilight Cemetery Tour are $20 for SSPF Members and $25 for non-members.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.saratogapreservation.org, call 518-587-5030, or email Nicole Babie, Membership & Programs Director: nbabie@saratogapreservation.org.

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County Officials announced a new initiative designed to help get people back into the workforce. WorkPays! is a public education campaign that showcases the services provided by the Saratoga County Career Center and promotes the importance to returning to the workforce. 

The Federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) supplement of $300 ended on Sept. 4. Extended UI benefits, which allowed for claimants to receive benefits beyond 26-weeks have also ended. This means that only claimants in the regular 26-week UI window will continue to receive benefits. 

The Saratoga County Career Center offers many free services and resources to help those returning to the workforce. The Career Center offers free virtual workshops designed to help individuals master the job search process. Topics include Transferable Skills, Goal Setting, Resume Development, Interview Prep, and more. These workshops are ideal for anyone who may feel they need assistance approaching the job search process or who need help changing careers. To see the schedule and register, please visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar. The New York State Department of Labor has also launched the virtual Career Center at careeronestop.org, that provides resources for job-seekers.

The Career Center also offers a free, self-guided eLearning courses through Metrix, a national online training company. There are more than 5,000 courses available, and no maximum limit of courses one can take. Courses include skills development for clerical, healthcare, financial, manufacturing, and IT industries; software training for platforms such as Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop, and Auto CAD, and business development courses such as leadership training, conflict resolution and more. Saratoga County residents can register for a free account at www.metrixlearning.com to take courses and earn certifications to bolster their skills and resume. 

The Career Center also provides one-on-one guidance and structured training for career planning and job seeking. Interested residents can call the Career Center at 518-884-4170. Calls are returned within the hour. Please note: The Career Center staff cannot address issues or specific questions about an individual’s UI benefit status. These questions should be directed to the NYS DOL claims center at 1-888-209-8124.

For those who are ready to begin their job search, the Career Center can connect individuals with job search resources such as the New York State Job Bank newyork.usnlx.com, which offers job listings for vacancies throughout New York State and the Job Link, thejoblink.org, which offers job listings for vacancies in Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties.