• A Proclamation was read honoring Spc. Abigail Rose “Abby” Jenks, a 2018 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and a resident of the town of Wilton who was killed April 19, 2021 while par-ticipating in an airborne training operation. She was 20 years old. 

Jenks enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 2018 and was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. with the 82nd Airborne Division. Her mother Mary and brother Anthony were in attendance at the Wilton town board meeting, which included a presentation by State Sen. Daphne Jordan. 

“I can’t imagine what you’ve been through these past few months,” Jordan said to members of Jenks’ family before reading the state Senate proclamation. Jordan also recognized the town of Wilton as becoming the latest Purple Heart community in the 43rd Senate District. The Purple Heart is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. military.      

• COVID update: “Last week I probably sat in on five meetings (regarding) COVID,” Wilton Town Su-pervisor told the board. “I honestly believe the county health officials, it’s going to get worse. So, I wish everyone watching us will maybe do a little more research on the shots, at least take them for your loved ones. It’s going to be a serious problem, I think. I’m afraid to say that, but I think we’re in trouble.” 

According to the CDC, in the 12831 zip code, which includes Wilton, 74.3% of the population have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 70.3% have completed the vaccine series, as of the week of Aug. 16. The town of Wilton has created a Covid-19 Resources information page regarding vaccines on its website. For more information, go to: www.townofwilton.com/covid-19-resources. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) has partnered with The Business for Good Foundation to provide affordable apartments with support services to low-income residents in Saratoga Springs. 

The Foundation gifted long-term use of the building at 1 Franklin Square to build the availability of supportive and affordable housing in the city. 

“The gift works to fill the community need for affordable apartments with supportive care,” Duane J. Vaughn, Executive Director at Shelters of Saratoga, said in a statement. “Access to health care, food, employment, and community services promotes self-sufficiency and stable housing.” 

Ed and Lisa Mitzen formed Business for Good with a mission to invest in people to build better businesses, stronger communities, and a more equitable world. 

Shelters of Saratoga operates 11 affordable apartment units with support services for 16 residents in downtown Saratoga Springs. The agency recently purchased the former Spa Motel on Ballston Ave, Saratoga Springs. The 9-unit motel will open as part of the supportive housing program in 2023.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Among all 62 New York counties, Saratoga saw the fifth largest percent increase in county population from 2010 to 2020, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. The increase of nearly 16,000 residents shows 7.2% growth over that 10-year-span.

“You look at the numbers and clearly Saratoga County stands out from just about everyone else in terms of our steady, consistent growth – not just in the last 10 years, but in the last 50 years,” said Todd Shimkus, president at Saratoga Chamber of Commerce.

Saratoga County was home to just over 150,000 residents in 1980. Population increased to just over 180,000 in 1990 and 200,00 at the start of the new century. County population numbers grew to  219,000 in 2010, and to more than 235,000 according to the new report. 

“The numbers I’ve seen suggest that people are coming from all around the world,” Shimkus said. “We’ve had a tremendous boost over the last 10 years from GlobalFoundries, manufacturing and health care have also helped immensely.” Telecommuting is also playing a role, he added. “The ability to work in one place for an employer in another. I think part of our population growth has been people who love the quality of life here and have employers that will let them work from anywhere.”    

The total population in Saratoga County now stands at 235,509, with 188,616 of those – or 80.1 percent – age 18 and over. There are 109,919 housing units in Saratoga County with 98,756 – or 89.8 percent of them occupied, according to the report. 

New York State Tops 20 Million Residents; Overall, U.S. Growth Sluggish

On Aug. 12, the U.S. Census Bureau released its redistricting data which states may now use in redrawing congressional, legislative, and local district boundaries. Initial data detailed changes in the size and distribution of the population across the United States from 2010 to 2020.

Overall, the U.S. counts a population of about 331.4 million people – 7.4% increase in 2020 over 2010. That is, however, the slowest population growth nationally in several decades. 

“Many counties within metro areas saw growth, especially those in the south and west. However, as we’ve been seeing in our annual population estimates, our nation is growing slower than it used to,” Marc Perry, a senior demographer at the Census Bureau, said in a statement that accompanied the data release. “This decline is evident at the local level where around 52% of the counties in the United States saw their 2020 Census populations decrease from their 2010 Census populations.” 

The largest county in the United States in 2020 remains Los Angeles County with over 10 million people. The largest city remains New York with 8.8 million people.

New York State specifically grew 4.2% from a population of 19,378,102 in 2010 to 20,201,249 in 2020 – with nearly 80% of the population age 18 and over. 

Race

Since the first Census Redistricting Data Program, conducted as part of the 1980 census, the U.S. Census Bureau has included summaries for the major race groups specified by the Statistical Programs and Standards Office of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Originally, the tabulation groups included White, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander, plus “some other race.” These race data were also cross-tabulated by Hispanic/Non-Hispanic origin.

In the 2020 report, there were 220,319 Saratoga County residents, or 93.6% of the county population who reported their race as white alone or in combination with another race, compared to 62.0% who did so across New York State, and 71% nationwide; 2.8% in Saratoga County reported their race as black or African American alone or in combination (compared to 17.5% statewide, and 14.2% U.S.); 1.9% American Indian and Alaska Native alone or in combination (2.0% N.Y., 2.9% U.S.), 4.1% Asian alone or in combination (10.8% N.Y., 7.2% U.S.). Less than 1% reported their race as Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander in the 2020 Census at the state, county, and national levels. Ethnicity: 3.7% who reported their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino (compared to 19.5% N.Y., and 18.7% across the U.S.). 

Hyperlocal

The U.S. Census Bureau report data details changes in population at the national, state and county levels. Additional information via the Bureau will be forthcoming. 

The Empire Center for Public Policy, Inc. – an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank based in Albany – calculated population figures for towns, cities and villages. Those calculations follow below. 

There are 19 towns and 2 cities in Saratoga County. These municipalities are represented at the county level by 23 Supervisors – one Supervisor representing each town and city, with the exception of Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs – the two largest populated locations and represented by two supervisors each.  The towns of Ballston, Halfmoon, Malta, and Moreau each show double-digit percent increases in population over the past decade. Conversely, the Saratoga County towns of Day, Hadley, and Waterford show the largest percent decreases, according to the data.     

The city of Saratoga Springs specifically increased population 7.2% over the decade, the eighth highest percent increase over the decade among the state’s 60 cities.  Nearby Cohoes, which grew 12.2% ranked first in the state. Saratoga Springs is now the 23rd most populated city in New York.

Data and graphs compiled for this piece provided by The United States Census Bureau, and from The Empire Center for Public Policy, Inc. 

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors held their full monthly meeting in Ballston Spa on Aug. 17, during which they read proclamations noting the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the attacks on 9/11, the efforts of area non-profit organization during COVID-19, and recognized the county Women in Government Leadership Program. The board also adopted 30 different resolutions. The following were among the measures adopted: 

American Rescue Plan

• The Board authorized the acceptance of $22,324,096.50 in Federal Aid under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).

The funds are among the $1.9 Trillion economic stimulus package intended to assist the United States recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the ongoing recession. The county noted the funds will be held until the Board determines “appropriate funding expenditures in accordance with the rules and guidance as promulgated by the U.S. Department of Treasury.” 

• The County announced it has been awarded a $59,000 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 grant for purposes directly related to the Saratoga County Airport. The funds may include, but not be limited to, reimbursement of the airport’s operational, maintenance, and sanitation expenses. 

Public Health, COVID-19

• Saratoga County Public Health Services was awarded $3.98 million in state aid 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. 

The grant funding will be used to obtain diagnostic tests and laboratory services to screen for COVID-19, pay shipping costs for specimens, and support a K-12 COVID surveillance officer as well as school managers to provide on-site testing support to schools throughout the county. 

• The county subsequently moved to execute an agreement of up to $3.52 million with Quadrant Biosciences, Inc., of Syracuse, for COVID-19 screening, diagnostic and laboratory services to assist schools with enhanced detection and response to COVID-19.  Quadrant Biosciences will provide Clarifi COVID-19 saliva testing kits, which are FDA approved saliva-based, qPCR screening and diagnostic testing for the virus, as well as providing laboratory services with results available in 24 hours or less. 

• The Board approved the acceptance of $650,000 in state funds for the enhanced detection, surveillance and prevention of COVID-19, and to pay for employees hired for COVID-19 response activities. Previously, $1.5 million for the ELC-COVID-19 Enhanced Detection Non-Lab grant was accepted for the term July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022. The new funding period covers Feb. 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023. 

• With an eye on transitioning County Public Health Services into a full-service health department, the Board agreed to create a Director of Environmental Health Services position, at a base salary of $95,472. 

Other Items

• Based on recommendations from the county Public Safety Committee and the Saratoga County Sheriff, the county will execute an agreement with the United States Department of the Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center for the lease of 15 night vision googles, at a cost of $4,500. The cost will be fully funded by a Homeland Security grant

• The Board amended a previous resolution capped at just over $143,000 with Presentation Concepts Corporation which called for for audio/visual upgrades of the Board of Supervisors Room and Conference Room. That limit was increased to a total project cost of up to $315,000. 

• The Board authorized payment under the 2021 Trails Grant Program of approximately $75,000 to various county municipalities to fund trail development and construction projects. Among the municipalities and projects are: Town of Greenfield – $10,000 to be applied towards the Brookhaven Park Trail Upgrades; Town of Ballston – $2,500 to be applied towards the Ballston Veteran’s Trail Extension to Garrett Road; Town of Moreau – $10,000 to be applied towards the Hudson River Byway Trail; Town of Wilton, Town of Greenfield / Saratoga PLAN –$10,000 each to be applied towards the Saratoga County Community Forest; Town of Malta – just over $2,100 to be applied towards the Malta Ecological Park Trail Restoration. Each municipality is required to provide matching funds or services in-kind. 

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BALLSTON SPA – With an eye on schools reopening amid concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the county announced a new $3.9 million initiative that offers testing for local students, teachers and staff. 

Next week, the Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a $3.9 million project, that will make available what Board of Supervisors Chairman Theodore Kusnierz called “a patient-friendly, non-invasive saliva/swab test in schools.” The project is fully funded by a federal grant via the CDC, and covers both the equipment contract – at $3.5 million with Quadrant Biosciences Inc. of Syracuse – as well as “necessary staffing” the board deems as appropriate for the tests conducted in schools. 

“I think this will be well-received by the schools,” Kusnierz said.  Results of the self-administered PCR test will be available in 24 hours, and assistance will be available for any student that needs help in performing the test. 

“The Superintendent of BOCES (Anita Murphy) is a member of our Task Force and she’s playing a key role in ensuring the strategy of our school districts – even those outside of Saratoga County – are aware of what we’re doing here in Saratoga,” Kusnierz said. 

“The frequency of testing will follow CDC recommendation – so that will depend on the level of community transmission and whether certain individuals are engaged in extra-curricular activities or sports, but in general it will be once a week when community transmission is at any level but low,” said Saratoga County Public Health Commissioner Dr. Daniel Kuhles. 

The CDC identifies four ascending levels of community transmission – Low, Moderate, Substantial, and High – by measuring the number of positive tests compared to county population over a seven-day period. In Saratoga County – where there is a population of approximately 230,000 – the LOW category would equate to less than 23 persons per week testing positive for COVID-19. The number of persons as of Aug. 11 testing positive in the county this past week is 295.        

Asked about implementation of the tests, as well as masking, Dr. Kuhles replied, “questions about mandates are really for the elected officials and school boards to decide.” 

“Regarding school reopening, the county is not taking any position or mandates as far as what schools are going to do at this point – that decision is going to be up to the individual schools,” said Clifton Park Supervisor and SHARP (Saratoga Health And Readiness Planning) Task Force member Jonathan Schopf. “We’re hoping for a target date of around August 16 when the schools will release their reopening policies.” 

Earlier this month, the Saratoga Springs City School District updated its current health and safety plans, requiring all students and staff to wear an appropriate mask at all times while inside any of the district’s buildings. 

“Masking is known to be an effective layer of prevention in schools and other locations,” said Dr. Kuhles. “It prevents the wearer from being exposed when used consistently and correctly and it can also act as a type of source control if the wearer of the mask is infected and prevent exposures to others.” 

Kusnierz said Saratoga County is the third most vaccinated county in the state outside of New York City. Meanwhile, Saratoga County remains in the “High Transmission” range of the virus as per CDC metrics. As per age range, the 18 to 29 years-of-age group has returned the most positive test results since Aug. 1 Kusnierz said, accounting for one-fourth of all positive cases in  Saratoga County.   

“The increase in numbers regarding the Delta variant with the COVID-19 disease certainly is concerning based upon what we’re seeing happen across the nation, across New York State, and we’re also concerned here in Saratoga County,” said Kusnierz, “but I just want to keep it in perspective If you look at the (relatively low) number of people being hospitalized.” 

“Yes, the numbers are going up, however the best way for an individual to be protected is to get the vaccination. It’s been demonstrated scientifically: you get the vaccine, there’s a high probability you’re not going to get admitted to the hospital…I encourage all our residents to receive the vaccination,” Kusnierz said.

Dr. Kuhles agreed. “The vaccine is doing what it is designed to do which is prevent hospitalizations, severe illness, and death…vaccine remains our most effective tool in our battle against COVID.”   

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. has been awarded a grant of $1 million to implement its Rural Communities Opioid Response program, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Saratoga, announced Aug. 9. 

The Rural Communities Opioid Response program is a multi-year program that addresses barriers to treatment for substance abuse and opioid use disorder. The funds work to enhance access to care so rural communities can seek treatment and prevention services needed to combat the opioid epidemic. 

“The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on the North Country, and unfortunately, the crisis has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This important funding will go a long way both to combat this terrible epidemic and expand access to care so that those suffering from addiction can receive the treatment they need,” Stefanik said, in a statement. 

BALLSTON SPA — Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett, chair of the Public Health Advisory Task Force announced on Aug. 6 the Task Force is recommending the county create a Director of Environmental Health position as an important step in transitioning from a county Public Health Services office to a full-service County Department of Health. 

As a result of an increase in resident population, the county must convert from a partial health service county to a full health service district, pursuant to NY Public Health Law Article 340. This conversion requires the addition of an environmental services unit, as these services will no longer be provided by the New York State Department of Health. Saratoga County is working directly with the New York State Department of Health during this transition process. 

“The creation of a Director of Environmental Health is a critical step in the process, as this person will play an important role in creating and implementing environmental health programs, which are an integral part of building out the full-scale health department,” Barrett said, in a statement.

The measure will be up for vote by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors at their Aug. 17 meeting. If approved, the recruitment process will begin to fill the position. Under the general supervision of the Saratoga County Health Commissioner, the Director of Environmental Health will plan, direct, supervise and execute all environmental health programs throughout the county. 

The Environmental Health Services Department within the County Department of Health will administer public health programs related to air pollution, water supplies and purification, sewage disposal, stream pollution, sanitary control of restaurants and public eating places, camps, hotels, rabies, lead, toxins, lodging houses, boarding houses, swimming pools, general sanitation, hazardous and solid wastes and enforce relevant provisions of the New York State Public Health Law and Sanitary Code and related local laws. 

GALWAY — On the evening of Aug. 16, Saratoga PLAN is hosting a bluegrass concert to raise funds for conservation in Saratoga County. The concert is being held at the Cock ‘N Bull Restaurant in Galway and will feature treasured local duo, The Gibson Brothers. 

 Tickets to the event are $75 and include complimentary finger foods. There will be a cash bar. Guests are invited to bring their own blankets and chairs for lawn-style seating; other seating is limited. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the bluegrass begins at 6:30 p.m. 

 This is PLAN’s first major event since COVID-19 protocols have been lifted. Proceeds from the event will benefit Saratoga PLAN’s ongoing protection of critical resources helping to combat climate change, including farms that provide local food, forested lands absorbing CO2 and rainwater, and open spaces providing wildlife corridors for native plants and animals. The only land trust focused on Saratoga County, PLAN is currently working on 18 land projects totaling over 2,000 acres.   

 Limited tickets are available and can be purchased at: saratogaplan.org/events/bluegrass-concert.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Hospital announced on Aug. 9 it is requiring that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 7 or be tested for the virus weekly.

The vaccination policy requires employees to provide proof of vaccination by the Sept. 7 deadline or start weekly testing. The policy also includes exemptions and deferrals. Those who do not comply with the policy will be placed on leave.

“As Saratoga County’s only hospital and as a major employer, we owe it to patients and staff to do everything possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that our facilities are safe for all who work here and rely on us for care,” said Angelo Calbone, Saratoga Hospital president and CEO, in a statement.

“The evidence is clear: These vaccines save lives,” he said. 

The policy reflects guidance from the hospital’s medical staff, board of trustees and individuals across the Saratoga Hospital organization and will be reviewed regularly and updated to reflect changing conditions, new knowledge and the latest CDC guidance.

Saratoga Hospital joins more than 90 hospitals and health systems nationwide in requiring COVID-19 vaccination for employees. New York State has announced it will require state employees to be vaccinated as of Labor Day. And nearly 60 major medical organizations—including the American Medical Association and American Nurses Association—have called for “all healthcare and long-term care employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.”