SARATOGA SPRINGS/ WILLISTON/ S. BURLINGTON, VT — Healthy Living Market and Café today announces that a combined $49,167 has been donated to food banks in each of its three communities as a result of its round-up campaign, Together We Can Help.

Four organizations received a donation for the 2020 fundraising campaign. In Saratoga, the Wilton Food Pantry and the Franklin Community Center Food Shelf have each received $3,186. In Vermont, $24,701 will be provided to Feeding Chittenden and $18,904 to the South Burlington Food Shelves. 

“Making such impactful donations is a team effort,” says Eli Lesser-Goldsmith, CEO of Healthy Living. “We are thankful to our incredible guests who share our desire to build stronger communities by helping our friends and neighbors. Food insecurity is a severe, increasing issue nationwide. With so many people facing hunger in the communities we serve since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we hope these donations will make a difference.”

Guests can share in the mission to support the work of community-oriented nonprofits by choosing to round up at the register. This year, Together We Can Help donations will go to the Wilton Food Pantry, Franklin Community Center Food Shelf, the South Burlington Food Shelf and Feeding Chittenden.

CLIFTON PARK — The patience of thousands of N.Y. seniors and their families has finally been rewarded with relaxed visitation and communal activities now being authorized by the New York State Department of Health, the regulating agency. 

The Department of Health’s new guidelines, issued on March 25, have essentially opened the doors again for over 50,000 residents who call the assisted living community their home. This long-awaited guidance is based on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMC) guidelines and allows for visitation more widely and for residents to go on outings without the heavy burden of having to quarantine for 14 days upon return. 

Some particularly significant changes that the new guidance makes, including that visitation and other activities will no longer need to be shut down for 14 days for all residents if there is a new positive resident or staff case, said Lisa Newcomb, Executive Director, Empire State Association of Assisted Living. In addition, standards for group activities and communal dining have been relaxed.  These changes mean that residents will be able to enjoy time with their fellow residents that they call friends, and enjoy all the wonderful amenities and activities provided by their assisted living community. 

Empire State Association of Assisted Living is a not-for-profit organization. Founded in 1979, ESAAL is the only association that exclusively represents the assisted living industry, serving 300 Assisted Living Residences, Adult Homes, Enriched Housing Programs and Assisted Living Programs throughout New York State. These member residences are home to more than 30,000 seniors.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Wesley Community announced on April 2 that in-person family visitations have officially resumed at the Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs. 

Wesley Health Care Center is currently welcoming families for 40-minute in-person visits with residents on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Families can register online through The Wesley Community’s website. All visits must be scheduled in advance.

In-person family visitations at the senior care facility had been temporarily paused in accordance with New York State health and safety rules and regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Throughout the pandemic, Wesley has kept families connected through outdoor window visits and virtual visits. Wesley expanded its Life Enrichment staff and technology to help facilitate more than 3,000 online visits since the pandemic began. Wesley has also provided opportunities for compassionate care visits amongst residents and their families.

Wesley Health Care Center is part of The Wesley Community, a 37-acre continuum of care campus in Saratoga Springs which provides seniors with a variety of levels of care including independent living, assisted living, long-term care, outpatient therapies, short-term rehabilitation and home care.

BALLSTON SPA — Wiswall Park is in need of revitalization, but the Village of Ballston Spa needs the community’s help to move the project forward. 

The Village of Ballston Spa Park and Tree Board, along with a group of citizens, have been working on a renovation plan for Wiswall Park. On Nov. 9, 2020, they proposed their concept design at a Village Board meeting. However, they need public feedback before it can be finalized. 

The reasons for revitalization listed by the Village of Ballston Spa Park and Tree Board are the invasive plants, dilapidated gazebo and park benches, the awkward location of the spring, uneven paths, and more. Their concept design is based on the park being a quiet retreat for strolling, sitting, visiting, and having lunch. The Board adds that they also want opinions on moving community events that previously took place at Wiswall Park to other locations in the Village. 

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Liz Kormos, Trustee and Liaison to the Park and Tree Board, stated that the concerts will be moved to Iron Springs Park and the farmers’ market moved to Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum this summer to allow for the work to be done. Movies are still planned for Wiswall Park with Iron Springs Park as the alternate location. 

The Village of Ballston Spa Park and Tree Board asks that you freely share your thoughts regarding the concept design of the park and its future uses by emailing ParkandTree@villageofballstonspa.org by April 12.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Railroad Run. Waterfront Park. Pitney Meadows Community Farm. 

Last updated in 2002, the city is inviting community participation in a survey to help update its Open Space Plan. The survey deadline is April 16. 

Originally developed in 1994 and updated in 2002, the Open Space Plan for the City of Saratoga Springs included a set of policy recommendations such as the preservation of wetlands, stream corridors and the development of trail systems aimed at furthering the communities’ vision of the “City in the County.”

Following recommendations from that update, an Open Space bond fund program was created to protect, preserve, enhance, and improve environmentally sensitive, recreational and scenic land. 

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By definition, Open Space is targeted as land which is not intensively developed for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional use, and may be publicly or privately owned. What land is defined as open space depends in part on its surroundings. A vacant lot or a small marsh can be open space in a big city. A narrow corridor or pathway for walking or bicycling is open space even though it is surrounded by developed areas. 

Survey results will aid Saratoga Springs in updating the 2002 Open Space Plan and establish open space goals for the next five years. The update will inventory open spaces, identify special areas for protection, and establish priorities and potential funding to guide future acquisition and preservation.

The deadline to complete the survey is April 16, and it may be found on the project website at saratogaspringsopenspaces.com.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS — An application to demolish a building at 65 Phila St. has been denied by the Design Review Commission, and a similar application to demolish 69 Phila St. was withdrawn, according to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, which has advocated for the preservation of both buildings.

The measure to withdraw was made because the applicants have entered into a contract to sell the property to someone who is intending to preserve the building, according to the Foundation. 

“While this is a positive outcome, the future of 65 and 69 Phila Street is not yet secure. The Foundation will continue to advocate for the preservation of these buildings,” the organization said, in a statement.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — At the conclusion of his eight two-year term as City Accounts Commissioner, John Franck will not be seeking reelection, the longtime councilmember announced this week in a statement. 

“It has been my honor to serve the city I love,” said Franck, citing an ongoing family medical concern as the reason. 

All five seats on the City Council, as well as both supervisor positions, are up for vote in November. Franck is the third of five current council members who have announced they will not be running in the fall. City Mayor Meg Kelly – who has served two, two-year terms, and Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan – who has served five terms – each said they will not seek re-election. 

Additionally, current Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton recently announced she will seek re-election, but that she will do so as a “no party” member, after changing her party registration to no longer being an active member of the GOP. 

Recent changes in election law have altered the landscape regarding the involvement of the number of political parties. Voters previously registered with the Green, Libertarian, Independence, or SAM party, are now considered No Party (NOP). 

The four political parties that now remain in New York State are Democratic, Republican, Conservative, and Working Families. 

While all registered voters are eligible to vote in the November General Election, No Party voters are not eligible to vote in any Primary Elections, which takes place June 22. 

Prior to the February 14 deadline that allowed registered voters to change their party affiliation – and therefore be eligible to vote in primaries of that new party they joined – 71 Saratoga Springs residents previously registered with other parties or unaffiliated with any party, switched their affiliation to the Working Families Party, according to voter enrollment documents secured from the Saratoga County Board of Elections. 

The Working Families party line in Saratoga Springs now counts 107 voters. Those 71 new members of the Working Families Party line came from various previous affiliations: 30 were previously registered Republicans, 17 Democrats, 7 Independence Party members, and a combined 5 members previously enrolled with the Conservative, Libertarian and Green party lines. Twelve had no previous party affiliation.  The shift in enrollments may have ramifications leading up to the election season. 

Potential candidate interested in running for a city position who does not have the endorsement of any of the four existing parties may do so independently, via independent nominating petitions. The number of petition signatures required varies according to municipality. 

In Saratoga Springs specifically, potential candidates interested in running for the City Council would need 305 signatures. The timing-window to secure those signatures begins April 13, and they must be filed the week of May 18-25. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — WellNow Urgent Care, which opened an office on South Broadway in January, announced it will begin distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible patients at its Clifton Park, Latham and Saratoga Springs centers, effective immediately. 

Appointments are required to receive the vaccine and can be booked online at Clifton Park, Latham and Saratoga Springs. Appointment times will be released as more vaccines become available. For an updated list of vaccine appointments available, go to: www.clockwisemd.com/hospitals/6471/appointments/schedule_visit. 

Once an appointment is booked, patients will receive a text confirmation and will be asked to complete e-registration prior to their visit. Vaccines are 100% covered by insurance for those with insurance, and of no cost to those without insurance. Some COVID-19 vaccines require two doses for effectiveness; appointments for the second dose will be made at the time patients receive their first dose. All WellNow centers are staffed by a Provider who can administer care in the unlikely event of a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine.

More than 13,000 Saratoga County residents – approximately 5.8% of the county population – have tested positive overall with COVID-19, approximately 1,650 of those confirmed cases in Saratoga Springs. 

As of this week, more than 80,000 Saratoga County residents – 35.5% of all county residents – have received at least one dose of the vaccine.   

The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the use of the Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen vaccines, although manufacturer brand may vary by location. Patients must meet New York State eligibility requirements to receive the vaccine and may be asked to present proof of eligibility at the time of their visit. For an updated list of priority groups eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, visit covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Congressman Paul. Tonko teamed up with colleagues in the House and Senate last week to introduce bipartisan legislation that would help the U.S. Forest Service plant 1.2 billion trees in national forests and support the creation of nearly 50,000 jobs over the next 10 years.

“I will continue to seize every opportunity available to deliver powerful climate solutions that speak to the urgent needs of the American people and create a cleaner, more resilient planet for generations to come,” said Tonko, a Democrat Congressman who represents portions of Saratoga Springs, in a prepared statement. 

The demand for reforestation has vastly outpaced the current funding available, which has contributed to a backlog of nearly 2 million acres in need of restoration. Each year, only 15 percent of the national forest tree planting backlog is addressed.

The REPLANT Act quadruples investments to support reforestation projects in national forests. The bill removes the current funding cap of $30 million per year in the Reforestation Trust Fund, making an average of $123 million annually available for reforestation in national forests. The bill only uses funds that are already being collected through tariffs on foreign wood products – it does not change the list of products, increase the tariffs, or use taxpayer funds. 

The REPLANT Act will help reforest 4.1 million acres by planting 1.2 billion trees over the next 10 years. Planting these trees will help address the climate crisis by sequestering 758 million metric tons of carbon over their lifetimes, which is equivalent to avoiding the use of 85.3 billion gallons of gasoline. Reforestation also improves soil health and protects wildlife habitats for hunting and fishing. It also strengthens our economy by creating jobs. A report completed by American Forests found that the REPLANT Act would create nearly 49,000 jobs over the next 10 years.