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Saratoga Springs Dem. Mayoral Primary Event June 12

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.

Incumbent Mayor Ron Kim (left), and challenger Chris Mathiesen (right). Photo: lwv.saratoga. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The public is invited to submit questions for incumbent city Mayor Ron Kim and mayoral challenger Chris Mathiesen in advance of the city’s Democratic Party Primary, which will take place June 27, with Early Voting beginning June 17.  

The “Meet The Candidates” event will take place virtually, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, June 12. The event will be live streamed on Zoom webinar and hosted by the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County – a local chapter of the League of Women Voters of New York State and the national League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization whose stated mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government.

Questions: The public is encouraged to submit questions for the candidates by June 9, 2023, to QuestionsLWVSC@gmail.com with “Mayor” in the subject line. Questions should be addressed to both candidates, represent a broad range of topics and not contain personal attacks.

The general election will take place in November for the two-year mayoral term. The Saratoga Springs Republican Committee has endorsed John Safford as the GOP’s candidate for mayor.  

In Saratoga Springs, there are just over 8,300 registered Democrats eligible to vote in the June 27 Primary. The city counts just over 5,800 registered Republicans, and 5,500 “blank” voters – or those registered to vote with no party affiliation, according to the Board of Elections.     

City Sets Sights on 24/7 Homeless Shelter

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city received one response to its RFP seeking to obtain proposals from qualified nonprofit organizations to operate a temporary low-barrier homeless shelter in Saratoga Springs. That respondent is RISE Housing and Support Services. 

“The next step for the City Council is an award of the bid; If that passes then we would enter into a contract with (RISE) and do a budget amendment to pay for the contracted amount,” Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim said on May 31.  

That potential shelter will serve as a temporary one and in lieu of a permanent shelter site – anticipated to be decided upon at some point this summer.

At the time it issued the RFP (Request for Proposal), the city was engaged in hoping to secure a public-private partnership by June 1 with the locally based RISE Housing and Support Services to provide a year-round, low-barrier, 24/7 interim homeless shelter at 4 Adelphi St. The agreement was to be discussed at length and voted on by the council in early May, but the item was pulled from the table after the council deemed an RFP for the project would first be required. 

Several weeks later, the one respondent to the proposal eventually turned out to be RISE Housing and Support Services. The organization detailed $239,385 as the amount needed as an operating budget to hire, train and staff the program, as well as maintain the facility. According to the RFP, contractors were requested to submit an annual proposed operating budget. 

That initial draft agreement stipulated the city provide funds to operate the interim shelter from the date of execution to Dec. 31, 2023, and pledged sufficient monetary resources to fully fund the operations of the facility “for the 2024 Fiscal year and such future years as required.” Additionally, it specified that the city anticipates awarding a 6-month contract for the remainder of 2023 and a subsequent one 1- year contract with up to three 3 additional 1-year renewal periods. 

City Still Seeks a Permanent Shelter

The Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness is currently searching for a permanent site for a homeless shelter and navigation center and is anticipated to provide its recommendations to the City Council in July. 

The Taskforce was formed In February 2023 and was charged with determining a working definition of “low-barrier,” determining whether there is a need in the city for a low-barrier shelter, providing recommendations for a possible location for a low-barrier shelter, and offering recommendations on possible funding sources for the operation of such a shelter. 

The implementation of any proposed shelter by the Taskforce, however, is anticipated to take several months or some years to complete. With the recent RFP, the city is hoping to create a temporary shelter for the unhoused in Saratoga Springs as an interim solution. 

The Adelphi Street building is the venue that served as the last city winter-seasonal temporary shelter. That lease, which was $8,000 per month and involved the Shelters of Saratoga organization, expired April 30. In previous years of operation, Saratoga County as well as the State have provided some level of funding support for shelter operations. When asked in April about the county’s potential support of a shelter based in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Todd Kusnierz said: “We will entertain any proposal that is provided to us.”

Union Avenue Street Tree Maintenance Starts June 5

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


Photo by Super Source Media

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Department of Public Works Commissioner Jason Golub announced that the Urban Forestry Division will be performing street tree maintenance on Union Avenue Starting on June 5.

The work will take approximately five days with brief lane closures for the removal of  twelve large trees in various states of decline under power lines, and the planting of twenty-four utility-line friendly trees.

The project will be performed in coordination with National Grid’s tree service vendor to trim trees around power lines. Removals will occur from Monday through Wednesday, and new plantings will take place on Thursday and Friday. Newly planted trees will be eligible for a $50 reimbursement, to the City, from National Grid as part of their “10,000 Trees” initiative.

Spa City Solicits Consultant to Create a Climate Action Plan 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The city of Saratoga Springs is scheduled to unveil responses to its call for Climate Action Plan consultants on June 6. Graphic: www.cityoftacoma.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City of Saratoga Springs has put out a call for bids in its search for consultants to collaborate with the city to define and create a Climate Action Plan.

The bids were initially scheduled to be unsealed on May 30. That day has been moved to June 6, at 2 p.m.   

The scope of services requested of the consultant include engaging city staff and Commissioners to secure feedback on planning aspects that impact various city departments, hosting a Public Meeting to present general information and benefits to the public, developing an inventory and gathering data related to city emissions, and Identifying climate action goals, setting GHG reduction targets for city operations, and finalizing a Climate Action Plan. 

On December 20, 2011, the Saratoga Springs City Council unanimously approved the Climate Smart Communities Resolution and pledged to be a Climate Smart City. The five-member council, under the leadership of then-Mayor Scott Johnson, asserted in its resolution that it “believes that climate change poses a real and increasing threat to local and global governments which is primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels,” and set a series of steps to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate.”    

Commissioner Montagnino: Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Facing Sixteen Charges of Misconduct

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.

Joseph Dolan.
Photo: www.saratoga-springs.org

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sixteen formal charges of misconduct have been filed against Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Joseph Dolan, according to city Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino. 

With the filing of the charges, Chief Dolan’s employment status goes from paid administrative leave to suspension without pay, Montagnino said in a statement. 

The 16 charges, the details of which were released May 23, include multiple allegations of Dolan’s attending training at the State Academy of Fire Sciences in Montour Falls, as well as providing training at the Saratoga County Fire Training Center Center, and at the Troy Fire Department for which he was paid by the state, while not charging “leave time,” and so also being paid full salary as city fire chief. 

The charges also allege an intent to obtain personal benefit by using a city-owned vehicle for personal use. 

“I don’t believe there’s anything here that would warrant the termination of the Chief’s employment,”  said Dolan’s attorney, Brian Culnan. “Based on the facts as I understand them, it’s obvious to me that the city is really not aware of a lot of the facts here and has charged him with a lot of stuff in which there’s really no wrongdoing.”  

Dolan’s response to the commissioner’s allegations is anticipated in early June.

Board of Ethics Advises Social Media Awareness for City Office Candidates 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In February 2023, Mike Brandi, Chairman of the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee, filed a complaint with the Saratoga Springs Board of Ethics regarding posts to the official City Facebook page which he said promoted campaign pages of Mayor Ron Kim and Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi. 

The complaint alleged that the posts violated Section 13-3(k) of the Code of Ethics which states, among other things, that officers or employees not use the City “workplace” to influence any person to participate in an election campaign or political event or to contribute to a political party, committee, campaign or candidate.

The City Board of Ethics returned a two-page response to Brandi’s inquiry on May 17 regarding the matter. 

The Board, in a 4-0 ruling, said that as the City’s Ethics policy does apply to the City’s social media practices, and in finding a social media site officially created by and maintained by the city as a “workplace,” that ”the Board must find that the postings did not comply with Section 13-3 (k).” 

Additionally, the Board added: “In reaching its conclusions it finds no intent on the part of either Council member to act contrary to the Code. It will advise, however, that in the future all candidates for office have a responsibility to be aware of, and to instruct their campaign staff on, the requirements of Section 13-3(k).”     

Fifth Annual Ballston Spa Birdhouse Festival June 11 – The Grand Unveiling Of More Than 1,000 Birdhouses

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The residents of Ballston Spa have been busy painting and decorating birdhouses to prepare for this special celebration of creativity and community spirit. The Village of Ballston Spa will be hosting the Fifth Annual Ballston Spa Birdhouse Festival in Wiswall Park and on Front Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11.

More than 1,000 birdhouses have been decorated by community members and from as far away as Albany and Vermont. These fantastic creations will hang throughout the retail district all summer, along with a 16-foot tall sculptural birdhouse in the center of Wiswall Park. 

The Birdhouse Festival is the kick-off of Ballston Spa’s summer arts and entertainment season. The Birdhouse Festival is family-friendly with free crafts and games for children, music, entertainment, food and vendors. Miller’s BBQ will serve their delicious BBQ chicken and pulled pork meals to eat in or take out. 

In addition, the Ballston Spa Fire Department will show off their new Heavy Rescue Fire Truck, and the Village Department of Public Works (DPW) will show off their recently purchased equipment. 

A favorite activity at the yearly festival is selecting favorite birdhouses and artists searching for their own works of art. Participants range in age from 4 to 94 years old and no two are alike. 

“The Birdhouse Program is an incredible community-oriented program that’s unique to the Village of Ballston Spa”, says Mayor Frank Rossi, II. “It’s what makes Ballston Spa so special, to see people work together to make our Village come alive with color, artwork and community spirit”. 

Mayor Rossi had the honor to select the 60 ‘Mayor’s Awards’ with Deputy Mayor/Trustee Bernadette VanDeinse and the Birdhouse Festival Chair, Mary Price-Bush. The Awards will be presented at 1 p.m. at the Birdhouse Festival. 

“Working with the Mayor and Trustee VanDeinse to select 60 birdhouses for the ‘Mayor’s Award’ was wonderful. Everyone put their heart and soul into creating such amazing artwork,” said Mary Price-Bush. “We’d like to thank everyone for participating in this year’s program. I’m so proud to be a part of this community; everyone cares so much about making our Village a great place to live.” 

The Festival has a rain date of June 18. The Birdhouse Festival and Program is generously sponsored by: Curtis Lumber, the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Saratoga County, the Town of Milton, Slic Fiber, New York Army National Guard and Verdant Architecture. 

Schuylerville Public Library Director Honored by Library Journal

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Caitlin Johnson, the Library Director at Schuylerville Public Library, has been named a 2023 Mover and Shaker by the Library Journal. According to the publication, the award profiles up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, and making a difference fighting against censorship, and helping improve their workplace. 

Johnson began her role as director in September 2015 and was able to quickly identify some core issues in her community like the lack of preschool opportunities and rural food insecurity. With the amazing group of people who work and volunteer at the Library, Johnson was able to initiate some innovative programs to help meet those needs. 

“Caitlin has developed a reputation for being the first to try something new and continues to bring exciting new programs and opportunities to our library to meet the needs of our community,” said Schuylerville Public Library Board of Trustees President Amy Carpenter. 

Johnson has increased community partnerships, leading to the library being a partner in the nationally award-winning Farm-2-Library fresh food distribution program, helping to get healthy free produce into the hands and bellies of residents. The Library Journal honor details the other efforts made by Johnson and staff to help meet library patrons’ basic needs, such as their annual participation in the Free Summer Meals program for children, elimination of overdue fines, Little Food Pantry open 24/7, and a free wireless internet zone in a nearby park. 

The Schuylerville Public Library is a school district library, established in 2013 to serve the towns and villages of Easton, Fort Edward, Greenwich, Northumberland, Saratoga, Schuylerville, Stillwater, Victory and Wilton. 

The Schuylerville Public Library is located at 52 Ferry St., Schuylerville. Call 518-695-6641, or visit: schuylervillelibrary.sals.edu. 

The Salvation Army of Saratoga Celebrates the 85th Anniversary of National Donut Day

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — This year marks the 85th anniversary and celebration of National Donut Day. Established in 1938 by The Salvation Army, National Donut Day is a reminder of the bravery of The “Donut Lassies” who joined soldiers’ on the front lines during World War I. 

In 1917, The Salvation Army volunteers traveled to France and set up makeshift huts to provide soldiers with essential supplies, emotional and spiritual support, and fresh baked donuts. The sweet treat did more than raise spirits; it brought comfort and a taste of home to those who risked their lives.

Today, The Salvation Army continues serving on the front lines of our local communities by providing a wide range of programs and services to vulnerable individuals and families in need. 

On Friday, June 2, in honor of National Donut Day, The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs has partnered with Dunkin Donuts and will be handing out free donuts at corner of Broadway and Church, right outside Adirondack Trust.

For more information about National Donut Day or to download the Donut Lassies’ original recipe, visit easternusa.salvationarmy.org/eastern-territory/donut-day.

Halfmoon Spray Park to Open Memorial Day Weekend

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Halfmoon — The Town of Halfmoon Spray Park will be open for the summer season starting this Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28. The Spray Park is a fun and refreshing attraction for children of all ages and a great way to enjoy the warmer weather. 

The park will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for weekdays from June 26 to August 4, when it will be reserved for the Halfmoon Summer Recreation program from 10 a.m. to Noon. The rest of the time, the spray park will be available for all Town residents to use. The spray park has a closing date of October 1. 

Halfmoon Town Supervisor Kevin Tollisen said, “The spray park is one of our most popular amenities and a sign that summer has arrived in Halfmoon. We invite families to come and experience the joy of playing in the water and cooling off on a hot day. Our Town is proud to offer this wonderful facility for our community to enjoy.” 

For more information about the Town of Halfmoon Spray Park and its hours of operation, call 518-371-7410, extension 2200.