In their July 21 meeting, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors formally distributed thousands of dollars to various communities throughout the county as part of their Economic Development Grants and Trails Grant programs. 

These funds helped in various projects from celebrations and to bucket trucks and everything in between. All proposed projects were approved at a cost to the county of $111,500 for economic grants and $79,530 for Trails grants. 

In addition to distributing grants, the County also received a $50,000 grant from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports to support gambling addiction and additional funds of $51,309 for other addiction services. 

Here is a run down of how funds were distributed. 

1. Town of Ballston: $8,000 for park improvements in Burnt Hills and $6,600 for a trail to connect the Ballston Lake Fire Department Memorial Park to Lakehill Drive. 

2. Town of Charlton: $8,000 for air conditioning at the Charlton Community Center and $6,600 towards trails at a proposed town wildlife preserve. 

3. Town of Clifton Park: $6,600 towards a feasibility study to close an 800 ft. gap in the Town’s trail network.

4. Town of Corinth: $8,000 for public bathrooms at the Town owned train depot area. 

5. Town of Day: $8,000 for sidewalk replacements

6. Town of Edinburg: $7,500 for the Saratoga Snowmobile Association Trail Development and $6,600 for playground equipment.

7. Town of Greenfield: $4,950 for resurfacing of the Brookhaven Ski Trail. 

8. Town of Hadley: $8,000 for a wall sign ($3,000) and celebration of America’s 250th and the Town’s 225th birthday ($5,000).

9. Town of Halfmoon: $8,000 for their America’s 250th Celebration and $6,600 for resurfacing trails at the Town’s Recreation Park. 

10. Town of Malta: $8,000 for the annual economic opportunity pamphlet to be sent to all households and $6,600 for trail repairs in the Town Park.

11. City of Mechanicville: $8,000 for a bucket truck. 

12. Town of Milton: $6,600 towards a proposal to establish a dog park within the Woods Hollow Nature Preserve. 

13. Town of Moreau: $8,000 to develop access to the Nolan Road Riverside Trail and Boat launch facility and $6,600 for parking at that facility. 

14. Town of Northumberland: $3,300 towards a proposal to restore the Missy K Overlook and support educational funds. 

15. Town of Providence: $8,000 to offer a household and bulk clean-up service to residents. 

16. Town of Saratoga: $8,000 to replace broken audio equipment with an new A/V system and $5,280 to improve the multi-use trail system. 

17. City of Saratoga Springs: $8,000 for a mural on the Putnam Street Parking Garage 

18. Town of Stillwater (Saratoga PLAN): $6,600 for a parking area. 

19. Town of Wilton: $8,000 for automatic door openers and $6,600 towards a trail to connect Gavin Park and the Graphite Range Community Forrest Trail Network. 

Dive into discovery at Wilton Wildlife! This summer, families and young nature explorers are invited to drop in for an opportunity to learn more about the fascinating world of freshwater wildlife of the Saratoga Sand Plains. Set against the scenic backdrop of Delegan Pond, these hands-on adventures will run every Tuesday from July 7 through September 1 from 9:30 – 10:30 am.

Summer isn’t complete until kids have had the chance to find a tadpole, turtle, or dragonfly nymph! Participants will be provided with dip nets, allowing them to discover the amazing aquatic wildlife of Delegan Pond. Led by experienced naturalists, this immersive, interactive experience is the perfect way for kids to connect with nature, maybe get their feet wet, and learn through hands-on discovery. Free parking is available in Parking Lot #1, located on Scout Road, directly across from the pond.

Registration is required at least one business day in advance. To register, or for up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the website at  www.wiltonpreserve.org or on Facebook or Instagram @wiltonpreserve.

 For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. Celebrating 30 years of providing environmental education and opportunities for outdoor recreation while supporting conservation of ecological systems and natural settings.

Join Executive Director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation (SSPF) Samantha Bosshart on Sunday, July 26 at 10:30AM as she leads the tour “Summer Cottages of North Broadway.” Following when the Saratoga and Washington Railroads came to Saratoga, Broadway, originally laid out by Gideon Putnam, the area north of the railroad became primarily residential while the area to the south continued to develop as a thriving commercial area. 

Throughout this walking tour, Samantha will highlight the architecture and share entertaining stories of this area well known for beautiful large residences where some of the city’s most prominent people resided. These extravagant residences often included barns, stables, and carriage houses as additions to the property. This tour, which meets in front of Witt Construction, 563 North Broadway, is sponsored by Olde Bryan Inn.

Embark on a walking tour of Greenridge Cemetery led by new stroll leader Gloria Marceau on Sunday, August 2 at 10:30AM. Established in 1844 as part of the rural cemetery movement, this stroll delves into the history of the individuals of Saratoga Springs with connections to Greenridge. Designed as a peaceful, park-like landscape where art, nature, and memory converge, this tour takes you along the cemetery’s winding paths, highlighting the notable residents buried there.

All Sunday morning tours begin at 10:30AM, last approximately 90 minutes, and require walking and standing on varied terrain. Tours are limited to thirty participants, and tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost per tour is $15 for SSPF members and $20 for non-members. 

For additional information on Sunday Strolls or to purchase tickets, call (518) 587-5030, visit their website, saratogapreservation.org, or email Dianne Winter, Development Director, at dwinter@saratogapreservation.org.

A small fire at a Saratoga County Race Course barn is under investigation by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. 

According to the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, the fire occurred in Barn 72, Gate 21. Crews were dispatched to the scene at 7:21 p.m. on the night of July 21. Upon arrival crews found that a small fire had already been extinguished by a New York Racing Association (NYRA) Fire Marshall using a fire extinguisher. 

The fire reportedly involved hay in the loft area of the barn. Firefighters confirmed that the fire was out, removed affected hay from the area, and confirmed that the fire didn’t spread to other areas. 

One person was evaluated by EMS for a medical concern; however, no other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“Because the circumstances surrounding the fire were considered suspicious, the scene was secured and turned over to the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control for investigation, in cooperation with the Saratoga Springs Police Department and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department,” the Saratoga Springs Fire Department said in a statement.

The fire comes just over a month after a fire killed 17 horses and destroyed a barn at the Saratoga Casino Hotel. The cause of that fire is under investigation. 

A Gansevoort man has been sentenced to up to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to striking and killing a Walmart employee in October. 

Timothy Besaw, 35 of Gansevoort had plead  guilty in April to aggravated vehicular homicide and first degree vehicular assault. He was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of 12 ½ to 25 years and 3 ½ to seven years in state prison — the maximum sentence. Besaw was sentenced as a second felony offender. 

Besaw’s sentence comes as a result of an incident on Oct. 16 in which Besaw was chased by three employees at the Saratoga Walmart in Wilton. Besaw got in an argument with the employees before getting in his car and striking two of them, according to the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office. 

One of the employees, identified as Michael Bushey, 69 of Saratoga Springs died on Nov. 3 as a result of the incident. 

Besaw later crashed his car on Perry Road. While he refused a breath test at the scene, a blood test later showed that he was under the influence of alcohol and open containers were found in his vehicle. 

“Today’s sentence reflects the devastating consequences of the Defendant’s actions and holds him accountable for the immeasurable harm he caused,” District Attorney Brett Eby said in a statement. “While no sentence can restore the life that was taken or erase the trauma inflicted upon the surviving victim and the families involved, we hope this outcome provides a measure of justice and closure. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s loved ones, whose strength and resilience throughout this case have been extraordinary.”

Note: An earlier version of this notice appeared in last week’s edition of Saratoga TODAY. 

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists to expect alternating lane closures along State Route 4 between Ferry Lane and State Route 32 in the Village of Stillwater, Saratoga County, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., beginning Wednesday, July 15, through Friday, August 28, to facilitate pavement resurfacing. Flaggers will control alternating traffic flow through the open lane. 

Motorists should anticipate travel delays and build extra travel time into their schedules. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.