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Strides4CJD Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The CJD Foundation is hosting their annual 5k Charity Walk/Run to raise awareness and funds for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and other prion diseases. 

This year’s walk/run, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Veterans Memorial Park, 10 Adams Rd, Saratoga Springs, beginning at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be provided. 

There will be a 50/50 raffle the day of the event. Participants are encouraged to bring framed photos of loved ones for a memory table. There will also be a photo booth with props for participants to take their pictures. Kids are welcome.

Those interested in being a sponsor or register should go online to: www.strides4cjd.com and click on the Saratoga event.

The CJD Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides support for families affected by prion disease. For more information, call 800-659-1991, visit www.CJDFoundation.org

Hundreds Gather at Mohawk Chevrolet for Pet Adoption Clinic

Photo provided.

BALLSTON SPA — Mohawk Chevrolet welcomed community members to its dealership this past Sunday, Sept. 25 for Mohawk Auto Group’s second in-person pet adoption clinic of the year. Capital Region shelters were scattered throughout the lobby, service drive and exterior to introduce adoptable dogs, cats, reptiles and birds to potential owners.

“Our employees at Mohawk Chevrolet are very passionate about giving back, especially when it involves dogs, cats and other pets,” said Travis Horne, general manager, Mohawk Chevrolet. “We are grateful to all of our local shelters, organizations and volunteers for their willingness to participate.”

“The Saratoga County Animal Shelter has enjoyed great success every time we attend a Mohawk Auto Group pet adoption clinic,” said Karlianna Russell, public relations coordinator, Saratoga County Animal Shelter. “On Sunday, we brought three dogs and 12 cats that were up for adoption. We had a good turnout of people interested, so we are excited to get these pets in happy homes.”

This past April, Mohawk Auto Group hosted its first in-person pet adoption clinic since the Covid pandemic. That event was held at Mohawk Honda in Schenectady.

During the height of the pandemic, Mohawk Auto Group hosted virtual adoption clinics. Through both in-person and virtual clinics over the past several years, Mohawk Auto Group has placed hundreds of pets into new homes.

Mohawk Chevrolet, located in Malta, is a full-service dealership. For more information, visit mohawkchevrolet.com.

Spa City Short-Term Rental Workshop Takes Place Oct. 5

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Commissioner of Accounts Dillon Moran and the city Accounts Department is hosting a workshop 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 5. at the Saratoga Springs City Center to discuss short-term rentals. 

“Our community has a long history of rentals. It is important to define short-term rentals and discuss concerns associated with changes in the rental marketplace including a lack of affordable and workforce housing, changes in residential neighborhoods, and public health and safety challenges,” said Commissioner Moran, in a statement. 

“Saratoga Springs is a destination, but more importantly, it is a community. Short-term rentals are affecting our community, and there is a need for thoughtful discussion.” 

The workshop takes place at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

Meeting Notes: Saratoga County Board of Supervisors 

BALLSTON SPA —The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors represents all 19 towns and both cities in Saratoga County and oversees a $381 million budget. 

The board meets monthly. Notes from the board’s last meeting on Sept. 22.  

A memorandum of agreement was authorized with the city of Saratoga Springs for the construction of a storage bay to house the Saratoga County Hazardous Materials Fire Truck. According to the MOA, the city will receive $300,000 – $30,000 per year for 10 years – to offset the cost of the construction of the new Fire Station #3 on Henning Road to include a storage bay to house the county HazMat truck.

The Board of Supervisors accepted $56,377.69 in funding from the New York State Board of Elections for the reimbursement of expenses related to the expansion of early voting. The New York State Legislature recently enacted amendments to Election Law that requires county election boards to provide postage-paid return envelopes for absentee ballot applications and ballots, and appropriated grant funds to be distributed by the BOE to county boards to defray the additional expense of this expansion of early voting. 

The county approved using $100,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to design and build a veterans’ hall / county government building at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. 

The county Board authorized the acceptance of a $1.4 million grant from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. The grant is to be used for improving the interoperability and operability of emergency communications systems for a 24-month performance period, from Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2024, and breaks down to just over $900,000 for Communications Equipment, and $500,000 for Equipment Maintenance.

The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Saratoga County. Each year, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence, and nationwide domestic violence hotlines receive more than 19,000 calls on a typical day, according to the resolution. During the Covid-19 pandemic calls increased nearly 45% to the New York State Hotline.

Authorized 

Agreements: 

$23.6 million with Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc. (CDPHP) for the provision of medical and prescription health care insurance and administrative services for County employees from Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023.

$3.8 million with MVP Health Plan, Inc. for the provision of medical and prescription drug health care insurance for Medicare eligible retirees from County employment under MVP’s Medicare Advantage Plan for the term Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023.

$925,000 with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Inc. (MetLife) for the provision of dental health care insurance for County employees and the offering of voluntary dental health care insurance plans to County retirees for the term Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023. 

Saratoga Spa State Park Awarded $1.2 Million Grant 

Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs. Image capture: Jul 2019 © 2022 Google

ALBANY — Saratoga Spa State Park was awarded $1.2 million from the National Park Service’s (NPS) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to support critical upgrades, Congressman Paul Tonko announced last week.  

The funding will be used for major improvements to the Spa State Park’s Roosevelt Dr. Corridor.

“Our parks and public lands are local treasures that hold cultural and historical significance for our region, all while serving as economic drivers for our communities,” Congressman Tonko said, in a statement.  “This kind of federal support is critical not only to sustain the natural beauty of our Capital Region parks, but also to advance the cause of environmental justice by ensuring that low-income and underserved communities are able to access these vital local resources.”  

Created by Congress in 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund provides matching grants to state and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.  Since its inception, the fund has provided more than 40,000 grants to states and localities, supporting more than 29,000 projects to develop parks and recreational facilities in all 50 states.

Candidate Debate for Saratoga County DA to Stage Oct. 11

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga TODAY will host a candidate debate on Oct. 11 at the Saratoga Springs City Center for the Saratoga County District Attorney race. 

Both incumbent District Attorney Karen A. Heggen (Republican, Conservative parties), and challenger Michael J. Phillips (Democratic, Justice & Public Safety parties) have agreed to participate in the debate, which will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.  

Election Day is Nov. 8 and marks the first contested race between candidates for the four-year county district attorney term in several decades, according to officials at the Saratoga County Board of Elections.  

Residents and voters interested in submitting potential questions to be asked during the debate, may do so via email at news@saratogapublishing.com.

Some Key Upcoming Dates 

Are you registered to vote? An online tool hosted by the NYS Board of Elections allows residents to search for their voter registration status. That may be found at: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.  

If you need to register to vote, the deadline to do so is approaching in October. There are varying deadlines in October for mail registration, in-person registration, voter change-of-address, and absentee voting requests.     

Important Dates, deadlines, poll locations, and downloadable voter registration applications all may be accessed  by going to: www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/board-of-elections/.  

Early Voting takes place Oct. 29 to Nov. 6.  

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. 

Saratoga County

On the ballot for voters in the Saratoga region: Governor and Lt. Gov; Comptroller; Attorney General; U.S. Senator; State Supreme Court Justice; 20th Congressional District; 44th State Sen. District; 113th Assembly District; District Attorney; Treasurer; Family Court Judge. 

Specific to the city of Saratoga Springs: An election to fill the remainder of the term for DPW Commissioner. That term goes through the calendar year 2023. 

Registered Voters By The Numbers

There are just over 168,000 active registered voters in Saratoga County, according to the New York State Board of Elections. That party affiliation includes: just under 50,000 registered Democrats, just over 61,000 Republicans, and nearly 45,000 “blank” voters, as of the most recent filing on Feb. 21, 2022.  

NOTICE TO PUBLIC: Saratoga Springs City Council Meet Date Change to Oct. 6

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council meeting regularly scheduled to take place Tuesday, Oct. 4 has been moved to Thursday, Oct. 6 in consideration of Yom Kippur. Meeting start time is 7 p.m. and will be preceded by Public Hearings, which begin at 6:45 p.m. and will include commentary on the potential creation of a new city code related to “Aggressive Solicitation.” 

The Public Hearing and meeting will take place in the Music Hall, at City Hall.   

Note, the regularly scheduled pre-agenda meeting will also be changed and will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4. 

Planning Board Proposes: Apartments, Townhouses, Workforce Housing

Proposed action by Prime Companies in Saratoga Springs atop 17 acres at Station Lane is anticipated to be similar to this Prime Companies’ Cohoes project called Hudson Square. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — An application proposing a multi-family residential project that would site four apartment buildings with more than 300 units in addition to nearly 50 new townhouses at Route 29 and Station Lane is under consideration by the city Planning Board this week.  

Proposed Action: 

Construction of multi-family apartments and townhouse dwelling units on 17 acres, located between State Route 29, and Station Lane. Proposed by: Prime Companies. 

Specifics: Apartments – Four multi-family apartment buildings having a total of 338 units. Buildings would stand four stories tall with garage parking below each building. 184 one-bedroom units, 104 two-bedroom units, and 50 three-bedroom units.  A recreation space for tenants only would include a swimming pool, outdoor putting green, outdoor pavilion and other amenities. 

Townhouses -constructed in pods of 6 units over 8 pad sites, a total of 48 units. Townhouses would stand two-to-three stories high, garages located at the rear.  

Additional applications under consideration include Site plan review of a proposed workforce housing project at Excelsior Avenue (Excelsior Avenue Apartments), a sketch plan review of a proposed five-lot conservation subdivision at 274 Kaydeross Avenue East, and sketch plan review of a proposed reconfiguration of a subdivision resulting in 16 new residential lots at Bemis Heights Road. 

The Saratoga Springs Planning Board typically meets twice every month at City Hall. For meeting times and dates, go to: saratoga-springs.org. 

Free Dental, Vision and Medical Services Clinic at Fairgrounds This Weekend

GREENWICH — Remote Area Medical (RAM) will hold a free, two-day clinic this Saturday and Sunday at the Washington County Fairgrounds.

Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. RAM is a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical care to those in need.  

The patient parking lot will open no later than 11:59 p.m. (midnight) on Friday night, Sept. 16, and remain open for the duration of the clinic. Once in the parking lot, additional information regarding clinic-opening processes and next steps will be provided. Clinic doors open at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.

Due to time constraints, patients should be prepared to choose between DENTAL and VISION services. 

Additional Information:

Services available at the free RAM clinic include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental X-rays, eye exams, glaucoma testing, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women’s health exams and general medical exams. Free, take-home colon cancer screening test kits will also be available. 

All patients will be required to wear a face covering and must undergo a COVID-19 screening before entering the clinic. For more information, visit ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530.

Sixth Annual Saratoga Motorcar Auction Set for Sept. 24-25

Photo Provided by the Saratoga Automobile Museum.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Motorcar Auctions, now in its sixth year, will take place Sept. 24-25, at the Saratoga Casino & Hotel.  

The event is open to spectators as well as buyers and sellers and includes many surprising and affordable vehicles as well as some insanely special classic and vintage cars and trucks, the museum says.  

For attendees: Tickets to attend Saratoga Motorcar Auction are $20 for one day, or $30 for both days and may be reserved at: saratogaautoauction.org/. 

For bidders: Registration required. There are three ways to register to bid: meet with an auction staff member in person at the Saratoga Automobile Museum, call Auction Services at 518-401-5183 or fill out and submit an online form. For information, go to: saratogaautoauction.org/register-to-bid.  

The Saratoga Automobile Museum officially opened to the public in June 2002, with a mission to preserve, interpret and exhibit automobiles and automotive artifacts. The Museum is located within the 2,500-acre Saratoga Spa State Park and offers weekly museum tours. Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – open every day through September, and those same hours open Tuesdays through Sundays in October.  Upcoming events include: a BMW Vintage Lawn Show on Oct. 8, and a “Lost Speedways” presentation on Nov. 26. 

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Saratoga Motorcar Auction support the Saratoga Automobile Museum, a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit.  The event will be held at Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs.