SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Springs School District residents have approved a tax levy of $5,363,013 to operate the Saratoga Springs Public Library in FY 2024-25. The vote tally: 185 yes, 17 no.

The library serves the residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District, and funds for the library are collected when school taxes are collected.  The proposed FY 24-25 budget contains a 1.5% increase over the amount levied in FY 23-24. An estimated $1,499,095 will be available from sources other than FY 24-25 property taxes. The tax amount for public library purposes appears as a separate item on school district tax bills.

 “We thank all those who came out to vote.” said Library Board President Katie Capelli, in a statement.  “We’ve just completed another busy year, including making progress toward the goals set out in our long-range service plan, and we continue to expand our collections, programs, and services. We are delighted by the public’s ongoing support, and look forward to continuing to serve the changing needs of our community.”

ALBANY — WMHT Public Media, a multichannel public communications organization serving Eastern New York and Western New England, has announced the promotion of Shantel Destra to managing editor and host of its Emmy Award-winning public affairs program New York NOW, which airs on PBS stations across New York state. 

A Brooklyn native, Destra joined New York NOW in August 2023 as a multimedia journalist. Since then, she has covered a wide range of issues – from housing and healthcare, to birth control access and women’s rights, to New York’s budget process and negotiations – interviewing elected officials and policymakers involved in critical decisions that affect all New Yorkers. Prior to joining New York NOW, Destra covered national politics and public policy issues that affect New York as a reporter for City & State. 

New York NOW airs Fridays at 7:30 p.m. on WMHT in the Capital Region and throughout the weekend on PBS affiliates across New York. The full schedule can be viewed at https://nynow.wmht.org/schedule/  New York NOW is also freely available to stream online and via the PBS video app.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The City of Saratoga Springs is launching a Clean Energy Communities Electric Vehicle (EV) Campaign. 

The campaign will provide residents with information on the benefits of driving electric vehicles compared to conventional internal combustion engine cars. It will also connect them with the New York State Drive Clean Rebate program and purchase incentives available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act. 

Community partners for this campaign include Sustainable Saratoga, the Saratoga Springs Public Library, Skidmore’s Office of Sustainability, and the Capital Region Clean Energy Hub. 

The campaign will be supported by an EV Car Show which will take place at the Case Center on the campus of Skidmore College on April 13 as part of the Saratoga Sustainability Fair. Attendees will be able to view a variety of EV models, talk with car owners about what it’s like to own and drive an EV, and get information on state and federal purchase incentives. 

Saratoga Springs was recognized as a Clean Energy Community in 2018 after completing several high-impact clean energy actions and has earned $60,000 in match-free grant funding through the program. Successful completion of Tier 1 of the EV Campaign will earn the city an additional $5,000 in funding and 200 points toward more Clean Energy Community grants. 

Commissioner of Finance, Minita Sanghvi, brought forward a city council resolution in support of the campaign earlier this month. 

The city supports EV drivers by managing two publicly accessible dual port charging stations. One is located in the Woodlawn/Conley Way parking garage and the other can be found in the Woodlawn/ Walton Avenue Parking Deck. In addition, the City Center parking garage hosts a total of 8 DC fast charging stations that are part of the New York Power Authority’s Evolve NY program.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops during April:

April 18 at 11 a.m.: Completing Job Applications. Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.

April 19 at 10:30 a.m.: Networking. Networking is your strategic tool for cultivating lasting relationships, fostering professional growth, and unlocking opportunities. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. Facilitated by Warren and Albany.

April 23 at 11 a.m.: Overcoming Barriers. Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.

April 23 at 1:30 p.m.: Social Media. Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.

April 30 at 11 a.m.: Transferable Skills. Transferable skills are qualities you have already acquired that can be used in a different job. Learn how to make employers see the connection between your qualities and the skillset needed to do the job and market yourself as the solution to an employer’s problem. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.

Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at (518) 884-4170 for more information.  The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.

WILTON – Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park offers “naturally” fun programs with a full week of outdoor programs scheduled for all ages. 

The 25 miles of trails owned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Saratoga County, and the Town of Wilton are always open to the public. As a bonus, the Historic Cornell Fire Tower will be open on April 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Orra Phelps Preserve Spring Wildflower Walks on Sunday, April 21, 10 -11 a.m. and 1 – 2 p.m. Take a hike with our educators to learn new information about wildflowers blooming, and other sights and sounds of spring at one of Saratoga PLAN’s trails. 

Nature on the Move on Monday, April 22, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Come enjoy nature with others looking to get outside. This walk is geared towards gentle exercise and those with basic fitness levels. This program is suitable for ages 16 and up.

Registration is required at least one business day in advance. To register please visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org.

WILTON – Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park offers “naturally” fun programs with a full week of outdoor programs scheduled for all ages. 

The 25 miles of trails owned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Saratoga County, and the Town of Wilton are always open to the public. As a bonus, the Historic Cornell Fire Tower will be open on April 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Orra Phelps Preserve Spring Wildflower Walks on Sunday, April 21, 10 -11 a.m. and 1 – 2 p.m. Take a hike with our educators to learn new information about wildflowers blooming, and other sights and sounds of spring at one of Saratoga PLAN’s trails. 

Nature on the Move on Monday, April 22, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Come enjoy nature with others looking to get outside. This walk is geared towards gentle exercise and those with basic fitness levels. This program is suitable for ages 16 and up.

Registration is required at least one business day in advance. To register please visit the website at www.wiltonpreserve.org For more information, call the Wilton Wildlife office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org.

STILLWATER — Saratoga National Historical Park is planning a series of prescribed fires. The areas to be burned this year include approximately 60 acres of grasses, shrubs, and woodlands on the hillsides and fields along  the park tour road. 

Depending on favorable weather and site conditions, the first burns could take place during the second or third week in April. Because certain prescription parameters must be met (including wind speed, relative humidity, fuel moisture, and drought index), it is not possible to precisely schedule prescribed fires in advance. Roads, visitor use facilities, and hiking trails may be temporarily closed while burns are underway. Notification of burns and closures will be posted the day of in the alerts section of the park’s website and on social media.

Prescribed fire is an approved tool for natural resource management throughout the National Park System and is part of Saratoga National Historical Park’s fire management program. The primary objectives of the prescribed fire program are: restoration and perpetuation of scenic and cultural landscapes, including native plant species; reduction of wildland fuel loading; and enhancement of wildlife habitat.

Assistance may be provided by firefighters from other National Park Service units, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Forest Rangers and The Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —A free advanced screening of PBS’ upcoming Revolutionary Road Trip episode featuring Saratoga County will take place 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. 

Produced by Travels with Darley in coordination with Saratoga: America’s Turning Point, Saratoga County Historian and Chair of the Saratoga County 250th Commission Lauren Roberts takes Emmy nominated host, producer, and writer, Darley Newman to fascinating local revolutionary sites and to some of the amazing amenities Saratoga County offers destination travelers during this Saratoga centric episode. 

In addition to the Saratoga Battlefield and historic sites, the episode highlights local businesses including Adirondack Trust Co., Caffe Lena, Hatsational, Hattie’s, Impressions, Morrisey’s, Olde Bryan Inn, Revolutionary Rail, Saratoga Apple, Saratoga Arms, Saratoga Tea & Honey, Stewart’s, and Walt & Whitman. 

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Heading into the nation’s 250th anniversary, Saratoga County’s Revolutionary Road Trip episode will air in 97% of PBS national markets, including WMHT in the Capital Region, this spring. It will continue to air and stream across multiple services in future years, promoting Saratoga County as a premier heritage tourism destination. 

To attend the screening at UPH, register at www.saratoga250.com. 

Start Time is 5:30 p.m., and the 25-minute episode screening will begin at 6:30 p.m. following brief introductory remarks. 

For more information about Saratoga: America’s Turning Point, visit www.saratoga250.com.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors during its monthly meeting on April 16 expressed its intent to create a Local Law that authorizes property owners to request the removal of unlawful occupants from dwellings. 

The potential law’s stated purpose “is to protect owners of dwellings in Saratoga County from unlawful occupants commonly referred to as ‘squatters’ and to protect lawful occupants of dwellings from unlawful evictions.”

“The unlawful property and intruder law is in relation to the stories we’ve seen publicized, both in New York State and around different parts of the country,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett. “Generally known as squatters, these are people that take over peoples’ homes, set up shop and decide to live there.”

According to a draft of the proposed law, an “unlawful occupant” is defined as “a person who knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling having entered the dwelling without permission of a party entitled to possession.” 

Barrett said he has asked county attorneys to draft legislation for supervisors to consider. 

Additionally stated, the draft explains the proposed law “does not mean a person who entered the dwelling upon consent of a party entitled to possession even if the consent is later revoked including: tenants whose oral or written lease has expired; family members who have been in the dwelling unit for at least 30 days; roommates or other licensees of tenants and occupants who have been in the dwelling unit for at least 30 days, or workers who have been provided housing as part of their job.”

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To request the immediate removal of an unlawful occupant of a dwelling, the property owner would need to submit an affidavit to law enforcement that lists 27 points, including that they had directed the unauthorized persons to leave the dwelling, but the person(s) had not done so.

Once the claim has been verified, law enforcement may then take the unlawful occupants into custody and may bring them before a local court judge to face applicable charges, including trespassing.

“We’ve had instances of this in the past in the county, and it probably will become more prevalent,” Barrett said. “It’s become increasingly concerning because it’s clearly a coordinated effort. There are organizations working to identify vacant properties and they have people they send in to take over that property.“

A Public Hearing regarding the proposal will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday May 14, at the next county Board of Supervisors meeting. A vote may follow. Meetings are held at the county complex in Ballston Spa.     

If approved, the local law is slated to go into effect 60 days after being adopted.