ALBANY — “A thriving equine industry is absolutely essential to New York State’s economy,” said Senator Daphne Jordan (R, C, IP, RFM), a member of the NY Senate Agriculture Committee, as she called upon Governor Andrew Cuomo to consider a $10 million ‘Equine Facility Disaster Relief Fund’ to help equine small businesses — including boarding, lesson, and rescue barns – as part of the forthcoming 2020-21 State Budget.

The relief package has been proposed by HORSEPOWER, Inc., the equine welfare policy organization. HORSEPOWER is working to educate the legislature about the financial realities of shutting barn operations down.

Senator Jordan said, “Establishing a $10 million ‘Equine Facility Disaster Relief Fund’ as part of the 2020-21 State Budget would help the estimated 1,860 boarding, lesson, and rescue facilities throughout New York who are hurting from the economic downtown caused by the coronavirus crisis.”

Last Sunday, as New York State moved to 100% closure of all nonessential businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, HORSEPOWER, Inc., began hearing from boarding stables concerned about the financial impact, and responded by putting together a proposal for relief that was shared with Agriculture Committee members in both houses.

Senator Jordan is listening to HORSEPOWER’s call for action: “New York’s horse farms, training centers, and riding stables preserve 1.3 million acres of open space across our state that is home to nearly 157,500 horses. The equine industry has a $4.2 billion positive effect on the state’s economy, has generated 33,000 full-time jobs, and equine commerce results in $187 million in state and local taxes. That’s significant revenue that New York state and local governments need now.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The circumstances of the Saratoga racing meet remain status quo as of this week, with the season scheduled to run July 16 – Sept. 7. 

The Aqueduct winter and spring meets meanwhile have been cancelled. Aqueduct Racetrack will serve as a temporary hospital amid the COVID-19 pandemic and will serve the borough of Queens – where the racetrack is located – as a 1,000-plus patient overflow facility.  Aqueduct is the only racetrack in New York City, occupying 210 acres in South Ozone Park.

“We stand ready to assist in any way we can,” New York Racing Association CEO and President Dave O’Rourke said in a statement. “Aqueduct Racetrack will serve as a safe haven for those recovering from this virus. We recognize that we all must work together as a community to meet this challenge and emerge stronger for it.” 

The Big A winter meet was slated to run through March 29 with the 13-day spring meet scheduled from April 2 through April 19. The 51-day Belmont spring/summer meet featuring 58 total stakes races worth $18.65 million is slated to run April 24 through July 1.

On March 30, Gov. Andrew Cuomo extended by two weeks the length of his directive putting New York State on “pause” – directing the state nonessential workforce to continue to work from home through April 15.   

The NY Race Track Chaplaincy meanwhile continues to work in partnership with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST). The recently formed NYRA Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, which is comprised of key NYRA staff members as well as representatives from NYTHA, BEST, and the NY Chaplaincy, is monitoring and assessing developments regarding the coronavirus.

NYRA-operated racetracks have been used in prior emergency situations, including in 2012 when NYRA donated the use of the Aqueduct parking lot to the American Red Cross to operate a mobile feeding kitchen and relief supplies staging area in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. In 2001, Belmont Park served as one of the staging areas for emergency vehicles and personnel in the days following 9/11.

• New York State will stay on PAUSE through April 15, meaning the non-essential workforce is directed to continue to work from home until at least April 15. The timeline will be re-evaluated every two weeks. 

• Pharmacies will now offer free home delivery. After speaking with the state’s major pharmacy chains, Gov. Cuomo says pharmacies have agreed to offer free home delivery to help reduce long lines for prescriptions at their facilities. 

• The State’s Wadsworth Lab, located in Albany, has developed a less intrusive COVID-19 test that is expected to begin within the next few days. The new test is done through a saliva sample and a self-administered short nasal swab in the presence of a healthcare professional. The test will help conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, reduce potential exposure of the virus and allow the state to continue to test as many individuals as possible. 

• All non-essential construction is suspended. Essential construction, for example construction on roads, bridges, transit facilities, homeless shelters and health care facilities, may continue.

• Via the governor’s issuing of an Executive Order, the presidential primary election in N.Y. has been moved from April 28 to June 23, aligning it with the congressional and legislative primaries in New York

• Due to the limited availability of COVID-19 tests available in the Saratoga region, the number of confirmed cases is not believed to accurately reflect the number of COVID-19 positive cases in
the community.

HALFMOON — Carol Pingelski Hotaling started to honor New York State Yellow Ribbon Day in 2006. The day was selected to honor and remember active troops and the daily sacrifices they make. The New York State Legislature began to honor Yellow Ribbon Day on April 9 of each year through the passing of a resolution. Her goal now is to make the resolution to not only be for NYS, but nationwide. Here is her story and how the yellow ribbon making began. 

Who: Carol Pingelski Hotaling, 78-years-old, Halfmoon resident.

“I just sit here and make bows I don’t get involved with anything else except my troops. Every single day I make them,” Hotaling said. 

How it all got started: Hotaling has made thousands of hand crafted yellow ribbon bows for the past 30 years.

“It’s all about current troops, that’s what Yellow Ribbon Day is all about,” Hotaling said. “I started making yellow bows in 1990, Desert Storm. In 2004, my sister lives in Ohio and she kept telling me about a Matt Maupin, the first prisoner of war captured in the Iraq War. I said I wanted to meet Matt’s parents so she contacted them and I talked with them. In 2006 I went to their program called Yellow Ribbon Support Center in Cincinnati Ohio for six weeks and I volunteered. It was the first time I flew and probably the last and I stayed there. Their first banquet was that year and was at the Oasis Country Club in Loveland, Ohio. I made over 1000 bows for that banquet. When I got off the plane in Albany that day, I said to myself I got to do than make bows and do fundraisers for our troops, so I started NYS Yellow Ribbon Day.”

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Helping Hands: Hotaling said the VFW in Ballston Spa buys all the ribbons each year to distribute through the town and stores. This year they purchased Hotaling 72 rolls of ribbon with 100 yards per roll to create the ribbons for Ballston Spa. 

“One year they had to buy me a $1000 worth because I ran out. They came this past Monday and picked up 80 bows, so the town of Ballston spa will have 80 bows. I’m now making them for the town of Clifton Park because every year they get filled with bows for yellow ribbon day,” Hotaling said. 

Moving Forward: As April 9 Yellow Ribbon Day starts in Hotaling’s room creating the ribbons, it has since expanded from Saratoga County to Halfmoon, Ballston Spa and Clifton Park. However, Hotaling doesn’t want to stop just there, her goal is to pass a resolution to recognize the date nation wide. 

“We have to make sure it’s all about current troops because that’s what it’s all about they don’t have a day of their own so that’s what I’m fighting for. That was our number one priority in this world before this virus was the troops. They’re out there every day for you and I. I’m trying to get it passed nation wide. It’s my last bucket list item I need to do before I die, I’ve done everything else I set out to do,” Hotaling said. 

Of the 26 dozen eggs sent out, 12 dozen were hatched at the 4-H training center, a learning facility in Ballston Spa. Photos provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — While schools across the state closed their doors and people self-isolated in their homes, 26 dozen chicken eggs wanted to break out of their “home” and hatch during COVID-19. 

The fertilized eggs were sent out to participating elementary schools in Saratoga County as a part of the 4-H outreach program. The program allows classrooms to experience the 21-day development of a chicken egg. Brieanna Hughes, program coordinator for Saratoga County 4-H animal science, said a surprising amount of eggs still hatched despite being moved from schools. 

The eggs were due to hatch on March 18, the week most schools announced their closings. Hughes said she reached out to schools that prior weekend to ask if teachers were willing to take the eggs home, or offered to pick them up and bring them to their facility to hatch. 

“Because a lot of teachers were being told they couldn’t go into their schools so I didn’t want anyone to be burdened with this,” Hughes said. 

Despite school closings, only 12 dozen eggs were collected from schools and hatched at the training center in Ballston Spa. Of the 26 dozen eggs sent out, over 75 percent hatched which Hughes was surprised by. 

Hughes said the hatch rate was by chance, and added that she expected a lower hatch rate simply from moving the chicken eggs. Transportation of the eggs is not recommended due to drastic temperature changes. However, the unstable period for the eggs is earlier in the development as well as the day of hatching if a small movement occurs. 

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“We almost got them at the ideal time. It isn’t ideal to move them at all, but it was pretty cool to have such a good hatch rate,” Hughes said. “What that means is that the school did a really good job taking care of the eggs for the first 18 days and then we were able to finish that out.”

Seeing the eggs develop for the 21 days allows students to learn about the development and embryology. Hughes said in the beginning, the program attains the fertilized eggs and provides the schools with incubators and equipment. 4-H hosts a small teacher training where they pick up all the needed materials and bring them to their classroom. Not having a set curriculum, schools are at liberty to teach what they want. 

“But our program is incubation and embryology so that is what they’re learning about, the development of an organism. They get to candle the eggs and actually see the changes in the embryo. They can see the first veins coming and an eye during the forming of the head,” Hughes said. 

Once the eggs are hatched, teachers are at liberty to keep them or give them pack to the program. 

“A lot of teachers have friends that want chickens, but we want to make sure there is a resource so we also provide someone to take them,” Hughes said. 

She added that these eggs were a part of the first rotation for the hatching program. The second session was anticipated to start at the end of April, but Hughes said they’re waiting to see how the self-distancing plays out. The participating schools for this sessions included Schuylerville, Arongen Elementary in the Shenendehowa school district and Greenberg Child Care Center.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — They stood several feet apart from one another at a noisy intersection where Broadway meets Lake Avenue on a Tuesday morning that marked Day 18 of the city’s declaration as a state of emergency.    

Three months into her new job, the city’s Public Safety Commissioner took her turn at the portable lectern stationed in front of a City Hall under renovation, but where the tools of its reconstruction have been muted. 

“This is not the time for sleep-overs, play-dates, or dinner parties,” instructed commissioner Robin Dalton. 

One of the essential keys of trying to keep people healthy is social distancing – that is: remaining six feet from all other people when in public, and refraining from nonessential gatherings – be it socially, recreationally, or otherwise. Saratoga Springs is taking up Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s guidelines – “These are not helpful hints, these are legal provisions” – and implementing those provisions. 

“As a city we will be enforcing those through warnings, ticketing and fines if needed, because your actions are that important and our health and safety depends on them,” Dalton said. “The longer people break the rules, the longer we are going to be in this situation. How we come out the other side depends on you – the public…we’re going to need the help of every resident in our city to help slow the spread of coronavirus.”

The gathering included city Mayor Meg Kelly, Police Chief Shane Crooks, Fire Chief Joe Dolan, and Saratoga Hospital President Angelo Calbone – the latter of whom explained that the hospital had 10 COVID-19 cases in the building, and that they possessed sufficient Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE’s, to take care of patients and staff at this time. On Thursday, April 2, The Saratoga County Department of Public Health  announced county-wide that there were 139 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Saratoga County with 19 of those individuals hospitalized at this time.

Saratoga Hospital has also joined the “statewide hospital system” as proposed by Gov. Cuomo, following the Covid-19 outbreak. “To that end, we are comforted to know  that if Saratoga Springs needs it, help will be there from other New York providers,” Mayor Kelly said on April 3. The same afternoon, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, NY-21, released a statement to say she was “very concerned about Gov. Cuomo’s announcement regarding his plan to sign an executive order to shift ventilators from Upstate to Downstate New York.” Stefanik’s district includes a portion of the city of Saratoga Springs, as well as municipalities east, west and north of the city.  

“The North Country comprises the largest number of seniors of any Congressional District in New York State, the most vulnerable age group to COVID-19. Our critical needs and vulnerabilities must be considered….our rural hospitals are already very limited in resources and we must ensure Upstate New York’s needs for testing supplies and ventilators are fully met.”

Mayor Kelly said the city’s parks are still safe for people to go to – as long as social distancing measures are observed. “We want to keep separated right now, and the last thing we want to do is close parks.” One day later, on Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo announced, due to city residents repeated violation of distancing rules, playgrounds in New York City will be closed to the public, although open space areas will remain open.Local authorities in Saratoga Springs re-iterated on Thursday that while the playgrounds and basketball courts where high-density congregation may occur are closed, the parks remain open. 

During his daily briefing from the State Capitol in Albany, Gov. Cuomo warned that rules of social distancing will be in place for a while. “We’re still going up the mountain, and that’s where the battle will be in 14 to 21 days, depending on who you believe. That’s the apex,” the governor said. “We still have to come down the other side of the mountain (before everything re-opens).”

During a mid-week teleconference with the press, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who represents the 21st District, said she is concerned about non-essential travel. “We want to mitigate non-essential travel from anywhere in the state. We have rural hospitals that are already in challenging positions. If the numbers continue to go up or surge, our rural hospitals are not in the same position as some of the hospitals downstate, in terms of bed-count.”    

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While the renovation of City Hall has stopped, for the time being, the building of the multi-story parking garage adjacent to the Saratoga Springs City Center has received approval, with some restrictions, to continue with its construction, building for the time when visitors will once again flock to the city and engage in its multitude of events, conferences, and happenings. 

Site-specific COVID-19 procedures will be met during the building process and the continuation of the Flat Rock Parking Structure is vital for the city’s ability to recover from the damages of the pandemic, City Center Executive Director Ryan McMahon said in a statement. “The Saratoga Springs City Center Authority’s action is in keeping with guidelines issued by Empire State Development (ESD) and is an essential infrastructure project.” 

Financially, the city is bracing for a multi-million dollar loss in revenue due to the pandemic and the resultant closing of all but “essential” businesses, the potential cancellation of major public events, and the stifling of tourism. 

At this time, the city is considering a scenario of a $7.8 million loss of revenue for the first half of 2020, and potentially a total 2020 year-end revenue shortfall of $16 million, Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan estimated in March. With a 2020 General Operating Budget projecting total 2020 revenues of approximately $48.7 million, the scenario equates to a 33% shortfall in 2020 revenue to what was previously anticipated. 

“We are proceeding with caution regarding how to address this loss-of-revenue scenario.  Both over- and under-estimating our response has consequences,” Commissioner Madigan said in a statement.   “Given the city’s good financial position and excellent community partnerships, we have many options, including cash-on-hand, healthy reserves, borrowing, various bonding tools, and shared services…It is too soon to determine what combination of these efforts will fit our needs.  But it is not too soon to state that all options will be considered very carefully.” 

The potential finance losses may be tempered somewhat should the city receive state for hosting a VLT casino. Earlier this year, the city, along with other state municipalities, was warned it might lose approximately $2.35 million in that aid.  On March 31, the city received the hopeful news that the aid may be restored. Madigan said the restoration of that VLT Impact Aid in the 2020-2021 State Budget would be a very positive outcome, particularly as the city works through COVID-19 related fiscal uncertainties.

“We are very hopeful that the city will be receiving its VLT aid based on the budget bill that was published today,” said Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, via phone late Tuesday afternoon. “The bill was published and is now aging for us to vote on it, and the cut that the governor had proposed in his Executive Budget has been removed. So, we are hopeful that the legislature will soon be voting on that bill and the aid will be available to the city.”

However, Woerner echoed Madigan’s sentiments regarding the restoration of that $2.35 million to Saratoga Springs. “You know, it’s not done until it’s done,” she said.

“In family relationships, love is really spelled T.I.M.E.”  ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Promoting quality time – especially with family – is more than just the ‘in thing’ to do these days. Unplugging, taking a break from social media to step outside, enjoy the fresh air and interact with each other has become more sought after than ever before. 

Just ask Dave and Jessica DeConno, young parents of three sons who love fitness as much – if not more – than they do. DeConno’s interest in physical activity includes things like spinning inside, cycling outside, marathons, skiing, swimming, and hiking – to name a few. 

“Kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for,” Dave says,
smiling at me over our shared snack of cheese and crackers in the living room of their cozy home. “We’ve never hesitated to include the children on our hikes – the boys have grown up appreciating the beauty of nature because of that.” 

Avery, their youngest, interrupts.  “I’m four,” he says. “Two weeks ago, I was only three, but we still hiked seven miles up this big mountain. Ok, dad carried me for one mile – but I did the rest of the hike myself!” I’m not sure I believe him. Jess looks me in the eye, tells me it’s true. 

You’ve got to be kidding.

“Sometimes there’s a melt-down, I’m not going to lie,” she admits. “Hiking is a challenge. It’s taught us to be patient, for sure. Dave and I do what we can to help when it happens. We encourage them, play games together, look for landmarks, talk about their day at school. Any distraction – even for a few minutes – helps to refocus and get going again.” 

Kaden is a handsome 15-year-old who loves to hike with his parents. He takes photos along the way, editing them to share with friends and family later. “My first hike was when I was two. Dad carried me most of the way in his backpack.  I love the early morning car rides, spending time as a family, enjoying the outdoors, and each other. Everything about hiking makes me feel good.”   

Logan is seven. “I’m happy when we finally make it to the top of the mountain,” he grins. “The views are beautiful. We run around, rest a little, then eat a sandwich before we turn back. It’s cool.” 

Even their dog, Summit, loves to hike. He’s in most of the family’s pictures and videos. 

“I love climbing the fire towers best.” Avery pipes in.

“You’re not afraid of heights?” I ask him – a lot of people older than him are.

He giggles. “Not anymore.”

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Dave and Jess do a good deal of research before they leave for a hike. They use apps like ‘AllTrails’ or ‘Adirondack Net’ to see how each one is rated – easy, moderate, or hard. They also check to see how long the hike is, the condition of the trails, and what the weather’s going to be like, so they can dress appropriately. 

At the end of the day, families that spend time together are a healthier, happier, stronger unit. “Start with a short hike,” Dave says. “ Then discuss what everyone liked or didn’t like about it.”

“Research is important,” Mama Bear tells me. “Start planning your next outing as soon as you can. Keep everyone excited. Before you know it, hiking will be something the entire family looks forward to. We wouldn’t trade it for the world.”   

Great snacks for hiking:

* Fun fruits
* Gummy bears
* Grapes
* Apples
* Cucumbers
* Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
* Wraps
* Granola bars
* Plenty of water – more than you think you’ll need
* Juice boxes
* Trail mix 
* For their pup; Summit
* Collapsible bowl
* Kibble
* Treats
* Snacks the boys drop 
* Plenty of water – more than you think he’ll need

At a time when color photography was still rare, David Forbert traveled the world, capturing what he saw through his lens, and sharing it with millions.

At age 12, Forbert won his first photography competition with a picture of a flower from his mother’s garden. He was 17 in World War II, volunteered with the Navy, was sent to a Pensacola, Florida photo school, and went on to the South Pacific. After being discharged, he continued his education before getting a job in 1947 that would change his life – working as a staff photographer with the best-selling consumer magazine, Reader’s Digest. 

The Life of a Travel Photographer

For the next 15 years, Forbert circled the globe, shooting more than 1,000 covers for Reader’s Digest’s 30 foreign editions. 

“I had to get so many pictures that I had to work fast. I was always looking for a picture everywhere I’d go. I went around the world, I don’t know how many times,” he said. 

Photography in the 1950’s was very different than it is today. Forbert lugged around so much stuff that customs often stopped him to investigate. 

Using a Linhof 4×5” camera and Ektachrome film, he’d travel with thousands of flashbulbs and spend his days viewing tiny images upside-down under a focusing cloth. 

“The film speed was the worst thing. (ASA 10, compared to today 1000’s roll.) You cannot move or shoot candidly. You had to have people be absolutely still because it was such a long exposure,” he said. 

Through an International Lens

The format and subject matter depicted on Reader’s Digest covers required that Forbert’s photos be visually appealing from the front (which included a table of contents panel), from the back, and once opened. 

The images must also show everyday life and places familiar to the residents of each country, not a glamorized version from an American’s point of view. 

“People in that country did not necessarily want to see the same things in a picture that tourists did,” said Forbert’s wife, Amy. 

Working at the magazine’s art department, she and their two children would excitedly anticipate Dave’s arrival back home from his travels. 

“I loved it. It was so nice seeing places in his photographs that I’d never been,” she said. 

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The Best Advice He Didn’t Take

In 1961, Reader’s Digest switched to using artwork on their covers. Forbert worked freelance until he and a partner opened the Image International stock photography agency in New York City. 

They would come to represent more than 300 photographers, selling images to top clients. During this period, Dave continued his freelancing working for such clients including Pfizer, Goodyear, Texaco, American Express, and others. 

In addition to their commercial use, Forbert’s photographs were exhibited by major museums around the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

In 2004, the Forberts moved to Saratoga, where David’s photography has continued to evolve. Early in his career Edward Steichen, Photo Dept. Director at the NY Museum of Modern Art, advised Forbert to take the pictures he wanted to take and not worry about if they would sell.

“He said, ‘You’ve got talent – shoot what you want.’ I ignored that, fortunately, or I wouldn’t have had a career. Now that I’m retired, I do that,” said Forbert. 

A Priceless Moment in Time

Today, at 94 years old, Forbert uses a digital Nikon camera to shoot florals, is continuing to learn Photoshop, and teaches the occasional photography workshop. 

“I like the digital, you can see the images immediately – it’s great! I don’t miss the darkroom at all,” he said. 

While it seems like everyone is a photographer today, and getting paid for it is harder than ever, the Forberts agree that you should spend your life doing what makes you happy. 

“It really pays to keep going and doing what you love. It’s really important,” said Amy.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS – A COVID-19 Task Force has been established, the city of Saratoga Springs announced March 26.

The action follows the State of Emergency – declared on March 13, and the activation of the City of Saratoga Springs Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.  

Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton leads the city’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak with Incident Commander SSFD Chief Joe Dolan and the support of the COVID-19 Task Force. The Task Force, in consultation with the City Council, is charged with coordinating the performance of specific emergency functions and responsibilities, as outlined under the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.  The Plan provides the city the critical ability to respond to the viral outbreak with a streamlined, efficient and direct response, Dalton said, in a statement.

Commissioner Dalton and Mayor Kelly stressed the city must remain vigilant in following community mitigation actions in the coming weeks to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and slow the spread from reaching our most vulnerable residents, while reducing the strain on our local health care system. 

 ‘It is imperative that we continue to act responsibly and follow the Governor’s Executive Order, so our City can get through this challenging time united in spirit and strength,” Dalton said.

CITY HALL ESSENTIAL SERVICES CONTACT INFORMATION
Call your health care provider FIRST if you have any concerns over your health and possible exposure to COVID-19. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS
• Fire Department Non-Emergency
Call 518-587-3599. Access to administrative reports, including fire incident reports, will be handled via email and/or phone. No in-person document requests will be facilitated at Fire Headquarters (60 Lake Ave).

• Police Department Non-Emergency
Call 518-584-1800. Members of the public are asked not to come to the police department to file a report. To request copies of an accident report please visit https://buycrash.com. To download a police report request form please visit the city website at https://www.saratogasprings.org/290/Obtaining-Police-Reports.

•Please be advised that wait times may be longer than normal.
• Pay your parking tickets online at https://www.saratoga-springs.org/212/Parking-Tickets or Call 1-800-996-0285 to pay by phone (There will be a $3.50 charge per ticket).
• All station tours, internships, or non-essential programs have been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. All civilian fingerprinting services have been suspended until further notice.
For more information, contact Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, at 518-265-6485.

PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
• The DPW workforce is in emergency standby mode.
• Transfer station hours are 8 am-12 pm/noon, Tuesday-Saturday.
• DPW service calls can be made to police dispatch at 518-584-1800.

CITY HALL SERVICES
No in-person services or appointments will be done at this time. All available City Hall services are outlined below.

ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
• Vital Records:  Death Certificates: Death certificates will continue to be filed within seventy two (72) hours as required by NYS Law.
• Certified Copies: Certified copies for births, deaths and marriages must be requested via the MAIL on a request form with the required fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) per copy. Email Stefanie Richards atStefanie.richards@saratoga-springs.org or Lisa Ribis atlisa.ribis@saratogasprings.org
• Purchasing: Invoices may be emailed to ap-invoice@saratoga-springs.org
• Chapter 136 Cabaret, Eating and Drinking, Lodging and Sidewalk Cafe Licensing: Mail applications and fees for renewal applications. Penalties for late filing will be waived. 
• Special Event Application: Mail applications and fees. Permits will be issued per NYS Governor Cuomo’s Emergency Directives
•  Assessment: Assessment operations are suspended until further notice
• Risk and Safety Issues: Please call Marilyn Rivers, Director Risk & Safety at 518-210-3243
• Vital Records and Purchasing staff are available by phone: Please call Marilyn Rivers, Director Risk & Safety at 518-210-3243

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FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Taxes and Utility Bill payments may be mailed or paid online here:  https://www.saratoga-springs.org/419/Property-Tax-Search-Online-Payments. You may also call the Finance Department at 518-587-3550 x2565.  We will get back to you as soon as possible. 

CIVIL SERVICE
Exam applications are still be accepted. Mail the completed application and required exam fee (or fee waiver if you qualify, please visit the website to review the waiver), to 15 Vanderbilt Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Exam dates may or may not be postponed, but applications will still be accepted. To see the exams that are currently announced, please visit http://saratoga-springs.org/Jobs.aspx.  Please email civilservice@saratoga-springs.org with any questions. 

MAYOR’S DEPARTMENTS
Mayor’s office staff are available by phone and email during business hours: Call 518-587-3550 x2520 or Email  david.snyder@saratoga-springs.org. For more information, contact Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor, at 518-414-2118.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT
• Intake of new applications is suspended. The counter is closed to the public.
• For active permit applications, staff is reviewing them and working remotely. They are available by phone and email during business hours.
• Only inspections approved by the Building Inspector or designee will be scheduled.
• All non-essential inspections will be cancelled and/or suspended.
• Inspections will be limited to essential projects where no inspection alternative is possible.  
• No inspections will be conducted in occupied residential buildings or assembly spaces.
• All inspection documents, plan revisions, and paperwork must be submitted digitally.
• If an inspection is approved, the contractor must provide accommodations for isolation.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT
• Intake of new applications is suspended.
• For active Land Use Board applications, staff is reviewing them and working remotely. They are available by phone and email during business hours.
• City Land Use Boards meetings are cancelled for at least the next two weeks.

RECREATION DEPARTMENT
• NO in-person registration. Online registration for Spring Soccer and Summer programs are still being accepted.
•Recreation Parks are open to the public, but no organized activities will be scheduled and fields will not be scheduled until further notice.   All rental questions should be emailed to the address below.  If you plan to use a park, please follow all NYS and CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19.  
• Department staff are working remotely.  Please email any questions to Recreservations@saratoga-springs.org. DPW (park maintenance staff) is working in emergency standby mode. DPW service calls can be made to police dispatch, 518-584-1800

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
• The City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meetings, but the public will not be allowed to attend in person until further notice. Meetings will be livestreamed through our website and Facebook page. The agenda will be available in the Agenda Center. Email Mayor Kelly’s office with questions or comments that you would like to have entered into the record.