SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation presents “Classic Bars of Yesterday” 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, with Carol Godette.
This virtual program will highlight popular establishments D’Andrea’s, The Hub, and The Rafters. Step back in time to the 1970s and 1980s when the three iconic bars shaped Saratoga Springs’ nightlife and what made these locations so memorable.
Carol Godette, a former schoolteacher and author, shares her memories of the places that brought people together not only for a drink, but also to connect, play games, and dance.
This virtual program will take place on Zoom for a suggested donation of $10 or more. For additional information or to register for the virtual program, visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030. Everyone who pre-registers for this program will be emailed a Zoom link in advance and will receive a link to the recording.
In addition to the virtual program, The Brook Tavern, 139 Union Avenue, will be hosting their popular “Dine for a Cause” event to benefit the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation on Wednesday, Nov. 29. The Brook Tavern will donate 25% of all food sales that evening, both dine-in and takeout, as part of our Giving Tuesday celebration.
Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs.
Catholic Charities‘ Festival of Trees returns Nov. 29. Photo by Scott Bergmann Photography
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties hosts their 28th annual fundraiser – The Festival of Trees – from Wednesday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
The festival returns with a showcase of decorated trees, wreaths and other holiday and gift items for purchase.
Tickets are $10 per person, $5 for Seniors, $5 for ages over 10 and free for anyone 10 and under, when accompanied by an adult. Special $5 admission pricing will be offered on Thursday the Victorian Streetwalk.
Festival proceeds will benefit the programs of Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.
Event hours are as follows: Festival of Trees Preview Reception, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m.; Festival of Trees, Thursday, Nov. 30, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 1, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. -7 p.m, and Sunday, Dec 3, 11 a.m. -2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the festival. Preview Reception tickets can be purchased by calling 518-587-5000.
Additionally, there will be two Breakfasts with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 2 – at 8:30 a.m. and at 10 a.m. Sundaes with Santa follows from 11:30-1 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. Children 2 and under are free. Adults must accompany children. Tickets include either the breakfast or sundae, a tour of the Festival of Trees, a chat with Santa, and access to a variety of children’s activities for $1 per ticket. Tickets for these are sold in advance only and can be purchased by calling 518-587-5000.
The Festival of Trees is the biggest fundraiser and community event of the year for Catholic Charities.
From Left to Right: Barry Potoker, Executive Director & Showcase Co-Chair – Saratoga Builders Association; Jovita Wenner, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren & Washington Counties; Mark Johnson, DeGraff Bloom Custom Builders & President – Saratoga Builders Association; Michelle Larkin, Executive Director for Rebuilding Together Saratoga County; Lisa Licata, Sterling Real Estate Group & Showcase Co-Chair
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Builders Association presented proceeds totaling $70,000 from the 2023 Saratoga Showcase of Homes to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. The Saratoga Builders Association announced that the total contribution to our local charities from this area’s premiere new home tour event is now over $1.5 million dollars.
The 2023 edition of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes had 9 homes from 11 builders on tour this year – Belmonte Builders (2), DeGraff Bloom Custom Homes, DSG Construction & Remodeling, Kodiak Construction (2), R & M Homes, Whitbeck Construction, and Witt Construction. Congratulations to R & M Homes for winning the People’s Choice Award for Executive Home and Witt Construction for winning the People’s Choice Award for Luxury Home. This year’s event attracted over 2500 visitors to these beautiful new homes, which were on display over two weekends. In what has become an autumn tradition in our area, the Saratoga Builders Association is dedicated to this long running show being an integral part of the fabric in our fall season.
About the Showcase of Homes
This annual community event is made possible with the generous support of over 75 corporate and media sponsors. The 2023 Saratoga Showcase of Homes, celebrating 27 years of exceptional homes, was held on October 7-8 and 14-15. Two of the homes were located outside Saratoga County and the proceeds benefited two local charities – Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. For more details on the homes, builders, award winners, and virtual tours of every home, please visit the interactive website at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com.
About the Saratoga Builders Association
The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. (SBA) is a specialized professional trade association representing an industry basic to the well-being and economy of the people of Saratoga County. Its membership includes residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers, building material suppliers, sub-contractors, financial institutions, architects, engineers, realtors, attorneys and other industry professionals. SBA is committed to the continued growth, prosperity and quality of life in Saratoga County. For more information, visit saratogabuilders.org or contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org.
Supervisor: Eric Connolly (R) ran unopposed in Nov. 2023 election.
Town Board Meetings – 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd and last Tuesdays of every month. Meetings at Town Hall, 323 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa.
2024 Preliminary Budget: $13.98 million total appropriation.
Next Town Board agenda meeting: 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Geography, General Information, as provided by the town on its official website. A Ballston Spa or Ballston Lake mailing address does not necessarily mean that you live in the Town of Ballston. You may live in the Town of Ballston, Charlton, Clifton Park, Milton, or Malta. If you live in the Village of Ballston Spa you also live in either the Town of Ballston or Milton.
Village of Ballston Spa:
Mayor: Frank Rossi (R) ran unopposed in Nov. 2023 election.
Village government is headed by the Mayor and four Trustees. Together they form the local legislative body, the Board of Trustees.
Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month, in the Ballston Spa Public Library Community Room. Next meeting: 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 27
Town of Wilton
Population: 17,361.
Town Supervisor: Incumbent Supervisor John Lant (R,C) received 1,799 votes, challenger Toni Sturm (D) received 1,494 votes in Nov. 2023 election.
Town Board Meetings: 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Meetings at the Wilton Town Hall, 22 Traver Road, Wilton.
Next Town Board meeting: 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7.
The Town Board is comprised of an elected Supervisor serving a two-year term and four elected councilmen each serving four-year terms.
2024 adopted budget: $10.46 million.
Hot Topic: Proposed redevelopment of the Wilton Mall, considering the development of nearly 400 apartment units and townhomes at the site of the mall’s former Bon Ton location.
Saratoga County has proposed a $411 million budget for 2024.
BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County officials have proposed a $411 million spending plan for 2024. The tentative budget marks a $32.7 million increase compared to this year’s approved budget and highlights 8% decrease in the property tax rate.
“It is a $411 million budget for 2024,” said city Supervisor Matt Veitch, who last week was re-elected to a ninth two-year term, which begins in 2024.
“It’s going to have an 8% property tax rate cut – keeping it under the state tax cap – and it’s going to put us at $1.95 per $1,000 assessed value. In the time that I’ve been supervisor, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it that low, so, good for the taxpayers, you get a little bit of a tax break from Saratoga County,” Veitch said.
The county sales tax revenue projection for 2024 is $165 million – a decrease of $5 million compared with expected 2023 revenues, and real property taxes revenues is estimated at about $72 million, approximately $2.5 million higher than 2023 amended budget totals.
County Administrator Steve Bulger said the county plans on making significant investments in broadband, highway, and other infrastructure improvements in 2024.
Some 2024 Tentative Budget Investments for Saratoga County Residents Include:
• A new program, Teams, that will provide $350,000 in total funding to towns and team sports programs throughout the county that support the health and well-being of children and youth.
• A $2 million broadband expansion project looks to provide high-speed broadband expansion to the towns of Corinth, Day, Edinburg, Hadley, and Providence, utilizing federal ARPA funds.
• Preserving open space and providing outdoor recreational opportunities for residents through investments in our Farmland and Open Space Acquisition and fish stocking programs and by increasing funding for our Local Assistance to County Trails grant program. ($575,000)
• Continued investments to address the opioid epidemic including utilizing Opioid Settlement Funds to create programs and provide services to connect families, veterans, and underserved populations with community-based treatment, rehabilitation, recovery, and support services related to opioid and substance use disorders. ($150,000).
• Emergency Services communications upgrades and a new Fire Training Tower in support of volunteer firefighters throughout Saratoga County. (more than $3 million).
• Robust investments in public safety, including investments in personnel, technology, and equipment for the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, Public Defender’s Department, and Conflict Defender’s Office. (nearly $57 million).
Budget workshops are ongoing through November. “As we go forward we’ll see if there’s anything that needs changing or updating,” Veitch said.
A public hearing will take place at the county complex in Ballston Spa in early December, and a special board meeting will be held one week later to potentially adopt the budget for 2024.
The tentative 2024 budget is on view at: www.saratogacountyny.gov/2024-tentative-budget/.
BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner on Oct. 23 was sworn in as the new president of the New York State Association of County Clerks (NYSACC).
The installation of the organization’s new slate of officers took place during its annual fall conference, held in Clifton Park. Hayner will serve in the position for the next year.
As NYSACC president, Hayner said he will focus the organization’s efforts on expanding and further developing relationships with key entities in government, the private sector and non-profits statewide. He also will look to capitalize on the strengths of NYSACC members.
Hayner was first elected as Saratoga County Clerk in November of 2013. Prior to that, he served as a councilman on the Halfmoon Town Board for 6 years and worked in various roles in the private sector for more than 25 years.
The NYS Association of County Clerks was founded in 1921 and unites clerks from across the state, providing them a unifying voice on state legislation and regulations, the strength of their collective knowledge, and a forum for sharing best practices.
Members are nominated and voted upon for officer positions during the annual summer conference. NYSACC officers take their oaths and begin serving in their new roles annually during an installation ceremony at the organization’s fall legislative conference.
New illustration of West Avenue proposed mixed-use development submitted to the city of Saratoga Springs on Nov. 13, 2023.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Planning Board announced it will meet 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 at City Hall. Applications under consideration that may be part of the night’s agenda include:
-South Broadway Treehouse Brewing Special Use Permit for an outdoor dining and micro-production of alcohol associated with an eating and drinking establishment.
Tree House Brewing Company has submitted plans to build a brewery, taproom, and “expansive indoor and outdoor experience” across the street from the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Route 9. It will be the brewer’s sixth location overall and first outside of New England.
The company said it expects to create at least sixty jobs and generate $30 to $40 million in economic activity.
• A Special Use permit and a Site Plan Review is sought for a private/social club proposed at 118 and 121-125 Woodlawn Ave.
Saratoga TODAY first reported on the venture last June when it was detailed the club’s anticipated operation hours of 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, when it would provide light meals and bar service for its approximately 200 members, as well as a place for members “to relax and unwind after a day at the office,” according to documents filed with the city.
The building at 118 is located on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Van Dam Street, just west of the convergence of Broadway/Route 9 and the Saratoga Hilton. For more than a century, the property was owned by various religious operations and operated as a religious house of worship, The existing gravel lot at 122-125 would be upgraded and consist of 22 parking spaces.
•12 Ballston Ave., Chipotle. Site Plan Review of a proposed 2,344 square foot restaurant with outdoor seating and associated site work to be located on lands that was formerly the Starting Gate Bar and Grill, which has been vacant since 2015.
•400 Louden Road, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs. Special Use permit for a place of worship is sought by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
UUCSS is currently under contract to purchase just over 5 acres on Louden Road for the construction of the new church. Just over three of those acres are in “conservancy“ – not allowing for development – leaving about 1.93 acres of currently vacant land where the proposed two-story, 8,840 square foot church would be developed.
The primary development area is located in Saratoga Springs with the road frontage being in the town of Wilton. The proposal also includes parking availability for 64 cars.
•126 West Ave. Site Plan Review of a proposed mixed-use development on West Avenue, that would include office and residential units. The initial Site Plan application (including PUD) was submitted to the city of Saratoga Springs in October 2021, and called for a mixed-use development consisting of four townhouses, office and apartment. Seven new illustrations were submitted to the city of Saratoga Springs on Nov, 13, 2023.
Craig N. Ross Jr., depicted in a mug shot released by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Oct. 3, 2023
SARATOGA COUNTY — The 46-year-old local man suspected of abducting a 9-year-old girl in September was indicted by a Saratoga County grand jury.
Craig N. Ross Jr., was charged with kidnapping in the first-degree, a felony, shortly after being taken into custody in early October. Ross was arraigned at Milton Town Court and sent to Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail.
An arraignment on the grand jury indictment is scheduled to take place Nov. 17 when any potential additional charges are anticipated to be made known.
The 9-year-old girl went missing Sept. 30 while on a bike ride in Moreau Lake State Park.
The Oct. 2 arrest followed the issue of an AMBER alert, and the discovery of a ransom note left in the family mailbox of the abducted girl’s home, according to authorities. Fingerprints on the letter were entered into the New York State database and a match was made involving a DWI in 1999 in Saratoga Springs.
The subsequent investigation led authorities to a camper where the girl was located safe and in good health by state police, and Ross taken into custody, authorities said.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mayor Kim, with City Council approval, accepted a $37,500 grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for a Government Operations Climate Action Plan (CAP) during the Nov. 8 City Council meeting.
The CAP will establish initiatives and policies that enable the city to meet its climate goals, identify priority strategies and actions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, assess the vulnerability of the city’s infrastructure and natural environment to projected climate change, and create several shovel-ready projects able to compete for private, federal, and additional state funding.
The city has reviewed proposals responsive to an RFP for consulting services and expects to announce an award of bid at the Nov. 21 City Council meeting.
The consultant, with assistance from a project team comprised of members of the Climate Smart Task Force and City staff, will draft the CAP for review by stakeholders, local officials, advisory agencies, and citizens. After comments and recommendations are taken into consideration by the consultant and project team, the CAP will be brought to City Council for approval. The process of developing the Climate Action Plan is anticipated to take 12-18 months.
SARATOGA COUNTY —Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, announced three bills to support libraries statewide have been signed into law.
The pieces of legislation expand access to digital resources at school libraries, protect conservation grants for invaluable library materials and cut red tape surrounding local library funding.
“Libraries are cornerstones of our local communities,” Woerner said, in a statement. “The services libraries provide to our communities are innumerable, from study spaces to computer technology and internet access, as well as job training and senior activities. As chair of the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to support New York’s library system. I thank the governor for signing these bills into law and look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these investments in our communities.”
Woerner sponsored legislation to update the definition of school library materials to include digital resources, helping modernize our schools by making digital materials eligible for state aid (Ch. 571 of 2023). The other measure she sponsored will ensure research libraries have the resources to preserve and conserve their materials (Ch. 578 of 2023). Additionally, Woerner co-sponsored and passed a law to reduce the time local governments need to spend on collecting signatures to call for votes on library funding increases (Ch. 587 of 2023).
