WILTON — Wilton’s winter parking laws will soon be in effect. According to a notice provided by the town, from November 15 until April 1, the parking of vehicles is prohibited on all roads and highways in Wilton. Vehicles in violation of this law may be removed at the owner’s expense.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city Land Use Boards will hold a joint meeting Nov. 15 regarding a Special Use Permit and Architectural Review of a proposal to site the micro-production of alcohol and a new eating and drinking establishment on a 10-acre parcel on South Broadway.
The proposal for “Tree House Saratoga Springs” comes via the Tree House Brewing Company – founded in 2011 and currently operating six facilities – five in Massachusetts and a farm in Connecticut. According to the company, it is “the largest direct-to-consumer on-premises brewer in the country,” and says this proposed project will be their only expansion in New York.
The land where Tree House would be located – 3376 Route 9/ South Broadway – is currently vacant and from 1945 to 2013 operated as Murphy’s Driving Range and Mini-Golf. Today it is a mostly flat, open field with its immediate Route 9 facing neighbors being Saratoga Honda to the north, and Homewood Suites to the south.
Current owners MCJack LLC, have contracted to sell the property to Treehouse Brewing Company (THBC NY, LLC,) of Charlton, Massachusetts.
The project space is approximately 10 acres, and would encompass 4 structures, the largest being approximately 200 feet – by – 210-feet and rising to a height of about 30 feet. Plans call for a 22,680-square foot brewery and taproom building.
The outdoor areas would include three pavilions, picnic tables, small gathering areas and walking paths.
The project also calls for a 390-car parking lot, and a “beer to go” area for the pickup of online orders.
The company anticipates its siting would add more than 60 jobs of varying skill sets – production, restaurant and hospitality staff among them – and estimates its economic impact to the region as $30 to $40 million based on siting a Saratoga Springs location, according to documents filed with the city.
A joint Planning Board-Design Review Board discussion is slated to take place at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at City Hall. A public hearing is anticipated to take place on or around Nov. 30.
BALLSTON SPA – A Revolutionary Run for Veterans 5K, coordinated by the Saratoga County Veterans Services Agency, takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville with 18th century reenactors providing a cannon blast start.
Fort Hardy Park is the site of British General Burgoyne’s army decampment, where on Oct. 17, 1777, the British army laid down their arms in the surrender of the British to the Americans, known today as the Turning Point of the Revolution.
Runners can register for the Revolutionary Run at www.finishright.com. Registration is $40 and ends November 3rd.
All proceeds from the Revolutionary Run for Veterans will benefit the Saratoga County Veterans Trust and Agency Fund, which supports projects dedicated to the welfare of our veterans, including training, education, healthcare, housing, and essential services.
For more information contact the Saratoga County Veterans Services Agency at 518-884-4115 or veterans@saratogacountyny.gov
ALBANY — The statistics are staggering: one in 120 children is born with a congenital heart defect. Stroke is the No. 5 killer of all Americans.
On World Stroke Day 2023, Capital Region children born with heart defects and two stroke survivors gathered to celebrate the progress the American Heart Association makes in fighting these two conditions.
About 100 people joined the celebration on Oct. 20, including 13 children born with congenital heart defects.
Alexandra Paul, M.D., neurosurgeon at Albany Medical Center, a member of the Albany Med Health System, joined the group.
“The research from the American Stroke Association and American Heart Association is helping to change the statistic that stroke is the leading cause of disability in our nation,” Dr. Paul said. “It’s important to raise awareness, especially about some of the populations that stroke affects. Women under the age of 35, for instance, are 44 % more likely to have a stroke than men of the same age, and Black people have a much higher incidence of stroke than white people. When we can raise awareness about the signs and symptoms, we can help people recognize a stroke and realize the importance of seeking immediate care.”
The American Heart Association passed the Pulse Ox Law in 2012, requiring that all newborns have their blood oxygen level measured before leaving the hospital. Lack of oxygen could indicate a critical heart defect. The Association urges everyone to know the signs of stroke: FAST – Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Slurred Speech and Time to Call 911. Many professionals add “Be” to the FAST acronym, to include balance and eyes, or vision.
For information about stroke, visit stroke.org. For information about the Cardiac Kids 518 group, contact Kim.Sheedy@heart.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — LOVE COMPOST Saratoga Collaborative photographer Terri-Lynn Pellegri will be joined by community composters for a lively hour of conversation at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the Dining Room “Gallery” at the Saratoga Senior Center, 290 West Ave.
The informal “Compost Conversation” will include Mark Miller, Director of Dining Services at Skidmore College, Jennifer Armstrong, Sustainable Saratoga’s Compost Committee Chairperson, Kim Klopstock from Lily and the Rose, and Hope LaBontey, of Loving Earth Compost.
Terri-Lynn Pellegri is a 2023 Saratoga Arts Grant Recipient. As a special community program, in conjunction with her Grant this event is Free and Open to the Public. Her artwork is currently on exhibit at the Saratoga Senior Center. For more information about the exhibition, go to: https://saratogatodaynewspaper.com/today-in-saratoga/pulse/item/20184-once-living-matter-repurposed-in-art-show.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs History Museum presents a talk on “Clarence Dart and the Tuskegee Airmen” by Warren Dart, taking place Thursday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Canfield Casino parlor.
During World War II, Lt. Col. Clarence Dart served in the Tuskegee Airmen, a special group trained at the airfield near the famed Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He was shot down twice, earning two Purple Hearts, and he received the Distinguished Flying Cross award. He passed away in 2012 and is buried in Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs.
His son, Warren Dart, will present a history of the introduction of African Americans into the Army Air Corps, and the inspiring personal story of his father. Join us in the Canfield Casino for this enlightening talk on a unique piece of American history.
Free admission for History Museum Members, $10 for non-Members – reserve at saratogahistory.org/events. The Saratoga Springs History Museum is located in the Canfield Casino in Congress Park.
BALLSTON SPA — In recognition of the 105th anniversary of the armistice that ended what has come to be called the first world war, Saratoga County History Center will host Paul Perreault, Malta Town Historian, for a program entitled “Men and Women of Saratoga County Who Answered the Call in World War One” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the Long Room at Brookside Museum.
Perreault has served as town historian since 2009 and has conducted extensive research about local volunteers who fought in the war.
“Ten percent of the men and women who joined the American Expeditionary Force were from New York State including many who lived in Saratoga County” said Perreault, in a statement. “Seventy-two from the county died from either combat wounds or disease contracted while serving.”
The presentation will include stories of those who served during and after the war. Pre-registration for the Nov. 8 program is available at: https://brooksidemuseum.networkforgood.com/events/63454-call-in-world-war-1.
BALLSTON SPA —Saratoga County officials announced this week its Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, administered by the Department of Aging and Youth Services, provided $11,095 in fresh, local produce to Saratoga County seniors during the recently ended 2022 season.
Each year, the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services distributes coupon booklets to qualifying seniors through its Elderly Nutrition Program. Qualified individuals are those age 60 or older who earn a monthly income of no more than $2,096 a month for a one-person household or no more than $2,823 a month for a two-person household. The coupons can be redeemed at participating farmers’ market locations throughout Saratoga County.
Last year, the Department distributed 3,325 coupons valued at $16,625. Saratoga County seniors redeemed 2,219 of these coupons, which provided them with a total of $11,095 in fresh, local produce to support their health and nutrition. 2022 is the most recently completed season for which statistics are available.
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs; increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers’ markets.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —All five City Council seats – one mayor and four commissioners – as well as both city Supervision positions are up for vote to new, two-year terms that will take effect in January.
City Council
Three of the five council positions are uncontested, and each of the currently sitting commissioners – Jason Golub (Public Safety), Dillon Moran (Accounts), and Minita Sanghvi (Finance) – are expected to return. All three are Democrats.
The contested seats are for city Mayor, and for Commissioner of Public Safety.
Incumbent Mayor Ron Kim and incumbent Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino are both seeking re-election. Each is facing a contested three-person race. Both incumbents are Democrats, but unlike the political polarization that prevails in many elections across the U.S., party lines and political divisions in the Spa City are somewhat blurred.
Mayor
Ron Kim – running on the Democratic line, is facing a challenge for the mayoral seat from Republican candidate John Safford, and One Saratoga independent party candidate Chris Mathiesen. Mathiesen previously sat the council table as city Public Safety Commissioner, from 2012 to 2017.
Public Safety Commissioner
Jim Montagnino – running on the Democratic line, faces a challenge for Public Safety Commissioner from Timothy Coll – who is running on the Republican, and One Saratoga line, and Kristen Dart – who is running on the independent Community First line.
A Parting of Party Lines
In the city of Saratoga Springs, there are just over 20,000 voters actively registered.
Registered Democrats account for approximately 40% of voters, registered Republicans about 28%, and Blanks – that is, those registered to vote but purposely unaffiliated with any party, count for about 26.5%. The remaining 5.5% balance of voters are comprised of those registered with either the Conservative Party, Working Families Party, or a variety of independent lines. Overall, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in 21 of 25 city voting districts, according to the state Board of Elections’ latest available enrollment figures.
Despite that sitting Public Safety Commissioner Montagnino is a Democrat, city Mayor Ron Kim and three other incumbent Democrat council members have expressed their backing of independent Kristen Dart for the seat.
Tim Coll, who is a registered Democrat, has been endorsed by the city Republican committee and is running on the Republican line as a candidate of choice for Public Safety Commissioner.
And this week, on a rain-soaked Monday afternoon in front of City Hall, Democrat ballot candidate Montagnino held a press conference to announce he would be crossing party lines to endorse Republican Party candidate John Safford for Mayor in the election. When asked about his support for Safford, Montagnino denied that his endorsement was of any retaliatory nature against Mayor Kim’s endorsing of Kirsten Dart, instead citing “discord and chaos” at recent City Council meetings as a motivator.
“This IS an unusual endorsement,” Safford said, acknowledging the crossing of party lines during Monday’s 20-minute presser, “but I’m grateful for it.”
This Year’s Contested City Seats – The Last Time Around
In 2021, nearly 9,000 city votes were counted in the mayoral race. Democrat Ron Kim was elected after securing 4,319 votes to the 3,943 cast for Republican candidate Heidi West and 632 voted for other party challengers.
Democrat Jim Montagnino was elected Public Safety Commissioner after besting Republican candidate Tracey LaBelle 4,783 to 3,859, with an additional 95 votes cast for a third-party challenger.
In the race for the two Supervisor seats, Democrat Tara Gaston (4,460) and Republican Matthew Veitch (4,334 votes) were elected. Democrat Shaun Wiggins received 3,828 votes, and Republican John Safford – this year’s mayoral challenger – received 3,775 votes.
This year in Saratoga Springs, voters have a choice of three candidates from which to select two supervisors to represent the city at the county level.
They are: Gordon Boyd (D, WF); Michele Madigan (D, One Saratoga), and incumbent Supervisor Matthew Veitch (R, One Saratoga). Madigan previously served five two-year terms as city Finance Commissioner, from 2012-2021; Veitch, who is seeking re-election, has served as supervisor since 2008.
For more information about county supervisor races, please see last week’s edition of Saratoga TODAY, which may be viewed at: https://saratogatodaynewspaper.com/home/item/20476-election-primer-saratoga-county-five-contested-supervisor-races-early-voting-begins-oct-28.
Party Registration Breakdown
Countywide, active registered voter numbers have grown from 169,756 in November 2021 to 174,991 actively registered in 2023 – an increase of 5,235.
Specific to active voter party affiliation across Saratoga County: Conservative Party registration is up 281 compared to year 2021, Republican Party registration is up 934, and Democratic Party registration is up 1,456. The largest increase – up 3,203 – are those registered to vote but unaffiliated with any party, or “blank.” Working Families Party and other/ independent parties each have less active registered voters this time around.
Statewide Ballot Proposals
Proposal One: Removal Of Small City School Districts From Special Constitutional Debt Limitation. The proposed amendment to Article 8, section 4 of the Constitution seeks to remove the special constitutional debt limitation now placed on small city school districts, so they will be treated the same as all other school districts.
Proposal Two: Extending Sewage Project Debt Exclusion From Debt Limit. The proposed amendment to Article 8, section 5 of the Constitution seeks to extends for 10 years the authority of counties, cities, towns, and villages to remove from their constitutional debt limits debt for the construction of sewage facilities.
For full text of the two ballot proposals, go to the state BOE website at: https://www.elections.ny.gov/2023BallotProposals.html.
SARATOGA COUNTY — Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, announced that her cellphone collection drive had collected 23 cellphones for domestic violence survivors.
Working with the Stillwater Police Department, the domestic violence services resource, Wellspring, and the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program of the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center (MACSC), these cellphones will be reprogramed for emergency 911 calls and will be distributed to domestic violence survivors.
The phones will allow them to contact authorities in the event and help prevent future acts of violence.
On a typical day, local domestic violence hotlines receive more than 19,000 calls statewide, which is 13 calls every minute.
“Silence hides violence. Domestic violence crimes happen behind closed doors. If we want to end abuse, we need to break the silence, to speak up and to talk about how prevalent these issues are,” said Maggie Fronk, Executive Director of Wellspring.
