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City Council Invites Public to Talk Fowl 

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council will host a Public Hearing on May 6 in advance of a vote seeking to ban roosters in Saratoga Springs.   

Inevitable jokes aside, “this is serious to a lot of people,” city Mayor John Safford said. 

Current City regulations set crowing cock noise restrictions from midnight to 7 a.m. The amendment would not allow roosters to be kept at any time on any property in the city, excepting as part of a farming or agricultural business in conformance with the UDO. 

“We intend to eliminate roosters throughout the entire city. Right now, they’re just allowed, in part, in the inner (tax) district,” said Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll.    

“Over the last few years, we’ve had a half-dozen complaints about roosters. Obviously, they’re very noisy. The UDO covers a hen house which has certain specifics – but I think a ‘no rooster’ ordinance is appropriate,” Coll said. 

The amendment specifies the term “rooster” as any adult male domestic chicken or any adult male bird capable of crowing. 

Hens, which lay eggs, would still be permissible. Area municipalities have similar ordinances.  

The cities of Albany and Rensselaer and the village of Ballston Spa all prohibit roosters, but each allows up to six hens via respective local licensing and permitting processes. Some require the written consent of nearby residents, while others are subject to noise provisions. The town of Wilton also prohibits roosters but allows up to 12 female chickens via a $20 permit fee, with a $10 annual renewal cost. The cities of Schenectady and Mechanicville prohibit altogether the keeping of any livestock or poultry. 

“We’re going to give homeowners at least several months to re-home the rooster,” Coll said. “Our code enforcement officers right now are looking for establishments that will accept the roosters.”    

The public hearing will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6 at City Hall in Saratoga Springs, in advance of that night’s council meeting. 

Saratoga County DOH Announces Recognitionas One of the Healthiest Counties in the Country

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, News.


Saratoga County, as depicted in the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps 2025 annual data release.  

SARATOGA COUNTY — Saratoga County officials announced last week that its Department of Health has successfully transitioned to a full-service health department.

The County began the transition to a full-service local health department in 2021 working cooperatively with the NYSDOH and with oversight from the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Public Health Advisory Task Force.  

As of April 1, 2025, Saratoga County Department of Health (SCDOH) has assumed responsibility for all 22 mandated programs of Environmental Health from New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and is currently enforcing programs such as restaurant inspections, children’s camps inspections, investigating lead poisoning, and more to ensure clean and safe environments.

The county continues to be recognized as one of the healthiest counties in the nation, according to the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps annual data release, which may be viewed here: https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/.  Data can be searched specifically by county and also in comparison to other counties. 

“Our staff have worked diligently throughout the transition and are ready to take on this responsibility to better serve our community and respond to their needs efficiently and effectively,” Daniel Kuhles, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of the Saratoga County Department of Health said in a statement. 

“The transition to a full-service health department is not just a change in structure; it is a vital investment in the health and well-being of our community. We have worked closely with NYS DOH for a couple of years to transfer Environmental Health responsibilities as we recruited professionals to join our team,” said county Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett. 

For more information about the Saratoga County Department of Health, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/DOH.

Saratoga Rotary Club’s Community Giving Report 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Board of Directors of the Saratoga Rotary Club reviewed community requests from eight local organizations and made recommendations to the entire membership, which then voted to approve the following: 

Franklin Community Center requested and received $3,000 for their Project Lift Summer Camp; The Saratoga Springs Recreation Department requested and received $3,000 for their Camp Saradac program; Bikeatoga, Inc. requested funds for their Mobile Vehicle Repair program and were awarded $1,626 to be used to add a repair station on the backstretch of Saratoga Race Course; Gateway House of Peace found themselves with an unexpected need for items and requested and received $1,500;  the Saratoga Springs Art District received $1,000 to support the Friday Art Market for 2025; the Saratoga Children’s Literacy League received $1,000 to support their goal of creating 1,000 Early Literacy Bags for community children; The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation received $500 to support their mission to preserve and enhance architectural gems, and the Saratoga Sponsor-a-Scholar program received $350 for college education.   

Requests are received and reviewed each month.  For more information on how to apply, go to:  www.saratogaspringsrotary.org.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center Announces Promotion of Christopher Shiley to President of SPAC 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


Christopher Shiley, president of SPAC. Photo provided. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced that Christopher Shiley, SPAC’s former Senior Vice President of Artistic Planning, has been promoted to president. 

Shiley will oversee SPAC’s programming and day-to-day operations in alignment with the organization’s ambitious goals for the future.

Working collaboratively with Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC’s Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, the president will play an essential role in supporting SPAC’s continued growth and the long-term sustainability of the organization.

“Chris has become an invaluable asset to SPAC and to our leadership team over the past seven years,” Sobol said in a statement. “Elevating his role to become SPAC’s President is an important step as we plan for the organization’s future and will allow me, for the first time in my tenure, to focus almost exclusively on strategic matters. In his new position, Chris will oversee SPAC’s programming and operations while I continue my work to guide SPAC’s long-term strategic vision, growth, and financial sustainability.” 

 Shiley joined SPAC in 2018 and is credited with helping to shape the creative vision and direction of SPAC’s programming, in collaboration with Elizabeth Sobol. Prior to joining SPAC, Shiley worked for the international concert-touring company, Classical Movements, where he served as the Festival Director of the Prague Summer Nights Young Artist Music Festival. As a professional musician, Shiley served multiple seasons as the Principal Trumpet of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and has a Master of Music from Temple University and a Bachelor of Music from The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University both in Music Performance.

County Sheriff’s Office Conducts Undercover Operation 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA COUNTY — In response to tips and reports of unlawful sales of nicotine and THC vapes to persons under 21 years old, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation Tuesday across the county to check for compliance with New York state laws.

Twelve establishments were visited where attempts to purchase restricted items were made by an undercover operative. 

No violations were observed, and no arrests were made, authorities said. 

“I am glad to see that the shops we visited are following the rules,” Sheriff Michael Zurlo said in a statement. “We take citizen complaints seriously and will continue to monitor the overall situation.”

Nature Photography Course Series Offered at Schuylerville Public Library

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville Public Library will offer a Beginning Nature Photography course with instructor Susan Meyer, beginning May 3. 

The series features 8 classes, both in person instruction at the library and hands-on photography practice at nearby Hudson Crossing Park.  The class will run from May 3 through June 28 on Saturday mornings and culminate in an Art Show on July 19 at the library.  

Those age 16 & up may register online (svl.libcal.com) or by phone 518-695-6641.  Participants must have their own camera or device, and the focus of the instruction will be on DSLR (digital) cameras, with some information on iPhone cameras provided.  

Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Ballston Spa Celebrates a Month of Poetry

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — As part of the Village of Ballston Spa Committee on the Arts second annual “Random Acts of Poetry,” an evening “Poetry Performance” will be held 7 p.m. April 26 in the Long Room at the Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa. 

Three local published poets – Steven Guilfoyle, Andy Fogel and Carol Graser – will be reading from their works at the event. 

The performance is free, but pre-registration is requested at: brooksidemuseum.org. 

The event continues the month-long celebration of National Poetry month. Ongoing events are the locally written Haiku on lawn signs around the Village and “Poem in Your Pocket” for free at local businesses and Cinquains written about local participating businesses on display.

Stefanik, Tonko Bipartisan Bill to Preserve Local Heritage Sites

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Washington, D.C. — Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) on April 10 reintroduced the bipartisan Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act with Democratic Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) to commission a study regarding the benefits of expanding the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Washington and Saratoga Counties. 

The legislation would specifically work towards expanding opportunities for both counties to participate in federal grant programs, increase heritage tourism, and support cultural and economic development in the area.

“Upstate New York and the North Country are the cradle of the American Revolution and home to numerous battlefields and historic sites,” Stefanik said in a statement, adding that the Act would bolster efforts to preserve the region’s heritage and ensure crucial pieces of our history are preserved for future generations. Stefanik was recently appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson as Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership for the 119th Congress. 

“I urge my colleagues to support this bill as a step to further honor our shared past and spark economic growth and cultural tourism in Upstate New York for generations to come,” Tonko said in a statement.

Tonko and Stefanik each represent portions of Saratoga County. 

“Expanding the Heritage Area to include Saratoga and Washington Counties corrects a long-standing oversight and ensures that the full story of the Americas’ turning point is told,” said Sean Kelleher, Historian for the Town of Saratoga. “This study empowers our communities to preserve that legacy while unlocking economic opportunity through heritage tourism. It’s an investment in We the People —and in the stories that define our nation.” 

The local Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, and Hudson River Valley Greenway are just a few of the sites that make up New York’s national heritage network and bring countless benefits to its communities.

North Country Wild Care: Gala Coming to Saratoga Springs

Written by Nicholas Rodd on . Posted in News.


North Country Wild Care will host a gala in May in Saratoga Springs. Photo provided. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For 24 years, North Country Wild Care has committed to protecting and revitalizing the wildlife across nine New York counties. From bunnies to hawks, and from tree frogs to deer, this non-profit organization has called on their network of licensed volunteer members to restore these animals to full health so they can successfully return to the wild. 

“You have people with all different career experiences from all over the area, but we have this unified passion for helping wildlife,” said North Country Vice president Maureen Tusty. 

“I think the majority of people came into volunteering because they had an experience where they found an animal, and they didn’t know how to help, or they didn’t know where to bring it, and they discovered the North Country hotline and then said, oh my, this is an amazing service. How can I help more? And so that’s how a lot of people get involved,” Tusty said. “People are very caring, and when these situations happen, they want to help, and that’s how they get involved with North Country. And that’s why I think our wildlife rehabilitators are committed to doing this, because it’s very hands-on. There’s an immediate need for it.” 

Now receiving more than 22,000 calls per year, North Country continues to look for ways to spread knowledge and awareness about how to best protect and rejuvenate the nature that surrounds everyone.

As a way to spread some of that awareness, North Country Wild Care is holding a spring Gala event on Sunday, May 18 at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs. This event will give the public an opportunity to join members of North Country to learn more about how to help injured wildlife, or how to get more involved with the program if they are interested, all while enjoying food, live music, and other event activities.

Members of the organization will speak to attendees throughout the event about how to handle an injured or orphaned animal when it’s found, or how to get that animal to North Country as fast as possible. Long-time meteorologist and founder of the group Pet Connection Steve Caporizzo will be the keynote speaker at the spring gala. 

North Country members will also be joined by some of the organization’s wildlife ambassadors, animals who were unable to return to full health and return to the wild. Gala participants will learn more about how these animals serve as helpers for the organization, going to enclosures and schools to act as educators for helping nature. 

Attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of menu options during the event, which will include vegetarian and vegan choices as well. Live music will also be provided during the meal from electro-acoustic group Tooty and the Mother Plucker, a husband-and-wife duo who are also members of North Country Wild Care. 

Following the meal and speeches, there will be a silent auction available to everyone in attendance. All items up for auction, including many that are wildlife themed, are donated to the gala by local businesses, artists, and individuals. One major item will be a pontoon boat ride on Lake George, while others are expected to include wildlife gift baskets, art or craft work, and more. A wine raffle will also be taking place throughout the duration of the auction. All proceeds from both the auction and the raffle go towards supporting the mission of North Country Wild Care.

The Gideon Putnam is located at 24 Gideon Putnam Road. Visit https://ticketstripe.com/NCWC-Gala-2025 to buy tickets or donate to North Country Wild Care. More information about North Country Wild Care can be found at https://northcountrywildcare.org/. If you come across an injured or orphaned wild animal, you can call the emergency hotline number for North Country Wild Care at 518-964-6740.