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City Dems Announce Candidates for November Council, Supervisor Seats

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee announced following its Feb. 22 nominating meeting a full slate of candidates in advance of the November 2025 city election for five councilmembers and two supervisors. 

The candidates endorsed are: Michele Madigan for Mayor, Dillon Moran for Commissioner of Accounts, Shafer Gaston for Commissioner of Finance, BK Keramati for Commissioner of Public Works, and Tim Coll for Commissioner of Public Safety, Sarah Burger for County Supervisor, Minita Sanghvi for County Supervisor.

For more information, go to: https://www.saratogadems.org/mission/

One Saratoga Accepting Candidate Applications for 2025 City Election

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — One Saratoga announced they will interview candidates for endorsement for the City Council positions as well as the Supervisor positions. 

Interested potential candidates should contact Chair, Courtney DeLeonardis, at courtneydeleonardis@yahoo.com. The deadline to express interest in interviewing for an endorsement is Friday, March 14. 

One Saratoga most recently endorsed Republican Party candidate Chuck Marshall for Commissioner of Public Works in the city special election.   

For more information about One Saratoga go to realonesaratoga.org. 

Saratoga County Career Center March Virtual Workshops Schedule

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

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

March 10 at noon: Broadview Financial Well-Being – Your budget is a key that opens doors, guiding you to your money goals. Find out how to organize what you make, spend, and save; set goals to save up, spend down, look ahead; harness the power of mindful spending; and identify budget tactics that work best for you. 

March 11 at 10:30 a.m.: Interview Preparation – Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. 

March 12 at 10 a.m. and March 25 at 1:30 p.m.: Goal Setting – Goals are what take us forward in life. They are the first step in every journey we take. In this workshop we will explain how goal setting works, why goals are important, and take home more helpful resources to get you started. 

March 12 at 10:30 a.m.: Civil Service – Join us for a workshop on navigating the civil service system in New York State (NYS). Participants will learn about competitive examinations for state and local government positions and how to prepare for them. 

March 18 at 10:30 a.m. and March 30 at 11a.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. 

March 21 at 10:30 a.m. and March 26 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. 

March 21 at 10:30 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. 

March 27 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. 

Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://swwworkforce.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.

The Saratoga County Department of Workforce Development provides comprehensive training and employment services to residents through its Career Center and works with local businesses to attract and retain the local workforce.

Saratoga Springs Gets Some TV Time in the Solving of a Crime Like No Other

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Spa City was the fictional setting in an episode of the NCIS TV series which aired on CBS March 3.  

The episode, titled “Close to Home,” tells the story of a 14-year-old girl who claims to have discovered a satchel filled with $35,000 in cash behind a library dumpster. 

Following an investigation by detectives, the found money is traced back 15 years to being part of a $5 million bank heist by The Saratoga Spector – “some guy who slipped through the back door of the Saratoga Springs Bank and single-handedly stole $5 million and then disappeared without a trace,” according to the detectives. 

The investigate team reads all about the “Saratoga Spector” in a 2010 copy of “The Saratoga Register” newspaper, which is brought up on their office computer screens. 

“Never before has any town in upstate New York or perhaps even the world experienced a crime quite like this,” gushes the lede of the article titled: Saratoga Specter Strikes! 

The main suspect quickly becomes the owner of a Saratoga Springs heating & cooling company – “We Put The VA in HVAC” is their slogan, but the investigation goes sideways after a search for the suspect finds him with a bag over his head in the closet of his ransacked apartment. 

The mystery does eventually get solved and most everyone lives happily ever after. 

The Stats Are In: Saratoga Springs Public Safety Report Released

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS — City Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll on March 4 released the department’s annual report. 

The Department is comprised of full-time Administrative Office Staff, a Police Department, Fire Department, Code Enforcement Division, Central Dispatch, Traffic Maintenance, Animal Control Officers and a Health Officer. It is tasked with the protection of city residents and their property from crime, fire, hazard, disorder and natural disaster. 

Overall, the Public Safety Department is comprised of approximately 204 full-time and 14 part-time employees. 

Speaking during this week’s City Council meeting, Commissioner Coll said during the past year, the department received a tech grant of more than $1 million which will be used to link department technologies, installed new cameras, and in 2024 “graduated the largest recruiting class ever with 10 officers completing field training.”

Currently, the Saratoga Springs Police Department is staffed with a Chief, one Assistant Chief, 4 Lieutenants, 14 Sergeants, 11 Investigators, and 46 patrol officers.

Regarding the Saratoga Springs Police Department specifically, Coll reported 26,667 call responses. The most frequent call type was traffic stops, with nearly 3,200 in number. 

 “And we had some very significant investigations – a homicide in the city (with the subject was convicted and sentenced to 23 years-to-life), we had a robbery at the Belmont Stakes that was very sophisticated where someone lost a watch valued at $250,000 (and arrest warrants were issued for those folks), and then we had the Lola burglaries – caught as well and two of those subjects have plead guilty,” Coll said.  

Data maps provided by the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center show that throughout 2024, Saratoga Springs had a consistent primary density of Calls for Service in the area of Woodlawn Avenue.  Secondary hotspots consistently observed were in the area of Broadway between Caroline Street & Lake Avenue, and in correlation with Track Season a consistent density of Calls for Service emerged in the area of the Saratoga Race Course – more specifically Union Ave/ NY-9P, in July and August.

Of the 26,667 calls for service handled by members of the SSPD in 2024, officers generated 3,648 cases that resulted in 892 arrests. Sixty-nine of the calls for service resulted in a use of force by SSPD standards. Of the 69 reports documented by the SSPD, only 25 met requirements for reporting by New York State standards, according to the report showcasing that the city police department has a higher standard for reporting uses of force than New York State requires. 

The Department of Public Safety is the city’s largest single department and represents approximately 58% of the general operating expenses this year. Coll spoke of the department’s most recent successes curbing overtime costs. 

“We did have a very large reduction in overtime,” the commissioner said, “from 2024 just January and February – compared to 2025, we reduced overtime by 846 hours.” The remarks drew high praise from Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi, tasked with initiating the city’s overall $62.6 million budget for 2025. 

Regarding the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, Coll reported a volume of 7,121 calls – a 2% increase over the previous year. Of these nearly 5,000 were Emergency Medical Responses, nearly 1,000 were alarm activations, and 87 were fires. Fire prevention and the Code Department conducted 2,178 inspections.   

In June 2024, the fire department opened the much-anticipated Station 3, which is located on Henning Road.  The opening of Station 3 has significantly reduced response times to areas east of I-87 and improved coverage of the city as a whole, according to the report. 

The population of Saratoga Springs is just over 28,000 and soars to more than 75,000 during the summer months. The city is comprised of 12,000 private homes and businesses that stretch over 29 square miles. 

Under Development, Plans Under Consideration 

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

Proposals for development at Caroline Street, provided to the city in late February. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Applicants are seeking an Architectural Review regarding a proposed mixed-used development at 33-35 Caroline St.  

The multi-level building would include a penthouse and stand just west of Clancy’s Tavern on Caroline Street, at properties long associated with D’Andrea’s Pizza and Union Coachworks.   

The applicant is requesting a build out of the property to a height of just under 61 feet and would include commercial use on the ground floor and residential condominiums on the upper floors. 

The UDO provides a maximum height of 55 feet, according to submitted documents, adding that the height sought is comparable with neighboring properties at 30 Lake, and the redevelopment of 30 Caroline – the latter of which was approved in 2022.    

The applicant is listed as Oldest Lighthouse LLC, according to documents filed with the city, and Burton Schwab and RSJATTOS as owner. The property stretches to approximately 9,962 square feet (.15 acre) on the north side of Caroline Street. 

Additional applications under Architectural Review consideration by the city’s Land Use boards include the determination of significance and discussion of partial demolition of an existing building at 30-30-1/2 Caroline, and the determination of architectural significance for demolition and review of new construction at 128, 132 Washington. 

The three land Use boards in Saratoga Springs – Design Review Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals, each meet throughout the month on a regular basis at City Hall. All meetings are open to the public. For specific times and dates of the meetings, visit the city’s website at: saratoga-springs.org. 

Marshall Officially Becomes New DPW Commissioner in Saratoga Springs

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.


Chuck Marshall sworn in by City Judge Francine Vero during an official ceremony in Saratoga Springs on Nov. 4, 2025. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Chuck Marshall was sworn in as the city’s new Commissioner of Public Works at Saratoga Springs City Hall on March 4. 

Marshall will occupy the seat through the remainder of the term, which expires at the end of this calendar year. All five City Council seats – as well as both supervisor seats will be up for vote in November. 

Marshall, who was endorsed by the Republican Party, will serve as DPW Commissioner as well as one of five voting members on the City Council. He has been a vocal advocate in opposition to the paid parking plan instituted in city garages and lots last year. 

When asked about his paid parking stance at this week’s swearing-in ceremony, Marshall said he remains opposed to paid parking measures in the city, but as it is in the budget as city revenue it would be irresponsible to simply un-fund it, which in turn would create an unbalanced budget.

 “So, the reality is it’s on me now to figure out how to get rid of it,” Marshall said during the ceremony which was attended by family members, some City Council members and former state Sen. Roy McDonald, among others.

The position of DPW Commissioner position is both departmental and legislative. The commissioner is responsible for oversight of Saratoga Springs’ street and highway maintenance, its buildings and grounds, and for ensuring that the water system provides sufficient quantities of safe potable water, among other duties. 

The position also plays a role in the legislative body of city government by placing the commissioner at the City Council table. The Council proposes and enacts legislation and establishes policy for the city. The mayor and four commissioners form the five-member City Council, and having five members is key in potentially acting as a tie-breaking vote in any deadlocked city-related decisions at the table where majority rules.  

Opera Saratoga Holds Local Auditions March 21-22

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


Auditions will be held March 21-22 in Saratoga Springs.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS —For two days in March, Opera Saratoga will hold local auditions for the 2025 Summer Festival Season and beyond, in order to create a local roster of affiliated singers, actors and pianists. 

Head of Music Staff Laurie Rogers and General and Artistic Director Mary Birnbaum will hear auditions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 21 at Elisabeth Luce Moore Recital Hall at Skidmore and Saturday, March 22 at the Gideon Putnam Room at the Saratoga Spa State Park.

“There is a tremendous resource in the Capital Region that we want to tap into: the artists who live and work here,” said General and Artistic Director Mary Birnbaum, who also serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School. “This wealth of talent should be elevating the work of Opera Saratoga, the Capital Region’s only professional opera company.”

Auditioners who are singers/actors are asked to bring an aria, classical song or musical theater piece of 5 minutes or less in duration with printed sheet music for the pianist. Actors who are interested in auditioning can prepare a monologue. Pianists should prepare the accompaniment to an aria or art song, and should be prepared to sight read.

For an audition slot, email info@operasaratoga.org. 

Opera Saratoga’s 64th Annual Summer Festival will run from May 20-June 29 and feature 15 performances at the Spa State Park, Mansion of Saratoga, Saratoga Winery, and Universal Preservation Hall. 

New Free Book About Saratoga’s Black Heritage Published by the Saratoga County History Center

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — A new 64-page book “Saratoga’s Black Heritage: A Guidebook,” was published by the Saratoga County History Center of Ballston Spa, and is available free of charge. 

The book contains 30 tales, each with an illustration and tells stories of Black achievers. 

Among the African American personalities profiled are Frank Johnson, whose famous orchestra played for dancing every summer in the 1820s and 1830s; T.H. Sands Pennington, owner of a drugstore on the site of Uncommon Grounds; Harry T. Burleigh, soloist, composer, and arranger of “Negro spirituals”; Clarence Dart, a Tuskegee Airman; and Hattie Austin, beloved restaurateur who provided summer work for Southern college students.

Copies may be picked up at Brookside Museum during open hours (currently Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Alternatively, it can be ordered for $6 postage on the museum’s website, brooksidemuseum.org, or by telephone at 518-885-4000.

Full Moon Hikes at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WILTON — Experience nature in a whole new way by walking the trails under the full moon. 

The Moonlight Hike at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, a fun evening for all ages, explores the beauty of the park in the dark. 

Hikes are led by an environmental educator, offering insights into the park and its wildlife. Due to high interest, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park has added another Full Moon Hike 7-8 p.m. on March 12, in addition to the walk scheduled for March 14.  

The walks take place on the trails of Camp Saratoga North on Scout Road in the Town of Wilton. If there is snow, the program will take place on snowshoes. Free snowshoe rentals will be available 15 minutes before the program.

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