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$9 Million Project Underway to Address “High Hazard” at Loughberry Lake Dam

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


Overlook depiction of the Loughberry Lake Dam area along NYS Route 50.
Image: City of Saratoga Springs.

by Thomas Dimopoulos

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The new year brought with it the rattle and hum of heavy machinery whose metal limbs poked at the sky above Saratoga where Route 50 crosses with Marion Ave. 

The cause of the scene is a $9 million project to address aging infrastructure in a remediation of the deficiencies of the Loughberry Lake Dam. 

The project initially got underway in October 2024 and is slated to continue to its “substantial completion” in October 2025. The goal is to return the dam to a safe working condition per the New York State DEC, says Saratoga Springs City Engineer James Salaway.  

A state DEC inspection classified the dam as a “High Hazard,” a classification the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation based on the potential impact that a dam failure may have on downstream areas. By definition, the estimated consequences were the dam to fail: “may result in widespread or serious damage to home(s); damage to main highways, industrial or commercial buildings, railroads, and/or important utilities, including water supply, sewage treatment, fuel, power, cable or telephone infrastructure; or substantial environmental damage; such that the loss of human life or widespread substantial economic loss is likely.”  The reclassification was made sometime during the past few years due to increased development.

Last September, the Saratoga Springs City Council awarded a bid to rehab the Loughberry Lake Dam to Winn Construction, of Waterford. Winn Construction was the lowest bidder on the project, and the project bid was awarded at $7.612 million. The $9 million overall project cost includes about $7.5 million in construction and the balance in design and engineering costs, Salaway said.    

Loughberry Lake has been the principal potable water supply for Saratoga Springs since 1871 – the lake itself developed sometime between 1850 and 1865, by damming a surface stream channel and valley. 

Originally constructed as a railroad embankment, in 1967 the dam crest was widened after state Department of Transportation constructed Route 50.  

The lake spans a length approximately 5,700 feet long with a maximum width of 1,050 feet, with three local governments – the city of Saratoga Springs and the towns of Wilton and Greenfield, occurring within the watershed, according to the June 1988 report “Water Quality and Watershed Study of Loughberry Lake” published by the Division of Water in Albany. 

Interim DPW Commissioner Hank Kuczynski said every two weeks the engineering staff of the city – led by City Engineer James Salaway, assistant City Engineer Matt Zeno, and Water Plant Operator Brett Johnson – tour the construction site and mark the project progress according to plans submitted by the engineers. 

Note: an earlier version of this story referred to the Loughberry Lake Dam as having an “Intermediate Hazard” classification. It was reclassified as “High Hazard” sometime during the past few years due to increased development.

Schuylerville Adopts New Parking Regulation, Honors Varsity Team, Confirms Village Election in March

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.


Schuylerville Mayor Dan Carpenter reading proclamation honoring the Schuylerville High School varsity football team during village meeting on Jan. 13, 2025. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The village of Schuylerville Board of Trustees unanimously approved, by a 3-0 vote, the adoption of a Local Law during its Jan. 13 monthly meeting that prohibits parking on the south side of Ferry Street – from the intersection of Broad Street to the intersection of Green Street. 

A 30-minute Public Hearing was set aside for the public to be heard prior to the vote. No one from the public showed up to speak. 

The Village Board additionally approved an amended resolution to hold a General Election on Tuesday, March 18. Up for vote are the mayor’s seat, and two board trustee positions. Each is a four-year term. 

Polls will be open noon-9 pm on March 18, and voting will be held at the village firehouse. 

During the meeting, a proclamation was read honoring the Schuylerville Black Horses, who were named the 2024 NYSPHSAA Class C champion. The Black Horses’ win marks the first state title in program history.

Upcoming meetings: Schuylerville/Victory Board of Water Management – 6 p.m. Jan. 27; Comprehensive Plan Public Outreach – 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Saratoga Town Hall: Next Village monthly meeting – 6 p.m. Feb. 10; Budget meetings were set to be held at 6 p.m. on: Jan. 27, Feb. 17 & Feb. 24. 

Saratoga County Board Appoints New Commissioner ofMental Health and Addiction Services

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — During its monthly meeting, held Jan. 21 at the county complex in Ballston Spa, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the appointment of Megan W. Johnson, of the town of Queensbury, as Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services. 

The appointment to fill a vacancy follows the Oct. 30, 2024 retirement of Dr. Michael S. Prezioso.

The county Board approved 10 resolutions in all during its first regular meeting of 2025.

Applications Set To Open for Fairgame Grants Supporting Creative Programs

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SCHENECTADY — The Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fairgame has announced the fifth annual Fairgame Arts Grants, offering funding for non-profit arts and cultural organizations across the Capital Region, Catskills and Southern Tier of New York. 

Eligible non-profit organizations in 27 counties can apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to support creative programs that enrich their communities. 

The Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fairgame was established through a partnership between New York State and the casinos of these three gaming regions: Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, Resorts World Catskills, del Lago Resort & Casino and Tioga Downs Casino Resort. Coalition members include prominent cultural institutions such as Bardavon Presents, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Clemens Center, Palace Performing Arts Center, Proctors, Rochester Broadway Theatre League, Saratoga Performing Arts Center and more. 

The coalition launched the Fairgame Arts Grants program to support arts and cultural organizations in its regions. Since 2019, the program has awarded nearly 100 grants, distributing over $300,000 to empower creative initiatives and enrich local communities. 

Last year, $167,000 Fairgame Arts Grants were awarded to 44 non-profit arts and cultural organizations in the three New York state casino regions. Locally, those included Opera Saratoga – $5,000, Saratoga Chamber Players, Inc. – $4,000, and The Orchard Project – $5,000. 

Grant applications open on Monday, Feb. 3, and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 20. Guidelines and application forms are available at www.afairgame.net. For additional inquiries, email info@afairgame.net. 

Author Talk, Digital Newspapers for Free, Mindfulness Meditation at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

CLIFTON PARK — The following programs will be offered during the week of Jan. 27-Feb. 2.

ZOOM: Virtual Author Talk with Seth Fishman. 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28.  Seth Fishman, vice president and literary agent at The Gernert Company, will provide an inside look into working with an agent and the beginning stages of the publishing process. Registration required. 

Read Digital Newspapers for FREE on Your Tablet.10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29. Learn how to use library resources to access free newspaper articles from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Daily Gazette, NY Post, and more. Registration required. 

Get FREE Audiobooks on Your Phone. 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 31. Learn how to use the library’s free resources to access audiobooks. Come get an overview of Libby and CloudLibrary. Attendees must be Library District residents to access some of these services. We will also go over setting up Bluetooth devices on your phones. Registration required. 

ZOOM: Mindfulness Meditation. Noon, Friday, Jan. 31. Get practical support for developing a daily meditation practice that’s appropriate for you. Mindfulness meditation promotes well-being from the inside-out. Each class will include instruction, a guided practice exercise, and Q&A. Registration required. 

Winterfest: Outdoor Story Time & Hot Cocoa – 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1. Bundle up and join us for hot cocoa and a fun outdoor story time at the Library during Clifton Park’s Winterfest. For all ages, with an adult. 

Details and registration information for each program can be found at www.cphlibrary.org or by calling 518-371-8622.

Winter Field Day Events Jan. 25-26 Offer Insight on Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness For Disasters

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

QUEENSBURY — The general public, especially families, are invited to stop by anytime between 10 a.m. Saturday Jan. 25 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 to learn about the variety of activities associated with amateur radio, including how it is used in disasters and other emergencies. 

The Winter Field Day event featuring the Warren County Radio Club will take place at the Queensbury Central Fire House, located at 17 Lafayette St. in Queensbury.

With an increase in the number and severity of natural disasters, amateur radio operators have stepped forward to be the primary form of communication in the immediate wake of the disaster. Examples of this include this past summer and fall’s hurricanes, as well as during recent wildfires around the country. 

When the telecommunication infrastructure has been severely impacted, amateur radio is still able to work. 

Winter Field Day is an annual event for amateur radio licensees to improve their preparedness and skill for disasters and other emergencies by deploying to a location outside of their own home to operate for over 24 hours continuously. During the deployment, radio operators use a combination of HF, VHF, and UHF radio frequencies to connect with other operators locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The club will also attempt contact using satellites or the International Space Station, if conditions permit. The contacts are made using voice, CW (morse code), and digital modes. 

For more information on Warren County Radio Club, visit www.w2wcr.org

State Police: Year-Long Investigation Leads to Arrest of 42-Year-old in Ghost Gun Manufacturing Case 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


New York State Police photo.

ALBANY — Multiple search warrants were simultaneously executed on Jan. 8 in the city of Albany relating to a ghost gun manufacturing case led by the Special Investigations Unit – Albany, Gun Trafficking Interdiction Unit (GTIU).

The year-long investigation led to the arrest of 42-year-old Demetrio Daga, of Albany. During the execution of the warrants, Daga was allegedly found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm ghost handgun as well as manufacturing ghost guns inside his residence using 3D printers and various gun parts.  

Two residences which Daga was using to manufacture the Personally Manufactured Firearms (PMF’s) contained the following items, according to state police:

Multiple 3D printers (one of which was actively printing a handgun lower receiver)

(13) handguns (ghost guns)

(22) AR-style assault rifles (ghost guns)

(18) serialized AR-style assault rifles

(2) pump style shotguns

Over (200) 3D-printed lower handgun receivers and rifle frames.

Additional items allegedly included: thousands of rounds of various ammunition, numerous high-capacity magazines in various calibers, miscellaneous gun parts and gun manufacturing devices, computers, documents, and other electronic devices associated with the manufacturing of PMF’s, and body armor.

DAGA was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm in the first-degree, subsection 2, 10 or more firearms (B Felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm in the second-degree subsection 3, Loaded Firearm (C Felony).  Daga was sent to the Albany County Jail without bail and police said the investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges are expected.

Broadway Coffee Co. LaunchesNew Moms Group

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Broadway Coffee Co., located at 493 Broadway, is launching a Moms Group starting Jan. 28.

Designed to provide support, connection, and friendship for new mothers, the group will run for six weeks. 

“Becoming a mom can be an isolating experience, especially in the winter when it’s harder to get out and connect with others,” said Christine Hernandez, owner of Broadway Coffee Co. and a certified doula. “The truth is, we’re not meant to parent in isolation. It truly takes a village, and this group is about creating that village right here in our community.”

The group is designed to help new moms build lasting friendships and find the support they need during the early stages of motherhood. Each weekly session will be facilitated by experienced birth and postpartum doulas and will feature guest experts discussing topics relevant to new moms, such as infant sleep, self-care, and navigating postpartum emotions.

The cost for the six-week series is $100 and the program is open to mothers of infants and is a welcoming space for all parenting journeys. Spaces are limited, so interested participants are encouraged to reserve their spot early.  For more information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1141002271509?aff=oddtdtcreator

National Guard Honors Schuylerville High School Senior and Town Historian for Exceptional Service

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


Saratoga Town Supervisor Ian Murray and New York Army National Guard Sergeants Rodriguez and Zwack at ceremony presentation of award to Henry Kelleher and his father, Sean Kelleher. Photo provided.

SCHUYLERVILLE —Schuylerville High School senior Henry Kelleher and his father, Sean Kelleher, the Town Historian for Saratoga, were presented a prestigious Award of Appreciation by the New York Army National Guard at the Jan. 13 meeting of the Saratoga Town Board 

The award, presented by Sergeants Rodriguez and Zwack of Bravo Company, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, recognized their extraordinary contributions to the Guard’s Oct. 19 drill event.

The recognition honored Sean Kelleher’s exceptional ability to bring Revolutionary War history to life through an engaging tour that left a lasting impression on National Guard personnel. 

“This recognition highlights not only his efforts but also the pivotal role the Battles of Saratoga played in shaping our nation’s history,” said town Supervisor Ian Murray. “Henry and Sean’s contributions exemplify the spirit of our community, and we are incredibly proud of their commitment to education and public service.”

Sean Kelleher and Ian Murray are both members of the Saratoga 250 Commission, a group dedicated to commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga. This milestone celebration emphasizes Saratoga County’s central role in the American Revolution and seeks to engage the community in meaningful ways that honor this legacy.

The award’s inscription reflects the National Guard’s gratitude, and reads: “It is with great pride and appreciation that we present you with this award in recognition of your unwavering commitment, exceptional service, and dedication to excellence.”