Saratoga Springs Approves $62.6 Million Budget for 2025; Public Hearing for STR’s Dec. 3
Tuesday night #Saratoga Springs City Council approved a $62.6 million budget for 2025 in a 4-1 vote during its meeting on Nov. 19. Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll cast the lone vote against. There will be no tax increase.
The $62.6 million budget for 2025 is up $1.3 million compared to the budget adopted for the current year.
A lengthy Public Hearing regarding Short Term Rental legislation took place prior to the meeting, and the council indicated it will set a Public Hearing regarding the matter for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3.
City OK’s SSPD Partnership with RISE for Street Outreach Pilot Program
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council this week approved an agreement with RISE Housing and Support Services to “solidify a partnership” between RISE and the Saratoga Springs police Department for a street outreach pilot program.
The Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, calls for a Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA) from RISE to accompany city Community Engagement Officers 2 days per week for 3 hours per day to area locations “where public drug and alcohol use has been observed frequently,” according to the agreement.
The CRPA’s are charged with locating and identifying people who may need and/or are interested in receiving harm reduction services, accessing mental or physical care, and enrolling in substance use disorder treatment services.
The pilot program is set to run from January through December 2025. RISE is responsible for CRPA salary costs for the entire year.
RISE will also track pilot data such as the number of people receiving Outreach and Engagement services, their housing status, time spent in active addiction, co-occurring conditions, justice involvement, and the number of people who discontinue the OES services and the reasons why.
The MOU was brought to the City Council via Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll.
County Chooses Texas Firm for Saratoga County Branded Apparel
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors this week approved an agreement with BSN Sports, of Texas, to create an online store offering customized County-branded apparel for county employees.
Five proposals were received via an RFP process, with BSN Sports ultimately selected for providing the best overall value, according to the county resolution. The four other companies were not immediately revealed in the resolution.
The agreement is for one year.
County employees will receive a one-time store credit of $75 to use toward their purchases of customized Saratoga County-branded apparel.
County Accepts $426K Funding from State for Code Blue
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors during its monthly meeting on Nov. 19 approved the acceptance of $426,000 in state funds as a Code Blue allocation.
The county will use $405,000 of the Code Blue allocation to enter into an agreement with Shelters of Saratoga regarding costs associated with operating a Code Blue Shelter. The remaining balance of up to $21,000 is to be used for costs incurred by DSS in providing shelter for people not able to be housed at the Code Blue Shelter, and/or for DSS staff salaries to operate the Code Blue Program.
The funding covers the period commencing Oct. 1, 2024 and expiring Sept. 30, 2025.
Local social services districts, including the county’s Department of Social Services are required to issue a Code Blue Alert and take emergency measures for the homeless during “inclement winter weather” – specified as weather with air temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two consecutive hours.
The Code Blue allocation is available via the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Saratoga Springs Public Library Parking LotRestricted to Permit Holders
Saratoga Springs Public Library on Nov. 15, 2024.
Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Public Library Parking Lot will be restricted to library parking lot permit holders year-round.
The library parking plan is different than the city of Saratoga Springs’ seasonal parking plan – the latter first implemented last summer and which concluded Labor Day weekend.
The rules: Between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., parking in the library’s parking lot is restricted to library parking lot permit holders with a three-hour limit, according to signage on the library grounds. All other hours and holidays are free to park. The library’s total operating budget is more than $6 million annually, with more than $5 million required from school district levy.
Residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District, and members of the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library at the Ex Libris level or higher, who are library card holders in good standing, may visit the library during open hours to register for permits, if they don’t already have one.
Those seeking to obtain a Library Parking Lot Permit must bring driver’s license and registration to prove eligibility and register for the permit at the Circulation Desk. Names and addresses on all vehicle registrations must match the name and address associated with the library card account.
The library is chartered by the NY State Education Department to serve the residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District, and is funded by taxes levied on property owners within the district.
“It is our obligation to prioritize the needs of those we are legally chartered to serve, and who fund our operation, when there is unprecedented demand on a limited resource,” Library Director A. Issac Pulver wrote in a Q&A regarding the parking plan that is posted to the library’s web site.
There are multiple details to the plan, and the Q&A regarding library parking may be viewed at: sspl.org.
“Adopt a Grandparent” Giving Campaign Update
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile are to announce that we are again partnering with The Wesley Community for their holiday giving campaign “Adopt a Grandparent” to help make Saratoga’s Senior Citizens’ holidays a little bit brighter.
From now through December 15, customers at both Broadway stores and online can purchase/sponsor a $20 gift tag that can be personalized with a special note from the giver. Each tag will represent one gift to be given. The tag will hang like an ornament on a “Giving Tree.” Each store will have a tree so everyone can see the progress.
“We had so much fun with this campaign last year, doing it again was a no brainer. We gave 400 gift bags last year” said Maddy Zanetti, co-owner of Impressions and Dark Horse. “It was so well received.”
“It was so touching to hear people’s stories and reasons for donating. Everyone wanted to support the cause. And the night we assembled all of the gifts was such a great experience, The Wesley Community Staff and our employees had a wonderful time working together on the project,” Marianne Barker, co-owner of Impressions and Dark Horse stated.
On December 19, Zanetti and Barker will use all the money earned to purchase small gifts for residents and attach the personalized gift tags to them. The gifts will be delivered to the residents just before Hanukah and again for Christmas. “We want to be able to purchase gifts for all 350 residents in The Wesley Community’s Health Care Center,” says Zanetti. “Many residents do not have visitors and we would love to be able to do something to bring them joy,” adds Barker. “The holidays can be very lonely.” The staff at Wesley will distribute the gifts to those without visitors during the holidays.
The Wesley Health Care Center provides skilled long term nursing care to aging adults who have significant chronic medical needs. For over 40 years, Wesley Health Care Center has provided long term care with an emphasis on compassion.
If you would like to be a part of the “Adopt a Grandparent” campaign stop in to Impressions of Saratoga or The Dark Horse Mercantile on Broadway in Downtown Saratoga Springs to purchase a gift tag, or two! Or visit ImpressionsSaratoga.com. Orders can be taken over the phone 518-587-0666.
Saratoga Builders Association Donates $60K From2024 Showcase of Homesto Two Local Charities
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Builders Association presented proceeds totaling $60,000 from the 2024 Saratoga Showcase of Homes to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.
The Saratoga Showcase of Homes, an annual community event celebrating 28 years of exceptional homes, was this year held Oct. 5-6 and 12-13 and attracted over 3,000 visitors.
The Saratoga Builders Association also announced that the total contribution to local charities from the new home tour event is over $1.6 million dollars.
The 2024 edition of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes had 8 homes from 7 builders on tour this year – Abele Homes, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders (2), Kodiak Construction, Stephen James, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction.
For more information, go to: www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. For more information about the Saratoga Builders Association, visit www.saratogabuilders.org or contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at 518-366-0946 or bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org.
Black To The Future: A Community Reading Event Nov. 24
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A Community Reading Event will be held 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24 at Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609, 69 Beekman St., Saratoga Springs.
The project seeks to introduce the Saratoga Springs community to the literary field of richly diverse worlds and alternate realities penned by black science fiction and fantasy writers.
The first “Community Read” discussion will be on Octavia Butler’s “Dawn,” the first book in her Xenogenesis Trilogy, “Lilith’s Brood.” The story’s protagonist is called upon to rebuild the future of humankind after a nuclear war, in this post-apocalyptic narrative, deftly exploring gender and race through the eyes of characters struggling to adapt during a pivotal time of crisis and change.
Light refreshments provided. Attendance is free, registration requested with name and contact info to: OurLodgeFoundation@gmail.com. Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man” will be featured in the next community read.
Family Story Time, Read Digital Newspapers for Free at Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
CLIFTON PARK — The following programs will be offered during the week of Nov. 25-Dec. 1, at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library located at 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park.
Family Story Time – Monday, Nov. 25 at 10 am. Nurture your child’s love of reading with stories, songs, and other fun activities. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Read Digital Newspapers for FREE – Monday, November 25 at 10 am. 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. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Teen Paint & Sip – Monday, Nov. 25 at 5:30 pm. Come paint and sip to lofi beats. We will provide the supplies and drinks for you to enjoy while you create your masterpiece. For grades 6-12. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Take & Make: Popsicle Stick Turkey – Tuesday, Nov. 26. Pick up this cute craft to make at home, while supplies last. For ages 3-6, with an adult. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Zero Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, and Rot – Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 pm. Join Sustainable Saratoga to learn about the zero waste movement, what it means, and why it matters for the sustainability of our communities. We’ll also talk about some simple changes you can make every day and during the holiday season to reduce your household waste. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org