City Honors Former Saratoga Springs Officials Scott Johnson, Remigia Foy, Matt McCabe

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Two proposals to honor former city officials were fulfilled by the outgoing council during the holiday break. 

Following up on a city Recreation Commission recommendation in 2020, city Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan in late 2021 brought a resolution to the council table, which was unanimously approved, to name the southside facility the Scott T. Johnson Recreation Center. 

Johnson, who served three two-year terms as Saratoga Springs mayor from 2007-2013, is largely credited for helping make the long-talked-about recreation facility a reality. The near-34,000 square foot building was completed for about $6 million and following 16 years of feasibility studies opened in the summer of 2010. The city turned to the center as an emergency location to site operations in 2018, after City Hall had been rendered inoperable due to a lightning strike and flood damage. 

Inside of City Hall meanwhile, a “Foy Foyer” depicting images of Remigia Foy was set up at the city’s Finance Office. Foy, who died in June 2020, served as city finance commissioner for three terms, two in the 1970s and one on the 1990s. 

Remigia Foy foyer at City Hall. Photo: city of Saratoga Springs.

Outgoing city Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan announced in late 2021 that commemorations would be set up to honor former Finance Commissioners Remigia Foy and Matt McCabe. McCabe served as city Finance Commissioner from 2004 to 2007, as well as operating the popular Saratoga Guitar shops in the city for a quarter century. Jan. 12 marks the one-year anniversary of his passing due to complications from COVID-19. 

A double-bench with plaque honoring McCabe will be unveiled in the spring adjacent to City Hall and where Saratoga Guitar shop stood, Madigan said this week.