Saratoga Springs to Hold Participatory Budgeting Vote December 6-12

 The Saratoga Springs Participatory Budgeting Committee announced Cycle 4 voting will be held December 6-12. 

City residents aged 18 and over may vote online using the program portal at https://pbstanford.org/2025-saratoga-ny or using this QR code. The program, which was introduced to Saratoga Springs by Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi, has received an overwhelmingly positive response over the four years it has operated. 

 “I am thrilled with the project proposals we received this year. Our theme for 2025 projects is the Year of the Child, and the response has been amazing,” Sanghvi said, “Saratoga Springs is fortunate to have such creative energy around providing services and opportunities for young people.” 

Participatory Budgeting Committee Chair, Jeff Altamari, stated that the Committee volunteers put in many hours this year to make ’The Year of the Child’ theme successful. He noted they took great satisfaction in their work. 

The Cycle 4 ballot includes nine projects: 

Caffe Lena Folk Club Kids Concert Series ($12,700) A free and weekly concert series for preschoolers and their caregivers at Caffe Lena. A professional folk trio performs interactive songs to support early childhood development, social skills, and a love of music. The program is drop-in with no barriers to participation. 

Children’s Museum Revolutionary War Education ($8,050) The Children’s Museum at Saratoga will create and present educational programs about the lives of children during the American Revolution. Programs will be offered at the museum, in Saratoga Springs classrooms, and at public spaces like the farmers’ market. It connects local history to the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. 

Division Street Elementary Paint and Sip Art Night ($800) A “Paint and Sip” art night for students and their families at Division Street Elementary School. Led by the school’s art teacher, families will create paintings together in a fun, guided setting. The event aims to build community and connection between families and the school. 

Division Street Elementary New Art Room Kiln ($5,900) A new kiln will be purchased for the Division Street Elementary School art room to replace the aged and inefficient kiln currently in use. The new kiln will allow as many as 3,000 students to enjoy pottery projects over the next ten years. 

National Museum of Racing Field Trips ($7,726) Funds field trips for hundreds of local students from Saratoga Springs and the Public Library’s Afterschool Program. The money will cover the cost of bus transportation and any related expenses. This removes financial barriers, allowing students to experience the museum’s history and art collections. 

Pitney Meadows Exploration Garden Expansion ($30,000) This project will expand the children’s Exploration Garden at Pitney Meadows Community Farm into Saratoga’s first public natural play landscape. It will feature interactive zones for music, gardening, and sensory exploration, all built with natural materials. The space is designed for child-led, unstructured outdoor play and learning. 

Saratoga Arts Young Writers Poetry Workshop ($8,450) A free, six-week poetry workshop for youth ages 10-18, led by the Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate, Jay Rogoff. Participants will learn writing skills and explore different poetic styles, culminating in an optional public reading at Caffe Lena. The program aims to foster creative expression and literacy in a supportive environment. 

Saratoga Farmers’ Market Kids Club & Nutrition Education ($29,993) 

This project expands the Farmers’ Market Kids Club to run year-round and partners with Cornell Cooperative Extension to provide nutrition education at the market and in four local elementary schools. Children can earn “produce coins” at the market to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. The goal is to increase access to healthy, local food and teach lifelong healthy habits. 

Saratoga Springs Housing Authority – Jefferson Terrace Playground ($31,500) A new playground will be installed at the Jefferson Terrace housing complex. It will provide a safe and dedicated space for children living there to play, socialize, and be active. The playground is intended to foster community and support child development. 

The Participatory Budgeting Committee along with Finance, Public Works, and Recreation reviewed all proposals, considered cost, public benefit, feasibility, and need. The final step in the process is for the City Council to decide which projects receive funding – an item on the agenda for the council’s December 16 meeting.