City to Fulfill “Absolute Necessity” - Sidewalks for Caroline Street Where None Currently Exist
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Residents who had attended several City Council meetings to advocate for safer passageways for young students attending Caroline Street Elementary School were pleased to learn this week that the city announced it will be installing pedestrian sidewalks along a five-block stretch east of the school, where no sidewalks currently exist.
“Nearly every time I drive on this stretch of Caroline Street, I have to drive into the opposite lane of travel to avoid pedestrians in the road,” said Olivia O’Malley, who was accompanied by her second-grade daughter, Carlin, at a gathering during the Sept. 1 announcement. O’Malley said that once her daughter started attending kindergarten at the school, her perspective grew to a new realization for the “absolute necessity” for sidewalks.
“Once you walk with your 5-year-old on this narrow, two-way road with no shoulders and parking allowed on both sides… there is no denying the need,” she said, adding that wintertime snow piles create an even more precariously narrow passageway for pedestrians.
The sidewalks will be installed along the north side of Caroline Street on a stretch of road that runs five blocks from Schuyler Drive to Foxhall Drive.
Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Works Jason Golub made the joint announcement. Woerner secured $150,000 toward the project, with the city providing matching funds.
“These are our tax dollars and it’s a pleasure to bring them back to the community to make such an important difference in the lives of our youngest members, and to help the keep the anxiety levels of our parents down considerably,” Woerner said.
Golub thanked Woerner – “without her support this project wouldn’t have been possible” – as well as parents and residents who came to City Hall to bring the issue to the City Council.
“This sidewalk project is something you fought for, both yourself and other families,” Golub said. “There is nothing more important than the safety of our children. When children and families are walking home from school in the street without the safety of sidewalks, we have not done our best.”
The overall project will include the installation of new sidewalks, curbing, and storm water infrastructure to limit drainage issues along Caroline Street. City DPW will conduct the work which is anticipated to take place later in the school year.
City Council Notes
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting at city Hall on Sept. 6. The following items were among those discussed:
•The city’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony will take place 8:30 a.m. Sunday at High Rock.
•A Public Workshop seeking creative solutions for parking issues in the vicinity of the Saratoga Springs Senior High School will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at City Hall, Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino said.
•The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors monthly meeting, typically held on the third Tuesday of the month, has been rescheduled to take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, city Supervisor Tara Gaston said.
•The City Council approved up to $10,000 in private attorney fees as well as expenses in initial amounts of $3,000 for legal advice and representation for former Mayor Meg Kelly and former Public Safety Commissioner Robin Dalton in responding to the subpoenas served upon them by the Attorney General’s Office. Additional requests for fees may be made; the Council shall review such requests and if found reasonable shall provide such additional fees and expenses by further resolution.
According to documents supplied by the city, Kelly is commanded to appear and attend before the Attorney General on Sept. 29; Dalton on Sept. 30. The documents point to each testifying in connection with an investigation and inquiry concerning allegations of misconduct against the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
Broadway Build Up: 112 Residential Units Adjacent to Algonquin on Broadway
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Planning Board will hold its next meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15. Applications under consideration include:
504 Broadway:Sketch site plan for a proposed mixed-use project to include approximately 4,000 sq. ft. commercial space and 112 residential units on upper floors, with a building height at 68 feet, 75 feet at “height bonus.”
The proposed project is titled Algonquin Properties Re-Development. Proposal includes the incorporation of parking spaces for residents within a below grade parking garage with access from Maple Avenue, and a “civic space” created along the Broadway frontage to be used for public art and performance, according to documents submitted to the city. Applicant is The Algonquin, LLC, of Monsey, NY.
Other applications currently under consideration at the Planning Board:
125 High Rock Ave.: Final plan review of a proposed two-lot commercial subdivision involving the premises at 125 and 165 High Rock Ave.
126 West Ave.: Special Use Permit for a proposed mixed-use development project consisting of four townhouses, office space, and a studio apartment. The applicant is B&D Properties, of Schenectady.
120 South Broadway: Coordinated SEQRA review and Special Use permit for a multi-family residential project, including 58 residential units.
Under Development: New 6-story Structure on Caroline Street; Possible Demolition at Yaddo
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new six-story building is being proposed to fill a vacant lot on Caroline Street, and a century-old building on the Yaddo grounds is under consideration for demolition.
The city’s Design Review Board is anticipated to review both proposals during its 6 p.m. meeting at City Hall, on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
On Caroline Street, an Architectural Review has been requested for the proposed mixed-use project to be sited in between Sperry’s, and Hamlet & Ghost. The location formerly housed a two-story commercial building that was constructed as a tannery in the late 1800s, but which was felled in the aftermath of a Thanksgiving Day 2016 blaze which started at a neighboring restaurant.
The proposed six-story multi-use building is to feature a restaurant or retail business at the street level consisting of 1,825 square-feet, and a total of 15 apartments on floors two through six, with an approximate per-floor size of 3,025 square-feet. The applicant is Louis Lazzinaro, and the owner GM 30 Caroline Street Corp., of Brooklyn, who had acquired the property in June 2014.
Yaddo
On the grounds of the Yaddo estate, a determination of the architectural/historic significance of the East House building and potential review of the demolition of the structure is under consideration by the board.
The Yaddo estate, off Union Avenue, is fitted with dozens of artist studios and residences, which includes the main manor home or Mansion, West House, Pine Garde, Stone Studios, Pigeon and Dairy/Courtyard studios, and Stone Tower Studio – each of which is considered among the most “sacred” of the estate’s grounds.
East House was built by Spencer Trask sometime before 1903 for the families of his coachmen living on premises. Sometime after 1923, the building was converted into an apartment and the executive director’s office. Location-wise, the 1-1/2 story, Tudor-style structure stands in between the current office building/Trask garage, and the Archway Studio.
An engineer’s inspection in March determined the structure to be “unfit for human habitation,” unsafe, and “in condition of imminent collapse,” according to a report to the city by Ernest Gailor, of Harlan-McGee of North America. “The structure is hereby condemned (and) the building will need to be demolished.”
Kronos Quartet to Stage Show at UPH in January
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nearly 20 years to the date since last staging a show in Saratoga Springs, Kronos Quartet will be coming to town early in the new year to perform at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 in the Great Hall at Universal Preservation Hall.
Their last Spa City appearance took place February 2003 at Filene Recital Hall at Skidmore College where Kronos’ international program ranged from the sweet, eyebrow-arching melodies of Portuguese guitarist Carlos Paredes to the eerie, heart-pounding tension of the Romanian-influenced “Doina.” They showcased a a sorrowful string adaptation of Tony MacMahon’s Celtic tune “The Fair-Haired Boy,” a cacophonous ode to Icelandic rock group Sigur Ros, and and the sensual Cubano-throbbing beat of “Tabu” to the salacious Esquivel tune “Miniskirt,” complete with humorous wolf whistles and cat calls.
Kronos has performed live with the likes of Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Allen Ginsberg, and Tom Waits, appeared on recordings by Nine Inch Nails, and Dave Matthews Band, and in dance with famed choreographers Merce Cunningham, and Twyla Tharp.
Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors, in person or via phone at 518-346-6204 Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. or online at UniversalPreservationHall.org starting Tuesday, Sept. 6.
City’s Most Dangerous Roads: Saratoga Springs Releases Heat Crash Map
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city last week released new maps updating its 2016 Complete Street Plan.
“How can we make streets safer and more comfortable for all users, regardless of age or availability,” said Tina Carton, Administrator of Parks, Open Lands, Historic Preservation, and Sustainability for the City of Saratoga Springs. “This incorporates vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and transit users.”
Carton delivered a presentation featuring updated maps to the City Council on Aug. 16.
The plan created GIS mapping, and included updated Bicycle and Trail maps, updated Safe Routes to School maps, and updated Bicycle and Pedestrians Crash maps.
One of the points, Carton said, was to identify deficiencies within the community. “We hear from residents about safety and it’s a really good idea to understand where these crashes have happened,” she said.
The two crash maps detail incidents from 2004 - 2013 and provide an updated “heat map” of the period from 2017-2020.
Saratoga Springs Task Force Explores “Generational Opportunity” to Address City Needs
SARATOGA SPRINGS — On November 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law a bipartisan infrastructure law aimed at, among other things, rebuilding the country’s roads, bridges and rails, expanding access to clean drinking water, ensuring access to high-speed internet for all and tackling the climate crisis.
Eight weeks later, newly minted Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim announced as one of his first actions in office the initiation of a city Infrastructure Committee. The group would be tasked with prioritizing a list of city projects with needs that could be addressed by those federal funding opportunities. Kim appointed former city Mayor Joanne Yepsen as chair of the city Infrastructure Committee and requested each council member propose appointments to staff the committee.
“It’s really a generational opportunity where monies from the federal government can address some substantial projects and infrastructure,” Kim told the City Council last week, during a presentation by Yepsen.
“Our goal is to not miss opportunities, and to be shovel-ready for as many of these projects and funding applications as possible,” Yepsen explained.
The Infrastructure Task Force held its inaugural meeting on March 2, identifying city priorities and grant-fundable projects. Subgroup categories were organized based on the way the funding is divided in the bill, Yepsen said. Those subcategories: Transportation, Water-Sewer, Climate, Energy and the Environment, and Health & Human Services.
More than 70 potential projects were identified, and following an RFP process the city selected the Delta Development Group as its consultant to assist in securing potential funding. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Pennsylvania, Delta specializes in community planning and funding strategies with a core focus on economic growth.
The contract between Delta and the city in the amount of $25,000 began Aug. 1 and runs through the end of this calendar year. “They’re really grant writers and more importantly they’re right on top of how and when the funds will be released and going to flow for the areas through the legislative action,” Yepsen said. “We have a real opportunity to garner the significant amount of funds from the federal and state level. It’s a five-year program and we’re well into the first year.”
According to an Aug. 19 report by Reuters, the Biden administration has funded more than 5,000 projects to date and released around $113 billion. The administration will award billions of dollars in additional grants through the end of 2022.
Regarding Saratoga Springs, five grant applications have been submitted and one awarded; Rise Housing and Support Services received more than $2 million from the U.S. House’s Transportation HUD Appropriations Bill, through Congressman Paul Tonko’s office.
RISE Housing and Support Services is a human service agency that has been serving people in Saratoga and the surrounding counties since 1978. The funds will be used to construct a homebase day center.
“To put a little more detail on what was funded already - many of you have contacted our office because of the homeless situation in our downtown area,” Mayor Kim said. “One of the needs that we have not had an answer to for several years is a Day Facility for homelessness, for people who don’t have an alternative place to go. The funding Congressman Tonko has secured through the federal government is going to create a Day Program Facility at the RISE off of South Broadway,” the mayor said. “So, this is one of the very concrete uses of the funds that the federal government has offered, and it’s just the first of what we think are going to be many needs that we’ll be able to address through the various programs being offered.”
Consultants from the Delta Development Group will visit Saratoga Springs next month to tour the city and visit various need projects identified by the task force, Yepsen said.
An open-to-the-public meeting with the Task Force will take place at 4 p.m. on Sept. 21 at City Hall.
Tedisco, Tonko Secure Primary Election Victories
SARATOGA COUNTY — Incumbent Democrat Congressman Paul Tonko, and Republican State Sen. James Tedisco each emerged with Primary Election victories on Aug. 23, solidifying the list of candidates and challengers of their respective races in the November election.
The 20th Congressional District – which counts just over 203,000 active enrolled Democrats – includes Saratoga, Albany, and Schenectady counties, and parts of Rensselaer. With 505 of 509 election districts reporting Wednesday morning, Tonko led Democrat challenger Rostislav Rar by an 87.5% to 11.6% margin. In all, just under 20,000 total votes were counted, according to the NYS Board of Elections unofficial Election Night results.
Tonko will face Republican challenger Liz Lemery Joy for the 20th Congressional District seat in November.
The 44th Senate District – which counts just under 70,000 active enrolled Republicans – includes Saratoga County, and parts of Schenectady County. With 123 of 125 election districts reporting Wednesday morning, Tedisco led State Sen. Daphne Jordan by a 77.1% to 22.4% margin. Jordan received nearly one-quarter of the 6,400 total votes despite announcing earlier this year that she would not campaign for re-election, after redistricting pitted the two GOP state senators against one another.
Tedisco will face Democrat challenger Michelle Ostrelich for New York’s 44th Senate District seat in November.
The General Election takes place Nov. 8. Early voting will take place Oct. 29 to Nov. 6.
For new voters: you must register by mid-October to be eligible to vote in the General Election. You can call the BOE’s 1-800-FOR-VOTE hotline to request a voter application.
If you are unsure if you are already registered to vote, you can check at: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
Conservative Party: 44th State Senate District candidates: Daphne Jordan, James Tedisco.
Saratoga County Accepts Second Allocation of $22.3 Million in ARPA Funds
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 16 unanimously authorized the acceptance of a second tranche of federal aid under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, or ARPA.
That second disbursement, in amount is $22,325,096.50, results in a total of approximately $44.65 million in ARPA monies received by Saratoga County since the Federal Government passed the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package in March 2021.
The plan is intended to assist the U.S. in its recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession. Locally, 20th District Democrat Congressman Paul Tonko voted in favor of the economic stimulus package; 21st District Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik voted against the package.
Saratoga County had received its first tranche in August 2021. This week the board authorized that acceptance of the second disbursement and created a liability account – titled “A-0688.ARPA” – where the funds will be held until the Board determines appropriate funding expenditures, in accordance with the guidance and rules of the U.S. treasury department.
Of the total ARPA monies received, $28.3 million has been allocated through August 2022, according to a listing of ARPA fund expenditures released Aug. 16 by county administrator Steve Bulger.
That allocation includes nearly $6.7 million to upgrade radio transmission equipment for Saratoga County emergency services and first responders, a $6 million target to expand and upgrade county sewer infrastructure (including assisting with projects related to the Global Foundries Chip Fab expansion); more than $3.5 million for highway infrastructure improvements, an additional $3.3 million to leverage additional state and federal funding for highway and bridge infrastructure upgrades.
About $3 million in ARPA funds has been allocated for costs associated with Saratoga County’s conversion to a full-service health department, and $2.1 million set aside to identify and bring high-speed Internet broadband service to underserved county areas.
• The county Board of Supervisors on Aug. 16 approved an amended agreement with a number of area school districts for the provision of Road Patrol Deputy Sheriffs to serve as School Resource Officer from Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2023. The cost to be paid by each school district is $75,419.87 per assigned Deputy Sheriff.
Those school districts are: Ballston Spa Central School District, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District, Corinth Central School District, Galway Central School District, Mechanicville City School District, Saratoga Springs City School District, Schuylerville Central School District, Shenendehowa Central School District, South Glens Falls Central School District and Stillwater Central School District.
Road Patrol Deputies were also authorized to provide overtime security services at school activities and events outside of normal school hours at an additional cost to the school district of $50 per hour.
• No vote was taken regarding a resolution related to the proposed lease of county owned property at the Saratoga County Airport to Prime Group Holdings, LLC. The board voted to instead send the measure back to the county’s Buildings & Grounds Committee for further review.
Saratoga Springs Breaks Ground on New Fire Station
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A generation’s worth of false starts and hard stops, public discourse at City Hall, attempted council negotiations, floated land-swaps and a lawsuit were all tossed like dirt-mottled memories on a shovel’s blade Tuesday morning when local officials staged a ceremonial groundbreaking of the city’s new fire station.
“Today marks a milestone,” city Fire Chief Joseph Dolan told city council members present and past, public safety officials and regional political leaders gathered at the Aug. 16 event on Henning Road. “It’s been over 20 years in the making – and some would argue it’s been over 30.”
The station – the city’s third – will improve emergency response to the eastern plateau in Saratoga Springs specifically, as well as provide added coverage for the city in general.
Dolan traced the history of the city’s two existing stations - one located in the downtown district and one on the west side. Station 1 was built in the 1930s; Station 2 in the 1970s. A group of fire-fighting locals first organized as a group of volunteers in 1823, shortly after the then-Village of Saratoga Springs was formed.
“Now here we are in 2022. It shows the growth, the investment the city has in its fire and emergency services and the delivery of service we can improve on by adding this third station,” Dolan said. “We’ve had higher incidences of overlapping calls that require more service, more apparatus, more personnel to provide the quality of service this city deserves. This station is going to improve overall services to the community, as a whole.”
The efforts to develop Station 3 date back several city councils. Dolan who has been chief since 2019, recognized previous chiefs - Robert Cogan (1995-2009) and Robert Williams (2009-2019), among them – as the “predecessors to me who worked very diligently to get this third station going. Thank you, Chiefs, for all the work you did.”
The location of the station provides rapid access to the north-and-south running Northway at exit 14, and the east-west running state Route 29. As such, the station will also house the county hazmat team and include both, vehicle and personnel.
“This is also a place where we’re going to have an emergency operations center. In the event of disaster within the city of Saratoga Springs, key figures will be able to operate in an environment conducive to making good and important decisions to mitigate anything that’s brought to this city – whether it be natural, or man-made,” Dolan said.
Saratoga Fire Station No. 3 will be developed at 16 Henning Road and is anticipated to be operational by late spring 2023.
