Saratoga Business Journal - July 2022

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

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Downtown Business Association To Bring Tech Project Will Give Saratoga Springs Live Music To Saratoga On Track Opening Day An All-Fiber Internet Network By 2024 As the Saratoga Race Course opens for the season the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association is staging a Celebrate Saratoga event with live music on Thursday, July 14.

The event is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. in downtown Saratoga Springs, following the opening day of the track. It will be presented by 4 Pillar Funding and showcases downtown retailers, restaurant, and live music.

Caroline Street will be closed to traffic from Broadway to Putnam Street, allowing for more pedestrians to flow and gather to listen to the performances.

Soul Session’s Garland Nelson’s Motown tribute ensemble Reflections will be performing live on the main stage, located at the Spa City Motor Lodge on the corner of Broadway and Division Street, while local performers will play at notable landmarks throughout downtown.

A window decorating contest involving downtown businesses will also be held.

Other musical performances include Whiskey River Band playing on Caroline Street and Putnam Street. Life Line will be at Impressions on Broadway, Rick Bolton and Jackie Dugas will be at the Arcade Building on Broadway, Jeanine Ouderkirk Duo will be at the Saratoga Arts Building on Broadway, Jess Hudack will be at Ben and Jerry’s at Putnam and Phila streets, Jeff Brisbin at the Spa City Cafe on Broadway, and the Dave Fisk Jazz Quartet will be outside Adirondack Trust Co., also on Broadway.

“The DBA is excited to welcome guests and locals back to the Saratoga Race Course and into our businesses with no restrictions this summer,” said Deann Devitt, DBA president. “We invite everyone to come downtown on July 14, do some shopping, enjoy a meal and listen to some amazing musicians.”

Storefront windows in the downtown area will be decorated as part of the celebration. Decorations will be judged by renowned horse racing announcer Tom Durkin, NEWS10 ABC Saratoga Race Track reporter Cassie Hudson, and local actor and financial consultant Scott Valentine. The winners will be announced on the main stage Thursday night and broadcast live on NYRA-TV. The First place prize includes two tickets to the track’s rail. Second

Crowds gather downtown for the former Hats Off event in 2017. A new event is set for 2022.

Courtesy Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

place includes two clubhouse reserved seats, and third place includes two grandstand reserved seats (excluding Travers and Whitney days).

Window decorating participants include the following businesses: Caroline & Main, Crafter’s Gallery, Complexions Day Spa, Dark Horse, Hatsational, Impressions, Lifestyle’s, Tailgate and Party, and Union Hall Supply Co. In addition to 4 Pillar Funding, other sponsors include Albany Broadcasting, Adirondack Trust Co., Saratoga Springs Downtown Special Assessments District, Scott Varley Real Estate, NYRA, Crafter’s Gallery, Berkshire Hathaway Blake Realtors, Union Hall, Star Radio, Playbill Travel, Discover Saratoga, Celtic Treasures, Impressions, The Dark Horse, Spoken Boutique, and The Wine Bar. The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association was formed in the 1960s. Its mission is to market and promote the interest of commerce with a focus on businesses located in the downtown corridor.

For more information contact Kim Leon or Christine O’Donnell at info@saratogaspringsdowntown or by phone at 518-587-8635. The DBA website is www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com.

Saratoga Springs residents are one step closer to having what some officials are calling “the fastest internet in the United States” after crews completed the first phase of construction on the Saratoga Springs FiberCity network.

In late May, the city’s Department of Public Works issued a permit for contractors to begin construction, placing fiberoptic microduct and fiberoptic cables 12 inches underground, in the greenspace right-of-way, along Myrtle, Marvin, and Van Rensselaer streets.

Crews from LatLong Infrastructure LLC completed phase-one work on June 20 and will pause efforts allowing for better traffic flow during the summer tourism season, and for city officials to review the latest construction techniques and building methodologies.

“We’re enormously excited to start this amazing project and complete the first phase of the Saratoga Springs FiberCity,” said Robbie Heaps, vice president of quality assurance, environmental, social & corporate governance, for SiFi Networks. “We’ve been working with the community and city leaders for years to make this dream a reality. Saratoga Springs will be the first city in New York state with an all-fiber network and the first Open Access network here, as well,” he added.

He said the all-fiberoptic network will deliver internet speeds up to 10 Gigabits per second—100 times faster than what’s commonly available today—and has the capacity to handle surges in internet traffic, keeping pace with growing demand. The network is designed as an Open Access network, meaning that with one connection, residents and businesses can choose from multiple service providers, bringing sorely-needed competition to the marketplace.

The Saratoga Springs FiberCity network will be made available to every home, business, multifamily building, and institution in the city, virtually eliminating the digital divide. It also has the capacity to power Smart City application and enhanced services for the city.

“In short, the entire community can be an

Workers place fiberoptic microduct and cables underground in Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy LatLong Infrastructure, LLC

active participant in the digital economy, no one gets left behind,” Heaps said.

During phase-one construction, crews made a narrow incision along the side of the road in the greenspace, laying fiberoptic micro duct in the city’s right-of-way, either behind the curb, or next to the sidewalk. Workers then restored the greenspace, taking extra precautions to protect the city’s beloved trees.

“We worked closely with the city’s arborist to ensure that trees located in the greenspace were not harmed during the construction process. A waterjet machine with a vacuum was used to carefully dig around the root systems, creating an underground pathway for the fiber micro duct to be installed, without disturbing the trees,” said Heaps.

Heaps noted that when phase two of the project gets underway after Labor Day, most of the network will be built in the greenspace right-of-way, with small portions will be constructed underground in the city streets (hardscape) along the edge of the roadway. In these instances, microtrenching machines will Continued On Page 6

New County Environmental Health Officer Shoppers Can Get A Variety Of Plants, Tips Will Help Create A Local Health Department On Caring For Them, At The Plant Hatch Saratoga County officials have appointed Brian M. Miner of Halfmoon as the county’s first-ever director of environmental health at the county’s Department of Health.

Miner will help lead the county’s efforts in forming a Division of Environmental Services as the county’s Public Health Services department becomes a full-service local Department of Health.

Miner has more than 36 years of experience as a public health leader dedicated to protecting and improving the health of the community.

He was most recently director of the state Department of Health Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection where he oversaw multiple statewide environmental health programs. He has held many high-level public health positions at the state Department of Health in which he was responsible for developing regulations, policies, and procedures; planning and monitoring program effectiveness; measuring program performance; and providing guidance and reporting on a wide range of important public health initiatives and programs.

Miner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health with a minor in biology from SUNY Cortland.

Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett,

chair of the Public Health Advisory Task Force said, “As we work cooperatively with New York state to develop a Division of Environmental Health, we take a significant step forward by welcoming Brian Miner as Director of Environmental Services. Brian brings a wealth of experience in the public health field, which will be invaluable as we develop Saratoga County’s first environmental health program.”

Dr. Daniel Kuhles, Saratoga County Commissioner of Health said, “Having previously worked together with Brian for a decade at the NYSDOH, I know first-hand that his expertise and professionalism is unsurpassed, and it will ensure that the county’s Environmental Health programs are the best in the State.”

The Department of Health’s Division of Environmental Health will enforce the State Sanitary Code and regulate and/or operate the following programs: cooling towers for legionella, drinking water supplies, food service establishments and community sanitation, nuisance control, swimming pools and bathing beaches, temporary residences, mass gatherings and children’s camps, migrant farmworker housing, mobile home parks, ionizing radiation, realty subdivisions, lead poisoning prevention program, and Continued On Page 14

BY JILL NAGY The Plant Hatch, a new plant shop in Clifton Park, saw a “great turnout” for the store opening at the end of June and sold more 700 plants during their first weekend, according to co-owner Nick Marshall.

The shop combines a full-service f lorist with a store selling indoor house plants like cactus, succulents, and some rare indoor house plants. There are some 2,000 plants in all, said Marshall.

The shop is located at 800 Route 146, in the Town Plaza shopping center in Clifton Park.

Marshall and co-owner Jeff Paulsen, saw a lack in the Clifton Park area of shops offering a wide variety of top quality plants and a staff with experience in plant care and f loral design, able to educate customers in how to care for the plants they bring home.

The Plant Hatch has six employees, including the owners, who can help them choose a plant and keep it healthy.

In addition to house plants and cut f lowers, the Plant Hatch sells plant related items like terrariums and vases and a selection of pottery, macrame, chocolate, tea and

Jeffrey Paul, left, and Nick Marshall are the owners of the Plant Hatch in Clifton Park. ©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

honey. Products are “very earthbound, organic, and natural,” Marshall said. They try to source their products locally, especially from women- and minority-owned businesses.

The owners lease their premises from Continued On Page 7

2 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022

Personnel Briefs

‘Other One Brewing’ Opened By Four Partners In Glennpeter Plaza In Halfmoon •

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Brian Bearor was recently named Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech) vice president of sales.

Bearor has served as the CEO at the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area for 12 years and the Y Movement for 29 years.

He has held both national and community leadership positions that include serving on the Adirondack Health Institute board of directors and as former vice chair of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He also served as chair of the National YMCA of the USA Small and Midsized CEO Cabinet and the State Alliance of New York State board of directors.

Bearor received a bachelor’s degree from Green Mountain College. *

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Cheryl Walton with Sterling Homes, Inc. was awarded the nationally recognized military relocation professional certification.

The National Association of Realtors awards the MRP certification to those who help military personnel, veterans and their families find housing that lets them make the best use of their benefits and serves the unique needs of military life.

The certification provides NAR’s members with resources to accommodate current and former military service members at any stage of their military career, and is an approved elective for NAR’s accredited buyer’s representative designation. To earn the MRP certification, Realtors must be in good standing with NAR; complete the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification course, and complete two webinars. *

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The Adirondack Thunder hockey team based in Glens Falls recently named Pete MacArthur of Clifton Park as the fourth head coach in team history.

MacArthur, 37, joins the Thunder behind the bench following a 14-year professional playing career. He played four seasons with Adirondack and is second all-time in franchise history in points (175) and assists (122) and is third all-time in games played (202) and goals (53).

In this role, MacArthur will also be responsible for overseeing the club’s hockey operations including managing support staff, and recruiting and signing players.

He is a Boston University alumnus and resides in Clifton Park with his wife Cristina and two sons, William and Danny.

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NBT Bank announced that Karen Sastri was named chief diversity officer. It marks the next milestone for NBT’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, with the designation of the role of chief diversity officer on a full-time basis.

Sastri provides continuity for NBT’s established DE&I initiatives and will work with leadership to establish new programs and best practices, focusing on recruitment, retention and development.

She joined NBT Bank in 1996 and has extensive experience in training and development and employee relations. She earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany and holds a strategic Human Resources Business Partner certification (sHRBP).

Sastri is active in the community, serving as a board member for the Chenango United Way and Dollars for Scholars, as well as a member of the Norwich Boys Soccer Boosters. She also previously served on the board of directors for the United Way of New York State.

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A crowd gathers in the taproom that is part of Other One Brewing in Halfmoon, owned by Randy Lewis , Brian Hutchinson, Pete LaPan and Matt Stillitano.

Courtesy Other One Brewing

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL With the opening of Other One Brewing, a new craft brewery and tap room at Glennpeter Plaza in Halfmoon, co-founder and president Randy Lewis has checked one more thing off his bucket list.

Lewis has been a home brewer for years, an interest shared by his son. But with a new baby and grandchild on the way, the timing wasn’t right for a father-son enterprise, he said. But it was just right for his three neighbors, Brian Hutchinson, Pete LaPan and Matt Stillitano.

During the pandemic the four started making beer and working out of Hutchinson’s garage, splitting all the expenses.

Now they own a business.

“Brewing isn’t cheap,” Lewis said. “We’ve spent well into the six figures.”

The story began when one of the neighbors came over to his home to watch the brewmeister at work “and to drink the stuff,” Lewis said.

As interest grew, Lewis said, “I’m not getting any younger. Let’s open a small tap room.”

Lewis is retired but the other three still work full time. Nevertheless, they agreed to run the tap room with no outside staff.

Lewis said he did some market research and analysis to assess what styles and flavors of beer the community would buy.

“If you brew it, they will come,” Lewis said.

“That’s one of my mottos. I have put together a lot of recipes over the years. Like a baker, take a little of this and a little of that, a lot of trial and error. We are small enough that we can experiment. Sometimes you have to take a chance.”

It was “just a chance opportunity” that space became available when a restaurant moved out of Glennpeter Plaza on Route 9 at the corner Robert Schermerhorn, CFP® (518) 584-2555 www.SaratogaRetire.com

of Grooms Road. Lewis’ wife Tracy is chief operating officer of Glennpeter Jewelers, so he knew the landlord, Jeff Weiss.

“Jeff helped us as we faced our biggest challenge of getting a brewer’s license,” he said.

“New York requires that you be an entity with a place ready to come into as soon as you obtain the license.”

“If your license is denied, your time and effort and money may have been wasted,” he said. “We were ready three months in advance with a tap room and no sales, but Jeff worked with us.”

The partners did not apply for any small business loan and paid cash for all expenses, including the build-out, he said.

The partners did the remodeling themselves.

Other One Brewing started up in April offering six styles of beer on tap and two months later has 11, including a red beer, a stout, light American ale, a sour beer, several IPAs and the flagship Sajulus, a New England IPA that Lewis describes as “hazy and fruity.”

Once permitted, wine will be served as well, but not food.

“I can make beer, I can’t cook,” said Lewis.

“But customers can bring in their own food or have food delivered.”

The capacity is 45 people in the tap room and production of 6,200 gallons of beer a year, 200 gallons at a time.

“Down the road we would like to acquire a canning mechanism and distribute 16-ounce cans to markets,” Lewis said.

Visit Other One Brewing Wednesday and Thursday from 4 -9 p.m., Fridays from 4-10 p.m., Saturdays noon til 10 p.m. and Sundays noon til 6 p.m.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022 • 3

Stacie Clark To Deliver Keynote Address SUNY ADK, Saratoga CDTA Summer Service At Thoroughbred Conference In Saratoga High Enter Partnership Returns To Saratoga

Stacie Clark, operations consultant for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), and Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView, which provides information on aspects of ownership.

Courtesy OwnerView

Stacie Clark, operations consultant for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), will be the keynote speaker for OwnerView’s inperson Thoroughbred Owner Conference held at Saratoga Race Course on July 25-26.

Clark has been with the TAA since its inception in 2012 and assumed the role of operations consultant in 2014. Previously, she created the fi rst in-house retirement program while serving as Thoroughbred Retirement Program manager at Adena Springs. She has made numerous presentations on behalf of thoroughbred aftercare throughout North America as well as in the U.K. and Japan.

Before delving into aftercare, Clark rode as a jockey in Ontario, Canada, and was nominated for the 1994 Sovereign Award as Outstanding Apprentice. When Woodbine Racetrack expanded its television department in 1999, she crossed over to associate producer and racing television commentator. In 2013, Clark co-produced HRTV’s Eclipse Awardwinning and Emmy-nominated documentary “Saratoga War Horse.”

Clark will provide her perspective on the evolution of aftercare from the early 2000s to today, highlight the progress made by the industry, and discuss future challenges.

“Thoroughbred aftercare has moved to the forefront of industry priorities in the last 20 years or so, and Stacie has been one of the great influencers in moving the needle in

this area, including participating in previous Thoroughbred Owner Conferences,” said Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView. “In both our in-person and virtual conferences, OwnerView has emphasized the importance of aftercare as part of a stable’s business plan, and we are excited to have Stacie joining us as our keynote to talk about this important topic.”

The conference will kick off with an opening reception at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 24. Panels will be held July 25 and 26 at the track’s 1863 Club, with topics ranging from the role of bloodstock agents and advisors to the process of selecting a trainer to safety best practices.

Registration information, as well as the full conference schedule and lists of panels and speakers, can be found at ownerview.com/ event/conference.

The 2022 conference will be the fi rst inperson thoroughbred owner conference since 2019. The 2020 conference, scheduled to be held in Saratoga, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the in-person conference, OwnerView is hosting a free virtual conference series this year. Interested individuals can sign up for the virtual conference at ownerview.com/event/conference or send an email to Gary Falter, gfalter@jockeyclub.com.

SUNY Adirondack and Saratoga Springs City School District have developed a new partnership to offer continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities to the greater Saratoga Springs community.

Officials said SUNY Adirondack has a thriving continuing education division, as did Saratoga until the latter’s broadly supported offerings were shuttered in 2019.

Partnering with SUNY Adirondack’s longstanding program will bring back new and past courses and instructors to Saratoga Springs residents at Saratoga Springs City School District and community sites, as well as at SUNY Adirondack’s Saratoga facility, officials said.

The new continuing education program will begin in Fall 2022, offering classes for such varied interests as cooking, fitness, arts, languages and trips and tours throughout the region. Course proposals from interested instructors, businesses and tour sites are welcome.

“We are so excited to partner with the school district to offer lifelong learning opportunities to the Saratoga Springs community at fantastic facilities,” said Caelynn Prylo, assistant dean for continuing education and workforce innovation at the college.

“SUNY Adirondack has been Saratoga’s community college for 45 years and now we are thrilled to work with students of all ages through this new program.”

A catalog of course offerings will be released in August and mailed to homes within the Saratoga Springs City School District, as well as be available on SUNY Adirondack’s website.

“The Saratoga Springs City School District is thrilled to expand our partnership with SUNY Adirondack by offering continuing education courses right here in our school community,” said Michael Patton, superintendent of schools. “As a result of this collaborative effort, we hope our community members will take advantage of the robust programs and unique continuing education courses SUNY Adirondack will be able to offer in our local schools. We are excited to promote lifelong learning for all our district stakeholders.”

Officials said courses will be affordably priced and range from single sessions to multiple weeks, including the popular drop-in recreational sports opportunities offered in the past.

Chuck Ciaccia 28 years

Jude Gosh 33 years

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) will once again offer a variety of summer service programs to travelers in the Capital Region. These services include the return of the popular Navigator Summer Fun Pass, the Saratoga Summer Visitors Trolley, and service to Grafton Lakes State Park.

“We’re thrilled to once again have these popular summer services that provide people in our community a low-cost, accessible option to get out and enjoy what the Capital Region has to offer,” said CDTA CEO Carm Basile. “From cooling off and enjoying Grafton Lakes State Park, to checking out the attractions of Saratoga, these services are a way to allow everyone to explore their own backyard.”

The Summer Fun Pass offers Capital Region youth, 17 and under, unlimited rides on CDTA regular route buses through Aug. 31, for $44.

The pass offers a significant savings of nearly 70 percent from the standard cost of two monthly Navigator passes.

Area kids can use the Summer Fun Pass to get to key destinations like Grafton Lakes State Park, local pools, parks, and summer employment. Customers can purchase passes at the CDTA Sales Center located at 85 Watervliet Ave. in Albany and the Saratoga Springs Train Station at 26 Station Lane in Saratoga Springs.

For more than 30 years, CDTA has provided seasonal summer service to Grafton Lakes State Park and will do so once again through Sept.

5. Route 96 allows customers to board buses to access the seasonal service at any CDTA bus stop along the route that begins in Downtown Troy.

The service operates from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday to Sunday through Labor Day. CDTA’s Saratoga Summer Trolley will run through Labor Day. The popular trolley service is free of charge for customers and operates Wednesday through Sunday each week during the season from noon to 10 p.m. The trolley offers convenient service to hotels and attractions along Broadway in downtown, including the Saratoga Race Course and Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The complete schedule can be found at www. cdta.org.

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4 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022

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Farm In Moreau Is Set To Open ‘Dancing Grain Farm Brewery’ In July

BY CHRISTINE GRAF After encountering countless pandemic-related delays, the owners of Dancing Grain Farm Brewery in Moreau hope to open their craft brewery in July.

For owner Rachel McDermott, a Cornell University graduate with a degree in applied economics and management, Dancing Grain is more than a business.

“For me, it’s a passion project. This is how we secure our family farm for the future,” she said.

A farm girl at heart, McDermott grew up on her family’s grain farm, WestWind Ag in Schaghticoke.

The farm is owned by her father, James Czub, and uncle, Robert Czub. In 2016, the brothers purchased the 308-acre Moreau property, a former dairy farm, where the brewery is located.

McDermott and her husband, attorney Sean McDermott, live in the remodeled farm house on the property along with their two-year old son. Six years ago, McDermott left a successful career as an investment banker on Wall Street in order to join the family business.

“I always had a desire to be closer to my roots,” she said.

Under her leadership, WestWind Ag diversified operations and invested in new processing equipment and expanded planting operations to include brewers and distiller’s grains—grains that are used in the production of Dancing Grain’s craft beers.

“We’ve spent the last three or four years investing in the research and development side of specialty crops like malting barley and distiller’s grains, and now we want to vertically integrate that process and create a destination for these craft beverages where we can grow them on site and create this flavor of our area,” she said. “It’s a sustainable agricultural model, and it’s meant to drive income from the farm from the ground up. You could say from the ground to your glass.”

In January 2020, McDermott received approval to move ahead with the craft brewery. She hired local engineer Wayne Kant to help transform the farm’s former tractor repair building into a brewhouse and brewpub.

“Wayne and I sat down and came up with a plan for how we wanted the building to look and how we wanted to preserve the original structure while making it usable for our purposes,” she said.

The building permit was submitted on March 1st, just two weeks before the state shut down due to the pandemic.

“That should have been the first sign that this wasn’t going to be as straightforward and as easy as we had hoped,” said McDermott.

Seven months later, with the building permit finally in hand, McDermott was faced with additional challenges. Social distancing requirement limited the number of contractors that could work on the project at any given time. At the same time, lenders were hesitant to offer financing to those in the bar and restaurant industries.

“All of a sudden, we weren’t able to hire contractors, and financing something in the hospitality industry became virtually impossible. Everything kind of dried up from a start-up perspective,” she said.

That’s when McDermott and husband Sean, a co-owner in the business, took matters into their own hands. They purchased a camper, parked it at the farm, and lived there full-time with their baby.

“My responsibility was moving forward on the brewery, and his was to work on the house. We kind

Dancing Grain Farm Brewery will open and start selling its craft beers in July.

Courtesy Dancing Grain Farm Brewery

of divided and conquered these two huge projects,” said McDermott. “We rolled up our sleeves and got to work.”

The brewhouse building was gutted, but the original framework was preserved. The bar was built from old beams from the farm’s carriage house and floorboards from the house.

“We reused as much material as we feasibly could in order to maintain the character of this place,” she said. “I think we did a really good job.”

Faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, McDermott turned to Christian Weber of Common Roots Brewing Company in South Glens Falls for advice. Ultimately, Weber and his father, Bert, purchased a small ownership stake in Dancing Grain.

“With their help, we were able to close the financing. That gave us enough liquidity to move forward,” said McDermott. “They also have a load of experience on the craft beer side and were able to help us navigate some of the startup issues we were faced with.”

A New York farm brewery, Dancing Grain must source at least 60 percent of its ingredients from within the state. According to McDermott, 60 percent or more of Dancing Grain’s ingredients are sourced directly from their own farm.

If all goes as planned, Dancing Grain Farm Brewery will open in July with a limited number of beers on tap as well as crowlers and growlers.

Their goal for the first year is to have 12 beers on tap. James Dowell has been hired as head brewer, and McDermott plans to hire between two and five part-time employees.

“We are going to grow into our vision which encompasses what I refer to as the family farm legacy.

In order to secure our farm for future generations, we need to create more value for community and for our farm family. We are hoping to do that by sharing our farm with the people who love craft beer.”

According to McDermott, the project has exceeded its original budget of $300,00 by nearly twofold. In order to ensure that the bank did not hold the lien on the family farm, she and her husband made a considerable investment in the business out of their own savings.

“I didn’t want to risk what my dad and uncle have worked for their entire lives. This is their legacy.”

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022 • 5

Kyle Magne Opens State Farm Office In Department Of Labor Has Plan To Improve Saratoga, Offering Insurance, Financial Plans Unemployment Insurance Services In NYS

Kyle Magne, CPCU, and Jessica Hauprich stand outside the new State Farm office at 200 West Ave., Suite 102, in Saratoga Springs.

BY JILL NAGY After a decade handling insurance claims, Kyle Magne is, for the first time, an agent with his own office, Magne’s State Farm Agency at 200 West Ave., Suite 102, in Saratoga Springs, just north of Saratoga High School.

He is reveling in his new role.

“In claims, you get to help people and you never see them again,” he said. As an agent, he looks forward to establishing long-term relationships with clients. His office offers “a plethora” of insurance products as well as financial products.

In recent years, State Farm has been emphasizing financial products, including mutual funds, as well insurance, he said.

Magne hopes to add services as a financial planner to his agency.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

“That’s my goal, I hope within a year,” he said. Overall, “Our mission is to educate people so they know what they have.”

What Magne referred to as his team, includes another licensed agent and two others who are studying for their licensing examinations.

“We’re having fun we’re helping people, we’re happy,” he said.

Magne already had some Saratoga Springs customers when he opened his office. Others have come through social media and referrals.

Magne’s office is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, “I’m there and the door is open.” His website is saratogaagent.com. The telephone number is518 633-1010.

The state Department of Labor is halfway through its four-year strategic modernization plan, an ongoing effort that will reduce call volume, enhance customer experience, and swiftly connect New Yorkers to unemployment insurance benefits.

NYSDOL is currently collaborating with the state Office of Information Technology Services to develop and implement technological solutions that will improve the UI benefit application process, check on the status of claims, and address claim issues with unprecedented efficiency with the goal of handling 100 percent of customer inquiries.

The plan is part of an ongoing DOL effort to enhance the overall customer experience and reduce fraud.

“The struggles that New York’s workforce experienced during the pandemic showed us how crucial it is to be able to connect job searchers with employers,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “As we rebuild from the economic effects of the pandemic, we must continue to improve the systems that allow us to get money back into New Yorkers’ hands. I commend the Department of Labor for their swift work throughout the pandemic to help New Yorkers facing hardship, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as we address gaps in our infrastructure.”

Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said the department of Labor “was already working to improve the unemployment system, but the pandemic put that on the fast track in order to swiftly deliver $105 billion in assistance to nearly 5 million New Yorkers. Since then, the department has embraced innovative solutions and we continue to evolve to better serve New Yorkers. Our ability to adapt is why so many states continue to look to us for leadership throughout this global health crisis.”

Over the next 24 months, NYSDOL, in partnership with ITS, will: • Develop and implement a new omni-

channel contact center that will utilize bot-driven technology designed to answer specific questions about a customer’s claim.

• Unveil an upgraded forms management system that will work with the current system to enable customers to submit proper forms for rapid processing.

• Establish a new intranet system to improve NYSDOL internal training and assist Call Center staff in streamlining the claims process for greater efficiency.

• Advance the Department’s UI system modernization project, which will replace the antiquated legacy mainframe with a state-of-the-art, real-time system.

• Create a new operating model that will deliver operational efficiencies, improve, and increase agent and customer engagement.

NYSDOL’s Unemployment Insurance Division is funded by USDOL. Budgeting is determined by federal standards for processing UI claims based on workload and production. Current call volume has dramatically decreased compared to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and declined again with the expiration of extended federal benefits.

When the COVID-19 pandemic initially hit New York state, NYSDOL received an unprecedented surge in UI claims. Officials said during the first week that claims were impacted by the pandemic, NYSDOL received over 1,734,100 total calls, inundating the system. NYSDOL quickly adapted and extended call center availability, dedicated additional staff to answer calls, hired additional staff, streamlined the claims process, and added servers to increase bandwidth.

NYSDOL continues to evaluate processes and adjust as necessary while safeguarding this critical support system for New Yorkers.

As New York State continues to navigate the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, NYSDOL remains committed to exploring opportunities to modernize systems.

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Pepsi Pledges Up To $455,000 Over 10 Years To Support Programs At Saratoga Hospital Pepsi Beverages Co. recently pledged up to $455,000 to support key Saratoga Hospital initiatives, including programs that provide affordable care for the underserved, services to prevent and treat substance misuse, and nursing education.

“Pepsi has long been a wonderful partner to Saratoga Hospital and our community,” said Mary Solomons, executive director of Saratoga Hospital Foundation. “Thousands of patients each year benefit from programs that Pepsi’s generosity helps make possible.”

The 10-year pledge continues Pepsi’s traditional support for two annual Saratoga Hospital fundraisers: The Gala, which benefits the hospital’s Saratoga Community Health Center, and the Golf Invitational for the hospital’s nursing scholarship program.

Funds also are earmarked for the hospital’s Interdisciplinary Opioid Management Program, which seeks to reduce the use of opioids for chronic pain relief. The innovative program integrates pain management clinical pharmacists and a substance abuse counselor in primary care practices to manage opioid use and provide monitoring, screening and education services.

To help address future healthcare concerns, the Pepsi gift also includes funds that can be allocated to meet new needs as they arise.

“We are extremely grateful for Pepsi’s flexibility, foresight and generosity,” Solomons said, “and for their impact on our patients and the health of our community as a whole.”

All-Fiber Internet Network By 2024 Continued From Page 1

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You may also mail your check in the amount of $25.00 for 12 issues made payable to Weinhagen Associates LLC to receive your paper by mail.

be used to cut a narrow incision in the roadway where the fiber cables will be buried. Workers will restore the roadway immediately after installation.

“People tend to be curious when construction happens in their neighborhood. We met with dozens of residents during phase one and provided information about the project and buildout timelines. Our goal is to answer as many questions as folks have including how the network will work and who their providers will be. We want to be as transparent as possible with the community,” said Heaps.

Community members who have questions or want to learn more should contact SiFi Networks’ community relations team at 888-766-9475 or visit www.Saratogaspringsfibercity.com.

“We’ll also be meeting with the community and city leaders this summer to identify which types of Smart City applications they’d like to see deployed in the city. Everything from

Smart kiosks, Smart storm water monitoring, Smart lights, parking sensors, traffic sensors, and Smart air quality monitors are examples of technologies that can enhance the quality-of-life in the city. Smart City services increase efficiencies and save energy, but move a lot of data, which is why fiber infrastructure is required to make these services possible. Saratoga Springs is now really well positioned for the future,” noted Heaps.

After the summer tourism season and once all permits and approvals are in hand, a full build out of the project’s phase two will begin with exciting groundbreaking festivities. Heaps anticipates that sections of the network will start going live in the spring of 2023, and completion anticipated in the fall of 2024.

“We couldn’t be happier to be here in Saratoga Springs and to be working with city officials, business leaders and residents,” said Heaps.

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL 2002 Business Of The Year

The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County P.O. Box 766 • Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518) 581-0600 • Fax: (518) 430-3020 • www.saratogabusinessjournal.com Editorial: RJDeLuke@saratogabusinessjournal.com Advertising: HarryW@saratogabusinessjournal.com Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen Associate Editor R.J. DeLuke Editor Emeritus Rod Bacon Sales and Customer Service Harry Weinhagen Mary Longley Production Manager Graphic Precision Photographer Stock Studios Photography

Susan Campbell Christine Graf

Contributing Writers Jill Nagy Jennifer Farnsworth Andrea Harwood Paul Post

Saratoga Business Journal is published monthly, the second week of each month, by Weinhagen Associates, LLC and mailed to business and professional people in Saratoga county.

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Saratoga Business Journal has been founded to promote business in Saratoga county and to provide a forum that will increase the awareness of issues and activities that are of interest to the business community. Subscription price is $25.00 per year. Third class postage paid at Glens Falls, New York.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022 • 7

Zobel Kitchens Adds New Products, Including Death Wish Coffee Rolls Out A New Offering, Weatherproof Line Of Outdoor Cabinetry ‘Espresso Roast,’ Available Online, In Stores

This unit is a new line Zobel Kitchens added from NatureKast. It is a 100 percent weatherproof line of outdoor cabinetry designed to withstand the weather changes of the region.

Zobel & Co. Kitchens, a kitchen design and custom cabinetry showroom located in the Union Square Building in Glens Falls, announced the addition of two new product lines, signaling continued growth for the firm in residential renovation and construction.

The firm now offers a line of cabinetry made especially for outdoor living, along with fully custom and semi-custom cabinetry lines, the company said.

“In the past, outdoor kitchens were a harder investment to make because of our short summers,” said Arthur Zobel, owner and senior designer. “But now many folks are working from home or spending the full summer at their vacation house so elevating their outdoor space makes great sense.”

Zobel & Co. Kitchens now offers the NatureKast, a 100 percent weatherproof line of outdoor cabinetry designed to withstand the dramatic weather changes of the region.

The company was founded by a designer in Florida who partnered with a Canadian cabinet manufacturer and the result is a product line that accommodates different environmen-

Courtesy Zobel Kitchens

tal applications, with a full range of cabinetry styles and colors plus many creative storage features, said Zobel.

In addition to Plain & Fancy custom cabinetry, Zobel & Co. Kitchens now offers Cabico Cabinetry in their showroom. Zobel has designed with Cabico in the past, so he was happy to bring this line into his showroom.

“I don’t know of any industry that hasn’t had supply chain issues, and ours was certainly one of them,” he said. “I needed a cabinet line that met my design standards and offered shorter lead-times than our fully custom cabinetry lines so I can meet the needs of clients with a tighter project plan.”

Zobel & Co. Kitchens offers custom cabinetry and design services for kitchens, entertainment centers, outdoor kitchens, closets, and other living spaces. It is a second-generation kitchen design company with over 43 years of experience designing whether they are new builds, remodeling, or historic renovations.

Zobel & Co. Kitchens is in the Union Square building at 11 Broad S. in Glens Falls. Its website is zobelandco.com

Death Wish Coffee Co. based in Saratoga Springs has launched a new offering, Espresso Roast.

The company said the new roast features “a smooth aroma with notes of cocoa, caramelized sugar and black cherry, for an intense taste and double the strength.”

A proprietary blend to Death Wish Coffee, Espresso Roast is certified fair trade and USDA organic like its other coffee products.

Espresso Roast is the first product to debut Death Wish Coffee’s new look, featuring signature lightning bolts and vibrant colors to quickly communicate roast varieties and flavors. Death Wish Coffee’s other products, including Dark Roast and Medium Roast, will transition to the new look later this year.

“Our consumers are looking for a premium coffee experience at home with a rich, intense flavor and a base for espresso drinks to channel their inner barista. Espresso Roast delivers a smooth, never-bitter cup every time, no matter how it’s brewed,” said Mike Pilkington, CEO of Death Wish Coffee. “Espresso Roast joins our everyday line-up of Dark Roast and Medium Roast, along with our seasonal flavors, to give coffee consumers the variety they’re seeking.”

He said Espresso Roast is a dark roast made with Sumatran and Peruvian arabica beans and Indian Cherry robusta beans.

The new blend is available for purchase in ground and whole bean bags and Death Cups, compatible with Keurig single-serve coffee makers. Consumers can purchase on www.

Espresso Roast is a new product from Death Wish based in Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy Death Wish Coffee

deathwishcoffee.com, and in Walmart and Kroger locations nationwide. The blend will also be available on Amazon later this year.

For more information about Death Wish Coffee Co., visit www.deathwishcoffee.com.

Mike Brown started Death Wish in 2012.

What started as a few employees packing orders in the basement of a coffee shop has repeatedly earned Amazon’s #1 “Most Wished For” coffee and can be found in over 20,000 stores nationwide.

Plant Hatch

Continued From Page 1 DCG Development Co., which managed the fit-up for them. Paulsen and Marshall self-financed the new enterprise and also designed and built the necessary modifications, including moving walls, modifying the plumbing and bringing in a large f loral cooler.

Paulsen and Marshall have owned a landscaping service, JP’s Cutting Edge, also in Clifton Park, for more than 10 years. Fresh out of high school, they went into business

cutting small lawns with push mowers.

The business grew and, “then you have three crews working,” Marshall recalled. He expects to spend most of his time at the Plant Hatch while his partner spends most of his on the landscaping business.

The Plant Hatch is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The telephone number is 518357-3113. The website is ThePlantHatch.com.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

Paul Unter President Construction Information Systems Inc. Reads

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

8 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPECIAL SECTION

Summer Construction Bonacio Construction Continues Busy Construction Started On Hudson Valley Schedule, Eyes Major Project in Glens Falls Community College North Malta Building

BY PAUL POST Bonacio Construction Co. in Saratoga Springs helped transform the Spa City with one large, multi-million-dollar project after another since its founding in 1988.

About a decade ago, the Saratoga Springs-based firm turned its attention to Glens Falls.

Now, in one of its most ambitious ventures ever, Bonacio hopes to rejuvenate South Street with a multi-phase project involving new construction and renovating existing structures such as the once-popular Sandy’s Clam Bar, Hot Shots tavern and a business incubator building behind Hot Shots at 36 Elm Street.

Elsewhere, Bonacio is still quite busy in Saratoga Springs, currently doing foundation and structural work for a new addition behind the former Rip Van Dam Hotel, connected to the adjacent Adelphi Hotel on Broadway, which was rebuilt four years ago for $28 million. The completed project will comprise one large resort with hotel rooms, studios and apartments.

In Glens Falls, “We saw a town that was once a jewel and had won the All-American City Award, but which like a lot of upstate New York communities had struggled through some down years,” said Larry Novik, company development director. “But it was clearly making a strong comeback. We saw a beautiful downtown with a really nice layout and a lot of quality, attractive buildings. We were just excited by what we were seeing.”

The company’s first project in Glens Falls was a new six-story retail, commercial and residential building at the intersection of Hudson Avenue and School Street, near the city’s new parking garage by Glens Falls Hospital.

Plans also call for a huge new mixed-use building, slated for the current Farmer’s Market lot, with commercial space fronting South Street. The structure would wrap around Sandy’s with more than 65 upscale apartments facing Elm Street Phase I, remodeling existing buildings, is expected to begin this fall with Phase II, the new building, scheduled to get under way next year.

Bonacio is seeking $200,000 in sales and mortgage tax exemptions for the project from Glens Falls Industrial Development Agency, along with a 15-year reduction in property taxes.

In a related effort, the city has plans for a yearround Market Center and event space on South Street, at a vacant lot that previously housed an Off Track Betting outlet. The structure—open-air

Bonacio Construction Co. plans to renovate the former Sandy’s Clam Bar in Glens Falls. in summer, enclosed in winter—could give the Farmer’s Market a year-round home. The city plans to put this project out to bid in hopes of finding a suitable builder.

Glens Falls Economic Development Director Jeff Flagg said Bonacio alone might invest up to $26 million in South Street by the time it’s work is done. Some of this, such as historic restoration of the Sandy’s and Hot Shots buildings, would be paid for by a portion of $10 million in state Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding the city received several years ago.

“The idea behind this award is that it’s a catalyst for larger investment, encouraging other developers to say, ‘Now we’ve got enough critical mass.

There’s enough momentum that we can look at the other side of the street, too’,” Flagg said.

Once known as “The Street of Dreams,” a hub for aspiring entrepreneurs to launch small business, much of South Street has become somewhat of an economic nightmare in recent years. Sandy’s and Hot Shots are both closed and a large vacant building, with broken and open windows, occupies most of the block from Elm Street heading south toward School Street.

But the north end of the street, near Glen Street, is a different story. That section has come to life with new restaurants such as Craft on 9 and Flight, Continued On Page 15

This is a rendering of the new two-story, 14,500-square-foot building that will include state-of-theart labs for anatomy, microbiology, and physiology, as well as classrooms in Malta.

Ground was broken in late June on the construction of a building next to the TEC-SMART facility, close to the GlobalFoundries compound in Malta.

It will be located at the Hudson Valley Community College North extension center located in New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Saratoga Technology and Energy Park in Malta.

Once completed, the new two-story, 14,500-square-foot building will include stateof-the-art labs for anatomy, biology, chemistry, microbiology, and physiology, as well as classrooms, student support space, and offices to serve approximately 1,100 students.

The center is one part of the college’s $12.5 million HVCC North expansion project, which includes New York state investment of approximately $8.5 million. In combination with renovations to the college’s existing Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies TEC-SMART facility, the new STEM Education Center is a key component of the college’s plans to increase access to education and workforce

Courtesy HVCC

training opportunities through new facilities, technology, and instruction.

HVCC North, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2023, will create the space and resources needed for more than 30 degree and certificate programs, as well as non-credit, short-term workforce and professional education offerings.

It will also broaden education and workforce training opportunities in highly specialized and growing fields of healthcare, STEM, and skilled trades. HVCC North will allow the college to train hundreds of graduates and address urgent industry needs—while keeping the workforce local and providing a significant economic boost for the Capital Region as the college trains a larger share of the workforce faster.

“By leaning into critical fields such as science and technology, we will provide New Yorkers with the skills they need to compete in today’s dynamic and ever-changing job market,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “As we rebuild our economy, projects like this will help ensure that New York remains the most business and worker-friendly Continued On Page 9

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022 • 9

Family Owned Munter Enterprises Thrives For 50 Years In Region’s Construction Industry

BY PAUL POST Munter Enterprises Inc. has not only survived, but thrives in the area’s highly competitive construction industry by paying close attention to detail and staying fully engaged with customers “The personal touch, I think, is what really sets us apart,” said John Munter Jr., who co-owns the firm with his brother, Mike. “And we have very talented crews for all the different aspects of a project.”

The Middle Grove-based firm, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, was founded in 1972 by John Munter Sr. and his wife, Rosemary. Their sons incorporated the firm purchased it in 1998.

“Dad started with GE at their Malta rocket engine development and test site then moved to their ICBM facility in Burlington, Vt., and back to the nuclear sub and large generator facilities in Schenectady,” John Jr. said. “That’s about when he decided to go into the construction business for himself. Mom was the bookkeeper. They started out doing a lot of work for industry and some homebuilding, all over the region from Lake George to Saratoga County.”

Now, with 40 employees, the family-owned business is strictly focused on commercial and industrial projects.

John Jr. said. “We recently completed the Impact Athletic Center in Halfmoon and right now we’re working on a new Druthers restaurant in Clifton Park and we’re also working on a new NAPA Auto Parts store and distribution hub warehouse in Milton as well as a day care center for Skidmore College.”

A few other notable projects the company has built are Galway Fire Co.’s 12,000-square-foot station, SKS Bottle & Packaging company’s 140,000-square-foot distribution and commerce hub, Greenfield Manufacturing’s contract chemical manufacturing facility, Agrochem’s Chemical hygiene solutions production facility and major expansions for Saratoga Eagle all located in the WJ Grande Industrial Park in Saratoga Springs.

Several years ago, the Munters purchased a 27acre former golf driving range near Northway Exit 17 in Moreau. Plans call for extending municipal

Tec-Smart Building Continued From Page 8

state in the nation.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said workforce development “is key to building a skilled talent pool for STEM jobs as New York state becomes a growing hub for semiconductors and other key industries. HVCC North’s state-of-the-art of facilities will give students access to jobs of the future that we are creating now and for the future in the Empire State.”

The project was supported by a $2.5 million Empire State Development capital grant recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council. Additionally, major contributions to the project’s funding have been made by SUNY ($6 million) and Saratoga County ($1.5 million), as well as organizations including GlobalFoundries, Northern Borders, and the Hearst Foundation.

Last summer, GlobalFoundries announced a $500,000 gift toward the project that will create a Workforce Training and Apprenticeship Center at HVCC North. The gift will help upgrade the college’s existing facilities and create new ones, including an advanced Radio Frequency/ Vacuum Technology Laboratory, an innovative Mechatronics laboratory, and the modernization of the Clean Room Laboratory currently located at TEC-SMART. U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko has also named the HVCC North project as one of the community funding projects that he recently submitted for funding of $2,1 million to the House Committee on Appropriations for federal funding contributions.

“HVCC has long been a key partner in the efforts to turn our Capital Region into a global hub for innovation and STEM education, and I’m proud to stand alongside local leaders to celebrate the expansion of HVCC’s North campus,” he said.

“This project will enhance workforce training opportunities, increase enrollment capacity for high-demand health science, STEM, and skilled trades programs, and prepare HVCC graduates to embark on careers in our region’s most exciting emerging industries.”

From left, John Munter Jr., seated John Munter Sr. and Mike Munter of Munter Enterprises. ©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

sewage service to that area, which is expected to spur considerable development.

“We’re waiting for the right fit,” Mike said. “We see a lot of potential there at Exit 17 and that corridor.”

While fast-growing Saratoga County generates most of the firm’s work, Munter Enterprises goes well beyond these borders.

They recently completed the remodeling of a former TD Bank building, at 350 Canada St. in the village of Lake George, to a new branch office for Saratoga Springs-based Adirondack Trust Co. The project won the praise of village officials who were concerned the beautiful Georgian Revival structure, similar in style to Lake George High School and the village library, might be razed after TD Bank left.

New Jersey-based TD Bank closed 81 branch buildings last year, citing a widespread shift to digital and online banking.

The building’s convenient location is a plus for downtown Lake George merchants.

Munter Enterprises also built new branch of-

fices for Adirondack Trust near Northway Exit 18 in Queensbury, and at the corner of Northern Pines Road and Route 9 in Wilton.

John Jr. said the company does considerable work in Rensselaer and Albany counties as well such as last year’s construction of a Curtis Lumber store in Schodack and a three-story climate controlled storage facility for Mabey’s in East Greenbush.

Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about his firm’s business outlook despite recent economic trends because commercial and industrial projects aren’t subject to the same volatility as housing.

“A lot of the industry that we work with doesn’t seem to be affected by what people are calling a downturn,” he said. “We aren’t quite as nervous as the residential sector, which has a more immediate reaction to interest rates. We have a lot of things coming up that are still very strong.”

Munter Enterprises keeps projects moving forward despite an industry-wide labor shortage problem.

“It’s a blanket issue for everyone,” John Jr. said.

“All of our subcontractors and suppliers, everyone throughout the industry, is struggling to find enough labor. We’re kind of in the same boat as everyone. We could use more people if they were available. But everyone’s making do with what they have. Things are just taking a little longer than normal.”

While working closely together, the brothers have separate and distinct duties. John Jr. oversees the operations side of things, while Mike handles more of the firm’s business development.

“My brother and I are both educated in civil engineering and grew up in the field doing physical work,” John Jr. said. “Those two things complemented each other well. I would gauge most of our success around the fact that we’ve stayed small enough as a company so we’re very involved at every level, from production to staying very engaged with our customers and employees.”

John Jr. joined his parents’ business in 1996 after graduating from Manhattan College and working for another local contractor as an estimator and project manager.

Mike earned his degree at Clarkson and worked as a field engineer for local Saratoga firm, the LA Group, for a while before gettting a job with Air Products and Chemicals out of Allentown, Pa., as a construction manager. “I was involved in construction, right after college, which took me all over the world,” Mike said. “I had an interest in returning

to the area. After going all over the place, I realized how cool Saratoga was. It was nice to come back to something and be part of building a future here.”

The brothers incorporated the business in 1998.

Customers are offered a full range of construction services beginning with land acquisition and design, through planning and general contracting.

The firm provides guidance through all stages of construction, including local permitting and the development of plans and specifications, it says.

John Jr., 53, and Mike, 50, both have children who are nearing high school graduation or in their early college years. While nothing is definite, it’s possible this next generation of Munter family members will eventually lead the company, which their grandparents started a half-century ago.

Eighty-four-year-old John Munter Sr. said he discouraged his sons from joining him right away.

“I thought going out into the world for both of them was a great experience,” he said. “But at the same token I was happy to see them gravitate back in, get together and take over the business. They’ve done an excellent job and have probably even improved upon some things by seeing what I did right and what could be done better.”

Mike’s sons, Tyler and Jake, have worked for Munter during summer vacations and John’s son, Gabe, spent a full year with the firm while taking a hiatus from college during the COVID-19 pandemic. John’s daughter, Anneliese, just graduated from high school.

“I’ve liked them to get a taste of this business,” John Sr. said. “But I also encourage grandchildren not to be centered on what their grandfather or father are doing, but to make sure they go into the world choosing something that’s going to be really important to them. It’s very important to choose a career that you’re satisfied with. That’s what makes all of us successful.”

He’s still involved with the company, helping out with various volunteer projects such as rejuvenating the former Boyhaven scout camp in Milton, which is now a children’s camp.

“I’m probably the type that’s not going to get uninvolved until they carry me out the door, feet first,” John Sr. joked. “I just want the boys to point me in various directions where they see I can still be of some value.”

The Munters are proud to be part of the positive growth in the area and look forward to serving their customers and community for the next 50 years and generations to come.

10 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

Office/Technology

New York State Names Colin Ahern As Essity Study: Post-Pandemic, Workers Expect Its First-Ever Head Of Cybersecurity More Eco-Friendly Office Work Environment Colin Ahern has been appointed as the state’s first-ever chief cyber officer.

A leading expert in cybersecurity, cyber resilience, and intelligence, Ahern will lead cross-agency efforts to protect New York state from increasingly prevalent and sophisticated cyber threats—working to ensure the security and cyber resilience of the State’s information assets and critical infrastructure and integrity of the state’s information assets.

“New York State is taking an aggressive, nation-leading approach to transforming our cybersecurity infrastructure to combat emerging threats and fortify our information assets,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “I am thrilled to appoint Colin Ahern as New York state’s first ever chief cyber officer. In an era of increasingly advanced cyber threats, Colin’s proven expertise and experience in the military, the private sector, and government will be critical to identifying cyber risks, enhancing our defense systems, preventing attacks, and ensuring that New Yorkers and our institutions remain protected.”

Ahern will oversee all cyber threat assessment, mitigation, and response efforts—working with executive management at every state agency to manage cyber risks and prevent attacks. Ahern will also lead the recentlyannounced Joint Security Operations Center— a nation-leading, first-of-its-kind hub for cyber threat detection and incident response.

Formed by Governor Hochul in February, JSOC will be critical to cyber threat information sharing—effectively linking New York state, New York City, local and regional governments, critical infrastructure stakeholders, and federal partners.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to serve New Yorkers and work with Gov. Hochul and her team to continue to build and enhance our statewide cybersecurity infrastructure,” Ahern said. “This administration is committed to leading the nation on cybersecurity, and I am so excited to join the front lines of

that effort.”

Ahern previously served as first deputy director of New York City Cyber Command and later as acting CISO, where he led the transformation of a small cyber unit into a vast agency with more than 100 departments and offices in its purview.

At the height of the pandemic, Ahern created New York City’s first ever cloud-based, zero trust security environment—a massive undertaking enabling Cyber Command to pivot to remote work while still effectively defending against cyber threats. Before beginning work in city government, he worked in financial services as a security engineer and cyber threat researcher.

Ahern started his career as a U.S. Army officer, after enlisting in the Army Reserves following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and eventually serving two year-long tours in Afghanistan.

He was promoted to multiple leadership roles, and concluded his Army career as a company commander at the U.S. Army Cyber Brigade, where he oversaw the creation of a specialized cyberspace operations organization.

His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, and the Knowlton Award.

New York State Chief Information Officer Angelo “Tony” Riddick said the selection of Ahern “is the next step in our state’s smart and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. In New York, we take every threat seriously and know that a whole of state approach which recognizes the value of collaboration and timely intelligence sharing can make every level of government stronger, safer and more secure.

“New York State is prioritizing cybersecurity, building out a first-of-its-kind Joint Security Operations Center, and going all-in to protect sensitive data and keep New Yorkers safe. ITS is proud to play a critical role in this important endeavor.”

U.S. employees have high expectations for green office spaces and expect more eco-friendly practices from their employers, according to new research released by hygiene and health company, Essity, which has nearly 350 workers at its paper mill in South Glens Falls, its converting facility in Greenwich and its distribution center in Saratoga.

The company recently conducted a survey of employees who have returned to the office at least part-time since COVID-19 and found that the majority of employees (75 percent) say they want a more environmentally-friendly office.

The research also found that those surveyed have become markedly “greener” than before the pandemic began. Just over half of employees working from an office (51 percent) say they became more eco-conscious while working from home during lockdown periods.

Another 46 percent say they feel more aware of how ‘green’ their workplace is then when they worked in the pre-pandemic office. In fact, more than half (58 percent) feel their office is ‘shamefully eco-unfriendly’, with one-third (34 percent) believing the introduction of ecofriendly practices within their workplace is usually an afterthought.

“Working from home and in their personal spaces during the pandemic increased employees’ attention on what it takes to create environmentally friendly workplaces and employers should take note – especially those looking to retain and attract talent in this market,” said Don Lewis, president of Essity’s professional hygiene business. “Our research shows that as many as four in ten employees prioritize companies based on their sustainability reputation and actions when looking for a new job. Increasing eco-friendly priorities in the workplace and empowering employees can create a greener office while helping drive employee engagement.”

The Essity survey found that a majority of employees working in the office (71 percent) feel it is essentially the employees themselves

who are leading the charge to make sustainable changes in the workplace rather than management. Over half of employees (51 percent) believe their employers need to better communicate the ways they intend to address sustainability in the workplace.

On top of that, 56 percent think their employees could be doing more to turn their office into an ‘eco-friendly’ place.

Asked who should be responsible, reactions were mixed. Roughly one-third of survey respondents pointed to employers (32 percent), and nearly as many (28 percent) pointed to employees or a 50/50 shared responsibility between both employers and employees (27 percent), representing an opportunity for companies to get their employees involved.

“As employers continue to struggle to attract and retain talent, they ought to consider how they can appeal to their workers,” said Am Bellcourt, vice president of communications, professional hygiene, Essity North America.

“Our survey found that sustainability is often overlooked. Amid the pressure to deliver workplace flexibility, competitive salaries and benefits, and in-office perks, employers often disregard the importance of sustainability in the workplace – and their employees are noticing. Creating a more sustainable workplace leads to better outcomes, for your employee base and our planet.”

As sustainability becomes a top priority for employees, employers can implement and communicate simple, eco-friendly changes around their offices to meet “greener” employee expectations Tork, the professional hygiene brand from Essity, helps employers reassure employees that both their hygiene needs and sustainability expectations are being met in a way that is visible to employees.

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by OnePoll on behalf of Essity office workers who have returned to the office at least some of the time.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022 • 11

Greenlight Networks Soon To Bring Public Service Commission Unveils First Fiberoptic Internet Service To Clifton Park Statewide Map Of Broadband Infrastructure

Mark Murphy is the founder and chief executive officer of Greenlight Networks, a company that is developing fiberoptic internet services in Clifton Park.

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL The fastest internet service available in New York state is now in Clifton Park with plans to grow into other upstate communities, according to Mark Murphy, founder and chief executive officer of Greenlight Networks.

Murphy has a long career in telecommunications and cable services, including building fiber networks around the state and helping start Spectrum’s digital phone business, he said. Now the company he launched in 2011 in the Rochester area is competing for internet customers in the Capital District.

“Greenlight’s high-speed fiber optics network service is five times faster than the incumbent internet cable provider,” Murphy said. “Fiber optics do a fantastic job transferring data efficiently and almost at the speed of light.”

Murphy also said Greenlight costs 25 percent less because there are no contracts, taxes, or hidden fees.

“We’re simply selling the fastest technology available for $50 a month,” he said.

Fiber internet supports simultaneous high-speed connections across multiple devices. While Greenlight’s target market is fiber-to-home, Murphy said the company is also focusing on small businesses, as the high-speed needs of larger companies and institutions are already being met.

There was a grand opening on May 19 at the Vischer Ferry Volunteer Fire Co. on Grooms Road in Rexford, which sponsors Greenlight’s f lagship tower.

“Firehouses work well for us and we have good relationships with fire districts in municipalities across the state and also with private landowners,” he said. “There is a win-win because the firehouses are located in residential areas where there is a concentration of people for our services.

In return, we provide them complimen-

Courtesy Greenlight Networks

tary high-speed internet so they can more quickly communicate with the people they serve 24/7.”

Greenlight hires its own crews to do construction, installations and repair service, but “some local contractors were brought on initially to augment the underground work and construction and to help seek easements from homeowners or businesses,” according Murphy.

It is a challenge “getting people willing to go out and climb a ladder in the hot or cold,” he said.

Murphy’s staff is looking for office space at this time “for the convenience of customers” and hopes to announce a location in the coming weeks. He said the total work force in the Clifton Park area will be approximately 25 people.

“There is not of demand for customer inquiry because we have a single billing model with no price changes, whether you are new or have been a Greenlight customer the past 11 years,” he said. “We are comfortable servicing over the internet but will add some business support staff.”

“We are unbelievably impressed with the team here in Saratoga County” that has welcomed and worked with Greenlight to access its newest market, Murphy said.

Murphy said the company is talking with several state and federal agencies to see if there may be money from the infrastructure bill to help Greenlight Networks get into some more densely populated areas.

As investment continues and Greenlight expands its network, the internet provider may be on course to reach 23,000 homes by the end of 2023, said Murphy.

Residents of Clifton Park and nearby communities can visit Greenlight’s website to follow progress servicing their neighborhoods, receive construction updates, check out careers and sign up for service. The official site is greenlightnetworks.com.

The state Public Service Commission released a first-of-its-kind, interactive broadband map to provide the most detailed depiction of broadband infrastructure in New York to date.

The map, along with an accompanying report, is the result of months of field assessments conducted by the commission in the state’s most remote areas, covering more than 80,000 miles. In order to collect accurate data, the commission collaborated with 60 internet service providers and surveyed tens of thousands of New York consumers.

“High-speed internet is more essential than ever to access the basic services and information that we use in our daily lives,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “With this mapping in hand, we can see where to direct state and federal broadband funding to connect unserved and underserved areas. This address-specific tool is one we can wield to provide a more accurate depiction of connectivity needs in areas that have been disconnected for far too long.”

Prior to the map’s creation, New York, like most states, relied in part on federal data that only required broadband providers to deliver service to one address in a census block to designate the entire area as served. Officials said by collecting address-level data, New York is now able to depict what locations are served, underserved, and unserved in a more granular way, which will aid in allocating state and federal funding.

To support local efforts to expand affordable and reliable broadband, ConnectALL, housed within Empire State Development, will establish and administer grant programs at the state and federal level to provide funding to plan, engineer, and construct accessible broadband infrastructure. ESD will be the statewide lead for connectivity and coordinating with other state agencies, municipalities and a diverse array of stakeholders in every corner of New York.

Officials said these efforts will ensure that funding is directed where it is most needed and that every community has the support and resources it needs to connect.

Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said “high-speed internet is the great equalizer in today’s world because it is essential in accessing

basic services and information that we all need in our daily lives. With this groundbreaking study, we will work to ensure that every part of the state has high-speed broadband available.”

“One of the first steps in ensuring that every New Yorker has access to affordable and reliable broadband is pinpointing down to street level where coverage exists,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “ These maps will go a long way in allowing the ConnectALL office to effectively direct funding that will benefit all New Yorkers. More importantly, it serves as an important tool to address digital equity and competition so New York state can finally bridge the digital divide.”

The interactive map allows users to explore the state’s broadband availability. Users are able to search an address to see what providers are available, what technology those providers are using and what speeds and pricing packages they offer. Users are also able to search at county, municipal, and school district levels to obtain data on percentages of served, underserved, or unserved populations at each level.

The new map will allow individual New Yorkers and policymakers to analyze a more accurate representation of which locations are served, underserved or unserved.

The commission found that 97.4 percent of New York state address locations are served by high-speed broadband service providers. The map demonstrates that high-speed broadband services remain unavailable to many New Yorkers in predominately rural areas, in places like Hamilton County, and Lewis County, which are 70.2 percent and 73 percent served, respectively.

Furthermore, it shows that counties with the lowest median income were found to have the highest average prices for broadband and the lowest percentage of served locations.

Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors Peter A. Baynes said, “Accessible and high-quality broadband is essential to one’s success in the 21st century economy. This map will give city and village leaders an important tool as they work to ensure that all of their residents and businesses have access to this essential infrastructure.”

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12 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022

SPECIAL SECTION

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

50 Plus

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Business Report Receiving Care At Home

BY BRIAN M. JOHNSON, MBA, CLTC Long-Term Care, we often dread hearing the words. Our minds quickly go to an image of a nursing home. However, the good news is that many of us will never see the inside of a nursing home.

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, the vast majority (80 percent) of elderly people receiving assistance, including many with several functional limitations, live in private homes in the community, not in institutions. Your home doesn’t instill the same doom and gloom that a nursing home might.

Still, in a recent study of adults over age 65, it was found that most respondents were more comfortable discussing and planning for their own death than their potential need for long-term care. That is probably why many Americans fail to address this single biggest risk they will face in retirement.

In our practice, we regularly address long-term care planning options. In doing so, we consistently coordinate planning with elder law and estate planning attorneys, geriatric care managers, accountants, and financial advisors. One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from consumers and advisors is that long-term care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Many seniors are under the impression that their traditional health care programs will provide the desired services in the home such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, assistance with hygiene, dressing, grooming, 24-hour care, etc. Medicare, Medigap and most Medicare Advantage Plans are designed to cover hospital stays, doctor bills and some short-term skilled nursing. Unfortunately, they do not cover the cost of everyday assistance in your own home.

Medicaid does cover some long-term care services, however, it’s a means tested program meaning someone needs to be at the poverty line to qualify for benefits. This can be accomplished through irrevocable trust planning. However, Medicaid is primarily designed to cover the cost of nursing home care. It covers very limited home care in New York (zero homecare in most states) and no assisted living.

Long term care insurance is an option for such services, however this type of coverage is usually secured by individuals between the ages of 45 and 64 who are in better than average health and financially able to maintain a significant insurance

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Brian M. Johnson, MBA, CLTC, director, Advisors Insurance Brokers.

Courtesy Advisors Insurance Brokers

premium into retirement.

While your loved ones will have the best intentions to be there for you when an unexpected crisis arises, most are not prepared for the time, energy, and amount of work involved in care giving and can quickly become overwhelmed.

Home care plans are the newest innovation in our industry and the most viable alternative to traditional long-term care insurance.

When assistance becomes essential in the event of a sudden injury or illness, these membership plans quickly coordinate and arrange care for seniors in the privacy and comfort of their own home.

Every day can bring an unexpected challenge into a senior’s life. The good sense of having a home care plan in place will give members and their families the peace of mind, security, and independence in being prepared as they move forward together.

There is no medical underwriting, does not impact government benefits, no claims forms, no waiting periods, no age limits, are available nationwide and the cost is a fraction of traditional long-term care insurance.

Like most things we plan for, it’s important to educate yourself and talk with your advisors and family members about your options for long-term healthcare. A home healthcare plan may make sense as a component of the strategy.

Ground Broken For Construction Of YMCA Addition That Will House Senior Center The Saratoga Regional YMCA and the Saratoga Senior Center broke ground June 21 on a revolutionary joint capital project that officials said will create an intergenerational wellness environment for residents from children to seniors living in the greater Saratoga region.

The $8.2 million community collaboration is the first of its kind and will add approximately 38,000 square feet to the Y’s West Avenue facility, which will include a 14,500 square-foot new home for the Saratoga Senior Center.

The collaboration between the two organizations will help create an intergenerational community hub dedicated to health and wellness.

The relocation of the Senior Center to the West Avenue campus will free up the current Senior Center space for other civic organizations to operate, which is a benefit to the entire community.

Since 1955, the Saratoga Senior Center has empowered seniors to achieve and maintain personal independence and individual wellbeing by providing the program structure and support services necessary for healthy recreation, companionship, social involvement, and problem solving.

With the ever-growing population of seniors, the Senior Center’s relocation will provide a larger space for seniors to gather, socialize and participate in some of their favorite activities— rooms for art, exercise and games, a café and kitchen, educational and cultural programs, and extensive senior support services.

“Saratoga is nationally recognized for its dedication to healthy living, and this project is not only a natural extension of that, but is taking a revolutionary approach to the many benefits of intergenerational wellness,” said Saratoga Regional YMCA CEO Scott Clark.

“At a time when social interaction and healthy bodies are more important than ever, we are so thrilled to be able to create this special space for our community. We are so grateful to all of our benefactors who are helping to make it a reality.”

He said the Saratoga Regional YMCA has been dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the greater Saratoga community for over 150 years.

The expansion project will provide muchneeded additional space for the Y when postCOVID operations are currently requiring more space in exercise areas to better support public health. It will include increased fitness space, a new wellness center with a focus on chronic disease prevention, an indoor adventure center which will include a parent-supervised play space, a new gymnasium, as well as a shared multigenerational lobby area between the Y and

This is a rendering of the addition to the Saratoga Regional YMCA that will be built.

Courtesy Saratoga YMCA

the Senior Center.

Adding this additional space will also allow the Y to specifically expand its summer day camp and before-and-after-school programs in order to serve more families at a time when the need for care has never been greater.

This collaboration is being made possible by a lead charitable gift from Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family. Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family continue to be an integral part of helping to improve the health and wellbeing of their shop’s communities. They have supported many YMCA capital projects, including the recent collaboration between Saratoga Hospital and the Malta YMCA. They have also provided ongoing support to the Senior Center, and look forward to helping these two prominent Saratoga-based nonprofits work together to strengthen their communities.

These two organizations will seek additional donor support to help offset the cost of equipment, furnishings, fixtures, and construction, by embarking on a capital campaign.

Local architect John Muse designed the expansion and Bast Hatfield is handling the construction.

The Y and the Senior Center anticipate the first phase of the project to be complete by the end of year, with additional building components being added and expanded throughout 2023.

For more information about this exciting capital project, contact Clark at 518-583-9622 ext. 106, or Lois Celeste, executive director, Saratoga Senior Center, at 518-584-1621, ext.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022 • 13

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Business Report When Is It Too Late To Plan Your Estate?

BY DEBRA A. VERNI, ESQ. The answer to this age-old question is, it depends. It depends on what you consider estate planning. It is a safe bet that after you pass away it is too late to prepare a will to dispose of your worldly possessions, but an estate plan is not just a will.

A good estate plan consists of a will, a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy and a living will. When is the best time to create an estate plan? Any time after the age of 18. I know 18 sounds young to be worrying about an estate plan but 18 is a pivotal age. Most parents forget that when their children turn 18 their ability to get information or make health care decisions for their children ends.

Most kids at 18 are off to college. As a parent of a college student, especially one far away from home, you should have your child appoint you as their health care proxy so you can receive medical information and make medical decisions for them if they become hospitalized or need care. Additionally, your child should appoint you as their power of attorney so you can deal with financial aid and any other financial issues such as housing, paying bills etc.

So now that your kids are all set what about you? Do you have an estate plan? I always joke with clients and say that if you don’t have a will, you have a won’t. I won’t ever die, I won’t need to plan, everything will work out fine.

Unfortunately, if you do not prepare an estate plan that gives your family direction as to who you want to be in charge and where you want things to go, could be a mess. Newsflash—if your family does not get along now, they will not get along if you get ill or pass away. The best plan is to have your documents in place and tell the person that is going to be in charge where your documents are or give them the name of your attorney so they know where to find your documents and the attorney can give them direction.

Carefully drafted estate planning documents are not only important when you pass away, but those same documents are potentially even more important should you become ill or cannot make decisions for yourself.

Your family should know what your wishes are as far as medical treatment and end of life decisions. Talking to your family and telling them exactly what measures should be taken should you become ill or incapacitated and being clear and concise in your documents will help alleviate a lot of questions and guilt.

If the person you appoint cannot follow your direction, then you need to appoint someone else. I have clients that appoint their spouse then their children in a pecking order based on age. Choosing your spouse to act alone in your 50s may be a good plan, but we are all aging in place. You may want to make your spouse copower of attorney with one of your children so if you and your spouse are both having issues your child can step up and take care of things for you.

I also do not recommend naming children in your documents solely based on age. When

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Conifer Realty Plans To Expand Portfolio With New Apartment Complex On Excelsior Ave. •

Debra A. Verni, Esq., senior counsel, Rowlands, LeBrou, & Griesmer PPLC. Courtesy Rowlands, LeBrou, & Griesmer PPLC.

choosing those who will act for you several things should be considered such as skill set, physical location, time to do the job and if they want to do the job.

Some family members are great with numbers, others are disorganized, but great nurturers and caregivers. I know it is a difficult conversation to have with those you love, but better to find out now that they do not want the “job” then to find out when you need them to act.

What if you have your basic estate planning documents in place and you have spoken to your family? Are you all set? Do you need a trust? A trust is a great addition to your basic estate planning documents but not everyone needs one. For those of you that feel that you are not rich enough to have a trust, not true.

A trust can serve many purposes. A trust can help you avoid probate, protect your assets, protect assets for those who have special needs, the list goes on and on. There are several types of trusts and each one has a specific job.

For instance, a revocable trust helps you avoid probate if you retitle your assets into the name of the trust. An irrevocable trust not only helps you avoid probate but protects your assets from creditors (the nursing home) if you retitle assets into the name of the trust. A special needs trust helps to protect assets for those with a disability or special needs.

Which trust is right for you if any? It depends on what type of assets you have and what your specific situation is. Your best bet is if you are thinking about putting together or updating an estate plan that you consult an attorney that focuses their practice in the areas of estate planning and or elder law.

An attorney can review your documents if you already have them, suggest changes and prepare new documents if needed. The worst choice you can make is to choose to do nothing and have a “won’t”. Remember where there is a will there is a relative and where there is no relative there is New York state. Plan ahead because you never know when it will be too late to plan your estate.

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This is the former Olde Saratoga Brewery on Excelsior Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Conifer Realty plans to raze the buildings and put up two structures that will have 102 apartments.

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL Progress is slow but steady on North Spring Run, a proposed apartment complex in northeastern Saratoga Springs according to Michael Birkby, senior project director of Conifer Realty.

The firm is under contract to purchase property at 131 Excelsior Ave. and build 102 apartments in the complex.

The Rochester-based developer plans to construct two buildings on the 4.2 acre site that had been home to Olde Saratoga Brewery.

The company owns and manages some 15,000 apartment units in four states and has multifamily complexes in the Capital District and parts north.

“We are hoping to obtain site plan approval before the end of summer and move quickly toward a closing,” Birkby said. “Construction may begin as early as the end of this year.”

Birkby said a demolition permit will be needed for tearing down the existing buildings and that the site plan, area variance, and architecture review permit applications were submitted in April.

“The Design Review Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals in Saratoga have deferred action until the site plan application appears before the Planning Board,” Birkby said. “We have been trying to get on the agenda for the past two months” and anticipated an initial appearance at the July 14 meeting.”

Total project costs are estimated at $38.8

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

million. According to Birkby, this development will target a mix of market-rate and workforce units. It will offer such amenities as laundry with options for in-unit washers and dryers, a fitness center, indoor bicycle storage and inbuilding bulk storage, a dog wash area, and a community room.

Conifer’s internal team reviewed comps for rents and amenities to ensure North Spring Run will be competitive in the local marketplace, he said.

“We are still refining our rental plan, but market rate rents will be consistent with those already seen in Saratoga Springs,” he said.

“Workforce rents will be based on 80 percent of the area median income.”

Birkby said the project’s architect and engineering firms will be Clarke Caton Hintz and The LA Group, respectively. Conifer-LeChase Construction will solicit bids from local subcontractors.

The buildings will feature transitional architecture with modern finishes that are complementary to other buildings along Excelsior Avenue. The developers propose to build 57 one-bedroom units, 33 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units, Birkby said.

Conifer Realty owns and manages Blue Heron Trail in Ballston Spa and has other properties and projects in preliminary stages in the county.

Visit coniferllc.com for more information.

14 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022

County Health Office

Business Briefs

Continued From Page 1

individual water and sewage systems (e.g., wells and septic tanks).

Miner will be responsible for working with Dr. Kuhles to plan, direct, and supervise these programs and with the Board of Supervisors, Health Committee and Task Force to establish the Division of Environmental Services.

The county Board of Supervisors created its Public Health Advisory Task Force in 2021 to oversee the county’s transition from a partial health service county to a full-service local

health department, as it is anticipated that the conversion will require significant planning and investment.

Officials said due to Saratoga County’s population increase, the county must assume responsibility for the provision of environmental health services from the state Department of Health as part of the department’s transition to a full-service local health department. Saratoga County is working directly with the state Department of Health during this transition process.

More To Read . . . More Leads For You. (518) 581-0600

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The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation held its twenty-second annual community service awards dinner on June 10, awarding scholarships totaling $85,000 to 15 seniors attending both Saratoga Springs High School and Saratoga Central Catholic High School.

Awards ranged from $2,500 to the $20,000 Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs Presidential Scholarship. The foundation also honored Cindy and Brien Hollowood for their contributions to the community.

Established in 1997, the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation raises funds to support the post-secondary education and vocational training of graduates from public and private high schools in the greater Saratoga community. The annual awards event, held this year at Longfellows Hotel and Restaurant, is the foundation’s major fundraiser and all proceeds go to fund future scholarships. *

Card Catalog

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The Veterans Business Council (VBC) of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce announced the 2022 scholarship program.

Under the Program, one $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a veteran or service member that lives in, attends college in, or works in Saratoga County.

For full program details, eligibility criteria and online application, visit cha mbermaster.blob.core.w indows.net/ userf iles/UserFiles/chambers/2254/File/ Schola rsh ip-Appl icat ion-Fi l lable-2022 . pdf.

Applications must be postmarked on or before Aug. 12.

The mission of the Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is to facilitate opportunities for

our military veterans residing in Saratoga County. Efforts will be to connect them with the business community to enhance their knowledge of employment opportunities, job or entrepreneurial training, and new business development.

The council will also seek additional opportunities in support of local veterans.

Veterans interested in this opportunity should reach out to Denise Romeo at the Chamber at 518-584-3255 or dromeo@ saratoga.org. *

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The partnership between Saratoga PLAN and Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park continues with another nature walk on Tuesday, July 19, at the Bog Meadow Preserve off lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

The same walk will be offered again on Saturday, July 23.

The first walk on the 19th will be at 4 p.m. and the additional walks on the 23rd will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Participants will learn about the role that beavers play in the health and biodiversity of wetlands. In additional, three distinct types of wetland areas will be observed along the way, such as the open marsh, wet meadow, and forested wetland found at the Bog Meadow Preserve.

The walks have been developed and will be led by interns who were hired through a grant of the Land Trust Alliance’s New York State Conservation Partnership Program. The upcoming walks in this series will take place at the Coldbrook Preserve on Aug. 2 and 6.

To register for one of the walks or for additional program information, visit the Preserve & Park’s website at wiltonpreserve.org.

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Bonacio Construction Continued From Page 15

located in the Empire Theater Building that’s home to nearly a dozen businesses. And across the street, Glens Falls National Bank recently completed a large new addition.

Novik said Bonacio’s South Street proposal has more than enough parking for its project’s needs.

“The issue of downtown parking is clearly a larger issue,” he said. “We look forward to watching the community and administration work through those questions together and figure out a solution.”

Bonacio’s reach now expands from Central New York to the Adirondacks. Last month, Rome Area Chamber of Commerce gave its Business of the Year Award to the company for its construction of

Air City Lofts, which provides housing to numerous employees at Griffiss Business and Technology Park, located on the former Griffiss Air Base.

Also last month, Bonacio unveiled plans for a $21 million project converting the former Word of Life Lodge in Schroon Lake to Brown Swan Resort highlighted by more than 100 guest rooms, cabins, chalets, an upscale restaurant, miniature golf, multipurpose sports facilities and swimming areas.

The state is supporting the project with a $4.1 million grant through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, and Essex County’s industrial development agency has authorized $409,000 in sales tax and $178,748 in mortgage tax breaks.

Last year, Bonacio built the new two-story, 12,720-square-foot Adirondack-style Ticonderoga Golf Course Clubhouse made of cedar soffits, pine framing and granite.

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16 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2022

‘The Misfit’ Bar And Restaurant Opens At The Iron’s Edge Restaurant At The Ballston Spa Top Of Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs Country Club Is Now Open To The Public

Michelle Soroka Is the general manager at The Misfit, a new bar and restaurant located at 1 Caroline St. in downtown Saratoga Springs.

The Ballson Spa Country Club has a new restaurant, Iron’s Edge, that is open to golfers and also people from the general public who may not be there to golf.

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL The space at 1 Caroline Street downtown Saratoga is now home of The Misfit, opened June 18 by first-time restauranteur Michael Mills.

“The Misfit is intended to be just a bar with a small selection of bar food,” he said.

“The location had a full kitchen, but one of the reasons I jumped on it was because I always loved this space.”

Mills runs a touring theater production company whose events, like so many others, were shuttered during 18 months of the COVID pandemic. His office is above Max London’s on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, so he knew that the landlord of his building, Mark Straus, co-owned 1 Caroline and signed the lease.

While Mills Entertainment “gets back in full swing,” Mills is enjoying gearing up The Misfit for track season, he said.

“We are taking the time to smooth out the kinks,” he said. “There are always surprises getting a business going, especially in an old building.”

A native of Scotia, Mills wanted his bar based in Saratoga Springs where he has lived and worked for nine years. He opened with his summer cocktail menu but offers the full line of liquor plus craft beers, he said.

Mills has “always loved cocktails and mixology,” hence “specialty cocktails are the star of the menu” and change with the seasons. One seasonal item is the Jessica Rabbit, a strawberry based drink with vodka with splashes of balsamic vinegar and syrup.

“The intention is to take a beloved favorite and give it a twist,” he said.

The atmosphere is described as having an “indie” vibe with décor and “four decades of New Age playlists to embrace the idea of an underground location that’s warm, inviting and playful,” said Mills. “For instance, the walls are lined with actual mugshots of celebrities who have gotten themselves into some trouble.”

Mills said the previous tenant had done a complete overhaul of the space, so most of the renovations he had to do were cosmetic.

His brother, who owns Svetlik Designs out of Burlington, Vt., did the work.

“After hearing horror stories and cautionary tales, I was surprised how smoothly things went,” said Mills. “Even obtaining a liquor license went according to the timeline.”

Visit The Misfit at 1 Caroline Street Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to midnight and Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

BY JILL NAGY Golfers and members of the general public alike are discovering a new restaurant at the Ballston Spa Country Club.

Iron’s Edge, located at 1366 Amsterdam Road (Route 67) in Milton, serves lunch and dinner seven days a week at the clubhouse and in addition, has an auxiliary kitchen at the turn of the golf course for players who cannot wait until after they finish their round.

The restaurant is owned and operated

by Chad Dorrough and Chris McCarthy, who also operate The Hideaway at Saratoga Lake Golf Club in Stillwater. They opened The Hideaway in 2019. Iron’s Edge has been open since April.

Although the golf club is private, nonmembers can play Monday through Thursday. The restaurant is open to the public everyday.

The owners see many of the same customers week after week, according to Dorrough, as many of the more than 400 club members make a habit of stopping at Iron’s Edge. He said that is different from their experience at The Hideaway, located on a public course with more of a turnover of players.

Iron’s Edge has both indoor and outdoor

seating and a full bar. They can seat up to 80 people in the dining room and another 40 at the bar. There is additional seating on two decks and in a gazebo.

Patrons of The Hideaway will find a familiar menu at Iron’s Edge, including their signature fried chicken sandwich, lobster ravioli, f latiron steak and Buffalo rangoon (Buffalo chicken dip in an egg roll wrapper). All are prepared in house, Dorrough said.

So far, he said, “we’re doing well. In the beginning, we had a little struggle with kitchen staff. But we have righted that ship.”

They have a staff of 25 to 30 employees, about half the size of the staff at The Hideaway.

Currently, Iron’s Edge is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. They may open for breakfast during the Saratoga Race Course season.

Plans are to remain open year-round even though the golf club closes in the winter.

Both Dorrough and his co-owner are from the Saratoga area. He grew up in Schuylerville and now lives in Malta. McCarthy is from Niskayuna and now lives in Saratoga Springs.

The telephone number for Iron’s Edge is 518 602-9995.