March 2023 Notebook: Saratoga County Board of Supervisors

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

BALLSTON SPA —

The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, during its monthly meeting on March 21, proclaimed April as “Donate Life Month” in Saratoga County.

by Thomas Dimopoulos

Saratoga TODAY

BALLSTON SPA —

Cropped.

Trimmed. Sheared. Exposed.

Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi kept his head up while sticking his neck out and after all was said and done raised about $15,000 to supporting research in finding cures for childhood cancers.

It was the first time the mayor took part in the event, an annual fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Rossi vowed to shave his head if 20 or more Ballston Spa Scotties athletes and coaches joined the drive. And so, they did.

“I was a little scared about it at first because it was the first time I ever shaved my head,” the mayor said, following the event held at the Saratoga City Tavern Saturday. The next day, the chill carrying wind made its presence felt upon his exposed scalp. “I was feeling it on Sunday, but thankfully someone gave me a Scotties Lacrosse hat, so I was able to stay somewhat warm,” Rossi said with a laugh.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer and donor-powered charity supporting research to find cures for childhood cancers and to help provide survivors long and healthy lives. Last year, the organization raised more than $20 million. Thus far, in the early months of 2023, nearly $11.5 million has been raised.

Rossi said he set an initial fundraising goal of $1,000 for his Mayor’s Team. About $15,000 was raised, Rossi said.

Would he return to the scene of the shears next year?

“I absolutely would do this again, and I’d like to see if we can get a little rivalry going with other schools to see who can raise the most,” Rossi said.

According to documents cited by the Board, 100,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants and 17 people die each day because the organ they need is not donated in time.

County employees are encouraged to wear blue and green, the official colors of Donate Life New York State, on the organization’s “Blue and Green Day”April 14, 2023.

In New York State, 3,396 transplants were performed in 2022. Approximately 8,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant in N.Y., with more than 1,100 waiting longer than five years. An estimated 500 New Yorkers die every year while waiting for an organ transplant, according to the county Board.

Anyone 16 years of age or older can enroll as an organ and tissue donor. That information may be found at: https:// donatelife.ny.gov/.

Upgrades To Saratoga County Sewer District No. 1’s Saratoga Springs Pump Station

-The Board authorized the execution of an agreement with W.M. Schultz Construction, Inc. of Ballston Spa, for work relating to the upgrade of the Saratoga Springs pump station. That includes new piping, roof, pump rebuilds, and wet well and influent manhole rehabilitation at a cost of up to $4.148 million. The Board further resolved a services agreement with Dynamic Electrical Systems LLC of Glenville, for electrical work relating to the upgrade of the pump station at a cost of up to $619,000. Funding for the agreements will require an appropriation of $3.067 million from the Sewer Fund Balance.

Establishing An Updated Official Saratoga County Seal

-In 1968, the County established an Official Saratoga County Seal to depict the creation of the County in 1791. Last year, the County began developing a brand strategy to include the standardization of its visual identity across all departments and authorized an agreement with Trampoline Design to do so.

This week, the Board adopted a resolution regarding the new seal. It will be filed with the County Clerk and with the Secretary of State of the State of New York.

The official seal of Saratoga County portrays the surrender of the Battle of Saratoga, depicting a three-quarter view of a field piece (trail end); Gen. Burgoyne surrendering his sword to General Gates in the presence of color-guard flying the American flag (13 bars and 13 stars-in-a circle) taking place under a tree. Background is composed of a squad of unarmed solders marching, and backdrop shows the mountain ranges to the east. A complete circle of tiny cannon balls rings the picture, and the words “Saratoga County 1791” appear outside the cannon balls and inside an endless rope circle completing the seal.