[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6595975,"mediaKeyId","3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272","parentId",3020694,"title","Trustees approve consent agenda: parks design contracts, library change orders, mowing and vehicle purchases among items passed","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2561000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272&start=2561&end=2561","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272/thumbnail_2561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595975/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Trustees-approve-consent-agenda-parks-design-contracts-library-change-orders-mowing-and-vehicle-purchases-among-items-passed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595975-88cf0fce09605c20170d3a28efef916b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114688&Signature=gOL~xdeWQ7XlGGpOGAPUW7KE1UxIjY~zHRjAMW~66vp~c0ubZq2a8P92xnaGjQjgsusX0cOkiruPOWgNeYqVQWT6Wv7OIfQTIcWw7nNmthPiKVKe3GmTbwAVnj2XW0ODGNUAS9BzU7tgWtNUBRH38NHUTO7boou236NSMGP-GDBmJAY6Wm2FnfOUSKJDJuETsOP1pW2DE94hDfHT75seGeE~7UxKgqK~gCqiit4m63wTCEvNoh75Thrr8Tq2izltIKesjVPVl98srakuX~N6QnHObN3W~x8z4rggJoNR7P6mhs1JUDmzqA0HzPbSSsnAHx5GD-kMdsx-ntr3uPieww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ballston Spa, NY","date","2025-04-16T14:14:37.873Z","article","The Ballston Spa Board of Trustees approved a consent agenda on April 14 that included consultant contracts, construction change orders and routine municipal procurement.

Key items approved on a single vote included: a contract with Studio A for parks work (Iron Spring Park and Kelly Park) totaling $8,000; authorization for change orders to the library construction (a $849 change order for a gutter/downspout and a $3,942.53 change order for additional fire alarm devices); acceptance of a lawn sod and topsoil contract for Wizzwell Park (low bid awarded to drums turf and sawmill LLC — amount shown in the meeting materials); reissuance of the Wizzwell Park Pavilion RFP for one week after receiving zero qualified bids the first time; acceptance of the lowest annual village mowing bid from TMC ($18,710); and authorization to purchase a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe (chief vehicle) under a four‑year payment plan.

During public comment, Play Hollow owner Natalia urged that Front Street closure be reconsidered for the summer kickoff event because of pedestrian volume and accessibility concerns; the board said Option 1 (full Front Street closure) would not be approved at this time and approved alternate closure options that keep Front Street open while allowing for closures on Bow Street or Iron Spring as needed. The trustees directed staff to coordinate further with the fire department and event organizers on safety and accessibility details before the event.

Library and capital projects: Trustees also authorized acceptances and small change orders on the library project and declared a list of library equipment excess. The board approved a $3,000 engagement with Studio A for design work at Iron Spring Park and $5,000 for Kelly Park; trustees discussed that the playground at Kelly Park is included in the planning scope.

Procurement notes: Trustees clarified that reissuing the pavilion RFP followed a lack of qualified bids and an insurer‑related timing issue for an interested bidder; the board also noted that several projects received multiple bids and that staff will provide further bid documentation on request.

All listed consent items passed by voice vote unless noted otherwise.

Votes at a glance (selected):
- Studio A design agreement (Iron Spring Park $3,000; Kelly Park $5,000): approved.
- Wizzwell Park sod/topsoil contract (low bidder): approved.
- Reissuance of Wizzwell Park Pavilion RFP (one-week reissue): approved.
- Library change orders (gutter/downspout $849; fire alarm $3,942.53): approved.
- Annual mowing contract (TMC, $18,710): approved.
- Purchase of 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe (chief vehicle) on four-year payment plan: approved (trustee recusal noted for one member).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees Meeting 4/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 14 meeting the Board of Trustees approved a bundle of consent items including Studio A contract for park design work, library change orders, a Wizzwell Park sod/topsoil contract, reissuance of a pavilion RFP, annual mowing contract and a four‑year vehicle purchase plan for the fire chief.\n","taxTitle","Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, New York","taxId",62389,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6595980,"Residents and trustees clash over zoning draft and historic‑district approach; trustees call for more direct review",5412,1988000,7400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272&start=1988&end=7400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272/thumbnail_1988000.jpg","/articles/6595980/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Residents-and-trustees-clash-over-zoning-draft-and-historicdistrict-approach-trustees-call-for-more-direct-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595980-fea55073bcc463fbdbe21419be59fbac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114688&Signature=J5h2RXTefhkGWfInF7dP~Ym7NQegW9PuNSc372GFPaE6iQppsFDdsJJkG0DGxbZFkeAhmB~wIP37gUAjPlzxg5wAkGZA0l-kGxCnq6zmoefXPxvG9GSNS60rVVXJC05yw9zb8EDQRQVD2eD5SRKMQNAq14jqVcRkLlI0V5ouNq28SLi0KsScFetiLJlo6FclGbaVwFN5cLjyCeAnDItTb1EQiUTtrtvVSdJZj-DwB6sNLIddZqOhtEcnG-lkJqrmPL8oVZECpKkJ5k6lcl4iMoWXlBv69r~hS2TLlONW9GJ91GagRwDANL9yyiVNMcz8u1N81slr6h~cTaNmjAgFEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A heated discussion about the village zoning rewrite and the status of the Ballston Spa historic district dominated public comment and board response at the April 14 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Public commenters said the draft zoning map has been changed multiple times during the comment period and asked the trustees to extend the zone‑map public comment deadline. Marilyn Stevenson, who said the public rezoning workshop on April 3 drew standing‑room attendance, asked the board to extend the zoning comment period from its then‑current April 25 deadline to May 9 to allow more time for review and local input.

Several speakers criticized the use of social media to announce map changes and urged clearer, documented decisionmaking. Gary Stevenson urged that legal and advisory documents referenced during prior hearings be appended to meeting minutes to improve transparency.

Board members and the mayor responded at length. Mayor Frank Rossi disputed characterizations that the historic district had been removed from the draft; he said the existing historic‑district provisions remain intended to be carried forward as \"status quo\" and that the draft map had been adjusted merely to make an on‑map hatch for the historic overlay more visible. Rossi also said the village is working with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and that the model preservation code is not a one‑size‑fits‑all solution.

Trustees and residents also sparred over the status and functioning of the Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC). Residents and some trustees said several ZAC members had stopped attending and asked that a trustee who originally nominated a now‑vacant seat name a replacement. Trustee Bernadette Fundanza and other board members disagreed about whether the village code requires a specific deadline for naming replacements; the village attorney noted that the relevant code subsections do not state a time limit for appointing a replacement.

Trustees said they expect the ZAC to collect and organize public comments and deliver a revised draft; several trustees urged the advisory committee and interested residents to \"roll up your sleeves\" and submit concrete edit proposals. Several participants urged calmer, more transparent communication and more direct outreach and documentation of the decision process.

No formal board action was taken to change the public comment deadline or to disband advisory committees during the meeting.

Next steps: The board indicated staff will post public comments in an organized form when staff returns; the ZAC is expected to continue to compile comments and work with the consultant on revisions to the draft code. Several residents asked trustees to extend the zoning comment deadline; no extension was adopted at the April 14 meeting.","Public commenters and trustees debated the draft zoning map and the future of the village historic district. Residents asked for extended comment periods and clearer public process; trustees and the mayor disputed characterizations of committee activity and said the draft remains under revision.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6595985,"Ballston Spa trustees direct carriers to remove equipment from John Street water tank; monopole plan approved",384,2909000,3293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272&start=2909&end=3293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272/thumbnail_2909000.jpg","/articles/6595985/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Ballston-Spa-trustees-direct-carriers-to-remove-equipment-from-John-Street-water-tank-monopole-plan-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595985-ea88244edb12b3f1331cebb8cea6db1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114688&Signature=amIMKeZuv255eH-U4mZfO-DvuU92XeNIwaq-Ocx~dDqZHnUWdgO~DNadAxWXi60t-YVTDnkaOczarlQfjF9nkeWcAtvHd9yKEur8mUgcQMlz9hWUFA6UduPQAOqSums2djcCgIEKdCbUbSB1JCFml6bA3vilpidF1Ug4cpRA-Icnrvak2PiDptVw2aWgPvTT3aSI8LslLkhPIlV4tmOGc0V6GnPUZPkhvI-IiFKJE9S4~3BBe38ctSok2pUp4BO9GQykoXpVWeeHlaf8P3eTDDyy6BbXrblxl6enOcMRimZstNhGP-vSQ1bmUE93of1xYyFv1-THGzzYzCffcYYapg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees on April 14 approved a resolution to remove communications equipment from the John Street water storage tank so scheduled exterior coating and rehabilitation work can proceed.

Trustees authorized the mayor to notify leaseholders that the village has determined the leased areas on the tank are needed for water‑supply purposes and required all carrier equipment to be removed from the tank by March 1, 2026. The village also agreed to work with one or more carriers to permit and assist construction of a permanent monopole on a separate parcel; the carriers would bear monopole construction costs and the village indicated it would take ownership of permitting responsibilities.

According to the resolution read into the record, a prior inspection by a tank-services firm recommended interior and exterior rehabilitation and identified damaged coating where antennas and brackets were welded. The construction contract for the tank rehabilitation was awarded to USG Water Solutions; the resolution said that constructing a permanent monopole could eliminate the repeated temporary relocations that have complicated past maintenance and potentially reduce total costs compared with installing a corral on the tank surface.

The board cited an estimate in the resolution that a corral installation could cost about $156,780 while monopole options would likely cost less. The resolution also said an estimated $42,373 in deferred exterior-tank coating costs could be recovered from carriers.

Trustees voted to authorize the mayor to notify carriers of the relocation requirement and to work cooperatively on a monopole solution; the motion carried on a roll call vote.

What this means: Carriers that lease space on the tank will be required to relocate equipment off the tank surface to allow coating work to begin (the resolution authorized an extension of the rehab schedule so exterior coating would start May 1, 2026, to allow time for permitting and monopole construction). The village committed to assist with permitting and to negotiate lease addenda so the village could recover additional construction costs as allowed.

Votes at a glance: Resolution directing removal of equipment from the John Street storage tank and authorizing monopole permitting/coordination — approved (roll-call affirmative).","Trustees approved a resolution requiring carriers to remove communications equipment from the John Street storage tank to allow exterior coating work and authorized the village to work with carriers to construct a permanent monopole off the tank surface.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6595990,"Ballston Spa board adopts local law to allow exceeding tax cap; budget debate continues",2992,602000,3594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272&start=602&end=3594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020694-ad55c3036b131f963a2239b667fb8272/thumbnail_602000.jpg","/articles/6595990/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Ballston-Spa-board-adopts-local-law-to-allow-exceeding-tax-cap-budget-debate-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595990-ac493f883da73637ef9f14c24927fe92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114688&Signature=elEmtudrwC59rIJ1WzbZVj--uAn5G-Y~8DLA6c3Wf0znWHdbicyMYXvbYSkRGIKlq7bfZc6Hj9rh6xTquC5Dg5sZCVHHMIl1u~R4bUhCPnoJ94EXOtaiOFIlqhoVvqOWJ0ynkX9TVHvPyY4rZcUqgAuhdvAhwKK1mXH8tiLEsjH7gGmDDI-~xxGZpJylZ09OZ1QyRQgLAd~0og9N4mOP~XUYwBbObyz1sro45NZOC5rQ4qWzK28kluLHen1mH~~WWaefhko9lJacbwKmpbebKHyAiaBUzQapOM5OmlcFc~G3ag2TP3vYpkObIjCgy3DbVtkN2j1oWJUjaeMW55Bp5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees on April 14 adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2025, a measure that gives the board authority to adopt a fiscal 2026 budget that could exceed the property tax levy limit set in New York General Municipal Law §3-c.

The board held a public hearing earlier in the meeting on the law and on the village’s tentative 2026 budget; no members of the public spoke during the formal local-law hearing, but several residents later urged the board to be cautious about exceeding the levy cap and to prioritize capital spending.

Mayor Frank Rossi, reading an overview of the measure during the meeting, said the local law “gives you the authority. It does not require you to do it.” The board also completed the SEQRA review process for the action and adopted a negative declaration before voting to adopt the local law.

Residents speaking during the tentative-budget public hearing pressed the board for greater transparency and more emphasis on capital planning. Liz Cornwell, who said she has tracked village finances for 10 years, told trustees that the tentative budget relies on roughly $262,000 from fund balance to balance revenues and expenses and that recurring revenues remain below recurring expenses in the village’s projections. Cornwell also said an unusual one-time increase in fiscal 2024 revenues — about $750,000 from asset sales and insurance receipts — is not expected to recur.

Marilyn Stevenson, who led public comments on zoning earlier in the meeting, asked the trustees to extend the zoning comment deadline and criticized what she described as shifting draft maps; she also urged clearer outreach about major fiscal decisions. Other speakers urged trustees to limit use of fund balance for operations and to prioritize capital and reserve funds for long-term infrastructure needs.

During the discussion, several trustees said they would support use of tax levy authority only to address capital needs. One trustee said trimming roughly $40,000 from operating expenses would keep the operational budget under the cap; another urged transfers from fee revenues into dedicated capital and equipment reserves to improve grant eligibility.

The board then voted on the local-law resolution authorizing an override of the tax levy limit. The motion passed on a roll call with five votes in favor and no votes against.

What happens next: Adopting the local law gives the board authority to levy above the statutory limit but does not itself set a tax rate. The board must still adopt a final fiscal 2026 budget in a later meeting; trustees and members of the public indicated they expect follow-up debate about how much, if any, of the levy authority to use and whether additional budget cuts can be found to reduce reliance on fund balance.

Votes at a glance: Local Law No. 3 of 2025 — motion to adopt and file with the Secretary of State; outcome: approved (5–0 roll call).","Trustees adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2025, authorizing the village to override the state tax levy limit if needed. Public commenters and trustees debated use of fund balance and capital priorities as the board advances work on the tentative 2026 budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trustees approve consent agenda: parks design contracts, library change orders, mowing and vehicle purchases among items passed

Residents and trustees clash over zoning draft and historic‑district approach; trustees call for more direct review

Ballston Spa trustees direct carriers to remove equipment from John Street water tank; monopole plan approved

Ballston Spa board adopts local law to allow exceeding tax cap; budget debate continues