[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6496232,"mediaKeyId","5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a","parentId",5738385,"title","Ballston Spa mayor’s social post on fox prompts debate; wildlife rehabilitators and residents urge testing and clearer animal-control policy","audioSeconds",5632,"startMs",1610000,"endMs",7242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a&start=1610&end=7242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a/thumbnail_1610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496232/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Ballston-Spa-mayors-social-post-on-fox-prompts-debate-wildlife-rehabilitators-and-residents-urge-testing-and-clearer-animal-control-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496232-a723965a6f19cd1033e9ad1c2c69028c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152412&Signature=U5JOefKtw41WvgH1gY08cQGHhToi57~hlBCgg3tnollh4vwc-9aqXr~09NI~eO-qxba2Go-UzOXyueSKZkO~VX5xgcLYSgQOJWeO6o1HkF~jG8yE5UUL84llayX20mLtDeA6u2YFwZp9n69qtu~nxbA0qbHUQoOXrj2c1FGwgJg4WJ6UmvgHJHsOz4JLabIJUj6SsM2BH~eLxc0YV6e08pp7rS7T75aKEaLYti3AB2bkwJ~HxKmGhX-Me8PceNYvKeq5H5WoDqFAJZngAkSr-c1CssOb1FRzVw0VBQPHOoweAZj6Nexgmz8DcnikNti-YeEuXyUxlwZKoMh6Acn3YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ballston Spa, NY","date","2025-09-09T15:25:24Z","article","Mayor Frank Rossi posted a public-safety advisory on his official Facebook page after several resident reports and a police response to a fox that officers shot after it allegedly charged a resident or an officer. The post warned residents to “assume the worst, get inside, and call the authorities,” language Rossi said he used to prioritize public safety.

The advisory and the mayor’s edits to it prompted public comment during the Village Board meeting, where residents and two licensed wildlife rehabilitators told trustees that the animal should have been tested for rabies before public statements suggested it might be rabid.

Why it matters: Trustees and the mayor said they released the warning to reduce the risk of human injuries while the precise cause of the animals’ behavior was unknown. Wildlife experts told trustees that untested animals should not be publicly labeled “rabid” and that testing and coordination with state agencies are the correct next steps to inform public health action.

At the meeting, Rossi said he issued the advisory at the request of Chief Bush to protect residents after multiple calls and what the chief described as “an ongoing scenario” of sightings and interactions. Rossi said the police chief told him an officer had to shoot a fox after it “nearly attacked” a resident and “nearly attacked” the responding officer. Rossi said he had attempted to reach the DEC and other agencies and that calls to animal-control providers did not yield a timely response in the incident that prompted his warning.

“Assume the worst. Avoid it. Get inside,” Rossi told the board, describing the advisory he posted. He said he later added the word “potentially” when he realized the post’s wording could be read as a factual statement that animals were rabid.

Residents and wildlife professionals at the meeting said local officials should pursue testing and clear lines of responsibility before releasing strong public statements. Victoria Rasnan, who identified herself as a licensed rabies-vector-species rehabilitator, told the board that animal-control officers and trustees should contact the DEC environmental conservation officer (ECO) or volunteer rehabilitators and that the DEC unit’s contact information is publicly available. Paula Sheridan, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, said the appropriate DEC unit is the Wildlife Health Unit in Delmar, which accepts specimens for testing. Sheridan said: “Announcing that a fox is rabid without testing and creating unnecessary fear can lead to harm to healthy or treatable wildlife.”

Liz Dennel, a resident who said a skunk in her yard began foaming and was shot by a sheriff’s deputy after she and her husband could not reach animal-control officers, said the animal was not tested. “Did it have rabies? I don't know,” Dennel told the board. She said a sheriff’s deputy stayed with her, then euthanized the animal when it began seizing and foaming; the animal was not submitted for testing, she said.

Rossi said the county and local animal-control pages state that animals are tested for rabies only if they bite a person or a pet, and he described conflicting guidance and slow responses when police tried to arrange testing. He said he will ask local animal-control providers for the previous year’s call logs for the village and “ask them to clarify their policies” so the village and residents better understand what the county and towns will or will not do.

Several residents urged the board to consider creating a full‑time village animal-control officer or clearer agreements with county providers. Lisa Spiedel told trustees she was “concerned that the work being done on the Genesco Trail … has caused disturbance to the wildlife” and asked whether on‑the‑ground work could be displacing animals.

Trustees said they would press for clearer documentation and cooperation. Rossi said he will publish whatever clarifying information the village receives from animal-control providers and the DEC.

Ending: Trustees took no formal action to change animal-control staffing at the meeting. Rossi said he will request the last year’s call logs from the animal-control officers who serve the village, seek clarification of their policies and report back to the board and community.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees Meeting 9.8.25","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Frank Rossi posted a public-safety advisory on social media after multiple wildlife reports and a police response to a fox; residents and licensed wildlife rehabilitators told trustees the animal should have been tested and urged clearer animal‑control policies.","taxTitle","Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, New York","taxId",62389,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6496219,"Trustees approve consent items including trail tree removal and vehicle surplus; multiple routine motions pass",112,1387000,1499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a&start=1387&end=1499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a/thumbnail_1387000.jpg","/articles/6496219/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Trustees-approve-consent-items-including-trail-tree-removal-and-vehicle-surplus-multiple-routine-motions-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496219-b7bde2f2fe1e011ad01d2ad56a12fc7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152412&Signature=oqeLKdaWKygT85q~ihiODis6lCD1xyfaPXfB7t2CN3BAOKbsIIrZ0obm~4Zh032CbHzUjD27Z2Ci44yRfCOnEsdL3FOs5gzOX4PbhTyC2wvAggDF7MtGtjGfSiU4t00IUSy7XTs3O5iCoJvX4rmnAHTLW-TVrbOIxHY9g7nGQ8HfB7O92Cn6oD1ukfvcqx8QcmWKp~DNDzAZmoDZXXCC9UkWELSCYTUxaC9GsMITnt9nwxkwkE25F2CTw82N8nojn6YxlIqzdtxhynt8cITi8SZ9Xjx1Sd1iMt-4Bvd4gnQ5ekd0rsReeDJVI3gOdESYWt~zE6zJAjcGJoELbdMnZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the meeting the board approved routine consent items and several discrete motions. Key actions recorded in the meeting minutes and voice votes included approval of minutes, authorization for a tree removal, permission for a solicitation period, declaration of surplus equipment and approval of a sewer connection. Below are the actions the board adopted as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes, Aug. 25, 2025: Motion to approve minutes passed 3–1 after Trustee Raymond and another trustee voted no on a prior meeting’s treatment of remarks about the mayor. (Transcript: motion, amendment request, final tally “3 to 1.”)

- Tree removal — $4,072 to BDW: The board authorized BDW to spend $4,072 for removal of a hazardous tree (agenda “7a”). Mayor Rossi and staff said half the tree had already fallen and the remaining portion posed a risk to a house. Motion passed by voice vote; discussion noted park/DPW budget implications.

- Door‑to‑door solicitation permit (dates): Trustees authorized a door‑to‑door fundraising/solicitation period from 09/25 to 10/31 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (motion passed 3–1; one trustee expressed concern about late hours and code limits).

- Surplus vehicle and equipment: The trustees declared a 2007 Ford Ranger and related equipment as surplus and authorized the mayor to execute paperwork to place the items for sale via Auctions International. Motion passed.

- In‑village sewer connection (105 Fairground Avenue): The board approved an in‑village sewer connection that had engineering approval from LaBella Engineering and the Village Water Department. Motion carried.

Procedure and context: Several items were included on the consent agenda and were approved together after a motion and second. Trustees discussed whether tree removal funding would ultimately come from park/street board funds or fund balance if budgeted amounts proved insufficient. On the solicitation permit, trustees asked whether code limits 9 p.m. and agreed to restrict hours if necessary.

Ending: All items above were approved as recorded in the meeting transcript. No ordinances or long‑term contracts were finalized within these motions beyond the standard authorization to sell surplus property and to approve routine connections and expenditures.

","The board approved minutes, a $4,072 tree‑removal expenditure, a solicitation permit, surplus equipment sale and an in‑village sewer connection; several motions passed by recorded voice votes or roll calls noted in the transcript.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6496224,"Ballston Spa trustees move zoning rewrite to shared document and special workshop after public input",660,2952000,3612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a&start=2952&end=3612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a/thumbnail_2952000.jpg","/articles/6496224/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Ballston-Spa-trustees-move-zoning-rewrite-to-shared-document-and-special-workshop-after-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496224-a389c2f2ee533a845c16742ed7f39ed8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152412&Signature=P6t8PojnaHYewJNCJgHp~3Oquj5tCaeCRX90hxHlRbRVYt75I29Tyu2oSPavFn1XxnHlyIwntQqWqR5YgQvRaMLB8I94PC9Qr4pzLGwlTkHf3g4k89~AH3wcoNdOgL-D8OGN1bsCkm~b5WirjpVDTs6ecSFeiGayYonVL4BRXkwJjJVqXSu07KED74~mPetwy93vUqceojsfntc5a7weU3dK~cqH2JEWTviDRq4bJi3udUo8ZosvfYB~voglM2kx6TIhFUyto2PeK0~EEw0C~wUaQg4PpINScbryx1oe0eVu3fSX37nk7Fpcij-lj-0R3idCnk2A5jG2yr5a0vxr8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees agreed to continue work on a comprehensive zoning update after extended public comment and trustee discussion, directing staff to place a collaborative document online and schedule a special workshop.

Why it matters: The zoning rewrite governs use, building size, signage, and development rules in the village downtown and residential neighborhoods. Public commenters, zoning advisory committee members, and trustees raised concerns about transition zones, signage complexity and enforceability, parking requirements that could encourage tear‑downs, accessory‑structure height limits, and whether planned development districts (PDDs) should be allowed.

Public input summarized: Several public speakers representing the zoning advisory committee and members of the public urged narrower rules and clearer guidance for downtown transition zones, signage that is enforceable given village resources, and limits on building size in gateway districts to prevent “big box” development. Jared (last name not given) urged allowing two‑family dwellings by special permit in R‑1B zones and design guidelines that reflect existing character. Another commenter asked that PDDs be explicitly disallowed in the next draft if that is the trustees’ intent.

Trustee direction and next steps: Trustee Ben (last name not given) proposed a shared electronic document to collect board, staff, and consultant input and suggested a special meeting to resolve outstanding issues. Trustee and staff participants agreed: the village clerk/attorney will create a secure shared document and trustees, counsel (Carla) and consultant Chris will be given edit access. Trustees said the document is for internal use and not for public distribution while work is ongoing. The board asked the clerk and staff to schedule a special workshop to continue the zoning conversation and to provide clearer, legible PDF versions of the draft code on the village website.

Technical and process issues: Speakers said portions of the posted zoning PDF were hard to read and that the gateway district graphic no longer reflected recommended landscaping standards. Zoning advisory committee members urged the board to consult Cornell Cooperative Extension and other resources for plant‑material suitability and to clarify whether parcels such as the former nursing‑home site should be separately zoned without raising spot‑zoning concerns. Trustees asked the village attorney for a legal opinion on whether a site‑specific zone could be created without violating spot‑zoning rules; that opinion was pending.

Ending: Trustees directed staff to post a shared internal document, invited trustees and staff to populate it with unresolved issues, and scheduled a special meeting/workshop to be set in the coming weeks. No zoning ordinance was adopted at the meeting.

","After public commenters urged changes to the draft zoning code, trustees agreed to use a shared document to collect board and staff input and to hold another special meeting to finish unresolved items, including transition zones, signage enforcement, parking, and whether planned development districts (PDDs) are allowed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6496229,"Trustees press for equitable treatment of Ballston Spa volunteer fire department as Milton offers 5% contract increase",754,3676000,4430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a&start=3676&end=4430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5738385-7e0a77ff7235c6b0cb27b08019d7310a/thumbnail_3676000.jpg","/articles/6496229/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Trustees-press-for-equitable-treatment-of-Ballston-Spa-volunteer-fire-department-as-Milton-offers-5-contract-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496229-e485f92faf4a4337f9c8f21060829925/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152412&Signature=NMswh4Ra7bTviupZNlMyXxS0yYTfQ1i5XOogbfiXzLM4wO~CuYt4kb~BIwS3n9d5-OqzWTcOsFlfXXTdmZMfSuUTfQwA1COVTJA96Dss7rD5L6FrQDhhldlT~B~pTHHJpNTUAojHEliqVehv~zxkCzMT5YXvXf8dpNrBUzOup8DaQwhvOr8VVZYbVkBOpGe~REm0ZyW6~S80zsGW~kmOd2r9KxG1NZ5Qz~xJaUcKLFOG7Sj966mIEs6ICd0TL6L9z4ClnZS59heKC~9Dmn5RK-eWbnFej3q8gKljAsB9muYLAXw3-MkSarTEe7BOo73CeZVKkLx05tFSP-SkFyXoMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board spent substantial time discussing a proposed five‑year fire protection contract from the Town of Milton and a related dispute over a Length of Service Award Program, or LOSAP, for volunteer firefighters.

Why it matters: The contract determines how much the village is paid for fire protection and whether volunteer firefighters receive the same retirement/retention benefits as volunteers in nearby districts. Trustees said the village’s volunteer department serves a larger roster and argued students and taxpayers deserve equitable benefit structures.

What trustees discussed: Mayor Frank Rossi and trustees said Milton’s offer—5% increases per year for five years—would cover operating needs and truck payments but would not fund a LOSAP, which several neighboring departments have. Rossi described LOSAP as an established retirement/retention program that, for Ballston Spa’s larger volunteer force, would cost substantially more (estimates discussed at the meeting ranged from roughly $120,000 to $150,000 annually depending on design choices and look‑back credits).

Rossi said he proposed a shared approach: the village would contribute to seed the LOSAP and asked Milton to supplement funding so volunteers in Ballston Spa receive benefits comparable to those funded for other districts. He asked trustees to press Milton to “treat our fire department equitably” and said he was prepared to seek additional village contributions as part of a multi‑party solution.

Trustee Liz (last name not given in transcript) said the 5% offer covers operational needs and is reasonable for contracting purposes, but she and other trustees urged continued negotiation on LOSAP funding. Trustee Ben (last name not given) recommended accepting the contract to ensure continuity of services, with the understanding that LOSAP negotiation could continue.

Operations and transparency: Trustees and the mayor also discussed the fire department’s ledgers and capital spending. Rossi said some budgeted purchases (radios) were recorded in the prior-year ledger and that restoring accurate accounting would clarify reserve levels and the department’s ability to fund purchases while building reserve for a replacement ladder truck.

Next steps: The Town of Milton was drafting formal paperwork and requested a response from the village; Mayor Rossi said he would ask Milton officials to reconsider LOSAP contributions and that the town controller had agreed to host a three‑party discussion with village and town finance officials. Trustees did not take a final vote on the contract at the meeting but asked staff and Milton to continue negotiations and to provide clearer documentation of numbers and ledger entries.

Ending: No binding contract was voted at the meeting. Mayor Rossi asked Milton officials to consider a revised funding approach that would allow the village volunteer department to participate in LOSAP and pledged to report back.

","Town of Milton offered a five‑year, 5% annual increase for fire protection; the mayor and trustees discussed whether the town should also help fund a LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) to equalize benefits with neighboring districts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ballston Spa mayor’s social post on fox prompts debate; wildlife rehabilitators and residents urge testing and clearer animal-control policy

Trustees approve consent items including trail tree removal and vehicle surplus; multiple routine motions pass

Ballston Spa trustees move zoning rewrite to shared document and special workshop after public input

Trustees press for equitable treatment of Ballston Spa volunteer fire department as Milton offers 5% contract increase