[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6469345,"mediaKeyId","5824636-b115d50a12bbad78f0092417d89112a0","parentId",5824636,"title","Ballston Spa board approves five-year fire protection contracts with Milton and Boston after language change","audioSeconds",1076,"startMs",467000,"endMs",1543000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824636-b115d50a12bbad78f0092417d89112a0&start=467&end=1543","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824636-b115d50a12bbad78f0092417d89112a0/thumbnail_467000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469345/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Ballston-Spa-board-approves-five-year-fire-protection-contracts-with-Milton-and-Boston-after-language-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469345-741f3aaf4a6910fb4ea48ec922e6f500/orig.mp4?Expires=1774986015&Signature=gIcmBG~GZEukPWP0mpVbIGuy3HZy~-8gzB4KS3XPw9KaL5jZtnosfeHCJaKFcci7zfKnvx5IFlUC~Q70BGHX7LV5jRlW9keEGZmr2zFuKbuClU1KwUefdkaCT31d8lFGRDtJ9uMy7qr1T3NZ6Pg2mXGsEJ9ZPifsDCVMtROyOcnVN2I4LqlgDWEaMK3RjeJ~QxHFSJY4h5mxuIg2N7ZTT1Qw4JBCrwvfcokPuCxlIs6-U9ebHGfl4qDcS7Gd9g~IB5i3bVSA7MV09dFLqqcDuZZPhJBgIlGvb1Ds1uuAqutLdmgJBJQYdPBo51IymcDUU5umBNQLvfI7Cnfu~dWIzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ballston Spa, NY","date","2025-09-24T13:33:20.13Z","article","The Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees on a voice vote approved two five-year contracts for fire protection services with the Towns of Milton and Boston, adopting a change to contract language intended to make clear how town payments will be spent and tracked.

The board voted to authorize the mayor or deputy mayor to sign the agreements after trustees agreed to delete a clause requiring payments to be deposited \"into a separate interest bearing account\" and replace it with language reading that \"all sums paid hereunder shall be spent only for the furnishing of such aid and fire protection and the use of apparatus, equipment, and fire personnel.\" The change was described in the meeting as intended to avoid conflict with the village's existing investment policy (section 38-2) and to make it clearer which expenditures are eligible.

Why it matters: The contracts direct town payments to a volunteer fire department that provides services to village residents and neighboring districts. Public commenters and trustees said transparency in how town funds are costed and spent is essential to maintain trust and to allow towns to complete their budgets.

Resident Mike, speaking during public comment, urged approval while stressing transparency. He cited guidance from the Association of Fire Districts and the Office of the State Comptroller about providing itemized cost information and access to fire-company financial records during contract negotiations: \"The submission of an itemized statement of estimated costs will help promote a more transparent negotiation process,\" he said.

Chief Crow of the Ballston Spa Fire Department told the board the department supports the contracts. \"We honestly feel over the next five years with the revenue we will be in a good position to move forward with our operations and any future apparatus that we're looking at,\" he said.

Trustees and staff discussed how to ensure town funds are used only for apparatus, equipment, personnel and fire-protection services rather than facility projects the towns did not intend to fund. Village counsel and county counsel were reported to be working on finalizing contract language and confirming the change would not conflict with the village's investment policy. Board members said the towns had indicated general agreement with the single-line change to section 3 and that the towns must hold their own public hearings after the village approves the contracts.

The board also discussed establishing and tracking a fire reserve fund; trustees said work to create the reserve has been in progress for months and that village staff and consultants are continuing to pursue it.

The board moved the two town contracts up on the agenda \"out of courtesy\" to the fire chief so the public hearing and town budgeting timelines could be met. Both motions were approved by voice vote with trustees responding \"Aye.\" Individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Ending: Village staff said they will continue to work with the towns and counsel to finalize contract language and to provide cost and tracking information to the towns as requested.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees Meeting 9/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Village of Ballston Spa approved two five-year agreements to provide fire protection to the Towns of Milton and Boston, with a contract language change clarifying how funds are to be spent and tracked; board and public comments focused on transparency and accounting for town contributions.","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},6469335,"Votes at a glance: Ballston Spa trustees approve minutes, hires, permits, contracts and routine business",3595,293000,3888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824636-b115d50a12bbad78f0092417d89112a0&start=293&end=3888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824636-b115d50a12bbad78f0092417d89112a0/thumbnail_293000.jpg","/articles/6469335/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Ballston-Spa-trustees-approve-minutes-hires-permits-contracts-and-routine-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469335-2d2379e6f55c895404f2815950292027/orig.mp4?Expires=1774986015&Signature=SlVxGvToPbB-lJuW3BIsBkeCWP-v3tKAeXm6ov4X-Y1mTaWb7Xwgle1M3Nthv7zn~txxXDq1EFcSpACx4FCDfiwTVXb-L52a-2VucN4tFLE8jwtteuOo64vTAd2RfJB5~juYj1iImM5UNU-ddQzt3ECXmpE~1QiS7lbr9gLOJlQb2~hD1b8fUTukBnIMyQiQRGB~VDX-FmZ~vrJi4nTCoJNXljahqQ0QgOFkSL8aP0vUcfwXaq5-bLq1EoKNzA7MFMDyQMLyrVfvSTdafFZR4aLwQuHCoJlGd6iZNLpRj0rq8FNh0JYLY5oqPqpauYm3Vl8XKq5XknsrAWkW4exmtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At their regular meeting, the Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees approved a series of routine motions, hiring actions and permits and tabled one contract change order pending additional information. Votes were recorded as voice votes with trustees responding \"Aye\"; the transcript does not include a full roll-call tally for each motion.

Key outcomes

- Minutes: Trustees approved the minutes of the Sept. 8, 2025 meeting.

- Personnel: The board accepted the resignation of Timothy Van Aplegorn from Eagle Matt Lee Fire Company 1 and the Ballston Spa Fire Department roles, approved the hiring of Jacob Kozlowski as a DPW laborer and approved hiring John Cioci (name spelled/pronounced in meeting) as a part-time Ballston Spa police officer.

- Permits and events: Trustees granted permission for a \"Charlie Kirk celebration of life\" on Milton Avenue on Sept. 24 (applicant Peggy Crawford) and approved a permit for an anti-drug peaceful protest by Carrie Scribner on Milton Avenue on Oct. 11 from noon to 1 p.m. The board also authorized Malta Avenue Elementary School to close Grove Street from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 10 for fire-safety presentations.

- Library work and environmental monitoring: Trustees authorized issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) for asbestos remediation at the library and approved an asbestos air-monitoring proposal from Ambient Environmental Inc. The board authorized the mayor to execute related documents.

- Capital and procurement: Trustees approved an invitation to bid for the Milton Water District Old Mill Pumping Station upgrade with a bid-opening date of Nov. 14, 2025.

- Construction change order: The board reviewed Change Order No. 3 for USG Water Solutions related to delayed costs on the John Street Tower exterior panel and tabled the item to a future meeting pending additional information about carrier absorption of costs.

- Finance and property: Trustees approved payment of $1,500 to an appraisal company for previously approved appraisals of 66 French Street (appraised at $405,000) and 30 Bath Street (appraised at $265,000). The board authorized returning $3,782.50 in escrow overage to Chris Boya for the 11 High Street project (the application referenced in the transcript had been withdrawn).

Other routine business included department reports (DPW paving schedule and staffing, parks and recreation and fire department statistics) and community announcements. The board closed the meeting with approval of the abstracts and adjournment at 7:59 p.m.

Ending: The board voted to audit the abstracts and adjourned; several items (including library follow-ups and the USG change order) will return to a future agenda for additional detail or resolution.","The board approved a range of routine and permit actions including hiring for DPW and police, event permits, library asbestos procurement steps, an invitation to bid for a water-district pump-station upgrade, payment of appraisals and return of escrow funds; one construction change order was tabled for more information.",{"_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},6469340,"Trustees discuss schedule and substantive priorities for zoning rewrite; plan special session",960,2840000,3800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824636-b115d50a12bbad78f0092417d89112a0&start=2840&end=3800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824636-b115d50a12bbad78f0092417d89112a0/thumbnail_2840000.jpg","/articles/6469340/Ballston-Spa/Saratoga-County/New-York/Trustees-discuss-schedule-and-substantive-priorities-for-zoning-rewrite-plan-special-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469340-d8c1c86297ea884094f0412e8ba490b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1774986015&Signature=Ma71DRD56s-Z8g35V~ZBupeeu8CsK50NUnGUyyUDECSLDgb2XP-DFnZGmmaWdVk2-56fh2fHam2CA8p0AXg5fD2A4nFfh33CCz8q2cXXWcCBS2ebKyMqPEZkWSecItfnvgbBwOrw0Pl0rl7hvljrHYWZtnUi5BftwjItZ2U9qrZyeWTpWIVrs8Twsw3pX7mmR2XtGJwH19uNzThIbJ5CKZeHBKhHcP4S-ySPCbAUSJU73oyhJlNEMX49kPe9f5siSs8TwaUEJwbWpHO69fSusUHPK6Uc-U7QvhLDkhbaq~m8eOHDgLqABn-jUMsiKKZXlUaohT~OlcX9nPFlsVBWUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees of the Village of Ballston Spa discussed scheduling and substantive priorities for a multi-issue zoning rewrite, and agreed to use a scheduling poll and shared document to collect input before holding a focused meeting.

A trustee said attempting to fit zoning into a regular meeting would not allow sufficient time and proposed dedicating a future meeting primarily to zoning matters or scheduling a special meeting. Trustees and staff agreed to circulate a Doodle-style availability poll and to use an Excel spreadsheet already shared among trustees to surface outstanding issues and proposed positions before the meeting.

Why it matters: The zoning update covers rules that shape residential and commercial development, including allowed uses, building size and height limits, and the process by which the planning board may waive zoning standards. Trustees said resolving some issues in writing before a public meeting would shorten public sessions and produce a more focused public debate.

One trustee listed several substantive positions he wants the board to consider: rezoning certain properties (nursing home and county buildings on West High) to \"R-2\" to allow greater flexibility; limiting the size of multifamily buildings (he suggested an initial proposal of 12 units per building, noting other formulations are possible); placing a 50-foot height limit on buildings and capping the Highway/Gateway district buildings at 50,000 square feet to avoid large \"big box\" developments; and restricting nonresidential uses in residential zones until design or development standards are adopted.

Trustees also discussed whether the planning board should be permitted to waive provisions in Articles 5 and 7 of the zoning code and, if so, whether waivers should require a public hearing. One trustee argued that any substantial waivers should involve a public hearing to preserve transparency.

Trustees acknowledged the planning board had previously reviewed aspects of the zoning work but said the board-level policy decisions would precede final planning-board review. A trustee asked fellow trustees and staff to add comments to the shared spreadsheet; one trustee said he would provide written comments soon.

Ending: Trustees agreed to circulate availability for a dedicated zoning meeting and to continue collecting written input on the shared spreadsheet before scheduling a multi-hour session focused on zoning.","Trustees debated how to schedule a detailed zoning discussion and outlined positions on building size, permitted nonresidential uses in residential zones, and design standards; they agreed to circulate availability and to use a shared document to collect comments ahead of a dedicated meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ballston Spa board approves five-year fire protection contracts with Milton and Boston after language change

Votes at a glance: Ballston Spa trustees approve minutes, hires, permits, contracts and routine business

Trustees discuss schedule and substantive priorities for zoning rewrite; plan special session