Saratoga County holds public hearing on proposed ‘last call’ time limits for on‑premises alcohol service

The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing Wednesday on proposed further legal limits on the hours establishments may serve alcohol for on‑premises consumption — commonly called “last call.” The hearing, held at the board’s Ballston Spa meeting room, included oral comments from Saratoga Springs public safety officials and local residents and four written submissions to the clerk.

The presiding officer opened the hearing and clarified that the proposed local legislation would set “last call” times for alcoholic beverage service but would not mandate when an establishment must close; nonalcoholic beverage and food service could continue while a business remains open. "Last call is a well known term for establishments serving alcohol when the time is ending," the presiding officer said, adding that the ordinance would not require businesses to close at the last‑call time.

The hearing drew public safety testimony supporting earlier last‑call times. "I believe it's a reasonable compromise that addresses public safety, as well as the needs of the business community," said Tim Paul, public safety commissioner for the city of Saratoga Springs, who spoke at the hearing and identified the police leadership in Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County Sheriff Mike Zirlo as supporting earlier last‑call limits. Paul presented multi‑year local use‑of‑force counts in downtown bar areas as part of his rationale: 14 incidents in 2024 with eight occurring after 2 a.m.; 12 incidents in 2023 with seven after 2 a.m.; 35 incidents in 2022 with 20 after 2 a.m.; and 12 incidents in 2021 with five after 2 a.m. He said those figures show more than half of recent use‑of‑force incidents in bar areas occurred after 2 a.m.

Other speakers urged an earlier and consistent year‑round last‑call. Eileen Finneran, a Saratoga Springs resident who said she formerly served as deputy mayor and as deputy commissioner of public safety, said she believes a 2 a.m. last call year‑round would be preferable and described a seasonal compromise as acceptable. "Nothing really good happens after 02:00," Finneran said. Janette Quedo Marino, another Saratoga Springs resident, told the board she supports earlier and consistent times and warned that variable closing hours could draw people to the city after nights out elsewhere.

Clerk of the Board staff reported four written comments received before the 3:30 p.m. deadline: Christine Little (Saratoga Springs), Ed Lindner (Saratoga Springs) and Sheila Riley (Saratoga Springs) submitted support; Andrew Cohen (Halfmoon) submitted opposition. No formal vote or direction by the board was recorded at the hearing; the presiding officer closed the hearing following public comment.

Why it matters: the proposed ordinance would change when licensed establishments must call the last round of alcoholic beverage service, a matter county officials and municipal public safety leaders say affects nightlife safety and enforcement. The hearing record shows local public safety officials and several residents favor earlier limits, while at least one written commenter opposed the change.

The Board of Supervisors will consider next steps under the county’s legislative process; no final action was taken at the hearing and the record does not show a vote on the proposal.