Ballston Spa trustees hold Jan. 2 special meeting, critics say timing violated Village Law; trustees approve slate of appointments

Ballston Spa’s Board of Trustees met in a special session on Jan. 2, 2025, to take up organizational business and a package of staff and board appointments that trustees ultimately approved despite public objections that the meeting’s timing conflicted with Village Law. Public commenters urged the board to hold its formal organizational meeting on the first Monday in January, and a planning board alternate who said he received no notice asked the board to improve communications.

The meeting drew criticism from multiple residents who said the session was advertised as an organizational meeting but scheduled for Jan. 2 — three days before the first Monday in January this year. “I was initially confused as I had the organizational meeting on my calendar for Monday, January 6, which, according to Village Law section 45‑9, states that [the organizational meeting] shall be held at 7 p.m. on the first Monday in the year,” said Liz Hornos, who identified herself during public comment. Hornos added that the published agenda and notices contributed to the confusion and called the change a “bait and switch.”

Keith Lewis, another public commenter, pressed the mayor on…