Ballston Spa trustees authorize temporary DPW hires to create enforceable parking schedules

The Village of Ballston Spa Board of Trustees on 2025-10-28 voted to authorize the Department of Public Works to hire up to three temporary laborers to create detailed parking schedules for village streets.

Liz Cooper, speaking during the meeting—s public comment period, said she did not recall hearing about the item and asked whether the expenses were included in the village budget. "I don't remember hearing anything about this and wondering if these—s the expenses for this are in the budget, or is this something extra?" she asked.

Carla (staff member) told trustees the village has a parking code adopted last year but currently lacks the precise schedules needed to enforce it. "The code is sitting there and ready to be enforced, but there's nothing to enforce," Carla said, explaining the temporary hires would conduct an inventory of existing conditions—s signs and markings, measure distances from specified intersections and record where restrictions apply so schedules can be drafted.

The motion authorizes hires at the DPW—s temporary contractual rate for up to 45 days, with the clerk authorized to conduct background checks. Trustees discussed the scope and schedule; the positions were described during discussion as roughly 20 hours per week per worker and subject to ending earlier if the work finishes before 45 days.

Carla described the work as an inventory rather than repainting or immediate installation of signage: "They're just collecting the data so that I can put it into [the schedule]. It's just the inventory of existing conditions." Trustees said the inventory would allow the village to implement parking enforcement downtown, support the Parking Enforcement Officer (PEO) program and consider targeted kiosks or time‑limited spaces.

Trustees said the goal is to reduce long‑term occupation of on‑street spaces, especially on Front Street, and to give merchants and residents more reliable access to short‑term parking. The board noted that some downtown properties lack private off‑street parking and that work on schedules will inform whether restrictions should be added, removed or modified.

Vote at a glance: the trustees took a voice vote on the motion authorizing the DPW hires; the chair called for "Aye" and declared the motion carries.

Provenance: First related remarks began during a public comment block at 02:11 (Liz Cooper) and the detailed staff presentation and discussion began at 04:50 (Carla).