Author: John Kaufmann

[JK: I received this release from the Tim Holmes campaign]

ALL FOR SARATOGA

Tim Holmes Announces Candidacy

for Mayor of Saratoga Springs

For Immediate Release

September 20, 2019

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Timothy Holmes, a business executive, philanthropist, historian and author, has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Saratoga Springs. His name will appear on the Republican line in the general election on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Mr. Holmes is an entrepreneur in both traditional and 21st century industries. He currently works in restoring real estate properties and in developing technologies for the 21st century workforce. He has been a leader in the non-profit sector. Applying ‘the Saratoga model’ of community revitalization, Mr. Holmes has worked for 20

years with Hudson River communities on economic revival. He believes that a full life includes community engagement with governance, business and charitable activities.

After attending schools on Long Island, NY, in Ethiopia and Japan, he graduated from the University of New Brunswick in Canada. He worked in construction in Rockefeller Center and with several foundations in New York City. While living in New Jersey in the 1980s, Holmes served as a commissioner and president of the municipal council of Rutherford, New Jersey, and in positions on its planning and zoning boards. He was trained in IBM systems administration and holds certification as a paralegal. Although his family ties to Saratoga Springs date to the city’s founding years, his residency dates to 1996.

A strong supporter of regional cooperation, Holmes has worked in social and business organizations, regional chambers of commerce and planning cooperatives such as the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership. “This is a time when regional interests are converging. Through mutual planning we can realize best results,” said Mr. Holmes.

“Saratoga Springs is a world-class community and truly a gift to every person who lives here or visits. I would like to work on behalf of our people to protect it, preserve it and strengthen it for our children and grandchildren,” said Mr. Holmes. “At the same time, Saratoga Springs has set the example of a city able to reinvent itself in adapting to change over the years. We have now the opportunity to work with the County of Saratoga in shaping how the future develops around us.” Mr. Holmes said he seeks the support of every concerned citizen of Saratoga Springs regardless of political affiliation. “I will be a mayor for everyone who loves Saratoga Springs. The theme of my campaign will be ‘All for Saratoga,’” he said. “Years of service have confirmed it’s best to listen and learn from all residents.”

As Mayor, Mr. Holmes said he will focus first on:

• Protecting taxpayers through careful use of taxpayer dollars and realistic fiscal

management and investment;

• Preserving the community’s quality of life and ensuring its resilience; protecting its

neighborhoods, historic character, and open space;

• Planning for the continued growth the community is likely to experience over

the next 30 years;

• Supporting its business, arts, higher education and racing communities;

• Ensuring that city government responds respectfully to residents and is

customer-oriented and responsive to the community’s changing needs;

• Conducting the public’s business with transparency and high standards of

ethical conduct and accountability.

“I regard public service as a privilege, and I intend to be a mayor who never forgets that he serves at the will of the people,” said Mr. Holmes.

The rate of the city’s growth is a concern to residents. “Our city’s population doubled since 1950 and will substantially increase in coming years. We need to plan for the next 30 years anticipating levels of change we’ve not seen. To ensure that our community and our people have a say in future development, we need to maintain visibility and accountability on the part of the City. We can balance creation of good jobs with a healthy environment and community resilience,” he said. “Provision of efficient, high-quality public services is essential.”

Mr. Holmes said that during his administration a new fire and emergency services facility, properly staffed and equipped, will be built to serve the large and growing population on the east side of the city. “The East Side must be able to rely on the same high level of professional fire and emergency services 24/7 as is the rest of our community,” he said.

Another priority, he said, will be to support Saratoga Springs’ vibrant business community, “the beating heart of our city. These are the people who create jobs, generate millions in sales tax and property tax revenue, serve our visitors and residents, and re-invest their own money to makeSaratoga Springs one of the most attractive small cities in America.

“As mayor, I will be a stalwart friend and supporter to our partners and friends in the higher education and arts communities. They are the wellspring of creativity, economic growth and cultural renewal that makes our community so extraordinary.”

Mr. Holmes said he would restore a close working relationship with the racing community. “We recognize the unique cultural and economic gift we have in thoroughbred racing. I will do all I can to keep racing healthy, competitive, successful and beautiful, in a relationship based on mutual respect and consideration.”

Mr. Holmes has been an active full-time Saratoga Springs resident and volunteer for the last 20 years, supporting local businesses and arts enterprises, Chamber of Commerce initiatives, and serving presently on the city’s Open Space Advisory Committee and the Smart City Broadband Commission.

He and his wife Libby Smith-Holmes, are the authors of three books of local history: “Saratoga Springs: A Historical Portrait” (2000), “Saratoga Springs: A Brief History” (2008), and “Saratoga: America’s Battlefield” (2012).

Holmes has also been a leader of the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield’s effort to establish a memorial to honor America’s first veterans on the site where British General Burgoyne surrendered to American General Gates on October 17, 1777, the turning point of the American Revolution.

[JK: I received the following release today from the Finance Department.

Mike Sharp will be leaving his position as Deputy Finance Commissioner to take a position as Senior Investment Analyst at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.  Mike Sharp was an extraordinary public servant. Mike’s keen intellect, his attention to the smallest detail, his work ethic, and his good sense made him a tremendous asset to the city. He was underpaid as are all the deputies which itself is a problem.

Those of you who followed the “city manager” charter proposal may recall that that Charter Commission declined to interview the deputy commissioners asserting that they did little substantive work and were basically holding political patronage jobs. Anyone who had the good fortune of dealing with Mike was thoroughly disabused of this idea.

The city is fortunate to have Lynn Bachner step into the vacancy. Lynn had served previously under Finance Commissioners Matt McCabe and Michele Madigan where she earned wide respect throughout all the city’s departments who she had to deal with regularly in light of the role of the Finance Department. Everything I said about Mike accurately describes Lynn who –full disclosure–I consider a friend.]

 

M. Lynn Bachner to Return as Deputy Finance Commissioner

Effective Monday, September 23, 2019, M. Lynn Bachner will be named Acting Deputy Commissioner of Finance for the City of Saratoga Springs, returning to the position she previously served for 8 years. She will be succeeding the current deputy, Mike Sharp, who has recently accepted an offer to become a Senior Investment Analyst at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Mr. Sharp’s last day will be Wednesday, October 2.

 “Mike has been a valuable asset to the City for the past two years, and I wish him success in his new position,” said Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan. “The City’s current excellent fiscal standing, including our strong bond rating and well-funded reserves, is largely built on budgets that Lynn and I worked on when she last served as my Deputy. Having most recently worked as Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Lynn is well-versed on all of the City’s projects and priorities, especially those that I have partnered with the Mayor on, such as the East Side Fire & EMS Station and our goal of finding a permanent home to Code Blue. The City has several clear priorities to address in the coming year, and I look forward to working with Lynn again as we finalize the 2020 budget and work on solutions that benefit residents across the City.”

Ms. Bachner has served as Executive Assistant to the Mayor since April 2018. She has previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Finance under two administrations. Ms. Bachner holds a BA from Hamilton College, and MA from Johns Hopkins University, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

“Mike Sharp has done a remarkable job as Deputy Commissioner of Finance, and will be an outstanding asset to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  I am glad I can be of service to the City at this time, and look forward to a successful budget season”, stated Bachner.

Mr. Sharp has expressed that he is exceptionally proud of the work he has done for the City.

“I will be forever grateful to Commissioner Madigan for giving me the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that I am passionate about,” said Mr. Sharp. “I’d like to thank all the City employees I’ve worked with, especially those in the Finance and IT departments, for their help along the way. Throughout my tenure, I’ve spoken with Lynn regularly about the budget, and I have complete confidence that she and Commissioner Madigan will bring forward an excellent 2020 budget.” 

Below is a release from the Saratoga Springs City website regarding the resolution of an investigation initiated in 2014 into the city’s policy on fees for connections to city water and the city’s management of these fees.  The investigation was prompted by  then Mayor Joanne Yepsen and William McTygue.  The New York State Comptroller’s office sent investigators who extensively interviewed city employees and elected officials.  They also secured an extensive inventory of city records.  Now five years later they have returned the records to the city and informed the City Attorney that the matter is closed.

 ________________________________________-

City of Saratoga Springs

Department of Public Works

Anthony “Skip” Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 17, 2019 

Comptroller Closes Five-Year Water Connection Fee Investigation

Matter “Concluded, Without Report”

Saratoga Springs – City Officials announced today that a five-year investigation by the New York State Comptroller’s office into water connection fees has finally been closed. A representative from the Comptroller returned all files related to the investigation to the Saratoga Springs City Attorney’s office and reported the matter to be “concluded, without report.”

 The initial investigation was requested by former Mayor Joanne Yepsen, following reports of mishandled water connection fee waivers. In December of 2014, during the investigation, the City Council voted 5-0 to approve connection waivers that were in question for a project on Weibel Avenue. In addition, the council voted 4-1 under the advice of legal counsel, to abolish the water connection fees altogether. Yepsen was the only vote to keep the connection fees in place.

 “The conclusion of the Comptroller’s investigation without a report confirms that the council made a sound decision in 2014 to eliminate connection fees because it was a bad policy, plain and simple,” said DPW Commissioner Anthony, “Skip” Scirocco. “The only issue with water connection fees was their existence in the first place, and when they were challenged in court multiple times the City lost.”

Water connection fees were first approved by the City Council on November 24, 1992 by a resolution proposed by then Commissioner of Public Works, Thomas McTygue, in an effort to help fund the former Commissioner’s endeavor to use Saratoga Lake as the City’s water source. At that time a 1988 state report suggested that Loughberry Lake only had an approximately 10 year life span remaining as the City’s main water source.  Utilizing Saratoga Lake would have cost taxpayers between $15 million and $30 million, based upon published reports.

Time has proven the 1988 report to be inaccurate. The addition of a new water source, the Bog Meadow wells to supplement Loughberry Lake that were installed by current DPW Commissioner Scirocco, have satisfied water source capacity requirements. 

Water connection fees were challenged in court and the City lost a number of legal actions.  In 1996, the water connection fees were challenged in an action commenced in Saratoga County Supreme Court and, by Order dated May 8, 1998, were found by Supreme Court Justice, Stephen A. Ferradino, to be illegal and unconstitutional.  The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed that decision on appeal.

The City was also sued in an action commenced in 1997 which, likewise, resulted in an Order, this time from Saratoga County Supreme Court Justice, William H. Keniry, dated September 22, 1999, finding, again, that the water connection fees were illegal and unconstitutional.

Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan said, “In 2014 the Finance Department acted in our Charter-given authority as internal auditor and reviewed how water connection fees were being applied following an inquiry by former Public Works Director William McTygue. When Mr. McTygue did not like the results of Finance’s thorough internal audit he approached former Mayor Yepsen, who then called on the New York State Attorney General and Comptroller to investigate the City. It’s unfortunate it took five years for the State to reaffirm what the Finance Department, and a majority of the City Council, rightly believed at the time. I’m glad that we can now put this issue to rest.”

Presently, the Department of Public Works continues to ensure an adequate water supply for residents of the City of Saratoga Springs.  In 2014, four new wells were developed at the Bog Meadow reservoir, resulting in an increase in the “safe yield” of the City’s water supply to more than 9 million gallons per day.

Stephen Williams reports in the Gazette that the City Council will be voting tonight (Tuesday, September 17) on the City Center’s plans to build a parking garage and a lease between the city and the City Center Authority that will allow the construction to move forward.

The lease will allow the City Center to build the facility on part of a city-owned parcel between Maple Avenue and High Rock Avenue.  The lease will be for a dollar per year with the city guaranteed  60 spaces for city use and a share from revenues coming from any parking charges. The current plan calls for later phases of development on the rest of the parcel to include green space, a small park, and room for potential commercial development.

The idea for a parking garage on this site has been discussed since the City Center was first built nearly 30 years ago and has been the subject of much controversy. Williams rightly gives Mayor Meg Kelly credit for bringing supporters and opponents together to finally move this project forward.

There will be a final public hearing on the project at 6:30 PM before the Council meeting which will be held at the city Rec Center. No objections were raised at the last public hearing on this two weeks ago where many supporters spoke–a sharp contrast to all the contentious hearings on the City Center project many of us sat through in the past.

Here’s a link to the Gazette story:

https://dailygazette.com/article/2019/09/16/saratoga-council-voting-on-parking-garage-lease

So the political season has apparently officially begun with one of our political lawn signs disappearing from in front of our house at mid-afternoon today in what was apparently a series of daring daytime snatchings citywide.

Steve Mittler,  candidate for Supervisor, left a message for sign stealers in one of his signs he replaced on Lake Avenue.

This is the view of the temporary two way bike lanes down Henry Street from Lake Avenue (you can see Scallions on the left) set up to test this as an urban segment of the Saratoga Greenbelt trail. [See the previous post for more details of this experiment.]

The city will set up temporary bike lanes on Henry Street to see what impact two way bike lanes will have. According to today’s (9/13/19) Gazette Newspapers:

The pilot project will allow the city to test a low-cost idea for the urban segment of the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail, a larger plan for a bicycle and multiuse loop through the countryside around the city and into its downtown core. Henry Street will be made one-way southbound between Lake Avenue and Spring Street, parking will be limited to the west side of the road, and temporary two-way bike lanes will be marked on the east side, to see if Henry could feasibly become part of an-street bike route.

Steve Williams has written an excellent piece describing the project in more detail and placed it in the context of the wider project.

Have read with interest your post on the proposed increase in City Council member compensation.

As I understand, the annual salary would climb from $14,500 to $30,000, a jump of 107%.

A few observations.  First, while the mayor suggests that ‘…Council seats are supposed to be part time’, that has never been memorialized in the current or previous city charters, including the original 1915 Charter.  Certainly though, most, but not all, past council members have held full time jobs or were self employed outside of their council duties and were thus de facto part timers.

Only the independently wealthy or retired could afford to serve without meaningful outside employment income.

The city’s longest tenured commissioner of public safety, for example, was a well known surgeon who managed to run the department with somewhat of an iron fist and, in the process was indicted a number of times before finally resigning for good.  Many others have served credibly on a part time basis while holding down a full time job, profession or business.

What is little known, though, is that for many years the council members were reported to the State Comptroller, for pension credit purposes, as “full time.”  I believe that meant a minimum of 30 hours weekly. Such reporting would allow a member to be vested in the state retirement system in a much shorter period of time.  There may have been a Council resolution adopted sometime in the late 80’s or early 90’s establishing that threshold, at least for retirement benefits.

In the “Rational” appended to the current Charter approved by the voters in November  2001, the Charter Revision Commission noted on page 11:  “As the complexity of government operations increases in Saratoga Springs., the ‘part time’ council may soon become a thing of the past.  There are compelling reasons for moving to a system of full-time elected officials, but we (the Charter Revision Commission) do not think it is in our purview to mandate that.”

It is not correct that, as your entry states, the current rate of $14,500 has been in place since 2001.   The $14,500 salary dates to the 1994 budget year following adoption of a 1993 local law.

The 2000-2001 Charter Revision Commission considered including a salary increase in the then proposed Charter, but ultimately decided to leave it at $14,500.

Wrote the Commission: “For the time being, we chose to keep the compensation at its current level for council members and leave it to them (and ultimately the voters) to decide when the time is ripe to increase he salary.”

In hindsight, we may have been influenced by a concern that a salary increase would compromise the proposal’s adoption at referendum.

So, Council members have not seen a salary increase since 1994, almost 26 years.  Inflationary pressure would make $14,500 in 1994 the equivalent of $25,103 today, an overall increase of 73%.

You may find it interesting that the first City Council members, meeting on June 22, 1915, were salaried at $500 annually.  Deputy salaries varied with the deputy commissioner of finance awarded $1,400 annually, public works $1,500 public safety $1,200.  In that first government there was no deputy accounts commissioner title and, of course, no deputy mayor.

The Council member salary of $500 would be worth about $12,700 in 2019 dollars.

My paternal  grandfather is listed as the first city stenographer at $720 annually.  My wife Linda’s maternal grandfather, Tom Gorman, was deputy commissioner of public safety at the grand total of $1,200.

Hope you find this interesting.

Lew

 

 

THE LIBERTARIANswwe PARTY OF SARATOGA COUNTY NOMINATES CANDIDATES TO APPEAR ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

For Release: September 7, 2019 12:01AM

 Saratoga Springs, NY – The Libertarian Party of Saratoga County has nominated the following candidates for elected office:

 Robin Dalton – Commissioner of Public Safety – City of Saratoga Springs

Stephen Mittler – Supervisor – City of Saratoga Springs

Phil Barrett – Supervisor – Town of Clifton Park

Ray O’Conor – Town Board – Town of Wilton

Kirk Woodcock – Highway Supervisor – Town of Wilton

David Towne – Town Justice – Town of Wilton

Matthew Coseo – Town Justice – Town of Wilton

 These candidates will appear on the ballot under the Libertarian Party line this November.

“Our committee did great work in a short period of time, interviewing every single candidate that requested our endorsement, said Libertarian Party Chairman Rob Arrigo.  “In the end we felt that these candidates best represented the Libertarian values of smaller government and more personal freedom.  We look forward to helping them win in November.”

 

###

About the Saratoga County Libertarian Party

The Saratoga County Libertarian Party was granted official interim county organization status by the New York State Libertarian Party on Sunday, June 30th.  The county committee filed its bylaws with the board of elections on July 3rd, making their status official according to New York State Election Law. The Libertarian Party of New York became an officially recognized political party in NYS when gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe earned more than 90,000 votes state–wide during the 2018 election.  

 

 

 

The parking signs are up on Murphy Lane.

Readers will recall that the latest chapter in this controversial property’s history involved ads indicating there were two parking spaces on this property when only one had been approved.

The city has put up signs at the entries to Murphy Lane at each cross street it passes through. In addition, the neighbor across the alley from the virtual barn who has had to suffer the brunt of the many inconveniences caused by this “conversion”,  has put up his own parking notification sign. His sign sets out the city’s zoning requirements for a parking space.

In the meantime, the Zillow posting for the property no longer claims the property has two parking spaces but instead indicates there is one offsite parking space presumably anywhere the new owner can find a spot on a neighborhood street. I guess that is progress.