At the December 11, 2023 Town Board Meeting the Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Highway Department to move forward with repairs and upgrades to stormwater systems within the Town.  Funding for this project was previously allocated from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA).  In 2022 the Town Board allocated $166,216 in ARPA funds for stormwater improvement.  The allocated funding went unspent in 2022 and 2023, as Supervisor Barrett detailed in his press release at the beginning of the 2024 budget process (see attached link).  Additional funding to cover the current cost of the project will be paid for utilizing Highway Department fund balance, which is money allocated by the Towan Board but unspent by the High Department.

Upgrades to the Stormwater systems will occur in the areas of: Damask Drive, Hazeltine Lane and Saint Andrews Drive, Cypress Point, Wooddale Drive, Thoroughbred Way, LaCosta Drive, Woodcliffe Drive, Pepper Hollow Drive, Berkshire Drive and Brookline Drive.

The process of sliplining will be used to make these repairs.  Sliplining is a trenchless underground pipe rehabilitation technique that involves installing a pipe of a slightly smaller diameter into a larger “host” pipe, then grouting the space between the two and sealing the ends. This process is minimally invasive to the surrounding area and can be completed in almost any weather situation.  The Highway Department will be working with Precision Trenchless to complete the project and we expect them to begin as soon as the new pipes have been delivered.

Documents:
pdf 2024 Preliminary Budget Press Release(250 KB)

SARATOGA COUNTY TO HOLD FREE NARCAN TRAINING & DISTRIBUTION IN CLIFTON PARK THURSDAY, JANUARY 25

Saratoga County will hold a free Narcan training and distribution event on Thursday, January 25^th, from 4pm-7pm at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library in the Town of Clifton Park (475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065). This distribution event is in partnership with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Saratoga County Department of Health, Saratoga County Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Town of Clifton Park, Town of Halfmoon and the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library.

Participants will learn how to recognize an opioid overdose and administer nasal Narcan, which takes approximately 10 minutes. Participants will receive a free Narcan rescue kit, which includes two doses of Narcan, a rescue breathing face shield, a certificate of training, a drug disposal system, and a mental health and substance use disorder resource guide.

Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, is a safe medication that can save someone’s life by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. It only works on opioids, such as heroin, prescription pain medications and fentanyl, but it is safe to use even if opioids are not present. 911 should always be called after administering Naloxone. New York State’s Good Samaritan Law allows people to call 911 without fear of arrest if they are having a drug overdose that requires emergency medical care or if they witness someone overdosing.

Residents who are unable to attend the distribution can register to obtain an overdose rescue kit at www.saratogacountyny.gov/narcan.

The recent winter storm has created a significant amount of tree damage.  Tree debris littering a homeowner’s property following a storm event can be a severe challenge.  Due to this reality, many years ago we initiated a program to assist homeowners who are facing the daunting task of removing tree debris from their property.  The largest cleanup effort of this kind occurred in 2008, when we experienced a devastating ice storm. 

The Town Board is working to institute a curbside, tree debris cleanup service in the near future.  Details will be shared as the information becomes available.  For many years, we have been able to accomplish providing this important service utilizing Town vehicles, equipment and personnel. We have the ability to complete this service in-house, due to the significant investments made by the Town Board over the years to increase our team’s capabilities. 

Please note, tree debris as well as yard waste can be disposed of utilizing the Transfer Station, for Clifton Park residents.  There is no fee to drop off this debris during the year.  If you do not have a Transfer Station permit, please provide your driver’s license to the person in the booth as you enter the bottom portion of the facility.       

We have been following the recent growth in stories about squatters in different areas of the country assuming control of properties without an oral or written lease agreement and no invitation from the property owner to be present in the home. New York has experienced some of the most concerning examples of people entering a property and taking control of the home. Clearly the laws in place that pertain to this subject, to the extent the laws exist, are inadequate. Unless it is the intention of government entities to allow people who invade personal property to rival the rightful property owners for control of the property, more legislation is necessary from state governments.

I have asked our Town Attorneys to draft legislation for the Town Board to consider. We now have a draft Local law and accompanying Property Owner Affidavit as we move the process forward with a sense of urgency. I have also asked the Town and County Attorneys to collaborate on this effort allowing both levels of government to benefit from this process. As Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, I intend to also have legislation for the Board of Supervisors to consider. Many of my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors are actively involved with assessing potential legislative options, due to their concern for their communities and the entire County. Working together I am confident we will have a final result that will protect all Clifton Park and County property owners from the concerning trend of property invasion.

Invading properties is now becoming a structured business endeavor. People are organizing to identify target properties and recruiting people to invade the identified property in a coordinated effort. We will aggressively work toward implementing solid legislation that will withstand challenges to the law that are sure to occur and allow our law enforcement to provide effective enforcement.

Public Statement Regarding Sports Leagues Employment
Of
Individuals Under 14 Years Of Age

Supervisor Barrett has been made aware of a very concerning situation involving sports leagues and organizations in Saratoga County and undoubtedly throughout New York State. The NYS Department of Labor has conducted at least one recent, multi-month audit of organizations that provide competitive sports opportunities for multiple age levels of youth sports. The audit made it clear sports leagues, or any other type of organization cannot employ individuals under the age of 14. In the context of sports, referees, umpires or field judges under the age of 14 are not allowed to be employed to serve in these capacities. Fines have been levied and the audit also ordered back pay to dozens of youth referees who have served in past years.

We understand rules are in place and must be followed by all organizations. However, many leagues and organizations related to sports utilize youth under 14 to oversee competitive games. This has been true for decades. For many organizations, most of their referees are under the age of 14. The referees are trained, learn responsibility, gain experience and are able to make a few bucks. If sports organizations can no longer have referees under the age of 14, it will severely limit their ability to offer competitive opportunities for our children. We often hear there is generally a severe shortage of referees for all levels of youth sports. The inability to utilize referees under the age of 14, will further minimize the pool of referees and place youth sports in a very compromised position.

NYS law pertaining to the employment of individuals under the age of 14, provides exceptions including for child models, child performers, newspaper delivery and farm work. We urge NYS to also include an exemption for referees, umpires and field judges. We understand all other rules currently in place relating to the employment of people in NYS, should be followed. By adding this exception to NYS law our sports organizations across the state can continue to maximize competitive opportunities for our children, while having the confidence they are following the law. We also ask any financial penalties collected by NYS due to audits conducted on sports organizations, based on their use of referees under the age of 14 be returned to the organizations by NYS.

We thank our NYS legislators, DOL leadership and Governor Hochul in advance for their consideration as they review this vital issue. Town Supervisor Phil Barrett and Deputy Supervisor Anthony Morelli both have children who worked in these capacities. They are keenly aware of the benefit to their children, the sports leagues and competitors in the program resulting from the opportunity to serve as a referee at a young age.

I recently released a public statement involving a very important issue that will severely hamper the ability for youth sports organizations to provide competitive play for our young athletes in Saratoga County and New York State. The issue involves the ability of youth sports organizations to employ referees, umpires and game officials who are under the age of 14, which has been a practice for decades. The New York State Department of Labor recently conducted at least one audit of a local organization that resulted in approximately $7,000 in fines. According to Channel 10 News, the Department of Labor described the review as an investigation. My request to our New York State Legislature and Governor was to include an exemption in New York State law for referees, umpires and game officials under the age of 14, to be employed lawfully. Currently New York State allows employment exemptions for child models, child performers, newspaper delivery and farm work for individuals under 14. An exemption for our youth to continue to officiate games is desperately needed if we are to continue to enjoy the extensive opportunities for competitive play offered by organizations across our communities.

I also requested the New York State Department of Labor return the money collected in fines for any youth sports organization that has been audited or investigated. These organizations are managed by volunteers, who dedicate their time and effort to oversee their operations. Many people and I are very hopeful legislation submitted by elected officials in the New York State Legislature to add this exemption, will become a reality.

I would like to thank the Department of Labor for reaching a common sense decision and returning the money collected in fines back to at least one organization. $7,000 is a significant sum of money for a youth sports organization. I am hopeful there will now be additional momentum to move forward with the legislative remedy that would add an employment exemption and solve this issue once and for all.

As local communities, we need to consistently encourage and offer additional opportunities for our youth to engage in positive activities. I understand some parents do not want their children to be a game official in this age bracket. As parents, we make many decisions about the type of activities, sports and endeavors we want our children to pursue or avoid. These are personal decisions. For individuals who pursue the chance to be a game official, take the time to be trained and assist youth sports by their presence, this option should not be eliminated.