Ballston Spa meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ballston Spa board approves county RFP response, housing resolution, and new fire truck contract

The Ballston Spa Board of Trustees approved a response to a county request for proposals aimed at keeping county offices in the village, along with a Pro-Housing Community Resolution and new wireless tower leases. The board also authorized a contract for a new fire pumper truck and approved routine vouchers.

Board of Trustees (July 27)

The board approved a response to the county's RFP to retain county offices. It also approved a Pro-Housing Community Resolution and lease agreements with Verizon and T-Mobile for a village-owned monopole. Verizon will pay $2,350 per month, T-Mobile $2,600 per month. The board authorized a purchase contract for a 14-1 pumper truck from Bulldog, contingent on state procurement and a permissive referendum.

The board approved a $47,950 street tree maintenance contract with Earth Care, Inc., and an additional $2,500 retainer for Fisher Associates for zoning code work. It approved the Abstract of Audited Vouchers totaling $226,686.29, which includes insurance renewals, pickleball court resurfacing, and fuel purchases. A $5,546.37 repair claim for a fire department vehicle was also approved.

Other actions included a water hookup for Ballston Spa Carpet and Tile at 2128-2130 Doubleday Avenue, a street closure for a Saratoga250 ceremony, and appointments to the Ethics Board. The board also reviewed invoices for equipment and services, including a $7,497 rental agreement for Family Fun Day bounce houses and a $9,200 leaf box for the DPW dump truck.

Historic District Commission (July 29)

The commission reviewed an application to construct a residence at 101 West High Street, a proposed change to the appeal process, and discussed plaquing of buildings.

Zoning Board of Appeals (July 29)

The board considered two variance requests. One from Neale Petrillo for 64 East Grove Street seeks relief for a first-floor garage and second-floor dwelling, including a 13-foot front yard setback and a 5,136-square-foot lot size variance. Another from Sabrina Thibado for the same address requests a north-side setback variance (8 feet vs. required 12 feet) and a height variance for a 660-square-foot accessory building.

Ethics Committee (July 31)

The committee met to select a chairperson and a minutes-taker, discuss any complaints, and set the next meeting date.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days.

Ballston Spa Board Approves Pro-Housing Resolution, Wireless Leases, and $226,686 in Vouchers

The Ballston Spa Board of Trustees approved a Pro-Housing Community Resolution, wireless carrier lease agreements, and a response to a county RFP during its July 27 meeting, according to agenda summaries. Minutes for all recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes described below reflect agenda summaries rather than finalized minutes.

Pro-Housing Resolution and Wireless Leases Approved

The Board approved a Pro-Housing Community Resolution authorizing a letter of intent to the state Office of Homes and Community Renewal. The board also approved lease agreements for Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile Wireless to relocate antennas from the John Street Water Tower to a village-owned monopole. Under the approved terms, Verizon will pay $2,350 per month and T-Mobile will pay $2,600 per month, with 10% rent increases at each renewal. Both leases carry 5-year initial terms with three 5-year renewals. Each carrier would pay one-third of new tower construction and water tower coating costs, sharing equally with AT&T. The board also approved Nationwide Programmatic Agreement Co-location Criteria Verification Forms for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, and approved an application for a Metropolitan Commercial Bank credit card for the Village.

County Offices, Equipment Purchases, and Ethics Board Appointments

The Board approved a response to a County RFP aimed at keeping county offices in Ballston Spa. Equipment purchases included a custom leaf box for a DPW dump truck at $9,200 from Michael's Automotive, $3,515 in equipment from Smith Controls, 10 ProCoder water meters for $1,720, and smoke detectors and a phone module for $1,874.10. The board approved a contract with Earth Care to remove seven trees affecting a sewer line along Gordon Creek, not to exceed $3,100.

Five members were appointed to the Ethics Board: Peter Martin (term to 2029), Ellen Mottola (2028), Monique Cohen (2027), Anthony Mainella (2027), and Donald Traver (2026). The board authorized a purchase contract for a 14-1 pumper truck from Bulldog, contingent on state procurement and permissive referendum requirements. Consent agenda approvals included $1,600 for copier maintenance and $1,094.96 for court security officers. The board approved Saratoga County's closure of McMaster Street on July 8, 2026, for a Saratoga250 ceremony.

Vouchers, Tree Contract, and Family Fun Day

The Board considered approving an Abstract of Audited Vouchers totaling $226,686.29 for the period July 14–27, 2026. Items included an Anthem Blue Cross health insurance voucher for $12,061.98, Marshall & Sterling insurance renewals totaling over $150,000, $14,900 to B.D.B Paving & General Contract for pickleball court resurfacing at Kelley Park, $3,982.16 in Pitney Bowes postage charges, and $6,632.58 in WEX Bank fuel purchases.

A street tree maintenance contract with Earth Care, Inc. for $47,950 was on the agenda, along with a water hookup approval for Ballston Spa Carpet and Tile at 2128-2130 Doubleday Avenue, adoption of parking schedules under Village Code 192, an additional $2,500 retainer for Fisher Associates for zoning code completion, and a $7,497 payment to FUN1 Entertainment for Family Fun Day bounce houses.

A repair estimate of $5,546.37 for rear bumper damage to a 2021 Chevy Tahoe owned by the Ballston Spa Fire Department was also under review.

Park & Tree Board, Historic District, and Zoning Board

The Park & Tree Board met July 21 to discuss tree maintenance on Milton Avenue, in Wiswall Park, and on Low Street, including a request for funds for soil amendments and mulch. The Historic District Commission met July 29 to review an application to construct a residence at 101 West High Street and discuss a proposed change to the appeal process. The Zoning Board of Appeals met the same day to consider variance requests for 64 East Grove Street, including front yard setback relief of 13 feet, side yard setback relief of 4 feet, lot size relief of 5,136 square feet, and lot width relief of 32.5 feet. A separate variance request from Sabrina Thibado for a 660-square-foot accessory building at the same address was also on the agenda.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Ballston Spa Board Eyes Equipment Purchases, Ethics Appointments; Art Fair Set for Aug. 22

The Ballston Spa Board of Trustees' July 13 agenda included equipment purchases totaling more than $19,000, five Ethics Board appointments, and a pumper truck contract, though minutes have not yet been published to confirm outcomes. The Committee on the Arts, meeting July 8, set the Front Street Art Fair for August 22 and approved partial grant funding for the Sounds of Summer concert series.

Board of Trustees — July 13

The Board of Trustees met July 13 with multiple departmental purchases, service contracts, and appointments on the agenda. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are pending confirmation.

Agenda items included:

• Purchase of 10 ProCoder water meters from TI Sales for $1,720.00
• Smoke detectors and phone module upgrades for Eagle Matt-Lee Fire Company for $1,874.10
• DPW equipment from Smith Controls for $3,515.00
• Custom leaf box for the DPW dump truck from Michael's Automotive for $9,200.00
• Tree removal near Gordon Creek sewer line by Earth Care, not to exceed $3,100.00
• Contract for a 14-1 pumper truck from Bulldog
• $1,600 for copier maintenance via Repeat Business
• $1,094.96 for Village Court security officers
• Appointments of Peter Martin, Ellen Mottola, Monique Cohen, Anthony Mainella, and Donald Traver to the Ethics Board
• Closure of McMaster Street on July 8, 2026, for a Saratoga250 ceremony
• Pursuit of Pro-Housing Certification, New York Forward, and a CDBG planning grant for Village Hall ADA accessibility
• Road repair and paving projects, water system maintenance, street lighting, and electrical infrastructure work

Committee on the Arts — July 8

The Committee on the Arts approved June 17 meeting minutes by unanimous consent and set the Front Street Art Fair for August 22, 12–4 p.m., rain or shine.

The committee approved partial grant funding for the Sounds of Summer concert series, with a village supplement required to cover full costs. The COA website and email were renewed through GoDaddy at a village cost of $6,250 plus $4,250 in rollover funds.

Other items discussed:

• Holiday banner budget estimated at just under $2,000
• Requested zoning guidance from Trustee DuBuque for a potential Russell's Deli mural; a special permit may be needed
• Iron Spring Park renovations deferred until after the September–October concert series

Coming Up

The Zoning Board of Appeals meets July 29 at the Ballston Spa Library. The board will approve minutes from its April 29, 2026 meeting and consider two variance requests for 64 East Grove Street:

• **Neale Petrillo** seeks to construct a first-floor garage and second-floor dwelling unit, requiring four area variances: front yard setback relief of 13 feet, side yard setback relief of 4 feet, minimum lot size relief of 5,136 square feet, and minimum lot width relief of 32.5 feet. Application fee: $100.00.
• **Sabrina Thibado** proposes a 660-sq-ft accessory building with two off-street parking spaces, raising total building coverage to 16.9% of the 4,864-sq-ft parcel. Variances are requested for the north-side setback (proposed 8 ft vs. required 12 ft) and building height. The east-side setback of 62.6 ft exceeds the required 5 ft, and other setbacks meet code.