Category Archives: Business News

Saratoga County Attorney Dorsey Is Named President Of Statewide Attorney’s Association

August 3, 2017

Stephen M. Dorsey is president of the County Attorneys’ Association of the State of New York
Courtesy CAASNY

Saratoga County Attorney Stephen M. Dorsey was elected president of the County Attorneys’ Association of the State of New York (CAASNY) during its recent annual meeting.

The association is an organization that represents counties across the state, and helps foster effective government and promotes the science of law.

“It is an honor to serve as president of this esteemed and impactful association,” Dorsey said. “It means a great deal that my work as Saratoga County Attorney has enabled me to take my experience to this statewide organization. I am looking forward to contributing to this group, as well as learning from my colleagues and peers from around the state.”

The association is made up of county attorneys and their assistant county attorneys from throughout New York state. CAASNY centers its attention on constructing professional relationships among county and New York City corporation counsel attorneys in New York state.

Entrepreneur Is Named New Professor Of Business Department At Skidmore College

August 3, 2017August 4, 2017

Guy Mastrion was appointed F. William Harder chair of business at Skidmore College.
Courtesy Skidmore College

Guy Mastrion, entrepreneur and creative industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in brand development, digital strategy, advertising, design, photography and film for global brands, was appointed the ninth F. William Harder chair of business at Skidmore College.

Mastrion is founder and chief creative officer of Brandforming, a multidisciplinary creative organization with expertise in design, campaign and digital work dedicated to the creation and transformation of brands. The firm’s clients represent myriad industries including health and wellness, financial services, entertainment, transportation, consumer/packaged goods, food and beverage, travel, automotive and fashion brands, college officials said.

He is also a founding member of Watershed Bridges, a unique network of partner firms established by experienced industry veterans, and dedicated to connecting for a change in healthcare communications.

Prior to founding Brandforming, Mastrion was a co-founder and chief global creative officer of Palio-Ignite, a worldwide healthcare advertising agency helping to establish and grow inVentiv Health. Palio-Ignite was headquartered in Saratoga Springs and grew to have offices in New York City and Irvine, Calif., plus a network of global agency affiliates.

Guy has also held senior creative positions at leading advertising agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, Bates Worldwide, McCaffrey McCall Partners, Dancer Fitzgerald & Sample and McCann Erickson.

“Guy brings a wealth of practical knowledge, industry expertise, and creative energy to thinking about advertising, branding, and marketing communications,” said Caroline D’Abate, chair of the Department of Management & Business at Skidmore College. “He sees connections between business, psychology, the arts, sciences, history, and so much more, and he brings these connections to life in relevant ways for his clients. We foresee Guy Mastrion becoming an influential and impactful part of the Skidmore community.”

Company Seeks To Build 30 Luxury Condo Units On Henry Street Lot In Saratoga Springs

August 3, 2017

This rendering shows the five-story building with parking garage, floor-to-ceiling glass and a first floor art gallery proposed by Design Logic Architects PC.
Courtesy Design Logic Architects PC

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Robert Bucher Jr. of Design Logic Architects PC is behind a $21 million, 30-unit condominium project in Saratoga Springs.

He said the residential space promises to be something different than Saratoga Springs has seen before. He said the luxury, high-end property will be a crowd pleaser for residents and its neighbors as well.

Construction is scheduled for the spring of 2018 at the 128 Henry St. property that is currently vacant. The project is being reviewed by the Planning Board, but Bucher said no variances are needed for the parcel.

The five-story building will include a parking garage, floor-to-ceiling glass and a first floor art gallery.

“The art gallery and lighting around the building will be spectacular,” said Bucher.

“The condos will be more contemporary than Saratoga is used to. My vision is to create something that is different than the average condominium,” he said.

He said he is hoping to have the residencies filled by the fall. The project has already drawn a lot of interest from people looking to purchase a condo.

Bucher said they will be priced between $599,000 to $830,000.

He said he researched the condo market in Saratoga Springs before he began creating his vision to set the Henry Street location apart from all the current properties in the area.

“It’s a perfect location in a really, really cool part of the city,” said Bucher.

NY Yankee World Series Heroes Among Those Appearing At All-Star Sports Fest On Sept. 23

August 3, 2017

Saratoga Casino Hotel has announced they will be hosting the All-Star Sports Festival on Saturday, Sept. 23. The casino will welcome nearly a dozen professional athletes on the property for a day of fun while raising money for the Ronald McDonald Charities of the Capital Region.

Athletes confirmed to be in attendance include: Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Wade Boggs, Jose Canseco, Lawrence Taylor, Craig Nettles, Mickey Rivers, Otis Anderson, Ron Turcotte, Jean Cruget and Steve Cauthen.

“We are honored to be part of what will be an incredible event and experience for our community,” said Jeff Yule, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Albany. “The money raised will directly benefit our families by keeping them together, and providing for all their needs, as their child battles a life-threatening situation.”

“I look forward to getting together with some of my former teammates and visiting with our fans from upstate New York,” said former New York Yankee world champion Jackson, dubbed Mr. October for his World Series heroics.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. with a ticketed VIP Brunch in Vapor. Tickets are $60 and there is limited space available to the public. During the brunch, guests will be treated to a Question & Answer session with the celebrity athletes, hosted by News Channel 13’s Chris Onorato.

Hudson Headwaters Agency Hires Chief Administrative Officer, Fills Two Other Posts

August 3, 2017

Dominick Bizzaro takes over as president and chief administrative officer on Aug. 1.
Courtesy Hudson Headwaters

Hudson Headwaters Health Network, based in Queensbury, has hired Dominick Bizzaro as president and chief administrative officer.

One of his initial duties will be developing a new “population health division,” which will use data analysis to guide case management and track overall quality of care, officials said.

He will begin Aug. 1.

Bizzaro will work in collaboration with Dr. Tucker Slingerland, a current Hudson Headwaters executive who takes over as chief executive officer on July 1.

Founder and longtime CEO Dr. John Rugge begins a new role on July 1 as executive chairman, as part of the transition to his eventual retirement.

Bizzaro has more than 35 years of experience in health care, currently as executive vice president for business development and informatics at MVP Health Care, a Schenectady-based health insurance company.

The group also announced that Dr. John Sawyer was named chief medical officer and Chris Tournier was named executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer. These appointments are in concert with the Network’s recent strategic planning initiatives.

Saratoga Casino And Capital Fund Of Saratoga County Work To Keep Horse Show In Town

August 3, 2017

The Capital Fund of Saratoga County Inc. and Saratoga Casino Hotel are working to keep the Saratoga Springs Horse Show in Saratoga Springs.

Pending a definitive binding agreement, the three-week show will take place in May 2018 at Saratoga Casino Hotel, officials said.

Going back to 1961, the Saratoga Springs horse show has been a long-standing tradition with equine fans and attended by some of the top equestrian talent in the Northeast.

“Partnering with Saratoga Casino Hotel will benefit all parties involved, including the city of Saratoga Springs,” said Tom Fueston, president of the Capital Fund of Saratoga County. “Our competitors have expressed a desire to keep the show within close proximity to downtown Saratoga, and our plan will accomplish that.”

“We are thrilled to play a part in this project and we look forward to keeping this long running tradition alive in Saratoga Springs,” said Skip Carlson, vice president of external affairs and signature service at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Law Allows Farm Distilleries To Sell Alcohol Products For On-Premises Consumption

August 3, 2017

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in July signed legislation to allow farm distilleries to sell New York state-labelled beer, wine, and cider for consumption on-premises.

“This measure restores parity for New York’s burgeoning craft beverage industry and allows for new revenue streams and exposure for the great brewers, distillers, and wine and cider makers all across this great state,” Cuomo said. “As I’ve said many times, when New Yorkers buy New York-made products, everybody wins.”

Prior to the bill being signed into law, farm distilleries could only sell New York state-labelled spirits for on-premises consumption. Meanwhile, farm breweries, farm cideries and farm wineries all are permitted to sell New York state-labelled beers, wines, spirits and ciders for on-premises consumption.

This new law will amend section 61 of the alcoholic beverage control law to allow farm distilleries to sell New York state-labelled beer, wine and cider for on-premises consumption, effective immediately.

Expanded Entryway At Local Funeral Home Adds To Customer Convenience At Facility

August 3, 2017

Officials attended a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony held to mark the expansion of the entryway and greeting area at Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home in Ballston Lake.

By Maureen Werther

Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, a long-time, family owned and operated business at 21 Midline Road in Ballston Lake, has completed an expansion to its entryway and greeting area.

Director Kathleen Lowes Sanvidge purchased the business and property from brothers Harold and Frank Townley four years ago and recently received her certification from the state as a certified woman-owned business, the only female funeral director in the state to hold this designation.

Her decision to expand upon the existing structure was motivated by a desire to add to the comfort of her clients. It is the second expansion Sanvidge has made since purchasing the business and she is planning additional updates and renovations.

“We’ve expanded the front porch and added a much-needed covered entryway that people can pull up to in their cars. They can also be sheltered by the roofed-in porch,” said Lowes Sanvidge.

City’s Solar Energy Park On Former Landfill Site Should Be Completed By Summer’s End

August 3, 2017

By Maureen Werther

A solar energy project at the former landfill on Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

The solar energy park is part of NYSERDA’s Cleaner Greener Communities program. It was presented to the City Council in 2012 by Sustainable Saratoga and approved by the council in 2014.

The park is supported by a $1.46 million NY-Sun grant the city received in 2013 through NYSERDA. It suffered a series of setbacks, stemming in large part from the bankruptcy of the original vendor, Sun Edison. Following that, Onyx Renewables, headquartered in New York City, stepped in to design, engineer and build a two-megawatt solar array on the landfill.

According to Brian DeMaio, project manager for Onyx Renewable Partners, the solar array will be comprised of approximately 8,000 solar panels atop the former landfill, spanning 43 acres.

Michele Madigan, city Commissioner of Finance, spearheaded the project and said that a ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for some time in the coming weeks.

The city signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) committing it to purchasing all the electricity generated from the park at a fixed price over a 20-year period, according to documents from Sustainable Saratoga.

The solar park is the first phase of a large initiative to develop greener, sustainable energy projects around the city, which will benefit consumers and the city itself, as well as being environmentally responsible, said Madigan.

NYSERDA Makes Program To Help Cities Understand PILOT Solar Project Agreements

August 3, 2017

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has developed a Solar PILOT Toolkit to assist the state’s municipalities in understanding and negotiating payment-in-lieu-of taxes (PILOT) agreements for solar projects larger than 1mw, including community solar projects.

Based on feedback from local government officials and solar industry representatives, NYSERDA developed the toolkit in response to the need for greater information on PILOT agreements as solar projects develop throughout the state, officials said.

The Solar PILOT Toolkit provides a framework for local taxing jurisdictions to negotiate payment agreements with solar developers. In addition to their clean energy and job-creation benefits, solar developments can yield significant financial value to municipalities through PILOT agreement payments, according to NYSERDA.

The toolkit addresses the lack of information on property tax issues around solar development and is designed to enable municipalities to work with developers to negotiate PILOT rates that benefit the community and make the projects financially attractive to developers and their customers.

“The Solar PILOT Toolkit will serve as a vital resource to help municipalities encourage the development of community solar projects and make sure they benefit the entire community,” Alicia Barton, president and CEO, NYSERDA said. “Large-scale solar projects provide a great opportunity for communities across the state to take advantage of clean, renewable energy while advancing Gov. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy.”

New York state is undertaking significant changes in the way it generates and delivers electricity. As one example, community solar projects allow electric customers who are not able to install solar panels on their properties to own or subscribe to a portion of a community solar project, and benefit from the cost savings of clean generation.