By Warren Evans
During the lockdown, there is some good news.
Pollution levels during the height of the pandemic lockdown fell dramatically because of the lack of economic activity and the interruption of worldwide travel.
The question is this: As we recover from the pandemic, is there anything we as individuals can do to maintain these low pollution levels with little or no sacrifice?
We believe the answer is yes, it is possible. On a personal level, while you were locked down you probably noticed many great things about your home, on the other hand, if you’re like me you also saw a lot of things you needed to fix or change. You can start out by getting a home comfort and energy assessment and completing the recommended solutions. That’s the way each of us can begin to lock in some of the benefits of the low pollution levels we saw during the lockdown and help to achieve an overall sustainable and resilient global recovery.

On the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, the state is involved in an effort to stabilize and preserve the childhood home of prominent 19th century women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony in Washington County.
The work at the 1832 two-story brick home on Route 29 in Battenville, where Anthony lived from ages 13 to 19, includes repairs to the roof, masonry and drainage, as well as mold remediation and water damage.
“New York has been the birthplace to many of the progressive movements that have left an indelible mark on our society while pushing the nation forward and particularly for women’s suffrage, which began at Seneca Falls and included legendary New Yorkers such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and so many more,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, we must also recognize there is more work to be done.”

The Gideon Putnam hotel in Saratoga Spa State Park re-opened Aug. 1 with the implementation of a comprehensive health and safety program.
The hotel has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials said the hotel has adopted the Rest Assured—Commitment to Care program, developed by Delaware North, which operates the Gideon Putnam for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. It features new health and safety standards aimed at helping keep guests and employees safe while slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our guests and employees, and our Rest Assured program is focused on that,” said John Howard, general manager of the Gideon Putnam for Delaware North. “We’ve re-engineered our operating procedures to minimize contact risk and bolstered hygiene protocols to meet or exceed best-practice guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
The Gideon Putnam suspended service on March 23.
The Rest Assured program standards and procedures include:
• Ensuring our operating standards uphold current social distancing guidelines as directed by local and state regulators and in compliance with the CDC.

By Christine Graf
Hudson Valley Community College is responding to the skilled labor shortage in the area and across the state by pursuing plans to build a new $65 million facility for skilled trades education.
The proposed 130,000-square-foot Applied Technology Education Center (ATEC) will allow the college to expand its training of the skilled technical workforce.
A capital campaign is underway, and a concept plan of the project has been prepared by JMZ Architects and Planners of Glens Falls.
Construction of ATEC, a net energy zero building, is in the planning phase. The architectural bidding process will begin in one to two months.

By Lisa Balschunat
Three area families from the Capital District have teamed up to develop plans for the construction of an athletic and community center on Route 146 in Halfmoon.
Since 2016, Chris and Andrea Litchfield, Joyce and Grantley McLeod, and Erin and Tom Huerter, have had visions of creating a sports and community center in their neighborhood. Now, collectively, they have created an $11.7 million project proposal with hopes of it becoming a community hub.
The project also includes the Heurters’ son, Kevin, forward/guard of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. A 2016 Shenendehowa graduate he was a standout at the University of Maryland and a first-round NBA draft pick in 2018.
“This isn’t a big corporate effort,” Andrea said. “It’s three local families investing in a much needed athletic and community center. We want it to be a place all, from newborns to seniors.”
It would be called Impact Athletic Center.

By Andrea Harwood Palmer
The Adirondack Trust Co. Community Fund has created a Monopoly board game, specific to Saratoga Springs, is being sold to benefit nonprofits in the area.
The game—based on the classic board game played by millions over decades—is currently for sale in hotels and retail locations throughout Saratoga.
“This was primarily an effort on the part of our own community outreach managers, Leah Ferrone and Caroline Putnam, who work with the Community Fund; Rob Ward, who recently retired, and the board members of the Community Fund,” said Celia Vincek, digital marketing assistant at the Adirondack Trust Co.
“Caroline has been down in the trenches with Leah and Rob, working on this project. Brian Straughter (Community Fund chair) has been a huge advocate for this project as well,” she said.
Putnam was chair of the Community Fund at the time of project implementation. She is now the board treasurer.
“It started with the Cooley Advertising Firm reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce. Kathleen Fyfe was smart enough to know it would be a heavy lift. The project was brought to Adirondack Trust, in the marketing department, and made its way to Rob Ward and Leah Ferrone, who brought it before the Community Fund,” said Putnam.

The Saratoga Marketplace, an indoor shopping and dining staple in downtown Saratoga Springs, has used the recent economic closure to modify the retail destination.
Updates have included interior and exterior changes to individual stores and common spaces as well as the addition of new and expanded businesses.
The two-story retail arcade has a restored tin ceiling, new interior painting and new lighting throughout. The property will continue with further updates in the coming months. The owners also added safety precautions for customer care while shopping, according to ownership.
A new bright and airy interior coordinates with the updated exterior courtyard complete with new turf lawn, tropical plants and spacious outdoor seating for Comfort Kitchen, the Night Owl and Tatu, the property’s restaurant establishments.