Northway Exit 16 Self Storage Offers Climate Controlled Units, Around-The-Clock Access

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Tom Samascott, left, and son Wayne Samascott, recently built a new climate-controlled storage center on Ballard Road, near Northway Exit 16.
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Rachel Phillips

The father and son team of Tom and Wayne Samascott recently built a new climate-controlled storage center o n Ballard Road, near Northway Exit 16.

Northway Exit 16 Self Storage offers clients a convenient access as it is  located just 1,000 feet down from the exit.

Tom and Wayne Samascott are president and vice president, respectively, of Malta Development Co. They opened the storage center in March.

“I have been interested in doing self-storage for the past several years and the opportunity to by this project came along,” Wayne Samascott said. “We liked the location. Ballard Road gets a lot of traffic.”

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New OrbitalFire Security Service Is Launched To Help Small Businesses

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Reg Harnish is the chief operating officer of OrbitalFire, a cybersecurity business.
Courtesy Reg Harnish

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

OrbitalFire, a managed security service provider headquartered in Queensbury, launched a  new service platform in early June. It is designed to help small businesses.

“OrbitalFire provides cybersecurity solutions specially designed for small and medium-sized businesses, including regulatory compliance, risk management, assessment, training, security monitoring and other services that have traditionally been available only to enterprises,” according to CEO Reg Harnish.

“Cybersecurity is confusing for most businesses—they don’t know where to start. Our goal at OrbitalFire is to redefine cybersecurity for small businesses. Your small to medium business doesn’t look like Target, or Walmart, or Boeing. So you shouldn’t think about cybersecurity in the same way they do,” he said.

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Thermal Camera Screening System Can Detect Elevated Body Temperaturess

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Richard Ruzzo, managing partner, co-founder of Shepherd Communication & Security.

By Susan E. Campbell

Shepherd Communication & Security, an electronic security and structured wiring integrator, is helping client companies stop coronavirus “at the front door” by offering thermal cameras it says that screen people for elevated body temperature before they step into a business.

“Thermal imaging is a fairly mature technology that came out of the military 45 years ago,” said Richard Ruzzo, managing partner, who founded the company with Robert Guillerault in 2007. “Infrared thermal imaging today has a broad variety of medical applications for screening and diagnosing a patient in real time.”

Ruzzo said elevated body temperature  levels (EBT ) are being captured extensively with cameras and scanners by first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“EBT is highly correlated with sickness,” he said. “Identifying individuals with EBT as an early warning can dramatically slow the spread of viruses and infections,” he said.

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State Parks Taking Camping Reservations; Health, Distancing Guidelines Are In Place

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The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation began accepting new camping reservations as of June 8, for check-in beginning June 22.

Officials said campers are reminded to practice social distancing, bring and wear a face covering, respect the rules, and do their part to keep the campgrounds, parks and beaches open and safe for everyone. Camping capacity is limited and visitors must make an advance reservation before arriving at a campground.

Reservations are expected to fill quickly. Reservations can be made in advance by calling toll free 1-800-456-CAMP or by visiting newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Online reservations are encouraged.

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Retirement Planning Group, Setup For Video Conferences Pre-Pandemic, Moves Its Offices

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By Jill Nagy

Retirement Planning Group LLC, has been on the move, both physically and technologically, this year.

In January, they moved their Saratoga County office from Saratoga Springs to a building on Route 9 in Malta. More recently, the company moved its Glens Falls offices to 238 Bay Road from a previous space on Glen Street.

Both moves resulted in larger buildings and better parking facilities, according to James Corcoran. In Malta, for example, there is space for two or three more offices.

At the same time, working with PrimeLink, the company increased the technology in the conference rooms, created an audio studio for podcasts and radio broadcasts, and installed an internet-based telephone system. The new system allowed employees to take their telephones home and work from there.

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Business Report: Estate And Tax Planning During COVID-19

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Jennifer M. Boll of Bond, Schoenecke and King PLCC.

By Jennifer M. Boll, Esq.

In the last several months, we have seen the drastic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on our health, way of living and the economy. While these times may feel uncertain, there are still many factors in your control and even opportunities for those who seek them out. This is especially true as it relates to your estate and tax plan.

The current environment of low interest rates and depressed asset values presents several unique estate planning opportunities for individuals to make the most of their hard-hit assets and leverage the transfer of wealth and business interests.  There are a few items to consider.

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Business Report: Explaining The 2020 W-4 Form

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Jeannine Dubiac, FPC is a partner at Priority One Payroll in Malta.

BY JEANNINE DUBIAC, FPC

Employers be aware. The IRS has updated the 2020 Form W-4 Employee’s Withholding Certificate.

This new version of the W-4 form is required for all new hires in 2020 and for employees who want to make a change to their withholding for 2020. Employees hired prior to Jan. 1 are not required to submit a new form.

This new 2020 W-4 form will look different! There is no longer the ability to select withholding allowances to account for additional income, deductions and tax credits. The new form include lines where employees can enter those amounts directly that will be used in calculating the withholding amount.

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Business Report: Making Sure Employees Are Ready For Reopening

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James Marco, president of Saratoga Human Resources Solutions Inc Courtesy

By James Marco

I find it exciting that more and more conversations and news stories are talking about re-opening the economy.  I know that I’m ready to get back “out there” and start meeting people again.  I have my PPE and I’m ready to go.

Maybe you have been able to keep your business open, or maybe you have been able to keep your folks busy while working remote. If you have been shut down, then re-opening has some challenges that you’ll need to address.

This piece won’t focus on all of the legal requirements for re-opening. All the rules that were there before the pandemic still apply (Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, OSHA to name a few), as do some new rules under FFCRA, the CARES Act, and others.

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Developer Plans 20-Unit Apartment Complex In Saratoga Springs Costing About $4 Million

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This is a rendering of a $4 million, 29-unit apartment complex planned by developer Richard Askew on Station Lane in Saratoga Springs.
Courtesy Richard Askew

By Christine Graf

Developer Richard Askew is in the process of choosing a contractor for a $4 million, 29-unit apartment complex on Station Lane in Saratoga Springs.

The complex will be built on an 8.43-acre parcel of land that Askew purchased in 2017 for $165,000. It is located just west of a two-acre parcel that was purchased by local entrepreneur Russ Faden. Faden and real estate developer Scott Lansing are already seeking approval from the city to build a 50-unit apartment and retail complex on the property.

“We are in the process of choosing a contractor, and that should happen within the next three months,” said Askew, who owns Rondack Building Inspections in Schenectady, .

The project has approval from the Planning Board and is awaiting final approval from the city  Design Review Commission.

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Area Builders Continue Projects After ‘Pause’ Order; Next Year’s Season Is In Question

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MLB Construction has continued building a two-tired concession building at SPAC.

by Lisa Balschunat

Elated about New York state’s relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions as it proceeds with reopening the economy in phases, Tom Albrecht, president of Hilltop Construction Co., said “I’m digging holes again and playing in the dirt.” 

His company ran a bare-bones crew on a few jobs deemed essential businesses by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office during the state’s Pause. But Hilltop and other area builders are moving on with projects that came to a halt due to the pandemic.

“Hilltop had a few essential jobs, so we were able to continue working on some projects,” Albrecht said. “During the Pause we signed over $3 million worth of work. This year we are booked with contracts.  Next year, I think the economic impact will be felt.  I am an optimist, but also a realist.  When the dust settles, our region will be affected.  Some businesses won’t open long term or at all. The impact will be great.” 

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