Saratoga Business Journal

Mold Problems In Homes And Businesses Can Be Alleviated By Qualified Professionals

September 11, 2017

Bio Armor in Ballston Spa addresses a mold situation in an attic space.
Courtesy Bio Armor

By Jennifer Farnsworth

One thing homeowners don’t want to hear is, “you have mold.”

Area professionals can provide help with a series of steps to remove mold from a home.

“The most important thing for a homeowner or business owner to first understand is that there are steps to mold remediation,” said Mario Gonzalez, of Bio Armor in Ballston Spa.

He said before the mold can be removed, a “mold assessor” has to first meet with the homeowner to determine if there is mold and how it can be removed.

“The most important things to know is that once you find it, you have to determine the reason, fix it, remove the mold and cleanup and then monitor it,” said Bob Serafini of Quick Response Restoration in Round Lake. “Have proper ventilation, use dehumidifiers if necessary and work with a trusted professional.”

Serafini said many times people don’t realize they even have mold issues until they go to sell their home and an inspector discovers the problem.

Once this is determined, the property owner is given a report. They can then contact a mold remediation specialist to take care of the problem. Gonzalez said the assessor’s report protects the homeowner and the company removing the mold, ensuring there is no discrepancy regarding the severity of the problem.

Bold Colors Are Said To Be A Trend In Homes, Say Owners Of Local Interior Design Companies

September 11, 2017April 26, 2019

This is a gallery wall designed by Julie Maleski Putzel, of JMP Interiors in Clifton Park. She has been serving clients in the area for 16 years.
Courtesy JMP Interiors

By Maureen Werther

Interior designers and home décor studios in Saratoga County are producing some of the hottest designs and furnishings in the Capital District.

Bold colors is one trend, said Jamie Davies, who, with her mother, Janet Longe, owns 23rd and Fourth design studio at 138 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs, in the new Empire Run commercial and residential complex.

“Navy is the new black,” said Davies, adding that people will see bold pops of color cropping up in walls and accessories in rooms throughout the home. Unexpected places will include kitchen appliances, sinks, oven hoods and wall coverings.

Traditional oriental floor coverings are being paired with modern wall art, lighting fixtures and clean minimalist lines in furnishings, cabinetry and other architectural designs. Those trends will be big in 2018, according to Longe.

Textured wall coverings are also making a return, she said. The newer papers are textured and imprinted with designs reflective of the more contemporary stylized images that are more influenced by technology and digitalized graphic art.

Business Report: What Does Security Mean?

September 11, 2017

Richard Ruzzo, managing partner, COO, Shepherd Communication and Security.
Courtesy Shepherd Communication and Security.

By Richard Ruzzo

When I hear that phrase from a new customer, I know from more than 13 years of experience in the communications and security business that it often means very different things to different people.

The term, “security,” has become a catchword encompassing a range of different issues and challenges being faced by the homeowner or business owner today.

As an expert in access control, surveillance, perimeter alarm systems, and “smart” home/office solutions, it’s my job to ask the right questions and drill down to what that potential customer really needs to make his/her home or business safe and secure.

For most people, “security” usually means cameras, which really means surveillance. Cameras are a great way to protect your business against costly things like shrinkage (employee or customer theft), low employee productivity, or unnecessary and sometimes nefarious insurance claims for trips and falls at your business or home.

Those issues usually occur inside the business or home. But, what about things that happen outside of your office building or home? For some customers, “security” may mean monitoring and protecting against what’s going on outside of the office or home. Has someone been spending too much time “aimlessly” wandering around your business perimeter or residence? Are they looking for patterns in your comings and goings? Are they, in fact, “casing” your home or business for future unlawful entry?

State Has Funds For Installation Of Heat Pump Systems For Homes And Businesses Statewide

September 11, 2017

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced the availability of $10 million for the installation of program-qualified air-source heat pump systems (ASHPs) in homes and businesses across New York state.

Part of a larger statewide strategy focused on renewable heating and cooling, the initiative is the first component of an ASHP sales and training program aimed at increasing the availability of these units in the marketplace.

Officials said while ASHPs have been used in warmer climates as an efficient cooling system, recent advances in technology have been incorporated into new models allowing them to meet both the heating and cooling needs for customers in colder climates like New York.

Air source heat pumps provide energy bills savings as well as environmental benefits. Increased use of this technology supports the state’s energy goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.

Alicia Barton, president and CEO, NYSERDA, said the state “continues to drive broader adoption of clean technologies, including air- source heat pumps, to help lower energy bills, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. This funding will help make energy more affordable for New Yorkers.”

ASHPs collect heat from the exterior air, concentrate it through an outdoor compressor, and distribute it inside through an indoor room unit. Heat pumps require electricity to run, but deliver more energy than they use. In the summer, a heat pump’s operation is reversed to air condition the home by moving heat from indoors to outdoors.

According to the Department of Energy, when properly installed, ASHPs can deliver one-and-a-half to three times more heat energy to a home than the electricity it consumes. High-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling in summer months.

Upstate Transit Of Saratoga Says Trolley Tours This Summer Had Success; To Return In 2018

September 11, 2017

Craig LaFave, outside manager of Upstate Transit of Saratoga LLC, says the trolley service in Saratoga Springs had a successful summer season. Two trolleys took customers on tours of the city.

By Maureen Werther

Upstate Transit of Saratoga LLC has just completed its trolley service in and around Saratoga Springs. According to Craig LaFave, outside manager for the company, it was a success.

LaFave said service ran through the month of August. It consisted of two trolleys taking customers on tours of the city. The route included visits to Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Casino Hotel, many of the Victorian homes in town and the historic springs.

Upstate Transit, whose parent company is Brown Coach, is encouraged by its inaugural success.

“We purchased two trolleys, to be used for tours as well as chartered events,” said LaFave, who has been with Upstate for 25 years.

The tours were held on Tuesdays during August and they took approximately two hours to complete.

35th Annual Summer Gala Raises More Than $370,000 To Aid Community Health Center

September 11, 2017

Dr. Joseph Bell, back left, Saratoga Hospital CEO Angelo Calbone, back right, pose with Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson at the 35th annual summer gala fundraiser.
Courtesy Saratoga Hospital

The 35th annual summer gala for Saratoga Hospital raised $371,184, event officials said.

More than 1,080 people attended the summer event.

The annual gala is a major source of support for Saratoga Community Health Center, which provides primary care, dental and behavioral health services to the Saratoga community, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. This year, the center added addiction medicine services to address escalating needs in the region.

Of the total raised, about $320,000 will be directed to the health center.

Officials said a surprise $50,000 gift from Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, in honor of Dr. Joseph W. Bell, a surgeon at Saratoga Hospital and current president of the Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, will support surgical services at Saratoga Hospital. The gift was made in honor of Dr. Bell’s 50th birthday.

Business Report: How To Choose A Health Plan

September 11, 2017

Jason Bowman, employee benefits consultant, Capital Financial Group Inc.
Courtesy Capital Financial Group Inc.

By Jason Bowman

If you are like most people who find choosing a health plan confusing and stressful, rest assured that a little homework can help make the decision process easier.

When it comes to insurance, unfamiliarity can lead to choices that may not suit you best. But the good news is you get a “do-over” annually during open enrollment.

A good place to start is understanding common health insurance-related terms, such as the “metal” levels of bronze, silver, gold and platinum. It kind of sounds like the Olympics, minus all the excitement.

The idea behind these descriptions is to give you, as the prospective insured, an idea of how costs will be shared between you and your insurer. You will receive the same standard health services regardless of the level, but your cost-share will vary depending on which level you select.

Bronze level means 60 percent is the insurance carrier’s share, 40 percent is your share. Silver level is 70 percent/30 percent; gold level, 80 percent/20 percent; and platinum, 90 percent/10 percent.

To keep it simple, a bronze plan, in most cases will have the same exact network of healthcare providers and prescription drug coverage as that of a platinum plan. The noticeable difference among all levels will be the premiums and the cost of services at time of usage. Simply stated, pay less in premiums and you’ll pay more out-of-pocket at the time of service.

Business Report: Workplace Wellness Plans

September 11, 2017

Suzanne Smith is a senior counsel of Bond, Schoeneck & King.
Courtesy Bond, Schoeneck & King

By Suzanne Smith

With so much uncertainty about the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers may be in a holding pattern with respect to their health insurance plan design. And, this is understandable.

While waiting to see what healthcare changes are coming under President Trump’s administration, employers will generally want to maintain the status quo.

But, with the increasing costs of health insurance premiums, co-pays, and deductibles as well as the increase in the cost of prescription drugs, employers may be wondering what they can do to help employees with their healthcare circumstances.

One strategy that many employers are considering is a workplace wellness program. The theory is that if a wellness program helps employees improve their health, then the wellness program may help employees control their health care spending.

A workplace wellness program is a plan designed to promote health or prevent disease. Generally, the wellness program will be incorporated into your employer group medical plan and offered to the medical plan participants or integrated into your employee assistance program (EAP) and offered to all employees.

Many wellness programs offer some kind of reward to encourage employees to participate or achieve a particular health goal. However, a reward system is not a required component of a wellness program, and many programs do not offer any reward whatsoever.

Tickets Are Available For Showcase Of Homes

September 11, 2017

Tickets for the 2017 Saratoga Showcase of Homes are on sale. They are available at Adirondack Trust, Saratoga National Bank & Trustco Bank locations; Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa and Queensbury; Realty USA in Clifton Park; Roohan Realty and Bonacio Construction in Saratoga Springs. Tickets are also available at any showcase home during tour...

TV Pact Is Extended For Saratoga Race Course

September 11, 2017

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has reached a three-year extension of its television programming deal with FOX Sports to broadcast NYRA’s flagship TV program “Saratoga Live” on the FS2 channel. The agreement means live daily coverage of racing from Saratoga Race Course will be available to a national television audience through 2020. “There’s...