Saratoga Business Journal

HealthPlex Fitness, Over 30 Years, Has Moved To More Specialized Programs For Customers

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Michael Kurkowski, fitness professional, works with a young athlete at HealthPlex Fitness in Clifton Park, a specialized fitness facility offering customized programs.

By Jill Nagy

HealthPlex Fitness in Clifton Park, one of the area’s first private fitness centers, is still going strong after 30 years.

Over the years, it has morphed into a specialized fitness facility offering customized programs for young athletes, middle-aged and older folks getting back into shape, and people recovering from illness or injury.

Recently, HealthPlex started a partnership with physical therapists from OrthoNY , an orthopedic medicine practice, in a program called MedX. The focus is on “functional movement,” according to HealthPlex manager Steve Kerkowski.

The program is designed for people who have completed physical therapy but still need to go somewhere to build strength and improve overall physical fitness.

“If the doctors don’t have to fix things or refer a patient to physical therapy, they send them to us to screen and develop a program of corrective exercise,” he said.

Southern Saratoga YMCA Upgrades Wellness Center With New Equipment And A Face-lift

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Jeanette Lang, a personal trainer at the Southern Saratoga YMCA, works with a customer in the facility’s wellness center, which has upgraded its equipment.

By Jill Nagy

Members of the Southern Saratoga YMCA have been enjoying an upgraded wellness center, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Capital District YMCA.

The branch, at 1 Wall St. in Clifton Park, was one of three chosen for upgrading. The others are Guilderland and East Greenbush. Funds for the upgrades came from membership dues from the Capital District YMCA, of which Southern Saratoga is a part. There was no separate fundraising campaign.

The Clifton Park facility was built in 1994. The project was the first major renovation of its wellness center, according to Executive Director Sarah Heslin.

In the process, the exercise machines were replaced. New flooring and ceiling tiles were installed, along with energy-saving lights. Everything received a fresh coat of paint.

In addition to the machines, which can be programmed for each user’s needs, the center has an area equipped with free weights.

CORE Insurance Consultants Opens Office In Clifton Park; Offers Varied Coverages, Services

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Cory O’Brien opened his own agency, CORE Insurance Consultants.

By Jill Nagy

After 11 years in the insurance business, Cory O’Brien has opened his own agency at 1539 Crescent Road in Clifton Park.

The company, CORE Insurance Consultants, sells property and casualty insurance, provides home, auto and business coverage, and can also provide a life or health insurance policy if necessary.

O’Brien represent three insurance companies. His main supplier is Erie Insurance Group. He also sells policies from Travelers and Progressive insurance companies.

Business Report: Become Familiar With Benefit Packages

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Rose Miller is president of Pinnacle Human Resources LLC.

Courtesy Pinnacle Human Resources LLC

By Rose Miller

Benefits are a very important issue for current and potential employees. In past years, surveys show employees place a higher importance in health insurance than even wages.

The representative of management needs to be knowledgeable about all the organization’s policies and benefits programs. Although administering benefits and explaining all the details is usually the job of human resources, employers need to know basic information about employee benefits for a variety of important reasons.

First, a small employer may not have an HR department and employees will look to the person who handed them the large packet of information to answer complex questions. Even some HR departments are not a part of the benefits purchasing resulting in large gaps of knowledge regarding plan documents.

Job candidates, during a job interview, are likely to inquire about benefits, and the hiring manager will want to be able to provide decent answers (or the correct answers). Benefits are a selling point when interviewing job applicants.

Business Report: Handling Health Insurance Premium Hikes

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Amelia M. Klein is an attorney with Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC.

Courtesy Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC

By Amelia M. Klein

Health insurance premiums are expected to increase by double-digit percentages for 2017. What are you going to do about it?

Many employers will choose to increase deductibles, co-payments and/or coinsurance amounts in order to reduce the premium cost. This shifts some of the cost of health coverage to employees without violating the “affordability” requirement of the Affordable Care Act.

Under the ACA, an employer health plan is considered to be affordable if the employee’s share of the 2017 premium for individual coverage under the lowest-cost option does not exceed 9.69 percent of the employee’s 2017 W-2 wages, 9.69 percent of the 2017 individual federal poverty line, or 9.69 percent of the employee’s rate of pay multiplied by a 30 hour “full-time” work week.

But employees don’t like cost shifting. To ease their concerns, an employer might offer to reimburse all or a portion of the actual amount of the out-of-pocket costs that the employee is required to pay. However, you can’t just reimburse the expenses on an ad hoc basis as employees come in with their receipts – you must follow one of the three IRS-approved methodologies or there will be some serious tax penalties to pay.

The Health Flexible Spending Account (HSFA) is the least flexible of the options available to reimburse the additional out-of-pocket costs. In addition to the employee’s pre-tax contribution of up to $2,550, the maximum amount that the employer may contribute on behalf of the employee is $500. Contribute more than that, and the FSA will not be exempt from the ACA’s requirements for a full-fledged health plan. Unspent amounts are forfeited after the end of the year, subject to either a $500 maximum carryover or a 2.5-month grace period.

Sherry Hoffman Relocates State Farm Insurance Office Into Larger Space On Geyser Road

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Sherry Hoffman operates her State Farm Insurance office at 415 Geyser Road.

Courtesy Sherry Hoffman

By Jill Nagy

Sherry Hoffman cut the ribbon in August on the new home of her Ballston Spa State Farm Insurance agency at 415 Geyser Road.

The actual move took place earlier in the year but, she noted, it took a few months to complete the signage and get organized.

The new office is across the street from her former office space in the Country Club Plaza. However, the new space is some 500 square feet larger, meaning there is now room for a computer for her part-time assistant and room to expand her business, she said.

The new site is a free-standing building.

HVAC Industry Professionals See Technology Improvements Leading To Lower Utility Bills

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

John V. Bove, left, CFO of G. A. Bove and Sons says customer service is a priority.

By Susan E. Campbell

Trends in the heating, cooling and insulation fields and the sciences behind them project lower costs and greater efficiency, say the experts.

John V. Bove Jr., CFO of G. A. Bove and Sons Inc. of Mechanicville, said his company is experiencing an uptick in propane systems and delivery, especially in new residential construction.

“Propane is very versatile,” said Bove. “The fuel is very similar to natural gas, but gas lines have to stop somewhere.”

A new residential neighborhood may not have been piped for natural gas, although the utility may add lines later on. Meanwhile, propane gas has diverse uses, including heating, hot water, cooking, cooling, fireplace inserts, outdoor grills and fire pits, even for heating the pool, Bove said.

“It’s one source for winter, summer and everything in between,” said Bove.

Among older homes or businesses, it is an easy conversion to propane or natural gas as older oil furnaces reach their life expectancy.

“Schools used to use oil, but it was not good for the environment. You cannot retrofit an old number six boiler, so the schools converted to gas or propane, which was cleaner and cheaper,” Bove said.

National Grid Gets Approval For Project In Clifton Park To Reduce Electricity Demand

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

National Grid recently received regulatory approval to move ahead with two additional demonstration projects, bringing the total to four diverse initiatives that will test various business models in support of New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision, also known as REV.

Company officials said the demonstration projects include integration of distributed energy resources and automated demand management capabilities at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and introducing solar options in a nearby neighborhood in western New York; business model innovation in developing a community resiliency microgrid within the Village of Potsdam; and more energy cost control for customers in Clifton Park.

“Through these initiatives we are creating the utility of the future,” said Ken Daly, National Grid’s New York president. “What we hear and learn about these demonstrations from our stakeholders–our customers, regulators, policy makers, market participants and local communities–will help inform the way ahead and create an exciting future energy marketplace.”

Carlos Nouel, National Grid’s vice president of New Energy Solutions, said, “Each of our projects will help us build new business models, better serve our customers and create new opportunities for market participants.” Nouel and the New Energy Solutions team are dedicated to delivering the innovations and technologies in the demonstration projects.

The “smart grid” demonstration in Clifton Park will explore various ways to control and reduce electricity demand through customer education. Participating customers will be provided with new metering equipment that will give detailed information on usage, the company said.

With “smart metering” and a customer portal, customers will have direct access to their energy usage information, allowing them to make energy savings changes and earn points for rewards based on reductions in usage. The company will work with the town of Clifton Park and various energy services companies on the project.

Local Habitat For Humanity Anticipates Two New Homes Will Be Complete By Year's End

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

The Clements family of Saratoga Springs has occupied 195 Division St., a new construction carried out by Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties is set to break ground on its second build of the year.

Officials said the build represents a “new period of growth for the affiliate,” as it sets a new record with the completion of two homes in one year.

Both homes are in Saratoga Springs. Officials said the Glens Falls area will be the location, yet unnamed, for a project in 2017.

“We’ve experienced an unprecedented amount of generosity this year, which has allowed us to expand our model to accommodate building multiple homes,” said Tammy DiCara, president of the local affiliate. “The people of Saratoga County have really come forward to address the affordable housing issue with some major donations of time, labor, materials, and land. It’s been a pleasure to see the community come together to support the advancement of our affiliate.”

The organization dedicated its 26th build, at 195 Division St. in Saratoga Springs, on Aug. 25 for the Clements family. The city of Saratoga Springs donated the property to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat partnered with the Saratoga Builders Association, Rebuilding Together Saratoga and community volunteers to build the home.

NYSERDA Has $16M For Energy-Efficient Homes, Building Projects Across NY State

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has $16 million available to support the design and construction of new energy-efficient housing and to complete similar improvements in existing buildings across New York state.

State officials said homes and buildings that take advantage of this support are projected to see annual energy cost savings of more than $9 million and total lifetime savings of as much as $180 million, as well as improved household comfort and indoor air quality.

“Ensuring New York’s buildings are constructed to the highest standards of energy efficiency is crucial to both our long-term sustainability and prosperity of the state,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “Smart choices about efficiency can simultaneously save money and protect the environment. This investment promotes that principle in order to build healthy communities and save consumers hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Approximately $8 million will be offered to housing developers and builders of low-rise housing, including single-family homes and multi-unit buildings generally three stories or less, through NYSERDA’s Low-rise Residential New Construction program. The other $8 million will be offered to housing developers and builders of mid- and high-rise housing, generally multi-unit buildings of four stories or more, through NYSERDA’s Multifamily New Construction program.

Officials said approximately 75 percent of the entire $16 million in funding is designated for housing for low- to moderate-income residents, who are most vulnerable to high energy cost burdens and whose homes are often especially susceptible to the impacts of extreme weather.