Saratoga Business Journal

Greenlight Networks Soon To Bring Fiberoptic Internet Service To Clifton Park

July 11, 2022

By Susan Elise Campbell

The fastest internet service available in New York state is now in Clifton Park with plans to grow into other upstate communities, according to Mark Murphy, founder and chief executive officer of Greenlight Networks.

Murphy has a long career in telecommunications and cable services, including building fiber networks around the state and helping start Spectrum’s digital phone business, he said. Now the company he launched in 2011 in the Rochester area is competing for internet customers in the Capital District.

“Greenlight’s high-speed fiber optics network service is five times faster than the incumbent internet cable provider,” Murphy said. “Fiber optics do a fantastic job transferring data efficiently and almost at the speed of light.”

Murphy also said Greenlight costs 25 percent less because there are no contracts, taxes, or hidden fees.

“We’re simply selling the fastest technology available for $50 a month,” he said.

Fiber internet supports simultaneous high-speed connections across multiple devices. While Greenlight’s target market is fiber-to-home, Murphy said the company is also focusing on small businesses, as the high-speed needs of larger companies and institutions are already being met.

Public Service Commission Unveils First Statewide Map Of Broadband Infrastructure

July 11, 2022

The state Public Service Commission released a first-of-its-kind, interactive broadband map to provide the most detailed depiction of broadband infrastructure in New York to date.

The map, along with an accompanying report, is the result of months of field assessments conducted by the commission in the state’s most remote areas, covering more than 80,000 miles. In order to collect accurate data, the commission collaborated with 60 internet service providers and surveyed tens of thousands of New York consumers.

“High-speed internet is more essential than ever to access the basic services and information that we use in our daily lives,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “With this mapping in hand, we can see where to direct state and federal broadband funding to connect unserved and underserved areas. This address-specific tool is one we can wield to provide a more accurate depiction of connectivity needs in areas that have been disconnected for far too long.”

Prior to the map’s creation, New York, like most states, relied in part on federal data that only required broadband providers to deliver service to one address in a census block to designate the entire area as served. Officials said by collecting address-level data, New York is now able to depict what locations are served, underserved, and unserved in a more granular way, which will aid in allocating state and federal funding.

To support local efforts to expand affordable and reliable broadband, ConnectALL, housed within Empire State Development, will establish and administer grant programs at the state and federal level to provide funding to plan, engineer, and construct accessible broadband infrastructure. ESD will be the statewide lead for connectivity and coordinating with other state agencies, municipalities and a diverse array of stakeholders in every corner of New York.

Officials said these efforts will ensure that funding is directed where it is most needed and that every community has the support and resources it needs to connect.

Business Report: Receiving Care At Home

July 11, 2022

Brian Johnson, director, business development at Advisors Insurance Brokers.
Courtesy Advisors Insurance Brokers

By Brian M. Johnson, MBA, CLTC

Long-Term Care, we often dread hearing the words. Our minds quickly go to an image of a nursing home. However, the good news is that many of us will never see the inside of a nursing home.

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, the vast majority (80 percent) of elderly people receiving assistance, including many with several functional limitations, live in private homes in the community, not in institutions. Your home doesn’t instill the same doom and gloom that a nursing home might.

Still, in a recent study of adults over age 65, it was found that most respondents were more comfortable discussing and planning for their own death than their potential need for long-term care. That is probably why many Americans fail to address this single biggest risk they will face in retirement.

In our practice, we regularly address long-term care planning options. In doing so, we consistently coordinate planning with elder law and estate planning attorneys, geriatric care managers, accountants, and financial advisors. One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from consumers and advisors is that long-term care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Many seniors are under the impression that their traditional health care programs will provide the desired services in the home such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, assistance with hygiene, dressing, grooming, 24-hour care, etc. Medicare, Medigap and most Medicare Advantage Plans are designed to cover hospital stays, doctor bills and some short-term skilled nursing. Unfortunately, they do not cover the cost of everyday assistance in your own home.

Ground Broken For Construction Of YMCA Addition That Will House Senior Center

July 11, 2022July 11, 2022

This is a rendering of the addition to the Saratoga Regional YMCA that will be built.
Courtesy Saratoga YMCA

The Saratoga Regional YMCA and the Saratoga Senior Center broke ground June 21 on a revolutionary joint capital project that officials said will create an intergenerational wellness environment for residents from children to seniors living in the greater Saratoga region.

The $8.2 million community collaboration is the first of its kind and will add approximately 38,000 square feet to the Y’s West Avenue facility, which will include a 14,500 square-foot new home for the Saratoga Senior Center.

The collaboration between the two organizations will help create an intergenerational community hub dedicated to health and wellness. The relocation of the Senior Center to the West Avenue campus will free up the current Senior Center space for other civic organizations to operate, which is a benefit to the entire community.

Since 1955, the Saratoga Senior Center has empowered seniors to achieve and maintain personal independence and individual well-being by providing the program structure and support services necessary for healthy recreation, companionship, social involvement, and problem solving.

Business Report: When Is It Too Late To Plan Your Estate?

July 11, 2022

Debra A. Verni, Esq., senior counsel, Rowlands, LeBrou, & Griesmer PPLC.
Courtesy Rowlands, LeBrou, & Griesmer PPLC.

By Debra A. Verni, ESQ.

The answer to this age-old question is, it depends. It depends on what you consider estate planning. It is a safe bet that after you pass away it is too late to prepare a will to dispose of your worldly possessions, but an estate plan is not just a will.

A good estate plan consists of a will, a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy and a living will. When is the best time to create an estate plan? Any time after the age of 18. I know 18 sounds young to be worrying about an estate plan but 18 is a pivotal age. Most parents forget that when their children turn 18 their ability to get information or make health care decisions for their children ends.

Most kids at 18 are off to college. As a parent of a college student, especially one far away from home, you should have your child appoint you as their health care proxy so you can receive medical information and make medical decisions for them if they become hospitalized or need care. Additionally, your child should appoint you as their power of attorney so you can deal with financial aid and any other financial issues such as housing, paying bills etc.

So now that your kids are all set what about you? Do you have an estate plan? I always joke with clients and say that if you don’t have a will, you have a won’t. I won’t ever die, I won’t need to plan, everything will work out fine.

Unfortunately, if you do not prepare an estate plan that gives your family direction as to who you want to be in charge and where you want things to go, could be a mess. Newsflash—if your family does not get along now, they will not get along if you get ill or pass away. The best plan is to have your documents in place and tell the person that is going to be in charge where your documents are or give them the name of your attorney so they know where to find your documents and the attorney can give them direction.

Conifer Realty Plans To Expand Portfolio With New Apartment Complex On Excelsior Ave.

July 11, 2022

This is the former Olde Saratoga Brewery on Excelsior Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Conifer Realty plans to raze the buildings and put up two structures that will have 102 apartments.
©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Susan Elise Campbell

Progress is slow but steady on North Spring Run, a proposed apartment complex in northeastern Saratoga Springs according to Michael Birkby, senior project director of Conifer Realty.

The firm is under contract to purchase property at 131 Excelsior Ave. and build 102 apartments in the complex.

The Rochester-based developer plans to construct two buildings on the 4.2 acre site that had been home to Olde Saratoga Brewery. The company owns and manages some 15,000 apartment units in four states and has multifamily complexes in the Capital District and parts north.

“We are hoping to obtain site plan approval before the end of summer and move quickly toward a closing,” Birkby said. “Construction may begin as early as the end of this year.”

Birkby said a demolition permit will be needed for tearing down the existing buildings and that the site plan, area variance, and architecture review permit applications were submitted in April.

Business Briefs: July 2022

July 11, 2022

The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation held its twenty-second annual community service awards dinner on June 10, awarding scholarships totaling $85,000 to 15 seniors attending both Saratoga Springs High School and Saratoga Central Catholic High School.

Awards ranged from $2,500 to the $20,000 Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs Presidential Scholarship. The foundation also honored Cindy and Brien Hollowood for their contributions to the community.

Established in 1997, the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation raises funds to support the post-secondary education and vocational training of graduates from public and private high schools in the greater Saratoga community. The annual awards event, held this year at Longfellows Hotel and Restaurant, is the foundation’s major fundraiser and all proceeds go to fund future scholarships.

***

The Veterans Business Council (VBC) of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce announced the 2022 scholarship program.

Under the Program, one $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a veteran or service member that lives in, attends college in, or works in Saratoga County.

For full program details, eligibility criteria and online application, visit chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/2254/File/Scholarship-Application-Fillable-2022.pdf.

Applications must be postmarked on or before Aug. 12.

The mission of the Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is to facilitate opportunities for our military veterans residing in Saratoga County. Efforts will be to connect them with the business community to enhance their knowledge of employment opportunities, job or entrepreneurial training, and new business development.

The council will also seek additional opportunities in support of local veterans. Veterans interested in this opportunity should reach out to Denise Romeo at the Chamber at 518-584-3255 or dromeo@saratoga.org.

***

Iron’s Edge Restaurant At The Ballston Spa Country Club Is Now Open To The Public

July 11, 2022

The Ballson Spa Country Club has a new restaurant, Iron’s Edge, that is open to golfers and also people from the general public who may not be there to golf.
©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jill Nagy

Golfers and members of the general public alike are discovering a new restaurant at the Ballston Spa Country Club.

Iron’s Edge, located at 1366 Amsterdam Road (Route 67) in Milton, serves lunch and dinner seven days a week at the clubhouse and in addition, has an auxiliary kitchen at the turn of the golf course for players who cannot wait until after they finish their round.

The restaurant is owned and operated by Chad Dorrough and Chris McCarthy, who also operate The Hideaway at Saratoga Lake Golf Club in Stillwater. They opened The Hideaway in 2019. Iron’s Edge has been open since April.

Although the golf club is private, non-members can play Monday through Thursday. The restaurant is open to the public everyday.

The owners see many of the same customers week after week, according to Dorrough, as many of the more than 400 club members make a habit of stopping at Iron’s Edge. He said that is different from their experience at The Hideaway, located on a public course with more of a turnover of players.

‘The Misfit’ Bar And Restaurant Opens At The Top Of Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs

July 11, 2022

By Susan Elise Campbell

The space at 1 Caroline Street downtown Saratoga is now home of The Misfit, opened June 18 by first-time restauranteur Michael Mills.

“The Misfit is intended to be just a bar with a small selection of bar food,” he said. “The location had a full kitchen, but one of the reasons I jumped on it was because I always loved this space.”

Mills runs a touring theater production company whose events, like so many others, were shuttered during 18 months of the COVID pandemic. His office is above Max London’s on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, so he knew that the landlord of his building, Mark Straus, co-owned 1 Caroline and signed the lease.

While Mills Entertainment “gets back in full swing,” Mills is enjoying gearing up The Misfit for track season, he said.

“We are taking the time to smooth out the kinks,” he said. “There are always surprises getting a business going, especially in an old building.”

Siro’s Restaurant To Open In July For Track Season With New Chef, New Look

June 13, 2022June 13, 2022

Siro’s in Saratoga Springs will oprn July 14. From left are Kevin Decker, general manager; Michael Stone, maître d’; Jake Spitalny, owner; and chef Elliott Vogel.
©2022 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Christine Graf

When Siro’s opens it doors to racing fans this summer, the iconic Saratoga restaurant will have a new executive chef in its kitchen.

Owners Peter and Jake Spitalny have hired former Jack’s Oyster House chef Elliott Vogel to oversee culinary operations.

The father/son team purchased Siro’s for $1.2 million in 2019. Since that time, they have made significant investments in both interior and exterior renovations. Last year’s improvements included new exterior stamped concrete and updated kitchen equipment.

“Siro’s is an icon in Saratoga and in the horseracing community, and there was so much opportunity with the physical property to make some updates while preserving iconic signs and color scheme,” said Jake Spitalny. “On the business side, we also saw an opportunity to improve things.”

After purchasing Siro’s, the Spitalnys leased the restaurant to Scott Solomon who was arrested in 2021 for falsifying restaurant documents. The Spitalnys were not involved in his illegal activities and now operate Siro’s themselves. They rely on a general manager, Kevin Decker, who is in his 11th year at Siro’s, to oversee daily operations. Well-known maître d’ Michael Stone returns for his 30th year at the front of house. Their staff of 55 includes newcomer Vogel.