FIRST NIGHT SARANAC LAKE AN ‘OVERWHELMING SUCCESS’

Organizers are calling the inaugural First Night event in Saranac Lake a huge success.

“I would say we were overwhelmed and amazed,” said Connie Landon, one of those who helped bring the event to fruition.  “Everything seemed to go smoothly and it was an amazing evening.”

First Night Saranac Lake featured a variety of family-oriented entertainment including folk, blues, Celtic and bluegrass music, dancing, singing and improvisational comedy at churches, auditoriums and other venues throughout the village.  The alcohol-free event began with a parade at 5 p.m. and ended with a fireworks display over Lake Flower at midnight.

Landon said many of the performance venues were filled to capacity.  By late afternoon, they had sold out of all the 1000 First Night buttons that gave spectators admission to the venues.  Organizers had to come up with makeshift buttons for those who came in late.  They estimate about 1500 people attended the event.  “We had no idea how many people were going to show up,” Landon said.

Most seats in the Harrietstown Town Hall auditorium, even in the balcony, were filled during a trio of performances by the Gibson Brothers, the headlining act of the event.

Landon attributed their success to the number of people in town for the holiday weekend, media coverage, and the weather, which held out until rain and freezing rain moved in just before midnight.  

Sue Patterson, another organizer of the event, said the variety they offered was a big hit with people. “I think it was something different that they had never seen in Saranac Lake before,” she said.  “I think they enjoyed the variety of music and the venues. Many people told me they saw people out that they hadn’t seen in years.”

Surveys were distributed at all the venues.  Patterson said they’ll use the feedback to make the event even better next year.

The planning process for First Night 2008 begins next week, she said. “I think we want to spend the next month debriefing this year and then we’ll start all over with fundraising,” she said.  “We’ll have a little more time to plan for next year and we certainly have a lot more money towards next year.”

First Night began in Boston in 1976 and has since spread to more than 200 cities worldwide.  Burlington, Watertown and Saratoga are the closest cities to Saranac Lake that have hosted their own First Night.

IDA COULD TAKE MONTHS TO REVIEW RESORT APPLICATION

It could take the Franklin County Industrial Development Agency six to nine months to review an application for more than $50 million in bond financing and a proposed payment in lieu of taxes plan from developers of the Adirondack Club and Resort project.

That’s according to IDA Executive Director Brad Jackson. 

Jackson said last week he was “anxiously awaiting” the application.  But, based on a recent conversation with lead developer Michael Foxman, Jackson wasn’t expecting to see it until after the project gets through an adjudicatory hearing with the Adirondack Park Agency.

To fund infrastructure for the nearly 700-unit resort project, the developers want $54 million in tax-exempt bonds through the IDA.  The bonds would be paid back over twenty years using revenue from a payment in lieu of taxes proposal. 

Before approving anything, Jackson said the IDA will have a cost-benefit analysis performed at the expense of the applicant.  The study will focus on the project’s potential impact on housing and the labor force, among other things, to see if there are any issues that need to be mitigated.  A scoping session could be held in Tupper Lake as part of the cost-benefit analysis, Jackson said.

“The intent is to make sure the community isn’t raked over the coals in this process,” he said.

The IDA will also have to perform a State Environmental Quality Review of the project and hold a public hearing in Tupper Lake.

Jackson said they won’t be duplicating the review process of the APA or Tupper Lake Planning Board.  “I’m not going to reinvent the wheel,” he said.  “My interest is assessing and mitigating the economic issues of this project.”

Once the public hearing is held, the developer’s application would have to be approved by the IDA board and the Franklin County Legislature.

Jackson said he’s explained to Foxman that it could be a time-consuming process – as long as six to nine months.

“I’ve told Mike this isn’t going to be a slam dunk,” Jackson said. “We’re not going to move fast on this.”

FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR RECREATIONAL TRAILS

In his last week as governor George Pataki announced $2.3 million in funding to support trail maintenance and development across the state.

“New York’s expansive trail system offers year-round recreation opportunities for the many outdoor enthusiasts who live and visit our great state,” Pataki said in a news release issued on Friday.  “These awards will ensure endless enjoyment of the state’s rich natural resources.”

Locally, Pataki announced $100,000 in funding for the Franklin Snowmobilers, Inc.  The group, according to the governor’s office, will use the money to purchase a new groomer to comb the 299 miles of trails they maintain.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was also the recipient of $100,000 for the Santa Clara All-Terrain Vehicle Route in Franklin County. DEC will use the money to rehabilitate nine miles of existing trails, construct two designated parking areas, install barrier gates and construct a new 1.64 mile ATV trail in the Santa Clara Tract.

Another $100,00 was awarded to the St. Lawrence County Snowmobile Association. The money will help the association purchase a new groomer to maintain a part of the snowmobile trail that uses the Lake Placid-Remsen railroad corridor. The connector trail crosses over Franklin, St. Lawrence and Hamilton Counties.

Other grants awarded across the state will be used to increase access to waterfront areas, construct trail bridges and link larger trail networks.

Funding is provided through the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Recreational Trails Program.

H-TOWN CONSIDERS RESTORING GETAWAY FUNDING

The Town of Harrietstown Board considered restoring annual funding for the Getaway Youth Center at its meeting last week.

Supporters of the Getaway had come to the board December 14 to explain they forgot to submit their annual funding request before the town board approved the 2007 budget. 

They stressed the importance of the funding as 10 percent of their annual budget. 

Supervisor Larry Miller said Thursday he talked with the town budget officer who found $4500 that could be appropriated to the Getaway.

Councilman Howard Riley supported restoring the funding.  “I know they’re struggling,” he said.  “But cutting their money in half isn’t going to help them.”

Riley proposed a motion to grant the money to the youth center.

But Councilmen Ron Keough and Barry Defuria suggested they provide $2500 instead.  “I think the $4500 is too much,” Keough said. 

Miller supported giving the Getaway the full amount.  “I think they need the money,” he said, adding that the town board should ask them to look into supervision outside their current building.

With Councilman Brian McDonnell absent and the board split on the issue, the matter was tabled until the town’s organizational meeting on January 11.

The board heard another funding request at its meeting on Thursday.

Nancy Keet, President of the Lake Colby Association, outlined their effort to try and slow traffic entering the village from the 55 mile per hour zone on Route 86 just past the hospital.

She said they asked DOT to push the 40-mile per hour speed limit back to the intersection of Route 86 and Trudeau Road.  But DOT, according to Keet, said the road was a straightaway with a plain field of vision so there was no need to reduce speed.

They then proposed installing a radar sign that will alert motorists with flashing lights when they’re exceeding the speed limit.  Similar signs have been used in Lake Placid and Keene.

Keet said they sought funding from the Olympic Byways Program, which includes Route 86.  But they learned that that section of Route 86 isn’t considered part of the byway. 

Keet said they were trying to raise funds, but asked if the town had any monies to help with purchasing the radar sign, which costs about $5000.  “I’d appreciate anything you people can do,” Keet said.

Supervisor Miller said he would speak with the budget officer.

Councilman Keough agreed that motorists need to slow down on that section of road.  “It’s a very hazardous situation,” he said.

NO FIRE CONTRACTS IN H-TOWN, FRANKLIN, BRIGHTON

Village of Saranac Lake officials had not secured fire and rescue contracts with three surrounding towns by Sunday evening, meaning village fire drivers and fire trucks will not respond to emergency calls in those towns until an agreement can be reached.

Village Manager John Sweeney said Friday that the Towns of Harrietstown, Santa Clara and Brighton had not accepted the village’s eleventh-hour offer of a six-month contract at half the annual proposed rate. 

Asked if that means the five village fire drivers and three trucks wouldn’t respond to calls in those towns as of January 1, Sweeney said the ball is in the towns’ court.  “I think they need to figure out how they’re going to provide fire and rescue services for their people,” he said.

The volunteers that make up the Saranac Lake Fire Department, however, have agreed that they will respond to calls in the towns without contracts.  They have two pumper trucks, two rescue trucks and several other vehicles.                                                                                                                   

By Sunday night only the Towns of North Elba, St. Armand and Franklin had accepted the village’s terms.

Town of Santa Clara and Harrietstown officials sent a letter to the village saying they’re required to hold a public hearing ten days before agreeing to any fire contract.  They also say the contract needs to specify a definite amount for all services to be rendered each year. 

The towns requested the village “act in good faith for the welfare and safety of the public,” by simply granting an extension of the current contract.

But the village took no action on the town’s request.

A village fire driver confirmed this morning that they are not able to respond using village equipment and trucks to calls in Harrietstown, Brighton and Santa Clara.

Representatives of the towns issued a joint press release today outlining their opposition to the village’s proposals – specifically the change to an assessment-based system of fire contracts. They’re asking the village to “negotiate reasonably” and agree to a six-month extension of the current contract with a twenty percent increase, to provide more time to work out a longer-term deal.

The village board has called a special meeting Wednesday night at 6 p.m. where the issue is expected to be discussed in executive session.

POLICE AND FIRE REPORT

Tupper Lake Village Police charged 48 year-old George E. Sirois of Tupper Lake with driving while intoxicated at 1:35 a.m. Monday.  Police say Sirois was pulled over on Main Street for driving without headlamps and was allegedly found to be intoxicated.  He was released to appear in village court later this month.

Tupper Lake Village Police also charged a 16 year-old male youthful offender from Tupper Lake with petit larceny at 1:43 p.m. Saturday.  Police say the charge stems from an incident December 13 at Tupper Lake High School.  The teenager was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Lake Placid Police arrested 62 year-old Mara J. Miller of Lake Placid at 10:08 p.m. December 26 and charged her with driving while intoxicated. She was stopped for a vehicle and traffic infraction and allegedly found to be intoxicated. Miller was released on cash bail to appear in again in village court at a later date.

Lake Placid Police arrested two 18 year-old male youthful offenders shortly after midnight on December 27 and charged them with unlawful possession of marijuana. Police discovered a vehicle in which the teens were smoking marijuana. The two were released of their own recognizance to appear in village court at a later date.

On December 27 Lake Placid Police arrested 42 year-old Michael C. Schaible of Lake Placid at 6:37 p.m. and charged him with driving while intoxicated, first degree unlicensed operation, failure to keep right, having less than two brake lights and failure to notify change of address. He was stopped for failing to keep right and almost striking a patrol vehicle. Schiable was allegedly found to be intoxicated and was driving with a revoked license. He was processed, arraigned and released of his own recognizance to appear in village court at a later date.

27 year-old Jenell M. Giardina of Tupper Lake was arrested by Lake Placid Police at 3:19 a.m. on December 29 and charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right, failure to maintain lane, illegal window tint, expired registration, and refusal to submit to a breath screen. Giardina was arrested following a traffic stop where she found to allegedly be intoxicated. She was processed, arraigned and released of her own recognizance to appear in village court at a later date.

A Clayton, New York man was arrested by Lake Placid Police at 11:27 p.m. December 30 and charged with driving while intoxicated. 45-year old William J. Heyman was stopped in the roadway blocking traffic and subsequently arrested for DWI. He was released on cash bail to appear in village court at a later date.

Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department members were called to a string of motor vehicle accidents after several inches of new snow hit the area Saturday morning.  Firefighters were called to four accidents beginning at 8:10 a.m.  A one-car accident was reported on Old Military Road near the intersection with Mill Pond Drive but the patient refused treatment.  Another one-car crash was reported at 9:33 a.m. on Route 86 near Price Chopper.  The patient refused treatment.  Firefighters were called to Route 73 across the street from the North Country School at 10:10 a.m.  A car had reportedly hit a tree and struck a garage.  No information on injuries was available. Another car crash took place in front of the Lake Placid fire house at 11:58 a.m. Saturday.  The vehicle skidded and rolled over, coming to rest on its roof.  The driver was not injured.  The Lake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service responded to the calls.  Firefighters provided traffic control.

Lake Placid firefighters also responded to a report of a person seen through the ice of Mirror Lake at 4 p.m. on Sunday.  One truck and 19 members arrived to Mid’s Park.  A flotation device was found in the water.  No action was needed.  Firefighters returned to the station by 4:20 p.m.