Week in review - 6/27

Last month SPAC officials and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno unveiled a new façade that would replace the venue’s 43-year-old wood exterior, only now its appearance might get another facelift after members of the public compared the design to a stack of pancakes.

The $5.2 million façade was intended to feature a tan-colored design that would be constructed from recycled paper, sustainable forest products and plastic resins. The project had been ordered by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

In a recent interview, SPAC President Marcia White said the intent was still to move forward with phase one of the project, which included new ramps, lighting and sound systems. She also stated that officials would take public opinion in to consideration as officials looked at refining the design.

Spa State Park forced to hold off on pools opening

Saratoga Spa State Park’s planned opening of Peerless Pool on Saturday, June 28 has been postponed due to the recent wet weather.

The recent weather required construction crews, who are working on the pools liner, were supposed to install a liquid rubber membrane liner that takes five days of dry weather to take hold. The project is part of $132 million project taking place throughout the Saratoga Spa State Park. Other upgrades include improvments to bike and walking trails and parking lot resurfacing.

The park intends to open the Victoria Pool as scheduled on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Northern Lights scheduled to reopen Monday

Northern Lights will soon reopen its doors after a June 13 fire forced the nightclub to cancel six shows over the course of the past two weeks, due to fire and water damage to the venue.

Earlier in the week, the nightclub’s owner announced the venue would not reopen until at least July 3, however, the club now intends for the venue to be open on Monday, June 30 with a dance benefit for the Saratoga ARC (Saratoga Bridges).

The club sustained about $7,000 in smoke and water damage as a result of the fire and another $40,000 in damages incurred from fire fighters tracking the fire.

The source of the fire has been linked back to a malfunctioning cooler beneath the bar. No one was in the bar at the time and no injuries were reported.

The club was originally scheduled to reopen on June 21.

Court of appeals sides with fired officer

A Corinth Police Officer who was fired by the village last year recently won two decisions by a mid-level state appeals court.

Jason Longton Jr., 40, of Greenfield, was dismissed from the Corinth Police Department in 2004 after he pursed investigating a case he was ordered off of. He is now seeking approximately $100,000 in back pay and benefits. He also wants the courts to reverse his firings.

On Thursday, June 19 the Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court denied a lower court ruling who ruled in favor of Longton receiving back pay and benefits for the period of 2004 to 2007. He was awarded back pay and benefits by a state Supreme Court justice in March 2006. The Appellate Division also denied the village’s appeal that would have prevented Longton from pursing his reinstatement as a police officer in the village.

The Corinth Village Police Department was disbanded in June of 2007. Since then the Saratoga County Sheriff;s Department has taken over law enforcement duties in the village. If Longton is reinstated then he could pursue a job with the sheriff’s department.