The Lake Level Initiative and The Lake Level Gauge Phases 2 and 3 of the Lake Level Initiative have stalled

as a result of disappointingly slow progress with installa-

tion of a new, automated lake level gauge to replace the

one that was destroyed with the old 9P bridge in 2010. An

automated gauge is an important part of planned water-

shed modeling studies. With no automated gauge avail-

able, lake levels have been monitored by a team of dedi-

cated SLA volunteers who have been contributing their

time to read staff gauges and report lake levels on the SLA

website for well over a year now to keep the lake commu-

nity informed about the lake. Although the automated

lake gauge will not likely be installed and functional until

spring, 2012, some good fortune has befallen our lake

community regarding this entire matter.

Thanks to the initiative, generosity, and hard work of

Ralph Pascucci (Myriad Productions) and Beau Stallard

(Kayak Shak at Fish Creek Marina), the lake community

now can view the lake level live during daylight hours via a

DONATED live webcam feed. The new webcam provides

a real-time reading of the lake level using a hand-made

gauge that has been calibrated to provide readings directly

comparable to the original automated gauge on the old 9P

bridge. The lake level webcam is available on the home-

pages of the SLA website and the SLPID website or can be

viewed directly at http://myriadproductions.com/lake/ .

(submitted by Kay Sanford, Chair, Lake Level Initiative)

Shore Lines Saratoga Lake Association

P.O. Box 2152

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

www.saratogalake.org

December 19, 2011

Julie Annotto, co-editor Sharon Urban, co-editor

sinnidi@aol.com urbans@nycap.rr.com

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah

LoveLoveLoveLove ———— Joy Joy Joy Joy ———— PeacePeacePeacePeace

You Can Help Stillwater Families in Need this

Holiday Season!

There are over 30 Stillwater families looking for gener-

ous sponsors to help them with holiday gifts and winter

necessities. SACC is working with the Mechanicville Area

Community Services Center (MACSC) to help find holi-

day sponsors to match with these families. If you can help

a Stillwater family, please contact MACSC directly at 664-

8322. (submitted by Ben Baskin, Executive Director, SACC)

Holiday Season at Water’s Edge in Full Swing

On Saturday, December 3rd Water’s Edge residents gathered

for their annual holiday party. A large crowd came together

to dine, enjoy live music and kick off the holiday season in

style. The community recreation committee, headed by di-

rector Kathy Evans, have made all the final preparations to

host the Annual Children’s Holiday Party on Saturday, De-

cember 18th. This holiday event has grown to bring holiday

cheer to tremendous numbers of resident children and in-

cludes a visit from a jolly old man dressed in red.

(submitted by Bob Lane)

SLA would like to thank Kay Sanford, Lake Level Initiative

Chair, and all who volunteered their time and efforts to this very

worthwhile project. Kay has been a diligent leader of this project

since its onset and has put innumerable hours into working toward

the ultimate goal of understanding and controlling the water levels

of Saratoga Lake.

Malta Trail Maps Now Available

Malta is on the forefront of a county-wide effort to build

trails for the enjoyment of our families, tourists and busi-

nesses. Over 7 new miles of trails for bikers and hikers have

been added to the Luther Forest Tech Campus in the past 4

years. Malta was the first to build the central link to the Zim

Smith Trail and now it has been extended to Ballston Spa

and Coon’s Crossing in Halfmoon. Trails in Malta

We are pleased to report that the Saratoga County Board

of Supervisors has decided to extend the Zim Smith Trail

even further – to Mechanicville.

Much, much more is to come as Malta builds the canoe

launch on Round Lake and partners with our neighboring

towns to link us to even greater trail opportunities in the

county.

We are also pleased to report that Saratoga P.L.A.N,

with support of Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

and County Planning Department is mapping trails and ca-

noe launch sites, not only in Malta but County-wide.

To download maps, visit the Saratoga P.L.A.N website:

www.saratogaplan.org/trail_zimsmith.html

You may also download maps from the Saratoga County

website: www.saratogacountyny.gov and click on initiatives.

Whether you bike, walk, snowshoe or kayak – we hope

that you are enjoying these outdoor opportunities.

Sincerely,

Paul J. Sausville, Supervisor

Tax break proposed for new Malta medical facility

(excerpts from a Saratogian article by Paul Post)

Albany-based Columbia Development is providing con-

siderable financing for the new $15 million ambulatory care

building at Northway Exit 12. Although the hospital has a

non tax-exempt status, Columbia Development is a for-profit

firm. As such, they are looking for tax savings for the pro-

ject. A public hearing on the proposed tax breaks is sched-

uled for Monday, January 9 at 8 a.m. in Malta Town Hall. A

decision on the matter will be made immediately after the

hearing.

Saratoga County Budget Passes

The $308.3 million spending plan passed with two

significant changes: 1) county health insurance changes

saves $1.3 million; and 2) defunding vacant positions in

the county nursing home, probation department, sher-

iff’s office and public health services will save $890,695.

To meet budget expenses, there will be a 3.5% hike in

property taxes which will generate $1.7 million in reve-

nue. The cost per household will be approximately $16.

The Arvin Hart volunteer firefighters wish all of our neighbors a joyful and safe holiday season. We urge

you to be vigilant during the holidays for fire risks around

the house and make sure your smoke and carbon monox-

ide detectors are working properly. Detectors are the one

thing that will get you and your family safely out of your

home should a fire occur. There is nothing more heart-

breaking for firefighters than to

see a ruined home at Christmas

and there is nothing that will

ruin Christmas for a lifetime

like a serious injury or fatal-

ity. We ask you to have a safe

holiday and always call us if you

need us. (submitted by

Tom Rinaldi, Commissioner,

Stillwater Fire District)

We Want to Hear From You

Send your submissions to

sinnidi@aol.com Memberships are due by

January 1st.

Missing a Boat?

License # NY5278-07

Found on Manning Cove

Call Frank Lasky at 374-3200

From the Town of Stillwater Supervisor

“I will be sending our a Town letter by the end of

January 2012 to all town/village residents.”

“About the only thing I can stress at the moment is

the progress with Glen Hollow Park. The playground

area is finished and we are ahead of schedule with the

play field. I think our residents will be able to enjoy

some ball activity by late next summer. Our walking

trail, around the park, should be finished about the

same time.” (Ed Kinowski)

Winter wonderland: Spa City tops list

for winter ‘livability’

Wednesday, December 14, 2011, The Saratogian

Saratoga Springs has been named one of the Top 10 Winter Cities

by Livability.com, a national website that highlights more than 500 of

America’s best places to live. The Spa City placed sixth on the list.

Livability.com editors narrowed down the list of 500 cities to

those with an average January temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit

or lower. Editors then looked at cities that adapt well to wintry

weather, embrace the cold and even view it as a valuable commodity.

Saratoga Springs was chosen because it also ranks high for other liv-

ability factors, such as ample outdoor recreational opportunities, arts

and cultural offerings, affordable housing and unemployment rates

lower than the national average.

Top 10 Winter Cities

1. Anchorage, Alaska 6. Saratoga Springs

2. Fargo, N.D. 7. Bangor, Maine

3. Bozeman, Mont. 8. Spokane, Wash.

4. Logan, Utah 9. Lebanon, Pa.

5. St. Cloud, Minn. 10. Gillette, Wyo.

GlobalFoundaries Noise Update

We are happy to report that the construction work on the noise

baffles for the Electrical Services Building (ESB) is now substantially

completed. There is still some trim work that needs to be finished,

including the installation of some flashing, bug screens and rain

hoods, but the major installation has been completed on schedule.

Now that the baffles for the ESB have been installed, we are in the

process of evaluating the effectiveness of the installation. As we col-

lect and analyze the new sound readings, we will continue to monitor

the situation and evaluate additional steps as needed.

As you may know, new construction and operational noise were

anticipated as part of the development of the Luther Forest Technol-

ogy Campus (LFTC) and these issues were key discussion points dur-

ing the LFTC SEQRA review process, even before GLOBALFOUN-

DRIES was a potential tenant of the campus. The SEQRA review

process adopted the EPA rural noise standards and established the

noise limits that govern both construction activities and operations.

These relatively strict noise levels were accepted by the Malta and

Stillwater Town Boards to address the issue of noise impacts around

LFTC.

Our goal is of course to make sure that we are in compliance with

these established noise standards, but we are also committed to acting

as a good neighbor and being responsive to concerns from the com-

munity.

We will continue to provide updates on the project as we com-

plete the evaluation of the new baffles in the ESB. If you have feed-

back or concerns, please let us know.

(submitted by Jessica (Shahda) Kerley, GLOBALFOUNDRIES)

Stuffed Holiday Peppers

-1 bag of mini peppers - a bag usually has red,

orange and yellow peppers in them; or if you

can't find them, use regular sized peppers in dif-

ferent colors - clean out and slice in

pieces. What's nice about the minis is that they

make such a colorful arrangement on your plat-

ter, whether you use them as an appetizer or per-

haps on a plate that has sandwich meats and

cheeses. Slice these minis in half - leaving, if pos-

sible, half the stem left on for each mini pepper.

-Mix one 8 oz. brick cream

cheese, that has been

brought to room temp. Mix

in as much as you want from

one jar of Paul Newman's

black bean salsa (he has

many salsas out that proba-

bly would work just as well, but I prefer the black

bean one). Fill pepper halves or pieces and

refrigerate until you are ready to party. (submitted

by Laura McDermott)

The great thing about Christmas is seeing

the joy on children’s faces!

The lights around the lake are

particularly beautiful this year so

why not take a drive some eve-

ning during the holidays and

enjoy the displays.

CHRISTMAS

- by Del "Abe" Jones

Merry Christmas to all

And Happy New Year, too

As we all say, farewell

To this year almost, through.

I wish you good health

Happiness and cheer

And all the best things

In, the new, coming year.

I wish peace for the world

And true freedom for all

For the Devil and hate

A final, downfall..

I hope those filled with greed

Will find they have enough

That love and friendship

Will replace all that "stuff".

I hope the homeless and hungry

Find relief from their plight

(And we know they would

if, we'd all do what's right).

I wish a life for the Children

That, will be worth living

Each with loving parents

Who know, the art of giving.

Colorblind would be fine

And respect for our Brother

An end to those Religions

That believe, there is no other.

I wish Mankind united

In one common cause

To root out all evil

To, make it, what was.

I hope all who have passed

Find peace, in their New World

And that the Stars & Stripes

Will fly proudly, unfurled.

I hope we'll care for our Earth

Quit polluting this place

Before it's too late

For the Human Race.

A little Christmas nativity for our canine friends! (submitted by Patti Salvatore)

ACTION ALERT

I NEED TO HEAR FROM ALL OF YOU IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

IN HAVING PUBLIC WATER DOWN YOUR STREET, TO YOUR

HOUSE, OR UP YOUR ROAD.

I want to thank those I've heard from, mostly from 9P and Stony Point,

but the 65 responses thus far are not nearly enough. If you want public wa-

ter, I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU DIRECTLY at

bfaraone@nycap.rr.com or 587-3478.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP??? Talk to your neighbors and associa-

tion presidents -- find ways to get the word out. If we are going to move for-

ward with this project, then I will need ALL OF YOU TO HELP. I have

notified the town Supervisors and they are ready to help BUT the ball is in

your court. Don't sit on the sidelines. Move to the front lines!! — Thanks —

Barb Faraone

Lorenzo Dream Wins Awards at Annual Banquet

Lorenzo Dream [owned by lake resident Vincent Laurenzo] dominated

the Friday night action all year long at Saratoga Casino and Raceway and

last Saturday night, he dominated the awards banquet at the Holiday Inn in

Saratoga.

The open standout swept trotting honors, being named Aged Trotter of

the Year and Trotter of the Year and the 2011 Horse of the Year at Sara-

toga.

Lorenzo Dream won fifteen local opens this year amassing a bankroll of

almost $150,000, the highest earnings for any Spa regular in track history. It

was the second Horse of the Year in four seasons for Lorenzo Dream’s con-

nections. Owner Vince Laurenzo and trainer Jackie Rousse had their Prime

Interest sweep the awards in 2008. (taken from an article written by Mike

Sardella of the Saratogian, 12/19/11)