Achievements | Vote Eric Connolly

Financial Stewardship

Successfully transitioned from a part-time bookkeeper to the creation of the Office of the Comptroller
Recruited, hired, and empowered a highly skilled Comptroller and a Deputy Comptroller
Established a robust Employee Handbook to set forth clear organizational policies
Grew the Town’s general operating fund balances by more than four million dollars over six years
Successfully maintained zero reliance on Town-wide taxation for general operations, including Highway
Optimized returns on public resources resulting in new revenue of approximately $30,000 per month with zero risk to taxpayers.
Established encumbrance-based accounting methods to control the outflow of expense appropriations within statutory limits
Awarded the New York Municipal Reciprocal (NYMIR) 2023 Risk Management Award for diligent efforts to optimize risk transfer in public procurements.
Successfully awarded the largest general operating fund grant in Town history totaling $1.88 million dollars for the reconstruction of the Finley Road Bridge
Fully modernized administration of the Town Building Department and abolished annual fire inspection fees for commercial structures
Accumulated over $735K of Parkland Deposit Reserves since 2019, a fee paid by developers for capital investment at Town parks.
Secured $1.7M from the lease buyout transaction for the Route 50 telecommunications monopole, yielding higher annual income from interest earnings with lower risk and administration
Secured over $800K from NYS DOT for CHIPS, Pave NY, EWR, and POP grants, yielding a budgetary surplus of more than $100K from those revenue sources alone
Secured $182K from CHPE for community benefit grants and proceeds with the sale of an easement. The Town also anticipates receipt of annual payments totaling at least $150K starting in FY2027
Partnered with Saratoga County for grant reimbursements exceeding $85K, including $35K for economic development, $32K for trails, and over $14K for youth development
Partnered with NYS Department of State’s Cemetery Division for restoration of 61 monuments and the vault at the Hillside Cemetery in Burnt Hills. NYS grant awards totaled $35,499 covering most expenses
Recovered $37K from the IRS direct-pay program for two clean energy investments that occurred with Highway Garage Expansion project; solar and geothermal
Accepted NYS Department of Justice grant awards totaling over $10,700 for court security and furniture upgrades in February 2022
Accepted donations for Town Parks totaling over $13K since 2022, most notably from Stewarts Shops/Dake Family, AJ Signs, Helo Scaping, BHBL Womens Club, JH Property Services, and Curtis Lumber

Through disciplined financial stewardship and a commitment to modernizing Town operations, we transformed Ballston’s fiscal and administrative landscape. The Town successfully transitioned from a part-time bookkeeper to an Office of the Comptroller and recruited, hired, and empowered both a highly skilled Comptroller and Deputy Comptroller. We established a robust Employee Handbook to set clear organizational policies and adopted encumbrance-based accounting methods to control expenditures within statutory limits. Over six years, the Town grew its general operating fund balances by more than four million dollars while maintaining zero reliance on Town-wide taxation for general operations, including the Highway Department. By optimizing returns on public resources, the Town now generates approximately $30,000 per month in new revenue at no risk to taxpayers. This strong financial position contributed to Ballston receiving the 2023 NYMIR Risk Management Award for improving risk transfer procedures in public procurements.

The Town secured major financial benefits through grants and strategic transactions, including the largest general operating fund grant in Town history—$1.88 million for the reconstruction of the Finley Road Bridge. Additional achievements include securing over $800,000 from NYS DOT (CHIPS, Pave NY, EWR, and POP) resulting in a budget surplus of more than $100,000; recovering $37,000 from the IRS direct-pay program for clean energy investments associated with the Highway Garage Expansion; and accepting more than $10,700 in federal Department of Justice grants for court security and furniture upgrades. The Town also partnered with Saratoga County to receive over $85,000 in reimbursements for economic development, trails, and youth programs, and partnered with the NYS Department of State’s Cemetery Division to restore 61 monuments and the vault at Hillside Cemetery through $35,499 in state grant funding.

In addition, the Town secured $182,000 from CHPE for community-benefit grants and sale-of-easement proceeds, with annual payments of at least $150,000 expected beginning in FY2027. The lease buyout of the Route 50 telecommunications monopole yielded $1.7 million, providing higher annual income with lower risk and administration. Since 2019, the Town has accumulated over $735,000 in Parkland Deposit Reserves from developers to invest in park improvements, and has accepted more than $13,000 in donations for Town parks from community partners including Stewarts Shops/Dake Family, AJ Signs, Helo Scaping, the BHBL Women’s Club, JH Property Services, and Curtis Lumber. The Town also fully modernized Building Department administration and eliminated annual fire inspection fees for commercial structures, improving service delivery while reducing business costs.

Highway

Worked closely with the Town of Malta to support a future traffic circle project at the intersection of Eastline Road and Route 67
Approved the construction of the highway garage addition, getting all of our expensive equipment out of the elements and adding much-needed office space
Funded the addition by going to bond well before the dramatic rise in interest rates
Used our highly favorable financial position to pay off debt associated with this multi-million dollar project
Collectively bargained a new contract with our unionized staff that deservedly raised their wages to a competitive level before multiple staff retirements, making it far easier to fill job vacancies

Working in close partnership with the Town of Malta, our team advanced plans for a future traffic circle at the Eastline Road and Route 67 intersection to improve long-term traffic flow and public safety. The Town approved construction of the highway garage addition, ensuring that our valuable equipment is protected from the elements and that staff have the office space they need to operate efficiently. To finance this multi-million-dollar project responsibly, the Town secured a bond ahead of the significant rise in interest rates and later leveraged its strong financial position to pay off the associated debt. In addition, a collaboratively negotiated contract with our unionized workforce raised wages to competitive levels ahead of several retirements, strengthening the Town’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.

Water

Used federal COVID relief funds to install a back up generator for our Eastline Road pump station
Worked closely with our Water Superintendent and MJ Engineering to assess the durability of our current infrastructure.
Support and passed a maintenance and service program that will drain, repair, line the interior, and maintain our two older water towers for the next 15 years
Secured land for a possible third tower on the southeast part of Town
Fully modernized administration of Town-operated water utility serving more than 3,300 customers responsive to NYS OSC’s December 2023 report

Using federal COVID-relief funds, the Town installed a backup generator at the Eastline Road pump station to ensure reliable service during outages. Working closely with our Water Superintendent and MJ Engineering, the Town then completed a comprehensive assessment of our two aging water towers. Based on those findings, we authorized a 15-year maintenance and rehabilitation program to bring long-term predictability to our capital planning. We also fully modernized the administration of the Town-operated water utility serving more than 3,300 customers, directly responding to the NYS OSC’s December 2023 report.

Walkability

Worked with the Town of Glenville and approved the construction of a new sidewalk connecting BHBL Middle School to the BHBL High School
Secured state and county funding to pay for 90% of a new crosswalk installation to allow for safe passage at the intersection of Kingsley and Lake Hill
Brought together local business owners and the Superintendent of Ballston Spa Central Schools to create a new crosswalk, path, and sidewalks to transform walkability on the north end of Town
Planning for the future, we established a reserve fund of 1.5 MM for future trails and sidewalks

Our team worked closely with the Town of Glenville to approve the construction of a new sidewalk connecting the BH-BL Middle School to the BH-BL High School, significantly improving student safety and walkability. The Town also secured state and county funding to cover 90% of the cost of new crosswalk technology at the intersection of Kingsley and Lake Hill, ensuring safe passage for pedestrians at this busy location. Additionally, we collaborated with local business owners and the Superintendent of Ballston Spa Central Schools to create a new crosswalk with flashers, a walking path, and sidewalks that have greatly improved walkability on the north end of Town.

Parks

Replaced our damaged fishing pier with a state-of-the-art aluminum and composite floating fishing pier with an added on handicapped accessible kayak launch
Brought together community organizations, businesses, and the Highway Department to transform the corner of Lake Hill Road and Route 50 into a beautiful Town Corner Park
Worked with our legal team for over two years to transfer the Shizdick Family Trust for Anchor Diamond Park over to the Town
Approved the construction of the Town’s first Dog Park at Jenkin’s Park
Worked with our Parks Committee and Highway Department to construct the area’s first Volo Aire fully accessible playset
Secured $150,000 community benefit from the Champlain Hudson Power Express project for our future Veteran’s Bike Trail extension
Partnered with Crieghton Manning Engineering on our initial design of the Veteran’s Bike Trail to the Zim Smith Bike Trail connection
Applied for a five million dollar grant (with a 20% Town match already set aside) to construct our bike trail connection to the Zim Smith Trail
Collaborated with Saratoga PLAN and our Town Highway Department to construct a parking area for the Ballston Creek Preserve passive trail
Worked with our Town Board to approve the planting of new trees at our Town Corner and at the Ballston Lake Fire Department Memorial Park

Our team replaced the damaged fishing pier with a state-of-the-art aluminum and composite floating pier that includes a handicapped-accessible kayak launch, greatly enhancing recreation at the lake. Working collaboratively with our legal team, community organizations, local businesses, and the Highway Department, we transformed the corner of Lake Hill Road and Route 50 into a welcoming Town Corner Park. After more than two years of coordination with our legal team, the Town completed the transfer of the Shizdick Family Trust property for Anchor Diamond Park. We also approved construction of the Town’s first dog park at Jenkins Park and, in partnership with the Parks Committee and Highway Department, installed the area’s first Volo Aire fully accessible playset. The Town secured a $150,000 community benefit from the Champlain Hudson Power Express project for the future Veterans Bike Trail extension and partnered with Creighton Manning Engineering on the initial design of the trail connection to the Zim Smith Trail. We recently applied for a five-million-dollar grant, with a 20% Town match. In addition, we collaborated with Saratoga PLAN and our Highway Department to build a parking area for the Ballston Creek Preserve passive trail. Finally, working with the Town Board, we approved the planting of new trees at both Town Corner and the Ballston Lake Fire Department Memorial Park, continuing our commitment to beautifying public spaces.

Public Safety

Installed new guardrails along the often flooded lower Outlet Road
Contructed a new crosswalk flasher system to safely cross Outlet Road to our fishing pier
Contracted with a cell phone tower development company to dramatically improve cell phone reception in our rural area
Consulted with the Town of Charlton on what it would take financially to create a peace officer department in Ballston
Established a 1.4 MM reserve fund should the Town hold a referendum on the creation of a peace officer department

We installed new guardrails along the frequently flooded lower section of Outlet Road to enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians. A new crosswalk flasher system was also added to provide safe passage across Outlet Road to the fishing pier. To address longstanding communication challenges in our rural area, the Town contracted with a cell tower development company to significantly improve cellular coverage. Additionally, we consulted with the Town of Charlton to evaluate the financial requirements and overall feasibility of establishing a patrolling peace officer department in Ballston. The Town Board is currently considering the establishment of a significant reserve fund should a future referendum be held on this topic.

Renewable Energy Efforts

Supported new EV charging stations at Town Hall, Outlet Road parking area, and the Town of Ballston Library
Supported the conversion of to LED lighting at Town Hall and our Town lighting districts
Collaborated with Town Board members to allow for a limited amount large scale solar development
Worked ground mounted solar and geothermal into the highway garage expansion project
Collaborated with Town Board members to approve the installation of a 45 kilowatt solar array on roof of Town Hall
Created a zoning provision that incentizes new businesses to utilize renewable energy

Our team supported the installation of new EV charging stations at Town Hall, the Outlet Road parking area, and the Town of Ballston Library, expanding sustainable transportation options for residents. The Town also advanced energy efficiency by converting Town Hall and our lighting districts to LED technology. In collaboration with Town Board members, we created opportunities for a limited amount of large-scale solar development and incorporated ground-mounted solar and geothermal systems into the highway garage expansion project. Working together, we also approved the installation of a 45-kilowatt solar array on the roof of Town Hall. In addition, the Town adopted a zoning provision that encourages new businesses to incorporate renewable energy into their development plans.

Land Preservation

Crafted a state and nationally award-winning Purchase of Development Rights program that incentivizes larger land owners to preserve their land in perpetuity
Disincentivized development of our rural area by moving to a five acre per dwelling lot size
Partnered with Saratoga PLAN to support conservation easements on two large privately owned parcels
Accepted a donation of a twelve acre wooded lot adjacent to Jenkins Park
Accumulated over $113K of Purchase of Development Rights reserves from solar developers for the permanent protection of open space

In alignment with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan to preserve our rural character, our administration advanced several key land-preservation initiatives. We crafted a state and nationally award-winning Purchase of Development Rights program that incentivizes landowners to permanently protect their property from development pressures. Allowable density in the rural district was reduced to a five-acre-per-dwelling lot size to help preserve the Town’s open landscape. In partnership with Saratoga PLAN, the Town supported conservation easements on three large privately owned parcels, further strengthening our greenbelt and open space network. Additionally, the Town accepted the donation of a twelve-acre wooded parcel adjacent to Jenkins Park, expanding protected natural land for future generations.

Slowing Growth

Came out of our building moratorium disallowing multi-unit apartment buildings
Traffic and water mitigation fees
Established zoing that limits the “by right” density of major sub-divisions to fifty percent of unconstrained lands
Promoted smaller businesses by capping the “by right” commercial square footage to 10,000 square feet
Increasing setback minimums from wetlands and waterways

Working together, Town officials advanced several important planning initiatives to guide responsible, slower growth in Ballston. After lifting the building moratorium, the Town implemented new zoning that no longer allows multi-unit apartment buildings and established traffic and water mitigation fees to ensure new development contributes to necessary infrastructure improvements. We also adopted zoning that limits the “by right” density of major subdivisions to fifty percent of unconstrained land, promoting development that aligns with the Town’s rural character. To further support small businesses, the Town capped “by right” commercial square footage at 10,000 square feet. In addition, setback minimums from wetlands and waterways were increased to better protect sensitive environmental resources.

Taxes

Avoided the creation of a Town tax for six years
Avoided the creation of a Highway tax for six years
Reduced taxes for a group of residents by dissolving the Jenkins Park Special Taxing District

Ballston remains one of the few Towns in the region without a Town or Highway tax, a distinction maintained for six consecutive years through conservative financial management. In addition, taxes were reduced for a large group of residents through the dissolution of the Jenkins Park Special Taxing District, providing direct relief while streamlining the Town’s overall tax structure.

Getting It Done