Looking ahead: Schenectady budget hearing, Fall Spooktacular

LOOKING AHEAD – With a new week underway, here are five of the events and news items our team of reporters is tracking.

SCHENECTADY HOLDING HEARING ON PROPOSED BUDGET

The city of Schenectady will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed $103.9 million spending plan unveiled by Mayor Gary McCarthy late last month. The proposed 2023 budget would keep property taxes flat at $12.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value, but would include a $1 per month increase in water rates and $2 per month increase in sewer rates. The proposal also includes $5.8 million in remaining coronavirus-relief funds the city received under the American Rescue Plan Act. Tuesday’s public hearing will take place 7 p.m. at City Hall.

— Chad Arnold

More: All News | Everything Schenectady

SCHENECTADY HOSTS FALL SPOOKTACULAR

The Electric City is ushering in Halloween with the Downtown Schenectady Fall Spooktacular on Saturday. Starting at noon, Jay Street and the area around City Hall will be filled with visual arts, music, merchandise. A jack-o’-lantern bounce house and hay rides will also be on site.

Food/drinks will be offered by Mike’s Hot Dogs, Sprinkleista, Nine Pin Cider and Great Flats Brewing. Organized by the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., the event runs until 4 p.m. For more information visit downtownschenectady.org.

— Indiana Nash

SECTION II BOYS’ GOLFERS COMPETE FOR TITLES

The state tournament for boys’ golf won’t be held until next spring, but Section II’s representatives will be determined over four days of golf this week at The Fairways of Halfmoon.

Action starts with the Class B and C/D championships on Tuesday, and the Class A tournament on Thursday. The top 25% of the field from those tournaments, as well as any player within seven strokes over par, will advance to Saturday’s ABCD playoff, with the low 20 scores from that round advancing to Sunday’s state qualifier. The low nine scores — as well as two alternates — will earn their places at the state tournament at Mark Twain Golf Course in Elmira at the beginning of June.

— Adam Shinder

HAUNTED HISTORY TOUR

Spooky season will collide with local history on a guided walking tour through Amsterdam’s Green Hill Cemetery when the “permanent residents” of the haunt recount their own stories of the city’s past from beyond the grave.

The Historic Amsterdam League and Green Hill Cemetery Association will once again present Ghosts of the Past on Friday and Saturday offering tours every half hour between 6 and 8:30 p.m. Tours begin and end at Amsterdam City Hall. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids 10 and under. Purchasing details can be found online at historicamsterdam.org.

— Ashley Onyon

TOWN OF NISKAYUNA SPECIAL MEETING

The Niskayuna Town Board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7:00 p.m. in which the council will weigh a resolution to set a public hearing for the tentative 2023 budget on Oct. 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. The proposed 2023 budget includes $19,559,360 in appropriations between the general and highway funds.

— Ted Remsnyder