From the City of Glens Falls
City Hall Reopens
Feb. 1, 2021
Courtesy City of Glens Falls
Glens Falls City Hall has reopened to the public on a limited basis. City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those visiting City Hall are required to check in at the welcome desk near the front entrance and answer some Covid-related questions. City Hall visitors must wear a mask at all times and practice social distancing. Those who are feeling ill or who have been in contact with any Covid-positive individuals should refrain from visiting City Hall. City Hall visitors should enter the building through the main entrance at the front of the building and leave through side entrance facing the Ridge Street parking lot.
Those wishing to interact with City Hall departments before 10 a.m. or after 1 p.m. may do so via email, telephone, regular mail or by using the drop box outside of the main entrance. City Hall offices are staffed Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
From SUNY Adirondack
SUNY Adirondack plans academic program modifications
Jan. 29, 2021
The changes were approved Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, by the college’s Board of Trustees, and will be recommended to SUNY and the New York State Education department for final approval. The college communicated these actions to its students, faculty and staff.
Forty students are enrolled in these seven programs. They will be given the opportunity to complete the program in which they started or move to a different program if they choose.
The Board of Trustees approved the following changes: The associate degree programs in Music, and in Information Technology, and the certificate program in Information Technology, and the concentrations in the Liberal Arts: Individual Studies degree, in Art Studio, in Music Industry and in Sport Management will be discontinued because of low student interest and enrollment.
The Electrical Technology AAS Program will be merged into the Mechatronics AAS degree program designed in consultation with local manufacturers to support industry needs.
The savings is approximately $350,000. SUNY Adirondack continues to offer more than 40 degree and certificate programs and more than 700 courses to its more than 3,000 students.
From the Adirondack Health Institute
Social Story Resource Available to Help Adults With Developmental Disabilities Prepare for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Feb. 1, 2021
Courtesy Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities (2021)
The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities has created a social story resource to help adults with developmental disabilities prepare for getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Click here to download the resource
From Granville Community Foundation
Former Residents Commit $500,000 Toward Creation of Granville Community Foundation Fund at the Glens Falls Foundation
Jan. 29, 2021
Glens Falls — Paula and Michael Freed of Grand Rapids, Michigan, have committed $500,000 toward the creation of the Granville Community Foundation fund (GCF) at the Glens Falls Foundation. The Freeds, both of whom are originally from Granville, made a $250,000 donation in December, to create the GCF, and have announced a challenge for 2021, whereby they will match 50% of every donation made during the year up to an additional $250,000.
“We know it will be a stretch, but we hope to reach a goal of $1 million for the GCF by the end of 2021...We may not be able to donate our time or talent, but we can at least donate money”, said Michael Freed.
The goal of the GCF is to evaluate local needs and opportunities and to fund projects that address broad areas of community development, education, art and culture, environment, health or social needs.
The GCF primary responsibilities will be to raise money for the GCF and to recommend grants for approval to the Glens Falls Foundation. The oversight of the GCF assets will be the responsibility of the Glens Falls Foundation Distribution Committee as part of the “affiliate” relationship established between the GCF and the Glens Falls Foundation.
From Arrow Financial
Arrow Declares March Cash Dividend and Approves Stock Repurchase Program
Jan. 28, 2021
Courtesy Arrow Financial
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (January 28, 2021) -- The Board of Directors of Arrow Financial Corporation on Jan. 27, 2021, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share payable March 15, 2021, to shareholders of record March 2, 2021. This represents an increase of 3% over the cash dividend paid in the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the 3% stock dividend distributed September 25, 2020.
The Board also approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to $5 million of the Company’s common stock for the period January 27, 2021, through December 31, 2021, in open market or negotiated transactions. This new repurchase program replaces all prior authorizations.
From Arrow Financial
Arrow Reports Annual Net Income of $40.8 million and Continued COVID-19 Response
Jan. 28, 2021
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Arrow Financial Corporation announced operating results for the three- and 12-month periods ended December 31, 2020. For the fourth quarter of 2020, net income was $12.5 million, an increase of $2.8 million, or 28.3%, from the fourth quarter of 2019.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, net income was a record $40.8 million, up 8.9% over net income of $37.5 million for 2019.
Diluted EPS was $0.81 for the fourth quarter, up 28.6% from $0.63 from the comparable 2019 quarter, and $2.64 for 2020, up 8.5% from $2.43 in 2019.
Profitability ratios remained solid in 2020, as return on average equity (ROE) and return on average assets (ROA) were 12.77% and 1.17%, respectively, as compared to 13.17% and 1.24%, respectively, for 2019. ROE was 14.98% for the fourth quarter, up from 13.05% from the fourth quarter of 2019. ROA was 1.34% for the fourth quarter, which represents an increase from 1.24% for the comparable 2019 quarter.
In 2020, Arrow opened a 12th Saratoga National Bank Branch, as well as a Capital Region Business Development Office in Latham, New York. Additionally, Glens Falls National Bank consolidated Branches in Queensbury and Greenwich into nearby locations.
COVID-19 Response: Requests in our banks for financial hardship assistance were reduced from early pandemic levels. Loans being deferred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic were $15.3 million as of December 31, 2020. We also worked closely with small business borrowers from the first round of Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on the forgiveness process.
Currently, we are helping customers obtain funding through an additional round of PPP support. As of year-end, we had assisted more than 1,400 small businesses, with more than $142.7 million in aggregate PPP loans.
From Glens Falls Hospital
Glens Falls Hospital CR Wood Cancer Center Tower 2 Oncology Unit Honored by Pink the Rink
January 27, 2021 – Glens Falls, NY
The Queensbury Highschool Hockey program started a tradition of honoring those who fight the battle against cancer through a special hockey game. This year the team is honoring the clinical team at the Glens Falls Hospital’s CR Wood Cancer Center Tower 2 inpatient oncology unit.
“We are so honored to be chosen as this year’s Pink the Rink recipients,” said Maggie Carden, Tower 2 Oncology Nurse Manager. “What these young people do each year in support of cancer care is remarkable.”
Although the traditional Pink the Rink game is not possible this year, the team will be participating in a Skate-A-Thon to raise money for those affected by cancer. Names will be worn on a pink jersey by a Queensbury Hockey Player during the skate. Funds collected from sponsors of the Skate-A-Thon will go to support cancer patients and their families at the CR Wood Cancer Center.