During the meeting, Saratoga County Supervisor Matthew Veitch presented two sets of plans in a presentation that had been previously prepared by the Saratoga Open Space Forum, now Saratoga P.L.A.N, and the New York State Department of Transportation that would provide a new look to the city’s Route 50 corridor.

The two sets of plans, propose an upgrade to the Route 50 corridor to that of a boulevard style roadway. The proposed plans include a grassy median with trees along the side of the road including new bike and walking paths along the roadside.

The plan, which was originally proposed by the Saratoga Open Space Forum in 1998, had been slated for completion by the DOT in 2003. However, plans for the project changed and work is currently planned for completion in 2011.

During Veitch’s presentation, he requested the council to vote on a resolution that would allow him to oversee the project on the city’s behalf. The council granted him permission in a 4-0 vote (Commissioner Ron Kim was absent). Commissioner of Finance Kenneth Ivins said he supported Veitch’s proposal because improving the gateway was a priority to the city.

Veitch said he intends to gain support from neighboring towns, lobby support from local citizen groups and request state leaders to expedite the project. He said Assemblyman Roy J. McDonald (R,C,I-Saratoga) and Assemblyman James Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady) have already agreed to support his efforts in attempting to move the project forward.

Another hot topic at Tuesday’s city council meeting was the concern over National Grid trimming trees throughout the city, including along the historic Union Avenue district. During the public hearing portion, several city residents spoke out about their concern over the destruction of the city’s trees and the beauty that they add to the Saratoga Springs landscape.

Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco took the time during his agenda to discuss the problem as well. Scirocco said he had scheduled a meeting with a representative from National Grid for Wednesday, April 16, in order to put a schedule together that would allow the city to know when and where the company would be trimming trees including figuring out new ways for the city to plant trees in order to insure they do not obstruct power lines. Commissioner Ivins commended Scirocco for addressing the problem so quickly.

“People come to the city and they see the beauty of the trees and flowers and they are reminded of what kind of a great city Saratoga Springs is,” Scirocco said.