Platform

WHY:

Village government must be transparent and accountable and help residents more fully participate in defining the vision and priorities for village activities and investments. 

WHAT:

OpenBookSL will transform how the village engages with residents about budgeting, policy-making, and service delivery. We will increase communication with the public and improve online access to village documents and information.  

HOW:

1. Transparency: Publish the village budget, capital plans, and financial data online as a searchable .pdf, and on a cloud based system that allows users to sort and filter and visualize current and historical financial data. Create a searchable database on the village website of resolutions, policies, and laws and broadcast, record and post online village board meetings. Communicate proactively with residents across multiple channels about a wide range of projects and activities from street sweeping schedules to meeting announcements, to status updates for infrastructure projects.

2. Participation: Give residents a variety of opportunities to make meaningful contributions to budget priorities early in the budget process. 

Engage advisory boards, residents and affected stakeholders when the need for new or updated policies and laws are identified. Create an online citizen request system that allows residents to submit questions or service requests and track progress on requests.

3. Accountability : Provide regular budget updates, financial statements, and financial data in a timely and accessible way.  Review laws and policies frequently to measure effectiveness and ensure alignment with current village priorities. Report quarterly and annually on how well the village is doing on delivering services using data the village already collect

WHY:

The proper function of water, sewer, stormwater systems and the quality of streets, sidewalks and parks is critical to the quality of life of village residents and visitors. Investment and activities must balance the needs of current and future residents. 

WHAT:

BuildStrongerSL will improve village infrastructure through long-range planning, prioritizing maintenance, and giving staff the resources and support to thrive.

HOW:

1. Capital Improvement Plan: We do not currently have this and what is described here is what it should look like. Combine data, staff expertise and extensive public input to develop and implement a capital improvement plan that will evaluate the village’s existing infrastructure and physical assets like streets, sidewalks, parks, buildings, water and sewer systems and identify future infrastructure needs. Identified potential projects will be scored and ranked in order of priority based on a number of factors including age, cost, and alignment with village priorities. Once the evaluation and scoring is complete, a financing plan and long-term implementation schedule will be developed.

2. Downtown Revitalization: Commit the resources necessary to ensure that the village’s DRI projects are designed and completed successfully.

3. Fix It First Approach: Prioritize maintenance of newer infrastructure to lengthen service life.

4. Tools of the Trade: Provide village departments with the people, training and equipment necessary to proactively maintain infrastructure.

5. Parks, Trails & Accessibility: Invest more in sidewalks, trails and parks through a combination of general funds, grants, and borrowing. Improvements will include the replacement of unsafe sidewalks, the construction of new sidewalks to make the village safer for children and pedestrians, making bicycle and pedestrian linkages to the Adirondack Rail Trail, and installing or replacing recreation and playground equipment in village parks.

WHY:

Affordable housing; climate change; health and safety; a strong economy with good jobs; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. These are important issues that affect us all. While these problems seem beyond the ability of residents and Village government to solve, Saranac Lakers are optimistic and understand that local actions can make a big difference.

WHAT:

LocallyStrongerSL will prioritize actions that can be taken locally to tackle our biggest challenges. We will focus on what can make a real difference to our residents by thinking globally, but acting locally.

HOW:

1. Inclusivity: Promote open and civil conversation about village issues. Even the most difficult issues deserve empathy and respect. Discussions are focused on what can be accomplished at the local level. Adopt policies and regulations that promote equity and reflect the shared values of Saranac Lake residents. 

2. Climate Resilience: Invest in projects that ready Saranac Lake and its residents for the effects of climate change and activities that will help reduce carbon emissions. Actions include making public and private buildings more energy efficient, reducing the use of fossil fuels, and adapting infrastructure to the changing climate. 

3. Local businesses, local jobs: Encourage the creation and expansion of locally owned businesses that are invested in the community and provide living wages for employees. 

5. Service to Community: Motivate residents, businesses and local organizations to become even more engaged in the Saranac Lake community by devoting time and service to worthwhile projects. 

WHY:
Neighborhoods are the building blocks of a healthy community and should be stable, resilient, and safe. Saranac Lake has distinct neighborhoods each with its own  personality, based on the people who live there, the type of buildings, and where it is located.  

WHAT:
KnowYourNeighborSL will strengthen our neighborhoods through small, incremental improvements, and the adoption of policies that put residents first. The program will generate economic and social benefits for the community through a strong partnership between village government, residents, and property owners.

HOW:

1. Pride & Personality: Engage residents to identify priorities for public safety and neighborhood improvements.

2. Partnerships: Collaborate with residents, businesses, and private foundations to complete priority projects such as signage, lighting, broadband, beautification, cleanups, and events.  

3. Neighborhoods First: Adopt policies that promote public safety and incentivize neighborhood-sensitive investment in housing.

4. Happy Streets: Invest in sidewalks, parks, and streetscape improvements.