OFFICE The Fulton County FOR AGING

Vital information for vital generations

2023 is the agency’s 45th birthday

Services Offered:

• Adult/Nursing Homes

• Advocacy

• Caregiver Support

• Earned Income Credit

• Eldercare Locator

• Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP)

• Employment Entitlement Counseling

• Flood Clean-Up Tips

• Fulton County Public Health Services

• Happy Days Adult Daycare

• HEAP

• Health & Wellness

• Hospice

• Human Services Directory

• Information & Assistance NY CONNECTS

• Insurance Counseling

• Legal Services

• Long Term Care Insurance & Education

• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

• Nutrition for Seniors

• Outreach

• Real Property Tax Exemptions

• Respite

• Senior Clubs

• Council of Senior Clubs and Centers

• Senior Newsletter

• Special Needs Registry

• Tax Credit Assistance IT-214

• Transportation

• Veterans Services

• Volunteer Opportunities

19 North William St., Johnstown, NY 12095 (518) 736-5650 Fax: (518) 762-0698 www.fcofa.org

Andrea Fettinger, BA, MEd, Director

Email:fcofa@fultoncountyny.org

We have evolved from a 2 person office in the lower level of the county building to a full service organization at 19 N. William Street in Johnstown.

“The Fulton County Office for Aging is funded by: The Older Americans Act, The County of Fulton, The State Office for Aging, Participant Contributions, Private, State, Federal (add) Grants, and Community Contributions”

OFA offers support through classes, home visits, phone calls, meetings and discussion groups.

Programs & Services for 2023

We will be able to provide limited rides to out of county Medical appoints

We will slowly re-open our lunch sites around the county

We will be able to assist with some durable medical goods that are not covered by health insurance

We will continue our Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class

We will be providing Nutrition Education sessions at the lunch sites

We will return to monthly visits to all the Senior Clubs in the county

Struggling with care giving duties and trying to juggle all your responsibilities?

Sometimes it helps to talk things out, be heard and know that you are not alone. Our Caregiver Discussion Group is a place where you can do just that. It is so important to also take care of yourself. Also, located conveniently within the OFA office, is our Caregiver Resource Center. You can view videos or dvds, use the internet to research diagnoses or other care options, a lending library with a myriad of books, magazines and brochures on many topics such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Bereavements, Baby Boomer issues, and Health and Wellness materials. All are welcome!

Transportation, door-to-door wheelchair accessible services countywide for those 60 years of age and older, rides to and from medical appointments (as far as Amsterdam), rides to and from Social Adult Day Care, to and from Dining Sites and Senior Centers, to visit friends/relatives at local nursing homes, to the bank, market, and post office. All available from Fulton County Office for Aging in collaboration with Fulmont Community Action Agency.

The Fulton Co. Office for Aging is in need of some fabulous volunteers to deliver meals in Fulton County! Volunteers can work once a week, every day, or whenever it fits their schedules!

• Hands on training is provided.

• Mileage reimbursement available.

• Volunteering for this program is very rewarding.

• Volunteers might be the only people the meals’ recipients see in a day!

• Home Delivered Meals help individuals remain in their own homes with dignity and independence.

When you have questions about Long Term Service & Supportsuch as, OFA home care, Medicaid services, information about nursing homes, adult homes, medical day care, social adult day care, need assistance with paperwork, need legal help, planning for the future for all ages - please call the Fulton Co. Office for Aging/NYConnects at 518-736-5650

• Volunteering is FUN! Call 518-736-5650 for more information! (800) 342-9871 • (518) 736-5650

HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST - SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRIES

Catholic Charities of Fulton & Montgomery Counties

1 Kimball St., Amsterdam, NY 12010

(518) 842-4202 ext. 3152

Food Pantry hours: Monday 9-12noon; Wednesday 12noon-3pm; Thursday 1-4pm

Please register if you would like to go to the food panty: We need a photo ID for each adult in the household, birth certificate or insurance card (with birth date) for each child between 0-17yrs., proof of Montgomery County residency and proof of household income dated in the last 30 days. Montgomery County Residents Only for Food Pantry

ALSO:

Mass food distribution April - October in the parking lot at 1 Kimball Street on the first and third Thursday of each month. It is a drive thru and starts at 9:30 - 11am or until food runs out.

Fulton or Montgomery County Residents Welcome to Attend.

Fulmont Community Action Agency

Besides the Food Pantry, Fulmont Community Action Agency also helps with emergency clothing, job searches, resume building, personal and household items, VITA tax returns, coats for kids, holiday baskets, eviction prevention, utility/food assistance, gas cards, school supplies and community referrals.

53 Church Street Gloversville, NY 12078 (518) 725-7110

(Photo ID and Proof of Income for past 30 days, Proof of Address)

Mon-Fri 8:30-4 (Hrs. Change in July/August) (Closed 12-12:30 for lunch)

200 Canal Street Fort Plain, NY 13333 (518) 993-3230

(Photo ID and Proof of Income for past 30 days, Proof of Address)

Mon-Fri 8:30-4 (Hrs. Change in July/August) (Closed 12-1 for lunch)

The AMEN Place Soup Kitchen

ALL

105 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, NY 12010 (518) 843-2636

Food Distribution Tuesdays 10am-2pm

Trinity Lutheran Church

42 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010 (518) 842-6691

(For Paper/Hygiene Products/etc.)

Distributed every 1st Tuesday of the month 6-7pm until November

Gloversville First Free Methodist Church

33 Bleeker Street (Center of Hope) Gloversville, NY 12078 (518) 752-5270

Tues. 4:00-6:00pm • Wed. 9:00-11:00am

Closed 2nd Week of the Month

1200 Riverfront Center Amsterdam, NY 12010 (518) 842-0790

Mon-Fri 8:30-4

(Closed 12-12:30 for lunch)

20 Park St. Room 206 Fonda, NY 12068 (518) 853-8351

Please note: This may not be a complete area list. Call to verify times/days, etc.

Mayfield Central Presbyterian Church

22 North Main Street, Mayfield, NY 12117 (518) 661-6566

Every Other Tuesday Starting Jan 3rd, 2022 12:00pm-3:00pm

Mayfield Residents only • Proof ID and Address

Centro Civico a Division of Ibero

(Photo ID and Proof of Income for past 30 days, Proof of Address)

Mon-Fri 8:30-4

(Hrs. Change in July/August) (Closed 12-12:30 for lunch)

143-145 East Main St., Amsterdam, NY 12010 (518) 842-3762

Watch for food distribution events on our Facebook page.

Also See: Noah Community Dinner Info on Page 15

If you would like to donate to one of these Food Pantries, please reach out to them.

Montgomery County Department Of History And Archives

Park St., Fonda, New York, 12068

If you would like to visit the Montgomery Department of History and Archives, an appointment is required. Please go to our website at www.co.montgomery.ny.us to do so. If you cannot make an appointment online please call (518) 853-8186

Please be advised, we will be closed to the public due to minor renovation beginning January 3rd, 2023. We will still be able to provide research requests via scanning or mail. Please call before stopping in, in case our completion dates have been changed.

When Montgomery County moved its county seat from Johnstown to Fonda in 1836, the transition was marked with the construction of the impressive Greek Revival edifice, known to many today as the Old Courthouse. Adorned with Ionic columns and topped with a gold-leafed dome, the building has seen numerous changes over the past 185 years. Many various trials occurred within these walls including two murder cases ending with executions in the courtyard and an 1839 libel suit involving James Fenimore Cooper.

Despite the removal of the court proceedings in 1892, activities continued to be held in the Old Courthouse. From the funeral of a Revolutionary War soldier, to the services of the Reformed Church, to the meetings for social organizations, to political functions and office space for county departments, the building has never been vacant.

After a series of transitions, the Old Court House continues to retain its magnificence. Fortunate for genealogists and historians alike, the building has been home to the Montgomery County Department of History & Archives since 1934. As the department’s collection grows, so too does the number of individuals amazed at the history of the building in which they sit.

*Information from Facebook post 9/8/22

(518) 736-2100

Mayor Amy Praught (518) 736-4012 apraught@cityofjohnstown.ny.gov

City Clerk Carrie Allen (518) 736-4011 callen@cityofjohnstown.ny.gov

Police Station

Non- Emergency (518) 736-4021

Bruce Heberer (518) 736-4079

Historian

Noel Levee (518) 762-7419 nclevee@nycap.rr.com

Engineer/DPW

Chris Vose (518) 736-4014 cvose@cityofjohnstown.ny.gov

City Assessor

Tina Dimitriadis (518) 736-4015 assessor@cityofjohnstown.ny.gov

For more information on city departments, go to the City of Johnstown website (shown above)

There is a lock box and application forms outside the front doors of City Hall. After hours, you can drop off payments, or anything that does not require personal assistance.

SHOP+EAT+PLAY

Downtown Johnstown

Follow Facebook.com/downtownjohnstownbpa for all things downtown Johnstown

2023 Scheduled Events

* Johnstown Historical Society Path Thru History - June 17th

* Toying Around Block Party - June 24th

* Harry Potter’s Birthday Festival - July 29th

* Mid-Summer Concert Series - July & August Watch for more on our Facebook Page

If you are planning an event and would like it listed in the BPA Events Calendar or on their Facebook Page, please email all pertinent information to DowntownjohnstownBPA@gmail.com

Erica Wing, Director ewing@mvls.info

The mission of the Johnstown Public Library is to meet the community’s educational and recreational informational needs, with excellent customer service, in a welcoming environment.

How to get a Library Card:

License or photo identification with current address is required to obtain a library card. Two pieces of mail from your current address can be substituted. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to obtain a library card.

Library cards from any member library of the Mohawk Valley Library System (MVLS) or Saratoga Adirondack Library System (SALS) are accepted here. You can borrow Ebooks, (for computer, Kindle, Nook, iPad and manymoredevices),audiobooks&emagazines withalibrarycard.

Book Bundles are Available for Adults and Kids.

Book bundles are hand-picked collections of books based around a topic of your interest.

The options are endless!

Interested in an adult book bundle?

Contact Lori at lalbanese@mvls.info

For children’s book bundles, contact Valerie at vrogers@mvls.info

Giving

The Library gratefully accepts donations and memorial tributes. Funds received as memorial donations are used to purchase books for the library’s collection, unless otherwise speci ed, with a bookplate acknowledging the donation placed inside. Donations to the library’s Endowment Fund or Capital Fund are also greatly appreciated.

Donations are accepted in cash or check form and can be made payable to Johnstown Public Library. They can be mailed to the Library at: 38 South Market Street, Johnstown, NY 12095 or brought directly to the Library’s front desk. You can also donate online.

Services Available

• Black and White Photocopying, $.25/page

• Black and White Printing from Library Computers, $.10/page

• Fax, $1.75 for 1 page and $1.00/page for all additional pages

• Free Wi-Fi

The Johnstown Public Library is a tax-exempt public charity as described in section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and is a local government agency that exists exclusively for public purposes.

There are many reasons to have a home inspection done.

1) Pre-Listing Inspections

This is great way to pre-qualify your house before you put it on the market. Avoid last minute costs due to unforeseen major defects.

2) Annual Maintenance Inspections

Chad Agerter

Home Inspection Expert

Chad has lived in the Great Sacandaga Lake area for most of his life. He grew up in Mayfield, NY. In 2020 he completed an Associates’ degree program in construction technology. He received his home inspection license in 2021. He and his family have lived in Broadalbin since 2017. In 2018 he decided to go out on his own and start a business. He attended CATS Home Inspection School, and Sacandaga Home Inspections was born. It was started to serve the people who call the Adirondacks and the surrounding areas home. Chad knows that buying a home, especially a first home, is a significant moment in ones life and can be quite overwhelming. Sacandaga Home Inspections will guide you through the home inspection and give you a report to help you make a sound decision on moving forward with your purchase.

License # 16000112510 to go out on his own and start a started to serve the people who call quite Home Inspections will guide you moving forward with your purchase.

See ad on page 27

Your home needs a tune-up just like your car. Nothing is worse than having a major defect pop up and costing you a significant amount of money.

3) Home Inspections

This is the core service offered by Sacandaga Home Inspections. The inspection is broken down into systems. Each system is thoroughly looked at during the inspection process. These include the roof, attic (if applicable), the basement/foundation, and even the grading of the property. Ancillary Services are also Offered

• Radon Testing

• Wood Destroying Insect Inspection

• Water Quality Testing

• Well Flow Testing

• And other services

To learn more or to schedule a service call Sacandaga Home Inspections (518) 866-6331 or Email: chagerter@gmail.com www.sacandagahomeinspections.com

There are many financial considerations when buying a home and the ability to obtain credit is one of them. Here, Jessica Brate, a Licensed Loan Originator at Homestead Funding explains the importance of..

If you are looking to borrow money for a car, credit card or a home, your credit score will determine the rates you will pay. Thus it is important to know your credit score and understand what factors are used to determine it. The three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) all have their own "credit scoring models". Each model weighs various factors differently- some put more emphasis on your payment history and others look more closely at balances or available credit. The scores that 90% of banks use for mortgage lending are generally FICO scores (there a many versions of FICO scores as well). Consumers can't obtain those scores for free and are often provided with their score from a credit card or online service. Those scores are usually based on the Vantage score (developed by FICO's competitor) and since different data points are considered with that model, the score you will see is likely higher than the scores lenders see. Most lenders select your middle score for rates and lending eligibility. Scores for mortgage credit reports can range from 300-850, but you are likely to be denied credit if your score is below 600. A score in the mid-600's is considered fair, scores in the 680-739 range are good and scores over 740 are considered top tier. Interest rates and mortgage insurance costs are tiered so the higher your score, the lower the rate.

Not only do you have many different credit scores, your scores are ever-changing. Each creditor submits data to the bureaus just one time per month. So what is on a given report is a snapshot of the data available on the date it was obtained. It can take a full month to see a debt you paid off get updated on your report. The balance you owe on credit cards vs. the limit is called your "utilization ratio" which makes up 30% of your FICO score. If you have a card with a $2500 limit and a balance of $2300 your score will be much lower than if you only owe $800 on the same card. Derogatory items like late payments, collection accounts, etc. also have significant impact on your score (they account for up to 35% of the FICO score). The recency of opening new account(s) and the number of creditor inquiries you have will also influence your score.

It can feel like the credit scoring system is a bit mysterious because there is no exact number of points that are gained or lost for specific events. The same event will impact all consumers differently depending on their overall history. For example, a person who had a 680 score and a very limited credit history and only 2 active accounts could lose 40 points for having a 30-day late payment. Yet a person who has a 770 score, a 20 year long history and 10 active accounts might only lose 20 points for a 30-day late payment. When a derogatory event such as a late payment or collection account is reported, just making that payment will not erase that from your history or undo the damage to your score. The only thing that will help your score climb back up from a derogatory event is time. Making all future payments on time payments and maintaining a low utilization ratio will help your score recover more quickly. A late payment from the last month or two will have more negative impact on your score in the immediate future then it will have in 9 or 12 months.

Credit reporting is not a perfect system, but it is the best way for lenders to assess the risk of extending credit so it is very important that you periodically check your history for errors and know your score. If an error shows up on your report you can dispute it through one or all of the bureaus. Making sure you maintain a strong credit score in the 700’s will ensure you have the ability to borrow money when you need to and don’t have to pay higher rates.

You can obtain a free copy of your report with your Experian, Equifax and TransUnion data once per year from www.annualcreditreport.com