By MATT LEON mleon@poststar.com
Published on 7/15/2005

BALLSTON SPA -- The days of residents taking time off from work to research assessed values in their neighborhood, wetlands on their property, or agricultural districts could be drawing to a close. Saratoga County recently debuted an Internet-based geographic information system, essentially a digital map that matches a variety of data with actual geographic locations. Applications include mapping property lines, major roads and streams, aerial views and flood plains.

“Eventually, I think more communities will see it as a greater customer service and a way to respond more quickly to routine questions,” said Mark Wheeler, a project manager with the Schenectady-based firm Applied GIS, which designed the county’s system. Wheeler noted that often people take time during the day to visit government offices with questions that can be answered with GIS mapping. “With the Internet, they can look at these 24 hours a day, and eliminate some of those burdens and satisfy those requests more quickly,” he said.

Applied GIS designed the system and launched the Web site at a cost of $20,000, according to Saratoga County Management Analyst Spencer Hellwig. He said it will cost about $6,000 per year to maintain. Charlton Supervisor Fred Acunto, who spearheaded the GIS system, said it will be a tool not only for existing residents, but also for economic development. He noted that it shows where the state’s business incentive zones are, railroad lines, and is capable of showing other major utilities. “This is actually international,” Acunto said. “Somebody in Japan could be looking for a site. ... A few seconds on this GIS, they could activate the initial data they might be looking for. It’s going to be a great, great asset for economic development, no question in my mind.” Acunto said he believes that Saratoga County is ahead of the curve with a system is available to everyone online.

Warren County’s online GIS information is similar, but also includes building footprints, election districts and zoning districts. Washington County currently only uses GIS mapping internally, but officials hope to make it available to the public in the future, according to county Administrator Kevin Hayes. He said he will know soon if the county has received a grant that could lead to expanded GIS services.

For more information, contact Mark Wheeler