50 YEARS AGO

Phone center handles growth

The New York Telephone Co. had earmarked $1,115,000 (about $7.7 million today) through 1973 to expand its call-carrying network in Ballston Spa and to keep pace with an annual service growth rate approaching 15 percent in some areas of Saratoga County. It was part of more than $6 million to be spent in the county over the next 18 months for new telephone cable and the proposed long distance information center in Saratoga Springs.

The center would generate 150 new jobs and handle collect, credit card and coin box calls and directory assistance for the entire 518 area code, said Robert Stokes, Saratoga County district manager.

Occupancy was planned for late 1973 and the center could eventually add information service for Manhattan, rerouting and switching networks. Stokes said the company was aware of problems with service, including static on telephone lines and busy signals when too many area phone lines, rather than the individual party called, were tied up. The company was burying all new lines installed in the area. Water leaking through conduits under high air pressure was causing problems.