The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands was held on Monday, November 7th, 2022, and was called to order by Mayor Megan Grenier at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Megan Grenier, Mayor
Diane Foley, Trustee
Seth H. Harris, Trustee
Timothy Lane, Trustee
Brian Marsh, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
William Smith, Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney – Attended virtually
Chief Ryan St. Gelais
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Matt Rodgers, Jen Nechamen, Doug Reuther, Mike Steurer, Bill Nevins, Mike, and Susan MacKay, Kelly Grimaldi, Josh Kuhlman, Joe Martel, Dave Ognan, Luis Clemente, Sherri Archambault, Harvey Bender, Gary Jeffries, Scott Murray, TJ Robertson, Jonathan Dudley, Paul DeDominics, Judy and Brandon Ture
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey made the following comment:
- Thanks, the DPW for taking care of the bees near the bleachers
- Bill advised the Police Department about a disabled vehicle on the exit 6 ramp
- A report was given to Police regarding trash cans blocking the fire hydrant on S Lyons Ave.
- Street Light #67 has been repaired
- Supports NY Forward Grant
- He wrote a letter to CP Rail regarding cleaning up the area near the railroad tracks
- He is very happy that the dugouts have been repaired
- He cleaned up broken glass in the dugout
Mayor Grenier thanked the Members of the Menands Fire Department and Menands Police for their efforts during a Signal 30 structure fire at 412 Broadway. The Board was very impressed by the quick response of the Fire Department and Police. The residents of the home were sent to the hospital. There were several pets in the home. 4 dogs did survive. The Mayor also thanked the mutual aid departments. Menands Fire Department did knock down the majority of the fire prior to mutual aid arrival. The Board also thanked the Fire and Police Departments for a job well done.
Chief Ognan asked Trustee Marsh if he could ask the Humane Society if they have any more Pet Rescue masks. Trustee Marsh said he would take care of it.
Mayor Grenier advised the Board that Diane MacFarland is retiring from being the Village Gardener as of January 1st. The Mayor introduced Kelly Grimaldi as the new Village Gardener effective January 1st of 2023. Kelly is currently the gardener for the St. Agnes Cemetery. The Board welcomed Kelly and wished her well in her new position.
Resolution Number 230078:
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve minutes from the October 17th, 2022, Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting ABSTAINED
Resolution Number 230079:
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve the following, seconded by Trustee Foley.
WARRANT # 11:
GENERAL totaling $148,138.49
WATER totaling $ 38,990.58
SEWER totaling $ 34,270.08
TOTALS $221,399.15
PAYROLL # 11: totaling $ 93,687.40
(10/07/2022-10/20/2022)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number 230080:
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh, seconded by Trustee Lane, to accept
the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Treasurer be, and hereby is, authorized to make the following Budget Transfers
Account Account
From Acct: A.1990.0400 To Acct: A1110.0401
Description Contingent Account Court – Supplies
$17,000.00 $1,500.00
Treasurer short on appropriation
” To Acct: A.1110.0404
” Court – Miscellaneous
” $1,000.00
New Hire ads
” To Acct: A.1320.0400
” Auditor
” $5,500.00
Treasurer short on appropriation
Extra work
” To Acct: A.1910.0400
” Unallocated Insurance
” $4,000.00
Cyber Insurance – increase
” To Acct: A.9089.0800
” Compensated absences
” $5,000.00
R. St. Gelais & Handerhan
From Acct: A.3120.0108 To Acct: A.3120.0208
Description Police – Lieutenant Police – Equipment Misc.
Amount: $1,000.00 $1,000.00
Various Equipment
From Acct: A.5110.0104 To Acct: A.5110.0209
Description Street – P/T and Summer Street – Pick-up
Amount: $4,100.00 $1,100.00
Radio Install
” To Acct: A.5110.0421
” Street – Training
” $3,000.00
CDL Training
From Acct: A.6989.0100 To Acct: A.6989.0400
Description Econ Dev – Personal Services Econ Dev – Contractual
Amount: $2,000.00 $2,000.00
Web site work
Trustee Foley Voted – Aye
Trustee Harris Voted – Aye
Trustee Lane Voted – Aye
Trustee Marsh Voted – Aye
Mayor Grenier Voted – Aye
Matt Rodgers from LaBella introduced changes to the Village of Menands Zoning project. The Zone Law changes were made possible due to a Grant the Village received from the CDTC. Matt explained the process of creating the Zone Law changes and the committees that were involved in the process. On November 11th the changes will be available to the public for comments for 25 days. Discussion followed.
Jen Nechamen of LaBella gave an update on the High Service Reservoir. Jen explained the results of all of the inspections and LaBella’s recommendations. There is a leak in Tank A at the joints of the walls and floor. Discussion followed.
After the discussion Trustee Harris made a motion to have LaBella prepare a bid to repair Tank A of the reservoir, increase security and replace the valves in the reservoir, second by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Doug Ruther asked if it is time to investigate replacing the reservoir. Discussion followed.
Mayor Grenier had Jen Nechamen of LaBella get bids to inspect the sewer lines on the Northern section of the Village similar to what was completed in the South End of the Village.
Jen gave the following results of the bids:
CCTV and Light Cleaning
- KPI quote: $26,000 (attached)
- Arold quote: $143,000 (attached)
- Scope: camera footage and inspection report for ~6,500 LF of the Village’s northern trunk sewer main and outfall
- Purpose: get a rough idea of available pipe capacity based on an instantaneous observation of flow, and assess general pipe condition including identification of specific defects (i.e., cracks, root intrusion, breaks, etc.)
- Schedule: Substantial completion 12/9/22, final completion 12/14/22
Flow Metering
- KSPE quote: $10,588 (attached)
- Scope: 1-month temporary meter installation at three locations on the Village’s northern trunk sewer main
- Purpose: identify available pipe capacity based on dry-weather conditions and (depending on rainfall during the monitoring period) wet-weather conditions
- Schedule: 1-month install plus 15-day minimum mobilization period
KSPE 10,588.00
Discussion followed.
Resolution Number 230081:
After discussion Trustee, Marsh made a motion to approve KPI to camera the Northern End of the Village at a cost of $26,000.00, second by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number 230082:
Trustee Harris made a motion to approve KSPE to meter the Northern End of the Village at a cost of $10,588.00, second by Trustee, Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Mayor Grenier advised the Board that Local Law # 4 for 2022 to lower the Village of Menands Speed Limit to 25 MPH with the exception of Wards Lane would require a Traffic Engineer study completed prior to approving the Local Law. The cost of the Traffic Engineer study would cost approximately $26,000.00. There is a grant available from CDTC to help offset the cost of the Traffic Engineer study. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number 230083:
After the discussion Trustee, Marsh made a motion to approve applying for the CDTC Grant to offset the cost of the Traffic Engineer study, second by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
On October 17, 2022, Teal Becker & Chairamonte, CPA’s, the Villages’ auditors gave the results of the 2021 audit a discussion was held to approve the 2021 audit of Village Funds and Court Funds. After discussion.
Resolution Number 230084:
Trustee Marsh made a motion to accept the Auditor’s Report for the Village Funds for the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number 230085:
Trustee Harris made a motion to accept the Auditor’s Report for the Court Funds for the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year and authorized the Treasurer to sign the representation letter for the Village, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk led a discussion regarding renewing the LOSAP Program through Penflex for the 2022-2023 year at $2,600.00. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number 230086:
After discussion Trustee, Marsh made a motion to Penflex to administer the 2022-2023 LOSAP for the Menands Fire Department Firefighters at a cost of $2,600.00, second by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Chief Ryan St Gelais advised the Board that the Police Department has entered into a partnership with Watervliet and Guilderland Police Departments to create a Rapid Response Team. Three members of the Menands Police have completed the agility test. Chief St Gelais is requesting $9,400.00 to purchase equipment needed for the Rapid Response Team.
Discussion followed.
Resolution Number 230087:
Trustee Marsh made a motion to approve the purchase of equipment needed for the Rapid Response Team at a cost of $9,400.00 second by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane updated the Board about the Roadway Permit. Trustee Lane has been in contact with the Cities of Watervliet and Cohoes regarding the permits they use. Discussion followed.
Mayor Grenier gave an update on the Halloween Parade and the Truck or Treat event at Ganser- Smith Park. Approximately 400 people participated, plus the Menands PBA also gave out candy.
The Clerk advised that the Town of Colonie Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for Fiscal Year 2021 is in his office for review.
The Clerk advised the Board that he will be on vacation starting Wednesday, November 11th through November 16th.
Trustee Harris advised the Board there will be a Menorah Lighting ceremony on December 19th at 5 PM at Ganser Smith Park.
Mayor Grenier advised the Board that the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be 5 PM on December 4, at Ganser Smith Park.
At 7:23 P.M. Trustee Marsh made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss a Legal and Personnel matter, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number 230088:
After the executive session, Trustee Marsh made a motion that the Chief of Police and Lieutenant of the Menands Police Department and Foreman of the Department of Public Works, in the Village of Menands, shall be compensated with annual salary increases, equal to the rate increase in the collective bargaining unit of their perspective departments or the rate increase of non-union staff members, whichever is higher, per budget year beginning with the 23/24 budget and is not retroactive, second by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 8:17 P.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:19 P.M.
_________________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk