The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, December 16th, 2019 was called to order by Mayor Megan Grenier at 6:00 P.M.

PRESENT:

Megan Grenier, Mayor
Diane Foley, Trustee
Seth H. Harris, Trustee
Brian Marsh, Trustee
Aileen Nicoll, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk

ABSENT:

Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney

Also attending: Bill Garvey, Kirk Montanye, Susan Sweeney, Susan & Mike Mackay, Christopher Flint, Frank Lacosse, Robert Becher.

The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Open Forum:

Resident Bill Garvey questioned the light pole numbering along Broadway near Harts Lane. The poles are mis-numbered. The Clerk advised that National Grid assigns pole numbers.

Mr. Garvey thanked the Menands Police for ensuring the door is closed at 420 Broadway.

Bill does not agree with the changes to the Court Laws.

Mr. Garvey wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Resident Susan Sweeney asked for the next meeting if there could be updates on the following: new equipment purchased for the DPW, expected delivery date, where monies are coming from for purchases – Financial Statement status of Paving Contract.

Update on website when changes go into effect, will residents have input, Susan would like to see more Board follow-up and feed back to residents when they bring up issues to the Board.

Susan would like to get Liaison Reports from the Trustees periodically on the status of the Departments.

Resident Kirk Montanye asked for a follow-up on the increase to the LOSAP.

The Clerk told Kirk after the Board approves the increase it must go out to the residents for a referendum vote. The earliest the increase would take effect would be 2021.

Kirk asked about the outside lights on the firehouse. The Clerk advised there is a short in the system. New lights are on order as soon as the order arrives, they will be installed.

Kirk advise the Board the street light on Broadway and Brookside Avenue is out. The Clerk advised he will contact National Grid in the morning.

Kirk reminded the Clerk about needed repairs to the firehouse. The Clerk advised Kirk that DPW will complete needed repairs as soon as they get caught up.

Kirk asked Chief Lacosse to remind the Officers to use the tan chairs and not the red chairs for Court. Chief Lacosse stated he will advise his Officers.

A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to accept the minutes of the December 9th, 2019 Board Meeting as amended, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll to approve payments for the following, seconded by Trustee Marsh.

WARRANT # 14:

GENERAL totaling $143,595.65
WATER totaling $ 33,606.45
SEWER totaling $ 171.95
TOTALS $177,374.05

PAYROLL # 14: totaling $154,429.97
(11/22/19-12/05/19)

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

Paul Reuss explained the changes to Stormwater Coalition of Albany Inter Municipal Agreement. He asked the Board to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.

Trustee Harris introduced a resolution authorizing the Village to approve the amended Stormwater Coalition of Albany County Inter Municipal Agreement, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

The Clerk and Mike Mackay presented Luis Clemente to be promoted from Social Member to Fire Police, Chief Steurer was not available due to illness.

Trustee Nicoll made a motion to approve Luis Clemente from Social Member to Fire Police, seconded by Trustee Foley.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk led a discussion regarding the tree removal next to 30 Wolfert Avenue. After a discussion it was tabled until a price for removing the tree was determined. Trustee Marsh stated the Village should look into deeding over the property to 30 Wolfert Avenue. A discussion followed.

The Clerk asked the Board to renew the window cleaning contract with Action Window Cleaning Company at a cost of $319.00 for 250 Broadway and $158.00 for 280 Broadway. Bi-monthly contract term 01/01/20 to 12/31/22.

Trustee Marsh made a motion to approve the contract with Action Window Cleaning Company for $319.00 for 250 Broadway and $158.00 for 280 Broadway for bi-monthly cleaning, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

Chief Lacosse continued explaining from last meeting his need to hire an additional Police Officer. Chief Lacosse gave the Board what it will cost to hire the new officer for the rest of the budget starting January 1st, 2020.

Trustee Marsh made a motion to hire Josh Kullman as a full time Police Officer effective January 1st, 2020, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

Judges Flint and Becher explained the impact the Court Reform Law will have on the Village and Menands Court. The Court will need a cell phone to contact defendants, Court will take more time due to changes in procedure and adding Court dates.

When the Court issues an Order of Protection it must be entered into the system within 24 hours by a Court Clerk. A discussion followed.

Trustee Foley made a motion to approve the purchase of a cell phone for Court, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

Mayor Grenier advised the Board that after speaking with Chief Lacosse, all deposits to the bank from the Village and the Court will need to be deposited immediately and will have a Police Escort.

Mayor Grenier advised the Board she received an email and next year’s tax cap will be 1.78%.

Mayor Grenier advised the Board she read in the Bulletin at Church a Thank You to the Village of Menands and her for the donations from the Holiday Train that Sacred Hart received $1,000.00 from CP Rail, $720.00 donations and 1,000 pounds of food.

Trustee Foley thanked DPW for putting up the Military Banners, they look great.

Trustee Marsh thanked DPW for the hard work and long hours at the last water main break.

At 7:15 P.M. Trustee Foley made a motion to enter into Executive Sessions to discuss personnel
matter, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Foley.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

________________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk

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