The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustee of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, December 17th, 2018 was called to order by Mayor Megan Grenier at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Megan Grenier, Mayor
Steve Boulet, Trustee
Diane Foley, Trustee
Seth H Harris, Trustee
Aileen Nicoll, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Will Malcolm, Calvin MacDowell, Susan Sweeney, Carin D’Ambro, Eric Johnson.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Will Malcom and Calvin MacDowell from Capital Roots spoke to the Board about Capital Roots and the different programs they offer to communities.
Some of the programs include: Community Gardens, Farm to School, Urban Greenway, and Healthy Streets. A discussion followed.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey stated that the railroad has started to clear the weeds from the towers along the railroad tracks.
The stop signs and street signs at Menand Road and Rail Road Avenue is still leaning. The Clerk stated he will have DPW take care of it.
Resident Garvey suggested at the end of Menand Road and Clifford Road new signs be put up stating NO TRUCK TRAFFIC.
Mr. Garvey wished the Board a Merry Christmas and safe Holiday.
Resident Susan Sweeney stated that she was concerned about the mixed messages that came out about the leaves. She was happy the Mayor and Board decided to stand their ground and only pick-up bagged leaves. But then DPW started to go back to picking up leaves.
Susan believes once you make a decision you should live by it.
Mayor Grenier explained to Mrs. Sweeney the decision to go back to picking up leaves did not come lightly.
After (5) messages were sent out and notices put in the Activities about not putting leaves in the road and bagging leaves, residents continue to put leaves into the road which started to create a public safety issue. At first DPW was using the backhoe and dump truck. On one street alone they were there for 8 hours and 22 truckloads to clear existing leaves. The residents at the other end of the street started putting their leaves into the road after being told not to by DPW. The leaves were blocking the roadways and covering the storm sewers.
Mayor Grenier also made an agreement with Albany County Executive Dan McCoy to have Albany plow the streets of Menands if needed during the time the trucks were set up for leaves.
A representative from Huong Son Meditation Temple asked the Board about suspending interest on monies owed from water bills. Attorney Rehfuss explained because the water bills have been turned over to Albany County the Board does not have the power to assist with suspending interest. They would have to speak to Albany County directly.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to accept the minutes of the December 3rd, 2018 Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to approve payments for the following, seconded by Trustee Foley:
WARRANT # 14:
GENERAL totaling $87,740.25
WATER totaling $ 4,058.76
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $91,799.01
PAYROLL # 14: totaling $83,045.07
(11/23/18-12/06/18)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Village received bids from the following companies for the implementation of the Village Comprehensive Plan:
Chazen Companies Glens Falls, NY $40,000.00
EDR Albany, NY $49,000.00
Elan Saratoga, NY $48,090.00
MJ Engineering Clifton Park, NY $49,980.00
Trustee Boulet made a motion to retain Chazen Companies as the Comprehensive Plan Engineers in the amount of $40,000.00, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A letter has been written to CDTC for Community and Transportation Linage Planning Program for a Rezoning Grant with a $20,000.00 matching money that will have to be budgeted for in the 2019-2020 Budget. This grant will update codes and zoning for the Village.
The Clerk asked for Board permission to hire a temporary person to assist in reorganizing the Records Room and imputing the information into the computer. The monies would be transferred from Budgeted 2018-2019 Youth Employment unused funds.
Trustee Harris made a motion to hire a Temporary Employee at $11.10 per hour for 30 hours per week for 8 weeks with the advice and consent of the Mayor, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Boulet stated that the Holiday Party was a success. There were about 60 people in attendance.
Trustee Harris advised the Clerk he will be attending Sunday, February 10th, 2019 the NYCOM Winter Legislative Meeting.
Attorney Rehfuss updated the Board on the Police Department’s SOP’s. There will be a letter from Chief Lacosse at the next meeting explaining SOP’s.
A motion was made by Trustee Boulet to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:15 P.M.
________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk