The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, December 9th, 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
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Mike & Susan Mackay, John Stangle, Susan Sweeney, Frank Lacosse, Christopher Flint, Mike Steurer.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey wanted to thank DPW for the following: great job plowing during last storm and fixing the sign at the park.
Bill also asked about the weeds near the pump station. The Clerk advised Bill DPW didn’t get to them due to higher priority projects.
Bill reported 3 street lights, the Clerk advised Bill that Menands Police had already reported 10 lights out to National Grid.
Bill found an ID on the ground and gave it to the Police.
Bill advised the Board he shoveled 10 hydrants out. The Board thanked him.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to accept the minutes of the November 18th, 2019 Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting ABSTAINED
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Harris.
WARRANT # 13:
GENERAL totaling $340,240.51
WATER totaling $ 87,904.00
SEWER totaling $ 56,663.39
TOTALS $484,807.90
PARK IMPROVEMENT totaling $ 6,689.25
PAYROLL # 13: totaling $ 98,236.72
(11/08/19-11/21/19)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Follow-up from last Meeting:
Everbridge Intergrade to Website -The Clerk spoke to Sean Mahoney, who oversees the Village’s Website. He stated there is no way to integrate the two systems automatically to update every time there is a notice put out over the Everbridge System.
But there is a way for the residents to sign up for a notice to be sent to them when its updated. The cost to upgrade the website could be as much as $1,600.00. A discussion followed.
Fire Department LOSAP increase – This change is not a mandatory change. Those fire districts, towns, villages and cities in NYS who sponsor Defined Contribution programs for their volunteers now have the option to increase the annual contribution they are now making to as much as $1,200.00. To make the change (i.e. to increase the current contribution level), local voter approval must be obtained at an election.
A discussion followed, the Clerk will follow-up with NYCOM.
DATE: 12/2/19 Actual 12/9/19 due to snowstorm
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh, seconded by Trustee Nicoll 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:
A.3120.0201
Description
Contingent ACCOUNT
Police – Computers & Software
Amount:
$17,150.00
$1,000
From Acct:
XXXXXXXX
To Acct:
A.5110.0421
Description
Street – Training
Amount:
$500.00
From Acct:
XXXXXXXXXX
To Acct:
A.9015.0802
Description
Police Retirement
Amount:
$15,650.00
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Treasurer requests permission to transfer $254,400. From the Equipment Savings Account to Account A.3410.0208 to cover the cost of the Scott-Packs and Radios that the Fire Company received. Trustee Marsh moved, seconded by Trustee Nicoll the following resolution authorizing the Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $254,400 from the Equipment Savings Account to Account A.3410.0208 to cover the cost of the new Scott-Paks and Radios that the Fire Company has received.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Surplus Scott Packs and Bottles – our old air packs and bottles have little or no useful life left, which means they have little to no monetary value. I have spoken with Chief Paris of Albany Country and he would be interested in these, if we can surplus them to the county. He can use what useful life is left.
It is my recommendation that at the next Board Meeting, the Village Board surplus these to Albany County. Please let me know if you have any questions. Chief Mike Steurer.
Trustee Harris made a motion to surplus Scott Packs and Bottles to Albany County, 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
Village Attorney Rehfuss explained the need for a Memorandum of Understanding between the Village of Menands and the Village of Green Island, on the event a piece of equipment is needed to be borrowed from either Village.
Trustee Foley made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Village of Menands and the Village of Green Island, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Board the telephone contract was up for renewal. The Clerk and Treasurer sat down with both First Light and Verizon. Verizon could not provide the internet speed needed to operate the Village. First Light lowered their cost by $200.00 per month to $1,575.00.
Trustee Foley made a motion to renew the contract with First Light and to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract 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 advised the Board he had received a call from DOT regarding the property at 434 Broadway. A developer wants to develop that property DOT is asking for a letter of support to have the developer exit the property at the light. After a discussion the Board decided not to act until they know more about the project.
The Clerk gave the Board a reminder of the Annual Christmas Party for employees, retire employees and their guests scheduled for Thursday, December 12th, 2019 from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Kris’ Mid City Tavern.
Police Chief Frank Lacosse advised the Board of up-coming changes to the Court and how they are going to affect the Menands Police Department and Court Security. The new law will require eight (8) additional court dates at a cost of approximately $4,000.00. Chief Lacosse is also asking for an additional Police Officer to help take some of the burden off Det/Sgt St. Gelais. A discussion followed.
Mayor Megan Grenier advise the Board the Village is moving forward with the Tree Grant into the next phase Chazen has completed the application.
Mayor Grenier introduced a Grant from CDTC that would improve zoning within the Village. The Zoning would work with the Comprehensive Plan. The Grant is for $80,000.00 and the Village would not have to come up with the monies until next Budget.
Trustee Marsh made a motion to approve the CDTC Grant resolution to improve zoning within the Village, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Marsh made a motion to approve Chazen to write the CDCT Zoning Grant, 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 thanked the Fire Company for the great job they did for the Senior’s Christmas Party.
Mayor Grenier stated the CP Holiday Train was a success and thanked everyone involved for making it run so smoothly.
Trustee Marsh asked if Treasurer Smith could give an update on the financial status of the Village.
At 7:05 P.M. Trustee Harris made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel
matter, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 7:44 P.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh 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 7:44 P.M.
_________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk