The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, February 25th, 2019 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
William T. Smith, Jr., Village Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Brian Marsh, Chief Michael Steurer, Chief Frank Lacosse, DPW Foreman Michael Hagmann, Bill Nevins, John Stangle, Susan Sweeney, Kirk Montanye, Eric Johnson, Angelo Primo
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
At 6:00 P.M. the Mayor opened the Public Hearing for a proposed Local Law # 1 of 2019 Tax Cap Override.
The Clerk read the Notice:
PUBLIC HEARING
A Public Hearing will be held on Monday, February 25th, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. in the Village Municipal Building at 250 Broadway for a purposed Local Law # 1 of 2019 Tax Cap Override authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c with the regular meeting to follow. Such public hearings are open to the public and are accessible to the handicapped. All are encouraged to attend or to present comments in writing.
LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF THE YEAR 2019
TAX CAP OVERRIDE
Village of Menands, County of Albany
A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 1. Legislative Intent
It is the intent of this local law to allow the Village of Menands to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2019 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 2. Authority
This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes a local government’s governing body to override the property tax cap for the coming fiscal year by the adoption of a local law approved by a vote of sixty percent (60%) of said governing body.
Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, County of Albany, is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2019 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 4. Severability
If a court determines that any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance is invalid or unconstitutional, the court’s order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this local law, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 5. Effective Date
This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State
Mayor Grenier opened the Public Hearing explain the purpose of the 2% Override and how it protects the Village.
Resident Bill Garvey hopes the Village does not have to go over the 2% Tax Cap.
Resident Bill Nevins asked what 2% in dollars means to the Village. Treasurer Smith stated $48,000, but after the Governor’s aim to cut it will go down to $27,000.
Resident Brian Marsh is concerned that overriding the Tax Cap before knowing what the budget is seems backwards. Mayor Grenier responded that both NYCOM and the Comptrollers Office agree this is the best plan of action. A discussion followed.
Resident John Stangle stated we should look into starting the Budget process earlier.
Resident Bill Nevins asked what is the 2% based on. Treasurer Smith stated it is 2% of the previous year’s tax levey.
Hearing no further questions or comments the Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 6:09 P.M.
The regular meeting reconvened at 6:09 P.M.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey agreed with Paul Cooney regarding adding railings to the handicap ramp at the Village Office. Bill asked the status. Mayor Grenier stated it is still being looked into.
Resident Garvey stated he found broken glass on Rail Road Avenue and he swept it up.
Bill found a stop sign down at 800 North Pearl Street. Because it’s private property the Village can’t fix the sign, but the owner did replace the sign.
Bill asked if anyone knew how street light #56 was damaged. Chief Lacosse advised him it was hit by a plow.
Resident Brian Marsh advised the Board that his claim against National Grid was denied by Menands Village Court. Brian stated there was another outage over the weekend.
Chief Lacosse advised that Sky Hollow was without power due to lines down. A discussion followed.
Resident Kirk Montanye asked who was overseeing the Election. Mayor Grenier stated the Village Clerk.
He asked which positions were open. He was advised the Mayor and Two Trustees. He was given the dates of Nomination and the Election.
A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll to accept the minutes of the February 4th, 2019 Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting ABSTAINED
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll to accept Local Law # 1 of 2019 Tax Cap Override, seconded by Trustee Boulet.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting NAY
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Foley made a motion to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Boulet.
WARRANT # 18:
GENERAL totaling $111,363.11
WATER totaling $ 13,508.00
SEWER totaling $ 2,793.40
TOTALS $127,664.51
GENERAL
Check # 45552 totaling -$ 25,463.40 MVP payment not cashed – stop payment
WARRANT # 22X:
GENERAL totaling $ 26,709.09 Dec 18 MVP payment
TOTALS $128,910.20
PAYROLL # 19: totaling $102,159.38
(02/01/19 – 02/14/19)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Department Heads presented their Budget Proposals to the Board and answered all questions.
Chief Frank Lacosse Police Department
Bill Smith Economic Development, MS-4
Chief Michael Steurer Fire Department
Michael Hagmann DPW
Donald Handerhan Village
After a discussion it was agreed to schedule the Boards Budget Workshops for Wednesday, March 6th, and Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 at 5:00 P.M.
The Public Hearing for the 2019 – 2020 Budget has been set for Tuesday, April 9th, 2019 at 6:00 P.M.
The Treasurer requested a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with Armory Associates, LLC. for the purpose of determining the Village’s obligation and cost for the postretirement health care benefit plans (OPED) in accordance with Statement #75 of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) for the Village of Menands. Which the Village must implement no later than the Fiscal Year ending May 31, 2019. The cost of which will be $3,300.
Trustee Foley moved a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with Armory Associates, LLC in accordance with Statement #75 of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) at a cost of $3,300.00, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Clerk Handerhan opened a discussion to purchase a new computer for the Building Department. Following a discusion it was tabled for further information.
The following bid was received for the purchase of the 2006 Dodge Durango (VIN # 1D4HB48N16F114747) sold in as is condition:
1 Michael Farrell $200.00
Trustee Nicoll made a motion to accept the bid from Michael Farrell in the amount of $200.00 for the 2006 Dodge Durango, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk needs approval for new park reservation form. He informed the Board that Park Reservations will start at 8:00 A.M. on Friday, March 1st, 2019.
Trustee Boulet made a motion to approve the new park reservation form, 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
The Clerk advised the Board the RFP for new LOSAP Investment Services was sent out and posted.
The Clerk advised the Board he has received complaints of crows in the area of Louis Avenue and Cemetery Avenue.
Eric Johnson advised the Board that the Tree Inventory is complete and is on file at the Village Office.
Treasurer Smith stated that on Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. NYCOM is hosting a meeting on the Legalization of Cannabis. Chief Lacosse is attending if anyone would like to join him please contact the Chief.
Treasurer Smith stated the Governor is making the Tax Cap permanent. The Governor has also cut extreme winter from CHIPS.
Trustee Boulet state to Mike Hagmann that many residents have approached him to Thank him for the great job DPW does.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to adjourn, 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
The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:38 P.M.
________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk