The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, June 5th, 2017 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
Paul Reuss, Exec Asst to Mayor
Also attending: Brian Marsh, Mary Miles, John Stangle, Bill Garvey, Stephen Brickman, Howard Carr, Bill Nevins, Marsella Rockwell, Laura Harbour, Johanne Clark, Paul Tietsel, Lisa Proskin.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey was happy to see water & sewer rates decreased. Resident Garvey thanked the Menands Police for unblocking a fire hydrant on Broadway. He also thanked DPW for putting in railroad signs and he also thanked everyone for the concerns about his health.
Resident Brian Marsh asked if the Village had a time frame for work to be completed on Route 377. The Mayor advised approximately one month depending on the weather.
Resident Marsh inquired about Crown Castle. The Mayor advised him they closed down about a year ago.
Resident Nevins asked why credit cards can not be used for tax bills or by using different applications on their phones.
The Mayor advised the Village looked into it but discovered it was too costly and the credit card fees would have to be charged back to the residents. A discussion followed.
Resident Marcella Rockwell thanked Menands Police, Fire and DPW for their timely response to a large tree that fell on Jones Court during the last storm.
Resident Rockwell expressed her concern with parking on Jones Court, she would like to see No Parking from here to corner sign put up. The Mayor advised she will have Menands Police and Fire look into it. A discussion followed.
Resident Rockwell also stated there is an over grown tree at the end of Jones Court that impedes the view of Menand Road. A discussion followed.
Residents Stephen Brickman, Laura Harbour and Johanna Clark complained about the train whistle and inquired if the Village could look into a Quiet Zone.
Resident Clark read a petition that had 85 signatures on it in favor of a Quite Zone for Menands. She did not present it to the Village though. The Mayor advised that the Village is in the process of looking into a Quiet Zone for Menands. A discussion followed.
Resident Dave Tietser stated there are a lot of dead trees and branches while at the park with his grandchild noticed limps that had fallen near the playground. A discussion followed.
Resident Mary Miles inquired about the benefit to the Village by going forward with the Elmwood Apartment Project. The Mayor advised that according to developers she has spoken to, increasing the Village population increases our ratings, making Menands more attractive to future development. A discussion followed.
Resident Miles inquired what happens next. The Mayor explained the procedure to Resident Miles.
Resident Clark asked about the status of the Dutch Village Project. The Mayor stated Dutch Village has a new contractor and work should start by the end of the month.
Resident Tietser asked why the Village doesn’t go after vacant building owners to clean up the properties. A discussion followed.
Laura Harbour asked question for her father. What was the purchase price of 280 Broadway and what was the cost of renovations. The Mayor stated the purchase price was $150,000.00, and the renovation totals are not known yet waiting for bills to come in.
Resident Harbour asked if the Village had considered not allowing children in new apartment projects. The Mayor responded that is not a consideration.
Resident Harbour asked if paving bids have gone out yet. The Mayor explained the Chazen Companies is handling that and bids should go out by the end of June for July start date.
A motion was made by Trustee Boulet, seconded by Trustee Foley to accept the minutes of the May 15th, 2017 Board Meeting.
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 Nicoll, seconded by Trustee Harris to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 25 (ENC):
GENERAL totaling $ 55,809.73
WATER totaling $274,893.56
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $330,703.29
WARRANT # 1:
GENERAL totaling $185,274.91
WATER totaling $ 97,446.00
SEWER totaling $ 16,590.00
TOTALS $299,310.91
PAYROLL # 26: totaling $ 92,732.46
(05/12/17 – 05/25/17)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The following bids were received for remodeling the Police Department as follows:
McGuirk Contracting LLC $5,556.00
Trevor Barcomb $6,800.00
Sam Construction $6,350.00
Trustee Nicoll made a motion, seconded by Trustee Foley to approve the remodeling of the Police Department by McGuirk Contracting LLC in the amount of $5,556.00.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Village Board denied the Peddlers Permits for Family Energy, Inc. They do not believe it is in the best interest of the residents of Menands.
Howard Carr spoke to the Board about apartment living vs home ownership. Mr. Carr also spoke about trends in business and for apartments.
The Clerk advised the Board that they will be receiving their own individual Village of Menands email addresses.
The Mayor advised due to the 4th of July Holiday the first meeting in July will be Wednesday, July 5th at 6:00 P.M.
The Mayor proposed placing a clock at 280 Broadway a discussion followed. The Board felt that an electronic sign would better suit the needs of the Village. A discussion followed.
At 7:39 P.M. Trustee Foley made a motion, seconded by Trustee Harris to enter into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 8:26 P.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Foley, seconded by Trustee Harris to adjourn.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:21 P.M.
_________________
Donald Handerhan
Clerk