The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, June 6th, 2016 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
John P. Berry, Jr., Village Clerk
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Paul Reuss, Exec Asst to Mayor
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Brian Marsh, Paul Cooney, Kerry Franklin, Diane Brunelle, Kirk Montanye, Bob Schanz, James Sher, Kevin Franklin, Susan Harris, Brett Harris.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
At 6:00 P.M. the Mayor opened the public hearing to amend Section 160-31 of the Village Code “Exclusion of Heavy Trucks from certain Village Highway/Streets” and Repeal Section 160-36 “Designation of Wolfert Avenue as a Main Artery of Travel”
A number of residents spoke in favor of the purposed changes. There were also residents who suggested reducing the speed limit, as well as designating that street as a one way street.
Hearing no further questions the Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:05 P.M.
At 6:05 P.M. the Mayor opened the public hearing to amend Section 138 of the Village Code “Signs and Billboards” adding a new Section 30 “Planned Development District (PDD) Provisions: and review proposed “Zoning Map Changes”.
There were a number of residents who asked for clarifications on the proposed changes the Mayor responded.
Hearing no further question the Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:14 P.M.
The regular semi-monthly meeting reconvened at 6:14 P.M.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey remarked that the roof of the Pavilion at Ganser Smith Park looks good since the DPW painted it. He was very happy that the utility pole on Tillinghast Avenue was taken care of as requested. Bill asked when the two signs on Harts Lane and Broadway be replaced.
Resident Susan Harris stated that Menand Road as well as Van Rensselaer Blvd are in need of repair. She also asked if we could get NYS DOT to put in sidewalks on Van Rensselaer Blvd.
Resident Paul Cooney remarked that the problem with sidewalks is that once they are installed the municipality owns them and it’s their responsibility to maintain them.
Ms. Harris stated that smoking in the park is hazardous to everyone and should be prohibited. Trustee Boulet responded.
Resident James Sher said that last week there was someone riding a dirt bike on Cemetery Avenue and he was riding an ATV. He stated that a Police Officer told him that he couldn’t ride on the road. Mr. Sher was not clear whether the Officer could make
that request if the road is private. The Village Attorney suggested that he ask Chief O’Brien if the road is private.
Resident Brian Marsh wanted to thank everyone involved in the Van Rensselaer Blvd Water Project. He said its been a very good difference in pressure. Brian reported that every weekend there are unlicensed vehicles that have been racing on Van Rensselaer
Blvd between approximately 3 to 5 P.M. He also asked why VIOS is not offered in the Village. Trustee Boulet responded.
Mr. Sher asked if anyone knew why NYS DOT only mows the one particular island in the Village.
Mr. Montanye asked if anyone has looked at what the impact would be on Wards Lane if the designation of Wolfert Avenue changed.
Ms. Harris asked if the Village knew what the completion date will be for the apartments at Albany International a well as Dutch Village and how many units would be in each. The Mayor stated that there would be 143 units in Albany International and an additional 48 units at Dutch Village.
Resident Diane Brunelle asked what the cost will be for John Ferraro’s Architectural Services at 280 Broadway. The Mayor stated that the estimated cost will be $10,240.00.
A motion was made by Trustee Boulet, seconded by Trustee Foley to accept the minutes of the May 16th, 2016 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 Harris, seconded by Trustee Nicoll to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 25 (ENC):
GENERAL totaling $36,115.62
WATER totaling $ 9,392.66
SEWER totaling $ 1,320.30
TOTALS $46,828.58
WARRANT # 1:
GENERAL totaling $210,125.42
WATER totaling $105,296.58
SEWER totaling $ 16,803.59
TOTALS $332,225.59
PAYROLL # 26: totaling $93,756.38
(05/13/16 – 05/26/16)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Harris made a motion, seconded by Trustee Foley authorizing the Mayor to sign the Albany County Planning Board’s Official Notice of Local Action.
The Code Enforcement Officer reported that Menands is doing very well. He’s been getting a number of inquires about more businesses coming into the Village.
Trustee Harris made a motion, seconded by Trustee Foley for the Menands Fire Dept to use the ladder truck in the June 11th, American Cancer Society Event, as well as the June 18th, Lake George Parade.
Trustee Harris made a motion, seconded by Trustee Nicoll to approve the Chazen Company for professional services for the 2016 Paving Project.
Public Hearing # 1 Trustee Foley made a motion, seconded by Trustee Boulet to amend Section 160-31 of the Village Code, “Exclusion of Heavy Trucks from certain Village Highways/Streets” and repeal Section 160-36 “Designation of Wolfert Avenue as a Main Artery of Travel”.
ADOPED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Public Hearing # 2 Trustee Boulet made a motion, seconded by Trustee Harris to amend Section 138 of the Village Code “Signs and Billboards” adding a new Section 30 “Planned Development District (PDD) Provisions” and review purposed “Zoning Map Changes”.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Harris withdrew his proposal from last meeting to amend Section 110 of the Village Code “Junked Vehicles”.
The Mayor reported that she received information from Congressman Tonko’s Office on a “Historic Preservation Tax Credit Workshop”.
Trustee Foley reported that she received information from companies on how municipalities would accept credit card payments.
A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll, seconded by Trustee Harris to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding with the Menands PBA for the new contract June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2018.
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, seconded by Trustee Nicoll to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding with the Teamsters Local 294 for the new contract June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2019.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Mayor Grenier reported that the Business Breakfast was very successful and well attended.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris, seconded by Trustee Nicoll to approve Ferraro Architects for services at 280 Broadway.
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 Foley to go into recess and to reconvene Monday, June 13th at 6:00 P.M.
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 recessed at 7:05 P.M.
_________________
John P. Berry, Jr.
Clerk