The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustee of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, March 20th, 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
ABSENT:
Paul Reuss, Exec Asst to Mayor
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Brian Marsh, John Stangle, Kirk Montanye, Mike Steurer.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey enjoyed the St. Patrick’s Day Party. Bill also stated the lights at the end of Tillinghast Avenue were not working. Bill asked about planting more trees in the Village the Mayor explained the Village is completing a tree survey.
Resident Brian Marsh advised about the vehicles at 7 Sky Hollow, Greg Rainka’s property being back. Brian asked about delays with the Dutch Village Project. The Mayor advised there is a dispute between Dutch Village and the contractor.
Asst Chief Michael Sturer read a letter from Chief Brian Franklin. Chief Franklin received a complaint about parking on Jones Court. A discussion followed.
The Mayor thanked the Fire Department for all their help before, during and after the storm.
Resident Kirk Monanye inquired about the hiring practice for the Menands Police Department. The Mayor & Attorney Rehfuss advised the Village of Menands only hires Patrol Officers that have completed the Police Academy and are on the Civil Service List. A discussion followed.
The Mayor read a statement from Chief O’Brien in response to Resident Montanye’s inquiry from March 6th, 2017 meeting about the Albert Beverly Case.
With regard to Kirk Montanye’s statement about Albert Beverly’s claim against the Police Department, there was no settlement, the claim was found to be baseless and was thrown out of Court. Therefore there was no reason to discipline any Officers because there was no misconduct on anyone’s part.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris, seconded by Trustee Foley to accept the minutes of the March 6th, 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 Boulet to accept the minutes of the March 9th, 2017 Budget Workshop.
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 Boulet to accept the minutes of the March 9th, 2017 Health Insurance Workshop.
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 # 20:
GENERAL totaling $ 45,391.02
WATER totaling $ 9,687.63
SEWER totaling $118,229.00
TOTALS $173,307.65
PAYROLL # 21: totaling $ 84,271.27
(03/03/14 – 03/16/17)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk reported that the Mayor had submitted the Preliminary Village Budget for 2017 to the Board. Copies are available for the public at the Village Offices.
Trustee Boulet introduced the following proposed Local Law # 1 for 2017, seconded by Trustee Foley.
LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF THE YEAR 2017
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, 2017 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, 2017 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.
A discussion was held on replacement cost of Access System for the Fire House with a new system.
Sander’s Fire Safety
1 4 door standard SYSTEM
50 FOB’s
Installation & Programing
Testing system
$6,689.90 All Door locks and readers
Hart Alarm
1 Master control system
1 sub control unit
50 FOB’s
Installation & Programing
Testing system
$2500.00 Reuse existing door locks and readers
Trustee Harris made a motion, seconded by Trustee Nicoll to replace the Access System for the Fire Department by Hart Alarm.
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 Sponsor Authorization Form for the Fire Department Service Awards Program,
(this has been posted for the required 30 day period).
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk reminded the Board of the Budget Public Hearing to be held on April 3rd, 2017 at 5:00 P.M.
The Clerk also informed the Board that the Youth Easter Party is scheduled for Saturday, April 8th, 2017 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Ganser Smith Park help is always appreciated.
Dumpster reservations will begin on Monday, April 3rd, 2017 at 8:00 A.M. there will be a $75.00 charge for the dumpster rental.
The landfill wanted to raise dump fees 2.4% but Supervisor Mahan spoke to the Landfill Advisory that the budgets are already completed. The landfill agreed to hold the increase until next year.
The Village is applying for a Community Development Block Grant. To apply for a grant an income survey of the area which the grant is for must be completed. Trustee Foley made a motion, seconded by Trustee Harris to have Chazen Companies complete the income survey for the south end of the Village of Menands at a cost of $7,000.00.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll thanked DPW, Police Department & Fire Department for a great job during the storm. A discussion followed.
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 Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 6:36 P.M.
__________________
Donald Handerhan
Clerk