At 6:00 PM on Monday, November 2nd, 2020 Mayor Meg Grenier read the following statement: this is the Village of Menands Board of Trustees, semi-monthly meeting. I am Mayor Meg Grenier and as it is 6:00 o’clock, I will call this meeting to order. For anyone outside the village staff who is attending this video conference, I would ask if you would please identify yourselves; Melissa Martel, Susan & Mike Mackay, Bill Nevins, Eric Johnson. The Mayor asked them to mute their microphones.
Mayor Grenier then did a roll call of Village staff; Deputy Mayor Aileen Nicoll, present, Trustee Seth Harris, present, Trustee Brian Marsh, present, Trustee Diane Foley, present, Clerk Don Handerhan, present, Village Attorney Steve Rehfuss, present. On behalf of the Village Board I would ask all residents that we please keep our First Responders, all essential workers and those affected by this pandemic in our thoughts and prayers.
Pursuant to Governor Cuomo’s executive order number 202.1 issued on March 13th, 2020: Suspending article 7 of the public officers law, to the extent necessary to permit any Public body to meet, and take such actions authorized by law that allowed the public to not be physically present at the meeting, but allow the public to listen to or view such meetings via teleconference call or video conference, while recording and later transcribing of the meeting. Village of Menands Board of Trustees semi-monthly meeting is being held via Google Meets video conference to protect Public Safety and Welfare during this COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to conduct this meeting effectively we asked those in attendance to please mute your microphone during the meeting. As we are conducting only essential business during tonight’s meeting, there will be no public comment. Any comments previously submitted to Clerk Handerhan prior to the meeting and deemed essential will be read into the record. Governor Cuomo has extended executive order number 202.1 through November 3rd, 2020.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to approve minutes from the October 19, 2020 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 AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
WARRANT # 11:
GENERAL totaling $43,259.51
WATER totaling $ 1,574.82
SEWER totaling $ 2,352.50
TOTALS $47,186.83
PARK IMPROVEMENT: totaling $ 1,158.00
PAYROLL # 11: totaling $101,072.14
(10/09/20-10/22/20)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the Everbridge Contract for 2021 in the amount of $5,500.00, 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 informed the Board that the Health Insurance Workshop has been scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. on Google Meet.
Trustee Marsh advised the Board he is working with Menands Fire Department, PBA and the Police Department to setup a Toys for Tots Program. There will be a donation box at the Police Department and a day to drop off toys at the Fire Department. Mayor Grenier suggested contacting Carol Darmetko to see if Menands Cares would like to get involved. A discussion followed.
MEMORANDUM 11/2/20
TO: All Menands Village Board Members
FROM: Bill Garvey, Jr.
I have some important letters of importance as follows:
I like to thank our Village Public Works Crew for repairing one area on Menand Road between Villa Road + North Lyons Avenue which had to be fixed because its pavement had been in rough shape. Again thank you Village DPW Crew. Good Job.
On 10/16/20 I observed 2 vehicles parking in fire lane at Village1 Apts. Toward buildings G+H where I still live. So I reported this problem to the Menands Police immediately + the Menands Police gave parking tickets to both vehicles that were parking in the fire lane by which I had witness myself. I wish to tank the Menands Police for doing their job to enforce state fire safety rules + regulations which porbids vehicles from parking in fire lanes. Good Job.
I wish to thank the Menands Village Board passing the resolution to name the bike connector for Ron Miller. He deserves this honour. Im glad that our Village Board done what I have urge them to name the bike connector for Ron Miller. He is one of my heros in Menands.
Iread in the 9/21/20 Village Board Meeting report that C. Elliott + J. Demis said that the Menands Farmers Market would like to have an project approval to demolish the old pavilion building + replace it with an new pavilion building which will have enclosed flood doors. I support this project at Menands Market for general welfare, budgetary, economic efficient + the quality of life reasons. So I urge the Menands Village Board to please approve this proposed project.
Thank you for your time + consideration
Yours Sincerely
Bill Garvey Jr.
Request from Pete Mason:
Over the years, there have been some efforts to control the use of train horns as they go through the village. Recently, on Brookside and Villa, signs were installed (covered), but it was clear the signs were noting there would be no train horn between some time (the plastic covering blew off one of them) of the night.
I would like to know the status of working with the railroad to lessen the horn use late at night, and when we can expect some sort of resolution to the train horn that seems increasingly exceswsive especially in the past few years.
Thanks
Pete Mason
Eric Johnson advised the Board that signs are complete. A letter to the Federal Rail Road Administration will be sent out soon. Hopefully the Quiet Zone will be in place by the end of the month.
Request from Steve Boulet:
I was unable to communicate during the board meeting tonight due to an issue with my computer.
I was wondering about improvements to the park including re-paving the basketball court and plan to replace the basketball hoops. I had sent pictures previously while I was on the Board showing how the cracks are increasing, especially around the 2 hoops. Please provide any updates you can on plans to rectify these issues.
Also, reminder to please add my address to the special pick up this week.
Thanks
Steve Boulet
The Mayor advised that the basketball court will be part of the SAM Grant that Assemblyman Steck is assisting with. Eric Johnson advised the plans for the basketball court are complete and some other improvements would be complete, also some improvements to the Rest Rooms. A discussion followed.
TO: Members of Menands Village Board
FROM: Melissa Martell
I would like to address the board and community with a few topics of concern:
In the board meeting minutes posted online dated 10/16/20, it is stated that Kris’ Mid-City Tavern was approved purchase of a portion of Canal Road for $1000. What portion of the street was sold and for what purpose? Was this addressed with residents who also use Canal Rd for residential parking? If this purchase was to make outdoor seating permanent, was consideration given to residents and their visitors, whose parking will now be permanently encroached by bar patrons?
I would also like to address permits given for outdoor performances each Friday and Saturday night to this establishment during warm weather. A call to code enforcement for excessive noise was not returned for resolution except to say that exceptions have been made for Covid-19. When warm weather returns will this become a permanent occurrence? Chapter 75 of the noise enforcement states it is in force for purpose of protecting and promoting the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare and prosperity, and the Peace and quiet of the Village of Menands and its inhabitants. Also, section 75-3 (15) The operation of restaurants, taverns, bars and discos: a. No restaurant, tavern, bar, nightclub, disco, or other similar use, whether public or private, shall be conducted so that unreasonable or unnecessary music or other noise is caused and/or emanated from said use. While I applaud Kris’ tavern for its success, I also believe neighboring residents have the right to enjoy their homes during the warm weather, not having to shut their windows to drown out the bands’ performance amplified, well beyond the reach of their patron’s ears.
Sincerely,
Melissa Martell
Mayor Grenier advised that the only part of Canal Road that is being sold to Kris’s Tavern is the parking spot next to her building.
Kris’s Tavern was given the wrong information regarding the Noise Ordinance and has been advised of the proper times 9:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. Any more complaints will be handled with Code Enforcement or Menands Police.
A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll 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 6:15 P.M.
______________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk