The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands was held on Monday, November 21st, 2022, and was called to order by Mayor Megan Grenier at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Megan Grenier, Mayor
Diane Foley, Trustee
Seth H. Harris, Trustee
Timothy Lane, Trustee
Brian Marsh, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
William Smith, Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney – Attended virtually
Chief Ryan St. Gelais, Police Dept
David Ognan, Fire Chief
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Mike Steurer, Jonathan Dudley, Bob Dignum, and Kevin Schwebke.
The mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance
Luigi Palleschi of ABD Engineers, representing Two Girls And A Guy II, LLC introduced the project at 37 Simmons Lane. The project at 37 Simmons Lane would include two (2) buildings with loading docks between. The buildings will be for warehousing, office space, and light industrial. A discussion followed.
Jennifer Nechamen from LaBella Associates led a discussion regarding the SEQR Lead Agency for 37 Simmons Lane. A discussion followed.
Resolution Number 230089:
After the discussion Trustee Lane made the following resolution:
NOTICE OF INTENT TO SERVE AS LEAD AGENCY
37 Simmons Lane
ENVIRONMENTAL (SEQRA) REVIEW
WHEREAS, the applicant, Two Girls, and a Guy II, LLC, (David Fusco), is requesting site plan approval from the Village Board of Menands to construct two new warehouses (Building #1 45,500 SF and Building #2 35,100 SF) on a 24.1-acre parcel at 37 Simmons Lane (Tax Map ID #55.17-3-4.1) in the Village of Menands, New York;
WHEREAS, the project includes Building #1 to be occupied by a single building construction services user and Building #2 to be occupied by several warehousing who are expected to warehouse materials for light industrial use, light manufacturing/assembly use, construction materials and distribution of parts or finished products;
WHEREAS, the buildings will be one-story, steel frame metal buildings that are approximately 28 FT high and will also include truck docks and at-grade overhead doors on the south side of the buildings with a total of 99 surface parking spaces;
WHEREAS, the hours of operation, including loading dock operations, are expected to be 7 am to 7 pm, seven days a week.
WHEREAS, the project site is located within the Industrial Zoning District and entails filling in a floodplain and the 100-foot regulated adjacent area of a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulated wetland;
WHEREAS, the total acreage to be physically disturbed is 7.9 acres;
WHEREAS, the proposed action has been determined to be an Unlisted Action, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) 6 NYCRR Part 617;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, pursuant to the applicable standards of SEQRA 6 NYCRR Part 617.6, the Village of Menands Village Board concludes that it is the appropriate agency to serve as Lead Agency for the environmental review of the proposed Unlisted Action; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Village of Menands Village Board hereby declares its intent to be the Lead Agency for the coordinated SEQRA evaluation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Village of Menands Village Board hereby authorizes the circulation of the site plan application and associated materials to the other Involved and Interested Agencies, indicating the Village Board’s intention to serve as Lead Agency.
Trustee Marsh seconds the resolution.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Dan Hershberg from Hershberg & Hershberg led a discussion regarding the subdivision of 431 Broadway. The property would be divided into two (2) separate parcels, the second parcel the developer would like to construct a Medical Arts Building. A discussion followed.
After the discussion, Jennifer Nechamen from LaBella Associates explained that everything is ready for the subdivision except what to do with the open space. A discussion followed.
After the discussion Dan Hershberg advised the Board, he will work with the developer to come up with a use for the open space. The subdivision was tabled until a discussion regarding the open space.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey made the following comments:
- Bill is happy with the Board’s Approval of the Cell Tower at 381 Broadway.
- The drain on the tennis court is not working properly.
- He believes there should be alternate parking in the heart of the Village.
- On Menand Road a tree branch is blocking the crosswalk sign.
- He picked up trash along Broadway.
- CP Rail replaced a sign along the tracks.
- Bill reported an open door at 559 Broadway.
Resolution Number 230090:
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to accept the minutes of the November 7th, 2022, Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number 230091:
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Lane.
WARRANT # 12:
GENERAL totaling $ 31,469.83
WATER totaling $ 3,770.96
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $ 35,240.79
GENERAL – Voided Ch# 13606 – $ 109.10 duplicate payment
PAYROLL # 13: totaling $105,602.65
(11/04/22-11/17/22)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number 230092:
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh, seconded by Trustee Harris to accept the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Treasurer be, and hereby is, authorized to make the following Budget Transfers
Account Account
WATER FUND
From Acct: F.8310.0415 To Acct: F.8310.0402
Description Bldg Mtce Printing
Amount: $400.00 $400.00
Tags for Doors
Trustee Foley Voted – AYE
Trustee Harris Voted – AYE
Trustee Lane Voted – AYE
Trustee Marsh Voted – AYE
Mayor Grenier Voted – AYE
Mayor Grenier gave an update regarding the changes to the Zoning Law.
Mayor Grenier appointed Kelly Grimaldi as the new Village Gardener effective January 1st of 2023.
Resolution Number 230093:
Trustee Marsh made a motion to approve Kelly Grimaldi as the new Village Gardener effective January 1st of 2023, second, by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Chief David Ognan led a discussion regarding replacing Rescue 6 with an engine from West Albany.
The rescue needs $28,000.00 worth of work done to it. West Albany has offered the Village a 2002 Pierce Fire Engine to purchase at a cost of $130,000.00. The engine will need $25,149.75 upfit equipment and $5,000.00 to letter the engine. A discussion followed.
Resolution Number 230094:
After a discussion Trustee Lane made a motion to approve Chief Ognan to enter into a purchase agreement with West Albany to purchase the 2002 Pierce Fire Engine at a cost of $130,000.00, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Captain Jon Dudley led a discussion to hire a grant writer for the Fire Department. The cost of the grant writer would be $9,000.00. A discussion followed.
Resolution Number 230095:
After a discussion Trustee Lane made a motion to hire Julie Burine of MJ Burben Inc. to write grants for the Fire Department up to $9,000.00 conditional if the money comes from the Fire Department Budget, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Mayor Grenier led a discussion regarding to an add-on to the Broadway Paving Project to pave the site of the water main break on Sage Estates at a cost of $7,200.00. A discussion followed.
Resolution Number 230096:
After the discussion, Trustee Marsh made a motion to approve the add-on to pave Sage Estates at a cost of $7,200.00, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk advised that the 2022-2023 Delinquent Taxes were sent to Albany County for Collection as follows:
Tax $25,782.61
Reassessed Water $14,617.74
Interest $ 3,232.04
$43,632.39
Mayor Grenier read the following letter from Dianne MacFarland.
2022 Village Gardening Recap
The 2022 gardening season began with the cleanup of beds in April and the planting of pansies in the cement pots and the flower boxes at the concession stand at Ganser Smith park. The winter weather, unusual ice accumulation and spring showers gave the perennial beds a healthy transition to the growing season along with application of organic fertilizer. The DPW mulched a majority of the beds throughout the village minimizing weeding time during the summer.
May brought the usual plantings of the annual beds at 250 and 280 Broadway, Ganser Smith park, and the cement pots. It should be noted that most of the cement pots are over twenty years old and are beginning to show signs of wear and deterioration. Two of the oldest are badly cracked but continue to hold up to the seasonal plantings. The DPW continues to water and feed the village plantings and the hanging baskets and do a great job I might add. I would also like to report that the Knock Out roses planted two years ago along Broadway are thriving – with the minimum of care.
It is with much thought and sadness, that I have decided to retire from the village gardener position. I have enjoyed the work immensely and beautifying my village has brought me much happiness – a labor of love in many respects. But eighteen years have passed since I began working for the village and I am not getting any younger. I am pleased to say I have found an excellent replacement in Kelly Grimaldi – an avid gardener whose beautiful work is evident from the lovely gardens at the entrance to St. Agnes cemetery. I wish her much success and will be available to her to answer any questions or help with any concerns that may arise. My resignation is effective December 31, 2022.
I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank the people in Menands who have made my job easier: Mike Hagmann, his predecessor Tim Boyd and the DPW crew have always made themselves and their vehicles and equipment available when needed. I could not have done the job without their assistance. Bill Smith, Don Handerhan and the village office crew have always been there when I needed answers to budget questions, village beautification projects and employee services. Mayor Meg and her predecessor and the village trustees who supported my many efforts to keep the village blooming from Spring through Fall. Frank Esposito who has supplied so many of my gardening needs from soil, fertilizer and lawn bags to the beautiful holiday greens and bows that fill the pots during the holidays. A special thank you to James Sher (former village gardener) for volunteering to assist me in filling the cement pots with greens for the holidays. And a heartfelt thanks to Michelle Esposito (Esposito Flowers and Produce) at the Menands Market, whose expertise and knowledge made my job easier and supplied most of the flowers and plants I have used over the years in this position. Thanks all, for making my job as village gardener a pleasant experience over the years.
Mayor Grenier advised the Board that Menands School approached the Police Department regarding a Resource Officer for the school. The school district would pay for most of the officer’s salary. On January 9th, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. there will be a public hearing at Menands School.
Lt Sgt Schwebki gave an update regarding Toys for Tots donations. The Police and Fire Departments will also be excepting toys on different dates. There will be donation bins at the Village Office and Lobby of the Police Department. A discussion followed.
Trustee Harris advised the Board that after review of the sign study for Village Code #160 there will be a need for 26 stop signs. A discussion followed. The Clerk was asked to get quotes for the stop signs.
At 7:10 P.M. Trustee Marsh made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Legal matters, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 8:05 P.M.
Resolution Number 230097:
After Executive Session Trustee Marsh made a motion to purchase Disability Insurance for the Active Volunteer Firefighters at a cost of $769.00, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
____________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk