The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands was held on Monday, October 16th, 2023, and called to order by Mayor Marsh at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Brian Marsh, Mayor
Molly Harbour, Trustee
Seth H. Harris, Trustee
Nicholas Kalogridis, Trustee
Timothy Lane, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Lt. Kevin Schwebke, Menands Police Department
Also attending: Bill Garvey, D Teltsch, Matt Rogers, Bill Nevins, Cindy & Chuck Price, Micael Rezey, Courtney Jaskula, Sherri Archambault. Virtual Attendance: Kathy Mosca, Joe Jenkins, Brendon Davis, Kim Danne, Jon Alder, Sasha Lukovenko, Peg Holland, Thomas Paresi, Steve Boulet, Beth Harbour.
The mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Marsh opened the continuation of the Public Hearing for 98 Menand Road at 6 PM.
Matt Rodgers from LaBella gave an update on 98 Menand Road. LaBella has received and is reviewing the comments for 98 Menands Road. Matt Rodgers believes that the Board should be able to vote on the Site Plan on November 6, 2023.
Hearing all the comments Mayor Marsh closed the Public Hearing for 98 Menand Road at 6.04 P.M.
Mayor Marsh opened the continuation of the Public Hearing for 50-56A Clifford Road at 6:04 P.M. Matt Rodgers gave an update on 50-56A Clifford Road. There in no Traffic study is required. The Stormwater Plan will be provided. LaBella is meeting the applicant and their Engineer next week.
Resident Bill Nevins is opposed to the project and hopes the Board will consider the comments of the residents who are also opposed to the project.
Hearing all the comments Mayor Marsh closed the Public Hearing for 50-56A Clifford Road 6.04 P.M.
Mayor Marsh advised the Board that he has received the Recommendation letters for both 98 Menands Road and 50-56A Clifford Road that need to be signed.
Resolution Number 240086
Trustee Lane made a motion to approve the Mayor to sign the Recommendation Letter from Albany County Planning Board for 98 Menands Road Project, second by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Haris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Resolution Number 240087
Trustee Harbour made a motion to approve the Mayor to sign the Recommendation Letter from Albany County Planning Board for 50-56A Clifford Road Project, second by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Haris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Resolution Number 240088
A motion was made by Trustee Harbour to accept the minutes of the October 2nd. 2023, Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Haris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Resolution Number 240089
A motion was made by Trustee Lane to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Kalogridis.
WARRANT # 9X:
GENERAL Check # 14706 $ 599.00-
Check # 14709 $ 420.00
Totals $ 179.00 credit
WARRANT # 10:
GENERAL totaling $164,934.92
WATER totaling $ 6,125.43
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $171,060.35
PAYROLL #10 totaling $ 75,070.44
(09/22/23-10/05/23)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbourvoting
Trustee Harris voting
Trustee Kalogridis voting
Trustee Lane voting
Mayor Marsh voting
The Clerk led a discussion regarding incorrect usage of Dutch Villages (48 Wards Lane) meter # 20 and 22. It was discovered there was an error with the meter reading, resulting in incorrect usage. Trustee ______ offered, seconded by Trustee _______ the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, Water and Sewer Account # 51-995-0, for Dutch Village’s water charges were based on incorrect usage. Now therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, that a total of $35,915.85 from Water will be adjusted off Dutch Village’s current bill, and be it further,
RESOLVED, that a total of $13,602.97 from Sewer will be adjusted off Dutch Village’s current bill. After discussion tabled until 11/06/2023.
Mayor Marsh introduced Officer Joseph Murray as a newly hired Police Officer.
The Clerk advised the Board that the following members were elected by the membership and have passed the background check.
Resolution Number 240090
Trustee Harbour made a motion to approve Gavin Klami, Brian Lemyre and Joseph Manfred as active Firefighters, Second by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Marsh and Brian Saboda from ABS Solutions led a discussion regarding migrating to Microsoft 365 platform. Discussion followed. After a discussion it was decided to table until November 6, 2023.
Mayor Marsh and Trustee Harbour led a discussion regarding the need for Advisory Board Candidates for Fusion Recovery. Discussion followed.
Mayor Marsh and Sasha Lukovenk from Solar Simplified led a discussion regarding the Solar Simplified Program. A discussion followed. After a discussion it was decided to table until 11/06/2023, meeting.
Mayor Marsh gave the following updates:
- Update of the Holiday Train which will stop in Menands on Friday, November 24th. 2023, at 4:00 P.M.
- Update on 35 Broadway – On Thursday 10/23/23 there will be a public hearing for the Polit Program.
- Health Insurance for Menands Employees. Thre was a proposed increase of 13%. The Village is looking into other options.
- Chips Funding has increased by $15,000.00.
- DOT is holding a public hearing at HVCC to discuss the Menands Bridge Project on Thursday, October 26th, 2023, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center.
- The Village is looking into a new Payroll System.
- Due to the efforts to be a Climate Community the Village has received a $5,000.00 Grant to help offset the cost of the Window in the Firehouse.
Trustee Updates:
Trustee Harbour gave an update on the Menand Road Paving.
Deputy Mayor Harris advised that the Menorah Lighting will be 12/11/23 at 5:00 P.M. in the Village Hall.
Mayor Marsh read the following: Public Comment: Members of the public have 3 minutes to speak. Please state your name and address for the record. Statements of any length may be submitted to the Board of Trustees to be included in the record if received by NOON on the Friday of the week before each Board of Trustees meeting. ALL rules of public meeting decorum apply.
TO: All Menands Village Board Members
FROM: Bill Garvey Jr
I got several important village items as follows:
- He supports fire equipment purchases.
- He supports the replacement of steam traps for the Village Office.
- He supports the Village Attorney needing a Deputy Attorney to assist.
- He is glad to see that the glass at 267 Broadway has been cleared
- He supports replacing black streetlights aluminum lights using grant monies.
- He recommends the Village plant new evergreen trees at Ganser Smith Park.
- He is glad the Bowling Alley building is being repaired but the red brick building remains in poor condition.
- He is glad the steel high voltage towers along D&H Railway have been removed they were in poor condition.
- He has been reporting poor conditions of many Village streets.
- There is still one hydrant covered by brush, weeds & other plants near the TV Hardware Store.
- He has observed fire extinguishers in some businesses being blocked by merchandise. So, he removed the merchandise and reported it to the store manager.
- He wants to thank the DPW crew for mowing the grounds on southside of Harts Lane in late August.
- He observed two utility poles on Station St being covered by brush, weeds, and vines.
- He has raised concerns with streetlight markers on Harts Ln & Broadway. He is delighted they have been repaired with new LED streetlights.
Cindy Price:
- Asked to be part of the Advisory Board it should be both sides.
- Cindy is concerned about Golf Carts and trucks at 434 Broadway.
Chuck Price read a statement regarding his disappointment with the Board not acting on his request for Fusion to go to the ZBA.
Denise Hopkins of Jones Court:
- Is concerned about a fence her neighbor put up that is in violation of property owner’s deed. A discussion followed.
- Denise stated the Advisory Board should be open to all interest parties.
Jon Alder asked about the purpose of Everbridge. The Clerk advised the proper uses of Everbridge.
Bill Nevins of Wolfert Avenue asked if the agenda could be moved out to give residents more time to comment. A discussion followed.
At 7:22 P.M. Trustee Harris made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss two legal matters, seconded by Trustee Harbour.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The regular meeting convened at 8:10 P.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Harbour.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
___________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk