The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, October 16th, 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
William T. Smith, Jr., Village Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney

ABSENT:

Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk

Also attending: Bill Garvey, Brian Marsh, John Stangle, Kirk Montanye, Andy Brick, Maureen Long, Bill & Nancy Moreland, Kevin Franklin, Lyle Darmetko, Jennifer Wilson, Bill Nevins, Re Jean DeVarx, Dianne MacFarland, Sarah Jenkins, Nicole Keough, Jeff Masline, John Burkett, Mary Brown, John Teitsch, Bill Jenkins, Joe Pustay, Dennis Lang, N Rudlofo.

The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.

At 6:00 P.M. the Mayor opened the Public Hearing for a Special Use Permit for SBKJ Associates, 35 Broadway.

The Clerk read the Notice:

A Public Hearing will be held on Monday, October 16th, 2017 at 6:00 P.M. in the Village Municipal Building at 250 Broadway for the purpose of considering a Special Use Permit.

SBKJ Associates is requesting a Special Use Permit for construction of a 100 Unit Apartment Project at 35 Broadway, Menands, New York 12204.

Such public hearings are open to the public and are accessible to the handicapped. All are encouraged to attend or to present comments in writing.

The Mayor opened the Public Hearing with a statement of what the hearing was for: SBKJ Associated would like to construct a 100 Unit Apartment Project at 35 Broadway in the Village.

Mr. Andrew Brick and Mr. Re Jean DeVarx representing SBKJ Associates reviewed the proposed project and the Mayor asked for any questions.

Several residents asked why a Special Use Permit was required. It was explained that because this project is in the Broadway Development District a Special Use Permit is required by the Village Code as the project is a multi-family dwelling by Village Zoning Code.

Resident Jeff Masline inquired about the breakdown of the apartments as to one (1) and two (2) bedrooms and two (2+) bedrooms. Mr. Brick replied that is was an even mix of a one (1) and two (2) bedroom apartments and about six (6) two (2+) apartments, he also stated that they were looking at market rate apartments. A one (1) bedroom is going for $900.00 to $1,000.00 a month.

Mr. Masline and several other attendees raised concerns about what impact this project would have on the school district. Dr. Long, Superintent of Menand Union Free School referred to a study done for the school two (2) years ago indicated a decline in enrollment but last year’s enrollment increased and the school has the largest Kindergarten class ever.

Several resident voiced concerns about the possible increase in traffic on Wolfert and Amsterdam Avenues. Also there was a concern about how the residents are going to cross Broadway.

Resident Dennis Lang wanted to know the criteria for granting a Special Use Permit. Mr. Brick read each of the ten (10) criteria the Board must consider in granting the Special Use Permit.
Several residents would rather see single family homes built not apartments. Resident Mary Brown noted that a number of houses were being sold and then turned into rental properties. Resident John Stangle stated that just about every parcel in the Village suited for single family homes has been built on. He also inquired as to whether all ten (10) criteria need to be met in order for the project to get the Special Use Permit.

Village Engineer Johnson from Chazen Engineering explained that the Board may impose conditions and/or restrictions on the permit if they believe they are related or they can approve or disapprove the application. The Board now has sixty-two (62) day to render a decision.

Other comments included lack of street lighting, lack of grocery stores in the Village, and where the residents would go for other amenities.

Hearing no further questions or comments the Mayor thanked everyone for their input and closed the Public Hearing at 7:01 P.M.

The regular meeting convened at 7:03 P.M.

Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey stated he was glad to see two (2) houses in the Village undergoing renovations, and he also wanted to thank the DPW for removing a dead squirrel.
Resident Bill Moreland inquired about the gate at the end of Glenwood Road. He was informed it is being worked on but there is a waterline near one of the post and the Village DPW and the Engineer are working on the project. He also reported an empty underground tank on Elmwood that is a potential hazard. DPW will look at this.

Resident Nicoll Keough reported that there are no street lights on Louis Avenue and asked if something could be done. The Village will look into this.

A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll, seconded by Trustee Boulet to accept the minutes of the October 2nd, 1027 Board Meeting.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting ABSTAINED
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

A motion was made by Trustee Boulet, seconded by Trustee Nicoll to approve payment for the following:

WARRANT # 10:

GENERAL totaling $115,747.18
WATER totaling $ 24,238.91
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $140,076.09

PAYROLL # 10: totaling $ 80,788.50
(09/29/17 – 10/12/17)

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 to approve the Everbridge Contract for 2018 in the amount of $5,000.00, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

Trustee Harris moved, seconded by Trustee Foley a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement giving consent for the Town Board of the Town of Colonie to serve as lead agency for the purpose of a coordinated review under SEQRA for the review and approval of the Town of Colonie Planning Unit Solid Waste Management Plan and any agreement to be bound by the plan.

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 authorize the Mayor to sign the renewal Fire Service Contract with the Town of Colonie.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

Trustee Nicoll offered the following resolution authorizing the Clerk of the Justices of the Village of Menands Justice Court to apply for the maximum JCAP Funding, the resolution was second by Trustee Foley.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

The Clerk gave the Board a reminder that the Business Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, October 25th at 7:30 A.M. in the Village Hall at 250 Broadway.

The Clerk reminded everyone that the Youth Halloween Party is scheduled for Sunday, October 29th, 2017 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. The children will line-up at 12:30 P.M. at the Firehouse for the parade to the Ganser Smith Park for food, refreshments. Help is always needed and appreciated. Trustee Nicoll moved, seconded by Trustee Harris a motion authorizing the use of a fire truck for the Halloween Parade.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Mayor advised everyone that the Village received a $9,900.00 grant it applied for to help with the SUNY Project of a Comprehensive Plan.

Trustee Nicoll advised the Board that a resident approached her about restarting the Ski Program. She is going to meet with the resident. The Village only paid for the transportation and there is money in the Budget for it.

At 7:20 P.M. Trustee Harris made a motion, seconded by Trustee Foley to enter into Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel matters.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE

The regular meeting reconvened at 8:15 P.M.

A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll, seconded by Trustee Boulet 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 8:16 P.M.

_________________
William T. Smith, Jr.
Acting Village Clerk

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