The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, September 2, 2025, was called to order by Mayor Brian Marsh at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Brian Marsh, Mayor
Molly Harbour, Trustee – Absent
Nicholas Kalogridis, Trustee – Absent
Timothy Lane, Trustee
Lisa Neuman, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
Mary Jane Vredenburg, Village Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney – Virtual
David Ognan, Fire Chief
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Mark Carnegie, Jason Carnegie, Diane MacFarland, Diane Leonard, Barbara Lane, Matt Rodger from LaBella, Brianne Baggetta
Virtual attendance: Mike & Susan MacKay, Val Parker, Robert Jewett
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance and stated that this meeting is recorded.
Resolution Number: 260043
Trustee Lane made a motion to accept the, August 18, 2025, Village Board Meeting Minutes, seconded by Trustee Neuman.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Resolution Number: 260044
Trustee Neiman made a motion to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Lane.
WARRANT #6X:
GENERAL totaling $6,684.75
WARRANT # 7:
GENERAL totaling $100,264.49
WATER totaling $ 29,190.98
SEWER totaling $ 3,593.76
CAP PROJ totaling $ 31,310.25
TOTALS $ 164,359.46
PAYROLL #6: totaling $135,944.66
(08/08/25 – 08/21/03/25)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Internet went down streaming and recording stopped.
Brianne Baggetta from Mailworks is the process of purchasing 5 Elmwood Road. In order the purchase the property they will need a have a Special Use permit. Brianne Baggetta explained the project. Matt Rodgers explained the process. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number:
Trustee Lane made a motion to hold a Public Hearing on October 6, 2025, at 6 PM regarding the Special Use Permit for 5 Elmwood Road., seconded by Trustee Neuman.
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Internet came back up streaming and recording resumed.
The Albany County Sheriff intends to acquire the 2016 Dodge Charger that was declared surplus during the Board Meeting on August 18, 2025. Mayor Marsh and Chief Ryan St Gelais have requested authorization to enter into an agreement with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of the 2016 Charger at a price of $5,000.00. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number:
Trustee Lane made a motion to approve Mayor Marsh and Chief Ryan St Gelais into an agreement with Albany County Sheriff’s for the purchase the 2016 Charger for $5,000, seconded by Trustee Neuman.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Clerk advised that the Board has been given the following policies for review Accident Investigation Policy and the Best Value Policy. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number:
Trustee Neuman made a motion to approve the following policies for review Accident Investigation Policy and the Best Value Policy, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Chief David Ognan request to purchase 3 thermal imaging from MES at a cost of $14,288.97. The cameras will be installed in each truck for the Officer of the truck. The purchase is under state contract.
Resolution Number:
Trustee Neiman made a motion to approve the purchase 3 thermal imaging from MES at a cost of $14,288.97 under state contact, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
David Ognan advised the Board that the pump motor at Wards Pump Station needs to be repaired. The following is the cost for the repairs:
- Remove and install backup pump $ 3,562.00
- Annual maintenance to pump $ 632.00
- Rebuild pump $10,520.00
Resolution Number:
Trustee Neuman made a motion to approve the Maintenance, repairs, and installation of pumps for Wards Pump Station by Siewert at a cost of $14,714.00, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Mayor’s Report:
- Mayor Marsh reported on a very successful summer series. Only one event had to be relocated to the Capital Region Cooperative Farmers Market, and that was the Village Community Night. Although it was a last-minute requirement, the event turned out great and was well attended. Mayor Marsh thanked Community Events Coordinator Meg Grenier for all her hard work.
- Mayor Marsh also thanked Brianna Coughlin and Elizabeth Schanz for stepping in and taking on the Youth Coordinator positions for the season.
- Mayor Marsh is working with the police chief and comparing our parking tickets to Colonie and Watervliet to set a new fine structure. Action and change of law are going to be proposed in October.
- We are still working on the Nuisance Alarm law language; it will be ready for introduction on 10/6.
- Mayor Marsh informed the board that the Albany County Wastewater Treatment plant capital improvements will likely cost Menands sewer ratepayers about $205,000 per year starting in 2027. To cover this increased cost for sewer services, rates will need to rise approximately 10% per year to meet our required contributions to the regional wastewater system.
- The official groundbreaking for the SE Water and Sewer project is scheduled for 9/24 at 11am and the Hutton St Park.
- I am working with a local manufacturing business on potentially relocating to Riverview Center bringing potentially 20 jobs here.
- Albany Rural Cemetery will be holding it’s annual Presidential wreath laying at President Arthur’s grave at 11am on 10/6.
- I helped host a kids movie night at the Schuyler Inn on Aug 27th with Catholic Charities and Peter Young Programs. Sgt St Gelais joined me. The following day Regeneron gave out back-to-school supplies.
- And lastly, I’ve worked with The Mailworks on a project that includes expanding their business here in Menands and they are currently in pursuit of a conditional offer on the old Olympic Lanes at 5 Elmwood. A special use permit will be required, even though the property is zoned Light Industrial.
Trustee’s Report:
Lane: Gave Liaison report for the Village Historian
- The Historian gave vital information for the Little River Grant.
- During the Community Night showed pictures of different streets within the Village during different time periods.
- Was a major contributor for the 100 yearbooks.
Neuman: Gave information about different events being held at the Menands Library.
Clerk’s Report:
- Reminder there will not a second meeting in September.
- Next meeting the Liz King will be presenting Broadway Multimodal Resiliency Study for Board approval.
Treasurer’s Report:
- Tax Bill penalties have been applied
- Water / Sewer later notices have been sent out.
General Comments:
Resident Bill Garvey:
- Suggest to replace the soap dispenser in the men’s room at the upper bathroom.
- Happy the weeds have been removed from fire hydrant at Market Road & Canal.
- Has witnessed the crossing bars at Menand Road being down without a train going by.
- Suggested to the Menands Market to install fans in the shed.
- There is fire hydrant on Brookside that is covered in weeds.
- Suggests that the Village use molasses instead of salt after snow & ice.
- The dead-end sign on Canal Rd is fading.
- Thanked the Village Office with helping him locate the Social Security Office.
- Reported a jeep being parked in front of a fire hydrant on Clifford Rd.
- Shares the concern regarding the need for the sidewalks to be ground down.
- Has donated $2,400.00 evergreen trees.
- Happy to see that weeds on a fire hydrant on Tillinghast have been removed.
- Feels that yield sign on Clifford should be on a metal pole not telephone pole.
- How much money has the Village received since the Town of Colonie has taken over our court?
- Happy to see that the leaning no parking signs on Jones Court has straightened.
- Helped clean up after the Corn Festival at the Market.
Diane MacFarland proposed to the Board that Historian Kevin Franklin deserves recognition for his dedication to preserving the Village History.
A motion was made by Trustee Neuman to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 6:58 P. M.
I, Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk for the Village of Menands, Do Hereby Certify that the foregoing is a true and correct report of all motions and resolutions and or enacted, and all other procedures had and taken by the Village of Menands Board of Trustees at the regular meeting held on, September 2, 2025.
_____________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk