The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands was held on Monday, September 23rd, 2024, and called to order by Mayor Brian 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 – Virtual
Ryan St. Gelais, Police Chief – Absent
Kevin Schwebke, Police Lt – Virtual
David Ognan, Fire Chief – Absent
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Matt Rodgers (LaBella), Diane MacFarland, Diane Leonard, Mark Carnegie, Jason Carnegie, and Anthony Evans
Virtual attendance: Kathy Mosca, Steve Boulet, Paul Harbour, and Shannon Schaefer
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance and advised that this meeting is being recorded.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Marsh opened the Public Hearing at 6 P.M.
The Clerk read the following notice: A Public Hearing will be held on September 23, 2024, regarding the amendments to Chapter 169, Zoning Law of the Village of Menands, concerning self-storage facilities. In the 2023 Zoning Law amendment, (Local Law 1-2023) self-storage was permitted in the T-5 Village Center and Heavy Industrial Districts but excluded from all other Zoning Districts, including the Light Industrial District. All Public Hearings are open to the public and are handicap accessible. All comments can be submitted to Clerk Handerhan at dhanderhan@menandsny.gov or in person during the Public Hearing. Regular meeting to follow.
Matt Rodgers from LaBella explained the reasons for the amendment and the procedure to file.
Comments:
Resident Bill Garvey asked the following:
- How many jobs will this create?
- How many acres will this be?
- Bill supports the project
Hearing all the comments Mayor Marsh closed the Public Hearing at 6:04 P.M.
Resolution Number: 250058
Trustee Harris made a motion to accept the minutes of the September 23, 2024, Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Kalogridis.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting Aye
Trustee Harris voting Aye
Trustee Kalogridis voting Aye
Trustee Lane voting Aye
Mayor Marsh voting Aye
Resolution Number: 250059
Trustee Harris made a motion to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Lane.
WARRANT:
CHECK # 1003 totaling $ 600.00
WARRANT # 8:
GENERAL totaling $200,867.27
WATER totaling $ 31,254.95
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $232,122.22
PAYROLL # 7: totaling $123,052.25
(08/23/24-09/05/24)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting Aye
Trustee Harris voting Aye
Trustee Kalogridis voting Aye
Trustee Lane voting Aye
Mayor Marsh voting Aye
Mayor Marsh led a discussion regarding approving Local Law 4 of 2024 the amendments to Chapter 169, Zoning Law of the Village of Menands, concerning self-storage facilities. In the 2023 Zoning Law amendment, (Local Law 1-2023) self-storage was permitted in the T-5 Village Center and Heavy Industrial Districts but excluded from all other Zoning Districts.
Resolution Number: 250060
Trustee Lane entered the following resolution:
Resolution of the Menands Village Board
Issuing SEQRA Neg. Dec. & Adopting Local Law #4 of 2024, A Local Law Amending the
Village of Menands Zoning Map, Chapter 169 “Zoning” of the Menands Village Code, by
adjusting the Zoning Districts in which self-storage facilities are permitted.
WHEREAS, Local Law #4 of 2024 (“LL #4”) was introduced to the Menands Village Board
on September 4, 2024, and the Village Board scheduled a public hearing for September
23, 2024; and
WHEREAS, on September 6, 2025, the Village of Menands forwarded LL #4 to the Albany
County Planning Board (“ACPB”) pursuant to General Municipal Law §§ 239-l and 239-m;
and
WHEREAS, on September 23, 2024, the Menands Village Board conducted a public
hearing with no comments provided; and
WHEREAS, on September 19, 2024, the ACPB found that LL #4 will not result in a
significant countywide or intermunicipal impact; and
WHEREAS, the Menands Village Board has reviewed Parts 1 and 2 of the Full
Environmental Assessment Form, as required for SEQRA review; and
WHEREAS, the Menands Village Board has sole decision-making authority for the
adoption of LL #4, and therefore declares itself Lead Agency for the purposes of SEQRA
review; and
WHEREAS, the Menands Village Board has determined that no significant adverse
environmental impacts are anticipated as a result of the adoption of LL #4, and issues a
Negative Declaration; and
WHEREAS, LL #4 of 2024 has been on the desks of the members of the Menands Village
Board at least seven (7) days, exclusive of Sunday.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Section 1. The Menands Village Board adopts attached LL #4 of 2024, a Local Law
Amending Chapter 169, “Zoning” of the Menands Village Code by adjusting the
Zoning Districts in which self-storage facilities are permitted as detailed on the
attached Local Law Filing Form.
2. Section 2. The Menands Village Clerk is hereby directed to enter said Local Law in
the minutes of this meeting, shall file the Local Law with the Secretary of State,
shall publish a summary once in the official newspaper, and post a copy of the
Local Law at or near the main entrance to the office of the Village Clerk.
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 Matt Rodgers from LaBella led a discussion that was held regarding the Special Use Permit for 51 Irving Place (339 Broadway). After a discussion, the approval was tabled until the October 7, 2024, Board Meeting
Mayor Marsh gave an update on EV Charging Stations. Discussion followed.
Mayor Marsh gave an update on the sidewalk repairs to Brookside Ave and Menand Road. Discussion followed.
Quote from Precision Safe Sidewalks:
METHODOLOGY – PREPARING THIS ESTIMATE:
1. A census was conducted, and the following hazards were identified and grouped into three CLASSES:
CLASSES & SPECIFICATIONS
VHD 1” to 2½”
VHD ½” to 1”
VHD ¼” to ½– Not Surveyed
2. An estimate of inch feet for each CLASS was prepared based on a slope of 1:8 for up to ½” and 1:12 for ½”-2½”.
3. A fixed bid was prepared giving the flexibility to choose to repair hazards by CLASS or all hazards in the proposal.
PRICING OPTION 1: REPAIR SELECTED HAZARDS BY CLASS
TABLE 2: SIDEWALK TRIP & FALL HAZARDS
LOCATION CLASS HAZARDS PRICE
Village of Menands – Brookside Ave & Menand Rd VHD ¼” to ½” 0 $0
VHD ½” to 1” 114 $12,869
VHD 1” to 2½” 35 $5,943
SUBTOTAL 149 $18,811
Note: Our company minimum to mobilize is $12,500
You can choose any or all cells for repair in this option. For example, if you choose to repair all the VHD ½” to 1” hazards, the price is $12,869. The options to make sidewalk repairs at a slope of 1:10 or 1:12 are available for any pricing option.
PRICING OPTION 2: REPAIR ALL HAZARDS
Precision Safe Sidewalks will remove all identified sidewalk hazards in the assessed area from ½” to 2½” for a fixed price of $17,747.
Resolution Number: 250061
After a discussion Trustee Harris made a motion to approve Precision Safe Sidewalks to repair the sidewalks on Brookside Ave and Menand Road using Option #2 at a cost of $17,747.00, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting Aye
Trustee Harris voting Aye
Trustee Kalogridis voting Aye
Trustee Lane voting Aye
Mayor Marsh voting Aye
The Clerk gave an update on the renumbering of Glenwood Road. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 250062
After a discussion Trustee Harris made a motion to hold a Public Comments for the Residents of Glenwood Road for the purpose of commenting on the renumbering of Glenwood Road on October 7, 2024, at 6 P.M. and to have the Clerk send out a notice to the residents, second by Trustee Kalogridis.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting Aye
Trustee Harris voting Aye
Trustee Kalogridis voting Aye
Trustee Lane voting Aye
Mayor Marsh voting Aye
Mayor Marsh gave an update on the improvements to 250 Broadway. Discussion followed.
- Hose Tower has been removed and will be finished by the end of the week
- The chimneys need to repointed to help stop leaks into the building.
- The windows on the North side of the Police department need to be bricked up and smaller windows to re installed.
Resolution Number: 250063
After a discussion Trustee Harris made a motion to approve Davco Masonry to repoint the chimneys at 250 Broadway at a cost of $2,500.00, second by Trustee Harbour.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting Aye
Trustee Harris voting Aye
Trustee Kalogridis voting Aye
Trustee Lane voting Aye
Mayor Marsh voting Aye
Resolution Number: 250064
Trustee Harris made a motion to approve Davco Masonry to brick the windows and install smaller windows to the Police Department windows at 250 Broadway at a cost of $16,000.00, second by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting Aye
Trustee Harris voting Aye
Trustee Kalogridis voting Aye
Trustee Lane voting Aye
Mayor Marsh voting Aye
Mayor Marsh gave an update on the alternate street parking for Brookside Ave North and South Lyons Ave. Discussion followed.
Mayors Report:
- Gave an update of the traffic Sign project
- Advised working on a Local Law regarding No On Street Parking during Snowstorms.
- Update on 434 Broadway and the Trucks being parked on property. The trucks will be removed by the end of the month.
- Mail Works held their Grand Opening.
- Gave an update on the revised Sign Law.
- The Board has received the Treasurer’s Report.
- Tomorrow there will be a Project’s meeting with LaBella.
Trustee’s Report:
Harbour:
- Must pickup Mums from Menands School
- Saturday September 28, 2024, from 8 A.M to 11 A.M. there will be a Pancake Breakfast at Menands School.
Harris: No Report
Kalogridis: Expressed his concerns regarding repairing sidewalks if effect the waterlines. He suggested that we should take photos before and after.
Lane: Advised that there a DOT held a Public Comment and display of Reimaging I787 on September 9, 2024, and Update on Little Rive Grant.
Clerk’s Report: No Report
Public Comments:
TO: All Village Board Members
FROM: Bill Garvey Jr
I got several important Village items as follows:
- Soap dispenser in men’s room next to pavilion is not working
- He picked up grapefruit peels in Ganser Smith parking lot
- He observed cobwebs in the Police lobby
- He supports new generator at main pump station
- He is happy a new Station Street sign has been installed
- He reported brush and weeds around 2 fire hydrants on Tillinghast Ave
- He recommends waste oil-based products in 250 parking lot repairs
- He supports EV Charging Stations, proposing vehicle run of fuel on biogas or biofuel oil
- He supports sidewalk repairs for Menand Rd & Brookside Ave. He proposed using waste gravel, cement & waste oil-based products in sidewalk and street repairs
- Requesting National Grid replace old utility poles with new ones
- He is happy the fern treen has been cleared from stop sign on Station Street
- He reported to Menands Police that on Clifford Rd the Children at Play sign is being blocked by a tree
- He supports the Village using City of Albany’s yard waste processing facility.
Resident Anthony Evans asked if the Glenwood Road sidewalks and Street will be looked at? The Mayor advised that the Village has received a grant to insure that all Village Sidewalks are ADA compliant. Discussion followed.
Resident Diane Leonard suggested that the Village should purchase benches to be placed along the Village Streets for people out walking.
Resident Paul Harbour:
- Expressed his concerns about the changing of the no parking signs on court days.
- Advised that the Railroad has not done any work on the ditches on railroad property.
- Asked about the tree trimming on Brookside Ave. He was advised that the trimming will be late October or early November.
Trustee Harris made a motion 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 duly adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
_______________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk