Budget Public Hearing Minutes – April 2nd, 2020

Minutes of the Budget Public Hearing held on Monday, April 2nd, 2020 was opened by Mayor Megan Grenier at 6:00 P.M.

Mayor Grenier read a rollcall and the following where present:

Megan Grenier, Mayor
Diane Foley, Trustee
Seth H. Harris, Trustee
Brian Marsh, Trustee
Aileen Nicoll, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
William T. Smith, Jr., Village Treasurer

Also attending: Susan Harris, Susan Sweeney, Mike Mackay, Tim Hurley, Peter Mason

The Mayor Grenier Read the following Notice:

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to Village Law, the Preliminary Budget of the Village of Menands for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2020 and ending May 31, 2021 has been duly filed.

Pursuant to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order No. 202.1 issued on March 13, 2020, suspending Article 7 of the Public Officers Law, to the extent necessary to permit any public body to meet and take such actions authorized by law without allowing the public to be physically present at the meeting but allow the public to listen to or view such meetings via teleconference call or video conference, while recording and later transcribing such meeting.

This public hearing of the Preliminary Budget for the fiscal year of 2020/2021 is being held via Google Meets Video Conference to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare during the COVID-19 Pandemic in order for the Village of Menands to meet the required deadline of April 15th for such hearing.

The Treasurer presented the Preliminary Budget for 2020 – 2021 Fiscal Year and answered the following questions.

Mike MacKay asked what will be the impact to Sales Tax because of the COVID-19?
contingency accounts it will impact the budget but we are sure to what extent as of yet. We may have to make adjustments to the budget throughout the year.

Mike MacKay, asked if the wall next to the Fire House was in the budget?
Treasurer Smith, stated no due to having to purchase extra equipment with bond for Fire and DPW there was not enough monies left for the wall this year.

Susan Sweeny, asked about the monies in the contingency accounts?
Treasurer Smith, explained how contingency accounts were handled and advised that after the State Audit the monies had to be moved into savings accounts from Reserve Funds.

Susan Sweeny, asked why the paving fund was so low?
Treasurer Smith, explained that most of the paving of village streets are complete. That there are only a few streets left to be completed.

Susan Sweeny, asked about refuse cost if there were enough monies budgeted due to coast continuing to go up?
Treasurer Smith, explained he did increase recyclables but left landfill the same because being part of Colonie are cost have not gone up.

Susan Sweeny, asked why health insurance cost went down?
Treasurer Smith, explained that more employees are paying 20% of the cost insurance so there is insurance cost sharing.

Mike MacKay, asked how much do you believe will be in reserve after the budget in complete.
Treasurer Smith, estimates the reserve fund to $400,000.00

The Mayor asked if there were any further comments or questions, hearing none she closed the Public Hearing at 6:25 P.M.

____________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk