Message from Mayor Megan Grenier: (Updated May 21, 2020)

In response to the COVID-19 virus, and for the health, safety and well-being of our employees and our residents, the Village of Menands is implementing the following procedures. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause but safety is our top priority. We will continue to monitor this health emergency and respond accordingly so all procedures are subject to change.

Village Office

The Village of Menands office will reopen to the public beginning May 26, 2020 with the regular hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Social distancing guidelines will be in place and strictly enforced to protect the safety of our staff and the public. Masks must be worn before entering the building. In order to adhere to the 6ft. social distancing guidelines, only two members of the public will be allowed in the office at the same time. Only office personnel will be allowed access past the front counter. We ask that any matters that can be handled over the phone, please call the Village office at 518-434-2922 instead of appearing in person. All public meetings will remain closed to the Public. They will be available by Teleconference or Video conference. Please see website for more information. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we continue to navigate through these difficult times.

Department of Public Works

The DPW is still operating business as usual (Trash and recycling schedules remains the same) with a couple of exceptions. The DPW will not do any in-residence and business repairs or inspections unless an absolute emergency.

Special Pick-up will resume on Wednesday’s only. (If a holiday falls on a Monday or Tuesday, there will be NO special pick-up that week). For special pick-up, you must call the Village Office at (434-2922) by Tuesday before 4 p.m. to be added to the Wednesday schedule.

This is a homeowner service for household items larger than normal trash and NOT to be used by contractors doing work at Village residences. PROHIBITED ITEMS include: Televisions, Cans containing Wet Paint (air dry before disposal), Computer Monitors, Medical Waste, Propane Tanks, Contractor’s materials (contractor responsible for disposal), and Tires. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to dispose of these items themselves and not leave curbside. The DPW will NOT pick up these items. Leaf and yard waste should be put in bags at the curbside.

Menands Fire Department

The Menands Fire Department has temporarily changed response, training, and activity protocols to protect the health of our members and general public. We are still responding to all calls for service, but the public might find us asking more questions upon our arrival, that would normally not seem relevant to the reason we were called.

We are asking for the public’s help, by informing the dispatcher during the call if they are sick, have any symptoms, have been quarantined, or have been around anyone who would have answered yes to these questions. For more information and guidance please visit the CDC website.

Mike Steurer
Chief
Menands FD

Menands Police Department

Due to the COVID-19 Virus some adjustments will take place with the police department. The adjustments have been made to ensure the safety of our officers and staff and still provide 24hr service to our residents.

1. Access to the Menands Police Department will be limited to essential personnel only. All civilians will still have access to the lobby area to speak to the dispatcher.
2. Vehicle lockouts will be limited to emergency situations only.
3. Walk-in complaints will be handled in the lobby of the police department.
4. (Important) Non-emergency complaints will be handled over the phone. Please let the dispatcher know the nature of the call and you will be transferred to an officer to complete your report. If an officer is not available at the time of the call to make sure all your information is left with the dispatcher and you will be called back the same day. Your report will be faxed, e-mailed or mailed per your preference.

Menands Police appreciates the visitors we get throughout the week, however until further notice please refrain from dropping into the police station or bringing food. This is an extremely nice gesture and I know our officers appreciate it. Unfortunately, at this time we need to ask you not to do so for the health and safety of everyone.

This situation is constantly changing and we will try to keep the public up to date as quickly as we can so. Please check the Menands Police Facebook page or call the station on the non-emergency number at (518-463-1681). Always remember in case of an emergency dial 911 and officers will still respond to your location.

Chief Frank Lacosse
Chief
Menands Police Department

Buildings & Codes Department:

• All permit applications and other transactions will take place via phone at (518) 434-2922 or email to Lyle Darmetko at email hidden; JavaScript is required.
• All forms can be found on-line at Villageofmenands.com and returned to Lyle by the email above.
• All non-emergency inspections will be subject to the discretion of code enforcement. Construction inspections, emergency inspections, and vacant building inspections will continue to occur.
• Transactions that must be facilitated in-person may only occur by appointment. Individuals must call (518) 434-2922 or email email hidden; JavaScript is required to set up an in-person appointment.

Menands Village Court:

In accordance with the measures announced by Chief Administrative Judge, Lawrence K. Marks of the New York State Unified Court System relating to court proceedings, the Menands Village Court will be closed to the public for non-essential proceedings until further notice. If there any questions, please contact the court staff at (518) 434-3992.

Meetings:
Public meetings, including meetings of the Village Board of Trustees, Zoning Board and Public Hearings:

• Effective March 19h, public meetings will be closed to the public until further notice.
• Meetings that continue as previously scheduled may be held via teleconference and copies of the minutes will be available to the public either in draft or final form within 14 days of the meeting and posted on the Village website once approved by the Village Board.

Youth:
The Village Youth Summer Program has been cancelled for this year.
Menands Jr. Baseball & Softball League has been cancelled for this year.

Menands Senior Club:
All meetings and gatherings have been postponed until September.

2020 Summer Concerts in The Park:
All summer concerts for 2020 have been cancelled. The Annual Village Picnic scheduled in August will be determined at a later time.

COVID-19 Prevention and Symptom Information:
As a reminder, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the New York State Department of Health and the Albany County Department of Health for the most recent guidelines regarding COVID-19 precautions and symptoms.

For information on businesses reopening go to:
https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase#overview–reopening-in-phases

The Village is closely monitoring the guidelines set force by the Federal, State and County governments and taking all precautions to protect our employees and residents. We strongly urge that all residents also abide by any guidelines to help prevent the spread of this virus.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding and please stay safe!
Mayor Meg