The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, August 18, 2025, was called to order by Mayor Brian Marsh at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Brian Marsh, Mayor
Molly Harbour, Trustee
Nicholas Kalogridis, Trustee
Timothy Lane, Trustee
Lisa Neuman, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
Mary Jane Vredenburg, Village Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney – Virtual
Kevin Schwebke, Police Lt.
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Mark Carnegie, Jason Carnegie, Mike and Susan MacKay, Paul Harbour, Steve Boulet, Tony Lapari, Lindsay Lapari, Sam Gladd, Mike Steurer, and John Fil.
Virtual attendance: Kathy Mosca, Mike Harbour, Aaron Gladd, Courtney Jaskula, Peg Holland.
The Girl Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Marsh stated that this meeting is recorded.
The Girl Scouts gave the following presentation regarding creating a Sensory Path:
Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 260033
After a discussion Trustee Lane made a motion to approve the installation of a Sensory Path within one of the Village’s Parks, second by Trustee Harbour.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Resolution Number: 260034
Trustee Kalogridis made a motion to accept the August 4, 2025, Village Board Meeting Minutes, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting Abstained
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Resolution Number: 260035
Trustee Harbour made a motion to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Lane.
WARRANT #5A:
GENERAL totaling $1,200.00
WARRANT # 6:
GENERAL totaling $148,288.52
WATER totaling $ 3,147.98
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $151,436.50
PAYROLL #5: totaling $108,929.35
(07/2/25-08/07/25)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The Treasurer requests the following transfer:
From A19900400 Contingency Account in the amount of $34,886.75 to the Computer & Software Account in the amount of $34,886.75. The transfer to cover the cost of updates for the Cyber Security for the Village. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 260036
Trustee Neuman made a motion to approve the transfer from A19900400 Contingency Account in the amount of $34,886.75 to the Computer & Software Account in the amount of $34,886.75, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Marsh and Trustee Kalogridis explained the Nuisance Alarm Local Law 3 of 2025. Discussion followed.
Trustee Kalogridis entered the following Local Law:
Nuisance Alarm
Alarm Systems
Chapter 48
§48-1 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the Village of Menands by reducing the number of avoidable nuisance alarms. Nuisance alarms result in unnecessary and ineffective use of police, ambulance, fire, and rescue emergency personnel and equipment.
§48-2 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
§48-3 ALARM SYSTEM
A device or an assembly of equipment which, when activated, is intended to transmit a signal directly or indirectly to request fire, police, ambulance, or rescue services to respond on an emergency basis. An alarm system shall also include a device or an assembly of equipment that emits an audible or visual signal, or both, at or near the exterior of the protected premises which is intended to alert persons outside of a premises to the existence of a hazard or emergency; or that transmits a request for police, ambulance, fire or rescue services to a central station or answering service to report such alarms to an emergency agency or transmit a request for emergency services to an emergency agency. This definition does not include any alarm device installed in any motor vehicle, nor any single station detector of smoke, heat, fire, or carbon monoxide.
§48-4 MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM
An alarm system, which, when activated, is specifically intended to result in a response from an emergency medical services agency.
§48-5 NUISANCE ALARM
The activation of an alarm system which results in a response by fire, police, or ambulance personnel to any place within the Village of Menands where no fire, police, ambulance, or rescue services are required, as determined by such personnel, including, but not limited to, activation of an alarm system arising from improper use or operation of the alarm system, defective installation of an alarm system, the failure to repair or maintain an alarm system, or the use of defective equipment in connection with an alarm system. Nuisance alarms shall also include alarms in dwelling units and on premises that are triggered as a result of cooking smoke, steam, dust, or vapor. A nuisance alarm shall not include:
A. The activation of an alarm system which results from a hurricane, gale, tornado, or other violent weather condition, or any significant disruption of public utility transmission.
B. The activation of an alarm system where the activator reasonably believes that an emergency exists; or
C. An activation of a medical alert system.
§48-6 Alarm permits.
A. A person or entity that occupies premises upon which an alarm system is installed or operated shall obtain a permit for each alarm system by applying for an alarm permit to the Building Department within 45 days of the initial installation of the alarm system or, for an existing alarm system, within 45 days of the effective date of this chapter. The permit shall be valid for two years from the date of its issuance, and a renewal application shall be required on a biannual basis thereafter. It shall be the responsibility of the permit holder to submit a renewal application before the expiration date of the existing permit.
B. Commercial establishments with fire alarm systems shall be required to submit an inspection report to the compliance engine utilized by the Village. The inspection report must be completed by a third-party firm alarm company approved by the Village of Menands. A list of approved alarm companies may be obtained from the Building Department.
C. The Village Board shall establish alarm permit fees. All fees are nonrefundable. No payment shall be required for a permit application for which a medical alert system is the only alarm installed in the dwelling unit or premises.
D. Upon written request addressed to the Building Department, the permit fee shall be waived for any person over the age of 62 who occupies premises upon which an alarm system is installed or operated, provided that the intended alarm system shall be residential and not used in connection with any commercial or business purpose.
E. An alarm permit shall not be transferable to another person or location. All permits shall be deemed terminated upon the sale or transfer of possession of the affected premises to a new owner or occupant.
F. The permit holder shall notify the Building Department of any change to the information provided in their application for an alarm permit within 30 days of such change.
G. The application for an alarm permit shall be made on the form prescribed by the Building Department and shall provide at least the following information:
1. The name, address, and home and cell phone number of the intended permit holder;
2. The address of the premises upon which the alarm system is located.
3. The address to which notices required under this chapter will be sent, if different from the alarm location.
4. The name and home and cell phone number of three local persons who may be contacted, at any time of the day or night, who are authorized by the person who owns or leases the premises upon which an alarm system is installed or operated to enter the premises, ascertain the status thereof, and if the person determines such premises are safe and secure, deactivate or silence the alarm; and
a. Upon notification, said person(s) shall be able to respond to the premises within thirty minutes. If an extended response or failure to respond to premises occurs, a fee shall be assessed following the fee schedule adopted by the Village Board.
5. Such other information as may be required by the Village of Menands.
§48-7 Notice of nuisance alarms.
The permit holder of the premises that received an emergency response because of a nuisance alarm shall be notified, in writing, by certified mail of all alarms that Fire Services or Police deemed to be a nuisance. The notification shall inform the owner or lessee of the times and types of emergency responses provided to the address location.
§48-8 Administrative review.
A. Request for administrative review. To challenge the classification of an alarm as a nuisance alarm, the permit holder shall, within 30 days of service of the notice of the nuisance alarm, submit a written request for a hearing, setting forth the basis for the appeal, to the Village of Menands Building Department. As used in this section, “service” shall mean the mailing by first-class mail or personal delivery of any notice referenced herein. The failure to submit a timely request for a hearing shall be deemed a waiver of the right to have the determination reviewed.
B. Administrative review. The Alarm Review Board shall be comprised of the Police Chief, Lieutenant, Fire Chief, Fire Inspector, and the Village Attorney. The Board shall meet quarterly to hear matters as requested by permit holders. A permit holder notified of a nuisance alarm on their premises shall have the opportunity to present evidence to the contrary to the Board. The Alarm Review Board shall hold a hearing and make a written determination concerning the classification of the alarm. A copy of the determination shall be mailed to the permit holder. If the Board determines that an alarm was not a nuisance, the permit holder shall not be required to pay a fee. If the alarm is deemed to have been a nuisance, the permit holder shall have 30 days to pay the cost from the date of the determination. The Alarm Review Board’s determination shall be reviewable only according to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
§48-9 Fees for nuisance alarms.
A. The permit holder for the premises to which an emergency agency responds as a result of a nuisance alarm arising from such premises shall pay a fee for each emergency agency response in each calendar year, as follows:
1. First three nuisance alarms in any calendar year: no fee.
2. Every nuisance alarm over three in any calendar year shall incur a fee according to the fee schedule adopted by the Village Board.
B. Multiple dwelling unit premises. An emergency response to a nuisance alarm for a multiple dwelling unit building or complex shall be calculated for each unit giving rise to the nuisance alarm as if that unit were its premises, rather than aggregated across all dwelling units within the premises. The permit holder for the multiple dwelling unit premises is responsible for the fee as provided above.
1. For purposes of this section, a “dwelling unit” consists of one or more rooms with private bath and kitchen facilities used exclusively for residential occupancy.
2. Common areas. Any part of a multiple dwelling unit premises that is not a dwelling unit shall be treated as a “common area.” Emergency agency responses to nuisance alarms arising from any common area in such premises shall be aggregated.
C. Failure to remit the fee. Failure of the permit holder to pay the nuisance alarm fee within 30 days following service of the notice of the amount due, or if challenged, within 30 days following the date of the Alarm Review Board’s determination, is a violation of this chapter and is punishable as outlined in §48-10 below.
D. Payment of the fee. Nuisance alarm fees shall be submitted to the Village of Menands, 280 Broadway, Menands, NY 12204, and shall be made payable to the “Village of Menands.”
§48-10 Penalties for offenses.
A. A person or entity who owns or leases the premises upon which an alarm system is installed or operated without a valid permit issued by the Building Department or who fails to provide notice of a change to the information provided in an application as required by §48-6 above or who violates §48-5 above shall be guilty of a violation punishable upon conviction in Colonie Justice Court by a fine following the Police and Fire Services fee schedules, or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both. Each day such offense continues shall be a separate violation and subject to a separate fine, imprisonment, or combination thereof.
B. Any person who fails to pay the nuisance alarm penalty fee as established and outlined in §48-10 above shall be subject to a fine, not to exceed $500, in addition to the initial penalty. Each day such offense shall continue shall be a separate violation and subject to a separate fine.
§48-11 Silencing of alarms.
All alarm systems that employ an audible signal, flashing light beacon, or similar audible or visual response, indicating a hazard or emergency and intended to summon law enforcement, must be silenced within 15 minutes. Every permit holder shall, at the time such alarm system is installed, or in the case of existing alarm systems, by the effective date of this chapter, install or cause to be installed an automatic timing device which shall deactivate and silence such alarm within 15 minutes.
§48-12 Liability.
The Village of Menands shall not be liable for any defects in operation of emergency alarm systems, for any failure to respond appropriately, or for any erroneous response upon receipt of any emergency alarm signal, nor shall the Village of Menands be liable for the failure or defect of any installation, operation, or maintenance of equipment, the transmission of alarm signals or messages, or the relaying of such signals or messages.
§48-13 Enforcement.
The Police Department and Building Department shall enforce this chapter and are authorized to issue and serve citations and appearance tickets for nuisance alarms.
§48-14 Additional rules and regulations.
The Building Department may promulgate such rules, regulations, and standards applicable to alarm systems and owners or lessees of premises on which an alarm system is installed or operated, which are necessary for effective administration of this chapter. Such rules, regulations, and standards shall be outlined in writing, and filed with the Village Clerk, and copies shall be made available without charge to all applicants for an alarm permit.
§48-14 Severability.
In the event any section, subsection, sentence, or clause of this chapter, or the application thereof, is for any reason held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction. In that case, the invalidity thereof shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, clauses, or provisions of this chapter or the application thereof.
§48-15 When effective.
This chapter shall become effective upon its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 260037
Trustee Harbour made a motion to hold a public hearing on October 6, 2025, regarding the Nuisance Alarm Local Law 3 of 2025, seconded by Trustee Kalogridis.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The Clerk advised that the Board has been give the Breach Notification Cyber Security and Military Leave Policies for review.
Resolution Number: 260038
Trustee Harbour made a motion to approve the Breach Notification Cyber Security and Military Leave Policies, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The advised that would like to surplus a 2016 Dodge Charger vin number 2C3CDXAG1GH122253 and put up for auction.
Resolution Number: 260039
Trustee Neuman made motion to approve the surplus on a 2016 Dodge Charger vin number 2C3CDXAG1GH122253 and put up for auction, second by Trustee Kalogridis.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Mayor’s Report:
- A final analysis of the Courts Finances has been completed revenue was down by $192,482.00
- Solar Simplified now has 160 accounts within the Village.
- Community Night will this Wednesday starting at 5 PM.
- Albany County Purification District has advised that sewer cost will be increasing to cover rehab project.
Trustee’s Report:
Neuman: Reached out to her liaison departments waiting for reply.
Kalogridis: No Report
Lane: Would like to set up a Charitable Foundation within the Village to be called Friends of the Village of Menands. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 260040
After a discussion Trustee Lane made motion to approve the exploration of setting up a Charitable Foundation within the Village to be called Friends of the Village of Menands, second by Trustee Neuman.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Harbour:
- The Park Program was a success this year.
- Congratulated Brianna Coughlin for accepting a teaching position at Menands School.
- The Seniors will be holding their Volunteer Dinner at Yanni’s.
- Asked about parking on Menand Road. Discussion followed.
- Asked if the Police could get involved with Kids riding their bikes recklessly. Discussion followed.
Clerk’s Report:
- Reminder that be of vacation August 28-September 1.
- The Albany County Purification Plant Odor Report Link is available on the Village Website
- The DPW Safety Equipment was received from the PERMA Grant:
- 40 Cones
- 8 Signs
- 5 Hard Hats
- 5 Vest
- 2 Stop/Go signs
- Flags
- Starting in September Village Board Meetings will held in the new Board Room (Old Court Room)
- The Park Wi-Fi is working
Treasurer’s Report:
- Requests permission to close the following accounts since the accounts are no longer needed and have no activity:
- ARPA ACCOUNT#5203318044
- 100TH ANNIVERSARY ACCOUNT#5203317997
- CHRISTOPHER FLINT ACCOUNT#5203327631
- DAVID ROWLEY ACCOUNT#5203409570
- ROBERT BECHER ACCOUNT#5203327623
- BAIL ACCOUNT ACCOU NT#5203327649
Resolution Number: 260041
Trustee Lane made motion to close out the following accounts , ARPA, 100TH ANNIVERSARY,
CHRISTOPHER FLINT, DAVID ROWLEY, ROBERT BECHER, and the BAIL ACCOUNT second by Trustee Neuman.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
General Comments:
Resident Bill Garvey:
1. Delighted to see the south side of Harts Lane has been mowed.
2. I have been cleaning the park and bathrooms after the Concert in the Park.
3. Happy to see that the hydrants have been cleared on weeds.
4. Heard complaints on staples on the new picnic tables
5. Galad to see soap dispenser fixed in the bathrooms at the park.
6. Street sign at Cornell and Menad Road is blocked by branches.
7. The fans were left on at tin the Pavilion.
8. Glad to hear that traffic signs are being replaced.
9. Asking if anything is going to be done with the building at 359 Broadway.
10. A tax credit should be granted for a fish farm and research in lower Menands.
11. Would like to see 3 or 4 Handicap parking spaces be added to Ganser Smith Park.
12. Asked if the Menands Market could install fans in the shed.
13. I’m going to assist with clean up after the Community Night.
14. There is a shelf in the rear of the Fire House.
15. There is utility pole on N Lyons that is covered in weeds.
16. Recommends using synthetic rubber to repair the roof at 250 Broadway.
17. Glad to see the Menands Library Sign has been repaired.
Resident Paul Harbour:
1. Has Handicap Study been completed for Brookside Sidewalks. Discussion followed.
2. Will Brookside be paved this year? Discussion followed.
3. Complained about a party at 15 Brookside on Thursday Night. Discussion followed.
Resident Steurer asked to make some amendments to the Nuisance Alarm Law. Discussion followed.
Resident Jerry Ruppert: Welcomed the restaurant Bangkok Cuisine. Discussion followed.
Resident Steve Boulet: Thanked the Board for working on alternate street parking. Discussion followed.
AT 7:10 P.M. Mayor Marsh made a motion to enter Executive Session to discuss a legal matter, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 7:30 P.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Harbour to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Kalogridis.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:30 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, August 18,2025.
_____________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk