The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, August 4, 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
Timothy Lane, Trustee
Lisa Neuman, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
Mary Jane Vredenburg, Village Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney – Virtual

Also attending: Bill Garvey, Mark Carnegie, Jason Carnegie, Susan and Mike MacKay, Barbara Lane,
Diane Leonard, Diane MacFarland, Steve Boulet.

Virtual attendance: George L, Kathy Mosca, Robert Jewett, Beth Harbour.

The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance and stated that this meeting is recorded.

Resolution Number: 260028

Trustee Neuman made a motion to accept the, July 21,2025, Village Board Meeting Minutes, seconded by Trustee Kalogridis.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE

Resolution Number: 260029

Trustee Lane made a motion to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Neuman.

WARRANT #4X:

GENERAL totaling $1,900.00

WARRANT #4XX:

GENERAL totaling $1,108.48

WARRANT #4XXX:

GENERAL totaling $ 350.00

WARRANT # 4:

GENERAL totaling $51,092.08
WATER totaling $12,064.01
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $63,156.09

WARRANT # 07/25/25:

GENERAL totaling $13,559.20

WARRANT # 07/28/25:

GENERAL totaling $ 1,200.00

PAYROLL #4: totaling $141,044.43
(09/20/210/03/24)

ADOPTED:

Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE

Carrie Ward from Capital Regional Transportation Council gave an update on the ADA Transition Plan.
Agenda item fs a Self-Analysis and Transition Plan for pedestrian facilities, which are an example of a local government program, service, or activity under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Self-Analysis outlines the accessibility of existing pedestrian infrastructure.
The Transition Plan is required if it will take more than one year to bring the facilities into compliance. It must include a list of physical barriers and there locations, detailed outline of methods to make the facilities accessible, schedule to achieve compliance with an annual breakdown, public complaint or grievance procedure, and name of the position or official responsible for implementation.
We hired consulting firm to collect data on the condition of pedestrian infrastructure and to draft a prioritization methodology to direct the order of compliance efforts. That is facilities serving
1. Menand Road and Brookside Avenue;
2. Southend Neighborhood in conjunction with infrastructure improvements phase 1;
3. Broadway Corridor
a. Priority 3A Broadway between Wolfert Ave and Wards Lane
b. Priority 3B Broadway between Wards Lane and Menand Road
c. Priority 3C Remaining Broadway
4. Southend Neighborhood in conjunction with infrastructure improvements phase 2.
5. All other
The existing condition and the prioritization together allow an implementation plan to be compiled. In total we found 4.36 miles of sidewalk, 24 curb ramps, 48 detectable warning surfaces, 4 crosswalks not addressed with curb ramps, and 1 pedestrian signal needing repair or replacement by the Village to bring them to compliance.
Costs in the document are based on the NYSDOT Quick Estimator reference for upstate for the facilities under the jurisdiction and responsibility of the town. This totals just over
$657,000. The schedule included is three years.

Discussion followed.

Resolution Number: 260030

Trustee Neuman made a motion to approve the ADA Transition Plan, second by Trustee Lane.

ADOPTED:

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. Discussion followed.
After a discussion, the Nuisance Law was tabled until 8/18/25.

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 for the purpose of reporting such alarms to an emergency agency or transmitting 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 hurricane, gale, tornado or other violent weather condition, or any major disruption of public utility transmission.
B. The activation of an alarm system where the activator reasonably believes that an emergency situation 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 submitting an application 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 a period of 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 prior to 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. Alarm permit fees shall be established by the Village Board. All fees are nonrefundable. No fee 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 extended response or failure to respond to premises occurs, a fee shall occur in accordance with 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 which received an emergency response by reason of a nuisance alarm shall be notified, in writing, by certified mail of all alarms which 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 on a quarterly basis 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 fee from the date of the determination. The Alarm Review Board’s determination shall be reviewable only pursuant 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 pursuant 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 own 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 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 set forth in §48-10 below.
D. Payment of 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 in accordance with 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 set forth 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 which 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 the purpose of effective administration of this chapter. Such rules, regulations and standards shall be set forth, 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.
If 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, 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.

Mayor Marsh advised that DOT Highway Work Permit Application needs to be completed for the South End Water / Sewer Project. Discussion followed.

Resolution Number: 260031

Trustee Lane made a motion to approve the Mayor sign the DOT Highway Work Permit Application, second by Trustee Neuman.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE

The Clerk advised that the Board has received and reviewed the Workplace Violence Policy. The Court was removed from the policy.

Resolution Number: 260032

Trustee Neuman made a motion to approve the Workplace Violence Policy, 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

Mayor’s Report:

  1. Will be creating a Charitable Foundation of the Village. This will allow donations to be given to the Village Departments.
  2. The Village has had meeting with different companies to allow the Village to collect Parking Tickets and Code Violation Fines.
  3. The Clerk and Treasurer have been trained on a new Accounts Receivable program. The program will be used to bill foe Building Permits, Fire Inspections, and other items that the Village bills for.
  4. Southpaw will be completing the renovation of the upper bathrooms in September.
  5. The Village is still working on the sale of the properties on Glenwood Road.
  6. The cost estimates for the paving of Simons Lane are coming in higher that expected.
  7. The Village has applied for a Climate Smart grant to replace the Salt Shed.
  8. DPW has started the Hydrant Flushing.
  9. The company the ground down the sidewalks on Menands Road and Brookside Ave. is coming back to repair the sidewalks.
  10. LaBella is working on the Lead Line Water lines report.
  11. Albany Rural Cemetery has made the cover of Funeral and Cemetery Magazine.
  12. Menands Monthly is coming out soon.
  13. Bangkok Cuisine is planning to open within the next few weeks.
  14. Community Night will be August 20, 2025.
  15. Submitted a $15,000 grant through Albany County.
  16. There will be a Preconstruction Meeting on August 5, 2025, at 10:30 for the South End Water Sewer Project.

Trustee’s Report:

Neuman:

  1. Attended E Code Training.
  2. The Menands Library has an online calendar that is connected to all of the surrounding Libraries.

Kalogridis:

  1. Asked about the No Parking signs on Amsterdam Ave.
  2. Asked about the Stop and Yield signs on Clifford Road.

Lane:

  1. Gave an update on the Park Program.

Clerk’s Report:

  1. DPW has been awarded a complete Work Zone Safety Kit, which includes cones, safety vests, work zone signs, stop-slow paddles, hard hats, whistles, sign stands, and other essential materials to support the creation of a safe and effective work zone. This award, valued at over $2,500, is funded through the PERMA.
  2. Reminder August 19, 2025, 12-5 PM The Red Cross holding a Blood Mobile
  3. I will away August 28-September 2.

General Comments:

TO: All Menands Village Board Members
FROM: Bill Garvey Jr.

I got my own report dealing with several important Village items as follows:

  1. He’s happy that the towel dispenser has been repaired in the park.
  2. He wants to thank DPW for mowing grass near Cornell Drive.
  3. He’s delighted that hydrants in Lower Menands have been cleared of weeds.
  4. He picked up large pieces of cardboard on Broadway.
  5. He saw the NJ tractor trailer parked o Elmwood Road again.
  6. He is happy to hear that a community garden may be established in Polk-Switzer Park in 2026.
  7. He discovered that orange electric system along D& H Railway right of way is covered in weeds. He notified Canadian Pacific Railway Officials.
  8. He is requesting that the Children At Play sign and post be replaced Harts Lane.
  9. There is a fire hydrant on strawberry red property covered in weeds and flowers.
  10. He donated legal pads to Village Board Members and other Village Officials. Free of Charge.
  11. He cleaned up around Ganser Smith Park
  12. While driving on Tillinghast Ave he discovered a large rut
  13. The soap dispenser in Men’s Room by Pavilion is not working he donated hand soap free of charge.
  14. Menand Rd and Jones Ct new Stop Signs and No Parking Anytime are needed.
  15. Street light marker 7 on westside of Broadway fell.
  16. On 7/6/25 he cleaned Ganser Smith Park sweeping, litter pickup and dusting picnic tables & park benches except for LL section.

Resident Steve Boulet:

  1. Thanked the Board for having the company that ground down the sidewalks to come back.
  2. Enquired about the load music that has been playing at night.

Resident Mike MacKay:

  1. Asked if the Charitable Foundation of the Village is for Fire Department and not the Fire Company.

Resident Diane Leonard:

  1. Asked about the status of the Tolly?

Resident Diane McFarland:

  1. Complained about the odor coming from Albany County Sewer plant.

A motion was made by Trustee Neuman to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Kalogridis.

ADOPTED:

Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Neuman voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE

The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:56 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 4, 2025.

_____________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk

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