The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands was held on Monday, December 19th, 2022, and was called to order by Mayor Megan Grenier at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Megan Grenier, Mayor
Diane Foley, Trustee
Seth H. Harris, Trustee
Timothy Lane, Trustee
Brian Marsh, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney – Attended virtually
Chief Ryan St. Gelais, Police Dept
Chief David Ognan, Fire Dept
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Erin Kinne from LaBella Attended virtually, Kevin Schwebke, Scott Hobson
The mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Grenier asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of Andy Cohen and David Jones past Village of Menand’s employees who passed away.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey submitted the following:
- Thanked dispatcher Elizabeth D’Angelo for giving him birthday cookies.
- Thanked Fire and Police Departments for their efforts during the fire at 412 Broadway.
- Bill was happy that 4 dogs were saved during the fire at 412 Broadway.
- He supports the utility work on Broadway.
- Bill supports the purchase of the new fire engine.
- Bill supports the upgrades to Menands Market.
- Bill is in support of the 37 Simmons Lane Project.
- Bill observed a trash can and bags near a fire hydrant on North Lyons Avenue. That has been removed.
Resolution Number: 230105
A motion was made by Trustee Lane to accept the minutes of the December 5th, 2022, Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number: 230106
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Harris.
WARRANT # 14:
GENERAL totaling $61,613.56
WATER totaling $ 815.15
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $62,428.71
VOID CK # 13731 $ 27.00 ABS Solutions included on another invoice
PAYROLL # 15: totaling $95,762.04
(12/02/22 -12/15/22)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Erin Kinne from LaBella and Mayor Grenier led a discussion regarding a resolution needed for the Restore NY Grant and set up a Public Hearing. The Restore NY Grant is 2 million dollars max with a 10% match. A discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 230107
Trustee Marsh entered the following resolution:
RESOLUTION TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ROUND 7 RESTORE NY
COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE MUNICIPAL GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Empire State Development Corporation is requesting funding proposals for the
seventh round of the Restore NY Municipal Grant program; and
WHEREAS, grant funds are available for projects to demolish/deconstruct and/or
rehabilitate/reconstruct vacant, abandoned, surplus and, /or condemned residential, commercial, and, /or
mixed-use buildings; and
WHEREAS, an important goal of Restore NY is to revitalize urban centers, rural areas, and
disadvantaged communities. It is anticipated that upon completion, the projects funded by Restore NY
grants will attract individuals, families, and industry and commercial enterprises to the municipality. It is
further anticipated that the improved community and business climate will result in an increased tax base
thereby improving municipal finances and the wherewithal to further grow the municipality’s tax and
resource base, lessening its dependence on state aid; and
WHEREAS, cities with populations less than 40,000 can apply for up to $2,000,000 in grant
funding;
WHEREAS, a public hearing on the application and properties involved in the application is
required prior to submission,
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED by the Menands Village Board that it hereby
schedules a public hearing for the Round 7 Restore NY application for January 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at
Village Municipal Building, 250 Broadway, Menands, NY 12204.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a Notice of the said hearing will be published, and the
Property Assessment List will be published for three consecutive issues, in the Times Union.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it will include the following property assessment list:
Site Size (sq. ft) Building Type Project Type Building Category
90 Broadway 43,000 Commercial Rehabilitation Vacant
Second By Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk led a discussion regarding moving 2 Board Meetings first February 20th, 2022, to February 27th, due to a conflict with the court. The second date is September 18th, 2023, to Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 due to the NYCOM conference in Lake Placid.
Resolution Number: 230108
Trustee Marsh made a motion to move the following Board Meetings from February 20th, 2022, to February 27th, due to a conflict with the court and to move September 18th, 2023, to Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 due to the NYCOM Conference in Lake Placid, second by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Harris read an email from Scott Hobson regarding putting playground equipment in the Hutton Street Park. Mayor Grenier asked Erin Kinne from LaBella Associates if she could have LaBella look into the possibility of adding equipment. A discussion followed.
Good afternoon, Seth,
My wife Julia and I have lived in South Menands for five years. We have a two-and-a-half-year-old and are expecting a second in May. I’m writing to you to inquire about the possibility of installing a playground in the small park on the corner of Hutton and Amsterdam streets. A playground would be a great benefit to the many families in the neighborhood, and it seems like the park is not living up to its fullest potential.
As liaison to Parks, as well as an educator (Julia taught pre-K and 2nd grade for many years), I thought you would be the best person to speak to about this proposal. How can we make this happen?
Thank you for your consideration and Happy Holidays.
Scott Hobson
10 Hampton St.
Menands, NY
Trustee Marsh read the following letter from Albany Medical Center thanking the Police Officers who did security for the Dancing in the Woods Fund Raiser at 150 Broadway.
ALBANY MED Health System
ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER
Security Services
Robert Leary
Assistant Director
December 5 th , 2022
Chief Ryan St. Gelais
Menands Police Department
250 Broadway
Menands, NY 12204
Dear Chief St. Gelais,
On December 2022, Albany Med hosted the 39th Dancing in the Woods gala to benefit the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. Over 800 guests and leaders from the community attended this high-profile event. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the members of your Department whose assistance was invaluable.
The following members could not have done more to allow for a safe and successful event, Detective Dan Braden, Officer Rob Stark, and Officer Josh Kullman were all consummate professionals and should be commended for their abilities, as they did an outstanding job helping to maintain the safety and security of the event.
On behalf of the Albany Medical Center Security Services team, would like to personally thank you and the members of your Department for their assistance.
Sincerely,
Robert Leary
Assistant Director
Mayor Grenier advised the Board that the 100-Year Anniversary Committee is thinking about having a dinner at 150 Broadway Train Shed. A discussion followed.
At 6:20 P.M. Trustee Foley made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 6:18 P.M.
Resolution Number: 230109
Trustee Marsh made a motion to hire Joseph Hardy as a full-time police officer at Step 2 starting January 1st, 2023, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number: 230110
Trustee Marsh made a motion to promote Police Officer Daniel Braden to Sergeant, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 6:20 P.M.
___________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk