At 6:00 PM on Monday, December 21st, 2020 Mayor Meg Grenier read the following statement: this is the Village of Menands Board of Trustees, semi-monthly meeting. I am Mayor Meg Grenier and as it is 6:00 o’clock, I will call this meeting to order. For anyone outside the village staff who is attending this video conference, I would ask if you would please identify yourselves, Bill Nevins, Renee Lequire. The Mayor asked them to mute their microphones.
Mayor Grenier then did a roll call of Village staff: Deputy Mayor Aileen Nicoll, present, Trustee Seth Harris, present, Trustee Diane Foley, absent, Trustee Brian Marsh, present, Clerk Don Handerhan, present, Village Attorney Steve Rehfuss, present. On behalf of the Village Board, I would ask all residents that we please keep our First Responders, all essential workers and those affected by this pandemic in our thoughts and prayers.
Pursuant to Governor Cuomo’s executive order number 202.1 issued on March 13th, 2020: Suspending article 7 of the public officer’s law, to the extent necessary to permit any Public body to meet, and take such actions authorized by law that allowed the public to not 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 of the meeting. Village of Menands Board of Trustees semi-monthly meeting is being held via Google Meets video conference to protect Public Safety and Welfare during this COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to conduct this meeting effectively we asked those in attendance to please mute your microphone during the meeting. As we are conducting only business during tonight’s meeting, there will be no public comment. Any comments previously submitted to Clerk Handerhan prior to the meeting and deemed essential will be read into the record. Governor Cuomo has extended executive order number 202.1 through January 1st, 2021.
A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll to accept the minutes of the December 7th, 2020 Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.
WARRANT # 14:
GENERAL totaling $439,285.06
WATER totaling $ 29,040.48
SEWER totaling $ 4,796.62
TOTALS $473,322.16
PARK IMPROVEMENT: totaling $ 816.50
PAYROLL # 15: totaling $ 83,333.80
(12/04/20-12/17/20)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Treasurer requested the Board to amend the 2020-2021 Village Budget to increase Account A.5110.0208 to record the purchase of the new plow trucks the Village approved at the 9/24/19 Board Meeting.
After a discussion Trustee Marsh moved the following resolution. A resolution authorizing the Treasurer to amend the 2020-2021 Village Budget to increase Account A.5110.0208 for the purchase of 2 new plow trucks, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Treasurer requested the Board approve a transfer of $365,500.00 from the Equipment Savings Account #96004378069 to General Fund Operating Account #8840017787 to pay for the new plow trucks.
After a discussion Trustee Nicoll moved a resolution authorizing the Treasurer to transfer #365,500.00 from Equipment Savings Account to the General Fund Operating Account to pay the new plow trucks approved at the 9/24/19 Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
There was a discussion regarding incorrect water/sewer billings for 19 Hutton Street, after which Trustee Nicoll offered, the follow resolution, seconded by Trustee Marsh:
WHEREAS, the wrong size head was installed on the meter when it was replaced on May 29, 2019, therefore, creating improper meter readings and over billing for the period 5/1/19 thru 10/31/19, of
$345.16 in water charges, and $155.32 in sewer charges. And for the period 11/1/19 thru 4/30/20, an over billing of $443.77 in water charges, and $199.68 in sewer charges.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that a total of $345.16 for period 5/1/19 thru 10/31/19 and a total $443.77 for the period 11/1/19 thru 4/30/20 be deducted from the original water roll totals, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a total of $155.32 for the period 5/1/19 thru 10/31/19 and a total of $199.68 for the period 11/1/19 thru 4/30/20 be deducted from the original sewer roll totals, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a total of $1,143.93 ($788.93 water and $355.00 sewer) be returned to the home owner.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk informed the Board that the following equipment has been placed on the surplus list:
2003 GMC Dump Truck (VIN # 1GDP8J1C33F514329) and 2003 GMC Dump Truck (VIN #1GDP8J1C33F514489).
Trustee Harris made a motion to surplus the above dump trucks, seconded by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
VILLAGE OF MENANDS
PUBLIC SERVICE LAW RESOLUTION
Trustee Marsh moved the following resolution.
WHEREAS, On June 17, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed into law amendments to the Public Service Law that prevents public utilities and municipalities from terminating utility services to residential customers for failing to pay service charges or overdue fees during the COVID-19 emergency. Additionally, no terminations or disconnections for non-payment of an overdue water charge may occur from March 7, 2020, the day the COVID-19 emergency was declared in New York, and the day that the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted or expires. Additionally, utility providers must notify residential customers of the protections afforded under the law; and
WHEREAS, Service termination is also prohibited for 180 days after the State of Emergency expires (or until the expiration of the statute) for those residential customers who have experienced a change in financial circumstances due to COVID-19. In these instances, the new law also requires municipalities and public utilities to provide such residential customers the right to enter into, or restructure, a deferred payment agreement without the requirement of a down payment, or the imposition of late fees or penalties for 180 days after the COVID-19 State of Emergency expires. This law is set to expire on March 31, 2021 ; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Menands will require customers seeking a deferred payment agreement to self-certify that they have experienced a change in financial circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect their account from shutoff; and
WHEREAS, This new law does not eliminate a customer’s obligation to pay accrued charges; and
WHEREAS, The new law states, “Implementation of the provisions of this section shall not prohibit a municipality from recovering lost or deferred revenues after the lifting or expiry of the COVID-19 State of Emergency.” Consequently, late fees may accrue up until a residential customer enters into a deferred payment agreement and such charges may be included into the terms of the agreement. Late fees accruing during the COVID-19 State of Emergency should be waived when a customer enters into a deferred payment agreement; and
WHEREAS, Should customers fail to avail themselves of the deferred payment opportunities provided by the statute before its expiration, cities and villages should relevy all unpaid water bills and penalties that accrue from March 7, 2020 to March 31, 2021, in accordance with the appropriate local law or state statute; and
WHEREAS, Sewer service is not contemplated by the statute. Accordingly, sewer service charges and late penalties may accumulate during the State of Emergency and be relevied in accordance with the appropriate local law or state statute; and
WHEREAS, To ensure residential customers are aware of the potential opportunity to enter into a deferred payment agreement, all public utilities, including municipal electric and water service providers, are obligated to provide notice to residential customers. This notice must be in writing and be included with a utility or water bill; and
WHEREAS, In compliance with the notice requirements regarding water service termination, the Village of Menands has included a written notice to our residential water customers in their water bill and as further notification, will be posted on the Village website.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Menands, Board of Trustees, hereby adopts this resolution in compliance with Governor Cuomo’s amendments to the Public Service Law, set to expire on March 31, 2021.
The Resolution was seconded by Trustee Nicoll.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk gave an update on the Toys for Tots Project: 15 boxes of toys between the boxes in the lobby of Police Department, the December 5th collection and the Fire Department Santa Detail.
The Clerk did a follow-up on the Bike Trail opening and the manhole covers on Broadway.
The bike trail should be complete and open to the public by the end of December, they are almost done placing the railing that lines the outside of the trail weather permitting.
The contractor is looking into trying to raise some of the low manhole covers.
Memorandum 12/20/20
TO: All member of the Village Board
FROM: Bill Garvey Jr.
I got some letters of importance to our Village as follows:
On 11/15/20 at Village 1 Apartments I observe 2 white car parking in the fire lane next to Building H in where I still reside. So, within short period of time, I reported this problem to the Menands Police. The Police Dispatcher informed me that one of Menands Police Officers will be going to Village 1 Apartments to check the white car being parked in fire lane next to Building H and the police gave the white car a ticket for parking in fire lane. I like to thank the Menands Police for doing their job to enforce laws forbidding any vehicle from parking in fire lanes according to New York State Law, vehicles may not park in fire lanes for welfare, health, public security and the quality-of-life reasons.
On 11/11/20 while driving north on Broadway her in Menands, I observed and witness 1 silver metal street light marker no 79 on eastside Broadway went out. So, within 1 hour later I report this problem in writing and I turned my letter over to the Menands Police, Clerk Don Handerhan and National Grid Power Company dealing with the problem of silver metal street light marker no. 79 on east side Broadway not being lighted up during night time. So, a few nights later I saw silver metal street light marker no. 70 is being lighted up during nighttime. I like to thank National Grid Power Company for repairing silver metal street light marker no. 79. Please remember that street lighting is one of the most critical and essential public services plus we got to have street light service every single night of the year.
I would like to thank the paving company who don good work in repaving the parking lot of the Menands Public Library by which that parking lot had been in poor condition with bumps, ruts, cracks and potholes which made our library look bad. Several Village residents including myself had long complain about the poor condition of the parking lot of the Menands Public Library’s parking lot repair work has finally been done. Good job.
Yours sincerely
Bill Garvey, Jr.
Resident Bill Nevins asked who will be maintaining the Bike Path Connector from Broadway.
Mayor Grenier advised that the Village will take care of plowing, mowing, garbage, etc. DOT will be responsible for repairs and Albany County is responsible for the Bike Path.
Trustee Harris advised the Board of a Hannukah event that was held on December 16th at the Park with Rabi Ruben. Mayor Grenier, Chief Lacosse, the Ruben family and other residents were at the event. The event included prayers, songs and food. The Rabi donated a Menorah to the Village which is now located in the Village Office. Trustee Harris hopes that it becomes a tradition every year and maybe coincides with the Christmas Party.
Trustee Marsh asked if there has been plans to distribute the vaccine for COVID-19 to the staff and residents.
Mayor Grenier explained that the Village had several meetings with Albany County regarding how to distribute. A discussion followed.
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Nicoll.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 6:22 P.M.
_________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk