The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, March 17th, 2025, called to order by Mayor Brian Marsh at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Brian Marsh, Mayor
Molly Harbour, Trustee
Seth H. Harris, Trustee
Nicholas Kalogridis, Trustee
Timothy Lane, Trustee
Donald Handerhan, Village Clerk
Mary Jane Vredenburg, Village Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Ryan St. Gelais, Police Chief
Kevin Schwebke, Police Lt.
David Ognan, Fire Chief
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Mark Carnegie, Jason Carnegie, Mike & Susan MacKay, Steve Boulet, Bill Nevins, Mirren Galaway, Chuck Smith, Jon Dudley, Ben Blanchette, Lisa Neuman, Diane MacFarland, Rose marsh, Mary Brown
Virtual attendance: Kathy Mosca, Mike Hagmann, Maria McShane, Donna Smith, Peg Holland, Robert Jewett, Gavin Kiami, Paul Harbour, Charlie Luke, Carrie Ward, Stef Kalogridis, Courtney Jaskula, Kelly Lemyre, Allison Luke, Tony Lapari, Beth Harbour
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance and stated that this meeting is recorded.
Mayor Marsh announced that there will be two Public Hearings. The first pertains to the Special Use Permit for the expansion of NSH Simmons Tools, and the second concerns the Override of the 2% Property Tax Levy. Mayor Marsh officially opened the Public Hearing at 6:01 PM.
The Clerk read the following:
VILLAGE OF MENANDS PUBLIC HEARINGS
Tax Cap Override authorizing a property tax
Special Use Permit for NSH Simmons Tools at 55 Broadway
A Public Hearing will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Village Municipal Building at 250 Broadway for a purposed Local Law # 2 of 2025 Tax Cap Override authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c. and a Special Use Permit Public Hearing for NSH for an addition to the existing building with the regular meeting to follow. To view via Google Meets, please use the following link: meet.google.com/mre-txbp-btk or Join by Phone (US) +1 401-646-0768 PIN: 541 841 494# Such public meetings are open to the public and are handicap accessible. All are encouraged to attend or present comments in writing before noon on the meeting day to Clerk Don Handerhan at dhanderhan@menandsny.gov.
Mayor Marsh opened the Public hearing regarding Local Law #2 of 2025 the Override the 2% Property Tax Levy at 6:00 PM
Mayor Marsh explained the reasons to Override the 2% Property Tax Levy.
LOCAL LAW # 2 OF THE YEAR 2025
Village of Menands, County of Albany
A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 1. Legislative Intent
It is the intent of this local law to allow the Village of Menands to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2025, that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 2. Authority
This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes a local government’s governing body to override the property tax cap for the coming fiscal year by the adoption of a local law approved by a vote of sixty percent (60%) of said governing body.
Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, County of Albany, is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2025, that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 4. Severability
If a court determines that any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance is invalid or unconstitutional, the court’s order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this local law, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 5. Effective Date
This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Public Comments:
Resident Bill Garvy is opposed to the override of the 2% Tap.
Resident Bill Nevins is opposed to the unlimited override of the 2% Tap.
Hearing all comments from the Public Hearing Mayor Marsh closed the hearing at 6:02 PM.
Nick Casta of Advance Engineering and Dick Schlansker of Plank Construction Representing NSH Simmons Tools provided a presentation concerning the expansion at 55 Broadway.
Public Comments:
Resident Bill Garvy asked if the expansion will create new jobs. Discussion followed. He then asked the size of the building. Nick Costa advised that the building is 18,000 square feet. Discussion followed.
Hearing all comments from the Public Mayor Marsh closed the hearing at 6:10 PM.
Mayor Marsh introduced Mirren Galaway a planner with LaBella and explained the ADA Transition Project. Mirren Galaway, From LaBella then gave a presentation the ADA Transition Plan. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 250170
Trustee Harris made a motion to accept the March 13, 2025, Budget Workshop Minutes, seconded by Trustee Harbour.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Resolution Number: 250171
Trustee Kalogridis made a motion to accept the March 3rd, 2025, Village Board Meeting Minutes, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Resolution Number: 250172
Trustee Harris made a motion to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Lane.
WARRANT # 19X:
GENERAL totaling $ 6,079.94
WATER totaling $ 3,712.01
SEWER totaling $ .00
TOTALS $ 9,791.95
WARRANT # 20:
GENERAL totaling $142,946.11
WATER totaling $ 7,212.91
SEWER totaling $ 507.69
TOTALS $ 150,666.71
PAYROLL # 20: totaling $103,992.44
(02/21/25-03/06/25)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Marsh led a discussion regarding approving the Special Use Permit for NSH Simmons Tools at 55 Broadway. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 250173
Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the Special Use Permit for NSH Simmons Tools at 55 Broadway, second by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Marsh led a discussion regarding Local Law #2 of 2025 Override the 2% Property Tax Levy
Resolution Number: 250174
Trustee Lane made a motion to approve Local Law #2 of 2025 Override the 2% Property Tax Levy, second by Trustee Harbour.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Board that on Friday the Village received the petitions Against closing the Menands Village Court. There were not enough signatures for the Permissive Referendum. There were 102 signatures of the 608 need to be put on the ballot.
The Clerk advised the Board that Mayor has presented Preliminary Budget. Copies of the Preliminary Budget will be available in the Village Office Tomorrow and it’s on the Website.
Mayor Marsh led a discussion regarding setting a date for the Budget Public Hearing. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 250175
Trustee Lane made a motion to hold a Public Hearing on April 7, 2025, at 6 PM regarding the 2025/2026 Village Budget, second by Trustee Kalogridis.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Chief David Ognan advised the Board at the March 4, 2025, meeting of the Menands Fire Company #1 Ryan Wroblewski was voted in as an active member. Ryan Wroblewski passed the required background checks.
Resolution Number: 250176
Trustee Kalogridis made a motion to approve Ryan Wroblewski as an active Firefighter for the Village of Menands, second by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Chief David Ognan advised the Board that CDTA is willing to donate a tolly to the Menands Fire Department, which could be used for special events, parades and as a cooling or heating station during emergency event. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 250177
After a discussion Trustee Kalogridis made a motion to approve the donation of the tolly from CDTA, second by Trustee Harbour.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
Mayor’s Report:
- Meeting with Albany County Emergency Preparedness Team
- Town of Colonie – CDBG award for ADA improvements to 250 Broadway
- Appraisals of parcels on Glenwood are being completed as requested.
- Updating Village Code to include all possible traffic violations. Section 160
- There will be an Easter Party Saturday April 12, 2025, from 1:30-3:30 at the Fire House co-sponsored by the Menands Public Library.
- The Village is going to apply for a Park Improvement Grant with New York State.
- DPW is working at Polk Switzer park removing dead trees.
Trustee’s Report:
Lane: Attended a webinar with Albany County regarding the Sewage Treatment Plant and the odor. Discussion followed
Kalogridis: Reminded that the Fire Department will be hold a Fish Fry this Friday.
Harris:
- Is working on the resolution for Education Sharing Day again this year.
- Would like to still explore 25 MPH speed limit within the Village. Discussion followed.
- Thanked the Board and the Mayor for the hard work at the Budget Workshop.
Harbour:
- The school will be having a play Beauty and Beast of Friday.
- Menands School Board Meeting on Manday.
Clerk’s Report:
- If anyone is considering a candidacy for office, all the necessary information can be found on the Village Website.
- Park Reservations are now being taken
- Village Dumpster Rental will begin May 1st
- New York State Archives Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund Grant is open. The Clerk asked for permission to apply for the grant to digitize the Building Department Records. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number: 250178
After a discussion Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the Clerk applying for Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund Grant, second by Trustee Harbour.
5. The Clerk advised that the Police Department would like to surplus a 2019 Dodge Durango and put up for auction. Discussion followed
Resolution Number: 250179
Trustee Lane made a motion to surplus a 2018 Dodge Durango Vim# 1C4SDJFT7KC681702 and put up for auction, second by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
6. Starting in April each meeting a Trustee will give a liaison report.
Lt Kevin Schwebke that the contract will Counsil 82 and the Village there are
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:
- He heard a train whistle at 4 AM between Brookside and Cemetery Avenue.
- He reported a broken or bent reflector stick on Broadway
- When Little League buildings will need repairs, he suggested using recycled shingles
- He reported an open gate on Glenwood Road
- While driving on Canal & Broadway he observed markers that need to be replaced
- He reported crosswalk lines on Broadway in poor condition
- Hearing complaints from residents on Cliffor Rd remains in poor condition
- He proposes “no cell phone texting “while driving on Broadway & several in lower Menands
- When will the gravel & salt shed replacement project get done
- He is suggesting a new Aluminum signpost for Dead End sign on Elmwood Road
- He will be volunteering at the maple syrup & spring festivals at Menands Market
- He will soon begin his litter pickup project around the Village & Ganser Smith Park
- While visiting Farmers Mkt and official asked who removed the Christmas tree from
- The ADE Box. He informed them he did to keep it far enough away from the ADE Box
- He donated 6 plastic containers to DPW for storage
Resident Steve Boulet thanked the Board for diligent efforts during the Budget Workshop.
Resident Bill Nevins
- Asked if anyone knew why the DOT traffic strips are on Van Rensselaer Blvd.? Discussion followed.
- Asked if a special license is needed for driving the tolly? Discussion followed.
Resident Diane MacFarland asked if the Village lowers the speed limit will it effect the state roads. Discussion followed.
Resident Chuck Smith:
- Asked about the status for National Grid gas line replacement. Discussion followed.
- Asked about locations for staging of equipment during Waree Sewer Project. Discussion followed.
Resident Ben Blanchette:
- Asked the status of the appraisal of the property. Discussion followed
- Asked if the path to the park could be moved? Discussion followed.
- Advised the Board that if help is needed with improvements to Polk Switzer Park, they residents of Glenwood Road are willing to help. Discussion followed.
Trustee Harris made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Harbour.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Harbour voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Kalogridis voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Mayor Marsh voting AYE
The meeting duly adjourned at 7:08 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, March 17th, 2025.
_____________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk