The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday, 3rd, 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 Absent
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney Virtual
Ryan St. Gelais, Police Chief
Kevin Schwebke, Police Lt. Absent
David Ognan, Fire Chief

Also attending: Bill Garvey, Mark Carnegie, Jason Carnegie, Debbi & Dave Teitsch, Skip Francis, Cindy & Chuck Price, Susan & Mike MacKay, Tim & Sue Klopp, Paul Harbour, Lisa Neuman, Bill Nevins, Diane MacFarland, Susan Sweeny, John Burkett, Mary Brown, Christy Johnson, Jessica Coughlin, Jon Dudley, Sherri Archambault

Virtual attendance: Mike Hagmann, Kathy Mosca, Beth Harbour, CBS 6, Peh Holland, Ron Mottice, Taylor Belmonte, Robert Jewett, Johanna Clarke, Valecia Parker, Courtney Jaskula, Lindsay & Tony Lipari, Nancy, John Stangle, Dara B, Chris Flint, B Blanchette

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

Resolution Number: 250163

Trustee Lane made a motion to accept the, February 18th, 2025, Village Board Meeting 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: 250163

Trustee Harris made a motion to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Kalogridis.

WARRANT #18X:
GENERAL totaling $ 57.00

WARRANT 18XX:
GENERAL totaling $ 75.00

WARRANT 02/24/25:
GENERAL totaling $10,157.13

WARRANT 02/26/25:
GENERAL totaling $ 1,498.64
WATER totaling $ 199.97

WARRANT # 19

GENERAL totaling $ 98,174.51
WATER totaling $ 3,373.27
SEWER totaling $ 507.69
TOTALS $ 102,055.47

PAYROLL # 19: totaling $ 135,731.14
(02/07/25-02/19/25)

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 the need to override the 2% Property Tax Levy. Discussion followed.

Resolution Number: 250165

After a discussion Trustee Harris entered in the following resolution for Local Law #2 of 2025 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.

Resolution Number: 250166

Trustee Harris made a motion to hold a Public Hearing on March 17, 2025, at 6 PM for a local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c.,
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 Marsh led a discussion regarding Village-owned properties on Glenwood Road – plan implementation phase 1.

  • The Board will need to approve a lot line adjustments into four separate sections into the following:
    • The abutting properties would be offered to will be offered to purchase the properties at $1.00 a square foot. There is 2440 square feet each the total cost of the properties will be $2,400.00 that will be added onto their taxes for 5 years.
    • There will be a 10-foot-wide path will be built for access to Polk Switzer Park
    • The final section will go out to bid as a building lot.

Discussion followed.

Resolution Number: 250167

After a discussion Trustee Harbour made a motion to have an appraisal completed of the Village owned property on Glenwood Road, 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

Mayor Marsh led a discussion regarding the for Public Hearing regarding a Special Use Permit for the NSH -Simmons Tools Expansion project. Representatives from NSH Simmons Tools gave a presentation of expansion project at 55 Broadway NSH Simmons Tools. Discussion followed.

Resolution Number: 250168

After a discussion Trustee Lane made a motion to hold a Special Use Permit for the NSH -Simmons Tools Expansion project on Monday March 17, 2025, at 6 PM, 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

Mayor’s Report:

  1. Advised that on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 6 PM there will be a Budget Workshop.

Trustee’s Report:

Lane: Discussed the Little River Project and the need to change the date of the Public Hearing.

Resolution Number: 250169

After a discussion Trustee Lane made a motion to hold Public Hearing on Monday April 7, 2025, regarding the Little River Project at 6 PM, 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

Kalogridis:

  1. Reminded the residents that they should remove the snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of any snowstorm.
  2. : The Fire Department Fish Fries will be on March 7, 21, 28, and April 4, 28; the price will be $14.00.

Harris: No report

Harbour:

  1. The Menands PTA is looking for volunteers
  2. March 21-24 there will be a play at the Menands School
  3. March 10, 2025, School Board Meeting
  4. The Seniors will be riding in a tolly at the St Patrick’s Day Parade

Clerk’s Report:

  1. Park Reservations opened today.
  2. With the next few days, the Menands Monthly will be delivered.
  3. Each Department within the Village is in the process of taking a complete inventory on all equipment in each department.

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. Before selling 3 pieces of Village property on Glenwood Road – sell to the highest bidder
  2. He is opposed to disbanding the Village Court and merging with Colonie Town Court system.
  3. He’s glad to see 319 Broadway has been primed & repaint green his favorite color
  4. He is happy that DPW has replaced DEAD END sign on Market & Canal Rd Jct.
  5. He supports events & festivals being held at the Farmers Regional Market which he supports
  6. He delighted that several high voltage towners have been replaced
  7. He supports Community Block Grant for ADA ramp at 250 Broadway for better access
  8. He wishes to buy (at his cost) high quality evergreen trees, planted by volunteers in Village parks ( particularly Polk Switzer) and playgrounds supervised by DPW employees
  9. He is concerned that localities are suffering rock salt shortages.
  10. He observed on Broadway a fire reflector stick was ben. It needs to be straightened
  11. He glade all Village public buildings got red fire alarms & smoke detectors were installed. He wishes that all smoke detectors be colored light brown.
  12. He supports Southend Infrastructure Project when will the project begin.

Resident Chuck Price: Comments on Local Law #2

  1. Savings from Court Dissolution
    1. The Village project $200,000.00 in annual savings by dissolving its court
    2. Such a substantial reduction in expenditures should reduce the need for additional tax revenue.
  2. No Proposed Budget
    1. The Board has not presented any formal budget outlining the need to exceed the tax cap.
    2. Residents are entitled to a comprehensive financial plan before approving an override.
  3. Purpose of the Tax Cap
    1. The New York State Tax Cap exists to protect taxpayers from significant, unexpected increases.
    2. Preemptively overriding the cap undermines its core function of accountability and transparency.
  4. Need for Transparency and Fiscal Responsibly
    1. Any intent to raise taxes beyond the cap should be accountability by clear, public justification.
  5. Impact on Residents and Businesses
    1. Excessive tax increases can stain homeowners, renters, and local businesses.
    2. The Board should evaluate and publicly address the economic impact of a potential override.
  6. Conclusion and call to action
    1. No demonstrated need has been provided to justify exceeding the tax cap at this time.
    2. Strongly urge each Trustee to no vote on Local Law #2 and instead present a detailed budget that aligns with existing taxpayer protections.
      Resident Paul Harbour:
      Suggest that public be allowed to comment after each item that Board is considering before a vote to approve or disapprove.

Resident Steve Boulet:

  1. Asked if the Board in considering sidewalk improvements. Discussion followed.
  2. Asked that with spring around the corner that residents trim back trees and scrubs blocking the sidewalks.
  3. Asked about the status of alternate parking. Discussion followed.

Resident Bill Nevins:

  1. Asked if while the Southend project is being completed could the homeowners be allowed to talk to the company to improve their water line to their homes. Discussion followed.
  2. There seems to be more homeless people within the Southend. Discussion followed.

Resident Lisa Neuman

  1. Can the financials be made available to view. After each meeting, the financials will be put up on the website.

Resident Cindy Price expresses her concern about the 2% exceeding the 2% tax cap.

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 6:36 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 Monday, March 3rd, 2025.

_____________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk

 

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