The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on Monday May 2nd, 2016 was called to order by Mayor Megan Grenier at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Megan Grenier, Mayor
Steve Boulet, Trustee
Diane Foley, Trustee
Seth H. Harris, Trustee
Aileen Nicoll, Trustee
John P. Berry, Jr., Village Clerk
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Paul Reuss, Exec Asst to Mayor
Also attending: Bill Garvery, Paul Cooney, Brian Marsh, John Stangle, Bill Nevins.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Open Forum:
Resident Bill Garvey would like to see evergreen trees planted where trees were cut down at the ball field.
The signs at Harts Lane and Broadway need to be replaced that are down.
Mr. Garvey also said that he is supportive of the amendment to Chapter 110 of the Village Code.
Resident Bill Nevins reported that CSX has grants that the Village could apply for that could help in the replacement costs for the cut trees at the ball field.
Resident John Stangle asked who had proposed the change and why, to amend Chapter 110 of the Village Code. The Village Attorney, Mayor and Trustee Boulet all responded.
Residents Paul Cooney and John Stangle asked for clarification on agenda items 7 and 8. It was noted by the Village Attorney that the Engineer’s Report would be made available at the Workshop.
Mr. Cooney stated that the “NO Truck” signs on Amsterdam Avenue are adequate and they are not prohibited to have them on Wolfert Avenue. The Board would have to adopt a local law for Wolfert Avenue.
A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll, seconded by Trustee Harris to accept the minutes for the April 18th, 2016 Board Meeting.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Nicoll, seconded by Trustee Boulet to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 23:
GENERAL totaling $20,596.95
WATER totaling $22,703.97
SEWER totaling $ 911.88
TOTALS $44,212.80
PAYROLL # 24: totaling $94,465.27
(04/22/16 – 04/28/16)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Harris introduced the amended proposed Local Law # 2 of 2016 indicating the following changes to Chapter 110 Junked Vehicles.
“PARKING OF JUNKED VEHICLES OR VEHICLES ON LANDSCAPED AREAS”
- 110-1. Findings and purpose.
It is hereby declared that abandoned, junked, discarded, dismantled and unregistered motor vehicles as well as any vehicles parked on landscaped areas in and upon privately owned real property within the Village of Menands are a matter affecting the public interest. They constitute a nuisance in that health, fire and safety hazards are created. They constitute an attractive nuisance to children and are a peril to their safety. This matter is a source of vexation and annoyance and depreciates the value of neighboring properties. The preservation of public health and protection of property and the elimination of public hazards compel the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands to legislate on this matter. It is hereby declared that adoption of this chapter has for its purpose the effect of termination of such practices.
- 110.2. Definitions
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
JUNKED VEHICLE – Any vehicle, including but not limited to a trailer or motorcycle, which fails to display a currently valid and properly attached registration sticker. This shall apply to such vehicles which are offered for sale.
LANDSCAPED AREAS – Those areas of a lot consisting of lawn, trees, plants and other natural materials which are designed to be green areas and which shall not contain buildings or structures other than fences and which are visible from the public street.
- 110.3. Placement of junked vehicles restricted.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, whether as owner, occupant, lessee, agent, tenant, vehicle owner or otherwise, to store or deposit or cause or permit to be stored or deposited a junked vehicle in and upon any vacant lot or land or vacant space or upon the surface of any lot or land, fenced or otherwise, within the Village of Menands. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the parking of junked vehicle in a private garage that is completely enclosed.
- 110.4. Parking of vehicles on landscaped areas.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, whether as owner, occupant, lessee, agent, tenant, vehicle owner or otherwise, to store, deposit or park, or cause to be stored, deposited or parked a vehicle on any landscaped area of any lot of land, fenced or otherwise, within the Village of Menands.
- 110.5. Notice of violation.
If the provisions of the foregoing section are violated, the Village Building Inspector, Chief Fire Inspector, Chief of Police or an authorized employee of these departments shall serve written notice, either personally or by mail, upon the vehicle owner or the owner, occupant or person having charge of the land upon which any junked vehicle is located. To comply with the provisions of this chapter, such person served shall be given 10 days from the date of such notice to remove the junked vehicle or any vehicle parked on landscaped areas.
- 110.6. Applicability.
This chapter shall not apply to properties used in conjunction with a legally established motor vehicle station, repair shop or dealership in use.
- 110.7. Penalties for offenses. [Amended 2-5-2007 by L.L. No. 7-2007]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof; be punishable by a fine of no less than $25 nor more than $250 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 days, or both, for the first offense, and by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 days, or both, for each subsequent violation, in addition to any expenses incurred by the Village. For the purposes of this chapter, each day that the condition is not remedied after the expiration
of the time given to remove the junked vehicle or any vehicle from a landscaped area shall constitute a subsequent offense.
- 110.8. Right of entry.
The Building Inspector, Chief Fire Inspector, Chief of Police or authorized employee of these departments, in enforcing the provisions of this chapter, shall have the power to enter, examine and inspect any land, lot, yard, court or building to determine whether any violations exist.
- 110.9. Police assistance.
The Village of Menands Police Department shall assist the Building Inspector, Chief Fire Inspector or authorized employee of these departments in determining property or vehicle owner identification information and license plate and registration validity.
Trustee Harris reintroduced the resolution with amendments to Chapter 110 of the Village Code. A Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 16th, at 6:00 P.M. at the Village Municipal Building
Trustee Harris made a motion, seconded by Trustee Boulet to approve the proposal for Professional Engineering Services for the Village of Menands.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Foley, seconded by Trustee Harris to approve the proposal for professional services for the South End Water System Improvements Project Engineering Report and Water Grant Application Work.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll announced that Brooks BBQ will be at the Menands School on Wednesday, May 11th, from 4:15 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. take-out meals only.
The Clerk reminded the Board that the Spring Business Breakfast Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25th at 7:30 A.M. in the Village Hall.
At 6:28 P.M. Trustee Harris made a motion, seconded by Trustee Foley to enter into Executive Session to discuss a legal matter.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 6:50 P.M.
A Resolution was made by Trustee Harris, seconded by Trustee Nicoll authorizing the Mayor to enter into negotiations with the Mayor of Cohoes to lease one of the Village’s fire trucks and to sign the agreement.
A motion was made by Trustee Boulet, seconded by Trustee Harris to adjourn.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Boulet voting AYE
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Nicoll voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:10 P.M.
_______________
John P. Berry, Jr.
Clerk