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, Eric Johnson, Chazen Companies, Anika Fisher, Bill Nevins, Renee Lequire, Bill & Mary Roylance. The mayor asked them to mute their microphones.
Mayor Grenier then did a roll call of Village staff: Deputy Mayor Seth H Harris, present, Trustee Diane Foley, present, Trustee Brian Marsh, present, Trustee Tim Lane, present, Clerk Don Handerhan, present, Village Attorney Stephen Rehfuss, present, Treasurer Bill Smith, present, Anika Fisher, 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.
On September 2nd, 2021Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation (S.50001/A.40001) extending virtual access to public meetings under New York State’s Open Meetings Law, which allows New Yorkers to virtually participate in local government meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation which was initially implemented by Executive Order during las year’s State of Emergency, allows state and local government meetings that are normally held in person to be held remotely instead, as long as the public has the ability to view or listen to the meeting and as long as the meeting is recorded and later transcribed. This statutory change will reduce the need for congregation at public meetings while the Delta variant is prevalent, while ensuring public business can continue.
At 6:00 P.M. Mayor Grenier opened the Public Hearing for Chapter 127 Property Maintenance.
A Public Hearing will be held on Monday, October 4th, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. via Google Meets for a proposed Local Law # 4 of 2022 to amend Local Law #4 Chapter 127 Property Maintenance §127-Legislative intent. It is the intention of the Village Board of the Village of Menands to ensure both Residential and Business premises shall be maintained in conformity with the provisions of this code so as to assure the desirable residential character of the property so as to improve the quality of life and aesthetic nature of the Village of Menands the regular meeting to follow. Such public hearings are open to the public via Google Meets meet.google.com/pbt-ctvz-bpc Phone Numbers (US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 232 315 167 3628 #. All are encouraged to attend and comment at or to present comments in writing to Clerk Handerhan before 12:00 P.M. October 4th, 2021.
There were several comments:
Resident Bill Roylance made the following comments:
- He is in favor of the Property Maintenance Code.
- There are several homes along Glenwood and Clifford Road that are in disrepair.
Resident Bill Nevins made the following comments:
I want to formally address the introduction of Chapter 127 Property Maintenance, or Local Law #4.
I am not in favor of changing or rewriting the code as Chapter 145 currently has regulations in it about fines and enforcement as well as Village cleanup and lien enforcement.
The wording being offered is very subjective. It would be an argument if someone were to say the 2×4’s in your yard are harmful. As a tax paying resident, I would argue that if you are in my yard and got hurt on a piece of wood there, that is your fault for trespassing.
The addition of under/overgrowth material needing to be removed, would cause many residents to be in violation of new code. Examples are: the pussy willows growing in my end of the Village as well as the sunflowers throughout the Village, the Holy plants in Park Lane and Sage Estates, the Belladonna plants used all over for it beautiful flowers, but is highly toxic. Another problem are the cherry trees up and down the center of the Village, that have roots that disrupt sidewalk uniformity and create detrimental conditions.
I can understand the Village having an issue with a handful of property owners who have neglected or fail to maintain properties to a standard that may or may not be attainable, but creating a law to address a few is not the answer.
Does the Village want another business to leave because storing tanks of gas or having solvents stored outside its business is punishable and will cost everyone money due to legal battles? Is it the Villages intent to remove all greenery around people’s houses and remove all bushes and trees near sidewalks? Does the Village want to imprison taxpaying residents because they have vines growing up the side of their house? Do you want to impose a $1000 fine on a homeowner because they have 10 gallons of gasoline in their yard? I don’t think passing a law and picking and choosing which property to enforce the law on is the right thing to do.
Please consider other methods of compliance.
Resident Mary Roylance made the following comments:
- She is in favor of the code because her home is next to a vacant home that is in disrepair. They have seen mice come from the house.
- Mrs. Roylance is concerned with Health and Fire Safety of these homes.
Hearing no further comments or questions the mayor closed the public hearing at 6:07 P.M.
The regular meeting reconvened at 6:06 P.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to accept the minutes of the September 27th, 2020 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
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Harris.
WARRANT # 9:
GENERAL totaling $ 48,035.70
WATER totaling $ 598.98
SEWER totaling $136,144.00
TOTALS $184,778.68
PAYROLL # 9: totaling $110,607.50
(09/24/21-10/07/21)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Anika Fisher, Economic Development Intern gave an update on what she is working on and plans for the future:
- Anika is working with CDTC
- She has a meeting with Chamber of Commerce
- She wants to talk to school about starting Junior Achievement.
A discussion followed.
A discussion was held regarding Local Law # 4 of 2021 Chapter 127 Property Maintenance. After a discussion it was decided to table the vote until the next meeting to make the changes that were recommended.
Mayor Grenier led a discussion regarding renewing the contract with Everbridge.
A discussion followed.
Resolution Number 210056
Trustee Lane made a motion to renew the Everbridge contract for $6,063.75 for the period 12/15/21 – 12/24/22, 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
Village Attorney Rehfuss advised the Board that he was approached by the ZBA asking the Village Board to take lead agency and assist with the SEQRA for 381 Broadway Vertical Bridge Development, LLC cell tower. Mr. Rehfuss advised the representative for the cell tower if his client is willing to pay for an escrow. A discussion followed.
Resolution Number 210057
After a discussion Trustee Marsh made a motion to allow Chazen and Village Attorney Rehfuss assist with the SEQRA and to have the ZBA take Lead Agency for SEQRA, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Mayor Grenier advised Mary Roylance the Village Engineer will be looking at the flooding at Polk Switzer Park.
Treasurer Smith will be sending the Board year to date Budget figures.
Trustee Harris gave an update on the grand opening of the Sage Trails.
A discussion followed.
Menands School has received sponsors for the next 2 story walks. The school has started a Story Walk Club.
Trustee Lane asked for an update on Asplundh Tree Trucks. A discussion followed.
Resolution Number 210058
The treasurer led a discussion concerning the resurfacing of Wards Lane, after which Trustee Lane moved 2nd by trustee Harris the following resolution. A motion to amend resolution #210045 of September 13, 2021 to read at a cost of $243,650 to mill 3 inches and repave with 2 inches of type 6 Top course, and rebuild existing catch basins at a unit price of $7,750, and to rebuild 8 catch basins.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The mayor read the following letter that was received by Clerk Handerhan before the meeting:
Memorandum 9/26/21
TO – All Menands Village Board Members
FROM – Bill Garvey Jr.
He was happy 2 windows at 250 Broadway have been replaced and new doors will soon be installed.
He was concerned about the Old Fashion lighting on the bridge such as the operation and repairs that need to be made to them (painting).
He is happy that Simmons Tool Company will be staying in Menands and will be hiring a number of new employees.
He supports the Ward Lane paving project.
He is concerned about 6 Villa Road being vacant and in need of repairs.
Congratulate the Menands Police Dept for hiring a woman police officer.
Yours sincerely,
Bill Garvey Jr.
The Clerk advised the next meeting will be on Monday, October 18th, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. vis Google Meets.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to adjourn, 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 meeting was duly adjourned at 6:38 P.M.
_______________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk