Regular Village Board Meeting Page 1 of 4 May 16, 2005
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on May 16, 2005 was called to order by Mayor John W. Bishop, Jr. at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: John W. Bishop, Jr., Mayor
John F. Hagmann, Trustee
Megan Grenier, Trustee
Timothy A. Lane, Trustee
Ronald H. Miller, Trustee
William T. Smith, Jr., Clerk-Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
John T. Stangle, Jr., Exec. Asst. to Mayor
ABSENT:
Also attending: residents Bill Garvey, Jackie Gentile, Richard McDevitt, John & Carol Blaauboer, Judy Palmer, Deborah Coons, Josie & Nick DiNovo, William Quackenbush, Jim Long, Chuck Price, Paul Cooney, A Vaccarielli and Diane MacFarland.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Paul Cooney advised the Board that the contractor for the paving and drainage work at the Village Office, Oak Ridge and Gibbs Circle will be starting Tuesday, May 17th at the Village Office. Also that he and the Clerk have been reviewing the next phase of paving, and are looking at a stabilization program for North Lyons Avenue. Gorman Brothers has volunteered to do some core samples at no cost to the Village. Paul also supplied the Board with a picture of the Old Erie Canal near Simmons Lane.
Resident Carol Blaauboer congratulated the Playground Committee on the great job on the new Playground, her grand children really like it.
Chuck Price advised the Board that there is a welcome reception scheduled for May 25th at 6 PM for the new School Superintendent. The Clerk also received an invitation for the Board Members.
Residents Judy Palmer, Deborah Coons, Josie and Nick DiNovo and William Quackenbush voiced their concern about the proposed netting that Wolferts Roost Country Club wants to install on its property on Van Rensselaer Blvd. opposite their homes.
It is noted that the Mayor and Village Attorney Rehfuss acknowledged that they are members of Wolferts Roost. The Mayor stated that technically the Roost doesn’t need the approval of the Village as it is not a fence. However, he feels that the Roost is trying to be good neighbors and is willing to work with the neighbors. After the discussion the Mayor stated he would arrange a meeting between the residents and the Roost at a time convenient for everyone.
Richard McDevitt and Jackie Gentile representing the Schuyler Inn discussed the possibility of the Schuyler Inn applying for a Veterans Administration Grant for renovation and new construction. Currently the Programs at Schuyler Inn are:
50 beds for Veterans
20 Rooms for Parolees (contract ends in August)
30 Rooms for Emergency Assistance – Housing
Albany & Rensselaer County Travelers Aid)
16 rooms for Commercial
Currently the Albany Conquest, Arena Football Team is housed at the Schuyler Inn.
They also have a licensed program from the Department of Education for Culinary Training and Hotel Management.
The Grant would be to expand the Veterans Program by demolishing the rear building and reconstructing it and renovating other areas of the Inn.
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May 16, 2005
Several Board members are not in favor of any expansion of programs, as the Schuyler Inn has without a doubt the most calls for assistance from our Police and Fire Departments. A discussion followed.
Mr. Anthony Vaccarielli discussed a proposed plan for putting condominiums at 29 Menand Road (the old school). Mr. Vaccarielli presented various layouts for between 24 and 32 units with parking. A discussion followed with the Board and some of the residents in attendance voicing concerns about runoff, drainage, parking and the economic feasibility of the project. It was also noted that either a change in zoning or a zoning variance would be required. Mr. Vaccarielli thanked the Board for their input.
A motion was made by Trustee Lane, seconded by Trustee Hagmann, to accept the amended minutes of the May 2, 2005 meeting.
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Lane, seconded by Trustee Hagmann, to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 24
GENERAL totaling $61,210.05
WATER totaling 5,292.62
SEWER totaling 772.00
GENERAL PAYROLL #25 totaling 57,360.93
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Board that he had received an agreement for permanent easement of 328 +/- square feet of property by NYS DOT at Market Road and Island View Road. After a discussion Trustee Hagmann offered the following, seconded by Trustee Grenier a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement for Advanced Payment from NYS DOT for $100.00 for the aforementioned property.
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
Trustee Miller led a discussion on a proposed grant application to NYS Parks for redevelopment of Kingston Street Park. Trustee Miller will have the application for next meeting.
The Clerk advised the Board that he had spoken to the Villages Compensation carrier in regards to the bleachers at Ganser-Smith Park and was waiting on cost estimates to install more guard rails and fencing to retro fit the bleachers.
The Mayor advised everyone he had forwarded the letter to NYS DEC concerning the sanitary sewer line on Simmons Lane.
The Mayor read a letter to Chief O’Brien from Theresa Cavanaugh thanking the Chief, Sgt. LaCosse and Dispatcher McCauley for their excellent response and professionalism in handling an incident at their
home. Also, he received an invitation from the Capitol District Community Gardens’ to celebrate their 30th Anniversary at their Annual Spring Brunch, the Mayor provided copies to the Board if they would like to attend (attached).
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May 16, 2005
The Mayor stated that Chief Handerhan had asked if he could purchase twenty (20) tickets to the Albany Conquest Football Game on Saturday in recognition of the Town of Colonie Volunteer Fire Fighters (flyer attached). This would be from recruitment and retention funding.
Trustee Lane offered seconded by Trustee Grenier a motion authorizing the Chief to purchase twenty (20) tickets for the May 21, 2005 game for the firemen.
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The Mayor mentioned he had received a letter pertaining to the Oberting Sub-Division request, concerning the widening of Woods Lane, the Mayor said, he would respond if everyone was still in agreement as to the Boards recommendation concerning the width of Woods Lane. Everyone agreed that nothing has changed, and that the Mayor, should respond accordingly.
The Mayor read a request for a proclamation for National Senior Health & Fitness Day, after a discussion Trustee Miller moved, seconded by Trustee Hagmann a motion authorizing the Mayor to proclaim the following and have the Clerk publish the proclamation in the next Activities.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
VILLAGE OF MENANDS
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, the President of the United States has designated May as Older Americans month and National Physical Fitness and Sports Month; and
Whereas, it is appropriate to honor our mature citizens for their many contributions to the vitality and strength of our community; and
Whereas, the United States Surgeon General has determined that regular physical activity results in significant health benefits and improved quality of life for older adults; and
Whereas, all older adults can participate in activities that improve and maintain their health;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, John W. Bishop, Jr. do hereby proclaim Wednesday, May 25, 2005 as
NATIONAL SENIOR HEALTH & FITNESS DAY
In the Village of Menands and urge all our citizens to support the efforts of local organizations that encourage older adults to enhance their lives through physical activity.
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The Board gave their liaison reports:
Mayor Bishop - John Stangle, Admin, Building Inspector
Trustee Hagmann - Police
Trustee Lane - No report from DPW, Beautification Committee has scheduled a meeting for June 16th.
Trustee Miller - Gave Senior report at last meeting.
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May 16, 2005
Trustee Grenier - Fire Dept. will be meeting with Youth
Committee shortly.
The Clerk advised the Board that due to a computer problem, that has been fixed, the amount for Relevied Water & Sewer on the Tax Warrant approved at the last meeting was in error and the new Tax Levy is as follows:
TAX LEVY RESOLUTION
A resolution levying the total taxes and other charges extended and levied against each parcel of real property shown on the roll prepared and verified by the Clerk-Treasurer for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
RESOLVED, that there be levied and assessed against the real property of the Village of Menands the following sums for village government and other charges for the fiscal year 2005-2006 with a tax rate of $4.10 per thousand of homestead assessed valuation and $5.57 per thousand of non-homestead assessed value:
General Fund ------------------------------------- $1,548,213.00
For Relieved Water & Sewer Rents
And Charges, with Interest --------------------- $ 115,879.85
Total Real Property Taxes
And Other Charges on Roll --------------------- $1,664,092.85
Trustee Hagmann moved seconded by Trustee Lane a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign the Corrected Tax Levy.
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The Clerk also advised the Board as to a change in policy from Albany County Concerning West Nile Virus Prevention and Control Strategies (attached).
At 9:35 P.M., a motion was made by Trustee Lane, seconded by Trustee Hagmann, to enter into Executive Session.
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 9:41 P.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Hagmann, seconded by Trustee Grenier to adjourn.
ADOPTED: Trustee Hagmann voting AYE
Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Bishop voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 9:43 P.M.
_____________________________ William T. Smith, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer
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