The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on February 4th, 2008 was called to order by Deputy Mayor Timothy A. Lane at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Megan Grenier, Trustee
Timothy A. Lane, Trustee
Mark Lansing, Trustee
Ronald H. Miller, Trustee
William T. Smith, Jr., Clerk-Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
ABSENT: Thomas G. Coates, Mayor
Paul Reuss, Exec Asst to the Mayor
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Paul Cooney, John Stangle and Don Bucher
The Deputy Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Resident Don Bucher inquired as what can be done about access to the mailbox on the corner of Brookside Avenue and Broadway. A discussion followed the Clerk will check with the Post Office as to a solution.
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing seconded by Trustee Miller to accept the minutes of the January 22, 2008 meeting.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Grenier seconded by Trustee Lansing to accept the minutes of the Bonding Workshop held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing seconded by Trustee Grenier to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT #17
GENERAL totaling $138,644.42
WATER totaling $ 2,479.75
SEWER totaling $ 719.39
TOTAL $141,843.56
PAYROLL # 18 Total $ 58,710.59
(01/16/08 – 01/29/08)
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
There was a discussion regarding incorrect water/sewer billings for the period May 1, 2007 to October 31, 2007. Trustee Lansing offered seconded by Trustee Grenier the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Water and Sewer Invoice #2223 for 550 Broadway in the amount of $3,225.95 was based upon and incorrect reading. Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that invoice #2223 be changed to $2030.50 reflecting an adjustment to the water charge for the period May 1, 2007 – October 31, 2007 from $2,224.97 to $1,400.34 and, an adjustment to the sewer charge, from $1,001.16 to $630.16, since the sewer charged is based upon water charges therefore, changing the total bill from $3,225.95 to $2030.50 reflecting a change in usage from 627,000 gallons to 386,000 gallons.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
The Clerk led a discussion concerning replacement of the roof at the Main Pump Station; the following quotations were received:
Skyway Roofing – lay over roof $ 8,200.00
Star Roofing – rip off and replace $ 8,300.00
WeatherGuard Roofing – rip off and replace $15,375.00
The Clerk has reviewed the three (3) estimates and he is recommending Star Roofing as they will do a complete rip off and replacement for $8,300.00.
After a discussion Trustee Lansing moved seconded by Trustee Miller a resolution authorizing the Clerk to sign the contract with Star Roofing to replace the roof at the Pump Station at 575 Broadway for $8,300.00
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Trustee Lansing moved seconded by Trustee Grenier a resolution authorizing the Clerk to transfer $8,300.00 from the Water Fund & Unappropriated to account F 8310.0415 Building Maintenance.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Board that the Town of Colonie will no longer be selling leaf bags when their supply runs out, therefore, the same applies to the Village. We will still sell compost stickers, however.
It was noted that the next Village Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 19th, due to the observance of President’s Day on February 18th.
At 7:30 P.M. Trustee Lansing made a motion seconded by Trustee Grenier to enter into Executive Session.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 8:01 P.M.
Trustee Lansing moved the following motion on a “Determination of Appeal of Grievance by Police Benevolent Association seconded by Trustee Lane.
DETERMINATION OF APPEAL OF GRIEVANCE
BY POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION
On December 18, 2007, the Police Benevolent Association (“PBA”) filed a grievance with the Village Clerk, William Smith, pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”), dated June 1, 2003, Section 18.1.3. The grievance objected to the change in health care plans made available by the Village to all of its employees for the calendar year 2008 (“2008 Plans”), including the members of the PBA. The PBA claimed that said change resulted in greater expense to the PBA members, in purported violation of the CBA, § 18.1.3.
After thoughtful consideration and review of the 2008 Plans, including their costs and benefits, the formerly provided health care plans, the pertinent provisions of the CBA, and the fact that the PBA failed to provide any objective facts or cost analyses supporting their claim, the Village Clerk denied the grievance on December 21, 2007.
On January 22, 2008, the PBA filed an appeal of the denial of their grievance, pursuant to CBA § 8.4. On February 4, 2008, the Village Board of Trustees (“Village Board”)(as the appellate review pursuant to CBA § 8.4) considered the PBA claim, the 2008 Plans, the formerly provided healthcare plans, the costs and benefits of both said plans (relative to the PBA members), the additional benefits provided by the 2008 Plans, and those facts considered by the Village Clerk. The Village Board finds that the PBA has not presented any objective facts or cost information in support of their grievance.
After thoughtful and complete consideration of all facts, known health care costs and benefits (relative to the 2008 Plans and the formerly provided plans), and the failure of the PBA to present any objective facts or proof in support of their grievance, the Village Board finds that the grievance lacks any support (factual, contractual or legal).
The Village hereby determines that it denies the appeal of the Village Clerk’s denial of the PBA grievance, as well as the grievance.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting NAY
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Miller seconded by Trustee Lansing to adjourn.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:07 P.M.
_____________________
William T. Smith, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer
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