Regular Village Board Meeting February 17, 2009
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on February 17th, 2009 was called to order by Deputy Mayor Timothy A. Lane at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Megan Grenier, Trustee
Timothy A. Lane, Trustee
Ronald H. Miller, Trustee
William T. Smith, Jr., Clerk-Treasurer
Jennifer Carlson, Village Attorney
Paul Reuss, Exec Asst to the Mayor
ABSENT: Thomas G. Coates, Mayor and Mark Lansing, Trustee
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Paul Cooney and Jeff Masline
The Deputy Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Deputy Mayor Lane revised the Tentative Agenda to have the department heads present their 2009-2010 Budget requests first.
Chief O’Brien stated he held the line on his budget, however, effective January 1, 2010 DCJS will no longer accept paper fingerprint cards, they will require electronic fingerprints to be submitted; at present the minimal cost is estimated to be $17,000.00 currently there is no funding available, the Chief is looking for grants and waiting for the final specifications for the equipment,
Also the Chief advised the Board that the unmarked vehicle used for investigations with over 130,000 miles on it is in need of major work and is currently not useable. The Chief has been offered a 2003 Ford Explorer from West Albany Fire Department with 49,000 miles on it. He has inspected it and it is in excellent shape. He would like permission to approach the Fire Department to negotiate for the purchase of the vehicle. Trustee Grenier moved seconded by Trustee Miller a resolution authorizing the Chief to purchase the 2003 Ford Explorer at a cost not to exceed $7,500.00.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
DPW Foreman Boyd stated he also held the line on expenses except for the purchase of a new dump truck to replace the 1991 International which needs major body work. Foreman Boyd also would like to resurface two streets that need no infrastructure work - Farm to Market Road and Sage Court/Bridge Road the estimated cost is $110,000.00.
Assistant Chief Handerhan was asked if Chief Primo approved the budget request. Assistant Chief Handerhan said; that although he developed the request as Chief Primo is stepping down they had discussed many of the items in the budget. Assistant Chief Handerhan stated that he is trying to set up a replacement program for the vehicles and equipment with this budget and that he included a new Chief’s car and resurfacing of the truck floor with slip resistance floor covering. Also he would like to replace two AED’s as they do not make this model any more and they are not repairable, he would also like to begin replacing Scott Packs as they are becoming out of date according to current NFPA Standards. The Clerk advised Assistant Chief Handerhan that he would need a list showing the date purchased, life expectancy, testing dates and results of all equipment that the Assistant Chief wants to replace.
The department heads answered all questions and were thanked for their presentations by the Board. The Clerk reminded the members of the Board that these requests represent the continuation of current services and do not include any long term projects.
Resident Jeff Masline thanked Trustee Grenier and the Menands Cares folks for the work they; do he and his daughter worked with them on the bottle drive and it helped his daughter understand community service. Jeff also inquired as to what the Board was doing to try to get
some of the stimulus package. Deputy Mayor Lane advised him that we were doing everything we could with letters and proposals to all our representatives.
Trustee Grenier made a motion seconded by Trustee Miller to accept the minutes of the February 2nd, 2009 meeting.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Trustee Grenier made a motion seconded by Trustee Miller to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 18
GENERAL totaling $46,016.30 WATER totaling 9,203.82
SEWER totaling 1,319.85
TOTAL $56,539.97
PAYROLL #19 totaling $61,524.89
(01/30/09 – 02/12/09)
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
The Clerk led a discussion concerning a request from the County Executive and Chairman of the County Legislature concerning the Villages interest in extending the additional 1% in Sales Tax requirement for the county. After which Trustee Miller moved seconded by Trustee Grenier a motion authorizing the Mayor or Deputy Mayor to send a letter on behalf of the Village Board stating it supports re-authorizing the collection of the additional 1% Sales Tax.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
The Clerk also led a discussion concerning replacement of the folding machine in the Village Office, the machine is no longer made and a repairman couldn’t get parts, therefore, he would like to purchase a new machine. Trustee Grenier moved seconded by Trustee Miller a motion authorizing the Clerk to purchase a new folding machine.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
There was a discussion concerning the proposed contract from the Chazen Group for Engineering Services. The Clerk read a letter of recommended changes to the contract. After, which Trustee Miller moved seconded by Trustee Grenier a resolution to have the Mayor sign the contract if Chazen incorporated the recommended changes.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Paul Reuss advised the Board that Cyro and Nicholas Auto were withdrawing their proposal and that Cyro was going to locate in a portion of Albany Steel. Paul also briefly discussed other items he was working on.
At 8:34 P.M. Trustee Grenier made a motion seconded by Trustee Miller to enter into Executive Session.
The regular meeting reconvened at 8:51 P.M.
A motion as made by Trustee Grenier seconded by Trustee Miller to adjourn.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:52 P.M.
_____________________
William T. Smith, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer