Regular Village Board Meeting March 16, 2009
A meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Coates at 6:05 P.M.
Trustee Lansing moved seconded by Trustee Grenier a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss a possible legal issue.
The Executive Session was closed at 6:58 P.M.
Mayor Coates opened the Public Hearing on the proposed local law amending and restating Section 153-3(b)(1) and adding Section 153-3(c) relating to Real Property Tax Exemptions for Seniors and the second Public Hearing on a proposed local law amending and restating Section 153-7 and 153-8 relating to Real Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans.
Mayor Coates called the regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on March 16th, 2009 to order at 7:13 P.M.
PRESENT: Thomas G. Coates, Mayor
Megan Grenier, Trustee
Timothy A. Lane, Trustee
Mark Lansing, Trustee
Ronald H. Miller, Trustee
William T. Smith, Jr., Clerk-Treasurer
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Paul Reuss, Exec Asst to the Mayor
Also attending: Diane Brunelle, Robert Schanz, Paul Cooney, Mary Magguilli, Lauren Porter, John Stangle, Charles Price, Greg & Kathy Lanni, Anne Brockenauer, Matt & Cathy Probst.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Several residents from N Lyons Avenue and upper Brookside area inquired as to a water problem that was discussed after a large storm in the summer and was once again happening. The Mayor advised the residents that the Village has engaged Boswell Engineering along with Village DPW to investigate the issue and to hopefully determine the cause – The Mayor advised everyone that the Village will keep them informed during the investigation.
Fire Police Captain Schanz wanted to clarify the uses for the recently purchased vehicle for the Fire Company the Mayor advised him that it was the understanding of the Board that the vehicle was to be used for Fire Police, EMS, on pump out calls, and as needed.
Resident John Stangle led a discussion concerning water loss and the need to fix the system. He suggested a leak test be done.
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing seconded by Trustee Lane to accept the minutes of the March 2nd, 2009 meeting.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing seconded by Trustee Grenier to accept the minutes of the March 9th, 2009 Budget Workshop meeting.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing seconded by Trustee Lane to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT #20
GENERAL totaling $54,331.31
WATER totaling 6,619.76
SEWER totaling 2,404.46
TOTAL $63,355.53
PAYROLL # 21 totaling $63,232.70
(02/27/09 – 03/12/09)
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The Clerk led a discussion concerning the 2004 Chevrolet Police Car that requires major repairs, after which Trustee Lansing moved seconded by Trustee Lane a motion to declare it surplus and authorizing the Clerk to dispose of it.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
Trustee Lansing moved seconded by Trustee Lane a resolution approving Propose Local Law # 1 amending and restating Section 153-7 and 153-8 of the Code of the Village of Menands relating to Real Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
Trustee Lansing moved seconded by Trustee Grenier a resolution approving Proposed Local Law # 2 amending and restating Section 153-3(b)(1) and adding Section 153-3(c) of the code of the Village of Menands relating to Real Property Tax Exemptions for Seniors.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Board that he had received a Business Associate Agreement between the Town of Colonie Emergency Medical Services and the Menands Fire Company and a First Responder Agreement. The agreement pertains to standards for privacy as defined in the HIPAA Law concerning emergency First Aid. These agreements are renewals of previous agreements and need the Mayors signature. Trustee Lansing moved seconded by Trustee Grenier a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign the agreements.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
Trustee Lane led a discussion concerning Village water rates for business customers, after which Trustee Lane offered a motion beginning May 1, 2009 eliminating the rate over 15 million gallons in a six month period and making the rate for any amount over 9,000,000 gallons in a six month period $2.2610 per thousand gallons. Trustee Miller seconded the motion.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
Mayor Coates advised the Board that County Executive Breslin has an RFP for a Whistle Blowers Hotline and in it is a provision allowing political sub-divisions in the county to also participate. Details to follow. Also the Village has submitted applications to Congressman Tonko’s Office for the NY Recovery Stimulus Package – we submitted the Broadway Corridor Plan.
The Mayor received an application for Albany County Child Youth and Family “Youth Recognition Award” due April 22nd. Trustee Grenier will look into this for the Village.
A public hearing on the Preliminary Budget was scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 at 6:30 P.M. The Clerk was asked to have sufficient copies of the Preliminary Budget available for the public hearing.
A motion was made by Trustee Lane seconded by Trustee Grenier to adjourn.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:12 P.M.
_____________________
William T. Smith, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer