Regular Village Board Meeting July 20, 2009
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on July 20th, 2009, was called to order by Mayor Thomas G. Coates at 7:00 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
Paul C. Reuss, Exec Assist to Mayor
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Joseph Hall, Fred Cole, Anne Brockenauer, Chuck Price, Paul Cooney, Kathy & Greg Lanni, Linda Brunelle, Brian Rozmerski.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Resident Anne Brockenauer, Greg & Kathy Lanni and Chuck Price discussed their concerns about the water issues on North Lyons Avenue especially after the storm on July 1st and the flooding that took place. They were here approximately a year ago with the same concerns and are looking for the results of the study. The Mayor stated that the Board had just received the preliminary report and had not yet reviewed it, but said he expected the report to be available soon.
Resident Chuck Price discussed concerns about the conditions of some properties on Broadway. He was advised that the Village has contacted the owners and is monitoring the properties.
Residents Linda Brunelle, and Brian Rozmerski discussed the issue of large trucks trying to find Railroad Avenue in Albany and ending up on Railroad Avenue in Menands. The Clerk will have the placement of the stop signs corrected.
Resident Bill Garvey thanked each Board member for their responses to the letters he had written them.
Fred Cole, Manager of the Capital District Regional Market asked the Board to consider amending the current Moratorium on Vehicle Dealerships so that Utica/Peterbilt can move its operations into the Market (see attached).
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing seconded by Trustee Grenier to accept the minutes of the June 15th, 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 Miller to accept the minutes of the June 15th, 2009 Infrastructure Workshop as amended.
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 approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 2X totaling $ 475.00
WARRANT # 3 totaling $ .00 No Meeting
WARRANT # 4
GENERAL totaling $152,777.90
WATER totaling 10,764.13
SEWER totaling 6,301.24 Total $169,843.27
PAYROLL # 2 totaling $ 78,193.71
(06/05/09 – 06/18/09)
PAYROLL # 3 totaling $ 69,804.63
(06/19/09 – 07/02/09)
PAYROLL # 4 totaling $ 68,659.94
(07/03/09 – 07/16/09
Total $216,658.28
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 replacement of the WaterLine on Tillinghast Ave., after which Trustee Lansing moved 2nd by Trustee Lane, the following resolution authorizing the Clerk-Treasurer to bid the project of replacing the waterline on Tillinghast Avenue soon as the Village received the necessary documents from the Town of Colonie Community Development Department.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The Clerk requested the Board to declare the following vehicles surplus a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria (VIN 2FAHP71W77X131745) to be used for parts. And a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria (VIN2FAHP71W74X100216) to be disposed of by bid. After a discussion, Trustee Lansing, moved 2nd by Trustee Grenier, a motion declaring the above described vehicles as surplus and to have the Clerk-Treasurer dispose of them as stated.
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 request from DPW Foreman Boyd to have Steam Plan Systems do an engineering study to upgrade the SCADA monitoring system in the Water Department. The system is out dated (installed in the 80’s). Parts and Tech support are becoming scarce. Steam Plant Systems will do the study and provide a written report with recommendations for $5,200.00. The Clerk was asked to have Foreman Boyd and/or a representative from Steam Plant at the next meeting.
The Clerk advised the Board that he had received a review set of plans for the Wards Lane, Scott Drive and Broadway sanitary sewer relining project that the DPW was reviewing, and that the BIDS documents were being put together and would be available for review shortly. He also gave each member a copy of a proposal from Chazen for the Engineering (including surveys, contact drawings, specifications, etc.) of the South Lyons Avenue water main, sanitary and storm sewers reconstructions including the road
reconstruction. The Clerk asked the Board to get comments and questions to him so he can send them to the engineer before voting on the proposal.
Trustee Grenier advised the Board that she had received a letter from St. Joan’s announcing a celebration mass at which they expect 500 people. Code Enforcement Officer Reuss will investigate and advise the church of the code requirements and safety issues. Trustee Grenier also updated the Board on signage for Ganser Smith Park; she has been working with Historian Kevin Franklin and has an estimate of less than $1,500.00 for design, painting and framing. After a discussion, it was suggested to have Kevin approach the Town of Colonie to see if they can help defray the cost. Also, Trustee Miller suggested possibly getting some of the organizations to donate, as was done for the benches.
Trustee Lane requested that since we can’t put up signage for dumping on Van Rensselaer Blvd. that we let the State know it’s their responsibility to keep it clean. He also mentioned a pothole on Broadway. The Clerk will notify NYS DOT.
Trustee Lansing suggested that the Board due a resolution recognizing Ed Himes for his contributions to the Fire Company and the Village. Mayor Coates stated he also feels that some recognition is due Ed Himes. The Mayor also stated that the Fire Company’s Memorial Service for Ed was very moving and did Ed proud along with the Village. Trustee Grenier agreed with the Mayor and that it was what Menands is all about.
Trustee Grenier also mentioned that the sign at the concession stand in Ganser Smith Park was donated by Jim and Linda Long. The Board asked Trustee Grenier to send a thank you to the Longs’ on behalf of the Board and the Residents of the Village.
The Clerk informed the Board that NYS Comptrollers Office is working on 2008 – 2009 state audit. Also, the Village’s independent auditors are working on 2008 – 2009 fiscal year audits.
The Clerk advised the Board that the John Weidman Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Friday, September 25th at the Burden Lake Country Club. He reminded the Board that they normally sponsor a hole at the Tournament. After a discussion the Board agreed to donate the cost of sponsoring a hole.
At 8:30 P.M., a motion was made by Trustee Lansing seconded by Trustee Grenier to enter into Executive Session for a legal matter.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 9:45 P.M.
The Board discussed the request concerning amending the Moratorium and agreed to wait until the report from the Economic Development Committee could be reviewed. The report is expected shortly.
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing seconded by Trustee Miller to adjourn the meeting.
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 9:50 P.M.
_____________________
William T. Smith, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer