Regular Village Board Meeting December 7, 2009
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on December 7th, 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
Stephen Rehfuss, Village Attorney
Paul Reuss, Exec Asst to Mayor
Also attending: Tim Masker, Bill Garvey, Al & Margie Wright, Laura Harbour, Fred Karrat, Buzz Harbour, Lorretta Belmonte, Mike Connors, Frank Herba, and Joe Bianchine.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Resident Laura Harbour and several others led a discussion, concerning the Postal Service wanting to close Patroon Station, she also presented petitions containing over 1,000 signatures. After the discussion Trustee Lansing offered the following resolution which was seconded by Trustee Grenier.
RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF MENANDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WHEREAS the residents, businesses and municipal government of the Village of Menands, New York are served by the U.S. Postal Service in the 12204 zip code, and
WHEREAS the 12204 zip code is served by the U.S. Postal Service Office known as the Patroon Station, located at 1226 Broadway /Route 32, and
WHEREAS the U.S. Postal Service has listed the Patroon Station as one which is designated for possible closure, and
WHEREAS the Patroon Station serves our residential and business community and is an important and necessary socio-economic service to the Village of Menands, and
WHEREAS many residents who may walk, or rely upon public transportation, would be negatively impacted by the closure of the Patroon Station, and
WHEREAS the many businesses within the Village of Menands and North Albany maintain post office boxes resulting in savings of time and money and is therefore of great benefit to their organizations as a result of their proximity of the Patroon Station, and
WHEREAS the closure of the Patroon Station will negatively impact economic development in the Village of Menands and North Albany by discouraging business owners from locating to this community in the future, and
WHEREAS many employees of such businesses find convenience in the proximity of the Patroon Station to their places of employment, thereby saving travel time, and
WHEREAS the Mayor and Village Board are in support of the residents and business owners in the Village of Menands in their petition to keep the Patroon Station Post Office open.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Village of Menands Mayor, Thomas Coates and the Village Board of Trustees Tim Lane, Ronald Miller, Meg Grenier and Mark Lansing hereby request and strongly urge the U.S. Postal Service to continue operation of the Patroon Station.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates
Passed by unanimous vote (5-0) by the Board of Trustees on December 7, 2009.
The Clerk was asked to forward copies to our US Senators, Congressman Tonko and the Post Office.
Mr. Joe Bianchine of ABD Engineers presented a proposal by the Mobil Station at 116 Broadway to do an addition to the building. Mr. Banchine will work with the Building Department to have everything for the next presentation to the Board.
Mr. Frank Herba representing Blasch Precision Ceramics updated the Board on the progress of the addition they are planning to their building. Mr. Herba stated he is working with the Building Department and expects to have what they requested to them by Friday.
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing, seconded by Trustee Grenier, to accept the minutes of the November 16th, 2009 meeting as amended.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing, seconded by Trustee Lane, to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 13
GENERAL totaling $263,119.57
WATER totaling 130,808.48
SEWER totaling 154.50
TOTAL $394,082.55
PAYROLL # 13 totaling $ 75,713.43
(11/06/09 – 11/19/09)
PAYROLL # 14 totaling 91,219.60
(11/20/09 – 12/03/09)
TOTAL $166,933.03
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates
Trustee Lane discussed the change to the Dental Plan after which Trustee Lansing moved, seconded by Trustee Lane a motion approving the change of Dental Insurance Companies for the Village offered Dental Plan to Guardian Life Company effective January 1, 2010.
ADOPTED: Trustee Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Lansing voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates
The Clerk proposed a Budget Workshop for the Board to be held in January after a discussion it was agreed to have the Workshop on January 21st at 6:30 P.M. The Clerk reminded
everyone of the Village Employee Christmas Party on December 17th from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. Also, the Mohawk-Hudson Village Officials Winter Conference will be held on Sunday, January 31st,
2010 at Red’s Restaurant, Rte 9W, West Coxsockie at 5 P.M. cost is $28.00 per person let Clerk know by January 15th if you plan on attending.
Youth Organization Holiday party will be Friday, December 18th from 6:30 to 9:00 P.M. at the Firehouse. There will be Christmas Caroling on a carriage ride through the Village and a visit from SANTA.
Watch for Santa’s arrival in the Village, on a fire truck Saturday, December 19th, 2009 starting in the south end around 10:00 A.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Lansing, 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
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:32 P.M.
_____________________
William T. Smith, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer