Village Board Meeting
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Menands, held on July 19th, 2010, was called to order by Mayor Thomas G. Coates at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Thomas G. Coates, Mayor
Timothy A. Lane, Trustee
Ronald H. Miller, Trustee
William T. Smith, Jr., Clerk-Treasurer
Paul C. Reuss, Exec Assist to Mayor
Jennifer Carlson, Village Attorney
ABSENT:
Megan Grenier, Trustee
Mark Lansing, Trustee
Also attending: Bill Garvey, Paul Cooney, Theresa Montanye, Kathy Lanni, Peter Stuto, John Bishop, Kirk Montanye.
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ms. Kathy Lanni reviewed the mass alert system that she presented to the Board in the Spring since then there is new pricing which equates to about a 40% discount from what was estimated then. A discussion followed after which the Mayor thanked her.
Resident John Bishop advised the Board that he was against the rezoning of the property on Wards Lane. Mr. Bishop gave an overview of the history of the request for the rezoning. He discussed traffic issues on Wards Lane, flooding issues and the possible need to resize the sanitary sewer if the rezoning is approved. A discussion followed resident Peter Stuto also advised the Board that rezoning is a discretionary act of the Board and that they are not required to do anything.
A motion was made by Trustee Lane seconded by Trustee Miller to accept the minutes of the June 21, 2010.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The meeting scheduled for the beginning of July was cancelled due to 4th of July Holiday.
A motion was made by Trustee Lane seconded by Trustee Miller to approve payment for the following:
WARRANT # 26X:
WATER Total $ 39,770.66
WARRANT # 3: $ .00
WARRANT # 4:
GENERAL totaling $ 98,546.94
Void checks - 1,210.67 (reissued 8/13/10)
WATER totaling 13,313.31
SEWER totaling 4,122.47 Total $114,772.05
PAYROLL # 3: totaling $ 77,860.58
(06/18/10 – 07/01/10)
PAYROLL #4: totaling $ 74,724.20
(07/02/10 – 07/15/10)
TOTAL $152,584.78
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
There was a discussion regarding incorrect water/sewer billings for the period November 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. Trustee Lane offered seconded by Trustee Miller the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Water and Sewer Invoice #3041 for 28 Wolfert Avenue in the amount of $390.30 was based on an inaccurate reading. Therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that invoice #3041 changed to $232.32, adjusting 28 Wolfert Avenue’s water charge for the period November 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010 from $243.94 to $145.20 and, since the sewer charge is based upon water charges, the sewer usage charge will be adjusted accordingly (from $146.36 to $87.12), changing the total bill from $390.30 to $232.32 reflecting a change in usage from 84,000 gallons to 29,000 gallons.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
There was a discussion regarding incorrect sewer billing for the period
November 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. Trustee Miller offered seconded by Trustee Lane the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Water and Sewer Invoice #2272 for 30 Cemetery Avenue in the amount of $232.32 was based on a minimum charge for water & sewer. Therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that invoice #2272 changed to $145.20, adjusting 30 Cemetery Avenue’s sewer charge for the period November 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010 from $87.12 to $0.00 and, changing the total bill from $232.32 to $145.20.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The Clerk led a discussion concerning a letter the Mayor received in connection with the Community Development Block Grant Program. After which Trustee Lane moved, seconded by Trustee Miller a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the proposed cooperation agreement between the Town of Colonie and the Village of Menands necessary to continue our qualifications for entitlement funding under the Community Development Block Grant Program, this agreement also includes participation in the HOME program.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The Mayor advised the Board that at the request of Judge David Rowley he appointed Susan T. Dube as Clerk to the Court effective July 19, 2010.
The Clerk advised the Board that he needed to transfer funds from the Sewer Fund Unappropriated Balance to G.8120.0430 - $300,000.00 and G.8120.0453 - $25,000.00 for the Wards Lane Sanitary Sewer Relining Project that was not included in the current Budget as it was expected to be completed in the last Budget. Trustee Miller moved seconded by Trustee Lane a resolution authorizing the Clerk to transfer $325,000.00 from the Sewer Fund Unappropriated Fund Balance to the following accounts G.8120.0430 - $300,000.00 and G.8120.0453 - $25,000.00.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Board that he had an estimate of about $1,200.00 to repair the Assistant Fire Chiefs Vehicle. After a discussion the Clerk was advised to authorize the repairs.
Trustee Miller discussed the request from the NYS Canal Corp asking for the Village to support a resolution to have the EPA & GE include the Champlain Canal in its dredging of the Hudson River. After which Trustee Miller introduced the following resolution which was seconded by Trustee Lane.
NAVIGATIONAL DREDGING
WHEREAS, the USEPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) in February of 2002 which requires the General Electric Company to dredge PCB-contaminated sediments for a 40-mile stretch of the Hudson River; and
WHEREAS, there is an identified need to dredge several areas of the Hudson River/Champlain Canal channel to a depth of 12-feet for navigational purposes within the aforementioned Hudson River remediation area which is beyond the scope of the PCB remediation action; and
WHEREAS, the removal of these materials in the navigation channel has, heretofore, been unable to be conducted due to PCB contamination within these sediments and its completion is imperative to the restoration of safe commercial and recreational boating on the Hudson River/Champlain Canal; and
WHEREAS, the NYS Canal Corporation does not have environmental dredging equipment and/or disposal sites available which will accommodate the removal of PCB contaminated sediments from certain portions of the Hudson River/Champlain Canal’s navigational channel; and
NOW THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that the Village of Menands recommends that it is appropriate and cost-effective to the citizens of New York State to address Hudson River/Champlain Canal navigational dredging needs which are identified in certain areas within the proposed federal PCB remediation action concurrently with said remediation action to assure the timely restoration of safe boat navigation on the upper Hudson River area.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be distributed to:
United States Senator Charles E. Schumer
United State Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand
United States Congressman Scott Murphy
New York State Governor David A. Paterson
New York State Senator Elizabeth Little
New York State Senator Roy J. McDonald
New York State Assembly member Tony Jordan
New York State Assembly member Steven Englebright
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Alexander Grannis
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Patrick Hooker
United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck
United States Environmental Protection Agency Hudson River Field Office Director David H. King
New York State Canal Corporation Director Camella R. Mantello
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
Trustee Lane discussed the properties on Broadway that need to be cleaned up 125 Broadway, Tomra and Hess properties. Code Enforcement Officer Paul Reuss updated the Board on the current actions and procedures of sending pictures with the letters. Also some local contacts have been made and a meeting is scheduled with Tagsons owner on Tuesday.
The Mayor asked the Board Members present what their thoughts were on Term Limits.
Trustee Miller thought it could be problematic for the Village but would discuss the issue if everyone else was interested. Trustee Lane stated he doesn’t believe in them.
A motion was made by Trustee Miller seconded by Trustee Lane to adjourn the meeting.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Miller voting AYE
Mayor Coates voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
_____________________
William T. Smith, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer