[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6303871,"mediaKeyId","2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6","parentId",2470337,"title","Village officials correct permissive-referendum timeline, outline 30-day filing window and 20% signature threshold","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",360000,"endMs",468000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6&start=360&end=468","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6/thumbnail_360000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6303871/Menands-Village/Albany-County/New-York/Village-officials-correct-permissive-referendum-timeline-outline-30-day-filing-window-and-20-signature-threshold","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303871-b52e95baacd26fd4f0df44c5f7c52d5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195186&Signature=bHe-Np18g5VVmUj4NGFipyriu~y3FF83qJL1ZSIEMtOE5bi3FKzHAJzopn0UB~2J03Hj10LhteZYKGmvCU3slw99KwVPsG6zTuufv~CaUM60Bpp-NUyw6T0UZ~Z9El1ydBqm9CNIM9OvzzClcjnugZapb5WgWsKqvEP~Yue3Waid7hBTeHPQSlckInIv9GSsF-rmgOn2DbtRO88lfnuYZIWO38fuqGGwCT6ardu~8lAvETJcPWEQ0lTFPybmPLyidiN5COpPgO0hpCZVgJGPpGRcDUiogp8qf02EDAL2WN6l0zQUOYV6y9PkXjHGJqlguaGlmTn4TghLt9nHKSiWGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Menands, NY","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Menands village officials told residents on Feb. 18 that an earlier explanation of the permissive-referendum process contained incorrect figures and that the statutory deadline for filing petitions runs 30 days from the date the clerk posts the resolution, not the previously discussed 90 days.

The correction matters because several residents said they plan to circulate a petition to force reconsideration of a recent board action. At the meeting, a board member said an internal calculation produced a target of about 608 signatures; officials said that number reflects 20% of registered voters in the village as required by village law, not the 5% figure discussed at an earlier meeting.

Why this matters: permissive-referendum petitions, if valid, can require the board to place a recently passed resolution before voters. The board’s clarification changes the filing window and signature math that residents must meet to trigger a referendum.

Board discussion and correction
At the start of the meeting the trustees revisited the timing and signature threshold after a special meeting where preliminary figures were presented. A board speaker acknowledged the earlier statement and said they had since received updated guidance. “I’ll take full responsibility for that,” the speaker said while explaining the corrected interpretation of the statute.

Officials clarified two points drawn from New York village law: the petition must be filed within 30 days of the clerk’s posting of the resolution, and the required number of signatures is 20% of registered voters in the village (not 5% of votes cast in a prior election). The board also noted that the filing period is counted from the clerk’s posting date, which can differ from the meeting date.

Public reaction and next steps
Several residents said they intend to circulate a petition and urged the board to reconsider the prior vote. One resident told the board they planned to gather enough signatures to meet the statutory threshold and called for elected officials to listen to the community.

Clerk and county role
Trustees noted that the Albany County Board of Elections can supply certified counts of registered voters to petition circulators; the board said it had contacted the county for the precise figures. Officials recommended people seeking exact numbers consult the county elections office and the posted petition form, both of which the board said are or will be available on the village website.

The board did not take additional formal action on the underlying resolution at the Feb. 18 meeting. If a petition is filed, village staff said they will verify signatures according to the statutory process and, if valid, arrange for the referendum procedure described in Village Law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 18, 2025 Village of Menands Board of Trustees Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Menands village officials told residents on Feb. 18 that an earlier explanation of the permissive-referendum process contained incorrect figures and that the statutory deadline for filing petitions runs 30 days from the date the clerk posts the resolution, not the previously discussed 90 days.","taxTitle","Menands Village, Albany County, New York","taxId",73742,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303853,"Trustees approve meeting minutes, warrants and payroll; special payroll payment noted",50,156000,206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6&start=156&end=206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6/thumbnail_156000.jpg","/articles/6303853/Menands-Village/Albany-County/New-York/Trustees-approve-meeting-minutes-warrants-and-payroll-special-payroll-payment-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303853-ae6df37db7277bdb782ddf2fc555a306/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195186&Signature=PXBAau74lZJkb8mI6qweDOSrJ4qXBsb~6qsB3MmyOwBEiqnecxar~ipCvgn~1uJ46~modkkQMg1oVMI3GO~2XPer-gn8tmNfsIrFVthT~QrqsuZv1ta6ZqWKgjSc1OU0An7ymWTFdJNX3GJYnvIgju9u0ILNe6iEyPt~OXhZJwYLKtSi6bQ5LUyb8i3wRjThS6767Iw9L6aeYHEBpxRQM3w3EUMwcniU-VQWLNGg~uK~2clxyGtAXAf5gJfM73lE3kurttXunxz5-iXjUDiQK1EMMUtXHSuwaJplJgI88rH017rpVPr7vEhkxooACPW05OzCkygbyNIAT8HfaFNk2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Menands trustees approved routine items at their Feb. 18 meeting, including the minutes from the prior regular meeting and a special meeting, and they approved warrants and payroll as presented by village staff.

During the financial report the clerk read warrant No. 18, citing amounts for the general and water funds and noting no sewer expenditures on the warrant. Trustees also acknowledged a special payroll entry described as back pay owed to an employee resulting from a prior miscalculation; staff said the special payroll amount was $5,533.32 and that it was included in the payroll register the board approved.

The motions to approve the regular and special meeting minutes and to accept the warrants and payroll were each moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Details read into the record
Village staff read itemized totals during the meeting record. The meeting transcript includes the figures as they were read aloud; trustees voted to accept those figures as presented. The board did not change or table the warrant or payroll approvals at the Feb. 18 meeting.","Menands trustees approved the minutes from recent meetings, accepted warrant and payroll items read at the Feb. 18 meeting and acknowledged a special payroll disbursement to correct a back pay error.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303858,"Board accepts associate-justice resignation, appoints David Rowley and reappoints MS4 delegates",71,258000,329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6&start=258&end=329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6/thumbnail_258000.jpg","/articles/6303858/Menands-Village/Albany-County/New-York/Board-accepts-associate-justice-resignation-appoints-David-Rowley-and-reappoints-MS4-delegates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303858-b61118eb3b4e324eff10dfb4f37b093a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195186&Signature=hcy-5u19kZxUIbAlnD3NG4eKsRAN9sjJ666J4Uac~mY61VQJgnB5cVZzYu6AsrvbD7Ukz5tqaIiuTgMxphy3G-CXZBv~KZv9SsuQVUjCPE8MeEAiKz~C569QwSrLHLZrp1bUnh0sO12Uv-0yriGWzlPBd-gb-hHhNzBf727-fs2Rbgsl9iIR9I59jWRqiZMD95fb-LvdVaail~Kv~lxGHSHoeb2U5E4QuJLqOs2fDMcxjbqgvk9nTbd~0SO~mgI7JcPBC3Zsg6NRQpg0uYLDRIBSQjVQ2JjTJ44dlwDIGRTaubU9LumGkpIYMNUOO8EyiLnaVftInf5NgPZrs0qofw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 18 meeting the Menands Village Board accepted the resignation of Associate Justice Bob Escher and moved to appoint former village justice David Rowley to fill the remainder of the term.

A trustee said Rowley had accepted the appointment; a motion to appoint him was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. The board did not specify an effective date in the meeting record.

Separately, the board reappointed municipal representatives to the Stormwater Coalition required for the village’s MS4 compliance: David Ogden as the MS4 officer and Lyle Darmeco as the alternate MS4 officer. A motion to approve those appointments was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.

What the board did
- Accepted the resignation of Associate Justice Bob Escher (13 years of service noted by trustees).
- Appointed David Rowley as associate justice to serve the remainder of the term — motion approved.
- Reappointed David Ogden as MS4 officer and named Lyle Darmeco as alternate for Stormwater Coalition matters — motion approved.

No further details about Rowley’s swearing-in date or the effective date of the appointments were recorded in the meeting transcript.","Trustees acknowledged the resignation of Associate Justice Bob Escher, appointed former village justice David Rowley to finish the term, and reappointed David Ogden as MS4 officer and Lyle Darmeco as alternate for the Stormwater Coalition.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303863,"Trustees approve fire department purchases and electrical work for donated compressor",116,1809000,1925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6&start=1809&end=1925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6/thumbnail_1809000.jpg","/articles/6303863/Menands-Village/Albany-County/New-York/Trustees-approve-fire-department-purchases-and-electrical-work-for-donated-compressor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303863-61c3bbe9026ec252372e53dfff27e1ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195186&Signature=QFJ8RNwMjR4M865Rw7Kv4-1dRbeXjVb~PQGhKR3PoORBl1qlFAAg3Wvg5~P1c7S8GbPTOXcviJUBWwF-2NDgNd3xS9uyHO-rKmvrQncihdPEomX1yMHOP2W1J9j2ZVaHwPNxpS5BwqN3et1iLt08Tm-nFDb~W8wbpuMjMxFJUhCWPWYyoFBKDdqAlaNfZp1wWOiVFimvF2c7gopgVVZC5fT06QGuOWy7r5bdSw38sBLpLJVu7ufjhzlRT0LS-SwDW6sKkg4LVleHvUGbQvoXfQoCsZDsvOyRnoIoR51b0g-D69KwLv8RTdDrcHXJCFZabVa5mEt94ZfciwKT7B48GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Menands trustees voted Feb. 18 to approve multiple purchases requested by the fire department and accepted a contractor quote to install electrical work for a newly donated compressor.

The board approved purchases that department leaders said were covered within current budget lines: two struts for the rescue vehicle costing $3,398; two forcible-entry tools, including a rabbit tool and a hydra-ram, for $6,043.76; and 40 pullover job shirts for $2,528. Those motions were made and seconded and carried by voice vote.

The board also accepted a $3,002.25 quote from Castle Electric to run new electrical service and complete wiring to make the donated compressor operable at the firehouse. The presenter said the compressor will allow fire crews to fill SCBA cylinders on site and add air plugs on apparatus in the future to reduce delays during calls.

On personnel and training points the fire presenter described a proposed increase to equipment, vehicle-maintenance and training lines to reflect rising costs; he also said the department had included a 5% match in its equipment budget for a FEMA grant of $865,000 toward apparatus acquisition. The board approved a motion to adopt the department’s “yellow set points” for training/points for the year; one trustee recorded an opposition during that vote.

What passed (motions and outcomes)
- $3,398 for two rescue struts — approved.
- $6,043.76 for two forcible-entry tools — approved.
- $2,528 for 40 job shirts — approved.
- $3,002.25 electrical contract (Castle Electric) for compressor installation — approved.
- Adoption of the department’s yellow set points for the year — approved (recorded opposition by one trustee).","The Menands board approved several fire-department purchases — struts ($3,398), forcible-entry tools ($6,043.76), 40 job shirts ($2,528) — and accepted an electrical bid from Castle Electric for $3,002.25 to install new wiring for a donated air compressor.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303867,"Village sets March 13 budget workshop; departments present equipment and program requests",1251,546000,1797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6&start=546&end=1797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2470337-2256eae3d0f2ea7fad3afdf884ad39f6/thumbnail_546000.jpg","/articles/6303867/Menands-Village/Albany-County/New-York/Village-sets-March-13-budget-workshop-departments-present-equipment-and-program-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303867-f6c4cad4799df75ad1246ffe4346b9f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195186&Signature=Ahv-MGnyYP9ZNgJ77oak0xwyvtjYPw2BVlxDiexnM41MMTZ2Y1t8ATCMG4k53mW4FSUjXsNA1d2Vg3kHMswSZY1iziqkIwjwcNeZnuWuJ8fm9Wj6LiEiy6jNCLdat45Y5mYrK-SMMYfkDHuOZCBL5~DIxHzcn4Cz56a35YX5~QkeLTOtF1Pubpyws5n4eH9oZqV3EB6SeQKsPuBTAPxMtZM5r2MFhLeMgt86i~ba57Rj~AAjJktUrimzxQ5RnQQsj0cU-ppkeLLPECjauIgpa1z37LitKQ0RzgRzOK7vDg~lzolwhSuEq27uni2aNDNQXdba2DK3RyF2jQPUk4khTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Menands Village Board set a public budget workshop for 6 p.m. on March 13 and heard departmental budget presentations and line‑item requests for fiscal year 2025–26.

The meeting focused on capital equipment and service lines that trustees will weigh ahead of the preliminary budget deadline in March. Officials said the public hearing on the budget must occur before April 15 and that a final budget must be adopted by April 30 (timeline discussed at the meeting).

Key departmental requests
- Public Works: Mike Hedman, representing the Department of Public Works, said most line items stayed the same aside from inflationary increases. He identified a 2008 dump truck as the department’s priority replacement and said preliminary figures for a chassis and equipment could total roughly $120,000, with final quotes still pending.

- Police: A presenter identified as Ryan said the department seeks modest increases for accreditation, curriculum materials and uniforms. He asked that the uniform allowance be raised (he cited a typical prior allocation of $10,000 and a proposed increase to $13,500 to avoid overages) and proposed a $16,000 overtime line for special events. The department also noted a $25,000 Albany County grant that is reimbursable and for which the village must front the cost under current procedures.

- Fire: The fire presenter (David) outlined several equipment and maintenance needs that staff proposed including turnout gear replacement, thermal imaging cameras, hose replacement and a FEMA grant for apparatus purchase. The presenter said the village’s budget includes a 5% match for an $865,000 FEMA grant, and gave itemized estimates for turnout gear and thermal cameras included in the department’s request.

- Village office / IT: Village staff outlined technology and cybersecurity plans, including replacement network switches ($26,658), cybersecurity upgrades ($23,000) and the estimated cost to migrate from Google to Microsoft licenses and data ($24,750). The clerk’s office also proposed expanding electronic records scanning and adding two desktops and three desktop scanners. A proposed village‑wide employee assistance program (EAP) was budgeted at $2,000; staff also discussed an initial estimate of about $9,000 to provide Wi‑Fi to the park pavilion.

Timeline and next steps
Board members requested that departments provide any missing backup documents; trustees said scanned summaries of each department’s requests would be posted to the shared drive. The board set a budget workshop for March 13 at 6 p.m. to review the preliminary budget before the public hearing and final adoption dates.","Trustees scheduled a March 13 budget workshop and heard budget proposals from public works, police, fire and the village office including a potential dump-truck replacement (~$120,000), police uniform and event-OT increases, a $25,000 reimbursable county grant, and IT/cybersecurity and Wi‑Fi costs for village facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Village officials correct permissive-referendum timeline, outline 30-day filing window and 20% signature threshold

Trustees approve meeting minutes, warrants and payroll; special payroll payment noted

Board accepts associate-justice resignation, appoints David Rowley and reappoints MS4 delegates

Trustees approve fire department purchases and electrical work for donated compressor

Village sets March 13 budget workshop; departments present equipment and program requests