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

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.