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Menands board approves budget amendments, retiree Medicare offset and several contracts
Summary
The Menands Village Board approved budget amendments tied to insurance reimbursements, authorized a $150 monthly Medicare offset for retirees enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans, and approved contracts for cameras/server upgrades, cleaning and masonry work; the board also moved to release a 1950 easement at 12 Elmwood.
The Menands Village Board approved a slate of routine and project-specific actions at its meeting, including budget amendments, contracts for building and IT work, and a new retiree health‑benefit reimbursement.
Speaker 3 presented a resolution authorizing the Treasurer to amend the 2024–25 village budget to cover insurance‑reimbursed vehicle repairs and other line adjustments. "These dollar amounts were reimbursed from insurance," Speaker 3 said while listing reimbursements received in January–March 2024. The motion to amend the budget was seconded and approved by voice vote.
On retiree health coverage, Speaker 1 said the village’s existing CDPHP Medicare Advantage plan rose sharply this year and described an alternative recommended by benefits staff: offer zero‑cost Medicare plans and reimburse retirees $150 per month toward Medicare Part A and B deductions. "The net cost to the village will be 22,000," Speaker 1 said, describing the village's projected annual outlay; Speaker 3 moved the resolution and Speaker 6 seconded. The board voted to approve the reimbursement, which Speaker 3 said "will be paid on the first board meeting in December each year."
The board approved several vendor contracts that are eligible for grant reimbursement. Speaker 4 moved and the board accepted an $18,004 quote from AVS/ABS to add cameras at 280 Broadway and expand server capacity to retain camera data; Speaker 1 noted the work will be reimbursed under the SAM grant. The board also accepted a Daigle cleaning contract for 250 and 280 Broadway (four top‑to‑bottom cleanings per year for $1,700) after Speaker 3 moved and the board voted in favor. Speaker 1 told the board DAVCO Masonry would complete masonry touch‑ups at 250 Broadway for $5,800 under the same grant; that bid was also approved.
On property matters, Speaker 5 described an attorney request to terminate a 1950 easement affecting 12 Elmwood; after internal review that found no utilities in the easement area, Speaker 4 moved to authorize the mayor to sign a release and Speaker 1 seconded the motion for board action.
Other administrative actions included a resolution authorizing the treasurer to pay National Grid bills electronically via ACH (Speaker 3's motion), which the board approved, and the continuing schedule to review and approve board policies.
The board tabled an access‑control system item to a future meeting and closed its session after routine reports and public comments.
What's next: several items require follow‑up before the next meeting, including the retiree reimbursement implementation details and formal documentation for the 12 Elmwood easement termination.
