Menands board approves survey of two Glenwood Road parcels amid access concerns

Speaker 1 opened debate on two village-owned parcels on Glenwood Road and proposed a survey to determine boundaries and whether abutting property owners want to buy portions of the land. "The goal would be to use the funds from the sale of a parcel . . . to fund the improvements" at the nearby park, Speaker 1 said.

Residents and board members warned that selling strips of the parcels could cut off access to the back fields and a park entrance. One resident said the lots provide direct, safer access for children and walkers and noted there are no sidewalks on the adjacent major road; another described a blind corner where cars "come flying around the corner." Speaker 6 said the motion was only to perform a survey and that the survey could identify whether a gateway entrance could be preserved while allowing sales.

The board approved a motion by Speaker 6 to survey the lots identified in the discussion (SBL numbers cited in the meeting as 44.18-3-54 and 44.18-3-55) with a Creighton quote of $3,300; Speaker 1 seconded and the board recorded the motion as approved on the meeting record. Speaker 1 said proceeds from any future sale would be dedicated to park improvements and noted state law allows sale of parkland only if funds remain within the park system (citation not specified in the transcript).

The discussion established that the board wants to preserve at least one parcel to maintain park access, to obtain a professional survey before any sale, and to communicate changes with Albany County (clerk and assessor) to keep parcel identifiers consistent. Further decisions about sale or easements were deferred until the survey results are reviewed.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the Creighton survey and return results to the board for a future decision.