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Residents press Menands board for clearer communication as South End water project continues
Summary
The board said the South End water project is on track to be stabilized for winter and posted biweekly updates online, while residents described inadequate notice, parking problems and daily disruption and pressed staff for better outreach and signage.
Residents raised repeated concerns about the South End water project’s on-street impacts and communication during public comment at the Menands Village Board meeting.
Village staff reported they posted new updates for the South End water project on the village website and said crews will work through Thanksgiving but not on the holiday; staff also said they expect the work areas to be stabilized for winter by December. "They're gonna be done by December," a staff speaker said when asked about the schedule.
Multiple residents told the board they had little or no advance notice of work at specific houses, that lack of on-site outreach left homeowners unsure whether to move vehicles, and that construction is creating parking pressure and safety concerns. One resident said crews appeared in front of her house earlier than neighbors expected, which left her concerned about being blocked in for travel to work. Board members acknowledged gaps in contractor outreach and said they will reiterate communication expectations to the contractor and post maps and permit information on Facebook and the village website.
Staff said there is a biweekly log on the South End project page and that the village holds regular coordination meetings with contractors to plan two weeks ahead; they also committed to improving neighborhood outreach. The board encouraged residents to consult the biweekly log while staff agreed to raise outreach and signage with the project manager.
Why it matters: prolonged infrastructure work affects daily mobility, access, and local businesses; clear, timely communication is a primary mitigation for disruption. Residents urged the board to improve on-the-ground notice and signage to prevent blocked driveways and unsafe parking.
Next steps: staff said they will coordinate with the contractor and update the website and social channels; they will also pursue on-site outreach and clearer permit signage for affected streets.
