Menands board schedules April 6 hearing on proposed override of 2% property tax cap

The Menands Village Board opened a public hearing March 16 on Local Law No. 1 of 2026, a proposal to authorize the village to override the 2% property tax levy cap. Clerk Don read the public‑hearing notice; after brief public comment the hearing was closed and the board continued its regular meeting.

Board member Bill commented during the hearing that while he has opposed overriding the state tax‑cap in the past, he would "support only very reluctantly" because the village faces increased costs for retirement benefits and continues to be required by the state to provide mandated services without corresponding mandate relief. He urged the state to provide tax‑mandate relief for local governments.

Later in the meeting the board discussed the procedural steps needed to adopt a local law and whether the draft was ready for posting. Staff said the draft text is prepared and the board set a public hearing for April 6 to allow formal public comment and satisfy procedural notice requirements. A motion to schedule that hearing was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records the voice vote but does not provide a roll‑call vote on the final adoption of Local Law No. 1 itself.

What’s next: the April 6 public hearing will accept public comment on the proposed local law to override the 2% tax cap. The transcript does not record a final board vote to adopt the override on March 16; any final adoption would appear in a later meeting record.