Author Archives: Village Admin
Hydrant Flushing Begins-5/13/13
On Monday, May 13, 2013, the Water Department will begin the yearly flushing of the water system. All flushing of hydrants will be conducted between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. thru June 3, 2013. Residents might notice discoloration in their water and should be aware this is normal and not harmful. However, residents are cautioned to check their water before doing laundry. Simply by letting the faucets run will clear up the discoloration after the flushing is completed each day.
Grow Menands
Background:
- Louis Menand, the founder of Menands, was a world class horticulturist and his orchid filled greenhouses were a huge attraction in the early days of our Village.
- One of the centerpieces of Menands has always been the weekend and early morning bustling of the Capital District Farmers Market. This is where local farmers and shoppers meet daily to share the harvest.
- Maybe the most beautiful improvement to our Village is the rich and colorful hanging baskets that run along Broadway in the Spring & Summer. Flowers just have a way of lifting the human spirit.
With that in mind Mayor Meg Grenier is pleased to pronounce May as Grow Menands Month.
The Grow Menands Program
“This summer we are expecting some tours from major developers, real estate groups, and even some visiting foreign dignitaries. We would like Menands to put its best face forward and look as beautiful as we know it can be. That’s why we are hoping that every resident will become part of this Village wide event. We think we can make Menands the most colorful Village in the State. We can do this if every homeowner and business spends just a little more on summer flowers this month. And with the help of the Farmers Market we are making it affordable. If every homeowner spent $10.00 more on decorating their home with flowers… what a difference that would make.” said the Mayor.
Some of the Vendors at the Capital District Farmers Market will be offering a special discount to all Menands resident’s every Saturday during May. (Simply show your driver’s license)
A panel of judges will be traveling around the Village at the end of June to award Grow Menands signs to the MOST COLORFUL HOME and THE MOST COLORFUL BUSINESS (Pictures will be in the future newsletter and posted on the Village website.) Your home may be on TV???
The Big Picture
“There has always been magic in flowers. They not only make you feel better, they also lift the human spirit, said the Mayor.” “Flowers are very contagious, and make you want to do more to make your home look nice. Once you see your neighbor planting flowers, it makes you want to do a little more with your own home and improve the whole neighborhood. Nothing improves curb appeal faster than landscaping, and curb appeal truly increases property value. It’s the biggest bang for your buck when you’re trying to improve the value of your home or business.”
So have your “gardener” do a little extra in front of your home or business. Stop down to the Farmers Market and warm up your green thumb, because Spring is here. It’s time for each of us to help Menands sparkle. Be part of the Grow Menands movement.
To become further involved or for additional information contact Bill Giering, Director of Economic Partnerships at the Village Hall at (518) 434-2922 extension 320.
VOLUNTEERS BUILD COMMUNITIES
Mayor’s Message-5/10/13
With the arrival of spring, I am pleased to announce a Village wide initiative, Grow Menands. This project is spearheaded by our Director of Economic Partnership, Bill Giering. 2014 will mark the 90th Anniversary of Menands and as part of that celebration, we would like the residents and businesses to participate in bringing color to Menands by planting additional flowers this year to make Menands as colorful as possible.
With planting season upon us means the opening of the Menands Farmers Market. The Market is in full bloom with many special events throughout the season. Check out their website for details. Missing this year from the Market will be General Manager Fred Cole. Fred has taken a position in Charlotte, NC at Charlotte’s Regional Farmers Market. I am going to miss Fred both personally and professionally as we shared several projects over the last few years and enjoyed a good working relationship. I wish Fred the best of luck in his new endeavor.
On an economic front, I would like to welcome B & B Auto to Menands. After many years vacant, this used car dealership is located at the former Hess gas station at 50 Broadway and is a welcome addition to that area.
Rite Aid Pharmacy is finishing up a renovation of their store. It is quite the transformation and if you haven’t been there recently it will be worth the visit.
Golden Crust Pizza, in Mid-City Plaza, was issued a building permit for renovations to their building allowing for additional seating in their new space. Menands Mobil is also undergoing an expansion of their site.
We are pleased at the number of businesses who are expanding and renovating their properties and committed to doing business in Menands. The Village of Menands Business Directory can be accessed on the Village website.
Thank you to Youth Director Brianna DiBiase Coughlin and her helpers for a fun Easter Egg Hunt. With Easter so early this year, there was still some snow on the ground, but the kids still had fun.
The Menands Jr. Baseball & Softball League was the recipient of a field make-over sponsored by the Tri-City Valley Cats. Teaming up with BlueShield of Northeastern New York on the Community Grounds Crew and League Coaches, new sod was placed on the infield and the pitcher’s mound and home plate areas rebuilt. With Opening Day held on April 20th, the home run fence is up and the lights are in place. If you haven’t had a chance to enjoy a night game I recommend doing so at least once during this baseball season. Congratulations to League President Steve Nicoll and others for their hard work and dedication to the youth of Menands.
Trustee Aileen Nicoll and I, along with Chief Mike O’Brien, met with Menands School Superintendant, Kathy Meany and members of her staff to discuss school safety and the role the Village should play in the event of an emergency. Chief O’Brien is participating in drills and working closely with school to ensure a quick response and coordinated effort between the police department and the school.
With the purchase of Albany International by developer Uri Kaufman, I have had an opportunity to discuss the plans for the building with Uri and am excited for the project to get underway. Trustee Nicoll and I were given a tour of the facility and it was intriguing to see what used to be and what is yet to come. This project will be a big lift for Menands and another positive asset to the Broadway Corridor.
Speaking of the Corridor, after two years of planning and many meetings with the Broadway Corridor Rezoning Committee, Public Meetings and Hearings, the Village Board has approved the rezoning of the Corridor. Trustee Mark Lansing and I want to thank the members of the Committee for their time and dedication to seeing that the rezoning is in the best interest of the Village and the future of the Corridor.
With many new families moving into Menands this past year, I invite them to join their neighbors by attending the Concerts in the Park, held on Tuesday nights beginning July 9th and other community events held throughout the year. Details
can be found on the Village website @ www.villageofmenands.com. I am sure the new families will enjoy the strong sense of community in Menands as the long time residents have. Welcome!
During the warm weather months, please take extra precautions with kids playing outside, people walking and motorcycles on the road. Have a safe and happy spring.
Until next time,
Mayor Meg
Board Meeting Minutes April 15, 2013
Village Election Day-6/18/13
The General Election for the Village of Menands will be held on Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 P.M. at which time the Village Justice and two Trustees are to be elected for a four year term to commence pursuant to law upon their qualifications and no earlier than July 1st, 2013.
Village Election Registration Day-6/8/13
Registration Day
The register of those qualified to vote in the forthcoming Village Election in the Village of Menands to be held at the Municipal Firehouse in the Village between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 P.M. in the afternoon on June 18th, 2013 shall be prepared by the duly appointed inspectors of the Election of this Village on Registration Day, June 8th, 2013 between the hours of 12:00 noon and 5:00 P.M. in the afternoon in the firehouse adjoining this Municipal Building in this Village on said date, at which time and place all persons qualified to vote at such forthcoming Village Election and are not otherwise registered, may attend and register their names for such Election.
Bethany Presbyterian Church Rummage and Plant Sale-5/11/13
THOUGHTFULLY RECYCLED (RUMMAGE) SALE AND PLANT SALE
Bethany Presbyterian Church, 21 N. Lyon Ave., Menands, N.Y. Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Clothes, Books, Annies Attic and More. For information contact about the Rummage Sale call Leslie @ 463-8239. For information about the Plant Sale call Kathy @ 436-4196 for Eileen @ 378-2630.
Menands Fire Auxiliary Pancake Breakfast -5/19/13
The Menands Fire Auxiliary will be hosting another Pancake breakfast on May 19th at the firehouse from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Cost is $7 adult, $6 Senior, $5 children 5 – 12 and children under 5 free.