April 14, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
The Village Board met Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 7:00 PM via Zoom
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Steve Collins, Trustee
Sue Eckert, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Absent:
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2020 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Mike Kratky voiced concern that the Senior housing project being constructed on South First Street was being inspected by an uncertified electrical inspector from out of town. He stated that the liability of allowing this to continue would be on the Village. Mayor Spaeth stated that he discussed Mr. Kratky’s concerns with the Code Enforcement Officer and was informed that the Village was not responsible for electrical inspections. He stated that inspections are the responsibility of the property owner and we get the report back from the State. Trustee Eckert asked if there was concern that inspections were being completed. Mayor Spaeth stated the concern was valid but questions were asked of all parties and it was deemed that the process was being followed correctly. Mr. Kratky stated that per the NYS Division of Codes, the inspection of electrical systems is the responsibility of the local enforcement official. Mayor Spaeth stated he would look further into Mr. Kratky’s concerns and get back to him on the matter.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Streets – The DPW report was read by Trustee Eckert and is on file at the Clerk’s office. It was reported that Highway Superintendent Reidell has the crew working split shifts to accommodate the workforce reduction during the Covid crisis. It was reported that street sweeping has been done and the crew was working on spring clean up projects around the Village.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 3,375,000 gallons in March 2019 to 2,068,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the water meter installation contract between Allen and Palmer and the Village was reviewed. He indicated that the contract had an August 29, 2020 completion date but due to Covid restrictions, that date can be amended between the two parties. Mayor Spaeth stated that Allen and Palmer would like to begin installation of meters in pits that are located outside of residences along with seasonal homes that they winterize that are currently vacant. Trustee Eckert made a motion to sign the contract with Allen and Palmer for water meter replacement and to allow them to begin installation of meters in pits and unoccupied seasonal residences. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth discussed water meter reading for the current cycle. He stated that we normally read meters in early April to bill in May. He indicated that 90% of the meters could be read without entering the household but if there were issues with the read, someone would have to enter the residence to trouble shoot. After discussion, the Board felt it was best to postpone water meter reading until we are on the other side of the crisis. It was determined that we would give it another month and revisit it then.
Code Enforcement- Mayor Spaeth reported that Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Fancher was still continuing to work but was spending less time in the office. He stated that he was shutting down contractors based on the new executive order passed by Governor Cuomo.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 28,467.49, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 5721.57, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 142,90 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth gave an update on the contract for proposed cell tower buyout. He indicated that the three main items the Board had concerns about were:
Responsibility for keeping the road open
Transfer of ownership – SBA can transfer the site to someone else and the new owner would not be bound by the contract.
Abandonment language – Wanted the language cleared up
Mayor Spaeth stated that Treasurer Matthews did a survey to look at lost revenue the Village may experience due to the Covid shutdown. It was projected that $ 70,000.00 could be lost for this fiscal year. Treasurer Matthews stated revenue would be lost due to diminished sales tax and mortgage tax reductions. Mayor Spaeth stated that the Board may have to revisit the budget at some point in the future due to projected lost revenue. He stated that revenue from the cell tower buyout could help offset lost revenue. After discussion, the Board felt it was still worth pursuing the cell tower buyout and requested that the Village attorney proceed with discussion with SBA.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported that garage sale weekend was cancelled by the Board, despite it being an event that was not organized by the Village. He stated that event which normally occurs the first full weekend in May would fall only two days after the projected reopening date established by the State. Mayor Spaeth stated that the coin drop the ambulance squad has during the same weekend was also cancelled. Mayor Spaeth reported that he assured the public who questioned whether the event was going to occur or not that it could be rescheduled at some point in the future when conditions were safer. Mayor Spaeth stated that as no one owns/organized garage sale weekend and we have cancelled the event due to the Covid crisis, it gives the appearance that we own garage sale weekend. Mayor Spaeth reported that currently, the Village requires vendor permits for professional vendors in the Village for the event along with providing porta johns. He stated that the only additional item we would need to provide if it became a Village sponsored event was the liability for it, which would be approximately $ 110.00. Mayor Spaeth stated that if it were a Village sponsored event, it would allow vendors to utilize Village property which could increase revenue for the Village. Trustee Sedon stated the Village could advertise the event and potentially draw more people. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion for the Village to officially take over Garage Sale Weekend and work toward rescheduling the event when conditions allow. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
The Clerk asked the Board to consider a moratorium on issuing any vendor permits during the Covid crisis and NY Pause restrictions. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to establish a moratorium on the issuance of any vendor permits during the Covid crisis and while under the NY Pause restrictions. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that the March Village elections were currently rescheduled to occur on June 16, 2020 but that the date may be further delayed.
Mayor Spaeth discussed the future of the Memorial Day Parade this year. He indicated that no one had come forward to organize an event, if we were even able to have an event under the current conditions. Trustee Sedon stated she could talk with the school regarding the participation of the band but there was uncertainty as to when and if school would resume. Mayor Spaeth stated that we will continue to get information and see what type of service we could even conduct in the event we cannot do a parade due to gathering restrictions.
Mayor Spaeth gave a brief update on the Governor’s recent Executive Order regarding the Covid crisis. He indicated that all employers of essential business functions are required to provide masks for their employees. He stated that for the Village that included the Police Department, Fire Department, DPW, and Code Enforcement. Mayor Spaeth indicated that Steve Santa Maria from Fulton County was working to obtain masks for municipalities that were having difficulty accessing supplies. Mayor Spaeth stated that the fireman have their turn out gear that can be pulled over their face.
Before adjournment, Mayor Spaeth asked if there were any additional questions from the public. Ken Barron asked why we weren’t replacing the meters in the homes that are currently occupied now if there was concern that they could fail. He stated it would prevent lost revenue if the meters in properties that are currently using water were replaced first. Trustee Sedon stated that the meters are being replaced to radio read meters from touch meters, updating the technology rather than because they were failing. Highway Superintendent Reidell asked if homeowners could replace their own meter and he was told that they could not. It was indicated that every water customer in the Village system would be receiving the $ 90.00 installation charge on their November billing, even if the radio read meter was previously installed by the Village prior to the contract being written with Allen and Palmer.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
