August 20, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
The Village Board met Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Janet Rudd, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Dan Reidell, DPW/Code
Rick Richardson, Chief of Police
Absent: Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
Public Attendance –Amy Davis, Mike Warner, Deb Beirlein, Eric Eriksen, Carol Draffen, Elizabeth Pratten, Jim Draffen, Chester Enders, Andrew Larson, Janine Jackson, Robert Peck, Gregg Rudd, John Daigneault, Chantal Daigneault, Annette Orsi-Fry, Doug Fry, Larry Cramer, Gail Cramer, Melissa Wright, Dwight Wright, Amy Czadzeck, Shawn Czadzeck, Wendy Bowie, Lisa Nally, Richard Klueg, Sara Baldwin, David Jones, Katie Fitzgerald, Ron Geary
Mayor Eckert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2024, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC ACCESS: Amy Czadzeck addressed the Board about the LGBTQ community and raising a child in a loving home. She stated she was here to support Dave’s petition. She stated she was here tonight to say to the Mayor to please care to act better. She stated all it takes is one unhinged person to take their beliefs out and harass our neighbors. She stated she believes police intervention is warranted. She stated she believes religion can help people but it is wrong to inflict their beliefs on other people without their consent. She stated she wants everyone to get along. She stated she lives in fear and doesn’t even bring her family to parades or events in the Village. She provided printed material from The Trevor Project for the Board.
Annette Orsi-Fry addressed the Board and wanted to discuss short term rentals in the community. It was noted that that subject is an agenda item that will be discussed later in the meeting and there will be a public access portion after. Mrs. Orsi-Fry stated she would hold her questions until then.
Jim Draffen addressed the Board and stated he was confused as to what the first speaker was commenting on and what accusations she was making.
Shawn Czadzeck addressed the Board. He stated he has been a resident of the Village for 10 years. He asked if the Board had a Code of Conduct and if so, he would like to see it. He stated the elected representatives need to be held to a higher standard when dealing with constituents.
David Jones addressed the Board and stated he provided a letter and a Change.Org petition signed by 250 residents regarding a Board member harassing him and his husband on Facebook. He stated the Board member is a member of the Baptist Church in this town and while she is entitled to her beliefs, she is not entitled to comment on his Facebook page. He stated he has viewed the sermons of the Baptist Church and they preach hate for LGBTQ community. He stated we are a marginal and protected community, and he was asking for an apology from Trustee Rudd and a statement from the Board separating themselves from her views. He stated the Board is not entitled to push your views on constituents.
Lisa Nally addressed the Board and stated that she was walking down Washington Street with a group of moms and children when residents at one of the homes on the street yelled out and berated the Pastors wife. She stated that he said that the Pastor should die. Mrs. Nally said that made her very uncomfortable and created a fearful situation. She stated that the sermons at church address all sins. She stated she is a sinner too.
Chester Enders addressed the Board. He stated he hears arguing back and forth and certain people want to make it about how they feel they are being treated in this community. He stated if you don’t like the religion, then don’t watch it. He stated they are saying they are righteous but then tell Pastor’s wife that he should die. He stated we all have freedoms and he has freedom of religion. He stated if you don’t like it, you are against me and that’s fine.
Katie Fitzgerald addressed the Board and said that no one said that Pastor Larson should die. She stated that was a lie. She asked if the Board can separate themselves and remain neutral.
Cindy Lennon addressed the Board and stated never once has the Baptist Church preached violence against someone who lives a life contrary to our beliefs. She stated we have always preached love.
Village Attorney, Carmel Greco, addressed the public on behalf of the Board. He stated that this Board, as any municipal Board, makes laws and enforces laws. With respect to political speech, which is what we are hearing tonight, the Board cannot take a political position. He stated the business of this Board is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community, through which the Board must remain neutral. With respect to the behavior that is being complained about, that’s a private matter, involving an individual who incidentally may be a Trustee, but it is still a private matter because the behavior was not instigated from this floor or was in any way sanctioned by, or an act of, the Board of Trustees. He gave the example that if a Trustee of this Board robs a bank, the Village isn’t liable. He stated that that person did it on their own. He stated that the Village is not responsible for the actions of the individual members, on their own time, in their private life. So, therefore, to demand that this Board can take a position is not something that we can do and to demand a public apology from any Trustee over a private matter needs to be taken up in another forum, as this is not the forum for that.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police –The police report was filed with the Clerk and read at the meeting. Chief Richardson reported 92 calls were handled by the NPD during the month of July.
Chief Richardson reported that the vulgar graffiti that was under the east side of the bridge has been painted over by NYS DOT.
Chief Richardson reported that the Sean Craig Memorial Fund donated two throw discs which have been placed in the PD vehicles. He stated they are plastic floating discs with ropes attached that can be used for water rescues.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office.
Dan reported that the handicapped accessible kayak dock, donated to the Village by the Rotary Foundation, has been delivered and is being stored down by the spillway area. He stated it would be installed in mid-September.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 3,274,000 gallons in July 2023 to 3,895,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that six permits were issued in July. It was reported that there are 11 Temporary rental properties in the Village.
Dog Control – No reported issued.
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported that the camp season is done. She stated she has heard positive feedback about the program. Trustee Sedon stated they would be having an exit meeting in the near future.
Park Use Requests – There were no park use requests.
Marketing – The Clerk/Marketing Director informed the Board of upcoming events. Fall Fest would be held on October 12th from 9-5 p.m., with Sawyer Frederick would be performing at the event. She also indicated that the Lighted Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting would be on Saturday, December 7th. She stated she is actively recruiting participants for both events.
Report of Village Projects – Mayor Eckert stated that the kayak project on the Little Lake is progressing as Highway Superintendent Reidell indicated previously.
Tree Commission – No report.
TRANSFERS
Treasurer Matthews requested the following Transfers:
$81,000
To: A5110.2 Streets – Equipment
From: A8340.2 Water Trans/Dsitrib. – Equipment & Capital outlay
Re: Allocation of remaining ARPA funds budgeted
$12,600
To: A5110.2 Streets – Equipment
From: A1440.4 Engineer – Contractual Exp.
Re: Allocation of remaining ARPA funds budgeted
$6,000
To: F8340.402 Water – Contractual Exp.
From: F9950.9 Water – Transfer – Cap. Reserve fund – Water System Improvement
Re: Valve replacement
Trustee Rudd made a motion to approve the transfer as presented by Treasurer Matthews. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 210,597.64, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 9,706.83, and $ 5,412.79 from the Joint Youth Fund were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Rudd, and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the Annual Financial Report for Village. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the Annual Financial Report for Joint Youth Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert presented Resolution #9 of 2024 as follows:
Resolved that the Village Board of the Village of Northville hereby authorizes the conveyance of the real property located at 202 N. Third Street in the Village of Northville, which is currently owned by the Village, to the Town of Northampton for no cash consideration, in accordance with an intermunicipal agreement between the Village and said Town, and
It is further resolved that the Mayor of the Village of Northville be, as she is hereby, authorized to execute a Deed and any and all other documents necessary to make such conveyance on behalf of the Village.
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Resolution #9 of 2024 as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert presented the proposed amendments to Chapter #86 – Property Rental for the Board’s review. She reported that the Board felt the need to amend the law in an effort to reduce the number of temporary rentals in the Village. She stated our school population is declining and when people purchase homes in the Village solely for the purpose of temporary rental, it makes it hard for families to live here. She stated that we are not alone, many municipalities are having issue with decreased housing stock for people that want to live and work in the community, citing Lake Placid as an example. Discussion ensued. Trustee Sedon stated she would like to see the proposed annual fee reduced to $ 250.00. She felt the proposed $ 1000.00 was excessive. Trustee Markiewicz stated he felt it should be higher and made a motion for $ 500.00, for which no second was registered. Trustee Sedon asked how many of the properties on the current list were owner occupied. The Clerk indicated two properties on the current list are owner occupied. The Clerk informed the Board that they could have a separate definition added to the law to distinguish between owner occupied and other types of temporary rentals. The Clerk indicated that the Board can also establish a different fee for each group. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to define owner occupied as being their primary residence and to establish an annual fee of $ 150.00 for annual registration of temporary rental for the purpose of this law. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon,
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to establish an annual rate for non owner occupied temporary rentals at $ 250.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert stated the changes would be made for the September meeting and we can work on advancing the amendments to the Property Rental law.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert presented Resolution #10 of 2024 – The Allowance of Unused Sick Leave Credits for the Board’s consideration. Upon review, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Resolution #10 of 2024 as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
CORRESPONDENCE – David Jones
PUBLIC ACCESS: Annette Orsi-Fry thanked the Board for lowering the temporary rental fee from the originally proposed $ 1000.00. She also thanked them for establishing a different rate for owner occupied. She stated that people come to our community and are looking for places to stay and she feels by having the rentals she is supporting the community.
Jim Draffen thanked the Board for being patient and stated he felt they were doing a great job.
Eric Eriksen urged the Board to continue working at keeping the Air bnb rentals under control. He stated that we have all heard the stories of overpopulated rental units and people taking advantage of neighboring properties. He stated it some instances, it ruins the tranquility of the neighborhood.
Larry Cramer asked where the temporary rental registration fees went. Treasurer Matthews stated they go into the General fund. It was noted that temporary rentals require annual inspections by the Village and subsequent records management.
Bob Peck stated he had questions about the issues with sandwich board signs on Village terraces. He stated he had been contacted about the Flower Barns sign. Mayor Eckert stated the Village received a formal written complaint about a situation where vehicles were not able to see when pulling out onto Main Street in a specific area. As it was written notice, we are obligated to follow up on that or the Village would be liable if issues occurred subsequently. During the investigation into that complaint, it was determined that there was an issue in the terrace area that needed to be addressed. She stated we need to be fair across the board, and as such, she instructed Highway Superintendent Reidell to assess all areas in the Village for compliance. It was noted that Village code does not allow for temporary signs to be placed in the terrace area, the area between the sidewalk and the street, which is the Village ROW. Trustee Sedon stated that it was her property that was the first area of concern and then when she learned that items can’t be in the terrace area, she asked about other areas she noted around the Village. She stated there was a line of site issue with the trees that were at the corner of Division and Main. Trustee Sedon stated she learned that signs can’t be over three feet in height. Trustee Sedon stated that you also have to be able to have safe access point to the sidewalk from the street parking areas, so in the instance where a terrace is filled with plants, those spaces need to be created.
Amy Warner asked about all the trees that line Prospect Street in the terrace and Mayor Eckert stated they were being addressed as well. She stated we are addressing all terrace issues across the Board to be fair.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz seconded by Trustee Sedon and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
