December 19, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
The Village Board met Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 7:00 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Janet Rudd, Trustee
Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Dan Reidell, Highway Superintendent
Rick Richardson, Chief of Police
Absent: Sue Sedon, Trustee
Public Attendance –Mike Warner, Lanie Groff
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 November 21, 2023, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Rudd, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC HEARING – LOCAL LAW #4 OF 2023 – A local law to amend the Village Code in regard to snow removal
Mayor Eckert opened the Public Hearing on Local Law #4 of 2023 at 7:03 p.m. on a motion by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert asked if anyone present wished to address the Board regarding Local Law #4 of 2023. No public present requested to address the Board regarding the Local Law. Mayor Eckert stated she would leave the Public Hearing open for the remainer of the meeting and continue the Regular meeting.
PUBLIC ACCESS: No members of the public present requested to address the Board.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police –The police report was filed with the Clerk and read at the meeting. Chief Richardson reported 90 calls were handled by the NPD during November.
Chief Richardson gave a breakdown of calls since April 2, 2023, and indicated there has been 636 calls to date, with 293 in the Town and 306 in the Village. Trustee Terwilliger asked how far the department patrols. Chief Richardson indicated the farthest point is Fish House although they don’t patrol out there regularly. He stated that Fulton County also patrols that area. Chief Richardson stated that regular patrols go as far south as Bunker Hill Road.
Chief Richardson reported that the Tahoe has been purchased from Hamilton County and is registered and being utilized. He stated the lettering would be done in mid January.
Chief Richardson stated that taser training has been completed for four of the six officers to date.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office. Highway Superintendent Reidell reported he has been looking into getting a garbage tipper for the truck. He quoted $ 5,500.00 for one installed. He explained that right now, the guys reach in and pick out the bags but with more people getting larger cans, that is making it more difficult to reach into the can. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated that eventually if we buy a new truck with two lifters, everything will be in a toter anyway.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 2,198,000 gallons in November 2022 to 1,835,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that we have received quotes for the trench box. He also reported that Darryl was working on getting quotes to update the telemetry that sends signal to well house.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that 2 permits were issued in November.
Highway Superintendent Reidell gave an update on the Lanzi Townhouse project that was granted a Special Permit back in 2007. He stated that the project is moving forward and will need to do a lot line adjustment.
The Clerk reported that the Planning Board has offered some zoning updates regarding cannabis and the Village Attorney is reviewing them.
Dog Control – No report issued.
Joint Youth – No activity to report.
Park Use Requests – There were no park use requests.
Marketing – The Clerk gave a marketing update. She reported that the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting event was very well attended. She stated that two days before the event, she happened to be notified that there was not a tree for the event and later discovered there was no Santa scheduled either. The Clerk stated she was able to secure an individual to be Santa and Highway Superintendent Reidell obtained a tree for the event. The Clerk stated that in the future, she would like the Village to be responsible for the parade, tree and Santa for the event to be sure that it goes off without any major issues and the Board agreed. She indicated she will still try to work with the Civic Association to coordinate their activities but stated that there is sometimes a lack of communication from them.
Report of Village Projects – Mayor Eckert reported that the Village continues to work on the DOT TAP grant application for the multi use trail at the spillway. She indicated the application would be submitted in January.
Mayor Eckert reported that the Village received notification that we did not receive grant funding under the most recent CFA round. She stated that the Village, along with our grant writers, participated in a debriefing Zoom meeting with DOS on our unsuccessful application. She stated the Village scored very well on the application, receiving 86 points out of 100, but the ownership issue of the spillway was cited as one of the main concerns. Mayor Eckert stated we continue to work with HRBRRD and our representatives to get the ownership transferred but it requires an act of legislation at the State level and is a lengthy process.
Tree Commission – Lanie Groff recommended David Jones to serve on the Tree Commission. After discussion, Trustee Terwilliger made a motion to appoint David Jones to the Tree Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
TRANSFERS:
Treasurer Matthews requested the following transfers:
$10,000
To: A3120.2 Police – Equipment
From: A9950.906 Cap Res. – Reconstruction or Acqu. Land/Bld.
$2,750
To: A3120.2 Police – Equipment
From: A9950.905 Cap Res. – Police Equipment
$500
To: A7550.4 Celebrations
From: A7110.4 Park – Contractual Exp.
Trustee Rudd made a motion to approve the Transfers as requested by Treasurer Matthews. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
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 $ 155,655.00, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 4,603.79, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 192.04 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Terwilliger, and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert reported that the following Resolution would need to be adopted and submitted with our upcoming DOT TAP application:
RESOLUTION # 15 OF 2023
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
2023 NYSDOT TAP-CMAQ-CRP FUNDING APPLICATION
WHEREAS, a Notice of Funding Availability for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) been made available by the NYS Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Northville seeks to advance its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, Comprehensive Plan and Hamlet Economic Development Plan by constructing safe and accessible pedestrian and bicycle access to the Great Sacandaga and Hunter Lake waterfront area; and
WHEREAS, the Hunter Creek Dam Multi-Use Trail Project is identified as the top priority by the community in the Village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program; and
WHEREAS, design for this project is currently in progress utilizing a previous secured NYS DOS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grant; and
WHEREAS, the recent announcement of the NYSDOT TAP-CMAQ-CRP Grant Program provides $165 million in funding to support bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path and transportation-related projects and programs that support the goals of New York’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA); and
WHEREAS, the NYSDOT TAP Grant Program provides funds a variety of transportation related projects which increase options for non-vehicular transportation including: planning, design and construction of on-road and off-road facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and non-motorized transportation users; and
WHEREAS, NYSDOT will provide up to 80% of the total eligible project costs with a 20% match provided by the Village; and
WHEREAS, this project will leverage and enhance the on-going NYS DOS LWRP planning and funds, and NYS DOT BridgeNY grant already secured by the Town of Northampton; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project is supported by the local community, volunteer groups, and partner agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Northville Board of Trustees fully supports the proposed projects included in the funding application;
NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
Mayor Sue Eckert, as Mayor of the Village of Northville, is hereby authorized and directed to file an application for funds to the New York State Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) with a Village cash matching share of $ $487,660; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorized to act on behalf of the Village of Northville Board in all matters related to this financial assistance, and upon approval of the said request, to enter into and execute a state assistance contract for such financial assistance. The attached Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Resolution #15 of 2023 as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Terwilliger and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert reported that Village resident, Blanche Drapun expressed interest in serving on the Planning Board. After discussion, Trustee Rudd made a motion to appoint Blanche Drapun to the Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert stated that she met with members of the Rotary Foundation recently and they have expressed a desire to do something for the community. She stated that one of their ideas was a handicapped kayak launch on the Little Lake. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated he felt the best area for that would be across from Skiff Road where the embankment is eroding. He had an idea for making that into a sloped area with retaining blocks. The Clerk indicated she has reached out to a floating dock company for quotes. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to proceed with filling out an application through the Rotary Foundation for a grant for kayak launch on the Little Lake. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
At 7:40 p.m., Trustee Rudd made a motion to close the Public Hearing on Local Law #4 of 2023. The motion was seconded by Trustee Terwilliger and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Trustee Rudd made a motion to adopt Local Law # 4 of 2023 as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Rudd and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
