February 15, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
The Village Board met Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Steve Collins, Trustee
Sue Eckert, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Absent:
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Dan Reidell, Highway Superintendent
Public Attendance: Ken Adamczyk, Tom Spencer, Heidi Darling, Dianne Knapp, Cindy Close, Peggy Elmendorf, Dan Reidell, Thomas Stallmer, Todd Stallmer, Kathy Terwilliger, Janet Rudd
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of the January 18, 2022 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC ACCESS: Tom Spencer, along with Heidi Darling, representing the Civic Association requested permission to do fireworks on July 2nd and asked for funding assistance. Trustee Collins asked what kind of funds they were looking for. Mr. Spencer stated that fireworks usually cost $ 5000.00 and, in the past, the Town, Village, Fireman and Civic Association have contributed. Treasurer Matthews stated that this was the perfect time to put in requests for funding as we are in the budget process. After discussion, Trustee Collins made a motion to approve the request and contribute $ 1500.00 toward fireworks on July 2nd. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Thomas Stallmer, from Scout Troop 55, addressed the Board regarding his proposed Eagle Scout project. He stated he would like to construct an announcement board for SVAN in the Waterfront Park. He indicated SVAN would be maintaining the Board, the placement of which would be to the right side of the sidewalk at the entrance to the park. Scout Stallmer presented the Board with draft designs of his project. He stated the sign would have the SVAN logo and the Boy Scout logo, would have wood trim with a locking door, cork board interior and a decorative stained glass art piece at the top. Trustee Sedon stated she loved the design. Mayor Spaeth stated there are concerns of the design element using the stained glass. He stated while he loves stained glass, he had concerns that it would be vandalized and broken. He asked if there was some way to protect it. Mayor Spaeth also asked what SVAN meant when they say they will maintain it. He asked if the maintenance included repair from damage or maintaining the materials in the sign board. Dianne Knapp, a member of SVAN in attendance, stated that upkeep of the project was a concern for SVAN. Ken Adamczyk, Joint Youth Director, asked if use of the signboard could be expanded for advertisement of movie night. Trustee Collins explained previous Eagle Scout projects to the public present. He stated that after a year, the maintenance of a project on municipal property becomes the responsibility of the Village. Mayor Spaeth stated that, as a Board, should we choose to accept the project and go forward with it, we have to be responsible for it after a year. There were some concerns addressed regarding where in the park the sign should be placed if it was approved. DPW Superintendent Reidell stated he felt that if the sign was only to be used by SVAN, it should be maintained by SVAN. Ms. Knapp stated that SVAN is a benefactor of the project. Discussion ensued and it was determined that the sign could be used for advertising other park events and additional benefactors could be the Village and any other not for profit hosting events in the park. It was also reported that the sign would not say SVAN but would only have its logo. Mayor Spaeth summarized by stating that for the Village to accept the project the following conditions must be met:
The stained glass needs to be protected with plexiglass
SVAN will maintain their content in the sign board
Sign will just have SVAN logo
Sign will be used to advertise events held in the park by any not for profit
Village to maintain the project
After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the proposed Eagle Scout project of Thomas Stallmer with the conditions set by the Board and location of placement to be determined at a later date. 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
Cindy Close, representing the Garden Club updated the Board on their plan moving forward with planting daffodils in the Village. She stated they are reaching out to homeowners in the Bridge Street area and asking if they would like to have daffodils planted in their terraces. She stated she also contacted Janet Rudd about planting in the Blue Star area on South Main Street. She stated the group would like to plant some on the Village green as well. Mayor Spaeth asked if their plan was to cover the terrace areas completely and it was indicated that they would be planting in small clumps and not covering the entire terrace if a homeowner requests to participate. Mayor Spaeth asked about their plan for the Village green. Ms. Close stated they would not cover the entire area but they would like to border the edge of the Village green. Mayor Spaeth stated concern had been voiced about the effect to the plants from road salt on the terrace and Mrs. Close indicated it would not damage them. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to allow the garden club to plant daffodils on the Village green and to go forth with their plan to plant on terrace areas in the Village with property owner permission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – Trustee Collins reported that trip logs were filed. He stated the Commissioners will be meeting with Supervisor Groff to further explore expanding the police force into the Town.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 2,141,000 gallons in January 2021 to 1,747,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal. The annual water usage report for HRBRRD was provided.
It was reported that there were two meters left in the Village that had not yet been converted to radio read meters.
Trustee Sedon reported that she and Trustee Markiewicz are having a water meeting in March with Treasurer Matthews and Darryl to develop a plan moving forward.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer is working on completing the annual report.
Dog Control – The Dog Control Officer reported 1 call in January, the report is on file with the Clerk.
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported that at their February meeting, Bob and Sam Ellsworth presented the Town and Village with an AED to be used for summer camp. They also donated two dog waste stations to the municipalities.
Trustee Sedon stated the Easter egg hunt was scheduled for April 16th and they are looking at doing an after prom event at the school on May 21st. Trustee Eckert stated that they discussed budget for the upcoming year and will be looking at hiring an assistant director to oversee the camp portion for the 5 week program. Trustee Eckert stated that Molly Zullo, Town Councilman, was named Chairperson for the upcoming year.
Park Use Requests – The Clerk reported she approved two uses of the park:
March 5th – Cub Scouts for snow sculpture
April 23rd – Melissa Cartier wedding ceremony at 4 p.m.
An application was received from Don Wood/Northville Fireman’s Association for use of the Waterfront Park on May 15th for the Great Sacandaga Half Marathon. It was reported that event was approved at the previous meeting pending receipt of the application. No further action needed.
An application was received from SVAN to conduct their SVAN Arts Jubilee in the Waterfront Park on Saturday, September 17, 2022. After review, Trustee Collins made a motion to approve the use of the Waterfront Park by SVAN on September 17, 2022. 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
Marketing – Trustee Markiewicz reported the and Trustee Sedon met last week with Ken Adamczyk of CRG. They established priorities in the proposal that they felt needed to be implemented sooner as opposed to later. Trustee Sedon stated that biggest discussion centered around whether we want to hire a marketing coordinator. She stated the plan was to update the website in a format that will still be user friendly for staff to update information. Mayor Spaeth discussed the responsibility of the marketing director. He stated he anticipated we were looking at a salary between $ 14,000.00 and $ 15,000.00 for the position. Trustee Eckert voiced concern about making sure we have deliverables on what is expected from the position. Mayor Spaeth stated that CRG has provided us with their marketing strategy proposal and it is up to us whether we accept or reject the strategy. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to accept the marketing strategy proposal created by CRG and use it as a guide moving forward. 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
Tree Commission – No report
LWRP- Mayor Spaeth reported that the advisory committee would be getting together shortly and working on final approval for formal submission to the State.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 63,073.88, and from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 6,419.17, 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 skating rink. He indicated that two years ago, we approved buying the materials but then COVID hit and the plan was delayed. DPW Superintendent Reidell asked if the intent was to still move forward with the project. The Board agreed to move forward and the rink material would be purchased and stored for use next winter.
Mayor Spaeth gave a grant update on the lighting project. He stated there is no start date as right now they are experiencing labor relations issues but he anticipated work to begin by soon.
Mayor Spaeth reported to the Board that we are still looking for IT support. He stated we had found a new person but have been having the same problems with getting work done. He stated he has contacted the County to see if shared IT services could be arranged through them.
Mayor Spaeth reported that we are moving forward with updating cameras in the park and a walk through with the camera provider is set for March 14th.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported he has been meeting with Trustee Eckert and Treasurer Matthews and working on the proposed budget for the upcoming year. He stated that a budget workshop would be conducted on Monday, March 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Spaeth informed the Board that Village Elections would be conducted on Tuesday, March 15th from noon to 9 p.m. Due to the upcoming elections, the March meeting of the Board of Trustees is moved to the following Tuesday, March 22nd at 7 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There was no further comment from the Public.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Eckert, seconded by Trustee Sedon and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
