January 16, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
The Village Board met Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Janet Rudd, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Public Attendance –Mike Warner
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 December 19, 2023, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
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 85 calls were handled by the NPD during December.
Treasurer Matthews reported that Chief Richardson was looking into implementing the SOFOS Red system that would assist the PD to communicate easier with the County server. It was explained it would assist with real time information quicker and make the department more efficient. Treasurer Matthews indicated the cost of the program was $ 1800.00 for the implementation fee and an annual maintenance charge after that. After discussion, Trustee Terwilliger made a motion to approve implementing the SOFOS Red system and to transfer $ 2,000.00 from Contingent A1990.4 to Police Contractual A3120.4. for the program. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office. It was noted on the report that the skating rink is up in the park and just waiting for colder temperatures to make the ice.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 2,240,000 gallons in December 2022 to 2,407,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
It was noted in the report that the water tank telemetry unit, which communicates with the wellhouse via telephone line, failed. Darryl reported that he contacted CT Male, who put him in touch with Avanti Control Systems. They determined the Foxburo pressure transmitting unit had failed and it was replaced with an Endress Hauser unit and programmed. Treasurer Matthews indicated that the failure of transmitting unit constituted an emergency purchase.
Code Enforcement- No report
Dog Control – No report issued.
Joint Youth – Trustee Rudd reported they will be having a meeting at the end of January.
Park Use Requests – None.
Marketing – The Clerk reported that she is in full swing of organizing the 2024 events for the Village. She continues to work with Fulton County to coordinate the Trails Day/100th Anniversary of the NPT event which will be held May 31st through June 2nd. The clerk indicated she is also actively working on the DOINS events as well.
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 – No report.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 45,917.26, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 11,198.00, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 136.36 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
The Clerk reported that the proposed cannabis zoning amendments were under review by the Village attorney.
Mayor Eckert gave an update on the Rotary Foundation Grant and indicated that we are getting quotes for a kayak docking system.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert reported that Village resident, Brenda Rager expressed interest in serving on the Zoning Board. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to appoint Brenda Rager to the Zoning Board. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert reported a letter was received from the owner of the property located at 122 Bridge Street. The property owner indicated he would not be clearing the sidewalk on the First Street side of his building as the snow slides from the roof directly onto the sidewalk and over the years, he has closed this section of sidewalk during the winter as he deemed it a safety hazard. Mayor Eckert reported that she sent the letter to the Village Attorney for his review. She indicated the Attorney indicated the property owner could put up a sign on his sidewalk but that does not exempt him from complying with the sidewalk law. Mayor Eckert stated that the Attorney indicated it was up to the Village if they want to selective enforce this new portion of the law, but he cautioned about establishing a precedent and stressed that all property owners are responsible for maintaining their property, which includes the buildings on their property, from creating a hazard. Trustee Terwilliger stated there are remedies that this property owner can do to prevent the snow from sliding off, such as diverters and heat tape. Trustee Sedon stated that the Board decided to make the changes in the zoning code, and it should be enforced. Mayor Eckert stated that she has always maintained that the laws need to be enforced the same against everyone. After continued discussion, the Board unanimously agreed that there would be no exception for this property owner and he is responsible for keeping that section of sidewalk open and clear through the winter months as addressed in the sidewalk law. Mayor Eckert stated she would contact the property owner.
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 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
