July 20, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday July 20, 2021
The Village Board met Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Sue Eckert, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Absent: Steve Collins, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Dan Reidell, Highway Superintendent
Public Attendance: Mike Warner, Assemblyman Smullen
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 June 15, 2021 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Assemblyman Robert Smullen reported to the Board that legislation was completed that would allow the Village of Northville to hire outside of its boundaries for certain appointed positions. The Board thanked the Assemblyman for his work on behalf of the municipality.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – No report. Mayor Spaeth reported that he has spoken with Officer VanNostrand and he is willing to take on the task of doing monthly reports if Chief VanValkenburg was agreeable.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office. DPW Superintendent Reidell gave an update on the park bandshell. Mayor Spaeth stated that there have been numerous cases of vandalism in the bandshell and he and Dan have been discussing methods for closing it off when not in use. DPW Superintendent Reidell stated that he spoke with Sienna Fence about a quote for a chain link gate that swings into the bandshell. He indicated it would take 4-6 weeks for delivery and cost $ 2,000.00 for us to install it. He indicated we could put plastic slats in the fencing, similar to what the school has, if we wanted to. Trustee Eckert asked if when the lighting upgrade was done, that better cameras could be installed in the park to help identify individuals attempting to cause damage. Mayor Spaeth stated that we will be installing better cameras in the park. Mayor Spaeth stated that we would also speak with Matt Ginter and see if he could construct us something sturdy, out of wood, that would have doors that fold out. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approach Matt Ginter to see if wooden doors would be could be done for a comparable cost and if not, proceed with a chain link fence with slats. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
DPW Superintendent Reidell also discussed putting concrete pillars around the wood pillars to protect them from wear. He stated that researching this, he also explored putting a crescent shaped pad in front of the bandshell. He reported an estimate of $ 2,100.00 for a stamped concrete pad in front of the bandshell. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the stamped concrete pad in front of the bandshell in addition to the concrete pillars. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth stated that financially, we have $ 30,000.00 in the contingency budget to cover the costs of improvements in the park. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to transfer $ 6,000.00 from A1990.4-Contingent to A7110.403-Parks Contractual to cover the cost of doors and concrete for the bandshell. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
DPW Superintendent Reidell reported that he is still trying to work out the details of commercial garbage pickup. He indicated he is getting quotes and that a roll off is the best way to go but Hope has been having trouble with their truck so that has halted the process moving forward.
Mayor Spaeth reported that Jason Baker is now getting a 50-cent stipend for having earned his Class D water license.
Mayor Spaeth informed the Board that a pay rate needed to be established for the summer hire position. He stated the current position is set at minimum wage but the suggested wage was $ 13.00 and he requested it be retroactive as the person is working already. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to make the pay rate $ 13.00/hour for the summer hire position and that it be retroactive to the start date of the individual. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 3,704,000 gallons in June 2020 to 3,446,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Trustee Sedon reported she and Trustee Markiewicz had a very productive water meeting with Treasurer Matthews and Darryl. She indicated they are creating a plan for the future when crucial things have to occur, such as valve and water line replacements. Mayor Spaeth stated that when reviewing the water rates, it is important to take into consideration the improvements and maintenance that will need to be made in the future for the system to continue to supply quality water. Treasurer Matthews stated it was recommended to review water rates every three years.
Trustee Sedon reported there are 10 customers left that have yet to change over to radio read meters.
Code Enforcement- Mayor Spaeth stated that, as we now have the ability to hire from an abutting county for the position of Code Enforcement Officer, he was requesting a motion to formally hire Dan Reidell at an annual stipend of $ 10,000.00. Trustee Eckert made a motion to hire Dan Reidell for the position of Code Enforcement Officer at an annual stipend of $ 10,000.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Dog Control – No report.
Joint Youth – No report.
LWRP- Mayor Spaeth presented Resolution # 9 of 2021 CFA Pedestrian Way and Resolution # 10 of 2021 CFA Dredging Study for the Board to review. He stated no action was needed at the meeting today on these resolutions. He indicated we were waiting to hear back from Elan with the dollar values and the completed resolutions would be presented for approval at the August meeting. Mayor Spaeth stated that he has spoken with John Callahan at HRBRRD and they will not able to deed the spillway area over to us as they originally thought. He did say that HRBRRD will sign a waiver of jurisdiction which will indicate that they will not have to approve any actions we take there.
Park Use Requests – None
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 34,315.24, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 6,662.21, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 2092.18 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 Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Annual Financial Report for Village. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve Annual Financial Report for Joint Youth Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported that review was made of the contract between Fulmont and the Village of Northville to provide $ 350.00/month for rent assistance and there is a 90 day out clause that we can enact. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to inform Fulmont that due to the reduction of service hours in the Village, we are giving 90-day notice of termination of the contract. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Mayor Spaeth presented the proposed PILOT agreement with Fulton County Community Heritage Corp. for the Board’s consideration. After review, Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve the PILOT agreement with Fulton County Community Heritage Corp. as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Mayor Spaeth stated that PILOT money is money that comes to the Village. He indicated that it will not be a large sum of money but asked if the Board would want to share the money with the Town and School. He suggested that it could be pro-rated based on the percentage of tax that they would normally get. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to. and share a pro-rated amount with the Town of Northampton and Northville Central School. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
NEW BUSINESS:
NCS presented a request to conduct their annual Halloween Parade on Friday, October 29th and indicated they would like the PD to lead the parade along their normal route. Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the PD to lead the NCS Halloween Parade as requested. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Mayor Spaeth reported that the Federal government passed legislation in June to observe Juneteenth, June 19th, as a federal holiday. He indicated that the first observation of the holiday was this past June 18th as the holiday fell on a Saturday. He stated that several employees took part of the day off and used their own time. He asked the Board if they wanted to add Juneteenth to the list of observed holidays and requested that it be made retroactive to this past June so employees time, taken or worked, could be used as comp time. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion for the Village to observe Juneteenth as a holiday and to retroactively credit individuals comp time if they worked or used personal time on June 18, 2021. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Mayor Spaeth reported that he and Trustee Collins have talked with Officer VanNostrand about enforcing the parking issues around the Village. He indicated that last month, multiple complaints were received.
Mayor Spaeth stated that the Correll’s have been away and he has not had a chance to address the complaint regarding the tables near the telephone pole creating a hazard for pedestrians. Mayor Spaeth did report that there have been some strains on the Five and Dine business and that the business is for sale. Mayor Spaeth reported to the Board that there is a five-year commitment for the Anchor Project Grant that was utilized for development of that business and that he would keep the Board informed of further developments with the property.
Trustee Eckert stated that the sidewalk issue in the area of the Main Street businesses is compounded by sandwich board signs and the tables too close to the telephone pole. She also stated that the parking issues are all across the Village, not just in the Main Street area.
Trustee Eckert stated that debris is falling on the sidewalk from the old hotel on Main Street. Mayor Spaeth reported that a complaint had been received from a neighbor and was given to Todd. Dan indicated he would be speaking with Todd about it tomorrow.
Mayor Spaeth reported that correspondence was received from a resident asking that the cross walks be painted and if the crosswalk signs could be put out in the street at Bridge and Main. DPW Superintendent Reidell stated that the painting was scheduled for tomorrow. He stated that they needed a dry day for painting. He also indicated that he has been unable to get paint, as there is a shortage nationwide, but he would paint what he could with the paint they had left from last season. DPW Superintendent Reidell stated that as for the crosswalk signs, he is exploring other signs to replace the ones that were put in the street previous years. He stated that signs were continually being hit by traffic when they were placed in the street.
Mayor Spaeth stated the same resident expressed concern about the Water Street intersection. Mayor Spaeth stated we have talked about doing a traffic study in the commercial area. He indicated the data would support, one way or another, how to deal with the area and will help us with addressing concerns voiced by residents.
Mayor Spaeth stated a letter of appreciation to DPW Superintendent Reidell and his crew for the curbing on South First Street was received from the Ingalls family.
Mayor Spaeth reported that CRG approached the Village about participating and supporting their funding application entitled “Implementing a Strong Towns Approach toward Placemaking in Upstate NY” for the USDA Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge. He stated that the CRG is working with five communities who would commit to furnishing assistance to FFCRG and MVEDD to research community projects that would fall under projects that fit this placemaking scope for future grant funding. Mayor Spaeth stated that a project such as expansion of the beach area out on Route 30 might fit for this Placemaking Challenge. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve entering into the Placemaking Innovation Challenge with CRG. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
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 Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
