July 21, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
The Village Board met Tuesday, July 21, 2020 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
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2020 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 COMMENTS – Mayor Spaeth reported that prior to the meeting, it was advertised that the Board would take public comment via phone calls or emails between 7:00 and 7:20 p.m. During that period, no communication from the public arrived.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – Mayor Spaeth reported that FCSD is getting organized to do a review of their policy and Chief VanValkenburg will update us during the process.
Streets – The DPW report was read by Trustee Eckert and is on file at the Clerk’s office. Crosswalks and no parking lines were painted.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that we have excess of millings that have been available to Village residents at no cost. He stated that a resident asked if they could obtain some to be used at a secondary residence outside the Village. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed that any Village taxpayer could use the millings at any property they own.
Highway Superintendent Reidell asked the Board to consider developing a plan with surrounding municipal Boards to provide assistance in case there is a second wave or period of quarantine due to Covid during the winter. He stated that any municipality could be affected at any time and be down a worker or more if there is a need for quarantine. He stated we already have a shared services agreement with the Town but he would like the Board to explore one with Benson, Hope, and Edinburg. He stated that the Highway Superintendents have been discussing it amongst themselves but would need official agreements, insurance and other approvals to make it happen. He stated now was the time to start looking into that. Mayor Spaeth stated that we might have to look at paying for that service if the surrounding Boards do not want to enter into an agreement of that nature. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated that an outside contractor might be considered as well. He also indicated that Mike Warner is retiring at the end of October and perhaps Mike could be brought in per diem if the situation warranted.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 3,265,000 gallons in June 2019 to 3,704,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Mayor Spaeth addressed a water leak at the Senior housing facility with the Board. He indicated that 170,000 gallons had leaked into the units over a weekend approximately two weeks ago. It was reported that the meter, supplied by the Village, was installed by the contractor’s plumber. He stated that each meter has three gaskets, one in the meter and two in the horn. Mayor Spaeth stated that one of the gaskets blew and that seven of the eight units sustained damage. Mayor Spaeth reported that there was approximately $ 30,000.00 in damages. Mayor Spaeth reiterated that the Village did not install the meter. He did state that Water Supervisor Darryl Roosa supplied the new radio read meter head but the casings that he supplied were new but bought in 2002. Mayor Spaeth stated it appears that a gasket dried out and failed but he maintained that the plumber should have known that the gasket was bad. Mayor Spaeth stated that Community Heritage would be turning a claim into their insurance, but it would more than likely come back onto the Village.
Fire – Fire Department Report for June 2020
| Village of Northville (6) | Alarm Activation 3
Hazardous Condition 1 EMS Assist 1 Stand By Station 1
|
| Town of Northampton (5) | Brush Fire 1
Cancelation 1 Alarm Activation 1 Hazardous Condition 2 |
| Town of Edinburg (2) | Landing Zone 1
Standby 1 |
| Town of Hope (5) | Brush Fire 1
Hazardous Conditions 1 MVA 1 EMS Assist 1 |
| Town of Benson (0) | |
| Mutual Aid Given (7)
Mutual Aid Received (3) |
Total Man-hours reported were – not reported
Code Enforcement- No report
Dog Control – No Report
Joint Youth – JY Director Ken Adamczyk was present at the meeting. Mayor Spaeth stated that the Board had received two emails regarding the beach and the gate being closed. He stated that neither party was pushing to officially open the beach, they just expressed concern that the gate as locked. Mayor Spaeth indicated that he has spoken with both parties and they understand why the beach access is not opened. Ken reported that he received an email from a Mr. Almy who was concerned about the amount of parking on Route 30 near the beach and that the beach either needed to be opened for parking or the Village needed to enforce the law and address the parking on the highway issue. Mayor Spaeth stated that as Route 30 is outside the Village limits, it is up to the State Police or Fulton County Sheriff’s Department to write tickets for those vehicles illegally parked on Route 30. Mayor Spaeth indicated that he, as Mayor, Supervisor Groff, and JY Commission Chair Bill Gritsavage have spoken about the issue and that they are all on the same page with the beach issue. It is a Joint Youth decision and they have decided to leave the gate closed. Mayor Spaeth stated that before the season started, Ken did the research on what would be involved in officially opening the beach, which was above what was required in previous seasons. In addition to that, at the time the beach would have been scheduled to open, our region was still under the directive of no gatherings over 10 or more people and the further order that no person shall encourage any gathering that would violate that directive. Mayor Spaeth indicated that there has been communication with both the SP and FCSD and neither agency is enforcing the issue of parking. Trustee Sedon stated that if JY opened the beach, they would have to hire additional staff to monitor gathering size, social distancing and wearing of masks. Mayor Spaeth stated that we are not doing anything different than three other beaches in the area; Galway, Mayfield, and Broadalbin, all of which have their gates closed as well for the same reason. Trustee Eckert stated there seems to be a problem with boats at the beach area this year. Mayor Spaeth stated that a couple of buoys have been placed out in the water recently and hopefully that will deter the boats.
LWRP- Mayor Spaeth stated he had another phone meeting with the State and Elan Planning regarding moving the plan forward. He stated they hope to have a public session via Zoom in September. Mayor Spaeth reported that the goal was to get something to the State by December and to begin looking for grant funding in the next round.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 600,398.87, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 83,033.35, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 9,029.21 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Collins, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS
Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve Annual Financial Report for Village for the purpose of Audit. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Annual Financial Report for Joint Youth Commission for the purpose of Audit. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth gave an update on the cell tower buyout. He indicated that the last communication with SBA had addressed all our major concerns and as such, he has signed off on the buyout form. He stated the anticipated finalization of the buyout would occur in early 2021.
It was reported that the Ring of Fire 5K and the Block Party were both cancelled by their respective organizers.
Mayor Spaeth presented the sample meeting agenda process form for the Board’s consideration. After discussion, Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve the new meeting agenda process. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that Zoning training for Planning and Zoning Board members would be conducted on Monday, July 27th.
Mayor Spaeth reported that NCS was still interested in the Village Clerk collecting in person school tax payments this year. He stated that currently, residents are coming into the office to make in person tax and water payments and he did not think the additional traffic from school tax customers would create an issue. The Board agreed. Trustee Collins asked when the Clerk would be moving back to her office and it was noted that plans were in place to make the transition in early August.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from Office for Aging for $ 500 contribution toward Senior Meals for 2020. Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve the Office for Aging meal contribution request. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that with the LWRP getting near completion, three major projects have been identified: spillway walkway, dredging of Little Lake, and linear park along Water Street. He stated that dredging will be the longest process. Mayor Spaeth reported he has a meeting scheduled with HRBRRD, DEC, Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the process and regulations for dredging. He stated that HRBRRD is the permit issuing agency, but it would be based on recommendations from the other agencies. Mayor Spaeth stated that we cannot lessen the volume of the lake. He indicated that if we put fill in, such as in the areas that we want to develop, it lessens the volume but by taking material out in other areas, it evens out. He indicated he would keep the Board informed as the situation progresses.
At 8:21 p.m., Mayor Spaeth made a motion to enter Execution Session to discuss a Personnel issue-Employment History. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
At 8:43 p.m., Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to adjourn Executive Session and resume Regular Session. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Trustee Eckert made a motion to terminate the employment of a Village employee effective August 11, 2020. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follow:
Aye: Mayor Spaeth, Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Collins and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
