June 15, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday June 15, 2021
The Village Board met Tuesday, June 15, 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, Annette Fry, Molly Zullo, Dan Singer
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 May 18, 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 – Annette Fry address the Board with questions about the beach.
She stated she noticed that the gate was unlocked yet there are no porta johns at the beach. She asked when facilities would be brought down to the beach. Mayor Spaeth stated that as the beach is legally closed, with appropriate signage indicating that, the municipality cannot provide any services there. He stated that there have been numerous meetings of the Joint Youth Commission and the Board over the last several months to decide how to handle the situation at the beach. Trustee Sedon stated that part of the issue was that in May, our area was still under Covid restrictions from the NYS which required higher staffing levels and other Covid protocol. She also indicated that the application period for the NYS permit to operate the beach had a deadline of May as well. Mayor Spaeth stated that last year, the gates were locked at the beach and people were parking illegally on Route 30 which created a hazard. He also stated that the FCSO and SP were not ticketing these individuals that were illegally parked. Mayor Spaeth stated that many options were explored and, in the end, it was determined that closing the beach but leaving the gate open was the best decision for this season. Molly Zullo said that people were asking for another garbage can closer to the Bridge side of the beach. DPW Superintendent Reidell stated there were already two cans located at the beach area and that the majority of people that are bringing items in are not accessing from the bridge side. Trustee Eckert stated that the Commission decided that if garbage
became an issue down there, the gates would be shut.
Molly Zullo, organizer of the volleyball league, addressed the Board with a request to extend a “catching net” along the Village property in the Waterfront Park that borders the Timeless Tavern property where the volleyball court is located. She indicated they have a net
along the Timeless property that extends up a few feet to prevent balls from going over the embankment but sometimes balls fly over by the property line and end up going over. She stated that many times, she has had to go over the embankment and as the area is not maintained, it presents a hazard when retrieving balls. She stated they did not want to put up a permanent structure but proposed putting up some type of 4X 10 post, leaning against the fence, to hold the section of net. She stated that she was not the brains behind the idea and not sure how they were going to secure it but that the general idea was that it would not be permanent. Treasurer Matthews stated that he had concerns about anyone crossing over the fence in the Waterfront Park as there is a steep embankment there and the purpose of the fence is to prevent people from getting injured. He also stated that from a liability standpoint, any post that was put on Village property would need to be set into the ground securely. He indicated he had a meeting already scheduled with Mang Insurance in the morning, on another matter, and would review it with Bill VanGorder. DPW Superintendent Reidell stated that he felt it needed to be done securely as well and asked that it be taken down at the end of the season. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to allow the volleyball league to securely install a post on Village property in the Waterfront Park to extend the “catching net”. 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
Dan Singer did not request to address the Board. He took pictures and left before the Public Access session ended.
As no other members of the Public asked to address the Board, the initial Public Access session was closed at 7: 15 p. m.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – No report
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office. DPW Supervisor Reidell reported that he assisted Jamie Dickenson’s Earth Science class with installation of drain covers that they designed. He stated that the covers are on drains that go into the lake and have a QR code on them that will allow people to learn how littering affects the lake and surrounding areas.
Dan reported that one person applied for the summer help positions and the hiring process has started.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 2,286,700 gallons in May 2020 to 2,809,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
It was reported that meter reading of the new radio read meters with the MRX is working very well.
Mayor Spaeth reported that, as directed by the Board last month, letters were mailed to the water customers who have not had their radio read meters installed and a deadline for completion by September 30, 2021 was given to those customers.
Code Enforcement- Mayor Spaeth reported that the legislation to open the residency requirement to abutting counties for appointed positions has been sent to Gov. Cuomo for his
signature. He stated that Dan submitted his application for training and is waiting for scheduling.
Mayor Spaeth reported that a complaint had been received from an individual regarding the condition of the old hotel on Main Street. The complaint stated that windows were broken in the back of the building and animals were going in and out of the building. The individual reported that she has a bad mouse issue at her property which abuts the old hotel property and she attributes it to the disrepair of the building. Mayor Spaeth stated he was turning the complaint over to the Code Officer and it is expected that a structural inspection of the building will follow.
Dog Control – No report.
Joint Youth – No report.
LWRP- Mayor Spaeth reported he will be following up this week to assure that we will be in position to apply for spillway walkway and engineering study for dredging in the next round of CF A applications.
Park Use Requests – The Clerk reported that Troop 55 will be using the Waterfront Park on June 16th for their Flag Day Ceremony.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of$ 62,703.19, from the Water Fund in the amount of$ 4,840.72, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of$ 598.60 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedan and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS
Trustee Sedan 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 Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve Annual Financial Report for Joint Youth Commission for the purpose of Audit. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedan and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth discussed the Village’s Third Street parcel with the Board. He stated that currently, our area is experiencing a seller’s market, and as the Board hasn’t discussed the property in several months, he didn’t want to miss out on a potential opportunity. He
stated he is not looking for an answer about what to do with the property at this time but he felt it would be wise to get an appraisal of the property if the Board should choose to sell it in the near future. Trustee Eckert asked when it was last appraised and how much it would cost. Mayor Spaeth stated it was appraised over 5 years ago, but at the time, it was appraised as a commercial property as we were still actively using it as such at the time. Now that commercial use has not been occurring at the parcel, he would like to have it appraised as residential, specifically breaking it into two lots. He stated the cost of the appraisal was$ 200.00. He noted that DPW Superintendent Reidell is using it as a place to deposit sand and mulch for residents to use but recently neighbors have been depositing yard waste on the parcel as well. It was also noted that a complaint was received from an abutting neighbor about the weed growth on the parcel. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to obtain an appraisal on the Third Street property. 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
Mayor Spaeth reported that Fulmont Community Action is currently housed at the old Beacon Insurance building at 511 Bridge Street. He indicated that the Village currently pays$ 350.00/month toward their rent at the building. Mayor Spaeth stated that it has recently come to our attention that Fulmont is no longer in the Village five days a week as they were when we first entered into the rental contract. He stated that they have scaled down their services and are only in the Village one day every two weeks. The Board felt that the amount of time they are providing services in the Village does not warrant the amount of rent the Village is assisting them with. Trustee Sedon asked if we can give them notice. Treasurer Matthews stated there was a standard contract drafted with them and typically 90 days notice can be given. The Clerk reported that an individual was looking at purchasing the property and was very interested in making it a single-family home. Mayor Spaeth suggested tabling the subject to see if the sale goes through and to revisit the subject next month to determine if we need to give notice, to which the Board agreed.
NEW BUSINESS:
A request was received from the Fireman’s Association to conduct their annual coin drop on Saturday, July 3rd. Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve the Fireman’s Association coin drop. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedan and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth presented the proposed Planning Services Agreement between Fulton County and the Village. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to renew the contract for 2022 in the amount of$ 400.00 for Planning Services. 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 presented a request from the Rotary to provide police coverage, port-ajohns, barricades, cones, and garbage cans for the Woodworking Weekend, July 16th through July 18th Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the Rotary request for Woodworking Weekend. 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 the Rotary was also requesting to use the Village Green on July 3rd to sell tickets to the chicken BBQ along with placing a sandwich board sign on the green for the Woodworking Weekend. Trustee Sedan made a motion to approve the use of the Village Green by the Rotary on July 3rd. 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
Trustee Sedon reported she received emails from a couple of residents with a few concerns they had of issues they noticed around the Village. The first one was the eating area at the Five and Dine that obstructs part of the sidewalk. It was felt by the individual that the sidewalk slants where the one table is located, near an existing telephone pole, that creates an issue for people with wheelchairs or pushing strollers from getting through safely. Mayor Spaeth stated that the only difference between the area of sidewalk being taken up by the Five and Dine outdoor seating versus the Timeless area is the dip in the sidewalk near the Five and Dine. He stated it was in their business plan to have outdoor seating. Trustee Eckert stated that we let restaurants set up on the sidewalks during the Covid restrictions when indoor dining wasn’t allowed, but just because it is in their business plan, it doesn’t mean they can create a safety concern. Trustee Sedon stated there are options the owner has, such as fixing the sidewalk, putting a smaller table in that area by the telephone pole or configuring the tables differently to create more space for pedestrians. After discussion, Mayor Spaeth stated he would talk with Brian Correll.
Another issue that was brought up by residents was cars parking on the sidewalks and sandwich boards obstructing sidewalks. One area of concern was Main Street Auto. Mayor Spaeth stated that they have been very good about trying to keep the sidewalk area free of vehicles but when they get busy, customers seem to park wherever is open. It was suggested that DPW Superintendent Rei dell stripe the area of the sidewalk by the garage to provide a reminder for customers who are dropping off vehicles. Trustee Eckert stated that it is not just that area where cars are parking on the sidewalk, it is all over the Village. She stated that tickets need to be given out to all vehicles that are parking on the sidewalk or parking illegally. Mayor Spaeth stated he had no problem with making that a priority and that he would talk with Officer VanNostrand.
Another issue brought up again by a resident was the intersection of Main and Bridge and their feelings that it needed a three way stop sign. This issue has been brought up before and each time it was discussed, it was determined that there have not been major traffic concerns at that intersection and putting up three way stop signs at the intersection would create many unintended traffic concerns.
Mayor Spaeth reported to the Board that they will need to begin reviewing our current Zoning to prepare for allowing the sale of marijuana in the Village once the NYS law allows. He stated we would specifically look at controlling traffic, parking, atmosphere and areas allowed to sell. He stated the law is set to take effect in 2022 but as Zoning amendments are subject to Local Law, there is minimum of a 90-day process that needs to be followed for the amendment.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Molly Zullo suggested to the Board that they consider hanging white lights in the Village’s commercial district to enhance the ambiance. DPW Superintendent Reidell stated that permission would need to be obtained from National Grid, similar to the Christmas lights that were put up, and voiced concerns about the cost if it was even possible to put the lights up. Mayor Spaeth stated that he felt it would be very difficult due to the configuration of the pole in the Village. He suggested solar lights. After discussion, DPW Superintendent Reidell was directed to review availability of solar lights for discussion at the next meeting.
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 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
