June 18, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
The Village Board met Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 6:45 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Dan Reidell, Superintendent of Public Works
Absent: Janet Rudd, Trustee
Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
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 May 22, 2024, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Mayor Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC ACCESS: No members of the public present addressed the Board.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police –The police report was filed with the Clerk and read at the meeting. Chief Richardson reported 70 calls were handled by the NPD during the month of May.
Chief Richardson’s report indicated that during the months of June, July and August, we will have evening coverage Tuesdays through Sunday by using extra Stop DWI funds from Fulton County.
It was reported that Justin Frederick’s NCS class completed the new Police Department signs.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported he is moving forward with purchasing garbage toters. He stated that there is a one-time printing cost of $ 350.00 to have the cans labeled. He indicated he would begin purchasing 50 cans at a time, which is the minimum order, at a cost of $ 3,000.00. He stated that once the cans were received, they would be distributed by street area and additional cans would be purchased as the budget allows. He stated his goal was to phase in the can distribution over the next few budget cycles, indicating that many residents already have toter cans that will work with our equipment.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 2,787,000 gallons in May 2023 to 2,555,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that six permits were issued in May. It was reported that the firehouse construction project has started.
Dog Control – No reported issued.
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported that Youth Director, Kelly Donovan, has added another date to register students for camp. Trustee Sedon stated that currently only 50 children are registered for the program. The start date for the camp is July 8th.
Trustee Sedon stated that NYS regulations require that the program have a certified lifeguard of their own for any outings that are water based, such as beach trips and water park trips, despite those places having certified lifeguards already in place. She stated they have a counselor that was an alternate that is a certified lifeguard and they have offered the position to him but they are waiting to hear back from him.
Park Use Requests – There were no park use requests.
Marketing – The Clerk gave a report on the recent NPT 100 Anniversary celebration. She stated that CBS 6 aired a segment for three days prior to the event. The Clerk indicated the event was very well attended. It was reported that Fulton County provided funding for the trolley, the commissioned walking stick, the fireworks, and the meal for the trail workers who participated in the National Trails Day portion of the event. The Clerk reported that Sawyer Frederick performed the opening night of the event and there we over 600 people in seats for the concert and more lining the sidewalk around the park. Mayor Eckert stated that it was a wonderful event and credited Village Clerk/Marketing Director Wendy Reu for her efforts to showcase the Village. The Clerk reported that she is in the final stages of organizing the DOINS, July 4th, 5th, and 6th. She stated there will be live music every night of the event and the fireworks will be on Friday, July 5th with the parade on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Report of Village Projects – Mayor Eckert reported that we are waiting for SEQR paperwork to be completed to advance the Rotary Foundation kayak dock project.
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 $ 81,143.62, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 4,637.33, and $ 919.06 from the Joint Youth Fund were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Mayor Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert reported that the bid opening for the Third Street Water Distribution Improvements occurred on June 12th and that CT Male was still reviewing all the bids. She did indicate that they ranged from a low of $ 552,060.00 to a high of $ 1,076,560.00. Treasurer Matthews indicated that when the project was first proposed, it was for increasing fire suppression down S. Third Street, and it would be utilizing ARPA. He stated the expected budget for the original project was approximately $ 100,000.00 but the Department of Health expanded the project, and it got out of hand financially. He stated that based on the bids presented, he doesn’t know if even just the increased fire suppression is even in our ability. Treasurer Matthews stated that CT Male anticipated that these bids would be in the mid $ 300,000.00 range and even they were surprised at the spread that came in. Mayor Eckert asked how the Third Street water project came about and if there was a concern about fire suppression. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated that Darryl wanted to improve the fire suppression by installing a couple of new hydrants. Mayor Eckert asked if the water pressure was adequate right now to put out fires and Highway Superintendent Reidell indicated it was. After discussion, the Board agreed that as the bids were well outside of our budget, no action would be taken.
Treasurer Matthews stated that we did not have to use the ARPA funds on the water project, but we did need to find a use for them soon. Mayor Eckert asked what other projects that we could use the ARPA funds for. Treasurer Matthews stated we could use it for a variety of things, one of which was equipment purchase. He indicated that Highway Superintendent Reidell had discussed replacing the 2001 leaf vac that was scheduled to be replaced in 2018. He stated that the leaf vac is used all the time. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to use the ARPA funds for equipment replacement for the leaf vac. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Mayor Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert presented Resolution #8 of 2024 for the Board’s consideration as follows:
RESOLUTION #8 OF 2024
Permissive Referendum re Use of Reserve Funds for
Purchase of Police Equipment
WHEREAS it is the intention of the Governing Body of the Village of Northville to utilize funds that have been accumulated in a reserve fund the purpose of which is to support the purchase of police equipment, which fund is designated A0230.5 Capital Reserve for Police Equipment, under General Municipal Law 6-c, and
WHEREAS the amount that will be utilized from the reserve fund should not exceed $1,500, and
WHEREAS the Village Law of the State of New York requires a permissive referendum in the event of taking such action,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Clerk of the village of Northville be directed to take appropriate steps with respect to holding a permissive referendum on the issue of whether to purchase a police radio, and utilize funds not to exceed $1,500 from the reserve fund; toward that purpose; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event that a sufficient number of valid petitions by registered voters is not received within 30 days of passage of this resolution, the resolution will take full force and effect.
Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve Resolution #8 of 2024 as presented. Trustee Markiewicz seconded the motion which was carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Mayor Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
The Clerk reported that Sacandaga Helping Hands was interested in taking over the annual coin drop conducted by the Lions Club during Woodworking weekend. It was reported that the Lions Club is no longer active. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to allow Sacandaga Helping Hands to conduct an annual coin drop on the Saturday of Woodworking weekend. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Mayor Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
