March 21, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
The Village Board met Tuesday, March 21, 2023 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
Dan Reidell, DPW Superintendent
Public Attendance – Mike Warner, Doug Fry
Mayor Eckert called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2023, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Terwilliger, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC HEARING – Local Law #2 of 2023 A local Law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law 3-c
Open Public Hearing
Mayor Eckert opened the Public Hearing on Local Law #2 of 2023 at 7:03 p.m. She explained the need for Local Law and the need to override the tax cap to the public present. It was cited that the creation of the full time PD, which will provide services to the Town, as well, through an Intermunicipal Agreement, was the major contributing factor necessitating an override of the cap. Doug Fry asked what effect the increase in taxes would have on property owners. Treasurer Matthews stated that it was approximately an increase of $ 5.00/month on a $ 100,000.00 assessment, which would be approximately $ 60.00/year. Mr. Fry asked if there was a need for a full time department. Trustee Terwilliger stated that the Village has had sparce coverage over the years and the Town approached the Village to request PD services outside the Village. Mayor Eckert stated that both the Town and Village Boards have discussed expanding the police force for years at their regular meetings. Mayor Eckert stated there had been complaints around the Village about speeding, theft from vehicles and increased vandalism and the Board felt there was a need for increased police presence. Mr. Fry asked if we had a person in mind for the Chief’s position and Trustee Terwilliger indicated she and Mayor Eckert have interviewed a candidate and they are confident he has the expertise to perform the job and work at getting the department accredited.
Mayor Eckert asked if there was any other comment from the Board on the Public Hearing. As there was none, she indicated she would leave the Public Hearing open through the remainder of the meeting.
PUBLIC ACCESS: No members of the public wished to address the Board.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – Mayor Eckert presented a draft IMA between the Village and Town that detailed sharing the services of the Police Department. The document was reviewed by the Board. Upon review, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to allow Mayor Eckert to sign the IMA for sharing police coverage with the Town, pending final attorney approval. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert provided the Board with the Certificate of the Fulton County Personnel Director, establishing the Civic Service position of Chief of Police for the Village of Northville. It was determined that it is a competitive position. Mayor Eckert read the duty description for the Chief position for the Board and the public present. She stated the person she and Trustee Terwilliger have interviewed for the position was more than capable of meeting the duties of the position. Mayor Eckert also stated that Supervisor Groff has been in discussion with the same individual as well. Mayor Eckert asked for the Board’s approval to move forward with hiring the individual they have been interviewing, in advance of the April meeting, to give more time for the accreditation deadline for the department, which was October 16th. She indicated she did not want to move forward until we had the IMA drafted and signed. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to allow Mayor Eckert and Trustee Terwilliger to hire the candidate they feel best qualified for the recently created Chief of Police position, with a start date on April 2, 2023. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon 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.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from1,738,000 gallons in February 2022 to 2,325,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
It was reported that there was still one meter left in the Village that had not yet been converted to a radio read meter.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that no permits were issued in January.
Dog Control – No report
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported that they are having difficulty finding lifeguards. She stated they are putting out another notice and hope that there will be more interest.
Park Use Requests – The Clerk reported she approved a park use request for the Ring of Fire 5 K on September 2nd. Mayor Eckert stated that last month, the Board approved a project presented by Jane Ferguson but upon further review, it was determined that she needed to submit a park use request to utilize the Village Green property.
Marketing – The Clerk reported she is still actively organizing Garage Sale Weekend, the Memorial Day parade and the DOINS.
Tree Commission – Nothing to report.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 42,673.39, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 5,587.02 and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 1,672.38 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:
Mayor Eckert reported to the Board that Melissa McManus was hired as our Grant Administrator/Writer. She stated a Zoom meeting was conducted with Melissa and she is confident that she will do a good job for the Village.
NEW BUSINESS:
Treasurer Matthews asked to address participation in AFLAC with the Board. He stated it is currently offered as a payroll deduction opportunity through the Village. He stated that in the beginning, the program worked fine but over the last several billing cycles, there have been multiple issues that the representative has yet to correct, despite multiple attempts. He expressed frustration with the billing issues and felt that it was burdensome. He asked for the Board’s decision to cease payroll deduction for AFLAC. It was noted that all the current subscribers were notified. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to cease offering payroll deductions for AFLAC. The motion was seconded by Trustee Terwilliger and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments were offered by the public.
PUBLIC HEARING: At 7:40 p.m., Mayor Eckert closed the Public Hearing on Local Law #2 of 2023. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Local Law #2 of 2023 – A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law 3-c. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert asked for a motion to move the Tentative budget to Preliminary. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to move the Tentative Budget to Preliminary, with the salary schedule as discussed, and to schedule a Budget Hearing for April 4, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. 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
At 7:45 p.m., Mayor Eckert requested to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. She asked the Clerk to attend as well. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
The meeting resumed in Regular Session at 8:15 p.m. on a motion from 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
It was reported that no action was taken during Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Terwilliger, seconded by Trustee Rudd and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
