March 22, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
The Village Board met Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 7:10 PM at the village offices.
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Patrick Barnett, Trustee via video conferencing
Debra Ellsworth, Trustee
Matthew Ginter, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer/Recording Secretary
Excused: Wendy Reu, Village Clerk, Recording Secretary
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2016 Special Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Ellsworth, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Motion to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2016 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Ginter, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS –Art Simmons discussed the recent stormwater drainage issues that occurred in the vicinity of Fourth and Union Streets. He stated that there have been issues like this occurring for the past 30 years and what the Village has done in the past hasn’t worked. He stated he found it unacceptable. David Behuniak, a resident of Fourth Street, addressed the Board regarding the flooding that always occurs on his property whenever there are heavy rains. He presented bills to the Board for septic pumping and tube sand, charges that he would like reimbursement for from the village as he feels that the Village is responsible for the damages his property suffered. Mayor Spaeth addressed the drainage issues due to the extreme amount of rains during recent storms and Highway Supervisor Reidell reported that they had already been in contact with a company that has cleaned out the drainage pipes that run the length of Division Street in an attempt to alleviate issues like this occurring.
Tom Wood and Tom Spencer, representing the Civic Association, reported they would be having rides and games during the upcoming Doin’s, July 1st through the 4th. Mr. Wood indicated the parade would be on Saturday, July 2nd at 1 p.m. and he also noted that there would be a Memorial Day Parade on May 30th. It was reported that the Civic also requested funding in the amount of $ 1,500.00. The Board requested that detailed information be submitted in writing to the Board for approval at their next meeting.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police –Mayor Spaeth cited the statistics in the police report for March, which is on file. There were three complaints handled, one of which was criminal. A total of 100 man-hours were expended.
Streets – Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that drainage pipes that run down Division had been videoed and cleared by Kenyon Pipe Inspection company. He reported that a series of roots were clogging the water drains and the roots were removed. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated that there was a hole discovered in one of the pipes and he was looking at reasonable solutions for repair.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 2,156,000 gallons in February 2015 to 1,931,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the well needed a new pump and rehab and presented Resolution #2 of 2016 for the Board’s review:
Permissive Referendum re Use of Reserve Funds for Rehabilitation of Well
March 22, 2016
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 rehabilitation of water well, which fund is designated RE0231.1 Capital Reserve for water system improvements, under General Municipal Law 6-c, and
WHEREAS the amount that will be utilized from the reserve fund should not exceed $20,000, 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 rehabilitate the water well, and utilize funds not to exceed $20,000 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 Markiewicz made a motion to approve Resolution # 2 of 2016 as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ellsworth and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Fire – Fire Department Report for January 2016
| Village of Northville (2) | Fire Alarm DEC 1
Lifenet LZ 1 |
| Town of Northampton (3) | Carbon Monoxide Alarm 1
Medical Assist 2 |
| Town of Hope (1) | Cancelled Enroute 1 |
| Mutual Aid Given (3) |
Total Man-hours reported were 54
Fire Department Report for February 2016
| Village of Northville (8) | Flooding Conditions 4
Smoke Odor 1 County 911 Standby 1 Smoke Detector Issue 1 Stand by for Wells 1
|
| Town of Northampton (3) | Shed Fire 1
Flooding Condition 1 Smoke detector 1 |
| Town of Hope (1) | Stand By 1 |
| Mutual Aid Given (2) | |
| Mutual Aid Received (7) |
Total Man-hours reported were 260
Trustee Markiewicz brought up a bill that was submitted by Fireman Miller for reimbursement for mileage associated to a training he attended. Trustee Markiewicz indicated it was not a required training and no one else was asking for reimbursement. He was asking for guidance from the Board on how to proceed. Mayor Spaeth stated he would check with Chief Ellsworth to see if it was a training that he authorized. The reimbursement request was held until confirmation could be obtained.
Code Enforcement – Mayor Spaeth reported one building permit was issued during February according to the Code Enforcement report on file.
Joint Youth – Mayor Spaeth reported that he and Chairman Gritsavage are proceeding with interviews for the Youth Director position.
Comprehensive Plan – Trustee Markiewicz gave a report on the Comprehensive Plan Committee meetings. He indicated they are continuing to look at ways to bring more businesses and tourists to the community.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 45,399.79, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 16,132.15 and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 1,111.51 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Ellsworth, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported that three quotes were received for the asbestos survey on the Third Street property. After discussion, the Board agreed to go with C.T. Male which was the lowest quote.
Mayor Spaeth informed the Board that he had contacted four companies to get quotes to perform a traffic study at the intersection of Bridge and Main as discussed at a previous meeting. He indicated that he had only received two quotes to date. At this point, the Board discussed things that could be done at the intersection to make it safer, such as enhanced cross walks.
The Waterfront Park Use application was reviewed and the Board felt there needed to be some type of refundable deposit associated with the application. Mayor Spaeth asked the Board members to consider what they would feel was reasonable and it would be discussed at the next meeting.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the Village website was moving along and he anticipated it would be launched in the next few weeks.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from the Tryon Amateur Radio Club to use the Waterfront Park on June 25-26, 2016 to host a 24-hour radio club event/contest. The request indicated that generators would be used during the overnight hours. After discussion, Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the park use request by the Tryon Amateur Radio Club with the provision that any generators used must be quiet type generators, such as the Honda EU series generators. The Board would not allow muffling of generators. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from the Northampton Ambulance Service to conduct their annual coin drop on May 7, 2016. Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the coin drop request of the Northampton Ambulance Service. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth addressed the request from reimbursement from Mr. Behuniak for tube sand and septic pumping at his property on Fourth Street as discussed during Public Session. Trustee Ginter stated he felt the Village was not liable because of poor design of the yard and that there was nothing the Village could have done that would have prevented the issue from occurring due to the excessive amount of rain we had during the winter storms. Mayor Spaeth stated the issue occurred on private property. After continued discussion, Trustee Ginter made a motion to deny reimbursement of the charges submitted by Mr. Behuniak but still offer assistance and try to prevent future issues. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Mayor Spaeth, Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth presented an updated Travel Policy for the Board’s approval. After review, Trustee Barnett made a motion to approve the Travel Policy updates. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth discussed the Appreciation Dinner with the Board. The Board felt it was a good idea to continue with the event.
Mayor Spaeth reported that a request was received from the Sacandaga Protection Committee to conduct raffles in the Village. Through the request, it became evident that there are NYS municipal laws governing “games of chance” and now that the Village has been put on notice in writing of the required laws, we would need to take action. Mayor Spaeth explained the process of formulating a law, adopting the law, and then having the law put on the ballot in November for approval by the voters. After continued discussion, the Board felt it best to proceed with drafting a law that they could work on.
Mayor Spaeth recognized Trustee Barnett, as this was his last meeting as a Village Trustee. He indicated that Trustee Barnett has served the Village of Northville for over 20 years. Mayor Spaeth stated it has been a pleasure working with such a dedicated Trustee that clearly had the best interest of the Village and its residents first and foremost in his mind. Mayor Spaeth and the Board wished Trustee Barnett the best and thanked him for his dedicated service.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Ginter seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathanial Matthews
Acting Secretary
