Meeting Minutes July 17, 2018
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
The Village Board met Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the village offices.
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Steve Collins, Trustee
Sue Eckert, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk
Nathanial Matthews, Treasurer
Excused:
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 June 19, 2018 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS – No members of the public wished to address the Board.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police– Trustee Collins reported that the new car is in service and the old car is currently at the highway facility. Mayor Spaeth indicated that the old car has been stripped of all necessary equipment and suggested that it be placed on Auctions International for sale. As there was no further need for the old police car, Trustee Sedon made a motion of non-necessity of the stripped-down police car. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Eckert made a motion to sell the stripped-down police car, as is, to the highest bidder on Auctions International. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Collins reported that he had received complaints about the Police department pertaining to their occupancy of the Town Court building. He stated that they are eating food in the building and leaving remains in the trash, and as there is no daily pick up of garbage at the building it creates an unfavorable atmosphere. He also stated that the judges informed him that in the middle of a court session where both judges were hearing cases, Chief VanValkenburgh brought in a couple of people for questioning, using the same table that one of the judges was already occupying. Trustee Collins stated it is counterproductive to have the police in the court building. Trustee Sedon asked what other options were available to house the police. Mayor Spaeth stated there is no dedicated space available at the Bradt Building. Mayor Spaeth stated Trustee Collins would have a conversation with Chief Vanvalkenburgh to remind him that we are squatters in the building. He also stated that we need to explore other options while we wait to see what transpires with the Fireman’s Association in their quest to build a new firehouse.
Streets – Trustee Collins read Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell’s report which detailed their activities for the month and is on file in the Clerk’s office. It was noted that the crew is almost finished with the Bradt building grant work renovations.
Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell reported that they replaced a culvert for the resident at 125 Hemlock Terrace. He stated the resident also requested that the concrete run off area that abuts to his property be filled in with a pipe for drainage to increase his lawn space. Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell cautioned that there is a significant amount of water in that development and if the pipe got plugged, it would create damage to the road. He stated that the neighbor across the street had it done over 20 years ago, but not as much water runs down that side of the street. Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell stated that there are two drains on Pine Lane that work as collectors for the water that flows down from the top of Gould Hill. Mayor Spaeth stated that the drainage issues were a factor in determining minimum lot sizes for that area of the Village when zoning was first put in place. After continued discussion, the consensus of the Board was to not make any alterations to the concrete run off at 125 Hemlock Terrace.
Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell stated he was approached by the Methodist Church to assist with removing their inner sidewalk that goes up by the ramp. It was indicated that the church will be putting in a new sidewalk. He stated the sidewalk in question is on private property. Trustee Eckert stated she felt it would be a bad precedent if the Village were to remove the sidewalk for the Church. After continued discussion, Mayor Spaeth stated the Village could leave one of their trucks at the property when the Church would be doing the work and then the Church workers could just toss the broken-up sidewalk into the truck.
Trustee Eckert brought up an issue that occurred on VanArnam during the recent parade. She stated that cars were parked on both sides of the street which made it impossible for traffic to flow. She suggested that there should be parking on only one side of VanArnam during the Doins parade and other events at the southern end of Main Street.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 2,856,000 gallons in June 2017 to 3,271,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the water is being metered at the new soccer fields on Prospect Hill and that 53,000 gallons has been used so far. He stated at this point, the Village is not charging for the water and suggested revisiting the issue at the one-year mark.
Fire – Fire Department Report for June 2018
| Village of Northville (3) | Hazardous Condition 1
Alarm Activation 1 Smoke in residence 1 |
| Town of Northampton (6) | Hazardous Conditions 5
Cover Assignment 1 |
| Town of Edinburg (2) | MVA PI 1
Hazardous Condition 1 |
| Town of Hope (1) | Hazardous Condition 1 |
| Town of Benson (1 ) | MVA PI 1 |
| Mutual Aid Given (2)
Mutual Aid Received (0) |
Total Man-hours reported were 193.63
Trustee Sedon asked about the carnival trucks that were still parked at the Fireman’s property. Mayor Spaeth stated that he had been in contact with Tom Wood and was told that he has been pushing the carnival workers to get their equipment moved.
Trustee Markiewicz asked Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell if the crew could repaint the lane lines inside the firehouse and he was told they could.
Code Enforcement – The CEO’s monthly report indicated that four permits were issued in June.
Mayor Spaeth gave an update on the old hotel property on Main Street. He indicated that there was a falling out between the hired contractor and the owner so progress has stopped at the property. He indicated that they did get enough work done so that the “Do Not Occupy signs were removed but the sidewalk will still need to be closed for the time being. Mayor Spaeth stated that CEO Ginter was continuing to work with the property owner.
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported that the Commission met last Friday. She indicated they approved the purchase of a trailer to haul inflatables. Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell asked who was taking ownership of the trailer and it was not known at this time. Trustee Sedon reported that they are looking at purchasing a double water slide inflatable in the future and had approval by the Treasurer Matthews to spend up to $ 2,500.00 on it. Trustee Sedon reported that Assistant Director Charlotte Albertin was not paid when she did interviews and the Commission approved for her to be paid at her Assistant Director rate. It was explained that the Assistant Director was not necessary for the interviews and that is why she was not paid. Trustee Eckert stated there needs to be better delineation to determine how and when the Assistant Director is paid. Trustee Sedon stated she would have Chairman Gritsavage speak with Treasurer Matthews.
Marketing – No report received. Mayor Spaeth reported that he met with Carla Kolbe a few weeks ago and reset the expectations for the position. Trustee Eckert stated she felt the marketing contract was pretty explicit.
Park Use Requests – A request was received from Donald Town III to hold a wedding ceremony in the Waterfront Park on Saturday August 25, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the request of Donald Town III to use the park for a wedding on August 25th and to waive the fee. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
A request was received from SVAN to conduct a play in the Waterfront Park on August 26, 2018. After discussion, Trustee Collins made a motion to approve the SVAN request to use the park on August 26th and to waive the fee. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that SVAN is looking into borrowing a small trailer to house their sound equipment between shows and they were wondering if they could leave it parked next to the bandshell during the concert season. The Board had no issue with SVAN leaving the trailer by the bandshell.
Zoning Committee – It was reported that the Committee is working on definitions.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 40,826.79, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 5,157.34, and from the Joint Youth fund in the amount of $ 5,785.79 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Collins, discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth provided a NYSERDA grant update. He indicated that the Village was granted an extension until September 26, 2018 to file.
Mayor Spaeth presented his recommendations for members of the Tree Commission. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to appoint Chantel Daigneault and Jill Harris to a one-year term on the Tree Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Eckert made a motion to appoint Gail Collins to a two-year term on the Tree Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: Trustee Collins
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to appoint Sally Peck to a two-year term on the Tree Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to appoint Carl Sedon to a three-year term on the Tree Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: Trustee Sedon
Mayor Spaeth reported that the consultant hired by the Village has started on the shared services records management process. He indicated that work to remodel the Town Clerk’s office for records storage was underway as well.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth presented a letter from the Civic Association indicating that they would no longer be doing the parades in the Village. The letter indicated that the Civic Association would still organize the Doins’, the Block Party, and the Tree Lighting. Mayor Spaeth indicated that he had spoken with Tom and Lisa Wood and they stated they would assist with parades but would not organize them. Mayor Spaeth stated that this was discussed at the recent CCC meeting and they were tasked with obtaining contacts for more active organizations that might be willing to help with parade planning. Trustee Sedon stated she appreciated the amount of time the Civic Association members have committed to the parades over the years. Trustee Sedon suggested that the Marketing person get the word out to the public to see if anyone was interested in helping with the parades.
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from the Civic Association to host the 3rd annual Block Party on Sunday, August 19th. The Civic Association requested that Main Street be blocked off between Bridge and Center from noon to five p.m. Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve the Block Party hosted by the Civic Association on August 19th. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth presented the 2019 contract renewal between the Village of Northville and the Fulton County Planning Department for planning services. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the contract between the Village and FC Planning Department in the amount of $400.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Sedon provided literature to the Board pertaining to a DEC Grant that would improve water quality through tree planting projects. It was explained that the grant concerns trees along tributaries and that the Little Lake was considered a tributary. After reviewing the information, Mayor Spaeth stated that the only area that would qualify in the Village was the Waterfront Park and even then, he was not sure how close to the tributary trees could be planted due to the HRBRRD taking line. Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell stated that we are looking to trim back some of the trees that are already along the bank in the Waterfront Park as it is. The Board decided no action would be taken on this DEC Grant at this time.
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from the Northville Public Library for garbage cans for their annual fund-raising event on July 28th. Trustee Collins made a motion to approve the request from the Northville Public Library. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that the next meeting of the Board would be 7 p.m. on August 21, 2018.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu
Clerk
