Meeting Minutes September 18, 2018
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
The Village Board met Tuesday, September 18, 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 August 21, 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
Nay: 0
Abstain: Trustee Sedon (absent from meeting)
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Mayor Spaeth read a note from Elfrieda Parker in which she voiced complaints about the school construction project. She reported that they were beginning work at 6:00 in the morning on a Saturday and the neighborhood smelled of diesel from the equipment they were using. Mrs. Parker also voiced a complaint that residents put old furniture, appliances and other items to the curb and it makes the Village look ugly. She stated she felt residents should take the items to the dump. Mayor Spaeth stated that he discussed the school complaint with Dr. Ford and she indicated that the project timeline had shrunk due to delay in funding. As such, she indicated the crews were working double shifts to hit the deadline. Dr. Ford stated that they were using diesel equipment but there was no way around that. Dean Shepard, an NCS Board member in attendance, stated that they were indeed under a strict timeline and needed to get the job done. He stated they did work double shifts. Mr. Shepard took the opportunity to thank Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell, along with the Village and Town Boards, for all the help that went into creating the soccer fields by the cemetery. Trustee Sedon addressed the second part of Mrs. Parker’s complaint. She stated that the ability to put unwanted items out to the curb benefits residents in two ways. She stated that they don’t have to hire someone to take the items to the dump for them and it also gives the opportunity for items to be recycled if someone has a need for what is out on the curb for pickup.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police– Trustee Collins reported that there were 20 complaints handled in August, four of with were criminal. There were 197-man hours worked for the month.
Mayor Spaeth reported that plans were being finalized for Officer Robert Johnson’s memorial dedication ceremony on September 30th in the Waterfront Park.
Streets –Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell reported that they have begun picking up leaves and brush. He stated they have repaired the catch basin on North Main and the leak on South Main, along with paving park of Gould Hill.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the dump truck is due to be replaced this year and Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell would like to purchase a tandem. It was reported that tandems cost approximately $ 200,000.00 which is $ 14,000.00 more than a standard dump truck. Mayor Spaeth also stated that the garbage truck that is shared between the Town and the Village needs to be replaced but may last another year. Mayor Spaeth indicated that Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell is exploring options such as contracting for garbage service and county wide sharing services. Mayor Spaeth stated if those options aren’t practical, we may have to consider bonding.
Mayor Spaeth reported that he was approached by members of the Benson Town Board regarding issues they are having with their salt shed. He stated it is deteriorating and it is close to the river. They are inquiring about the potential for us to store their salt in our shed. After discussion, the Board felt the option should be explored further and Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to pursue discussion with the Town of Benson regarding shared salt storage. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 2,775,000 gallons in August 2017 to 3,313,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Mayor Spaeth reported that he researched tank cleaning and inspection recommendations and it was determined that there is no formal recommendation for cleaning but it is advised that tanks be inspected every 5-6 years. He stated he discussed with Darryl the option of doing one tank now and the second at a later date but he was informed that bringing the team in a second time would cost more than having them done at the same time. The Board determined that a 5 to 6 year plan of inspection/cleaning of both tanks was the best option. The Board reviewed the quotes presented at the previous meeting and Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to have Atlantic ROV inspect the tanks and perform cleaning, if necessary, for a cost of $ 1500.00 for inspection and $ 1500.00 for cleaning. 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
Mayor Spaeth discussed meter replacement with the Board. He indicated that Darryl still wants to have the municipality doing the installation and is researching what other municipalities do.
Mayor Spaeth reported he had a conversation with Darryl regarding valve replacement. He indicated that Darryl was extremely confident that any valve from 1962 forward would not have any issues in the next ten years. As such, they decided to replace any valve installed prior to 1962 and readdress the other valves in ten years.
Mayor Spaeth reported there were issues with the new sprinkler system at the school and the ability to meter the use. It was reported that the meter, a Neptune equivalent, sits in a deep hole and got buried before an external reader could be installed on it. Mayor Spaeth stated that Darryl indicated that due to the depth of the meter, an employee would need to have confined space training to go down in the hole and retrieve the wires. Mayor Spaeth stated that Darryl would also like to have the meter replaced with a Neptune meter. He indicated that the school would cover the cost to get someone down in the hole to get the wires up and install a button so the meter could be read on the next cycle. After discussion, it was determined that there would be a meeting with the school representatives next week to decide on how to handle the situation.
Mayor Spaeth reported that a new residence is being built on the southern side of Gould Hill. He indicated that the water line runs up the opposite side of the street. As per the fee schedule, the labor and materials involved with getting water to the new residence are charged to the property owner in addition to the new tap fee.
Mayor Spaeth stated he received a letter from a concerned homeowner on the process for water testing in the Village. Mayor Spaeth reported he researched the history of the water testing process and found that in the beginning, 20 homes had to be identified to be tested. Those same 20 homes continued to be tested until the State cut the numbers back to 10. He homeowner contends that the Village kept the 10 best homes to test which is not accurate. It was determined that the State set the criteria for the homes that we test. Those properties must have lead pipes and lead fittings. It was stated that we cannot take samples from new homes.
Fire – Fire Department Report for August 2018
| Village of Northville (4) | Fire Alarm Activation 2
Stand By 1 EMS Assist 1 |
| Town of Northampton (2) | Hazardous Condition 2 |
| Town of Edinburg (1) | MVA 1 |
| Town of Hope (1) | Hazardous Condition 1 |
| Town of Benson (1 ) | Hazardous Condition 1 |
| Mutual Aid Given (2)
Mutual Aid Received (0) |
Total Man-hours reported were 21.35
Code Enforcement – An update on the work at the old hotel was given. It was reported that the owner had obtained a new contractor. Mayor Spaeth reported that an Amish crew would start working October 1st to re-form the front porch and redo the roof. Mayor Spaeth indicated that the owner’s goal is to get the property into a condition that it could be sold as she is tired of dealing with the issues of the property.
Joint Youth – Joint Youth Director Ken Adamczyk gave a power point presentation of the 2018 camp season. He indicated that the camp would not be able to be at the school next season due to the work on the soccer field and reported that he was exploring the options available for the program. He reported receiving a donation of $ 100.00 for rental of the bounce houses by the Sacandaga Park Association. Trustee Sedon thanked Ken for all the work he has done this season for the JY program.
Marketing – No report received. Mayor Spaeth reported that he discussed with Carla about the fall weekend that is happening in two weeks. Trustee Eckert and Trustee Sedon expressed displeasure with the lack of publication of upcoming events in the Village. Mayor Spaeth reminded the Board that the marketing contract is an annual contract and as such, subject to Board approval.
Park Use Requests – A request was received the Northville Rotary Club to conduct Winterfest in the Waterfront Park and at various spots around the Village on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve the use of the park by the Rotary for Winterfest, waiving the fee, on January 26, 2019. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 67,889.76, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 14,746.19, and from the Joint Youth fund in the amount of $ 1,126.92 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert, discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS
Trustee Collins made a motion to approve Annual Financial Report for Village. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve Annual Financial Report for Joint Youth Commission. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported that he was finalizing the NYSERDA paperwork for the $ 50,000.00 grant this week. He indicated the Board would have to decide in the next few months whether they wanted to enter into a performance program with NYPLA or fund the project from Capital Reserve.
The Clerk gave an update on the Shared Services Records Management Grant work. It was reported that all of the property maintenance records for both the Town and Village were now being stored by SBL (Section, Block, Lot) identifiers. The Clerk reported that all of the Vital Statics previously stored in the records room are now housed in a new storage room created in the Town Clerk’s office. It was indicated that all that remains to be done in the records room is the installation of the HVAC system.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from Search Team 5 to conduct their annual coin drop on October 27th. Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the annual Search Team 5 coin drop on October 27th. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
A request was received from the Northville Rotary Club for a $ 500.00 donation toward Winterfest activities and events. Treasurer Matthews was asked if fund were budgeted for this event and he stated they were not. It was noted that the Rotary would be asking the Town for the same amount at their next meeting. Treasurer Matthews stated that if the Town donated, it would be donating out of the A Fund which would include the Village. Trustee Sedon asked Treasurer Matthews to explain the two funds that the Town has for better understanding. Treasurer Matthews stated that the A Fund is Town wide and covers Village also. The B Fund covers Town only. After discussion, the Board decided to table the request from the Rotary to see if the Town donated from the A fund.
Mayor Spaeth asked to adjourn to Executive session to discuss a potential litigation issue. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. which was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
At 8:55 p.m., the meeting resumed in Regular session on a motion from Trustee Eckert, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth stated there was no action taken during Executive session.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the next meeting of the Board would be 7 p.m. on October 16, 2018.
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 8:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu
Clerk
