Minutes February 20, 2018
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
The Village Board met Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the village offices.
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Steve Collins, 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 January 16, 2018 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Collins, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Ken Adamczyk gave an update of the upcoming Winterfest activities to the Board.
Mayor Spaeth informed the Board and the public present that Matt Ginter submitted his letter of resignation from the Board effective February 28, 2018. On behalf of the Board, Mayor Spaeth presented a token of appreciation to Matt and expressed gratitude for the eight years that he has served the Village of Northville as a Trustee. Mayor Spaeth stated that it has been a true honor serving with Matt on the Board.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Streets – Trustee Markiewicz reported that the crew has been plowing and hauling snow. He indicated the skid steer was delivered and has been used with the snowblower attachment to widen the streets in the Village. Due to multiple storms, the intersections and hydrants have been cleared numerous times. Highway Superintendent Reidell indicated in his report that many residents are still blowing and plowing their snow into and across the streets and the sidewalks are also a concern due to people blocking or not clearing them.
Mayor Spaeth reported that an anonymous letter and several phone calls with minor concerns about clearing the streets and sidewalks had been received. He indicated that people need to understand that our area had two large storms in one week and the crew worked 200 hours of overtime as a result. Mayor Spaeth stated he did not know what else the municipality could do. Trustee Sedon stated that the sidewalks are not the responsibility of the Village. Mayor Spaeth stated the crew has been working constantly, removing snow from the streets and intersections and he felt they were doing a great job given the amount of snow that we have received.
Mayor Spaeth went on to question what we need to do about people not clearing their sidewalks. Trustee Sedon stated she walks every day and chooses to walk in the street and it is clear and safe. Mayor Spaeth stated that even in the summer, most people walk in the street. He continued by stating that the Village Code states that if residents don’t clear their sidewalks of snow, the Village can clear them and bill the charge to the resident. He suggested possibly contracting with a private individual to clear sidewalks. Trustee Sedon stated she worried about the elderly residents due to ability and costs. Mayor Spaeth stated that another concern was that we clear the Main Street commercial district and don’t charge the businesses. He stated that there are many things the Board needs to think through when planning for next winter. He indicated that after the Organizational Meeting, the new Street Commissioner can meet with Highway Superintendent Reidell to discuss how best to handle the sidewalk clearing issue and present ideas to the Board.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 2,828,000 gallons in January 2017 to 3,206,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the first installation of new radial read water meters has been ordered.
Mayor Spaeth stated that a request was received from resident on Ridge Road, in the Town of Northampton, to tap onto the water line. He indicated that over 10 years ago, the Board at that time had put a moratorium on any new outusers being added to the line. After discussion, Trustee Collins made a motion to approve the resident at 118 Ridge Road to connect to Village water. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Fire – Fire Department Report for January 2018
| Village of Northville (4) | Chimney Fire 2
Propane Leak 1 Standby in Station 1 |
| Town of Northampton (8) | Structure Fire 2
Propane Leak 1 MVA 1 Alarm Activation 4 |
| Town of Edinburg (3) | Standby 3 |
| Town of Hope (1) | MVA 1 |
| Town of Benson (0) | |
| Mutual Aid Given (7)
Mutual Aid Received (2) |
Total Man-hours reported were 121.58
Mayor Spaeth reported that a gentleman came in to talk about concerns he had over the levels of training in the Fire Department. Mayor Spaeth indicated that he has met with First Assistant Chief Owen Jensen and he was already in the process of working with Tom Groff and Steve Santa Maria. He indicated that they had already requested a list of trainings that members have received from the State to assist with identifying any deficiencies and develop a plan for future training. Mayor Spaeth stated that all this was taking place before any concerns were addressed to him. Mayor Spaeth reported that Steve Santa Maria is looking for all departments to follow this process. In conclusion, Mayor Spaeth stated that diligent effort is underway to see that our volunteers are appropriately trained.
Code Enforcement – Code Enforcement Officer Ginter reported that he had the BAS transferred and had begun moving files down to his office and organizing them. He reported that he had visited open job sites around the Village and had spoken with the owner of the old hotel about resolving the issues at the property. CEO Ginter reported that he has submitted the NYSERDA paperwork for the third point toward the award.
Mayor Spaeth reported that he had approached Owen Jensen to be the building inspector but Owen did not feel he could make that commitment. Mayor Spaeth stated that he had two other names in mind for the position and he would keep the Board informed.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the contract for Code Enforcement between the Town and Village had been signed.
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon gave a report from the recent Joint Youth Commission meeting. Trustee Sedon reported that 115 People attended the Sock Hop themed Family Ball that was held recently. She indicated that the Easter Egg Hunt would be on March 31st. Trustee Sedon stated the Commission discussed the idea about loaning out JY inflatable equipment and concerns of damage were voiced and the idea was tabled.
Marketing- Carla Kolbe provided a report on January/February events around the Village.
Park Use Requests – Mayor Spaeth presented a request from Joint Youth for the Summer Movie season in the Park. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the request with no fee. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz. Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from SVAN for the Summer Concert season in the Park. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the request with no fee. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz. Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Zoning Committee – Mayor Spaeth reported that the committee had their second meeting and they have a draft version of a land use map. The next meeting of the committee will be on March 15th.
TRANSFERS
Treasurer Matthews presented the following:
$10,000.00
From: A9950.901 Fire – Cap. Reserve for Equip.
To: A3410.401 Fire – Supplies/Materials
Reason- to cover expenses
$10,000.00
From: A1940.4 Purchase of Land
To: A8010.402 Zoning – Contractual Exp.
Reason- to cover Professional services for Zoning update
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the transfers as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz. Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 125,561.07, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 15,236.17, and from the Joint Youth fund in the amount of $ 801.54 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Collins, seconded by Trustee Sedon, discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported that the deadline for proposals for the Main Street Grant Administration had passed and only one proposal was received. Orion Management Company submitted a proposal based at an hourly rate of $ 96.00/year. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Orion Management Company for the Administration of the Main Street Grant at a cost not to exceed $ 20,000.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported that a request was received from Lions Club for a coin drop. The request was tabled until a date of the event was established by the Club.
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from the Rotary for the upcoming Winterfest event. The Rotary was requesting police protection, porta johns and a monetary donation of $ 500.00 to help offset costs of the event. It was noted that they would be requesting a monetary donation from the Town at their next meeting and Treasurer Matthews noted that if the Town donated it would come from the Town-wide fund. During the discussion, it was noted that the porta johns for the event would cost approximately $ 350.00. Trustee Markiewicz stated that we donate to the Civic Association so we should donate for this also. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to donate $ 500.00 plus porta johns and police protection to the Rotary for Winterfest. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that NCS was looking to renew the contract with the Village for on site school tax collection this year. He noted there were no changes from the previous contract. Trustee Collins made a motion to approve the contract with NCS for school tax collection on site. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth informed the Board that he would like to appoint Mike Feldman to a five-year term to fill a vacant seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the appointment of Mike Feldman to the ZBA. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that PESH was in the office recently at the request of the Town and Village to perform air quality monitoring after a few people working in the building developed respiratory issues. He indicated they performed four hours worth of air sampling and we should have results in two weeks. He stated he was informed that if they have do find something from their test samples and we had to do remediation of any type, we could apply for 75% funding of remediation.
Mayor Spaeth reported that he has appointed Trustee Markiewicz as Deputy Mayor in the time remaining until the organizational meeting in April.
Mayor Spaeth stated that he would be setting up meetings with Northampton and Benson to discuss 2019 Fire Budgets with them.
Trustee Collins asked if there was any way the Village police officer could do walk throughs at the school in light of recent national events. Mayor Spaeth stated that if it was something the school would want, we could work with them.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Collins and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu
