November 15, 2016 Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
The Village Board met Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the village offices.
Present: Debra Ellsworth, Trustee/Deputy Mayor
Matthew Ginter, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathanial Matthews, Treasurer
Excused: John Spaeth, Mayor
Deputy Mayor Ellsworth called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2016 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Art Simmons addressed the Board regarding the proposed housing project and asked for a formal vote by the Board stating they were not in favor of it. Trustee Ellsworth stated that at the moment there is no project as no permit applications have even been requested from the Code Enforcement Officer. She reported to the crowd present that she was informed that Pathstone, the developer working with the Sacandaga Senior Task Force that was interested in building a housing project, would be having an informational meeting on Tuesday, December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in the NCS auditorium. She urged the public to attend the meeting.
Trustee Ginter briefly discussed the process anyone must go through when building a new structure. He stated that it starts with the Code Enforcement Officer and then if need be, the Zoning and Planning Boards would become involved if there were variances that needed to be granted. He explained that those Boards would conduct Public Hearings if there were site plan reviews or variances needed. He stated that the Village Board does not become involved in that process and he further stated that there is not even a proposal on the table for Code Enforcement to review regarding any housing project in the Village at this time.
Bill Coffey asked the Board if Mayor Spaeth shared any emails with them regarding the proposed project. It was indicated that Mayor Spaeth shared printed information he worked at obtaining from the developer with the Board but no emails.
Bill Gritsavage addressed the Board regarding the number of rental units that are currently in the Village. He stated there are 103 units already in the Village. He voiced concern about landlords that are currently relying on income from their real estate investment in the Village if a housing unit of this type were to come into the Village. He stated he felt that a project of this type would have an adverse effect on rental properties as landlords would have to take less rent to compete and the values of the houses would go down which would in turn lessen the tax base.
Jane Ferguson stated she would like to build the Village up to be a retirement community. She would like to promote the goodness of what we have. She would like the focus to be on something more uplifting to our community than a housing project.
Bob Ellsworth addressed the Board regarding the current contract with the Chamber of Commerce. He asked the Board to be open minded when they discuss renewing the contract. He stated he did not feel the Chamber was doing any good for the Village. He stated that the limited promotions the Chamber have done for the Village contained many errors. He continued by stating that he felt there were people that lived in our own community that would do a better job promoting the area and he urged the Board to consider hiring a local representative.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – Deputy Mayor Ellsworth cited the statistics in the police report for October, which is on file. There were 29 complaints handled, two of which were criminal. A total of 204.5 man-hours were expended.
Streets – Trustee Ginter reported that the crew was continuing to pick up leaves and brush.
Highway Superintendent Reidell presented three quotes for a three-month rental of a skidsteer to assist with snow removal. After review of the quotes, Trustee Sedon made a motion to rent the skidsteer from Trademark Corp. at a cost of $ 1,950.00 per month. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 2,399,000 gallons in October 2015 to 2,137,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
The 2016 Water System Inspection reported was received and reviewed by the Board.
Fire – Fire Department Report for October 2016
| Village of Northville (5) | Medflight Standby 1
Standby for Edinburg 2 Smoke Detector Activation 2 |
| Town of Northampton (2) | MVA 1
Tree on powerline 1 |
| Town of Edinburg (2) | Fire Alarm 1
Illegal burn 1 |
| Mutual Aid Given (2)
Mutual Aid Received (2) |
Total Man-hours reported were 80.39
Trustee Ginter reported that the Fireman’s Association was working with Morton Buildings to change materials on their plans for a new firehouse in an effort to lower construction costs.
Code Enforcement – There were two building permits were issued during November according to the Code Enforcement report on file.
Comprehensive Plan – Trustee Markiewicz reported that the committee has been working on the Comprehensive Plan for the past two years. He anticipated a draft would be presented to the Board for review by the December meeting.
Park Use Requests – There were no use requests for review.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 79,675.46 from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 5,981.15, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 508.39 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Deputy Mayor presented soil sample quotes for the Third Street property. It was explained that there were two phases involved in the process. Spectrum gave a quote for Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) only, as they were not comfortable submitting a Phase II quote without completing Phase I. Spectrum’s Phase I ESA quote was for $ 1,900.00. It was reported that Phase I consisted of a site walk and historic review of the parcel.
CT Male presented a Phase I ESA quote of $ 1,600.00 for site walk and historic review. CT Male also presented a Phase II quote with an estimate of $ 13,704.00. After discussion and based on the recommendation by Highway Superintendent Reidell, Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve CT Male’s proposal of $ 1,600.00 for Phase I Environmental Site Assessment at the Third Street parcel. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ginter and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
NEW BUSINESS:
The Fulton County landfill permit was presented for renewal. Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the landfill permit. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
The Civic Association requested the use of the park on December 3rd for the Annual Tree lighting. Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the use of the park by the Civic Association on December 3rd. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
The Civic Association requested funding in the amount of $ 550.00 for horse drawn wagon rides at the Tree Lighting on December 3rd. Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the Civic Association’s request for funding in the amount of $ 550.00 for horse drawn wagon rides. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
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 7:54 p.m. The next meeting will be December 20, 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy Reu
Village Clerk
