October 17, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
The Village Board met Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 7:00 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Janet Rudd, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Rick Richardson, Chief of Police
Public Attendance –Mike Warner, Lanie Groff, Dennie Poulin
Mayor Eckert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2023, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Terwilliger, seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC ACCESS: Dennie Poulin addressed the Board and stated that he everyone has known him for a long time and knows he cares about this Village, and he did not like that his name was being tossed around as the one turned the Village into the State for the work situation at the spillway. He stated he heard this Board named him. Trustee Sedon and Trustee Markiewicz stated they had no idea what he was referring to. Mayor Eckert stated that since Highway Superintendent Reidell was not going to be present at this meeting, that he emailed the Board members about PESH making a site visit due to no trench box being used in the work area on South Main Street. Both Trustee Sedon and Trustee Markiewicz stated they did not see the email. The Clerk confirmed that the incident had just happened, and the Board had not even discussed it collectively.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police –The police report was filed with the Clerk and read at the meeting. Chief Richardson reported 73 calls were handled by the NPD during September.
Chief Richardson reported that the NYS Accreditation Council approved the recommendation from the NYS Department of Criminal Justic Services for certification of the Village. He stated that NPD meets the standard requirements for operating a department and is accredited for the next three years. Trustee Rudd stated that Chief Richardson has done a great job getting the accreditation and accomplished a lot in a short amount of time.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office. Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that they have started picking up leaves with leaf vac. He indicated that November 16th would be the last day for brush pickup.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 2,445,000 gallons in September 2022 to 2,923,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that 2 permits were issued in September.
Dog Control – No report issued.
Joint Youth – No activity to report.
Park Use Requests – There were no park use requests.
Marketing – The Clerk gave a marketing update. She gave a report on the recent Fall Fest event that was held in the Village. She indicated that due to the rain predicted for the day, she reached out to Dr. Chauncey at Northville Central School to inquire if the event could be moved to the gym. The Clerk reported that Dr. Chauncey was very accommodating and opened the school to the vendors that were scheduled to be in the park. The Clerk reported that the Presbyterian Church group also set up in the school as they were going to cancel their outdoor event due to the rain.
The Clerk gave an update on Trails Day and the 100th Anniversary of NPT celebration. She indicated she, along with member of FC Tourism and Planning, have been having regular meetings with ADK Mountain Club and Hamilton County to continue planning the event. She reported she has reached out to Northville Central School and they are very excited to be part of the event as well. She indicated the event is shaping up to be a three day event, May 31st through June 2nd, and will have a variety of vendors and activities in an around the community.
The Clerk reported that she is actively planning the Lighted Christmas Parade and tree lighting on December 2nd at 5 p.m.
Report of Village Projects – Mayor Eckert reported that the Village has a project advisory committee meeting scheduled with our grant writer and engineering firm on October 23th to discuss the spillway project. Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that he has spoken with National Grid and they have issued a new work order number to discuss relocating the telephone poles on the spillway.
Tree Commission – Lanie Groff reported that the arborist completed the trimming of the tree on the corner of Washington and Third. She also stated that the tree inventory was done and they are assessing the current tree request and planning for the future.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 54,693.25, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 5,336.60 and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 485.01 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Rudd, and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert reported that the proposed Sidewalk Snow Removal legislation is still under review by the municipal Attorney. The Clerk stated she was confident that the Attorney would have it back to the Board in final format for the November meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert presented Resolution #13 of 2023 – Permissive Referendum re Use of Reserve Funds for Purchase of Police Vehicle as follows:
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 purchase of police equipment, which fund is designated A0230.5 Capital Reserve for Police Equipment, under General Municipal Law 6-c, and
WHEREAS the amount that will be utilized from the reserve fund should not exceed $10,000, 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 purchase a police vehicle, and utilize funds not to exceed $10,000 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 Sedon made a motion to approve Resolution # 13 of 2023 as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert presented a proposed amendment to Village Code Chapter 158- Vehicles and Traffic to state the following:
Parking for certain purposes prohibited: No person shall park a vehicle upon any street within the Village, or in any municipal lot, for the principal purpose of displaying such vehicle for sale.
After review, Trustee Sedon made a motion to advance the proposed amendment to Village Code Chapter 158 as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert reported to the Board that the Village was awarded $ 24,573.50 in grant funding for equipment for the Police Department.
Mayor Eckert presented a request for concert funding from SVAN. SVAN provided a list of concert dates for the summer concert series in the Waterfront Park, as well as a list of bands scheduled. They requested $ 850.00 in funding for the concert series. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the funding request of $ 850.00 from SVAN for the scheduled concerts as well as the dates requested for use of the Waterfront Park. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert presented a request from CRG for membership support services. She indicated in the past; the Village had joined at a Platinum level of $ 2500.00. She stated after reviewing the membership information, there were many services that we did not utilize from CRG, especially since we have our own grant writer. After discussion, Mayor Eckert made a motion to drop to the Associate level of $ 150.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Mayor Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Rudd, seconded by Trustee Terwilliger, and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
