September 20, 2016 Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
The Village Board met Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the village offices.
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Debra Ellsworth, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathanial Matthews, Treasurer
Excused: Matthew Ginter, Trustee
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2016 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Ron Peters, from the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth addressed the Board regarding upcoming grant opportunities for economic development. He explained that the Village could apply for a Technical Assistance grant in the amount of $ 20,000 to perform a building study of what we have and it would put the Village on the radar for future CFA grants. Mr. Peters estimated it would cost the Village approximately $ 3,000 to $ 4,0000 to complete the Technical Assistance grant. Mayor Spaeth stated the technical assistant grant could be used to do a study and cost estimate which would put the Village in a better position to apply for the full grant when it was available. Mr. Peters explained the different levels of grant funding that would be available to business owners. He continued by stating that in the Main Street grant, it is matching funding which comes from the businesses. There is no money outlay from the Village. Trustee Markiewicz asked if any other communities have taken advantage of this grant opportunity and it was explained that Johnstown, Gloversville, and Amsterdam have. Mr. Peters explained that improvements done with any grant funding from this source would have to adhere to the State historic guidelines.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – Mayor Spaeth cited the statistics in the police report for August, which is on file. There were fourteen complaints handled, three of which were criminal. A total of 165 man-hours were expended.
Mayor Spaeth reported that Recruit Matthew Crankshaw had aggravated a preexisting injury at Zone 5 and as a result, is unable to complete the program at this time. He explained that Recruit Crankshaw may reenter the academy when the next session starts in January. Mayor Spaeth stated we would be receiving records from the academy.
Mayor Spaeth also reported that Recruit Brandon Hillier, who was attending the Fort Plain Academy has withdrawn from the program.
Mayor Spaeth gave an update on obtaining additional police coverage for the Village. He stated he has looked at hiring a retired officer for approximately 20 hours a week to do various shifts in addition to the regularly scheduled shifts in the Village. He explained that everyone knows when the police will be on and his hope was that the additional patrols would discourage the speeding and other issues we have been having in the Village. Mayor Spaeth stated that Brian VanNostrand, who currently serves as a part time officer for the Village, has recently retired from the Sheriff’s Department and has expressed an interest in the new position. Mayor Spaeth stated the position would be a maximum of 1,000 hours per year at a rate of $ 19.00/hour. He also explained that the hours would be flexible and scheduled by the officer himself. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to hire Brian VanNostrand for police coverage for a maximum of 1,000 hours per year at a rate of $ 19.00/hour with no benefits or insurance. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Streets – Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that they would begin leaf pickup and requested that notices be published reminding residents to keep brush piles separate from the leaf piles. He also reported that Mark Yost, Fulton County Highway Superintendent, was exploring options to improve the sidewalk/gutter area at the corner of Reed Street and Main Street. Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that the new pickup has arrived and the old one was being placed on Auctions International this week.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 3,285,000 gallons in August 2015 to 2,776,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Darryl Roosa gave an update on the VFD. He stated the new one was in and he was working with Fulton County electric to begin wiring. He stated it would be approximately two weeks before it was up and running.
Fire – Fire Department Report for August 2016
| Village of Northville (3) | Fire Alarm 1
Standby for Hope 1 Wires down, Burning 1 |
| Town of Northampton (8) | Fire Alarm Malfunction 1
Trees across road 1 Powerline in Road 3 Tree on powerline 1 MVA 1 |
| Town of Benson (1) | Tree on powerline 1 |
| Mutual Aid Given (1)
Mutual Aid Received (3) |
Total Man-hours reported were 232.89
Code Enforcement – Mayor Spaeth reported one building permit was issued during September according to the Code Enforcement report on file.
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported that the Joint Youth Commission had met the previous night. She stated that ideas were presented for the winter months by the Youth Director. Mayor Spaeth stated that the Civic Association was not going to be doing anything for Halloween so the Youth Director would look into organizing an event.
Mayor Spaeth reported that during the recent Joint Youth audit, some internal procedures such as one over one oversight were brought to light. He explained that he would begin implementing one over one procedures on all department heads for time sheets. He stated that while the times sheets were always reviewed and signed during the monthly meetings, now there would be a signature on payroll sheet also. Mayor Spaeth indicated that he would perform one over one reconciliation on the bank statements also. He stated there is not any issues with either time sheets or bank statements, adding that he was implementing this procedure to make things cleaner in the eyes of the State.
Comprehensive Plan – Trustee Markiewicz reported that group was preparing for the final review of the plan they have been working on. He anticipated it would be forwarded to the Board for their review in December.
Park Use Requests – Mayor Spaeth reported there were no use requests for review.
TRANSFERS:
Treasurer Matthews requested the following transfers:
$1,000.00
From: A5110.401 – Streets – Supplies & Materials
To: A3310.4 – Traffic Control – Contractual Exp
$2,500.00
From: A5110.410 – Streets – Repair to Bldg
To: A5132.402 – Garage – Repair and Maint.
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the transfer as presented by Treasurer Matthews. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ellsworth and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $103,697.26, from the Water Fund in the amount of $18,828.43, from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 1,793.03, and from the Capital Reserve Street Equipment in the amount of $ 33,675.00 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Ellsworth, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported he had a meeting with the Fireman’s Association recently. He indicated that the issue with the fireman obtaining required physicals was being rectified. There are new procedures in place to assure that physicals are kept up to date.
Mayor Spaeth stated that at the meeting, the plowing of the vacant lot next to the firehouse was discussed. He indicated they were working with the insurance company to see if there is liability coverage on the lot. Mayor Spaeth stated that assuming that the insurance issue gets verified and the lot is still vacant this winter, he would recommend plowing it. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to plow the vacant lot owned by the Fireman’s Association pending insurance coverage on the lot. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ellsworth and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported he discussed the situation of the Village taxes paid by the Fireman’s Association on the vacant parcel they own. He explained to them that the taxes couldn’t be waived. He stated the bill came as a surprise to them and added to their financial stress they are facing due to the multiple engineering studies and planning documents they have been obtaining for the new firehouse. He reported that a majority of the discussion with the Association members centered over the rent payment by the Village. He indicated that once a new firehouse is completed, the rent would be $ 35,000.00 a year. Currently, the Village is paying $ 12,000.00 a year in rent. The Association requested that the Village begin paying $ 35,000.00 immediately but Mayor Spaeth stated he was not comfortable increasing to that amount at this point due to their current financial situation. Mayor Spaeth stated he reviewed the history of the rent payments and in 2010, the Village was paying $ 15,000.00 per year. He does not know why it was dropped to $ 12,000.00. Based on this information, he recommended that the Village go back to $ 15,000.00 per year, retroactive to the beginning of the current fiscal year. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to increase the rent from $ 12,0000.00 to $ 15,000.00 per year, retroactive to the beginning of the 2016 fiscal year. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to deny the Fireman’s Association bill for storage of the police car in lieu of the rent adjustment. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ellsworth and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth gave an update on the Third Street property. It was reported that the building was scheduled for demolition on September 27th. He indicated that the Sacandaga Task Force for Senior Living (STFSL) had a high level of confidence that their senior housing project was moving forward and the intent was to use the Third Street property. Mayor Spaeth stated that should the Village want to move forward with selling the Third Street property, they would have to declare the property no longer of any use to the municipality. Mayor Spaeth reported that Pathstone, the developer working with STFSL, is a 501-C3 not for profit entity specializing in senior housing. Mayor Spaeth stated he has been in contact with NYCOM and the property could be sold to Pathstone for what the municipality has invested in it for asbestos abatement and demolition, which is approximately $ 12,000.00. He reported to the Board that Pathstone is looking to build 40 units in the Village, 24 units on a Main Street parcel and 8 units each on First Street and Third Street. He said the group is aware of concerns over developing on the First Street parcel and they are looking at possibly purchasing the Lanzi property on Main Street, excluding the bank building. Mayor Spaeth stated he anticipated the Planning Board would be meeting within the next month for a preliminary site plan review of a senior housing project. After continued discussion, the Board agreed it would be in favor of selling the Third Street parcel for what was invested in it for asbestos abatement and demolition.
Mayor Spaeth presented the revised Tree Ordinance that the Tree Commission was working on for review. He noted that with the exception of the fine imposed, the Commission made the previously recommended changes. It was noted that the current recommended fine of $ 500.00 makes an offense a misdemeanor. Mayor Spaeth stated he was reluctant to make the charge a misdemeanor and he suggested changing the fine to $ 250.00. After discussion, the Board agreed to change the fine to $ 250.00 and forward the ordinance to the Attorney for review.
Mayor Spaeth reported that the drafted Intermunicipal agreement between the Town of Edinburg and the Village of Northville is still being reviewed by Edinburg.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported that there were 118 pieces of used reebar that was being stored at the Third Street property. Three individuals presented quotes for buying the reebar from the Village. After review, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to sell the reebar to Darby Jensen for $ 1180.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from the Knights of Columbus for their annual coin drop on October 8, 2016. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the Knights of Columbus coin drop on October 8th. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth stated that the Sacandaga Seniors Travel Committee submitted a letter requesting funding in the next budget. It was noted that the Town donates to the program from the Town wide fund which includes the Village.
Mayor Spaeth discussed office renovations with the Board. He indicated that the services of the Treasurer are shared by the Town and the Village and as the Treasurer serves as the HR contact, it was felt that he needed to have a more private office. Mayor Spaeth stated that working with Supervisor Groff, it was determined that the Treasurer could move to the Mayor’s office and the Clerk/Treasurer’s office could be split into two offices, one of which to house the Mayor. He stated that the largest expense of the project would be the floors as they were buckling and warped in several areas. It was determined that most of the work could be done “in house” with the Town and the Village splitting the cost of the work that gets done in the office renovations. It was noted that the Village would pay for the furniture for their offices. Mayor Spaeth reported that estimate of the project was approximately $ 11,000.00. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the renovations of the Village office space as presented by Mayor Spaeth pending approval of the Town Board at their next meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ellsworth and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Sedon opened discussion regarding Trick or Treat. She reported that NCS was in the planning stages for Halloween activities and requested that the Board consider establishing Trick or Treat on Friday, October 28th instead of Monday, October 31st. She stated that many parents felt it would be easier to get their kids ready on a Friday instead of a Monday. Mayor Spaeth stated that leaving Trick or Treat on October 31st, regardless of what day of the week it fell on, had been historically discussed by the Village Board. He cited one reason for the practice was coordinating the event with surrounding communities. After discussion, the Board agreed to continue with the practice of establishing Trick or Treat on October 31st regardless of what day of the week it fell on.
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 9:00 p.m. The next meeting will be October 18, 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy Reu
Village Clerk
