September 20, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
The Village Board met Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 7:00 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Janet Rudd, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee – arrived at 7:30 p.m.
Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Dan Reidell, DPW Superintendent
Absent:
Public Attendance – Tom Spencer, Heidi Darling, Mike Warner, Norman Richardson, Lanie Groff
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 August 24, 2022, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Rudd, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC ACCESS: Norman Richardson asked if the Board would consider reducing the speed limit in the Village of 25 mph. Mayor Eckert reported it was not a consideration at this time. She indicated we are ordering a 30 mph flashing sign that can be placed around the Village to remind residents of the speed limit. She also reported that she has spoken with the police, and they are actively making stops.
Heidi Darling and Tom Spencer addressed the Board regarding the Civic Association. Ms. Darling reported that the Civic Association was seeking permission to do the Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 3rd from 5-8 p.m. in the Waterfront Park. She gave a history of the Civic Association and the events they have done in the past. She reported Dianna Downing was told that the Village was organizing a Lighted Christmas Parade the same day. She stated that in 2017, the Civic Association decided to do a Christmas parade and they did another one in 2018. Mayor Eckert informed Ms. Darling that the Village had correspondence from the Civic Association dated July 2018 which indicated that they Civic Association no longer wanted to organize parades and that they would only organize the DOINS, Block Party and Tree Lighting. Ms. Darling said she understood that Lisa had a change of heart and did do the parade in 2018. Mayor Eckert reported that she had another correspondence in September 2018 from Ms. Wood which stated the 2018 would be the last Christmas parade she would do. Ms. Darling reported that she did one in 2019 too. Ms. Darling said she didn’t know the Village was doing the Christmas parade until Dianna got the email from the Village. Ms. Darling stated that the Civic always did the DOINS and then when the ride company went bankrupt, they had no money for the following years event so they gave it up. She also said that the group used to organize the Garage Sale Weekend in May but people stopped contributing a percentage of their sales to the Civic Association so they stopped doing the event. Mayor Eckert stated the inconsistencies in planning these events that happen annually in the Village is the reason that the Board decided to assume responsibility for them through Marketing. She said we no longer have to scramble to find a group to host the event and organize it. Mayor Eckert stated that we have one point of contact for the events which creates less confusion and events can be planned well in advance to provide better events. She stated the Clerk, Wendy Reu, did a great job with the Memorial Day parade and the DOINS this year and already has a large portion of the same events scheduled for next year. She stated the goal is to organize consistent, quality events that will draw visitor to the community which will benefit local merchants and increase sales tax revenue. After discussion, Ms. Darling was informed that there was no issue with the Civic Association hosting the Christmas Tree Lighting in the Waterfront Park on Saturday, December 3rd, providing a certificate of insurance was provided and that the Civic representative, Heidi Colson, will coordinate with the Village on the lighted Christmas parade.
Tom Spencer, of the Civic Association, reported to the Bord that he no longer wants to do the fireworks and he has no interest in leasing use of his property for the fireworks. Mayor Eckert thanked Mr. Spencer for the years that he hosted the fireworks. She stated that the fireworks are a vital part of the DOINS celebration and with the advanced notification, the Village can begin making plans for future events. The Clerk informed the Board that she called American Fireworks, the company that the Civic Association used in the past, the day before the meeting and discussed options that are available to the Village. She stated they would continue to reserve the Saturday of the July 4th weekend for the Village and would work with us to find the best location. It was estimated that the fireworks cost approximately $ 6,000.00 and that in the past, both the Town and the Village contributed to the cost.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – Mayor Eckert reported we are ordering portable flashing speed limit signs that will be utilized in various spots around the Village. She indicated that she has spoken with the PD and they are actively pulling over more motorists.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that he has spoken with Rizzo Trucking and during the conversation, it was determined that the way the Village is approaching commercial garbage pickup is way too costly and wasn’t recommended. Highway Superintendent Reidell suggested that we form a committee to discuss options. A committee comprised of Mayor Eckert, Trustee Rudd, and Highway Superintendent Reidell was formed and would come up with a dumpster policy and address commercial garbage. It was indicated they would bring their ideas back to the Board for consideration.
Trustee Sedon stated that a bear got into the dumpster behind the restaurants, and it looked like the lid was damaged. She asked who is responsible for the maintenance of dumpsters. Mayor Eckert stated that would be the business owner’s responsibility to maintain their dumpsters. She indicated that items of that nature would be addressed in a dumpster ordinance. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated that the business owners want to move their dumpsters back closer to their buildings now that the Village is not going to be hauling them.
Highway Superintendent Reidell stated that he did not receive a call back from Gloversville regarding how they handle their sidewalk snow removal. During discussion, it was reported that the newly formed dumpster/commercial garbage committee could also work on modifying the snow removal from sidewalk policy.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that we received 11 applications for the vacant street crew position. He stated that four of the applicants have their CDL already and interviews would be on Monday by Highway Superintendent Reidell, Mayor Eckert, and Trustee Rudd.
Mayor Eckert stated that the Village will be applying for an EV charging station grant for the parking lot on Main Street. She indicated it would be a digital charging station capable of accepting payments for charging. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated he has spoken with National Grid about running the line to the garage on the property. It was determined that Stewarts would allow access off the pole on the back of their property.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 3,460,000 gallons in August 2021 to 3,311,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
It was reported that there was still one meter left in the Village that had not yet been converted to a radio read meter.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that Darryl wants to move forward with the water project on S. Third Street, from Center to VanArnam. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated they need another line down that section to extend fire protection. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to draft an RFP for the anticipated water project on S. Third Street that will use ARPA funds. 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
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that six permits were issued. He reported two complaints were received and one pending court case.
Dog Control – Nothing to report.
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported that the meeting was postponed until September 28th. The Clerk informed the Board that she needed JY bounce houses and potentially workers for Fall Fest on October 8th. She indicated that she had spoken with Ken about this on September 3rd. Treasurer Matthews indicated he would reach out to the JY director and see what plans could be made.
Park Use Requests – No requests were received.
Marketing – Village Clerk Wendy Reu gave an update on Marketing. She reported she continues to use various social media sites and working with FC Chamber/44 Lakes.Com to promote events in the Village. She stated plans are solidifying for Fall Fest on October 8th. She has 25 vendors coming to the event. She indicated that the Knights of Columbus have volunteered to hand out flyers during their annual coin drop that morning pertaining to events going on in the Village. The Clerk has reached out to the merchants and will be adding special promotions and events to the flyer that will be distributed. She stated the goal was to make this a community wide event to draw more people to the area.
Report on Village Projects – John Spaeth provided an update on the Village projects. We are still waiting to hear about the scheduling of camera installation in the park. He indicated that the Village had agreed to putting in two road temperature sensors and a weather sensor as part of the project and he is pushing to make sure that gets done. He also indicated that a Spillway Project Advisory Committee is being formed that will meet two to three times during the length of the project to provide guidance on direction of the designs and options. He stated it was important that a member of the Board be included on the PAC. Mayor Eckert stated she would sit on that committee.
Tree Commission – Lanie Groff reported that they received quotes from Goderie’s for trees. She said prices have almost doubled from the last time trees were ordered. She indicated that they are looking at planting red maples in the fall and sugar maples in the spring. She reported that they are no longer planting trees in the terrace as it is not good for the trees. After discussion, it was decided they would get as many trees as they could to plant this fall and the rest would come out of the next budget cycle. Mrs. Groff stated she volunteered to help water the trees to start them off right and give them the best chance to survive.
TRANSFERS
Treasurer Matthews requested the following Transfer:
$2,000
From: A1620.1 Buildings – Personal Services
To: A8140.1 Storm Sewer – Personal Services
Reason – Allocation of funds to area working
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the Transfer as presented by Treasurer Matthews. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 69,666.49, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 22,211.92 and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 4,917.52 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 Third Street property was listed with Coldwell Banker and online analytical report was received. She indicated there has been online interest in the property but no offers yet.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert reported that she and Code Officer Reidell had received a letter of complaint from Anthony Tartaglia, who resides as 422 S. Main Street. She indicated the letter inferred that the Bradt Building was in violation as it expanded their parking lot on the south side of the building, and he was requesting shielding of his property from the parking lot. Code Officer Reidell reported that the building and parking lot was here prior to zoning and that the parking lot was not expanded, rather two lines were painted on the already paved surface. Mayor Eckert stated that there was nothing we could do to address Mr. Tartaglia’s complaint and that both she and Code Officer Reidell would be drafting a letter to him on the issue.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no additional requests from the public to address the Board.
At 8:15 p.m., on a motion from Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, the Board adjourned to Executive session to discuss potential litigation. Mayor Eckert requested that the Clerk and Treasurer attend the Executive session. The motioned was carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
At 8:40 p.m., on a motion from Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Terwilliger, the Board resumed in Regular session. The motion was carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert reported that during Executive session, a unanimous decision was made by the Board to retain the services of outside legal council to review the Main Street Grant Agreement documents from 2018.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
