Northport Village Corporation

Resident Information Pack

May 2003

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Fire:                 911

Medical:           911      

Seven blasts on an air horn or other alarm in the wharf area indicates a medical emergency, and that help, including medical, is needed immediately.

Sheriff:             (207) 338-2040 (Waldo County Sheriff's Department)

                        (800) 660-3398 (Waldo County Sheriff Department)

GOVERNMENT

Bayside's governmental authority comes from the legislative charter granted to the Northport Village Corporation in 1915. This charter outlines NVC's rights and responsibilities with respect to finances, taxes, ordinances, law enforcement, and utilities.

Seven Overseers and three officers (president, clerk, and treasurer) are elected at the annual meeting held the second Tuesday of August each year.

The Board of overseers has responsibility for the government of NVC.

Voter Registration

To vote at the Annual Meeting of the NVC, you must be 18 or older and a registered voter meeting one of the following criteria established by charter:

1. Reside within the Corporation's boundaries and be a legal voter of the Town of Northport .

2. Own land in fee simple within the boundaries of the Corporation.

3. Occupy one or more lots of land under a lease in perpetuity from the Northport Wesleyan Grove Campmeeting Association.

Registration for voting is available the evening of the Annual Meeting from 5:30 PM to 7:15 PM. at the Community Hall. An alternate time will be posted on Bulletin Boards within the Corporation's limits.

FINANCES

Residents in NVC pay property taxes to the Town of Northport , as well as Village taxes to support the services supplied by NVC, including maintenance of village roads, parks, and wharf, trash pickup, police, and lifeguard. Two separate tax bills are sent out. The Northport Town Clerk/Treasurer collects the NVC taxes for the Corporation, so Village taxes should also be mailed to the Northport Town Office, 16 Beech Hill Road , Northport , ME 04849 .

SERVICES

Water

The Water Department, purchased by NVC in l980, was significantly improved in l999 through a connection to the Belfast Water District at Little River. All water costs, debt retirement, O & M, and water purchase are paid by user fees. Water meters are being installed in all customers' houses as part of a 2002 infrastructure project.

Payment of water bills should be addressed to P.O. Box 568 , Belfast , ME 04915 .

Trash

Between June 15 and September 15, trash is picked up on Mondays and Thursdays. Monday pickup will occur even if Monday is a holiday, with the exception of July 4. If July 4 occurs on a Monday, there will be no pickup until Tuesday, July 5. Between September 16 and June 14, trash is picked up only on Mondays.

All trash must be placed in heavyweight, plastic bags and left in covered, secured plastic, wood, or metal containers, and should be set at the roadside before 8 AM . The contractor will not enter private property. Only household trash and garbage will be picked up. Each bag of trash must have a sticker affixed. Stickers may be purchased from the Northport Town office at 16 Beech Hill Road in Northport.

The Northport town transfer station will recycle corrugated cardboard, glass, plastic milk bottles, papers, periodicals, and cans, and is open from 9-4 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. During the summer it is also open on Fridays. Access is by permit obtained from the Northport Town Clerk, 338-3819.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

Zoning Ordinance

Before beginning construction in the Village, a resident must obtain a building permit. Please contact Code Enforcement Officer Frank Therio at 567-6066.

Waterfront

Wharf Regulations: The following is a partial listing of the waterfront regulations and safety information.

1. Intoxicating Liquors and Drugs. Public use of intoxicating liquors and drugs is prohibited by law in accordance with the statutes of the State of Maine .

2. Fishing. Fishing is allowed on the wharf and the south (boat) float, but not between the hours of 12-5 PM on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays during July and August.

3. Casting is subject to the approval of the lifeguard.

4. Boats have the right-of-way.

5. Fish bait shall be kept in a container and confined to the fishing area.

6. Hours: The wharf is closed between 11 PM and 6 AM except to boat owners.

7. Swimming: Swimming is to be confined to the north float and the north half of the wharf.

8. Boats: Boats are to be confined to the south float. Boats may use the front of the wharf for repairs with the permission of the wharf master.

9. Water-skiers may not take off or land at either float.

10. Miscellaneous Vehicles: Bicycles, motorcycles, motor scooters, scooters, skateboards, roller blades, motor vehicles, and livestock are prohibited on the wharf and fire lane leading to the wharf. Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted on the wharf.

11. Dogs: Unattended dogs are prohibited on the wharf.

12. Behavior: No running, pushing, shoving, or roughhousing is allowed on the wharf or floats. Profanity will not be tolerated anywhere on the waterfront area or the wharf. Each person using the waterfront area is responsible for removing his/her own refuse and trash.

Dinghy/Float Rules (revised 2002):

1. A dinghy must be conspicuously marked with the owner's name and phone number.

2. Dinghies moored at the dock float must not exceed 12' in length. Boats over 12' should be kept on a mooring or elsewhere at the owner's discretion.

3. The dinghy should have a good, solid rub rail with no rough edges, protruding nails or screws that might damage adjacent boats. It must be well maintained, and not leak. Oars left in the boat should be securely placed inside the boat with oarlocks removed, or left in the down position.

4. No dinghy should be left at the dock float unattended for more than 48 hours. If the dinghy is not used regularly, it should be beached, tied to the outer float, or tied behind the owner's moored boat.

5. A dinghy at either float must be bailed out after a rainstorm as soon as possible (within 48 hours).

6. No dinghies may be stored on top of either float.

7. Boats not in compliance with the above rules may be moved at the discretion of the wharf master, who may make exceptions to the rules in the case of medical and/or emergency situations.

8. The outer (east) side of the boat float should be used only for loading and unloading. Boats should not remain for extended periods of time, nor be left unattended.

Lifeguard:

The Village hires a lifeguard for duty on the wharf from approximately July 4th to Labor Day. The lifeguard is hired to protect the swimmers, and has authority over all activities on the wharf. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. The rules and regulations for wharf are posted on the wharf.

Wharfmaster:

The Wharfmaster is Gordon Fuller, 338-5387, with assistant Drexell White at 3 Maple Street , Bayside; 338-6085. Questions about the use of the wharf should be referred to them.

Harbormaster:

The Harbormaster for the Town of Northport is Allen "Mike" Brown, who lives at 78 Cliff Road , Saturday Cove. Phone: 338-3419, or call VHF-Marine radio WXZ360.

Moorings:

An application for a mooring permit must be registered with the Town of Northport for a fee of $10.00, then an annual mooring fee for residents and/or property taxpayers is $20.00. Non-residents/Non-taxpayers will be charged $50.00 annually for moorings.

Roads and Parking

The Bluff Road , the Bayside Road (which becomes George Street and thereafter the Shore Road), Cross Street , and Broadway, Bay Street , and Sea Street are maintained by the Town of Northport (except for short sections of Broadway and the Shore Road ). All other roads are maintained by the NVC.

Speed Limits: Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 15 mph. Pedestrians have the right of way.

Parking:

Parking is at a premium in the Village Center , but long-term parking areas are available in Cradle Row and between Clinton and Pleasant Streets. Parking in the area next to the wharf entrance is limited to one hour. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the wharf, and may not be parked on the access road. Overnight parking is not permitted, nor is parking in the parks.

Parks

NVC is responsible for the care and maintenance of the parks.

Although curfews are not meant to be restrictive, the Village basketball court should be clear by 9 PM , the parks by 10 PM , and the wharf area by 11 PM . This is not meant to overly restrict movement around the Village.

Winter boat storage, limited to 7 boats (none to exceed 27 feet) in Ruggles Park is subject to the approval of the Wharfmaster. All boats and cradles must be removed from the park by June 15. Boats and/or cradles may not be left in the park overnight after June 15. Boats may be hauled for the winter on or after October 1, or an alternate date set at the discretion of the Wharfmaster due to inclement weather conditions.

Pets

The Maine state leash law is observed in Bayside. Dogs must be leashed or under control. Owners should also clean up after their dogs. Pets should not be left unattended. A barking dog in a closed cottage can be very upsetting to neighbors.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Northport Yacht Club

The Northport Yacht Club, established in 1938, welcomes anyone interested in boating, and is open to all who wish to join. The clubhouse on the waterfront in Ruggles Park is a center for activity from May through October. A full calendar of Yacht Club events includes large- and small-boat racing, pot luck suppers, cook-outs, day trips to the island, and sailing lessons. Membership forms are available in a box by the clubhouse front door, and yearly fees are very reasonable. For more information, contact Art Hall, 338-2460.

Bayside Historical Preservation Society

The Bayside Historical Preservation Society was established in 1995 with the goal of preserving the rich history of the NVC. Memberships are open to all for a nominal fee, and applications for memberships may be found at the home of John Dykstra on Park Row. Activities include house tours, post card sales, presentations resulting from in-depth research of certain interesting time periods, displays at the Community Hall of historical items, and guest speakers. The Society maintains a controlled-atmosphere room in the basement of the Community Hall, and welcomes donations to their archival collection. A cottage dating from the early campground era was donated recently and will become a museum for village artifacts. For more information, contact Beverly Crofoot, 338-4661.

Bayside Library

The Bayside Library is located in the former pump house in Scribner Park at the corner of George and Clinton Streets. Open daily during the warm months from 10 AM to 6 PM , books may be donated, borrowed, or bought. The honor system prevails.

Garden Club

The Garden Club plans the plantings, tree work, and design of NVC-owned landscaped areas around the community. For more information, call Jane Phillips, 338-5086.

COMMUNICATION

Website

Bayside Web Page:  For contact via e-mail, Dan Webster at dan@baysidemaine.com.

                                    Web site: www.baysidemaine.com

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