Minutes of NVC Meeting of November 18, 2001

The Board of Overseers convened at 10:15 AM in the Drinkwater School with the following members present: President Vlodek, Treasurer Handler, Clerk Lagner, Overseers Lightner, Smith, Doucette, O'Malia, Whitten, and Rohweder. Also attending were Superintendent John Fancy, Agent Bill Paige, Jane Phillips (Parks Committee), Todd Morello, Ken Wescott, Joe Krulin, Galen Plummer (Arsenic Committee), Rita Spady, Dan Webster (Web Page), Carolyn Crosby, Beverly Crofoot (Water/Wastewater Committee), Tim Samway, and several other residents.

The minutes of the October 14, 2001, meeting were approved as amended.

The Treasurer's Report was approved as follows:

                   General Government

                     Checking                    $17,233.01

                     Community Hall                 189.50

                     Money Market              42,236.62

                       Total Government      59,659.13

                   Water Department

                     Checking                      22,656.29

                   Sewer Department

                     Checking                      10,657.37

                     CD721053                   19,010.56

                     Money Market              21,634.65

                       Total Sewer Dep.      51,302.58

Community Playground

Carolyn Crosby, representing the Community Playground Committee, introduced plans for a new school playground, which will be open to everyone in the community. She asked the Overseers to contribute to this community project, with construction planned for Spring of 2002.

Water/Wastewater

John Fancy, Superintendent, reviewed the history of the present sewer/water situation. He presented copies of the May 2000 Road cost estimates study, the August 8, 2000, cost estimates, and the vote to authorize the Corporation to borrow an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for improvements to the water, wastewater, and road systems.

John recommends adding the Shore Road water connection to Phase I, contingent upon receiving additional funding. Plans completed this winter would be ready for presentation at the annual meeting. This would, however, mean delaying the bidding of Phase I.

Issues raised in discussion:

1. Previous additions of winter water users were paid for by the users.

Response: Many of these were connected when the water company was privately owned.

2. The South Shore addition could be added on to Phase I, as is Birchcrest.

Response: The Birchcrest users will mean more revenue for the Water Company. The South Shore users are already being serviced by the Water Company (summer water) so would bring in no more revenue. Thus the town is not required to pay for this extension.

3. The bonds are listed as General Obligation bonds, and thus could be used for items outside the Phase I plan.

Response: The reason for purchasing General Obligation bonds is that Revenue bonds cost more. But at the Town Meeting, the vote was on Phase I, the content of which was listed clearly.

4. The vote states the improvements are "including but not limited to the construction of The Phase I. . ."

Response: This is standard phraseology as prepared by Mike Trainor at our attorney's office. In order to receive funding, application had to be made by the Village Corporation; the water and sewer departments could not apply for funds because they are not set up as districts. But the voters were voting on the Phase I list of items as allocated to the various departments.

5. If the connection is going to be paid for by any Village Corporation money, then we must present it to the voters for approval.

6. According to the figures, Phase I will cost less than one million dollars. Why not use the rest of that money for the South Shore connection?

Response: Some amount is allocated for contingency in case of project over-runs. The exact amount of money needed for the Phase I activities is unknown until we receive contractor bids. Any left-over money would probably not carry the water connection very far down the South Shore.

Response: Rural Water asks that the Village install water meters, estimated to cost $140,000 which will have to come out of the grant. The purpose is fairness (the users pay for the water they use), and conservation. This is still being investigated.

John Fancy presented a draft of a letter to our legislators asking for funding sources to help the arsenic problem. It was moved to have the president send this letter under the letterhead of the Village Corporation. (Although this was not brought to a vote, when mentioned later in the meeting, it was thought to have been voted.)

Discussion: Add that this is not an addition or an amenity, but these people depend on their wells in the off-season. Also, the present drought is aggravating the problem.

Dan suggested that we prepare two options for bids, one which includes the Birchcrest addition, and one with the South Shore addition also added. John said that bids are customarily held no more than 30 days, although this may be a special case, so it may be extended to a 60-day contract.

Galen Plummer presented the report of the Arsenic Committee. Dirigo's study of the situation suggested that we place high priority on this problem. The concerns of the respondents to the committee's survey were for a more equitable distribution of the costs, and the recognition that there is much work to be done.

It was moved to postpone the bidding process for Infrastructure Plan I while the Utilities Committee, in conjunction with the Arsenic Contamination Committee, looks into the improvement and upgrading of the South Shore water line primarily due to arsenic contamination in the wells. So VOTED.

Billing procedures:

John Fancy presented the Policy on Utility Billing for water and sewer users.  (See policy for details.) Notification of the new billing procedures will be mailed with the spring billing.

It was moved to approve the new billing procedures beginning 2002. So VOTED.

John presented the budget for the Water Department for 2002. After discussion, it was moved to accept the Water Department Budget. So VOTED.

The WasteWater Budget was accepted as presented. So VOTED.

Residents' Concerns

1. Ken Wescott presented documents for the Board's review.

2. Todd Merolla announced that the Northport Selectpersons' will meet on Nov. 29 at 7:00 PM in the town hall. Marine Resources will be present to address residents' concerns. Anyone interested in the mussel farm situation is welcome.  It was suggested that Belfast, Searsport, and Isleboro also be contacted about this meeting.

Village Agent Concerns

The Village has not contracted for snowplowing yet.

Parks Report

Jane Phillips, Parks Committee, reported that a recent wind storm caused little tree damage, which shows that the maintenance of the trees has been effective.

Planting around the basketball court: Dutton estimates $778 for a 30' soil berm, 18"-24" high, topped with juniper. It was moved to approve up to $1,000 for plantings at the basketball court. So VOTED.

Establishing the plants will involve regular watering. Dutton would like to do the berm this fall, then plant in the spring.

Matt O'Malia suggested that we need to have more long-term, organized planning of Village landscaping. For this purpose, Jane Phillips will establish a Garden Club.

Financial Statements: Report by the Auditor; Dec. 31, 2000

The draft of the Auditor's report on the Financial Statements was distributed. Ken reviewed the changes to be made. Russ suggested that future water and wastewater reports be separated. John Fancy, Ken, and Russ have all reviewed the report and recommended that it be accepted. However, after some discussion, action was tabled until Dec. 16, by which time the changes can be incorporated into the report, and Board members will have had time to study the report more carefully.

Ken is disturbed that the receivables for the water and sewer are substantially higher than in previous years, 25% to 28%. It was suggested that some bills may not have been received, or payments may have gone astray. A letter should be sent to those who are listed as "past due" to be sure a mistake has not been made.

Recreation

Some time in December the calendar committee will meet to establish the community calendar. Beverly announced the dates for the Historical Society events were set.

The Overseers VOTED to contribute $100 to the Community Playground fund, and individuals attending the meeting generously agreed to match this gift.

Safety

It was suggested that the lifeguard be asked to record the septic system figures at noon daily, for which he would receive a stipend.

Legal

To the request for mediation, town selectperson Denise Lindahl responded that only legal representatives could talk. The situation will be discussed with Village attorney Judy Metcalf, who may then present the Board's request for mediation, which will then be publicized.

Denise announced a meeting on Dec. 9, for anyone who might have concerns to bring to the Town Selectpersons' attention.

Zoning

Legal action with Fielden over a building permit may be pending.

A complete information package about the Village needs to be written. The Village Corporation form of government is unfamiliar to most people, and newcomers need to know the financial commitments of cottage owners to the Village, such as taxes, garbage collection, and water.

Old Business

Members were asked to review the Bylaws before the December meeting.

The meeting dates for the winter months are as follows:

Drinkwater School: January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19:      

Community Hall: June 9, July 21

After a brief executive session the meeting was adjourned at 2:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,