Minutes of NVC Meeting of March 11, 2001

The Board of Overseers of the Northport Village Corporation met on Sunday March 11, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at the Drinkwater Elementary School.  Overseers present were Handler, Lightner, Rohweder and Whitten, President Vlodek, Treasurer Stein, Village Agent Bill Paige, John Fancy of the Utility Committee, Beverly Crofoot of the Historical Society and Utility Committee and Sid Block, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The minutes of the meeting of February 18, 2001 were approved.

The Treasurer’s report was accepted as presented.

President Vlodek reported on the results of discussions with the Northport selectpersons at their meeting of February 22.

·        The volunteer fire department does not report directly to town officials so the selectpersons are unable to address the issue of the use of the hydrant in front of the Drinkwater School

·        Northport is interested in participating in the storm drain work portion of the Infrastructure Project on town streets, but they require an engineering estimate within two weeks.

·        The selectpersons were concerned about liability issues arising from the actions of Village and Town code enforcement officers.

President Vlodek reported on the results of discussions with the Northrop selectpersons at their meeting of March 7.

·        Dirigo Engineering presented to the selectpersons a detailed report on the Infrastructure Improvement Plan.

·        Water wells in the Birch Crest section are contaminated.  The selectpersons would like the Village to explore the possibility of providing water through the Village’s water department.  Funding possibilities were discussed; some of the funding options might also be appropriate for a South Shore water line extension.

President Vlodek reported about ongoing resident concerns.

·        The Oberg and general snow-plowing situation has improved, but another significant storm would cause major problems.  There is concern about flooding and the state of runoff ditches throughout the Village.  For next year, the budget needs to reflect the increased costs of plowing and sanding.

·        Von Bergen-There has been some correspondence with attorney Metcalf regarding status of the properties involved.

·        Shaver/Webster- Bill Paige will check the location of the rocks when the snow has melted.  Until then there will be no Village involvement in what is regarded as a private dispute.

Bill Paige reported that once he has a key to the Northport transfer station he may be able to return to our usual Monday pickup schedule.

The Overseers were unable to procure comparable bids for the wharf ramp project.  Three bids were received.  Bill Paige reported that there were many examples of Smith-built ramps throughout the mid-coast area, while he was unaware of similar projects built by Bay Engineering.  The board authorized the contract to Smith Welding subject to an evaluation by Engineer Rob Frank.  No increase in the bid price after agent Paige finalizes the design of the ramps with Bill Smith.  Also the boat ramp is to be delivered by mid-May, with the swim ramp to be on site by the end of May.

John Fancy of the utilities committee reported.

·        In view of the lack of town control over the fire department, a registered letter should be sent to the volunteer fire department letting them know of the situation regarding the use of the hydrant at the Drinkwater School.  The board approved this plan.

·        The committee is researching the issues regarding an upgrading to the existing water system to provide increased fire protection.  They estimate that it would cost $400,000 to provide sufficient water to16 hydrants throughout the Village through the construction of a standpipe.  To finance this upgrade, the hydrants would be rented to the Village and town for approximately $1,600 per year per hydrant.  The exact division of expenses between the Village and town will need to be ironed out.  The board approved the idea of engaging in exploratory talks with the town selectpersons about the upgrade.

·        There are no new developments with respect to Rural Development’s financing of the Infrastructure Project

Judy Rohweder of the safety committee reported progress in discussions with the safety officer for returning for another summer season.  An advertisement has been placed for a lifeguard.

It was reported that replacement cost estimates for the Community Hall are much greater than the existing insurance coverage on the structure.  Increasing the coverage on the building and its contents will be looked into.

The finance committee did not have a meeting.  Dan Doucette reported by e-mail that he did not see any problems with the Dirigo contract.  He did have some suggestions.  Treasurer Stein reported that it would be helpful to get a better cash flow estimate so that he could better determine how to handle our investment accounts.  It was suggested that CDs were perhaps not the best vehicles for Village assets and that interest bearing money market accounts would be more efficient.  Overseer Russ Handler will work with Treasurer Stein to review the monthly budgets and investment strategy.

Beverly Crofoot of the Historical Society reported that the minute books (old Village Corporation meeting minutes) had been delivered to Attorney Metcalf.  Acid free materials had been ordered for the storage of Village documents.

Overseer John Lightner reported that an informal survey of dinghy float users indicated that a permit system was unnecessary as long as users would cooperate about moving boats to the beach or the out float when not in use.  Enforcement would be necessary in the case of uncooperative users.  The board approved the search for an assistant wharf master to assist with this task.  It was suggested that the Yacht Club be contacted for suggestions about who might fill the post.

The meeting adjourned at 12:04.

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