Minutes of NVC Meeting of September 2, 2001

Prior to the opening of this meeting, all Officers and Overseers of the Northport Village Corporation Board of Directors were sworn in.

The Board of Overseers convened at 10:02 A.M. on September 2, 2001, in the Bayside Community Hall. Members present were Overseers Trenholm, Doucette, Lightner, O'Malia, Whitten, Smith, Rohweder, and officers President Vlodek, Treasurer Handler, and Clerk Lagner. Also present were Village attorney Judy Metcalf, Parks Committee chairman Jane Phillips, and Village residents Sue Ellen Fleming, Stan Nitzberg, and Ken Wescott.

1. Ken Wescott presented a suggestion for a vehicle to remove dog droppings. He also hoped that we would talk with Mr. Baker, whose letter he has previously presented to the Board.

2. Judy Metcalf discussed the new "Notice of Violation" from the DEP. The format is unusual. Typically the "Notice of Violation" is evaluated and negotiated with DEP, and then appended to a consent order, then signed off on. John Glowa has asked that our Waste Water Department sign off on the "Notice of Violation", and then we will talk about what the consequence of that is. This is not the usual way of doing it. (Background on wastewater treatment given here for benefit of new Board members.) To summarize the present issue, we are up for re-licensing, and we were asked to evaluate all reports back to May of l996. This notice of violation is partly based on documents they have had since l996, and concerns that some figures are estimates, based on the fact that our flow-meter has been inoperable since October, 2000. Judy said that John Glowa should not be working with documents previously submitted and accepted. To date we have been working with John Glowa's superiors, who have assured us that this was not a problem. We have been told to react to this notice within 5 business days, and on Tuesday, September 4, John Fancy will call the DEP to set up a meeting. The meeting will include John Fancy, Andy Hamilton (Judy Metcalf's partner), and the DEP officials, but will not occur before September 11.

The people in charge of funding think they can help us, so John Fancy is working with them. He has also mentioned that this year the state department has severely cut DEP's funding in this department. They are leveeing large fines for this sort of thing.

Ken Vlodek's concerns are these: (1) We went from three violations to ten violations without any communication. (2) In communications between John Fancy and John Glowa's superiors, everything has seemed fairly calm, but John Glowa has been escalating the whole thing. (3) John as been basically asked to go back into our data that has already been submitted to DEP.

Russell Handler suggested that we approach the town of Northport to warn them that we may need financial help. We might need to go to a different type of treatment facility, or speed up the three phases of rebuilding the sewer system. The town of Northport could apply for a community block grant, which we cannot do. Judy responded that it is too soon to approach the town officials; we need to settle the violation issue first.

The meter is fixed this week. The leak in the pipe into the bay is fixed, and the chlorinator is fixed.

3. Shaver/Webster issue.

Judy presented the Good Deeds' survey of Nancy Shaver's lot. In a right-of-way situation, which includes streets which the town has right of way to use, the actual owners of the land are the two abutters, with the lot line running down the center of the street (right of way). However, the dominant owner of the right of way (which is the village) has jurisdiction over the care of that property, and must maintain it for proper use. In this case, Shaver is trespassing on our right of way by adding gravel to the roadway. Only the right-of-way owner can improve or develop the right of way. The issues of the moving of the rocks and the cutting of trees are purely issues for the two property owners to settle, and not the responsibility of the Corporation. Judy will write a letter to Nancy Shaver concerning this, with a copy to the Websters.

It was moved that "based upon discussion, that our attorney draft the necessary letter signed on behalf of the Village Corporation." So VOTED.

4. Jane Phillips said that our arborist, Al Davis, is retiring. There is some question as to whether or not his grandson will be continuing the work. Mr. Dutton will be doing a lot of things that he and Davis used to do together, and he will be looking for another tree man.

5. Russell Handler announced a few changes in handling the finances. He would like to more aggressively invest the money. All paychecks in the future will be paid either by direct deposit or by mailed check.

6. Judy asked that we take steps to see that our zoning ordinance is enforced. The CEO job description is not clear, nor is it being followed. It was suggested that we have Blaine Richardson appear at monthly Overseers' meetings, and a more detailed list of the job expectations should be prepared. It was also suggested that we appoint one overseer to deal with personnel issues.

7. Steve Trenholm made the following motion, which was so VOTED. "In recognition of over 50 years of service as harbormaster, wharfmaster, and constable by Al Keith, that in honor of his services to the Bayside community, the official name of the Bayside Wharf as of September 2, 2001, will be the 'Alfred J. Keith Wharf'."

8. Ken Vlodek suggested that we create a "Distinguished Citizen Plaque" to be hung in the Community Hall, with Al Keith's name at the top of the list. After some discussion, it was decided to table this until spring.

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM.

Respectfully submitted,