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Minutes
of NVC Meeting of June
23, 2002 President
Ken Vlodek convened the meeting of the Northport Village Corporation Board of
Overseers at 10:00 AM in the Community Hall with Overseers Smith, Lightner,
Trenholm, O'Malia, Doucette, Whitten, Rohweder, Treasurer Handler, and Clerk
Lagner present. Also attending were Bill Paige, Ed Williams, Jane Phillips, John
Fancy, the Haywoods, Todd Merolla, David Crofoot, Joe Krulis, Ramona Rowe, and
Galen Plummer. On
June 22, 2002, Sal Demeo was sworn in as police officer for NVC, in the presence
of Judy Rohweder, Overseer. The
minutes of the May 19, 2002, meeting were accepted as amended. Treasurer
Russ Handler's report was accepted as follows: General Government Checking $29,751.95
Community Hall
290.98 Money Market 42,608.68 Total Government $72,651.61
Water Department Checking $89,670.19 Checking 10.00
Total Water Department
$89,680.19
Sewer Department Checking $24,753.40 Checking 10.00 CD721053 19,359.70 Money Market 21,794.10 Total Sewer Dept. $65,917.20 The
Board requested that the warrant sheets be sent out before the meeting, so
Overseers would have time to study them. Ken
gave the following highlights of several town meetings he attended: Northport Harbor Committee:
The boat tax and mooring fee money will be deposited into a special fund, to be
seeded with $25,000. On a tour of the Bayside waterfront, the Harbor Committee
noted future problem areas: the south side of the causeway, the causeway stone,
cribbing adjacent to the wharf, and in the future, the boat float and north side
sea wall. In a letter to the Overseers and Village agent, the Committee asked
that requests for shoreline funding be submitted in writing yearly and at other
times of need, to be considered at the next meeting of the committee, who will
then present them to the Town Selectpersons for prioritization. Requests should
outline briefly the projects needed, and the estimated cost. Northport Selectpersons' Meeting: Bill Magruder has swept the sand-covered roads. Some road areas where
gravel meets paving cause problems. There will be an effort to stabilize the
gravel, possibly with calcification. Bluff Road drainage, and the Kelly Cove
bridge are scheduled for work. A request to lower speed limits on the South
Shore Road has been denied, as 25 mi/per/hr was deemed adequate. Fire hydrants
at Birch Crest and Gallagher's Corner-Route 1 are being discussed. There is also
a plan to identify public rights-of-way to the water. Ken
and John Fancy presented the Phase I infrastructure plans. Meetings
have been changed to the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. Still needed are
volunteers to work on the Roads Committee. Village
Resident Concerns Todd Merolla-Mussel Farm: Todd
suggests that our ordinance needs a special clause to protect us from future
expansion. We should select members of the Harbor Committee to represent our
interests. Russ Handler: Russ requested
that a "Hardship Fund" be established to help those having trouble
paying taxes, etc. The town of Northport has a General Assistance Fund which is
reimbursable from the state. It was suggested that criteria for application to
this fund be established with the Northport selectpersons. John pointed out that
the waste water/water departments already have an abatement policy, so those
outstanding bills should be excluded from such a discretionary fund. The Board
felt that a Village Discretionary Fund should be set up, and Dan Doucette will
chair a committee to design a format. Matthew O'Malia: There is a
metal ring in a tile which may be hazardous at the corner of George and Griffin.
Bill Magruder will be asked to remove it. Village Agent Parks: Mowing is going well,
but Ken will contact Lawns-R-Us to ask that weekend mowing be discontinued. Ramps and Tanks: To be offered
for salvage, but ramps and tanks must be taken together. Ruggles Park: Removal of rocks
will now be postponed until fall, or next spring. Village Office: A bid of
$1,500 for construction materials based on Matt O'Malia's drawings has been
received. Picnic Table: Estimated cost
of cedar is $75. Approved. Playground: Needs more bark.
Lenny Holt has painted the merry-go-round. Erosion of public path behind Union cottage:
Bill will look into the problem. Trash Bags: Some bags are
oversized. Bill will put out a reminder about allowable bag size and weight, and
that they must be placed in a sealed container. Wharfmaster A
check for $50 will be sent to the Department of Conservation, with the paper
work, to obtain a constructive easement for the wharf. It
was voted to change the color of the
wharf house to dove gray with white trim. Bartlett's estimate for repainting was
$1,700, but the Board felt painting could be done by volunteers. Water/Wastewater
About
50 people attended the information meeting on June 22. Bids
on the Phase I infrastructure project will be opened on July 9. A meeting is
scheduled with the Northport selectpersons and Birchcrest on their project, and
the on July 21 a presentation will be made to the Board. DEP Wastewater Treatment License: John Fancy presented a copy of a letter to Mr. Glowa requesting a
discussion of future plans to upgrade the system. The NVC primary system was
originally granted as an EPA waiver, and few of these special licenses in the
state have received renewals. After discussion, DEP agreed to give a 5-year
renewal license on the basis of the long-term plans, copies of which were
presented to the Board. (See attached) A
new contract for John Fancy as Utilities Manager was discussed. Water Rates: It was moved that
the NVC apply to the PUC for a water rate increase up to 21% based on the
current per-fixture rate. An amendment was proposed that we include the language
that within 18 months after the new rate is in place, the Board shall apply to
the PUC for a rate based on metered consumption. The vote on the amendment was
passed with one vote in opposition. The main motion was voted. Utilities Sub-Committee Report:
The LMI study is complete, showing that 70% of the residents in the three target
areas are year-round residents, and about two-thirds of them show income in the
low to moderate range. An informational meeting about the arsenic situation is
scheduled for July 21 at 1 PM. For on-going activities of the committee, see the
filed report. Pursuit
of Rural Development and CBDG funds is continuing. Parks Work
is in progress on the children's play area and the octagonal seat in Ruggles
Park. At the library, the memorial planting in the Ponds' memory is completed. A
dedication service will be held in August. Information The
next issue of the Sea Breeze, which includes the Information Pack and directory,
and the Community Calendar, will be out this week. Recreation The
Community Garden Party plans are finalized. Use of the Community Hall in case of
rain requires approval from the Board, as liquor is not permitted in the hall.
Since insurance coverage has been approved, the Board gave permission for this
one-time use. Legal The
suit to clear titles for the NVC-owned lands has been settled. Titles are being
recorded. New Business Ken
is preparing a guidebook for all village officials, giving job descriptions and
responsibilities. The
meeting adjourned at 1:45 to go into an EXECUTIVE SESSION. Upon re-opening, the
Board voted to authorize the president to negotiate a contract for the Overseers
to approve an additional amount for the services of John Fancy as utilities
manager not to exceed $2,600 per account (water/wastewater). Voted. The
next meeting of the Board of Overseers will be July 21, 2002, in the village
office meeting room. The meeting
adjourned at 2:50 PM. Respectfully
submitted, Upcoming
meetings:
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