Minutes of NVC Meeting of July 21, 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 Lightner, Doucette, Whitten, Trenholm, Rohweder, O'Malia, Smith, Treasurer Handler, and Clerk Lagner present. Superintendent John Fancy and Attorney Judy Metcalf and approximately 25 residents also attended.

The minutes of the June 23, 2002, meeting were approved.

The Treasurer's Report was accepted as follows:

            General Government

                        Checking            $24,455.52

                        Community Hall         290.98

                        Money Market      42,650.68

            Total Government          $67,397.18

            Water Department

                        Checking              $89,799.50

                        Checking                        10.00

            Total Water Department $89,809.50

            Sewer Department

                        Checking               $19,881.40

                        Checking                         10.00

                        CD721053              19,650.15

                        Money Market         21,811.33

            Total Sewer Department $61,352.88

Village Residents' Concerns

Todd Merolla: A letter has been sent to area Representative Ashe voicing concerns about the mussel farm.

Russell Handler: The proposal to establish a fund for the needy was denied, as Attorney Metcalf stated that the Village cannot have overlapping ordinances, and the Town of Northport already has a General Assistance fund.

Polly Hyde: Park Row parking is congested; cars are parking on both sides of road. Merrithew Square is another over-parked area. Attorney Metcalf stated that the Village has no parking ordinance, so cannot post no parking signs or tow vehicles. It was suggested that the Overseers consider drawing up a parking ordinance. In the meantime, the problem must be handled by personal approaches. A letter sent to cottage owners in these two areas was suggested.

Adelaide Lincoln: Contractors working on the Fleming house have begun work at 6:00 AM, and she asks that they start work later. It was suggested that she talk with Frank Therio who is responsible for the shorelands zoning compliance. NVC has no working hour limits in the zoning ordinance.

Village Agent: The Northport Transfer Station has asked that only milk and water plastic jugs be recycled.

Assistant Wharf Master Trenholm announced that 4 new buoys are in place off the wharf. Three labeled "No Wake" were purchased by the Town of Northport, and one bought by the Village Corporation is labeled "Caution, Swim Area".

Water/Wastewater

The bids for the Phase I Infrastructure Project have been opened. Lynch Construction was the low bidder at $1,102,694.00, which is $188,749 over the engineer's estimate of $924,070. Application has been made to Rural Development to assist in making up the shortfall. After discussion, it was moved and seconded to award the contract to Lynch Construction for the amount not to exceed $1,102,694, subject to receipt of additional funding which may be secured prior to construction. Voted.

A water rate public hearing is scheduled for August 18, 2002. John Fancy suggested a method for establishing the water rates subject to funding changes. Rates will be a base (fixed) cost plus a water use fee. Before receiving the contractor's bid, John had estimated a base rate of $380 for both seasonal and year-round users. When water purchase costs are added to the base, a year-round average-use customer would pay an estimated $543.30, compared to $421.06 for a seasonal customer. Final grant funding amounts should be announced this week, but Dan stated that we have the money to cover the shortfall for one year if more assistance is denied. It was moved to approve the recommendation of the Utilities Department to use the methodology presented by John Fancy to obtain a final water rate to be incorporated into the PUC notice to be mailed August 2, 2002. Voted.

It was moved to advertise the public hearing on August 18 on water and sewer rates. Voted.

An informational meeting is to be held today at 1:00 PM to discuss the Phase II infrastructure project proposal. The warrant article for this project as drafted by Mike Trainor, bond counsel from Eaton Peabody, was read to the Board (see warrant). It will be added to the August 13 Annual Meeting warrant.

Finance

The budget for 2003 was discussed and a motion to accept a budget of $110,000 was voted.

Community Hall: Russ Handler brought to the Board's attention that the Village-owned buildings are under-insured. Further study will be done.

Legal

Judy Metcalf briefly summarized legal activities. The lawsuit over enforcement issues with the Town of Northport is still pending; judgment is expected no earlier than September. Title issues are settled. She is working with John Fancy on the easements. Under the Pingree Trust issue, Lee Woodward showed that one strip of land will be given to the Village.

Old Business

The Bylaw Review Committee, consisting of Tim Samway, Jeanette Tardif, Dan Webster, Blair Einstein, and Ken Vlodek, has recommended that a major overhaul of the bylaws is needed, and should be scheduled next year.

New Business

Utilities Management Plan: Action was tabled.

Police Officer: Resulting from resident inquiries, discussion was held as to the extent of the police officer's powers. It was moved that the Northport Village Corporation wishes to retain a full time, trained Police Officer for the summer, with authorization to perform all the customary duties of a Police Officer. Voted.

The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Eleanor D. Lagner, Clerk