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Minutes of NVC Meeting of January 26, 2003 Utilities
Board
Chairman Doug Mayer, in the absence of President Vlodek, called the meeting of
the Northport Village Corporation Board of Overseers to order at 10:00 AM on
January 26, 2003, in the Drinkwater School, with Overseers Krulis, Smith,
Rohweder, Doucette, Crofoot, Closter, Treasurer Handler, and Clerk Lagner
present. Also attending were Superintendent John Fancy, Beverly Crofoot, Tim
Samway, Todd Merolla, and Agent Bill Paige. The
minutes of the The
treasurer's report was approved as
follows by motion of Doucette, seconded by Krulis:
General Government
Checking
$46,391.20
Community Hall
462.94
Money Market
42,843.86
Total
$89,698.00
Water Department
Checking
$30,088.84
Total
$30,088.84
Sewer Department
Checking
$18,373.76
CD721053
1,927.79
Money Market
3,852.31
Total
$24,153.86 Tim
Samway presented some information as a result of his research into
"executive sessions." His suggestions will be discussed with attorney
Metcalf. John Fancy also added that when a person is being discussed in a closed
executive session, that person should be present. It was pointed out that this
applied to employees, but not necessarily to contractors. Village
Properties: Dave Crofoot 1.
Dave presented the final easement deed for the construction on the Nitzburg
property as received from Attorney Metcalf. Several minor changes have been
made. Crofoot moved, seconded by Doucette, that the easement deed be approved
and Overseers be authorized to sign the papers. So voted. 2.
Attorney Metcalf has prepared a draft of the lease of land to the Bayside
Historical Preservation Society for the cottage. Exact location of the lines is
yet to be decided. 3.
Hiring of a Code Enforcement Officer is still pending. It was moved by Doucette
and seconded by Smith, that the financial offer to the CEO be for a base rate of
$2,500 a year for up to 100 hours, with $25/hour paid in addition over and above
100 hours. So voted. Village
Agent: Bill Paige Some
concern has been expressed about the plowing of the connecting roads. Bill
agreed, saying the main roads, and school bus routes were always plowed first. Wharfmaster:
Al Keith 1.
Many letters are being written revealing the concerns of the residents about the
Mussel Farm. Krulis moved, seconded by Doucette, that a letter be sent to
Selectpersons stating that the Northport Village Corporation Board of Overseers
is in support of the selectpersons' efforts to maintain control of the navigable
waters of Northport. So voted. 2.
Some concern was expressed about the need for a wharf replacement contingency
fund. In previous years, a portion has been set aside from the boat excise tax
revenues. Without application to the town's Harbor Committee, that money is no
longer available to NVC. So far, this Committee has refused to support this
"because NVC already owns the dock, and the Committee doesn't want to have
anything to do with it" (a stand that is absolutely counter to everything
that was said at Town Meeting last year, according to Dave). Crofoot moved,
seconded by Doucette, that we have on next meeting's agenda a report from our
wharfmaster and those Northport people representing us on the Harbor Committee
clarifying this issue, which would then give us time to put it on the warrant if
necessary. If the Harbor Committee refuses to give us funds for this purpose, we
should put in a warrant item requesting half of the boat excise taxes back for
the Northport Village Corporation. So voted. Water/Wastewater:
Doug Mayer 1.
Phase I work is proceeding, but at a slower pace than hoped. 2.
The CDBG grant has been received. Mayer moved, seconded by Closter, that we
thank Mr. Merolla and Mr. Plummer profusely for the work they did to prepare the
CDBG grant application which was successful in the amount of $240,000 in grant,
and $160,000 in loan. So voted. The
grant amount applied for was $400,000. Because of the difference in the figures,
it will be necessary to return to the annual meeting for approval. John Fancy is
asked to update the Phase II budget based on this change. It
was also pointed out that grant/loan is contingent upon Northport's approval of
the modifications made to the Comprehensive Plan. 3.
The Draft Consent Agreement with the DEP about the sewer treatment plant
repair/replacement has been presented, which calls for a new secondary treatment
system by November 2007. The words "mutually agreeable" have been
inserted, making it possible for us to stop or hold up activity until we find
the money. John expects that the state will present a bond to voters in 2004,
joining our project with 4-5 other regional towns which are also facing DEP
fines if they do not act. We are committed to reports every 6 months, showing
what has been done to find funds. 4.
Gail Bryan has been hired as office manager for the Corporation. She will be
working in the office set up in the Community Hall basement. Meanwhile, efforts
continue to find a suitable Village office space. Plans and price estimates for
an office built in the water works building have been prepared by Norman James
and Todd Merolla. Mayer moved, seconded by Krulis, that a letter be sent from
the Board of Overseers expressing great thanks to Norman James and Todd Merolla
for the work they did to ferret out the costs and benefits of the water works
office. The address of the present Village office is After
discussion, it was decided to pursue further in-depth research into alternate
sites for the office. The back of the fire station is one site to be
investigated, and Dan asked that the lease with the fire department be searched
out to see if that location is possible. The Community Hall basement expansion
was another possible site. A motion presented by Mayer and seconded by Crofoot,
to ask Todd Merolla to design and do a cost estimate for a 300 sq. ft. addition
onto the water works building, space to be used by the CEO, and for larger
capacity meetings, was tabled until all the options could be investigated.
Closter suggested that we open up the problem to the community for support and
ideas, looking at the larger picture. 5.
Mayer explained the Utility District as a possible way to expedite the
management of the water and sewer utilities. After discussion, Mayer moved, and
Smith seconded, that the Overseers will permit a continued discussion about a
Utilities District, presuming that the eligible voters in the Northport Village
Corporation will participate in voting for the district. If not, the committee
will pursue the district no further at this time. Vote passed: 4 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain. Finances Dave
reported that due to an oversight, the money given to the Corporation by the
Town of Dan
requested authorization to find a new auditor. Doucette moved, seconded by
Rohweder, that the Board authorize Doucette to solicit the services of a new
auditor for the fiscal year ending Recreation Joe
Krulis reported that David and Beverly Crofoot have offered their home for the
summer's garden party. Information The
Board supported the publication of a composite calendar again this season. Gail
Bryan will work on an up-dated, correct mailing list. Greg
asked for material for the next (May) newsletter. Safety Judy
Rohweder presented material resulting from research about a police vehicle.
Doucette moved, seconded by Rohweder, that the Overseers be authorized to
allocate up to $3,000 for a police vehicle. So voted. The
meeting was adjourned at Respectfully
submitted, Eleanor
Lagner, Clerk Upcoming
meetings:
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