Minutes of NVC Meeting of March 23, 2003

President Vlodek called the meeting of the Northport Village Corporation Board of Overseers to order at 10:05 AM on Sunday, March 23, 2003 , in the Drinkwater School , with Overseers Crofoot, Mayer, Doucette, Rohweder, Krulis, Smith, and Closter present. Also attending were John Fancy, William Paige, Beverly Crofoot, Todd Merolla, Lindsay Huntoon, and several other residents.

The minutes of the February 23, 2003 , meeting were approved as amended.

In the absence of Treasurer Handler, Ken Vlodek presented the treasurer's report as follows, which was approved:

General Government

               Checking                                        $60,723.69

               Community Hall                                     469.63

               Money Market                                 42,878.51

               Total                                            $104,071.83

Water Department

               Checking                                        $22,114.84

               Total                                              $22,114.84

Sewer Department

               Checking                                        $16,136.42

               CD721053                                      19,869.66

               Money Market                                    3,833.86

               Total                                              $39,839.94

Village Properties: Dave Crofoot

1. During construction on Broadway, old peony roots have been discovered and preserved, and need to be replanted.

2. Northeast will be asked to do some tree work in Cradle Park (remove a 50' ash tree and trim other branches) and finish removal of trees on Main and Griffin Street .

3. Crofoot has reached the owners of the three boats abandoned in Cradle Park . Action pending. Crofoot plans to set signs warning against dumping leaves, rules of boat storage use, and he will paint parking space lines. He suggested that storage be limited to boats under 20'.

4. The Nitzburg seawall project faces problems. The town roads have been posted for heavy loads, which means the trucks loaded with stone cannot travel over them at this time. The torn-up roads caused by the Phase I construction activities cannot support heavy loads, either now or in the near future. The Nitzburg project plans received DEP approval based on work being done on the shore when it was frozen. Work did not begin during the winter when this condition could be met, and now the shores are soft and thus vulnerable to damage by heavily-laden bulldozers traveling across them. Crofoot will contact Nitzburg.

5. BHPS cottage: Stakes to site the cottage will be in place soon. Application for a building permit for this museum will be submitted by the Village, either alone because it is the landowner, or in conjunction with the historical society as the owner of the cottage.

6. Sub-committees will be set up to research and prepare ordinances covering solid waste and parking, as well as policies for the use of public spaces. Information meetings will be scheduled for July.

Village Agent: Bill Paige

Bill Paige presented a bid for mowing the parks from Lawns Are Us. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, to accept the bid from Lawns Are Us and not put the work out for bid this year. Voted. The contract should state that bills are to be presented monthly.

Snow plowing has destroyed many mailboxes in the Village. These need repair.

Wharfmaster: Steve Trenholm

1. A letter to Dana Whitten, Chairman of the Northport Harbor Committee, written by Steve Trenholm was presented for Board approval. The letter expresses concern about the aquaculture lease, stating that it is a navigational hazard, and strongly recommends that the Committee "add an aquaculture ordinance and a redefinition of the Town's municipal waters." Doucette moved, seconded by Crofoot, that the letter be accepted with the removal of the words "over 100 letters." The motion was defeated, 2 for, 4 against, and 1 abstaining. A motion was then presented by Krulis, seconded by Closter, to present the letter as written. Voted by 4 yeas, 2 nays, and 1 abstention.

2. The Board feels that money must be put aside for replacing the wharf when necessary. It was decided that, in addition to any money allocated from the mooring/excise tax funds, the Village should set up a contingency fund.

Water/Wastewater: Doug Mayer

1. The public hearing on the CDBG grant for Phase II moneys is scheduled for April 14 at 7:00 PM in the Drinkwater School .

2. John Fancy reported that the Consent Agreement with the DEP now includes the phrase "has to be affordable for rate payers."

3. Mayer moved, seconded by Doucette, that Mayer be authorized to accept on the Board's behalf the low bid from banks offering the interim financing for Phase II. Voted.

4. Mayer moved, seconded by Rohweder, that Mayer be the authorized signatory and owner's representative for Phase II. Voted.

5. Doucette moved, seconded by Crofoot, that Mayer or the treasurer be authorized to execute checks for Phase II. Voted 4 yea, 1 nay, 1 abstaining.

6. After discussion about the three contracts (general contract, Phase I, and Phase II contracts) with Superintendent John Fancy, Mayer moved, seconded by Crofoot, to table action until the next meeting pending review by Board members. Voted.

Finance: Dan Doucette

1. It was decided to maintain the services of Malcolm Horton as auditor for the time being.

2. Doucette moved, seconded by Mayer, that a warrant article be submitted to the Town which reads "To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 for the Northport Village Corporation." Voted.

Safety: Judy Rohweder

1. Judy Rohweder reported that the state auction for used vehicles is April 17.

2. A specific job description should be written for the position of lifeguard. Also, a surf board should be added to the lifeguard's equipment.

Community Hall: Dick Tardif.

An insurance waiver for the use of alcohol in the Community Hall is needed for Garden Party backup, as was arranged last year.

Legal: Judy Metcalf.

1. Concerning the suit between the Town of Northport and NVC re the hiring of a CEO for Zoning, Doucette moved, seconded by Krulis, that the Northport Village Corporation will not proceed any further with legal action. Voted, with 1 abstention.

2. Crofoot reported that at the Northport Selectpersons' meeting on March 6, 2003 , they committed themselves to enforce our zoning laws, based on the legal finding of the judge, and we agreed that we would use their CEO and Zoning Board of Appeals. Applications will be submitted to the Town, and NVC (Gail Bryan, office manager) will receive copies of all applications and CEO actions. Fees will be sent to the Town of Northport .

The meeting adjourned at 1:08 PM .

Respectfully submitted,

Eleanor D. Lagner, Clerk

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