6-22-03 Minutes
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Minutes of NVC Meeting of June 22, 2003

 

President Ken Vlodek called the meeting of the Board of Overseers of the Northport Village Corporation to order on June 22, 2003 , at 10:05 AM in the Bayside Community Hall. Present were Overseers Krulis, Closter, Doucette, Crofoot, Rohweder, and Clerk Lagner. Thirteen residents also attended. The minutes of the May 25, 2003 , meeting were approved as amended.

 

President Vlodek presented the Treasurer’s report, in the absence of Treasurer Russell Handler, as follows:

            General Government

                        Checking                             $36,147.14

                        Community Hall                          470.19

                        Money Market                      42,931.99

                          Total                                   $79,549.32

            Water Department

                        Checking                             $11,015.52

                          Total                                   $11,015.52

            Sewer Department

                        Checking                              $ 4,219.53

                        CD721053                            19,923.36

                        Money Market                         3,806.25

                          Total                                   $27,949.14

 

The Treasurer’s report was accepted by motion of Doucette and voted. The Treasurer was asked to redeem CD721053 and roll it over into the sewer account.

 

Ken Vlodek reported on the Northport Selectperson’s meeting. In order to further communication between the Village and Town, it was decided that a Selectperson will attend the Overseers’ meetings, and a Village representative will attend at least one Selectperson’s meeting each month. Selectman John Burgess reported on Town activities.  One item of note is that, contrary to a recent ruling, garbage may be delivered to the Northport transfer station on Mondays as usual.

 

Village Resident Concerns

 

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Jane Phillips: Run-off from construction projects uphill from her cottage has caused mud accumulation in her yard. Magruder will be asked to look at this.

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Construction: Complaint: Contractors begin work very early, before 7 or 8 AM .

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Park Row Paving: A previous request has been brought to the Board asking that Park Row be paved. A letter was presented asking that the upper section of Park Row not be paved, signed by Sara Wilson, Margaret Lovejoy, Edward Lovejoy, Honora Samway, and Pat Kavage. The estimated cost for paving only half of Park Row in the steep part at the foot of the hill was estimated at $3100. Crofoot will work with the Park Row residents to make final plans for paving, probably in the fall.

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Tree: A letter from William Armstrong asked that the costs of repairing damage caused by a tree which fell in a recent storm be covered by the Village. Vlodek contacted the MMA insurance agent, who stated that, because it was an “act of God,” the Village is not liable for this expense. Doucette moved, seconded by Crofoot, that the Board seek legal opinion, in writing, from MMA concerning the NVC’s liability in this case. So voted. It was further decided to review the insurance policy; it may be advisable to purchase a rider for cases like this.

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Ramona Rowe: Expressed concern about the construction project. Complaints about construction issues should go to the contractor.

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Ed Williams: Mailboxes were vandalized on Shore Road around 1:00 AM .

 

Village Properties

 

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Nitzburg: Village property involvement is complete.

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Oriental Cottage: May exceed height limits.

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BHPS Lease: Crofoot presented the lease with the Bayside Historical Preservation Society for the cottage/museum with a description of its final location. Crofoot moved, seconded by Doucette, and it was voted to authorize the president to execute the lease which extends until Dec. 31, 2027 .

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Parking Ordinance: An informational meeting is scheduled for July 5, 2003 , at 7:00 PM in the Bayside Community Hall to discuss the proposed parking ordinance. Results of the informal survey will be presented at this time. Doucette then moved, seconded by Closter, that the Parking Ordinance Public Hearing be scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2003 , at 9:00 AM in the Bayside Community Hall. So voted.

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Public Spaces Use: A request to use the Community Hall for a dance performance by an outside organization who planned to charge admission and advertise regionally, was denied by motion of Crofoot, seconded by Krulis, and Voted by count of 4 yea, 1 nay. Upon discussion, there was concern that parking is limited, traffic congestion on the narrow road creates a danger, and liability insurance may not be adequate. Attorney Metcalf has prepared suggestions for a form to be used in future requests for the use of public spaces.

 

Village Agent

 

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Boat Float: The boat float is reaching the point when it will need to be replaced. Paige will prepare a cost estimate for the next meeting.

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Garbage Collection: People are not separating their recyclables. Leaves and boxes are not recyclable. It was suggested that Paige write letters to those who leave items for pick-up that do not qualify.

 

Water/Wastewater

 

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Utilities District: Vlodek reported that approximately 50 people attended the Utilities District informational meeting facilitated by Steve Levy, Director of Maine Rural Water, on June 21. Kirsten Hebert will be researching the questions not answered, particularly about leasing arrangements in lieu of outright sale of some Village-owned properties. Also of concern was just who would be eligible to vote, both before the District is set up, and after it is in place. Vlodek then reported on the Utility Committee meeting.

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Phase I Project:
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Birchcrest: To date, only one check has been received toward the water extension into the Birchcrest development. Lynch is scheduled to begin work by the end of June. Krulis moved, seconded by Doucette, that Ken Vlodek and John Fancy talk with the Birchcrest residents, stating that we must have the money before Lynch begins work on June 28. Unless a substantial amount is received by that date, construction will be postponed. (What constitutes a “substantial” amount would be left to the discretion of Vlodek and Fancy.) Voted.

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Missing Warrant: A warrant to approve payment of a pay requisition for Phase I in the sum of $122,879.74 was not available for signatures. Doucette moved, it was seconded, and voted to approve this requisition for payment subject to the Treasurer presenting the warrant.

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Water Meters: Installation of meters is being set back by Paige’s having to correct faulty installations. A letter to the contractor and Dirigo will be sent. The sub-contractor’s work has been very unsatisfactory. Doucette moved, seconded by Krulis, that a letter should be issued by the Utilities Manager to Ti-Sales detailing the problems that have been occurring with regards to installation of meters, and until a satisfactory resolution of those problems is given, that all future payments are suspended. Voted.

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Paving Issues: Doucette moved, seconded by Rohweder, that an additional amount of paving be done on Bay Street and Sea Street to extend the road to the inside tapering from 1-1/2 feet to 3-1/2 feet to the middle, funds to come from the General Government Roads Account. Voted.

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Water on Wharf: Crofoot moved, seconded by Doucette, that NVC will pay for the water used on the Wharf. A shut-off valve on a time clock will control water availability (hours to be designated by wharf master). Voted.

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Phase II Project:  John Fancy reported that Phase II plans with the Town and Village are proceeding smoothly. Vlodek reported on the progress. First reimbursement request to Rural Development has been received. CDBG paper work is all in place, for town and village, as well as Augusta. Low income figures are in, and must be stored in a locked file. Design document is almost complete. Village and Town have signed off on Phase II. RD will sign off this week, then bids will go out. Bids will be opened at 11:00 AM on August 1 in the Community Hall, followed by a 1-week review. Final bids will be announced at the Annual Meeting. John Fancy expressed concern that this schedule may not be realistic and that he had not been in favor of going to bid so soon.

 

Finance

 

Doucette moved, seconded by Krulis, the following budget figures, to be posted in the warrant for the Annual Meeting:

            Proposed Income     $116,100

            Proposed Expenses  108,500

                        Balance to Contingency.

 

The 2002 Audit is ready, and will be included in the Annual Report.

 

Wharfmaster

 

Under discussion with Northport is a plan whereby the Town and NVC would each contribute $2,500 to a wharf replacement fund.

 

Parks

 

Phillips reported that more shrubs have been planted around the basketball court; the dinghy has again been planted, and 5 whiskey barrels were planted to discourage parking next to the children’s play area in Ruggles Park .

 

Information

 

Closter reported that the bulletin boards have been fixed. Vlodek pointed out that we will need up-to-date voter lists, and will begin by getting the most recent list from Jim Cummings. It was suggested that we set up address check points at community get-togethers between now and the Annual Meeting, to check current addresses. Registrars will be needed for the Annual Meeting, also.

 

Recreation

 

Krulis reported that Lisa Webster will be running children’s games on July 4th and would welcome any help.

 

Safety

 

Police Chief Sal DeMeo will need an expense account for running the new police car. Rohweder and Closter will work up a form for tracking DeMeo’s expenses. Doucette moved, seconded by Rohweder that the officer work on an expense account basis with proper documentation submitted to the Safety Committee. Voted.

 

Rohweder moved, seconded by Doucette, that a sum not to exceed $700 be appropriated for a rescue board for the lifeguard. Voted.

 

Community Hall

 

Roof: An estimate for the repair of half of the Community Hall roof has been received. Shingles would cost around $4,000, with a metal roof twice as much. Paige was asked to look into a better quality of shingle before any decision is made.

 

Doucette moved, seconded by Closter, that Lynch be asked to quote a price for putting in gravel in the parking area in front of the Community Hall. Voted.

 

Library

 

Betty Wilson is opening and closing the library.

 

New Business

 

Doucette moved, seconded by Closter, that this year’s Annual Report be dedicated to Jeanette Tardif, who served as Clerk for the Corporation for 20 years. Voted.

 

Sid Block is chairing the Nominating Committee, and plans to canvas the entire community for anyone interested in serving as an Overseer.

 

Note: The next meeting of the Overseers will be July 13, 2003 . Unless further notice is received, the regularly scheduled July 27th meeting will be also be held.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 P.M.

 

Eleanor D. Lagner, Clerk

 

Upcoming Meetings

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August 12, 2003 (Annual Meeting)