7-13-03 Minutes
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Minutes of NVC Meeting of July 13, 2003

 

President Ken Vlodek called the meeting of the Board of Overseers of the Northport Village Corporation to order on May 25, 2003 , at 10:15 A.M. in the Drinkwater School . Present were Overseers Doucette, Crofoot, Closter, Smith, Rohweder, Krulis, Treasurer Handler, and Clerk Lagner. Nineteen people also were on hand, including Village Agent Paige, Attorney Judy Metcalf, and Superintendent John Fancy.

The minutes of the April 7, 2003 , Special Meeting were approved by motion of Closter, second by Krulis. The minutes of the April 27, 2003 , meeting were approved as amended, by motion of Crofoot, seconded by Smith.

The treasurer's report was approved by motion of Doucette, seconded by Smith as follows:

 

            General Government

                        Checking                                         $54,245.50

                        Community Hall                                      469.63

                        Money Market                                   42,896.72

                          Total                                               $97,611.85

 

            Water Department

                        Checking                                         $15,676.50

                          Total                                               $15,676.50

 

            Sewer Department

                        Checking                                           $6,825.84

                        CD721053                                        19,904.70

                        Money Market                                     3,815.46

                          Total                                               $30,546.00

 

Handler presented a problem with bill payments. There is too long a time lapse between the receipt of bills like power, phone, etc., and Board meetings when warrants are signed. Doucette will look into this, and write a payment policy, designating the monthly bills which should be paid upon receipt, rather than waiting to have them approved on the warrants.

 

Village Resident Concerns

1.      Four residents spoke requesting that steps be taken to control the speed on the South Shore Road . Lowering the speed to 15 miles-per-hour and/or having speed bumps installed were suggested, but no action was taken; patrolling the Shore Road by the police officer may help.

2.      Polly Hyde presented a letter signed by seven Park Row property owners requesting that the town pave Park Row. John Fancy is investigating the possibility with the construction company.

3.      Mary Hanrahan asked that dogs be kept leashed. The state's leash law requires only that dogs are under control, not necessarily leashed. Continued problems should be referred to the town's animal control officer.

 

4.      A resident presented a request that the Board look into the recreational vehicle parked on Griffin Street . Vlodek and Metcalf will discuss the zoning issue involved here.

 

Village Properties: David Crofoot

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Nitzburg Project: The town property affected by the Nitzburg sea wall repair has been repaired and seeded. No further action is necessary.

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Kazilionis's Oriental Cottage: Mr. Kazilionis has worked with Attorney Metcalf to sign waivers, proofs of insurance and guarantees of liability. An easement deed and indemnification agreement were signed. (It is important that anyone considering a building project that will encroach on Village property must approach the Overseers in a timely manner.)

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BHPS Museum Cottage: The cottage has now been moved to its new location on Griffin Street . Exact location still needs to be established before the lease can be signed.

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Cradle Park : Only one boat remains. The owner wishes to sell it. Assistant Wharf Master asked that boats not be limited to a certain size, but each case be handled separately. The stress should be placed on "seasonal storage".

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Parking Ordinance: Crofoot wants resident input before drafting such a document, and asks that on Saturday, July 5, an evening meeting be held in the Community Hall.

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Boulders: The use of boulders as road margins was deemed dangerous, but residents felt that some barrier should be erected, now that the deep ditches have been removed. It was concluded that bushes would be the most attractive and effective.

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Use of Public Spaces: Judy Metcalf was asked to prepare a simple policy committing users to basic rules like cleaning up, removing tents in a timely manner, etc. Jeanette Tardif, who keeps the registry for Community Hall use, will be asked to distribute these policy statements.

 

Village Agent: Bill Paige

No estimate has been received for the Community Hall roof replacement, nor have the damaged mailboxes been repaired.

Culverts on Griffin and the top of Main Street need work.

 

Wharfmaster

The resignation of Steve Trenholm as Wharfmaster was accepted by motion of Crofoot, seconded by Rohweder. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, to ask Drexell White if he would be willing to serve in this capacity. Voted. It was also requested that he be included on the Harbor Committee if possible.

 

Water-Wastewater: Ken Vlodek

  1. Committee membership: Attorney Metcalf pointed out that, according to the Bylaws, Committee members cannot vote on membership. Only the President/Board of Overseers can appoint members. Dave Crofoot asked that he be appointed to the Utility Committee. After discussion, Dave Crofoot moved, seconded by Rohweder, that the Board of Overseers direct the President of the Village Corporation to name David Crofoot to the Utilities Committee. Voted 5 yea, 1 nay.

  2. Doucette moved, seconded by Crofoot, that the Northport Village Corporation Board of Overseers certify that we have not amended or rescinded our motion to accept a USDA Rural Development grant made on January 20, 2002. Voted.

  3. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, that the President be authorized to execute the grant agreement pursuant to the earlier vote of the Village. Voted.

  4. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, to amend the contract with Dirigo to include a design for rebuilding Bluff Road from Clinton Street to 600 feet south of Cobe Road . In discussion, it was explained that the plan was for the Village to pay for engineering, and the Town of Northport would do the construction. Voted.

  5. Doucette moved, seconded by Crofoot, that the Board of Overseers authorizes the addition of the signatures of Treasurer Russ Handler and President Ken Vlodek to the signature cards for accounts with Union Trust. Voted.

  6. Doucette moved, seconded by Crofoot, that the Board move into executive session for the purpose of consulting with counsel and with our licensed operator concerning the terms of the settlement for an enforcement action by the Maine DEP concerning wastewater. Voted.

  7. (Executive Session held here)

  8. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, that the Board of Overseers approve the Consent Agreement attached, and authorize and direct the President of the Corporation to execute the document. Voted.

  9. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, that the secretary send a letter to the Board of Selectmen of the Town requesting payment of the $25,000 town appropriation made at the Town Meeting of May 5, 2003. Voted.

  10. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, that the general government budget be authorized to loan the Sewer Department up to $25,000 for the purposes of DEP compliance-related expenses. Voted.

  11. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, that the Treasurer be authorized to execute a check in the amount of $12,500 immediately payable to the State of Maine , for the purposes of executing the Consent Agreement as authorized by the Board. Voted.

  12. An open meeting to discuss a proposed Utility District will be held on June 21, 6:00 P.M. at the Community Hall. Also to be discussed at that time is the possibility of hiring a Village Manager.

 

Library

Steins will be able to take care of the plantings, but wish to yield the daily task of opening and closing, shelving books, etc. to someone else. Volunteers are sought.

 

New Business

Lagner requested permission to prepare a professionally printed town annual report. Doucette moved, seconded by Smith, that the secretary is authorized to prepare a Village Annual Report for the year 2002 in advance of the annual meeting of the Corporation. Voted.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 P.M.

 

Eleanor D. Lagner, Clerk

 

Upcoming Meetings

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July 13, 2003 (Community Hall; 10 AM)

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July 27, 2003 (Community Hall; 10 AM)

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August 12, 2003 (Annual Meeting)