Minutes of NVC Meeting of August 24, 2003

The meeting of the newly-elected Board of Overseers was opened by President Josiah Huntoon at 10:00 AM on August 24, 2003 , in the Bayside Community Hall. Clerk Lagner administered the oath of office to the incoming Board members. Sworn in were President Josiah Huntoon, Treasurer Dan Doucette, Overseers Peter Allen, Margaret Brockway, David Crofoot, Judy Metcalf, Michael Robbins, and Peter Spollett. Mary Hanrahan was absent, but had been sworn in earlier.

Water/Wastewater: John Fancy

John Fancy, Superintendent of Utilities, reviewed the present status of Phase I, Phase II, and the Consent Agreement with the DEP on the Wastewater situation. He distributed copies of the Woodard & Curran report. The study narrows the options to two choices. First, a low-rate wastewater treatment plant consisting of lagoons, which are more expensive to build but significantly cheaper to operate. Three areas have been identified as possible locations for the lagoons. After treatment in the lagoons, the effluent would most likely be discharged through the existing outfall.

The second choice is to pump all the wastewater to Belfast for treatment. Belfast has reservations about this, as they now have some control over their I & I. If the Village’s wastewater is pumped into their system, they have no control over quantity, so feel they would have to expand their facilities, the cost of which they feel should be borne by the Village. They have quoted a price of $4.7 million just for Belfast’s part, which does not include reaching the connection point near the Irving gas station, a distance which must include two pump stations; nor does that figure include future operating costs.

The area’s future growth is an issue both for the Town of Northport and the Village wastewater facility’s needs. The Town’s Comprehensive Plan identifies the northern sections of the Northport as growth areas, so the Selectmen are also in favor of building a treatment plant which not only would bring the Village into compliance with the DEP but would also handle future demands.

The DEP still would like to see the present treatment plant improved by putting back into service the three rows of tanks, although Fancy disagrees with this method to temporarily solve the problems.

Fancy presented copies of a memo he prepared for the Northport Selectboard discussing the Town’s financial commitments to the Phase II project. Also distributed was the Budget and Funding standing for the Phase I project. Seventy-two percent of the funds have been spent, with approximately 80-85% of the work completed.

Two-hundred fifty water meters have been installed; 22 meters are yet to be placed. Ti-Sales, the contractor responsible who sub-contracted the job to Moriarty, now wishes to close out the sub-contractor’s work. Some agreement between the Village and the contractor for finishing the job will be needed. The building behind the reservoir is being used for storage of water meters.

Written complaints should be filed in the office. Forms are available. Fancy may be contacted in the office on Tuesday and Friday between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM. , although his work takes him out into the Village at times.

Zoning Ordinance Change Petition

Metcalf presented the rules for amending the Zoning Ordinance. Such changes are usually handled through a Zoning Board of Appeals. The Village does not have a Zoning Board of Appeals at the present time, and Metcalf reported that Frank Therio, the Town’s CEO, requested that this Board be re-constituted. Not only does the petition need action, but Therio has denied three people building permits for non-conforming issues, referring them to a Village Board of Appeals. Huntoon will discuss this matter with the Town’s Selectboard at their September 2 meeting. Doucette suggested that a provisional Board be voted in at the Overseers’ meeting on August 31.

The following were members of the former Zoning Board of Appeals:

            Sid Block-chairman

            Martha Block

            Martha Borgeson

            Fred Lincoln

            Peter Spollett

            Lindsay Huntoon

Metcalf moved that Sid Block be asked to speak to the previous members (excluding Peter Spollett who is now an Overseer) to see if they would be willing to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals, then make a presentation to the Board of Overseers so they could be appointed at the August 31 meeting. (No formal vote was taken, but the Board agreed to take this approach.)

Agenda

President Huntoon presented a proposed structure for the agenda of Board meetings. He stressed that the Overseers would have the last say as to how much time would be given to speakers. Mike Robbins will send an invitation to the papers to attend the Overseers’ meeting each month and will post the standard agenda on the bulletin boards.

Committees

Huntoon presented a list of committees he had compiled from past records.

Utilities: The Utility Committee was established by motion of Metcalf, seconded by Robbins: Move to direct the President to appoint a Utility Committee consisting of three Overseers and 2 utility customers. In discussion, Robbins suggested that a process for volunteering for committee membership be publicized so people will feel welcome to offer their services. Voted. Overseers volunteering for this committee are Dave Crofoot, Peter Spollett, and Judy Metcalf.

Legal: Continuing to use Eaton Peabody as the law firm for the Village was discussed, including the need for a “Chinese Wall” at times. (A lawyer cannot sit on two sides of the fence. A lawyer can “build a wall” around himself so that, although the firm has knowledge of the event, the lawyer has no knowledge.) Metcalf would be building a wall around herself for village matters. Crofoot moved, seconded by Allen, that Judy Metcalf be chairman of the Committee for Legal Issues for the Board of Overseers. Voted.

Parks: Metcalf moved, seconded by Brockway, that the President appoint Jane Phillips chairperson of the Parks Committee and Tree Warden. Voted.

Finance

Doucette requested action by the Board to clarify signatures on the two accounts as follows:

For Payroll: Metcalf moved, seconded by Allen, that the Treasurer be authorized to use facsimile signatures for payroll accounts or the use of payroll service. Voted.

Accounts Payable: Metcalf moved, seconded by Robbins, that the President, Treasurer, and Bookkeeper have signature authority on all accounts payable, including construction accounts. Voted.

Allen moved, seconded by Metcalf, that the Board appoint David Crofoot Chairman of the Board. Voted.

Metcalf distributed the updated Overseers Orientation manuals, asking that Tab 12 receive special attention.

The meeting adjourned at 12:10 PM .