9-12-04
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Northport Village Corporation

Board of Overseers

Minutes of Meeting: September 12, 2004

 

At 9:30 AM on September 12, 2004, President Huntoon convened the meeting of the NVC Board of Overseers in the Community Hall meeting room. Present were Overseers Hanrahan, Crofoot, Allen, Spollett, Metcalf, Robbins, Brockway, Treasurer Sheffield and Clerk Lagner.

 

Metcalf moved, seconded by Hanrahan, that the minutes of the August 8, 2004, meeting be approved as written. The minutes for August 22, 2004, were approved as amended by motion of Metcalf, seconded by Hanrahan.

 

The treasurer reported the following balances:

 

                        General Government

                                    Checking                               $6,261.15

                                    Community Hall                          707.88

                                    Money Market                       48,296.26

                                                Total                         $55,265.29

 

                        Water Department

                                    Checking                             $48,793.75

                                    Petty Cash                                 100.00

                                                Total                         $48,893.75

 

                        Sewer Department

                                    Checking                             $18,401.45

                                    Petty Cash                                 100.00

                                                Total                         $18,501.45

 

A problem has occurred with funding warrant 9 (payment to Sargent & Sargent for Phase II construction costs). The Town of Northport is waiting for the CDBG funds and tax money to come in before paying their share. Fancy has explained the problem to Sargent & Sargent, who agrees to accept partial payment until the situation can be solved.

 

John Fancy presented papers to be signed for a 25-year, $318,000.00 bond with Rural Development. The money was used to finish Phase II (extending the water mains to the South Shore and Bluff Road ), and was contracted two years ago with Rural Development in a grant/loan agreement. At that time interim financing was obtained from Damariscotta Bank and Trust, and this Rural Development bond replaces that loan. (See attached, authorized by motion of Metcalf, seconded by Hanrahan, and voted.) Fancy added that the Maine Bond Bank now offers the lowest rates for borrowing money.

 

Crofoot pointed out that when payments are due on this bond, the water department will be paying an estimated $83,000 in bond payments next year, out of a total budget of about $115,000. As one current bond will soon be paid off, NVC Water Department will be paying approximately $70,000 per year for the foreseeable future. A rate increase must be cleared with the PUC, who should be contacted next month if an increase is needed for 2005.

 

Final papers will be signed on Wednesday, October 13, at 9:00 AM.

 

Manager Paige

 

Roads (Drainage problems): Fancy pointed out that problems existing before the construction may have been improved, but the infrastructure plans did not include complete correction of all drainage problems, which would cost more money than the Village has. It was decided to have the facilities committee, assisted by Robbins, set up a sub-committee called the "Road Improvement Committee" to do a study, with the goal of having facts and figures for a special warrant on next year's annual meeting. It was also asked that this study look into the zoning regulations as they effect drainage. The road problem will be discussed in the October meeting, and people are urged to come with suggestions and to join the committee.

 

Paige added that the cottages on the east side of Bay Street have sewer drainage problems because they are too low, but the present Zoning Ordinance denies owners the right to raise the houses. Metcalf is working on the Zoning Ordinance to correct these problems.

 

Recycling: Recycling will stop on October 15.

 

Paige stated that there is a drainage problem in lower Bayview Park . Robbins moved, seconded by Brockway, to authorize Paige to get an estimate for the cost of solving this issue. Voted.

 

Visitor's Concerns

 

Setzer: Emily Setzer requested permission to put a park bench in Merithew Square at the corner of Auditorium Park Road and Broadway between the pump gazebo and the large tree, as a remembrance of Carl Mattesen's 25 years at Bayside. Metcalf moved, seconded by Brockway, that they be allowed to place a bench in the location described. Voted.

 

Dog clean-up: Certain areas, namely the approach to the wharf, and Kelly Cove beach, are not being kept clean. Suggested was a "dog waste unit" consisting of bags and containers. Hanrahan will re-post the ban.

 

Facilities Committee- Brockway

 

1.      MMA Survey: (Insurance provider)- Recommendations will be presented for next meeting in writing.

2.      Department of Conservation: Dated 1975, we were given a "Constructive Easement" to use publicly-owned submerged land for a shore-front structure. This has to be renewed every 30 years, with a $100 administrative fee.

3.      Mast storage (in Community Hall) agreement. Forms are ready.

4.      Mail box structure needs someone to build it. It was decided to build it next spring.

5.      Alden Badershall and Dick Brockway are finishing the basement area in the Community Hall. After discussion, Karen Hoedtke, office secretary, offered to clean. She is to bill her time @ $15.00/hour.

 

Finance Committee

 

Hanrahan introduced Karen Hoedtke, (pronounced Herdka), the new office secretary for the Village, who is also a notary public.

 

Safety Committee

 

Police Car: The police car needs a new fuel pump at an estimated cost of $200. Bob Smith has offered to allow storage again in his barn for the same price as last year. Robbins moved, seconded by Hanrahan, that NVC pay Smith a maximum of $100, plus the cost of parts, to look at the car. If he can't fix it, it will be sent to a garage, then stored in the Smith barn. Voted.

 

Lifeguards: Metcalf stated that hiring more than one life guard was a detriment to building continuity and relationships with the kids, and she expressed dissatisfaction with the situation this past summer.

 

Light on Dock: The light on the approach to the dock is out. Metcalf will ask Drexel Smith to see about having it replaced, possibly with some shading.

 

Robbins: Ed Williams has completed a survey of speed problem areas in town.

 

Parks

 

Pump station planting: Beverly Crofoot offered to contact the abutters so they can choose the plantings. Hanrahan moved, seconded by Metcalf, that we authorize the expenditure of up to $200 per pump station for plantings. Voted.

 

Utility Department

 

Responsibilities to trustees have been assigned: Metcalf-the superintendent search; Spollett and Crofoot-budget; Cressey-office function; Dick Brockway-continue to oversee the plant management as long as he is available. The immediate hiring of a licensed operator/manager is absolutely necessary.

 

1.      Secretary: Working 20 hours a week. After warning letters were sent out, payments came in, and now the water receivables are down to $5,750, and the sewer, $6,800.

2.      The flow meter transducer and recorder destroyed by lightning in July will be replaced soon.

3.      DEP: The new license has been received. It allows us 63,000 gallons a day throughout the year, but the testing schedule is more onerous.

4.      Fancy has the next report ready for the DEP, his last. The Utilities Department needs someone to take over that function. At the moment, no individual has been found for the Superintendent position. A contract service is being considered.

5.      Complaints about Phase II construction problems will be passed on to Sargent & Sargent.

6.      Woodard & Curran is owed $5,000 for the DEP reports.

7.      DEP has received our reports. We do not have the money to pay for sewer treatment construction, and the DEP does not have money to assist. A meeting with the DEP will take place this fall.

 

Clerk

 

1.      Huntoon requested that an official list of committee members be published.

2.      A year-long time line checklist is being prepared.

3.      Thank you notes will be sent out by the committees to past committee members who are no longer working on the committee.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30.

 

Eleanor D. Lagner, Clerk

Northport Village Corporation