1-16-05
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Northport Village Corporation

Board of Overseers

Minutes of Meeting: January 16, 2005

 

At 10:00 AM on January 16, 2005, President Huntoon convened the meeting of the Northport Village Corporation Board of Overseers in the Community Hall meeting room with Overseers Brockway, Metcalf, Spollett, Crofoot, Allen, Robbins, Treasurer Sheffield, and Clerk Lagner present. Also attending were Superintendent McElhaney, Secretary Hoedtke, Manager Paige, Beverly Crofoot, and other residents.

 

By motion of Metcalf, seconded by Spollett, the minutes of the December 12, 2004, meeting were accepted.

 

Treasurer Sheffield presented the treasurer's report as follows:

 

Cash on Hand

                        General Government

                                    Checking                           $103,157.48

                                    Community Hall                          875.54

                                    Money Market                                 0.00

                                      Total                                 $104,033.02

 

                        Water Department

                                    Checking                            $36,701.11

                                    Petty Cash                                     41.60

                                      Total                                  $36,742.71

 

                        Sewer Department

                                    Checking                            $12,391.78

                                    Petty Cash                                    41.61

                                      Total                                  $12,433.39

 

A cross-check with the Town of Northport and NVC's financial records shows a discrepancy in the "Accounts Receivable" figures: The Town's figures show about $10,000 in accounts receivable from taxes, while the Village records show about $16,000. Karen will follow up on this. The treasurer's reports were accepted by motion of Metcalf.

 

After presenting the financial reports, Sheffield thanked Karen Hoedtke for her extra time and determination to make the billing software work correctly. Crofoot pointed out that this is the last time that we have free software support.

 

Visitors' Concerns

 

Beverly Crofoot: Requested that the Village underwrite the cost of mounting the Greenlaw Map, in return for the storage of critical Village files in the Historical Society's room. Metcalf moved, seconded by Robbins, that up to $100 be authorized to mount on foam core, shrink-wrap, and suitably frame the copy of the Greenlaw map. Voted.

 

Julian Sheffield: Asked that the request first mentioned several months ago to consider an alternate time for Overseers' meetings be considered, since the 10:00 AM Sunday morning time conflicts with church services. After discussion, Crofoot moved, seconded by Metcalf, that the meeting time remain the same. Voted 4 in favor, 2 abstain.

 

Facilities

 

Brockway distributed the recommendations from the MMA as a result of their August survey. Discussion of these recommendations was tabled until the February meeting, in order to give Overseers time to study the document.

Action is being taken to install emergency lighting on the back stairs in the Community Hall.

 

Spollett has located a source for a fireproof file cabinet for the archives.

 

Finance

 

Robbins is reviewing Village bank statements from Camden National Bank and on-line viewing is being set up. Robbins thanked Karen for posting the agenda on the bulletin boards.

 

Safety

 

The search for a lifeguard is beginning. Metcalf suggested that the job description, which she and Allen have drafted, should be available before hiring. Anyone applying for the life guard position needs to know the expectations of the job. In addition to water safety and swimming protection, the lifeguard should also be in control of civil conduct on the wharf. They have the authority to police the dock.

 

Parks

 

Crofoot presented information about a grant available for planting/maintaining the forest and trees. A workshop concerning this grant is being held in February.

 

Utilities

 

Utility Department Meeting: Report on January 7 meeting.

 

Operations: October and November were good. December was a wet month, and the Village undoubtedly had a flow violation, as there are still significant infiltration issues. Stevens Pump and Electric, and Moore Septic Tank Cleaning are going to install new check valves on the Shore Road pumps. Estimate: $2,300. Eventually in the fall the guard rails will have to be replaced for an estimated cost of $5-6,000.

 

DEP Meeting: DEP representatives asked that Woodard & Curran do further work on their report. Crofoot felt that DEP representatives better understood the financial difficulties of supporting a new treatment plant. They asked that the Stage II facilities plan be further refined. The basic 4 options are still being considered, including upgrading our current system. Other secondary treatment methods are still to be studied. The committee feels that correcting the I & I flow problems because of the old, old sewer lines in the Village should be of primary consideration. The revised plan should be submitted by February 1. It is hoped that the Woodard & Curran report will be available to us by Jan. 21, and the final one to the DEP by Feb. 1. Dick Brockway has agreed to help review the report. The DEP expects the NVC to begin design work by March.

 

Budgets: After study, the Utility Committee asked that we begin the process with the P.U.C. for a water rate increase. Crofoot moved, seconded by Metcalf, to proceed with this submission to the P.U.C. for an increase in water rates of $46.00 a year to bring the base rate from $380.00 to $426.00. Voted.

 

Metcalf moved, seconded by Robbins, that the Water Budget represented on the document printed at 8:35 AM on January 16, 2005, be accepted as the budget for the Water Department for 2005. Voted.

 

Metcalf moved, seconded by Robbins, that the Sewer Budget represented on the document printed at 8:35 AM on January 16, 2005, be accepted as the 2005 budget for the Sewer Department. Voted.

 

New Sewer User: A resident who lives beyond the NVC current sewer boundaries asked permission to hook in at his own expense. Because the system is not in conformance, no extensions are allowed.

 

Archives: Lagner reported that an application has been submitted to MBNA for a grant to purchase a filing cabinet and shelving. State funds may also be available to improve the storage environment, and Beverly Crofoot suggested that a professional be asked to analyze the present facility and suggest improvements.

 

Crofoot moved that the Overseers go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.

 

Upon re-convening, Crofoot moved, seconded by Robbins, that the meeting be adjourned at 11:45 AM.

 

Eleanor Lagner, Clerk