Northport Village Corporation

Overseers’ Meeting

October 9, 2005

Minutes

Present: President Huntoon, Overseers Allen, Brockway, Cressey, Crofoot, Houghton, Metcalf and Spollett; Treasurer Sheffield, Village Agent Paige, and Karen Hoedtke, Secretary.

Metcalf moved, Brockway seconded that the minutes of the last meeting be accepted. Voted.

Treasurer’s Report: The reallocation of audit costs to the water and sewer accounts has not been received yet. Crofoot noted the increased insurance costs; an increase could be expected next year as well. NOTE: The budget proposed by the Overseers for 2006 and approved at the Annual Meeting anticipated the increases.

                        General:

                                 Checking                                  $45,737.18

                                 Community Hall                               876.29

                                 Petty Cash                                         32.88

                                            Total                             $46,646.35

                        Water Department:                           

                                 Checking                                  $20,774.17

                                 Petty Cash                                         30.72

                                             Total                            $20,804.89

                        Sewer Department:

                                 Checking                                  $21,086.63

                                 Petty Cash                                         36.37

                                            Total                             $21,123.00

The warrants were circulated for approval and signature.

Village Agent: Paige reported that the boat float made it through another season and was hauled last week. The catch basins (other than Broadway and Sea) were cleaned off and appear to be working; Paige was authorized to clean them off as well and to keep track of Billy’s and Paul’s hours. Tuesday, October 18^th, the catch basins are scheduled to be cleaned out. To make a list of those in the worst condition and watch them over the year to determine which should be cleaned annually. The new catch basin grate on Sea St. is working well. Main, Griffin , Maple and North have washouts. The work on the drain from Kavages down has not been completed as the cost will be more than anticipated.

Metcalf moved and Cressey seconded that Paige complete the work without regard to those financial limitations set at the previous meeting. Voted.

Visitors Concerns: Sheffield recommended that the winter meetings of the Overseers start earlier. Crofoot moved Brockway seconded to change the official starting time to 9:30 a.m. Voted.

Amos Van Bibber reported that a Griffin St. driveway diverts the rainwater behind 3 & 7 Broadway.

Susan Fitzgerald: Due to the work on Shore Road , Grays no longer have a flat parking area which gradually sloped down toward the water. The ground now goes down at a much sharper angle which has created problems with her stairs and the Gray cottage.

Paige noted that starting at the Granston cottage up to the Strauss home on Shore Road the water line appears to have settled creating a ditch causing the water to run straight down the road.

Linda Parsloe:

1. Boats are parked on the wharf covering two handicapped parking spaces and interfere with her view. (Over the years, dry docking has been permitted for a small number of boats on the landing and are required to be removed before June. They will be moved enough to clear the handicapped spaces or substitute handicapped parking will be arranged.)

2. Concerned with the RVs parked in the yards. (Parking is allowed for any vehicle on private property; permission from the Code Enforcement Officer is required for any type of hook up. Keep a log of any presumed violations.)

3. Expired vehicles parked in Merithew Square . (Metcalf to review.)

4. There is no beach left due to the kayaks, canoes, etc. (Metcalf suggested creating a kayak storage area; further recommended that Gordon Fuller be contacted for suggestions and help.)

Committee Reports:

Communications: Metcalf will prepare a definitive policy of communications for the November meeting. Allen to look into Listserv.

Facilities: Nothing to report.

Finance: There will be a specific budget at the next meeting of items which are/will be over-budget. Huntoon was authorized to write a note of thanks to the Northport Tax Collector for her efforts in the efficient and rapid re-billing of the Village taxes.

Safety: The police officers have completed their contract. Sal and Joan will contact Bob Smith directly concerning the winter storage of the police car.

Tree Warden: (The Van Bibber letter was moved out of order due to its content.)

Mr. Van Bibber’s letter was read concerning the condition of a tree in Ruggles Park opposite 3 Broadway. Phillips read her letter of response. (Both letters on file.) Cressey moved, Spollett seconded to have John Tooley come and inspect the tree. Vote: Yes 6, No 1.

Utilities: Two license violations for BOD (soluble organic components); no violations for flow. The replacement pump for the Shore Road pump station authorized at the last Overseers meeting has been ordered but receipt and installation not expected until late November. The smoke testing was accomplished. As expected, the worst areas were in the north end, particularly Merithew Square . One residence on Shore Road had a roof gutter running into the sewer drain; that is being corrected. Testing on Cobe, Oak and Maple was unsuccessful due to probable sagging pipes with resultant water preventing the pass through of the smoke. Camera viewing in the spring will be used. The testing will be charged to the Phase III account. Moore ’s Septic pumped the tanks again. Will plan to pump again in May rather than April hopefully to lessen the amount of scum to be found at the fall pumping. Water usage averaged 58,000 gpd with a yearly average of 20,000 – 22,000 gpd. Utility bills went out on schedule with shut-off notices due to go out at the end of the month to those who have not timely paid. The committee took a preliminary look at the 2006 budget and in the final form, will build in reasonable amounts for maintenance and repairs. In the 2005 water budget there is a $2,500 Sinking Fund item and a Phase III item in the sewer budget.

It was voted at the recent Utilities Department meeting to transfer money monthly from the Sinking Fund and to transfer any amounts remaining in the Phase III account at the end of the year into specific savings accounts. Cressey moved and Brockway seconded to approve the Utilities Departments motion. Voted.

Surface Runoff: Cressey mentioned three areas of concern: 1. Relationships with other government entities; 2. Long term approach; and 3. Short term fixes without spending lots of money. He noted that the shallow paved swales are currently working.

1.      Town of Northport - Cressey drafted a letter for Huntoon to send to the Northport Selectmen. DEP – A short-term solution to the Bay St. problem has been suggested; install a second overflow pipe, 6” above the existing pipe, from the drain basin at the bottom of the Village to run between Elaine Smith’s cottage and that of Hawn to the Bay. Because of the height above the main pipe, it would only be used during times of heavy water flow. Cressey: Should we apply to DEP for a license? Recommended he contact Frank Therrio regarding a Permit by Rule.

2.      Within the next year we must decide what major drainage projects will be required, they should be competently charted out with professional help and with public meetings held. Cressey will prepare an outline of the process for the November meeting.

3.      The Main St. problem needs a quick-fix now. Paige suggested a paved swale on the upside of Facey with a catch basin on the upside of the Inn driveway. Metcalf moved, Brockway seconded to authorize Cressey to have the work done with a status report at the November meeting. Voted.

Shirley Rand expressed concern about the rocks at the corner of Clinton and Broadway. It was noted that Paige, as Village Agent, can remove the rocks and also move the stop sign nearer the corner.

Cressey will prepare an inventory of citizens’ comments for the November meeting.

Old Business:

Zoning Revisions: The public hearing was held concerning the revisions; voting by the Board at the next meeting.

Northport Yacht Club:  Nothing to report.

Tax Refunds: Cressey moved, Metcalf seconded to refund the overpayment of taxes. Voted.

Judy’s Requests:

A Certificate of Appreciation signed by Huntoon with accompanying letter will be sent to Betty Wilson for her many efforts in maintaining the Bayside Library.

Metcalf drafted a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Wescott thanking them for removing the mail box from the head of Ruggles Park . As the policy is that no mail boxes are allowed in Ruggles Park , concern was expressed at the relocation of the mail box to a position opposite their cottage. Spollett moved, Metcalf seconded to tell the Wescotts to remove the mail box from Ruggles Park . Vote: Yes 5, No 1, Abstain 1.

Metcalf moved and Cressey seconded to move into Executive Session for a scheduled personnel matter.