Northport Village Corporation

Overseers Meeting

November 13, 2005

Minutes

Present: Overseers Peter Allen, Margaret Brockway, Bill Cressey, David Crofoot, Linda Houghton, Judy Metcalf, Peter Spollett; Jo Huntoon, President; Julian Sheffield, Treasurer; Bill Paige, Village Agent; Jane Phillips, Tree Warden; Karen Hoedtke, Secretary.

Following an Executive Session, the regular session was convened at 9:55 a.m.

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

Treasurer’s Report:

                          General Government

                                         Checking                                $51,775.85

                                         Community Hall                             878.61

                                         Petty Cash                                       32.88

                          Water Department

                                         Checking                                $37,153.74

                                         Savings                                          208.37

                                         Petty Cash                                       30.72

                          Sewer Department

                                         Checking                                $17,116.33

                                         Petty Cash                                       36.37

Sheffield noted that the income and expense for the MBNA designated grant had been reallocated as specific items. Originally they were in Other Revenue and Office Expense.

Hoedtke instructed to contact the Town Office to determine when the Town Appropriation might be received.

Sheffield reported that the cost for the 2004 audit for all three entities (general, water and sewer) totaled $15,000. A quote has been received for the 2005 audit in the amount of about $8,900 to be conducted after the tax season with an extension requested for the PUC report. Must be stipulated that the audit will be finished by the end of June.

Crofoot moved and Metcalf seconded that Sheffield send a letter of contact to Purdy Powers and Co. Voted.

Crofoot reiterated that funds from both water and sewer reserve accounts should be transferred to savings accounts and accurately reported.

Huntoon recommended that there should be cash forecasting with the surplus and offered to work with the Finance Committee in this regard.

Village Agent:

Paige reported that most of the meters are out. Presently cleaning the leaves from the parks and ditches. Residents raking leaves into the ditches is creating a problem. Also, a pile of cut branches has been dumped in Cradle Park and a pile of brush has been left at the corner of Griffin and George Sts.

The unlicensed vehicles have been removed.

A proposal for snow plowing will be ready for Paige at the December meeting. Metcalf moved, Brockway seconded that Paige be retained to plow snow should it be necessary before the next meeting. Voted.

Visitors’ Concerns: 

Ralph Robinson was concerned about the culvert which goes under his driveway to a catch basin. There is a 19” opening which had a grate but, because of the accumulation of leaves against the grate, it has been removed, creating a safety hazard for pets and small children. Cressey will view the situation before the next meeting.

Tree Warden:

Phillips reported that the trees in the Village had originally been inspected on August 30^th. John Tooley was called in and inspected the tree in Ruggles Park on October 13^th. There had been some damage to the tree in the past, but it was well scarred over and the tree does not appear to create a danger. Mrs. Van Bibber was present for the re-inspection. Tooley did not charge for the re-inspection.

Crofoot proposed the planting of 3 or 4 small trees and the placement of a bench by the old “jail” and, if his proposal were accepted he would fund the cost of the bench. Phillips mentioned that Bob Dutton generally has trees available and would recommend ones proper for that location.

Metcalf moved, Crofoot seconded that Phillips be authorized to consult with Mr. Dutton about three trees of suitable height and diameter.

Facilities:

Nothing to report.

Communications:

Allen looked into ListServ but found it’s not supported by the Village web site which is experiencing difficulties and needs to be improved. Spollett offered to assist.

Metcalf urged all Overseers to review the Right of Access Policy and the Public Meeting Laws in the Overseers Manual.

Utilities:

Crofoot reported that the rainfall of 16”+ in October doubled the NVC limits but the flow from the South Shore remained moderate or low.

Chlorination/dechlorination has been shut down for the winter.

The report on the smoke testing has been received from Dirigo confirming that Merithew Square and North Street areas are definitely problem areas. Cobe Road couldn’t be done. Flow metering will be done in the spring.

We are buying a back-up pump for the small pump stations from Lynch. The replacement pump for the Shore Road pump station is expected to be installed in December with repairs scheduled for the same time.

No particular problems with the water department.

Crofoot and McElhaney met with the Belfast Water District. The BWD reported that the water supply is more than adequate. The NVC Water Department must prepare a 5-year proposal and expect to incorporate a 5-10% increase in the amount of purchased water. Metcalf to review the proposal for any required legal language to cover the Village in the event more water is needed in the event of fire.

Next year’s budgets were reviewed and should be ready for approval at the December meeting. For any shared costs, the allocation again will be 3/8 water, 3/8 sewer, ¼ general. The committee recommends that the shared costs on the 2007 budgets be configured at 1/3 each.

If there is any leftover money at the end of the year, it will be held in anticipation of using it for egregious I & I or other problems which arise.

Zoning Report:

A public meeting was held and the suggested changes were reviewed. The only substantive change was to bring two portions of the ordinance into agreement, that it is not deemed to be out of compliance if a building is raised up to 3’ for the purpose of putting in a foundation.

Metcalf moved and Brockway seconded that the Zoning Ordinance of the Northport Village Corporation be adopted as amended on November 13, 2005. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no (2/3 required). PASSED.

Town Roads Committee:

The Town of Northport has asked for two people from the Village to serve on a new committee. Cressey and Crofoot volunteered.

Waterfront Regulations:

Huntoon recommended that regulations for the waterfront and Cradle Park be in place before summer. The booklet, which was prepared this past summer, will be e-mailed to all Overseers for review and revision and then mailed to all property owners with additional copies made available for summer renters.

The next meeting will be December 11^th at 9:30 a.m.

Metcalf moved, Spollett seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 11:09.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen L. Hoedtke