Northport Village Corporation

Board of Overseers

June 19, 2005

Minutes

The June 19^th meeting of the Board of Overseers was convened at 8:00 a.m. by President Jo Huntoon. Present were Overseers Judy Metcalf, David Crofoot, Peter Allen, Margaret Brockway and Peter Spollett and Treasurer Julian Sheffield, Village Agent Bill Paige. In Clerk Lagner’s absence, Karen Hoedtke was nominated, seconded and voted as secretary pro tem.

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

Huntoon announced that the agenda would be taken out of order to address visitors’ concerns as follows:

Deirdre Sousa of Belfast would like to use the Community Hall for dance kinetics classes to be held twice a week from June 30^th through August 26, Friday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 and Wednesday afternoons from 5:00 – 6:00. In response to questions raised by Metcalf, Sousa has liability insurance, there will be no alcohol, parking rules will be observed, and there will be nothing loud and disruptive. Metcalf moved that Sousa be allowed to use the hall upon receipt of the insurance binder and with not less than a $10.00/class donation to the Community Hall building fund. Seconded by Brockway, Voted.

Brockway questioned the rule that users of the Hall had to be taxpayers of the Village. Metcalf replied that it is not a rule but that taxpayers have priority.

Greg Tilden requested use of the Hall for a high-end fashion show to benefit the Hospice Unit of the Waldo County General Hospital on October 8^th with set-up on the 7^th. Parking for the 200 ticket holders at Dos Amigos with shuttle service. Beverly Crofoot volunteered to contact boat owners concerning a possible delay in the storage of masts. Tilden requested that wine be allowed with hors d’ouvres from 6:30 – 7:00; hospice has liability coverage re alcohol. Metcalf moved and Crofoot seconded that wine be allowed this one time for the hospice charity fund raiser on the condition that a parking plan and insurance rider be received in advance with set-up on the 7^th, the event on the 8^th to end at 9:30 p.m. with a donation consistent with policy. Allen offered a friendly amendment that there be police present with Tilden paying $13.00/hour; Allen to arrange with Sal or Joan DeMeo. After discussion the motion as amended was Voted and Approved.

Elaine Smith, Bay Street , concerned about the water run-off into and under the homes on Bay Street , that because there is no ditch now the rainwater has nowhere to go except down the road. During the heavy rains of 1998 this didn’t occur because of the ditch. Paige indicated it was due to the catch basins not being cleaned off. Metcalf stated that there are two avenues to pursue: 1. Remind Magruder; 2. Take care of it in the Village. Need a plan to clean out culverts and catch basins in the spring and fall, that it is a maintenance issue, not an engineering issue. Paige will do the work and will keep records of his time spent for payment and to show the Town what it is costing us to maintain the roads.

Treasurer’s Report: The Professional Services account is higher than planned but otherwise the report is in order with the following balances:

            General Government

                        Checking                      $ 72,836.88

                        Community Hall                    876.29

                        Petty Cash                              32.88

                        Total                            $ 73,746.05

            Water Department

                        Checking                      $ 63,156.36

                        Petty Cash                              30.72

                        Total                            $ 63,187.08

            Sewer Department                   

                        Checking                      $ 13,067.95

                        Petty Cash                              36.37

                        Total                            $ 13,104.32

Motion made and seconded to release the Lynch Construction warrant. Voted.

Facilities:  The merry-go-round has been repaired by Alden Badershall.

Parking should not be allowed on top of the wastewater tanks. Paige to put up “No Parking” signs. Crofoot to discuss the problem with the Yacht Club.

The outfall buoy is sitting too low in the water; the weight of the chain may be too much. Crofoot suggested attaching a 10’ length of line to the chain to compensate.

Installation of French drain to solve problem of standing water in Bayview Park has been delayed since Bill feels we need a “Permit by Rule” from the DEP. Paige to coordinate with McElhaney.

Safety: Allen proposed to increase the police salary from $12.50 to $13.00/hour and to increase the $25 gas allowance. Metcalf moved, Brockway seconded that the pay be increased to $13.00/hour. Voted. Metcalf moved, Crofoot seconded to raise the weekly gas allowance reimbursement from $25.00 to $35.00. Voted.

The lifeguard and police contracts need signatures. Allen requested that the notice regarding the emergency number be included in the next mailing.

Betty Wilson would like to have a book sale at the library all summer long. Suggested that one or two days would be appropriate, that the library is not designed for a commercial operation.

Judy Rohweder is working on the web site: www.northportvillage.govoffice.com

Budget: Changes were discussed and made to the proposed 2006 budget. Metcalf moved, Brockway seconded to accept the budget as amended. Voted.

Annual Meeting: The material for the annual report must be sent to Ellie Lagner within the next two weeks. She announced that she will not be the Clerk next year.

A special meeting of the Overseers with a workshop pertaining to the annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday July 3^rd at 8:00 a.m. The regular meeting will be July 17^th.

Utilities: Metcalf reported that as there was not a quorum on June 3^rd, no business was transacted. Crofoot stated that wastewater discharge volumes have exceeded license limits during March, April and May due to the heavy rains. The removal of the air bag from the Granston line contributed heavily to the I & I. Crofoot has talked with Granston and Norton about the work that needs to be done; McElhaney has asked Lynch for a bid on this but we haven’t yet received it As this is an emergency situation, the work should be done without a bid requirement.

There are presently no problems with water. Currently negotiating with Kevin Coughlin about getting meters into the properties.

Forty shut-off notices were sent to overdue water customers.  Some customers pay their water bill and do not pay their sewer bill since there is no available penalty. The Utility Department should investigate linking water shut-off with the non-payment of sewer bills. If this is not possible, sewer liens should be placed on properties before the end of the year.

Moved to adjourn at 10:10.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen L. Hoedtke