Northport Village Corporation

Overseers’ Meeting

November 19, 2006

Minutes

Present: President Jo Huntoon; Overseers Peter Allen, Margaret Brockway, Bill Cressey, Linda Houghton, Rick Melone, Judy Metcalf, Judy Rohweder; Treasurer Julian Sheffield; Clerk Elizabeth Wilson; Village Agent Bill Paige; Tree Warden Jane Phillips; Paul Bartels, Dick Brockway, David and Beverly Crofoot, Blair and Beanie Einstein, Gordon Fuller, Lindsay Huntoon, Deborah and Richard MacKinnon, and Secretary Karen Hoedtke.

Brockway moved and Metcalf seconded to accept the minutes of the October meeting. Voted.

The Warrants were circulated for approval by signature.

Village Agent Paige reported that the brush from the fallen tree had not been removed from Maple Street . Metcalf has hired someone, will check to see why it has not been done. As the tree had been on the Village right-of-way, Cressey moved and Brockway seconded to have the brush removed at Village expense. Voted, Metcalf recused herself from the vote.

There was a problem with a sewage backup in Blaisdell Park . Paige expects to have the area in question dug up within the week to determine the cause. Shore Road will be repatched when asphalt is available. There are leaves piled up against the old jail. They will be removed at the time the ditches are cleaned out.

Treasurer’s Report:

Sheffield introduced Paul Bartels who has been hired as the new Office Manager effective immediately. Bartels has a strong background in computers, web page design and maintenance, and interaction with the public.

The adjusted journal entries from the auditors all have been entered. Adobe Acrobat has been ordered which should facilitate communication. Bartels was asked to look at the insurance policies for any sewer and water allocations.

Cressey moved and Metcalf seconded to bring the payroll in-house. Voted. Sheffield to procure the necessary QuickBooks for this purpose.

Visitors Concerns:

Beverly Crofoot came before the Board quite some time ago about the satellite dish on the tree and was told that something would be done about it. A letter was sent to the homeowners who answered; a further response has not yet been sent. Metcalf moved that the Overseers take the next step to enforce the Tree Ordinance and take action authorized earlier to remove the dish from the tree. There was no second to the motion.

Cressey received a letter regarding leaf-clogged culverts. Paige reported this condition would be remedied when the catch basins were cleaned.

Dick Brockway pointed out the new flags and holders which were donated by Tim Samway. There are holders upstairs as well so the flags can be easily relocated when necessary.

Communications:

Nothing to report.

Facilities:

During the last storm there was a great deal of washout in the causeway as well as some structural damage. Brockway sent requests for bids to four companies but has had no responses. She will continue to try and get figures. It would appear fiscally responsible to repair the sea wall, wharf and road all at the same time, Gordon Fuller will research this. David Crofoot mentioned that Waldo County may be eligible for FEMA monies, Brockway will investigate our eligibility.

Brockway has received one firm estimate from Winterport Marine in the amount of $15,800 for a new boat float., they will require ½ payment in advance, and will have the float ready in time for next season. Metcalf moved and Cressey seconded to grant the contract to Winterport Marine and authorize the expenditure of half the cost. Voted. For possible funding, a letter should be sent to the Selectmen with a copy to Drexel White. Also, the MDOT should be pursued for possible grant monies.

Finance:

Nothing to report.

Safety:

Nothing to report.

Surface Run-Off:

Cressey has spoken with Al Hodsdon. One more black-top surface will be put on Main Street . Hodsdon has been asked to cut the curbing back in front of Chittick to facilitate parking, and to put a lip on the catch basin at Main and George to direct water into the catch basin. Cressey will withhold 10% of the bill until the punch list is completed. In the event the balance of paving is not done until spring, he will withhold $4,000 + 10%. David Crofoot recommended that the Road Commissioner be asked to look at the curbing on Main Street before snow plowing commences. Cressey reported that Bob Smith has spoken with Amon Morse and the latter is due in the Village this week for just that purpose.

Tree Warden:

Nothing to report.

Utilities:

The summertime chlorination/dechlorination has been terminated for the winter. The Huning/Coughlin problem has been taken care of.

Richard MacKinnon attended the last Utilities Committee meeting with additional information pertaining to his request for sewer connection. The application was filed in 2003 at which time the Utilities were operating under the 1987 Ordinance which made no mention of expiration time for the application and, therefore, had valid permission to connect. Consequently, the Committee voted to recommend that the Overseers grant the MacKinnon application. Metcalf moved, Rohweder seconded that the MacKinnon application be granted. Voted.

As a result of the recent heavy rains the flow charts from the treatment plant indicate that there is still a huge I&I problem. The north side of the Village and Cobe Road are two projects that definitely will need doing. Crofoot strongly suspects that inflow rather than infiltration is the reason for the high flows on Cobe Road .

Crofoot presented the proposed 2007 budgets for water and sewer. Metcalf moved and Brockway seconded to accept the Draft 2 sewer budget. Voted. Metcalf moved and Brockway seconded to accept the Draft 2 water budget.

New Business:

Metcalf to work with Jane Phillips on a review of the Tree Ordinance.

Cressey indicated that traffic speed on Main Street might be a potential item under New Business. People-suggested remedies are: 1. Consider speed bumps. 2. Make Main Street one-way. As this is not a surface run-off issue, this is a matter which should be taken directly to the Overseers.

Sheffield is concerned about the increased amount of dog poop in public areas. Although there is a pooper scooper ordinance, the following suggestions were made:

1. Notices/an educational program at the beginning of the season;

2. Provide plastic bags and a garbage can;

3. Look at the cost of smaller receptacles such as are used in Camden and on many hiking trails.

Metcalf moved and Houghton seconded to proceed to Executive Session, following which Brockway moved and Metcalf seconded to accept the vote to pay Karen Hoedtke two-weeks salary as a parting gift. Voted.

On a personal note, I would like to thank the Overseers, Officers and Village residents for giving me the opportunity to work with you and feel a part of the Village. It has been a great pleasure to work here, and a wonderful job, one which Baxter and I have thoroughly enjoyed.    Karen

Meeting dates are as follows: January 14 at 9:00 a.m.

                                                February 11 at 9:00 a.m.

                                                March 11 (tentatively)  9:00 a.m.

The meeting adjourned at 10:57 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,