Northport Village Corporation

Overseers Meeting

February 19, 2006

Minutes

Present: President Jo Huntoon, Overseers Peter Allen, Margaret Brockway, David Crofoot, Linda Houghton, Judy Metcalf, Peter Spollett, Village Agent Bill Paige, Julian Sheffield, Treasurer by telephone, and Secretary Karen Hoedtke

Metcalf moved and Brockway seconded to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Voted 6-0.

Treasurer’s Report: Sheffield reviewed the new formatting of the financial statements. There now will be two warrants per entity for signature: one under the annual warrant for checks that are signed and mailed prior to the monthly meeting (i.e., payroll checks) and the second covering the checks which are presented for signature.

Metcalf moved and Brockway seconded that the Treasurer transfer $35,000 from checking to a competitive rate certificate of deposit. Voted 6-0.

Metcalf moved and Allen seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report as given. Voted 6-0.

The warrants were circulated for signatures.

Village Agent: Paige reported a severe wash from the last rain, particularly at the catch basin at Griffin and George Streets. He recommended a storm grate similar to the new one on Bay Street but raising the grate 6-8” with two open sides  with 2-1/2 – 3” openings vertically so leaves won’t plug it. Spollett moved and Brockway seconded that Paige spend up to $500 to raise the grate on Griffin and George Streets. Voted 6-0.

Paige feels that both sides of Main Street need paved swales and will get 2 -3 estimates on the cost.

Broadway from Merithew Square to Huntoons needs rebuilding. Crofoot and Cressey will find out from the Town what plans they may have for that stretch of road.

Visitors Concerns: Jane Phillips has noted a satellite dish attached to the tree at the corner of Main and George Streets. As Tree Warden, she feels that nothing should be attached to the Village trees. The Overseers felt that this tree was in the road right-of-way and not on private property.   Metcalf moved and Houghton seconded to authorize the Tree Warden to communicate with the owners of the property to request that the satellite dish be removed from the tree. Voted 6-0.

Phillips noted that the tree in Ruggles Park , whose health had been questioned and which had been rechecked by the arborist, had not dropped a branch during the recent 70 mph winds.

Blair Einstein spoke concerning the Utilities Committee’s recommendation to the Overseers to deny application for a sewer connection filed by Paul Nyren for property on Shore Road .  The lot in question is a proposed 10,000 sq. ft. lot to be subdivided from an existing lot of record and sold to Mr. Nyren. Charlie Hunter was present and spoke for John Firca, the seller of the property.

Metcalf moved and Allen seconded that the Overseers accept the recommendation of the Utilities Trustees not to issue a sewer permit to Mr. Nyren. The Utility Trustees’ motion was based on the fact that the application was for a newly created lot of record.  The Wastewater Treatment Plant was constructed with Federal Funds under the understanding that it was to serve existing needs and was not to be expanded.  The design of the plant envisioned 10% growth based on the existing lots of record in the service area and that was all the reserve capacity designed into the plant.  Since the plant’s construction, the number of users has risen from 205 to 234.  The current plant is unable to operate within the parameters of its discharge license under the 301H waiver and the NVC is currently operating under a consent agreement from the DEP due to license violations.  The Trustees feel that the Utilities Department should not encourage new connections or the creation of new lots of record.

Blair Einstein, Bill Armstrong, and Charlie Hunter spoke in favor of the request for connection.

Metcalf called the question. Huntoon cautioned that a Yes would turn down the application; a No would approve the application. Voted—Yes 2; No 4.

Bill Armstrong stated that he felt there were three areas of concern: interpretation, communication and notification. He questioned the status of a proposed 10,000 sq ft subdivision of his own lot and its access to the sewer system. It was suggested that he could only get a definitive ruling if he filed an application for a sewer connection.  It was noted that the zoning ordinance advises the citizens that a separate permit for connection is necessary and nothing in the ordinance guarantees or assures that such permits will be granted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Communications: Huntoon requested that changes, suggestions, etc. to the pamphlet be received in the office before the March meeting.

Crofoot received an e-mail inquiry for a broadband connection repeater station at the wharf; he asked to see what the equipment would look like to assess its impact on Village appearance in the historic district. Two questions to pose: 1. Does the Shoreland Zoning allow for this use? 2. Will the Village be compensated for such a usage?

Facilities: Brockway opened the two bids that were received for painting the front of the Community Hall (a third bid had been requested but not received): Both were essentially the same with one bid at $2,600 the 2nd at $2,940. Metcalf moved and Spollett seconded to accept the lower bid as long as proof of insurance is submitted. Voted: 6-0.

Safety: The storage cost for the police cruiser has increased to $25/month.

Tree Warden: Reported above.

Utilities: Crofoot stated that there was need for the Overseers to address the questions of whether the sewer system is expandable, whether there should be a moratorium on new connections, whether given the terms of the 301H waiver, we have the authority to create more connections, whether the Utilities by-laws are consistent with regard to these issues, and whether there are inconsistencies in our Zoning Ordinance in this regard. He felt there was a need to make people aware that the sewer is not an expandable system; we need a policy that lines will not be extended. All concerns with regard to the water and sewer systems should be brought to the Utilities Committee. The Committee will address these concerns at the March Meeting.

The water meter at the vault has been recalibrated; the new impeller on the new Shore Road pump continues to function well; the v-notch weir checking for accuracy continues.

OLD BUSINESS

Belfast Water Agreement: Metcalf moved and Crofoot seconded to accept the extension of the Interlocal Agreement. Voted 6-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Annual Report: Metcalf moved, Brockway seconded that Hoedtke will be in charge of the Annual Report. Voted 6-0.

Future Meeting Dates: March 19 and April 9th at 9:30 a.m.

Additional Comments: Armstrong requested that Oak Street be kept plowed. This road historically has not been plowed but because there is a year-round resident should be. Paige was asked to add Oak Street to his plowing and, if necessary, to increase his bill.

After the scheduled Executive Session, the following motions were made:

Brockway moved and Spollett seconded to increase the Office Manager’s hours to 26 hours per week at the same rate of pay. Voted.

Metcalf moved and Crofoot seconded to give the Village Agent a 4% increase based on his present salary. Voted.

Metcalf moved to adjourn at 11:47 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen L. Hoedtke