Northport Village Corporation

Overseers Meeting

August 26, 2007

Present: President Josiah Huntoon; Overseers Peter Allen, Margaret Brockway, Bill Cressey, Linda Houghton, Judy Metcalf, Judy Rohweder; Treasurer Julian Sheffield;  Village Agent Bill Paige; Office Manager Paul Bartels; Residents Tim Samway, Dick Brockway, Lawrence and Barbara Gibbs.

Meeting called to order at 8:00 AM. by President Huntoon.

Minutes for July 15, 2007 meeting: Metcalf motion to approve; Brockway seconded - VOTED.

Village Agent

Bill Paige reported that the swim float will probably fall apart if removed from water; will leave in till later.  Working on a bid for a new float.

Maple Street needs work done now.  Bill will talk to Wardwell about a temporary fix.

Organizational

All Officers and Overseers were sworn in during the Annual Meeting.

The following Chairpersons were named for the respective Committees:

            Communications                   Judy Metcalf

            Facilities                                Marge Brockway

            Finance                                  Bill Cressey

            Safety                                     Peter Allen

            Surface Runoff                       Bill Cressey

            Tree Warden                         Jane Phillips

Judy Metcalf moved that the Committee assignments be approved, Peter Allen seconded – VOTED.

Jo Huntoon appointed Utilities Committee Trustees as follows:

            Linda Houghton                     Three Years

            Jane Strauss                         Two Years

A discussion revealed a need for a formal liaison to the Town.  Peter Allen volunteered.

Bill Cressey was told by residents that the agenda for the Overseers meetings should be more detailed.  This will be addressed in future meetings.  The second Visitors Concerns line on the agenda will be changed to Visitors - Additional Comments.

Loans for Construction – Appoint a person to be in charge of dealing with banks and government agencies to get the best deals for loans.

Visitors’ Concerns

Tim Samway addressed the meeting to give a critique of the Annual Meeting.  He said that in his opinion things went fairly well.  The problems with the Clerk’s roll could have been dealt with if there was a “rehearsal” meeting beforehand. 

Other suggestions were: changing the terms of Overseers and Officers, the public address system needs to be more user-friendly, and consider limiting the number of voters per household.

Communications

Judy Metcalf led a discussion about the property at 14 Broadway, on which there is a lien.  She has been talking to Ian Bruce, joint owner, about paying off the lien as well as paying off the sewer bill in arrears.  The Overseers agreed to a quitclaim deed for the lien as long as the tax AND sewer arrears are paid in full at closing.

Facilities

Wharf reconstruction – Marge Brockway reported that we need a list of specific requirements for bidders to give final proposals.  Three bidders are being considered and additional bidders are welcome.  Dick Brockway volunteered to make contact for engineering specifications.

Financials

Warrants were circulated for approval.

Julian Sheffield reported that we will have to take a loan for cash flow purposes (bridge loan approved at Annual Meeting).  A. E. Hodsdon payment will be held until cash is in the account.

She also recommended that we keep a 10% retainage and letter of credit for warrantee on large contracts that we award.    Bill Cressey said he will consult with Al Hodsdon on this issue.

Safety

Fire Ordinance – Judy Metcalf expressed a need to keep a record of Fire Permits granted in the Village and how we might do that.  The Fire Warden needs to be notified of any questionable fire.  The Town of Northport is investigating whether or not they will enforce the Village Fire Ordinance. 

Judy Rohweder reported that Police Officer Joan Demeo broke her arm (not job related), but will finish out her contract.

The lifeguard will return next year for another season.  Comment that “No Boats under the Wharf” is not enforced unless the lifeguard is on duty, and even then the boaters tend to ignore her.  The lack of signs will be investigated.

Surface Runoff

Bill Cressey provided a printed list of Surface Runoff Projects which he will put out for bid.  Discussion of projects followed.  Cressey said he would like to make a change to Main Street now by placing river stones along side the road.

Utilities

Nothing to report.

Visitors - Additional Comments

Tree on Clinton is presenting a hazard.  Will be referred to Jane Phillips.

Discussion on Trash Pickup.

Bill Cressey pointed out a need to set a standard for culverts created by residents.  They must be told that the public right-of-way should contain 15-inch for galvanized and 18-inch for plastic.  Standard was VOTED and approved. Judy Metcalf will put up notice of this on the web site.

Notice will be posted for leaves in catch basins

Future Meetings

            September 9, 2007   9:00 AM

            October 14, 2007     9:00 AM

Judy Metcalf motion to adjourn; Bill Cressey seconded – VOTED.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35 am.