Regular Meeting Minutes May 22, 2025
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Thursday, May22, 2025
The Village Board met Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Janet Rudd, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Dan Reidell, DPW/Code
Absent: Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
Rick Richardson, Chief of Police
Mayor Eckert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of April 15, 2025, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Sedon seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion to approve the minutes of April 15, 2025, Budget Hearing was made by Trustee Markiewicz seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion to approve the minutes of April 15, 2025, Organizational Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Public present: Mike Warner, Blanche Drapun, GS Troop 2785, Lisa Nally, Mandi Laport, Kari Bezio
PRESENTATION:
The members of Girl Scout Troop 2785 gave a presentation to the Board on their Bronze Award Project – Designing and constructing combination recycling/garbage cans to be placed at various locations around the Village. Scouts Elaina, Shelby, Harper, and Kateri each took turns detailing their project. They saw a need in the community for recycling cans and felt this would be a way for them to give back to their community.
After the presentation, Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the Girl Scout Bronze Award project. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – The police report was filed with the Clerk and read at the meeting. It was reported there were 63 calls handled in March.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office. It was reported that leaf and brush pickup would be scheduled on the following dates: June 4th and 18th, July 2nd, 16th, and 30th, and August 13th and 27th.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 2,111,000 gallons in April 2024 to 2,631,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Mayor Eckert reported that there is an issue with a leak on a private line, outside the Village limits. The Village is not authorized to repair or replace lines outside the Village limits. She explained that the users of the private lines outside the Village limits are responsible for repair or replacement of the lines. The property owner has tried to maintain that the Village is responsible, and nothing has been done for several months. Mayor Eckert stated there has been several communications between this outuser and the Village indicated the steps they must take to repair/replace the line. She stated the Village attorney also sent a certified return receipt letter to the property owner. The owner indicated to the water department that she will be drilling a well but has made no further movement to make that happen. Mayor Eckert stated that if a leak was detected in the Village, it would be repaired immediately. Mayor Eckert stated we needed to establish a time limit to get documentation from the property owner that she has contracted with a well drilling company and a deadline for the work to be completed by. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to notify the water outuser that they had 30 days to submit a signed contract for drilling a well and 90 days to complete the project. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that six permits were issued in April. Code Officer Reidell reported that the firehouse is almost done. He indicated that the firehouse project was almost done. He reported that they were considering putting in an LED sign and it was reported that would have to go before the Zoning Board for approval.
Dog Control – A report was received from the Dog Control Officer indicating a dog bite in the Village.
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported that Youth Director, Kelly Robinson, has started to get the word out on social media for camp signups. She stated they have hired ten counselors this year.
Park Use Requests – None
Marketing – The Clerk reported that the Memorial Day ceremony would be May 26th at 6 p.m. in front of the Methodist Church on South Main Street.
The Farmers Market would begin on Saturday, June 28th and will run through September 6th. The market times are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, rain or shine.
The Clerk gave an update on the DOINS. The event will be July 4th and 5th. The parade and fireworks will be on Saturday, July 5th. There will be entertainment and vendors on both days.
Report of Village Projects – Mayor Eckert reported she will be having a DOS meeting on the LWRP on June 13th.
Tree Commission – It was reported that the commission met on May 19th and will be working to prioritize locations and tree species for planting this year and firming up their future budget requests.
END OF FISCAL YEAR TRANSFERS:
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to authorize salary increases for bi-weekly employees to take effect with the first payroll with a pay date falling in June 2025, which encompasses May 24, 2025 through June 6, 2025; and to authorize non-modified accrual of the first payroll with pay date on or after June 1, 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Transfers:
$250 To: A7550.4 Celebrations
From: A1990.4 Contingent
$350 To: A9010.8 Employees Retirement
From: A9015.8 Police & Fire Retirement
$5,000 To: A3120.1 Police – Personal Services
From: A1990.4 Contingent
$5,000 To: A5110.1 Streets – Personal Services
From: A5142.1 Snow Removal – Personal Services
$3,000 To: A9030.8 Social Security
From: A9060.8 Health Insurance
$5,000 To: F8310.1 Water Admin – Personal Services
$5,000 To: F8340.1 Water Transmission/Distribution – Personal Services
From: F9950.9 Cap. Reserve fund for Water System Improvements
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the end-of-year transfers as presented by Treasurer Matthews. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 37,920.20, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 4,694.04, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 877.99, were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Rudd, and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert presented a request from the Sean Craig Memorial Fund to put a life jacket loaner station in the Village by the Little Lake. Mayor Eckert stated she reached out to our insurance carrier with the details provided to the Village. She reported that having a loaner station in the Village presents a significant liability to the Village. Mayor Eckert stated she and Treasurer Matthews met with the insurance representative and the company would require an agreement between the Sean Craig Memorial Fund and the Village that contained strong hold harmless and Indemnification language to protect the Village from any suit/claim/or loss that occurs regarding the life jacket situation. It was also reported that the Village be listed as an additional insured on the Memorial Fund policy. The Board agreed that while the loaner station had merit and they could see the benefits of it, it was their responsibility to protect the taxpayers from unnecessary liability. The request was tabled for more information.
CORRESPONDENCE – None
PUBLIC COMMENT: No one from the public wished to address the Board.
Mayor Eckert reported that the May meeting will be moved from June 17, 2025 to June 16, 2025 due to a lack of quorum on the 17th.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Rudd and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
