Regular Meeting Minutes – March 17, 2026
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The Village Board met Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Janet Rudd, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary via phone
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Rick Richardson, Chief of Police
Dan Reidell, DPW/Code
Absent:
Mayor Eckert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of January 20, 2026, 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, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Motion to approve the minutes of February 24, 2026, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Mike Warner, Blanche Drapun, Amy Davis, Joseph Dellafiora, Gaspar Troia, Cynthia Troia
PUBLIC HEARING:
The Public Hearing for Local Law #1 of 2026 – A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c was opened at 7:01 p.m. on a motion by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Mayor Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Eckert presented Local Law #1 as follows:
A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c
Section 1. Legislative Intent
It is the intent of this local law to allow the Village of Northville to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2026 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law § 3-c.
Section 2. Authority
This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes a local government’s governing body to override the property tax cap for the coming fiscal year by the adoption of a local law approved by a vote of sixty percent (60%) of said governing body.
Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override
The Village Board of the Village of Northville, County of Fulton, is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2026 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 4. Severability
If a court determines that any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance is invalid or unconstitutional, the court’s order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this local law, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 5. Effective date
This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Mayor Eckert asked if anyone from the public wished to speak at the Public Hearing on Local Law #1 of 2026. Blanche Drapun asked what the general limit was for the tax cap. Treasurer Matthews stated the tax cap limit established by NYS was 3%. As there were no other questions, Mayor Eckert stated she would leave the Public Hearing open until the end of the meeting in case public arrived late.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – The police report was filed with the Clerk and read at the meeting. It was reported there were 50 calls handled in February.
Chief Richardson stated he had obtained the Durango from Hamilton County. He stated he was going to have the lettering removed and replaced and then the vehicle would be in service for use.
Chief Richardson stated the Town wanted to purchase the Tahoe from the Village for $ 5000.00. He stated the Town would be using it for the ambulance squad. The Tahoe was deemed a non-necessity for Village at last month’s meeting. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to sell the Tahoe to the Town for $ 5000.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office. It was noted on the report that the Village is no longer picking up garbage for the Town of Northampton. Mayor Eckert stated the reason we are no longer picking up Town garbage is because it became an inequitable work load for our crew. She stated it was better for the Village to pick up village parcels and for the Town to pick up Town parcels.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 3,509,000 gallons in February 2025 to 1,808,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that one permit was issued in February.
Dog Control – Mayor Eckert reported she has had a conversation with the Town of Northampton Supervisor, Jim Groff, regarding dog control. Mayor Eckert stated that as the Village is not a licensing entity with NYS Ag & Markets, we are not required to have a dog control officer. As the Village is part of the Town, if we removed the position of Dog Control Officer from the Village, the Town officer would be responsible for the any complaints in the Village. Mayor Eckert stated the Town would shift the payment of the Dog Control Officer to Town Wide funds from Town Outside Village funds. After discussion, Trustee Terwilliger made a motion to remove the position of Dog Control Officer from the Village effective March 31, 206. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Joint Youth – Trustee Sedon reported they had their meeting. She stated they reviewed enrollment costs for the program. She indicated that people would sign up for the program at registration and then not show up to program. Trustee Sedon stated that drove the cost of the program up as they hired counselors based on the number of registrations and the camp was overstaffed. Trustee Sedon stated that there will be a fee required at the time of sign up in the hopes that it will increase attendance of registered children. They are working at developing a fee scale. Trustee Sedon also stated that they are taking applications for 2 assistant directors and reducing the number of counselors hired.
Trustee Sedon stated they also discussed the issues at the beach area. She indicated that for now, the gate will be left open pending any issues that develop. Trustee Sedon stated that the Mayor does have the authority to close the beach if issues arise at the area.
Park Use Requests – None
Marketing – The Clerk gave an update on the upcoming events. She indicated Garage Sale Weekend would be held on May 2nd and 3rd. She stated that plans are being made for the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26th at 6 p.m.
Report on Village Projects – Mayor Eckert reported that the Department of State needs to have a lead agency for the purpose of SEQRA established for the Town Bridge Replacement project and the Village Walkway project. She presented an Intermunicipal Agreement between the Town and the Village that designated the Town as the lead agency for SEQRA until project completion. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to sign the intermunicipal agreement as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: Trustee Markiewicz
TRANSFERS:
Treasurer Matthews presented the following Transfers:
$14,500 To: A3120.2 Police – Equipment
From: A1990.4 Contingent
Re: Purchase of vehicle
$7,500 To: A1620.4 Buildings – Contractual Exp
From: A1990.4 Contingent
Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the transfers as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
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 $ 56,374.39, and from the Water Fund in the amount of $5,210.56, were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
A request was received from the Northville Community Leadership class to conduct a fishing tournament on May 16th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the kayak launch area by spillway. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the request of the Northville Community Leadership class to conduct a fishing tournament at the kayak launch area. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
A request was received from the Senior Community Leadership class at NCS to place a first aid kit they are building in the Waterfront Park. Mayor Eckert stated this request was sent to our municipal insurance carrier and it was noted that a project of this type would carry the same liability risks that the proposed life jacket station would have. She indicated we were advised by our insurance carrier to not allow the project as it presented too many risks.
At 7:30 p.m., the Public Hearing for Local Law #1 of 2026 was closed on a motion from Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to adopt Local Law #1 of 2026 – A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c. The motion was seconded by Trustee Terwilliger and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
CORRESPONDENCE – Mayor Eckert stated she received a noise complaint from a resident near the firehouse. The resident is complaining about the fire siren being too loud. Mayor Eckert stated that the GSLFD is its own entity, and as that the siren noise is exempt under our General Code dealing with noise, she instructed the property owner to discuss the situation with the fire district.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mike Warner asked if the school contributed to the Village police department. Mayor Eckert stated that they do not. She stated we have had multiple discussions with them about contributing and that we would like them to contribute, but as of this date, they don’t. Chief Richardson says he responds to calls at the school and estimates he spends 60 hours a year at NCS. He stated that doesn’t include traffic control at the school zone. Chief Richardson stated he does a pre-prom talk and career day events at the school. Mayor Eckert stated she continually keeps track of the hours the PD is at NCS. She stated there will come a point where we cannot keep going to the school, unless it is an emergency situation.
Amy Davis stated she disagreed with having the PD talking to the students about prom.
Chief Richardson stated he was a certified child investigator and feels like he is correcting some of the bad paths the kids have been on. He stated that he has limited the services that he performs at NCS.
Blanche Drapun asked if it was possible for the gates to be locked overnight at the beach and then unlocked in the morning rather than locking them all the time. Mayor Eckert stated that as the beach is closed and we have no improvements down there, but locking and unlocking the gate would imply that the beach is open and it is not.
Mayor Eckert announced there will be a Budget Workshop on Thursday, March 19th at 5 p.m., a Budget Hearing on Monday, March 30th at 6:30 p.m., and the Regular and Organizational meeting on Tuesday, April 21st at 7 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Sedon, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
