December 20, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
The Village Board met Tuesday, December 20, 2022, 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
Dan Reidell, DPW Superintendent
Absent:
Public Attendance – Mike Warner, Norman Richardson, Lanie Groff
Mayor Eckert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2022, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Rudd, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC ACCESS:
Lanie Groff addressed the Board about the street sign on West Prospect Street. She explained that it is not very visible and many delivery drivers are confused and delivering to the wrong addresses. After discussion, Highway Superintendent Reidell stated he would look at a possible relocation area for the sign but wasn’t sure if there would be a more suitable area.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Resolution #8 of 2022 – Approving the Renewal of the Cable Television Franchise Agreement (Charter Communications, Inc. Franchise Agreement) renewal
Local Law #2 of 2022 – Amending SR Citizen Exemption
At 7:05 p.m., Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to open the Public Hearing on Resolution # 8 of 2022 – Approving the Renewal of the Cable Television Franchise Agreement (Charter Communications, Inc. Franchise Agreement) renewal. 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
Mayor Eckert read Resolution #8 of 2022 as follows:
RESOLUTION #8 of 2022
Approving the Renewal of the Cable Television Franchise Agreement
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Northville Village Board of Trustees does hereby authorize the Mayor to sign the renewal Cable Television Franchise Agreement between Spectrum Northeast, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Charter Communications, Inc. and the Village of Northville, New York.
Mayor Eckert asked if any members of the Public would like to review the franchise agreement or speak on renewal. No members of the Public requested to speak. She indicated she would leave the Public Hearing on Resolution # 8 of 2022 open through the remained of the meeting.
At 7:08 p.m., Trustee Sedon made a motion to open Public Hearing on Local Law #2 of 2022 – Amending Sr Citizen Exemption. 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
Mayor Eckert presented Local Law # 2 of 2022 – Amending Sr Citizen Exemption as follows:
Local Law No. 2 of 2022
A local law amending Local Law No. 1 of 2009 of the Village of Northville with regard to partial real property tax exemptions for Senior Citizens in the Village of Northville
SECTION 1. EXEMPTION GRANTED..
The schedule contained in Section 148—1 of Chapter 148 of the Code of the Village of Northville, New York is hereby amended to read as follows:
Percentage Assessed Valuation
Annual Income Exempt From Taxation
Up to and including $24,000.00 50
$24,000.01 — $24,999.99 45
$25,000.00 — $25,999.99 40
$26,000.00 — $26,999.99 35
$27,000.00 — $27,899.99 30
$27,900.00 — $28,799.99 25
$28,800.00 — $29,699.99 20
$29,700.00 — $30,599.99 15
$30,600.00 — $31,499.99 10
$31,500.00 — $32,399.99 5
SECTION 2. ELIGIBILITY
The first sentence of Section 148—2 of Chapter 148 of the Code of the Village of Northville, New York is hereby amended to read as follows:
- If the income of the owner or the combined income of the owners of the property for the income tax year immediately preceding the date of making application for exemption exceeds the sum of Thirty-Two Thousand, Three Hundred Ninety— Nine and 99/100 ($32,399.99) Dollars.
SECTION 3. REPEALER
The provisions of Local Law No. 1 of 2009, as amended by this Local Law, are repealed to the extent that they are inconsistent herewith. Otherwise, the remaining provisions of Local Law No. 1 of 2009 are hereby ratified, confirmed and, as such, are continued in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Local Law shall take effect immediately, upon its filing with the New York Secretary of State, and shall apply to the tax rolls for the Village Taxes to be imposed for the Village Tax fiscal year commencing June 1, 2023, and thereafter.
Norman Richardson, present at the Public Hearing, asked how a person would know if they were eligible for the exemption. The Clerk informed him that all property owners would need to contact the Assessor to determine eligibility.
No other members of the public had any comment on the proposed local law. Mayor Eckert reported she would keep the Public Hearing open through the remainder of the meeting.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – Mayor Eckert gave an SRO update. She reported that NCS was not interested in moving forward with shared services of a Northville PD officer for the SRO position at the school. She stated the Village and Town will still be moving forward with expanding the department and more meetings were scheduled.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office.
Highway Superintendent Reidell gave an update on the Water Street culvert replacement. He stated he has received quotes in the amount of $ 54,000.00 for materials and it was estimated that the labor portion of the project would be approximately $ 30,000.00. He stated he was hoping to start the project in the spring. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated he was exploring using CHIPS funds for the project. He stated that Water Street would be closed for approximately 30 days once the project started as there is a water line that runs under the bridge, and it needs to be supported.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 1,828,000 gallons in November 2021 to 2,198,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
It was reported that there was still one meter left in the Village that had not yet been converted to a radio read meter.
Mayor Eckert presented a quote from CT Male, in the amount of $ 26,900.00 for the improvements to the South Third Street water line. Highway Superintendent Reidell explained that the project would be adding a 6 inch line along the S. Side of South Third Street that would provide additional fire hydrants for increased fire protection. After review, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the quote from CT Male. 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
Highway Superintendent Reidell asked about the old well house property and when we can stop providing services there. He stated it is not being utilized, as the Watershed property was sold many years ago and he would like to open discussion about it again. He stated that we had discussed formally abandoning it prior to Covid but it fell off discussion. Mayor Eckert stated she would gather information about the property, and we will begin the process to formally abandon it.
Trustee Rudd wanted to discuss water rates, specifically how they apply to apartments. She expressed frustration that landlords have to pay so much more than single family homeowners for their water. She stated she didn’t think it was fair. The Clerk tried to explain how the water rates were set for the Village. She explained that apartment rentals are considered commercial entities and as such, landlords can deduct the cost of water whereas single family homeowners cannot. She also explained that the water system needs to financially maintain itself. She stated the cost of running the system is spread out over all the users of the system. The Clerk stated that Janet should speak with Treasurer Matthews for a more detailed answer of how the rates were established. Trustee Terwilliger stated that landlords file business taxes and do deduct items such as water and utilities.
Mayor Eckert reported that she would be meeting with Trustee Rudd and Highway Superintendent Reidell in the future to review amending the sidewalk ordinance.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that three permits were issued.
Trustee Terwilliger asked if the Village has any culpability for businesses that are not ADA complaint. She referenced automatic doors specifically. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated that businesses have to meet the code that was in place when they were established. He stated that they would have to meet the new standards if they make revisions to their building
Dog Control – Nothing to report.
Joint Youth – Nothing new to report.
Park Use Requests – No requests were received.
Marketing – Village Clerk Wendy Reu gave an update on the Lighted Christmas parade. She reported that plans are well underway for the Memorial Day Ceremony and the DOINS.
Report on Village Projects – No report.
Tree Commission – No report.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The monthly financial report was reviewed and bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 63,053.93, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 3,870.10 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Terwilliger and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Sedon, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert presented the Elan contract for Design and Engineering Services for Hunter Creek Dam Pedestrian Way. She reported the contract was sent to Carm for review and his recommendations were presented to the Board. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to authorize Mayor Eckert to sign the contract pending our Attorney’s revisions. 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
PUBLIC HEARING:
Trustee Rudd made a motion to close the Public Hearing on Resolution #8 of 2022. 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
Trustee Terwilliger made a motion to approve Resolution #8 of 2002. 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
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to close the Public Hearing on Local Law #2 of 2022. 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
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Local Law #2 of 2002. 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
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No additional public comments were issued.
Mayor Eckert asked for a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss potential litigation. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss potential litigation. 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
Mayor Eckert requested that the Clerk attend the Executive Session.
At 8:17 p.m., the meeting resumed in Regular Session on a motion 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
Trustee Rudd made a motion to contract with the law firm of Tabner, Ryan, and Keniry, with a retainer of $ 2,500.00, as outside counsel to further discuss a potential litigation issue. 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
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
