July 19, 2016 Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
The Village Board met Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the village offices.
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Matthew Ginter, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathanial Matthews, Treasurer
Excused: Debra Ellsworth, Trustee
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2016 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Jack Barker addressed the Board regarding the new cross walk signs that have been placed around the Village. He stated he has heard many positive comments about them and he supports getting more of them if possible.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police –Mayor Spaeth reported that there have been several issues in the Village relating to vandalism, tire slashing and suspicious activity in the park. He stated we are not providing adequate coverage by police with one eight-hour shift, Wednesday through Sunday. He stated he would like to look at increasing patrols. He continued by stating that there is $ 50,000.00 in the budget for police coverage. Historically, we have been spending approximately $ 30,000.00 out of that budget item. Mayor Spaeth stated he would like to look at providing more coverage, with flexible hours, up to 20 hours a week. He proposed looking at retaining an officer for 20 hours a week and letting him set his own hours in addition to the regularly scheduled shifts. He stated would like the Board’s approval to use some or all of the remaining $ 20,000.00 in the police budget to provide additional coverage. Trustee Sedon stated she has noticed large groups of kids out in the park area and around the Village into the late evening hours. After continued discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve Mayor Spaeth’s plan to seek additional police coverage with the remaining funds in the Police budget. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ginter and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Streets – Trustee Ginter reported that Highway Superintendent Reidell was looking to order a new pickup truck and wanted approval to get a letter of intent sent out. He indicated the truck is scheduled to be replaced. He also stated that a permissive referendum would be required when funds were expended for the truck. Trustee Ginter also questioned whether the older pickup truck, formerly the Water Department truck, was needed and it was determined that it was not used. After discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to proceed with ordering a new pickup truck. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to sell the older pickup trucks on Auctions International due to non-necessity. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that there was an issue past the spillway where people are parking along the side of the road to access their HRBRRD permit areas, creating a traffic hazard and often blocking access for the neighboring property owner’s driveway and the ROW access to the permit areas. He stated that the parking lot across the street was recently paved and there is ample parking there for the permit owners to use. Mayor Spaeth stated that Highway Superintendent Reidell would like to move the guardrails in that area out closer to the road to alleviate the parking issues created there and provide safer pedestrian access. The Board agreed to moving the guardrails out as requested by Highway Superintendent Reidell.
It was noted that Fulton County has formally approved demolishing the Village’s Third Street property.
Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 3,040,000 gallons in June 2015 to 2,900,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Water Superintendent, Darryl Roosa reported that the Variable Frequency Drive at the well house is not functioning well. He explained the issues he is having with it to the Board. He provided estimates for both a new and used Keyboard as a temporary fix and an estimate for full replacement with a new drive. Mayor Spaeth explained that the piece of equipment that is currently there is obsolete and due to the number of hits it has taken over the years, it’s time to replace it. He indicated that it generally takes 5-6 weeks to receive the unit once it is ordered and since we have a system that currently isn’t working properly, he recommended moving forward to buy a new unit and also the $ 540.00 used keypad to get the unit running better until the new unit arrives. Trustee Ginter asked about protection from surges and Mayor Spaeth indicated that the new unit comes with surge protection and we will add additional protection once it is installed. Mayor Spaeth stated that there is $ 100,000.00 in the water system reserve account and we would need to hold a permissive referendum to spend the money out of the reserve, which is a 30 day process. He stated that the new unit would be $ 11,395.00 and that set up is included in that price. Mayor Spaeth presented Resolution #8 of 2016 as follows:
Permissive Referendum re Use of Reserve Funds for
Purchase of Variable Frequency/Speed Drive
July 19, 2016
WHEREAS it is the intention of the Governing Body of the Village of Northville to utilize funds that have been accumulated in a reserve fund the purpose of which is to support the water system purchase of a Variable Frequency/Speed Drive, which fund is designated RE0231.1 Capital Reserve for water system improvements, under General Municipal Law 6-c, and
WHEREAS the amount that will be utilized from the reserve fund should not exceed $15,000, and
WHEREAS the Village Law of the State of New York requires a permissive referendum in the event of taking such action,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Clerk of the village of Northville be directed to take appropriate steps with respect to holding a permissive referendum on the issue of whether to purchase the Variable Frequency/Speed Drive, and utilize funds not to exceed $15,000 from the reserve fund; toward that purpose; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event that a sufficient number of valid petitions by registered voters is not received within 30 days of passage of this resolution, the resolution will take full force and effect.
Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve Resolution #8 of 2016 as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Fire – Fire Department Report for June 2016
| Village of Northville (8) | Motor Vehicle Accident 1
Smoke Detector Activation 1 Good Intent 1 Wrong Dispatch 1 Standby 3 Pull Station Activation 1 |
| Town of Northampton (9) | Trees/road 3
Trees/Powerline 3 MVA 2 Smoke Detector Activation 1 |
| Town of Hope (1) | Brush fire 1 |
| Town of Edinburg (2) | MVA 1
Good Intent 1 |
| Mutual Aid Given (3)
Mutual Aid Received (4) |
Total Man-hours reported were 210.34
It was noted that Fireman Matthew Ginter resigned from the department on July 1, 2016.
Mayor Spaeth presented information obtained from NYCOM regarding fireman physicals. It was determined there is no requirement for the fireman to obtain physicals from specific organizations. He continued by stating that the fireman could continue to get physicals from their family physicians and the Village would pick up any costs not covered by their private insurance, as has been the procedure for many years. Mayor Spaeth noted that several firemen are deficient in getting their physicals and he recommended that physicals be up to date by January 1, 2017. He stated that after January 1st, any fireman who did not have a valid physical would be placed on an inactive list.
Mayor Spaeth presented a bill from the Northville Fire Department in the amount of $3,600.00 for storage of the police car. Trustee Sedon questioned whether that was an agreed upon amount as it seemed excessive. Mayor Spaeth stated that it was not an agreed upon amount. He stated he felt the bill was sent in retribution for the Village not waiving the 2016 taxes on the vacant lot the Firemans’ Association had purchased from Stewart’s. Trustee Markiewicz stated the Board should write a letter to the Association and pay them $ 2192.00 which was the amount of taxes they paid. Mayor Spaeth stated that Association members approached the Village about storing the car in the barn behind the department building. He indicated that part of their renovation project was to have a police department in the building. He continued by stating that their process slowed down due to the inability to get quotes that were within their budget while the Village had moved forward with vacating the Third Street building. Trustee Ginter stated that at the same time the garage was offered for storage, the Court building was offered as a temporary home for the Police Department. Trustee Markiewicz stated that the Association members are not happy with the Village Board and by not paying this bill, it will create further bad feelings. Mayor Spaeth stated that everyone needs to be treated equally, the Village is imposed by law to collect taxes and cannot waive taxes for anyone. Trustee Ginter suggested reaching out to some of the officers of the Association stating that perhaps they are getting misinformation. Mayor Spaeth stated he would have no problem writing a letter in response to this and having a meeting with the entire Association. Treasurer Matthews stated that if we never had a written agreement, we have no backup to write a voucher for the bill. He also questioned the back billing with no agreement. Trustee Ginter stated that if we had been approached nine months ago and informed at that time that it would cost $ 400.00 monthly to store the police car, he doubts we would have agreed to it, but if we did, then this bill would be payable. Trustee Markiewicz stated he felt the Association members were operating in good faith and that they feel that the Board is against them. Mayor Spaeth stated that Jim Groff came to him to say they had room in the garage to put the police car and no mention was ever made of rent. Trustee Ginter stated that he would encourage a meeting with all the Association members as the Board has done nothing that is against them. He continued by stating that if they are upset, it’s because of bad information being spread to them. Mayor Spaeth stated the Village is actively working to compile the funds for our rent in their new firehouse if they ever get plans that they can afford to proceed with. Trustee Ginter stated that it was a shame that anyone would think that we should pay this bill to make the fireman happy. After continued discussion, Trustee Sedon made a motion to table the rent bill until the September meeting in hopes that a meeting could be scheduled with the Association prior. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ginter and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Joint Youth – Mayor Spaeth reported that the program is running well. He indicated that a child was removed from program for inappropriate behavior. Mayor Spaeth reported that an outdoor theatre system had been purchased and there would be a movie night scheduled in August.
Park Use Requests – Mayor Spaeth reported there were two use requests for review.
Request #5 of 2016: SVAN Concert Series
Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the park use request by SVAN and to waive the refundable fee. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Request #6 of 2016: Melissa Garand – Pre-Wedding get together September 30, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. It was noted that alcohol would be served at the event and Ms. Garand had started the procedure of obtaining a liquor permit. After review, Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the park use request of Melissa Garand, pending authorization of Liquor Permit along with proof of liability and a refundable deposit of $ 200.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth pointed out that there is a form that is required to be completed by the Municipality when individuals are applying for a temporary liquor permit from the State. It was agreed that the form could be completed prior to park use request approval but should be held for submission to the State until official approval is granted.
TRANSFERS:
Treasurer Matthews requested the following transfers:
$3,100.00
From: J7320.400 – Joint Youth – Supplies
To: J7320.2 – Joint Youth – Recreation Equipment
Trustee Markiewicz made motion to approve the transfer as requested. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ginter and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $83,985.17, from the Water Fund in the amount of $5,863.36, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 3,929.98 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS
A motion to approve the Annual Financial Report for Village for purposes of audit by members of the board was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Ginter, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
A motion to approve the Annual Financial Report for Joint Youth Commission for purposes of audit by members of the board was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Sedon, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth presented the proposed amendments to section #170 of the Zoning Code of the Village of Northville that were previously discussed regarding Temporary Signs for the Board’s review. The amendments were as follows:
2016 Proposed Amendments to Village Code # 170 Zoning (Local Law # 2 of 2016)
Article V-Section 170-17-Subsection A(4)- Temporary signs advertising the sale, rental, construction or improvement of the premises on which they are located shall be permitted, provided that signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet and shall not be illuminated. Signs may be placed 60 days prior to an event and removed within 10 days after.
Article V-Section 170-17-Subsection B(3)- Temporary signs advertising the sale or rental, or construction or improvement, of the premises on which they are located shall be permitted, provided that such signs shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in area. Signs may be placed 60 days prior to an event and removed within 10 days after.
Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the amendments as presented and to schedule a Public Hearing for the adoption of Local Law #2 of 2016 on August 16, 2016 at 7 p.m. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth presented a request from the Northville Library for three garbage containers for their annual Ice Cream Social being held on July 23, 2016. Trustee Sedon made a motion to approve the Library request. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that the Tom Wood, of the Timeless Tavern, was requesting to have a Block Party on Sunday, August 21st from 1-5 p.m. in front of the restaurant to benefit the Fireman’s Association. The proposal included blocking off the first block of Main Street down to the end of the Fireman’s Association lot but Stewart’s did not want either of their entrances blocked so the revised area will include just south of the Stewart’s entrance to the end of the Fireman’s lot on South Main Street. It was suggested that the Village parking lot on South Main Street could also be used if necessary. Mayor Spaeth stated that Mr. Wood would submit a formal request for the next meeting but because of the timeline, they would like approval as early as possible to start advertising the event. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the Block Party proposed by Tom Wood. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ginter and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
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 8:50 p.m. The next meeting will be August 16, 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy Reu
Village Clerk
