Regular Meeting Minutes December 17, 2024
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
The Village Board met Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
Present: Sue Eckert, Mayor
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Janet Rudd, Trustee
Kathleen Terwilliger, Trustee
Absent: Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Clerk, Recording Secretary
Nathan Matthews, Treasurer
Dan Reidell, DPW/Code
Rick Richardson, Chief of Police
Public Attendance –Mike Warner
Mayor Eckert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of November 19, 2024, Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Rudd, seconded by Trustee Terwilliger, and passed by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OPEN PUBLIC HEARING LOCAL LAW #2 OF 2024 -Amending the Village Code as Regards Certain Speed Limits
The Public Hearing for Local Law #2 of 2024 was opened at 7:02 p.m. on a motion Trustee Rudd, seconded by Trustee Terwilliger and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert presented the law as follows:
Local Law #2 of 2024
Proposed Amendments to Village Code Re: Speed Limits
- 158-5. Speed limits.
The maximum speed at which vehicles may proceed on or along any streets or highways within the village is hereby established at twenty five (25) miles per hour, except that the speed limit for vehicles proceeding on or along those streets or parts of streets described in Schedule II (§ I58-19), attached to and made a part of this chapter, shall be as indicated in said schedule.
- 158-20. Schedule III: School Speed Limits.
In accordance with the provisions of § 158-6, no person shall drive a vehicle in excess of the speeds indicated below, in the areas designated below, during school days between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.:
Name of Street – Bridge Street
Speed limit (mph) 15
Location – between Second and Fifth
Name of Street – S Third Street
Speed limit (mph) 15
Location – between Bridge and Washington
Mike Warner wondered what was being gained by reducing the speed limit. He stated that people still speed. Mayor Eckert stated that with more people utilizing street parking and the commercial district being busy, the Board felt it was in the interest of the Village to reduce the speed limit to 25.
As there were no other comments regarding Local Law #2 of 2024, Mayor Eckert stated she would keep the Public Hearing open for the remainder of the meeting.
OPEN PUBLIC HEARING LOCAL LAW #3 OF 2024 -Amending the Village Code as Regards to Waste Collection Guidelines
The Public Hearing for Local Law #3 of 2024 was opened at 7:06 p.m. on a motion Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Terwilliger and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
Mayor Eckert presented the law as follows:
Local Law #3 of 2024
Section 1. Amendment
Section 139-3 of the Village Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
- 139-3. Collection regulations.
- All garbage and small rubbish must first be placed in a clear plastic bag and then must be placed in suitable containers, such as galvanized or plastic garbage cans with a lid. If you have been assigned a garbage pail from the Village of Northville, you must use this pail for your garbage pickup. If you require a second pail you may lease from the Village at the established rate.
- All garbage, heavy trash and rubbish must be placed by the roadside no sooner than 48 hours prior to pick up but no later than 6:15 AM the day of pickup.
- All containers shall be removed from the roadside on the day of collection.
- Garbage containers shall be rinsed out with water monthly when weather conditions allow to prevent bugs and insects from forming.
Section 2. Effective Date
This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the Office of the New York State Secretary of State
There was no request from the public to address the Board during the Public Hearing. Mayor Eckert stated she would keep the Public Hearing on open for the remainder of the meeting.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – The police report was filed with the Clerk and read at the meeting. Chief Richardson reported 51 calls were handled by the NPD during the month of November. He indicated there were three arrests in November.
Chief Richardson reported that the AXON body worn cameras have arrived, and he would begin virtual training from AXON over the upcoming weeks.
Trustee Terwilliger reported that people are not stopping at the intersection of Bridge and Main and she has witnessed near accidents there. Chief Richardson stated he would spend some time near the intersection and issue some tickets if necessary.
Streets – The DPW report was read and is on file at the Clerk’s office.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that the wires of the holiday snowflake decorations on the power poles are getting brittle and need to be updated. He stated we would need to look at budgeting for new lights and fixtures in upcoming budgets.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that he is looking at purchasing a bubbler, a fan that goes under the kayak dock, to keep the ice from forming around the dock. He stated he was concerned about ice build up damaging the dock. There was some discussion about open water around the dock and any liability it might pose. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated he would place warning signs around the area, indicating open water/thin ice.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 1,835,000 gallons in November 2023 to 2,317,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Code Enforcement- The Code Officer’s report was filed. It was reported that ten permits were issued in November.
Dog Control – DCO Duesler reported three calls in November: one dog bit and two loose dogs.
Joint Youth – It was reported that two bounce houses were placed for sale on Auctions International.
Park Use Requests – There were no park use requests.
Marketing – The Clerk gave an update on the recent Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony. She stated that the event was well attended and the new route provided more viewing areas for the public to enjoy the parade. Mayor Eckert agreed and stated that she felt this was the largest attended holiday parade to date.
Report of Village Projects – Nothing new to 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 $ 37,946.42, and from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 7,060.52 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 Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert gave an update of the transfer of HRBRRD property at the spillway to the Village. She reported there was a recent meeting with HRBRRD Executive Director John Callaghan and their attorney, along with Village Attorney Carmel Greco, to begin the process of filing a new deed for the property. She reported a new survey of the area would need to be completed to move this forward. Highway Superintendent Reidell will be working with HRBRRD officials to define the area being transferred.
Mayor Eckert presented proposed Local Law #1 of 2025 -Abolishing the Village Planning Board and Renaming the Village Zoning Board of Appeals in final format for the Board’s review. She stated that the Village has been moving forward with consolidating the Planning and Zoning Boards for several months and this is the final step in the process. She indicated that NYCOM strongly supports moving to one board as it streamlines the process for both the board and the applicants. Mayor Eckert stated it is also been very difficult to find people to serve on these volunteer boards and by having one board, it would only require five members. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to advance Local Law #1 of 2025 to Public Hearing on January 21, 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Eckert reported that the Village was notified that the company that manufactures control nodes and gateways for our current lighting system has suspended their lighting business operations. Mayor Eckert indicated the NYPA has provided the Village with a variety of street light maintenance options moving forward. Highway Superintendent Reidell stated he would review the documents and provide an update at the January meeting.
At 7:30 p.m., the Public Hearing on Local Law #2 of 2024 was closed via a motion by Trustee Terwilliger, seconded by Trustee Rudd, and carried unanimously.
Trustee Rudd made a motion to adopt Local Law #2 of 2024 -Amending the Village Code was Regards Certain Speed Limits. The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
At 7:32 p.m., the Public Hearing on Local Law #3 of 2024 was closed via a motion by Trustee Terwilliger, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, and carried unanimously.
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to adopt Local Law #3 of 2024 -Amending the Village Code as Regards to Waste Collection Guidelines. The motion was seconded by Trustee Terwilliger and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
CORRESPONDENCE – None
PUBLIC COMMENT: Mike Warner stated that he did not feel we should continue to put money into the kayak launch area. He stated that there comes a time when it is not worth it.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 7:36 p.m., Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss potential litigation. The motion was seconded by Trustee Rudd and carried by voice vote as follows:
AYE: Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Rudd, Trustee Terwilliger
NAY: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
The meeting resumed in Regular Session at 7:57 p.m. on a motion by Trustee Rudd, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried unanimously. It was reported that no action was taken during the Executive Session.
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 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
