Village Board Meeting Notes – December 15, 2015

REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

The Village Board met Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the village offices


Present:           John Spaeth, Mayor
                          Patrick Barnett, Trustee
                          Debra Ellsworth, Trustee
                         Matthew Ginter, Trustee
                         John Markiewicz, Trustee

 

Excused:          Wendy Reu, Village Clerk, Recording Secretary

Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2015 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Barnett, and passed by voice vote as follows:

Aye:                 Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz

Nay:                 0

Abstain:           0            


PUBLIC COMMENTS – Todd Payne, Scoutmaster of Troop 55, along with Charlie Froatz, addressed the Board regarding the recent Eagle Scout project that was done for the Village.  Mr. Payne explained the process for an Eagle Scout project and stated it was clear that the Scout in question didn’t follow the process.  Mr. Payne indicated that the Scout took all the short cuts he could, and stated that the Scout fraudulently submitted his own documentation.  Mr. Payne stated the current project is null and void.  He stated that the Committee would allow the scout to start a new project if he wanted to, indicating that he would like to treat this as a learning experience.  Mr. Payne apologized to the Village on behalf of the Troop and stated that he hoped the Village would not hold the actions of this one scout against future scouts who requested to do Eagle projects for the Village.  Mayor Spaeth thanked the Leaders and stated the Board will use this as a learning experience.

 


REPORT OF COMMITTEES:

Police – Mayor Spaeth reported that a recruit that was previously approved to attend the Fort Plain Academy opted to wait until January to attend Zone 5.  The recruit will be starting January 19th and has signed a letter of agreement to work hours for the Village after completing the program.

Streets – Trustee Ginter reported that due to the mild temperatures, the crew was still picking up leaves.  He also indicated that the crew put stop bars at the intersection of Ridge and South Main Street.

Trustee Ginter reported that Christmas decorations were being hit by log trucks near Stewart’s on Bridge Street.  He indicated that Highway Superintendent Reidell was considering moving the decorations in that area to the sidewalk side of the poles.  Trustee Ellsworth suggested that maybe just removing them from that area entirely would be an option.  Mayor Spaeth indicated it could be reviewed in the spring to determine what the best option would be.

Trustee Ginter reported that Highway Superintendent Reidell removed the old furnace from the Third Street property and put it up at the new highway garage and it seemed to be working well.

Water – It was reported that usage decreased from 2,582,000 gallons in November 2014 to 2,149,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.

Mayor Spaeth addressed the private line on Skiff Road.  He indicated that the group of residents on the line never did put in a yard hydrant.  Mayor Spaeth indicated that he spoke with Water Supervisor Roosa and it was determined that a blow off with a meter be installed at the end of the line as three parties have drilled wells and lines were disconnected creating less water flow in the area.  Trustee Ginter asked who would be paying for Darryl’s time to do this.  Mayor Spaeth indicated that the Village is responsible for metering and the preservation of the integrity of the water system as a whole.  Mayor Spaeth stated that he realizes there are other areas at the ends of the lines where blow offs are located and he felt that they needed to be metered also.  Trustee Ginter asked who would get the bill for the meter at the blow off on the Skiff Road line.  Trustee Ellsworth stated it should be billed to the users of the line if it’s only benefit is for those residents.  Trustee Barnett agreed and stated that he had no problem charging the regular rate instead of the outuser rate on the blow off meter.  Mayor Spaeth stated the Village would be affected if there is not a blow off on the line.  He explained that the Village as the supplier of water is responsible for the safety of the water system as a whole and the Village has to be able to account for water loss and that will be achieved by meters on the blow offs.  He indicated that he made an executive decision to allow Darryl to put a meter and a blow off out at the end of Skiff Road.  Trustee Barnett stated he felt that the blow off shouldn’t be turned on until it is determined who is paying for the water that flows through the meter and that he had concerns about that a homeowner on the line that voiced concern regarding the blow off flowing on his property.  After continued discussion it was agreed that written permission needed to be obtained from the homeowner to allow the blow off to run on his property and an account would be established for the blow off meter to be billed to.

Fire – Fire Department Report for November 2015

Village of Northville               (8) Smoke Detector Activation       1

Outside Smoke Report              1

Unauthorized Burning               1

Med Flight LZ                           5

Town of Northampton            (1) CO Alarm                                  1
Town of Benson                     (2) MVA                                          1

Smoke Detector                         1

Total Man-hours reported were 50

 

Trustee Markiewicz reported the passing of long time Fireman Dave Jacquard.

 

Mayor Spaeth reported that the Fireman’s Association made arrangements to move their bell that was located in front of the Bradt Building to a storage area for the winter.  He stated that they will be restoring the bell and it will be displayed in their new firehouse once the project is completed.

 

Joint Youth –   Mayor Spaeth reported that the Joint Youth Commission recently met to review the previous summer program.  He indicated that Youth Director Molly Whittaker submitted her resignation, stating personal reasons, effective the end of 2015.  Trustee Ellsworth made a motion to accept Youth Director Whittaker’s resignation as indicated.  The motion was seconded by Trustee Markiewicz and carried by voice vote as follows:

Aye:                 Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz

Nay:                 0

Abstain:           0

 

Mayor Spaeth indicated that Youth Director Whittaker would volunteer for the ski program and work with transitioning in a new youth director.  He stated that a committee, comprised of Town Councilman Gritsavage and himself, would start the process of finding a new youth director.  He indicated that they needed to determine the amount of hours Director Whittaker worked at the program to be able to communicate that to prospective candidates.  He also stated that the Commission decided to schedule a meeting every other month.

Mayor Spaeth reported that Tom Preston, from Oak Mountain, made a presentation to the Youth Commission.  He indicated that Oak Mountain agreed to charge all NCS skies the junior rate for skiing over the four week program they were conducting.  The Commission agreed to pay $ 5.00 toward the cost of a skier participating though the Joint Youth program.  Mayor Spaeth stated that the numbers for the skiers participating in the program last year was approximately 40 kids, many opted to not ride the ski bus but were taken by their families.  Trustee Barnett asked how the ski program would work this year if students go up with their parents and not ride the bus.  Mayor Spaeth indicated that the students would sign up at the school and a list of children would be sent to Oak Mountain.  He continued by stating that if they don’t sign up at the school prior to the ski trip, Joint Youth will not be invoiced for those students.

Mayor Spaeth reported that the Commission decided that any child that lives in a non-participating municipality won’t be able to attend summer camp.  He stated that letters will be sent to Hope residents and the Town of Hope Supervisor.

Trustee Barnett stated that would like the Commission to look at the budget for the Youth program.  He continued by stating that our budget is two to three times higher than surrounding areas.  Trustee Ellsworth stated that our community does not supply a lot for our youth and didn’t feel that cutting the program was necessary.

 

Comprehensive Plan- Trustee Markiewicz reported that the group met recently and reviewed the economic development in the Village.  He indicated that they also discussed sidewalks and curbing in the Village.

 


TRANSFERS

Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the following transfers as requested by Treasurer Nathanial Matthews:

 

$5,500.00

From:     F9950.9 – Trans, Capital Reserve

To:          F8340.405– Trans/Distribution – Contractual Exp

Reason – Valve replacement

 

The motion was seconded by Trustee Ellsworth and carried by voice vote as follows:

Aye:                 Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz

Nay:                 0

Abstain:           0

 


PAYMENT OF BILLS

Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 25,382.87, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 7,461.93, and from the Capital Reserve-Water System Improvements in the amount of $ 14,320.00 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Barnett, discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:

Aye:                 Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz

Nay:                 0

Abstain:           0

 


OLD BUSINESS:

Mayor Spaeth presented a rental agreement for the skid steer for the Board’s review.  He indicated that the Attorney had reviewed it and he was satisfied with the agreement.  Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the rental agreement for the skid steer.  The motion was seconded by Trustee Barnett and carried by voice vote as follows:

Aye:                 Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz

Nay:                 0

Abstain:           0

 

Mayor Spaeth presented the proposed Park Rules which were reviewed and slightly altered by the Attorney.  After review, Trustee Barnett made a motion to approve the Park Rules.  The motion was seconded by Trustee Ginter and carried by voice vote as follows:

Aye:                 Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz

Nay:                 0

Abstain:           0

 

Mayor Spaeth provided a copy of the Joint Town and Village Marking contract with the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce for the Board to review.  He indicated that the Attorney had reviewed it and revisions were made based on his input.  After discussion, Trustee Barnett made a motion to sign the Joint Contract with the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce.  The motion was seconded by Trustee Ellsworth and carried by voice vote as follows:

Aye:                 Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz

Nay:                 0

Abstain:           0

 

Mayor Spaeth reported that the Village has received notice that the deadline for training for Workplace Violence was January 26th.  After discussion, it was decided that a training session would be scheduled for Tuesday, January 19th at 6:30 p.m. preceding the regularly scheduled Board meeting.

 

Mayor Spaeth asked for input on the proposed Tree Ordinance that was distributed for the Board’s review at the previous meeting.  Trustee Ginter stated he didn’t want power to be taken away from the DPW crew to remove or trim trees that were creating an issue for them.  After discussion, the Board agreed to review the document and provide input before the next meeting.

 

Mayor Spaeth reported to the Board that the Village was not awarded any funding for the CFA grant application.

           


NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Spaeth presented a request for a yearbook ad from NCS.  Trustee Ginter made a motion to approve the same size ad as last year, with funds being taken out of the Board member’s Flower Fund.  The motion was seconded by Trustee Barnett and carried by voice vote as followed:

Aye:                 Trustee Barnett, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Ellsworth, Trustee Markiewicz

Nay:                 0

Abstain:           0

 

Mayor Spaeth presented a correspondence from NYS DOT regarding a Shared Service Agreement.  He stated he was unclear as to why we received the document as we have never entered into a similar agreement in the past.  The document indicated that DOT would be contacting Highway Superintendent Reidell.  The item was tabled for further review.

 

Mayor Spaeth reported that the Third Street property was pretty much empty.  He noted that Fulmont was given 30 days written notice, per the lease agreement, and they would be vacating the property by January 1, 2016.  Mayor Spaeth stated once the property was completely vacated, the process for demolition would begin.  He indicated that an asbestos study would need to be done before the County demolition crew takes the building down closer to spring.  Mayor Spaeth tasked the Board to consider options for the parcel once the building is down and bring their ideas to future meetings.

 


ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Ellsworth and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Wendy Reu, Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

Village Board Meeting Notes – January 19, 2016

<h1><strong>REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE</strong></h1> <h2>Tuesday, January 19, 2016</h2> <h3>The Village Board met Tuesday, January 19

Village Board Meeting Notes – November 17, 2015

<h1><strong>REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE</strong></h1> <h2>Tuesday, November 17, 2015</h2> <h2>The Village Board met Tuesday<strong>, N

Village Board Meeting Notes – October 27, 2015

<h1><strong>REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE</strong></h1> <h2>Tuesday, October 27, 2015 The Village Board met Tuesday<strong>, October 27,

Village Board Meeting Notes – September 9, 2015

<h1><strong>REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE</strong></h1> <h2>Tuesday, September 15, 2015 The Village Board met Tuesday<strong>, September

Village Board Meeting Notes – August 25, 2015

<h1><strong>REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE</strong></h1> <h2>Tuesday, August 25, 2015</h2> <h2>The Village Board met Tuesday<strong>, Aug

Village Board Meeting – July 21, 2015

<h1><strong>REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE</strong></h1> <h2>Tuesday, July 21, 2015</h2> <h2>The Village Board met Tuesday<strong>, July