The Northport Village Council heard a report last week that the dump that was opened last year for village brush, grass clippings and leaves is being abused.

Greg King, administrative coordinator, said the problem was pointed out by village Department of Public Works employees, who monitor the dump daily.

King said someone dropped off chairs, mailboxes and bed springs at Eighth Street landfill. He said a receipt with a name on it had been found among items dropped off. “It could just be a lack of communication,” King said.

King said DPW workers suggested locking the landfill on weekends as that’s when the illegal dumping has been made.

“I wouldn’t do a knee-jerk reaction right now.”

Village president Fred Steffens said the Council agreed to re-open it and play it by ear. He said the Council should wait a little longer to see if the problem continues before closing it again.

In other discussions during the two-hour meeting, the Council:

• Took under advisement a letter from resident Grafton “Mac” Thomas, who urged the Council to name future public amenities such as a park, beach, wind turbine, trail or road, in honor of Northport families like his own who have made contributions.

• Approved a request by Steven R. Mattson, who is on a village fireworks ad hoc committee, to spend up to $2,100 for next year’s fireworks for the band, sound set up and new sales items.

• Heard from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers that the village is still in violation on a project to redirect the Fourth Street stream and the village has until Sept. 16 to correct it. Administrator coordinator Greg King said he’ll get the Department of Public Works employees and the Corps of Engineers on-site and remove every rock the Corps wants removed until the village is in compliance. “I think this is nonsense,” King said.

• Heard a report for treasurer Merilee Scripps that $65,127.31 had been collected in personal and real property taxes. However, Scripps said there are still a number of taxpayers who have not paid their personal property bills for years and arrears into the thousands of dollars. “We’ve never got caught up with them. Years ago when I was elected, the village policy was not to hard pressure anyone for personal property taxes,” said Scripps, who was elected in 2004. The matter was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.

• Appointed Ray Kellogg as the hearing officer for the Unsafe Building Ordinance.

• Heard from Steffens that a recent meeting with the Northport Youth Sailing School over unpaid irrigation bills got nowhere and the Council’s decision on Aug. 2 to pay the entire bill of $1,855 to S&J Landscaping would stand. “They should have stepped up to the plate and paid the bill,” Steffens said. “There was a bunch of he said, she said. I just think during the whole process that there was a bunch of manipulation and meddling going.”

—By Mike Spencer