CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING

February 7, 2005

The Clermont Town Board held its regular town board meeting on Monday, February 7, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Supervisor William E. Banks, Councilman Staats, Councilwoman Lent, Councilman Harned and Councilman Tousey. Others present were Anne Poleschner, Charles Larsen, Mandy Fuchs, Amandus Fuchs, Jr., Robert Desmond, Walter and Vera Brembs, Judith Neary, Tracey Halterman, Donald Van Wagner, Laurence Saulpaugh, Bruce Potts, Bram Moreinis, Barbara Jean Brisky, Diane O’Neal, George Davis, Nancy Moore, Melissa Head, Erin Wood, Gary Beck, Z3 Consultants and Paul Doherty, Red Wing Sand and Gravel.

Supervisor Banks opened the Town Board meeting at 7:05 P.M. A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent to move into executive session to discuss personnel related issues. Motion seconded by Councilman Staats. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Staats to come out of executive session at 7:30 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Lent. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to waive the reading of the January minutes, January public hearing and special meeting minutes.

A motion was made to approve Judge Richard Christensen to move funds from Rhinebeck Savings to M & T Bank by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent. All in favor. So carried. Supervisor Banks will sign the necessary paperwork, for Judge Christensen and the Bank.

Supervisor Banks reported that Joan Buser, Tax Collector has collected in taxes and deposits have been made to the Fire Account - $120,000, Highway - $50,000, General Fund - $20,000. These amounts were the budgeted amounts to be raised by taxes in the 2005 budget. Additionally, $11,000 for Livingston Fire District has been received and dispersed.

The Town has received a check from the County for sales tax distribution in the amount of $60,257.45, which has been deposited in the Highway account.

The Town Clerk reported and prepared a check in the amount of $1,499 for January receipts. A motion was made to accept the Town Clerk’s report by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent. All in favor. So carried.

COMMUNICATIONS:

• Columbia County Board of Supervisors Committee Minutes

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PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• Mr. Paul Doherty of Red Wing Sand & Gravel is proposing a 6 to 8 foot wide trail around subdivision property on Turkey Hill Road. He would retain ownership of the trail, which would be used for hiking, biking, etc. It would not be used for motor vehicles. There is currently nothing in our zoning allowing for this type of trail, as our zoning calls for 50-foot wide right of ways. The Board suggested that Mr. Doherty talk to our attorney about the planned trail and how it has been designed in the other town’s Mr. Doherty has worked with.
• Bram Moreinis asked the Board about creating an open grant writing committee.

The board will take this into consideration.

OLD BUSINESS:

• The contract for the Community House Restoration with LaTorre Construction has not been received or signed by our attorney. Councilwoman Lent will following up with Marilyn Kaplan and the subcontractor on this.
• Supervisor Banks recommended appointing the fourteen names submitted, to the Steering Committee for the Greenway Grant, which will develop an overlay for the Hamlet Zone. A motion was made by Councilman Staats to accept the Supervisors nominations to the committee. Councilwoman Lent seconded the motion. All in favor. So carried.

Those appointed were:

George Davis, Diane O’Neil, Bram Moreinis, Christopher Nolan, Alan Saulpaugh, Scott Winters, Raymond Tousey, Amandus Fuchs, Jr., Robert Desmond, Rebecca Sethi, Ruth Hammer, Gregory Fingar, Tracey Halterman and Denise Fiore. It was recommended that the committee choose a chairman. Bram Moreinis will notify and set up date and time for first meeting.

• Councilman Tousey referred the Board to an article in the January/February Town

Topics from the Association of Towns on establishing a Board of Ethics. We have just adopted the Code of Ethics at a public hearing on January 17 th but have not as yet appointed a Board of Ethics, which would review any ethics problems, which might arise.

• Councilwoman Lent has reviewed the grant written by Scenic Hudson for up to

$20,000 in funds through the Land Trust Alliance. Councilwoman Lent would like further explanation of the purpose of the grant and how it would affect agricultural land in Town. She will request that Carrie Bates come to March’s meeting at 7:15 P.M. to discuss this further with the board.

• The Ninth Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 26 th from 12-2

P.M. Councilwoman Lent reported that we receive $2500 -$2800 to run the event, which has grown each year. The Clermont Fire Department will assist the volunteers and the Columbia County Sheriffs Department will also be present. A motion was

Page 3 CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING February 7, 2005

made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Staats to approve holding the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26 th from 12 – 2 P.M. All in favor. So carried.

• The Emergency Preparedness Plan is being reviewed and brought up to date. Anyone

wishing to volunteer in the event of a Town emergency should sign up with the Town Clerk.

Resolution #1-2005 was presented by Councilman Staats to correct the total of General Abstract #13-2004 and reflect the correction in the December 29, 2004 minutes by the amount of $35.25, total of abstract $16,028.73. The motion was made by Councilman Staats to approve, seconded by Councilwoman Lent. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Staats and seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve Highway Abstract #2, vouchers 1-20 in the amount of $15,947.35. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Staats and seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve General Abstract #2, vouchers 7-41 in the amount of $23,226.80. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Harned, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve Trust and Agency abstract #1, voucher #1 in the amount $1.04. All in favor. So carried.

Gary Beck of Z3 Consultants working on a subdivision project on Cemetery Road (the former Goodnow property), showed the Board maps of a proposed road and easement for future development through to adjoining property, which his group is currently working on. They have met with the Planning Board to discuss the proposed 16 residential units on thirty acres and were advised to ask the Town Board to conceptually approve the road proposal. Of concern to the Highway Superintendent and Town is the additional traffic flow at the intersection of Route 9G and Cemetery Road, which may have to be addressed. Our engineer, Daniel Wheeler, is reviewing the plans at present.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent.

All in favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon

Town Clerk