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Town Board – May 2019

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES

                                                                        MAY 6, 2019

The Clermont Town Board held a public hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2019 amending Article IV, Section 2 of the Clermont Subdivision regulations concerning the review and approval of lot line alterations in the Town of Clermont. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve.  There were 10 others present.

Supervisor Staats opened the public hearing and the Clerk read the public notice of the hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2019 to amend the Subdivision regulations pertaining to Lot Line Alterations. This proposed law was circulated through the Planning and Zoning Boards for their input and also Columbia County Planning with no adverse effects in their opinion.  The Supervisor opened the floor to any public comment.   Councilman Desmond said that the intent is to simplify the process for applicants. With no other comments the public hearing was closed at 6:50 P.M.

Supervisor Staats opened the regular meeting of the Clermont Town Board with a salute to the flag. He welcomed the representatives of the School Districts of Germantown, Red Hook and Pine Plains to speak on the 2019-2020 budgets. 

  • Pine Plains School District: Assistant Superintendent Michael Goldbeck said that there total proposed budget is $33,928,878 an increase of 1.32% , the smallest in five years. The estimated tax levy if 2.52% so that rebates will still be coming to residents.  He went over the propositions that will be on the ballot for buses, Capital reserve and two seats on the school board.
  • Germantown Central School District: Superintendent Susan Brown and Jonathan Boehme, business manager, presented a budget of $15,597,618.00. There are two incumbents seeking reelection.  The estimated increase is 4.52%.  They are hoping to get bids in next week for the capital project.
  • Red Hook School District: Business Manager Bruce Martin came for Superintendent Paul Finch who was not able to attend.  There is a tax levy increase of 2.61%.  There is a public hearing on May 8th at the Mill Road school and registration is on May 15 from noon to 5:00 P.M. There are two incumbents running for two seats. There is a bus proposition on the ballot. Both libraries are on the ballot for funding. There is also a solar project proposition if state aid is received.
  • Red Hook Public Library: Director Dawn Jardine said that their enrollment is increasing with many more people using the programs. Ms. Jardine explained the programs that they have at the Library. They are seeking an increase of $16,400.00 on the ballot, a 4.42% increase. Also present was Maryelisa Blundell, President of the Board of Trustees/
  • Tivoli Free Library: President of the Board Erica Kane spoke to the town board about the increase in salaries and health insurance as the reason of the budget increase. The budget is $80,000 and they are asking for $1600.00 additional, a 2% increase. Also present was Director, Michele DelPirone and Gautam Sethi, President of the Board of Trustees.

There were many questions from the board on enrollment numbers and the programs that are offered.  There is a reduction in enrollment in all of the schools.

The school budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21 from 12:00 Noon to 9:00 P.M.

Supervisor Staats thanked all for being here.

A motion was made to go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond at 7:45 P.M. All in favor.  So carried.

A motion was made to come out of Executive session at 8:35 P.M. by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried.

MINUTES: The minutes of the April meeting were reviewed by the board and a motion was made to accept by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond.  All in favor.  So carried.

TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The town clerk read the April Town Clerk report and presented a check for the General Fund to the Supervisor for $4,540.26 and for Trust and Agency for $300.00.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • The board members received the budget and revenue reports through April.
  • There was nothing to report from the web committee

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond reported that the POW flag has been put up in the park. Councilman Gildersleeve ordered it for us.
  • The new highway truck should be coming in very soon.
  • Councilman Hempel reported that there is nothing to report on the new website.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve also commented on the flag being up in the park.
  • Councilwoman Brownson said that we did receive $750 from the Bank of Greene County towards the landscaping for the park from the grant that she applied for. She has also requested grant assistance to the Iroquois Community Grant Program in the amount of $6300 for landscaping at the entrance to the park.
  • Councilwoman Brownson thanked the volunteers that worked at the Easter Egg Hunt.

Phyllis Heiko asked how much is in the park fund. The Supervisor said that there is $30,000 available not including anything received since the last meeting. Councilman Desmond pointed out that the committee was authorized to spend $5,688.00 on the entrance to the park. The grants were submitted with that in mind.

Mary Howard said that the committee has been working on grant applications.

The committee is planning on planting bulbs and flowers in the park on Saturday, June 15th. Anyone is welcomed to come and help. There should be a report by the end of July.  She is trying to get everyone together for a meeting. Councilman Desmond asked if there was anything on a sign yet for the entrance. Mary has a draft of the sign and the committee will look at it and address that.The Supervisor would like some signage to the affect that there should be no dogs on the area of the fields. He has had reports that someone was dog training on the soccer field.

Phyllis Heiko asked about signs prohibiting activities in the park. She has asked before and would like the town board to address it. The committee has a draft which has to be reviewed.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Bids for painting the Town Hall and Community House from damage done by the hail storm May 15, 2018 were opened last month and after review by the Supervisor will be awarded to B/T Contractors in the amount of $8,100.00 paid from the buildings account 1620.4. A motion was made to accept this bid by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.  All in favor.  So carried.
  • The roof replacement contract will be awarded next month.
  • Red Wing: The Planning Board has asked our attorney to send a letter to DEC. Our attorney Matthew Griesemer did send a letter to DEC. Our Code Enforcement Officer did also contact DEC but has not heard back from them.  Phyllis asked if a site visit was done by CEO but our Supervisor said that there is no application, and unless they file an application the CEO would not do a site visit.  The letter from our attorney was read by Mary Howard.  Mrs. Marquardt stated that Red Wing should have filed for a permit to operate, however, Mary Howard stated that Red Wing mining was instituted prior to the zoning code so it is a non-conforming use but once the use changes then they would need a permit. There were further comments on this issue and whether or not they should have come for a permit in prior years. The Town Board is doing what they can on this matter. There were further conversation but they were talking over each other so there are no minutes for those conversations.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF 2019: Supervisor Staats responded to the SEQRA form and the board made a motion to declare a negative declaration by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried. Supervisor asked for a motion to approve Local Law No. 1 of 2019.  Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.  A roll call vote was as follows: Councilman Desmond, aye; Councilwoman Brownson, aye; Councilman Hempel, aye; Councilman Gildersleeve, aye; Supervisor Staats, aye.  Motion passed.
  • PARK SIGNS: The Committee will be looking at this.  

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • Supervisor Staats received the 1st quarter sales tax check from the County in the amount of $93,234.36. This is an increase of about 7%.
  • Pave New York:  The Highway Superintendent received word that we will receive a check for paving roads in the amount of $10,621.81.  We will do a budget amendment as we did not budget for this in the budget.
  • Easter Egg Hunt: Thanked all that helped out this year.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Prepaid General abstract #5, vouchers #111-113 in the amount of $198.52, seconded by Councilman Desmond.  All in favor.  So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract #5A, vouchers #114 – 140 in the amount of $6934.39, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.  All in favor.  So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve Highway abstract #5, vouchers #33 to #46 in the amount of $9,731.86, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.  All in favor.  So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Trust & Agency abstract #4, vouchers #10-12 in the amount of $510.00, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.  All in favor.  So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There were no further public comments.

A motion was made to adjourn at 9:20 P.M. by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk