Town Board – August 2020

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
AUGUST 3, 2020

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher-Shute and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. There were five residents present.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.

Supervisor Staats asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session at 7:00 P.M. to discuss contract negotiations and pending litigation. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to come out of executive session by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 7:30 P.M.

A motion was made to accept the Town Board minutes from July by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Received the budget and revenue reports for July 31, 2020.
• Website: Phyllis Heiko would like to see the Land Subdivision regulations on the website. Also, make note on the website that application night for the ZBA on the second Thursday will no longer be held.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:

The Town Clerk read the report for July 2020 and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General fund for $1,431.52 and a check for Trust & Agency for $2,500.00.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• HETTLING PARK:

There was discussion regarding the pathway to the veteran’s monument as to whether to go with the more direct, shorter route from the parking lot to the monument or as suggested by the park committee to use a more winding design up in front of the monument. There were other aspects to be considered with both designs such as leveling and filling and the costs associated.

MOTION: A motion was made to use the straight-line pass to the monument from the area of the proposed handicap parking spaces by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. A roll call vote was as follows: Councilman Desmond, aye; Councilwoman Brownson, nay; Councilwoman Lusher-Shute, nay; Councilman Gildersleeve, aye; Supervisor Staats, aye. Motion passed.

• PARK SIGNS: The signs have been received for both parks that state the rules of the parks. There was discussion as to where the signs for the Hettling Park should be placed with a general feeling that they should be placed within the park rather than at the entrance. Once inside the park they can be easily viewed at the NW corner of the parking lot at the entrance to the overflow parking lot. There was concern that this placement would interfere with the view of the mountains. The decision will be made as to whether to mount on one post or two.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to place the signs at the NW corner of the parking lot at the overflow driveway entrance. A roll call vote was as follows: Councilman Desmond, aye; Councilwoman Brownson, nay; Councilwoman Lusher-Shute, nay; Councilman Gildersleeve, aye; Supervisor Staats, aye. Motion passed.

• AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS: Councilwoman Lusher-Shute researched Air Filtrations Systems and the use of same to filter out particles in the air. Councilman Gildersleeve has also looked into the use of these. There are varying reports on whether they will filter out the Corona virus. Councilwoman Lusher-Shute is suggesting we purchase two Blue Air units at a cost of $600.00 plus filters.

MOTION: A motion was made to purchase 2 units and filters from Blue Air not to exceed $700.00 with funds to come from Buildings A-1620.4 by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

• PARK TOOL SHED/TOOLS: Councilwoman Brownson reported that the park committee has submitted a list of tools and other items needed for the upkeep of the park. Ellen Earle has been looking for sheds and there are several types, sizes and price ranges to consider. Delivery costs must also be considered.
• AARP GRANT: Councilwoman Brownson did receive notification that we did not receive funding from AARP.

She will hold a Landmark Open House at St. Luke’s Church on Saturday August 22, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in conjunction with the County. Masks and social distancing is required.

• TOWN CLERKS COMPUTER: Councilman Gildersleeve explained that the internal internet connection in the town clerk’s computer was damaged during a storm. The current computer is outdated so replacing is warranted.

MOTION: A motion was made to purchase a new computer, monitor and Microsoft windows office not to exceed $1000. From the town clerk account, A-1410.2 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.

• WEBSITE: Councilman Gildersleeve reported that the park committee would like to be able to post on the town website information relating to the park and the minutes of the meetings. With the board’s approval he can set privileges for Ellen Earle in creating and posting in a park section with the stipulation that it would be in draft form pending approval by the board. A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute to approve creation and posting pending approval by board to the town website. All in favor. So carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

• SALES TAX REVENUE: The Supervisor received the sales tax revenue for the second quarter in the amount of $90,960.75. It is approximately 13% less than last year. Tobacco funds were also received in the amount of $9,523.23 which is approximately $2500 less than previously received.

NEW BUSINESS:

• As discussed last month, two bids were received for the Clermont Park (Route 6) parking lot bumper rails as follows:

ROMA Fencing – 6 x 6 Pressure treated posts – flat top – in concrete

2 x 8 Pressure treated horizontal board

440 feet total around parking lot

Total: All labor and material $5,800.00

(Includes installation of split rail fencing at entrance to Hetting Park)

OAKWOOD FENCING – 6 X 6 wooden guardrails – set in concrete

2 x 8 rails

Front area – 30 sections $4000.00

Back area – 28 sections $3700.00

Total: All labor and materials $7,700.00

MOTION: A motion to proceed with Roma Fencing was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute.

• STIPULATION SETTLEMENT

Our attorney has reached an stipulation agreement with Angelo Giovino on his assessment of property. The board having reviewed it made a motion to accept the stipulation by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

• HETTLING PARK TEST WELLS MONITORING: We were notified by the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation that the well monitoring and maintenance requirements must be done. CPL, our engineer has provided an invoice and summary of what needs to be done. The groundwater monitoring portion amounts to $12,782.00 and the annual report is estimated at $2,218.00, totally $15,000.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to authorize CPL to perform the required site monitoring at the stated costs and to be charged from the Brownfields account with additional funds transferred from the Con Ed funds. All in favor. So carried.

• SOLAR FEES: At the request of our Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector a fee for ground mounted and roof mounted solar should be added to the Building Fees, Resolution #34-2020. It is suggested to charge $.25 per square foot for ground mounted and roof mounted solar. There would also be a $25.00 fee for a Certificate of Occupancy.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to amend Resolution #34 of 2020 to include a $.25 per square foot fee for Solar – Ground mounted or roof mounted. All in favor. So carried.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

• County offices are opening up and meetings are being held.
• ELECTIONS: It is unclear what the plans are for the November 3rd election. Election poll sites may be combined as they were for the primary because it has been difficult finding people to work because of the corona virus.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General abstract #8A, vouchers #186 to #204 in the amount of $4,591.49, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve General prepaid abstract #8, vouchers #183 to #185 in the amount of $185.94, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Highway abstract #8, vouchers #61-63 in the amount of $4,232.40, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

• Phyllis Heiko, a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, says that the Zoning Board would like a moratorium on large solar projects. She will get more information from the board.
• Chris Nolan is seeking the Town Board to sign off on a portion of Commons Road which is deeded to the town and he needs for a driveway to a part of his property.
• Mary Howard has pledged a donation of up to $5000.00 to be matched by donations which are received by November 1^st.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 9:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk