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Town Board – March 2021

TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 1, 2021

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday March 1, 2021 at the Town Hall after the Park committee workshop. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute. Others present were Chris Nolan and Mary Helen Shannon, Deputy Town Clerk. Present on zoom were Jennifer Phillips and Phyllis Heiko.

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

MINUTES:

The minutes of the February meeting were distributed to the board and accepted.

COMMUNICATIONS:

  • TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk read the town clerk’s report for February and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund for $3,366.35 and for Trust and Agency in the amount of $1,000.00.
  • The Town Clerk reported that a representative of New York Transco Energy Solution

was here to update the information on the work being done on the transmission lines through Columbia County on the laptop that they have provided for residents to review.

  • Web Committee Correspondence: There was none.
  • The Supervisor provided the budget and revenue reports for February.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Veterans Memorial/Parks: Councilman Desmond reported that there has been no movement on the pathway to the Veterans Memorial. It is still in good shape after the winter. The little league field, soccer field and other improvements which have been made at the park with little or no taxpayer funds, have been said to be some of the best in the county. Donations and grants made this possible. Councilwoman Brownson asked if we had received a report from the NYS DEC on the monitoring wells. The Supervisor has not seen anything. Councilwoman Lusher Shute agreed that there has been great progress on the property. The Climate Taskforce will submit a resolution at the next meeting identifying the purpose of the taskforce. They will be seeking volunteers interested in participating. Councilman Gildersleeve would like more information on the purpose of the taskforce and what they are planning on doing.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve has begun using the recording device for use at the meetings. This is available for any of the boards to use at meetings. The Zoning Board of Appeals has opted not to use it and it is unknown if the planning board will use it. They are not required to, it is optional.
  • Councilwoman Brownson did apply for a grant from the Bank of Greene County for up to $2500 to be used for the purchase of ADA swings, stencils to mark out lines for sports, etc. She also is looking into a grant from the Columbia Land Conservancy for $500.00 to apply toward sign for park entrance. There is also a grant due 4/14 to AARP Community Challenge but she has to find out what can be applied for.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Supervisor Staats reported that we received the 4th quarter sales tax in the amount of $116,640.08. He said that this is up over 8% over 2019.
  • Discussed bank rates, which have gone down in recent months. He will be looking at other banks for a higher CD rate.
  • Workplace Violence/Sexual Harassment Training: Employees will be required to watch a video provided by the county and will be notified with a link by the Town Clerk. There will be other options to get the training if needed.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Code Enforcement Officer Sam Harkins has requested that the Deputy Code Enforcement Officer position be filled with Blythe Harkins as per budgeted amount of $100.00 per month. The board did meet with Ms. Harkins and a motion was made to appoint her to the position by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.
  • Resolution #39 of 2021: A resolution by the Town Board to release and Quit Claim a portion of land on Commons Road now owned by Chris Nolan. This abandonment of property is subject to permissive referendum and upon approval by the board will be noticed as such. A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. A roll call vote was as follows: Councilman Desmond, aye; Councilman Gildersleeve, aye; Councilwoman Brownson, aye; Councilwoman Lusher Shute, aye, Supervisor Staats, aye. All in favor. Motion passed.
  • Supervisor Staats received a Intermunicipal Agreement – County Roads/Bridges which the County is asking for the Town Supervisors of Clermont, Germantown and Livingston to sign.
  • PARK ENTRANCE SIGN: After discussion at the workshop for the parks, a motion was made to purchase a sign for the park entrance on route 9 from Monkey & The Mule up to $1000.00 and Dutchess Signs for $625.00 to be paid from the budget account 7110.4 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • VACCINES: Supervisor Staats reported that the County is getting a supply of COVID vaccines and will be scheduling vaccinations.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve General prepaid abstract #3, vouchers #43-45 in the amount of $308.96 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Highway abstract #3, vouchers #10 – 20 in the amount of $15,835.48 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General abstract #3A, vouchers #46-71 in the amount of $6,050.71 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There was none.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A motion was made to enter into executive session to discuss contract negotiations by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute at 8:15 P.M. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to come out of executive session by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute at 8:30 P.M. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:30 P.M. by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Deputy Town Clerk