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Town Board – November 2021

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
NOVEMBER 1, 2021

The Clermont Town Board held the Public Hearing for Local Law 1 of 2021 on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 6:45 P.M. at the Town Hall.

Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute.

Supervisor Staats opened the Public Hearing and the Clerk read the public notice of the hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2021 regarding opting out of allowing cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption sites as authorized under Cannabis Law Article 4. The Supervisor opened the floor to any public comment. Resident Mary Howard indicated we should opt-out at this time as the Planning and Zoning Laws in Clermont do not necessarily cover this at this time. Clermont is simply not ready. Councilman Desmond pointed out the requirements are that the Town may opt out now and opt in again later however we cannot opt in now and opt out later.

Councilwoman Lusher Shute asked if there was a town that had a good example of what our plan should look like. Mary Howard indicated no, not yet. There is a webinar that Mary Howard was unable to watch all of it and they did say they would have some examples. Resident Susannah Bradley asked for a summary of the Local Law, provided by Supervisor Staats. With no other comments the public Hearing was closed at 6:55 PM

The Clermont Town Board held the 2022 Budget Public Hearing on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 6:55 P.M. at the Town Hall.

Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher-Shute.

Supervisor Staats opened the Budget public hearing and asked for the Clerk to read the public notice. Supervisor Staats opened up the floor for any comments or questions on the 2022 budget. Supervisor Staats reviewed the highlights of this budget. Mary Howard thanked the board for setting money aside for the Comprehensive Plan.

Public Comment:

Mary Howard thanked the board for setting money aside for the Comprehensive Plan.

Susannah Bradley asked if there were any big changes. Supervisor Staats provided information regarding extra road repairs/Turkey Hill Road and the Comprehensive Plan were the major changes all others were relatively minor. No tax increase as the extra to expenditures will come out of the fund balance, revenues are higher and if it continues, we may not have to take any out.

The hearing was closed at 7:00 P.M.

The regular meeting was opened at 7PM with the salute to the flag.

MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the October meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Town Clerk presented a check for the General Fund in the amount of $10,752.52 and for Trust and Agency in the amount of $2,500.00 to the Supervisor.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Notice of Public Hearing Town of Germantown, Solar Energy, copy for each Board member
  • Association of Towns Packet. Will provide to each Board member

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Web Committee-Nothing to report
  • Councilman Desmond commented on the Highway Department saving the town money with the work that they did on Tractor repairs, doing the work themselves. Signs are in for Turkey Hill Road; Councilman Desmond has not had a chance to go see them. Air conditioners have been removed. Working with Livingston on paving. Councilwoman Brownson heard that Germantown was not signing inter-municipality agreements. Unsure if that would be the case with Clermont. Most help provided by Livingston since they have more equipment and manpower. Supervisor Staats will inquire and find out.
  • Councilwoman Lusher Shute Park Committee—Volunteer Day Saturday November 6th at 1PM. Will be planting 2 Maple trees and do fall clean up. All are welcome to join in. Park committee is looking for matching funds thanks to a generous donor in the amount of $5000 and must be met by 12/1. Any donation welcome there are some donations levels including sponsoring a tree, park bench etc. Call the Town Hall, Town Website or at clermontparksny@gmail.com. Donation Link to be placed on website. Supervisor Staats will be making a donation. Climate Smart Committee will be presenting at the December board meeting. Climate Smart meeting on Wednesday, November 8th. Councilwoman Lusher Shute has indicated that she has received many inquiries regarding zoning, planning, cannabis law etc. regarding the Comprehensive Plan and wondering how much money needs to be raised to proceed. Councilman Lusher Shute wants to set a workshop for possible planning, costs etc. for possible first meeting of the new year.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve has advised that the anti-virus is expired for Town computers. He would like to move forward to purchase a 10-pack license to update all computers. Also, would like to move forward on the website and there is a fee for one of the plug ins. We are behind and he would like to proceed with purchasing before the next meeting.
  • Councilwoman Brownson has reached out to the contact for the signs for the purple heart community as she has not heard anything back. Bike racks have been ordered. A grant was submitted for $9000. to the Iroquois Pipeline community grant for the two kiosks based on the estimate from Ellen from Timber homes Vermont. Each are about $4000. Possibly simple enough that the Highway department may be able to set the. We should hear by December 15th. Ellen has been working hard on these projects (Kiosks and porta potty enclosures). She has really done a great job and we need to Thank her. Councilwoman Lusher Shute asked if perhaps the Highway department would be able to assist with the enclosures. Councilman Gildersleeve is asking if perhaps the port a potty could be moved further away from the parking lot and may blend in a little better. He also noticed that picnic tables were near the culverts and that if there was any significant weather they may be in the water. People seem to move them where they want them.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Red Wing Mine – Information has been forwarded to the Town Attorney-There is nothing that we need to address. The town should put a letter together to ask that we continue to be included in conversations regarding this. Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve that a letter be put together. All in favor. So carried.
  • Application/rules and regulations for Park use. Please review and can be discussed further at December meeting.
  • Supervisor Staats reported that the 3rd quarter sales tax revenue is again the largest ever received, $141, 007.71. The first 3 quarter checks are what was budgeted for the year, 4th quarter will be reported in February, we will be over by at least 100,000. It is up over 15% since last year. We do anticipate that we will be adding to our fund balance. It is expected that there will be 0 increase in the county budget also.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • BUDGET: A motion was made to adopt the 2022 Budget following a public hearing held prior to this meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. A Roll call was completed with All in favor. So carried.
  • LOCAL LAW 01 OF 2021 CANNABIS OPT OUT: A motion was made to opt out of allowing cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption retail dispensaries as authorized under Cannabis Law Article 4 following a public hearing held prior to this meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. A Roll call was completed with All in favor. So carried. Local Law 1 adopted
  • MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION7:30PM: New resolution for contract negotiation. Motion by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
  • MOTION TO GO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 7:45pm: Motion by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • Supervisor Staats would like to thank our election workers who will be here from 5AM to 10PM, long hours little pay. Money is budgeted for food/refreshments.
  • Doors open at 6AM close at 9PM.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gilderersleve to approve Trust and Agency abstract #7, voucher #29 in the amount of $38.70. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Prepaid General abstract in the amount of $216.97. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Highway abstract #11, vouchers #95-101 (with #98 removed) in the amount of $4,106.93. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract #11A, vouchers #257-277 (#268 adjusted from 380 to 315) in the amount of $4,328.10. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Chris Nolan-Conference in Glens Falls or Saratoga regarding deicing strategy Brine vs Salt for town. Perhaps the Board could ask the Highway Superintendent to investigate. Supervisor Staats does believe the State does use it and it does require additional equipment. He does not believe the county uses it but he will ask at the next County level meeting.

No additional public comment/questions.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 7:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk