Author: Kris Gildersleeve

Town of Clermont
Monthly Meeting
February 6, 2023

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 6th, 2023 at the Town Hall. All Town Board members present.

1. Call Meeting to Order @7PM by Supervisor Staats with the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Approval of prior Town Board Meeting Minutes-
   • Approval of January General Meeting and Organizational Minutes, Motion to accept by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor So Carried.

Clerk Report

• Total for General Fund $2923.68
• NYS Ag&Mkts $5.00
• Col Co Treasurer/Solid Waste $143.00
• Total report for January 2023 $3071.68
• Mail Review-None
• Web Committee-None

3. Committee Reports and Updates
   1. Councilman Desmond-Report on Highway Department-Nothing to report
   2. Councilwoman Lusher Shute
      • Open house went well
      • March 4th presentation “Red Hook Plays” regarding their experiences with playground.
   3. Councilman Gildersleeve
      • Report on Printer search for Clerk
        • Color vs B/W
        • Fax, Print, Scan, Copy
        • Motion to approve expenditure up to $1000.00 with 4-year protection plan. Motion by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson, All in Favor So Carried.
   4. Councilwoman Brownson
      • Bank of Greene County up to $2500-Will hear in April
      • Columbia Land Conservancy-Due End of February
      • Hudson Valley Climate Change Grant was denied
      • Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant approved for $10,000 for Phase 2 of the Comprehensive plan. Dawn is working on the Memorandum of Understanding.
      • Additional grant that is due on March 1st. May not make it for this year however will try for the next round/next year.
4. Old Business
   • Mary Howard provided update on progress for Comprehensive Plan-Draft Vision statement is work in progress. Next Meeting Monday February 13th. Plan is on track for completion as scheduled.
   • Park Update-Ellen.
     1. Lehan’s Landscaping estimate – ~ 14 Service visits-April to October. Motion by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute use this service for Park Maintenance ~ $5250. All in Favor So Carried.
     2. Open house on 2/4 for new volunteers
     3. Wedding request-more info when available.
     4. Potty enclosure on hold for getting holes dug.
   • Supervisor Staats-Bank of Greene County raising Money Market Rate to 2%.
5. New Business
   • Building Permit Fee Schedule-Resolution 39-2023
     • Motion to approve by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor So Carried. Clerk will distribute appropriately
   • Policies
     • Multiple changes will be done.
       1. Highway-remove cap on Town payment of highway medical insurance.
       2. Sexual Harassment-will add 1-800 #
   • Community House rental Complaints
     • Policy Change-Wording-No music past 10PM weekdays/11PM weekends-possible other changes
   • Audit Resolution 38-2023
     • Motion to approve by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor So Carried.

6. Supervisors Report-Nothing additional
7. Motion To Pay Abstracts
   • Motion to pay Prepaid Highway abstract #2A Voucher # 3 $.50 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay Prepaid General abstract #2A Vouchers # 13-16 $588.63 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried
   • Motion to pay Highway abstract #2 Voucher #4-20 $18964.28 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay General abstract #2 Vouchers #17-52 $16597.90 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.

Public Communication/Comments to Board-

1. Question regarding Bridge Status- Pleasantvale is in process should be completed by Spring 2024. Buckwheat Bridge is in good shape, no expectation of closure or need to repair.

Motion to adjourn at 7:50PM by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted.
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

Cancelled due to the weather forecast. The next meeting will be February 22, 2023.

Town of Clermont
Monthly Meeting
January 2nd, 2023

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday January 2nd, 2023 at the Town Hall.

1. Call Meeting to Order @7:15PM following the 2023 organizational meeting by Supervisor Staats with the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Approval of prior Town Board Meeting Minutes-
   • Approval of December General Meeting Minutes, Motion to accept by Councilwoman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor So Carried
   • Minutes from 2022 Year end meeting will be approved at next general meeting

Clerk Report

• Total for General Fund $1420.42
• NYS Ag&Mkts $11.00
• Total report for December 2022 $1431.42
• Mail Review-None
• Web Committee-Nothing new to report

3. Committee Reports and Updates
   1. Bob
      • Report on Highway Department-New Truck is Registered and in service, Department is happy with it. Old truck has been put out for suplus sale.
      • Discussion on ZBA/Planning ordinance in relation to dual use on same site.
   2. Lindsey
      • No updates to report
   3. Kris
      • Updating website
      • Looking at Town email options and will continue to investigate best option for town use
   4. Dawn
      • Should have answer soon one HV Climate Change Grant that has been applied for
      • Bank of Greene County Grant due January 15th
      • Columbia Land Conservancy Grant application due end of February
4. Old Business
   • Requested that insurance be added for Law Enforcement coverage in the amount of $761.00
   • Donations for the Park
     1. Raymond issued a personal Thank you to Mary Howard for starting the Matching donation as it is very much appreciated.
     2. All donors names and donation were read and Thanked
   • Park update
     1. 2 sets of keys for the park kiosks were provided to the Town Clerk
     2. Estimate for contract for park maintenance for the 2023 season was presented and discussed. Additional discussion will take place at the February meeting for possible approval.
     3. Playground planning will begin January/February
     4. Wedding request for Late Summer/Early Fall for park-Request that the party requesting investigate insurance options.
     5. Updated installations for Park. Potty enclosure, bike racks, handicapped parking spots and Benches.
   • Comprehensive plan update
     1. No December Meeting, January meeting will be Monday January 9th at 7PM.
     2. Hope to have Survey Data for review at next meeting.
     3. Plan seems to be on track for completion by the end of 2023

5. New Business
   • Review of the books—January 14th at 10AM-Clerk will notify Judges and Tax collector
   • NYS Senate Proclamation
     • Daphne Jordan presented a few weeks ago for Town of Clermont becoming a Purple Heart Community. Thank you to Dawn for organizing the campaign.

6. Supervisors Report-
   • Supervisor Staats just wanted to report that again he did vote against the county budget. He was the only supervisor to vote against it however he has a hard time voting in favor of a budget that only adds to the County Fund Balance that is already quite large.

7. Motion To Pay Abstracts
   • Motion to pay Highway abstract #1 Vouchers # 1-2 $7,027.08 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay General abstract #1 Vouchers #1-12 $28,855.33 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.

Association of Towns Meeting in February. Councilman Gildersleeve to attend. Motion to approve Hotel/Conference Registration of $800 by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.

Public Communication/Comments to Board-

Motion to adjourn at 8:30PM by Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted.
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

2023 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

RESOLUTION #01-2023

Time/Date for Regular Town Board Meetings

First Monday of every month at 7:00 P.M. In the case of Monday holidays or cancellations due to inclement weather, the meetings will be held on the Tuesday after the 1^st Monday.

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #02-2023

Town Board Meeting Rules and Regulations

2. Call to order
3. Salute of Flag
4. Acceptance of the minutes of the previous meeting
5. Written communications to the Town Board:
   • Town Clerk Report
   • Mail Review

6. Committee Reports and Updates
7. Old Business
8. New Business
9. Supervisors Report
10. Pay Abstracts
11. Public Comment/Communication – Public comments will be taken at the end of the meeting at the discretion of the Supervisor, unless engaged during the meeting.
12. Adjournment

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #03-2023

Naming Official Newspaper

• Register Star

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #04-2023

Naming Bank for Deposits

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #05-2023

Authorize Town Supervisor to appoint a bookkeeper.

1. Pursuant to Section 29 of the Town Law
2. Necessary for proper conduct of Town Affairs

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #06-2023

Authorize Town Supervisor to temporarily invest idle monies in accordance with the Town Investment policy (General Municipal Law, Section 11)

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #07-2023

Appoint Official Dog Shelter

• Pine Plains Veterinary Hospital Associated PC
  Route 199
  Pine Plains, New York 12567
  (518) 398-7575 or 398-9494
• Round Top Animal Hospital
  71 Palatine Park Road, Suite 8
  Germantown, New York 12526
  (518) 537-7387

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #08-2023

Appoint Official Dog Control Officer at the Budgeted Amount.

• Desiree Webber

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #09-2023

Authorize Town Justices to hire a Court Stenographer when necessary.

1. For a proper record of testimony
2. Within limit of 2023 budget

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #10-2023

Appoint Town Historian

• Dawn Brownson

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #11-2023

Appoint Code Enforcement Officer

• Eli Fieser at Annual Salary of $14,000.00
• Deputy Code Enforcement Officer at $100.00 per month, if needed.
  (Appointed by Code Enforcement Officer)

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #12-2023

Appoint Town Attorney (for Town, Planning & Zoning Boards, Assessor)
(Within 2023 budget limits)

• Freeman-Howard, P.C., Hudson, New York

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #13-2023

Appoint Town Engineer

• CPL (Clark Patterson Lee)

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #14-2023

Designate Official Representatives to Association of Towns Annual Meeting

• Supervisor Staats
• Councilman Gildersleeve

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #15-2023

Establish 65.5 Cents Per Mile Rate for official Town Travel. (Per Federal Guidelines)

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #16-2023

Authorize Town Supervisor to sign 2023 State and Local Youth Contracts

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #17-2023

Appoint Registrar of Vital Statistics

• Tracey Gallant

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #18-2023

• Re-appoint Laurence Saulpaugh, Chair of the Planning Board
• Re-appoint Mary Howard, Deputy Chairman.

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #19-2023

Re-appoint Desiree Webber, Planning Board Secretary

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #20-2023

• Re-appoint James (Hank) Himelright, III, Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals
• Appoint Luke Kumburis – Deputy Chairman

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #21-2023

Re-appoint Desiree Webber Zoning Board Secretary

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #22-2023

Town Clerk’s appointments for Deputy Clerk and Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics

• Mary Helen Shannon
• Lee Gallant

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #23-2023

Town Highway Superintendent’s appointment for Deputy Highway Superintendent

• Adom Lawyer

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #24-2023

Town Supervisor’s appointment for Deputy Supervisor

• Robert Desmond for term of January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023.

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #25-2023

Town Supervisor’s appointment for Budget Officer

• Raymond J. Staats

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #26-2023

Town Supervisor’s appointment for Town Bookkeeper

• Brian Fitzgerald, CPA, PC

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #27-2023

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #28-2023

Appoint Kris Gildersleeve Webmaster for Clermont’s website

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #29-2023

Appoint representatives to the Columbia County Office for Aging for the term of January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023.

Appointments to be determined at a later date

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #30-2023

Re-appoint members of the Board of Ethics for the term of January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023.

• Mary Howard
• Susan Rifenburgh
• Tracey Gallant
• Ray Tousey

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #31-2023

• Re-appoint Mary Howard to the Planning Board for a seven-year term, January 1, 2023- December 31, 2029.

Motion made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

• Re-appoint Luke Kumburis to the Zoning Board for a five-year term, January 1, 2023- December 31, 2027.

Motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

RESOLUTION #32-2023

Accept 2023 Salaries stated in the 2023 Budget, as follows:

*If any Planning or Zoning Board member is absent for more than two meetings, that members salary will be reduced by $100.00 for each additional absence.
Alternate members of the Planning and Zoning Board will be paid $50.00 per meeting when called upon to participate by the Chairperson.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

Resolution #33 -2023

Town of Clermont Fee Schedule for Building Department Fees and Zoning and Planning Fees.

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute.
All in favor – So carried

Resolution #34-2023

Town of Clermont Official Undertaking of Municipal Officers

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

Resolution #35-2023

Agreement between the Clermont Town Board with the Canaan Fellowship for the use of the Clermont Community House for the period January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 according to the terms and conditions of the lease.

Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute.
All in favor – So carried

Resolution #36-2023

Agreement between the Clermont Town Board and Pine Plains Veterinary Associates to act as kennels for the town for the period January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried

Resolution #37-2023

Agreement between the Clermont Town Board and Round Top Animal Hospital to act as kennels for the town for the period January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond.
All in favor – So carried

These agreements will be reviewed with the other policies of the Town.

1. Review Highway Personnel Policy (Note Changes if Any)

2. Review Procurement Policy (Note Changes if Any)

3. Review Fixed Assets

4. Review Investment Policy (Note Changes if Any)

5. Sexual Harassment Policy

6. Code of Ethics

7. Cash Management

8. Emergency Preparedness Plan

9. Review Road Bonds (If any)

10. Review Other Bonds (If any)

11. Review Workplace Violence Policy

Set time and date to review books and records of Town Clerk, Town Justices, Tax Collector and Supervisor on January 14th at 10:00 A.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.

A motion was made to adjourn the organizational meeting and enter into the regular meeting by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk