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Author: Kris Gildersleeve

Are you in need of Assistance?

FEMA: Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
Click HERE to learn more.

Columbia County Office for the Aging: Website – Columbia County Office for the Aging Facebook – Facebook Page

New York State web site: Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance web site: Programs and Services by New York State

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance web site: OTDA Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Columbia County HEAP contacts:
Columbia County Department of Social Services
PO Box 458
25 Railroad Avenue
Hudson, NY 12534
Phone: (518) 828-9411
Days Open: Monday – Friday

New York State web site: Am I Eligible?

With the summer soon approaching, there is Cooling Assistance!
The Cooling Assistance program provides assistance for a free air conditioner to eligible older adults and people with certain medical conditions who are at higher risk of heat-related illness. Households that include an individual with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat are eligible. To qualify, you must have no working air conditioners, your air conditioner must be at least five years old or you must not have received a HEAP-funded air conditioner in ten years. In situations where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided. The air conditioner or fan is not to exceed $800.00 with installation. The program usually opens around the beginning of May, and closes around the end of August, or until funds are exhausted. Applications are usually accepted through the end of August. 

For information on both programs, please call the Columbia County Department of Social Services, at 518-828-9411, and speak to someone in the HEAP Department.

Resources for assistance provided by the Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County
CCNCC_Color Resources Sheets.pdf

Regional food bank of Northeastern New YorkEvents & Dates. Find your area and check the dates.

For more information regarding Columbia County Office for the Aging newsletter:

Fire Commissioners – April 2020

CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 20, 2020

The Clermont Fire Commissioners did not hold a regular meeting but held it by email contact and telephone due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Chairwoman Susan Rifenburgh, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh, Commissioner Ray Bauer, Commissioner Joseph Scott and Commissioner Ronald Miller were contacted.

MINUTES: Treasurer Denise Fiore submitted the minutes from the March meeting in the absence of the Secretary. They were accepted with one correction from Chairwoman Rifenburgh on page 11 to change the name Cody Rockefeller to Evan Tompkins on a motion made by Commissioner Ray Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Joe Scott. All in favor. So carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT;

Treasurer Fiore emailed the following Treasurer’s report for April:

Total amount of March 2020 invoices paid ……………………………………………………$ 12,360.95

Proposed April 2020 Invoices ……………………………………………………………………..$ 3,520.00

Paid April 2020 invoices ……………………………………………………………………………$399,232.41

Total ………………………………………………………………………….$402,752.41

Reconciliation of Accounts

The Bank of Greene County Balances to Date

Money Market Checking Balance** ………………………………………………………………$591,094.63*

* Includes interest paid on 3/3120 in the amount of $121.80

** Transfer to checking ($396,925.00) for truck not reflected in

Money Market balance

Checking balance ………………………………………………………………………………………..$ 4,556.62

Plus Deposit 4/1/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………..$396,925.00

Less Outstanding Checks …………………………………………………………………………..$399,746.00

Checking Balance to Date ……………………………………………………………………………..$ 1,735.62

Money Market & Checking A/C Total …………………………………………………………….$195,905.25

Capital Reserve Fund for Fire Equipment ……………………………………………………….$41,786.91 (as of 12/31/19)

Interest 1/1/2020 – 1/31/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 5.30

Interest 2/1/2020 – 2/29/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 4.96

Interest 3/1/2020 – 3/31/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 5.31

Total …………………………………………………………………………….$41,797.18

Capital Reserve Fund for Constr. & Improvement ……………………………………………$33,717.36 (as of 12/31/19)

Interest 1/1/2020 – 1/31/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 4.28

Interest 2/1/2020 – 2/29/2020 ……………………………………………………………………………….$ 4.01

Interest 3/1/2020 – 3/31/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 4.28

Total …………………………………………………………………………….$33,729.93

A motion was made to approve the Treasurers report with all in favor.

With the arrival of the new truck the 1996 International Pumper/Tanker will be declared as surplus equipment by the following resolution approved this date:

RESOLUTION NO. 22 OF 2020

AUTHORIZATION TO DECLARE A FIRE DISTRICT VEHICLE AS

SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

WHEREAS, The Clermont Fire Commissioners, at the April 20th teleconference made a motion to declare the 1996 International Pumper/tanker, 2500 gallon tank with 1250 gpm pump as surplus equipment,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the motion was made to request $60,000.00 for the pumper/tanker:

Motion: Commissioner Raymond Bauer

Seconded: Commissioner Joseph Scott

Upon question of the foregoing Resolution, the following Board members voted “Aye” in favor of the Resolution:

Commissioner Raymond Bauer
Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh
Commissioner Joseph Scott
Commissioner Ronald Miller
Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh

The following members voted “No” in opposition thereto:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

The resolution having been approved by a majority was declared duly adopted.

DATED: 4/20/2020 Mary Helen Shannon, Secretary

Following the approval of the resolution a Notice of Permissive Referendum will be prepared which is required when the sale price is from $20,000 to $100,000.

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on April 20, 2020 the Clermont Fire District adopted Resolution No. 22 of 2020 authorizing the District to declare a 1996 International Pumper/Tanker with a 2500 gallon tank capable of pumping 1250 GPM as surplus equipment with a purchase price of $60,000.00 subject to a permissive referendum pursuant to Article 7 of the Town Law of the State of New York.

Said resolution is subject to a permissive referendum and shall not take effect until thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption.

By Order of the Clermont Fire Commissioners

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Physicals were received for Richard Larsen, Jr. and Fred Gooderham
  • RBC Wealth Management Account Statement for March – $374,505.87
  • Fire District Affairs for April – May

FUEL USAGE REPORT:

  • 54.7 gallons used from 3/29/20 thru 4/19/20.

CHIEFS REPORT:

There were three calls as follows:

  • 3/7/20 – Mutual aid to Claverack – brush fire – 7 firefighters
  • 3/13/20 – 51 Quail Lane – smoke/appliance fire – 4 firefighters
  • 3/27/20 – 1124 County Route 8 – extinguish brush pile – 11 firefighters

Officers meeting – 3/1/2020 – 2 Officers

Training – 3/5/2020 and 3/12/2020 – OSHA Training – 22 firefighters – 132 hours

The 2020 Toyne Tanker/Pumper arrived on Aril 14th. Several firefighters attended.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, Secretary
Clermont Fire District

Senior Grocery Shopping (Volunteers)

Most towns have assembled a group of volunteers to assist seniors with grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions during the Coronavirus outbreak. The Columbia County Office for the Aging is compiling a list of these contacts, which will enable our staff to make referrals should a senior from a particular town need assistance with these tasks.  Please contact Councilmember Dawn Brownson at 518-537-6272 to volunteer.

Town Board – April 2020

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
APRIL 6, 2020

The Clermont Town Board meeting was held via a phone conference call on Monday, April 6, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. with the Town Board members and Town Clerk participating. This was necessary as Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a State of Emergency due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Participating are Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve and Town Clerk Mary Helen Shannon.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: The minutes of the March 2nd meeting were reviewed and a motion made to accept them by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

The notes taken by Councilwoman Lusher Shute at the special meeting regarding the park committee on March 16, 2020 were accepted as minutes.

Councilman Gildersleeve does have an objection to the wording on the signs for the park indicating or referencing “No Firearms” in the park. He would challenge the use of this wording as a violation of 2nd amendment rights. He does not want any indication about firearms on the signs. Councilman Desmond would motion to accept the signs as amended with no mention of firearms, Supervisor Staats seconded. This will be further discussed with the update to the Sexual Harassment/Workplace Violence Policy.

TOWN CLERKS REPORT:

The Town Clerk read the report for March and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General fund in the amount of $140.70.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond pointed out that local and state parks are closing because of the virus and wondered if we should think about closing off the parks. The Supervisor noted that there are no scheduled games in the near future and there has been no congregating reported.
  • Councilwoman Brownson reported that the Landmark open house which the County had scheduled in May to view the Clarkson Chapel on Route 9G has been postponed. She had hoped to have St. Luke’s church opened that weekend, as well.

She will submit the AARP grant application for benches and tables and Iroquois Community grant for trees. She will ask our Highway Superintendent for a quote for gravel material for a pathway to the Veterans monument. Councilman Desmond suggested marking the pathway off so all can see the location.

  • Councilwoman Lusher Shute will work on updating the email list on the website.
  • PARK SIGNS: Councilwoman Lusher Shute has an estimate for two park entrance signs from Fast Signs in Kingston – two 36-inch high metal signs for $266.04 and two 48-inch high signs for $347.64. She has also received a quote from Amy Parella for plantings and fencing. The estimate is as follows:

Locust posts and rails delivered from Adams – $537.00

Garden soil from Hudson Valley Organics – $235.00

Composted mulch from Hudson Valley Organics – $235.00

Plantings from Chestnut Ridge Nursery – multiple trees – $5369.00

Deer Protection fencing from AM Leonard – $1298.00

Total approximately $7000.00

Supervisor Staats would need a second quote for the trees and would like to purchase local and avoid the freight charges if possible. We do not know how our revenues will be coming in and if we will get any from the state during this crisis.

Councilman Gildersleeve is opposed to the purchase of the signs with any mention of firearms and Councilman Desmond would like to see a proof of what will be on the signs. Councilwoman Lusher Shute will make up a proof of the sign.

Mary Howard of the Planning Board has requested a quote from three business’ for 50 double sided signs to be used the planning and zoning public hearings. They are as follows:

Minute Man – Red Hook $540.00

ColorPage – Kingston – $589.00

Nancy Scans – Chatham – $389.00

It was suggested to wait on purchasing these because of budget concerns. No one was opposed to waiting until next month.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Highway abstract #4, vouchers 26 -36 in the amount of $7,263.40. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract #4A vouchers 83-107 in the amount of $5,810.71. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve General Prepaid abstract #4, vouchers #80 – 82 in the amount of $223.66. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Trust and Agency abstract #4, vouchers #6 – 7 in the amount of $1,062.90. All in favor. So carried.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk

Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Fishing and turkey licenses may be purchased online at www.dec.ny.gov/permits at any time.  Anglers may use their privileges immediately by carrying their transaction number (DEC – LS#) with them.

The HuntFishNY mobile app may also be used through the Apple App or Google Play stores.  This way you will have an electronic copy of your license.

With any questions or concerns contact@dec.ny.gov.

If you do not have access to a computer or internet, please call the Town Clerk at 518-537-6868 or email TownClerkClermontNY@gmail.com to make an appointment or arrangements.

Thank you.