Author: Kris Gildersleeve

No meeting held due to the Town Hall closure during COVID-19.

CLERMONT SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MINUTES
MARCH 16, 2020

The Town Board held a special meeting which had been scheduled before the necessary shutdown of the town hall due to the Coronavirus outbreak by the Governor. The meeting was closed to the public. Those who were present at the 7:00 P.M. meeting were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve.

Councilman Lusher Shute was good enough to takes notes, in the absence of the Town Clerk.

Summary of meeting outcomes:

• The board would like the committee to continue. At the next formal town board meeting the will officially nominate a Park Committee and chairs. The board will only nominate one committee; if the group would like to have subcommittees or working groups, the group can self-organize. There is also support for a parents playground group.
• Pending a few edits, the board is interested to adopt the plan as an advisory document. Supervisor Staats is speaking with the town lawyer about how to proceed with this action.
• The board approved/prioritized several actions from the plan:
  • A simple rules sign (similar to what is now in Tivoli) to be placed near the parking lots; I will facilitate the creation/purchase of this sign.
  • Finishing the park entrance (including trees; split rail fencing).
  • Planting trees in arboretum near the Route 9 entrance; planting trees near County route 6 parking lot; and, depending on funding, some selective screening plantings.
  • Creation of crushed stone trail to veteran’s monument.
  • Benches along the mowed trail, assuming funding from AARP or other sources.
  • Planting of seed withing the monarch meadow, but not moving new topsoil to area at this time.
  • Relocating piles from stream area.

Councilwoman Brownson and Councilwoman Lusher Shute will work on several funding opportunities, immediately including AARP and Iroquois community grants.

Next Steps:

• If anyone is interested to continue on the park committee, please email Councilwoman Lusher Shute at llshuteny@gmail.com.
• If there are other individuals that you would like to nominate for the park committee, please send their current information.
• Councilwoman Lusher Shute will organize a committee meeting by phone in the next two weeks to nominate chairs, and discuss upcoming plantings and grant proposals.
• She will email Amy Parrella regarding plant material.

CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MARCH 16, 2020

The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their monthly meeting on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh, Commissioner Ronald Miller, Commissioner Raymond Bauer and Commissioner Joseph Scott, Jr. Also present was Treasurer Denise Fiore.

Chairwoman Rifenburgh opened the meeting with the salute to the flag and said that meeting would be an open format discussion and would not follow the normal Monthly Meeting Agenda due to COVID-19.

MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the February 17, 2020 meeting with one correction on Page 2 correcting the Tax Cap from 1.81% to 1.8 by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.

TREASURERS REPORT:

March 16, 2020 Fire Commissioners’ Treasurer’s Report

RE: February 2020

Total Amount of February 2020 Invoices Paid ________________________$ 20,474.97

RE: March 2020

Proposed March 2020 Invoices ____________$ 9,428.05

Paid March 2020 Invoices ________________$ 2,932.90

———————–Total __________________________________________$12,360.95

Reconciliation of Accounts

The Bank of Greene County Balances to Date

Money Market Checking Balance _______________________________$ 223,218.83*

*Includes interest paid on 2/29/2020 in the amount of $47.31

Checking Balance ____________________________________________ 3,658.73

Plus Deposit 3/3/2020 _________________________________________ 5,000.00

Less Outstanding Checks _______________________________________3,154.13

Checking Balance to Date _______________________________________5,504.60

Money Market & Checking A/C Total ____________________________$ 228,723.43

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

———————–Total _______________________________________$41,791.87

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

———————–Total ______________________________________$33,725.65

Denise Fiore, Treasurer
March 16, 2020

A motion was made by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Miller to accept the Treasurers report for March. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Physical for Richard Larsen, Jr. received
• RBC Wealth Management statement for January – $405,045.31
• Executed Agreement with Volunteer Fire Department received. Original will be kept with the Treasurer and a copy will be kept in the files.

OPEN DISCUSSION:

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh
No Discussion

INSURANCE: Commissioners Miller and Scott

• Treasurer Fiore said the Clermont Fire Company reimbursed the District for their portion of the 2020 insurance premium in the amount of $1,869.00.

FIRE EQUIPMENT: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh

• Commissioner Saulpaugh said the new truck 6035 will need tie down brackets to hold the equipment on the truck. The brackets will cost between $1,000-$1,500. A motion was made by Commissioner Bauer and seconded by Commissioner Miller to purchase the tie down brackets.

LOSAP: Commissioners S. Rifenburgh and Miller

• Commissioners Rifenburgh and Miller have posted the LOSAP points. After required 30 day posting all signed forms will be mailed.
• Chairwoman Rifenburgh said Evan Tompkins was the only firefighter to qualify in the Defined Contribution Service Award Plan for 2019. She mentioned that these monies must be kept separate.

LAWS AND POLICIES: All Commissioners
No discussion

LEGAL: All Commissioners
No discussion

OLD BUSINESS:

• Commissioner Bauer will check with the Chief to find out the status of the hose purchase from Garrison.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Chairwoman Rifenburgh received the sexual harassment forms and will put them out.
• Treasurer Fiore said the closing for the new truck 6035 was March 16, 2020 and the funds were deposited into the District’s Money Market bank account that day.
• Treasurer Fiore said the District Accountant, Brian Fitzgerald, broke his ankle is not responding to emails re status of 2019 Audit.
• Commissioner Scott asked if any information has been received from NYS or Columbia County regarding COVID-19. Commissioner Rifenburgh said no information has not so far been received.
• Commissioner Bauer requested a moment of silence in memory of Mark Schiller.

CHIEFS REPORT:

There were ten calls in February as follows:

2/9/20 – Mutual Aid Livingston Structure Fire – 140 Maple Lane

2/10/20 – Wires down – Cedar Hill and Pine Lane

2/10/20 – AAPI – Route 9 (exact location not reported)

2/14/20 – Alarm Activation – 634 Church Avenue

2/14/20 – Mutual Aid Livingston Structure Fire – Route 31

2/15/20 – Mutual Aid Livingston Recall – Route 31

2/16/20 – Smoke Investigation – 874 County Route 6

2/22/20 – Alarm Activation – 104 Mill Road

2/25/20 – Mutual Aid Germantown AAPI – 450 Church Avenue

2/28/20 – Alarm Activation – 760 Woods Road

Monthly Drills/Work Details

2/12/20 – Drill – Thermo Imaging Camera – 7 firefighters attended

2/24/20 – Drill – Drill on roof venting and ladders – 12 firefighters attended

A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Miller to pay the bills. All in favor. So carried.

Commissioner Bauer submitted the fuel report showing 46.8 gallons used.

A motion was made to adjourn at 7:50 P.M. by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Scott.

Respectfully submitted,
Denise Fiore, Treasurer
Clermont Fire District

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
MARCH 2, 2020

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 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 three others present.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag. A motion was made to move into executive session to discuss contract negotiations by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 7:00 P.M. All in favor. So carried. A motion was made to come out of executive session at 7:25 by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

MINUTES:

A motion was made to accept the minutes by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk presented a check for the General Fund to the Supervisor in the amount of $345.11.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Columbia County Department of Health Free Rabies Clinics for 2020. Will be posted on the Town website and at the town hall.
• Keeping Identities of Seniors Safe – 3/16/20 to 3/27/20 on Thursday 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
• List of dates and times for Elections for 2020. Seeking Election Workers – contact Board of Elections at 518-828-3115.
• Supervisor Staats submitted the budget and revenue reports to the Board for February.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• Councilwoman Lusher Shute reported on the Park. Seeking funding for the park entrance for plantings and fencing and park signage. There will be a special meeting on Monday, March 16th at 6:30 P.M.
• Councilwoman Brownson has been looking at grants for the park. AARP has a grant opportunity due April 1st. The Iroquois Community Grant for an available amount up to $10,000.00 due May 1st could be written for screening.
• Councilwoman Brownson reported that the County Historian will be having a Sacred Sites Open House and will hold it at the Clarkson Chapel on Route 9G, 5/16/2020 and 5/17/2020. She would like to have St. Luke’s Church open on one of the days.
• Councilman Gildersleeve has been working on getting some information and documents updated on the new website.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Policy Updates: Supervisor Staats has submitted our Sexual Harassment Policy and Workplace Violence Policy to the County for recommendations to update the policies.
• The town is also looking at a registration/permit system for special events, wedding venues so that we can know how many events are being held and if they are following what was approved for their permit.
• Sales Tax Revenue: Received check for 4th quarter in the amount of $102,490.30 and the Supervisor urged residents to shop locally.

NEW BUSINESS:

• RESOLUTION NO. 39 OF 2020: To approve our Attorney, Andrew Howard of Freeman-Howard, to enter into a negotiated Order of Settlement with Pleasant Vale Farm, LLC to reduce their real property tax assessment from $875,000 to $800,000.

A motion was made to approve by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

• RESOLUTION NO. 40 OF 2020: The Supervisor has requested a speed limit reduction on a section of County Route 19 in the Town of Clermont between Elizaville Falls and the Milan Town line in Dutchess County. The speed limit on either end is 45 MPH but this section is 55 MPH. The resolution was approved on a motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
• ESTATE SETTLEMENT: The town has received a check relating to the distribution from the trust of Julia M. Ross who was a resident of Clermont. She lived and worked in Clermont.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

• PARK COMMITTEE: There will be a special meeting on Monday, March 16th at 6:30 P.M. to discuss going forward with the park plan. Amy Parella asked if there would be separate committees and if the plan would be officially adopted in full or in part. These issues will be part of the discussion.
• Columbia County Hazardous Waste Collection Day: To be held on Saturday, May 9th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the County Highway Garage, Route 23A, Greenport.
• There are burn restrictions effective Monday, March 16th to May 15th.
• The Supervisor reported that the County did not vote on a proposal to make vaccinations mandatory for Camp Counselors.

ABSTRACTS:

• A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve General abstract #3A, vouchers #47-79 in the amount of $8,481.96. All in favor. So carried.
• A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General prepaid abstract #3, vouchers #44 – 46 in the amount of $254.80. All in favor. So carried.
• A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve Highway abstract #3, vouchers #15 – 25 in the amount of $6059.69. All in favor So carried.
• A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Trust & Agency abstract #3, vouchers 3 – 5 in the amount of $1,813.50. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
None

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute to adjourn at 8:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk