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Author: Kris Gildersleeve

Town Board – June 2023

Town of Clermont
Monthly Meeting
June 5, 2023

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 5th, 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- Motion Made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
  3. Written Communications
    • Town Clerk Report
      • Total for General Fund $2178.54
      • Total for Trust and Agency $500.00
      • Total report for May 2023 $2724.54
    • Mail Review
      • Staples account closure Citibank program ending
      • NYS Grant opportunities
      • KISS program 6/5/23-6/23/23
      • Primary Election Tuesday, June 27th
      • Public Hearing Town of Germantown, Short term rental local law
      • County returning to garbage bags discontinuing bag tags by end of year
    • Web Committee-None
  1. Committee Reports and Updates
    • Councilman Desmond-
      • Loader is at the repair shop
      • Hogtrough Road Paving in progress/done-some culverts replaced
      • Turkey Hill Road repair permits completed (reported by Supervisor Staats)
    • Councilwoman Lusher Shute-
      • Park Clean up day was well attended, included some full families
      • Some of the poppies are coming up
      • Potty enclosure completed/Royal Flush will move Porta Potty into enclosure
      • Will ask about current landscapers helping with weeding
      • Playground committee meeting
      • Board Discussed recent park expenditure without prior approval/expenditures must be approved prior to purchase
      • Councilwoman Brownson working with Germantown Historian Tom Shannon on signage for park.
    • Councilman Gildersleeve
      • Website updates being done regularly
    • Councilwoman Brownson-
      • Questioned speed limit on Hill n dale not being posted
      • Discussed grant opportunities
  1. Old Business
    • Comprehensive Plan update-Mary Howard
      • Meeting held in May
      • Worked on finalizing draft Plan
      • Two meetings will held in June
      • Provided copies of literature Introduction to Conservation Easements in NY-
      • Draft Timeline
      • August-Workshop
      • October-Public Hearing
      • November/December-Submission to Town Board for review
      • January-Public Hearing
    • RFP’s published in paper, posted on website and building-Applicants to contact Supervisor Staats
    • Route 9 School bus stop update
      • County Board of supervisors, County Highway and County Engineer aware. Asked for consideration of reduced speed on Rt 9 Clermont/Livingston town line. Livingston in agreement. County engineer will forward to Traffic Safety Board and keep Supervisor Staats informed. Columbia County does not currently participate in school bus camera enforcement but it is in consideration and investigation.
  2. Supervisors Report-
    • 2nd qrtr sales tax revenue in $146, 453.00
    • Mortgage tax in $32,000
    • Thank you to Park volunteers for continuous efforts in the park
    • Solid Waste Greenport-ongoing work on site
    • Solid Waste bag prices may increase to cover costs-ongoing discussions within county.
    • Plaque for Clayton Andrus from NY Planning Federation. Supervisor Staats will delivery to Mrs. Andrus.
    • NYS is keeping federal funding for Medicaid
  • Executive Session 8:05 PM Motion made by Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So Carried.
  • 8:35PM Motion to leave executive session Motion by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So Carried.

Public Communication/Comments to the Board

Discussion-Hamlet Zoning Size and Comp Plan

  1. Motion To Pay Abstracts
    • Motion to pay General abstract #6 Vouchers #144-173 $10092.01 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.
    • Motion to pay Highway abstract #6 Vouchers #63-76 $14580.51 By Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
    • Motion to pay General Prepaid abstract #6a Voucher #141-143 $206.45 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.

Motion to adjourn at ~ 8:37 PM by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

Zoning Board of Appeals – May 2023

Clermont Zoning Board of Appeals
1795 Route 9
Germantown, New York 12526

May 24, 2023

The Clermont ZBA held its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall. The meeting started with a salute to the flag. Members attending were Hank Himelright, Luke Kumburis, Don Van Wagner, Lee Gallant, and Ben Peacock.

Hank Himelright asked if anyone had any additions, corrections or omissions to the minutes of the last meeting, April 26, 2023. A motion was made by Lee Gallant, seconded by Don Van Wagner, to approve the April 2023 minutes. All in favor. So carried.

Daric Schlessman, Van Burnt Stillhouse, 1931 Route 9,
TAX ID#181-1-12, came before the Board seeking a Use Variance and a Special Use Permit. The primary use would be a distillery. The Special Use Permit would be for a venue of a Tasting Room. The Use Variance would be for a secondary use, currently being used as a warehouse. Motion was made by Luke Kumburis, seconded by Don Van Wagner, to accept the Use Variance Application as complete. All in favor. So carried.
Motion was made by by Don Van Wagner, seconded by Luke Kumburis, to accept the Special Use Permit Application as complete. All in favor. So carried. A site visit date and time will be determined. Motion was made by Don Van Wagner, seconded by Luke Kumburis, to schedule a public hearing for the next ZBA meeting. All in favor. So carried.

Discussion was held by the ZBA members regarding modifications for the Special Use Permit for Southward Event Venue, which were approved by the Planning Board, without contact or approval from the ZBA. A letter will be sent to the Town Board regarding this approval, which was not within the procedures established by the Town of Clermont.

With no other business, motion was made by Luke Kumburis, seconded by Ben Peacock, to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber, Secretary

ASSESSMENT ROLL AND GRIEVANCE INFORMATION for 2023

ant to Sections 506 and 526 of the Real Property Tax Law:

1. Notice is hereby given that the Tentative Assessment Roll for the Town of Clermont NY is completed, and a copy thereof may be seen at 1795 Route 9 Clermont, NY 12526 until May 30, 2023.

2. I will be available by phone at 518-929-3845 and email tocassessor@yahoo.com

3. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Assessment Review for the Town of Clermont will meet to hear and examine all properly filed complaints in relation to assessments of Real Property at 1795 Route 9 Clermont, NY 12526 during the hours of 3PM-5PM and 6PM-8PM on May 30, 2023.

4. A publication containing procedures for contesting an assessment is available at the Assessor’s Office or the Columbia
County Real Property Tax Office as well as on line at: http://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/orpts/grievancebooklet.pdf

Assessor Cheryl Kaszluga

3 Requests for Proposals

1. Request for Proposal

For: Town of Clermont Town Hall A/C-Heat Pump
Location: 1795 Route 9 Clermont, NY
Contact: Raymond Staats (cell #845-417-6362)
Bid due date: July 1, 2023. Sealed bids may be submitted by hand to Raymond Staats, by mail or by hand to the Clermont Town Hall (1795 Route 9, Clermont, NY 12526) if Town Clerk is unavailable, place in ‘Court Drop Box’),

Project Description:

  1. The Contractor shall provide and install a 36K BTU ductless A/C system with a Heat pump. The system shall include one condenser located on the north side of building. One interior head to be mounted in the court room, and two additional heads mounted in the main hall.
  2. The contractor shall be responsible for Electrical hook up and all materials and labor required for system installation/operation.
  3. The contractor shall remove all debris from property and clean work areas upon completion.
  4. The contractor shall include with bid, specs, and models of equipment.

Notes:

The Contractor shall be required to comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to payment of prevailing wage as required by New York State.

The contractor shall provide proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance. The Contractor shall provide a proposed project schedule with the bid.

2. Request for Proposal

For: Town of Clermont Town Hall exterior painting
Location: 1795 Route 9 Clermont, NY
Contact: Raymond Staats (cell #845-417-6362)
Bid due date: July 1, 2023. Sealed bids may be submitted by hand to Raymond Staats, by mail or by hand to the Clermont Town Hall (1795 Route 9, Clermont, NY 12526) if Town Clerk is unavailable, place in ‘Court Drop Box’),

Project Description:

  1. The Contractor shall power-wash and scrape the building, removing all mildew, mold, and loose and flaking paint.
  2. The Contractor shall prime the entire building with an oil base primer.
  3. The Contractor shall paint the building with two coats of highest quality acrylic latex paint (colors to be provided by the Town of Clermont Building Committee, Dianne O’Neal, Chair), such as Sherwin Williams Duration or Benjamin Moore Aura, or the equivalent, to be approved by the Town of Clermont.
  4. Aluminum storm/screen windows shall be removed, and the wooden window sashes repaired, reglazed, and repainted as necessary. The aluminum storm/screen windows are to be replaced after repainting the wooden windows.

Notes:

The Contractor shall be required to comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to payment of prevailing wage as required by New York State.

The contractor shall provide proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance.

The Contractor shall provide a proposed project schedule with the bid.

3. Request for Proposal

For: Town of Clermont Town Hall Lighting
Location: 1795 Route 9 Clermont, NY
Contact: Raymond Staats (cell #845-417-6362)
Bid due date: July 1, 2023. Sealed bids may be submitted by hand to Raymond Staats, by mail or by hand to the Clermont Town Hall (1795 Route 9, Clermont, NY 12526) if Town Clerk is unavailable, place in ‘Court Drop Box’),

Project Description:

  1. The contractor shall remove old drop ceiling light fixtures from the court room.
  2. The contractor shall provide and install new interior high output LED lighting fixtures in the drop ceiling of the court room.
  3. The contractor shall remove old lighting fixtures in main hall and install new high output LED surface mount fixtures.
  4. The contractor shall replace fixture in Clerk’s office and Building Inspector’s office with similar LED lighting fixtures.
  5. The contractor shall be responsible for Electrical hook up and all materials and labor required for installation.
  6. The contractor shall remove all debris from property and clean work areas upon completion.
  7. The contractor shall include bid, specs, and models of fixtures.

Notes:

The Contractor shall be required to comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to payment of prevailing wage as required by New York State.

The contractor shall provide proof of$1,000,000 liability insurance. The Contractor shall provide a proposed project schedule with the bid.

Public Notice

The Clermont Town Board is seeking individuals interested in filling occupancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board as they occur. Positions may include being an alternate for either Board. Interested Town of Clermont residents can send letter of interest to the Town Clerk at 1795 Route 9, Germantown, NY 12526 or email TownClerkClermontNY@gmail.com. -Please provide contact information. Applicants will be contacted to set up a future interview.

Tracey Gallant

Clermont Town Clerk

Planning Board – May 2023

CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD

May 10, 2023

The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Larry Saulpaugh, Mary Howard, Tom Jantzen, Ron Miller, Jennifer Phillips, Jesse Cutaia, and Nathan Hempel. Matthew Griesemer, Attorney for the Town was also in attendance.

After review of the April 12, 2023 minutes, motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Jesse Cutaia, to approve the minutes.
All in favor. So carried.

Michael Knutson, from Scenic Hudson, came before the Board in regards to the Thomas Cunningham, Clermont Hudson Horse Farm, 3689 Route 9G, Tax ID #179.-1-36, who is seeking a lot line adjustment. Thomas Cunningham was not present. Michael Knutson discussed what can be done to accommodate the request for the lot line adjustment. Scenic Hudson plans to visit the property and meet with the property owner and his surveyor.

Southwood Property LLC, 726 Woods Road, Tax ID #179.000-1-33, The scheduled event dates for Southwood’s 2023 season were submitted. They are as follows:

June 3
June17
July 22
August 5
August 19
August 26
Sept 16
Sept 30
Oct 7
Sept 9 – neighbors to the south are having a wedding for their daughter, not Southwood

With no further business, a motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Mary Howard, to adjourn. All in favor. So carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber,
Secretary