Meeting Minutes 2020

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

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

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
MAY 4, 2020

The Clermont Town Board held their regular town board meeting on Monday, May 4, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. via teleconference due to the covid-19 virus. Those participating were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve and Town Clerk Mary Helen Shannon.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance.

MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the April meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried,

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk’s report was sent out via email and after review was accepted. The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $3,584.58.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Supervisor Staats sent the board members copies of the budget and revenue reports, deposits for the month and town clerk’s report for April.
• Website: Councilman Gildersleeve has been updating the website with information concerning the Coronavirus and a link for anyone that needs assistance during this difficult time. The emergency preparedness has been updated but there will be additional additions to come.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• PARK: Councilman Desmond commented that the volunteers planted the trees and shrubs ordered since last month. The pathway to the Veterans Monument has also been marked out.
• Supervisor Staats was at the town garage distributing masks and sanitizers provided by the County to about 35 – 40 people. New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal will be sending more masks. An announcement will be made on G-tel and the newspaper when the next distribution will be held. Councilman Desmond and Councilwoman Brownson helped with the distribution.
• GRANTS: Councilwoman Brownson will seek an extension on completing the 2019 Iroquois Grant. The AARP Community Challenge grant is due on May 15th. She will request five park benches, fill for the pathway to the Veterans memorial which overlooks the soccer fields used by three local towns. The Iroquois Community Grant Program for $9,203.00 for purchasing and planting trees and deer protection materials for the park was submitted on May 1st.

OLD BUSINESS:

• PARK: Councilwoman Lusher Shute reported that the park committee met on April 26th and nominated Amy Parrella as chair and Jennifer Phillips as secretary.

MOTION: A motion was made to appoint Amy Parrella as chair of the Park Committee by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

The Town Board will communicate with the committee as to what the next projects will be to work on. Councilman Gildersleeve would like to be sure that he is on the email list for the committee. Councilwoman Lusher Shute has not heard back from Fast Signs on the entrance sign.

NEW BUSINESS:

• SALES TAX: The Supervisor received the check for Sales Tax Revenue for the 1st Quarter of 2020 which is 4% higher than last year at this time. The County is estimating a 20% lower revenue of the rest of the year. Supervisor Staats believes we will still be on par with what we budgeted. The CHIPS funds for essential road repair should be arriving and we will only do repairs and maintenance which will be covered by these funds, using none from our budget.
• FUEL OIL BIDS: The Supervisor requested price estimates on rates for next year.

Valley Energy – 1.899

K & H Fuel Oil – could not compete

Main Care Energy – No lock in rate available

Bottini Fuel – 2.05 or 2.35

We currently get our fuel from Valley Energy.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to accept the bid from Valley Energy at $1.899 gallon. All in favor. So carried.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

• TOWN HALL BATHROOM: Supervisor Staats donated his time and crews time to bring the ladies room in the town hall up to physically handicapped accessibility. Also, installed a ramp from the main room to the bathroom access. The board and clerk thanked him for a very nice job that was done.
• The Supervisor thanked all that have helped with the park work and Councilman Desmond and Councilwoman Brownson for helping with the masks and sanitizer.

ABSTRACTS:

• A motion was made to approve General Abstract #5A, voucher #111-125 in the amount of $6,246.75 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
• A motion was made to approve Highway abstract #5, voucher #37 – 44 in the amount of $18,645.85 by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
• A motion was made to approve General prepaid abstract #5, vouchers #108 – 110 in the amount of $184.53 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

GRIEVANCE DAY: The date for Grievance Day would be Tuesday, June 2nd this year. We have not heard officially if this will take place on that date. Will wait for word from Suzette Booy, Director of Columbia County Real Property and our Assessor Cheryl Kaszluga and John Gall, Chairman, Board of Assessment Review. It will be posted on the website.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:00 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk

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

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 14^th. Several firefighters attended.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, Secretary
Clermont Fire District

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

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

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