Meeting Minutes 2024

Town of Clermont
Town Board Meeting
November 4th, 2024

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday November 4th, 2024 at the Town Hall. Those presents were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute.

1. Call Meeting to Order @7PM by Supervisor Staats with the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Approval of prior Town Board Meeting Minutes-
   • Approval of October Minutes, Motion to accept by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor So Carried
3. Written communications/Mail review

Clerk Report

• Total for General Fund $1457.01
• NYS Ag&Mkts $2.00
• Total report for October 2024 $1459.01

Mail Review

• Solid Waste-
  • Recycling permits can only be purchased from Town Clerks office
  • Solid waste station hours
• Election Day Dinner
• Village Green committee Christmas Caroling event-December 17th
• Office for the Aging New Director to present services at next Board meeting.

Web Committee-None

4. Committee Reports and Updates
   • Bob-None
   • Lindsey
     • Finalist Designs for Logo-3 Submissions-Voting in progress will be left open for approximately 2 weeks
     • Playground proposal ready for signature ~ $298,000.00
     • Park/Playground committees will be busy fundraising, requesting donations for services and Community Build
   • Kris
     • Working on Wi-Fi for community house/ran into some issues with running cables from basement. Will be completed after election day dinner.
   • Dawn-
     • Request to remove signs at Clermont Park as they are duplicate information on Kiosk. Suggestion made to relocate signs to other parts of the park.
     • AEDs seem to run approximately $1700, more information will be available at December’s meeting
     • Thank you to Chris Nolan for stepping in and assisting with the artifact investigation

5. Old Business
   • Mary Howard Next Meeting Thursday, November 14th.
     • Hoping for all information gathered from Town Board members via the google documents prior to that meeting.
   • Stahl Bridge Update-
     • Decking is poured and project is on schedule for completion prior to Thanksgiving, May do an opening ceremony at some time.
   • Grader Auction
     • Only offered $3400.00 at auction will put up for auction in the spring again.
6. New Business
   • Motion made to adopt 2025 budget by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor.

Motion made to adopt 2025 budget by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor.

• Pleasantvale/Commons Road -Weight restriction request
  • Unable to put restriction on bridge however a restriction can be placed on the Roads leading to the bridge. Town of Livingston placed restriction on Hapeman Road and Pleasantvale Road.

Motion made to place 10 Ton Weight limit restriction-except Local deliveries on Commons Road and Pleasantvale Road by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor.

• 3rd quarter Sales Tax-$162,373.06 received

7. Supervisors Report-
   • Currently still working on County Budget -expected to be ~ 2% increase.
   • Park Fundraising-Matching pledge has been received-Thank you to that donor. Donations are open.

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8. Motion To Pay Abstracts
   • Motion to pay Trust & Agency abstract #5 Vouchers #8-10 $1388.85 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay Highway abstract #11 Vouchers #97-110 $8299.53 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay General abstract #11 Vouchers #246-264 $10302.76 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.

Public Communication/Comments to Board-

Thank you to Amy Perella for work towards playground grant.

Thank you to Didi Barrett for help in securing the grant.

Motion to enter executive session at 7:41 PM by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.

There will be no additional business for the Town Board after executive session.

Motion to exit executive session at 8:19PM by Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.

Motion to adjourn at 8:19PM by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted.
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

TOWN OF CLERMONT
PUBLIC HEARING 2024 BUDGET
NOVEMBER 4, 2024

The Clermont Town Board held the 2025 Budget Public Hearing on Monday, November 4th, 2024 at 6:45 P.M. at the Town Hall.

Those in attendance were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher-Shute.

Supervisor Staats opened the public hearing for the 2025 Budget. The Town Clerk read the Public hearing notice.

Supervisor Staats read the highlights of the 2025 Budget

Total Budget $1,402,872
General Budget $829,272
Highway Budget $573,600
Tax rate per thousand at 18.73% Down from 30.66%
2-3% Salary increases,
No tax increase 2025

Above budget accounts for the following:
Turkey Hill Road Repair
Subsidizing Playground build after grants and fundraising
Painting interiors of Town Hall and Community House
Painting outside of Garage
Replacing cabinets at Community House
Replacing front doors of Town Hall

Supervisor Staats opened up the floor for any comments or questions on the 2025 budget.
Request for Historical inventory to be done prior to replacement/repair of display cabinets.
Request for increase to Library donation-50% increase was allocated within the budget

The hearing was closed at 6:58 P.M.

Meeting cancelled, no meeting minutes.

Town of Clermont
Monthly Meeting
October 7, 2024

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 7th at the Town Hall. Councilwoman Brownson and Town Clerk Gallant not 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 Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.
3. Written Communications
   • Town Clerk Report
     • Total for General Fund $1405.02
     • Total for Ag & Mkts $24.00
     • NYS DOH Marriage $45.00
     • Total report for September 2024 $1474.02
   • Mail Review-
     • Ham Dinner-Election Day Dinner-Take out only
   • Web Committee-None
4. Committee Reports and Updates
   • Councilman Desmond-Highway department
   • Councilwoman Lusher Shute
     • Playground Committee-attempting to get estimates to keep below estimated costs
     • .Playground and Park committee working on joint fundraising
     • Logo design contest-open no entries yet-entries by October 25th. Voting at election day with printed submissions
     • Email from very frustrated resident-part of revaluation-Very large taxable value increase. 25% increase in school tax bill. Missed grievance day. Encouraged to speak with Assessor and Tax collector. Unfortunately there is nothing that the Board can do. In some cases properties were under assessed for years.
   • Councilman Gildersleeve
5. Old Business
6. New Business
   • 2025 Tentative Budget-Public Hearing 6:45 PM 11/4/24
     • Highlights read by Supervisor Staats
       1. Including repairs and updates to buildings
       2. No tax increase

Motion to accept Tentative Budget as Preliminary Budget of 2025 by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So Carried.

• Surplus grader-1966 -Not needed or used

Motion to accept Surplus the Grader by Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So Carried.

7. Supervisor Report
   • County Budget-expected 2% increase
   • Reminder Ham Dinner for Election day
   • Thank you to Barbra Rifenburgh for the building decorations/cleaning

8. Motion To Pay Abstracts

• Motion to pay Highway abstract #10 Vouchers #86-96 $11,259.43 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.
• Motion to pay General Prepaid abstract #10a Voucher #210-216 $582.24 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
• Motion to pay General abstract #10 Vouchers #217-245 $18,312.28 By Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.

Public Communication/Comments to the Board

Request for Library donation for 2024.

Motion to adjourn at 7:55 PM by Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted.
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

No September 2024 ZBA meeting held.

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
BUDGET WORKSHOP
SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

The Clermont Town Board held a budget workshop on the 2025 Budget on Monday, September 23rd, 2024 at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Desmond, Councilwoman Brownson, Councilman Gildersleeve and Councilwoman Lusher-Shute.

Supervisor Staats opened the workshop and went through all the budget and revenue accounts in the General and Highway funds.

Discussion regarding Salaries:

SALARIES OF TOWN OFFICIALS

SUPERVISOR $ 6,000.00

TOWN BOARD (4 Members each getting $2,800) $11,200.00

TOWN CLERK $ 9,500.00

TOWN JUSTICES (2 Justices each getting $6,000) $12,000.00

TAX COLLECTOR $ 5,000.00

SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS $58,300.00

BUILDING INSP/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER $15,500.00 (plus $1000.00 for deputy)

ASSESSOR $17,000.00

*Salary increases were approved for 2 full time highway employees 3%

The following are the changes that have been suggested:

GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS

Town Board

A1010.4 contractual – increase from $1000. To $1500.

Justices

A1110.11 Personal Services-Clerk $4800 to $4900.

A1110.43 Court Security- Decrease $1000 to $900

Supervisor

A1220.4 contractual-Increase from $12,000 to $12,500.00

Tax Collection

No Change

Assessor

A1355.4 Contractual Expenses – $1000.00.

Town Clerk

A1410.12-Personal Services-Deputy-$1500.00 remains unchanged

Buildings

1620.1- Personal Service Increase from $2000 to $2500

1620.4 – contractual – remains unchanged $60,000

1620.41- contractual/oil – remains unchanged $7000

1620.42- contractual/electric – remains unchanged $4000

Special Items

A1910.4 Unallocated Insurance Increase from $20,000 to $23,000

A1920.4 Municipal Assoc Dues remains unchanged $600

Tax Rate ~ 18.73 per 1000.

Total Tax Levy $104,580.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

Town of Clermont
Town Board Meeting
September 3, 2024

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at the Town Hall. Those presents were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Lusher Shut, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve and Councilwoman Brownson.

1. Call Meeting to Order @7:00 with the Pledge of Allegiance Led by Supervisor Staats
2. Approval of prior Town Board Meeting Minutes-
   • Approval of August meeting minutes, Motion to accept by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor So Carried
3. Written communications
   • Election Day Dinner November 5th at Community House, Take out Only 430-630 PM. Cost is $12.00 per meal
   • Current Go Fund Me for Patrick Dempsey who recently lost his Wife.

Clerk Report

• Total for General Fund $2,522.52
• NYS Ag&Mkts $9.00
• Total report for August 2024 $2,531.52

Mail Review-None

Correspondence for Web Committee-None

4. Committee Reports and Updates
   • Councilman Desmond -Comments and concerns regarding Comp Plan in relation to Planning/Zoning Laws
   • Councilwoman Lusher Shute-
   • Councilman Gildersleeve – No Updates
   • Councilwoman Brownson- (Chris Nolan) Zoom meeting with tribal leaders, regarding documentation/photos of unknown artifacts that may be in the community.

5. Old Business
   • Park Update
     • Kiosk Signs completed/installed on Front, working on backs
     • Councilwoman Brownson will take pictures of Rt 6 signs for discussion
     • Working on Flanders Field signs
     • Parkitect-No deposit or payment until project completion-Locked in 2024 pricing
     • Grant-signing of contract Ok.
   • Comprehensive Plan update-
     • Cannabis considerations-Will remain as Not permitted at this time and will be revisited as necessary
     • Next Meeting October 14th-Plan almost completed
   • Court Grant for Generator denied, not allowed.
   • Community House Painting – Painting completed, Also painted door of church
   • Stahl Bridge update-Slightly behind schedule due to delay of Steel delivery expected withing 2-3 wks., expectation is completion by Thanksgiving. Consideration should be given for travel restrictions (weight) when bridge completed.
6. New Business
   • 2025 Budget workshop-September 23rd 6PM
   • Town Logo Design Contest-Approved by attorney for cash prizes
   • BAR appointment-Re appoint Al Costello to term ending September 30, 2029 Motion to accept by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor So Carried

7. Supervisors Report-
   • Sales Tax revenue down slightly
8. Motion To Pay Abstracts
   • Motion to pay Highway abstract #8 Voucher #79-85 $5,661.73 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay Prepaid abstract #9A Voucher #199-201 $296.65 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay General abstract #9 Vouchers #202-209 $10,785.35 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried

9. Public Communication/Comments to Board-
   • Christopher Nolan-Please remember history department when budgeting
   • Christopher Nolan-Solar Concerns.

Motion to adjourn at 8:05PM by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted.
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

Town of Clermont
Town Board Meeting
July 1st, 2024

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 1st, 2024 at the Town Hall. Those presents were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Lusher Shute and Councilwoman Brownson. Councilman Kris Gildersleeve was absent

1. Call Meeting to Order @7:00 with the Pledge of Allegiance Led by Supervisor Staats
2. Approval of prior Town Board Meeting Minutes-
   • Approval of June meeting minutes, Motion to accept by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor So Carried
3. Written communications
   • Clerk Report
     • Total for General Fund $3,071.05
     • NYS Ag&Mkts $5.00
     • NYS DOH $22.50
     • Total report for June 2024 $3,098.55
   • Mail Review
     • Solid Waste Flyer for Recyclables-Do’s and Don’ts. Will be posted on town website for future reference.
     • Correspondence for Web Committee-NONE
4. Committee Reports and Updates
   • Councilman Desmond -Nothing to report
   • Councilwoman Lusher Shute-Bike Racks and 2 additional Benches installed, All current plaques from donations have also been installed. Thank you to the Highway department. Playground committee met in an effort to reduce costs from the previous playground estimate provided. New Estimate is at ~$315,000.00 This is assuming community build and donations from local businesses for prep work. Also included in estimate is a Climbing wall for County Route 6 Park. Parkitect is not interested in repairing current surface at swings, but recommended replacing existing surface (also included in estimate). Ordering in 2024 for arrival in spring 2025 would save ~ $15,000. Supervisor Staats renewed the willingness to assist with funding. Town Board not prepared to commit without additional funding sources identified. Town Board to approve applying for grants to assist in funding of Playground. Motion to approve by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So Carried. Councilwoman Brownson will start applying for grants that are due by end of month.
   • Councilwoman Brownson- Bank of Greene County presented current Grant award of $1000 towards the Veterans Monument. Councilwoman Brownson has been unable to successfully reach out to Brittany Bohnsack regarding the dedication of the County Route 6 Park. Will further update at the August meeting for the sign for out front of the Town Hall.
5. Old Business
   • Comprehensive Plan update-Next meeting Monday July 8th-will be working on subdivisions
   • Community House Painting -Significant progress has been made, second payment approved for the painter per the contract.
   • Stahl Bridge update-Old Bridge removed, awaiting new structure. Expected completion by Thanksgiving
6. New Business
   • Supervisor Staats read a letter in support of the Climate Smart Task Force grant funding
7. Supervisors Report-
   • Warren Street building still work in progress.
   • School Bus Camera’s-Still work in progress at the County Level
8. Motion To Pay Abstracts
   • Motion to pay General abstract #7 Vouchers #153-176 $17,028.55 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried
   • Motion to pay Highway abstract #7 Voucher #54-66 $9,845.84 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.
9. Public Communication/Comments to Board-
   • Desiree Weber-Questions regarding school bus stops on Route 9 and speed reduction request-Supervisor Staats will mention it at the county level again however we were turned down via NYS DOT for a reduction in speed.
   • Dog Warden issue regarding prosecution of violation-County Attorney is needed
   • Christopher Nolan-Questions regarding Solar Farms and amount of acreage allowed.

Motion to enter into executive session. No further town business will be discussed after executive session. Motion made at 8:04PM by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor So Carried.

Motion made to exit executive session at 8:14PM by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor So Carried.

Motion to adjourn at 8:15PM by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted.
Tracey J Gallant

CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD

June 12, 2024

The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Larry Saulpaugh, Jennifer Phillips, Ron Miller, Tom Jantzen, Jesse Cutaia, and Nathan Hempel. Matthew Griesemer, Town Attorney, was unable to attend.

After review of the May 8, 2024 minutes, motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Nathan Hempel, to approve the minutes. All in favor. So carried. Mary Howard abstained due to not being present at the May meeting.

Motion was made by Nathan Hempel, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing for Centerline Communications/ AT&T. All in favor So carried. Brenda Blask, representingCenterline Communications, provided a recap of the project, seeking to add wireless transmission equipment to the existing Verizon tower located at 195 Pleasantvale Road, Tax ID #192.-1-29.1. The response from the Columbia County Planning Board is pending and will be reviewed at their June 2024 meeting. The Board reviewed questions from George Schmitt, the Town Engineer, and discussed response from the Applicant. Motion was made by Mary Howard, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to close the Public Hearing and return to the regular meeting. All in favor. So carried. Mary Howard read the SEQRA. Motion was made by Nathan Temple, seconded by Tom Jantzen, to declare a negative impact, All in favor So carried. Motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Ron Miller, to approve the project pending the review and approval from he Columbia County Planning Board and the final response from George Schmitt, the Town Engineer. All in favor. So carried.

Hank Himelright, located on Apple Valley Lane, Tax ID #191.1-1-67, 23.92 acres, is seeking a Lot Line Adjustment from a parcel of 23.92 acres. The Applicant was advised to indicate the location of wells and the Board of Health approval. Parcel A and Parcel B also need to be added to the map. The Applicant will return with updated maps.

Kelly Crimmons, represented by Sam Ferguson, came before the Board for a sketch plan review. He was directed to the ZBA and Board of Health. The Applicant will return with revised plans.

With no further business, a motion was made by Mary Howard, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to adjourn. All in favor. So carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber, Secretary