Meeting Minutes 2024

Town of Clermont
2024-year end meeting
Date: December 23, 2024

1. Call Meeting to Order 7:00PM Supervisor Raymond Staats with the Pledge of Allegiance. Those presents were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lusher Shute. Councilman Robert Desmond was not in attendance.

2. Fingar Insurance presentation for 2025 Policy. Insurance Rates are up. Cyber/Security Breach-Not eligible. The increase is not as much as it appears as there were additions and removals from the previous policy which resulted in an ~ $600 credit on our account. The playground does not increase the policy.

3. Supervisor Staats introduced the following Budget Amendments and Transfers to balance the accounts:
   • General Budget Amendment #1 of 2024 to balance accounts in the General Fund in the amount of $ 42,622.00 Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.
   • Highway Budget Amendment #1 of 2024 to balance accounts in the Highway Fund in the amount of $ 57.233.00 Motion made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

4. ZBA Opening-Received letter of resignation from James Himelright as ZBA Member and Chair. Opening will need to be posted and Interviews scheduled. Supervisor Staats to speak to Deputy Chair to see if he is interested in becoming Chairman.

5. Councilwoman Lusher Shute presented mockup of sign design contest winner and estimate for sign. Questions regarding thickness of the sign and placement. Councilwoman Lusher Shute will follow up with Timely Signs.

6. Playground discussion-Playground equipment arrived and has been unloaded with help of highway department-Very heavy and large. Additional structures are expected to be delivered next week. Community Build is expected to be first 2 weekends in May.

7. Councilman Gildersleeve purchased anti-virus software for Town Clerks desktop.
8. Comprehensive Plan-Hopeful for final review/distribution next week and for official presentation to Town Board at February Meeting.

9. Supervisor-Thank you to Tami Connelly arranging the Christmas event.
   • Thank you to the Highway department for assisting the Park/Playgound committee with offloading of Playground structures.
   • Thank you to Mary Howard for her continued support and donations to the Park.

10. County Budget-Supervisor Staats again voted against the county budget and gain support of other town supervisors. Additional supervisors have agreed to not continue supporting the subsidizing of the County Waste department.

11. Stahl Bridge-Opened

12. Motion To Pay Abstracts
    • Motion to pay Trust & Agency abstract #6B Voucher #13 $46.79 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
    • Motion to pay Highway abstract #12B Vouchers # 122-130 $4,717.14 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
    • Motion to pay General abstract #12B Vouchers #290-311 $4,617.33 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.
13. A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute to transfer $50,000.00 to Highway Capital Reserve 9950.9 All in favor. So carried.

Motion to adjourn at 8:20 PM by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD
December 11, 2024

The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Larry Saulpaugh, Ron Miller, Nathan Hempel, Mary Howard, Jennifer Phillips, Jesse Cutaia, and Tom Jantzen.

After review of the November 13, 2024 minutes, motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Tom Jantzen, to approve the minutes. All in favor. So carried.

Daniel Djuplin & Shuheng Ji, 350 Lasher Avenue, Tax ID #180.00-02.2.111, came before the Board seeking a Minor Subdivision. Motion was made by Mary Howard, seconded by Tom Jantzen, to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing. All in favor. So carried. The Applicant is seeking a minor subdivision of the existing parcel which is 25.82 acres. The requested subdivision will result in parcel #1 being 18.74 acres and parcel #2 being 7.08 acres. A driveway permit was issued in 1996 and has been determined to still be valid. A motion was made by Nathan Hemple, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to close the Public Hearing and return to the regular meeting. All in favor. So carried. SEQRA was read by Mary Howard. A motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Tom Jantzen, for a negative declaration. All in favor. So carried. A motion was made by Nathan Hempel, seconded by Ron Miller, to approve the subdivision. All in favor. So carried.

Katrin Hecker, 167 Cemetery Road, Tax ID #179.-1.93, represented by Jonathan Schroeder of Sun of NY Solar LLC, came before the Board seeking a site plan approval for a ground mount solar array. Following review of the site plan, a motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Mary Howard, to accept the application as presented. A motion was made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Mary Howard, to schedule a Public Hearing for the January 8, 2025 Planning Board meeting. All in favor. So carried.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber, Secretary

Town of Clermont
Town Board Meeting
December 2, 2024

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at the Town Hall. Those presents were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Lusher Shute, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve and Councilwoman Brownson.

1. Call Meeting to Order @7:00 with the Pledge of Allegiance Led by Supervisor Staats
   • Presentation by Nina Benevenuto-Administrator for Columbia County Office for the Aging- Provided overview of services provided and provided new and updated flyers for the Town Hall. Will also send links and QR codes to be added to our website.
2. Approval of prior Town Board Meeting Minutes-
   • Approval of November Public Hearing and Town Board meeting minutes, Motion to accept by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor So Carried
3. Written communications
   • Village Green Christmas Caroling event to be held on Tuesday December 17th
   • Public Hearing announcement Town of Germantown for December 12th.

Clerk Report

• Total for General Fund $1,793.01
• Total for Trust and Agency $500.00
• NYS Ag&Mkts $6.00
• Total report for November $2299.01

Correspondence for Web Committee-None

4. Committee Reports and Updates
   • Councilman Desmond -Very good presentation by Office for the Aging
   • Councilwoman Lusher Shute-
     • Playground update. Expected arrival of Playground structure on 12/13/24. Initiated Fundraising campaign. Will begin looking at build dates 3 days and all prep of site needs to be completed prior to build date.

• Councilwoman Lusher Shute-
  • Playground update. Expected arrival of Playground structure on 12/13/24. Initiated Fundraising campaign. Will begin looking at build dates 3 days and all prep of site needs to be completed prior to build date.
  • Damaged sign removed from Park on County Route 6, Park hours sign was left
  • Design Logo contest winner announce Georgia Ann Plambeck
  • Planting of new bush out front of Town Hall
• Councilman Gildersleeve
  • Internet installed at community house but will need further work done
  • Cyber Insurance policy-Additional discussion is needed
• Councilwoman Brownson-
  • Bank of Greene County Grant opened-Also checking on other opportunities

5. Old Business
   • Park Update
   • Comprehensive Plan update-Should be ready in the next 1-2 wks, Ready for January Meeting?
   • Stahl Bridge update-Bridge is completed, awaiting railings possible completion 12/9/24
   • Mortgage Tax check $37933.30-Total exceeds expected amount.
   • Sales Tax-Steady-Revenues over expected amount.

6. New Business
   • Assessor Settlement-Resolution 45 of 2024 Motion to accept Settlement by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So Carried.
   • Year End Meeting December 23rd, 2024-Presentation by Fingar Insurance expected

7. Supervisors Report-
   • Thank you to local election/poll workers-75% turnout in Clermont-highest percentage in county.
   • County Budget-Expected 2.9% increase-Supervisor Staats is opposed to the increase to continuously add funds to the fund balance that is steadily growing.
8. Motion To Pay Abstracts
   • Motion to pay Highway abstract #12 Voucher #111-121 $23933.02 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay Prepaid abstract #12A Voucher #265-267 $312.45 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
   • Motion to pay General abstract #12 Vouchers #268-289 $19395.89 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried
   • Motion to pay Trust and Agency abstract #6 Vouchers #11-12 $427.06 By Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried

9. Public Communication/Comments to Board-
   • Request from resident to have Christmas Tree and Decoration outside at Town Hall
   • Cybersecurity discussion

Motion to enter executive session at 8:52 PM by Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.

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

Motion to exit executive session at 9:21PM by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor. So carried.

Motion to adjourn at 9:21PM by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted.
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD
November 13, 2024

The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Larry Saulpaugh, Jennifer Phillips, Jesse Cutaia, and Tom Jantzen.

After review of the October 9, 2024 minutes, motion was made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to approve the minutes as corrected. All in favor. So carried.

Daniel Djuplin & Shuheng Ji, 350 Lasher Avenue, Tax ID #180.00-02.2.111, came before the Board seeking a Minor Subdivision of the existing parcel into two parcels. Following a discussion with the Board, a motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Jesse Cutaia, to accept the application as complete. Motion was then made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Jesse Cutaia, to schedule a Public Hearing for the December 11, 2024 meeting. All in favor. So carried.

Katrin Hecker, 167 Cemetery Road, Tax ID #179.-1.93, represented by Jonathan Schroeder of Sun of NY Solar LLC, came before the Board seeking information for the installation of a ground mount solar array. The Applicant will return with further information.

With no further business, a motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Jesse Cutaia, to adjourn. All in favor. So carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:50pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber, Secretary

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.

***************************************************

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.

CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD
October 9, 2024

The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Larry Saulpaugh, Jennifer Phillips, Mary Howard, Tom Jantzen, Ron Miller, and Nathan Hempel.

After review of the September 11, 2024 minutes, motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Ron Miller, to approve the minutes as corrected. All in favor. So carried.

With no further business, a motion was made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Mary Howard, to adjourn. All in favor. So carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber, Secretary

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.