Town of Clermont Town Board Meeting January 2nd, 2024
The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 at the Town Hall. Those presents were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute.
Call Meeting to Order @7:30 PM immediately following the organizational meeting by Supervisor Staats
In attendance was Nina Fingar from Fingar insurance to answer questions regarding the increase cost of the insurance for the Town. The increase can be attributed to an increase in property coverage and inflation in cost of replacement materials.
Approval of prior Town Board Meeting Minutes-
Approval of November Minutes, Motion to accept by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor So Carried
Approval of Year end 2023 Minutes. Motion to accept by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor So Carried
Written communications/Mail review
Clerk Report
Total for General Fund $329.51
NYS Ag&Mkts $7.00
Columbia County Solid Waste $ 138.00
Total report for December 2023 $474.51
Mail Review-Keep Information of Seniors Safe (K.I.S.S)
Program Dates for 2024, March 11th-22nd, June 17th-June 28th, August 12th-August 23rd and November 18th-November 29th.
New Transfer Station policy and costs
NYS DOT – Response to request for speed Reduction Route 9 from current reduced speed to Town Line. Denied for both Clermont and Livingston.
Web Committee-None
Vote on Comprehensive Plan-
Resolution 38-2024 Comprehensive Plan update and Negative declaration
Motion made to adopt Comprehensive Plan Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, Town Board polled. All in favor. So Carried.
Councilwoman Lusher Shute-Thank you to all the participants that invested time into drafting this plan.
Meetings will resume 2nd Monday of the Month Starting in February.
Committee Reports and Updates
Bob-Report on Highway department-
Significant Rain and Flooding handled by Highway department
Lindsey
Fundraising raised approximately $5400.00
Playground committee Clermont Plays did not have a meeting. Reviewing and comparing a couple of different companies
Dawn-
AED’s currently on sale additional $550 off bringing cost to $2085. Motion to purchase 2 additional for the added cost savings made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So Carried
Bank of Greene County Grant due on the 18th.
Kris
Antivirus available from existing purchase from end of 2022
Old Business
Turkey Hill Road-Possibly to be completed by Intermunicipal agreement with the county
Park Donation-Thank you to Mary Howard for her matching donation. Additional donation received from Mary Helen Shannon.
Bid Opening 11/9/23
Project start March/2024
Project completion November/2024
Stahl Bridge/Pleasantvale- Expected start time is spring with completion possibly in November of 2024.
Supervisors Report-
Motion To Pay Abstracts
Motion to pay General abstract #1 Vouchers #1-13 $25,200.44 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.
Motion to pay Highway abstract #1 Voucher #1 $4,567.79 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
Public Communication/Comments to Board-None
Motion to adjourn at 8:26PM by Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve All in Favor. So carried.
Respectfully submitted. Tracey J Gallant Town Clerk
First Monday of every month at 7:00 P.M. In the case of Monday holidays or cancellations due to inclement weather, the meetings will be held on the Tuesday after the 1st Monday.
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #02-2024
Town Board Meeting Rules and Regulations
Call to order
Salute of Flag
Acceptance of the minutes of the previous meeting
Written communications to the Town Board:
Town Clerk Report
Mail Review
Committee Reports and Updates
Old Business
New Business
Supervisors Report
Pay Abstracts
Public Comment/Communication – Public comments will be taken at the end of the meeting at the discretion of the Supervisor, unless engaged during the meeting.
Adjournment
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #03-2024
Naming Official Newspaper
Register Star
Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #04-2024
Naming Bank for Deposits
1. Supervisor Bank of Greene County
2. Town Clerk Bank of Greene County
3. Tax Collector Bank of Greene County
4. Justice Christensen Bank of Greene County
5. Justice Banks Bank of Greene County
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilman Desmond
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #05-2024
Authorize Town Supervisor to appoint a bookkeeper.
Pursuant to Section 29 of the Town Law
Necessary for proper conduct of Town Affairs
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #06-2024
Authorize Town Supervisor to temporarily invest idle monies in accordance with the Town Investment policy (General Municipal Law, Section 11)
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #07-2024
Appoint Official Dog Shelter
Columbia Greene Humane Society
Round Top Animal Hospital 71 Palatine Park Road, Suite 8 Germantown, New York 12526 (518) 537-7387
Motion made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #08-2024
Appoint Official Dog Control Officer at the Budgeted Amount.
Desiree Webber
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #09-2024
Authorize Town Justices to hire a Court Stenographer when necessary.
For a proper record of testimony
Within limit of 2024 budget
Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #10-2024
Appoint Town Historian
Dawn Brownson
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #11-2024
Appoint Code Enforcement Officer
Eli Fieser at Annual Salary of $15,000.00 Deputy Code Enforcement Officer at $100.00 per month, if needed. (Appointed by Code Enforcement Officer)
Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #12-2024
Appoint Town Attorney (for Town, Planning & Zoning Boards, Assessor) (Within 2024 budget limits) Freeman-Howard, P.C., Hudson, New York
Motion made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #13-2024
Appoint Town Engineer
CPL (Clark Patterson Lee)
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #14-2024
Designate Official Representatives to Association of Towns Annual Meeting Supervisor Staats and Councilman Gildersleeve
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #15-2024
Establish 67 Cents Per Mile Rate for official Town Travel. (Per Federal Guidelines)
Motion made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #16-2024
Authorize Town Supervisor to sign 2024 State and Local Youth Contracts
Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #17-2024
Appoint Registrar of Vital Statistics Tracey Gallant
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #18-2024
Re-appoint Laurence Saulpaugh, Chair of the Planning Board Re-appoint Mary Howard, Deputy Chairman.
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilman Desmond
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #20-2024
Re-appoint James (Hank) Himelright, III, Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals Appoint Luke Kumburis – Deputy Chairman
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #21-2024
Re-appoint Desiree Webber Zoning Board Secretary
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilman Desmond
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #22-2024
Town Clerk’s appointments for Deputy Clerk and Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics – Connie Campisi and Lee Gallant
Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #23-2024
Town Highway Superintendent’s appointment for Deputy Highway Superintendent – Adom Lawyer
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilman Desmond
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #24-2024
Town Supervisor’s appointment for Deputy Supervisor Robert Desmond for term of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #25-2024
Town Supervisor’s appointment for Budget Officer Raymond J. Staats
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilman Desmond
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #26-2024
Town Supervisor’s appointment for Town Bookkeeper Brian Fitzgerald, CPA, PC
Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #27-2024
Town Board Committees
CHAIR
CO-CHAIR
Auditing
All Town Board Members
Building & Grounds
Robert Desmond
Raymond Staats
Cable TV, Internet Networking
Kris Gildersleeve
Lindsey Lusher Shute
Grants
Dawn Brownson
Lindsey Lusher Shute
Highway
Robert Desmond
Raymond Staats
Insurance
All Town Board Members
Legal
Raymond Staats
Planning, Zoning and Board of Assessment Review
Robert Desmond
Lindsey Lusher Shute
Recreation and Community Event
Kris Gildersleeve
Dawn Brownson
Village Green Committee – Easter Egg Hunt – Barbecue – Election Day Dinner – Holiday Program
Liaison to Town Board – Tami Connolly
School Liaison
Dawn Brownson
Lindsey Lusher Shute
Parkland Use
Robert Desmond
Lindsey Lusher Shute
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #28-2024
Appoint Kris Gildersleeve Webmaster for Clermont’s website
Motion made by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #29-2024
Appoint representatives to the Columbia County Office for Aging for the term of
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.
Appointments to be determined at a later date
RESOLUTION #30-2024
Re-appoint members of the Board of Ethics for the term of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.
Mary Howard
Susan Rifenburgh
Tracey Gallant
Ray Tousey
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #31-2024
Re-appoint Ronald Miller to the Planning Board for a seven-year term, January 1, 2024- December 31, 2030.
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
All in favor – So carried
Re-appoint Ben Peacock Provisionally to the Zoning Board for a five-year term, January 1, 2024- December 31, 2028.
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
All in favor – So carried
RESOLUTION #32-2024
Accept 2024 Salaries stated in the 2024 Budget, as follows:
OFFICE
SALARY
PAY BASIS
Supervisor
$ 5,800.00/yr
Monthly Payroll
Councilpersons (4)
$ 2,700.00/yr
Monthly Payroll
Town Justice
$ 5,900.00/yr
Monthly Payroll
Town Justice
$ 5,900.00/yr
Monthly Payroll
Town Clerk
$ 9,200.00/yr
Monthly Payroll
Deputy Town Clerk
$ 20.00 hr.
Monthly per hour
Tax Collector
$ 4,900.00/yr
Monthly Payroll
Highway Superintendent
$56,580.00/yr
Bi-weekly Payroll
Certified Assessor
$16,500.00/yr
Monthly Payroll
Court Clerk (1)
$ 400.00/mo
Monthly Payroll
Code Enforcement Officer
$15,000.00/yr
Monthly Payroll
Deputy Code Enforcement Officer
$ 100.00/mo
as needed
Town Custodian
$ 2,000/yr
Monthly Payroll
Assessment Review Board Mtg. Additional time
$ 100.00/day Minimum Wage
By Voucher By Voucher
Secretary – BAR
Minimum Wage
By Voucher
Zoning Chairperson
$ 1,150.00/yr
Yearly Payroll *
Planning Chairperson
$ 1,150.00/yr
Yearly Payroll *
Zoning Co-Chairperson
$ 950.00/yr
Yearly Payroll *
Planning Co-Chairperson
$ 950.00/yr
Yearly Payroll *
Zoning Members
$ 900.00/yr
Yearly Payroll *
Planning Members
$ 900.00/yr
Yearly Payroll *
Zoning Secretary
$ 1,100.00/yr
Yearly Payroll *
Planning Secretary
$ 1,100.00/yr
Yearly Payroll *
Trial Juror
Minimum Wage
By Voucher
Dog Control Officer
$ 375.00/mo
Monthly Payroll
*If any Planning or Zoning Board member is absent for more than two meetings, that members salary will be reduced by $100.00 for each additional absence. Alternate members of the Planning and Zoning Board will be paid $50.00 per meeting when called upon to participate by the Chairperson.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Full Time
Bi-weekly Payroll
Part Time ( Summer )
Minimum Wage
Bi-weekly Payroll
Part Time ( Winter )
Minimum Wage
Bi-weekly Payroll
Deputy Highway Superintendent
$1,000/yr
½ in June, ½ in December
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
Resolution #33 -2024 – Town of Clermont Fee Schedule for Building Department Fees and Zoning and Planning Fees.
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
Resolution #34-2024 – Town of Clermont Official Undertaking of Municipal Officers
Motion made by Councilwoman Brownson, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
All in favor – So carried
Resolution #35-2024 – Agreement between the Clermont Town Board with the Canaan Fellowship for the use of the Clermont Community House for the period January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 according to the terms and conditions of the lease.
Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson
All in favor – So carried
Resolution #36-2024 – Agreement between the Clermont Town Board and Columbia Greene Humane Society to act as kennels for the town for the period January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
NO AGREEMENT YET
Resolution #37-2024 – Agreement between the Clermont Town Board and Round Top Animal Hospital to act as kennels for the town for the period January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
NO AGREEMENT YET
These agreements will be reviewed with the other policies of the Town.
Review Highway Personnel Policy (Note Changes if Any)
Review Procurement Policy (Note Changes if Any)
Review Fixed Assets
Review Investment Policy (Note Changes if Any)
Sexual Harassment Policy
Code of Ethics
Cash Management
Emergency Preparedness Plan
Review Road Bonds (If any)
Review Other Bonds (If any)
Review Workplace Violence Policy
Set time and date to review books and records of Town Clerk, Town Justices, Tax Collector and Supervisor on Saturday, January 20th 2024 Motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
A motion was made to adjourn the organizational meeting and enter into the regular meeting by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute
All in favor – So carried
Respectfully submitted, Tracey J Gallant Town Clerk
