CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
JULY 2, 2018
The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, July 2,
2018 at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats,
Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris
Gildersleeve. Councilwoman Dawn Brownson was absent. Also present were
Ray Jurkowski, Engineer from Morris Associates, Honorable Dr. Carrie
O’Hare, Town Justice from Stuyvesant and eleven town residents.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag. He
introduced the Honorable Dr. Carrie O’Hare, Town Justice from
Stuyvesant and President of the Columbia County Magistrates Association
who is making a presentation to the Town of a plaque to honor past and
present Town Justices of Clermont. Dr. O’Hare has researched all the
towns and villages in Columbia County and will make presentations to
all. The Justices on the plaque are as follows:
Claude Decker 1926 – 1947
Fred Moore 1940 – 1942
Royden Lasher 1943 – 1956
Burton Coon Circa 1948
Roger Moore 1946 – 1960
Chester Looney Circa 1956
Guido Ziliani 1960 – 1980
William E. Banks 1968 – 1981
Bernard Broast 1981 – 1997
Louise Platti 1981 – 1991
Ronald W. F. Banks 1998 to present
Richard Christensen 1992 to present
Town Justice Ronald W.F.Banks, Diane Moore and Michael Moore,
daughter and grandson of Justice William E. Banks, now deceased, were
also present for the presentation. The Board thanked Justice O’Hare.
The public hearing on Local Law No. 2, Noise Control Ordinance and
Local Law No. 3, to amend the zoning law was continued from the June
meeting.
There were six written responses received. The Supervisor asked for
comments from only those that have not responded at previous meetings.
Barbara Gentile spoke about the decibel level and the 11:00 P.M. hour
reduction of sound level on weekends. She does not believe that people
who are having an event, will be deterred from holding it because of a
10:00 p.m. reduction in decibel level. There is a difference between a
residential road such as Route 6 and Woods Road where practically no one
would hear the music.
Anthony Miserendino asked what the procedure would be tonight.
Supervisor Staats explained that we will take comments, the Part II of
SEQRA and vote on whether to approve or not.
Supervisor Staats did cite the names of those that sent in written
responses, Ms. Wickham Boyle, Anthony Finta, Sara Takacs, Michael
Serapica, Dana Matthews and Ripley Hathaway. Last month Anthony
Miserendino submitted a letter.
Supervisor Staats explained how we came to this point, trying to reach a reasonable compromise.
Councilman Desmond explained that currently there is no noise control
ordinance in place, and we are trying to get something in place and at a
reasonable level.
Sara Takacs lives very close to the town hall and the music from
Tousey’s venue was very loud. She feels that this law will already be
challenged if it passes because of the noise level.
MOTION: Supervisor Staats asked for a motion to close the public
hearing on Local Law No. 2 of 2018 and Local Law No. 3 of 2018. A
motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman
Gildersleeve at 7:25 P.M. All in favor. So carried.
Supervisor Staats introduced Ray Jurkowski of Morris Associates to
read the SEQRA Impact Assessment, Part II for Local Law #2 and #3. After
this review, a negative declaration was made by Councilman Desmond,
seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
Councilman Desmond pointed out that the Town Board’s action is not increasing noise in the town, but it is lessening it.
MOTION: Supervisor Staats entertained a motion to adopt Local Law No.
2 of 2018, so moved by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman
Desmond. A roll call vote was as follows: Councilman Desmond, aye,
Councilman Hempel, nay, as he does not think we need these laws,
Councilman Gildersleeve, aye, because it reduces the noise level we have
presently, Supervisor Staats, aye. Motion passed.
MOTION: Supervisor Staats entertained a motion to adopt Local Law
No. 3 of 2018, so moved by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman
Gildersleeve. A roll call vote was as follows: Councilman Desmond, aye,
Councilman Hempel, nay, Councilman Gildersleeve, aye, Supervisor
Staats, aye: Motion passed.
Until the town has the necessary equipment and training, we will be
asking Morris Associates to conduct testing when necessary. At some
point, the Town Code Enforcement will be called to go out. Phyllis Heiko
suggested putting this on the website.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to accept the minutes of the June 4th meeting. All in favor. So carried.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:
The Town Clerk read the report for June and presented the Supervisor
with a check for the General fund in the amount of $$2,590.76.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- The Columbia County Office for the Aging newsletter “Elder Express” for summer was received.
- The Supervisor provided copies of the June budget and revenue report to the Board.
- Web Committee: Phyllis Heiko said that the June Zoning Board
meeting was cancelled and was not posted on the website. It was posted
for several weeks before the normal meeting date. There was discussion
about the website changes and Councilman Hempel thinks it will be
several months before it is ready.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- Park Committee: At the last meeting a subcommittee was appointed to
work on the survey to go out to residents. The survey will be done
online and also would like to send out a postcard to all the residents.
Mary Howard and the committee will work on this. After researching
costs of postcards, ProPrinters estimates about $600.00 and in-house
would be about $565. Bob recommends a budget not to exceed $600.00.
Mary Howard explained that she is working on the merging of residential
property owner list and the board of elections list, eliminating
duplicate family names, etc. Phyllis Heiko complimented Councilman
Desmond on the running of the meeting. They will meet on Tuesday, July 3rd
at 6:00 P.M. to walk the park starting at the Little League field on
Route 6. Councilman Desmond said the Veterans memorial was discussed and
it is very expensive to get the list of names. He had proposed a
generic statement to go on the memorial and Louise Kalin’s husband is
working on something. Flag poles have also been suggested. Councilman
Hempel asked if there is a protection to stop people from submitting
duplicate surveys. Mary Howard said that the survey monkey will detect
duplicates. There will also be surveys available at the Town Hall.
OLD BUSINESS:
Executive Session: A motion was made to enter into executive session
to discuss contract negotiations by Councilman Hempel, seconded by
Councilman Gildersleeve at 7:50 P.M.
A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel to come out of executive session at 8:00 P.M.
COMMUNITY HOUSE: Supervisor Staats reported he inspected the Community House after the May 15th
hail storm and found that there was roof and siding damage, mainly on
the west side. The insurance inspection warranted replacement on the
roof and siding, cupola and gutters. There was also some damage to
siding on the Town Hall. He will be working on specifications to go out
to bid.
PARK ENTRANCE: The Department of Transportation required berms at the
entrance to the park. The contractor had a bond with DOT and he asked
if the highway department could do it. He just wants to get approval
from DOT. Our highway department did the work and also put in some
lilies in order to get the approval from DEC.
BRIDGE: Bingham’s Mill Road bridge that was closed to vehicle traffic
six or seven years ago, has been closed to all pedestrian and bicycle
traffic due to the deterioration of the bridge. There has been pushback
from the residents that they want it open for pedestrian and bicycle
traffic. His position is, as well as the Livingston Supervisor, is that
unless the county is going to put money into it to fix it for foot
traffic, because it is a hazard. He believes that it should be either
be repaired for foot traffic, torn down or replaced. Councilman Desmond
also commented that it should be re-opened for emergency vehicles and
in the event of detours. He cited various agencies that would like to
have it open.
LIBRARY PLANS: Mary Howard is working on a library box that people
will be able to borrow books and the Library will reimburse $200.00 for
paint, etc.
NEW BUSINESS:
- FUEL OIL: The Supervisor explained that we had a difficult time
with our supplier last winter, which was off the county bid. During the
heating season we ran out of fuel several times and there was a delay
in getting fuel delivered. We switched suppliers. He would like to put
out a public notice that we are looking for bids for fuel oil and
propane. A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by
Councilman Hempel to put out a bid for fuel oil and propane. All in
favor. So carried.
- A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to send out survey
postcards for the park at a cost not to exceed $600.00, seconded by
Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried. This expense would
be paid from the Parks account.
SUPERVISOR REPORT:
- Recycling: The County cost for recycling is going through the
roof. We spent $125,000.00 to $150,000.00 on recycling and it will be
$250,000.00 this year. He has suggested a user fee for those that
recycle. Councilman Gildersleeve asked what is the effect of the $.05
return on recyclables? Is there a state mandate that could stop this
recycle fee? Would that help?
- Budget process will be starting in the County. There was a surplus
of $1,700,000.00 last year. Supervisor Staats is opposed to raising
the taxes just to put money in the bank and cannot see how you can
continue to raise taxes.
ABSTRACTS:
- A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract
#7A, vouchers #177-198 in the amount of $8,924.61, seconded by
Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
- A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve General abstract
#7, Prepaid, vouchers #174-176 in the amount of $$157.80, seconded by
Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
- A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Highway
abstract #7, vouchers # 63-73 in the amount of $92,600.09, seconded by
Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Phyllis Heiko commented on those that use the Community House must be made aware that there is now a noise ordinance.
- Anthony Miserendino asked if the new ordinance will be on the
website. It will be added. Councilman Gildersleeve noted that the Waste
haulers should be notified that 6 AM is the earliest on a weekday that
they can pick up.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to adjourn at 8:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk
