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Town Board – July 2018

                                                               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