CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
BUDGET WORKSHOP
OCTOBER 13, 2014
The Clermont Town Board held a second budget workshop on Monday, October 13, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall to discuss some concerns of Councilman Hempel in order to reduce the appropriated fund balance down to approximately $60000.
Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. There was one resident present.
The accounts that Councilman Hempel is targeting to be reduced are the following:
Planning – 8020.4 Contractual expense – Councilman Hempel would reduce the budget from $5000 to $2500, because he does not think the attorney has to be at every meeting of the planning board. He feels that they may need more training than the required four hours or rely too heavily on his presence. Councilman Gildersleeve’ perspective would be to attend a planning board meeting to see how they are using the attorney. Councilman Desmond said that he believes that there are two reasons why the attorney is at the meetings. There are legal questions that come up. Some are reluctant to make a decision without the attorney or engineers opinion. Councilman Hempel said that the planning board members are paid to make decisions and should be able to. Supervisor Staats will talk to the Chairman and ask that they not have the attorney at every meeting, but he is reluctant to cut the budget down to $2500.00. It was suggested to reduce the budget to $4000.00.
Highway – 5110.1 Personal Services – Councilman Hempel does not want to give the 2 full time employees on the Highway the 1 ½% increase from $18.44 to $18.75. They were given the benefit of turning in their sick time if they reached maximum and he feels they their pay is equal to others. Supervisor Staats said that they are receiving equal to other highway employees, but he would rather see them get 1 ½% every year, rather than 3%, 0%, etc. Councilman Hempel feels that this year we are spending $20,000 more than last year. Supervisor Staats said that they do a tremendous amount of work for us. Councilman Desmond would like to see them get the raise.
Parks 7110.41 – Councilman Hempel would like to reduce the budget from $5000 to $3000.00. Councilman Desmond feels that it is a legitimate expense to support our park and that we should still ask for donations to fund it. He doesn’t think there will be any big purchase or expense in the coming year. He would not like to see it eliminated for future years. Supervisor Staats said that it can be reduced and that we should support our park. Councilman Hempel and the others agreed to reducing it to $3000.
Outdoor Lighting – 5182.4 Councilman Hempel would like to reduce the outdoor lighting bill. We have four or five lampposts along Route 9 and two streetlights, one at Commons Road and the other at Pleasantvale Road. It cannot be cut until we have further information. The Town Clerk will contact National Grid to see if there is any charge for removing two or all of the lights or could the bulbs be changed to something less expensive or to solar. Also could they sell the lampposts to us? It was determined that this information was needed before we could reduce the budget. The line item will be left at $1500.00
Germantown Library 7410.1 – The current donation is $2000 from the budget. Councilman Hempel would like to cut this item from the budget. Councilman Desmond thinks that we have an obligation to support the library. Also, Mid-Hudson Library has designated Germantown Library, as Clermont resident’s library. Supervisor Staats does not have a problem with giving them the $2000.00. They do not have a lot of patrons and probably count on this donation. Councilman Gildersleeve agrees.
Nevis Road repaving – 5112.2 Councilman Hempel would like to cut $15,000 from the budget for paving roads, particularly this portion of Nevis Road, which he and other residents do not feel, has to be done next year. It can be put off for some later time. Councilman Desmond said that the Highway Superintendent has the roads on a regular schedule. Nevis Road is not in bad condition, but if he waits it will be more in materials that are needed. Also, the roads get tire wear, which causes him trouble with plowing. Councilman Hempel would like to see Nevis Road done over a period of three years. Supervisor Staats said we could do it, but it could result in something else getting put off. Councilman Gildersleeve asked if there are temporary fixes that can be done. Councilman Hempel said if we could pull this back some without any consequences, he would like to do it. Councilman Gildersleeve said we have another winter ahead and the roads may not change, but they could. Councilman Desmond would like to support the Superintendents decision. Supervisor Staats said that we receive CHIPS funding in the amount of $46,490 for these projects, we budgeted $39,000 additional, an increase of $4000 over last year. He is not opposed to taking the $4000 increase from 9550.9 Capital Reserves and leaving 5112.2 at $39,000. The Capital Reserve – 9950.9 account can be reduced to $35,000.
Revenues: Supervisor Staats said it is projected that we will be 6% over budget in projected sales tax this year. We have budgeted a total of $300,000 for 2015. Dawn Brownson commented on being conservative on revenues but we will likely get more than budgeted.
On the 5112.2 account, Councilman Hempel would like to reduce it by $15,000, Councilman Desmond and Gildersleeve would like to leave it in but Councilman Gildersleeve understands the budget constraints. The Capital Reserve account 9950.9 will be reduced by an additional $2000 to $33,000 and can be added back to the truck fund at year-end if not expended.
All agree, although it was not Councilman Hempel preference, but he is okay with it.
The accounts will be adjusted as follows:
General Fund
5182.4 –no change 7110.41 - $3,000 7410.4 – no change
8020.4 - $4,000
Highway Fund
5112.2 - $39,000 9550.9 - $33,000
Revenues:
Increase A1120 to $155,000; increase D1120 to $155,000.
Supervisor Staats opened the regular meeting with the salute to the flag.
The total appropriations in the tentative budget will be $643,236.00
The amount to be raised by taxes will be $104,580.00
The appropriated fund balance will be $64,024.00.
There will be no town tax increase.
The public hearing on the budget will be Monday, November 3, 2014 at 6:45 P.M.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve the tentative budget, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
The following resolution was offered for approval:
Resolution No. 42 Dated October 13, 2014
The Binghams Mill Bridge has been a part of the infrastructure for over 100 years, and
WHEREAS, The Columbia County Traffic Board and the Fire Chiefs from both Clermont and Livingston feel it is a health and safety issue, and
WHEREAS, Many residents in Clermont, Livingston and Germantown have asked to have the bridge open,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Clermont Town Board hereby instructs Supervisor Staats to continue to vigorously advocate for the opening of the bridge.
A motion was made to approve by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. Councilman Hempel, abstaining because he is less certain that it needs to be opened, Supervisor Staats, aye. Motion passed.
A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk