CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

PUBLIC HEARING

NOVEMBER 2, 2015

The Clermont Town Board held a public hearing on the Preliminary 2016 Budget on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 6:30 P.M. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. There were three residents present.

The Clerk read the public notice. Supervisor Staats went over the summary of the budget.

Total expenditures of $684,993.00

Less Estimated Revenues $437,840.00

Less Appropriated Reserves $80,000.00

Less appropriated fund balance $62,573.00

Total to be raised by taxes $104,580.00

This is the same amount to be raised by taxes as last year, resulting in a zero increase.

Highlights:

We had to allocate money to offset the DEC project. There are no firm figures from DEC but we have budgeted $75,000 from the reserve accounts and fund balance. We kept a very strict line this year.

The Community House painting has been completed.

The Tax collector salary was increased by $200.00.

The Highway employees received a 1 1/2 percent increase for three employees.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Sarah Takacs said there seemed to be an increase in the amount for remediation of $6,000. Is this just for the remediation or is more calculated for the cost to build things on there. Councilman Gildersleeve and Supervisor Staats said this is just for remediation. We have $13,000 budgeted in the Parks line of the budget, but that includes for a mower. Ms. Takacs asked how much it costs to keep up the field on County Route 6. The highway employees as part of their salaries do this; there is no additional cost. Donations and grants would cover any other costs.

There were no other questions or comments.

A motion was made to close the public hearing on the preliminary budget by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 6:40 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

NOVEMBER 2, 2015

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting following the public hearing on the 2016 budget on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. There were four residents present. Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.

MINUTES:

A motion was made to accept the minutes of the public hearing held on October 5, 2015 on the addition of the Highway Shed by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

Councilwoman Brownson noted a correction on page 66 of the regular months meeting minutes under public comment. The first line should read Ms. Earle, rather than Ms. Shute. A motion was made to accept the minutes, with correction, of the regular Town Board meeting held on October 5, 2015 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to accept the minutes of the budget workshop held on October 21, 2015 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:

The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $2,198.53 and a check for Trust and Agency for $750.00. A motion was made to accept the Town Clerk’s report by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• All smoke and CO detectors have been checked and new batteries installed by our Highway Superintendent.

• Web Committee: There were no comments for the web committee.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• Councilman Desmond spoke to our engineer, who did not receive anything from DEC for the access. He does not think we will get the work done this year. Supervisor Staats did call DEC today but did not hear back from them. He doubts that it will be done this year.
• Councilwoman Brownson reported that the Election Day dinner is tomorrow from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Community House.

OLD BUSINESS:

• DEC UPDATE: There is no updated information from DEC. DEC has not received the bid packages to bid out the job. The Supervisor will keep everyone updated. Mr. Finta asked if the weather would be a factor. The weather would play into this, if

there is a mild winter, they may try to do this. Ms. Takacs asked if it could be put on the website. We will do that.

• HIGHWAY STORAGE BUILDING: The contract was awarded to Staats & Sons Enterprises to put the trusses and siding on the structure that the Highway department will build. It should be completed in 4-5 weeks.

NEW BUSINESS:

• TURKEY HILL ROAD: Supervisor Staats explained that a request was made by a resident to get the speed limit lowered on a portion of Turkey Hill Road in Clermont. We applied to DOT through Columbia County Highway, in July for a reduction to 40 MPH, and just received notification that it has been approved. If anyone has any issues or concerns, see the Supervisor or a board member. He has asked the County about signage for the road.

• 2016 BUDGET: We had the public hearing prior to this meeting and several budget workshops. The amount to increase by taxes is the same as last year. We did budget $75,000 from fund balance to cover the DEC project. There is a zero percent increase.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve the 2016 budget, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

• BRIDGES: At the Public Works Committee, a traffic report was read about bridges on town roads which are maintained by the County. The study shows there is an average of 528 cars per day on Buckwheat Bridge and Stall Bridge (Pleasantvale Road) is 609 per day, and both are in the top 15 of the bridges. Mill Road was in the area of 400 cars per day. The County is looking ten or so years out and what bridges will need repair. Councilman Desmond said that every time they close a bridge, they remove an option for emergency vehicles and emergency detours. Supervisor Staats agrees and this was one of the arguments for keeping Mill Road open.

• COUNTY BUDGET: Supervisor Staats said that the County budget is still in the process, but he does not see any reason for an increase. He will keep us updated.

• PINE HAVEN HOME: The Home is still operating under the County Certificate of Need. It is estimated that it will be out of the County’s control in several months. The census was increased to 95% this past month, which is good.

• DEC REMEDIATION: Last month it was brought up by Mr. Finta about a Citizen Participation Program. Supervisor Staats spoke to Michael Mason of DEC and he believes we are covered with all that we have done with the Record of Decision and the meetings we have held to get to where we are now, that this has been satisfied. If there are still questions, the Supervisor will be happy to talk to anyone about it.

• ELECTION DAY DINNER: Supervisor Staats reminded everyone to go out and vote and support the Election Day dinner at the Community House.
• Supervisor Staats thanked the highway department for working on the highway shed and for doing the work that they do to keep the taxes low and keeping the equipment maintained.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Trust & Agency abstract #9, vouchers #50-52 in the amount of $731.00, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract #11, vouchers #280-314 in the amount of $26,613.72, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve Highway abstract #11, vouchers #126-140 in the amount of $24,416.31, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Anthony Finta asked about the permit for driveway entrance. Councilman Desmond explained that this is the entrance into the remediation area and that our engineer is working on this. He needs the topographical information from DEC. Supervisor Staats explained that this does not hold up the project because DEC can put in a temporary entrance. Supervisor Staats said that we need this approved when the project is done.

A motion was made to adjourn at 7:30 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk