Town Board Meeting | Town of Clermont

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

NOVEMBER 3, 2008

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, November 3, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Jones, Councilwoman O'Neal, Councilwoman Lent and Councilman Nolan. There were twenty residents present. Also present was Andy Howard, Town Attorney.

Supervisor Staats apologized for the last budget meeting and encouraged the board to control emotions and tempers.

A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to open the public hearing on adopting Local Law #4-2008, which provides for a real property tax exemption for Veterans who rendered Military Service to the United States during the "Cold War" pursuant to the provisions of Section 458b-b of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York. Andy Howard explained that this exemption would effect veterans who were honorably discharged and who served between 9/2/45 and 12/26/91. They would be entitled to an exemption not to exceed $12,000 of assessed valuation, and those with a disability up to $40,000.00 of assessed valuation. There was further discussion of exemptions for veterans and how the equalization rate affects this exemption. A motion was made to close the public hearing by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal. All in favor. So carried.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to adopt Local Law #4-2008 as noticed. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Nolan to open the public hearing on the 2009 Preliminary Budget.

The Supervisor presented the 2009 Preliminary Budget, explaining the bank accounts, revenues and appropriations. With this budget we will be taking $120,000 from the bank to balance this budget. There was further discussion by the board and questions from the public on the increase in the Highway salaries, fuel costs, attorney fees for Brownfields, possible increases in County taxes, preserving money for the needed town garage and CHIPS money.

There was discussion on whether or not an audit will be done by the State Comptrollers Office. The Supervisor will request an audit but it is up to the state as to whether they come down.

There was discussion about an article, which appeared in the Independent, which said that a countywide assessment would help lower our equalization rate with the schools and the advantage of handling property values. Supervisor Staats will be on this committee. He also supports data collection and if there are extra revenues, we will fund the data collection. The assessor cannot do an adequate job unless the proper data collection is done. The Board reviewed the changes to the budget since the last workshop.

A motion was made to close the public hearing by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve the 2009 budget. Councilwoman Lent will abstain from passing this budget because she would still like to have questions answered on unappropriated or unexpended funds from 2008 and prior before voting on the budget.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Councilwoman O'Neal - aye; Councilman Jones - aye; Councilman Nolan - aye; Councilwoman Lent - abstaining, she would like the remaining questions pertaining to unappropriated or unexpended funds from 2008 and prior, to be disclosed because that may affect the bottom line of the budget. Budget for 2009 passed.

Councilman Nolan said that he thinks the Supervisor did an excellent job pulling together the budget and there may be an increase in revenues but there may also be less revenues, and we are in an extreme situation with the economy.

Councilwoman Lent will disagree because of inaccuracies and questions, which did not get answered and she feels representing the taxpayers that these questions must be clear. Councilwoman Lent submitted a FOIL Request for the accountant. There was further discussion on Councilwoman Lents concerns with the past financial reports.

MINUTES:

The minutes of the October 6, 2008 meeting were approved with a correction noted by Councilwoman O'Neal on page 6 to correct the spelling of Ruth ‘Piwonka'.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to accept the minutes of the October 6, 2008 meeting with corrections. All in favor. So carried.

The minutes of the October 13, 2008 budget workshop were approved with a correction noted by Supervisor Staats on page 2, paragraph 3, add ‘to make up the difference' after that you have appropriations and revenues, and you either raises taxes or use funds from the bank. Page 3, first paragraph - Correct ‘anything' to ‘everything'.

MOTION: A motion made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to accept the minutes of the October 13, 2008 meeting with corrections. All in favor. So carried.

It was suggested, as the minutes are lengthy and to lessen the job, that the Clerk limit the minutes to general discussions on topics unless it is specifically requested that something be in the minutes, if everyone agrees.

MOTION: A motion was made to approve this suggestion by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Town Clerks Report: A check for General Fund in the amount of $1,326.43 was presented to the Supervisor. A motion was made to accept the report by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal. All in favor. So carried.
Letter from Ruth Hammer, 205 Nevis Road regarding posting a periodic report on the website to keep the residents of Clermont informed.
Agricultural District No. 4 Public hearing will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall by the Columbia County Planning and Cooperative Extension.
Planning Board Basics, Monday, November 17, 2008 in Cairo.
Pine Plains Central School District - Vision 2012 - Planning process on how to educate children. Various dates - posted at Town Hall.
The Clerk thanked Stephen Hammer, Ruth Hammer and Bram Moreinis for their help in getting the website up and running and for their help in showing how to upload the minutes, announcements and events. Supervisor Staats also thanked them for their work. Stephen Hammer told the board that the newly formatted zoning regulations and planning board forms have been posted on the website. He would also like to see a scheme for posting of announcements and events.
Desiree Weber, Dog Warden for , spoke about the importance of taking care of your animals now that the winter weather is coming. She has instituted an email list for lost or found dogs, and would like to add more names to the list. She has a scanner for micro chipped dogs if anyone needs to use it. Also, if anyone is having financial problems and needs help with food for their animals, please get in touch with her.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Councilwoman O'Neal thanked Superintendent Jim Potts for the new path to Community House. She also thanked Mr. Vucich, a neighbor of St. Luke's, for taking care of St. Luke's without being asked.
QUADRICENTENNIAL: We need a resolution to be registered in order to be a part of the Quadricentennial effort in NYS. A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to approve a resolution in this regard. All in favor. So carried.
HISTORY COMMITTEE: The committee is looking into a celebration involving pedestrians, horse riding, biking, carriages, wagons, etc. utilizing Route 6 to the Clermont Historic site called "Clermont to Clermont - Carriage way to the River". It would involve closing County Route 6 for a day. This has been discussed with the county quadricentennial committee and the Greenway committee. They would like Clermont to coordinate with the Hudson Valley Ramble in September. Supervisor Staats has checked with the County and with the proper notification to authorities, County Route 6 can be closed allowing only local traffic.
WINDOWS: The windows have been completed and inspected by John Fieser. There are some items that Councilwoman O'Neal has discussed with contractor and they will be addressed.
COMMUNITY HOUSE REPAIRS: Supervisor Staats and Councilwoman O'Neal have drawn up a list of repairs and prioritized the repairs for the Community House.

1. Installation of hot water in two bathrooms. Estimate from Steve and Weber is under a $1000. Councilman Jones spoke with Red Hook Plumbing and should not be too expensive.
2. Dennis and Diane Palazzo have donated flooring tiles for the two bathrooms and estimated $480.00 for installation. This will be scheduled.
3. Basement entry door: The wood is rotted. There is no prevailing wage issue on repairs and general maintenance. John Staats does excellent work and has done work for Councilwoman O'Neal but he is related to Supervisor Staats. The attorney has advised that it is not an issue if done according to our procurement policy and voted on in the normal manner and Supervisor Staats abstains.
4. Councilwoman O'Neal submitted a report on Storm windows for the Community House to be discussed at next month's meeting.
5. Screen Door: Fitting the screen door properly and make it into a storm door with removable glass panels. The estimates are John Staats, $250; Amidon, $2400.
6. Insulation: Discussed insulating Community House ceiling with fiberglass insulation R30. Councilman Jones suggested getting a price for R38 which is the recommended. Councilwoman O'Neal will also get a bid on the crack filling type of insulation. Councilwoman O'Neal will talk to the state about the spray type for next months meeting. The estimates for regular insulation were Staats, $2300 and Amidon $2900.
7. Dagmar Payne also asked about fixing the rear step to St. Luke's church. Councilwoman O'Neal will get an estimate.
8. Programmable Thermostat for Town Hall and Community House which have been approved and will be installed.

ACKERMAN SUBDIVISION: Attorney Andy Howard reported that he has spoken with Mr.Ackerman's attorney to set up a meeting. There is not much work to be done. We have a notice of pendency filed, which prevents Mr. Ackerman from selling any lots. Supervisor Staats would like some action to be taken. This is not a town road so there is little that the town can do. Councilman Nolan would like the attorney to propose a meeting date or let them know that we will take action.
HIGHWAY GARAGE: Councilman Jones reported on an alternative for the garage, which will reduce the size of the building and construct it out of wood rather than steel. Projected costs for 2008-2009 for a 5952 sq. foot garage and 3621 sq. foot salt shed would be $532,000.00. He will go for estimates from a truss manufacturer and estimates for timber. This does not include a well or septic or driveway costs, which should be minimal. Supervisor Staats would like to have DEC approval before we get into this too much further. Discussed catch basins for washbay.
EMERGENCY RADIOS: Councilwoman Lent has been trying to contact Bill Black about the type of radios that we should purchase with the grant money. She will also check with Chief Larry Saulpaugh.
KEEP FARMING: Councilwoman Lent has notified Virginia Kasinski about getting back 50% of the grant money.
ZONING REVIEW: Councilwoman Lent met with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Jay Trapp from D.F. Wheeler on October 22, 2008. The use tables, pages are numbered, index, density schedules have been reformatted. Copies have been made up for the ZBA and Planning Boards. Patrice Perry will attempt to make it on December 10, 2008, if not, Jay Trapp will come from Wheelers office to work on other changes. The minutes will be sent to the board members by the Clerk.
ZBA MEETING: Chairman Larsen has rescheduled the November and December meetings of the ZBA for December 10, 2008 because of the holidays.

OLD BUSINESS:

Supervisor reported that the highway garage roof has been temporarily patched.
Supervisor reported that the Taconic Farms power line from substation to farm in Germantown has been abandoned.

NEW BUSINESS:

Theft of Diesel fuel from tank. The locks were cut and truck tanks filled up. The Sheriffs department is investigating. Precautions have been taken to prevent what happened from happening again. Deductible is more than the cost of the fuel.
The Supervisor complimented the Highway crew painting the railings in front of the Town Hall and they have completely revamped a 2003 truck to like new.
Budget transfer: Take $7000 from Con Ed account toWindow Grant project. We received $10,000 this year from Senator Saland and $1000 of a $4000 grant from Assemblyman Lopez. Once we receive the $3000 it will go back into the bank. MOTION: A motion was made by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve transferring $7000.00 from the Con Ed Fund to Buildings A1620.41 for the window project. Motion to approve transfer from Con Ed $7000 to buildings Window Grant 1620.41. All in favor. So carried.
Other budget transfers need to be done to balance some accounts.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

Election Day dinner - Tomorrow at the Community House from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
County Assessment - Meetings will be starting in the next few weeks.
Committee for Architectural Design of the Court House: This has been considered for many years and meetings will be starting soon.
Ockawamick School: No decisions as to what departments will be moving.
Buildings and Facilities: Committee will be touring on foreclosures in the towns.
APPOINTMENT: Reappoint Henry Rudolf to the Board of Assessment Review for the term 10/1/08 to 9/30/2013.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to approve this appointment. All in favor. So carried.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve General Fund abstract #11, vouchers #322 - 350 for $8,385.63. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to approve Trust and Agency abstract #11, vouchers #63-64 in the amount of $223.75. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to approve Highway Abstract #11, vouchers #121-129 in the amount of $6,995.71. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Charles Larsen asked about the public hearing on Agricultural District #4 because the Farm Bureau has not heard anything. He will contact the Planning Department.
Charles Larsen also noted on the closing of County Route 6 that a portion of County Route 6 is in Germantown. They should be contacted also.
Dagmar Payne was concerned with the budget meeting because questions were not answered and not formulated before having someone come to a meeting.

A motion was made to adjourn at 9:32 P.M. by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

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