CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

PUBLIC HEARING

APRIL 4, 2016

The Clermont Town Board held a public hearing on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 6:45 P.M. for the purpose of considering the re-awarding of the Cable Franchise to Hilltop Communications in the Town of Clermont.

Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Evan Hempel, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve and Councilman Robert Desmond. Others present were Bruce Bohnsack of Hilltop Communications and eleven residents.

Supervisor Staats opened the public hearing and the Clerk read the public notice.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Some residents are concerned about what they are paying for the internet service compared to surrounding communities. The disparity is striking and he is asking the board to find out why this is and why competitors are not interested? Supervisor Staats said that part of the problem is the fewer amount of customers. Rates are higher but this is part of the problem. Bruce Bohnsack explained that they offer five different internet packages from 6 mg to 100 mg. The issue of having to have a landline phone for internet is an issue that small companies have to deal with because of the FCC and tariff restrictions. Mr. Bohnsack explained that G-tel can provide internet and cable service outside of their service area because there are no restrictions. Councilman Desmond has Frontier for his telephone and does have cable with G-tel. Another resident thinks it is in the best interest of the community to get the service improved.

Supervisor Staats said that the County is facing this problem and has a committee looking into this. Germantown and Clermont have the better service, more than the rest of the County. Councilwoman Brownson said there is nothing in the agreement that restricts another provider from coming in to provide cable.

Bruce did explain that the cable programmers increased the rates in 2015 of $6.44, but Hilltop did not increase at that time. They probably should have because they have increased again this year by $4.77. The $10.00 increase on our bills this year is a result of the programmers and has nothing to do with Hilltop’s expenses for laying fiber cable, employee salaries or health care increases. The local channels have also increased and we shouldn’t be paying for them. He gave a comparison with other companies: G-tel $67.99 for basic service. Mid Hudson $74.95, Dish network, $69.99, Direct TV, $74.99, Middleburgh Telephone, $82.90, Time Warner, $78.99. Don VanWagner said the service is good with Hilltop, but asked why he has to pay for the cable boxes for each television. Bruce said the first box is free with the service but for additional boxes there is a charge.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to close the public hearing at 7:20 P.M., seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN BOARD MEETING

APRIL 4, 2016

Supervisor Staats opened the regular meeting with the salute to the Flag. He introduced Ralph Arlyck, our representative on the Environmental Management Council. Mr. Arlyck said that there would be a GIS Map Reading seminar on April 28 sponsored by Cooperative Extension. The EMC will hold a three town event on April 24 designed to put global warming into local context at the Germantown Activity Building at 4:00 P.M. Councilman Desmond will attend. He asked if Clermont would like to be a co-sponsor of the event. Councilman Hempel would like to know more about the presenters before co-sponsoring because it implies a commitment. Mr. Arlyck gave the board a sample resolution acknowledging further threats on climate changes. The board will discuss at next months meeting.

MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to accept the minutes of the March meeting, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk read the report for March and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General fund in the amount of $649.05 and for Trust and Agency for $479.42. A motion was made to accept the Clerk’s report by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

There was no correspondence this month.

WEBSITE: Councilman Hempel is looking into the calendar that residents have requested for the website.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

DEC: Councilman Desmond said we are still waiting on DEC to get the information for the driveway entrance.

EASTER EGG HUNT: Councilwoman Brownson thanked the Village Green Committee and everyone who helped at the Easter Egg Hunt.

OLD BUSINESS:

• DEC UPDATE: Supervisor Staats said that DEC has not released the application fee check for driveway entrance. He has also received a letter from DEC requesting a portion of the project costs to be paid, either percent of estimated total project costs of $895,171 ($44,759) or 10% of committed amount $54,930 ($5,493). At this time there is no information on a start date but the Supervisor would like to have a meeting with them before they start working on the property. Councilman Desmond would like to see an invoice on what we are paying for. Maura DeKaser had questions about the details of the plan, ditches and screening. Supervisor Staats said that the property would be sloped off where the clean fill is removed; there will be no ditches. At this time, there are no plans to put any screening on the property. As we go forward with plans if it is determined that screening will be needed, that will be decided. Ms. DeKaser also asked if the Town would be using any chemicals when they put down the grass seed, because she and her neighbors do not use chemicals and she is concerned about her well. Supervisor Staats said that there may be some fertilizer used but would be no more of an effect that if a neighbor used it. A copy of the RFP can be sent electronically and the website to answer some of these questions or if anyone wants to write down their questions and the Supervisor will get answers for them. Dana Mathews asked if the plan still includes a softball field? Yes, that is in the plan. We can address these comments during the public comment time.

• DUMPING ON ROUTE 9G: Supervisor Staats had gotten a report of dumping on a property on Route 9G. He asked John Fieser, our Zoning Office to look into it and he has said they do have a dumpster and it is being cleaned up.

• MOWER: The new mower has been received.

• BUILDING INSPECTOR/CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION: Supervisor Staats explained that John Fieser was going to give up the position, but he did change his mind and is in the process of getting his further certifications. He asked Councilman Gildersleeve to help John with getting the credits by finding online credit courses.

NEW BUSINESS:

• A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to re-appoint Ralph Arlyck to the Environmental Management Council for a two-year term from 10/10/15 to 10/9/17, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
• CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT: Councilman Desmond thinks that Mr. Bohnsack answered all the questions at the public hearing and made a motion to approve re-awarding the Cable Franchise to Hilltop Communications, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.

• MAY TOWN BOARD MEETING: The May Town Board meeting has been rescheduled due to a conflict for Tuesday, May 3^rd at 7:00 P.M. At that time the Superintendents of Pine Plains Central School District, Red Hook Central School Distinct and Germantown Central School District will attend to present their budgets.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

• EASTER EGG HUNT: Supervisor Staats said there was a good turnout and the weather cooperated, The Supervisor thanked all those involved and he also thanked Ray Tousey for use of his field for parking.
• COUNTY BUSINESS: If anyone has any questions, they can email the Supervisor and he will try to answer their questions.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General Abstract #4, vouchers #81-109 in the amount of $12,850.72, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve Trust and Agency #3, vouchers #3,4,5 in the amount of $817.60, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve Highway abstract #4, vouchers #33-44 in the amount of $17,280.74, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• Kristina Kohler asked how deep the remediation would be. The first seven acres will have two feet of clean soil put on it. She asked what the contaminants are and if DEC has done testing and that they are certified. DEC is doing the work with contractors that they work with. She also said if there is a need for screening, maybe the people concerned could come up with some ideas. The board has no objection to that.

• Don Van Wagner thinks the ball field is a plus in the town, because we have a lot of young people in town that would be interested. He believes that DEC will do a good job.

• Maura DeKaser asked what the town would use to determine the lowest bid. It was explained that best value is used to determine which bid regardless whether it is the lowest or highest. When will we hear about who got the bid and will we know who the bidders were. They would like as much information on the website so that they can look at it. Councilwoman Brownson said we would be notifying adjoining landowners when we know when the work will begin. Anyone who would like this information should leave his or her email address with the Clerk.

• Sarah Takacs asked about the cost of the project. Supervisor Staats said the original bid was $965,000.00, after removing some unnecessary items, it is now down to $895,171.00The estimate was $627,000 for bare minimum remediation for just one foot of fill. The additional is for the driveway, two feet of fill, and clay for ballfield.

• Dana Matthew’s asked if we are spending this much for a softball field. Supervisor Staats explained that we are responsible because a previous town board asked DEC to test this parcel. It needs to be cleaned up and now has been funding by the State. We could not use the parcel unless we do some cap on the property. This was always to be a park for the town and in order to do this we must put in two feet of fill to be able to use this in the future. Councilman Desmond said that it only makes sense to do this because later you would not be able to dig through the membrane that they put down. Councilman Desmond said that we have also discussed walking trails and that he would like to see an interpretive nature plan for school groups or boy scouts.

• Sarah Takacs made a statement about passive recreation is what people are seeking. In terms of budget increase, where will money come from. Supervisor Staats said it would come out of the fund balance. Sarah also asked about insurance and will the town make sure that there is coverage to protect her. The town does have insurance coverage and Councilwoman Brownson said that our insurance is evaluated on an annual basis and this would be figured in to it.

• Supervisor Staats said that we would be seeking input, support and volunteers to help decide what is being done.

• Michael Serrapica thought that it was interesting about building the structure before the land is capped. Is there anything else being planned that would require the same. Councilwoman Brownson said that is why it was decided to do the entire seven acres with two feet of fill, rather than keeping some for passive or active recreation. There was discussion where a walking trail would begin would be in the non-contaminated area. Mr. Serrapica asked why there are no retail food establishments in Clermont. Councilman Desmond explained that year’s ago Stewarts talked about coming in but did a survey and found there was not enough traffic to support it.

• Dana Matthew’s expressed concern over trees that are on the land and if they can be selectively saved. Supervisor Staats said there should be very little disturbed except for some old apple trees; enough to get into the clean fill area.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:20 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk