Town Board - May

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

MAY 3, 2016

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. Others present were Martin D. Handler, Superintendent of Pine Plains Central School District, Susan Brown, Superintendent of Germantown Central School District, Paul Finch, Superintendent and Bruce Martin, Business Manager of Red Hook Central School District, Erica Freudenberger, Red Hook Library, Karen Sipperley and three residents.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.

Supervisor Staats introduced Pine Plains Superintendent Martin Handler. He discussed the proposed budget, which is $30,402,804.00 an increase of $1,074,148 or 3.66%. The total tax levy is $22,044,585.00 an increase of $432,250.00 or 2.00%. He outlined the increases and reductions in the budget and the new items in the budget. The budget hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 4th and the voting will take place on Tuesday, May 17th at Stissing Mountain MS/HS from 7AM to 9PM on the budget, establishment of a capital reserve, bus purchase and election of board members.

Superintendent Susan Brown of the Germantown Central School District was introduced. She discussed the proposed budget of $14,784,810, which is just under a 2% tax increase. There is a proposition to implement a system of walk-in voter registration at the school weekdays, when the district office is open effective July 1, 2016 and election of two board members. The last day to register to vote on this budget is May 10th from 3 to 7 PM unless registered to vote with the Columbia County Board of Elections. There are also two board seats with three running for these seats. The tax cap this year is .64%.

Two board seats – three running – The budget 14,784,810.00 just under 2% increase from last year. Transportation is a challenge for the district for students wishing to attend schools in the northern part of the county, but they are working with other districts. The tax cap is .064% this year and $800,600 will be used from fund balance. Supervisor Staats asked when the work would start on the addition? Superintendent Brown explained that they have been in the design phase, it will then go to the State Education Department for approval and eventually go out to bid on. He asked what the student count is now? There are 580 students including the preschool program. They have two classes in the preschool program with 36 students.

Superintendent Paul Finch and Business Manager Bruce Martin of Red Hook Central School District were introduced. The proposed budget will result in a tax increase of .011 %. There have been several retirements this year, which helped. Pre-K was rolled out this year with an enrollment of 14 children. They have sixteen digital classrooms with broadscreen TV and Ipads. They have two students accepted to Harvard. There are two propositions on the budget this year. The bus and vehicle for two full size buses, 1 plow truck and a maintenance vehicle for a total of $275,000.00. There are two board seats with three running. They will either bond or use fund balance depending on cash situation at the end of this year. There are 1915 students. The total budget is $51,450,000.00. Erica Freudenberger of the Red Hook Library spoke about the library. They had 168,000 visits last year. They have had 638 programs with over 10,000.00 attending. Proposition #3 for the Library is seeking a 4.9% increase would result in a tax increase for the average household of $2.78. The total for the year would be $48.33.

The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 4 at 7:00 PM at the Mill Road Cafeteria, the final voter registration will be May 11th in the Mill Road School lobby from 12 PM to 9 PM. The Budget vote will be Tuesday, May 17th at the Mill Road Cafeteria from 12 PM to 9 PM.

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

TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor checks for the General Fund in the amount of $1,647.26 and Trust and Agency for $1,468.00. A motion was made to accept the Clerk’s report by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • G-TEL TELECONNECTIONS is initiating a new video service for providing 20 channels and 50 music channels for $29.99 in response to resident’s requests.
  • Town of Saugerties notice of public hearings on April 20th and May 18th amending local Law #1 and on May 4th and June 15th to amend Local Law #2.
  • Budget reports received from Supervisor for April 30th.
  • Web Committee: Councilman Hempel has added documents relating to DEC to the website and a link to the regularly scheduled meetings.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond reported that the Town Highway has been using the new mower and bagger. Paving on Nevis Road is being completed.
  • Hazard Mitigation Plan: Councilman Desmond attended a meeting the Columbia County Emergency Management Office to review the Hazard Mitigation Plan. This meeting was to see how the towns and county work together regarding hazardous plans. This would make us eligible for federal funds in the event of storms, etc.
  • Town Highway: Councilman Gildersleeve noted that the town highway has been doing cleanup of trees and limbs and he thanked them for doing a good job. Supervisor Staats thanked Councilman Gildersleeve for working with the Code Enforcement Officer on courses for certification.
  • VILLAGE GREEN: Councilwoman Brownson said that the Village Green will meet on Monday, May 9th at 7:00 P.M. to plan for the Community Day Tractor pull and BBQ to be held on August 13th. Anyone who may be interested in volunteering is welcome.
  • The Society of Architectural Historians will be coming to look at St. Luke’s Church before the Path to History weekend.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • DEC UPDATE: Supervisor Staats reported that Arcadis does not currently have a contract with DEC and our engineer has not received any new information. We will be giving a thirty-day notice when they are going to start the process.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • STAR EXEMPTION: The State is changing the filing requirements for the Star Exemption for new applicants that were not on the 2015-2016 school tax bill. They will have to register on-line or by phone to receive a STAR check equal to what would have been received with the reduction. He will try to have the Director of Real Property, Suzette Booy and our Assessor Cheryl Kaszluga at the next meeting to explain these changes.
  • CHIPS FUNDING: Supervisor Staats received notice that we are eligible for the CHIPS reimbursement and it will be increased. We budgeted $46,490.00 and will receive $57,098.00.
  • SALES TAX: The Supervisors received a check for $80,320.05 for the 1st quarter sales tax. This is more than last years 1st quarter.

SUPERVISOR REPORT:

  • The County has a foreclosure list of 50 properties that will be toured by the committee.
  • County Business: The Supervisor will update next month on County business. If anyone has any questions, please contact the Supervisor.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made to approve Highway abstract #5, vouchers #45-60 in the amount of $11,405.41 by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made to approve General abstract #5, vouchers #110 – 135 in the amount of $4,735.94 by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made to approve Trust and Agency abstract #4, vouchers #6 – 1 0 in the amount of $878.25 by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

  • Chris Nolan pointed out that the church that had the fire in NYC this past weekend was designed by Richard Upjohn, who also designed St. Luke’s Church here in Clermont. He also suggested putting together a foot race or bicycle race between the Community House and Clermont State Park for the Community Day.
  • Sarah Takacs thanked the highway department for taking care of trees near her house.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 8:25 P.M.

　

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

　

　

　

　

　

　

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