Town Board Meeting - June

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

JUNE 6, 2016

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. Those in attendance 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 May meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:

The Town Clerk read the report for May and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $635.78 and for Trust & Agency for $1,086.60. A motion was made to accept the report by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • The Town Clerk’s office will be closed on Thursday, June 30th.
  • The Federal Primary will be held on Tuesday, June 28th from 12 noon to 9 PM for U.S. Senator and Congressional seats.
  • The Pine Plains School District budget vote passed and the following were elected to the school board: Amie Fredricks, appointed to fill unexpired term; Fred Couse and Anne Arent, appointed to fill an unexpired term on 5/18/16.
  • The Red Hook School district budget passed and the following were elected to the school board: Johanna Moore, re-elected and Maggie Rothwell.
  • The Germantown School District budget passed with Ralph DelPozzo re-elected and Lester Olsson elected.
  • The Supervisor gave board members the budget and revenue report for period ending May 31, 2016.
  • Web Committee – No report

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • PARK SAFETY SEMINAR held at CGCC was attended by Superintendent Potts and Patrick Dempsey. Councilman Desmond reported that some suggestions from this seminar suggested that for safety reasons, consider banning drones and ATV’s. We have requested a safety checklist and should consider signs. Councilman Hempel thinks drones are a new technology and kids are getting into this. There is little data that drones are dangerous and are being banned. Councilman Desmond said that the insurance company listed several areas of concern. Councilman Hempel will look into this more.
  • GARAGE EQUIPMENT: Superintendent Potts would like to purchase a Tire changing jack. He estimates about $700-$800 for a new one. He will get prices. Also, the tractor that they use for mowing on the roads should be replaced. This can be considered for next year’s budget.
  • SOLAR FARM MORATORIUM: Councilman Desmond said that in our zoning, we do not have anything regarding solar farms, so his feeling is that they are not permitted. This is something that we should probably have in our zoning so that they can be regulated, such as setbacks, minimum acreage, preserving farmland. The Towns of Copake and Greenport have done this recently. He would like to see a six- month moratorium on solar farms until the zoning is reviewed. It was agreed that the setbacks need to be looked at. Councilman Hempel is not a fan of moratoriums. Councilwoman Brownson would rather have something in front of us at the next meeting before we act. Supervisor Staats will check with our attorney. Councilman Desmond asked if the board would be opposed to scheduling the public hearing for next month to address the moratorium. A motion was made to schedule a public hearing for Tuesday, July 5th at 6:45 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. In a vote the following voted aye, Councilman Desmond, Councilwoman Brownson, Councilman Gildersleeve. Councilman Hempel voted nay. Motion passed.
  • BURN RESTRICTIONS: Councilman Gildersleeve reported that the burn restriction was lifted in May.
  • COUNTY EMS: Councilwoman Brownson reported that County EMS will be doing testing of the new radio system and may be seen in the area. Those doing the testing should be able to produce identification.
  • VILLAGE GREEN COMMUNITY DAY: Councilwoman Brownson should have tickets available at the next meeting and will announce where they are available.
  • NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT GRANTS: Councilwoman Brownson was told by Planning Board member Mary Howard that there are neighborhood improvement grants but need a realtor to apply for the Town.
  • ST. LUKES CHURCH: Councilwoman Brownson will meet with the Architectural Historians and have St. Luke’s Church open on Saturday, June 18th from 11 AM to l PM for anyone to visit.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • DEC UPDATE: The schedule shows August 1st as the start date for work to begin on the former Hettling site. The contractor, who was awarded our job, is also doing two other jobs, which are fairly close together and will do them first. We will be withholding payment of the 10% until we hear further from our engineer.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • SALES TAX: Received $80,320.05 for the 1st quarter, which is $5400 above last year’s payment at this time.
  • MORTGAGE TAX: Received $23,035.93, a $9000 increase over last year.
  • CHIPS: Received notice that there will be additional CHIPS reimbursement coming in for the roads.
  • JULY MEETING: Due to the July 4th Holiday, the Town Board meeting will be Tuesday, July 5th at 7:00 P.M.
  • STAR EXEMPTIONS: Because of the changes to the Star Exemption, Suzette Booy, Director of Columbia County Real Property will come to the meeting next month to explain the changes.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • PINE HAVEN: The sale of Pine Haven is in the final stages of approval to be turned over by the end of this month. It has been a good transition. They are keeping most of the County employees.
  • COUNTY HIGHWAY GARAGE: There will be work done on the County garage on Route 23B.
  • FORECLOSURE SALES: There will be about 35 properties on the foreclosure list by the County for back taxes. These are properties from 2012. There are no properties on the list in Clermont.
  • TOWN ROAD PAVING: The Nevis Road blacktop has been completed and Banks Lanes is ready for stone top.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve Highway Abstract #6, vouchers #61 to #73 in the amount of $62,169.95, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Trust & Agency abstract #5, vouchers #11 & #12 in the amount of $181.50, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General Abstract #6, vouchers #136 to #171 in the amount of $13,348.62, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

  • Jennifer Phillips, owns property adjacent to the Town Park and would like it if the town does not allow drones, stating that they are noisy and she does have animals close by. She stated that six months is not a long time, if we have to think through our regulations, especially on the prime farmland use. She will be attending a seminar on solar for the Planning Board.
  • Sarah Takacs suggested looking more broadly on noise and light in the ordinance, practically rather than reactively.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel at 7:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

 

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