CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
NOVEMBER 7, 2016
The Clermont Town Board held a public hearing and regular meeting on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 6:45 P.M. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. There were eight residents present.
PUBLIC HEARING
Supervisor Staats opened the public hearing on the 2017 Budget. The Clerk read the published public notice.
Supervisor Staats reported that there is no tax increase this year. The Taxable rate per $1000 went down from 49.88 cents to 49.77 cents.
The budget includes a minor increase for building inspector in actual compensated salary, but we are no longer reimbursing him on the number of inspections done. The other salary increases were for the two Judges, Town Clerk; Superintendent of Highway’s and two Highway employees are receiving a 1 ½% increase.
The total budget is $662,170, which is less than last year and revenues increased to $464,297 and the amount projected to come out of fund balance is $63, 290.
Supervisor Staats asked if there was any public comment and there was none. Councilman Desmond made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
REGULAR MEETING
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Supervisor requested a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations and personnel issues. Councilman Desmond made the motion, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to enter into executive session at 7:00 P.M. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to come out of Executive Session at 7:20 P.M. by Councilman Gildersleeve, Councilman Desmond seconded. All in favor. So carried.
Supervisor Staats introduced Ralph Arlyck to talk about grant information.
NYSERDA is offering grants from $50,000 to $100,000 for effective use of energy upgrades. The local municipality does not have to put any matching funds.
There are eligibility requirements and it is competitive. Technical assistance is available from The Capital District Regional Planning Commission. The deadline is 2019. Councilman Gildersleeve asked if there is an evaluation period. Mr. Arlyck believes they review the applications as they come in. It is advantageous to get it in soon.
MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond to accept the minutes of the September 26, 2016 workshop minutes. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to accept the minutes of the October 3, 2016 public hearing and regular meeting. All in favor. So carried.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:
The Town Clerk read the October report and presented a check to the Supervisor for the General Fund in the amount of $1,316.42 and for Trust and Agency in the amount of $75.00. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve the Town Clerk’s report for October. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- The American Legion will be here on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11th at 9:30 AM for a ceremony to honor Veterans. They will give us a new flag and take any damaged flags in order to retire them.
- The Supervisor gave the budget and revenue reports to the Board members for October.
- Web Committee: A resident asked when the minutes are posted and they are done the following month, once approved. The video of the meeting is posted soon after the meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
- Councilman Desmond reported that DEC is on schedule. The driveway has been cut in and should be blacktopped soon. The project should be done soon.
- Councilman Hempel is investigating new framework for a new town website and checking into a better calendar. He will meet with the Town Clerk to discuss the change.
- Councilwoman Brownson reminded everyone to come out to vote and that the Village Green is holding Election Day dinner serving Roast beef, mashed potatoes, carrots, macaroni and cheese and desserts for $12.00 for adults, $5.00 for children under 12.
- Councilwoman Brownson read a proclamation she prepared recognizing Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, Jr., which will be sent to Clermont Historic Site for the celebration of his 270th birthday on November 27th. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve approving this proclamation. All in favor. So carried.
DEC UPDATE: Supervisor Staats and Councilman Desmond met with DEC, the contractors and Arcadis, the surveyors on this date. Everything is on schedule, but they are going to get a screener for the soil because it is rough. The road and parking area will be blacktopped sometime next week. The screener is not budgeted and will increase the budget but there will be credits for other items that were eliminated.
Supervisor Staats is pleased if this is the only overage. They believe they will be done in early December. He appreciates the neighbor’s patience and hopes that it will be done in the next few weeks.
Nan Leonard asked what the plan is for the old orchard in the back. Supervisor Staats responded that what has been disturbed is about it. They will grade and fill in the hole to a slope for drainage and plant a field mixture to be mowed during the year.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Budget for 2017: Supervisor Staats asked for a motion on the budget. A motion was made to adopt the 2017 Budget as presented at the public hearing by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
- Sales Tax: The Supervisor received the third quarter sales tax distribution check of $93,965.34. We are at a 4% increase over last year at this time in sales tax. We are one of seven counties in the State with a higher growth in sales tax. They think Tourism is the big draw in Columbia County.
- Mortgage Tax: Our next check will be more than what was estimated in the budget.
This increase will offset what we planned to take out of fund balance, which will be little if anything.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
The County Preliminary budget has not been finalized as of yet. The Supervisor has been told there may not be a tax increase next year. They may be putting $2 million in the fund balance.
ABSTRACTS:
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve Trust & Agency abstract #9, vouchers #27 & 28 in the amount of $441.80, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve Highway abstract #11, vouchers #130 - #144 in the amount of $11,042.30, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General abstract #11, vouchers #285 - #311 in the amount of $5,705.04, seconded by Councilman Hempel.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There were comments and discussion about the Brownfields work that is taking place, such as one resident not having been notified of the work being done, disturbing sleep, dust, screening around the property. Also, if there is a plan, architectural or otherwise, if the town will be inviting softball teams from other areas, if there will be lighting, privacy and shade trees, fears of use of the parking lot for drug addicts.
The response to some concerns was that notifications were made to adjoining landowners, the dirt being moved is clean fill not contaminated soil. We had no other options but to do this remediation if we want to use the property for any use and work should be done in a few weeks. There are plans for the remediation and plans for the park are for a softball field, soccer field and lacrosse with this being done through donations. There are no plans for lighting in the park and if there are any issues with loitering, the authorities will be called. The Board will be looking at screening.
One resident asked if the regulations on Solar Farms was approved, and Councilman Desmond explained that they were updated in the zoning.
Nan Leonard asked if the Tousey property is separate from this project and the response is that it is separate.
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