CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
FEBRUARY 6, 2017

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:00 P.M.  Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Gildersleeve.  There were three residents present.

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

MINUTES:
 The minutes of the Organizational meeting held on January 2, 2017 were reviewed and a motion made to accept by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.  All in favor.  So carried.
 The minutes of the regular meeting held on January 2, 2017 were reviewed and a motion made to accept by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond.  All in favor.  So carried.
 The minutes of the Audit of the Books and Policies held on January 14, 2017 were reviewed and a motion made to accept by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:
The Town Clerk presented a check for the General fund in the amount of $1,900.00 and a check for Trust and Agency in the amount of $200.00 to the Supervisor.  A motion was made to accept the report by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor.  So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:
 The Town Clerk requested to attend the Town Clerk Association Conference held from April 23 to April 26 in Rochester. The funds were budgeted for in 2017. A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.  All in favor.  So carried.
 Received from the Department of Agriculture & Markets a satisfactory report on the records of the Dog Control Officer Desiree Webber.
 Received the signed agreement from Pine Plains Veterinary for 2017.
 The supervisor submitted the budget and revenue reports for January to the board.

COMMITTEE REPORT:
 TOWN HALL REPAIRS: Councilman Desmond explained that the fuel tank in the Town Hall needed to be replaced and has been done. Also the water tank should be replaced in the near future and the window in the basement is in need of repair. The Town Hall roof has some shingles missing and we should consider replacing the roof this summer.
 CURBING: Councilman Desmond would like to contact Senator Kathy Marchionne and Representative Didi Barrett about the requirements for putting in curbing by DOT Region 8.  He believes these requirements are stifling business in town and we really do not want this in this Historic District. Our engineer is of the belief that in a rural area there is really no reason for it. Supervisor Staats will look into getting the other towns on board with this.
 WEBSITE: Councilman Hempel explained that the old website was no longer supported and was intruded on two times.  The website was shut down through G-tel and Google.  The website has been upgraded.  Sara asked about the meeting videos, which have not been updated since November.  Evan said that this is a different issue and not connected to the intrusions.  Hopefully this will be straightened out soon.
 GRANTS: Councilwoman Brownson submitted the grant to Bank of Greene County for Hettling Park for a maximum amount of $2500.00.  There will be a response within 90 days if awarded a grant.  She will file an application to Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation for the next grant in collaboration with other community organizations.  She will reach out to Southern Columbia Little League for a letter of support. She will also look to Hudson River Bank and Trust for another grant. A motion was made for Councilwoman Brownson to proceed with these applications by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried.
 NYSERDA: Councilwoman Brownson met with Robyn Reynolds the representative from Capital Region Economic Development Council that spoke at our last meeting on the Energy Communities Program along with Ralph Arlyck, our representative on the Environmental Management council, Will Yandik of Livingston, Ellen Epstein and Don Westmore of Germantown met to go over work that can be done with other towns. One of the areas that we could participate is through Energy Code Enforcement Training, a review of State Energy building code using town enforcement officer to work off the same plan. Germantown and Livingston use the same code enforcement officer. The building inspectors would go to the training with two officials of the town.
Solarize Columbia County: Encourage roof top solar by holding an event to meet with different solar vendors. This is a group purchase idea aimed at getting people to signup for solar installation.   
Benchmarking:  On a monthly basis report the usage of electric, gas usage and NYSERDA would do the data input.  
Councilman Hempel is not opposed to looking at this and Councilman Gildersleeve doesn’t see a benefit to the town. The residents could save on implementing solar and costs could be reduced.  Councilwoman Brownson said that if we promote this event and ten residents are able to benefit from this she doesn’t feel that the town has any other responsibility. The campaign is six to nine months.  We would have to coordinate and it would be easier to work with other towns. Dawn will continue looking into this.
Resident Sara Takacs asked if the grant from Bank of Greene County was for screening. Councilwoman Brownson is looking into other grants for this.
 HISTORICAL: The Deputy Historian from Livingston brought in a bootjack and cowpoke, which were items donated from the Saulpaugh family.  

OLD BUSINESS:
 SALES TAX REVENUE: The Supervisor said that we have not received a check for the 4th quarter. It is expected to be somewhat less than the previous quarter. The total revenues for sales tax received for 2016 was $36,000 over budget.
 HIGHWAY PERSONNEL POLICY: At the review of policies, the Highway Personnel Policy was updated. Vacation was increased by adding an additional week vacation after 10 years vacation effective 1/1/17 and added no carry over of vacation from year to year.  Motion to approve this change by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor.  So carried.

NEW BUSINESS:
 TOWN HALL REPAIRS: Supervisor Staats said, as was explained by Councilman Desmond, the fuel tank in the Town Hall was replaced.  The water tank is showing age with severe rust. He will get a price to replace.  The roof of the Town Hall will have to replaced.  Supervisor Staats will write up a RFP and get prices.
 HISTORICAL SIGN REPLACEMENT: Two of the historical signs on Route 9 were broken during snow plowing.  They have been repaired so many times that they need to be replaced.  Councilwoman Brownson will look into this.
 CODE OF ETHICS: There is a vacancy on the Board of Ethics and Supervisor Staats would like to appoint Raymond Tousey to fill this position. A motion was made to appoint Ray Tousey to the Board of Ethics by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond.  All in favor.  So carried.
 RESOLUTION NO. 41 OF 2017: A paver was purchased eight years ago with the Towns of Germantown and Livingston. It has reached it usefulness and Resolution No. 41 of 2017 would declare this as surplus equipment.  Instead of buying a new or used paver, one could be rented or leased for less.  A motion was made to approve Resolution #41 of 2017 to declare the paver as surplus equipment by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor.  So carried.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:
 There is nothing to update from the County.
 Supervisor Staats thanked the Highway Department for helping with the fuel tank replacement and plowing the roads.

ABSTRACTS:
 A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract #2, vouchers 13-55 in the amount of $7,878.15, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.  All in favor.  So carried.
 A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Highway abstract #2, vouchers 3-12 in the amount of $5,625.26, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried.
 A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve Trust & Agency abstract #1, vouchers 1-3 in the amount of $291.75, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.  All in favor.  So carried.


PUBLIC COMMENTS:
 Jennifer Phillips said there has been truck, ATV and cross-country skiing traffic on the town land and on her property.  She is hoping the Town will budget for a fence between her property and the town property.  She would also like the entranceway from the Little League field to be temporarily blocked off until this area is open to the public. She will block off her property with polywire, poles and posted signs.  Sara Takacs said she has the same issue on her property.  She does have some posted signs.  Supervisor Staats will look into what can be done.

A motion was made to move into executive session to discuss possible litigation by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 7:55 P.M.
A motion was made to come out of executive session by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel at 8:10 P. M.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond at 8:10 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,


Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk