CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
MARCH 6, 2017

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, March 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 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 February meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.  All in favor.  So carried.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk read the February Town Clerk’s report and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $382.50 and for Trust & Agency in the amount of $3,000.00.  A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to accept the Town Clerk’s report, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:
 The Columbia County Solid Waste station in Greenport will be closed on Wednesday, March 8th for scale maintenance.
 The 2017 Columbia County Department of Health free rabies clinics have been posted on our website and posted at the Town Hall.
 The Supervisor provided the budget and revenue reports for February to the board members.
 Web Committee: Councilwoman Brownson reported that there are historical pictures, which are no longer on the website since the update.  Councilman Hempel will look into this.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
 Councilman Desmond reported that our highway superintendent was able to get a part for the pressure washer and repair it saving the town money. They also fixed the light fixture in the community house. He also reported that the RFP for the Town Hall roof will be going out next month.
 Councilman Hempel said that the issue preventing the videos from going on the website has been addressed and they will be posted soon.
 Councilwoman Brownson has been looking into getting the historical signs in front of the Community House repaired.  They have been hit in the past by snowplows and were hit again this year. Originally, applications were approved through the State Education Department or through historical agencies.  She has found a company William Pomeroy Foundation, which can replace these signs but she will have to fill out an application to send in. If we qualify, they would pay for the signs. They require original documentation so she will reach out to the State Education Department for the original application or the application to the National Register of Historic places. These signs are now made of aluminum, no longer cast iron.
 The Town has received a check from the Columbia County Historical Association for $91.00 for the storage box for the model of the Clermont.  Councilwoman Brownson will try to find other funding for repairs.
 Taconic Community Foundation Grant: An application was submitted for $2500.00 for a grant for the park with Southern Columbia County Little League. It is a very competitive grant and she is not sure what the changes of success are. For the application to Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation and she found that we needed to be a 501C3 organization in order to apply. They are not a 501C3 so they will be searching for an organization that is a 501C3 to apply for the grant with us. Councilman Gildersleeve asked if we could look at an organization in Dutchess County. She can look into this.
 The Clermont Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 8 or rain date of April 9th from 2 PM to 3PM.

OLD BUSINESS:
 Year-end: With the revenues coming in higher that what we budgeted for and controlling our spending, the General fund balance was increased by over $36,295.00 and the Highway fund balance increased by over $38,000.00. The total fund balance is $730,515.33.
 Councilman Gildersleeve asked if the street paver, which was declared surplus equipment last month, has been sold yet. As far as the Supervisor knows, no check has been received yet.

NEW BUSINESS:
 RESOLUTION NO. 42-2017: We have been asked to relinquish our rights to a turnaround easement on Shields Road by Marjorie and Edward Gerrard, the owners of the property.  The Supervisor has asked the Planning Board and Fire Commissioners for a letter of support on relinquishing this turnaround.  This is only an easement, which is being relinquished; the town does not own this property.  The agreement calls for the Town to be reimbursed by the property owners for legal fees up to $350.00. Councilman Gildersleeve would like the agreement to reflect that all fees be reimbursed. A resolution to release the turnaround has been prepared and a motion to approve Resolution #42 of 2017 was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel was made. All in favor.  So carried.
 LAPTOP: The Assessor’s laptop has shorted out and cannot be used.  The Supervisor has asked Councilman Gildersleeve to be in contact with the Assessor and see what requirements she needs for her software.  A motion was made to approve the purchase of a laptop for the Assessor up to $1,000.00 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor.  So carried. Also, a motion was made to look into a new laptop for the Town Clerk, up to $500.00 by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor.  So carried.
 The Supervisor reported that we have gotten an estimate on replacing the water tank in the Town Hall, which will be reviewed next month.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:
 The Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 8th, rain/snow date Sunday, April 9th 2 PM to 3 PM.
 Broadband coverage: The County is receiving a grant for this.  G-tel is also receiving funds and have been expanding to the Livingston area.
 The County Highway Department has used a lot of salt this season and is over budget.  Our highway is in good shape with salt and the budget. If anyone has any questions regarding the County get in touch with the Supervisor.

ABSTRACTS:
 A motion was made to approve General abstract #3, vouchers #56-88, in the amount of $7758.16 by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.  All in favor.  So carried.
 A motion was made to approve Highway abstract #3, vouchers #13-27 in the amount of $19877.94 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.  All in favor. So carried.
 A motion was made to approve Trust & Agency abstract #2, vouchers #4-5 in the amount of $57.75 by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.  All in favor.  So carried.

Public Comments:
Two students, seniors from Pine Plains School, attended the meeting for their Government class.

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to move into executive session at 7:30 P.M. to discuss possible litigation, seconded by Councilman Hempel.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to come out of executive session at 7:55 P.M. seconded by Councilman Hempel.

Respectfully submitted,


Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk