CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
YEAR END MEETING
DECEMBER 29, 2008
The Clermont Town Board held its year-end meeting on Monday, December 29, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. at the Town Hall. Present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Dianne O'Neal, Councilman Richard Jones, Councilwoman Carol Lent and Councilman Chris Nolan. There were seven residents present. Prior to the meeting interviews were held with Raymond Jurkowski and Daniel Wheeler, Engineers.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag. Greg Fingar of Fingar Insurance made a presentation on our insurance policy. The discussion covered the limit of liabilities on the properties, coverage on the vehicles, comprehensive liability and bond coverage. Mr. Fingar also explained that NYMIR has suspended the capitalization fees for insured's that have been with the company for 5 years. They announced that they are returning 75% of the cap fee over a five-year period. This will significantly reduce our premiums. The premium for 2009 is $13,958.00, which is $700.00 below 2008.
The board thanked Mr. Fingar for coming to the meeting.
The Supervisor introduced budget transfers in order to balance accounts for 2008.
Budget amendment #3-2008 - Resolution #62-08
To: Central Communication A1650.4 $620.00
From: Town Board A1010.4 $620.00
To: Supervisor A1220.1 $500.00
From: Supervisor A1220.4 $500.00
To: Zoning A8010.1 $ 700.00
From: Tax Collection A1330.4 $ 700.00
To: Buildings - Windows Grant A1620.41 $ 38.00
From: Elections A1450.4 $ 38.00
$1858.00 $1858.00
A motion was made by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to make the transfer of funds in the General Fund in the amount of $1,858.00. All in favor. So carried.
The Supervisor introduced budget amendment #4-2008, Resolution #63-08 in order to balance certain accounts in the Highway Fund as follows:
To: General Repairs DA5110.1 $4306.00
From: Hospitalization DA9060.8 $3332.00
From: Sales Tax Revenue DA1120 $ 974.00
To: Snow Removal DA5142.4 $ 275.00
From: Sales Tax Revenue DA1120 $ 275.00
To: Social Security DA9030.8 $360.00
From: Sales Tax Revenue DA1120 $360.00
$4941.00 $4941.00
There was discussion on using money from the Sales Tax Revenue DA1120 to subsidize these accounts. Councilwoman Lent would rather see a transfer made from the General fund Contingency account A1990.4, which has a balance of $2000.00 in it, in place of the DA1120 account. It was agreed to change the budget amendment as noted.
A motion was made by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Nolan to approve the transfers for the Highway fund as amended. All in favor. So carried.
Councilman Nolan introduced Resolution #64-08 to transfer $25,000 to the Highway Capital Project Fund DA9950.9. A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal. All in favor. So carried.
Fire Chief Laurence Saulpaugh came before the board to discuss the ice storm of December 12, 2008. The fire department handled many calls for road closures due to the trees down; basement pump outs and wires down during the days following the ice storm. The Carmelite Sisters had available beds, food and water and Station #2 Firehouse on Route 9G also has facilities to feed people, although they did find that the firehouse needs a larger generator to run the entire building. All towns surrounding Clermont had facilities opened up as warming centers or where food was being served, but there was no where in Clermont for people to go during the days that followed. He would like to see the emergency preparedness plan brought up to date and a plan for contacting people during an emergency to help with the implementation. The fire department will be sending out a fund drive letter and they could include information about what to do or where to go in the event of an emergency like we had.
There were suggestions from those present:
Roads need to be cleared of downed wires so that they can be opened.
Neighborhood watch group, contacting immediate neighbors to see if they are in need of anything.
Dry mixes of soup, etc which can be kept for several years.
Emergency training classes for pet owners of how to care for their pets during an emergency. Also the need for places where pets can be boarded during an emergency because pet owners do not want to leave their pets.
Desiree Weber is also seeking volunteers to help clear trees that have fallen on fencing for horses and dogs.
A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve General abstract #13, vouchers #390-416 in the amount of $9,617.03. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to approve Trust & Agency abstract #13, vouchers #70-73 in the amount of $2,399.15.
All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve Highway abstract #13, vouchers #149-156 in the amount of $5,316.03. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Bob Desmond would like to see the County and Town talk to National Grid about better response to emergencies, power lines across roads leaving them inaccessible is not acceptable.
A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman Lent at 8:30 P.M.
The meeting was reopened on a motion made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman Lent.
Desiree Weber, Dog Control Officer, has requested to purchase a crate to be used for dogs that she picks up. The money will come from the 2008 budget account for Dog Control. On a motion made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal the general abstract will be adjusted to add voucher #417 in the amount of $500.00 for the purchase of items that she requested. The adjusted total of the General abstract is $10,117.03.
A motion was made by Supervisor Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to adjourn at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk