CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
JUNE 5, 2017
The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. at the Clermont Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. There were eight others present.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to accept the minutes of the May meeting. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Notice of public hearing from the Town of Livingston to take place on Monday, June 19, 2017 at 6:45 P.M. on proposed Local Law #3 of 2017 amending the Livingston Zoning Law prohibiting new mines and mining in the LDR2 zone.
Results of the Red Hook School District Board of Education member election. For a three year term, Dawn Morrison and Jennifer Munn.
Results of Pine Plains Central School District budget and election, the budget and propositions passing and appointed for one year term, Anne Arent, Joe Kiernan and Heidi Johnson, two year terms, Fred Couse and Amie Fredericks, three year terms, James Griffin and Karen Orton.
Supervisor Staats provided the budget and revenue reports through May 31, 2017 to the board members.
TRAINING: Mary Howard, a member of the Clermont Planning Board, has requested the Town Board to allow her, as a member of the American Planning Association and other boards to provide training activities to the Planning and Zoning Board when requested by the Chairs of the boards and as required by the State and Town resolution #05-07. Mary also requested that the board approve the list of training activities as meeting the state requirements for her as a Planning Board member.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $2,061.13 and for Trust and Agency in the amount of $525.00. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to accept the Town Clerk’s report for May. All in favor. So carried.
There were no questions for the web committee.
Supervisor Staats introduced Ralph Arlyck, representative to the Columbia County Environmental Council and Robyn Reynolds of the Capital Region Economic Development Council regarding grants from NYSERDA for clean energy. Grants that Clermont would be qualified for would be benchmarking, energy code enforcement training, solarization or unified solar permit in order to become clean energy community.
Unified solar permit is a standard permitting template which each town can use to benefit them.
It would have to be adopted by July 28th. This would have to be looked at by zoning board, planning board and building inspector. Phyllis Heiko asked how this would benefit the town. Once the form is adopted then the $2500 could be used for anything. It also would make the town eligible for grants of up to $50,000 to $80,000 which can be used for energy uses.
Councilman Desmond would like to see the form and he is very reluctant to get into something that may cost the town. Ms. Reynolds explained that one quarter of the grant funds are payable and the balance as project is developed.
Councilwoman Brownson asked once eligible what determines whether project is approved. Ms. Reynolds explained that they try to match up the proposed project with the criteria. Councilwoman Brownson thinks that we could get at least ten installs of solar units based on prior years applications. Councilman Gildersleeve asked about the training for the code enforcement. This is done by a qualified contractor who will review the plans and make suggestions, which can be accepted or denied by the town.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
DEC REMEDIATION: Councilman Desmond reported that the water is still running across the driveway into the park and there is still more work to be done. The grass has been planted and they will be mowing it soon. They will try to get DEC to come in for another meeting.
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW: Councilman Desmond reported that the members did meet on Grievance Day. A new member was appointed, attended training, but could not be at the deliberations on that day.
TEATOR LANE: A public hearing was held on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. regarding Teator Lane and the abandonment of it as a public road. The hearing was held by the Columbia County Highway Superintendent Bernie Kelleher and attended by him, an attorney from the County Attorney’s office, Town Attorney Andy Howard, Supervisor Staats, Councilman Desmond, Councilwoman Brownson, Councilman Hempel, Mary Helen Shannon, Town Clerk and Clermont Highway Superintendent James Potts. After hearing the evidence presented by Andy Howard, it was affirmed by Superintendent Kelleher that the road should be abandoned by the Town.
MOWING TRACTOR: Councilman Desmond said that Superintendent Potts did find a used mowing tractor for just over $12,000 and it should be delivered within a few weeks.
WEBSITE: Councilman Hempel said that emails sent to the website address are not getting through and will be corrected.
Councilman Gildersleeve reported that the Red Hook Girls Soccer team took the championship of Eastern NYS and will travel to Virginia for the State championship.
GRANTS: Councilwoman Brownson said that we will receive a check for $500.00 towards the ball field from the Bank of Greene County. She will follow up on the check as we have not received it.
IROQUOIS COMMUNITY GRANT: Councilwoman Brownson asked that if through this program, which the town can apply for up to $10,000.00, if it can be applied to our roof project but it cannot as that is considered a Capital Project
Phase II of Hettling Park would qualify for a grant but would need to be done in one year. The screening could be integrated. There is also a DEC Grant which could possibly be used for the park. In order to apply we need to register through a portal to be a vendor. The application is due July 12. We would need a plan which we do not have.
OLD BUSINESS:
DEC: Supervisor Staats said that there are still concerns about things that have to be done in the park. He has been going back and forth with DEC, the contractor and the company delivering the clay for the ball field. He did speak with someone from Scenic Hudson about a design for landscaping/screening. The park will not be operational this year. We will be speaking with DEC again over the concerns. Councilwoman Brownson noticed that the barrier is not up at the entrance. Supervisor Staats said that is because we are waiting for the clay deliveries.
MOWING TRACTOR: The used mowing tractor is in good shape and is well under what we budgeted for a used tractor. It will be delivered next week.
MORTGAGE TAX: Supervisor Staats reported that we received a check for $26,133.88, higher than we anticipated.
NEW BUSINESS:
TOWN HALL ROOF: Last month four bids were opened for the replacement of the Town Hall roof and during this past month the Supervisor made a review of the two lowest bids. Their were several additions, which were not in the original bid made by the lowest bidder, Jennings Contracting of Germantown. Supervisor Staats asked what would be the additional cost for these additions. The original bid of $12,750 would increase by $2000 for a total bid of $14,750.00. The next bid would be $18,900. Supervisor Staats asked if the board feels that this should be done this year or budget for it in next year’s budget. Councilman Gildersleeve asked if the roof work has been completed on the Community House and it is believed to be. Councilman Desmond would like to see it done this year because there are shingles coming off and they are brittle. Louise Kalin asked how the shingles will be selected. They will be the same as on St. Luke’s Church.
A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to do the town hall roof this year, with the bid going to Jennings Contracting for $14,750, seconded by Councilman Desmond. Supervisor Staats recused himself. Motion passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 44 OF 2017 TEATOR LANE
The Town Clerk read Resolution No. 44 of 2017 providing for the discontinuance and abandonment of Teator Lane. A public hearing was held on May 25, 2017 and an order was issued by the Columbia County Highway Superintendent authorizing the abandonment.
A motion was made to approve Resolution No. 44 0f 2017 by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
PLANNING/ZONING BOARD TRAINING: A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Hempel to accept the credits for training submitted by Mary Howard, Planning Board member, from various organizations. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to allow Mary Howard to hold training for Planning and Zoning Board members, as requested by the Chairs, and board members can receive credit. All in favor. So carried.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
BAR: Supervisor Staats thanked the members of the Board of Assessment Review for their work on Grievance Day.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT: Supervisor Staats thanked the Highway Superintendent for his effort on finding a tractor. He also fixed the historical markers that were plowed down in the winter.
If you have any questions contact the Supervisor.
ABSTRACTS:
A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve the Highway abstract #6, vouchers #48-66 in the amount of $80,908.51, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve General abstract #6, vouchers #145-177 in the amount of #11,993.61, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Trust & Agency abstract #5, vouchers #11-15 in the amount of $2,799.73, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Travis Sterrett was at the meeting to assure that the town board is doing their due diligence in regards to screening at the park. Also, he spoke of the deliveries of clay coming in very early in the morning, 12.55 A.M. on May 14th and early on May 12th. He spoke to the truck driver about the late deliveries.
A motion was made to move into executive session to discuss a personnel matter regarding employment by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel at 8:00 P.M. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to come out of executive session by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond at 8:30 P.M. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:35 P.M. by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk