CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
JULY 3, 2017
The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, July 3, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Evan Hempel, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve.
There were three residents present and guest speaker Jason Shelton of Gtel Teleconnections.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the Flag and introduced Jason Shelton of Gtel Teleconnections for a presentation regarding the installation of fiber optics in areas of Clermont, Livingston, Taghkanic and Gallatin. This upgrade and expansion was made possible through a grant from the New York Broadband Program. Over the next months work will begin and there will be other contractors working with Gtel on this project. The work has to be completed by 2018. Councilman Desmond asked if Gtel was awarded more than what they currently cover? They will be building in areas that do not have coverage now. Councilman Desmond said that there are areas, such as Turkey Hill Road, that do not have coverage. Mr. Shelton said that he pretty sure that Turkey Hill Road will be covered. Supervisor Staats asked if a faster internet speed is coming. Mr. Shelton said that the fiber optic will provide a faster speed. Supervisor Staats said that we have had several requests about being able to have internet (without: correction) the telephone. Mr. Shelton explained that regulations prevent small companies from having broadband service without the telephone service because they started as telephone companies.
More information can be found at gtelfiber.net or by calling Mr. Shelton at 518-537-1113.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to accept the minutes of the June meeting, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount $130.00 for June. A motion was made to accept the Town Clerk’s report by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
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Notice of Public Hearing from the Town of Saugerties for July 26, 2017 at 6:00 P.M and August 10, 2017 at 6:00 P.M. amending the zoning laws regarding changing message signs.
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Office for the Aging Elder Express newsletter for July – September.
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Pine Plains Central School District regarding vacant position on the Board of Education.
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The Supervisor gave copies of the Budget and Revenue report to board members through June 30, 2017.
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Web Committee – no reported problems.
Committee Reports:
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HIGHWAY: Councilman Desmond said that parts have been purchased for the used mower tractor that was just purchased and the repairs done by the Highway department.
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BANK OF GREENE COUNTY: Councilwoman Brownson reported that the Supervisor did receive a call from the bank that the check for the grant for the softball field in the amount of $500.00 can be picked up.
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GREENWAY GRANT: Councilwoman Brownson received information on a grant for trails, which is due November 8th. This would have to be discussed at budget time as it does require matching funds. She also hopes to be able to use anything that we get from the Iroquois Community Grant towards this.
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UNIFIED SOLAR PERMIT: Councilwoman Brownson asked the board if we do want to move forward with this program because the application is due on July 28th. If we do, the Town would receive $2500.00. Councilman Desmond did review the permit and it appears that the applicant would fill out the permit and the zoning board and planning board would have to make a review. This will be sent to the boards to review. The Town board would have to adopt a resolution. Councilman Hempel and Councilman Gildersleeve would like to get their feedback and if they are in agreement a special meeting could be held. Councilwoman Brownson said that it is worth sharing with them but we have to meet the deadline. Of the ten options offered by the grant from the Capital Region Economic Development Council, we only have four options that we can do.
OLD BUSINESS:
DEC: Supervisor Staats has been trying to contact Michael Mason about the issues that are not completed satisfactorily at the Brownfield site. The clay did get delivered and we need to know if the contractor was coming back or are we going to spread it. The contractor said he would like to do it because it is part of their contract. We did receive the final bill of $90,000.00. He said that there are also fees that we paid that we should get back for work that our engineer did that he would like to discuss with him.
Councilman Desmond commented that the State engineering department has to tell the accounting department to deduct these costs for our engineering expenses. He also is not sure that we have enough clay for the ball field. We have to have a meeting with them to get answers.
Councilwoman Brownson asked about the roadway and the water going across. The contractor did do a few things to correct the problem but we need to get them to do more.
Councilman Gildersleeve asked if there is anything we can do to get them to fix it before anyone gets hurt.
Supervisor Staats asked about doing it ourselves and them to take this off the bill or pricing out the cost of the blacktop and taking it off the bill.
Councilwoman Brownson asked if we are going to order the backstop now. The Supervisor would like to get done with DEC but Councilwoman Brownson can still send it out to the board to take a look at.
SCENIC HUDSON:
Supervisor Staats spoke to the director about help with a trail for the property and she said that a trail could possibly be linked up to the trail across the road. She will check into this and get back to the Supervisor. They may be able to help design a trail.
Councilwoman Brownson said that there is a Greenway Trail over in the western part of the town. Councilman Desmond would still like an interpretive walking trail.
NEW BUSINESS:
Supervisor Staats told those present that the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement will be resigning by the end of September. An advertisement will be placed in the Register Star and there are several people who are interested. The Supervisor and the Board thanked John Fieser for his many years of service to the Town.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
The Supervisor asked that if anyone has questions about County issues to contact him.
ABSTRACTS:
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A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve paying Trust & Agency #6, voucher #16 in the amount of $1,124.76, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
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A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve paying Highway abstract #7, vouchers #67 – 79 in the amount of $11,246.42, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
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A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve the Prepaid General abstract #7, vouchers #178-180 in the amount of $174.19, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
Councilman Desmond explained that this prepaid abstract was for utilities, which can be prepaid.
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A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve paying General abstract #7A, vouchers 181 – 204 in the amount of $9, 207.31, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS:
Sarah Takacs asked about the screening of the field. Councilwoman Brownson said that the Iroquois grant would help cover the screening.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to move into executive session to discuss pending litigation, seconded by Councilman Desmond at 7:50 P.M. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to come out of executive session by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel at 8:20 P.M. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond at 8:25 P.M. seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk