Town Board - August

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

AUGUST 7, 2017

 

The Clermont Town Board helds its regular meeting on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. 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: Councilman Hempel had one correction for the July minutes in the second paragraph. It should state “without the telephone”. A motion was made to accept the minutes with correction by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hemple. All in favor. So carried.

 

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:

The Clerk read the June Town Clerk’s report and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund for $2,654.50 and for Trust and Agency for $1,000.00. A motion was made to accept the Town Clerk’s report by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

  • The Pine Plains Central School District appointed Mrs. Jean Stapf to fill a position vacated by resignation.

  • The Supervisor gave the budget and revenue reports through July, 2017 to the Board for review.

 

Supervisor Staats made a motion to go into executive session at 7:05 P.M. to discuss a personnel matter relating to the Building Inspector, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

 

A motion was made to come out of executive session at 7:10 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Evan. All in favor. So carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond reported that the Highway department put up a new guard rail on Pleasantvale Road damaged in the winter. Also, FEMA has approved Clermont to receive additional funds. The ballfield has dried out from all the rain and the highway department will be working on the field.

  • COMMUNITY HOUSE: Councilman Desmond reported that the handicap chairlift in the Community House, which was paid for by Canaan Fellowship requires yearly maintenance of $110.00. The batteries were recently replaced at a cost of $90.00and they have asked that the Town take over the expense of maintenance and battery replacement. There were no objections from the Board. Councilman Hempel recused himself. There was also an issue at the Community House with the chairlift when used by those that used the hall for a party, which will have to be addressed in some way.

  • WEBSITE: Councilman Hempel reported that the software for the website has to be updated. He also had someone ask how to get tax information and it is on the website. Phyllis Heiko did have complaints that the website is not easy to navigate. She also would like to see more information on the website regarding the community.

  • Councilwoman Brownson received an email from Stephen Hammer regarding the historical pictures that disappeared from the website. Councilman Hempel will take a look at this.

  • BALLFIELD: Councilman Gildersleeve requested updated information on the costs of the backstop and shipping costs and he does not believe that they have changed from the quotes he had gotten earlier this year.

  • SOLAR PERMITS: Councilwoman Brownson attended meetings of the Planning and Zoning and explained to the boards about adopting the solar permit process.

  • VILLAGE GREEN: The Village Green Committee met last evening and will be holding the Election Day ham dinner on November 7th. It was also suggested to have wine at the dinner, compliments of Tousey winery if we apply for the temporary wine permit. This will be discussed further.

  • HISTORICALSIGNS: Councilwoman Brownson has been inquiring about replacement signs for the Community House. She believes that she will have to get proof that it was the first public school.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

  • DEC: Supervisor Staats and Councilman Desmond met with DEC and are tying to get them to reimburse us for our engineering fees for the driveway entrance and discussed concerns about what is left to be done. We requested the contractor to complete the silt edge and spread the clay for the ballfield. DEC would like our highway department to finish up some items. The roadway is unacceptable to the Town so they talked about the options to fix the drainage. DEC would like us to get a price and they will price it out and get the cheapest to fix it. Our highway superintendent will price out the cost of the work. Councilman Gildersleeve asked if our highway does the work will there be any monetary reimbursement. Supervisor Staats said that we would be responsible for the cost.

  • SCENIC HUDSON: Supervisor Staats spoke to them at the office regarding trails, screening, etc. on the town property. He emailed an electronic map of the property to them and they responded that they may be able to help the Town, even though that is not something that they usually do. Hope to update next month.

  • TOWN HALL ROOF: The roof has been replaced and the job completed. Supervisor Staats thanked Jennings Contracting who did the work.

  • BUILDING INSPECTOR/CODE ENFORCEMENT: The Board held interviews two week ago to replace John Fieser, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer. They have decided on Sam Harkins of Red Hook who has over 30 years experience. He will be starting on August 17th and will work with John, until John leaves the position on September 1st. A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to appoint Sam Harkins as Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

  • SURPLUS EQUIPMENT: The Highway Superintendent has a 7 foot brushhog for a tractor that he would like declared surplus equipment. A motion was made to declare this equipment as surplus to by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.

  • SALES TAX REVENUE: Supervisor Staats received the 2nd quarter sales tax check for $90,822.74 which is $6200.00 more than last year at this time. This is more than budgeted for this year and if it continues we will be on track for an additional $40,000.00 in revenues.

  • BUY COLUMBIA COUNTY: Councilman Gildersleeve reminded everyone that if you shop in Columbia County the sales tax stays in Columbia County.

 

 

  • BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 1 FOR 2017:

A1110.41 Courts – Grant Expenditures to increase by $8,550.00

A0908 Appropriated Fund Balance to decrease by $8,500.00

 

A1620.4 Buildings to increase by $14,750.00

A0908 Appropriated Fund Balance to decrease by $14,750.00

 

A1355.4 Assessor to increase by $350.00

A1910.4 Contingent to decrease by $350.00.

 

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve Budget Amendment No. 1 of 2017, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

 

The Supervisor received a copy of the local law that the County is looking to pass on an increase to the Veterans Exemptions as follows:

Wartime $36,000.00

Combat Zone $24,000.00

Disability 50% of the Veterans disability rating, not to exceed $120,000.00

This is done on a town by town basis. This would require a public hearing.

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to hold the public hearing, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. Councilman Desmond recused himself because he is a Veteran. Motion passed.

 

The September meeting will be held on September 5th at 7:00 P.M. because of the Labor Day Holiday.

 

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • County Highway: Looking at repairs and addition to Highway Garage on Route 23 in Greenport.

  • Commerce Park: The County is looking at running a sewer line from the substation in Ghent to a substation in the Town of Greenport and having them run the sewer district for the County. The County is looking to purchase a parcel to be used for centralized fire department facilities within Commerce Park.

  • Budget Meetings: We will be starting earlier this year than other years. The Supervisor is not in favor of tax increases.

  • The Supervisor thanked our Highway department for maintaining things.

 

 

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made to approve the Trust & Agency abstract #7, vouchers #17-24 in the amount of $1,048.82 by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to approve General Prepaid abstract #8, vouchers #205P-211P, in the amount of $511.55 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to approve General abstract #8A, vouchers #205 – 233, in the amount of $21,306.10 by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to approve Highway abstract #8, vouchers #80-94 in the amount of $41,743.19 by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Phyllis Heiko would like more signs in the ballpark on County Route 6, such as no loitering after hours, no alcohol, etc. She also noted several properties that have had fires and nothing has been done to clean them up and items that have been left out after yard sales that have not been picked up.

Chris Nolan said that on County Route 14 heading west to 9G there is a sign that has faded indicating the intersection where there have been numerous accidents. The Supervisor will follow up.

 

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:05 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

 

 

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