Town Board Meeting

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

MAY 4, 2009

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Staats, Councilwoman O'Neal, Councilman Jones and Councilman Nolan. Councilwoman Lent was absent. Also present were Linda Kaumeyer, Superintendent, Michael Goldbeck, Asst. Business Administrator and Bruce Kimball, V.P. School Board, Helen McQuade of Pine Plains Central School, Paul Finch, Superintendent and Bruce Martin, Business Administrator, and several School Board members of the Red Hook School District, Bruce Bohnsack, Germantown Telephone and Ray Jurkowski, Town Engineer and eighteen town residents.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with a salute to the flag and introduced our invited guests.

Bruce Bohnsack of G-tel Telecommunications spoke about the new IPTV channel lineup including news, weather, NYS Lottery numbers, sports and games. He explained the various devices, which they will be offering. Supervisor Staats thanked Mr. Bohnsack for coming.

Paul Finch, Superintendent of Red Hook Schools spoke about the budget development, which started in October. The departments were asked to cut their budgets due to the uncertainty of funding by the State. These budgets were presented in January, February and March. Five teachers will retire from the District and only four will be hired to replace. Also two kindergartens, one-sixth grade and one high school position will be eliminated. The deficit reduction was restored in April and they were able to restore some budget expenditures. Of the 4.2% increase in the budget most is roofing expense.

Bruce Martin, Business Administrator for Red Hook told those present that there would be a presentation of the budget for the public on Thursday, May 7th at the High School Gymnasium. The budget vote is Tuesday, May 19th at the Mill Road School in the gymnasium from 12:00 to 9:00 PM.

Linda Kaumeyer, Superintendent of Pine Plains School presented their proposed budget. They expect a budget to budget increase of 3.87%. There is a capital construction proposition related to repair and stabilization of masonry at the Seymour Smith building of which 98% of total cost is expected to be eligible for state aid, and a bus purchase proposition to purchase three buses, a 72 passenger and two smaller 22 passenger buses. There are three board member seats for election. There is a presentation of the budget on Wednesday, May 6th at 7:00 P.M. at the Stissing Mountain High School. The information is on their website: budget@PPSCD.org. The budget vote is on Tuesday, May 19th from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the Elizaville Firehouse.

MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve the minutes of the March 18 meeting. All in favor. So carried. A motion was made by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve the minutes of the April 6th meeting. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve the minutes of the April 24th meeting. All in favor. So carried.

COMMUNICATIONS:

  1. Supervisor Staats reported that he, the Board and Town Clerk have been notified that the State Comptroller is going to audit 2007 and 2008 in the next few months.
  2. The Supervisor received thirty-eight letters from residents of Philmont expressing their concerns about the proposed closing of Pine Haven Home.
  3. The Supervisor received a letter from Alex Gilbert, resident of Clermont and member of Troop 122 in Germantown who is trying to complete the Life Scout Badge. The Supervisor is going to try to find some work that he can do for the Town in order to help him achieve this.
  4. The Town Clerk read her report for April. Checks in the amount of $1,465.50 for General Fund and $612.50 for Trust and Agency were given to the Supervisor.

    5. A motion was made to approve the Clerk's report by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal. All in favor. So carried.

  5. Letter from Governor Paterson on letters received for request of federal stimulus funding for infrastructure and transportation. Supervisor Staats thanked Councilman Nolan for his effort in this regard.
  6. Columbia County Historical Society Event - June 6 2009 in Kinderhook.
  7. Columbia County Clerk: Use envelopes provided by the County Clerk for mailing in your motor vehicle transactions in order to keep the DMV fees revenue in Columbia County. Available at Town Hall.
  8. Letter from Columbia County Chairman of the Board, Art Baer regarding Swine Flu. There are no reported cases in Columbia County. For information call 518-828-1212 or visit http://www.columbiacountyny.com/.
  9. Columbia County Business Herald: A newsletter regarding businesses and resources in Columbia County. Available at Town Hall.
  10. Columbia County Farms and Farm Market brochure: A map & guide to what's good, fresh and local. Available at Town Hall.
  11. Local Laws on zoning changes: There will be a special meeting for zoning board, planning board and town board to work through any changes that have to be made before the public hearing on Friday, May 22nd at 6:00 P.M. at the Town Hall.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  1. BERKSHIRE TACONIC RADIO GRANT: A check was received for $1000.00 to reimburse for the emergency radios which were purchased.
  2. HIGHWAY GARAGE: Councilman Jones met with Morton Buildings and they have submitted a quotation of $545,000.00 for a 6000 square foot building. There are other local contractors that we can speak to. Councilman Nolan thanked Councilman Jones for his engineering work on project at no cost to town.
  3. NYSERDA AUDIT: Councilman Nolan received the energy audit report from NYSERDA. This will enable us to get grant funding for projects on any of the buildings. Councilwoman O'Neal added that the NYSERDA project funneled through stimulus funding also included a request for storm windows for the Community House.
  4. WEBSITE: Links have been set up on the website to the three school districts.
  5. Councilwoman O'Neal thanked those that helped plant tulips around the grounds last fall.
  6. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN: Councilwoman O'Neal reported that the MOU is still outstanding with the Carmelite Sisters. The Fire Company has voted on the MOU but it has not been returned to date. She has spoken to Tim Otty who is preparing the Germantown EPP and we are going to work with him on the issue of pets during a disaster, which has been a concern.
  7. WEB COMMITTEE: Supervisor Staats would like the web committee organizing a list of all businesses in Clermont to be added onto the website.
  8. DATA COLLECTION: Supervisor Staats reported that Columbia County 911 uses pictometry for their information bank. This has become available and can be used for data collections. Our Assessor is willing to use this tool. There will be more information next month.
  9. GENERATORS: Our engineer, Ray Jurkowski reported that Better Power & Lighting has submitted new quotes for State Contract. The new quotations for a 15 kW portable, gas powered generator with manual transfer switch and a 30 kW propane generator with switch and the price increases by $1200.00 to $13,463.00 including delivery, startup and cold weather kit. There is an option for 5-yr. warranty period. He has checked other vendor's packages and they were higher than Better Light and Power. Mr. Jurkowski suggested passing a resolution or a motion so that we are ready to proceed.

MOTION: Councilman Jones motioned that he would like to proceed with the procurement of the generators, pending the state bid, for no more than this quoted amount, using Con Ed funds, in the interest of public safety, for the purchase. Councilwoman O'Neal seconded the motion. All in favor. So carried.

MOTION: Councilwoman O'Neal motioned to accept the bid from Ralph P.Schmidt and Sons for the electrical work including removing the generator from the firehouse and installing, disconnect box, etc. for $4,020.00 and using Con Ed funds to pay for the work. Councilman Jones seconded the motion. All in favor. So carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM FOR BROWNFIELDS: A special meeting was held to go over the EAF form. This is a mandatory requirement, which must be done prior to approving any capital projects. The process assesses potential environmental concerns with a parcel or parcels and identifies project or projects on the site that may take place. The decision that is made now remains valid unless there is a significant change in the environment or neighboring properties. This does not mean that the board has to move forward on any project, but that they are dealing with the EAF.

    2. MOTION: Councilman Jones motions that the Supervisor signs the letter to go with EAF as drafted, Councilman Nolan seconded the motion. Voting in favor were Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Lent, Councilman Nolan and Supervisor Staats. Councilwoman O'Neal recused herself from voting. Motion Carried.

    There is a thirty-day grace period, if agencies do not respond in thirty days, town can move forward by taking look at environmental issues on Part 2 of the EAF. Part 3 of the EAF is mitigation of findings. Ray recommends a public hearing after the thirty-day grace period, but it is not required. Councilman Jones suggested having our engineer review the remediation rather than C. T. Male.

  2. REPAIR OF EXISTING GARAGE: Morris Associates has put together a preliminary cost estimate to repair the existing garage which is a step to help for five or ten years until we can fund a new garage. This would create an addition for truck bay, an office behind current garage, new salt shed building on concrete block design which can be moved later to asphalt. It would include trussing the existing garage roof, electrical, heating and ventilation. The project cost is estimated at $220,000.00. Supervisor Staats has spoken with the Highway Superintendent, and Capital Projects funds from Highway budget, which was to be used for the purchase of a new truck next year, could be used for this project. A new truck could be put off for two or three years. The estimated fees for engineering is $12,000.00 and there would also be legal expenses to estimate. Our engineer will have the outline for the project at the next meeting.
  3. BALLFIELD: Councilman Jones would like to keep the ball field in consideration because we do not own the current ball field. He asked if Ray Jurkowski could determine what type of soil is on the site of the proposed ball field.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  1. Thanked Village Green Committee for their work at the Easter Egg Hunt. There were approximately 140 children.
  2. HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: There was a 31% increase from last year in people asking for support.
  3. OCKAWAMICK SCHOOL: There has been no decision at this point as to which departments will be moving.
  4. PINE HAVEN HOME: There will be an informational meeting on May 19th, which the Supervisor will be attending.
  5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Greenport Transfer Station is accepting appliances for month of May.
  6. COUNTY ROUTE 6: There will be road work done by County Highway on Route 6 possibly over a two year schedule, starting from Route 9G to Viewmont Road. (Corr: Church Avenue) Councilman Jones asked if they could do anything about the line of site at the intersection of Moore Road and County Route 6 heading west, because it is obstructed by trees. Supervisor Staats will check into this.
  7. SALES TAX REVENUE: The sales tax for the 1st quarter is $57,000.00, which is in line with last year at this time.
  8. The Village Green Committee has put up their shed for storage of tables and supplies. They are only accepting $2500 from the budgeted amount of $3000.00, which the Town donates.
  9. A request has been made to use the Community House for a weight loss class. Tammy Connolly will get more information.

ABSTRACTS:

  1. A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to approve General abstract #5, vouchers #108-131, in the amount of $7,353.25. All in favor. So carried.
  2. A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O'Neal to approve Highway abstract #5, vouchers #55-62 in the amount of $2,763.05. All in favor. So carried.
  3. There was no Trust and Agency abstract this month.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Bob Desmond: It should be mentioned that Pine Haven is bringing in more revenue and is not costing the County as much. The Town Garage discussion sounds positive and if looking at using it in the future, parking requirements should be considered if the old garage remains. Bob also asked about the recreation fees, which are collected from subdivision fees and currently go into the general fund. These should be kept in a separate account.

The current Zoning Law allows for a second single family residence on the same lot, does not allow for two single-family residences or two multi family residences on a single lot without subdivision. Would like the zoning committee to look at the issue, before the end of the year.

Tammy Connolly thanked everyone who helped at Easter Egg Hunt. There were donations received that day. The Village Green is able to donate $250.00 to the Columbia County food bank. The new shed will get things out of town hall and community house. The total attendees at the Easter Egg Hunt were 380 with 140 children registered. Raymond thanked the volunteers who helped also.

Charlie Larsen understands that there are questions by the Town Board on the local laws on three zoning issues. There was never a town board member present at any of the zoning review meetings. The Supervisor was present at the Planning Board meeting where they were reviewed. Charlie also asked when the Emergency Preparedness Plan would be updated as far as telephone numbers for use by the fire department. He is pleased to see something going to happen with the Highway Garage because he does not like to see the equipment outside.

Taxes: Several residents from Trout Creek Road and Regan's Way were present and voiced their concerns about the rise in school taxes. They want to know what is being done to take care of the residents of Clermont who are being hit hard by school taxes. Supervisor Staats explained that the assessor needs data collection in order to change assessments. The board has been trying to find people to do the data collection, which would (Delete: otherwise) cost $20,000 to $25,000 (Delete: if we went outside to a company to do it). With the possibility of using pictromity, it will be more affordable. Bob Desmond spoke on the equalization rate, which is set by NYS Office of Real Property Tax, based on sales.

Supervisor Staats explained that there was nothing in the previous year's budget for data collection and this year's budget is very tight, but he is trying to work on something being done this year. This will not affect this year's school taxes; it won't take effect until next school year.

Judy Neary spoke about trying to get the school taxes so that they can be paid twice a year. She will be attending the Committee meeting at the Board of Supervisors in Hudson on May 21st and will report on her findings.

Supervisor Staats will ask the Assessor to come to next months meeting at 7:00 P.M. and have questions and answers.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilwoman O'Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones at 10:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

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