Town Board

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

OCTOBER 5, 2009

The regular meeting of the Clermont Town Board was held on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Jones, Councilwoman O’Neal, Councilwoman Lent and Councilman Nolan.

Others present were Mary Howell, County Historian, Louise Kalin, Town Historian, Andy Howard, Town Attorney, Ray Jurkowski, Town Engineer, Roy Brown, Supervisor, Town of Germantown and nineteen town residents.

The meeting was opened with a salute to the flag. Supervisor Staats introduced Mary Howell, County Historian and Louise Kalin, Town Historian. Ms. Howell has obtained a portrait of Captain Edward Tinklepaugh who lived on Buckwheat Bridge Road at Hickory Hill. He received his license for New York Harbor and commanded ships from the Harbor. Lorraine Foster is a relative of Anna Jacobsen who is related to the Tinklepaughs and donated these articles. She also brought pictures of Renssalaer Platner and wife; William Platner and wife, the son of Renssalaer Platner, who was a doctor and born in Clermont. Ms. Howell suggested a budget for the historian to purchase books from Arthur Kelly of Rhinebeck who has been printing books for years on local records.

Louise Kalin thanked members of the history committee for their help. Aileen Gaty (Squeaky) Hatch will speak at the Academy (Community House) on October 16th at 4:00 P.M.

Supervisor Brown spoke about the Germantown Park. It costs $38,108.00 for the Germantown Park Program. Two hundred twenty five children attended in 2008. This year there were thirty Clermont participants in the program. The formula is based on the 593 households in Clermont, divided into the $6000.00 contribution, which works out to $10.12 per household. The park is open to all residents of Clermont. The question has been why do our residents have to pay $25.00 per child when we are contributing $6000.00 to the program. Germantown lost 10% due to budget cutbacks by the Governor, which resulted in having to charge a fee of $25.00 per child for those that participate. Those that do not contribute are charged $50.00 per child.

Currently Gallatin, Clermont and Village of Tivoli participate in the program.

The Clermont Town Board can appoint someone to represent the Town on the Park Commission. Councilman Nolan asked about insurance coverage and how Clermont is indemnified. Supervisor Brown will look into this. Councilwoman Lent stated that there are a lot of youth that work at the park and get good references for college, etc. Also, there are families that cannot afford to pay for their children because of hardships, which are allowed to attend for free. Supervisor Brown was thanked by the board.

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to accept the minutes of the September meeting as submitted.

 CORRESPONDENCE:

  • The Town Clerks gave to the Supervisor checks for the General fund in the amount of $1,401.19 and for Trust and Agency for $300.00. A motion was made to accept the Clerks report by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal. All in favor. So carried.
  • Letter from Village Green Committee relating to a FOIL by Alberta Staats. This letter to the Town Board was received just prior to this meeting and the Clerk received a copy. Members of the Town Board questioned the FOIL request, the response by the Town Clerk to the FOIL request and that the letter be read to the public. Councilwoman Lent advised the board that the state auditor has all the Easter Egg Hunt information and she will provide copies of the receipts for 2006 and 2007. There are poster boards of all the donors upstairs in the Town Hall. The account was set up with a town identification number but was kept separately and not through the General fund.
  • Web Committee: Stephen Hammer will post information about Aileen Gaty (Squeaky) Hatch who will speak at the "Academy" Community House on Friday, October 16th at 4:00 P.M. and information about the Germantown Parks.

COMMITTEE REPORT:

  1. LOCAL LAW NO. 6 OF 2009: Councilwoman Lent worked on this local law with the ZBA and planning board. It will be discussed later in the meeting.
  2. STIMULUS FUNDING: A letter was received from the Dormitory Authority regarding the application for funds for the Highway Garage project on the twenty acre parcel and Councilman Nolan reported that we were not included in the funding. Funding will be sought through other sources to support the renovation of the garage.
  3. Councilman Jones reported that NYSERDA is encouraging governments to install solar panels when they can. The present garage is not positioned for solar, however, the Town Hall is. NYSERDA should be contacted.
  4. Councilman Nolan reported on the Clermont Historic Site presentations and refreshments which will be held on October 10th from 12-4 relating to the farming industry. The Academy and Church will be opened to make a connection between Clermont Historic Site and our village green.
  5. Councilwoman O’Neal has applied for a grant from NYSERDA for Weatherization on Town Hall and Academy. It has been received and we should hear in four to six weeks.

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. LOCAL LAW #6: Andy Howard reviewed changes made to the Local Law at the public hearing. The EAF was reviewed and on a motion made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal issued a negative declaration. All in favor. So carried. A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Jones to adopt Local Law No. 6 of 2009 with revisions. A motion was made by Councilman Nolan to adopt fees of $150.00 for the application for Planned Residential Development and a recreation fee of $250.00 for each apartment. Councilwoman Lent seconded the motion. All in favor. So carried. Councilwoman Lent will get together all the fees for the new zoning requirements so that they can be incorporated into the fee schedule.
  2. DATA COLLECTION: All parcels have been updated. On Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00 P.M. there will be a public information session with NYS Office of Real Property Tax Service and our Assessor to discuss assessments.
  3. HIGHWAY GARAGE PROJECT: The sand and salt shed has been removed. The site is prepared for blacktop for new salt shed. Bids were opened for renovation on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. Five bids were picked up, Three bids were received for garage renovation, three for overhead doors as follows:
  • B/T General Construction of Clermont was the low bidder at $106,000.00 for base bid, $14,995 for alternate #1, $7500 for alternate #2;
  • Coon & Son of Ghent, Base $112,838, alternate #1, $13,000, alternate #2, $16,400.
  • Rondack Construction Service, Base, $206,268, alternate #1, $13,400, alternate #2, $5,610.
  • Dutchess Overhead Doors was the low bid on overhead doors at $3,271.00.
  • Madsen Overhead door at $3,329.00.
  • Custom Overhead Doors at $3,353.00.

The salt shed structure was estimated to be 42’ x 47’ and prices were received. When the area was leveled, Superintendent Potts did not think he would have enough room once it was staked out, so they have requested quotes on a 42’ x 60’ foot salt shed as well as 42’ x 47’. Superintendent Potts has completed the asphalt pad and block will be set for containment of salt. Councilwoman Lent asked if salt shed is getting closer to the well. It is approximately ten feet closer but ground is being tapered away from the well. A meeting will be scheduled to review prices for salt shed on Thursday, October 15th at 6:00 P.M.

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to move into executive session on possible litigation matter at 8:45 P.M. A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to come out of executive session at 9:00 P.M.
  2. GENERATOR UPDATE: Our engineer, Ray Jurkowski has talked to the supplier and once the propane is hooked up at the Firehouse, he will be down to check it. Andy Howard asked Councilwoman O’Neal if a date had been set for emergency meeting. No date set at this time.
  3. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM: It was reported by Ray Jurkowski the EAF for the twenty-acre parcel will be reviewed at the October 15th special meeting.
  4. STATE AUDIT: The auditor has been working since September 17th. Any information will be kept confidential until final report is done.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. BUDGET WORKSHOP: The budget workshop was held on September 28, 2009. After consideration, the Supervisor did increase DA5130.4 in the Highway appropriations to $15,000.00 from $10,000.00. Town board members are taking a 13% reduction in salary, $600.00 salary for the budget officer is once again being cut. There are no salary increases for the Highway department; the Assessor received a raise of $360.00 annually. The public hearing on the budget will be held on November 2, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
  2. PLANNING BOARD: Interviews were held on September 28th for Planning Board member and alternate. All board members were in attendance. Brenda Case has been appointed to the Planning Board. Jennifer Phillips has been appointed as an alternate.
  3. GARAGE RENOVATION PROJECT BID: The awarding of the bid will be held on Thursday, October 15th at 6:00 P.M.
  4. CURBING REQUIREMENTS: The Supervisor has spoken with the State on curbing requirements on state roads. The state is willing to look at each individual case on a case by case basis. An application must be filed with the State. Supervisor Staats will follow up on anyone who has applied.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  1. Human Services: The County is still in negotiations about leasing One City Center.
  2. Computers: Computer committee got permission to fund air time card for Deputy Sheriffs.
  3. Pine Haven: The home is going to stay at the same facility in Philmont.
  4. Buildings and Facilities: Supervisor Staats will be going on property tours of foreclosures.
  5. Court House: Upgrades have been changed many times. It has been a set back for the County getting the work done.
  6. Elections: Lever voting machines and handicapped machine will be used for upcoming elections.

ABSTRACTS:

Two vouchers were held back for payment for dumpsters and excavators to remove old building until Supervisor Staats can talk to the County.

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve Capital Projects abstract #3, vouchers #3,4,5 dated 10/5/09 in the amount of $5,520.40. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve Trust and Agency abstract #10, vouchers # 8 & 9 in the amount of $369.50. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve Highway abstract #10, vouchers #114-119 in the amount of $8,884.77. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve General fund abstract #10, vouchers #261-283 in the amount of $6,307.59. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

  • Judy Neary: Budget expenditures were cut by 2%, but that doesn’t mean that our taxes are cut by 2%. Supervisor Staats, there is no reduction in taxes but there is no increase in taxes. Also, someone noticed that the podium being used here is an historic piece, which belongs in the church, and the town should get a podium for the town hall.
  • Dagmar Payne: Commented about County Route 6 being repaired, but made a request that the drop-offs are marked because the drop-offs are horrendous. The Easter Egg Hunt accounts should be in the stewardship of the town. The Village Green Committee is seeking records of fiscal donations made to the Easter Egg Hunt. There was an inquiry of the Village Green Committee regarding why only $2000.00 was shown on the profit and loss statement. The $2800.00 turned over from Councilwoman Lent is still in a separate account. If the town would like to see this as a donation for 2008, it can be amended.
  • George Davis: The request for Easter Egg history has been requested over and over and has not been answered. To say that the FOIL has to be specific is unrealistic.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Jones at 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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