CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
YEAR END MEETING
DECEMBER 29, 2009
The Clermont Town Board held the year-end meeting on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Staats, Councilwoman O’Neal and Councilman Jones. Councilman Nolan and Councilwoman Lent were absent.
Others present were Greg Fingar of Fingar Insurance, Raymond Jurkowski, Town Engineer, Charles Larsen and Robert Desmond. Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.
MINUTES: The minutes of the December 2, 2009 meeting were approved on a motion made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal.
All in favor. So carried.
Supervisor Staats introduced Greg Fingar of Fingar Insurance who presented the insurance proposal for 2010. The annual premium cost is $13,300, which includes the bonds and is less than 2009. There is a return on a portion of the capitalization monies from NYMIR, which this year will be $931.00. Discussed the limits of liability and the insurance to loss valuation, which is 90% and umbrella liability. Discussed coverage of automobiles/trucks, equipment floater, bond coverage for employees, Supervisor, Town Clerk and Tax Collector. Raymond asked if the coverage decreased from last year but it has not. A conditional renewal would have been sent out by NYMIR. This policy includes liquor liability coverage for the town events, which has not been included previously and was an extra expense in previous years. Greg was able to get NYMIR to include it in the policy.
Bob Desmond asked about 90% replacement costs, and it was explained. Coverage has been added for the salt shed for $13,000.00 at a cost of $26.00.
Supervisor Staats did get another quote from Kleeber Agency but it was higher at $13,148.00.
A motion was made by Councilman Jones to accept proposal from Mr. Fingar, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal. All in favor. So carried.
HIGHWAY GARAGE PROJECT: Raymond Jurkowski of Morris Associates brought the board up to speed on construction costs to date with the preliminary cost estimate of what was approved compared to what has been spent to date.
Salt building - $41874.18
Building Construction - $129,066.00 includes overhangs, insulation and chimney.
Also includes $6500 to builder, which is to be paid.
Building Electric - $2,650.00
Contingencies - $79.99
Soft Costs - $16,898.53
Total costs to date: $190,568.70
The work to be completed was adjusted to $7000.00 excluding excavator.
Total Anticipated Project Cost - $198,989.92
Councilman Jones would like to see the pitch of the apron around the salt shed to be more to the east rather than the west. He stated that this work to be done next spring or summer. The placement of the LP gas has yet to be decided but will probably go on the north west corner on the concrete block side of the building. Councilman Jones commended Raymond Jurkowski for his work on this project. Billy Cole, the general contractor on the project is just about done. It was necessary to reorder snow guards because the wrong one’s came in. Raymond Jurkowski asked if the board would want to consider replacement of the existing windows in the spring with any leftover funds. He also commended the highway crews from Clermont, Livingston and Germantown for the work they have done. He recommended that a letter be sent to these departments. He has followed up with the Department of Labor, and they are working out any discrepancies with prevailing wage issues with Mr. Cole. They may request that funds be held back until it is resolved, but the Town will be notified by mail.
RESOLUTIONS/BUDGET TRANSFERS:
- Budget Transfer #2 –2009 to correct General Fund Accounts:
- Budget Transfer #3-2009 to correct Highway Fund Accounts:
- Resolution No. 50 for 2009 will be prepared to transfer $20,000.00 from Capital 9950.9 to the Highway Capital Reserve. A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve this transfer. All in favor. So carried.
- Resolution #48-09: The Clerk requested that Resolution #48-09 be amended to include $1,050.00 in recreation fees collected in 2009 from the Planning Board to be included in the new account for Parkland Reserve funds. A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to amend resolution #48-09 to increase the total amount by $1,050.00 to $12,925.00. All in favor. So carried.
- Supervisor Staats received letters of resignation from Robert Desmond from the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Assessment Review effective 12/31/09, as he has been elected to the Town Board. Supervisor Staats thanked Bob for his service to the town in these capacities.
- Resolution #49-09:Supervisor Staats would like the board to consider passing this resolution. There are other towns that have adopted this resolution. A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve the following resolution:
A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to transfer $1500.00 from contingency A1990.4 and $2,900.00 from Engineering A1440.4 to Brownfields A7110.42, a total of $4400.00. Transfer $527.00 from Zoning A8010.1 and $53.00 from Social Security A9030.8 to Zoning A8010.4, a total of $580.00. All in favor. So carried.
Supervisor Staats went over some points on the revenue and expense report for the year-end. The unexpended balance for this year is approximately $58,000.00
There is a shortfall in the mortgage tax revenues for the year of $18,722 and in the Brownfields revenues of $22,044.00 but we are expecting a check for $12,000.00 from the state. Also, the Sales tax check for the 4th quarter has not been received yet but will be included in 2009 figures. The fund balance should end up at approximately $45,000.00 for 2009.
A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to transfer $566.00 from Improvements DA5112.2 to Equipment DA5130.2. Transfer $500.00 from Insurance DA9060.8 to Social Security DA9030.8. Transfer $2400.00 from Repairs DA5110.1 and $2800.00 from Repairs Overtime DA5110.12 to Snow Removal DA5142.4 for a total of $5200.00. All in favor. So carried.
Highway revenues are up due to funds, which were received from FEMA and SEMA from the December 2008 ice storm.
REGARDING LITIGATION CHALLENGING THE RIGHT OF
SECOND HOMEOWNERS TO CHOOSE WHICH HOME THEY MAY SELECT AS THEIR RESIDENCE FOR VOTING PURPOSES
WHEREAS, litigation is currently underway in the New York State Supreme Court in Hudson challenging the right of second homeowners to choose which home they may select as their residence for voting purposes, and
WHEREAS, the plaintiffs in that litigation are attempting to suppress votes case by absentee ballots from second home owners on the theory that their second home is not their residence,
WHEREAS, several of the residences in the Town of Clermont are owned and occupied by second homeowners; and
WHEREAS, a large portion of the Town and School taxes collected from properties in the Town of Clermont are paid by other that full time residents; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
- The Clermont Town Board supports the right of second homeowners to choose to vote in the County where they maintain a residence.
- The Clermont Town Board opposes the attempt to disqualify voters on the basis that their second home is not a residence.
Motion Made by: Councilman Jones
Seconded By: Councilwoman O’Neal
Upon question of the foregoing resolution, the following Board members voted ‘Aye’ in favor of the resolution:
Councilman Jones
Councilwoman O’Neal
Supervisor Staats
The following Board members voted ‘no’ in opposition thereto:
Councilman Nolan – absent
Councilwoman Lent – absent
The Resolution having been approved by a majority of the Town Board, the same was declared duly adopted by the Supervisor of the Town of Clermont
Dated: December 29, 2009
Certified: Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk
Councilman-elect Desmond asked to speak regarding this resolution. Supervisor Staats asked him to wait until the public comment period. All in favor. So carried.
ABSTRACTS:
- A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve Capital Projects abstract #6,vouchers #22-27, in the amount of $20,524.69.00All in favor. So carried.
- A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve Highway abstract #13, vouchers #144- 163 in the amount of $12,609.41. All in favor. So carried.
- A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve General abstract #13, vouchers #347-367 in the amount of $5,049.86. All in favor. So carried.
Councilman Jones reported to the board that he has spent $90.00 to have surveys of town properties added on one map.
Supervisor Staats reported that the auditor is still working on the risk assessment.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- Bob Desmond: Had no comment at this time because the resolution on the second homeowner litigation has passed.
- Charlie Larsen asked that something be added in the minutes to thank Councilman Nolan and Councilwoman Lent for the years of service to the Town. Supervisor Staats did do this at the December 2nd meeting.
A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal at 8:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk