CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
JANUARY 4, 2010
The 2010 Organizational and regular monthly meeting of the Clermont Town Board were held on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. at the Clermont Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Dianne O’Neal, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Richard Jones and Councilwoman Nancy Moore.
Others present were Charles Larsen, Andy Howard, Town Attorney, Raymond Jurkowski, Town Engineer, Barbara Moore, Elizabeth Bierbaum, Ray Tousey, Carol Livellara, Judy Neary, Leni Bierbaum, George Davis and Dagmar Payne.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with a salute to the flag. He thanked everyone for coming and wished all a Happy New Year. New members of the Town Board, Nancy Moore and Robert Desmond were welcomed.
The Organizational meeting followed and Resolutions No. 1 0f 2010 through No. 34 of 2010 are attached.
RESOLUTION #35 OF 2010 - Official Undertaking of Municipal Officers
TOWN OF CLERMONT
OFFICIAL UNDERTAKING OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS
WHEREAS, Raymond J. Staats, of the Town of Clermont, County of Columbia, New York, has been elected to the Office of Supervisor of the Town of Clermont, and
WHEREAS, Mary Helen Shannon, of the Town of Clermont, County of Columbia, New York, has been elected to the Office of Town Clerk of the Town of Clermont, and
WHEREAS, Joan Buser, of the Town of Clermont, County of Columbia, New York, has been elected to the Office of Tax Collector, and
WHEREAS, W. F. Ronald Banks, of the Town of Clermont, County of Columbia, New York, has been elected to the Office of Town Justice of the Town of Clermont, and
WHEREAS, James C. Potts, Jr., of the Town of Clermont, County of Columbia, New York, has been elected to the Office of Superintendent of Highway of the Town of Clermont, and
NOW THEREFORE, we as respective officers above, do hereby undertake with the Town of Clermont that we will faithfully perform and discharge the duties of our office, and will promptly account for and pay over all moneys or property received as a Town Officer, in accordance with the law; and
This undertaking of the Town Supervisor is further conditioned upon that he will well and truly keep, pay over and account for all moneys and property, including any special district funds, belonging to the Town and coming into his hands as such Supervisor; and
This undertaking of the Town Clerk is further conditioned that she will well and truly keep, pay over and account for all moneys and property coming inter her hands as such Town Clerk; and
This undertaking of the Tax Collector is further conditioned that she will well and truly keep, pay over and account for all moneys and property coming into her hands as such Tax Collector; and
This undertaking of the Town Justice is further conditioned that he will well and truly keep, pay over and account for all moneys and property coming into his hands as such Town Justice; and
The Town does and shall maintain insurance coverage, presently with NYMIR Insurance Company, in the sum of $200,000.00 for the Tax Collector, $50,000 for the Town Clerk, $100,000.00 for the Supervisor and $10,000.00 for all other employees to indemnify against losses through the failure of the officers, clerks and employees covered thereunder to faithfully perform their duties or to account properly for all monies or property received by virtue of their positions or employment, and through fraudulent or dishonest acts committed by the officers, clerks and employees covered thereunder.
DATED:
TOWN OF CLERMONT
__________________________________ _____________________
Town Supervisor Town Clerk
__________________________________ _______________________
Tax Collector Town Justice
__________________________________
Highway Superintendent
APPROVAL OF OFFICIAL UNDERTAKING
On a motion made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal, Resolution No. 35 of 2010 Official Undertaking of Municipal Officers was approved as to its form and manner of execution and the sufficiency of the insurance, as surety as prescribed by law.
Adopted: Ayes 5 O’Neal, Desmond, Jones, Moore, Staats
Nays 0
Date: January 4, 2010
Certified by: _______________________
Town Clerk
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Town Clerk’s Report for December 2009 – A check for the general fund was presented to the Supervisor for $302.95. A motion was made to accept the Clerk’s report by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones. All in favor.
- Resignation letter from Garret O'Connor resigning from the Planning Board effective December 31, 2009. There will be an open position for an alternate member to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Assessment Review. Interviews will be held on Saturday, January 16th at 10:00 A.M. at the Town Hall. Anyone interested should contact the Town Clerk.
- A review of the Town Books will be held on Saturday, January 16th at 10:00 A.M. for the Supervisor, Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Town Justices.
- A letter will be written to thank the Towns of Livingston, Germantown and Clermont highway departments for construction of salt shed at no cost to town due to municipal shared services. Councilman Desmond asked the Supervisor to speak for the entire board and extend the town board’s thanks to all whom helped.
- Web Committee: There were no comments.
- The Supervisor reported that the Town Attorney and Town Engineer would not be attending every meeting in order to reduce expenses. They will be called upon to attend as necessary. Councilman Desmond asked Andy Howard for an explanation of an Official Undertaking. Andy explained that the undertaking is another term for a bond, which protects the residents of the town by either elected officials or employees of the town, of malfeasance. Councilman Jones added that Mr. Howard has done a very good job for the town.
HIGHWAY GARAGE: Ray Jurkowski reported that construction work is nearly complete on the highway garage project. Snow guards for the roof have to be installed but have not been received yet and the contractor understands that if there is any damage to the gutter system, he is responsible for replacement. The inside work was being done such as insulation and drywall. The salt shed has been up and is being utilized.
Cost including total construction cost and final payment to contractor, overhead doors, new electrical service, survey, soft costs etc. Total cost $190,568.70. The highway department will construct the office space, minor electrical work and installation of gas heater in office. Approximately estimate for this additional work is $7000.00. Total for the entire project is $197,568.70, which is less than previous estimate. The original estimate was $220,000.00 and a large part of savings is work done by town highway crews. Supervisor Staats thanked Ray and his office for providing the budget for the project, which has gone very smoothly.
GENERATOR: The generator at Firehouse Station #2 has been inspected and is up and operationally. Supervisor Staats was at the firehouse for the start up of the generator.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- Councilman Jones is pleased that garage project came in under budget with no surprises. The recreation committee will be starting in a month or two. He also spoke on tax bill about the reduction in town tax, which is a result in the Town Board keeping expenses in check.
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN: Councilwoman O’Neal suggested reviewing the draft plan on January 16th when the other policies are reviewed.
- The Supervisor would also like to create several new committees:
- Landscape and Gardening committee: Angela Goetz will chair the committee.
- Archives Committee: Louise Kalin will chair this committee.
- Energy Conservation Committee: Dagmar Payne will chair this committee.
- Emergency Preparedness Plan: Councilwoman Moore will work with Councilwoman O’Neal.
OLD BUSINESS:
- ASSESSMENTS: The Assessor is validating all properties. Supervisor Staats will meet on January 12th with NYS Office of Real Property Service, Assessor and Columbia County Real Property to assess our progress. The NYS Office of Real Property Services has requested a meeting with the Town Board on Tuesday, January 16th at 6:00 P.M. and a meeting with the public at 7:00 P.M.
- HIGHWAY GARAGE PROJECT: As reported the project is almost complete and under budget.
- AUDIT: The auditor will be here for the month of January and as of now has not brought anything to his attention that would discourage him from re-appointing Brian Fitzgerald as bookkeeper.
- BALLFIELD: The Supervisor reported that the contract for thirty years use of the ballfield has been sent to the Saulpaugh’s trustees to be reviewed.
NEW BUSINESS:
- INSURANCE: The Board met with Greg Fingar of Fingar Insurance and had a quote from Kleeber Agency and the policy was awarded to Fingar Insurance because his cost was less. This is the second year that the price was reduced.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
- There is money in fund balance, which could be invested into a CD for a higher interest rate. Once he has the final figures from the accountant, he will invest these funds for a higher rate.
PAST YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- The Highway Garage project was the was the best way to accomplish our needs, increased square footage, updated storage of salt and sand shed and we will have a facility which should meet the needs for a few decades.
- The Brownfields work has been completed on our part and we are waiting for the money from the state.
- Emergency Preparedness Plan: The update of the plan, Memorandums of Understanding with the Fire Company and Carmelites, Generator installation, radios, etc. have been completed.
- Ballfield: We will have a contract for thirty years with the Saulpaugh family, which we did not have in the past.
- Community House: Improvements have been made to the Community House, such as, carpeting, painting, new sinks and lighting. There is still more to be done.
The Supervisor noted that conservative spending is the top priority of this board due to budget cuts by the State and County.
Councilman Desmond asked that the board acknowledge that our Fire Chief and Planning Board Chairman Larry Saulpaugh’s mother passed away. Supervisor Staats extended condolences to the Saulpaugh Family on the passing of Marion Saulpaugh on Sunday, January 3rd.
ABSTRACTS:
A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve Capital Projects Abstract #1, vouchers #1 and #2 in the amount of $3,3l9.42. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve Highway Abstract #1, vouchers #1 & 2 in the amount of $1,928.28. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve General Abstract #1, vouchers #1-13 in the amount of $3,269.60. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- Charlie Larsen- He has given Councilwoman O’Neal updates to be made to the emergency preparedness plan but did not appear in the copy he looked at tonight, such as Fire Company roster and the Devereax group home on County Route 19. Councilwoman O’Neal has the list he gave her and updates will be made.
- Dagmar Payne: Handed out information on ‘How to give on a budget’. She also provided the Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet for Village Green Committee for 2009 and reported that she will not be as active on the committee, but still volunteering. She thanked the board for the revenue, which helped the committee. They have given to two food banks, ran canned food donations at two events and purchased the shed for storage.
A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones at 8:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk