CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
AUGUST 2, 2010
The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, August 2, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Supervisor Staats, Councilwoman O’Neal, Councilman Desmond, Councilwoman Moore and Councilman Jones. Others present were Bruce Bohnsack and Sherry Barringer of G-tel Communications, Cari Watkins-Bates, Farmland Protection Manager and Kathryn Biszick, Riverfront Communities Program Associate of Scenic Hudson, Inc., Ray Jurkowski, Town Engineer, Stephen Hammer, Webmaster and several town residents.
The meeting was opened by Supervisor Staats with a salute to the flag.
Bruce Bohnsack of G-tel Communications made a presentation to the board. G-tel is the cable provider for Clermont and telephone and internet provider for parts of Clermont. They have provided an all-digital service for about one and one half years. They provide basic service and expanded bundles of services, the more you take the more you save. Supervisor Staats switched over a few weeks ago and is very happy with the service. The goal of G-tel is to be entirely fiber optic at some time.
Supervisor Staats hopes that people will consider switching over.
The Supervisor thanked Bruce for donating additional land for ballfield to help with driveway placement.
Cari Watkins Bates of Scenic Hudson prepared a poster representative of the recreational, scenic, agricultural and natural resources of Clermont. The poster depicted the Roeliff Jansen Kill, Clermont State Historic Site, Clermont Community House and farmland. They are looking at the possibility of linking these areas of interest with hiking trails. Susan of the Clermont Historic site stated she would like to see a connection with the Historic Site.
Ray Jurkowski, Town Engineer provided the board with an update on Regan's Way, which is currently maintained privately. John Moran would like to deed it over to the town. Design engineers have provided a copy of the as-built. Ray reported that the existing road has been constructed as far as the base course of asphalt and the top must be placed when they know there are no other problems. He will be meeting with the Town Highway Superintendent to decide a course of action for formal dedication to town. The Town Attorney will receive correspondence and be involved in the process. Councilman Desmond asked if we need a maintenance bond. Ray responded that, generally, it is in very good shape and has been in service for several years. A maintenance bond can be waived because it is in good shape. The Supervisor has been contacted by several residents requesting that the Town take this road over and the town currently has security and it is a matter of negotiating with the owner.
MINUTES: The minutes of the July meeting were reviewed and a correction was noted by Councilwoman Moore on page 48, No 4 under Committee Reports to change ‘policies’ to ‘protocols’. A motion was made to approve the minutes with correction by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Clerk read the report for July and presented a check to the Supervisor in the amount of $1,487.48 for the General Fund. A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve the Clerks monthly report for July. All in favor. So carried.
- The Town Clerk’s Office will be closed on Thursday, August 26th and Saturday, August 28th.
- The 60 Plus Food & Friendship will be opening on August 17th and offering meals and activities for Seniors on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:30 AM to 1:30 P.M. at the Linlithgo Reformed Church on Church Street, Livingston. Reservations for a meal, suggested donation of $3.00, may be made by calling Judy at 518-828-7538.
- Received a letter regarding a resident who rents an apartment in Clermont and has asked that the Town request that the zoning enforcement officer look into possible violations.
- Received an email from a Livingston resident regarding Buckwheat Bridge Road and the use of the bridge and adjoining property for swimming. Supervisor Staats does not believe that we have jurisdiction because there is private property where the parking and swimming is taking place. Will have the Sheriffs Department patrol the area. George Davis stated that this has been a swimming hole for a very long time.
- NYS Real Property Service: The Town was notified that they have set the Equalization rate at 100%, joining ten other towns in Columbia County that are 100%.
- WEBSITE: Chris Nolan, in an email, has asked why nothing was posted regarding the Community Day barbecue. Information has to be submitted to either Stephen Hammer, Webmaster or Mary Shannon, Town Clerk or any of the Town Board who can access the site. After discussion, Stephen Hammer will also make some changes to the website so that the different Town meetings will show on the calendar, as had been requested previously and make some changes to the website home page. Our dog control officer will also be able to post to the website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- Councilman Jones: A tree on the southeast corner of Academy property, which is on the highway right of way, is 40% dead or in danger of breaking off, leaning toward roadway. He asked that the town send a letter to State DOT. The Supervisor will ask Highway Superintendent Potts to talk to someone at the State DOT.
- Councilman Jones also would like to see meeting notices posted on the sign in front of the Town Hall. By raising the existing sign and posting on another sign placed below.
- Councilman Jones also suggested planting evergreen trees on the northwest corner of St. Luke’s Church. Since the tree was removed it opened up a view of the neighbor’s yard and garage. Councilwoman O’Neal said that, she and Angela Goetz on the building and grounds committee are working on this. Phyllis Heiko said that it would be very nice if trees were planted on the property line south of the garage, so those neighbors don’t have to look at the trucks and garage. Also, the bushes are getting overgrown in front of church and need to be trimmed.
- NYSERDA: Councilwoman O’Neal said that the contracts for the town hall insulation and town garage windows replacement will be sent to finalize the grant application.
- LAPTOP: Councilwoman O’Neal asked the Supervisor if he had gotten a laptop for the archives committee? The Supervisor has been asking and will follow-up at Computer committee.
- AIR CONDITIONING: The lowest bid was $13,000.00 for central air conditioning for the Town Hall. It was discussed and decided that a window unit should be purchased. Councilwoman O’Neal will notify the bidders that we are not following through with central air.
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE: Councilwoman O’Neal and Councilman Desmond held the workshop on July 27th to discuss paint colors for the Town Hall and Highway Garage. Supervisor Staats and Councilwoman Moore attended, as did five town residents. It was decided to paint the Town hall, white or off white with dark green trim and add a third color of dark red on the detail on the gable end. The Town Hall was built in 1895 in the Victorian style, and these colors would have been historically correct. There were four individuals who spoke against it, and one looked at it and changed her mind about the color. Councilman Desmond showed color samples to several people and they liked it, once a section was painted in the dark red, they liked it better. Resident Eileen Cassidy asked how they know it was architectural correct. Councilwoman O’Neal responded because of the period and style of the building and research that has been done. A decision will be made after the comment period.
- BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT: Councilman Desmond is working on the boundary line adjustment for the little league field. G-tel Communication is willing to give the town thirty (30) feet to the east adjacent to the five plus acres belonging to the town. The Zoning Board has received the variance application and will hold a joint meeting and public hearing with the Planning Board on Wednesday, August 25th at 7:45 P.M. The Planning Board will discuss the boundary line adjustment on August 11th at 7:30 P.M. Supervisor Staats that Councilman Desmond will be acting on the Town’s behalf in this process.
- TAX RATES: After residents were questioning what the school tax rate would be at the last meeting, Councilman Desmond spoke to Bruce Martin at Red Hook School. The school does set the tax rate, but does not do it until the middle of August when they know what the equalization rates and tax rolls are for five towns in their school district. It was projected to go from 15.99 to 16.94 per thousand based on the 100% equalization rate. Judy Neary asked when the County Real Property would be meeting again and the Supervisor said it is next week.
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: The Supervisor has not heard from Bill Black, Emergency Coordinator on our plan.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to authorize the Supervisor to purchase an air conditioner for less than $1000.00. All in favor. So carried.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to authorize Councilman Desmond to act on behalf of the board. All in favor. So carried. Robert Zimmerman will do the survey and Bruce Bohnsack will authorize the Town to act on G-tel’s behalf.
OLD BUSINESS:
- HIGHWAY GARAGE: The highway crew is doing the prepping for the garage being painted, and then the painter can start painting. The grant for the window replacement is in the final stage. Councilman Desmond said that the colors for the garage was also discussed at the Building and Grounds workshop and they are suggesting green, similar to the new addition and white trim. A vote will be taken after the public comment.
- Councilman Jones asked if they are going to do further work on the salt apron at the salt shed. He is concerned about runoff affecting our well, which was recently tested recently and is clear. The Supervisor will speak with Ray Jurkowski and possibly meet with Councilman Jones at the site to discuss this.
- AUDIT: We have received the audit from the NYS Comptrollers Office. It will be posted on the town website and on the State Comptroller’s website. A special meeting will be held on Friday, August 13th at 6:00 P.M. There is no criticism of our accountant in this report, it covers mostly policies, procurements, reserve accounts being set up improperly and designating funds into reserve accounts. In the risk assessment portion of the audit if they don’t see anything that appears to be a problem, they do not put it into the audit. Councilman Desmond spoke about reserve funds and how setting up a reserve fund limits your options of using those funds for just that purpose.
- BALLFIELD: Supervisor Staats updated on the ballfield. Little League will be laying out the infield before Highway Superintendent can remove sod for playing area. We need finalization for lot line adjustment, and then we can take care of the driveway. Councilman Jones asked for an estimate for driveway from Superintendent Potts because we need an approved driveway entrance from County Route 6.
- REVENUES: Supervisor Staats reported that our sales tax revenues continue to decline. We have received $4000.00 less than last year. The auditor suggested increasing revenues to offset the extra revenues accumulated. We have raised them and now we will end up short. Sales tax received this year is $117,754.00 and we budgeted $120,000.00. There is also a shortfall in the mortgage tax received but we may hit our estimated revenue this year.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
- PINE HAVEN: The committee has secured an architectural firm for the Certificate of Need, which will take about a year. It will be several years before we have a new complex. The home is at 95% capacity and funding is up. Art Proper, is the new Administrator and is doing a very efficient job.
- COURTHOUSE: Court Administration has approved 60% of the plans, if they approve of the 90% plan and then the 100% plan, we can move forward.
- DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES: The department is severely backed up with cases and the economy is making this difficult with additional support being sought. The staff is not able to keep up with it but they are trying their best. The Supervisor apologized if anyone is having difficulty but they should keep trying.
- There is a report that the former Kinderhook bookkeeper has allegedly taken money from Kinderhook and Greenport. Supervisor Staats pointed out that he verifies the statements from the bank, the bookkeeper’s reports and it is very important to watch over the finances.
- VILLAGE GREEN BBQ: The event will be held on August 7th, grounds open at 9:00 A.M. with the Garden Tractor pull at 10:00 AM. There will be a dunking booth and the Supervisor thanked Kiel’s for donation of a tractor and the Town of Germantown for the dunking booth.
- The September meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 7th at 7:00 P.M. due to the Labor Day holiday.
- TOWN LAND (Former Hettling land): Councilman Jones said that the way the former Hettling land intersects with the town property you cannot walk across from one parcel to the other without crossing someone else’s property, so it could not be used for pedestrians or vehicles. He would like to contact the Cemetery Association to request a possible right of way or land swap. Supervisor Staats will talk to Ron Miller.
ABSTRACTS:
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to approve Highway abstract #8, vouchers 68-78 in the amount of $29,023.29. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve Trust and Agency abstract #3, voucher #4 in the amount of $49.50. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve Capital Projects #6, vouchers #13-14 in the amount of $607.10. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to approve General Abstract #8, vouchers #221-244 in the amount of $8,273.86. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Councilman Desmond reported on the color scheme for the Town Hall, which has been suggested to be off white with chrome green trim, and to accentuate the architecture on the gable end facing Route 9 with cottage red. The sofets and overhang will remain white. It was also in discussion as to whether the decorative strip should be white, red or green. It was decided it should be green. The sign above the door may have to be redone and the handicapped railing would stay white because it is functional not decorative. The garage will be chrome green with white trim.
- Judy Neary: Judy is not trying to be an obstructionist and she is not objecting to the colors chosen but the attitude in the way it was decided to be done. There was a workshop, which she believes was poorly advertised. She researched the White House and wondered what people would do if the President decided to repaint the White House to its original color, which happened to be an ecru or muddy yellow brown tint of white. It was not painted white until after it was burnt down and this covered the scorches. Also Harry Truman added a balcony that no one wanted. Congress approves money spent on projects in the White House. A president can make any changes he desires. She would like the question answered as to why the Board came up with this idea. Supervisor Staats feels that the board has looked into this and asked a lot of people and generally they were happy with it. The committee is presenting to the Board what they feel is the best color and what would look nice.
- Charlie Larsen: Charlie brought up about buildings needing paint and didn’t care what colors it was going to be as long as they were painted. Once he saw the red, he thought it looked okay. We elected you to make these decisions and he thinks you have done a good job. The Village Green BBQ is this Saturday with a tractor pull, antiques, flea market and barbecue. Anyone interested in having a flea market table should come and sign up, no charge. Reminded the Board that the Cemetery has a fifty-foot strip between the Church and the neighbor to the north so be mindful when planting trees.
- Meri Puccio: We are enjoying such a renaissance in this town with a Farm Market, Scenic Hudson, etc. and we have this dump which has never really been resolved. We should think of this dump as private property because this leaves us open and vulnerable for anything else to happen. She understands that the Town is being respectable to Mr. Cole but she does not think the Town should stop so this can’t happen again. Supervisor Staats has spoken with Bill Cole and he states that he is monitoring the property and keeping an eye on the property.
- CharlieLarsen: He understands that there was a meeting last week with William Cole and DEC at William Cole’s engineer’s office.
- Desiree Webber: Clermont is a small place and this can be an emotional issue, but she likes the red. She thinks that there should be a little more red to bring down the red on the gable end. She also thinks the Church should be painted, as well, whether its painted to compliment the other buildings or totally separate from the other buildings. She gave a few samples of how it could look. There was discussion on the use of the Church for functions, such as, weddings, baptism or even funerals.
MOTION:
A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Desmond to authorize the building committee to pursue painting the Town Hall and Garage in the colors as discussed and described by Councilman Desmond earlier. Councilman Jones asked if the committee could look at any other area which could be painted in the cottage red, as was suggested. All in favor. So carried.
Supervisor Staats was told at the workshop that two trees were planted years ago and were donated in memory of Doug Freer and Sherman Potts.
MOTION: A motion was made to authorize the Supervisor to purchase two plaques for the trees by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk