CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

JULY 5, 2011

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. due to the 4^th of July Holiday. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Nancy Moore and Councilman Richard Jones. Councilwoman Dianne O’Neal was absent. Others present were Fred Cartier, videographer and speaker, Louise Kalin, Town Historian, Andy Howard, Town Attorney and 7 residents.

The Supervisor opened the meeting with a salute to the flag.

MINUTES: The minutes of the June meeting were approved as submitted on a motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• The Town Clerk read the report for June and submitted a check for the General Fund in the amount of $126.00. A motion was made to approve the report by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.

• OFA Newsletter for summer.

• Letters were received by the Town Board, from the Clermont Fire District Commissioners and the Fire Company, urging the Supervisor to vote against the consolidation of 911 with Sheriffs Department, if it should come to a vote by the Supervisors. They feel that they will not get the same services under consolidation as they do presently. There were other concerns expressed about this possible consolidation, such as training, cost savings and dispatching procedures.
• Larry Saulpaugh was appointed as representative of Clermont, Germantown and Livingston on the Columbia County Planning Board.
• Web Committee: Town Historian Louise Kalin said that a listing of graves at St. Luke’s Cemetery is on the website. Evan Hempel asked if Local Laws could be posted on the website. The Supervisor will check into this.

Fred Cartier, retired Episcopal Minister, spoke about the history of St. Luke’s Church. There are a number of churches designed by Richard Upjohn in our area and St. Luke’s is one of them. St. Luke’s was built in the 1850’s and was turned over to the town in 1979. Mr. Upjohn produced a book, which told everything you needed in detail to build a chapel. There will be a power point presentation on the day of the barbecue. Also at approximately 2:00 P.M., on the day of the barbecue, Mr. Cartier will officiate in a renewal of vows, for anyone married in St. Luke’s. Contact the Town Clerk if interested.

Louise asked if anything was found about the Clarkson Chapel, but that was a private chapel, now owned by the County, and was not built by Upjohn. The Supervisor thanked Fred for his interest and research.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• Councilman Jones has been working on the twenty acre project, in particular, the access from Route 9 to the 12 acre uncontaminated land. He proposes putting in a driveway into the 12-acre site from Route 9. He feels, that given the finances of NYS, we are not going to get much help to remediate this land. He proposed removing shale from the 12-acre site and applying to the contaminated acreage along Route 9. The Supervisor asked if he had gotten pricing for this, and Councilman Jones said that the cost for a ripper is $2600 per day from Charlie Lent, and pre-cast curbing, which costs about $2500.00. He feels that for less than $10,000 a driveway could be put in. He hopes to meet with Superintendent Jim Potts and NYS Department of Transportation. Councilman Jones said that this could be done with the help of the Highway department to save money. Councilman Desmond said that they are going to be busy putting in a parking area at the ballfield and a playground area at the ballfield. He also thinks that area could be accessed from Route 6 for less. Councilman Desmond would like to see the remediation area marked out. Our attorney will update on DEC when he arrives.

• ZONING ISSUES: Councilman Desmond reported that the draft is complete on integrating four local laws and some administrative changes into the zoning ordinance. A public hearing could be held next month. Town Board members received a copy and the Town Clerk has a copy of the draft document. The Town Board would like to have a workshop to review the updates. Supervisor Staats thanked Councilman Desmond and Charlie Larsen for their work in going over this. A public hearing will be held on August 1^st at 6:45 P.M. prior to the Town Board meeting. A workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 26^th at 6:00 P.M.
• PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT: Councilman Desmond would like to get proposals for playground equipment for the Town park on County Route 6, so that we can apply for grants before next spring. A workshop should be held to discuss what to accomplish next for the Town park. Councilman Jones said that the state might have contract prices for these items, and the Supervisor said that there is state website for equipment. Councilman Desmond said that there are also municipal discounts from some vendors. Councilman Jones also said you might also be able to take donations for memorials, etc.

• EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Nancy is still gathering information about emergency procedures for animals, because there are many sites with information. She has not gone over this with Desiree.

NEW BUSINESS:

• CYCLICAL AID CERTIFICATION: We qualified for state aid because we maintained 100% equalization rate and received reimbursement in the amount of $3840.46. We also received a notice that we maintained 100% equalization rate. There are only five towns that are not at 100% and three over 100%. Our assessor is trying to keep it fair for everyone in town.
• RESOLUTION NO. 43-11: Budget transfer to balance accounts for Dog Control in the amount of $288.00 to decrease appropriations Attorney A1420.4, increase appropriation Control of Dogs A3510.4. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve Resolution No. 43-11. All in favor. So carried.

• RESOLUTION NO. 44-11: Budget transfer to correct the Revenue account for A-2555 Building Permits and Trust and Agency account for Certificate of Occupancy Completions in the amount of $410.00.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones to approve Resolution No.44-11. All in favor. So carried.

• The Supervisor has changed banks because of the better interest rate from Bank of Greene County.

OLD BUSINESS:

• DEC/ COLE LAMUNYAN PROPERTY: Attorney Howard arrived and in regards to concerns raised at last months meeting, he pointed out that the Town Board passed a resolution which put the zoning, planning boards and building inspector on notice that no permits would be issued for this property. At the time, he had spoken to DEC Officer Brinkerhoff who indicated that DEC would still be looking at it for additional activity. He has called Mr.Brinkerhoff to see if there have been any formal enforcement activities, but has not heard back. DEC does have jurisdiction over this matter. He is also not aware of any formal remediation process.
• BROWNFIELDS: Andy Howard has received comments from the Counsel for DEC providing some changes on conservation easements and additional requirements on survey map. They have provided Andy with the information that they want on maps, so we need to update the survey with these changes. Mr. Zimmerman will be contacted to make changes.
• The Supervisor asked Mr. Howard if there is anything that can be done on the 20-acre parcel or if we should wait. Mr. Howard responded that the town should wait because DEC wants the Town to follow the plan as submitted. Councilman Jones stated that this would be for a driveway, but Mr. Howard stated that the DEC’s concern is that if the town does engage in activity in those easement areas, that they follow the plan.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to go into executive session to discuss a matter of possible litigation at 7:55 P.M.

A motion was made to come out of executive session by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones at 8:15 P.M. All in favor. So carried.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

• PINE HAVEN: The Certificate of Need has been submitted for the nursing home, but has not been received back.
• COURTHOUSE PROJECT: Drawings have been received and bids should be put out with construction starting this summer or fall.
• WALMART PROJECT: The County will be purchasing the former Wal-Mart building to move Social Services and other county agencies into it. They are looking at a partial renovation to get DSS in the building because their lease expires on their current building. This seems to be the most practical. Phase II would be at a later time.
• COUNTY MANAGER POSITION: The County has been considering hiring a County Manager to oversee department heads and requests. The Supervisor feels that if a restructure was done the Controller could handle the department heads. There has been mention of a referendum, but it will go for a vote before the Supervisors on August 10th. If passed at that meeting, it will be done. If not passed, there is a possibility it could go to the voters.
• Budget talks will start next month for 2012 with the County. Programs will be cut to make up a deficit in the revenues. Layoffs are on the table and may be considered.
• August 13^th is Village Green Barbecue, grounds open at 10:00 A.M. with tractor pull.  Servings are at 3:30 and 5:00 P.M.
• Councilman Jones commented on school budgets and he does not think that school budgets are well structured. He does think that Germantown School did a reasonable job with their budgets. Councilman Desmond said that he went to Red Hook school budget hearings and he feels that they did try to reduce their budget. Judy Blessinger-Neary feels that some teachers would be willing to take cuts to save their colleagues jobs but sometimes contracts, etc tie their hands.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to approve General abstract #7, vouchers #175-211 in the amount of $16,637.75.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to approve Capital Projects abstract #4, voucher #5 in the amount of $6.17. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to approve Highway abstract #7, vouchers #71-78 in the amount of $5082.34.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None

A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to adjourn at 8:35 P.M. All in favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk