Town Board Minutes

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

AUGUST 1, 2011

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, August 1, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Dianne O’Neal, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Richard Jones and Councilwoman Nancy Moore. Others present were Town Attorney Andy Howard and six residents.

Supervisor Staats called the meeting to order with the salute to the flag.

Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was held on the adoption of Local Law No. 3 of 2011 on revisions to the existing zoning law to incorporate previously enacted provisions of the zoning law into one code book and address other minor modifications. Town Attorney Andy Howard prepared SEQRA and a determination was made, with a motion to declare a negative impact by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve Local Law No. 3 of 2011. All in favor. So carried.

The September meeting date will be Tuesday, September 6th at 7:00 P.M. because of the Labor Day Holiday.

MINUTES: A motion was made to approve the minutes of the July 5th regular meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to approve the minutes of the July 26th zoning workshop. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

  • The Town Clerk read the report for July and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $2,617.25 and for Trust and Agency in the amount of $1,275.00. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to accept the Clerk’s report. All in favor. So carried.
  • Received voting machine pamphlets, which will be available at the town hall.
  • The Clerk reported that Deer management permits will be available on Monday, August 15th and she will be at the office at 6:00 P.M. for sales.
  • The Clerk reported that the Community House would be used on August 27, 2011 for a function and St. Luke’s on September 4th for a wedding.
  • Supervisor Staats receive a letter from Germantown Library thanking the town for its continued support of the library.
  • There was nothing for the website committee.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Jones discussed putting in a driveway off Route 9 with the State DOT across from farm market to access the town’s twenty-acre parcel. He said it is possible to put a driveway there but the state would prefer not to have an entrance from Route 9. We have an entrance from County Route 6, but he would have to give reasons why there should be a second entrance. Councilman Jones would like to get the permission now for a second entrance. Councilman Desmond asked how long the permit would be good for? Councilman Jones thinks it would stay valid. Councilman Desmond wouldn’t be opposed to getting permission but not putting in a driveway at this point. He did point out that there are actually two separate parcels, and each should have their own access. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond for Councilman Jones to go forward with getting driveway permission from the State for a driveway from Route 9, seconded by Councilman Jones. All in favor. So carried. Councilman Desmond did get a 911 address for this parcel of 1811 U. S. Route 9.
  • Councilwoman O’Neal reported that the Historian and Fred Cartier are doing an exhibit at St. Luke’s Church on the day of the barbecue. There will be a power point exhibit and if anyone was married at St. Luke’s and would like to reaffirm their vows on that day, they should let the Town Clerk know, and Fred Cartier will officiate.
  • BUILDINGS: Funds for painting St. Luke’s Church were in this year’s budget, but there have been problems with shingles coming off the roof and some leaking. Councilwoman O’Neal will work on requests for proposals for the roof at St. Luke’s and for the Community House storm windows and insulation for Town Hall. We did receive partial payment of $519.00 for windows grant.
  • Councilman Desmond did also get a 911 number for Town park land of 1212 County Route 6. He suggested getting 911 signs and also a sign for Clermont Town Park. He has looked at several signs but is recommending a small sign at this time, such as the green road signs. There was also discussion about raising the sign in front of town hall for better visibility.
  • The Highway Department, with the help of the Livingston Highway Department, has placed a new culvert on Cemetery Road with no overtime created.
  • The scoreboard at the Town Park is ready to be mounted.
  • Mill Road Bridge Closure: Councilman Desmond spoke on the possible permanent closure of the Mill Road/Binghams Mill Bridge, which connects Clermont and Livingston. He asked that the Supervisor request of the County to consider keeping the bridge open for health and safety reasons. He also spoke of the subdivision law, which limits the number of residences to twelve on a dead end road, which could become an issue if someone wants to subdivide on Mill Road. This was put in the form of a motion, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • TOWN BANK ACCOUNTS: The Supervisor reported that he has moved funds from 1st Niagara Bank to the Bank of Greene County because the interest rates are higher.
  • CEMETERY ROAD culvert placement has been completed. There have been water problems there for years. Supervisor Staats thanked Livingston Highway for their help with the project.
  • EQUALIZATION RATE has been finalized by the state at 100%. The Assessor worked very hard to keep us at 100% and it is appreciated.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • MILL ROAD BRIDGE: Supervisor Staats reported that the County wants to close bridges to save money but they are not looking at the effect on the residents. He has asked the county to look into how much it would cost to repair. He should have a report at next months meeting on the repair costs. The Supervisor said that the structural beams failed. Councilman Desmond suggested the County find the money for infrastructures by eliminating other waste.
  • SALES TAX: A check for the 2nd quarter sales tax was received for $74,604.09. The Supervisor expected this increase due to increase in our population in the recent census results. We will be above budget figures with this sales tax increase of 13%.
  • CERTIFICATE OF NEED: A request was made from EMS Coordinator P.J. Keeler for the Board to support a permanent CON for operation of the County ambulance service. The County has been using a floating ambulance system to reduce response times, by calling the closest ambulance to a call. Councilman Desmond asked about the cost of this program and if it is time sensitive. Supervisor Staats does not have final numbers for this year, but will get them and he doesn’t believe it is time sensitive.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • Court House drawings have been received. The cost to renovate the courthouse is estimated to be $8.6 million, and is mandated by the state that it has to be done. This project will start this fall.
  • Pine Haven Home: No new report, the project is still moving ahead. It looks favorable for reimbursement for the number of beds that exist. It was reported in the paper that the old home will be torn down.
  • Putting up a new communications tower for emergency services and cell service. It would cost over $100,000.00 to recondition this tower, and is more cost effective to take down the old tower and put up a new one. This would be a much higher tower and will increase cell service and emergency services communications.
  • Greenport Town Plaza (Walmart) Still looking to purchase this building. SEQRA will be completed next month with a possible negative declaration. Supervisor Staats thinks this will be the best possible solution and will come up for a vote this month.
  • Ockawamick School will go up for sale.
  • A lawsuit has been filed against the County for moving DSS out of the City of Hudson. The City of Hudson feels moving DSS out of the city will have a negative impact. The only possible way of keeping DSS in Hudson would be to build new building and a parking garage. It would cost millions of dollars and not be beneficial to the taxpayers.
  • County Manager Position: Supervisor Staats feels that we do not need another administrative position. He feels that we can give the Comptroller additional duties rather than hire someone new.
  • BBQ on August 13th starting at 10:00 AM with garden tractor pull. Tickets are $13.00 for adults, $5.00 for children over 5.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore to approve General fund abstract #8, vouchers #212 to 238 in the amount of $4,906.52, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore to approve Highway abstract #8, vouchers #94 in the amount of $33,717.93, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore to approve Capital Projects abstract #5, voucher #6 in the amount of $136.84, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Edward Kahle: Asked if letter was written to ICLEI because Clermont is still appearing on their global website and it appears that we are supporting the United Nations agenda. He wrote a sample letter, which the town could send to ICLEI. Supervisor Staats did receive letters that we were no longer members, but he will look into it

Judy Blessinger-Neary: Asked why they are waiting to put Ockawamick up for sale until the Walmart purchase is complete. Supervisor Staats said that they are currently using it for storage and facilities personnel.

Judy also praised our dog control officer, Desiree Webber, for helping to find her dog.

Charlie Larsen: Stated that when Mill Road was rebuilt 15 years ago there was never any weight limit put on the bridge. He believes closing this bridge is a health and safety concern, as it is a vital through road. On the Certificate of Need, there has been an EMS plan that was always in place for mutual aid for ambulance and fire. He does not believe that the County should go into the ambulance business and would like further information on this.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:05 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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