Town Board

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

OCTOBER 3, 2011

 

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Dianne O’Neal, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Nancy Moore. Councilman Richard Jones was absent. Also present were seven residents.

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made to go into executive session at 7:01 P.M. to discuss possible litigation by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to come out of executive session at 7:11 P.M.

MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve the minutes of the September 6th meeting. All in favor. So carried.

Councilman Desmond made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to approve the minutes of the budget workshop held on September 19th. All in favor. So carried.

The Supervisor would like to schedule a special meeting for Tuesday, October 11th at 6:00 P.M. in order to receive more bids for the storm windows for the Community House because no bids have been received and to discuss any other business, which may come before the board. Also, set public hearings for November 7th for the zoning map update and Nevis Hamlet boundary revisions at 6:30 P.M. and public hearing on the preliminary budget at 6:40 P.M.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • The Town Clerk read the report for September and presented the Supervisor a check for the General fund in the amount of $800.00 and for the Trust and Agency in the amount of $475.00. A motion was made to accept the clerk’s report by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
  • Supervisor Staats acknowledged a resident of Clermont, Andrew Teubl, who received a Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program award. Robert Desmond was present when the award was presented. It is quite an honor to receive this award. Supervisor Staats presented the same award three years ago to Mr. Teubl’s brother.
  • Received the Elder Express newsletter from the Office for the Aging.
  • The Pine Plains Central School District BOE meeting will be held on October 12, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.
  • Notification that AT&T Mobility submitted an application to the Livingston Planning Board for site plan approval to modify its existing telecommunications site on Eger Road, Livingston.
  • Web Committee: No report

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilwoman O’Neal displayed pictures, which are believed to be members of the Saulpaugh family. The Town Board thanked the George Saulpaugh family for donating these pictures, articles of clothing and other items to be preserved for history.
  • BUILDINGS: Councilwoman O’Neal reported that St. Luke’s Church roof has been completed. The garage windows have been installed but the trim has not been completed. Once done, the town will get the final on the grant. The bids for the storm windows at the Community House will be decided at the special meeting.
  • ZONING MAP AND HAMLET BOUNDARIES: Councilman Desmond reported that there is some minor work to be done on the zoning map. He showed the basic map, which will be presented at the public hearing next month. There have been changes made to the boundaries of the Nevis Hamlet. There were some large parcels included in the hamlet, which are being removed. This will reflect a more current use of the land. Supervisor Staats said that this is being worked on by Councilman Desmond and Chairman Larsen and is part of the revision of our current zoning law. There is more work to be done, but the changes made and the new map will be a good base.
  • EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN: Councilwoman Moore will be preparing to update the EPP for January.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • BUILDINGS: Supervisor Staats reported that the church roof has been completed and new plywood was installed on the north side because of damage. There was an extra charge of $2500.00 because there were three layers of asphalt shingles, which had to be removed and disposed of.
  • GARAGE WINDOWS: The Supervisor reported that Jim Potts, Highway Superintendent and his crew installed the windows, and will put up trim inside and outside.
  • BALLFIELD: The Supervisor reported that gravel has been put down under bleachers and the scoreboard has been mounted. Supervisor Staats spoke to members of the Little League and they will help by paying part of the next load of clay, as will Livingston. This has to be touched up each year, but nothing like the original cost of putting in clay. Councilman Desmond said that people have been using the field for model airplane flying and ballgames.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • RESOLUTION NO. 45 of 2011 for budgetary transfers from Capital Projects to Highway Capital Reserve Equipment fund in the amount of $20000.00. A motion was made by Councilwoman O’Neal, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve this resolution. All in favor. So carried.
  • RESOLUTION NO. 46 of 2011 to purchase a 2012 7600 SFA 6x4, 2010 chassis dump truck through state contract bid proposal 2928-01 from Ben Funk, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $160,000.00. Truck body and accessories not to exceed $70,000.00 will be purchased on Request for Proposal bid. A motion was made to approve by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal. All in favor. So carried. This was discussed at the budget meeting and will not exceed $230,000.00. The total amount will be in the Highway Capital Reserve equipment fund by January. Councilman Desmond pointed out that the oldest truck, a 1983 will not pass inspection, and will be taken off the road.
  • A motion was made to reappoint John Gall to the Board of Assessment Review for a term of 10/1/2011 to 9/30/16 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal. All in favor. So carried.
  • Budget: Supervisor highlighted significant changes in the budget.
  1. Buildings: $30,000 for repairs, $20,000.00 for painting church.
  2. Highway Superintendent’s salary increased to $45, 320.00 - 3% increase.
  3. Germantown Park Program: Reduced from $4000.00 to $3000.00.
  4. Germantown Library: Reduced from $3,000.00 to $2,000.00.
  5. The $230,000.00 for the new truck in the budget has been entered in expenses, and also in revenues because we have the money in the Capital fund account.
  6. Revenue sales tax has been increased because of the higher number of residents in the census report.
  7. Mortgage Tax Revenue: Reduced from $35,000.00 to $30,000.00. We are falling short on these revenues.
  8. Added $7000.00 from Con Ed reserve for town park account. This is designed for recreational and infrastructure use.
  9. Highway Appropriations: Increased Highway personnel salaries by 3%. Most other town are issuing a 3% increase for highway employees.
  10. Transfer to Capital Equipment Fund increased to $30,000.00 from $25,000.00. This has to be increased because during the next ten years new equipment will have to be purchased.
  11. Revenues: Increased by $17,000.00
  12. State Aid – Chips fund helps to offset repair of roads.

Total amount budgeted $834,405.00 for 2012, actually $619,885.00 after removing truck expense. A total increase of $104,684.00.

List of bank account balances:

General Fund balance: $182,845.00. Expecting to put $50,000 to $60,000 back into the general fund from this year’s budget.

Building Capital Reserve: $14,033.00

Con Ed: $74,700 for infrastructure or recreation.

Highway Fund: $81,200.00 may return $26,890 from Capital Garage Project.

Highway Capital Equipment: $215,871.00.

Parkland Reserve: $7,225.00

Miscellaneous and Trust and Agency: $42,000.00

Total $644,764.00

We do not get in enough revenues to balance our budget. $92,000.00 from General and Highway will be allocated to balance the budget. The 2% tax cap was not designed for a small town, which does not receive revenues. The Supervisor and Town Board feel it is necessary to maintain funds for unexpected events.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • DSS: Board voted to purchase the current building that houses DSS, pursuant to Phase II study, which is an in depth study of the property. The owner agreed to pay for the Phase II study and take off the purchase price for any remediation, which may need to be done. Supervisor believes this is the correct thing to do for the county taxpayers. County is negotiating with the current owner.
  • Supervisor visited Local Ocean in Hudson with Senator Schumer who is fighting the importing of fish from China.
  • Ockawamick: A decision has been made unofficially to put it on the market, depending on the outcome of a purchase for DSS.
  • Court House: No update
  • Pine Haven Home: waiting for Certificate of Need, architectural plan has been received.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve General Abstract #10, voucher #269-298 in the amount of $19,413.72. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal to approve Highway abstract #10, vouchers #108-116 in the amount of $5,185.25. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Desmond to pay Capital Projects abstract #6, voucher #7 in the amount of $547.26. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

  • Judy Blessinger-Neary: Asked if Germantown is aware that the budget is being lowered for next year? The Supervisor will be talking to Supervisor Brown regarding this. She asked if anyone has checked the condition of the sills and frames of the Community House windows. The RFP included scraping, painting and to recommend any other work that is needed. Evan Hempel stated that he had looked at the sills and found them to be sound.
  • Ray Quintero: Asked if there is anything new on activities at the William Cole property on Route 9G? The Supervisor did have our attorney contact DEC and they did not seem concerned about mowing the vegetation. Mr. Quintero is concerned that there may be more pollution. It is generally believed that there have been no contaminants in the creek. The Supervisor will talk to DEC and our attorney and advise Mr. Quintero.
  • Charlie Larsen – Election Day Dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 8th from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Community House.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman O’Neal at 8:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: 
Meeting: 
Town Board