CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

DECEMBER 5, 2011

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, December 5, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Nancy Moore, Councilman Robert Desmond and Councilman Richard Jones. Councilwoman Dianne O’Neal was absent. There were fourteen residents and John Mason of the Register Star present.

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

Supervisor Staats acknowledged Andrew Teubl with a Certificate of Recognition for receiving the General Billy Mitchell Award for completing the first two phases of four in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet program. Andrew is fourteen years old and lives in the Town of Clermont. His parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Teubl were also present. Councilman Desmond congratulated Andrew and his parents Dr. and Mrs. Teubl.

Greg and Nina Fingar of Fingar Insurance presented the insurance proposal for 2012. Mr. Fingar covered all aspects of the coverage and the advantages of being with NYMIR, which is solely insurance for municipalities. The annual premium for 2012 is less than 2011 at $13,079.00.

MINUTES: A motion was made to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 7, 2011 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the special meeting of November 14, 2011 to open bids for the 2012 Dump truck by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Jones. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERKS REPORT:

The Town Clerk read the report for November 2011. Checks for the General fund in the amount of $1,385.79 and for Trust and Agency for $200.00 for C.O. completions were presented to the Supervisor. A motion was made by Councilman Jones, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve the Town Clerk’s report. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Supervisor Staats handed out the monthly report for November to board members.

• Website: The Town Clerk, Councilwoman Moore and Desiree Webber, Animal Control Officer met with Stephen Hammer, Webmaster to discuss changes/additions to the website. Some zoning board minutes have also been added.

There was no other correspondence.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• DRIVEWAY PERMIT: Councilman Jones reported on applying for the driveway permit from State DOT for the property north of the town hall. State DOT did not want to allow a driveway from Route 9 initially because they said that we have access from Route 6 by the ballpark. However, when they found that there were two separate parcels, it would be more likely that it would be allowed. Councilman Jones will contact Mr. Visconti and seek the driveway permit. He also has sets of prints for the new highway garage proposal of several years ago, which did not get built, but they may be useful in the future.

• ZONING – HAMLETS: Councilman Desmond discussed the comments from last months meeting about making the hamlet zones a two-acre zone. He has talked to the Planning Board and to Charles Larsen, ZBA Chair and they are not in favor of it. Also, several he talked to did not agree either. The Master Plan also recommends keeping higher density in the hamlets. He is still open for any suggestions. Councilman Jones asked if John Fieser could check a property on Route 9 in the Nevis Hamlet, which has numerous vehicles parked on it. The Supervisor will ask John to look into it.

Councilman Desmond also said that the zoning maps, which show the tax id numbers have been completed and have been laminated.

• EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN: Councilwoman Moore will be working on updating the EPP with new information and contacts.

OLD BUSINESS:

• COMMUNITY HOUSE STORM WINDOWS: Jennings Contracting will start installing the storms next week so they should be done next week.

• RESOLUTION #48-11: Authoring the Supervisor to make a book transfer of the remaining funds in the amount of $23,354.84 to close the Capital Projects account to the General Fund Balance. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve, seconded by Councilman Jones. All in favor. So carried. Councilman Desmond asked for the total expenses for the project. Supervisor Staats will have to get those figures for Councilman Desmond.

NEW BUSINESS:

• MORTGAGE TAX: The Supervisor reported that he received a mortgage tax check in the amount of $8,907.00. This year we have received $28,180.00. He reported that the mortgage tax revenue has dropped considerably. In past years we have received over $100,000.00. We have lowered this budget item each year to accommodate, but this is the lowest in the past four years. Due to the outcome of the census the sales tax has increased. We are waiting for CHIPS payment of $35,000.00.

• RESOLUTION #47-11: Authorizing the Supervisor to make a budget transfer to balance the Control of Dogs account A-3510.4 from the Supervisors A-1220.4. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve, seconded by Councilman Jones. All in favor. So carried.
• YEAR-END MEETING: The year-end meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 28^th at 6:00 P.M. to pay the final bills of the year.

SUPERVISOR REPORT:

• COUNTY BUDGET: The preliminary budget was 2% over last year, but the final had a 0% increase.
• TESTING AT DSS PROPERTY: Phase II testing on the Railroad Avenue property has been completed, waiting for results. These results will encourage us to either buy the property or move out of the building.
• PINE HAVEN: The application for the Certificate of Need has been submitted to the state.

• There will be eight new supervisors on the Board of Supervisors. There will also be a new County Treasurer, P.J. Keeler.
• Judge Banks has been in the hospital and the Supervisor wished him a speedy recovery, as did the rest of the board.
• Thanked the Village Green Committee and volunteers for the Election Dinner.

• Thanked the Election workers, Custodians, poll watchers, etc. for the long hours that they put in on Election Day.
• The Village Green will hold the Christmas Party on Friday, December 9^th from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. with caroling at St. Luke’s and refreshments and Santa at Community House.
• Thanked Councilman Jones and Councilwoman O’Neal for their efforts in the past four years on the Town Board. Their work is appreciated by the community.

ABSTRACTS:

• A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore to approve General Abstract #12, vouchers #334-365 for $23,876.23, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

• A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore to approve Highway Abstract #12, vouchers #140-148 for $11,789.18, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• Judy Blessinger-Neary: Asked if the Board would allow time for clarification on issues prior to the public comment. She asked if both Planning and Zoning said that they wanted both hamlets at one acre. Councilman Desmond said that he talked only to the Planning Board. One reason mentioned for keeping it at one acre is that most of the larger parcels have been removed from the hamlet. Judy is concerned about water in the Nevis hamlet. She also asked for a clarification about driveway or road for the entrance from Route 9. Councilman Jones said that this application is for a driveway but could be made into a road at a later date. Councilman Jones suggested a memorial park on the knoll behind the Cemetery.

The Board wished a Happy and Safe Holiday to All.

A motion to adjourn was made by Supervisor Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Moore at 8:10 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk