CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
AUGUST 6, 2012
The Clermont Town Board held the regular meeting on Monday, August 6, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Nancy Moore, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Edward Kahle. Others present were Andrew Howard, Town Attorney, Hugh Stuart of the Germantown VFW; Commander Stan Pollard, American Legion and seven residents.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.
Supervisor Staats introduced Hugh Stuart who explained that on June 28th the remaining members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Germantown voted to disband. He thanked the Town Board for their financial help over the years. He spoke of the formation of the VFW on May 28th 1936 and formed in 1983 in Germantown. The members did funerals on request by families, placed shields at gravesite and flags in Germantown, Livingston, Clermont and Gallatin. They also sponsored cub scouts and parades. Commander Stan Pollard of the American Legion said that the American Legion would continue to take care of the cemeteries and funerals. The Supervisor and Board thanked them for their service to our country and community.
MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the July meeting by Councilman Desmond and seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Clerk presented the Supervisor with a check for the General fund in the amount of $1,441.00 for July. A motion was made to approve the Clerks report on a motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Kahle. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Received a letter from our webmaster, Stephen Hammer, that he is resigning his position as webmaster as soon as practicable. He suggests that Evan Hempel expressed a willingness to manage the website.
- DEC has issued a residential burn ban until October 10, 2012.
- There will be a state and local primary held on Thursday, September 13 from 12 PM to 9 PM. Town offices will be closed on that evening.
- Columbia County Solid Waste new recycling and brush program. Supervisor Staats explained why the fees for brush disposal are being charged. These notices will be posted at the town hall or call 518-828-2737 for further information.
- Deer Management Permits will be available starting August 13, 2012.
- WEB COMMITTEE: Councilman Hempel will be working with Videographer Fred Cartier to put the meetings on the website. Previously, DVD’s were available from the Town Clerk’s office, but now they will be more accessible to the public.
Andy Howard, Town Attorney, has finalized the paperwork for the dedication of Regans Way to the Town. There has been a cooperative effort by the Morans, Town Board and homeowners to improve the roadway so that it is safe for travel, safe for plowing and have secured drainage easements to allow for the future maintenance of the road. The paving has been completed and the road is in good shape now. There has been an application by Mr.Moran, which has been signed off by the Town Engineer and an Order by Highway Superintendent to place on town inventory. The Town will plow and maintain the road from this point forward. The Consent Order was read by the Clerk to accept the road by the Town Board and the Order by Highway Superintendent.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to accept Regans Way as a town road. All in favor. So carried. Supervisor Staats thanked all involved to bring this matter to a close.
Before Andy Howard left, the Supervisor asked if anyone had questions for him. Judy Blessinger-Neary asked if there has been any progress on school tax issue. He responded that there has been some progress but the statute has had a lot of provisions, so he is still looking at it. Supervisor Staats thanked Andy and the firm of Freeman-Howard for the donation of the basketball hoop and stand for the ball field.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- GRANTS: Councilman Kahle is looking at a grant for a historic marker roadside grant. He will have more information at the next meeting.
- Councilman Desmond reported that the neighbors of the ball field have seen people using the basketball court. The new truck has been received, lettering has been done and it looks good. The meeting in Germantown on hydrofracking was held and was on the cons of hydrofracking. He does not think the people of Clermont would be happy with this in this area. He would like to hear from people in town and get their opinions. He will attend the ZBA and Planning Board meetings. The town cannot write regulations that regulate it because DEC does that. The town can ban it through zoning. Supervisor Staats said that we have to look at this, we cannot leave it up to DEC to regulate for the town. Charlie Larsen will have some printed information through the farm bureau. Those in attendance thanked the Supervisor and members of the board for attending the meeting on hydrofracking.
- SCHOOL REPORT: Councilman Hempel reported there would be a workshop at Pine Plains on August 29th.
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN: Councilwoman Moore has not started updating the EPP, but if anyone has changes, please let her know.
OLD BUSINESS:
- MILL ROAD BRIDGE UPDATE: The Supervisor has met with the Livingston Supervisor and the County DPW Commissioner. The abutments are in good shape, but it is the steel cross members and decking that have failed. He has asked them to revisit this with the engineers because the quote to fix it seems to be high. There are vehicles turning around on private property and school buses cannot use the road. The County suggests purchasing property from landowners and putting in a hammerhead turn-a-round on both sides. He has also asked that if the bridge is not going to be fixed then it should be removed. The price for removal of the bridge and the two turnaround’s is $150,000.00.
- SURVEY/LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT: Mr. Robert Zimmerman has completed the survey of donated land from George W. Saulpaugh & Sons and Clermont Cemetery Society. He will be presenting the map to the Planning Board this month.
- BASKETBALL COURT: The basketball court has been completed and people have been using it. Supervisor Staats thanked Freeman-Howard for donation of the basketball hoop/stand and the Highway Department for installing it and doing the blacktop of the court.
- PAVER: There was a setback with paver owned jointly by Clermont, Livingston and Germantown. There was a fire but it was put through the insurance with Livingston.
NEW BUSINESS:
- REVENUES AND BUDGET: Received a sales tax check in the amount of $77,654.69. This is an increase of $3000.00 over last year. We are in good shape with revenues.
- NYMIR: The Supervisor met with a representative and they inventoried buildings, took notes and will recommend improvements that can be done. They want more exit sign, emergency lighting in court room, checked fire extinguishers, weight ratings on floors, etc. We will be getting a report from him. .
- INSULATION BID: We have a bid for fiberglass insulation and blown insulation for $1500.00 from Builders Installed Products, Albany, for the Town Hall. This is under $3000.00 and does not have to be sent out to bid. A motion was made by Councilman Kahle, seconded by Councilman Desmond to accept this bid for $1500.00 for the insulation of the Town Hall. All in favor. So carried.
- HIGHWAY TRUCK: The new truck has been delivered. It is larger and will save trips back and forth to garage for sand and salt, etc. The total cost of the truck was $230,000.00, under estimate by $10,000.00. The 1983 dump truck, which was declared surplus equipment, has been advertised for bids. Bids are to be opened at the next meeting.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT #41-2012
General Fund – Transfer to Highway Fund A9901.1 $150,000.00
Transfer from Highway Capital Reserve A9901.9 $150,000.00
Highway Fund – Transfer to Capital Expenditures DA5130.2 $150,000.00
Transfer from General Fund DA05301 $150,000.00
A motion was made to approve budget amendment #41-2012 to transfer the funds for the purchase of the new highway truck by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT #42-2012
General Fund – Interfund transfer from Highway Capital Reserve A05301 $230,000.00
Transfer to Highway Capital Reserves A9901.9 $230,000.00
Highway Fund – To Machinery- Capital Expenditures DA5130.2 $215,000.00
Interfund Transfer from Highway Capital Reserve DA05301 $215,000.00
To Machinery – Capital Expenditures DA5130.2 $5,000.00
Transfer to Highway Capital Reserves DA9901.9 $5,000.00
A motion was made to approve budget amendment #42-2012 by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried. All in favor. So carried.
- ST. LUKES REPAIR WORK:
Councilman Kahle prepared a scope of work to be done on St. Luke’s Church prior to painting. Supervisor Staats prepared the request for proposals on repairs and painting. Councilman Kahle said there is also some masonry work, which needs to be done but can be put off to the future.
The following bids were received on exterior repair work:
Residential Renovations – Red Hook - $2850.00 – Start date 9/4-9/30/12 completion.
John Staats & Sons Enterprises – Clermont - $1,400.00 Start date 9/4 – 9/7 completion.
Jennings Contracting – Germantown – Germantown - $2,780.00 Start date 8/15-8/20 completion.
BT General Contracting – Clermont - $1,810.00
The Supervisor will verify insurance with bidders. Award will be made to lowest bidder or next highest considering if the start dates are in line.
The following bids were received on painting:
John Staats & Sons Enterprises - $7,800.00 Start date 9/7 – 9/27 completion
Fred Mergenhauler - $8,650.00 – Start date 9/19 – 10/20 completion
Jennings Contracting- $8,847.00 Start date 8/20 – 9/2 completion.
BT General Contracting - $10,900.00
Darryl Mellius – Tivoli – Bids for repair work and painting - $11,500.00 – Start mid September or later.
Councilman Desmond made a motion to award the bid for repair and painting, conditional on insurance and verification of work to be done to John Staats & Sons Enterprises seconded by Councilman Kahle. A roll call vote was held as follows:
Councilman Kahle – aye; Councilman Desmond – aye; Councilman Hempel, aye: Councilwoman Moore, aye: Supervisor Staats – recused himself from the vote.
Motion carried.
Councilman Desmond suggested that if not awarding the bid to John Staats then award the bid to Jennings Contracting.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
- HOMELESS SHELTER: The Supervisor does not have an update on the shelter. He hopes to have more info next month. Councilman Hempel asked why the County is handling this rather than Hudson. The Supervisor explained that the County is responsible for Social Services and this is part of the service.
- COURT HOUSE: Electrical bids were rejected and had to be re-bid, but should be awarded this month. It appears that the project will be under budget, which is good.
- PINE HAVEN HOME: Supervisor Staats has not heard anything on the Certificate of Need.
- FIRE IN GHENT AT TCI: The fire at TCI in Ghent was a test of our emergency services in the County. There were originally eight fire companies brought in. The operations center was open for 48 hours. He thanked the emergency services in the County and our Emergency Management Director William Black. Councilwoman Moore asked if the reverse 911 calls are automated or would have to be done manually by the 911 staff. He believes that it is automated and they are looking into this right now.
- VILLAGE GREEN BBQ was held this past Saturday. There was a good turnout but the weather was hot and humid. The Supervisor thanked Tami Connolly and members of the Village Green Committee, Charlie Larsen for running the tractor pull, the Fire Company for the demonstration of the jaws of life, Town of Germantown for the dunking tank, Keil Equipment and Royal Flush Septic Service. He also thanked all the volunteers who helped and the Highway department for their help.
- VFW: A letter will be sent thanking the VFW for everything they have done over the years.
ABSTRACTS:
- A motion was made to approve Trust and Agency Abstract #3, Vouchers #3-5 in the amount of $28,977.64.by Councilman Kahle, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
- A motion was made to approve General abstract #8, vouchers #185 – 210 in the amount of #12,973.66 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. Carried.
- A motion was made to approve Highway abstract #8, vouchers #67-83 in the amount of $141,254.52 by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. Carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- Councilman Kahle spoke to someone in Dutchess County who put him in contact with a bridge maker in Alabama. He quoted a 75-foot bridge, 80000 lb. with wooden deck, delivered for $75,000.00. If used for the Mill Road bridge, the County would have to set it by crane.
- Charlie Larsen: He has given historic information about Clermont to the Supervisor to go to the Historian. On the Village Green BBQ, Charlie feels that it is a shame that more of our elected or appointed officials did not show up. There are about nine who don’t live in the town but who make up the help. Charlie was also awarded MVP for the 2012 Clermont Community Day by the Village Green.
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:25 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk