CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
DECEMBER 3, 2012
The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Edward Kahle, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilwoman Nancy Moore. Others present were Raymond Quintero, Raymond Keeler, George Davis and John Mason of the Register Star.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.
Supervisor Staats advised residents that there has been vandalism into unlocked cars in the area. They are taking such things as loose change, computers, whatever they can get. He advised to keep you cars locked and do not leave valuables in them. Councilman Kahle asked if we had gotten any information on whooping cough. The Supervisor said that there is a rise in whooping cough but the Health department has not put anything out.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the Public Hearing on the 2013 Budget held on November 5, 2012 were approved on a motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Kahle. All in favor. So carried.
The minutes of the November 5, 2012 regular meeting were approved on a motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
TOWN CLERKS REPORT:
The Town Clerk read the report for November and presented checks to the Supervisor for the General Fund in the amount of $1,825.24 and for the Trust & Agency fund for $200.00. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve the Town Clerk’s report, seconded by Councilman Kahle. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- The Supervisor gave the monthly report to the Board members.
- G-TEL Teleconnections advised that there would be an increase for local service rates by $2.00 per month effective January 1, 2013.
- Information about the 2013 Training School in February was handed out to the Board.
- Benefit for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy will be held at the Rhinecliff Hotel on December 8th 6:00 P.M. to 11 P.M.
- Web Committee: Raymond Quintero asked why it takes so long for the video to appear on the website. Councilman Hempel answered explaining that starting this month the current video will appear within a week. Also, Mr. Quintero asked why the ZBA minutes are not appearing. This will be looked into. He also had a suggestion on how the minutes should be listed, which Councilman Hempel will also look into.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- Councilman Kahle had no report on grants, but did suggest that if the Board knows of any upcoming work, we could seek grants for them. Councilman Desmond asked if anyone had been contacted regarding pro-hydrofracking. Supervisor Staats did give information to Supervisor Brown.
- Councilman Desmond reported that interviews for those interested in a position on the Zoning Board of Appeals will be held on Thursday, December 6th at 6:30 P.M.
- Councilman Hempel has updated the website on the Emergency Preparedness Plan page with links to other sites.
- Councilwoman Moore thanked Councilman Hempel for the updates. She also noted another change to the plan on page 3, which should read ‘that once the Columbia County Office of Emergency Management notifies the Supervisor that an Emergency exists’. She is working on updating the volunteer names. Currently there is no school volunteer and she spoke to Councilman Hempel that probably the Information Officer should be the person to contact the schools. She will email copies to the board when updates are complete.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Workplace Violence Prevention Policy: The Supervisor presented a policy that passed last month on a roll call vote, three to two, on the condition that he ask the Town Attorney if the prohibiting firearms on Town property could be changed. The Supervisor spoke to the Town Attorney and he provided an updated policy which changed some of the wording, such as possession of unlicensed firearms on town properties is prohibited. Councilman Hempel has suggested other wording for the policy, which the Supervisor will give this to the attorney to look at and we will review at the January 12th meeting. Councilman Kahle said that he was one to vote against the policy, and he thinks that this is a great board and he doesn’t want the board to think he is a pain, but he has concerns that our 2nd Amendment rights are being violated. He read a prepared statement relating to this argument. Supervisor Staats thanked him for his comments, and explained that our insurance company wanted this policy in place and it is a copy of the County policy. Councilwoman Moore is concerned that changing the policy may affect our insurance. The Supervisor will check on this.
- Supervisor Staats has looked into vacant property on Firehouse Road, which was thought to be a health hazard by Gary Stoerzinger, Jr. He brought this to the boards attention last month and since then the Supervisor has found that the property is not occupied, but is maintained as far as taxes being paid. The owners live out of town; the property is not on the foreclosure list and is not in danger of falling down. Mr. Quintero said he saw this on the video and he said there are many vacant properties around him that are empty.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Year-End Meeting: The year-end meeting will be held to balance accounts and finalize all business on Thursday, December 27th at 7:00 P.M.
RESOLUTION NO. 44 OF 2012- Budget Transfers
Decrease Appropriation A1420.4 Attorney $981.00
Increase Appropriation A7110.42 Brownfields $981.00
Decrease Appropriation A1420.4 Attorney $2,631.00
Increase Appropriation A9010.8 Retirement $2,631.00
Decrease Appropriation A1440.4 Engineer $1,877.00
Increase Appropriation A7110.41 Parks $1,877.00
A motion was made to authorize the Supervisor to make the budgetary transfers by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
- DATA COLLECTION FOR 2013: Data collection has to be done every four years. There is someone interested in doing this, but he would like to interview her with the board. This person did our last data collection but the Board would be asking for pictures and additional information. Councilwoman Moore asked if we have to get quotes on this. The Supervisor said we should have two quotes. Councilman Desmond suggested picking two dates for the interview. Councilwoman Moore asked if you have enough time to check with the attorney and the Supervisor thinks it will.
- The Board set January 12, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. for the review of policies and examination of books. Councilman Desmond asked if we got any quotes for the audit. We did receive one and should have more by the year-end meeting.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
- COURTHOUSE PROJECT: While the courthouse is being remodeled, the temporary home for the courts will be in the Claverack School.
- Pine Haven Home: The project is underway, RFP’S for design architectural firms for the actual cost for the project have been sent out. The preliminary design specifications is in line with what the County is thinking. There is a cap for this work if they can keep the cost at this level.
- DSS: The County is considering possible renovations to building.
- COUNTY BUDGET: The process has been difficult for the Supervisor to understand. He is not comfortable with the budget because there are figures, which he has not seen yet, such as fund balance. It was reported that there would be a reduction in taxes. They are taking 2.1 million from fund balance to offset the budget. He is not in favor of doing this.
- TRANSPORTATION FOR THE COUNTY: There is a bus service, which runs in the County. This service was put out to bid and Coxsackie Transport and Johnson-Pulcher submitted bids. Johnson- Pulcher’s bid came out less than the current bus service. George Davis asked how there could be a $23,000.00 difference. The price is provided per mile and there overhead, operation costs could be less than Coxsackie Transport. George also asked if there were any issues over the drivers. Ray said that this was not an issue.
- The Children’s Holiday Party will be held on December 15th at the Clermont Fire House on Route 9G.
- The Village Green will hold the Holiday Caroling Program on Sunday, December 16th at 6:00 at St. Luke’s Church and Santa will be at the Community House.
- The Supervisor thanked the Highway Department for putting up the decorations.
- Councilwoman Moore thanked John Halterman for coming over to repair the furnace at the Community House on Election Day.
ABSTRACTS:
A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve General Abstract #12, vouchers #296 through #323 in the amount of $26,168.05, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve Highway Abstract#12, vouchers #114 through #124 in the amount of $17,248.25, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Ray Quintero asked who has jurisdiction on the remaining LaMunyan landfill if DEC has it only on three acres. He cited the history of the landfill and a report in the nineties by DEC. He claims he was not notified of a boundary line change, which took place and only one of five notified signed for receipt of the notification. Councilman Desmond pointed out that the only thing required by the state law is a notice in the paper. The town goes over and above to have the applicant notify adjoining landowners. The boards are checking and the Assessor is helping by getting the addresses. The Supervisor will check into this.
- Raymond Keeler has concerns over the Workplace Violence Policy and the restriction on someone with a carry permit due to insurance reasons. He feels this is a violation of our 2nd Amendment Rights to carry firearms. He believes they are trying to take away our rights to carry firearms and read from a statement.
- George Davis stated that the 2nd amendment is open to interpretation, there is disagreement on the 2nd amendment, which is a national conversation.
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:20 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore.
The Supervisor wished a Happy and Safe Holiday to Everyone.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk