CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
MARCH 4, 2013
The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Nancy Moore, Councilman Edward Kahle. Councilman Evan Hempel was absent. There were two residents present and John Mason of the Register Star.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with a moment of silence for Bruce Unson who passed away. Mr. Unson had been a Councilman on the Town Board and a member and co-chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was also a member of the Clermont Fire Company. The Board is very saddened by his passing. A salute to the flag followed.
MINUTES: The minutes of the February meeting were accepted on a motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Kahle. All in favor. So carried.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:
The Town Clerk presented a check to the Supervisor for February for the General Fund in the amount of $1,493.10 and a check for Trust and Agency in the amount of $75.00 for inspection fees. A motion was made to accept by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Web Committee: There was no correspondence for the web committee.
- Elder Express newsletter from the Columbia County Office for the Aging
- Notice of public hearing in the Town of Livingston amending the zoning law in regard to exploration for or extraction of natural gas and or petroleum to be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 6:45 P.M.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- COMMUNITY HOUSE: Councilman Kahle is checking on grants for the Community House painting. He thanked Mary Howard for information on playgrounds. He also reported that there will be a meeting on Thursday, March 7th at 7:00 P.M. at the Germantown Activity Building, on the NY Safe Act.
- ZONING LAW: Councilman Desmond has prepared some proposed changes to the Zoning Law to do with Mining, Removal and Filling of Lands. He reported that in the zoning ordinance, there is no exception for filling, such as for landscaping, driveways or septic systems. He has spoken to the Planning and Zoning boards, the Building Inspector and Town engineer for their input. He hopes to have the attorney review and prepare a Local Law for next month. He also would add to the Schedule of fees under Building Use Permits a $25.00 fee if exceeding the filling and depositing restriction of 50 cubic yards in a year. Also, the definition of Storage Units was not particularly clear. When added to the Zoning law it was specifically added for commercial self-storage units. So he proposes adding – ‘This structure may include one or more separate units used by different individuals’. These changes will be prepared as an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance by Local Law and a public hearing held.
OLD BUSINESS:
- MILL ROAD BRIDGE UPDATE: The information requested by the Public Works Committee was not prepared by Commissioner of Public Works due to other projects. He will have this for the next committee meeting. With the combined efforts of the Traffic Safety Committee, Towns of Livingston and Clermont, the committee wants to take another look at repairing the bridge.
- BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW: There is an open position on the Board of Assessment Review. The BAR meets on the 4th Tuesday in May, and may have to deliberate additional evenings. There is training that has to be completed with the County Real Property Tax Department. If anyone is interested please contact any member of the Board or the Town Clerk.
- AUDIT: Supervisor has not yet met with the auditor, but the bookkeeper has been in contact with him.
NEW BUSINESS:
- COURT GRANT: Lee Gallant, Court Clerk, applied for a Court Grant through the Unified Court System for a new copier, emergency lighting, air conditioner and a shredder. The town received a check in the amount of $2,758.99. A motion was made to accept the Court Grant in the amount of $2,758.99 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried. The emergency lighting will be installed by Mac’s Electric.
- COMMUNITY HOUSE: The siding on the west wall of the Community House is in disrepair and should be painted. The Supervisor asked Councilman Kahle to come up with a work scope.
- STAR EXEMPTION: NYS has passed a regulation that any property owner that owes $4500 to any NYS department of any kind will loose their star exemption.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
NY SAFE ACT: The County chose not to pass a resolution last month but has since prepared a draft resolution to be reviewed at the March meeting. The process used to put this act in place was done improperly and will cause unfunded mandates. The County Clerk has stated that she will need additional help, the Mental Health Director has said that it will mean increased costs for his department. It appears that this ACT should have had more consideration.
COURTHOUSE: The latest unexpected issue with the Courthouse was finding more asbestos in the basement than what was thought. It is estimated that it will cost $164,000 for additional asbestos abatement over the original estimate of $160,000. The board has also asked for quotes on replacement of the furnace and the windows. Both of these projects were brought up at the beginning of the project but were not in the budget. Councilman Desmond asked if they are looking at the savings on the heating costs. This will be considered and there is money in the budget to do both.
PINE HAVEN: Architect designs are complete and they have to be reviewed by the committee. They will then be put out to bid.
COMMUNITY HOME HEALTH AGENCY: The Supervisor has reported on this previously and was against keeping this program because of the costs associated. There are currently seventeen clients in the program and it is costing $600,000 to $700,000 to keep this program. The Supervisors opted to keep the program. The Supervisor has asked the new director to look into ways to reduce the costs or increase the clients.
EASTER EGG HUNT will be held on Friday, March 29th from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. on the Village Green.
ABSTRACTS:
A motion was made to pay Highway Abstract #3, vouchers #18 to 28 in the amount of $14,496.38 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to pay General Abstract #3, vouchers #43 to 69 in the amount of $8,101.43 by Councilman Kahle, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to pay Trust and Agency #2, vouchers#2 in the amount of $123.75 by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Mary Howard asked for clarification on removal and if a DEC permit is required and the 50 cubic yards for filling. Councilman Desmond responded that a special permit from the ZBA is required for removal, and if over 1000 tons, a permit is needed from DEC. This amendment if for filling of lands and over 50 cubic yards requires a permit from the building inspector. She also said that she is available to help with grants and is interested in being on the Board of Assessment Review.
A motion was made to move into Executive session to discuss the Assessors term and salary by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore at 7:50 P.M. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to come out of executive session at 8:10 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:10 P. M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk