Town Board Meeting

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING

APRIL 1, 2013

 

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, April 1, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Edward Kahle, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilwoman Nancy Moore. There were ten residents present and John Mason of the Register Star.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with a moment of silence on the passing of Eva Desmond, Councilman Desmond’s wife.

The meeting opened with a salute to the flag.

A motion was made to move into executive session to discuss the employment history of a particular person by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Desmond at 7:02 P.M.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Kahle to come out of executive session at 7:15 P.M.

Supervisor Staats read a Letter of Recognition for Bruce Unson who passed away. Bruce served his town in many capacities and we are saddened by his passing. His children Amy Bendix, Glenn Unson and sister Elaine and her husband Reynold Tate were present. Councilman Desmond added that Pleasantvale Road is not the same without Bruce and Mrs. Helen Unson who also passed away.

MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Kahle to accept the minutes as presented. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Clerk read her report for March and presented checks for the General Fund in the amount of $164.80 and for Trust and Agency for $75.00. A motion to approve the Clerk’s report was made by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
  • DATA COLLECTION: A notice was read explaining that all properties in Clermont will be reassessed for 2014 in order to maintain the 100% equalization rate.
  • HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY: Household hazardous waste collection day will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 8:00 AM to 12 noon at the Columbia County Highway garage on Route 23B Greenport.
  • WEBSITE: No report
  • Supervisor Staats submitted budget reports for March.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • BERKSHIRE TACONIC GRANT: The final paperwork for last year’s grant has been filed. Mary Howard will be working with Councilman Kahle on a grant for the ballfield. If anyone has any ideas for further grants please let Councilman Kahle know.
  • COMMUNITY HOUSE: Councilman Kahle submitted specifications for the painting of the Community House. He believes the work will stay within the budgeted amount. He also noted that there is no exterior light over the fire escape or the back door. Before painting we might want the electric work done. Councilwoman Moore also asked about repair or replacement of the kitchen door. Councilman Kahle will look into this as well. Councilman Desmond asked if the rest of the building looks okay and Councilman Kahle thinks that it does.
  • Councilman Desmond reported that the tentative tax roll is due out May 1st and the Assessor will set up dates and times when he will be available. The final tax roll will be out July 1st. The taxable status date is March 1, 2013 so that anything on the property at that time is taxed. The valuation date is July 1, 2012 even if built after that date.
  • LOCAL LAWS: Councilman Desmond explained the subjects of the proposed local laws having to do with amending the zoning ordinance, specifically for exceptions for filling and depositing of materials and the definition of storage units. Ray Quintero commented on the need for additional permits when there is a driveway permit and septic permit already. The permits that are currently issued are more for access from a town, county or state road, these exceptions are for bringing in material to build the driveway as explained by Councilman Desmond. Mr. Quintero has other comments but was asked to come to the public hearing on the local law to express his opinions.

Councilman Desmond explained the definition of storage units, which is not clear in the zoning. Mr. Quintero had comments on self-storage and was asked to bring these comments to the public hearing.

Local Law #2: Previously the Code of Ethics was done as a resolution in the past but the attorney recommended that it be a local law. This local law will amend the code of ethics to increase the number of members from 3 to 4.

  • SCHOOL BUDGETS: Councilman Hempel reported on the school district budget schedules:

Red Hook School: Adoption of proposed budget to be held on April 10th , public hearing on May 8th with vote on May 21st.

Pine Plains School is proposing a tax increase of 2%. There will be budget meetings on April 2nd and April 10th on revenue and expenditure budgets. Adoption of the budget on April 23rd, public hearing on May 8th and vote on May 21st.

Germantown Central School: Last year’s increase was 1.79% and this year they will not being able to increase as much. The Board of Education will meet on April 3rd, anticipated adoption on April 10th, budget hearing on May 8th and vote on May 21st.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • MILL ROAD BRIDGE: The County has passed a resolution to hire an engineering firm to assess and do a design for bridge, either for replacement, fixing, removing and making turnarounds. This will go to vote at the next full board meeting and he believes it will move forward.
  • COURT GRANT: The grant from the Office of Court Administration in the amount of $2700.00 was received and the emergency light has been installed by Mac Electric. Supervisor Staats thanked Bob McCarthy for his work.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW: Following last months meeting, the Board conducted an interview of Mary Howard for the open position on the BAR. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to appoint Mary Howard to fill the unexpired term of Henry Rudolf until September 30, 2013 at which time reappointment or replacement will be named for a five-year term.
  • RESOLUTIONS:
  1. Resolution # 42-13 amends Resolution #44-12 to balance the Assessors account for 2012 due to an error in the Assessors salary for 2012. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore to approve Resolution #42-13. All in favor. So carried.
  2. Resolution #43-13 to amend the 2012 organizational meeting salary schedule pertaining to the salary of the Assessor. A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve Resolution #43-13. All in favor. So carried.
  3. Resolution #44-13 to amend the 2013 organizational meeting salary schedule pertaining to the salary of the Assessor. A motion was made to approve Resolution #44-13 by Councilwoman Moore, seconded by Councilman Kahle. All in favor. So carried.
  4. Budget Amendment #45-2013 to set up Court Grant revenue and appropriations accounts. A motion was made to approve Budget Amendment #45-13 by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Kahle. All in favor. So carried.

LOCAL LAWS:

A Public hearing on Local Law #1 to amend the Town of Clermont Zoning Law relative to Earth Filling and Depositing and amending the definition of storage units will be held on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 6:40 P.M.

A Public Hearing on Local Law #2 to adopt an amended Code of Ethics will be held on Monday, May 6, 2013at 6:55 P.M.

TOWN WIDE REASSESSMENT: Supervisor Staats explained that in order to remain in the state program the evaluation and data collection must be done every four years and will be done for 2014. The collector will have identification and will leave a card in the door if no one is home.

TOWN AUDIT: The Supervisor spoke with auditor and the bookkeeper has given him the records that were requested. There will be an update next month.

SUPERVISOR REPORT:

  • COURT HOUSE: There may be a delay to complete the project at the court house because of the asbestos abatement work. The new heating system is being considered but should be done.
  • HOME HEALTH AGENCY: The new Director of Health has been asked if she can come up with ways to save money. It is an expensive program to run. She has two plans, to grow the agency for more revenue or sell the agency.
  • PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: The CHIPS money has been increased for the County, which means more for the town for roads. He has asked about County Route 8 to Germantown from Clermont to be considered because it is one of the worst roads.
  • PINE HAVEN HOME: In the process of interviewing firms for architectural plans for the nursing home. This is a reimbursable expense for nursing homes. There is a cap to build a new home from the state for up to 32 million dollars. The home is showing a profit.
  • COUNTY BUDGET: He is skeptical on county finances because of the funds, which were taken out of the reserve funds. The budget was at zero percent increase but cuts have not been made. There is a lack of revenues and most of the revenues we do receive come in the beginning of the year.
  • EASTER EGG HUNT was held on Friday at 5:00 P.M. and there was a good turnout.

Thanks to all that helped.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made to pay General abstract #4, vouchers #70 to #92 in the amount of $5,999.03 by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to pay Highway abstract #4, vouchers #29 to #35 in the amount of $4,320.95 by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ray Quintero brought up questions regarding the William Cole property, formerly the LaMunyan property on Route 9G. He feels that the property is in violation on the northern section for depositing of earth without a permit. He said the application was not filled out correctly, false reporting on the application and sending out the notifications were not done correctly on a lot line adjustment. There are two driveways, one for which a permit was given out and there is another one, which in his opinion is probably unsafe.

He is also questioning the use of the property on the south, which is 5.7 acres, for storage. Supervisor Staats asked if the driveway on the north has the permit. Mr. Quintero said there is one permit for the northern part, but none for the other driveway. Mr. Quintero had questions about the filling of the land and the DEC’s opinions of the content. Supervisor Staats said that DEC has jurisdiction on the fill and has given the okay for use of the property. There has been no action on the storage buildings and Mr. Cole would have to reapply for a permit if he decided to go ahead with the project.

 

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:25 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

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