CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING
JULY 1, 2013
The Clermont Town Board held a public hearing on Local Law No. 3 of 2013 on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 6:45 P.M. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Nancy Moore, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Edward Kahle. There were no others present.
Supervisor Staats opened the public hearing. The Clerk read the public notice. Councilman Desmond explained that this is a one-word change to correct a typographical error in the Highway Specifications, Section 8.22. There were no questions from the board. The hearing was closed at 6:50 P.M on a motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Supervisor Staats. All in favor. So carried.
The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall following the public hearing. There were three residents and Joe Gentile of the Register Star present.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.
A motion was made to enter into executive session at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel.
A motion was made to come out of executive session at 7:30 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Kahle.
MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to accept the minutes of the June meeting, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Town Clerk read the report for June and gave the Supervisor checks in the amount of $1,170.50 for the General Fund and $400.00 for Trust and Agency. A motion was made by Councilwoman Moore to accept the Clerk’s report, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- The Elder Express summer newsletter from Office for the Aging was received. Copies are available.
- The Supervisor passed out the Budget and Revenue report for June.
- Website: Dr. Davis asked that the notice of the Village Green BBQ be put on the website. The updated notice has been posted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- COMMUNITY HOUSE: The Supervisor stated that Councilman Kahle did specifications for repairing/replacing boards and painting of the Community House. The Supervisor has been seeking quotes for this work so it can be done in the fall. Anyone interested should contact the Supervisor, Board members or Town Clerk.
- HIGHWAY SPECIFICATIONS: Councilman Desmond reported that the Highway Superintendent has some additional changes that he would like to make on the highway specifications. Our town engineer is reviewing this now.
- PARK: Councilman Desmond read a statement regarding the development of the baseball field to date, in the way of donations and work done by the Highway department. He also submitted a list of improvements which are complete and proposed improvements. He suggests using Con Edison funds, donations, grants and budgeted funds to further the development of a park for the residents of Clermont. Councilman Desmond visited eight or nine parks over the last few months and what seems to be the base for the playgrounds is either wood chips, pea gravel or rubber mulch made from pulverized tires. There is also a poured in place surface with two-year warranty and rubber tiles, which have a fifteen-year warranty. There is a national program, which is approved by the state with a 9% discount. He believes it would be justified using the rubber tile surface, which is more expensive now but over the 15 year period would probably save over the long term. His proposal would have a playground area for different age groups of children rather than one area, swings, shade trees, picnic tables, walking trails and other improvements. Councilman Desmond suggested holding a workshop to discuss plans and funding. Supervisor Staats thanked Councilman Desmond for looking into this and for the overall plan, which is what is needed for the long-term. Councilman Hempel suggested keeping in mind the cost for maintenance and upkeep of a park. He likes the idea of a park but would rather see it administered by a non-profit organization rather than the town funds. Councilwoman Moore said the town could still end up with the responsibility if the not-for-profit was to fold. Supervisor Staats said we needed to have a ballfield because we had to move off the Saulpaughs field. The Supervisor knows that there are people who would be willing to donate and help with fundraising and development.
- WEBSITE: Councilman Hempel said that the domain name for the website would be renewed.
OLD BUSINESS:
- MILL ROAD BRIDGE: The County has not given the Supervisor any price of the cost of the replacement or repair of the bridge. The County has asked the DPW Commissioner and Highway Engineers for a list of priorities over the next 5 to 10 years. It does show Mill Road Bridge on the 2014 schedule and Stall Bridge (Pleasantvale Road) in the one to five year plan. Over fifteen years to repair 60 bridges in the County it would cost 52 million dollars. There are about 150 bridges in the County and there are 80 that are not on the list for major improvements.
- DATA COLLECTION: The data collector has completed another 102 parcels. It is an ongoing process throughout the summer.
- AUDIT: The audit has been underway and should be complete in a few weeks. He has received information from the bookkeeper and now has looked at information that we have. The Town Clerk has been working with Mr. Preusser.
NEW BUSINESS:
- LOCAL LAW NO. 3 OF 2013: A motion was made to approve Local Law No. 3 of 2013 to amend Section 8.22 of the Highway Specifications for a typographical error by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel. A roll call vote was as follows: Councilman Kahle, aye; Councilman Desmond, aye; Councilman Hempel, aye; Councilwoman Moore, aye; Supervisor Staats, aye. Motion passed.
- DEC BROWNFIELDS: The Town Clerk has been working with DEC to straighten out the Brownfields reimbursement on vouchers that have been paid. A check was received from DEC for the reimbursement of amounts paid for $29,467.07 which is 90% of what was paid out by the Town. This will show as an increase in revenues this year.
- COURT COPIER: Grant funding was received for emergency lighting, shredder, air conditioner and copier for the court. Lee Gallant, Court Clerk, submitted quotes for the copier. The price for the copier with stand from Hudson Valley Office Equipment is $2,390.00 was the lowest. There is a balance in the grant fund of $2,105. The Supervisor asked for a motion to approve the purchase of the copier and to pay the difference of $285.00 from the Contingency account A-1990.4. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
- TOWN CLERK COMPUTER: The Town Clerk has requested to be able to purchase a new computer for the office. The last one was purchased in 2006 or 2007 and needs to be updated. There have been many issues with it. A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to authorize the Clerk to spend up to $900.00 from the Clerk’s equipment account A-1410.2, seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
- TOWN HALL RAILING: The railing in front of the town hall was hit by someone and the Highway Superintendent did what he could to put it back together. The highway department will repair it when they can.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
- CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AGENCY: The County Committee is recommending the sale of the CHHA because of the lack of clientele using the service and the cost involved running the agency. There is an agency interested in buying it and others that may be interested. He believes it will pass the full board.
- PUBLIC WORKS SOLID WASTE: The County subsidizes approximately $600,000.00 per year for the solid waste operation. The County is discussing whether they want to consolidate or privatize it. They are looking at increasing services but this would effect those that do this for a business.
- COURTHOUSE: The budget for asbestos removal at the Courthouse has doubled because they keep finding more, which has to be removed. The heating system, which is going to be replaced, uncovered more asbestos when they started to remove pipes.
- PINE HAVEN HOME: The full board voted to proceed with the architectural contract for design of a new nursing home for 1.2 million. It will be broken down into phases of the work that will have to be done. The majority of the supervisors are in favor of a new facility, but they have to look at the feasibility of the costs.
- EGER TOWER: The vote should be coming up at the Livingston Planning Board meeting this month.
- VACANCY COMMITTEE: This is a new committee, which reviews any open position due to resignation, retirement, etc. Supervisor Staats is on the committee and they are trying to cut down on the costs.
- VILLAGE GREEN BBQ: The Village Green BBQ will be held on Saturday, August 10th starting at 10:00 A.M. with the Tractor Pull.
ABSTRACTS:
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to pay Highway Abstract #7, vouchers #59 through #72 in the amount of $11,446.37, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Kahle to pay General Abstract #7, vouchers #159 through #188 in the amount of $13,617.30,seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
CHIPS FUNDING: The Supervisor received a deposit of $46,507.16 for the CHIPS reimbursement for road paving.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no comment from anyone present.
A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to adjourn at 8:35 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Moore. All in favor. So carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk