CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

PUBLIC HEARING

REGULAR MEETING

JUNE 2, 2014

The Clermont Town Board held a public hearing on Monday, June 2, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall on Local Law No. 3 of 2014 – Amending the use table within the Town of Clermont Zoning Law. The purpose of this local law is to accurately reflect the permitted uses intended in the Zoning Law and to correct certain uses, which were erroneously removed from the use table in a prior adoption of the revised zoning law.

Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilman Edward Kahle and Councilman Evan Hempel. Also present were Mary Howard, Dianne O’Neal, Holly Hedgepeth and Adam Clayton of the Register Star.

The Supervisor opened the public hearing on Local Law No. 3 of 2014 – Amending the Use Tables of the Town of Clermont Zoning Law. Councilman Desmond explained that during the last revision of the zoning law, there were four items left off of the table of uses from Home Occupations/Minor to Kennels/Animal Clinic. Also, Solar and Wind Power were added. It was not realized until someone came to the ZBA for a home occupation. There were no questions from the public and the hearing was closed at 7:05 P.M.

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, June 2, 2014 at 7:10 P.M. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilman Edward Kahle and Councilman Hempel. Also present were Mary Howard, Dianne O’Neal, Ray Tousey, George Davis, Dawn Brownson, Holly Hedgepeth of the Cancer Services Program and Adam Clayton of the Register Star. Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag and introduced Holly Hedgepeth of the Cancer Services Program. They offer breast, cervical and colon rectal treatment and screenings to underinsured men and women, ages 40 – 64 years old and offer transportation. This program is fully funded by NYS Department of Health and is located at the Health Care Consortium at 325 Columbia Street, Hudson.

MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to accept the minutes of the May meeting, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Clerk read the report for May and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $746.00 and for Trust & Agency for $250.00. A motion was made to accept the Clerk’s report by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Kahle. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Hudson Valley Distillers, located at 1727 Route 9 in Clermont, is holding their Launch Party on June 28^th from noon to 6:00 P.M. to celebrate the release of their first three spirits with tours, tasting, light fare, music and fun for the kids.

• Pine Plains School District notified the Town that the budget was passed and who was elected to the school board.
• The Village Green Committee is meeting on Thursday, June 12^th at 6:00 P.M. at the Town Hall or Community House. Anyone interested in being involved and volunteering is invited to join them.
• Grievance Day is Tuesday, June 3^rd from 3 PM – 5 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM at the Town Hall.
• Supervisor submitted budget reports for May 31, 2014.

• Web Committee: Dianne O’Neal asked if the subdivision regulations could be put online. Councilman Hempel will post online.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• COMMUNITY HOUSE: Councilman Kahle reported on the work that needs to be done on the Community House and submitted a scope of work. He recommended getting a lift to inspect the cupola because it is leaking, the front of the building is in good shape, and six or eight boards may need to be replaced. The Town will get a lift and Supervisor Staats and Councilman Kahle will go up and inspect it, so that they know what to put in the Request for Proposal. Ray Tousey said the inside of the cupola should be checked for any animals, etc. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to rent a lift for under $200.00, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried. The Supervisor said that money was put in the budget for the work on the Community House.

• PARK: Councilman Desmond reported that the ship date for the swings is June 9^th and the shipper will call the highway department to let them know. The border has been marked out for the swing area. Donations for the park have been coming in.

• SCHOOL BUDGETS: Councilman Hempel reported that the school budgets for all three schools were passed last month. Supervisor Staats said that Germantown Central reelected Don Coons and elected Jeremy Smith to the school board.

• CLERMONT COMMUNITY DAY: Councilman Gildersleeve reported that the Community Day BBQ is Saturday, August 9^th.

OLD BUSINESS:

• MILL ROAD BRIDGE UPDATE: The County Committee approved the RFP for the design of the bridge. Bids will come back and committee will decide on whether it will be a complete overhaul or full bridge replacement, without taking out the bridge abutments. It should be on the list for replacement next year.

• ONLINE TAX BILLS: Suzette Booy, Director of Columbia County Real Property made a presentation last month about putting Clermont’s tax bills online. It would be $835.00 initial cost, charged back on county tax bills and then $100.00 per year for maintenance. The Supervisor has had no feedback from residents on this. Councilman Hempel has not heard from anyone but doesn’t feel there is a need. We are the only town in the county that does not have it online. There are requests from title companies, lawyers, residents, mortgage companies, etc. for tax information. There was much discussion of any savings that would be realized by having the bills online. This was tabled until next month.

NEW BUSINESS:

• MORTGAGE TAX: A check for $11,715.13 was received for the first quarter. Last year we received $29,000.00. This is less than what was anticipated but the Supervisor feels that with sales tax coming in higher, we will still meet our revenue expectations.

• WATER SYSTEM QUOTE: There has been an issue with the well water for years and using it for drinking because of coloform. There is money in the budget to put an ultraviolet light system. The Supervisor got a quote from Culligan of $1,868.00 installed. There is one other company but they are located in Mahopac. Supervisor Staats feels that Culligan is in the area and is a reputable insured company. He feels strongly that this should be taken care of for the people who use the community house. Councilman Desmond said that in an emergency situation, one bid would be adequate. Councilman Kahle suggested checking with Keyser. Supervisor Staats will contact them to see if they do this and get a quote if they do. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Kahle to approve hiring either, if the quote is $1868.00 or less.
• LOCAL LAW NO. 3 of 2014- Amending the Use Tables in the Zoning Law. A public hearing was held prior to the meeting. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve the Local Law. A roll call vote was held as follows: Councilman Kahle, aye; Councilman Desmond, aye; Councilman Hempel, aye; Councilman Gildersleeve, aye; Supervisor Staats, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

• COURTHOUSE: Supervisor Staats reported that the target date for the final completion date for courthouse is September 12^th. Installation of the windows is the last of the major work to be done. There is some other minor work to be completed. The County will be paving the parking lot.

• PINE HAVEN HOME: There was a vote by the County and the vote passed to put out an RFP for privatizing the nursing home. Supervisor Staats does not feel the county has done enough to try to save money at the home. The process will probably be months before the RFP’s go out. He feels very strongly that we should be able to come up with the money in the budget to save the home for our residents. There was a presentation on county government run nursing homes, which showed four homes that were privatized. The staffing was cut, the time of stay was cut back for residents and they were not accepting special clients.

• CLERMONT FIRE COMPANY BBQ is June 14^th at Station #1 on Route 9G.

• VILLAGE GREEN COMMUNITY DAY will be held on Saturday, August 9^th.

• PARK DONATION: Dianne O’Neal/Clermont Partners donated $500.00 for the Town Park.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve General abstract #6, vouchers #144-163 in the amount of $3,038.85, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve Highway abstract #6, vouchers #56-66 in the amount of $5,342.21, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mary Howard reported about a grant opportunity for parks and play equipment.

1. She asked if this is a collaborative effort.
2. How much of a match is town willing to put in. This would be for equipment that they sell. The average amount of the grant is $35,000.00. It could be a 20% match or 50% match. Councilman Desmond asked who is offering this grant? Mary said that it is the company that manufacturers the equipment and it looks like they do it every three years. Councilman Desmond is not sure how this works with a bid. Also, the board is not planning on doing any additional equipment this year or even next year. We are hoping to hold a fundraiser to raise funds. Supervisor Staats asked if there was an award date and also shares concerns about the bidding process and we are not going to do anything for the next year or so. Mary said that they just gave a deadline date, no award date. Mary will look at other grant programs, such as, Stewarts, the Golub Foundation of Price Chopper, and let us know when they are available. She also suggested the local municipal government record improvement fund through the state education fund for the real property records. Supervisor Staats will check with Suzette Booy.

A motion was made to adjourn at 7:40 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk