CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

AUGUST 4, 2014

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. Councilman Edward Kahle was absent. Others present were Dawn Brownson, Town Historian, and three other town residents.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.

MINUTES: The minutes of the July meeting were accepted on a motion made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Town Clerk read the report for July and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General fund in the amount of $1,055.00. A motion was made to accept the report by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• The Town Clerk was notified by NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation that although Deer Management Permits were to go on sale today, she received a notice that there were issues, and they halted sales. All other licenses can still be sold.
• The Town Clerk asked for a voucher to be changed on the General Fund abstract. A zoning board member went to the recent school and the amount on the voucher should be changed from $80.00 to $90.00.
• The Supervisor presented the board members with the budget and revenue report for the month ending July 31, 2014.
• Website: Councilman Hempel has updated the contact information for the Town Historian on the website.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• PARK: Councilman Desmond reported that the holes were dug and frames for the swings put in. The concrete was poured today. Then the fall surface will be installed.

A sign will be put up recognizing donors to the park, and he showed a sample of what the sign will look like. The sign installed would be in the neighborhood of $800.00. To add more names or if the sign wears out would cost $100.00. Another firm had a different style sign and said that if we installed the poles it would be about $400 to $500. Under our procurement policy if it is under $1000.00 it’s left to the discretion of the purchaser. He will get firmer numbers.

• Councilman Desmond said that in talking with Jim Potts, he is looking for another building for some items that are outside. One building that he priced was a 30’ x 50’ with dirt floor for $23,000.00. He would like to check with local contractors and see what we could get and put in the budget for next year. At a later date, a cement floor could be added. The Supervisor thought this would be more like a shed, but there are a lot of items, which are outside. He does not have a problem looking at this at budget time for next year.

• FLAGPOLE FOR PARK: Councilman Gildersleeve has checked a few websites and came up with two different choices for a lighted flagpole, but he must look into them more. They are $140 and $285.00.

OLD BUSINESS:

• COMMUNITY HOUSE: The ultraviolet light system will be installed tomorrow by Claverack Pump service.

• BRIDGE UPDATE: Design service bids for the Mill Road bridge were received and the committee will meet next week to interview the bidders.

• Keil Equipment donated the use of the lift for the Supervisor to be able to check the Cupola for leaks. He thinks that he found the leak, which was not in the cupola but in the ridge of roof shingles and he sealed it up with silicone.

NEW BUSINESS:

• PARK: The Swing set has been installed and the highway will put in the gravel and level it off and the fall surface will be installed. F. H. Stickles delivered the concrete this morning.

• COMMUNITY HOUSE: Councilman Kahle drew up a scope of work to be done before it is painted. The painters are very backed up because of the weather. The Supervisor feels that the $10,000.00, which we budgeted could be used for the highway fund for extra sand and salt used this year.
• EQUIPMENT SHED: Next month we will be starting the budget process and we can look at the garage.

• The Supervisor reported that he received a check in the amount of $84,148.00 for sales tax for the second quarter and $12, 216.00 reimbursement from the County for tobacco money.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

• COURT HOUSE: The Supervisor has no new information on the Court House.

• AIRPORT: There are ongoing meetings about the airport, but he noted that Ginsberg’s received thirty-three acres for $1.00. He wants to get more information. According to the paper, Ginsberg has to keep the property for eight years but then they can sell it.

• PINE HAVEN HOME: The RFP was drafted to go out for privatization of the home.

• GARDEN TRACTOR PULL will be held this Saturday starting at 9:00 A.M. The Supervisor thanked Chairwoman Tami Connelly and all the volunteers for all the work she has done in the past and on this one.

• HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT was thanked for their work on the park.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to approve General abstract #8, vouchers #206- #233 in the amount of $5,600.13, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to pay Highway abstract #8, vouchers #83 to #93 in the amount of $55,004.80, seconded by Councilman Hempel. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Chris Nolan told the board that there were four Zoning Board of Appeals members at the NYS Planning Federation training.

He asked the board how soon after the meeting the video is uploaded to our website.

Councilman Hempel explained that he has not been uploading the video in a timely manner. He asked if this can be done as a live stream and how many visitors to the sight does it get. This may stimulate more viewers. He also asked if there could be an informational section on the website linking to sites, which might be of interest to residents. He has noticed some sort of blight on trees and thought it would be good if there was a site to go to for more information.

One morning, Chris had a person stop at his house to tell him there was a dog hit on Commons Road. Chris called Desiree, Animal Control and she had Jim Shannon come and look for the dog. The dog was gone when he got there. His concern is the speeding and the amount of traffic on the road with the bridge closed on County Route 19. He showed pictures of the speed limit signs and explained where they are posted on the road. The Supervisor will check with the County as to how they post the signs and if they can post another suggested speed limit sign, and maybe having the deputy’s presence would help with the speeding.

A motion was made to adjourn at 7:50 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk