CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING

 

FEBRUARY 2, 2004

 

The regular meeting of the Clermont Town Board was held on Monday, February 2, 2004 at 7:00 P.M.   Deputy Supervisor Staats opened the meeting.  Also present were Councilwoman Lent, Councilman Harned and Councilman Tousey.  Others present were Richard Livellara, Robert Desmond, Charles Larsen, Chris Nolan, Anne Poleschner, Barbara and Floyd Moore, Michael Pelletier, Bruce Unson, William Banks, Richard Roth of the Independent, Richard Azzipardi of the Register Star and Andy Austin, reporter for the Freeman.

 

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent to go into executive session for matters concerning litigation and personnel issues, seconded by Councilman Tousey.  All in favor. So carried.

 

At 7:15 P.M. a motion was made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Harned to come out of executive session.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Harned to waive the reading of the minutes as copies were provided, and approve them.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

·         Amendment to minutes of the year end meeting on 12/29/03, General fund, Voucher #332, should be $169.00 – total abstract should be $12,026.92

·         Building Inspector John Fieser’s report for 2003

Building permits                    62

Of which 22 were for dwelling units

ZBA referrals                                    4

Certificates of Occupancy           46

C.O. Search/Predate letter       73

Remedy of violation notices      2

·         Town Clerk’s Report for January - $5,405.50

·         Receipt of check from Columbia County Treasurer in the amount of $64.17 for surplus dog fees.

·         Check received from Columbia County Treasurer in the amount of $57,932.75 for 4th Qtr. 2003 sales tax distribution.

·         Resolution #1-2004 was proposed to lower the speed limit on US Route 9 and extend the no passing zone as stated in the resolution.  A motion was made to pass this resolution and forward to the NYS Dept. of Transportation, Columbia County Traffic Safety Board and Town representative Laurence Saulpaugh by Councilwoman Lent and seconded by Councilman Tousey.  All in favor.  So carried.

·         Public Notice was read regarding the public hearing which will be held on February 24, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. on the application of Bell Mobile Systems d/b/a Cingular Wireless for a proposed telecommunications facility by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

·         Letter from Housing Resources of Columbia County regarding home program grants funds for first time homebuyers and asking for the Towns support.  Councilwoman Lent will respond with a letter in support on a motion made by Councilman Tousey, seconded by Councilman Harned.  All in favor.  So carried

·         Letter from Barry Schwartz, Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York regarding amending the Civil Practice Laws and Rules bill and support of this bill.  After brief discussion, Councilman Harned moved to table this in order to review.

·         Letter from Tammy Nau on zoning secretary position.

·         Letter from Woodford Jones, 1331 Route 9, regarding possible violations of zoning ordinance and pollution of surface water.  This has been referred to John Fieser, Zoning enforcement office/building inspector to respond to Mr. Jones concerns.  Recommended that Mr. Jones seek advice from Columbia County Soil and Water.

·         Highway Superintendent James Potts has asked for authorization to purchase a new backhoe from Capitol Tractor, under state bid, for $51,284.00.  The town does have a nine-year old backhoe for either trade in or sale.  Capitol Tractor would allow $18,000 but Superintendent Potts may have someone interested in purchasing for more.  He would also like either a two-year extended warranty for $1467 or a three-year for $2363.  There is $63291 in the Capitol Fund for the purchase, rather than borrowing.  A motion was made to authorize Superintendent Potts to order the new backhoe for $51,284 with a three-year extended warranty by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Harned.  All in favor.  So carried.

·         A motion was made to put the old backhoe out to bid in March by Councilman Harned, seconded by Councilwoman Lent.  All in favor.  So carried.

·         Resolution #391-2003 from Columbia County adopting the 466-d Real Property Tax Law exempting Volunteer Fireman and Volunteer Ambulance Workers.  This would exempt volunteers to the extent of 10% of the assessed value up to $3000  on real property.  Each municipality shall adopt or not adopt this proposal.  The board would like to review this further before acting.

·         Letter from Chris Nolan, Planning Board, on subjects for discussion at the joint meeting to be held on Friday, February 06, 2004 between the Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

·         Councilwoman Lent reported on finalizing the grant for the Handicap ramp at the Town Hall.  We should expect the final check for $6000.

·         Councilwoman Lent presented the certificate from NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation designating the Clermont Civic Historic District on the State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.  She would like to incorporate a ceremony in conjunction with the August BBQ.  Also, the signs for in front of the Town Hall and St. Luke’s Church will be put up as soon as weather permits.

 

Deputy Supervisor Staats asked if there was any other correspondence or comments.  There was none.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·         The Town Clerk reported on the Community House and the agreement with the Canaan Fellowship.  Wendy Hempel, the treasurer of the Church and the clerk have reconciled the electric and heating bills from 2003 and the balance of the rent due has been submitted as well as the first quarter rent for 2004.  This will be reported in March.  The electric and heating costs will now be paid out of town expenditures.

 

NEW BUSINESS;

 

·         Superintendent Potts has gotten three quotes for a dumpster at the town garage and town hall.  The three quotes were for $65 per month, pickup every two weeks from Evergreen, Wild Associates and Barbato.  A motion was made to get the dumpster from Wild Associates for $65 per month by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Tousey. 

·         A motion was made to appoint Henry Rudolf to the Board of Assessment Review board by Councilman Tousey, seconded by Councilwoman Lent.  All in favor.  So Carried.  The board will table the appointments for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals at this time.

·         Councilwoman Lent made a motion to schedule the 8th Annual Easter Egg Hunt for Saturday, April 10, 2004 from 12 – 2 PM, seconded by Councilman Tousey.  There is $1500 budgeted for this purpose.  All in favor.  So carried.

·         Councilman Tousey reported on the removal of scrap metal from the town’s twenty-acre parcel, by those removing metal from Diane O’Neil’s recently purchased property.  Also, that we need a custom made storm window where the air conditioner had been.  Will talk to Jim Potts.

·         Superintendent Potts has asked if the board would consider allowing a roll over of the six sick days, if not used by an employee.  Currently if not used, they lose any that aren’t used.  The board will review the highway personnel policy.

·         A review of the fixed assets for Fire and Highway vehicles must be done for insurance purposes.

·         The board thanked Jim Potts and highway department for their help in preparing for the new lights installed by Niagara Mohawk.  Councilwoman Lent was instrumental in getting the new lights.

 

A motion was made by Councilman Harned, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve General abstract #2, page l, 2 & 3 vouchers #6 – 39 in the amount of $5,900.11.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

A motion was made by Councilman Harned, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve Highway abstract #2, page l & 2, vouchers 1 – 14 in the amount of $2,365.00.

All in favor.  So carried

 

Deputy Supervisor Staats entertained a motion to appoint a Town Supervisor.  A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent to appoint Michael Pelletier as Town Supervisor for the remainder of 2004, seconded by Councilman Harned.  A roll call vote was as follows:

Councilman Tousey – Aye

Councilman Harned – Aye

Councilwoman Lent – Aye

Councilman Staats – Nay with no prejudice against Michael. Stating that he has a problem appointing a non-elected person to an elected position, and that a six-year policy has been established for seeking candidates and interviewing for positions.

 

Motion carried.

 

Supervisor Michael Pelletier was introduced to those present and thanked the board for their confidence.

 

Deputy Supervisor Staats called for a motion to adjourn.  Motion made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Tousey at 8:30 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Mary Helen Shannon

Town Clerk