CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING

March 7, 2005

The Clermont Town Board held its regular town board meeting on Monday, March 7, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. Those present were Supervisor William E. Banks, Councilman Staats, Councilwoman Lent, Councilman Harned, Councilman Tousey and Town Attorney Albert Trezza. There were numerous others present from the community; a partial list is attached. There was no one from the press present.

Supervisor Banks opened the Town Board meeting. A motion was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilman Harned to waive the reading of the February minutes and accept them as presented. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

PUBLIC COMMENT:

There were no other comments.

OLD BUSINESS:

A public hearing was held to adopt a Code of Ethics in January. The Board needs to appoint a Board of Ethics. Supervisor Banks recommends appointing for a one year term to the Board of Ethics:

None of these individuals are involved with any town boards. Councilman Tousey has reservations, as he does not know any of the individuals or anything about them.

Councilman Staats made a motion to appoint Robert Elliott, Richard Dedrick and Christopher Wolfe for a one-year term to the Board of Ethics. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Lent. All in favor. So carried.

Supervisor Banks recommended appointing Jane Churchill as representative to the Office for the Aging, and Grace Goldberg as alternate. A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Tousey to appoint Jane Churchill as representative and Grace Goldberg as alternate to the Office for the Aging from the town. All in favor. So carried.

Bram Moreinis reported on the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the overlay zone in the Hamlets, which was held February 28, 2005 at the Community House. The meetings will be held on the second Monday and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 P.M. The provisional chairperson is Rebecca Sethi. Bram submitted minutes of the first meeting, schedule of meetings and committee members.

The Town Clerks report for February was read and check submitted for $247.70. A motion was made to accept the Town Clerk’s report by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent. All in favor. So carried.

Councilwoman Lent and Attorney Trezza reported on the Zoning revisions. New definitions for Mobile home and Modular Home have been given to Attorney Trezza for review. A public hearing will have to be held after the Columbia County Planning Board has reviewed the draft revisions, pursuant to Town Law 239m. A review of SEQRA can be done after the public hearing. Notices to adjoining towns will be sent and the public hearing can be scheduled at the April meeting.

The Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 26 th from 12 PM to 2 PM at the Town Hall grounds.

Attorney Trezza gave the Town certified checks from John and Nora Moran, who are present, in the amount of $28,435.63 and $542.01 which is the total amount for the bonding of the remaining work to be done on Regan Way in the subdivision site off Commons Road. Dan Wheeler provided the bond estimate for the tack coat, surface course and engineering fees associated with the completion. Building permits can now be issued as this assures the town that road will be completed. Copies will be provided to the Planning Board and Highway Superintendent.

Our resident Deputy has requested the towns of Livingston, Germantown and Clermont to pay $800 for the purchase of a radar unit to be used in his patrol car. Other towns have agreed. If approved, the money could be transferred from the Supervisors account

A1220.4 to the Justice’s account A1110.4 for the purchase. A motion was made by Councilman Tousey, seconded by Councilwoman Lent for a resolution to transfer $800.00 from the Supervisors account A1220.4 to the Justice account A-1110.4 for the purchase of a radar unit.

Supervisor Banks reported that he will meet with the State auditor and other board members for the exit report and that our accountant has completed the annual report an filed it with the State Comptroller’s office. The hard copy is also ready.

Councilman Tousey reported on the Association of Towns conference, which he attended in February. Voting machines seems to be the major issue this year. The cost for some machines is as much as $10,000. There are also setup packages and educational packages.

Carrie Watkins-Bates of Scenic Hudson came before the board to answer concerns about the grant for as much as $19,400 which they have applied for from the NYS Conservation Partnership Program. The purpose of the grant is for Scenic Hudson to work with Clermont and the Greenway Grant towards an Overlay Zone for the Hamlets in Clermont. Among some concerns were that this grant was geared too much towards preservation of agricultural lands by purchasing development rights. There was extensive discussion on open space vs. hamlet development. Ms. Watkins-Bates has asked for a letter of support from the Town Board to be sent to the Land Trust Alliance and the grant review is March 18 th so the letter would have to arrive by the 11 th.

Councilman Tousey motioned for a letter of support to be written for Scenic Hudson in time for this years grant cycle. He has asked Ms. Watkins-Bates to prepare a letter to be signed tonight. Councilman Harned thinks he would rather discuss it some more, and Councilwoman Lent agrees this is not representative of those who live here. There was no second of the motion.

Again, Councilman Tousey made a motion to provide a letter of support to Scenic Hudson in favor of the grant. If we do not like the results, we don’t have to accept it.

Councilman Harned has reservations but seconded the motion. Supervisor Banks called for a roll call vote which was as follows:

Councilman Tousey – aye Councilman Harned – aye

Councilwoman Lent – nay Councilman Staats – aye

Supervisor Banks – nay

The motion passed 3-2 in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Staats to approve payment of General abstract #3, vouchers 42-73 in the amount of $6274.52. All in favor. So carried.

5 A motion was made by Councilman Harned, seconded by Councilman Staats to approve the Highway abstract #3, vouchers #21-31 in the amount of $3806.54. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilman Harned. All in favor. So carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon

Town Clerk

A partial list of those attending: