CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING

October 3, 2005

The Clermont Town Board held its regular Town Board meeting on Monday, October 3, 2005.  Those present were Supervisor William E. Banks, Councilwoman Lent, Councilman Staats, Councilman Harned and Councilman Tousey. Others present were Mandy Fuchs, Jr., Amandus Fuchs, Robert Desmond, Margaret Innerhoffer, Paul Cha, Bram Moreinis, Elizabeth Mahar, Judith Neary, Chris Nolan, Charles Lent, Patrick Meehan, Kevin Bathrick, Ralph Choinsky, Peter Fingar, Greg Fingar, J. Minkowitz, Walter Brembs, Anne Poleschner, Town Attorney Albert Trezza, Rachel Hyman, Mr. Hyman, et al.
Supervisor Banks opened the Town Board meeting.  Supervisor Banks noted one correction on the last page – Change Mr. to Ms. in reference to Ms. Shaw-Rea. A motion was made by Councilman Tousey, seconded by Councilwoman Lent, to waive the reading of the minutes as copies were provided and to accept them with the correction.  All in favor.  So carried.

COMMUNICATION:

• Hilltop Communications – Letter advising that WPIX will be removed from the cable lineup on October 31, 2005.
• Wild Associates Management – Due to increase in fuel cost and due to transporting to landfills further away, there will be an increase for disposal fees charged.
• NYS Real Property Services – Regarding 2005 Annual Reassessment Aid application received on behalf of the Town of Clermont
• Germantown Park Commission – Seeking volunteers for the Winter Ski Program
• Hudson River Valley Greenway – Meeting on October 12, 2005 at the Hudson National Golf Club in Croton on Hudson.
• Copy of announcement by Governor Pataki regarding Brownsfields Grants received in NYS.  Clermont has applied for a grant for remediation of the twenty-acre parcel donated to the town by Cathy Hettling.  The amount received is $99,000.
• Town Clerks Report for September – Received a check for $268.14.  A motion was made to accept the report by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent.  All in favor.  So Carried.
• Resolution #13 – 2005 to increase Capital Outlay account DA5112.2 due to shortfall in that account because of fuel increases.  Transferring from DA5130.4 to DA5112.2 in the amount of $1,207.65.
• Letter from Commission on Alternatives to School Property Taxes will hold a meeting on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 from 4-6PM at John L. Edwards School in Hudson.
• Public Service Commission – Educational Forum at Bethlehem Public Library on Sept. 28, 2005 to review telecommunications policies, practices.
• Germantown Fire District – Board of Fire Commissioners clarifying statements printed by the Register Star on starting a first responders program which was not an authorized article.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS:

• Bram Moreinis requested a sub-committee be formed for the Community House to oversee maintenance and use of the Community House.  The Community House is presently used by the Church on Sundays and the Computer lab during the week.  A sub-committee would make recommendations to the Town Board.  Councilman

Tousey does agree that the building needs constant attention.  If anyone is interested in being on the committee they should contact the Town Clerk.

• Robert Desmond thanked the Town Board for hiring the environmental attorney in order to get the money for the Brownfield’s Grant.
• Judith Neary presented a response to Amandus Fuch’s letter on changing the present one-acre zoning to three acres.  Copies will be provided to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Bram Moreinis reported that the survey would be sent out this week by the Steering Committee on the Hamlet overlay.  
• Red Hook Central School District in seeking representatives from Towns and Villages in the district to participate in a district wide Space Needs Committee.  A motion was made to appoint Judith Neary by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Harned.  All in favor. So carried.
• There will be a seminar on October 26 in Albany on the Help America Vote Act.

OLD BUSINESS:

• The new siding on the Community House has been installed and painted.  There will soon be a new door and the sunburst will be repaired.  Councilwoman Lent reported that bid documents should be in soon from Preservation Architecture for the roof work, which has to be done.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Budget Officer Richard Staats has filed the budget for 2006 with the Town Clerk.  Copies will be available during the Town Clerk’s business hours.  A motion was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilman Harned to hold the public hearing on the preliminary budget on Monday, November 7, 2005 at 7:00 P.M.  All in favor.  So Carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve General Abstract #10, vouchers # 250-#275, in the amount of $12,349.35.  All in favor.  So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve the Highway Abstract, vouchers #96-#107 in the amount of $29,946.01.  All in favor.  So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Staats to approve Trust and Agency Abstract, vouchers #7 & #8 in the amount of $382.50.  All in favor.  So Carried.

There was discussion between the Town Attorney and the audience regarding complaints from residents on Moore Road on what they consider to be commercial use of a building built by Pat Meehan.  Mr. Trezza has spoken with John Fieser, building inspector and John feels that all the plans were in proper order.  There is no limitation on the size of an accessory building, there is, however, a limitation on buildings for a home occupation.  John Fieser feels Mr. Meehan in within his right to build the building.  Mr. Trezza agrees.  If the complainants would like an interpretation, they should go to the building inspector and request an interpretation by the ZBA on whether or not this is a commercial activity.
They can at their expense hire an attorney and an engineer to review the plans if they desire. 

Ralph Choinsky is looking to purchase property on Commons Road, which extends to the Roe Jan Kill.  There are easements on the property by National Grid and Iroquois Pipeline also.  He would like the Boards feeling about a portion of the property being donated to the Town for use as a park or for access to the stream.  The board asked Mr. Choinsky to bring in a plan for them to review.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Staats to adjourn at 8:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon
Town Clerk