CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING
December 5, 2005
The Clermont Town Board held its regular Town Board meeting on Monday, December 5, 2005. Those present were Supervisor William E. Banks, Councilman Staats, Councilwoman Lent, Councilman Harned and Councilman Tousey. Others present were William Cole, Kimberlea Shaw Rea, Esq., Judith Neary, Elizabeth Mahar, Dagmar Payne, Dennis Palazzo, Robert Desmond, Walter and Vera Brembs, Laurence Saulpaugh, Gregory Fingar, George Davis, Chris Nolan, Meri Puccio, Paul Doherty, Rachel Hyman and Richard Roth, Independent.
Supervisor Banks opened the meeting with a salute to the flag. A motion was made to accept the minutes as presented by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilman Tousey. All in favor. So carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
· Walter Brembs asked about the results of the survey sent out by the Hamlet Steering Committee. In the absence of Chairwoman Rebecca Sethi, Bob Desmond who is on the committee explained that arrangements have been made to have the results compiled. The process should take about 2-3 weeks. Five hundred fifty surveys were sent out and approximately 200 were returned. Chris Nolan noted that Meri Puccio, owner of Julia and Isabellas Restaurant, who is here tonight, donated a prize for the drawing. Supervisor Banks suggested, that thank you notes be sent out by the committee to those donating.
· Chris Nolan asked if anyone had contacted Chris Gilbert, the owner of the former Boice property regarding the removal of C&D materials. The owner maintains that no one has spoken to him. Chief Larry Saulpaugh has personally spoken to him, as well as, DEC regarding this situation.
· Once again, the Con Ed funds were brought up and it was suggested that Mr. Nolan file a FOIL request for the information and he will receive copies of what has been extracted to date for the other applicant.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION:
1. Roland Vosburgh, Director, Columbia County Planning - Keep Farming Program Opportunity - regarding RFP from Glynwood Center. Submission deadline is 1/9/06. Rebecca Sethi provided copies for the Board members. Councilman Tousey explained that the Glynwood Center designs programs are to keep farming alive based on how many farms, acreage involved, etc. They offer a $20,000 grant, with the town providing $5,000. It is possible that Scenic Hudson would provide the $5,000.
Bob Desmond suggested that the towns of Clermont, Germantown and Livingston might consider doing this together. A motion was made by Councilman Tousey, seconded by Councilman Staats to proceed with the grant request. All in favor. So carried. Councilwoman Lent will work the Rebecca on the request.
2. Letter from Catherine All, Office for the Aging seeking volunteers to form a taskforce to determine the local impact of the expected demographic shift as Baby boomers begin to retire in 2015. Supervisor Banks asked for any interested person to represent the Town at the next meeting on December 7°i.
State Comptrollers teleconference material was handed out to the Board members for a conference on December 12 for Just Elected Officials; Chris Nolan received a packet, since he is newly elected, and the Association of Towns conference for newly elected officials in January. Also included was information about the Training School and Annual Meeting in New York City in February.
4. Conferences being held on Zoning and Land Use- 1/31/06, Phase II Stormwater Regulation and Compliance - 1/31/06 and the Many Faces of SEQRA on 2/15/06, all being held in White Plains.
5. NYS Energy Research and Development Authority - Info about electric audit for Small business.
Columbia County Land Conservancy - Enclosed a Conservation and Recreation Lands Map
7. Memo from Harold Sharp, Deputy County Treasurer regarding Health insurance open transfer period for 2006
Town Clerk's report for November - Check to town for $572.69. A motion to accept report by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilman Harned. All in favor. So carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
· Judith Neary reported on a building tour of the Red Hook schools. Seeking input on the needs for population growth, renovations, etc. Demographics studies are usual required by the State for expansion of schools.
· Rebecca Sethi reported on the Hamlet Steering Committee survey. Rebecca has contacted the grantees of the Laura Musser funds to see if these funds can be used to have the results of the survey consolidated. This would insure objectivity. It is possible to use the funds and the cost would be $1.75 per survey. A motion was made by Councilman Tousey, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to hire someone to complete the survey results. Beehan Associates of Saratoga responded to the planning proposal for the hamlet steering committee and there are some points in their proposal, which they are seeking clarification on.
· Kimberlea Shaw Rea was present to discuss the communications she has had with DEC regarding the former LaMunyan site on Route 9G. She has written to DEC requesting clarification on their position on the C&D site. In their response, they noted that the site violates Part 360 Regulations and is non-compliant. They have failed to comply with the completion of the site investigation and closure plan. Ms. Shaw-Rea recommended that Billy Cole should take appropriate remediation and that the town should not grant any permits on the property until it is compliant. Mr. Cole stated that this would cost millions and he would walk away from the property. She suggested to Mr. Cole that the nine acres be surveyed and the limits of the C&D waste delineated. In this way, he might possibly be able to use the portion, which is not contaminated and leave the balance undisturbed. Supervisor Banks asked Ms.
Shaw-Rea to contact DEC and request them to come down and footprint the area and clarify as to what part of the acreage owner can use.
NEW BUSINESS:
· Councilwoman Lent reported that if anyone is looking for trees or wreaths, the Edward Kahle family on County Route 6 have trees for sale and the children make and decorate wreaths and greens for the Christmas season.
· Marilyn Kaplan of Preservation Architecture was unable to attend the meeting, but did receive three bids for roof work on the Community House. They were as follows:
MID STATE LA TORRE
Base Bid $55,811.00 $32,900.00 Alt. I - Add Subgrade Drainage $ 6,000.00 $ 3,960.00 Alt. 2 - Add Restoration of Cupola $18,400.00 $16,000.00 Alt. 3 - Add Chimney rebuild $ 6,500.00 $ 6,400.00 Alt. 4 - Wood Shingles $13,940.00 $ 8,000.00 Alt. 5 - Attic Insulation $ 3,500.00 $ 6,600.00 Alt. 6 - Asbestos abatement $10,000.00 No amount
Marilyn Kaplan recommended that we proceed with La Tone Construction with a base bid of $32,900; Alt. 2- Cupola Restoration - $16,000; Alt. 3 - Chimney rebuild - $6,400. Total of $55,300. It was also recommended to consider wood shingles for the roof as opposed to asphalt. A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Harned, to award the bid to LaTorre Construction Base bid, Alt. #2 and Alt. #3 and wood shingles for the roof for a total of $63,300. All in favor. So carried.
· Councilman Tousey presented Resolution #17-05. Councilman Tousey made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Lent authorizing the Supervisor to transfer $100,000, which was declared a surplus, from the General Account into the General Building Capital Reserve. All in favor. So carried.
· Councilwoman Lent reported that seven display pedestals have been made and stained for use in the Community House. There is $2,000 in the budget for this expense.
· Councilman Staats reported that the Christmas Program would be held on Sunday, December 18'j' at 7:00 P.M. with caroling at St. Lukes Church, Santa Claus and refreshments to follow. This will be posted on the website.
· There is a vacancy to be filled on the Planning Board, as Chris Nolan will be taking his seat on the Town Board on January IS'. There are also three positions whose terms will expire on December 31, 2005. They are on the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Assessment Review. Interviews will be held on December 27' at 6:30 P.M. after the year-end meeting. Those currently holding the three seats will be notified and anyone else interested should contact the Town Clerk. This will be posted on the website.
· Supervisor Banks reported that Albert Trezza, Town Attorney is retiring at the end of this year. Also Peter Ostrander, Sole Assessor will stay on during the year 2006.
A motion was made by Councilman Harned, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve payment of Trust and Agency abstract #12, vouchers 12-14 in the amount of $2,104.25. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Harned, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve payment of General Abstract #12, pages 1,2,3, vouchers #299 - 340 in the amount of $35,049.00. All in favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilman Harned to approve Highway abstract #12 for payment, vouchers #118-130 in the amount $4,648.61. All'
n
favor. So carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Harned, seconded by Councilman Staats to adjourn at 8:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon Town Clerk