CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING

February 5, 2007

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, February 5, 2007. Those present were Councilman Staats, Councilwoman Lent, and Councilman Nolan. Supervisor Banks and Councilman Harned were absent. Others present were Charles Larsen, Laurence Saulpaugh, Robert Desmond, Judith Neary, Elizabeth Mahar, George Davis, Dianne O’Neal, Dagmar Payne, Gregory Fingar, Mr. and Mrs. Votava, Katie and Mark Levine, Paul Doherty, Jay Trapp of Wheeler Engineers, Andrew Howard, Town Attorney and Richard Roth of the Independent.

Due to the absence of Supervisor Banks and Councilman Harned, Councilwoman Lent opened the meeting with the salute to the flag. Town Attorney Andrew Howard spoke about Local Law #2, which revises the Zoning Law to provide for the administration and enforcement of the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Zoning law of the Town of Clermont. The intent of the revision is to incorporate the Building and Fire code into the existing zoning law in Section 5 - Administration. It is a designation of those that carry out the functions of the code. The public hearing on this local law and the continuation of the public hearing from January 15th on the change in the residential agriculture district from one acre to two acres will be held in February. There was a question by Councilman Nolan regarding what sections of the zoning had been changed by local law #2 and the response was just Section 5 dealing with administration. The local laws were sent to Columbia County Planning for their recommendations, which were received and read by Councilwoman Lent. On both Local Laws it was deemed that there was no significant county-wide or intercommunity impacts associated with it and noted some minor corrections. Councilman Nolan asked if Dutchess County should be notified. Mr. Howard stated that notification would be done in conjunction with SEQRA after the public hearing. A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Staats to continue the public hearing on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 P.M. on Local Law #1 to increase the minimum lot area in the Residential Agriculture district from one acre to two acres and hold the public hearing on Local Law #2 to amend the Zoning Law to provide for the administration and enforcement of the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lent to move into executive session on a matter of possible litigation at 7:25 P.M.. Motion seconded by Councilman Staats.

A motion was made to return to the regular meeting by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Staats at 7:40 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

· Marie Votava, resident on Route 9 asked if there was anything that the Town Board could do about getting a post office in Clermont? Residents who have a Tivoli address and phone number encounter many problems with insurance, medical

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coverage, etc. Greg Fingar pointed out that a certificate of residence could be obtained with proof of residence, such as tax bill, voter registration card to show to insurance

companies. Charles Larsen explained that our former post office did not cover all of Clermont and that it is not likely the Postal department will open a new post office. They are closing many. It was pointed out that you could use Clermont, New York 12583 or 12526 if you are in the Germantown Post Office and it will be delivered.

· Jay Trapp, our engineer from D. F. Wheeler spoke about a proposal for a new highway garage and salt shed. The preliminary sketch is of a building 8000 square feet, similar in size to other towns, at a cost of $108 - $110 per square foot including everything that could be anticipated in the building, but does not include bonding costs or demolition of old building. The proposal for the garage is $869,400 and $200,187 for the salt shed. Most concerns centered on where this would be built as expressed by Councilman Nolan, Dagmar Payne and others. There has been no decision at this point on a site and planning discussions will be held.

CORRESPONDENCE:

· Signed Resolution #2 - 07, which was approved at the January meeting to contract with Pine Plains Veterinary Associates for 2007.

· NYS Economic Development Learn to Ski 1-2-3 Program has been extending into February because of the lack of snow in January.

· A motion was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve lead agency status on the environmental review on the Mountain View Farms subdivision on County Route 6, north - 13 lot and south - 10 lot project to the Planning Board. All in favor. So carried.

· Read thank you note from Jennings-Willets Post of the American Legion for our donation.

· NYS Office of Real Property Tax Service on current equalization rate of 64.10. Will discuss this with Peter Ostrander.

· Mrs. Votava asked how wetland values are determined. There is no value placed on * wetlands; even though they cannot be used, it does not reduce your assessment.

· Town Clerks Report - Checks in the amount of $4,499.43 for General fund and $1163.30 for Trust and Agency. A motion was made to accept the Town Clerk’s report by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilman Nolan. All in favor. So carried.

· U. S. Department of Commerce - U. S. Census Bureau on local update of census addresses program for 2010 census. The Town Clerk hopes to attend a workshop at Columbia Greene on 2/6 sponsored by the County Planning Department and NYS Data Center.

· NYS Municipal Insurance loss report for 2006, which showed no losses for Clermont in 2006.

· Received bond policy for Tax Collector in the amount of $200,000.

· Pace University School of Law, Land use law center on training program for zoning and planning board members on 3/23/07 at Chatham House Tavern or 3/24 at Columbia Greene Community College.

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OLD BUSINESS:

· The resolution on the lease of the Community House with the Canaan Fellowship has been sent to the attorney for review, but has not been returned at this time.

· Councilman Nolan asked about the status of the air monitoring project. Greg Fingar responded that * Correction -Denise Sheehan was actively reviewing it but with the administration change, lost her commission. The plan will be resubmitted to new administration.

· Councilwoman Lent has met with John Fieser regarding window replacements at the Community House. The estimate is that it will be about $40 to $200 per window. There are 22 windows out of 22 that do not work, the original windows were made of pine, replacements have rotted out and they are smaller or larger than actual windows. Also storm windows should be installed to protect sills, etc. Councilwoman Lent is estimating $10,000 and will request a member item grant through Senator Salands office.

· Councilwoman Lent has completed the Grant for the Community House roof and sill project and we should receive the final check for $25,000 from the state.

NEW BUSINESS:

· Councilwoman Lent reported that the 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2007 from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. and a motion was made by Councilwoman Lent, seconded by Councilman Staats to hold the Easter Egg Hunt on this date. Requested the assistance from the Fire Company as in the past. There is a program called ‘Hugs from Home’ which is local citizens sending care packages to our Troops accepting items such as candy, snacks, toiletries, cards, batteries, etc. and contributions for shipping costs which Councilwoman Lent will also have at the Easter Egg Hunt.

· A motion was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve the January 2, 2007 Organizational meeting minutes, the January 2nd Town Board minutes and the January 15, 2007 Public Hearing minutes with a correction to the date which was typed incorrectly. All in favor. So carried.

· Clermont Fire Chief Laurence Saulpaugh requested that the Town Board send a letter to the Department of Environmental Conservation requesting that the time period for removing and replacing the boat docks at the Anchorage in Germantown be extended from the current dates to March 15th through December 1st. There is a greater need for access to the river for this extended period of time by emergency crews as there is more recreational activity on the river. A motion was made in support of this request by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Staats. All in favor. So carried.

· Anne Poleschner, our town historian, has been hospitalized. Councilwoman Lent would like to organize, possibly a Spring Tea, to show our appreciation to Anne for her dedication to Clermont.

· Don DeLaurentis, former Assessor, and more recently Clerk to the Assessor has passed away and will be missed by many.

· There will be a Farmers Forum with the representatives of the Keep Farming Committee from Germantown and Livingston to be held on Saturday, February 24th at

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10:00 A.M. at the Germantown Activities Building in Palatine Park and on Tuesday, February 27th at 7:00 P.M. at the Community House in Clermont. There is also a

Farmer’s Market Building Blocks for Communities seminar sponsored by the Farmers Market Federation of New York to be held in Syracuse on March 8, 2007.

· Greg Fingar reported that there was a meeting with Northern Dutchess Paramedics last week, between the Towns covered by the ambulance service. Supervisor Banks did attend. There were no decisions made on the next year’s contractual payments to Northern Dutchess for ambulance service in our area.

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Staats to approve Trust & Agency abstract #1 in the amount of $3,077.29. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilman Staats to approve General Fund abstract #2 in the amount of $8041.57. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Nolan, seconded by Councilwoman Lent to approve Highway abstract #2 in the amount of $4,438.26. All in favor. So carried.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Staats, seconded by Councilman Nolan at 9:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon

Town Clerk