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Town Board – January 2018

                                                           CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

                                                                     JANUARY 2, 2018

 

The Clermont Town Board held their Organizational meeting, regular meeting and public hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2018 on January 2, 2018 at 6:45 P.M. at the Town Hall.  Those present were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson. Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve.  There was no one else present.

 

Supervisor Staats opened the Public Hearing on Veterans who rendered military service to the United States during the “Cold War”. that has to be done every ten years.  This does not change anything, it renews the exemption that is in place. There were no questions by anyone on the Board and there were no spectators present.  A motion was made to close the public hearing by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

Three members of the Town Board were sworn in by the Clerk, Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve for a new four-year term.

 

Following the Organizational Meeting and the Public Hearing the regular meeting was opened by Supervisor Staats.

 

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Brownson to accept the minutes of the December 5th meeting.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

A motion was made by Councilman Hempel to accept the minutes of the December 27th Year End meeting, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:

The Town Clerk presented a check to the Supervisor for the General Fund in the amount of $845.50.  A motion was made to accept the Town Clerk’s report by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond.  All in favor.  So carried.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Received the Columbia County Office for the Aging Newsletter.  Copies are available.
  • The Senior shredding program will be held again in March for seniors to bring in their personal papers to be shredded.
  • Website: There were no comments.
  • The Supervisor provided reports for December 2017. 

    COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond reported on the Community Solar Power Project in Clermont which was completed recently.  This was announced by the New York State Energy and Resource Authority. This solar power project was developed by Hudson Solar Energy and most of the panels have been sold.  There are only a few panels left.  Jeff Irish is the contact person for Hudson Solar Energy.
  • Councilman Desmond reported on the Planning and Zoning training session that he attended and was presented by Mary Howard, a member of our Planning Board and the American Institute of Certified Planners.  Members of the Town Planning Board, Zoning Board and the Building Inspector attended and received two hours credit.  Councilman Desmond has attended others sessions and he said that this was one of the best he has attended.
  • Web Committee:  Councilman Hempel said that he has a few people interested but if anyone is interested in helping to revamp the website please get in touch with him, Supervisor Staats or the Town Clerk.
  • GRANT: Councilwoman Brownson said that the Bank of Greene County has a grant opening through January 16th for up to $2500.00.  She is hoping for ideas for this grant. 
  • DEC UPDATE:  Supervisor Staats said we have not finalized with DEC on the Brownfield project but we have sent them a list of questions regarding the charges. He has not received any answers to those questions.  The balance of what is owed for the final capping is $84,896.
  • HIGHWAY:  Supervisor Staats reported that we have received the new highway pickup truck. The 2011 Ford will go to the online auction site. The book value is just higher than $13,000. Supervisor Staats thinks we should at least ask for $12,000.00 and would like the board’s input. The truck was purchased new in 2011 and the suggested retail was $34,000 with an additional $5000 for the plow.  We paid $23,000 under the state contract and $5000 for the plow. There is a slight problem with the transmission but the mechanic does not see a problem that should be fixed.  The board would like to try to get $13,000.00 for the truck. 
  • INSURANCE: At the year-end meeting, Gregory and Peter Fingar provided us with the rates for our insurance for this year. Our premiums have not changed very much in the last five or six years. The Supervisor said that we should, every few years, interview with other agencies for insurance, attorney, engineer and bookkeeping services.

     

    NEW BUSINESS:

  • LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF 2018: The public hearing was held prior to this meeting to extend the exemption for Veterans who rendered military service to the United States during the “Cold War”.   A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Local Law No. 1 of 2018.  A roll call vote was held: Councilman Desmond, Councilwoman Brownson, Councilman Hempel, Councilman Gildersleeve and Supervisor Staats all voting in the affirmative. So Carried. A copy will be provided to the Director of Real Property, Clermont’s Assessor and the Secretary of State.
  • FINANCIAL REVIEW: Supervisor Staats reported that the sales tax received so far this year is favorable and he believes we will be about 6% to 7% above budgeted amount.  The total unexpended amount in the General fund is $35,444, the revenues are about $31,000 in the positive once the sales tax and mortgage tax is received which puts us way over the budget. In the Highway fund the unexpended amount is $28,487 and the revenues will be about $22,942 in the positive.General: $380,204.00 starting fund balances and at years end we reduced our fund balance by about $55,000.00.

    Highway: The starting fund balance was $164,857.82 and the ending balance $195,266.66 but that was because $25,000 was transferred out of his truck fund.

               The Supervisor is very happy with the balances this year.

  • The audit review of the books of the Supervisor, Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Justices will be     held on Saturday, January 13th at 10:00 AM.  The board will also review the Town policies.   

    SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • Mary and Daniel Howard made a $1,000 donation to the park.  They are hoping to make a $5,000 donation in 2018.  They would like this to be a matching type donation for the park. She will match any donation received up to $5,000.00.  We will be looking for volunteers to work on this to seek donations for the park.  Supervisor Staats thanked Mary Howard for the session she taught.
  • Supervisor Staats thanked the Highway employees for working over the Christmas Holiday plowing and keeping the roads safe.
  •  There was an article on line in the Register Star that Supervisor Staats was the only Supervisor to vote no on the County Budget because they raised the taxes.  It has been placed on the Town website. 

    ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Highway abstract #1, voucher #1, in the amount of $3,947.56, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General Abstract #1, vouchers #1-13 in the amount of $17,833.96, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried.   

    PUBLIC COMMENTS:

    None

     

    A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Hempel at 7:55 P.M.  All in favor.  So carried.

     

    Respectfully submitted,

     

     

     

    Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

    Town Clerk