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Town Board – November 2018

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD

NOVEMBER 5, 2018

The Clermont Town Board held a public hearing on the 2019 Budget on Monday, November 5, 2018 at 6:45 P.M. prior to the 7:00 P.M. regular town board meeting at the Town Hall.  Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Evan Hempel and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve.  Councilman Robert Desmond was absent.  There were nine residents present.

BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING

Supervisor Staats opened the public hearing on the 2019 budget.  There will be no tax increase as far as town taxes go.  The taxable rate for the town will go down, so the tax rate per $1000 of assessment has gone down. There were some salary increases in the highway department, our only full-time employees, who will receive a 2% increase.  Our Code enforcement officer will receive an increase of $1500.00. There are some purchases which have been budgeted for: a new one ton dump truck for $75,000 and a mower head for the tractor for $11,000 from the equipment reserve fund. Also plans to increase the equipment fund contribution to $45,000, which is put in at the end of the year. Funds from the Park reserve of $10,000 made up of donations was entered into the Park and Recreation fees and Building Repairs was increased by $20500 for hail damage repairs for which we received the insurance money.  This work will be done next year. The total expenditures are $756,067.00 and the amount to be raised by taxes is $104,580.00, the same as last year. The sales tax revenue helps to offset what we ask for in the budget. There were no comments from the public.

The public hearing was closed at 6:55 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING

The regular meeting of the Town Board was opened with the salute to the flag.

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to move into executive session to discuss possible litigation at 7:05 P.M., seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.

A motion was made to come out of executive session by Councilman Gildersleeve at 7:15 PM, seconded by Councilman Hempel.

Supervisor Staats did read a statement regarding last months meeting and the public comments during the meeting.  He does usually allow public comment during the meeting because he values the public’s input but he does not want another meeting like last month.  He is requesting that all comments be held until the public comment period at the end of the meeting.  If there is pertinent information on a subject being discussed the Supervisor may call upon the individual for comments. He is asking for everyone’s compliance.

Mary Howard, Chair of the Park committee introduced Amy Parella who showed slides of proposed low growing native plants for the entrance to the Park off  Route 9.  There were suggestions to use cranberry cotoneaster or fragrant sumac.  She finds that the fragrant sumac does grow in height and would have to be pruned back periodically. These are salt tolerant, low growing plantings that she would suggest using, such as dwarf switchgrass, dwarf black eyed Susan, Cranberry, dwarf crabapple, daffodils could also be used and mulched in very well.  She also showed a variation of signs which could be used to draw attention to the park.  She will price out signs, plants and mulch.

Patrizio Gonzalez and family, who live and work across from the town hall came to thank the Town Board for the soccer field.  It is much appreciated by their friends and neighbors, as many children, including their own enjoy playing soccer. 

MINUTES: The minutes of the October 1st meeting were reviewed and a motion to accept made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor.  So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk read the report for October and presented a check for the General fund in the amount of $$4,710.44. 
  • There will be a Veterans Day Lunch at Questar III on Thursday, November 8, 2018, Route 66, Greenport.
  • Office for the Aging – Elder Express newsletter for October – December
  • Budget and Revenue reports through October 31st.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilwoman Brownson commented on the proposed new website and how much more there is to it.
  • Councilman Hempel has been working on the website with the committee and are moving content to the new site.  He feels that there may be a link to the new website as early as next month.
  • Councilman Brownson reported that the Country Seats Tour did use the Community House on October 13th and had over 100 people stopping in for their tour maps of the historic homes in the area.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • HAIL DAMAGE: The hail storm of May 15th did damage to the Community House, Town Hall and additional damage was found to the roof on the back of the highway garage.  In addition, Councilman Hempel noticed a broken pain of glass on the shed behind the garage. We have received payment on some of the damage but are waiting to hear from the adjuster on additional damage.  
  • DEC INVOICE: An additional invoice was received from DEC for the remediation to the Hettling Park land and has been forwarded to our town engineer. He has suggested to send it to our town attorney also.  We have not heard back yet from our attorney.  The Supervisor does not believe that this is a valid invoice. 
  • VETERANS MONUMENT DEDICATION: The American Legion will present a flag and preside at the dedication ceremony at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 11th in the park on Route 9.  All are invited to attend.
  • PROPERTY REVALUATION: The Assessor is doing a full reevaluation on all parcels.  Data mailers went out on all parcels for any changes to be noted by the homeowner.  Reevaluation will be done in November and December and this process will be completed for March 1st. 
  • PARK COMMITTEE:

Supervisor Staat has put together an outline for the Park committee to use. Councilman Desmond has decided to remove himself from the committee and Mary Howard will take over the Chair spot.  A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to use this as an outline for the committee, Councilman Hempel seconded. All in favor.  So carried. Councilwoman Brownson asked how often and when the committee meets.  Mary Howard responded that they have been meeting monthly, but missed a few months.  Phyllis Heiko pointed out that everyone has certain vegetation (trees or flowers) that they like, however, they may not be good growing. Supervisor Staats did thank all those that are involved.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • The Planning Board has requested a clarification between a minor subdivision and a lot line adjustment in the zoning law. This will be referred to our attorney.
  • The Zoning Board of Appeals has requested a statement on the website encouraging applicants to attend application night to be better prepared when submitting their applications. A statement will be added to the website. 
  • PARK AND RECREATION DONATION: Supervisor Staats thanked Mary Howard and husband for a matching donation of $4000.00 towards the park. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Clemente are donating a flag pole and flag for the park.
  • BUDGET: The public hearing was held prior to this meeting on the 2019 preliminary budget.  A motion has been made to adopt the 2019 budget by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor. So carried.
  • SALES TAX REVENUE: Received $108,536.00 for this quarter sales tax.  This is more than 3% from last year.
  • DEVEREAUX FOUNDATION: Devereaux is proposing a group home to be located on Cemetery Road. These properties come off the tax rolls when used for homes for the disabled.  Currently there are six homes in Clermont.  We have challenged this before so the Supervisor would like to have our attorney file a challenge.  A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to have the attorney file a challenge for a hearing.  All in favor.  So carried.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • At last month’s meeting, the Board was asked if anything could be done about speeding on Buckwheat Bridge Road.  Supervisor Staats has talked to the Sheriff and patrols have been increased. They will also put up a speed sign. He will follow up on this with the Sheriff.
  • The Supervisor thanked the park committee, the website committee and the highway department for the work that they do and the Election Inspectors.
  • The soccer field is being used at this time and the Supervisor is sure that it will be used. He also thanked those that have donated, The Howards, $4000; Morris Associates, $1000; Fingar Insurance, $1000; Freeman-Howard, $500; Southern Columbia Soccer league, $1000.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made to approve General Prepaid abstract #11, vouchers #275-278 in the amount of $542.20 by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried
  • A motion was made to approve General abstract #11, vouchers #279-307 in the amount of $5,919.90 by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Hempel.  All in favor.  So carried.
  • A motion was made to approve Highway abstract #11, vouchers #102 – 113 in the amount of $9,214.26 by Councilman Hempel, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.  All in favor.  So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Anthony Miserendino asked about liability insurance for the parks.  The Leagues provide riders through their insurance.  We also have insurance.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson at 8:15 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk