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Town Board – December 2020

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
DECEMBER 7, 2020

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. at the Clermont Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute. Others present were Mary Howard, Phyllis Heiko, Chris Nolan, David Szalas, Merri Puccio and Tracey Gallant.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag.

MINUTES: After review of the November minutes, a motion was made by Councilman Desmond to accept the minutes, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The November Clerk’s report was read and a check for the General fund in the amount of $8.03 was presented to the Supervisor.
  • BUDGET AND REVENUE REPORTS: The Supervisor gave the board members the budget and revenue reports for November, 2020.
  • WEBSITE: Councilman Gildersleeve is keeping the website up-to-date with postings. There was a question about COVID-19. A link will be added so that there is access to current information.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • VETERANS MONUMENT: Councilman Desmond reported that the path to the monument is settling and holding up.
  • APPOINTMENTS: Councilman Desmond reported that members of the town board met to interview a replacement for the position on the Zoning Board of Appeals due to the resignation of John Rusconi. There was one applicant for the five-year term, Ben Peacock, who is currently the alternate member and Lee Gallant for the alternate position.

Councilman Desmond recommends both applicants.

  • HETTLING PARK: Councilwoman Lusher Shute reported that the committee for the park have put in the stakes for the newly planted trees, cleaned up around entrance, marked spot for benches and tables. The maintenance schedule has been updated and they are asking that the stream bed and monarch meadow area not be mowed. Also, removal of trash and debris be removed from around vernal pool. Jennifer Phillips has offered top soil for monarch meadow. Currently, the driveway and parking area are not being plowed but the Supervisor will ask the Highway Superintendent to plow them.
  • COMPUTER: Councilman Gildersleeve has been working on setting up a new computer for the Town Clerk and it is almost completed.
  • AMERICA WALKS GRANT: Councilwoman Brownson has filed a grant for $1500 for two bicycle racks and signs in Spanish for the park. She has not heard from County Historian Bill Better about an event at Clarkson Chapel in Clermont.
  • GRANT – NYS CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES: Councilwoman Brownson and Lusher-Shute introduced a grant possibility for communities to be able to hire a coordinator for $8000.00 to address impacts of climate change and town infrastructure. There is no cost to the town. David Szlasa of Clermont has expressed interest and if appointed by the Board would apply for this grant and identify improvements to buildings and vehicles. There is no application for the town to do what is proposed by the Coordinator.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute to nominate David Szlasa as Climate Task Force Community Coordinator and to move forward with the resolution for Mr. Szlasa to apply for the grant. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Brownson, Councilman Desmond, Abstained, Councilman Gildersleeve, opposed, Supervisor Staats, Aye. Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • COMMUNITY HOUSE INTERNET: There was discussion last month about getting internet service to the Community House. After Councilman Gildersleeve and Councilwoman Lusher Shute looked at several options, it was decided to go direct from the Town Hall to the Community House.
  • MORTGAGE TAX: The mortgage tax check received was $44,606.00, $27,000 over budgeted amount for this year. The 4th quarter sales tax will not be received until February.
  • COUNTY BUDGET: In past years, Supervisor Staats has voted against the County budget as he felt they were inflated, but this year he will probably vote in favor of the budget with a 1.57% increase.
  • CHIPS REIMBURSEMENT: We have not yet received this but it is felt that it will be a 20-25% decrease from past years. Our highway Superintendent Jim Potts cut back on the road work that he had budgeted for as he thought this would be the case.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • RESOLUTION NO. 42 OF 2020: Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Record. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to adopt Resolution No. 42 of 2020 having to do with retention and disposition of government records. All in favor. So carried.
  • APPOINTMENTS: Supervisor Staats asked for motion to approve the following:

Sarah Takacs – Board of Assessment Review – 5-year term 10/1/2020 -9/30 2025

Larry Saulpaugh – Planning Board – 7-year term – 1/1/2021 – 12/31/2027

Phyllis Heiko – Zoning Board of Appeals – 5-year term – 1/1/21 – 12/31/2025

Ben Peacock – Zoning Board of Appeals – 5-year term – 12/7/2020 – 12/31/2023

Completing term of John Rusconi

Lee Gallant – ZBA Alternate – Appointed 12/7/20 – 12/31/2020

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond to accept the appointments.

  • The year-end meeting will be held on Monday, December 28th at 7:00 P.M. to pay the final bills of the year.
  • COURT SECURITY: The town has had a request from the District Attorney’s office to have Court Security when Court is in session. The Town Justice’ agree that, for safety reasons, the town contract with the Sheriff’s Office for coverage 3 hours per week. The cost to be determined depending on rank of officer.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve. All in favor. So carried.

  • PLANNING, ZBA Signs: Mary Howard, Planning Board member, has requested that the board purchase signs that can be posted on landowner’s property when subdividing or making a lot change that can alert adjoining landowners. She is authorized to purchase signs at a cost of up to $750.00 for both boards.
  • FIRE COMMISSIONERS: The Election for Fire Commissioner will be held on Tuesday, December 8th from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • Supervisor Staats thanked the Election Day workers, those that participated in the Veterans Day event at the Memorial site, Highway workers for putting up the Christmas lights, Park Committee and Amy Parella, Chairwoman. Wished all a Happy Holiday.

ABTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Highway abstract #12, vouchers #91-105 in the amount of $23,766.66. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General abstract #12, vouchers #276 – 278 in the amount of $195.02. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve General abstract #12A, vouchers #279 -314 in the amount of $19,046.05. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Trust and Agency abstract #8, voucher #14 in the amount of $190.50. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Chris Nolan is moving forward with a deed for an abandoned portion of old road across from his property on Commons Road. He will have a deed prepared with meets and bounds and have Jim Potts approve before map is finalized.

Merri Puccio had comments about the former LaMunyan property, now William Cole, on Route 9G. He is in front of the Planning and Zoning Board for storage buildings on property on 9G which adjoins the former LaMunyan landfill. She has questions about the DEC action on this property and if he can be approved for this. This board was not able to answer her questions, suggested she go to the planning board meeting with her questions.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk