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Town Board – January 2020

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 6, 2020

Supervisor Staats opened the regular meeting of the Town Board with a salute to the flag after the swearing in of our newest member of the Board, Lindsey Lusher-Shute. Evan Hempel chose not to seek re-election. He was present and Supervisor Staats thanked him for eight years of service to the residents of the Town.

Those present at the meeting were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher-Shute and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. Councilwoman Brownson was absent. There were 17 others present, including Joe Zietz of Suncommon Solar and Shannon Baxevanis, New York Transco and Nicole Marron of Burn & McDonnell.

Supervisor Staats introduced Shannon Baxevanis and Nicole Marron to speak about the application to the NY Public Service Commission to construct, operate and maintain the NY Energy Solution project. This project will upgrade approximately 55 miles of transmission line and station work through eleven towns from Schodack to Pleasant Valley, including .7 miles through Clermont. They explained how various structures will be affected and answered board members and resident’s questions. There will be ongoing discussions as the project progresses.

Supervisor Staats asked Jeff Irish of Suncommon Solar for a proposal on a solar system for the garage and the town hall buildings. Joe Zietz, Solar Project advisor, came to speak to the board.

The system for the town hall is estimated to be nine panels with a cost of $11,127 before any incentives. For the garage, 24 panels would be required, and the cost would be $37,920 before any incentives. There would likely be no federal tax credits or tax savings because it is considered a commercial project.

MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the December 3, 2019 meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $2.801.13 and for Trust & Agency in the amount of $250.00.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond thanked the Highway Department for keeping the roads clear and safe during the recent storms. He also thanked Supervisor Staats for investing our funds wisely.
  • Supervisor Staats gave the board the preliminary budget and revenue report for December 31, 2019. The revenues will change when additional revenues are received and posted.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • SOLAR: Supervisor Staats said that we will be discussing and following up on the solar for the buildings.
  • HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019: Some highlights were replacing the roof on the storage area behind the town hall, painting the town hall, replacing the Community House roof on the west side an painting the west side of the building because of the damage done during the hail storm of May 2018. These repairs were paid by our insurance company.
  • We also were able to purchase a new truck for $50,000 from funds we have saved in the equipment fund. We currently have $160,000 in the equipment fund toward another truck when needed. He is hoping to put in $80,000 into our fund balance from this year’s budget. Supervisor Staats also reminded people to shop in Columbia County when possible because it does increase our portion of the sales tax.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • The Board members will meet on Saturday, January 18th at 10:00 A.M. at the Town Hall to review the books for 2019 of the Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Justices and Supervisor and address any other business which may come up.
  • PARK COMMITTEE: Mary Howard addressed the board regarding the park. There will be a meeting Sunday, January 12th at 6 PM and a presentation in February at the town board meeting. Supervisor Staats and the board thanked all the volunteers for their work. Mary is resigning from her position as the chair of the committee after February.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General abstract #1, vouchers #1 – 13, in the amount of $19,444.70, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute to approve Highway abstract #l, voucher #1 – 2 in the amount of $3,728.81 seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve Trust & Agency abstract #1, voucher #1 in the amount of $196.50, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute to adjourn at 8:45 P.M. All in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Helen Shannon, RMC

Town Clerk