Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Town Board – March 2020

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
MARCH 2, 2020

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. at

the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve. There were three others present.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the salute to the flag. A motion was made to move into executive session to discuss contract negotiations by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve at 7:00 P.M. All in favor. So carried. A motion was made to come out of executive session at 7:25 by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

MINUTES:

A motion was made to accept the minutes by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk presented a check for the General Fund to the Supervisor in the amount of $345.11.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Columbia County Department of Health Free Rabies Clinics for 2020. Will be posted on the Town website and at the town hall.
  • Keeping Identities of Seniors Safe – 3/16/20 to 3/27/20 on Thursday 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
  • List of dates and times for Elections for 2020. Seeking Election Workers – contact Board of Elections at 518-828-3115.
  • Supervisor Staats submitted the budget and revenue reports to the Board for February.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilwoman Lusher Shute reported on the Park. Seeking funding for the park entrance for plantings and fencing and park signage. There will be a special meeting on Monday, March 16th at 6:30 P.M.
  • Councilwoman Brownson has been looking at grants for the park. AARP has a grant opportunity due April 1st. The Iroquois Community Grant for an available amount up to $10,000.00 due May 1st could be written for screening.
  • Councilwoman Brownson reported that the County Historian will be having a Sacred Sites Open House and will hold it at the Clarkson Chapel on Route 9G, 5/16/2020 and 5/17/2020. She would like to have St. Luke’s Church open on one of the days.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve has been working on getting some information and documents updated on the new website.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Policy Updates: Supervisor Staats has submitted our Sexual Harassment Policy and Workplace Violence Policy to the County for recommendations to update the policies.
  • The town is also looking at a registration/permit system for special events, wedding venues so that we can know how many events are being held and if they are following what was approved for their permit.
  • Sales Tax Revenue: Received check for 4th quarter in the amount of $102,490.30 and the Supervisor urged residents to shop locally.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • RESOLUTION NO. 39 OF 2020: To approve our Attorney, Andrew Howard of Freeman-Howard, to enter into a negotiated Order of Settlement with Pleasant Vale Farm, LLC to reduce their real property tax assessment from $875,000 to $800,000.

A motion was made to approve by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

  • RESOLUTION NO. 40 OF 2020: The Supervisor has requested a speed limit reduction on a section of County Route 19 in the Town of Clermont between Elizaville Falls and the Milan Town line in Dutchess County. The speed limit on either end is 45 MPH but this section is 55 MPH. The resolution was approved on a motion made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
  • ESTATE SETTLEMENT: The town has received a check relating to the distribution from the trust of Julia M. Ross who was a resident of Clermont. She lived and worked in Clermont.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • PARK COMMITTEE: There will be a special meeting on Monday, March 16th at 6:30 P.M. to discuss going forward with the park plan. Amy Parella asked if there would be separate committees and if the plan would be officially adopted in full or in part. These issues will be part of the discussion.
  • Columbia County Hazardous Waste Collection Day: To be held on Saturday, May 9th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the County Highway Garage, Route 23A, Greenport.
  • There are burn restrictions effective Monday, March 16th to May 15th.
  • The Supervisor reported that the County did not vote on a proposal to make vaccinations mandatory for Camp Counselors.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve General abstract #3A, vouchers #47-79 in the amount of $8,481.96. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General prepaid abstract #3, vouchers #44 – 46 in the amount of $254.80. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve Highway abstract #3, vouchers #15 – 25 in the amount of $6059.69. All in favor So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Trust & Agency abstract #3, vouchers 3 – 5 in the amount of $1,813.50. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
None

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute to adjourn at 8:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk