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Town Board – November 2020

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
NOVEMBER 2, 2020

The Clermont Town Board held the 2021 Budget Public Hearing on Monday, November 2, 2020 at 6:45 P.M. at the 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 Phyllis Heiko, Tracey Gallant, Mary Howard and guest, Ray Tousey and Chris Nolan.

Supervisor Staats opened the Budget public hearing and asked for the Clerk to read the public notice. He did go over the highlights of this budget. In 2021 the total tax rate per thousand of assessed value did go down from 47.50 in 2020 to 42.49 in 2021. There will be no tax increase in the town budget this year. There were salary increases for the Code Enforcement/Building Inspector from $11,000 to $14,000 per year due to the volume of work being done. He will be working two additional hours per week. Highway Superintendent James Potts is expected to retire in 2021 so an additional $5000 was added to the Highway Superintendent’s account A5110.11 in the General Fund for training of a new Highway Superintendent.

The amount expected to be used from the fund balance is $52,247.00 total. The amount to be raised by taxes is the same as last year $104,580.00.

Public Comment:

Phyllis Heiko commended the board for the good job done with keeping the budget in check.

Councilman Desmond commented on the Highway Department and how they have helped to keep the costs down by doing a lot of the work themselves rather than sending equipment out to be repaired.

Mary Howard asked that funds for updating the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations be set aside every year.

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

The regular meeting was opened with the salute to the flag.

MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the October meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

TOWN CLERKS REPORT: The Town Clerk presented a check for the General Fund in the amount of $280.08 and for Trust and Agency in the amount of $500.00 to the Supervisor. This report was prepared by Deputy Town Clerk Tracey Gallant.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • The Supervisor gave the board members copies of the budget and revenue reports for October 31st.
  • The Columbia County Office for the Aging announced Memory Mixer Holiday Bingo to be held on Wednesday, December 2nd from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in partnership with Eddy Alzheimer’s Services a St. Peters Health Partner online.
  • Keeping Identities of Seniors Safe program from 11/30/2020 to 12/11/2020 during regular town hall hours. Bring documents to be shredded to the town hall.
  • Web Committee: There were no comments.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond commented on the Highway Department saving the town money with the work that they do on equipment, etc. He also reported that the signs have been put up in the park. Discussed screening on the park property, suggesting forsythia, lilacs bushes or Rose of Sharon as likely choices. There was also discussion regarding screening of adjoining properties.
  • Councilwoman Lusher-Shute ordered the park benches and tables. The committee met to layout the possible locations. Ten benches and two tables were ordered and should be delivered in six weeks. Some may have already been delivered. It was reported that Jennifer Phillips on the committee and an adjoining property owner to the park is concerned about people bringing their dogs and walking them unleashed as she has sheep in the adjoining property to the park.

Discussion followed on bench, table and fencing locations. Supervisor Staats was thanked for the use of his equipment to plant the trees in the park.

  • Councilman Gildersleeve has been keeping the website updated with announcements, minutes and audio file of town board meetings. He did pick up the new computer for the Town Clerk and will be working on getting that installed.
  • Councilwoman Brownson has been looking for grants for the park and the town. She has also not been in contact with the County Historian, William Better, regarding an event at the Chapel on Route 9G. She will make contact.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • A $5000.00 donation for the Hettling Park was received from Mary and Dan Howard and has been matched with contributions from Robert Desmond, Louise Kalin, Michael Prounis, Hearty Roots Farm, Diane O’Neal and Raymond Staats totaling $11,000.00
  • Supervisor Staats reported that the 3rd quarter sales tax revenue had been thought would be a decrease from last year but it was the largest ever received, $123,172.00. It is expected that the mortgage tax will be $67,607.00. The highway department did reduce their spending this year on road maintenance and salt purchases.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • BUDGET: A motion was made to adopt the 2021 Budget following a public hearing held prior to this meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
  • ROAD USE AGREEMENT: Our attorney sent a Road Use Agreement from Transco for the transmission lines being upgraded authorizing them to pay for any damage incurred to our town roads during this upgrade to the power lines, etc. A motion was made to authorize the use of the roads by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
  • Canaan Fellowship has asked the Board if internet service can be run to the Community House. The Fellowship would pay for part of it to be done if there is a method to do it. Councilwoman Lusher-Shute and Councilman Gildersleeve will look into it.
  • A vacancy has occurred on the Zoning Board of Appeals. A notice will be posted that interviews will be held on Thursday, November 19th at 7:00 P.M. at the town hall.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • Supervisor Staats thanked those who donated to the Park. All donations are appreciated and can be sent in to the Town Clerk.
  • The Clermont Fire Department and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department held a Halloween drive through at the Hettling Park on October 31st for the children.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Highway abstract #11, vouchers #84-90 in the amount of $5,171.98. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Trust and Agency abstract #7, vouchers #11 – 13 in the amount of $260.00. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract #11, vouchers #251 – 275 in the amount of $19,390.48. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Chris Nolan continues to work with the County on getting a deed transfer for part of Commons Road which was, to his knowledge, never transferred to the Town. This is partly on his property.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson at 8:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk