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Town Board – October 2020

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
OCTOBER 5, 2020

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 7:00 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. There were two residents present.

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

MINUTES: A motion was made to approve the minutes of September 8, 2020 regular meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve the minutes of the Budget Workshop held on September 16th, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • The board received the budget and revenue reports from the Supervisor for September.
  • Website: The posting of information on Covid 19 has slowed down and posting of minutes is what is being done.
  • Town Clerk’s Report: The Town Clerk presented a check for the General Fund in the amount of $8,996.53 and a check for Trust & Agency in the amount of $1,000.00 to the Supervisor for September.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond reported that the pathway to the Veterans monument is almost done, it just needs one more layer of stone and topsoil. After the most recent heavy rain storm nothing got washed away. It was discussed planting poppies along the walkway to the monument.
  • The highway department painted the lines delineated the handicapped parking spots in the parking lot.
  • HETTLING PARK: Councilwoman Lusher-Shute presented quotes for the purchase of items to protect the trees planted in the park. The freight is very expensive so we will be looking locally to avoid freight costs. Councilwoman Brownson and Councilman Gildersleeve will be looking for a vendor. Also, if no one is found locally will order the higher number of items because freight is the same. A motion was made to approve up to $1200 for the purchase from the parks line in the budget by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
  • PARK FURNITURE: Councilwoman Lusher-Shute is suggesting several types of park benches and picnic tables, from several vendors. These can be ordered next year or ordered now and stored.

A motion to approve purchase of benches and tables from Park Warehouse for $8704.00 by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute. All in favor. So carried.

  • Councilman Gildersleeve reported that we have ordered the Clerk’s computer but have to follow up with when it will be in.
  • Supervisor Staats asked Councilwoman Brownson if she has been contacted by the County Historian William Better about the Clarkson Chapel on Route 9G. They are hoping to have a celebration in the near future at the chapel. He has not contacted her yet.
  • PARK DONATIONS: A matching donation offer has been made by Mary and Dan Howard in the amount of $5,000.00. To date we have received $2,000 from Councilman Desmond but have been promised donations of $3,000 from other residents.
  • Supervisor Staats said that Roma Fence has completed the parking lot barriers at the Clermont Park Little League parking lot and the entrance to Hettling Park on Route 9. They were very easy to work with and he thanked them. Councilwoman Brownson asked if we had gotten the replacement tiles for the swing set pad at Clermont park. Supervisor Staats will have to contact them again.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Supervisor Staats reviewed the 2021 Budget. There are few proposed salary increases. The Highway Superintendent and two full time highway employees will receive a 1 ½% increase, Building Inspector salary will be increased to $14,000.00 and he will work more hours. The highway superintendent will not be running for office again next year. He suggested adding an additional $5000.00 to A5010.1 so that the new highway Superintendent can work with Jimmy for a few months. The tax rate dropped to 42.49.

A motion was made to adopt the Preliminary 2021 budget by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

A Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, November 2nd at 6:45 P.M. prior to the regular meeting.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • Supervisor Staats thanked our cleaning professional Barbara Lawyer for decorating the town hall for Halloween.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd from 6AM until 9 PM at the Town Hall.
  • County Budget: They are looking at a 2% increase and hoping to override the 2% tax cap. The Supervisor will probably vote for the 2% increase, which he has not done in the past years, but not for the tax cap override.
  • We will get the next sales tax revenue check at the end of this month.
  • Our highway superintendent has cut back on spending where he could from his budget lines.

ABSTRACT:

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve General fund abstract #10, vouchers # 229 – 250 for the amount of $10,910.98, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Highway abstract #10, vouchers # 78 – 83 in the amount of $4,686.76, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Chris Nolan asked if there would be an Election Day Dinner. We have not been told by the committee but it is not believed so.

He also asked what is the sequence of events in order for him to get the transfer to occur of property which was given to the town from the county many years ago. The planning board wants a transfer of property before they will approve a subdivision. Mr. Nolan needs a new deed from the town. Supervisor Staats will discuss this with our attorney for next month’s meeting.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk