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Town Board – September 2020

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

The Clermont Town Board held their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 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 seven residents present.

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

Amy Parrella, Chair of the Park Committee, who presented a review of park priorities for the Hettling and Clermont Parks. The committee of volunteers meets monthly to discuss grant possibilities, plan for plantings, watering and weeding. Also in the planning are park signs, fencing, materials stockpiling, tool shed and implements, the Veterans site and the web site.

The future plan is to create trails, start a playground committee for design and funding, seek donations and estimates/bids for tables, benches and screening (trees or shrubs).

To date trees have been planted and maintained by the volunteers. They would like a new stockpile area for highway materials which are now on site, determine areas to be allowed to go to meadow or to be mowed. Other plans include spreading topsoil on bare areas, define overflow parking area, install split rail fence at crossing between parks, install guardrails for parking at Clermont Park.

MINUTES: A motion was made to approve the minutes of August by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Clerk read the August Town Clerk’s report and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund for $405.02 and for Trust & Agency in the amount of $250.00.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Received the budget and revenue reports for August from Supervisor Staats.
  • Columbia County Department Health will be giving flu shots at various locations in the County. The one in Germantown will be held on Thursday, October 8th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Palatine Park Activities Building. Must be pre-registered at www.columbiacountynyhealth.com or at 518-828-3358 at ext.1310 leaving message with name and number.
  • The Office for the Aging is seeking volunteers for the Meals on wheels program and a virtual program for Alzheimers caregivers on Wednesday, September 16 from 11:00 to 11:45 AM.
  • Received the Office for the Aging Elder Express newsletter for July – September.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to waive the 4th Quarter lease payment from the Canaan Fellowship for the use of the Community House, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried. They have not been able to use the Community House for services because of the Coronavirus pandemic. A letter will be sent.
  • At the budget meeting the board will discuss what will be purchased for the park. The purchases will be based on estimates received from the committee.
  • Air Filtration system: Councilwoman Lusher-Shute purchased the systems and filters for the town hall.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve updated the board on posting to the website for the Parks. Ellen Earle will be posting and rather than posting a draft, she will post live to the website.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve has been in contact with Columbia County regarding purchasing a computer for the Town Clerk and received a quote of $890.37. This does fall within the approved amount of $1,000.00 made at the last meeting. A motion was made to approve by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson.
  • Councilwoman Brownson held an open house at St. Luke’s Church in conjunction with the County Landmark Open House.
  • GRANTS: Councilwoman Brownson did follow-up on two grants that she was made aware of, however, they are more for 501C applicants.
  • COURT GRANT: Court Clerk Lee Gallant requested a resolution to authorize him to apply for a Justice Court Grant for an amount up to $30,000 for upgrades to the internet, heat and air conditioning systems and electrical. A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve this request with a resolution. All in favor. So carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • MONITORING WELLS: Supervisor Staats did talk with our engineer about monitoring the wells on the park property. DEC wants a sampling of the upstream water and then under the caps. Supervisor Staats asked what can be done to reduce the cost of this process. He was advised that there is nothing for this year but can apply to reduce testing, which is usually done after five years, but it could be done at 3 years if levels are low enough.
  • PARKING LOT – ROUTE 6: Supervisor Staats reported that the parking lot rails for the Little League field should be done soon, as well as the fence at the entrance to the Hettling Park.
  • Supervisor thanked Councilwoman Lusher-Shute for getting the air filtration system units. We should get electrical work done because of the age of the town hall, there are not a lot of outlets.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • A matching donation pledge has been made by Mary Howard and her husband of $5,000.00. Donations received up to $5,000 will be matched.

Supervisor Staats thanked Mary Howard and Councilman Desmond who has donated towards this pledge.

  • BUDGET WORKSHOP: A date for the workshop for the 2021 budget will be Wednesday, September 16th at 6:30 P.M. and a second date, if needed, for Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 P.M. The board will discuss any other business as needed.
  • STATE AID: A check was received from the state in the amount of $2,870.66 for being at 100% full value assessment in 2019.
  • RED WING PROPERTIES: A letter was received from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation granting Lead Agency designation on the application of Red Wing Properties on their permit for Mined Land Reclamation to the Town of Milan, Dutchess County.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • The County is seeking reimbursement from the State for programs. There have been no funds received since March.
  • Supervisor Staats thanked the Highway Department for the work that they have been doing.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Highway abstract #9, vouchers #64 – #77 in the amount of $71,173.74, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract #9A, vouchers #208 – #228 in the amount of $4,062.48, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve General abstract #9, vouchers #205 – #207 in the amount of $216.45, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher-Shute to approve Trust & Agency abstract #6, voucher #10 in the amount of $131.00, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to adjourn at 9:15 P. M.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk