Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Town Board – April 2021

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
APRIL 5, 2021

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, April 5, 2021 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 four residents present.

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

MINUTES:

The minutes of the March Park Committee workshop and the regular meeting were reviewed by the board and a motion was made to accept them by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

COMMUNICATIONS:

  • The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor with a check for the General fund in the amount of $268.52 for March.
  • The Supervisor provided the board with the budget and revenue report for March.
  • Received a thank you to the Highway department from a resident on Vineyard Court for the care of the roads during the winter.
  • Columbia County Health Department free rabies schedule (donations accepted). Check on town website for dates, places and times. www.clermontny.org.
  • Notified by G-tel that there will be a rate increase of $10.00 per month beginning with $5.00 per month on May 1st and an additional $5.00 per month on August 1st.
  • The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals have notified the Town Board that they do not wish to record the meetings. Councilwoman Brownson did contact Lance Wheeler and he would charge over $450 per month. Councilwoman Lusher Shute asked if we could put out an RFP for a videographer. Will look into this further.
  • Web Committee: The website has been updated by Councilman Gildersleeve with minutes, rabies clinics and other information.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond told the board that Highway Superintendent Potts donated a basketball net at the Route 6 park.
  • HETTLING PARK: There is much discussion on what should be used to delineate the property lines between the adjoining landowners and the town. The property owner on the south of the park, Ronald Miller, does not object to forsythia for screening but the committee was looking for some other species which is native to the area. Also, Councilman Desmond has said that the highway department can plant them. Councilwoman Lusher Shute would like to give the committee time to get an alternate bid together for native plant material. She doesn’t think it will be that much more than the price the Supervisor got for forsythia which was for approximately 100 bushes at $30.00 per bush for $3,000.
    A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to authorize moving forward with the purchase of forsythia or comparable screening as submitted by the committee up to the amount of $3,000, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
  • PARK: Councilwoman Lusher Shute reported that the park committee is hoping to have a cleanup day at the park on May 1st or May 2nd. When this is confirmed it will be posted on the website. Also, tools are needed and a shed to store them.
    It was decided to get a separate building for storage.
    The port-o-potty location has been discussed at other meetings and the committee feels it could be placed at the end of the parking lot and screened. Councilwoman Brownson and Councilwoman Lusher Shute met with Climate taskforce committee who would like to come to the next meeting. They will be added to the agenda.
    Chris Nolan asked what is the intention of the vernal pool. Is is to collect or drain water. This is a natural ditch which dries up when its dry but fills when it is the wet season.
  • GRANTS: Councilwoman Brownson reported the Columbia Land Conservancy grant for $500.00 which will be used for the sign at the entrance must be completed by December 1st The Iroquois Community Grant for up to $10,000.00 is due by May 1st and could be used towards the Monarch Meadow. She has not decided yet
    The AARP Community challenge grant is due April 14th and she will look into signs to be placed in the park regarding cleaning up after pets, etc.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • COURT SECURITY: A deputy will be present for court matters on the third Thursday of the month for eight hours starting in April We do not have a rate of pay as of yet because it depends on who covers the shift.
  • BANK INTEREST: The Supervisor is still looking into the interest rates at various banks. Will leave in Money Market account for now.
  • TREE TRIMMING: Supervisor Staats contacted Davey Jones at V.R Saulpaugh’s to look at the trees on the property and determine what needs to be done with them. Mr. Jones suggested that he may donate his time. This would save us a lot of money.
  • COUNTY ROUTE 19 SPEED REDUCTION: This was submitted last year to the state but we are just getting it back. We asked for a reduction to 45 mph and they have reduced it.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • PUBLIC EMPLOYER HEALTH EMERGENCY PLAN: The Governor mandated that every town adopt this plan by April 1st. The board members have looked this over and applied any changes. A motion was made to adopt the plan by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
  • PAVING TOWN HALL PARKING LOT: Colarusso & Sons provided a quote for scheduled paving on Commons Road and also provided a quote for the Town Hall parking lot. Their quote for just the parking lot was $26,750.00. A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond to proceed with this paving at the stated quote by Colarusso & Sons of $26,750.00. All in favor. So carried.
  • Supervisor Staats did purchase ceiling tiles for the court room because a leak developed caused by ice buildup. This will have to be dealt with before this winter. Also discussed Court grant that was applied for and approved but a check was never received from the state. Will follow up with Court clerk.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

  • The County and towns may receive federal funds due to the coronavirus. Supervisor Staats will find out what things that it can be used for, such as Roads and bridges or things that we did not do because of uncertainty of receiving revenues.

ABSTRACT:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to pay Highway abstract #4, vouchers #21- #30 in the amount of $12,791.79. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond to pay General prepaid abstract #4, vouchers #72 – #74, in the amount of $294.10. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute to pay General abstract #4A, vouchers #75 – #102 in the amount of $4,956.34. All in favor. So carried.

VACCINATIONS:

The process for vaccinations is improving with availability at most pharmacies, Shoprite, Hannafords and at Columbia Greene Community College.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Chris Nolan will have additional maps made up for the road abandonment. The papers will be going to our attorney and then for signature by the Supervisor. We will need at least three copies for our files.

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson at 8:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Deputy Town Clerk