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Town Board – June 2021

TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 7, 2021

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday June 7, 2021 at the Town Hall. Those present were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute. Additional members of the public were also present.

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

MINUTES:

The minutes of the May meeting were previously distributed to the board and accepted.

COMMUNICATIONS:

  • TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk read the town clerk’s report for May and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund for $4,327.62 and for Trust and Agency in the amount of $500.00.
  • The Town Clerk reported a correspondence was received regarding Red Hook CSD Board Members elected and the 2021-22 Budget results for the Pine Plains school district are available to be viewed.
  • Web Committee Correspondence: We have not come up with an updated list for Building permits/fees yet. Hoping for update next month.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Highway Superintendent Retirement: Councilman Desmond reported that Superintendent James Potts submitted his letter of retirement. Tyler Case will be pursuing the position at the next general election. Special meeting will be held to appoint replacement in the coming month.
  • Councilwoman Lusher Shute reported on the Park Committee. A Successful Volunteer Day was held about 7 people showed up and worked a few hours 90+ degree heat. Weed eating was done, mulch not completed, volunteers will complete. Looks really nice. Sign is completed. Used by 100’s of people on the weekends/evenings etc. Thank you to the Town Board for being supportive of the efforts. Bushes that were installed were dry. Irrigation lines have been added/Farm materials donated for use for the season. Some still need to be hand watered. Committee has requested a part time/summer help person to be hired to assist with watering and weeding. Hose reels needed for the large hoses-potentially with wheels. Home Depot has a possibility for $120, and the park would need 2. Motion made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute to approve purchase up to $500 for hose reels and Timer, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried. Councilman Lusher Shute will create a job posting and circulate to the board. Some small amounts of trash have been left in the park. Request from committee requesting garbage cans. Red Raiders are done using the field. Cans are expensive perhaps the leagues using the fields can be a little better about cleaning up. Park is currently carry in/out. There is no schedule for park use as all scheduled use is completed. In the future perhaps using the calendar on the website however no individual available for continuous updating. Enclosure for the Porta Potty still working on estimates.
  • Top soil-Park committee recommended 20 Yard truck of topsoil for the veterans monument to cover and make safer. $25 per yard totaling ~&640 delivered, good price. Supervisor Staats will address with Health Department to make sure no additional works needs to be done before sealing with Top Soil. Motion Made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve pending no additional work is needed. All in favor, So Carried.
  • Councilwoman Brownson report regarding Park Grants Bank of Greene County has not provided the grant as of yet. They have indicated we are approved for $750 dollar grant for swing and Bike Racks. Swing will cost $570(including shipping). Bike Rack (2) recycled plastic 6 Feet long will cost $555 plus shipping Each. Park committee would like to move forward with purchase. Supervisor Staats requests a 2nd bid. Recommends approval with receipt of 2nd bid. Councilwoman Brownson will seek additional bid. Councilman Gildersleeve will attempt to get information on Red Hook swing. Supervisor Staats made motion to authorize pending receipt of another bid. Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve reported last meeting not recorded, issue has been resolved. Discussion regarding Right to Farm. Mary Howard heavily involved. Councilman Gildersleeve would like to present a draft plan to possibly be included into our comprehensive plan since the town is very agricultural. Councilwoman Brownson believed that many years ago this may have been investigated perhaps involving Judy Neary. Councilwoman Brownson will investigate additional grants for the above.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Supervisor Staats reported that the parking lot paving has been done. One area low spot will be addressed and when that is fixed/repaired we expect to receive the remaining bill for completion of labor.
  • Mortgage Tax payment just over $30, 000, better than last year, will get another payment in December. Budgeted for $40,000. Expected we will go over budget.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Official Resignation of Highway Superintendent James Potts. 25 Years of Service. Supervisor Staats will be putting together a Thank you letter for him and would collect small donations for a going away present. He has been an asset to the Town of Clermont saving the town Tens of Thousands of dollars. He will be difficult to replace. The current Deputy Superintendent will act temporarily until a replacement is appointed. The candidate will be interviewed for Interim/provisional appointment on June 24th at 7PM at a special meeting.
  • Discussion regarding Smart Climate Community: Councilman
    Gildersleeve inquired regarding expiring opportunities and the frequency in which new opportunities are made available. Town Board would still be responsible for approval/declination regarding any opportunities sought by the committee. The resolution is strictly for the approval to form a committee to investigate opportunities, acceptance of opportunities are not required. Resolution #40 of 2021-Smart Climate Community Motion to approve by Supervisor Staats, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor 3 Yea 2 Abstained. So Carried.
  • Zoning Fee Update: Would like to update the fees for Agricultural permits, placing a cap on maximum to be charged for all Agricultural entities. A motion was made cap the building fee at $100 and inspection fee at $50.00 for agricultural buildings by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. Motion passed. Councilman Gildersleeve feels that all fees should be reviewed. Supervisor Staats will try to set up a meeting with Sam for review.
  • Discussion initiated by Councilwoman Brownson regarding Purple Heart Community Resolution; Senator Daphne Jordan’s office sent information that was provided to the Town Board for review: This is a nationwide initiative. This requires nothing on the part of the Town and is only recognition based. Signs can be purchased if the town wishes. Councilwoman Brownson will investigate possible signs. A motion to adopt resolution #41 of 2021-Proclamation that the Town of Clermont is a Purple Heart Town was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. Motion passed.
  • Fuel Oil-Valley Energy- $2.499 Current offered rate, will hold ~ 1 week. We do not know the county rate offered. Supervisor Staats will find out county bid winner and we can reconsider if not Kosco.

SUPERVISORS REPORT: Any questions on county issues reach out to Supervisor Staats. No other information to report.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Brownson to approve Trust and Agency abstract #3, voucher #5 in the amount of $131.00 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General abstract #6A, vouchers #137-160 in the amount of $18,381.01 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General prepaid abstract #6, vouchers #134-136 in the amount of $196.21 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Lusher Shute , seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Highway abstract #6, vouchers #46-54 in the amount of $48,040.22 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Contero-spoke regarding LaMunyan landfill/AHG properties.

How are speed limit requests made? Require speed study, Lasher Road would require county to review and make recommendations.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:40 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk