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Town Board – May 2021

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD
MAY 3, 2021

The Clermont Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday May 3, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute. Others present were Red Hook School District Superintendent Janet Warden and Bruce Martin, Business Manager and Gautam Sethi of the Tivoli Free Library, David Szlasa, Susannah Bradley, Jeffrey Scales and several residents.

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

Supervisor Staats introduced Superintendent Warden and Business Manager Bruce Martin to speak about the Red Hook School district budget for school year 2021-2022. The budget that will be presented to the voters on May 18th will be $56,026,338.00 which is a 1.90% increase. This is within the tax cap allowed.

The Tivoli free library will have Proposition 3 on the school budget vote to allow a $3500 increase to the tax levy, costing the average household only about $1.38 per year for library services and wage increase for staff.

Climate Smart Communities Program: David Szlasa, Susannah Bradley and Jeffrey Scales.

This program helps local governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. The program offered by New York State offers free technical assistance, grants and rebates for electrical vehicles. Points must be acquired to increase potential funding opportunities. A sample resolution was offered, which the board will review for next month’s meeting. The Town Board will decide if the committee should report to the board monthly, quarterly, etc.

MINUTES:

The minutes of the April meeting were reviewed and a motion was made to accept the minutes by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • Town Clerk’s Report: The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor a check for the General Fund in the amount of $5,640.91 for April.
  • Supervisor Staats provided the members the budget and revenue reports through April 30.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve has been updating the website and has had no issues reported.
  • The Town Clerk reported that she received notice from Red Hook Planning Board that they will hold a public hearing on a lot line change for property owned by Ralph Arlyck in Clermont to Costello in Red Hook on this date, May 3rd. Because this was received late, she emailed the Planning, Zoning and Town Boards members to let them know.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • HIGHWAY: Councilman Desmond reported that the highway department will purchase a new truck for $200,978.28. Superintendent Potts received a quote from Colarusso & Sons for paving the town hall parking lot. Superintendent Potts is preparing for retirement and will be available to assist a newly appointed/elected Superintendent.
  • HETTLING PARK: Councilwoman Lusher Shute requested approval to purchase pine bark mulch and three soaker hoses in 250-foot lengths. A motion was made to approve the purchase of pine bark mulch and 3 soaker hoses by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

The park committee members are planning a Volunteer Day at Hettling Park for Saturday, June 5th from 9 AM to 12 PM. This will be posted on the G-tel Community Channel and our website. Four varieties of shrubs will be planted this week for screening. The new sign at the entrance to the park has been installed.

  • WEBSITE: Councilman Gildersleeve would like to increase the security on the website and delete one of three email accounts on the site.
  • FEE SCHEDULE UPDATE: Councilman Gildersleeve noticed that the fee schedule has not been updated on the website. There are some items that are not listed that require a permit. The Supervisor will talk with the Code Enforcement Officer.
  • GRANTS: Councilwoman Brownson reported on grants which have been received and grants that have been or will be requested. We were awarded $500.00 from a reimbursable grant from Columbia Land Conservancy. We were notified by Bank of Greene County that we were awarded $750.00 for two bicycle racks and an ADA compliant swing and games for the basketball court at Clermont Park. We need to decide what will be purchased.

Paperwork was submitted for the AARP Community Challenge grant on 4/14 towards the purchase and installation of an informational kiosk for Hettling Park. The paperwork was submitted for the Iroquois Pipeline Community grant on 4/30 towards the purchase and installation of the informational kiosk and the combination port-a-potty enclosure/storage shed.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • STIMULAS FUNDING: The County will receive funds from the state for COVID for infrastructure and the Supervisor hopes to be able to use it for highway equipment.
  • BLACKTOPPING: Highway Superintendent received a quote from Colarusso & Sons to blacktop the town hall parking lot for $26,750.00.
  • SPORTS SCHEDULING: The Supervisor has received calls from the Red Hook Raiders football team to use the town field on Sundays for games, Saturday evenings for practice. The Red Hook soccer team has also asked to use the field. Anyone interested in using either of the fields should contact Supervisor Staats at 845-417-6362. Proof of insurance is required and Team COVID protocols are to be followed.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • SALES TAX: Received $107,900 in 1st quarter sales tax which is an increase of $10,000.00 over last year.
  • HIGHWAY TRUCK: The purchase of the new truck will be $200,978.28 to come from the Highway Equipment Reserve Fund. Supervisor Staats is suggesting some of the stimulas funds can be put back into the equipment reserve fund.

MOTION: The motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to purchase the new truck using funds from the Highway Equipment Reserve, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.

  • The Supervisor received a speed reduction request from a resident on Hill N Dale road to reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 20 mph. Supervisor Staats will request that the county do a study, but he feels that 40 mph is reasonable on a dead-end road with few residences.

ABSTRACTS:

  • A motion was made by Councilman Desmond to approve Highway abstract #5, vouchers #31-#45 in the amount of $9,023.40, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve General abstract #5, vouchers #106-#133 in the amount of $9,781.00, seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute to approve General Prepaid abstract #5, vouchers #103-105 in the amount of $264.55 seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
  • A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Trust and Agency #2. Vouchers #2 in the amount of $237.52, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

NONE

A motion was made to adjourn by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond at 9:24 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Deputy Town Clerk