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Town Board – September 2021

TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES

September 7, 2021

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

Supervisor Staats opened the regular meeting 7PM with the salute to the flag.

MINUTES:

The minutes of the August meeting were previously distributed to the board. Motion to accept Minutes by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So, carried.

COMMUNICATIONS:

  • TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk read the town clerk’s report for August and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund for $3,354.94 and Trust and Agency in the amount of $1,500.00.
  • Mail Review-Distributed to Board members prior to meeting-
    • Notice of Public Hearing Town of Red Hook September 22nd regarding “Local law Micro Hydropower Facilities.
  • Columbia County Solid Waste -New bag tag system to take effect later this year. Previous county vendor is unable to secure supplies/manpower needed to continue with the current Bag System.
  • Web Committee
    • Behind in receiving/posting minutes for Planning, Zoning and Fire Commissioners. No Fire commissioner minutes received in quite some time, possibly none for 2021. Supervisor Staats will inquire regarding missing minutes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

  • Councilman Desmond reported on Highway Department.
    • Reported the park benches were placed by the Highway department with some challenges for leveling
    • Turkey Hill Road-Weight Limit needed for repairs
    • Colarusso returned to patch/repair previous work on parking lot, Highway Superintendent and Supervisor Staats still not satisfied with end result. Supervisor Staats will reach out to Colarusso again.
  • Councilwoman Lusher Shute report:
    • Thank you to Tyler for getting the benches placed.
    • Topsoil it is recommended to wait until Spring and to do the planting as per recommendation of Amy, as she believes that the planting will work better.
    • Preparation for next year’s park/sports season-would like a calendar schedule for park use to be posted on website, to confirm teams have appropriate insurance in place to decrease liability of town, and ensure trash carry in/carry out policy. How to proceed with this?
    • Half court stencil -Seem to be quite expensive. Councilwoman Brownson to research prices. Suggestion of possible volunteer day to get it completed.
    • Still looking for a 3rd estimate for a port a potty enclosure
    • No feedback on the Zoning complaint form-postpone for additional review
    • Climate Task force-no update
    • Agricultural Committee-Red Hook committee meets quarterly, Supervisor Staats inquired with several other towns/these towns have had an Ag. Committee mainly when Comprehensive Plan was being worked on, these committees are now pretty much extinct. This will be revisited in future/next year.
  • Councilman Gildersleeve report:
    • Agricultural preservation-Would like the board to review the Zoning laws regarding preserving Agricultural districts. This should be a part of the Comprehensive plan. Supervisor Staats requested that more information be brought before the board at the October board meeting.
    • In Contact with Eric regarding video meetings-Supply 2-3 microphones plus Camera. $150 monthly 4 meetings per month.
      • Including firmware updates/replacements every 4 years.
      • Would have a Clermont Admin.
      • Operated by remote
      • Townhallstreams.com
      • Used by New Lebanon
      • No installation fees, no equip fee.
      • Length of contract?
      • Is it Livestream?
      • Basic $150 per month
      • Unlimited $250 per month
      • Councilman Gildersleeve will send out links for board to possibly review other towns videos.
      • Supervisor Staats will inquire with New Lebanon Supervisor in regards to satisfaction with their current service.
      • Councilman Gildersleeve will gather more information/contract/prices/written proposal etc. for next regular board meeting.
  • Councilwoman Brownson report:
    • Signs-Purple Heart Community
    • 30×42 $120
    • 30×36 $75.25
    • 30×24 $69.25
    • Authorization to purchase 6 signs 30 x 24-Locations can be discussed later.
    • Updated information regarding bike racks—Previously priced out were recycled plastic (2) total cost of $1500, accommodating 10 Bikes. Returned to the park committee and they would be happy with the Wave bike racks with 5 Loops accommodating 7 bikes each. Coated black metal cost for 2 is ~$830 with shipping. Would need to be mounted.
    • Handicap accessible swing-$475.00 plus shipping. Hard plastic will accommodate a child up to 125 pounds. Red Hook’s swing appears much sturdier, however this company will not sell anything for use with an existing frame. ~ $3400. Friendship swing ~ $4000. Councilwoman Brownson will continue to research.
    • Bank of Greene County check has been picked up in the amount of $750.00, information has been submitted to Columbia Land Conservancy for reimbursement for Park sign.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Budget workshop scheduled for 6PM Monday September 13, 2021, second workshop to be scheduled for Tuesday, September 21st at 6PM if necessary
  • Video recording of Meetings-Covered under committee reports/updates

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Adopt updated building code fees-discussed minor change to include section regarding fill. Motion to adopt new fee schedule as amended made by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilman Desmond. All in Favor, so carrier. Resolution 44-2021
  • Resolution Municipal Self Insurance Plan-On hold to discuss at the September 13, 2021 meeting for clarification.
  • Adopt Zoning Complaint Form-On hold for review by CEO Sam Harkins
  • Engineers reviewed issue with Turkey Hill Road. Recommendation to reduce weight limit temporarily to 5 Ton, except local deliveries. As required Tyler will order signs for posting, Town Clerk will post Public Notice. Estimated cost for engineering plan $12,000. Town can budget repairs for next year. Some repair work can be done by Town Highway. Motion to approve temporary reduction by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in favor. So carried.
  • Deputies working court security/road patrol-Writing a few tickets mainly patrolling Route 9/Route 9G.

SUPERVISORS REPORT:

Thank you card received from Jimmy Potts regarding the retirement gift.

Supervisor Staats thanks the Highway department for mowing helping with the Park.

Mary Howard and husband have announced the matching donations for the Park again up to $5000.00 by December 1st.

Soccer Field is being used on weekends, Germantown requested use for Sept 20th. Grounds have been kept clean.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve Highway abstract #9, vouchers #70-82 in the amount of $5,704.83 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Lusher Shute, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Trust & Agency abstract #5, vouchers #19-24 in the amount of $1,839.12 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, to approve General #9A, vouchers #222-236 in the amount of $4,125.76 seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve General #9A, vouchers #222-236 in the amount of $4,125.76 to be paid. All in favor. So carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Highway superintendent reports work will be done on Jug Road in upcoming week, road will be closed for part of the day.

Request to set aside for the Budget for the Comprehensive plan.

A motion was made to adjourn at 8:45 P.M. by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk