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Author: Kris Gildersleeve

PUBLIC NOTICE: NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACT COLLECTORS

PUBLIC NOTICE:

CALL TO NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACT COLLECTORS IN THE TOWNS OF CLERMONT, GERMANTOWN, LIVINGSTON

The Towns of Clermont, Germantown and Livingston History Departments Historians have been reviewing evidence of the original Native American inhabitants of the three-town area. This review was further developed by Germantown Historian, Tom Shannon, during his presentation on Indigenous People in Germantown at the Germantown Library in Spring 2023. This led to the beginning of a project to coordinate information between the three towns to discover what records and/or artifacts existed. The product of this study is hoped to be an exhibit and web pages documenting Native American industries and presence in the area.

Columbia County was part of the ancestral homeland of the Mohican People from time immemorial to the Livingston land purchases and the initial patent to Livingston Manor in 1686. Today, the Stockbridge Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians, a federally recognized tribe with its reservation in Central Wisconsin, is dedicated to preserving its heritage in its homelands through its Tribal Historic Preservation Office based in Williamstown, MA. The Towns have been in consultation with Dr. Jeff Bendremer, the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO), to help facilitate this project.

Dr. Brendremer has graciously agreed to review the artifacts to help identify their age and use. This information is significant to the Project because it will help put the objects in context and explain the industries along the Roeliff Jansen Kill and Hudson River. Our objective is to organize a meeting with the Stockbridge-Munsee THPO in the March of 2026.

To that objective, anyone in the area who has a collection of artifacts found locally on farm fields or excavation sites and who are interested in learning more about their history and use is asked to please contact either Tom Shannon, Germantown Historian GermantownHistory@gmail.com or Dawn Brownson, Clermont Historian historianclermontny@gmail.com. 

Be assured that all artifacts will be returned after Dr. Brendremer’s study and will remain the property of the collection holder. This Project is for historical and educational purposes only. We welcome participation of local residents, high school students and/or scouts to help expand knowledge of the history of our Towns and region.

Thank you for your interest in this Project.

Planning Board – November 2025

CLERMONT PLANNING BOARD
November 12, 2025

The Clermont Planning Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Larry Saulpaugh, Mary Howard, Tom Jantzen, Jennifer Phillips and Jesse Cutaia.

After review of the October 8, 2025 minutes, motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Tom Jantzen, to approve the minutes. All in favor. So carried.

Midwood Village LLC, 760 Woods Road, Tax ID #179.-1-30,
represented by Ashay Shah of Crawford & Associates, came before the Board regarding a Lot Line Adjustment, which will add 22.4 acres to the adjoining property. Following discussion of the application, the Board determined a Driveway permit from the County will be required. In addition, the Applicant will need a letter from the County Highway Department and the application will need to be reviewed by the County Planning Board. The proposed driveway will need to be added tot he Site Plan map. Motion was made by Tom Jantzen, seconded by Jennifer Phillips, to schedule a Public Hearing for the December 10, 2025 meeting. All in favor. So carried.

Susan Kotulak and Andrew Sartorius, Oki Doki Studio, came before the Board for information regarding the property located at 1727 Route 9, presently Hudson Valley Distillers. They intend to purchase the property and move Oki Doki Studio, a pottery studio, from its current location on Woods Road to the subject property at 1727 Route 9. The Board explained which forms and application will be needed. They will return to the December 10, 2025 meeting.

Phil Gellert, County Route 8, 180.2-5.111, Minor Subdivision, came before the Board seeking a Minor Subdivision of 4 acres from the existing 35 acre parcel. The need of a driveway vs an easement was discussed. The Applicant will need a driveway permit from the County, as well as a revision of the Site Plan Map showing a proposed house site with placement of the septic and well. Motion was made by Jesse Cutaia, seconded by Tom Jantzen, to schedule a Public Hearing for the December 10, 2025 meeting. All in favor. So carried.

With no further business, a motion was made by Jennifer Phillips, seconded by Jesse Cutaia, to adjourn. All in favor. So carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:40pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Desiree M. Webber, Secretary

Town Board – November 2025

Town of Clermont
Town Board Meeting
NOVEMBER 3, 2025

The Clermont Town Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 3rd, 2025at the Town Hall. Those presents were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute.

  1. Call Meeting to Order @7PM by Supervisor Staats with the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Presentation for the Harriet Tubman Byway-Handouts provided.
    • Restrictions are placed by DOT
    • Board questioned wording in resolution of “any” signage
    • New wording provided by DOT will be incorporated into the Resolution upon receipt for December meeting.
  3. Approval of prior Town Board Meeting Minutes-
    • Approval of October Minutes, Motion to accept by Councilman Desmond, Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor So Carried
  4. Written communications/Mail review

Clerk Report

    • Total for General Fund $4557.53
    • Total for Escrow Fund $ 250.00
    • NYS Ag&Mkts $6.00
    • Total report for October 2025 $4813.53

Mail Review

    • Red Hook (2) Public notices
    • Letter from Resident opposing re configuring the Bridge on Buckwheat Bridge Road
    • Election Day Dinner

Web Committee-None

  1. Committee Reports and Updates
    • Bob-None
    • Lindsey
      • Traffic Safety survey
      • Camera enforcement update for busses?
    • Kris
      • Rope broke on flagpole while trying to replace POW flag. Highway department will get new rope and try to replace.
      • File Cabinets should be all set
      • Website-.gov is up and running and still being updated. .org site is no longer accepting new information. Redirect will happen soon
    • Dawn
      • Trees received and planted from money received for Iroquois grant
      • No dates for Park visit
      • Working with Dormitory Authority regarding Grants
  2. Old Business
    • Dawn meeting with Roma Fence regarding parking lot fencing
    • Pavilion-Awaiting quote responses
    • Turkey Hill Road-Completed and Road open, Roadway still needs blacktop
    • Generator-Electrician is currently working with National Grid
    • Front Door replacement-Door and hardware on order
    • Sales Tax $175,966. 8 % increase
    • Mortgage Tax check should arrive soon
  3. New Business
    • 2026 Budget-Public Hearing completed prior to Board meeting Supervisor Staats reviewed the budget

Motion made to adopt 2026 budget by Councilman Gildersleeve, Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor.

  1. Supervisors Report-
    • Currently still working on County Budget -expected to be increase. Will provide an update at the December Meeting
  2. Motion To Pay Abstracts
    • Motion to pay Trust & Agency abstract #4 Vouchers #4 $36.72 By Councilwoman Brownson Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.
    • Motion to pay Highway abstract #11 Vouchers #111-120 $6761.59 By Councilwoman Lusher Shute Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.
    • Motion to pay General abstract #11 Vouchers #248-275 $21376.53 By Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.
    • Motion to pay General-Prepaid abstract #11A Vouchers #247 $107.64 By Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Brownson. All in Favor. So carried.

Public Communication/Comments to Board- Questions regarding the Audit (No word from comptroller’s office yet)

Motion to enter executive session at 8:18 PM by Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.

There will be no additional business for the Town Board after executive session.

Motion to exit executive session at 8:33PM by Councilman Gildersleeve Seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in Favor. So carried.

Motion to adjourn at 8:34PM by Councilman Desmond Seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in Favor. So carried.

Respectfully submitted.
Tracey J Gallant
Town Clerk

PUBLIC HEARING 2026 BUDGET

TOWN OF CLERMONT
PUBLIC HEARING 2026 BUDGET
NOVEMBER 3, 2025

The Clermont Town Board held the 2026 Budget Public Hearing on Monday, November 3rd, 2025 at 6:45 P.M. at the Town Hall.

Those in attendance were Supervisor Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson and Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher-Shute.

Supervisor Staats opened the public hearing for the 2026 Budget. The Town Clerk read the Public hearing notice.

Supervisor Staats read the highlights of the 2026 Budget

Total Budget $1,107,288
General Budget $581,183
Highway Budget $526,105
Tax rate per thousand at 19.01%
2.5-3.5% Salary increases and 5% increase for full time employees

Taxes raised by revenue $800,200
Less Fund balance $202,508
Raised by Taxes $104,580

No tax increase 2026

Above budget accounts for the following:
Infrastructure updates included Community house, Highway garage and Town Hall
Park Pavilion
New Pickup Truck for Highway
Reserve account for Highway

Supervisor Staats opened up the floor for any comments or questions on the 2026 budget.

David Szalas provided documentation for the NYS non competitive bid for electric vehicles w/rebate.

Questions regarding how projects around town are funded.

The hearing was closed at 7:04 P.M.