Planning Board meeting for May postponed.
The May Planning Board meeting, normally held the 2nd Wednesday of each month, will be cancelled for May 2020. This is in conjunction with the Town Hall remaining closed until further notice.
The May Planning Board meeting, normally held the 2nd Wednesday of each month, will be cancelled for May 2020. This is in conjunction with the Town Hall remaining closed until further notice.
The May ZBA meeting, normally held the 4th Wednesday of each month, will be cancelled for May 2020. This is in conjunction with the Town Hall remaining closed until further notice.
No meeting held due to the Town Hall closure during COVID-19.
CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
MAY 4, 2020
The Clermont Town Board held their regular town board meeting on Monday, May 4, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. via teleconference due to the covid-19 virus. Those participating were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve and Town Clerk Mary Helen Shannon.
Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance.
MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the April meeting by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried,
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: The Town Clerk’s report was sent out via email and after review was accepted. The Town Clerk presented the Supervisor with a check for the General Fund in the amount of $3,584.58.
CORRESPONDENCE:
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
OLD BUSINESS:
MOTION: A motion was made to appoint Amy Parrella as chair of the Park Committee by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Lusher Shute. All in favor. So carried.
The Town Board will communicate with the committee as to what the next projects will be to work on. Councilman Gildersleeve would like to be sure that he is on the email list for the committee. Councilwoman Lusher Shute has not heard back from Fast Signs on the entrance sign.
NEW BUSINESS:
Valley Energy – 1.899
K & H Fuel Oil – could not compete
Main Care Energy – No lock in rate available
Bottini Fuel – 2.05 or 2.35
We currently get our fuel from Valley Energy.
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to accept the bid from Valley Energy at $1.899 gallon. All in favor. So carried.
SUPERVISORS REPORT:
ABSTRACTS:
GRIEVANCE DAY: The date for Grievance Day would be Tuesday, June 2nd this year. We have not heard officially if this will take place on that date. Will wait for word from Suzette Booy, Director of Columbia County Real Property and our Assessor Cheryl Kaszluga and John Gall, Chairman, Board of Assessment Review. It will be posted on the website.
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:00 P.M. by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk
FEMA: Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
Click HERE to learn more.
Columbia County Office for the Aging: Website – Columbia County Office for the Aging Facebook – Facebook Page
New York State web site: Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance web site: Programs and Services by New York State
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance web site: OTDA Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Columbia County HEAP contacts:
Columbia County Department of Social Services
PO Box 458
25 Railroad Avenue
Hudson, NY 12534
Phone: (518) 828-9411
Days Open: Monday – Friday
New York State web site: Am I Eligible?
With the summer soon approaching, there is Cooling Assistance!
The Cooling Assistance program provides assistance for a free air conditioner to eligible older adults and people with certain medical conditions who are at higher risk of heat-related illness. Households that include an individual with a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat are eligible. To qualify, you must have no working air conditioners, your air conditioner must be at least five years old or you must not have received a HEAP-funded air conditioner in ten years. In situations where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided. The air conditioner or fan is not to exceed $800.00 with installation. The program usually opens around the beginning of May, and closes around the end of August, or until funds are exhausted. Applications are usually accepted through the end of August.
For information on both programs, please call the Columbia County Department of Social Services, at 518-828-9411, and speak to someone in the HEAP Department.
Resources for assistance provided by the Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County
CCNCC_Color Resources Sheets.pdf
Regional food bank of Northeastern New York – Regional Food Bank. Find your area and check the dates.
For more information regarding Columbia County Office for the Aging newsletter:

No meeting held due to the Town Hall closure during COVID-19.
CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 20, 2020
The Clermont Fire Commissioners did not hold a regular meeting but held it by email contact and telephone due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Chairwoman Susan Rifenburgh, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh, Commissioner Ray Bauer, Commissioner Joseph Scott and Commissioner Ronald Miller were contacted.
MINUTES: Treasurer Denise Fiore submitted the minutes from the March meeting in the absence of the Secretary. They were accepted with one correction from Chairwoman Rifenburgh on page 11 to change the name Cody Rockefeller to Evan Tompkins on a motion made by Commissioner Ray Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Joe Scott. All in favor. So carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT;
Treasurer Fiore emailed the following Treasurer’s report for April:
Total amount of March 2020 invoices paid ……………………………………………………$ 12,360.95
Proposed April 2020 Invoices ……………………………………………………………………..$ 3,520.00
Paid April 2020 invoices ……………………………………………………………………………$399,232.41
Total ………………………………………………………………………….$402,752.41
Reconciliation of Accounts
The Bank of Greene County Balances to Date
Money Market Checking Balance** ………………………………………………………………$591,094.63*
* Includes interest paid on 3/3120 in the amount of $121.80
** Transfer to checking ($396,925.00) for truck not reflected in
Money Market balance
Checking balance ………………………………………………………………………………………..$ 4,556.62
Plus Deposit 4/1/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………..$396,925.00
Less Outstanding Checks …………………………………………………………………………..$399,746.00
Checking Balance to Date ……………………………………………………………………………..$ 1,735.62
Money Market & Checking A/C Total …………………………………………………………….$195,905.25
Capital Reserve Fund for Fire Equipment ……………………………………………………….$41,786.91 (as of 12/31/19)
Interest 1/1/2020 – 1/31/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 5.30
Interest 2/1/2020 – 2/29/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 4.96
Interest 3/1/2020 – 3/31/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 5.31
Total …………………………………………………………………………….$41,797.18
Capital Reserve Fund for Constr. & Improvement ……………………………………………$33,717.36 (as of 12/31/19)
Interest 1/1/2020 – 1/31/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 4.28
Interest 2/1/2020 – 2/29/2020 ……………………………………………………………………………….$ 4.01
Interest 3/1/2020 – 3/31/2020 ………………………………………………………………………………$ 4.28
Total …………………………………………………………………………….$33,729.93
A motion was made to approve the Treasurers report with all in favor.
With the arrival of the new truck the 1996 International Pumper/Tanker will be declared as surplus equipment by the following resolution approved this date:
RESOLUTION NO. 22 OF 2020
AUTHORIZATION TO DECLARE A FIRE DISTRICT VEHICLE AS
SURPLUS EQUIPMENT
WHEREAS, The Clermont Fire Commissioners, at the April 20th teleconference made a motion to declare the 1996 International Pumper/tanker, 2500 gallon tank with 1250 gpm pump as surplus equipment,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the motion was made to request $60,000.00 for the pumper/tanker:
Motion: Commissioner Raymond Bauer
Seconded: Commissioner Joseph Scott
Upon question of the foregoing Resolution, the following Board members voted “Aye” in favor of the Resolution:
Commissioner Raymond Bauer
Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh
Commissioner Joseph Scott
Commissioner Ronald Miller
Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh
The following members voted “No” in opposition thereto:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
The resolution having been approved by a majority was declared duly adopted.
DATED: 4/20/2020 Mary Helen Shannon, Secretary
Following the approval of the resolution a Notice of Permissive Referendum will be prepared which is required when the sale price is from $20,000 to $100,000.
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on April 20, 2020 the Clermont Fire District adopted Resolution No. 22 of 2020 authorizing the District to declare a 1996 International Pumper/Tanker with a 2500 gallon tank capable of pumping 1250 GPM as surplus equipment with a purchase price of $60,000.00 subject to a permissive referendum pursuant to Article 7 of the Town Law of the State of New York.
Said resolution is subject to a permissive referendum and shall not take effect until thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption.
By Order of the Clermont Fire Commissioners
CORRESPONDENCE:
FUEL USAGE REPORT:
CHIEFS REPORT:
There were three calls as follows:
Officers meeting – 3/1/2020 – 2 Officers
Training – 3/5/2020 and 3/12/2020 – OSHA Training – 22 firefighters – 132 hours
The 2020 Toyne Tanker/Pumper arrived on Aril 14th. Several firefighters attended.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, Secretary
Clermont Fire District
Most towns have assembled a group of volunteers to assist seniors with grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions during the Coronavirus outbreak. The Columbia County Office for the Aging is compiling a list of these contacts, which will enable our staff to make referrals should a senior from a particular town need assistance with these tasks. Please contact Councilmember Dawn Brownson at 518-537-6272 to volunteer.