Author: Kris Gildersleeve

No meeting held due to the Town Hall closure during COVID-19.

CLERMONT TOWN BOARD MINUTES
APRIL 6, 2020

The Clermont Town Board meeting was held via a phone conference call on Monday, April 6, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. with the Town Board members and Town Clerk participating. This was necessary as Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a State of Emergency due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Participating are Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute, Councilman Kris Gildersleeve and Town Clerk Mary Helen Shannon.

Supervisor Staats opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: The minutes of the March 2nd meeting were reviewed and a motion made to accept them by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve. All in favor. So carried.

The notes taken by Councilwoman Lusher Shute at the special meeting regarding the park committee on March 16, 2020 were accepted as minutes.

Councilman Gildersleeve does have an objection to the wording on the signs for the park indicating or referencing “No Firearms” in the park. He would challenge the use of this wording as a violation of 2nd amendment rights. He does not want any indication about firearms on the signs. Councilman Desmond would motion to accept the signs as amended with no mention of firearms, Supervisor Staats seconded. This will be further discussed with the update to the Sexual Harassment/Workplace Violence Policy.

TOWN CLERKS REPORT:

The Town Clerk read the report for March and presented the Supervisor with a check for the General fund in the amount of $140.70.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• Councilman Desmond pointed out that local and state parks are closing because of the virus and wondered if we should think about closing off the parks. The Supervisor noted that there are no scheduled games in the near future and there has been no congregating reported.
• Councilwoman Brownson reported that the Landmark open house which the County had scheduled in May to view the Clarkson Chapel on Route 9G has been postponed. She had hoped to have St. Luke’s church opened that weekend, as well.

She will submit the AARP grant application for benches and tables and Iroquois Community grant for trees. She will ask our Highway Superintendent for a quote for gravel material for a pathway to the Veterans monument. Councilman Desmond suggested marking the pathway off so all can see the location.

• Councilwoman Lusher Shute will work on updating the email list on the website.
• PARK SIGNS: Councilwoman Lusher Shute has an estimate for two park entrance signs from Fast Signs in Kingston – two 36-inch high metal signs for $266.04 and two 48-inch high signs for $347.64. She has also received a quote from Amy Parella for plantings and fencing. The estimate is as follows:

Locust posts and rails delivered from Adams – $537.00

Garden soil from Hudson Valley Organics – $235.00

Composted mulch from Hudson Valley Organics – $235.00

Plantings from Chestnut Ridge Nursery – multiple trees – $5369.00

Deer Protection fencing from AM Leonard – $1298.00

Total approximately $7000.00

Supervisor Staats would need a second quote for the trees and would like to purchase local and avoid the freight charges if possible. We do not know how our revenues will be coming in and if we will get any from the state during this crisis.

Councilman Gildersleeve is opposed to the purchase of the signs with any mention of firearms and Councilman Desmond would like to see a proof of what will be on the signs. Councilwoman Lusher Shute will make up a proof of the sign.

Mary Howard of the Planning Board has requested a quote from three business’ for 50 double sided signs to be used the planning and zoning public hearings. They are as follows:

Minute Man – Red Hook $540.00

ColorPage – Kingston – $589.00

Nancy Scans – Chatham – $389.00

It was suggested to wait on purchasing these because of budget concerns. No one was opposed to waiting until next month.

ABSTRACTS:

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve Highway abstract #4, vouchers 26 -36 in the amount of $7,263.40. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Brownson, seconded by Councilman Desmond to approve General abstract #4A vouchers 83-107 in the amount of $5,810.71. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Gildersleeve, seconded by Councilwoman Brownson to approve General Prepaid abstract #4, vouchers #80 – 82 in the amount of $223.66. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to approve Trust and Agency abstract #4, vouchers #6 – 7 in the amount of $1,062.90. All in favor. So carried.

A motion was made by Councilman Desmond, seconded by Councilman Gildersleeve to adjourn at 7:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Helen Shannon, RMC
Town Clerk

No meeting held due to the Town Hall closure during COVID-19.

CLERMONT SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MINUTES
MARCH 16, 2020

The Town Board held a special meeting which had been scheduled before the necessary shutdown of the town hall due to the Coronavirus outbreak by the Governor. The meeting was closed to the public. Those who were present at the 7:00 P.M. meeting were Supervisor Raymond Staats, Councilman Robert Desmond, Councilwoman Dawn Brownson, Councilwoman Lindsey Lusher Shute and Councilman Kris Gildersleeve.

Councilman Lusher Shute was good enough to takes notes, in the absence of the Town Clerk.

Summary of meeting outcomes:

• The board would like the committee to continue. At the next formal town board meeting the will officially nominate a Park Committee and chairs. The board will only nominate one committee; if the group would like to have subcommittees or working groups, the group can self-organize. There is also support for a parents playground group.
• Pending a few edits, the board is interested to adopt the plan as an advisory document. Supervisor Staats is speaking with the town lawyer about how to proceed with this action.
• The board approved/prioritized several actions from the plan:
  • A simple rules sign (similar to what is now in Tivoli) to be placed near the parking lots; I will facilitate the creation/purchase of this sign.
  • Finishing the park entrance (including trees; split rail fencing).
  • Planting trees in arboretum near the Route 9 entrance; planting trees near County route 6 parking lot; and, depending on funding, some selective screening plantings.
  • Creation of crushed stone trail to veteran’s monument.
  • Benches along the mowed trail, assuming funding from AARP or other sources.
  • Planting of seed withing the monarch meadow, but not moving new topsoil to area at this time.
  • Relocating piles from stream area.

Councilwoman Brownson and Councilwoman Lusher Shute will work on several funding opportunities, immediately including AARP and Iroquois community grants.

Next Steps:

• If anyone is interested to continue on the park committee, please email Councilwoman Lusher Shute at llshuteny@gmail.com.
• If there are other individuals that you would like to nominate for the park committee, please send their current information.
• Councilwoman Lusher Shute will organize a committee meeting by phone in the next two weeks to nominate chairs, and discuss upcoming plantings and grant proposals.
• She will email Amy Parrella regarding plant material.

CLERMONT FIRE COMMISSIONERS
MARCH 16, 2020

The Clermont Fire Commissioners held their monthly meeting on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall. Those in attendance were Commissioner Susan Rifenburgh, Commissioner Laurence Saulpaugh, Commissioner Ronald Miller, Commissioner Raymond Bauer and Commissioner Joseph Scott, Jr. Also present was Treasurer Denise Fiore.

Chairwoman Rifenburgh opened the meeting with the salute to the flag and said that meeting would be an open format discussion and would not follow the normal Monthly Meeting Agenda due to COVID-19.

MINUTES: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the February 17, 2020 meeting with one correction on Page 2 correcting the Tax Cap from 1.81% to 1.8 by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Bauer. All in favor. So carried.

TREASURERS REPORT:

March 16, 2020 Fire Commissioners’ Treasurer’s Report

RE: February 2020

Total Amount of February 2020 Invoices Paid ________________________$ 20,474.97

RE: March 2020

Proposed March 2020 Invoices ____________$ 9,428.05

Paid March 2020 Invoices ________________$ 2,932.90

———————–Total __________________________________________$12,360.95

Reconciliation of Accounts

The Bank of Greene County Balances to Date

Money Market Checking Balance _______________________________$ 223,218.83*

*Includes interest paid on 2/29/2020 in the amount of $47.31

Checking Balance ____________________________________________ 3,658.73

Plus Deposit 3/3/2020 _________________________________________ 5,000.00

Less Outstanding Checks _______________________________________3,154.13

Checking Balance to Date _______________________________________5,504.60

Money Market & Checking A/C Total ____________________________$ 228,723.43

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

———————–Total _______________________________________$41,791.87

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

———————–Total ______________________________________$33,725.65

Denise Fiore, Treasurer
March 16, 2020

A motion was made by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Miller to accept the Treasurers report for March. All in favor. So carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• Physical for Richard Larsen, Jr. received
• RBC Wealth Management statement for January – $405,045.31
• Executed Agreement with Volunteer Fire Department received. Original will be kept with the Treasurer and a copy will be kept in the files.

OPEN DISCUSSION:

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh
No Discussion

INSURANCE: Commissioners Miller and Scott

• Treasurer Fiore said the Clermont Fire Company reimbursed the District for their portion of the 2020 insurance premium in the amount of $1,869.00.

FIRE EQUIPMENT: Commissioners Bauer and Saulpaugh

• Commissioner Saulpaugh said the new truck 6035 will need tie down brackets to hold the equipment on the truck. The brackets will cost between $1,000-$1,500. A motion was made by Commissioner Bauer and seconded by Commissioner Miller to purchase the tie down brackets.

LOSAP: Commissioners S. Rifenburgh and Miller

• Commissioners Rifenburgh and Miller have posted the LOSAP points. After required 30 day posting all signed forms will be mailed.
• Chairwoman Rifenburgh said Evan Tompkins was the only firefighter to qualify in the Defined Contribution Service Award Plan for 2019. She mentioned that these monies must be kept separate.

LAWS AND POLICIES: All Commissioners
No discussion

LEGAL: All Commissioners
No discussion

OLD BUSINESS:

• Commissioner Bauer will check with the Chief to find out the status of the hose purchase from Garrison.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Chairwoman Rifenburgh received the sexual harassment forms and will put them out.
• Treasurer Fiore said the closing for the new truck 6035 was March 16, 2020 and the funds were deposited into the District’s Money Market bank account that day.
• Treasurer Fiore said the District Accountant, Brian Fitzgerald, broke his ankle is not responding to emails re status of 2019 Audit.
• Commissioner Scott asked if any information has been received from NYS or Columbia County regarding COVID-19. Commissioner Rifenburgh said no information has not so far been received.
• Commissioner Bauer requested a moment of silence in memory of Mark Schiller.

CHIEFS REPORT:

There were ten calls in February as follows:

2/9/20 – Mutual Aid Livingston Structure Fire – 140 Maple Lane

2/10/20 – Wires down – Cedar Hill and Pine Lane

2/10/20 – AAPI – Route 9 (exact location not reported)

2/14/20 – Alarm Activation – 634 Church Avenue

2/14/20 – Mutual Aid Livingston Structure Fire – Route 31

2/15/20 – Mutual Aid Livingston Recall – Route 31

2/16/20 – Smoke Investigation – 874 County Route 6

2/22/20 – Alarm Activation – 104 Mill Road

2/25/20 – Mutual Aid Germantown AAPI – 450 Church Avenue

2/28/20 – Alarm Activation – 760 Woods Road

Monthly Drills/Work Details

2/12/20 – Drill – Thermo Imaging Camera – 7 firefighters attended

2/24/20 – Drill – Drill on roof venting and ladders – 12 firefighters attended

A motion was made by Commissioner Saulpaugh, seconded by Commissioner Miller to pay the bills. All in favor. So carried.

Commissioner Bauer submitted the fuel report showing 46.8 gallons used.

A motion was made to adjourn at 7:50 P.M. by Commissioner Bauer, seconded by Commissioner Scott.

Respectfully submitted,
Denise Fiore, Treasurer
Clermont Fire District