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Town Board approves bids, agreements, appointments and multiple routine items; discusses cell service problems
Summary
The Town Board approved a series of routine contracts, personnel actions and service agreements and discussed townwide gaps in cellular coverage that board members described as a public-safety issue.
The Town of Clinton Town Board approved a number of contracts, appointments and procedural items during the meeting and discussed long-standing problems with cellular service in parts of the town.
On formal actions, the board voted to put out a bid for staining the buildings at Fran Mark Park, authorized a two-month extension to file the annual financial report, approved travel and delegate designations for the Association of Towns meeting, and authorized hiring Hudson Valley Appraisal Corporation for an appraisal in a tax-assessment matter. The board also approved the annual agreement to spend highway funds (the "284" agreement), adopted a dog-housing agreement with Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, and entered a shared-services agreement for animal control with neighboring towns. Several personnel actions were approved, including seasonal and highway hires and the appointment of an unpaid intern for six months.
Board members and staff also discussed cellular coverage gaps across the town, with several members saying poor or nonexistent mobile service creates a public-safety risk and that they planned to contact state and federal elected officials to seek assistance and identify possible solutions, including use of town infrastructure or a highway tower to host equipment.
Votes at a glance (items taken from meeting agenda and minutes):
- Fran Mark Park building staining: Board authorized going to bid; bids to be received at the Town Clerk's office until 10:00 a.m. on 02/12/2025; motion carried (voice vote).
- Resolution adopting Planning Board escrow schedule (Resolution 2025): Passed after roll-call (see separate article for detailed debate and vote).
- Annual financial report extension: Board approved requesting a two-month extension to file the annual financial report (motion carried; voice vote).
- Association of Towns attendance and delegate designation: Board approved Councilman (name recorded as Witten) and court justice Elizabeth Johnson to attend the Association of Towns annual meeting and training in New York City (cost limits recorded in the minutes); motions carried (voice votes). Elizabeth Johnson's cost was noted as split with Rhinebeck.
- Hudson Valley Appraisal Corporation: Board authorized hiring the firm for an appraisal related to the Ragsdale tax-assessment matter (motion carried; voice vote). The appraisal firm and rates were described as approved by the assessor.
- Highway funds (284 agreement): Board approved the annual agreement on which roads to work on and funding allocations for the highway department (motion carried; voice vote).
- Dog housing agreement: Board approved the 02/2025 dog housing agreement with Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary; motion carried (voice vote).
- Shared animal-control services agreement: Board approved the 02/2025 shared services agreement for animal control coverage among towns for weekday hours; motion carried (voice vote). Board discussion noted current provider covers Monday's through Friday and gaps (nights/weekends) remain.
- Personnel actions: The board approved several appointments and employment changes, including Connor Burns (part-time seasonal winter employee), Brian Dingey (winter highway employee at 32 hours per week, through 03/31/2025), Steve Gianoni (HMEO appointment with CSEA contract terms), and the appointment of Grace Folmsby as an unpaid intern for six months (term to be reviewed at six months). All personnel motions carried (voice votes).
- January warrants: Board approved the January General Fund and Highway Fund warrants as read in the minutes (vouchers and totals recorded in the meeting record); motion carried (voice vote).
Board members also agreed to pursue outside help and political contacts to address mobile/cellular service deficiencies that impair emergency communications in parts of the town. One member said he would contact state Senator and congressional offices to seek assistance and identify possible funding or technical solutions.
No other significant policy proposals or ordinance adoptions were taken up during the session.
