TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
October 5, 2017
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Members Absent: Stephen L. Rich, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting at 3:30 pm and called for the roll of members present. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #79-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes for September 14, 2017 meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett informed the board he had cancelled a public hearing for this meeting for proposed Local Law #2 of 2017, a Local Law to override the tax cap. The tentative budget came in under the 2% tax cap therefore, the Local Law was rescinded.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor to public:
No one else wished to speak the floor was closed.
The Town Clerk has no correspondence this month.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerks report.
MOTIONS / RESOLUTIONS
Supervisor Bartlett included in the agenda packet the tentative 2018 preliminary budget along with the schedule of debt service for the town and Fire District proposed speeding plan for 2018.
MOTION #80-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to hold a public hearing on the proposed 2018 Tentative Budget, a detail of all funds including the General and Highway Funds, Water Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6 and Sewer Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6. The hearing is to be held Thursday November 9, 2017, at 7:00 pm. Said meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 22867 Co Rte 67, Watertown, NY. All members of the public wishing to speak for or against will be heard. Motion seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #81-2017
WHEREAS, the Town Council has received numerous requests from residents who reside on the East Gotham Road located within the Town of Watertown to reduce the speed limit along East Gotham Street Road in its entirety to 45 MPH due to the increase of development of residential properties and areas of limited sight distance, and;
WHEREAS, control of local highway speed limits rest with the Jefferson County Highway Superintendent, the Jefferson County Board of Legislature and the N.Y.S.D.O.T. and;
WHEREAS, an issue of public safety exists with speeding vehicles on said road due to the increase of residential development and issues of limited sight distance for motorists.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Council hereby recommends favorable consideration of the Jefferson County Highway Superintendent and the Jefferson County Board of Legislators for a reduction in the speed limits to 45 MPH on the entire length of East Gotham Road in the Town of Watertown.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #82-2017
After discussion Councilman Prosser moved to amend the said motion from 45 MPH to 40 MPH, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #83-2017
WHEREAS, the Town Council has received numerous requests from residents who reside on the Swan Road located within the Town of Watertown to reduce the speed limit along Swan Road in its entirety to 45 MPH due to the increase of development of residential properties, areas of limited sight distance and heavy traffic to and from the Dry Hill Correctional Facility, and;
WHEREAS, control of local highway speed limits rest with the Jefferson County Highway Superintendent, the Jefferson County Legislature and the N.Y.S.D.O.T. and;
WHEREAS, an issue of public safety exists with speeding vehicles on said road due to the increase of residential development, issues of limited sight distance and traffic volumes for motorists.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Council hereby recommends favorable consideration of the Jefferson County Highway Superintendent and the Jefferson County Board of Legislators for a reduction in the speed limits to 45 MPH on the entire length of Swan Road in the Town of Watertown.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
Discussion took place on whether to reduce the speed limit to 40 MPH. Superintendant Rohr informed it is now 45 MPH on part of the road and it would be consistent to continue the 45 MPH on the entire road. The Board agreed.
MOTION #84-2017
WHEREAS, due to increased development in the Lettiere Tract Housing Development and in consideration of excessive surface water runoff and the effects on the internal roadways in the low lying areas of the development, it is necessary to commission a map, plan and report prepared by the town engineer to correct said water runoff and its effects on the internal highways, drainage ditches and residential yards in the low lying area of the devilment; and
WHEREAS, Bernier Carr and Associates, the Town engineer has agreed to prepare the map, plan and report for the council for review at a cost not to exceed $10,000.00.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVE, Bernier Carr and Associated are herby authorized to prepare said report for the Council at a cost not to exceed $10,000.00.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #85-2017
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2017 fiscal year budget to reconcile budget accounts.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is authorized to amend the 2017 budget to reflect and correct postings to various budget appropriation accounts as follows:
GENERAL FUND:
Decrease General Fund unappropriated fund balance $40,000.00
Increase General Fund appropriation account A6989.4 economic development $40,000.00
Transfer From account Transfer to account Amount
General Fund Interfund Transfer Highway Interfund Transfer (Rev) $100,000.00
100,000.00
Transfer from account Transfer to account Amount
Sewer Dist 2 rents Interfund transfer from Dist 2 $178,971.00
Sewer 5 Interfund transfer to Dist 4 Interfund transfer from Dist 5 $ 8,049.00
Transfer from account Transfer to account Amount
A1990.4 Contingent Acct A9010.8 Ret Syst $ 1,072.00
A1990.4 Contingent Acct A1425.4 Codification acct $ 250.00
Highway Fund
Transfer From account Transfer to account Amount
DA9030.8 Soc. Sec. DA9010.8 State Ret. $ 1,072.00
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #86-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 177 to 179 Total $ 12,762.92
Highway Vouchers # 125 to 125 Total $ 17,105.76
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 71 to 71 Total $ 1,839.45
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 180 to 191 Total $ 22,286.98
Highway Vouchers # 126 to 139 Total $ 23,103.24
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 72 to 77 Total $ 126,074.43
Councilman Desormo seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Old Business
Supervisor Bartlett updated the Board concerning the Economic Development Phase 1 project. The report should take 3-4 weeks. The application for funding should be finished by January 2018. He informed he is meeting with other government officials and agencies to ask for their support for the proposed project.
Councilman Prosser asked about the status of the SPDES Permit for the Lettiere Tract area in light of the wet weather we have been experiencing. Supervisor Bartlett informed there was only 3 days there seemed to be flow problems. He informed there were some problems with the flow testing, but discovered the problem was a deceased animals lodged in the discharge pipe.
New Business
Councilman Prosser inquired about the upcoming censes and how the Town will play a role in collecting the data. Supervisor Bartlett will check into that. There has been no information received yet.
Supervisor Bartlett informed he will be meeting with the Jefferson County Board of Legislators concerning the use of shared services being pushed by the Governor’s Office.
Highway Superintendant Rohr approached the Board concerning the proposed 2018 budget. He questioned the decrease in the highway budget lines. He provided the Board with a list of the highway equipment including the age and mileage of each item. He suggested a plan to replace each piece on a rotating schedule. The equipment is getting old and starting to have mechanical problems. He is very concerned about breakdowns in the winter months and how it could create a very bad situation keeping the roads clear and safe. He asked about the possibility of purchasing another pickup truck next year. They discussed the possibility of leasing vehicles compared to purchasing.
MOTION #87-2017
Councilman Prosser moved to close the meeting at 4:12 pm, Supervisor Bartlett seconded.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk