TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
April 12, 2018
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent:
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting at 7:00 pm with the roll of members present. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #36-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes from the March 8, 2018 meeting, Councilman McAtee seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION #37-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes for March 26, 2018 Special Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor to the public. No one wished to speak.
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board he received the following correspondence from Kenneth Bibbins, NYSDOT Traffic Engineer, regarding a speed reduction on Swan Road. The letter is addressed to James L. Lawrence Jr., Jefferson County Department of Highways, dated April 5th, 2018;
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has concluded its evaluation regarding a request for a reduced speed zone on Swan Road in the Town of Watertown.
Based on the NYSDOT study, a 45 MPH speed zone extension is appropriate for a portion of Swan Road. The existing 45 MPH speed zone on the southern portion has been extended from 1.2 +/- miles to 2.13 +/- miles. The attached amended Official Order has been approved and is on file with the Secretary of State, so enforcement efforts may begin upon installation of the required regulatory signs in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) and the NYS Supplement.
There are horizontal curves along Swan Road that may not be signed in compliance with the current version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) and the New York State Supplement. The NYSDOT recommends that the entire length of Swan Road be reviewed by the Town of Watertown to ensure compliance.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s Reports.
MOTIONS / RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #38-2018
WHEREAS, the Justice Court Assistance Program has awarded the Town of Watertown Court a grant of $4,000.00 to be used to cover the cost to purchase a new copy machine for the Town Justice Court.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is authorized to amend the 2018 fiscal year budget in recognition of receipts of the program funding for a new Court copy machine.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember McClusky.
Ayes All
MOTION #39-2018
WHEREAS, Bowers and Company has provided accounting services for the Town of Watertown for a number of years; and
WHEREAS, a new fee for a services agreement has been drafted to reflect the terms and conditions of accountant work to be provided to the town.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute the agreement for accounting services attached as “exhibit A” between the Bowers Accounting Firm and the Town of Watertown under the terms and conditions specified therein.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #40-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 62 to 65 Total $ 11,422.80
Highway Vouchers # 42 to 42 Total $ 17,795.12
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 22 to 22 Total $ 3,058.71
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 66 to 86 Total $ 19,122.40
Highway Vouchers # 43 to 55 Total $ 8,037.32
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 23 to 27 Total $ 130,973.59
Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett informed the board he was in the process of evaluating the water and sewer rates. The rates have not been raised since 2007 and some since 1999. The districts have been running in a deficit with money coming from the General Fund to cover repairs. Municipal Solutions will provide an amortization schedule over 20 years to repay the General Fund. This will require a public hearing and notification to customers. He will present something at the May meeting with new rates possibly taking effect June 2018.
New / Old Business
Councilman Desormo wanted to voice his option on the dissatisfaction of the Watertown City School Districts decision to change to a new company bus company. He feels the local company has been doing a good job for our community for many years.
Councilman Prosser asked about the status of the economic project. Supervisor Bartlett stated the economic impact statement needs to be in by the end of June. He informed the Board he is looking for people who would be interested in serving on a Board of Directors for the project.
Superintendant Rohr informed the Board of a problem with the maintenance of fire hydrants on private property within the town. There was recently a fire in a private development area and the fire hydrant was not in working order. This waste valuable time and causes a treat to property and human lives. The town zoning code does not address the maintenance and annual testing of hydrants on private property. Attorney Russell will check into this issue.
He also informed the Board numerous breaks in the NYS waterline to the prison. There have been 5 breaks in the past 2 years. He is concerned of the age of the line and how it affects the town residents it services in Water District 5. He asked the board to consider extending the Water District 4 infrastructure to this area. Supervisor Bartlett will consult the Town Engineers of the cost that would be involved in a project like this.
MOTION #41-2018
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 pm, Councilman McAtee seconded.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk