TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
October 4, 2018
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent: Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll of members present at 6:00 pm. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #94-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes from the September 13, 2018 meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION #95-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes from the September 24, 2018 meeting, Councilwoman McClusky seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett opened the public hearing at 6:02 pm for proposed Local Law #4 of year 2018. A Local Law to amend Chapter 107-2 of the Town Code providing amended new definitions to Chapter 107-2 under accepted uses.
Ed Valentine, 924 Ives Street addressed the Board. He owns an office in the NC district. He asked if the public hearing could be left open till the November 8th, 2018 meeting so he could prepare comments concerning this action. Supervisor Bartlett agreed to this request. Attorney Russell advised to re-advertise the public hearing for November 8th, 2018 at 6:00 pm.
No one else from the public wished to speak; the hearing was closed at 6:05 pm.
The floor was open to the public, no one wished to speak.
Clerk’s correspondence: Notice from the Department of Labor, Division of Safety and Health Industry Inspection Bureau, Explosives Magazine Certificate – concerning certificate issued to John Poggi III, DBA: Outback Supply, 16640 Co Rte 155, Watertown, NY, 13601.
Supervisor Bartlett brought up concerns that this was a business located in a residential zone. He will initiate steps with the Zoning Officer check into the situation.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s Report.
Supervisor Bartlett discussed a request received from Showkat Khan, 22479 Ridgeview Road.
He has asked to Board to consider a request to lower his utility bill for sewer use. He waters his lawn in the summer months and feels the water does not enter back into the sewer system. The sewer charges are based on water use. The Board decided to stay consistent with their past decision not to adjust bills for excess water used for things like filling pools and watering lawns. There is no accurate way to measure the flows.
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board there have been minor changes to the dog control regulations and inter-municipal agreement previously approved by the Board. Attorney Russell advised if there is no substantive changes being made the Board could agree to the change by motion.
MOTION #96-2018
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to approve and execute the amended inter-municipal agreement between the Town of Watertown and Jefferson County relative to Dog Control Services, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #97-2018
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to schedule a special meeting Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 6:00 pm for a budget workshop and any other business brought before the town, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett will have the town accountant at the October 18, 2018 meeting to explain the short and long term debt of the town and plans to repay the General Funds that have been used to offset the shortfalls in the Special Districts accounts. There may need to be a small town tax added to offset increased expenses of the town.
MOTION/RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #98-2018
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the fiscal year 2018 budget to account for revenue receipts not included in the fiscal year 2018 budget.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is authorized to amend the fiscal year 2018 budget to reflect the following:
INCREASE REVENUE ACCT. CODE AMOUNT
Consolidated Highway Aid (Chips) $93,000.00
DECREASE REVENUE ACCOUNT NO. AMOUNT
Non property tax distribution (Sales Tax Revenue) $93,000.00
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #99-2018
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hire additional staff for the code enforcement office to cover for illnesses and vacations taken during the year;
WHEREAS, David Ross, the current Jefferson County Code Officer has expressed an interest in the part time position of Town Code Officer; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ross has the certifications and experience needed to fill the position on part time basis.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, David Ross, meeting all requirements necessary to fill the position is hereby appointed Town of Watertown Code Officer at an hourly rate of $20.00 per hour not to exceed 24 hours per pay period.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #100-2018
WHEREAS, it is necessary to increase the hourly rate of compensation for the existing Town Code Officer to equal that of the hourly salary of the newly appointed code officer.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the hourly rate of compensation for Jon Grant, Town Code Officer is hereby increased to $20.00 per hour not to exceed 24 hours per pay period.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #101-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 199 to 200 Total $ 12,820.53
Highway Vouchers # 133 to 133 Total $ 15,813.52
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 63 to 63 Total $ 2,407.99
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 201 to 216 Total $ 20,736.98
Highway Vouchers # 134 to 142 Total $ 38,753.09
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 64 to 68 Total $ 130,185.60
Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board he had advised Dave Quinta, Sewer District Advisor, any future large expenditures must be preapproved prior to work being done.
He asked the Clerk to bill the owner of 18941 US Rte 11 for the expense incurred to connect to Sewer District #4. The service should not be activated until the charges are paid.
He also asked all department heads to postpone any large expenditure because of fund short falls. State and County monies have not been received yet.
Supervisor Bartlett ask the include the comments from the Jefferson County Planning Department concerning Local Law #4 be included as Attachment #1 to the minutes.
New / Old Business
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board:
The snow plow accident law suit from this past winter has been dropped and closed.
BCA Architects & Engineers would have a report ready for the October meeting concerning the drainage issues in the Lettiere Tract area.
Attorney Russell has sent a letter to the Teamsters Union regarding the highway contract and still has not heard anything back.
The economic development project did not receive any funding from the Round 8 Grant.
They will not hear from the Upstate Revitalization Grant until January. They are still applying for other funding and grant programs.
The LDC has been formed and they are waiting on the tax exempt application and bylaws to be formed.
Discussion took place concerning online payments for utility and dog registrations in the clerk’s office. The Clerk will get more information for the Board on the cost involved with setup and maintenance of the programs.
MOTION #103 -2018
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:46 pm, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk