TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
January 9, 2020
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 call of members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #1-2020
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the December 12, 2019 Regular Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION #2-2020
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the December 30, 2019 Special Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
The floor was opened for public comments;
Lisa Wackernagel, 20723 Shepard Street, addressed the Board. She has been struggling with surface water and drainage problems in her area for years. She presented pictures of the area and asked for help to correct the issue. Highway Superintendent Rohr is very familiar with this area and the problems associated with it. There is a high water table in that area and very poor drainage. To correct these problems would be very costly. Supervisor Bartlett will contact the town engineers concerning the possibility of forming a sewer district and storm drains. Tom Boxberger, Town Health Officer advised that there may be grants available because of the public health issue and average income of the residents in that area. There may also be USDA funding to assist in financing.
Andrew Buckley, Boralax Solar, spoke to update the Board on the solar project in the Towns of Watertown and Hounsfield borders. He informed the Board the company is working on piecing out a small portion of the project off Massey Street Road and I-81. This would be a community solar project aimed to directly benefit residents in the area who wish to participate in the energy savings. The approvals for this project would fall under local jurisdiction and review. They will be holding an open house in Hounsfield January 29, 2020 to offer information to the public.
Tom Boxberger, Town Health Officer, informed the Board he revisited the Oberton residents at 22997 Co Rte 67, several times. There was very little evidence of the cats being outside the home. Tom Oberton informed Mr. Boxberger that the cats were all being kept inside their home. They have not received vaccinations or spay/neutering as per orders to remedy the violation. As long as the cats are inside it abates the danger to the public safety. After discussion Attorney Russell advised he would send notice to the Obertons. If there are reports of the animals outside the home again, orders will be issued to have the cats captured and euthanized.
No one else wished to speak, the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk and Town Ambulance reports.
The Board adjoined the meeting to go into executive session at 7:32 pm to discuss personnel issues.
The meeting was reconvened at 7:40 pm.
MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #3-2020
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists in the Town Justice Court with the resignation of Justice David Renzi effective December 31, 2019; and
WHEREAS, in order to fill the vacancy the Town Council must appoint an individual to fill the office of Town Justice until the next General Election; and
WHEREAS, at the December 30th, 2019 Town Board Special Meeting, the clerk was directed to publish in the official newspaper a request for applications or letters of interest from persons interested in the appointment to fill the vacancy until January 9, 2020; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, after reviewing all applications. Eric Swartz, a town resident and practicing attorney is hereby appointed to the vacant position of Town of Watertown Justice for the remainder of this fiscal year with the term ending December 31, 2020.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and second by Councilman McAtee, and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor: Joel Bartlett Yes
Councilman: Paul Desormo Absent
Councilman: David Prosser Yes
Councilman: Timothy McAtee Yes
Councilwoman: Joanne McClusky Yes
MOTION #4-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to designate bank depositories for the safekeeping and investment of Town funds for the year 2020.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Key Bank, Community Bank, and Watertown Savings Bank are hereby designated as depositories and investment of town funds for the year 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #5-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to designate legal representation for the Town of Watertown for year 2020;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the law firm of Barclay, Damon, with offices at 120 Washington Street, Watertown NY is hereby designated Legal Counsel for the fiscal year 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #6-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to designate an authorize the execution of a fee for service agreement between Bowers and Co. for providing accounting services for the town;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute said agreement for accounting services between Bowers and Co. and the Town of Watertown for the fiscal year 2020.
Discussion took place. Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #7-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appoint an Engineering Firm to represent the Town on all matters requiring engineering services for the year 2020;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Engineering firm of Bernier Carr and Associates, 327 Mullin Street, Watertown N.Y. is hereby appointed Engineer for the Town of Watertown for the fiscal year 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #8-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to designate Bond Counsel for the Town of Watertown for year 2020;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the law firm of Barclay, Damon, with offices at 120 Washington Street, Watertown NY is hereby designated Bond Counsel for the year 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #9-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to designate an official newspaper for all required legal notices and publications for the year 2020;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Watertown Daily Times is hereby designated as the official newspaper for such publications for the town for the fiscal year 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #10-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish an annual schedule for all Town Council meetings to be held on a monthly bases for year 2020.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that all regular monthly Town Council meetings will be held at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of each month with the exception of the October which will be conducted on the 1st (first) Thursday of the month and November meeting which shall be held on the first Thursday following the general election of 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #11-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to designate a chairman for the Town of Watertown Planning Board and Co-Chairs Thomas Boxberger and Pamela Desormo have indicated their interest in re-appointment to another term of office as Co-Chairmen of the Town Planning Board.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Thomas Boxberger and Pamela Desormo are hereby appointed as Co-Chairmen of the Town of Watertown Planning Board for the Year 2020;
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #12-2020
WHEREAS, several water and sewer districts are interconnected and serviced by the same master meters from the City of Watertown; and
WHEREAS, from time to time it is necessary to transfer funds between districts to balance revenue and appropriation accounts.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to transfer funds between districts for accounting and recording purposes.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #13-2020
WHEREAS, the current contract for bonding preparation and other bonding services between Municipal Solutions, Leray N.Y. and the Town of Watertown expired on December 31, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Municipal Solutions provides services relative to the town’s annual statement and other bonding requirements such as a long term bond servicing, compilation of the towns official statement required for financing municipal debt and general financial services in addition to the Continuing Disclosure Contract.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute the fee for the service agreement between Municipal Solutions and the Town of Watertown for the fiscal year 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #14-2020
WHEREAS, all elected Town of Watertown employees and officials are covered under a uniform Blanket Undertaking Bond as required by Section 25 of the Town Law; and
WHEREAS, there are certain instances in other areas of the State where town officials have not been covered under a Blanket Undertaking or Personal Undertaking Bond; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to attest to and affirm the Towns existing policy for taking the oath of office.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVE that all town elected officials, specifically each Town Court Justice upon taking the oath of office shall sign the Blanket Undertaking for Bonding purposes as required by Public Officers Law Section 11(2); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the form of the official undertaking shall be kept on file at the Town Clerks Office, and a certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Unified Court System Fifth Judicial District, Onondaga County Court House, 401 Montgomery Street Room 400, Syracuse, N.Y. 13202-3099.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember McAtee, and upon a roll call vote was adopted as follows:
Supervisor: Joel Bartlett Yes
Councilman: Paul Desormo Absent
Councilman: David Prosser Yes
Councilman: Timothy McAtee Yes
Councilwoman: Joanne McClusky Yes
MOTION #15-2020
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown and the Town of Watertown Ambulance contract for providing Ambulance service for town residents expired on December 31, 2019 and a new contract is needed for retaining this service for town residents; and
WHEREAS, funds were included in the fiscal year 2020 for such purpose.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the contracts terms and conditions as outlined in said contract is agreed to and the supervisor is hereby authorized to execute said agreement for the term commencing January 1, 2020 ending December 31, 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #16-2020
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown and the Jefferson County Highway maintenance agreement expired on December 31, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the new proposed agreement is a 3 year agreement and details all terms and conditions for the Town of Watertown to perform bridge and routine road services for the County including the removal of snow, ice and sanding of county roads located within the town
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, as the terms and conditions of said contract are considered favorable to the town, the supervisor is hereby authorized to execute said agreement between the County of Jefferson and the Town of Watertown to provide maintenance services for Jefferson County for the term commencing January 1, 2020 ending December 31, 2022.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #17-2020
WHEREAS, Assessor Roger Tibbetts has applied for the following splits and corrections to the 2020 tax roll for real property identified as:
Correction
Davidson Management Group- 18621/637 US Rte 11, Tax Map #90.00-6-29.42. Business C exemption should be 30,300 not 55,000. Original bill was for $17,347.57, corrected bill is for $17,636.63.
Preserve at Autumn Ridge II, LLC c/o JCIDA, Co Rte 202, Tax map #82.11-1-35.226, to remove unpaid water and sewer levy paid after tax bills were printed. Original bill was for $70,758.34 corrected bill is for $27,288.32.
Splits
Original
90.00-6-27.1 Edward Escudero, 21233 Gillette Road $2,732.43
Split into
90.00-6-27.1 Edward Escudero, Gillette Road $ 128.49
90.00-6-27.5 Andrew Coalter, 21233 Gillette Road $2,603.94
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town B The Board hereby approves the correction of this tax bill and authorizes the Town Clerk to issue a corrected tax bill to the owner of said parcels.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolute Supervisor Bartlett moved the forgoing resolution, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #18-2020
WHEREAS, two vacancies exist on the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to fill the vacant position to insure an adequate quorum for meetings and for the good conduct of board proceedings.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Clerk is directed to publish in the official newspaper of the Town a request for applications from interested town residents to fill said vacancy. All letters of interest from the public shall be sent to the Town Clerk’s Office 22867 County Rte. 67, Watertown, NY 13601 and accepted up until 3:00 pm, Thursday February 13, 2020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town Council shall review all requests for appointment to fill said position at the February 13, 2020 Regular Town Council meeting.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #19-2020
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 249 to 226 Total $ 11,571.22
Highway Vouchers # 175 to 175 Total $ 18,328.14
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 95 to 96 Total $ 1,593.29
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 1 to 15 Total $ 5,490.90
Highway Vouchers # 1 to 15 Total $ 6,246.42
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 1 to 6 Total $ 132,285.60
Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board that water and sewer rates will need to be reviewed and possibly raised due to the rise in city rates.
Supervisor Bartlett advised that the public hearing concerning the Comprehensive Plan will reconvene at the February meeting.
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 pm, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk