TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
March 12, 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 a roll call of members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #26-2020
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the February 20, 2020 Rescheduled Regular Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
The floor was opened for public comments; no one wished to speak, the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerks report.
MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #27-2020
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown Public Works Superintendent recommends that Mr. Jason Farrington be hired on a full time provisional basis to ensure adequate staffing levels during the work year; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Farrington meets all established standards and qualifies as eligible for hiring.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Town Council herby approves of the hiring of Jason Farrington on a full time provisional basis at the hourly pay rate of MEO-3 at $20.18 per hour: and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Mr. Farrington will be eligible for all benefits provided by the Town once he completes the 120 day provisional period.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #28-2020
WHEREAS, the Constitution of The State of New York states that a local government shall have the power to apportion its cost of a government service or function upon any portion of its area as authorized by an act of the legislature.
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of New York “Local Government, a County, City, Town or Village”.
WHEREAS, Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library was established by an ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF WATERTOWN TO RECEIVE A DONATION FOR AND TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN THE “ROSWELL P. FLOWER MEMORIAL LIBRARY” AS A FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN AND FOR SAID CITY. Accepted by the City which became law on May 1, 1901 with the approval of the Governor; and
WHEREAS, the authorizing law for the Roswell P. Flower states, “the said trustees shall care for and maintain, the library and property as a free public library for the City of Watertown” thus reflecting the trustees’ role in providing a local government service or function for the City of Watertown, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown residents have no representation within the City of Watertown Government including elected officials who appoint the trustees for the library.
WHEREAS, the trustees seek to place a school ballot referendum on the Watertown City School District’s May 2020 election ballot to seek additional funding from all taxpayers within the Watertown City School District “to compensate for the 80% decrease in materials funding from the City of Watertown over the past ten years” and
WHEREAS, the May 14, 2019 Minutes of the Board of Trustees states “the money will ultimately replace all material cost from the City, friends and board”; and
WHEREAS, the Library, a chartered, is to serve the area coterminous with the City of Watertown’s municipal boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Watertown City School Districts boundaries are not coterminous with the City of Watertown municipal boundaries and do not include several tax parcels that are within the City of Watertown’s municipal boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Watertown City School Districts includes portions of five local governments as defined by the Constitution of the State of New York including portions of the City of Watertown and the Towns of Leray, Watertown, Pamelia, and Rutland; and
WHEREAS, if a School ballot referendum is passed which appropriates cost of the Library functions and services outside of a portion of its area, then a violation of the State of New York Constitution would exist; and
WEREAS, the elected official of the Town of Watertown have sworn and oath to “support the Constitution of New York State; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN OF WATERTOWN COUCIL AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE TOWN OF WATERTOWN, NEW YORK, that the people of the State of New York have delegated to local governments, by the Constitution, the power to do certain things and everything beyond those delegations is usurpation and a violation of the Constitution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such usurpation and violation of the Constitution sets a precedent fraught with danger to the community, for when government once begins to stretch its powers beyond Constitutional limits, there is no limit to it and no security for the people.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town of Watertown Council urges that the City of Watertown and the trustees of the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library, as agents of the City cease their pursuit of any School ballot referendum which would violate the New York State Constitution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town of Watertown Council supports the provision of Library services and is will to seek and constitutionally appropriate methods to address the costs associated with such services for our citizens.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser
MOTION #29-2020
WHEREAS, under town water and sewer district ordinances, the Town Council acting as administrators of all water and sewer districts may increase costs of water and sewer service to all users within each district; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to increase water and sewer rates to certain residential users with specific water and sewer treatment service as follows:
WATER DISTRICT NO. OLD RATE NEW RATES
WATER DISTRICT #1 $4.50 $5.00 with 3 unit minimum to$15.00
WATER DISTRICT #4 $4.50 $5.00 with 3 unit minimum to$15.00
SEWER DISTRICT #1,2,3,4,5 $4.50 unit with all minimum usage
fees increased to $4.50 unit
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED a public hearing is herby authorized for the following water and sewer districts, Water Districts #1 and #4 and Sewer Districts #1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Said hearing scheduled for Thursday April 9th, 2020 at 7:00 pm at the Town Municipal Office, 22867
Co. Rte. 67, Watertown NY 13601, all persons wishing to speak will be heard.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #30-2020
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has received a request from the Disabled Persons Action Organization (DPAO) for a grant of Bed Tax Revenue to assist the organization with underwriting the cost of promotional expenses for the 2020 Summer Concert Series. This is a series of concerts that provides much needed tourism to the Watertown-Jefferson County area; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council has for years underwritten such expenses for promoting the Summer Concert Series with funds allocated within the fiscal year budget; and
WHEREAS, funds were included in the 2020 Town Budget for said purpose.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Council hereby authorizes a grant of Bed Tax Revenues in the amount of $25,000.00 to be used for the purpose of underwriting promotional and advertising expenses incurred by the DPAO for the 2020 Summer Concert Series.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilmember McAtee.
MOTION #31-2020
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 45 to 46 Total $ 13,289.03
Highway Vouchers # 27 to 27 Total $ 18,328.14
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 18 to 18 Total $ 2,704.92
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 47 to 64 Total $ 18,172.80
Highway Vouchers # 28 to 37 Total $ 16,475.49
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 19 to 23 Total $ 117,249.50
Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Old/New Business
Supervisor Bartlett presented the board members proposed amendments to the town sign law prepared by the Town Planning Board and the Tug Hill Commission. Supervisor Bartlett has asked Attorney Russell to change the spacing of billboard requirements from 1000’ between signs to 600’. Discussion took place; Attorney Russell will prepare the law with that amendment to present to the Town Board for the April meeting. A public hearing will be set at that time.
Supervisor Bartlett updated the Board on funding and contract negotiations at the new TI Ag Park located off NYS Rte 3. He is working with the Town of Hounsfield regarding possible annexation of property in that area.
MOTION #32-2020
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 pm, seconded by Supervisor Bartlett.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk