TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Special Meeting
Municipal Building
October 21, 2021
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent: Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the special workshop meeting at 7:01 pm with a roll call of members present.
The floor opened to the public for comments:
John Compo, Co. Rte. 60 (Floral Drive) addressed the Board. He questioned the water rates and ad valorem on the Town/County taxes. He asked as a courtesy to the customers if they could be notified by mail prior to rate increases. He feels most people don’t get the paper to see the notice.
He wondered what he received for debt service he is paying every year.
Supervisor Bartlett will try to accommodate Mr. Compo and have a note included in the monthly billing when rate hikes take place. He explained the reason for the debt service on the town taxes was for the maintenance, repairs and expansion of the Water 1 District. The interest on the loans also explains some of the increase of that amount.
The Board discussed the 2022 Tentative Budget.
Councilman Prosser asked to raise the Supervisor’s contractual account $1000.00 to cover the cost of a new computer with a dependable backup service.
Supervisor Bartlett will add $500 to account A-1220.2 (Supervisor Equipment Acct) for a total of $1000.00.
Supervisor Bartlett went through the budget and listed the changes that will need to be made to the tentative 2022 budget. He feels even with the increase in workman’s comp there will be a zero-tax rate again this year.
MOTION #110-2021
WHEREAS, following a budget work session held on Thursday October 21, 2021at the Town Municipal Offices; a copy of the preliminary, henceforth to be known as the tentative fiscal year 2022 Town of Watertown budget was placed on file at the Town Clerk’s Office, for public viewing.
Supervisor Bartlett moved to hold a public hearing on the proposed 2022 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 4th, 2021, 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 Desormo.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board he has received the appraisal for the 5.08 acre, 82.00-2-1.1 known as Alexandria Drive of $2,440,000.00 value.
MOTION #111-2021
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the appraisal for the 5.08 acre, 82.00-2-1.1 known as Alexandria Drive of $2,440,000.00 value, and direct the Highway Superintendent to include the survey and map and deed recording on the ledger of town highways. Motion seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
Mrs. Desormo informed the Board the annual sexual harassment training has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 16th, at 2:00 and 6:00 pm.
Councilman Prosser asked to add to the November agenda discussion regarding a moratorium on solar panels in the town.
Due to the timing to file the past two Local Laws the numbers changed to the following:
Local Law 2 of 2021 will be Zone Change on Co. Rte. 60
Local Law 3 of 2021 will be the opting out of Cannabis sales.
MOTION #112 -2018
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk