Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
December 9, 2021
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent: Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call of the members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #121-2021
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the November 4, 2021 Regular Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION #122-2021
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the November 10, 2021 Special Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett yielded the floor to Patrick Scordo, GYMO Engineering. Mr. Scordo brought forth the plans for the Northeast water district to include Hadcock Road. He explained the cost difference to add the 25 EDU’s to the district. Discussion took place.
The Board agreed to expand the income survey to the residents of Hadcock Road to see how it will impact the financing of the project. Supervisor Bartlett asked Mr. Scordo to work up numbers limiting the length of the laterals the town would pay for on each property. There are homes on Hadcock Road set far off the road that would substantially increase the construction cost of the project.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor to the public.
Joe Meyer, 22129 Co. Rte. 60, addressed the Board. He inquired if the Town has initiated the study of the cost to expand the water to his end of the road. He asked about the possibility of bringing water in from the Town of Hounsfield. Mr. Myers asked if the solar project was applying for a PILOT program, and if any funds paid to the town could be used for this project. He also questioned the town website. He would like to see it used more for public notices. He feels most people do not receive the newspaper anymore and are not aware of the public notices. He was unaware of the expansion of the NC Zone on Mark Catalina’s property to accommodate the solar project until it was completed. Discussion took place. He asked if the draft minutes of the meetings could be available on the website within 2 weeks of the meeting.
Supervisor Barlett responded there were no more funds available for studies this budget year. He would consider a study in 2022. The Town is involved with many projects at this time and he was unsure of the timing. If the solar project is applying for a PILOT program, that would be through the JCIDA, and the town has no knowledge of that. The website will be changing because of new State regulation on public meeting. The town will follow the State requirements in response to the website. Supervisor Barlett added the town would work towards improving getting information to the public.
Art Cooley spoke on behalf of the Town of Watertown Fire Department. He would like to clarify a statement made at the September 2021 meeting that the Fire Department used unmetered water in training exercises. He informed the Board that all water used by the department goes through a metered connection. The department did not use any water they do not pay for. The hydrant was used only for pump testing and did not use water.
Mr. Cooley updated the Board on the debt service charge that will be added to the tax roll for the purchase of the new bucket truck. Jefferson County is almost finished with the map that includes the property’s involved in the service area. He explained the need for the truck and informed the Board of the future plans for the fire station on Co. Rte. 202.
No one else wished to speak; the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk Report. There is no ambulance report this month.
MOTION #123-2021
WHEREAS, PIVOT employee services provide services for town employees in need of counseling and referrals to agencies to assist employee in determining appropriate service providers beneficial to town employees; and
WHEREAS, the company provides this service under a fee for service agreement (attached as exhibit A); and
WHEREAS, the contract agreement for this service expires on December 31, 2021 and needs a renewal for fiscal year 2022.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the fee for service agreement between the Town of Watertown and PIVOT for the year 2022 is hereby authorized at a cost not to exceed $400.00.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #124-2021
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown contracts with Jefferson County to provide Dog Control Services for the Town; and
WHEREAS, the terms and conditions of the new contract (attached as exhibit B) are for a new five-year term and enumerates the process of reporting the fees collected at the town level and disbursed to the Jefferson County Dog Control Service on a monthly basis to be used by the County to cover the costs of dog control.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute said agreement with Jefferson for Dog Control Service for the period January 1, 2022 ending December 31, 2026.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilwoman McClusky.
Ayes All
MOTION #125-2021
WHEREAS, the term of office of Pamela Desormo will expire on December 31, 2021, and Mrs. Desormo has expressed an interest in reappointment to the Planning Board for the term commencing January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2026.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Mrs. Desormo is hereby appointed to another term of office on the Planning Board for the term commencing January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2026.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #126-2021
WHEREAS, the term of office of Jennifer Knapp will expire on December 31, 2021, and Mrs. Knapp has expressed an interest in reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term commencing January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2026.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Mrs. Jennifer Knapp is hereby appointed to another term of office on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term commencing January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2026.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #127-2021
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 232 to 234 Total $ 9,865.43
Highway Vouchers # 187 to 187 Total $ 18,846.38
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 104 to 104 Total $ 3,509.14
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 235 to 256 Total $ 23,231.17
Highway Vouchers # 188 to 207 Total $ 34,915.97
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 105 to 111 Total $ 152,379.19
Councilman Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
MOTION #128-2021
Supervisor Bartlett moved to schedule a special meeting to closeout accounts for Fiscal Year 2022 and any other town business that comes before the Board. Said meeting will be December 28, 2021 at 3:00 pm. Meeting will be held at the Town Municipal Building 22867 Co. Rte. 67, Watertown, NY, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
The Board discussed the highway department’s NYS Teamsters upcoming contract. The Board waived the acceptance of the contract at tonight’s meeting. Supervisor Bartlett will work with Attorney Russell to review the contract and make some final adjustments before moving forward to accept the contract.
The Board discussed with Attorney Russell the abandoned houses on the Watertown Correctional Facility property. Mr. Russell will find out if the State is held to New York State building code safety standards. They are in bad disrepair and need to be taken care of.
Attorney Russell informed the Board he should have the paperwork needed to file the road property transfer from PJ Simeo, off NYS Rte 3, to the Town next week. He asked if he has the Town’s permission to file it after review. The Board agreed for him to file it when completed.
Attorney Russell asked Supervisor Bartlett to have Lundy Developments attorney contact him to address the road dedication to the town for the TI AgPark project.
Councilman Prosser asked about the moratorium on solar panel projects in the town. Attorney Russell will have something put together for the next meeting.
MOTION #129-2021
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 PM, seconded by Supervisor Bartlett.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk