TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
February 10, 2022
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent:
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call of members present at 4:00 pm.
Supervisor Bartlett welcomed Councilman McAtee back.
MOTION #16-2022
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the January 13, 2022 Regular Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett introduced Local Law #1 of the year 2022 a Local Law to establish a moratorium on commercial solar farms/installations or solar energy conversion systems on projects that do not require approval by New York State Board (SECS) on projects within the Town of Watertown. This would permit the Town Planning Board and the Town Board of the Town of Watertown sufficient time to review its laws to revise regulations that need more specifically to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town of Watertown in connection with such project.
MOTION #17-2022
Supervisor Bartlett moved to call a public hearing March 10, 2022 at 4:00 pm to consider a moratorium on commercial solar farms/installations or solar energy conversion systems on projects that do not require approval by New York State Board (SECS) on projects within the Town of Watertown. Meeting to be held at the Town Municipal Building, 22867 Co. Rte. 67, Watertown, NY 13601, Councilwoman McClusky seconded.
Ayes All
Robert Ferris, Jefferson County Legislator addressed the Board. He explained to the Board that according to Municipal Home Rule Law Section 10, that the increase in population in the town would require the redistricting of legislative district lines. This could impact the Town of Watertown by the possibility of having up to four legislator representatives. Three of the possible legislators would be City of Watertown residents that would represent the town.
The Board discussed the options and agreed it would not be in the best interest of the town to be represented by City of Watertown residents. They asked Mr. Ferris to convey to the committee their opposition to this scenario. They would however concede to allow Anthony Doldo to represent the NYS Rte 3 & NYS Rte 12F area providing the rest of the town could remain whole. Mr. Ferris will fight for the town’s interest to keep it as a whole legislative district as requested by the Board.
The Board was very adamant about keeping the town as a whole legislative district.
The floor was opened for public comments:
Chad Green, also representing himself, Jared Wilson and Justin Pecori addressed the Board. They are the new owners and promoters of the 1812 Shoot Out Youth Lacrosse Tournament in Sackets Harbor. They are hoping to run another successful campaign in 2022, to keep the great tradition of the tournament alive this year. To offset the rising costs of expenses and rent they would be running clinics in between tournament weekends. They are also hoping to receive some bed tax money from the Town of Watertown to help offset the cost. They ask that the Town Board strongly consider them as a benefactor and partner of the town as they push to bring outside resources to the North Country and continue to build a mutually beneficial relationship. These events will bring 8,000-10,000 people into the area that will benefit local businesses.
Supervisor Bartlett informed he had a resolution to address this request later in the meeting.
No one else wished to speak; the floor was closed.
Town Clerk’s Correspondence:
Catherine Rich on behalf of the Stephen Rich family sent a card to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers concerning the passing of former Councilman Rich. They also want to pass on their sincere gratitude for the memorial tree to be planted in his memory in the spring.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s Report; he has not received a report from the Town of Watertown Ambulance.
He updated the Board concerning the water issues at the Northland Estates Trailer Park. The park is not on the municipal water system. There have been major water line breaks shutting off the water to many residents in the park. Supervisor Bartlett met with the NYS DOH concerning a plan to assist with the problem. They discussed extending the municipal water to the park. The Department of Health would be in favor of this plan. The need as well as the income levels within the park could be favorable to the town for grants and low-cost funding to assist in the project. This would entail extending the Water District #4 on US Rte. 11, through the park and looping back around to NYS Rte. 232. This could also benefit the town from having to install a flushing station at USDA to correct with the byproduct problems within the town water. The Town would be applying for the grant and funding to extent the district to the park.
MOTION #18-2022
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to hire Bernier Carr and Associates to prepare a map, plan and report along with starting an income survey of the park. This would be for the expansion of Water District #4 to the Northland Trailer Park, not to exceed $25,000, Councilman Desormo seconded.
Ayes All
Councilman Prosser added he would like to make sure the town bills the park as one unit, not individual owners of the units within the park.
MOTION #19-2022
WHEREAS, public works employee Michael McDonald has successfully completed his mandatory probation period for full time employment. It is the recommendation of the Public Works Superintendent that Mr. McDonald be granted full time employment status effective with the 4th pay period of 2022.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Michael McDonald is hereby granted the equivalent of full-time employment status, thereby affording all applicable benefits granted to full time employees.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman
Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #20-2022
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has by way of a purchase order ordered a new plow truck and appurtenances for the purpose of updating its fleet of plow trucks and;
WHEREAS, an equipment bond is necessary to pay for the vehicle upon its delivery and;
WHEREAS, the bonding cycle in April does not coincide with the delivery of the vehicle making it necessary to transact a short-term loan (to be paid back from the proceeds of a capital equipment bond issue in April) from the General Fund to the Highway Equipment Fund in the amount of $210,000 to pay for the vehicle within 30 days delivery.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, a loan for $210,000 from the Town General Fund to the Highway Equipment Fund as a short-term loan is hereby authorized and;
BE IT RESOLVED, that a short-term loan will be reimbursed to the General Fund upon closing of the new bond to be issued in April 2022.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and second in seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #21-2022
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown acting as administrators of all town water and sewer districts has the authority to increase water and sewer rates charged to district users following a public hearing and;
WHEREAS, an increase in the costs to purchase sewer treatment from the City of Watertown in addition to diminished fund balances in various sewer accounts within Sewer Districts 2, 4 and 5. This makes it necessary to increase rates charged for said purposes by adding an additional $1.00 per unit charged within the fore-mentioned districts.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, a public hearing is hereby scheduled for Thursday March 10th at 4:00 pm on the matter of increasing sewer rents within Sewer Districts 2, 4 and 5. All interested persons will be offered an opportunity to be heard on the matter.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #22-2022
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown is in receipt of a request for grant Bed Tax Revenue to underwrite promotional expenses associated with the annual 1812 regional lacrosse tournament, a tournament that brings thousands of visitors from outside the area and;
WHEREAS, the town in previous years have provided funding to the organization for underwriting such tournament promotional expenses;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, a grant of $2,500 to the 1812 Lacrosse Tournament Organization from the Town Bed Tax Funds is hereby authorized.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilwoman McClusky.
Ayes All
MOTION #23-2022
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown is in need of an additional plow truck which was ordered
from the state list in 2021 and;
WHEREAS, a BAN is needed to reimburse the General Fund for a loan to the highway fund to
pay for the vehicle prior to the next round of BAN renewals;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, a BAN is hereby authorized in the amount of $234,986.00
to pay for said purchase of the highway plow truck; and the BAN note shall be included in the
April 2022 round of borrowings.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #24-2022
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 25 to 27 Total $ 13,674.16
Highway Vouchers # 23 to 23 Total $ 19,572.72
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 10 to 10 Total $ 5,940.14
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 28 to 48 Total $ 9,298.11
Highway Vouchers # 24 to 44 Total $ 45,939.29
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 11 to 20 Total $ 133,700.08
Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board:
He is still negotiating with the City of Watertown concerning diverting the sewer affluence from Sewer District #1 to the city. He is reporting to the NYSDEC the status of the project to rectify to violations now in this district.
Update on the NYS Prison water lines. He has received a Letter of Understanding for the Town to assume ownership and take over the water lines and tower that now service Water District #5. He is still waiting New York State for the Deed paperwork. The future plans would be to loop Water District #5 into Water District #4 to help with byproduct issues in the district. This plan was viewed as a favorable solution to the problem by Clyde Curley, NYSDOH.
The Water District #1 project will be going out to bid very soon. He is waiting on the NYSDOH to sign off on the improvements, the road realignment, and National Grid to move their utilities.
The Jefferson County 2021 Year Dog Control Report.
MOTION #25-2022
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:38 pm, seconded by Supervisor Bartlett.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk