TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
July 11, 2024
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Michael Perkins, Councilman
Robert Slye, Councilman
Members Absent:
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a roll call of members present at 7:00 pm.
Supervisor Bartlett introduced the newly appointed Councilmember Robert Slye. Mr. Slye is the former City of Watertown Legal Counsel and a local attorney. He welcomed him to the Board and thanked him for his service.
MOTION #74-2024
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the June 13th, 2024 Regular Board Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett updated the Board on the proposed Lettiere Tract Water system. He has received figures from GYMO on the cost involved with the district formation and expansion, but they’re not available for the public yet. The plan is to schedule two informational meetings with the residents of this area. The engineers will be there with charts, graphs, and spreadsheets that note the cost to each property owner. He asked that the Town Council Members attend one of these sessions. He will get each Board Member a copy of the cost spreadsheets for their review prior to the meetings. These figures do not include water usage, it is strictly for debt service. He will ask Mr. Fox, Watertown Daily Times reporter, to publish an article to let folks know of the meetings, as well as notification by mail. The people who live in this area will ultimately decide if the project will move forward. There are two sets of numbers. One for financing the project for 30 years, and the second one is financed for 38 years. The goal would be to get 51% of the property owners to sign in favor of the project to move forward.
Mr. Lettiere offered to supply the Clerk with address labels of his water customers to be notified of the meetings. He does not however have the addresses for the people on Ives Street Road that are not currently on the system.
Supervisor Bartlett updated the Board on the BCA projects. They started the bore under NYS Rte 3 today. Sewer lines are being installed along the back section of Alexander Drive to the CWT Hatchery. This has been held up by the company making changes to the size of the plant, each time they do the new reports and design plans need to be sent to the NYSDEC for approvals. We are under a deadline to have the water, sewer and gas up and operational. They say the first load of chicks should be delivered the first week in August.
Alexander Drive will have the gas line extended as soon as the water and sewer lines are completed. The next thing on the agenda is to petition for the annexation of property from the Town of Hounsfield. Supervisor Bartlett is seeking 15 acres that will accompany the 50 acres the town currently owns for the event center. This would be used for the three outdoor fields. This would entail a joint public hearing between the Town of Hounsfield and Town of Watertown. The Town Board can then take action to annex the property, having the deeds redrawn and the title description updated to match the annexation request.
Supervisor Bartlett has had discussions with the City as to where they are concerning their DEC consent order. They are still not allowing any new sewer hookups. The Arsenal Street (NYS Rte 3) and Coffeen Street NYS Rte 12F) corridor does not contribute to the Western outfall. He stated the town system is probably newer than most of the city’s infrastructure. We are not finding any infiltration of rainwater or surface water into the system. Washington Street and Sewer Districts 4, 5 and 6 areas do have an impact. The town engineers are working on design plans to increase the size and capacity at the waste treatment plant in Lettiere Track. This would triple the size of the current plant and could take the flows from these three districts. He thinks we might be able to get some Recovery Act funding from the State for the project. He is looking at ways to utilize a new pilot program that is available that drastically reduces the cost to upgrade the system. This pilot system is approved by NYSDEC.
The Northeast Water District, Water District #7, is in the design phase. The first phase will take in NYS Rte 126, Hunt Street and Shephard Street area (Hampton Gardens). Phase 2 the following year will take in parts of Hadcock Road, Rutland Hollow Road, Slate Road and Overlook Dr. The plan is to include a mini storm water drainage system to alleviate some of the flooding problems in the Hampton Garden area.
The town is working on finalizing easements, drawings and maps for the part of a connecting road that will eventually lead through traffic from NYS Route 12F (Coffeen Street) across the Salmon Run Mall Road, behind Wal-Mart cross over Co Rte 202, go around Sam’s and come out opposite Cor Plaza. The property from NYS Rte 3 to the Sam’s Club property was given to the town by Mr. Simao. The survey plans have been modified several times. We’re waiting on getting the finalized sign off on the new plat; the road will need to be moved over approximately four feet to line up with the entrance to the Cor Plaza.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor for public comment:
Bill Jessmore, owns property on NYS Rte 12F. He asked when the water project there was going to resume. His property has a big excavator sitting in the middle of it, as well as piles of stone and dirt. Their driveway has been torn up since May. He has tried to talk to BCA, but has not had luck hearing back from Mr. Altieri.
Supervisor Bartlett informed Mr. Jessmore the project will be starting back up by Monday. The project was held up with issues involving National Grid that have now been resolved. The property will be returned to its former condition. If Mr. Jessmore is not happy with the condition he should contact the town and Supervisor Bartlett will make sure it is taken care of.
Igor Stegniy, Co Rte 60, addressed the Board. He has been working on a petition to extend the Water District #1. There are 22 property owners on Co Rte 60 that are not in the water district. He has been in contact with most of them. There are 3 residents who do not want the water, 15 signatures in favor and he is waiting to hear back from the remaining 4 property owners. His water comes from a well, and is not drinkable. It is harder than 70% of households in the US and the sulfur level is 3,500 times higher than EPA standard for safety. This is a problem for everyone in the area, and it could potentially cause health risk for them and their children. He asked when and if they get a district would all the property owners be required to connect? Will this include sewer? Some of the properties don’t have houses now, but they would be happy to have water so they can build homes there.
Supervisor Bartlett responded if this was to happen it would be for water only. The town would have to extend the district boundary. The petition Mr. Stegniv has is not a formal petition; it would initiate a study to determine the cost to each property owner. Then there would have to be a consensus of more than 51% who still want to continue with the project. If there is funds left after the Water District #1 Capital Project is completed they possibly could be used to lower the cost to extend the district boundaries. If the district does pass through the property the owners would be charged a debt service fee even if they do not hook onto the service. Supervisor Bartlett suggested that Mr. Stegniv bring the map and the signatures he has gathered so far and drop it off at the Town Clerk’s Office. Supervisor Bartlett will get it to the town engineer to keep on file. If there are any funds left when the Water #1 Capital project is completed that could be used to help with the cost to review the possible extension.
No one else wished to speak; the floor was closed
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s Report.
MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #75-2024
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown is in receipt of a request of grant funding from the Jefferson County Agricultural Society to assist the organization with promotional expenses relating to the Jefferson County Fair, the oldest continually operating County fair in the Nation; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown, over past years has proudly contributed funds to assist the organization with the Fairs promotional expenses as the fair brings thousands of travelers and tourists to the area.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, funds are available in the Community Development Fund authorized with the adoption of the 2024 Town Budget for this appropriation and grant of $5,000.00 is hereby authorized and approved
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky yes
Councilman Perkins yes
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #76-2024
WHEREAS, Media Shriners, Black River NY is asking for a hardship exemption under the following conditions:
§ 4603.11. Jurisdiction of license.
(a) The municipal governing body shall, prior to the issuance of any license, make a finding that the applicant organization is domiciled within the territorial limits of the municipality and shall not issue a license to an organization domiciled beyond such territorial limits. A municipal governing body may, upon a finding that an applicant organization is domiciled beyond the territorial limits of such municipality, issue a license to such applicant organization only in cases where:
(1) The governing body of the municipality in which the applicant organization is seeking licensure and the commissions determine that, due to some condition of hardship or necessity, the conduct of games of chance in the municipality in which the applicant organization is seeking licensure is warranted;
(2) The municipality in which the applicant authorized organization is seeking licensure submits to the commission a Letter of Consent expressing such municipality’s willingness to license the applicant authorized organization;
(3) The premises for which the authorized organization is seeking its license to conduct games of chance is within the territorial limits of the municipality wherein licensure is being sought and such premises is that of an authorized organization or an authorized games of chance lessor; and
(4) The commission has issued the applicant authorized organization a games of chance identification number bearing the municipal code of the licensing municipality.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown approves the hardship to allow Media Shriners, Black River NY to obtain a Games of Chance License from this municipality.
Discussion took place; Councilman Slye advised to have the Dry Hill Sky Lodge listed on the license.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky yes
Councilman Perkins yes
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #77-2024
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has a number of capital improvement projects in certain water and sewer districts where on occasion change orders are needed to modify construction costs relating to the construction of the districts capital construction costs, and
WHEREAS, these change orders have an effect on the contracted bid cost for constructing the infrastructure within the several districts, and
WHEREAS, each and any of these change orders are to be negotiated and authorized by this Board and its appointed authority prior to payment for services rendered.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to sign and agree to each change order request for any sum under $75,000.00.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, any capital change order over the 75,000.00 amount is to be authorized by the full body of this Town Council
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilman Prosser, and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky yes
Councilman Perkins yes
Councilman Slye yes
Supervisor Bartlett reviewed with the Board the Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 for the proposed Ives Street Road and Southside Water District. .
C.3 Zoning
a. Is the site of the proposed action located in the municipality with an adopted zoning law, ordinance. Answer Yes – Residential 3
b. Is the use permitted or allowed by a special or conditional use permit. Answer Yes
c. Is the zoning change requested as part of the proposed action? Answer No
D. Project Details
c. Is the proposed action expansion of our existing project or use? Answer No
d. Is the proposed action of a subdivision, or does it include a subdivision? Answer No
e. Will propose action be constructed in multiple phases? Answer No
D.2 Project Operations
c. Will the proposed action use create a new demand for water? Answer Yes
ii Will the proposed action obtain water from an existing public water supply?
Answer Yes
• Does the existing public water supply have capacity to serve this proposal? Answer Yes
• Is the project site in the existing district? Answer No
• Is the expansion of the district needed? Answer No
• Does existing line serve the project site? Answer No
Let the record show that the Board reviewed the Full Environmental Assessment Form supplied by the town engineers including any comments as well as their responses within the record.
MOTION #78-2024
Supervisor Barlett offered a motion to approve Full Environmental Assessment Form supplied by the town engineers. This includes their responses for the proposed Ives Street Road and Southside Water District. Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky yes
Councilman Perkins yes
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #79-2024
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Town of Watertown, New York
Proposed Local Law: #2 Updated Zoning Code
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Local Law has been introduced before the Town Board of the Town of Watertown to address updates to the Zoning Code within the Town.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing in connection with the proposed legislation will be held at the Municipal Office, located at 22867 County Route 67, Watertown, NY 13601 on August 8th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. An opportunity to be heard in regard thereto will then and there be given to all persons interested in this proposed legislation.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member Prosser, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky yes
Councilman Perkins yes
Councilman Slye yes
Proposed changes will be sent to the Jefferson County Planning Department for review.
MOTION #80-2024
Supervisor Barlett offered a motion to call a public hearing concerning the adoption of the New York Fair Housing Plan. The Town has prepared a draft Fair Housing Plan based upon the model promulgated by the New York State Office of Community Renewal, which is on file with the Town Clerk. Said meeting will be held Thursday August 8th, 2024 at 7:00 pm to solicit comment on said draft Fair Housing Plan. Said meeting will be held at The Town of Watertown Municipal Building, 22867 Co Rte 67, Watertown, NY 13601. Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky yes
Councilman Perkins yes
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #81-2024
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 128 to 130 Total $ 8,513.90
Highway Vouchers # 104 to 104 Total $ 22,692.88
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 80 to 80 Total $ 4,365.91
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 131 to 146 Total $ 17,243.02
Highway Vouchers # 105 to 118 Total $ 10,512.09
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 81 to 90 Total $ 152,890.83
Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky yes
Councilman Perkins yes
Councilman Slye yes
Old Business
Supervisor Bartlett wanted to bring a couple issues to the Board’s attention. There have been some places that transients have been sleeping on town property. One of them is the building in front of the CANI building on US Rte 11. The lock was cut and there were blankets and other items found inside. The second place is by the Arsenal Street waste treatment pump station shed where there are signs of occupancy there.
He has also made several calls to the New York State Department of Corrections. There are currently people who are coming in with grinders, driving to the back fence of the Dry Hill Prison and cutting through the fence. They are stealing wires from the panel boxes, switches and motors. This just happened again on Wednesday night. It’s going to be difficult to get people to monitor that, because they go in at night. It is very difficult to see them behind the prison and falling down housing in front. They instructed Supervisor Bartlett that they were going to call the Cape Vincent maintenance crew to perform whatever maintenance or repairs that are needed. Also, two months ago the Code Enforcement Officer sent a violation citation for unsafe buildings on the property. Supervisor Bartlett wanted it to be noted in the record that they have been notified of the crisis, in case somebody gets hurt.
The town is once again having issues with cats from a neighbor of the town property. They are getting into the town buildings and equipment making a mess. There are no laws in Jefferson County or New York State that deal with cats. This is the second time the town has had to deal with this gentleman concerning this issue. Supervisor Bartlett will start by putting in a call to the Humane Society.
Supervisor Bartlett will also talk to our Zoning Officer concerning the property on Sandy Creek Valley Road. There is an accumulation of junk and garbage as well unsafe buildings. This one is a little more complicated because of the agricultural nature of the property.
MOTION #82-2024
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 pm, seconded by Supervisor Bartlett.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk