TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
December 12, 2019
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 and a roll call of members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #85-2019
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the November 7, 2019 Regular Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor for the public hearing at 7:02 pm regarding proposed Local Law 3 of 2019. A Local Law to repeal Local Law 2 of 2019 a Local Law to override the tax levy limit established by Section 3-C of the New York General Municipal Law. No one wished to speak; the public hearing was closed at 7:03 pm.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor for the public hearing at 7:04 pm regarding the proposed changes and revisions to the Draft Town Comprehensive Plan. Ed Valentine inquired about the plan, he requested a copy. Supervisor Bartlett stated that the Board will take no action on the Draft Comprehensive Plan tonight; they will reconvene the public hearing at the January Town Board meeting to allow Mr. Valentine and others the opportunity to review the plan.
Randy Vaas, Town Planning Board member, spoke concerning the Draft Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Vaas informed the Planning Board worked with the Tug Hill Commission, the Town and Jefferson County Highway Superintendents and other governmental agencies to get updated information. Mr. Vass gave credit to Phil Street and Alaina Mallette for their help and input on this project. Prior to this plan the last update was in 2014. He highlighted and explained the reasons for the changes. Further discussion took place with the Board members.
No one else wished to speak; the public hearing was adjoined at 7:10 pm to be reconvened at the January meeting.
MOTION #86-2019
Supervisor Bartlett moved to reconvene the public hearing January 9, 2020 at 7:00 pm concerning proposed changes and revisions to the Town Comprehensive Plan. The floor will be open to the public for input and comments. Meeting will be held at the Municipal Office, 22867 Co Rte 67, Watertown, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor to the public; no one wished to speak, the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s report.
Supervisor correspondence:
The Board received a letter of resignation from Town Justice David Renzi effective December 31, 2019.
MOTION/ RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #87-2019
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has for many years supported the Volunteer Transportation Center Agency as the agency provides transportation to town residents in need of transportation to doctor office visits and other necessary appointments; and
WHEREAS, it is requested that a contractual agreement between the Town and the Volunteer Transportation center be authorized on an annual basis for the purpose of satisfying new audit requirements.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor, on behalf of the Town of Watertown is hereby authorized to execute said contractual agreement on behalf of the Town of Watertown with the Volunteer Transportation Center for the Fiscal year 2020.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown hereby agrees to underwrite the providing of transportation services to town residents and a grant of $1,500.00 in funding is approved.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilmember McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #88-2019
WHEREAS, Bowers and Company has provided accounting services for the Town of Watertown for a number of years; and has submitted a contractual agreement to further provide such accounting services for the fiscal year 2020; and
WHEREAS, the agreement submitted outlines the scope of such services for the town at the monthly rate of $1,300.00 per month.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute the agreement under the terms and conditions stated within effective January 1, 2020.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #89-2019
WHEREAS, the Town contracts with PIVOT Employee Assistance Services to provide counseling services to employees and family member who need assistance with information, referrals and resources at no additional cost as well as information on a wide range of health and wellness information to employees;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contractual agreement under the terms and conditions stated therein for the providing of said assistance services to the town employees.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOVLED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute the agreement between the Pivot Employee Assistance Service and the Town of Watertown for the period commencing January 1, 2020.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilmember McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #90-2019
WHEREAS, Local Law No. 3 of the year 2019, a local law to rescind Local Law No. 2 of the year 2019 which local law overrode the real property tax cap prescribed by Section 3-C of the New York General Municipal Law was introduced by a member of the Board at a meeting thereof held on November 7, 2019, and by a majority vote of the Councilmember’s present at such meeting, a public hearing was duly scheduled to consider Local Law No. 3 of 2019 for December 12, 2019 at 7:00 PM, and
WHEREAS, notice of the public hearing was duly published and posted as required by law, and on December 12, 2019, at 7:00 PM, a public hearing was duly held to hear all persons interested in the subject matter of Local Law No. 3 of 2019.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of the Town of Watertown as follows:
1. The foregoing recitations are incorporated herein and made a part hereof as if fully set forth hereafter.
2. The adoption of Local Law No. 3 of 2019 is a Type 2 action pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
3. Based upon the foregoing, Local Law No. 3 of the year 2019 is hereby adopted and the Clerk is instructed to file the same with the New York State Department of State.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Desormo and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Supervisor Joel Bartlett yes
Councilman Paul Desormo yes
Councilman David Prosser yes
Councilman Timothy McAtee yes
Councilwoman Joanne McClusky yes
MOTION #91-2019
WHEREAS, the term of office of Eric Swartz will expire on December 31, 2019, and Mr. Swartz has expressed an interest in reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term commencing January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Mr. Eric Swartz is hereby appointed to another term of office on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term commencing January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #92-2019
WHEREAS, the term of office of James Smith will expire on December 31, 2019, and Mr. Smith has expressed an interest in reappointment to the Planning Board for the term commencing January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Mr. James Smith is hereby appointed to another term of office on the Planning Board for the term commencing January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #93-2019
WHEREAS, in order to maintain staffing levels for summer and winter work, the town public works department is in need of accepting applications for employment for 2 full time positions within the department.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Clerk shall cause to be publicized in the official newspaper of the town a request for applications from all interested parties seeking employment with the Town of Watertown, and that all applications will be accepted at the Town Clerks Office, 22867 Co. Rte. 67, Watertown, NY, up until 3:00 pm December 27, 2019.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the successful candidates hourly wages will be based on prior experience.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #94-2019
Supervisor Bartlett moved to schedule a Special Meeting December 26, 2019 at 3:30 pm for the purpose of authorizing fund transfers and closing out the books for the fiscal year 2019. Said meeting will be held at the Town Municipal Building, 22867 Co. Rte 67, Watertown NY, 13601, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION #95-2019
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 224 to 226 Total $ 12,069.47
Highway Vouchers # 160 to 160 Total $ 19,939.58
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 88 to 88 Total $ 2,769.02
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 227 to 248 Total $ 38,071.99
Highway Vouchers # 161 to 174 Total $ 6,246.42
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 89 to 94 Total $ 139,875.10
Councilman Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett asked about the status of the delinquent water/sewer bill for the Morgan housing unit. Mrs. Rich informed a payment has been made and the balance is supposed to be
paid by the end of the month.
Supervisor Bartlett updated the Board on the cat situation at the Oberton’s property. Today is the deadline for compliance. Mr. Boxberger will do another site visit and advise the Board of the current status. The Board will then need to determine the next step if there is still and ongoing violation. The problem will be addressed at the January 2020 meeting.
Supervisor Bartlett included in the Board’s packet the Town/County/Fire District 2020 tax rates.
He discussed the increase of $.41for a total tax rate of $14.12.
MOTION #96-2019
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 pm, seconded by Councilwoman McClusky.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk