TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
February 8, 2018
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent: Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting at 7:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the roll of members present. Attorney Russell was also present. Supervisor Bartlett welcomed Councilwoman McClusky to the Town Council.
MOTION #16-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes for January 11, 2018 meeting, Councilman McAtee seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett introduced Local Law 1 of year 2018. A Local Law to establish storm water management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health and safety of the public relative to MS4 regulations.
MOTION #17-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to schedule a public hearing on Local Law 1 of year 2018, Thursday, March 8th, 2018 at 7:00 pm. Councilman McAtee seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor to the public.
Paula Hurlbut, 24950 Co Rte 67, asked if the town has heard anything from the Jefferson County Highway Department concerning reducing the speed limit on Co Rte 67.
Supervisor Bartlett read the letter from NYSDOT, dated January 11, 2018, from Kenneth M. Bibbins, PE, Regional Traffic Engineer to James Lawrence Jr., Jefferson County Superintendent of Highways:
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has completed the investigation regarding a request for a reduced speed limit on County Road 67 from Watertown Center Loop Road to NY 12, in the Town of Watertown, approximately 2.5 miles in length.
On any highway that NYSDOT investigates, the need for a reduced speed limit is based on a thorough evaluation of many factors, including roadway characteristics, roadside development, accident history, consultation with the Traffic Sergeant of the New York State Police, and the statistical analysis of prevailing speeds as determined by a laser speed survey.
The results of this investigation show that a reduction of the speed limit is not warranted at this time.
The NYSDOT suggests that County Road 67 be reviewed by Jefferson County to determine if any warning sign improvements should be made. This includes, but is not limited to the two curves just west of Sandy Creek Valley Road, where the latest available three (3) year accident history showed 6 accidents.
Mrs. Hurlbut asked if there was any other course of action she could take.
Attorney Russell advised the NYSDOT has the final say in these matters. Supervisor Bartlett said he would have Superintendant Rohr review the road to see if any caution signs might be helpful. Superintendant Rohr added these types of signs would also need to be approved by the Jefferson County Highway Department.
Supervisor Bartlett informed the NYSDOT did approve the reduction of speed for East Gotham Road in its entirety to 45 MPH.
No one wished to speak the floor was closed.
MOTION #18-2018
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to schedule a special workshop meeting of the Town Board Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 at 7:00 pm. At this time any town business may be brought before the Board. Councilman McAtee seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett asked for the Town Clerk’s correspondence, there was none this month.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s report and Town Ambulance reports for December 2017 and January 2018.
RESOLUTION / MOTIONS
MOTION #19-2018
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown contracts with the Town of Watertown Ambulance Service, Inc. to provide ambulance service to town residents within the Town of Watertown service area; and
WHEREAS, the term of contract for said services expired on December 31, 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown and the Town of Watertown Ambulance Service are in agreement to renew said contractual agreement for a 1 (one) year term commencing January 1, 2018 and expiring December 31, 2018 for an annual fee payment of $150,000.00 payable to the Town of Watertown Ambulance Service in two installment of $75,000 due January 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute said contractual agreement on behalf of the Town of Watertown with the Town of Watertown Ambulance under the terms and conditions enumerated within the agreement period January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #20-2018
WHEREAS, the Disabled Persons Action Organization has requested a grant of Bed Tax Revenue in the amount of $25,000.00 to assist the organization with underwriting promotional expenses for the 2018 Summer Concert Series, a series of concerts that draws many tourist into the Watertown-Jefferson County area; and
WHEREAS, funds were included in the 2018 Town Budget for such a purpose.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, a grant of $25,000.00 to the DPAO for the purpose of underwriting promotional expenses for the 2018 Summer Concert Series herby authorized.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilmember McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #21-2018
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown operates on a standard work day of 7.5 hours per work day for all full time general fund employees who participate with the N.Y.S. retirement system and 8.00 hours per day for all full time highway department employees; and
WHEREAS, records of activity must be established for all elected and appointed employees who participate in the N.Y.S. retirement system; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to current records of activity used to calculate credited work time and days worked for monthly reporting to the retirement system the following employees, full and part time, elected and appointed are credited as follows:
Pamela Desormo 20.00 days per month
Bruce Rohr 20.00 days per month
Joel Bartlett 18.00 days per month
Brandon Cooney 0.13 days per month
Matthew Porter 0.13 days per month
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #22-2018
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 23 to 24 Total $ 15,544.70
Highway Vouchers # 13 to 13 Total $ 15,813.52
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 9 to 9 Total $ 4,916.55
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 25 to 46 Total $ 8,973.56
Highway Vouchers # 14 to 25 Total $ 16,032.46
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 10 to 17 Total $ 150,618.01
Councilwomen McClusky seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett asked if there was any old or new business to discuss:
Supervisor Bartlett brought up the problem of recurring customers having unpaid water & sewer levied to their tax bill every year. He asked for advice from Legal Council on how to prevent this from happening. Mr. Russell advised shutting the service off was the best course of action. It is common practice to levy any unpaid charges but he will check on other possible solutions.
MOTION #23-2018
Councilman McAtee moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 pm, Councilman McClusky seconded.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk