TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
July 11, 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 Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call of members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #47-2019
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the June 18, 2019 meeting, Councilwoman McClusky seconded.
Ayes All
The floor was opened for public comments:
Rev. Leon VanWie, Emergency Services Chaplain and volunteer fire fighter with the Town of Watertown Fire Department approached the board. He is requesting bed tax funds to assist in hosting the annual conference of the NYS Association of Fire Chaplains in Watertown in 2020.
He feels it will generate tourism revenues to the area with the anticipated number of 100 chaplains and wives attending the event.
Supervisor Bartlett informed Mr. VanWie that the bed tax monies for 2019 are already allocated for many local events that benefit the area. Rev. VanWie is requesting more monies than the town receives annually. Supervisor Bartlett will review the budget to see if there are funds available to contribute towards the event. He suggested Rev. VanWie approach the neighboring Towns, County and City for assistance. No one else wished to speak; the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk report.
MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #48-2019
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the fiscal year 2019 budget to accurately reflect appropriations that were incorrectly coded in appropriation accounts.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is authorized to amend the fiscal year 2019 budget to correct the following account appropriations:
AS RECORED CORRECT TO ACCT CODE APPR. AMOUNT
A-6989.4 A-6772.4 $5,000.00
DECREASE CODE AMOUNT
Un-Appr, Fund Balance $11,004.00
INCREASE CODE AMOUNT
A-6989.4 $5,000.00
A-9010.4 (Ret Syst) $3,002.00
D-9010.4 (Ret Syst) $3,002.00
Total $11,004.00
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilmember Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #49-2019
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown is in receipt of a request of Bed Tax revenue for the Jefferson County Agricultural Society to underwrite promotional expenses associated with the Jefferson County Fair which is held annually and is the oldest continually operating County Fair in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the fair brings many visitors and tourists to the area; and
WHEREAS, funds were included in the 2019 annual budget for this purpose.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Jefferson County Agricultural Society is hereby granted $2,500.00 in Bed Tax revenue to underwrite the organization promotional expenses for the 2019 annual Jefferson County Fair.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #50-2019
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown is in receipt of a request of Bed Tax revenue to underwrite promotional expenses associated with the 18.12 Challenge and ½ Marathon which is held annually and brings many competitors and tourists to the area; and
WHEREAS, the 18.12 Challenge and ½ Marathon organization provides the town with all applicable permits necessary to conduct the marathon within the portion of the marathon that is conducted within the Town.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the 18.12 Challenge and ½ Marathon is hereby granted $2,500.00 in bed tax revenue to underwrite the organizations promotional expenses for the 2019- 18.12 Challenge and ½ Marathon.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #51-2019
WHEREAS, town public works employee Nicholas Hancock is eligible for a wage rate increase by meeting all standards of evaluation for classification increases and due to his being employed for one full year.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Nicholas Hancock is hereby promoted from and MEO-4 position to a MEO-3 wage rate position at the new hourly wage rate of $19.59 per hour starting at the next full pay period.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #52-2019
WHEREAS, it is necessary to solicit for sealed bid to furnish the town with minimum of 3,000 yards of screened and loaded sand for the highway department use; and
WHEREAS, the Town will accept sealed bids accompanied by a non-collusion statement for the sale to the Town of Watertown of said material up until Thursday, August 8th, 2019 at 3:00 pm; and
WHEREAS, all sealed bids will be reviewed for compliance with the General Municipal Law (competitive bid requirements) and the bid winner will be awarded to the most responsive and responsible bidder at the Thursday, August 8th, 2019 Town Council meeting.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Clerk is hereby authorized to issue a public notice in the official newspaper of the Town calling for sealed bids to be received at the Town of Watertown Town Clerk’s Office up until 3:00 pm, Thursday, August 8th, 2019.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town Council retains the right to accept or deny any and all bids not in compliance with the General Municipal Law (competitive bid requirements).
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #53-2019
WHEREAS, it is necessary for each member of the Coalition to execute and perform a Intermunicipal Agreement for the Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition as set forth
by the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4).
THEREFORE BE IT RESOVED, the Supervisor is authorized to execute on behalf of the Town of Watertown the Intermunicipal Agreement for the Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition (attached a exhibit A) under the terms and conditions enumerated therein for the period commencing January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2022.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Order 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: Joel Bartlett Yes
Councilman: Paul Desormo Yes
Councilman: David Prosser Yes
Councilman: Timothy McAtee Yes
Councilwoman: Joanne McClusky Yes
MOTION #54-2019
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 136 to 138 Total $ 11,936.59
Highway Vouchers # 88 to 88 Total $ 19,939.58
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 46 to 46 Total $ 2,382.50
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 139 to 157 Total $ 120,460.51
Highway Vouchers # 89 to 99 Total $ 36,745.85
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 47 to 51 Total $ 134,752.96
Councilman Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Old/New Business
Supervisor Bartlett read correspondence received from Thomas Boxberger, Town Health Officer Dated June 20, 2019 concerning a cat problem on Co Rte 67:
Dear Supervisor and Town of Watertown Board:
After being notified of the complaint about a cat problem at Tom Oberton’s residence, 22997 County Rt. 67, Watertown, NY. I visited the property on of June 19, 2019. Mr. Mark Oberton was present and came out to visit with me. I asked how many cats they were harboring and he replied he was uncertain, but thought it was between 30 and 40 – which would coincide with the complaint. There was an obvious cat urine odor at the Oberton property and in the Town of Watertown equipment storage barn nearby. Mr. Oberton stated the cats were not currently vaccinated and had not been spayed/neutered. The Oberton’s had been made aware of the public health need for rabies vaccinations on numerous occasions, dating back to August 2014.
There is obviously a health concern here and the Oberton’s have not followed through with their promises to the Town of Watertown and County Sheriff’ Department Office.
The normal process here would be for me to send a letter outlining the problem and the need for vaccination and feline population control. They have been so notified several times with limited and partial results so I would skip that step. There are written findings in the record.
I see two reasonable courses of action – one to involve the Sheriff’s Office again – but I think this would again be short term and partial. The second option – and I would run this through Attorney Russell, would be for the Town Board of Health – which is composed of you and the board members – to call a hearing for this matter, ensuring delivery of the hearing notice to the Oberton’s, at which you would preside. The Town Board of Health actually has a lot of authority over public health issues.
I would offer my findings and the Oberton’s would have the chance to respond. Then the Board would render a decision – which could concur this is a public health threat and order abatement – which could state the respondents have days to correct – meaning vaccination and spayed/neutering – or the Town would retain an animal control officer to remove ALL cats and if necessary ensure humane euthanasia. This could actually be billed back to the respondent and added to the taxes if not paid.
It has been a while since I have been through the process but I believe this is still correct. Mr. Russell can verify.
I am out of town until July 7th, but if a hearing is scheduled it would likely have to be after that date anyway.
Sincerely,
Thomas Boxberger
Town of Watertown Health Officer
Supervisor Bartlett asked Attorney Russell to coordinate with Mr. Boxberger on the procedures the town will follow to proceed forward.
Supervisor Bartlett discussed with the Board a future meeting that would involve the City of Watertown Board and the public to introduce the Multi-purpose Event Center. It was agreed to wait to conduct the meeting project when funding and plan details are more complete. At that time they would invite the interested parties to a meeting at the Town Municipal location.
MOTION #55-2019
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 pm, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk