TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
July 9, 2020
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent: Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting with a roll call of members present at 7:00 pm.
MOTION #55-2020
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the June 11, 2020 Regular Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
The floor was opened for public comments;
Ed Valentine a town business owner addressed the Board. He expressed his concerns with the Planning Board approval of the Lundy Development Corp. in the Industrial Park at the June 1st meeting. Although notice was posted in the local newspaper of the public hearing, Mr. Valentine felt the public did not have adequate time to review the project. The Planning Board opened the hearing, gave Mr. Valentine and the public the opportunity for questions and concerns. After the public hearing was closed Mr. Valentine asked to keep it open for another month. The Planning Board chose not to reopen the Public Hearing. They gave approval with conditions to be met, prior to permits being issued. He informed the Board that at a meeting that morning, Mr. Lundy told the JCIDA that he would be pulling his projects from the park. Mr. Valentine offered to meet with either board to discuss the project if needed.
Supervisor Bartlett thanked Mr. Valentine, he will follow-up with Attorney Russell if further review is necessary for the projects. If Mr. Lundy does pull the projects, there will be no need for further discussion.
Brian Gorman, Old Rome State Road addressed the Board. He inquired the status of the Boralax Solar Panel project in the Town of Watertown and Hounsfield. He is concerned the towns are not taking the opportunity to offer input that would protect the local residents. He informed there are funds available to the town to hire consultants to aid in the review. The first round of monies has ended, but a second round will be available for the town to apply for. He would like to help on the towns behalf if possible, to stay connected in the review process. Mr. Gorman asked if the town would develop a comprehensive plan in the Zoning Code, giving guidelines to protect neighboring property owners with this type of development.
Supervisor Bartlett informed Mr. Gorman that unfortunately the town has no approval ability for this magnitude of a project. New York State has deemed themselves the approval authority over large solar panel projects. He has suggested two individuals to be appointed to an advisory board to represent the town. He will check into the application process to take advantage of the funds available to the town for consultants.
No one else wished to speak, the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerks report.
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board he had the funds to pay the Town of Watertown Ambulance the balance of the 2020 contract that was due.
Supervisor Bartlett introduced Local Law #3 of year 2020. A Local Law to abolish the elective office of Highway Superintendent and to provide for the Highway Superintendent to be an appointive office of the Town.
Discussion took place as to some details of the position such as:
• This will appear on the ballot at the November election.
• Does it require you to be a town resident?
• How long would be the appointed term?
• What would the position be called?
• Could the responsibilities be set by the Board?
• What would the salary be?
• Who would replace Bruce Rohr who will be retiring August 30, 2020?
• Who would the new position answer to?
MOTION #56-2020
Supervisor Bartlett moved to schedule a public hearing August 13, 2020 at 7:00 pm to consider the adoption of Local Law #3 of year 2020. A Local Law to abolish the elective office of Highway Superintendent and to provide for the Highway Superintendent to be an appointive office of the Town, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #57-2020
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the fiscal year 2020 budget to balance appropriation accounts.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is authorized to amend the 2020 budget and transfer funds in the following manner.
DECREASE ACCT INCREASE ACCT AMOUNT
A1990.4 Contingent Acct A1920.4 $ 775.00
Increase revenue code A5142.4 $ 9,640.00
A2680Ins Recovery
INTER FUNDTRANSFER
Sewer Dist #2 to Sewer Dist #3 $134,687.00
Transfer into Sewer Dist #3interfund revenue transfer $134,687.00
Sewer Dist #5 to Sewer Dist #4 transfer $ 6,707.00
Transfer into Sewer Dist #4 revenue sewer rents $ 6,707.00
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #58-2020
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 113 to 115 Total $ 11,342.53
Highway Vouchers # 74 to 74 Total $ 18,251.14
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 42 to 42 Total $ 2,667.01
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 116 to 133 Total $ 11,810.74
Highway Vouchers # 75 to 87 Total $ 133,079.06
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 43 to 45 Total $ 96,498.98
Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett updated the Board on the water and sewer expansion in the Ag Park off NYS Rte 3. He is waiting for the map, plan and report from the town engineer and legal paperwork from the attorney. They should be ready for next month’s meeting. He informed that things are looking very promising for the next phase of the State grant programs. This with low interest loans will help fund the infrastructure for the park. He stated town tax payers would not be funding this work.
Supervisor Bartlett advised the Board the exact numbers for the Sales Tax Revenue being down approximately $200,000.00.
Superintendent Rohr formally advised the Board in writing he will be retiring August 30, 2020.
MOTION #59-2020
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 pm, seconded by Supervisor Bartlett.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk