TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
June 8, 2017
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Stephen L. Rich, Councilman
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Members Absent:
Councilman Desormo offered a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting at 7:00 pm and called for the roll of members present. All members were present. Attorney Russell was also present.
MOTION #51-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes for May 11, 2017 meeting, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #52-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes for May 25, 2017 meeting, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
The floor was opened to the public:
Mike and Holly Leone, Orchard Drive addressed the board. They own a building lot on Orchard Drive that continues to flood when there is excessive water in the area. They asked if the town could somehow rework the culverts and ditching in that area to help alleviate the problem. They would like to construct a new house on that lot, but are concerned about water problems in the cellar.
Superintendant Rohr stated there has been a water problem in that area ever since a neighbor changed the drainage pattern with the construction of their new house.
Supervisor Bartlett informed Mr. Leone that the town will look into the problem and try to come up with a solution to help alleviate the problem.
Superintendant Rohr informed the board there are similar problems in the Hampton Garden area. He informed the only way to fix it properly would require ditching on private property. Attorney Russell advised the town should get a drainage easement from the owner of the property to correct the problem. Supervisor Bartlett will contact the owner about a possible agreement.
No one else wished to speak, the floor was closed.
The Town Clerk had no correspondence.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s and Town Ambulance Reports.
RESOLUTION/MOTION
MOTION #53-2017
WHEREAS, The Rhode Community food bank (a not for profit organization) located in Adams, N.Y. provides food for the needy in Southern Jefferson County including food for needy Town of Watertown residents; and
WHEREAS, funding was included in the fiscal year 2017 budget to provide funds to the organization for the year 2017.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, a grant of $5,000.00 from the community and economic development fund is hereby authorized.
A motion to adopt the forgoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #54-2017
WHEREAS, The Town of Watertown is a member of the North Country Home Consortium wherein a housing consortium was formed to distribute funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) throughout Jefferson County to benefit low and moderate income families with owner occupied rehabilitation, first time homebuyer assistance and rental rehabilitation.: and
WHEREAS, the municipal partnership with the consortium must be re-authorized every 3 years in order to make funds available to town residents.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Council hereby re-authorized the Town of Watertown’s participation in the Home Investment Partnership Program through the Jefferson County Home Consortium for the 3 year period commencing 2018-2020.
A motion to adopt the forgoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #55-2017
WHEREAS, the 18.12 Challenge and ½ Marathon organization has requested a grant to assist the organization with funds to underwrite promotional expenses associated with the annual 18.12 marathon which will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2017, whereby the event brings many participants, their families and tourists to the area; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has in past years contributed to this event at the silver sponsorship level and it is recognized that area hotels, restaurants and shopping are benefited by the number of people attending the event annually; and
WHEREAS, funds were included in the fiscal year 2017 for such purpose.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, a grant of $2,500.00 is hereby authorized to the 18.12 and ½ Marathon Organization to be used to underwrite promotional expenses associated with the event.
A motion to adopt the forgoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Rich.
Ayes All
MOTION #56-2017
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board Haylor, Freyer and Coon have offered an additional option to the town’s insurance policy for terrorism coverage. The Board discussed the policy and cost involved and decided against coverage.
Councilman Prosser moved to opt out of the added terrorism coverage to the insurance policy, seconded by Supervisor Bartlett .
Ayes All
MOTION #57-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 95 to 110 Total $ 65,111.92
Highway Vouchers # 72 to 83 Total $ 21,379.53
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 38 to 41 Total $ 127,047.14
Councilman Rich seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Old and New Business
The board discussed the equalization rate status for the town. The Office of Real Property Tax Services put out the report for the towns for the year 2017. Councilman Prosser asked about the need for the town to do a reevaluation. Supervisor Bartlett will request Mr. Tibbetts, Town Assessor to attend the next board meeting to discuss the issue.
Councilman Desormo expressed his extreme disapproval of the MS4 regulation that was passed at the May 25th meeting. He was ill and could not attend that meeting. He has had a chance to review the Local Law and feels it gives the NYSDEC too much control over private citizen’s property. He feels the regulations are excessive and are costly to businesses, the towns and property owners. He is upset that the state mandates such regulations on the towns, and forces them to pass them as law. If he had been present he would have voted against the law.
There was no other business.
MOTION #58-2017
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 pm, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk