TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
November 9, 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 #88-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes for October 5, 2017 meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett opened the public hearing at 7:02 pm to review the 2018 preliminary budget. No one wished to speak therefore the public hearing was closed at 7:02 pm.
The floor was opened to the public.
Paula Hurlbut, 24950 Co Rte 67, addressed the Board, she asked the Board to reduce the speed limit to 40 MPH on this road. The cars drive extremely fast on this road and she is concerned someone will be killed. She presented pictures of her car from a recent accident on this road, caused by a careless driver going too fast and losing control. There have been numerous accidents because of limited sight distant and assistive speed on this road.
Mary Kiernan, 25167 Co Rte 67, spoke on behalf of the same issues.
Supervisor Bartlett explained this is a County Road. The Board can request a speed change but the decision would be made by the Jefferson County Highway Department.
MOTION #89-2017
WHEREAS, the Town Council has received numerous requests from residents who reside on the County Route 67 (Brookside Drive) located within the Town of Watertown to reduce the speed limit along County Route 67 in its entirety to 40 MPH due to the increase of development of residential properties, areas of limited sight distance and heavy traffic to and from the Dry Hill Correctional Facility, and
WHEREAS, control of local highway speed limits rest with the Jefferson County Highway Superintendent, the Jefferson County Legislature and the N.Y.S.D.O.T., and
WHEREAS, an issue of public safety exists with speeding vehicles on said road due to the increase of residential development, issues of limited sight distance and traffic volumes
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Council hereby recommends favorable consideration of the Jefferson County Highway Superintendent and the Jefferson County Board of Legislators for a reduction in the speed limits to 40 MPH on the entire length of County Route 67 in the Town of Watertown.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
Mike and Holly Leone, Orchard Drive addressed the Board once again. They own a building lot on Orchard Drive that continues to flood when there is excessive water in the area. There was another problem this month with flooding. They hope to build a new home this year but are concerned about the flooding problems. They inquired of the status of the town in its plans to alleviate the problem.
Supervisor Bartlett informed that the Town Engineers are doing a study as to how to best correct the problem. Unfortunately with new EPA regulations it complicates the mitigation process. He hopes to have a plan and cost estimate from the engineers next month.
No other member of the public wished to speak, the floor was closed.
There were no Town Clerk correspondence this month.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s and Town Ambulance Reports.
The Board discussed modifications to the preliminary 2018 budget. Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board they did not exceed the tax cap because there is no town tax levy. The Fire District budget has changed. The Fire Protection appropriation amount will be reduced from $844,454 to $835,454. Sewer District 4 Fund page should read Amount to be Raised by Taxes on the last line instead of Appropriate Fund Balance of $136,180. The summary page will need to be updated to show these changes. Supervisor Bartlett asked if there were any other additions, deletions or modifications to the budget as proposed. There were none.
MOTION #90-2017
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Watertown adopting a Budget for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018 making appropriations for the conduct of Town of Watertown Government and establishing rates of compensation for officers and employees for such period.
WHEREAS, at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on Thursday October 5th, 2017, the Tentative Budget for the Fiscal Year 2018 was presented to the Town Council as required by Section 106 of the General Municipal Law, and
WHEREAS, the preliminary budget for the fiscal year 2018 was filed with the Town Clerk’s Office and made available for public inspection and a public hearing on the proposed preliminary 2018 budget was scheduled for 7:00 pm Thursday November 9th, 2017 at the Town Municipal Office, 22867 Co Rte 67, Watertown, NY, and
WHEREAS, at the November 9th, 2017 Council meeting following due notice of the public hearing being advertised and posted as required by the provisions of the General Municipal Law, a public hearing on the proposed preliminary 2018 budget was conducted providing the opportunity for all persons interested therein an opportunity to be heard on the preliminary 2018 Budget which includes preliminary budgets for the Town of Watertown General Fund, Highway Fund, Water Districts 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and Sewer Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Town of Watertown Council as follows:
- This Council has met at the time and place as specified in the notice to the public on the preliminary 2018 budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon.
- The preliminary budget as amended and revised for the fiscal year 2018 as hereinafter set forth is hereby adopted for the year 2018, and that the several amounts stated be hereby appropriated for the objects and purposes specified, and the salaries wages stated therein shall be and are fixed at the amounts shown therein, effective January 1, 2018.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Rich, and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel Bartlett Yes
Councilman Rich Yes
Councilman Desormo Yes
Councilmen Prosser Yes
Councilman McAtee Yes
MOTION #91-2017
WHEREAS, the term of office of Anthony Netto has expired on September 30, 2017, and Mr. Netto has expressed an interest in reappointment to the Assessment Board of Appeals for the term commencing October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2022.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Mr. Anthony Netto is hereby appointed to another term of office on the Board of Assessment Review for the term commencing October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2022.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett included in the Board’s packet the municipal inspection report for the County Dog Shelter from NYS Ag & Markets. There are a couple of issues the County will need to rectify concerning intake and disposition of records, making sure redeemed dogs are licensed and proper impound fee’s are paid before they are released.
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board of the new regulations to fund the Family Medical Leave Act passed by New York State. He advised that Government agencies have the ability to opt-out of this program. After discussion of the Board it was agreed because of the vacation, sick and personal time that the employees now receive they are not in need of this entitlement.
MOTION #92-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to opt-out of the Family Medical Leave Act due to adequate sick, vacation and personal time already received by the employees. Motion was seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #93-2017
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 192 to 195 Total $ 13,358.22
Highway Vouchers # 140 to 140 Total $ 17,105.76
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 78 to 78 Total $ 2,462.44
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 196 to 212 Total $ 17,175.76
Highway Vouchers # 141 to 157 Total $ 15,674.68
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 79 to 89 Total $ 153,994.69
Councilman Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett asked if there was any new business to discuss:
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board that the first stage of the Economic Development Study should be completed in December.
MOTION #94-2017
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 pm, Councilman Desormo seconded.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk