TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Town Board Monthly Meeting
Municipal Building
October 5, 2023
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent: Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call of members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Harrienger was also present.
MOTION #114-2023
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the September 14, 2023, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett opened the public hearing concerning the adoption of Local Law #4 of 2023 at 7:05 pm. This is a Local Law is to override the Tax Levy Limit established by Section 3-C of the New York General Municipal Law. No one wished to speak; the public hearing was closed at 7:06 pm.
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Supervisor Bartlett opened the public hearing concerning the adoption of Local Law #5 of 2023 at 7:06 pm. This is a Local Law is to Establishing a Townwide One (1) Year Moratorium
for Solar Battery Storage and/or Renewable Energy Facilities with On-Site Battery Energy Storage. No one wished to speak; the public hearing was closed at 7:07 pm.
Attorney Harrienger recommended adjourning the public hearing concerning acting on the Potentially Unsafe Building/Structure Located at: 18267-275 US Route 11, Watertown, New York Tax Parcel No.: 90.12-1-25.2. This would allow interested parties who were notified to respond before taking action. The public hearing will reconvene November 9th, 2023 at 7:00 pm.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor for anyone to speak; no one wished to speak, the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s and the Town Ambulance reports.
MOTION #115-2023
RESOLUTION #19 OF 2023
ADOPTING LOCAL LAW 5 of 2023
Establishing a Townwide One (1) Year Moratorium
for Solar Battery Storage and/or Renewable
Energy Facilities with On-Site Battery Energy Storage
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Watertown recognizes that there is potential that person(s) might proceed with an application seeking approval for Solar Battery Energy Storage and/or Renewable Energy Facilities with On-Site Battery Energy Storage; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Watertown, upon review of the Town of Watertown Zoning Law, familiarity with lands within the Town, considering concerns expressed by some area residents, and in recognition of an obligation to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the general public within the Town of Watertown, deems it to be in the public interest to stop and temporarily suspend the processing of any application(s) that may include Renewable Battery Energy Storage Systems within the Town of Watertown; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board anticipates undertaking steps to potentially update, revise and/or amend its Zoning in regard to Battery Energy Storage Systems within the Town and has determined that providing for a temporary moratorium is appropriate; and
WHEREAS, this action is considered a Type II action under SEQR per 6 NYCRR 617.5(c)(36).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that a Public Hearing regarding a possible moratorium for one (1) year was conducted on October 5, 2023 and such information and comments have been considered by the Town Board; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that adoption of a one (1) year moratorium to provide adequate time to fully consider and potentially amend its Zoning Law and/or Solar Energy Law within the Town of Watertown regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems is appropriate and the Local Law establishing the Moratorium is approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately and the underlying Local Law shall become effective upon filing with the NYS Department of State.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member McAtee, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
MOTION #116-2023
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Town Board through proposed Local Law No. 4 of the Year 2023 to adopt a budget for the Fiscal Year 2024 that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the Tax Levy Limit as defined by Section 3-C of the General Municipal Law; and
WHEREAS, Subdivision 5 of Section 3 of the New York General Municipal Law expressly authorizes a local government subdivision to override the property tax cap for the coming fiscal year by adoption of Local Law and approved by 60% of the governing body of such local government.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVE, the Town Board of the Town of Watertown is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the Fiscal Year 2024 commencing January 1 of 2024 that required a real property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise prescribed the Section 3-C of the NYS General Law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Local Law No. 4 of the Year 2023 is hereby adopted as proposed.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member McAtee, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
MOTION #117-2023
WHEREAS, a copy of the Preliminary, henceforth to be known as the Tentative Fiscal Year 2024 Town of Watertown budget was placed on file at the Town Clerk’s Office, for public viewing.
Supervisor Bartlett moved to hold a public hearing on the proposed 2023 Tentative Budget, a detail of all funds including the General and Highway Funds, Water Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6 and Sewer Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6. The hearing is to be held Thursday November 9th, 2023, at 7:00 pm. Said meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 22867 Co Rte 67, Watertown, NY. All members of the public wishing to speak for or against will be heard. Motion seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #118-2023
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 202 to 203 Total $ 7,376.50
Highway Vouchers # 169 to 169 Total $ 22,472.69
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 115 to 115 Total $ 3,904.79
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 204 to 212 Total $ 23,769.08
Highway Vouchers # 170 to 183 Total $ 73,220.18
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 116 to 123 Total $ 77,833.45
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board that the Planning Board is still working on the Zoning Code updates and no action will be taken until the process is completed.
MOTION #119-2023
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 pm, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
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Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk