Town Board
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
August 14, 2014
Members Present:
Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Members Absent:
Stephen L. Rich, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Bartlett called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and asked for a roll of members present. Legal Counsel Joseph W. Russell was present.
MOTION # 52
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes of the July 10, 2014 regular meeting. Councilman Prosser seconded.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor for public comment.
Dave Roof, TOW Ambulance approached the board to go over their report and discuss next year’s budget. He explained the plans of possibly purchasing a new ambulance and building a new station on Summit Drive. They would like to increase employees and hours to cover the increased need for their service.
Supervisor Bartlett informed Mr. Roof with the increased expenses and decreased sales tax revenue he is considering lowering the support the town is giving the ambulance service over the next few years. He would hope the service will become a self supportive entity.
Ralph Green, 22783 Cornwell Lane, addressed to board concerning the decline of the Rapp property at 19138 US Rte 11. The debris from the building is blowing onto his and neighboring properties. He suggested the Town buy the property and build a new municipal building there. Supervisor Bartlett will have the Code Officer contact the property owners to secure the building.
John Bellenger, 20255 NYS Rte 3, requested a zone change on his property. Joe Russell, Town Counsel explained the zone change process to Mr. Bellenger. He was referred to the Town Planning Board for review.
Shirley Davis, 17487 Co Rte 155, inquired about a speed zone decrease on Co Rte 155 and a possible water district.
Supervisor Bartlett updated Mrs. Davis on the town’s intent to reduce the speed limits on Co Rte 155. He will be sending letters out to the Department of Corrections to request a tap to their water line to possibly take water to Co Rte 155 residents.
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Mike Leone, Orchard Drive, he has vacant land that he would like to build a house on. There is a problem with flooding due to the improper construction of a culvert pipe by a neighbor. Legal Counsel Joe Russell will advise Mr. Maguire who would be responsible to correct the problem.
No one else choose to address the board, therefore Supervisor Bartlett closed the floor for public comment.
Supervisor Bartlett stated there would be a meeting September 2nd at 10:00 am to discuss the Teamsters contract.
The Town Clerk has received notice the Burrville Bad Apple LLC, 25592 NYS Rte12 has applied for a liquor license with NYS Liquor Authority.
Supervisor Bartlett asked that the sand bids be opened. Only one bid was received.
Tug Hill Aggregates, LLC
Screened Sand Loaded: $4.25 per ton-loaded
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the sand bid, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
Resolutions:
MOTION #53
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency (the “Agency”) was created by Chapter 369 of the Laws of 1971 of the State of New York pursuant to Title 1 Article 18-A of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York (collectively, the “Act”), and
WHEREAS, pursuant to a prior resolution of this Board, it approved the Agency entering into a POLOT Agreement with Morgan Watertown Townhomes LLC (the “Company”), and
WHEREAS, the Company has informed the Agency and this Board, in order to procure financing, it is required to subdivide the original 57.09 acre parcel into two separate parcels (“Parcel I and Parcel II”), and
WHEREAS, the Company has further informed the Agency and this Board, that Parcel I will be owned by a new entity, Preserve at Autumn Ridge 1 LLC (“New Co”) and that the Company shall retain ownership of Parcel II, and
WHEREAS, the Company intends to convey Parcel I to New Co and New Co the Company intend to enter into an Assignment and Assumption of Agreements, a copy of which has been presented to the Board at this meeting, whereby, the Company will assign and New Co will assume all of the obligations as set forth in the Agreements as defined in the Assignment and Assumption of Agreements including the Pilot Agreement so that the Company will continue to be responsible for all of its obligations pursuant to the PILOT Agreement as to Parcel II and New Co shall be responsible for all of the obligations it is assuming from the Company as to the PILOT Agreement as to Parcel I, and
WHEREAS, the Company has informed the Board that Robert C. Morgan will be the sole member of the New Co as well as the Company, and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Watertown herby consents to the Company assigning its interest in the PILOT Agreement and the assumption by New Co of the Company’s obligations pursuant to the PILOT Agreement as it pertain to Parcel I.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution 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 Bartlett Aye
Councilman Desormo Aye
Councilman Prosser Aye
Assignment and Assumption of Agreement is attached and made part of the minutes.
MOTION #54
WHEREAS, the Army released a Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment in June of 2014 to evaluate force reductions and realignments, and
WHEREAS, this proposed action will reduce and realign active component Soldiers and Army Civilian employees to help the Army meet current and future national security and defense requirements, and
WHEREAS, the Army’s proposal is to reduce end-strength to as low as 420,000, double the reduction proposed in 2013, and
WHEREAS, the Army’s SPEA is looking to cut 16,000 jobs from Fort Drum; 15,417 Soldiers and 583 Army civilians which includes the loss of the 3rd BCT from the 10th Mountain Division which was announced last year, and
WHEREAS, this SPEA looks at the socio-economic impact of this action and it predicts a loss of $877,512,000 in annual area income, with the loss of 19,102 jobs, and a decrease in population of 40,288, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown and the surrounding communities have developed a unique relationship with Fort Drum and have demonstrated their unwavering support of Fort Drum by providing over 1200 new private sector housing units, the expansion of educational and health care services, and infrastructure to support the installation, and
WHEREAS, this proposed forced reduction under review by the Army would have a devastating impact on jobs, education, health care, quality of life and the ability of local governments to provide essential services for its residents, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has welcomed Soldiers and their families a residents of Town and has invested $4.1 million dollars to upgrade water and sewer service infrastructure to accommodate additional private sector housing developments to satisfy the increased demand for combined military and public sector housing, resulting in a potential increase of 65% in our Municipalities population, and
WHEREAS, the Town has appropriated funds to the Watertown School District annually for the past two years that underwrites the School District costs to transport military and public sector school children to the Watertown School District; and
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WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown Town Council recognizes the Army needs to review force reductions and realignments a part of a long-term solution to the current fiscal crisis:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Watertown Town Council believes that the proposed cut of 16,000 at Fort Drum currently under review by the Army will have a devastating and long term impact on our municipality and local economy as forecast in the Army’s own SPEA, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVE, that the Town of Watertown Town Council asks that the Army, as part of their decision making process, consider our community’s ability to continue to support Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, and to provide those essential services needed by our citizens, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Town Council asks that, due to these socio-economic impacts no further reductions in personnel occur at Fort Drum or to the 10th Mountain Division beyond those identified in the 2013 PEA.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Councilman Prosser, and upon a roll call vote was adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett Aye
Councilman Desormo Aye
Councilman Prosser Aye
MOTION #55
WHEREAS, the Thousand Island International Tourism Council has requested a grant of $5,000.00 in town Community development funds to underwrite promotional expenses associated with the agency’s Fall Shopping Promotion; and
WHERAS, this promotion helps attract shoppers from outside the area during the Fall shopping season by advertising the Watertown area via internet and other promotional advertising; and
WHEREAS, the grant application has been reduced from the appropriated in 2013, and it is agreed the Town will match the City of Watertown’s $5,000.00 contribution for the stated purpose; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in the 2014 budget as adopted for this appropriation
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, a grant of $5,000.00 of Town Community and development funds is herby authorized for said purpose.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution as offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Councilman Prosser, and upon a roll call vote was adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett Aye
Councilman Desormo Aye
Councilman Prosser Aye
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Motion #56
WHEREAS, When New York City was attacked on September 11th, 2001, soldiers from the Northeast’s largest military post, Fort Drum in northern New York, answered their county’s call by leading the American response against Ai-Qaeda terrorists responsible for the murder of over 3,000 civilians at the Twin Towers; and
WHEREAS, Since it’s reactivation in 1985, the 10th Mountain Division has been the most deployed unit in the United States Army, repeatedly serving as the point of the spear when America has sent troops into harm’s way; and
WHEREAS, Today the Army is proposing troop reductions that could mean significant cuts at Fort Drum, the North Country’s leading economic engine and one of America’s premier fighting forces; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Town of Watertown Town Council believe that Fort Drums 37,000 soldiers and family members, 3895 civilian employees, $1.2 billion dollar annual payroll and $1.4 billion dollar annual economic impact are essential to the future prosperity and success of the North Country, as well as the long-term security of the United States of America.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, as citizens of the State of New York, wish to show our support for the men and women of Fort Drum who have earned our respect and support by repeatedly going into harm’s way to protect our American way of life; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that as residents of the Empire State, we are proud to join in standing up for the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum, and urge the Army and our military leaders to reject any reductions in troop strength or operations at this vital post.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Councilman Prosser and upon a roll call vote was adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett Aye
Councilman Desormo Aye
Councilman Prosser Aye
Motion #57
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to pay the following vouchers as audited:
Utilities Paid Prior to Meeting
General Vouchers #168 to #170 Total $ 18,465.65
Highway Vouchers #138 to #138 Total $ 16,342.02
Special Districts #50 to #50 Total $ 1,091.94
Vouchers Approved for Monthly Meeting
General Vouchers #171 to #192 Total $ 14,707.45
Highway Vouchers #139 to #158 Total $ 62,959.20
Special Districts #51 to #59 Total $125,369.17
The motion was seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
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Motion #58
Councilman moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 PM. Councilman Desormo seconded.
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Pamela Desormo, Deputy Town Clerk