MINUTES TOWN BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 11, 2015
TOWN BOARD MEMBERS
JOEL R. BARTLETT, SUPERVISOR – STEPHEN L. RICH, COUNCILMAN – PAUL V. DESORMO, COUNCILMAN – DAVID D. PROSSER, COUNCILMAN – TIMOTHY MCATEE, COUNCILMAN
Councilman Desormo offered a prayer and Supervisor Bartlett lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Bartlett called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and called for a roll of members present. All members were present. Legal Counsel Joseph W. Russell was present at the meeting.
MOTION # 49
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to adopt the minutes of the May 14, 2015 Regular Meeting. Councilman McAtee seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION # 50
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to adopt the minutes of the Special Meeting held May 21, 2015. Councilman Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett introduced Mr. Pat Scordo, GYMO Engineers.
Mr. Pat Scordo spoke on behalf of the Valentine Store to be constructed within the City of Watertown boundaries. A portion of the property is in the Town, and they would like to connect to the Town of Watertown’s sewer district due to the location being closer to the project. He asked that the Town consider this even though the project was located within the City boundaries. Supervisor Bartlett stated that consideration would have to be made since the Town users are paying for the capital improvements. Mr. Scordo also requested to connect to the town water system. Mr. Bartlett stated a Memorandum of Understanding would have to be drawn up before this could proceed.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor to the public.
Jessica Blair, Co-director of the South Jefferson Summer Program asked why the Town no longer supported the program. Becky Sullivan also spoke about how the program helped the children who participated. She indicated that all the residents of the Town of are eligible and would benefit by participating in it. She went on to tell about all the Towns in the South Jefferson School District that participated in the program. After discussion the board moved to the following resolution.
MOTION # 51
Supervisor Bartlett moved to fund the South Jefferson School District summer program in the amount of $3,000.00.
Councilman McAtee seconded.
All members voted in favor of the motion, except for Councilman Rich who voted no.
Supervisor Bartlett closed the floor to the public.
No Town Clerk’s correspondence.
Supervisor Bartlett acknowledged receipt of the Town Clerk’s Report and the Town of Watertown Ambulance report, for the Month of May 2015.
MOTION #52
Supervisor Bartlett Introduced Local Law No.2, A Local Law to amend Chapter A113 of the Code of the Town of Watertown. He called for a public hearing for July 9, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Town Municipal Building, 22867 Co. Rt. 67, Town of Watertown, NY.
Councilman Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
MOTION # 53
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF WATERTOWN (the “Board”) TO ACTIVELY WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER RECOGNIZED POLITICAL JURISDICTIONS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK (SIGNATORIES TO THIS AGREEMENT) TO DEVELOP, SEEK FUNDING FOR OWN AND OPERATE MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING WATER LINES, SEWER LINES, SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUMP AND TRANSFER STATIONS AND OTHER SUCH INFRASTRUCTURE AS THESE MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS DEEM APPROPRIATE AND AGREE UPON.
WHEREAS, The Town of Watertown has, as its mission, the health and welfare of its citizens,
WHEREAS; A major consideration when providing services designed to benefit its citizens is the establishment of appropriate infrastructure including but not limited to such things as water and sewer distribution and treatment facilities, and
WHEREAS; The Town of Watertown has also determined other important services can and should supported by its Board to include job creation opportunities and transportation initiatives, and
WHEREAS; The Town of Watertown has determined, after a thorough investigation, a method by which all of the above requirements cab be met in a collective fashion, and
WHEREAS; The Town of Watertown has learned that a major economic development activity will occur in or near its political boundaries, and
WHEREAS; The Town of Watertown has been asked by the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency for the assistance of each of the political entities that are signatories to this agreement, and
WHEREAS; The Town of Watertown has determined that this project consisting of a business park directly abutting the Watertown International Airport will need significant infrastructure in order for it to be identified as ‘shovel ready’, and
WHEREAS; The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency will not, by itself , have enough financial resources to complete the infrastructure requirements, and
WHEREAS; The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency has determined that there are no remaining public sites in the County that can be identified a ‘shovel ready’ and thus this project is essential for continued development in Jefferson County, and
WHEREAS; The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency will need to seek additional Federal, State, and local financial support to complete these necessary infrastructure projects, and
WHEREAS; The signatories to this agreement believe that applications for this funding support are more compelling when several impacted political jurisdictions join in the effort to seek this support, and
WHEREAS; Infrastructure that is built in support of the new Air Park will also have an immediate and very long term on the health and welfare of citizens located along corridors where this infrastructure will be built, and
WHEREAS; This infrastructure will not only support critical new job creation efforts but solve many longstanding problems with the current infrastructure, some of which is adversely affecting the environment, and
WHEREAS; This infrastructure will also support and encourage additional expansion at the adjacent Watertown International Airport,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE TOWN OF WATERTOWN TOWN COUNCIL THAT;
THE TOWN OF WATERTOWN AGREES AND DIRECTS JOEL BARTLETT, TOWN OF WATERTOWN TOWN SUPERVISOR, TO EXECUTE THE ATTACHED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN SUPPORT OF THIS JOINT EFFORT AT EXPANDING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY.
This resolution is to take effect immediately.
SIGNATORIES;
The Town of Watertown, New York
The Town of Hounsfield, New York
The County of Jefferson, New York
The Village of Dexter, New York
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency
A motion to adopt the following resolution was offered by Supervisor Joel Bartlett and seconded by Councilman Stephen Rich, and upon roll call vote was adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett Aye
Councilman Rich Aye
Councilman Desormo Aye
Councilman Prosser Aye
Councilman McAtee Aye
MOTION # 54
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
General Voucher # 111 to 111 Total $ 8,955.27
Highway Voucher # 90 to 90 Total $ 16,105.17
General Vouchers # 112 to 139 Total $ 74,109.50
Highway Vouchers # 91 to 102 Total $ 8,981.28
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 40 to 47 Total $109,660.87
Councilman Rich seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett stated that in the board packets was a copy of a certification for Timothy Wells from the State of New York, Department of Health for successfully completing a course as a water system operator.
MOTION # 55
Supervisor Bartlett moved to reimburse Mr. Wells for the $800.00 he paid for books for the course. He is to bring in the receipts for the costs that he spent. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION # 56
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adjourn to executive session at 8:10 PM to discuss contract negotiations and employee issues. Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett reconvened the regular meeting at 8:22 PM.
MOTION # 57
WHEREAS, the town council deems it is in the best interests of Town Residents to adequately maintain a proper level of manpower to effectively operate and maintain the Town of Watertown transfer station, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hire an additional part time employee to provide adequate staffing for the transfer stations operation. And
WHEREAS, a public notice was published in the official newspaper of the Town requesting applications from interested persons desiring to fill the position of a part-time laborer, an unclassified position in accordance with the N.Y.S. Civil Service requirements, and
WHEREAS, the person hired to fill this position is not a member of the collective bargaining unit and is under the supervision of the Town Council, and
WHEREAS, applications were accepted at the Town Clerk’s office for review by this board, and it is determined that Anthony Sparacino, a town resident is qualified for this position.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Anthony Sparacino is hereby appointed to the part time laborers position at a pay rate of $13.48 per/hour for working hours up to and not to exceed 32 hours per week.
Supervisor Bartlett moved the forgoing resolution and Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Mr. Bartlett stated that the Water Tank demolition proposal has been sent out. The bids will be opened at 3:00 PM, July 2, at the Town Municipal Building.
MOTION # 58
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept an agreement with Verizon granting space on the Arsenal St. water tower. The supervisor is authorized to accept the agreement. It is agreed that a rate of $1,500.00 per month and a $2,000.00 purchase option. Councilman
McAtee seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION # 59
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM. Supervisor Bartlett seconded.
Ayes All
___________________________
Catherine M. Rich, Town Clerk