TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
November 7, 2024
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Robert Slye, Councilman
Members Absent: Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Michael Perkins, 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.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the public hearing at 7:01 pm concerning the Proposed 2025 Budget.
David Roff, Rowley Churchill & Carrie Wilcox were present from the Town of Watertown Ambulance. Mr. Roff expressed gratitude for the Board’s financial support and presented the proposed budget for 2025 to address the ambulance service’s financial needs.
Mr. Churchill, the Vice President of the Town of Watertown Ambulance, brought the Board’s attention to a report from the New York State Volunteer Ambulance Association, which highlighted ongoing challenges faced by rescue squads across the state. One of the main issues is the financial strain caused by low reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Medicare calls, which result in the service losing money every time they respond to such calls.
He urged the Board members to consider reaching out to local Assembly members, Congress members, or other relevant officials to advocate for State or Federal funding that could help cover these financial gaps. Additionally, Mr. Churchill mentioned concerns about retaining volunteer staff, noting that the lack of volunteer incentives is becoming a nationwide issue, and it’s challenging to maintain a consistent volunteer workforce.
No one else wished to speak; the public hearing was closed at 7:10 pm.
Supervisor Bartlett opened up the floor for public comment.
Joe Meyer, from County Route 60, inquired whether Mr. Altieri from BCA Engineering had provided the Board with the previous plans for the water extension project on County Route 60. He also asked for clarification on the proper way to contact the Supervisor, as he noted that the Supervisor’s office phone was no longer accepting messages.
Supervisor Bartlett responded to Joe Meyer’s inquiry by explaining that Mr. Altieri, from BCA Engineering, needed to update the plans for the water extension on County Route 60 with current financial figures before passing them on to the Board. In the meantime, Supervisor Bartlett informed Mr. Meyer that he could email him directly or contact the Clerk’s Office to obtain his cell phone number if there was an urgent matter that required immediate attention.
Supervisor Bartlett made the Board aware of a problem with the sewer pump station this morning on Co. Rte. 202. The pump shut down for 45 minutes and backed up the sewage into a new building in this area. The pump is fixed and working properly now. The insurance companies have been notified and he is working with the owner of the property to determine who will pay for the damages.
Attorney Harrienger informed the Board she has finished the petition for the proposed Ives Street Extension water district. She will forward it the Mr. Scordo at GYMO Engineering for his review.
Discussion took place on the details of getting signatures from the residents. It was decided the Clerk’s Office will send out a notice with possibly a list of frequently asked questions to guild the residents on the petition. The Board discussed a possible 60-day window to get the signature.
Andrew Mitchell, Orchard Drive, said he would notify the people had emails for when it was ready.
Supervisor Bartlett explained that this petition is approve the creation of the district. If 51% of the property owners along with 51% of that property assessment agree to it, the town will have the authority as administrators apply to borrow funds. The second phase of that will be Town Board action, which does not require any further petition. It would require only a super majority vote in Council, four out of five to execute a bond authorization, resolution and adoption of a bond that would have a 30-day permissive referendum period. That means that anyone who would protest under NYS rules.
No one else wished to speak; the floor was closed
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s Report.
MOTION #115-2024
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the October 3, 2024 Regular Board Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION #116-2024
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the October 17, 2024 Special Board Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Town Clerk’s Correspondence
Department of Labor notice an Explosives Magazine Certificate for Runnings, 21082 Pioneer Plaza Drive, Watertown, NY 13601
Email from Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair of the Planning Board requesting a meeting with Supervisor Bartlett and one other member of the Board. This would include two members of the Planning Board to meet with a developer concerning possible zone changes in the town.
MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS
MOTION #117-2024
WHEREAS, the parties here too entered into agreement of “maintenance, construction, and reconstruction of County Roads and Bridges, and the removal of snow and ice from County Roads and Bridges” on or about September 12, 2023;
WHEREAS, the party’s desire to modify the Agreement to reflect a change in the machinery and equipment reimbursement rates;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein and in the Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:
1. “Jefferson County Equipment Rental Rate Schedule” shall be substituted for “New York State Department of Transportation Equipment Rental Rate Schedule” in Section12. A. 3. P. the Agreement.
2. Except as hereinabove amended, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement, are to remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Prosser and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky absent
Councilman Perkins absent
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #118 -2024
WHEREAS, installation cost overruns associated with the pickleball courts in the amount of
$21,268.00 which includes all new appropriate netting for the courts.
THERFORE BE IT RESOLVE, the Town Council hereby authorizes the Supervisor to accept the change orders on file in the Clerk’s Office and execute payment which is $21,268.00 paying in full for goods and services rendered by the supplier Grand Slam Safety.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Prosser and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky absent
Councilman Perkins absent
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #119-2024
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget to reflect engineering costs associated with the DEC Consent Order requiring a study of surface water infiltration in the infrastructure for Sewer Districts 4, 5, and 6 in the US Rte. 11 area; and
THERFORE BE IT RESOLVE, the Supervisor is authorized to transfer funds to the appropriate appropriation and revenue accounts to reflect such appropriations.
TRANSFER FROM RANSFER TO CODE AMOUNT
Unappr. fund balance GF appropriated fund balance $66,000.00
$66,000.00
SS4-8120.4 $22,000.00
SS5-8120.4 $22,000.00
SS6-8120.4 $22,000.00
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Prosser and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky absent
Councilman Perkins absent
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #120-2024
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Vouchers paid prior to monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 197 to 202 Total $ 17,005.90
Highway Vouchers # 168 to 169 Total $ 45,377.76
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 116 to 118 Total $ 8,664.58
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 203 to 215 Total $ 13,441.76
Highway Vouchers # 170 to 189 Total $ 25,377.13
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 119 to 127 Total $ 125,741.34
Councilman Prosser seconded the motion.
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky absent
Councilman Perkins absent
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #121-2024
WHEREAS, it is necessary to increase water and sewer rates within certain water and sewer districts to amortize accumulated deficits within the certain water and sewer districts; and
BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Council acting as administrators of several districts hereby calls for a public hearing on the proposed rate increases for Water Districts 1, 3, 4 , 5 & 6 and Sewer Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 in the following amounts:
Water Districts 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6 in the amount of $.50 per unit or 748 gallons
Sewer Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 in the amount of $.50 per unit or 748 gallons
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED said public hearing shall be held on Thursday December 12, 2024 at 7:00 PM at the Town Municipal Offices 22867 Co Rte 67 Watertown NY 13601 wherein all interested persons shall be provided the opportunity to be heard.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Prosser and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky absent
Councilman Perkins absent
Councilman Slye yes
The Town Board discussed the 2025 Preliminary Budget.
MOTION #122-2024
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adjourn to executive session at 8:00 pm to discuss employee work history and wages, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
The meeting reconvened at 8:55 pm.
MOTION #123-2024
At the Regular Meeting of the Town of Watertown Council held on Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Town Municipal Offices, 22867 County Route 67, Watertown, NY.
WHEREAS, at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on Thursday October 3rd, 2024, the tentative budget for the Fiscal Year 2025 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 2025 was filed with the Town Clerk’s Office and made available for public inspection and a public hearing on the proposed Preliminary 2025 Budget was scheduled for 7:00 pm Thursday November 7th, 2024 at the Town Municipal Office, 22867 Co Rte 67, Watertown, NY, and
WHEREAS, at the November 7th, 2024 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 2025 Budget was conducted providing the opportunity for all persons interested therein an opportunity to be heard on the Preliminary 2025 Budget which includes Preliminary Budget 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:
1. This Council has met at the time and place as specified in the notice to the public on the Preliminary 2025 Budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon.
2. The Preliminary Budget as amended and revised for the Fiscal Year 2025 as hereinafter set forth is hereby adopted for the Year 2025, and that the several amounts stated be hereby appropriated for the objects and purposes specified, and the salaries wages with said amendments stated therein shall be and are fixed at the amounts shown therein, effective January 1, 2025.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Prosser and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Bartlett yes
Councilman Prosser yes
Councilwoman McClusky absent
Councilman Perkins absent
Councilman Slye yes
MOTION #124-2024
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm, seconded by Supervisor Bartlett.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk