TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
November 3, 2016
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.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the public hearing at 7:02 pm to review the 2017 preliminary budget. No one wished to speak therefore the public hearing was closed at 7:02 pm.
The floor was opened to the public. Dave Roof, Town of Watertown Ambulance thanked the Board for the continued financial support. He updated the Board on the progress of the business and plans for the future of the organization. No other member of the public wished to speak, the floor was closed.
The Board discussed modifications to the preliminary 2017 budget. Supervisor Bartlett advised the Board that the Fire District budget has changed. The last page Fire Protection line will be reduced from $851,889 to $774,196, making the applied tax rate $2.14 per thousand. Supervisor Bartlett asked if there were any other additions, deletions or modifications to the budget as proposed. There were none.
MOTION #88-2016
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes for October 6, 2016 meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
MOTION #89-2016
Supervisor Bartlett moved to close out and release the funds from the escrow account set up for the Lundy Corporation project at Summit Drive and US Rte 11. The work has been completed as agreed upon. Motion seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #90-2016
WHEREAS, the Town Council has received a request from the Volunteer Transportation Center to authorize a contract to provide transportation services to town residents who do not have a means of transportation to medical appointment and other transportation needs, and
WHEREAS, the Town has previously funded the Transportation Center to meet the needs of Town residents based upon the population of the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Volunteer Transportation Center has proposed a contracted fee of $1,500.00 to provide such service for the year 2017.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute said contractual agreement (attached as exhibit A) on behalf of the Town of Watertown with the Volunteer Transportation Center for the amount of $1,500.00 for the Fiscal year 2017.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Rich.
Ayes All
MOTION #91-2016
WHEREAS, N.Y.S. has enacted new laws that require all textile collection companies to operate under a formalized document between that collection agency and the Municipality which outlines the collection relationship, and
WHEREAS, by utilizing the St. Pauly Textile recovery agency the cost of disposing of textile clothing and goods that would normally go into municipal solid waste are put to reuse and recalculated back into the textile markets saving on municipal recycling costs.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the agreement between St. Pauly Textile Inc and the Town of Watertown is hereby authorized and the supervisor is authorized to execute the contractual agreement (attached as exhibit B).
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Rich.
Ayes All
MOTION #92-2016
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Watertown adopting a Budget for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2017 and ending December 31, 2017 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 6th, 2016, the tentative budget for the fiscal year 2017 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 2017 was filed with the Town Clerk’s Office and made available for public inspection and a public hearing on the proposed preliminary 2017 budget was scheduled for 7:00 pm Thursday November 3rd, 2016 at the Town Municipal Office, 22867 Co Rte 67, Watertown, NY, and
WHEREAS, at the November 3rd 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 2017 budget was conducted providing the opportunity for all persons interested therein an opportunity to be heard on the preliminary 2017 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:
1) This Council has met at the time and place as specified in the notice to the public on the preliminary 2017 budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon.
2) The preliminary budget as amended and revised for the fiscal year 2017 as hereinafter set forth is hereby adopted for the year 2017, 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, 2017.
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 Joel Bartlett Yes
Stephen Rich Yes
Paul Desormo Yes
David Prosser Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
MOTION #93-2016
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown participates in the Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition and pays dues annually to support the group’s efforts to be in compliance with the regulations promulgated under the NYS MS -4 program, and
WHEREAS, the 2017 year dues are established at $1,500.00.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, payment in the amount of $1,500.00 to the JCSC is hereby authorized.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Prosser.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett set a rate of compensation for the Town representative to attend the meetings of the Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition at $25.00. The Board concurred.
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board the position of Court Clerk Typist has been re-canvassed.
MOTION #94-2016
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Human Resources office has supplied a list of applicants for the current civil service list to be considered for the vacant Court Typist position in the Town Court, and
WHEREAS, Individuals on the list were interviewed by both Town Justices and it has been recommended that Amber S. Fay be appointed to fill the vacant position.
NOW, THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Amber S. Fay, 205 S. Broad Street, Sackets Harbor N.Y. is hereby appointed to the Court Typist position with the hourly rate of compensation established at $13.50 per hour, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following the successful completion of the employment probationary period Mr. Burke will be granted all benefits associated with full time employment.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board he has received a letter of interest from Arthur Cooley to train for the Code Enforcement Office in the absence of Jon Grant.
MOTION #95-2016
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to appoint Arthur D. Cooley, part time Zoning Officer at the rate of $15.45 per hr. Mr. Cooley will fill in when the current Officer is unavailable. Motion is seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #96-2016
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 215 to 218 Total $ 12,561.50
Highway Vouchers # 137 to 137 Total $ 15,733.21
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 88 to 88 Total $ 788.66
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 219 to 238 Total $ 10,759.38
Highway Vouchers # 138 to 147 Total $ 87,793.12
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 89 to 98 Total $ 116,672.73
Councilman Desormo seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett asked if there was any new business to discuss:
Attorney Russell provided the Board with sample regulations to open town roads to ATV use. Supervisor Bartlett commented we do not have any town roads that lead to or are adjacent to a public trail; therefore he does not feel it would be a benefit to the town to allow it.
Councilman Desormo added if the vehicle is licensed and insured he felt it was fine for them to utilize town roads.
The sentiment of the Board was not to allow ATV’s on town roads.
Attorney Russell provided the Board with four sample laws concerning nuisance cats. Mr. Russell advised that you shouldn’t legislate a local law for one problem situation. One of the major problems would be enforcement. There are no laws, State, County or Town concerning cats other than having them to have to have rabies vaccinations. The property owner in question has had 15 of the 25 cats vaccinated and will continue until they are all vaccinated. Highway Superintendant Rohr added he has a problem with the cats in the highway equipment and buildings. The Board agreed to take no action on the cat legislation.
Superintendant Rohr asked if they could discuss old business. He updated the board on the status of the 4 way stop on the corner of Co Rte 67, Watertown Center Loop and Spring Valley Drive. The signs are ready and a change of traffic pattern alert signs will be set up for a time.
Superintendant Rohr asked if there was any new consideration for the water lines on NYS Rte 12F. They are in bad repair and breaks are becoming more of a problem. Supervisor Bartlett was unsure if the Town could acquire the necessary property. Supervisor Bartlett will check with the County on the status of law suit for the property.
MOTION #97-2016
Councilman Prosser moved to close the meeting at 7:50 pm, Councilman Desormo seconded.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk