TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
October 6, 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.
MOTION #82-2016
Supervisor Bartlett moved to accept the minutes for September 21, 2016 Special Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett informed that he had scheduled a meeting for tonight on Local Law #3, a Local Law to override the tax cap. Being how the tentative budget came in under the 2% tax cap this motion is no longer necessary.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor to public:
Jon Grant, Town Code Officer informed the Board of a problem with cats at a town resident’s home on Co Rte 67. He informed there are no regulations to help control cats except to make sure they are all vaccinated for rabies. Tom Boxberger, Health Officer for the Town has been involved and a police report has been filed. Mr. Overton has been informed of a rabies’s clinic October 13, 2016, he was told to bring in proof of vaccinations to the town office. Supervisor Bartlett asked Attorney Russell to see if there could be regulations added to the Town Code to aid in the control of cats.
Jessica Blair, spoke on behalf of the South Jefferson Recreation Program asking the Board to consider funding in their 2017 budget. The Board asked Ms. Blair to bring information regarding how many town resident students use the program and a budget of fund appropriations. Supervisor Bartlett informed the tentative budget has been prepared but changes could be made after the public hearing at the November 3rd meeting.
No one else wished to speak the floor was closed.
The Town Clerk has no correspondence this month.
The Board received in their packet:
A sample regulation concerning the possibility of opening town roads to ATV traffic. The Board could discuss it at the November meeting after reviewing the information.
A sidewalk plan for Summit Drive from Mr. Lundy. Mr. Rohr is getting cost figures for the project.
Correspondence from Jefferson County Planning concerning Local Law #2, and the tentative 2017 budget.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s report.
Supervisor Bartlett discussed the short Environmental Assessment Form for Local Law No. 2, Sign Regulations, for the record:
• Does the proposed action only involve the legislative adoption of a plan, local law, ordinance, administrative rule, or regulation? Yes, a narrative is attached.
• Will the proposed action result in a substantial increase in traffic above present levels? No
• Are public transportation services(s) available at or near the site of the proposed action? NO
• Are any pedestrian accommodations or bicycle routes available on or near site of the proposed action? No
• Does the site of the proposed action contain any species of animal or associated habitats, listed by the State for Federal government as threatened or
endangered? No
• The entire completed form is on file in the Clerk’s Office.
MOTION #83-2016
WHEREAS, by Resolution adopted by this Board on September 8, 2016, a public hearing was scheduled for September 21, 2016, to consider the adoption of Local Law No. 2 of 2016 to amend and restate Chapter 86 of the Town of Watertown Code, Signs, and
WHEREAS, the adoption of Local Law No. 2, of 2016 is subject to the provisions of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and the regulations promulgated hereunder as an unlisted action, and
WHEREAS, AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THIS Board held on October 6, 2016, a short form Environmental Assessment Form (“EAF”) was duly accepted for filing by this Board as prepared by the Town Attorney, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to 6NYCRR Part 617. This Board has reviewed the EAF to determine whether the project will have a significant effect on the environment, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article VIII of the Environmental Conservation Law and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Department of environmental Conservation, to wit: 6NYCRR Part 617, this Board has determined that the action will not have a significant effect on the environment, and will not cause a significant impact on the environment, and therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Watertown as follows:
1. Based upon the examination of the EAF and the criteria set forth in 6 NYCRR Part 617, the Board makes the following findings.
A. The proposed action constitutes an unlisted action pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617 and therefore a coordinated review is not required.
B. No potentially significant adverse impacts on the environment are noted on the EAF, and none are known to this Board.
C. There will be no substantial adverse change in existing air or water quality.
D. There will be no hazard created to human health.
E. There will be no substantial change in the use or the intensity of the use on the land.
F. There will not be created a material conflict with the community’s current plans or goals as officially adopted.
G. None of the criteria listed in 6 NYCRR Part 617.11 will be present in the proposed project and no similar criteria will be present with will adversely impact on the environment.
2. Based upon the foregoing, this Board hereby issues its negative declaration and directs the Town Clerk to file the same in the town Clerk’s office in a file readily accessible to the public.
3. All subsequent notices concerning this project shall note that this Board has issued a negative declaration.
4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Rich.
Ayes All
MOTION #84-2016
WHEREAS, Local Law No. 2 of the Year 2016 was duly introduced at a regular meeting of this Board held on September 8, 2016, and a public hearing was scheduled thereon for September 21, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, notice of the public hearing was duly published and posted as required by law and on September 21, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. a public hearing was held by this Board to consider Local Law No. 2 of the Year 2016, and all persons interested in proposed Local Law were provided an opportunity to be heard.
NOW, on Motion duly made and seconded this Board makes the following determinations:
1. The notice of public hearing was duly published and posted as required by law and is otherwise sufficient.
2. Local Law No. 2 of the Year 2016 amends and restates the Chapter 86 of the Town of Watertown Code, Signs.
3. Local Law No. 2 of the Year 2016 is in the best interest of the Town of Watertown and is therefore adopted.
4. The Town Clerk is directed to file a copy of Local Law No. 2 of the Year of 2016 with the New York Department of State as required by the provisions of the Municipal Home Rule Law, and said Local Law shall take effect upon
such filing.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember McAtee.
Ayes All
MOTION #85-2016
Supervisor Bartlett moved to hold a public hearing on the proposed 2017 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 3, 2016, 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 Prosser.
Ayes All
The Fire Budget was not received until after the printing of the Tentative Budget so changes will follow the Public Hearing. The amount requested was below what was included in the budget so it will still be below the 2% tax cap.
MOTION #86-2016
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 195 to 197 Total $ 10,518.81
Highway Vouchers # 123 to 123 Total $ 15,886.20
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 83 to 83 Total $ 3,227.77
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 198 to 214 Total $ 10,283.03
Highway Vouchers # 124 to 136 Total $ 67,328.02
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 84 to 87 Total $ 107,378.34
Councilman Desormo seconded the motion.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett asked if there was any old or new business to discuss:
Councilman Desormo asked about the status of the caution light on the corner of Co Rte 67, Spring Valley Drive and Watertown Center Loop Road. Highway Superintendent Rohr answered the County recommended a 4 way stop. Mr. Rohr will check see where they are at in the process.
Councilman McAtee asked about the closing of US Rte 11 for road construction. Supervisor Bartlett stated he has a letter from the Town Ambulance and will get together with the Fire Commissioners to aid in convincing the state to leave one lane open during construction.
MOTION #87-2016
Councilman Prosser moved to close the meeting at 7:24 pm, Councilman Desormo seconded.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk