TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
July 14, 2022
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent: Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call of members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Russell also attended the meeting.
MOTION #55-2022
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the June 9, 2022 Regular Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
The floor was opened for public comment:
Pat Scordo, GYMO Engineering addressed the Board. He gave the Board Part 2 & 3 of the Short EAF pertaining to the Northeast Water District in the NYS Rte 126 area. Mr. Scordo notified 11 involved agencies requesting the Town of Watertown Town Board be Lead Agent. Seven responded that they concurred with that the remaining four did not respond. More than 30 days have lapsed, so the Board can now proceed.
The Board reviewed Part 2 of the Full Environmental Assessment Form.
1. Impact on Land-Proposed action may involve construction on, or physical alteration of, the land Surface of the proposed site. YES
a. The proposed action may involve construction on land where depth to water table is less than 3 feet. No, or small impact may occur
b. The proposed action may involve construction on slopes of 15% or greater. No, or small impact may occur
c. The proposed action may involve construction on land where bedrock is exposed, or generally within 5 feet of existing ground surface. No, or small impact may occur
d. The proposed action may involve the excavation and removal of more than 1,000 tons of natural material. No, or small impact may occur
e. The proposed action may involve construction that continues for more than one year or in multiple phases. No, or small impact may occur
f. The proposed action may result in increased erosion, whether from physical disturbance or vegetation removal (including from treatment by herbicides). No, or small impact may occur
g. The proposed action is, or may be, located within a Coastal Erosion hazard area.
No, or small impact may occur
5. Impact on Flooding. Yes, because of Cold Creek being in a flood plain, but minimal or no impact is expected. Any disturbance will be restored to the original state.
8. Impact on Agricultural Resource. YES
b. The proposed action may sever, cross or otherwise limit access to agricultural land (includes cropland, hayfields, pasture, vineyard, orchard, etc.)
Yes, but they will be restored at completion of the project.
f. The proposed action may result, directly or indirectly, in increased development potential or pressure on farmland. A small impact may occur
MOTION #56-2022
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the findings and recommendations by the Town Engineer and Legal Council on the Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 2 for the Northeast Water District, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #57-2022
Supervisor Bartlett moved that the Town Board has reviewed a long form or “Full” Environmental Assessment Form Part 2 as prepared for the purpose of assisting the Town Board in making a determination of significance with respect the establishment of the Northeast Water District. Therefore, they declare a Negative Declaration for the project, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
Attorney Russell advised a map, plan and report will need to be filed in the Clerk’s Office before a public hearing can be scheduled.
The floor was open for public comment:
Jerry Leone, Senior Civil Engineer for Borrego, Rutland Center Solar Project addressed the Board. He gave an update on the project and where they are in the 94C permit process. They intend to submit the permit to the State in December. The majority of the project is in the Town of Rutland only 4 parcels are within the Town of Watertown. Two of the parcels would have panels the other two would have easements for the wiring interconnections. They are working on reports and studies required by the State of New York as part of the permitting process.
Rick Reed, Spring Valley Drive and John Herman inquired of the Board the state of the tennis courts behind the Municipal Building. They are involved with a group who participate in the sport of pickleball. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the county and can be played by all ages and families. You can put up to 4 pickleball court on one tennis court.
Supervisor Bartlett will follow-up with the Highway Superintendent to see what can be done to utilized the courts for the sport. The tennis courts have been underused and have become run down. He would be in favor of reviving them to encourage public use. He thanked Mr. Reed for the information.
Melanie Wright, Spring Valley Drive commented on the vandalism of the tennis nets. She suggested that s camera could protect the town from those problems. She brought forward a problem on Spring Valley Drive of speed and people passing on a double solid line. She offered some suggestions and asked the Board for help in resolving the problem before someone gets killed.
The Board could pass a resolution to reduce the speed on the road. It would have to be approved by the Jefferson County and New York State before it could be put in place. Supervisor Bartlett will put forth a resolution to start the process of lowering the speed limit, and check into signage that might help.
David Roof, Scott Lennox and Vivian Burdick from Town of Watertown Ambulance addressed the Board. Mr. Roof thanked the Board for their continued support for their organization. They inquired about their involvement in the proposed convention center that is being constructed in the town.
Supervisor Bartlett informed that per State requirements EMT and medical facilities are required to be included in the construction plans of the project. As the project goes forward Supervisor Bartlett will get them in touch with the developer to firm up plans for EMT and medical services.
Mr. Roof added that they are there to service the residents of the Town of Watertown. They are looking at doing major renovations to the station on NYS Rte 3 to make it more livable for permanent personnel and to house vehicles there.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town of Watertown Ambulance report.
No one else wished to speak; the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s report.
Town Clerk’s Correspondence:
Ramada by Wyndham Watertown, Bhinder Hospitality LLC, 21000 State Route 3.
A request for a waiver of the 30-day advance notice for a Liquor License Application Submission. They erroneously sent original request to the City of Watertown.
MOTION #58-2022
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Agricultural Society is producing the 2022 Jefferson County Fair, the oldest continuously operating fair in the nation; and
WHEREAS, a request of grant funds has been requested to underwrite promotional expenses for the Jefferson County Fair; and
WHEREAS, funds are included in the fiscal year 2022 budget to support the fair boards efforts;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown hereby authorizes a grant of $5,000.00 to the Jefferson County Agricultural Society for the purpose of underwriting promotional expenses for the Fair’s 2022 production.
A motion to adopt the forgoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #59-2022
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown Planning Board is a busy board often with extensive agendas and complicated project review; and
WHERES, the Town Planning Board is constantly looking to review and update the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and local rules and regulations; and
WHERES, on occasion a board member is unable to participate because of a conflict of interest or absence.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Town Council of the Town of Watertown shall appoint a sixth member to serve as an alternate board member to the Planning Board in the case of absence or tie vote by abstention, and expanding the number of board members with creation of the position of Alternate Planning Board member; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the alternate board member shall be expected to attend all meetings on a regular basis and has the right to participate in project discussions and to vote on projects in the case of absence or abstention of a sitting board member; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The alternate member is expected to actively participate in all meeting where voting or not in all discussions on updating Comprehensive Town Master Plan and all local regulation; and
WHEREAS, the alternate Planning Board member shall be paid at the annual rate commensurate with regular board members.
A motion to adopt the forgoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #60-2022
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has in the past since 2020 provided funding for the Thousand Island LDC to provide gap funding for administrative services billed the LDC in Lieu of the LDC receipt of anticipated revenues; and
WHERES, for accounting and bookkeeping purposes it has to be booked as either a loan or a grant to establish proper recording as a liability or an asset; and
WHERES, funds are available in the General Fund Unappropriated Fund Balance to replace these funds with the addition of the ARA funding due the Town.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the total of $120,000.00 as previously given the TILDC shall be and is herby considered in the form of a grant.
A motion to adopt the forgoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
Discussion took place; Mrs. McClusky questioned if this should be a grant or loan to the LDC and if this is additional funds or has already been distributed.
Supervisor Bartlett asked that it be given in the form of a grant. These monies have already been released to the LDC and he is asking they be deemed a grant for the purpose of completing the bookkeeping for the organization.
MOTION #61-2022
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has supported the proposed development of a major sports and event complex to be located within the Thousand Islands Agricultural Park on Rt. 3 in the Town of Watertown; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Defense has Grant Funding available for infrastructure improvements to area that promote the sustainability, health and moral welfare of Fort Drum through the DCIP funding programs.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Council strongly supports submission of applications for said DCIP funding from the Town of Watertown and the Thousand Island Local Development Corporation.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #62-2022
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown works under a service agreement with the Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition and the agreement for these services is in need of renewal as of May 17, 2022.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor, on behalf of the Town of Watertown, is hereby authorized to execute the new Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition service agreement for a period ending December 31, 2024.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
MOTION #63-2022
WHEREAS, the Thousand Island Local Development Corporation has been soliciting letters of support to send to the Governor’s Office in support the 1000 Island Sports and Event Center Complex, to be constructed within the Town of Watertown; and
WHEREAS, this public/private sector development will become a vital component of the regions economic base by increasing tourist travel to the region and increasing tourism related revenues to all municipalities in the region.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown Council hereby recognizes the importance of this development, and authorizes the Supervisor to issue a letter of support to the Governor of New York State in support of its planned development, and in support of the application of State funding to assist the developer in funding of the project.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #64-2022
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 122 to 124 Total $ 8,321.47
Highway Vouchers # 120 to 120 Total $ 21,711.96
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 69 to 69 Total $ 2,997.86
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 125 to 139 Total $ 8,259.91
Highway Vouchers # 121 to 132 Total $ 14,912.30
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 70 to 80 Total $ 148,340.55
Councilmember Prosser seconded the motion.
Ayes All
MOTION #65-2022
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 pm, seconded by Supervisor Bartlett.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk