TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Regular Meeting
Municipal Building
May 13, 2021
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
Paul V. Desormo, Councilman
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Members Absent: Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Supervisor Bartlett opened the meeting with a roll call of the members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Russell was also joined the meeting via zoom.
MOTION #43-2021
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the April 8, 2021 Regular Meeting, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett opened the Public Hearing concerning the amending the extension of Water
District No. 1 at 7:04 pm. No one wished to speak; the floor was closed at 7:05 pm.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the Public Hearing concerning the extension of Sewer
District No. 2 at 7:05 pm. No one wished to speak; the floor was closed at 7:06 pm.
The Board reviewed the Full Environmental Assessment Form Part 1. The proposed project serves the existing Sewer District No. 1. The project involves:
• Modifications to the existing primary treatment structure.
• Construction of a new packaged MBR wastewater treatment plant.
• Decommissioning and demolition of the existing plant upon successful startup of the new plant.
• Construction of a new storm water collection system in the project area.
MOTION #44-2021
WHEREAS, it is necessary to replace the Automatic Water sales coin and currency sales system for sales of water from Water District No. 4 point of sale at town municipal offices; and
WHEREAS, Vernon Manufacturing of Gypsum N.Y. has presented an estimate and quote for replacing the outdated mechanism with a new up to date mechanism for the sale price of $6655.00; and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk certifies that said equipment is compatible with the current billing system for the sale of water from District No. 4 outside haulers and users.
THEREFORE, BE IT RELOLVED, the purchase for the new Automatic Water Salesman supplied by Vernon Manufacturing is hereby authorized and is a reimbursable cost to the district pursuant to the guidelines established for disbursements from the 2021 COVID relief funding federally appropriated for town use.
A motion to adopt the forgoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett introduced Michael Alteri, Bernier, Carr & Assoc. Mr. Alteri presented the
Board with the map, plan, and report Dated April 2021 for upgrades to the Sewer District #1 treatment plant. Sewer District #1 is an aged system that is working at full capacity and the subject of constant review for violations from the NYSDEC. Mr. Alteri has been working closely with the NYSDEC on possible solutions to the issue. He explained two options, details and cost estimates for both scenarios. The most affordable option would be to rebuild areas of the current sewage treatment plant rather than diverting flows to the City. By doing these upgrades it would fix the problems and allow for additional connections. Discussion took place.
MOTION #45-2021
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown, hereinafter referred to as the “Town”, is proposing Improvements to the Town of Watertown Sewer District No. 1 to make modifications to the existing primary treatment structure, construction of a new packaged MBR wastewater Treatment Plant, decommissioning and demolition of the existing plant upon successful startup of the new plant and construction of new stormwater collection system in the project area the proposed project is part of a Consent Order issued by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in July of 2020 due to exceedances on the 5-day BOD in the effluent, 5-day BOD percent removal, hydraulic loading of the plant and pH (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Watertown must evaluate all proposed actions submitted for the Project and consider any impacts it may have on the environment in light of the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder (SEQR); and
WHEREAS, the involved agencies for the Project include New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Watertown desires to serve and act as the lead agency for the purposes of SEQR; and
WHEREAS, Part 1 of a Full Environmental Assessment Form dated May 13, 2021 has been prepared by the Town’s engineer and a copy has been filed with the Town Clerk.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of Watertown that:
1. The foregoing recitations are incorporated herein and made a part hereof as if fully set forth hereafter.
2. The Project is classified as a Type 1 action for the purposes of SEQR requiring a coordinated review.
3. The Town Board hereby declares lead agency status for the purposes of the SEQR review for the Project.
4. The Town’s attorney is hereby directed to forward Part 1 of the EAF to the other involved agencies together with notice that this Board desires to serve as lead agency and seek the consent thereto.
5. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Order was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember McAtee, and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel Bartlett yes
Paul Desormo yes
Timothy McAtee yes
Joanne McClusky absent
David Prosser yes
MOTION #46-2021
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown, hereinafter referred to as the “Town”, is proposing to extend Sewer District No. 2 and Amend the Extension of Water District No. 1 to provide water and sewer services to the TI Ag Park along NYS Route 3 including installation of water mains and sanitary force main, sanitary pump station along with general improvements to Sewer District No. 2 and Water District No. 1 appurtenances associated with the new connection (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, at a regular meeting of this Board held on April 8, 2021, Part 1 of a Long Form Environmental Assessment Form (“EAF”) was duly accepted for filing by this Board and a resolution was duly adopted by which this Board declared itself lead agency and directed the circulation of Part I of the EAF to the involved agencies identified in Part I of EAF; and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Attorney’s Office has forwarded letters to the other involved agencies indicating this Board’s intent to serve as lead agency for the SEQRA review and enclosing Part 1 of the EAF; and
WHEREAS, this Board has received the consent of the involved agencies that this Board act as lead agency for the SEQRA review of the project; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617, this Board has reviewed Part 2 of the EAF to determine whether the project will have any 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: 6 NYCRR Part 617, this Board has determined that the action will not have a significant effect 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. The foregoing recitations are incorporated herein and made a part hereof as if fully set forth hereafter.
2. Based upon the examination of Part 2 of the EAF and the criteria set forth in 6 NYCRR Part 617, this board makes the following findings:
A. The proposed action constitutes a Type I action pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617, and this Board has previously determined that coordinated review is appropriate.
B. This Board has received the concurrence from the other involved agencies that this Board shall act as lead agency.
C. This Board has determined that any potential impacts are not significant, and that those impacts will be mitigated by requirements imposed upon the contractors, and therefore this Board does not consider those impacts to be significant adverse impacts on the environment.
D. There will be no substantial adverse change in existing air or water quality.
E. There will be no hazard created to human health.
F. There will be no substantial change in the use or the intensity of use of the land.
G. There will not be created a material conflict with the community’s current plans or goals as officially adopted.
H. None of the criteria listed in 6 NYCRR §617.11 will be present in the proposed project and no similar criteria will be present which will adversely impact on the environment.
3. The Notice of Determination of Non-Significant attached hereto is hereby adopted and accepted by this Board as its Negative Declaration in connection with this project.
4. The Town Clerk for the Town of Watertown and is hereby directed to file in the Town Clerk’s office in a file readily accessible to the public the Negative Declaration attached hereto.
5. The Town’s Attorney’s Office is directed to cause the Negative Declaration to be served on each of the other involved agency.
6. The Town’s Attorney’s Office is directed to cause to be published the Negative Declaration in the Environmental News Bulletin.
7. All subsequent notices concerning this project shall note that this Board has issued a negative Declaration
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Order was made by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Councilmember Desormo, and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel Bartlett yes
Councilman Paul Desormo yes
Councilman David Prosser yes
Councilman Timothy McAtee yes
Councilwoman Joanne McClusky absent
MOTION #47-2021
WHEREAS, at a regular meeting of this Board held at the Town offices on the 8th day of April 2021, an Order of this Board was duly adopted and entered in the minutes of the proceedings reciting in general terms the filing with the Town Clerk of the Town of Watertown of a map, plan and report prepared by Bernier, Carr & Associates, Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors, P.C. (“BCA”), Michael D. Alteri, P.E. for the extension of Sewer District No. 2, TI Ag Park, within the Town of Watertown, reciting the boundaries of the proposed District Extension, the improvements proposed, the maximum amount proposed to be expended for the improvements, the proposed method of financing, and specifying that a public hearing shall be held to hear all persons interested in the proposed extension of Sewer District No. 2 at 7:00 p.m. on May 13, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the May 13, 2021, notice of public hearing was duly published and posted pursuant to the provisions of Section 209-e of the Town Law, and on May 13, 2021, a public hearing was held to hear all persons interested in the boundaries of the expanded Sewer District No. 2; and
NOW, on motion duly made and seconded, this Board makes the following determinations:
1. The foregoing recitations are incorporated herein and made a part hereof
as if fully set forth hereafter.
2. The notice of public hearing dated May 13, 2021, was duly published and posted as required by law, and is otherwise sufficient.
3. All property and property owners to be benefited by the proposed Sewer District No. 2 Extension are included within the limits of the proposed district extension.
4. All of the property owners and all of the property located within the proposed sewer district extension are benefited thereby.
5. The extension of Town of Watertown Sewer District No. 2 pursuant to the map, plan and report on file in the office of the Town Clerk, and upon which the public hearing was held on May 13, 2021, is in the public interest.
6. The extension of the Town of Watertown Sewer District No. 2 as described in the map, plan and report prepared by Bernier, Carr & Associates, Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors, P.C., for the proposed Town of Watertown Sewer District No. 2 Extension within the Town of Watertown dated April 2021, the boundaries of which shall be as described on the attached Schedule “A”, is hereby approved.
7. A Negative Declaration, Notice of Determination of Non-significance under the New York State Environmental Quality Review act was adopted by this Board as lead agency on May 13, 2021.
8. This Resolution is adopted subject to a permissive referendum.
9. The Town Clerk is hereby directed to publish a copy of this Resolution in the official newspaper of the Town of Watertown within ten (10) days of its adoption.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was made by Supervisor Bartlett and second by Councilmember Prosser, and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel Bartlett yes
Councilman Paul Desormo yes
Councilman David Prosser yes
Councilman Timothy McAtee yes
Councilwoman Joanne McClusky absent
SCHEDULE “A”
ALL THAT TRACT or parcel of land situate in the Town of Watertown, County of Jefferson, State of New York, and further described as follows:
BEGINNING at the at the intersection of the centerline of NYS Route 3 (Arsenal Street Road) and southerly extension of the westerly margin of County Route 202;
THENCE in a generally southwesterly direction along the centerline of NYS Route 3 (Arsenal Street Road) to the southerly extension of the westerly property line of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1-34.2;
THENCE in a generally northerly direction crossing the northerly highway limits of NYS Route 3 (Arsenal Street Road) and continuing northerly along the easterly property lines 82.11-1-33.1 and 82.11-1-26 to the northwesterly property corner of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1-34.1;
THENCE in a generally easterly direction along the northerly property line of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1¬34.1 to the northeasterly property corner of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1-34.1;
THENCE in a generally southerly direction along the easterly property line of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1¬34.1 and the westerly property line of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1-35.222 to the northwesterly property corner of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1-35.223;
THENCE in a generally northeasterly and southeasterly direction along the northerly and easterly property line of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1-35.223 to a point in the northerly property line of Tax Map Parcel 82.11-1-38;
THENCE in a generally northeasterly direction along the northerly property lines of 82.11-1-38, 82.11¬1-39 and 82.11-1-41.2 to the westerly margin of County Route 202;
THENCE in a generally southeasterly direction along the westerly margin of County Route 202 and crossing the northwesterly margin of NYS Route 3 (Arsenal Street Road) and continuing along the westerly extension of County Route 202 to the point of beginning.
CONTAINING 50 acres of land more or less.
IT BEING the intent to describe the Town of Watertown Sewer District No. 2 Extension utilizing the Town of Watertown Tax Map No. 82.11.
MOTION #48-2021
WHEREAS, at a regular meeting of this Board held at the Town offices on the 8th day of April 2021, an Order of this Board was duly adopted and entered in the minutes of the proceedings reciting in general terms the filing with the Town Clerk of the Town of Watertown of a revised report prepared by Bernier, Carr & Associates, Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors, P.C. (“BCA”), Michael D. Alteri, P.E. for an Amendment to the Extension of Water District No. 1, TI Ag Park, within the Town of Watertown, reciting that the maximum amount proposed to be expended for the improvements to service the extended Town of Watertown Water District No. 1 shall be increased from $1,265,000 to $1,777,000 and that the number of EDUs proposed will be increased from 1,641 to 1,645 and specifying that a public hearing shall be held to hear all persons interested in the Amendment to the Extension of Water District No. 1, TI Ag Park, at 7:00 p.m. on May 13, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the May 13, 2021, notice of public hearing was duly published and posted pursuant to the provisions of Section 209-e of the Town Law, and on May 13, 2021, a public hearing was held to hear all persons interested in the boundaries of the expanded Water District No. 1; and
NOW, on motion duly made and seconded, this Board makes the following determinations:
1. The foregoing recitations are incorporated herein and made a part hereof
as if fully set forth hereafter.
2. The notice of public hearing dated May 13, 2021, was duly published and posted as required by law, and is otherwise sufficient.
3. All property and property owners to be benefited by the proposed Amendment to Extension of Water District No. 1 are included within the limits of the proposed Amendment to Extension of Water District No. 1.
4. All of the property owners and all of the property located within the proposed Water district extension are benefited thereby.
5. The Amendment to Extension of Town of Watertown Water District No. 1 pursuant to the revised report on file in the office of the Town Clerk, and upon which the public hearing was held on May 13, 2021, is in the public interest.
6. The Amendment to Extension of the Town of Watertown Water District No. 1 as described in the revised report prepared by Bernier, Carr & Associates, Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors, P.C., for the proposed Town of Watertown Water District No. 1 Extension within the Town of Watertown dated April 2021, the boundaries of which shall be as described on the attached Schedule “A”, is hereby approved.
7. A Negative Declaration, Notice of Determination of Non-significance under the New York State Environmental Quality Review act was adopted by this Board as lead agency on May 13, 2021.
8. This Resolution is adopted subject to a permissive referendum.
9. The Town Clerk is hereby directed to publish a copy of this Resolution in the official newspaper of the Town of Watertown within ten (10) days of its adoption.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Order was made by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by Councilmember Desormo, and upon a roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel Bartlett yes
Councilman Paul Desormo yes
Councilman David Prosser yes
Councilman Timothy McAtee yes
Councilwoman Joanne McClusky absent
SCHEDULE “A”
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Watertown, County of Jefferson, State of New York and being further described as follows:
BEGINNING at a 1/2″ iron pipe with cap set in the monumented southerly highway margin of New York State Route 3 at its intersection with the westerly bounds of a parcel of land conveyed to the Fellowship Baptist Church of Watertown New York by deed recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office as Instrument 2004-10751;
THENCE S.02°-04′-38″ W., a distance of 568.43 feet to a 3/4″ iron pipe found;
THENCE N.76°-54′-22″ E., a distance of 499.38 feet to a 3/4″ iron pipe found in the westerly bounds of a parcel of land conveyed to the Board of Cooperative Educational Services for the Third Supervisory District of Jefferson County by deed recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office in Liber 810 at Page 704 on October 30,1968;
THENCE S.02°-00′-56″ W., along the westerly bounds of the lands of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (Liber 810 Page 704) passing through a 3/4″ iron pipe found in wire remains at a distance of 2920.32 feet and continuing, a total distance of 4332.62 feet to a point in the northerly bounds of a 15 acre parcel described in a conveyance to Wendell J. McKee et al. recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office as Instrument 2013-15548 on October 17, 2013;
THENCE S.85°-44′-54″ E., along the northerly bounds of a said 15 acre parcel described in Instrument 2013-15548, a distance of 862.91 feet to the northeasterly corner of said parcel;
THENCE S.02°-45′-50″ W., continuing along the bounds of said 15 acre parcel described in Instrument 2013-15548, a distance of 160.05 feet to the northeasterly corner of 7.50 acre exception described in a conveyance to Wendell J. McKee et al. recorded in the. Jefferson County Clerk’s. Office as Instrument 2013-15548 on October 17, 2013;
THENCE N.85°-44′-34″ W., along the northerly bounds of said 7.50 acre exception described in Instrument 2013-15548 a distance of 2043,36 feet to the northwesterly corner of said 7.50 acre parcel;
THENCE N.07°-29′-28″ E, passing through a 1/2″ iron pipe found a distance of 815.37 and a 1/2″ iron pipe with cap set at a distance of 1788.04 feet respectively and continuing, a total distance of 1947.10 feet to a point in a dead 18″ cherry tree;
THENCE N.03°-44′-26″ E, a distance of 512.92 feet to a point in a stone wall intersection, said point being the southwesterly corner of a 52 acre parcel of land described in a conveyance to Wendell J. McKee et al. recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office as Instrument 2013-15548 on October 17, 2013;
THENCE N.01°-34′-59″ E, along the westerly bounds of said 52 acre parcel described in Instrument 2013-15548 a distance of 2278.68 feet to a 1/2″ iron pipe with cap set in the southerly highway margin of New York State Route 3;
THENCE N.74°-43′-10″ E., a distance of 240.41 feet to a concrete
highway monument;
THENCE N.63°-41′–17″ E., a distance of 21.33
feet to a concrete highway monument;
THENCE N.76°-391-35″ E., a
distance of 277.69 feet to the
POINT OF BEGINNING. CONTAINING 112.70± acres of land more or less.
SUBJECT to any right, title or interests conveyed to Carthage, Watertown and
Sackets Harbor Railroad.
SUBJECT to a Permanent Drainage Easement appropriated by the People of the State of New York by deed recorded In the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office as Instrument 2005-3201 on March 02, 2005.
SUBJECT to any utilities running across or under the lands described
herein.
SUBJECT to any other rights or restrictions of record.
IT BEING the intent to describe lands conveyed from Wendell J. McKee & Bank of America, N.A. as surviving trustees under Will of Wendell A. McKee to Wendell J. McKee, Davis A. McKee, Christopher Moore & John W. Moore by deed recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office as Instrument 2013- 15548 on October 17, 2013 as shown on a map titled “Survey Map of The Lands of McKee et el, Prepared for Lundy Development and Property Management, New York State Route 3, Town of Watertown, County of Jefferson, State of New York” dated January 30, 2018, prepared by GYMO Architecture, Engineering and Land Surveying D.P.C., Watertown, New York.
THE ABOVE Suggested Description was prepared by GYMO Architecture and Engineering and Land Surveying for 112.70 Acre Parcel in the Town of Watertown on January 30, 2018 Project Number 2017-134E.02.
IT ALSO BEING the intent to describe a Water and Sewer District Extension as shown on map titled, District Extension Map, Town of Watertown Water Supply and Wastewater Collection Improvements, prepared by Bernier Car and Associates and dated August 11, 2020.
MOTION #49-2021
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 90 to 93 Total $ 11,076.44
Highway Vouchers # 87 to 87 Total $ 16,753.31
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 40 to 40 Total $ 1,759.51
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 94 to 118 Total $ 55,472.84
Highway Vouchers # 88 to 103 Total $ 5,398.49
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 41 to 49 Total $ 109,172.49
Councilmember McAtee seconded the motion.
Ayes All
The floor was opened for general comments, no one wished to speak; the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk Report.
Supervisor Bartlett included in the Town Board correspondence.
• A letter of future retirement plans from Roger Tibbetts, Town Assessor.
• The NYS Department of Taxation and Finance Office of Real Property Tax Services 2021 Equalization Rate Status Report. The Town of Watertown is at 57.5 for year 2021.
• Notice of NYS Board on Electric Generation Siting and The Environment:
Application of Boralex, Inc. for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need Pursuant to Article 10 to Construct the Approximately 120-Megawatt Greens Corners Solar Facility Proposed in the Towns of Hounsfield and Watertown, Jefferson County.
Old/New Business
Supervisor Bartlett updated the Board on the status of the event center. He has received a positive response from Jeff/Lewis BOCES to lease 10 acres for additional parking. He has a meeting with the Garrison Commander from Fort Drum to inquire about the Department of Defense Funding coming up in July 2021. He will also ask for a letters of support from Fort Drum and Jeff/Lewis BOCES for the project. The event center will be relocated to face NYS Rte 3. The site plan and subdivision lines will need to be updated to reflect the changes. The LDC Board will need to acquire an additional 20 acres from Mr. Lundy. Supervisor Bartlett is working with Mr. Lundy the secure more property and relocates the road. He will also contact the Town of Hounsfield about possibly annexing property to the town to accommodate the changes. Mr. Russell will reach out to the attorneys to modify the maps and descriptions.
MOTION #50-2021
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 pm, seconded by Councilman Desormo.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk