TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Town Board Monthly Meeting
Municipal Building
November 9, 2023
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Timothy McAtee, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Members Absent: Paul V. Desormo, 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.
MOTION #120-2023
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adopt the minutes from the October 5, 2023, Councilman Prosser seconded.
Ayes All
.
Supervisor Bartlett reopened the public hearing at 7:03 pm concerning the Potentially Unsafe Building/Structure Located at: 18267-275 US Route 11, Watertown, New York Tax Parcel No.: 90.12-1-25.2. All interested parties were notified. No one wished to speak; the public hearing was closed at 7:04 pm.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the public hearing at 7:04 pm concerning the Proposed 2024 Budget. No one wished to speak; the public hearing was closed at 7:05 pm.
MOTION #121-2023
Supervisor Bartlett moved schedule a special meeting Thursday November 16, 2023 at 4:00 pm to review and adopt the Final 2024 Budget and any other business before the Town, Councilman McAtee seconded.
Ayes All
Supervisor Bartlett will ask the Code Enforcement Officer to inspect and report on properties in disrepair located within the town. One of the properties are on NYS Rte 3 (Phippen) as well as one on Sandy Creek Valley Road (Burnham) for the next meeting.
Supervisor Bartlett opened the floor for anyone to speak;
James Lettiere, addressed the Board concerning the new appraisal report of his water system. He stated he agreed to pay for one half of the appraisal cost as long as the town will move forward in a positive fashion to purchase the district. He disagrees with the Town to use BCA to perform the engineering study of the system. He did not feel they did a thorough study of the system and thinks they used assumptions to base their value. He believes there is a conflict of interest and asked if the Town would use GYMO instead. He feels the last quote from BCA was not a qualified appraise the system.
Supervisor Bartlett informed Mr. Lettiere that it is the practice of the town to use the town’s engineer firm to perform the studies for the board. He asked Mr. Lettiere for names of people he felt were a conflict; Mr. Lettiere chose not to name names. The Board asked BCA to value the system in the ground now and what it would cost to replace the system. He feels they preformed that function. The Board then agreed to hire a different appraiser because Mr. Lettiere did not agree with the figure that BCA came up with.
Attorney Harrienger disagreed with Mr. Lettiere stating BCA used maps they had and are very qualified and in a good position to review the infrastructure and complete the appraisal.
Supervisor Bartlett reminded Mr. Lettiere it would be the Town Board’s decision to who will complete the study. Ultimately the residents will be notified of what the cost of the system will be and decide if they want to move forward to form the district. The customers in the district will purchase the system not the town. He reiterated to Mr. Lettiere the State sets limits to how much can be levied to the residents to repay the debt service. Supervisor Bartlett agreed to except quotes from GYMO as well as BCA to preform the study of the system. The Board will review the quotes at the December meeting.
Mr. Lettiere added he was 70 and would like to complete the sale of the district to protect the customers from loosing their water service if something was to happen to him.
Nathan Lazarchuck, 22035 Sunset Ridge thanked the Board for their efforts to continually work with Mr. Lettiere to facilitate the purchase of the Lettiere water system. He asked if there were any protection for the property owners if something was to happen to Mr. Lettiere? Also would the extension of the water district to Ives Street Road be mandatory for the purchase of the system to happen?
Attorney Harrienger responded there are mechanisms in place by New York State that would protect the customers from losing their water services.
Supervisor Bartlett informed a study would be done with and without the added parcels. The idea would be to spread the cost out to as many customers as possible to cause the cost of the EDU’s below the State limits.
Dave Soderquist, 21870 Holcomb Street Ext, commented that he is in favor of the Town purchasing the system from Mr. Lettiere. He is satisfied with the appraisal from the new firm. He feels the old system is working well and tested annually for safety so rebuilding the system is not necessary. He offered his services on any board to facilitate to process; he is a retired financial advisor.
Supervisor Bartlett remined him that the Town is not purchasing the district the property owners in the district would be. Town’s responsibility would be to facilitate the bonding needed. The main issue is to make it affordable the property owners. The State has limits as to how much each property owner can pay toward the formation of the district. Supervisor Bartlett informed it would not be on the agenda until 2025-2026 before any construction of the new parcels can take place. Supervisor Bartlett asked Mr. Lettiere to remove the appraisal from his website until further negotiation can take place.
Andrew Mitchell, 19789 Orchard Drive asked if everyone on Ives Street will be required to hook up to the system. He asked if the town could somehow notify the residents of the topics being discussed at each board meeting prior the meetings.
Supervisor Bartlett said any action taken by the Board would be posted on the website. Any public hearings would also be posted in the newspaper.
No one wished to speak, the floor was closed.
Supervisor Bartlett accepted the Town Clerk’s.
MOTION #122-2023
WHEREAS, it is necessary to formally accept a newly opened position on the vehicle purchase and delivery list for a new tandem dump truck to be used for Highway Department purposes; and
WHEREAS a position has been vacated allowing the Town to be placed on the list for vehicle delivery in 2025.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town of Watertown hereby requests being placed on the order purchase list for delivery of said vehicle in 2025.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member Prosser, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
MOTION #123-2023
WHEREAS, it is necessary loan funds from the general fund to create an account for the new Northeast Water District #7 as a means to provide funding for engineering associated with the district creation and design work.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, a loan for the creation of a capital projects fund for proposed Water District No. 7 in the amount of $30,000.00 repayable at the interest rate of 4% is hereby authorized.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member Prosser, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
MOTION #124-2023
WHEREAS, it is necessary loan funds from the General Fund to create a capital projects fund to provide funding for engineering reports and system design for extending water service from the City of Watertown to include the Lettiere Tract water system and beyond as a means to ascertain the potential of forming a new water district pursuant to the Lettiere Tract residents accepting and authorizing the proposed districts formation and extension.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, a loan for the creation of a capital projects fund for proposed Water District No. 2 in the amount of $30,000.00 repayable at the interest rate of 4% is hereby authorized.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member Prosser, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
MOTION #125-2023
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown contracts with the Volunteer Transportation Center for providing much needed transportation for Town Residents in need of transportation to Doctor appointments and other necessary travels via transport.
WHEREAS the Contract between The Volunteer Transportation Center expires on December 31, 2023 and it is necessary to authorize a new contract for said services for the year 2024;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute the 2024 contract for providing transportation services to town residents and furnished by the Volunteer Transportation Center at the cost of $1,875.00 for the 2024 fiscal year
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member McAtee, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
MOTION #126-2023
WHEREAS, the term of office of Randy Vaas has expired on September 30, 2023, and Mr. Vaas has expressed an interest in reappointment to the Assessment Board of Appeals for the term commencing October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Mr. Randy Vaas is hereby appointed to another term of office on the Assessment Board of Appeals for the term commencing, October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028.
A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett and seconded by
Councilmember Prosser.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member Prosser, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
Ayes All
MOTION #127-2023
RESOLUTION #20 OF 2023
RESOLUTION and ORDER
Removal of Unsafe Building/Structure
Located at: 18267-275 US Route 11, Watertown, NY 13601
Tax Parcel No.: 90.12-1-25.2
WHEREAS, the Town Board of Watertown has familiarized itself with buildings and/or structures located at 18267-275 US Route 11, Watertown, NY 13601; Tax Parcel No.: 90.12-1-25.2 and considered an investigation report conducted by the Town’s Enforcement Officer, with exhibits, pertaining to the same pursuant to Local Law No.: 1 of 2023 (Unsafe Building and Structures); and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has conducted a Public hearing to determine whether the building and/or structure located at 18267-275 US Route 11, Watertown, NY 13601; Tax Parcel No.: 90.12-1-25.2 is in violation of the Unsafe Building and Structures Law and is so dangerous and/or unsafe that it should be demolished and removed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public in accordance with the Unsafe Building and Structures Law; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has considered comments provided at the Public Hearing, together with the Official Record and determines as follows:
1. The building/structure has been found to be dangerous and/or unsafe in that:
a. It has become or is so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary or which so utterly fails to provide the amenities essential to decent living that it is unfit for human habitation or is likely to cause sickness or disease, so as to possibly result in injury to the health, safety or general welfare of those living therein;
b. Has parts thereof which are so attached that they may fall and injure persons or property;
c. Because of its condition, is unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the health, safety or general welfare of people; and
d. Is open at the doorways or windows or walls, making it accessible to, and an object of, attraction to minors and other trespassers as provided by the Unsafe Building and Structures Law Section 4.
2. The Town Board adopts the Inspection Report of the Enforcement Officer and the recommendation in respect thereto.
3. The building and/or structure shall be demolished and removed by persons having interests in the property and/or their designated agents, starting within seven (7) calendar days from date of the close of the Public Hearing and shall be completed within thirty (30) days of the close of the Public Hearing, unless extended in writing by the Enforcement Officer.
4. The Town’s Enforcement Officer shall monitor all progress in regard thereto and report his/her findings, as needed, to the Town Supervisor and Town Clerk.
5. In the event that the Enforcement Officer shall determine that persons having interests in the subject property have neglected and/or refused to comply with this Resolution and Order, then the Enforcement Officer shall take steps for demolition and removal of the offending building or structure with the use of Town employees, if available or with the use of a third-party.
6. The Town Enforcement Officer shall document all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this matter and coordinate efforts with the Town Clerk to assess all costs and expenses thereof against the owners, and to require repayment/reimbursement of all costs and expenses of demolition and removal, including administrative, engineering and legal costs and expenses from persons having interests in the subject property.
7. In the event that repayment/reimbursement of costs and expenses of demolition and removal including administrative, engineering and legal costs and expenses are not paid to the Town Clerk within thirty (30) days from billing, then Town Officers and/or agents and/or employees shall take all steps reasonably necessary to assess all costs and expenses and levy the same upon the real property from which such dangerous/unsafe building/condition has been removed/abated.
8. This Resolution and Order shall take effect immediately.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Supervisor Bartlett, and seconded by Board Member McAtee, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
MOTION #128-2023
Supervisor Bartlett moved to pay the following abstracts as audited.
Utilities paid prior to the meeting
General Vouchers # 213 to 215 Total $ 9,098.62
Highway Vouchers # 184 to 184 Total $ 22,472.69
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 125 to 126 Total $ 49,124.37
Vouchers approved for monthly meeting
General Vouchers # 216 to 232 Total $ 21,501.36
Highway Vouchers # 185 to 201 Total $ 27,906.93
Spec. Dist. Vchrs. # 127 to 137 Total $ 164,284.51
Supervisor Bartlett moved the foregoing resolution, seconded by Councilman Prosser, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor Yes
Paul V. Desormo Absent
David D. Prosser Yes
Joanne McClusky Yes
Timothy McAtee Yes
Supervisor Bartlett updated the Board on the following:
The state of the Dry Hill Prison property and discussion of future options for the property.
The City water break. He acknowledged the town’s participation in the repair. The City did not recognize publicly the town’s efforts to help with the repair.
The City sewer is under a NYSDEC consent order to take care of the disinfection byproducts and infiltration in the City system. The Town is under a competing consent order. He explained the town’s responsibility and possible solutions.
MOTION #129-2023
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 pm, seconded by Councilman McAtee.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk