TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Special Meeting
Municipal Building
February 26, 2026
Members Present: Joel R. Bartlett, Supervisor
David D. Prosser, Councilman
Joanne McClusky, Councilwoman
Michael Perkins, Councilman
Robert Slye, Councilman
Members Absent:
Supervisor Bartlett opened the special meeting with a roll call of members present at 7:00 pm. Attorney Harrienger was also present.
Supervisor Bartlett informed the Board that he received an agreement from Jefferson County Waste & Recycling for the Commercial Waste Permit, which must be signed and returned to the County. He explained that the County has changed the format for obtaining a permit to handle trash and recyclables, the revised agreement reflects an increase in fees.
MOTION #42-2026
Supervisor Bartlett offered a motion to authorize the Supervisor to execute said agreement on behalf of the Town of Watertown with Jefferson County Recycling and Waste, seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
MOTION #43-2026
Supervisor Bartlett moved to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:05 p.m. He invited Mr. Scordo and Mr. Aubertine, GYMO in to discuss the proposed Lettiere Tract purchase. The motion was seconded by Councilman Prosser.
Ayes All
The Board reconvened into regular session at 7:50 p.m.
MOTION #44-2026
RESOLUTION 5 of 2026
LETTIERE TRACT ALTERNATIVE 1
WHEREAS, James Lettiere, Jr. has asked the Town Board of the Town of Watertown to form a water district and purchase his existing water system known as “Southside Water” or the “Lettiere Tract” for $500,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown has expended considerable time and resources in order to review the water system known as “Southside Water” or the “Lettiere Tract” within the Town of Watertown; and
WHEREAS, GYMO Engineering submitted an updated map, plan, and report to the Town regarding the Lettiere Tract; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board for the Town of Watertown has reviewed said map, plan, and report and notes that there are five (5) alternatives reviewed by the engineers within the map, plan, and report; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the Lettiere Tract consists of aged infrastructure which will likely require replacement in the near future; and
WHEREAS, the infrastructure in the Lettiere Tract has exceeded the period of probable usefulness named in New York Local Finance Law § 11.00; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the risk associated with purchasing the existing infrastructure is an unreasonable risk for the Town to take; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the price being requested from Mr. Lettiere is unreasonable; and
WHEREAS, there are not any individuals working for the Town with the necessary qualifications to work on asbestos pipes; and
WHEREAS, it is not in the best interest of the Town to form a water district and take on the responsibility of maintaining and replacing the aged water system known as the Lettiere Tract; and
WHEREAS, this decision is in keeping with Alternative 1 (no action) described in the aforementioned map, plan, and report prepared by GYMO Engineering.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Watertown, New York:
- The Town shall not move forward with any purchase of the Lettiere Tract/Southside Water from James Lettiere, Jr.
- No further resources shall be expended regarding this matter.
- This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Discussion took place.
Supervisor Bartlett noted the Board was not comfortable with the asking price of the district from Mr. Lettiere. He offered Mr. Lettiere could negotiate a lower price and present it to the Board.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Board Member Prosser, and seconded by Board Member Slye, and upon roll call vote of the Board was duly adopted as follows:
Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett No
Councilman Prosser Yes
Councilwoman McClusky Yes
Councilman Perkins Yes
Councilman Slye Yes
MOTION #45-2026
Councilman Prosser moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm seconded by Supervisor Bartlett.
Ayes All
_____________________________
Pamela D. Desormo, Town Clerk