The political horseplay taking place on the state Senate floor has overshadowed Gov. David A. Paterson's veto earlier this month of a bill that would have extended Tier II pension benefits to new police and firefighters hired after July 1.
That veto leaves a looming question: What pension tier should newly hired police and firefighters be enrolled in?
"It's not just an issue in the city of Watertown, it's all the municipalities that participate in the state pension system," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said. "We're looking to Albany to identify what we do from here on out."
Albany isn't so sure of that answer, either.
"Our office currently is reviewing how the governor's veto will impact individuals hired after July 1," wrote Emily DeSantis, a state Comptroller's Office spokeswoman.
A governor's office spokesman reaffirmed the governor's stance on pension reform, but did little to answer the question.
"Governor Paterson is committed to enacting real pension reform to reduce cost and ensure the state's long-term fiscal stability," wrote Morgan Hook, deputy press secretary. "The governor will continue to work with the Legislature on this issue and any resolution must include broader pension reform. If there is no reform, the statutory process that was in place before 1981 would take effect to provide police and firefighters with pensions."
Mr. Hook said the state comptroller will decide which tier the newly-hired employee will be enrolled in based on the cost of their benefits to the municipality.
The governor introduced a Tier V proposal in March that includes pension reform for both "uniform" and "non-uniform" employees. The Legislature has neither approved the governor's proposal nor introduced one of its own since the veto of the Tier II extension.
"I'm willing to look at Tier V, but this is also a negotiated issued with the labor unions," said Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa.
Mrs. Russell said that changes need to be made to keep the pension system solvent.
"I'd like to see something before the Legislature ends its session," she said.
The assemblywoman said she was unaware of any pension proposals other than the one introduced by the governor.
A message left for State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, seeking comment on the issue, was not returned.
The governor has pushed pension reform after the state comptroller warned that rate increases are possible after the pension fund lost about 20 percent of its value last year, dropping it to $122 billion.
The city of Watertown expects to pay an additional $4.7 million toward the pension fund during the next four years because of higher rates imposed by the state, Mrs. Corriveau has said.
"I'm sure they have enough issues on their hands right now, but this is an issue that is out there," Mrs. Corriveau said. "If there is no bill in place, what benefits would we provide?"
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Lack Of Sewage Capacity Stymies Development
* This entry ran as two seperate stories on June 17.
Freeing sewage capacity along Arsenal Street likely will cut costs for developers who want to build along the city's western border.
Alexandria Bay developer Patrick M. Donegan has said the land he owns along Interstate 81 cannot be developed until either the city helps secure an easement with the owners of Stateway Plaza or he is allowed to direct sewage from his land to a main that runs beneath Arsenal Street.
That main is believed to be at capacity and cannot handle additional development, City Engineer Kurt W. Hauk has said.
A Connecticut firm also is eying land between Commerce Park and Gaffney drives to construct two Marriott brand hotels.
Both developers will have to purchase costly infrastructure to pump sewage to Coffeen Street if capacity along Arsenal Street isn't made available.
"They could pump up to an existing pump on Gaffney, or if we could get the town to shift a lot of their flows from District 2 to Coffeen, where we know we have capacity, it solves their problem and ours," Mr. Hauk told the City Council on Monday.
The city has told the town of Watertown it no longer will allow additional flows in the Coffeen Street main unless space is freed up along Arsenal Street.
"In terms of development within the city, that includes Gaffney Drive and Mr. Donegan's property, I would hope that we wouldn't make it too complicated, and we should do everything we can to not stymie development within the city," Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith said.
Councilwoman Roxanne M. Burns suggested that the Development Authority of the North Country be called upon to help solve the city's sewage issues.
"I think that it all comes down to dollars and sense and this would be a perfect project to partner with DANC," she said.
Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham said the city should stick to improving its own infrastructure without involving the Development Authority.
"The only thing is that we operate water and sewer system within the limits of the city and have customers just outside there," he said. "If changes need to be made to the internal system, then it should be the city's job as operator of the system. If someone comes in, then it could be a prelude to regional control of a municipal system."
Mr. Hauk is expected to give a PowerPoint presentation and report to the City Council at its July 6 meeting concerning sewage flows along Arsenal Street.
The city and town also are in the midst of negotiations for sewage allotments within the Arsenal and Coffeen street mains.
------------------------------------------
The city of Watertown will not allow the town of Watertown to direct additional sewer flows into the city's system, a move that temporarily halts development in the town's western corridor.
City Engineer Kurt W. Hauk told the City Council earlier this week that the 10-inch main beneath Arsenal Street is at capacity. At times, the main is overburdened by the amount of sewage coming from the town.
"We have told the town of Watertown that we're not going to grant any more flow out in District 3 unless flow is taken off District 2 - District 2 being Arsenal Street district, District 3 being the Coffeen Street district," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said.
The city is pushing the town to pump the sewage being produced by Salmon Run Mall and other businesses along Route 3 to a main beneath Route 12F. That main also connects to the city's sewage treatment plant and has ample capacity to handle the town's needs, the city engineer said.
"Given the current flow situation on the west side of Interstate 81, no permit can be issued in connection with the proposed shift of sanitary sewer flows until such time as Sewer District 3 reaches agreement with the city on allocated flows," Mr. Hauk wrote to the town in a letter to the town's engineer, Bernier, Carr & Associates, Watertown. "Moreover, any increase in flow to Sewer District 3 will require a corresponding decrease in flow allocation for Sewer District 2."
He continued: "Until such time as this is accomplished, I cannot see fit to issue any further permits for sanitary sewer flow on the Arsenal Street corridor within the town."
Any development approved by the town that will pump more than 2,500 gallons per day needs a city-approved sewer extension. Mr. Hauk said the city will not approve those extensions unless the town shifts its sewage to the Coffeen Street main.
Town Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett was mum on the issue Tuesday.
"Because we are still in negotiations, and we're meeting with the city in the next week or two, based on that I can't make a comment on any story at this time," he said.
A contract is set to expire this year between the town and the city that determines how much sewage the town is allowed to pump into the city.
Mr. Bartlett has said the town is negotiating an easement with Pyramid Cos., which owns Salmon Run Mall, to pump the mall's sewage to Route 12F.
He said the town engineer is designing a pump station to serve the mall.
"I'm not sure right now about reserve capacities when it comes to the expansion," Mr. Bartlett said. "There's still a lot up in the air right now."
Freeing sewage capacity along Arsenal Street likely will cut costs for developers who want to build along the city's western border.
Alexandria Bay developer Patrick M. Donegan has said the land he owns along Interstate 81 cannot be developed until either the city helps secure an easement with the owners of Stateway Plaza or he is allowed to direct sewage from his land to a main that runs beneath Arsenal Street.
That main is believed to be at capacity and cannot handle additional development, City Engineer Kurt W. Hauk has said.
A Connecticut firm also is eying land between Commerce Park and Gaffney drives to construct two Marriott brand hotels.
Both developers will have to purchase costly infrastructure to pump sewage to Coffeen Street if capacity along Arsenal Street isn't made available.
"They could pump up to an existing pump on Gaffney, or if we could get the town to shift a lot of their flows from District 2 to Coffeen, where we know we have capacity, it solves their problem and ours," Mr. Hauk told the City Council on Monday.
The city has told the town of Watertown it no longer will allow additional flows in the Coffeen Street main unless space is freed up along Arsenal Street.
"In terms of development within the city, that includes Gaffney Drive and Mr. Donegan's property, I would hope that we wouldn't make it too complicated, and we should do everything we can to not stymie development within the city," Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith said.
Councilwoman Roxanne M. Burns suggested that the Development Authority of the North Country be called upon to help solve the city's sewage issues.
"I think that it all comes down to dollars and sense and this would be a perfect project to partner with DANC," she said.
Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham said the city should stick to improving its own infrastructure without involving the Development Authority.
"The only thing is that we operate water and sewer system within the limits of the city and have customers just outside there," he said. "If changes need to be made to the internal system, then it should be the city's job as operator of the system. If someone comes in, then it could be a prelude to regional control of a municipal system."
Mr. Hauk is expected to give a PowerPoint presentation and report to the City Council at its July 6 meeting concerning sewage flows along Arsenal Street.
The city and town also are in the midst of negotiations for sewage allotments within the Arsenal and Coffeen street mains.
------------------------------------------
The city of Watertown will not allow the town of Watertown to direct additional sewer flows into the city's system, a move that temporarily halts development in the town's western corridor.
City Engineer Kurt W. Hauk told the City Council earlier this week that the 10-inch main beneath Arsenal Street is at capacity. At times, the main is overburdened by the amount of sewage coming from the town.
"We have told the town of Watertown that we're not going to grant any more flow out in District 3 unless flow is taken off District 2 - District 2 being Arsenal Street district, District 3 being the Coffeen Street district," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said.
The city is pushing the town to pump the sewage being produced by Salmon Run Mall and other businesses along Route 3 to a main beneath Route 12F. That main also connects to the city's sewage treatment plant and has ample capacity to handle the town's needs, the city engineer said.
"Given the current flow situation on the west side of Interstate 81, no permit can be issued in connection with the proposed shift of sanitary sewer flows until such time as Sewer District 3 reaches agreement with the city on allocated flows," Mr. Hauk wrote to the town in a letter to the town's engineer, Bernier, Carr & Associates, Watertown. "Moreover, any increase in flow to Sewer District 3 will require a corresponding decrease in flow allocation for Sewer District 2."
He continued: "Until such time as this is accomplished, I cannot see fit to issue any further permits for sanitary sewer flow on the Arsenal Street corridor within the town."
Any development approved by the town that will pump more than 2,500 gallons per day needs a city-approved sewer extension. Mr. Hauk said the city will not approve those extensions unless the town shifts its sewage to the Coffeen Street main.
Town Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett was mum on the issue Tuesday.
"Because we are still in negotiations, and we're meeting with the city in the next week or two, based on that I can't make a comment on any story at this time," he said.
A contract is set to expire this year between the town and the city that determines how much sewage the town is allowed to pump into the city.
Mr. Bartlett has said the town is negotiating an easement with Pyramid Cos., which owns Salmon Run Mall, to pump the mall's sewage to Route 12F.
He said the town engineer is designing a pump station to serve the mall.
"I'm not sure right now about reserve capacities when it comes to the expansion," Mr. Bartlett said. "There's still a lot up in the air right now."
Friday, May 15, 2009
Tourism Dollars Shift To Debt Service
The city of Watertown will spend a majority of its tourism fund to pay debt service it owes for capital improvements.
The City Council agreed at a Tuesday night budget work session to use $100,000 of that fund for projects that will allow the rise in the 2009-10 tax levy to be trimmed to $306,762, or a 4.3 percent increase from the current budget. The tourism funds will, in effect, replace general fund money that would have been used for debt service.
The city's tourism fund can be used for a limited number of items because it is supplied by county bed tax. The county imposes a 3 percent tax on the occupancy of hotel and motel rooms; only municipalities that have businesses that contribute to the tax get a share of the revenue. Use of the bed tax distribution is restricted by county law.
"I think the statute states it can be used on tourism or convention-related development," County Attorney David J. Paulsen said.
The attorney agreed the statute has a broad interpretation, which allows the municipalities to use the funds in a number of ways.
"The idea is to promote tourism in the community," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said. "One way to do that is destination marketing. But you need to have destinations that people want to visit."
The city will spend almost $379,000 on debt for capital projects in the 2009-10 budget that are tourism-related, Mrs. Corriveau said.
Those projects include reconstructing portions of the sewer and roads at Thompson Park, improvements to the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds municipal arena and installing amenities in parks along the Black River.
Mrs. Corriveau said Thompson Park, the fairgrounds and the Black River parks are the three largest sources of tourism-related capital debt in the city.
Municipalities that receive bed tax funds largely use the revenue for advertisements and publicity, County Administrator Robert F. Hagemann III said, although he said the uses are not restricted to that alone.
"The reason for it being broad-based is it allows flexibility for the locality to make a determination at that particular year and time," Mr. Hagemann said. "Using it for promotion isn't always the case."
The city reduced a proposed 7.9 percent levy increase to 4.3 percent using the tourism fund and by increasing fees and fines to create about $141,000 in additional revenues.
Lawmakers have not made any widespread cuts to programs or services during budget deliberations. City Comptroller James E. Mills warned the council Tuesday night about buying down the levy using a restricted revenue stream.
"I just want you to know that this is a one-shot revenue for this year," he said.
The city will hold a public hearing on the budget at 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 245 Washington St.
The City Council agreed at a Tuesday night budget work session to use $100,000 of that fund for projects that will allow the rise in the 2009-10 tax levy to be trimmed to $306,762, or a 4.3 percent increase from the current budget. The tourism funds will, in effect, replace general fund money that would have been used for debt service.
The city's tourism fund can be used for a limited number of items because it is supplied by county bed tax. The county imposes a 3 percent tax on the occupancy of hotel and motel rooms; only municipalities that have businesses that contribute to the tax get a share of the revenue. Use of the bed tax distribution is restricted by county law.
"I think the statute states it can be used on tourism or convention-related development," County Attorney David J. Paulsen said.
The attorney agreed the statute has a broad interpretation, which allows the municipalities to use the funds in a number of ways.
"The idea is to promote tourism in the community," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said. "One way to do that is destination marketing. But you need to have destinations that people want to visit."
The city will spend almost $379,000 on debt for capital projects in the 2009-10 budget that are tourism-related, Mrs. Corriveau said.
Those projects include reconstructing portions of the sewer and roads at Thompson Park, improvements to the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds municipal arena and installing amenities in parks along the Black River.
Mrs. Corriveau said Thompson Park, the fairgrounds and the Black River parks are the three largest sources of tourism-related capital debt in the city.
Municipalities that receive bed tax funds largely use the revenue for advertisements and publicity, County Administrator Robert F. Hagemann III said, although he said the uses are not restricted to that alone.
"The reason for it being broad-based is it allows flexibility for the locality to make a determination at that particular year and time," Mr. Hagemann said. "Using it for promotion isn't always the case."
The city reduced a proposed 7.9 percent levy increase to 4.3 percent using the tourism fund and by increasing fees and fines to create about $141,000 in additional revenues.
Lawmakers have not made any widespread cuts to programs or services during budget deliberations. City Comptroller James E. Mills warned the council Tuesday night about buying down the levy using a restricted revenue stream.
"I just want you to know that this is a one-shot revenue for this year," he said.
The city will hold a public hearing on the budget at 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 245 Washington St.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Hotel Developer Eyes City
A Connecticut developer is eyeing a portion of an 8.2-acre parcel along Gaffney Drive to construct two Marriott brand hotels.
Russell & Dawson Architecture & Engineering, East Hartford, has requested the city change the parcel's zoning to a commercial district from a planned development district.
Before receiving all of its approvals from the city, the developer will have to overcome sewage issues that have choked development along the Interstate 81 corridor.
If the zoning request is approved by the City Council, the change will pave the way for the developer to construct a four-story, 118-room Towne Plaza Suites Hotel and an adjacent three-story, 106-room Fairfield Inn.
The Towne Plaza Suites brand offers high-speed Internet, full-sized kitchens, fitness centers, an indoor pool and lower rates for extended stays.
The Fairfield Inn brand offers free breakfast, high-speed Internet in the rooms and lobby and a rewards package for free nights and flights.
GAFFNEY ENTRANCE
If approved, the hotels will share a parking lot that can be accessed from Gaffney Drive and Commerce Park Drive. The developer plans to purchase about 7 acres of the property from Jefferson Hostel, a holding company of the nonprofit Jefferson Rehabilitation Corp.
The city Planning Board needed almost no discussion Tuesday afternoon to unanimously recommend that the City Council approve the zone change.
The city has not yet received a site plan for the project, said Kenneth A. Mix, city planning and community development coordinator.
"It is our understanding that there will also be a subdivision request," Mr. Mix wrote in a memo to the Planning Board. "The northern 1.23-acre portion of the property contains parking for the convenience store, and Jefferson Hostels Inc. will keep ownership of" the land.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The developer also plans to make a 6,000-square-foot parcel within the hotels' parking lot available for future development.
"We're still working with the developer on conceptual drawings," said Julian Clark of Plumley Engineering. "We want to make sure that both the landowner and developer are happy with it."
The Baldwinsville engineering firm has most recently coordinated the environmental cleanup at the former AMF Bowling plant in Lowville.
Russell & Dawson also developed the Candlewood Suites Hotel along Herrick Drive near the Fort Drum gate. Construction on the four-story, 113-room hotel broke ground in October.
"This is most certainly a good thing for the city," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said. "We're excited to see continued development, especially where there are places in the nation where they're seeing hotels close. We're still seeing people who are interested in building in the city of Watertown."
FLOWS SLOWED
Developers eyeing vacant land along Gaffney Drive to construct a pair of hotels will have to overcome expensive hurdles caused by a lack of adequate sewage infrastructure in the area.
The city will ask to split the cost of upgrading sewage infrastructure along Gaffney Drive with the hotels' developer, Russell & Dawson LLC, City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said.
"Our city engineer is looking at it. There has been some initial discussion with the potential developers concerning the flow numbers they're expecting," Mrs. Corriveau said. "We've met with them and that is one of the factors that will play into what the solution is with the sewers in that area."
The city purchased a portion of Gaffney Drive last year along with the sewage main that runs underneath the road and an aging roadside sewage pump station. The main and pump will have to be either upgraded or replaced.
COFFEEN STREET EYED
The city likely will have to send the sewage produced by the hotels uphill to a main under Coffeen Street, because a main beneath Arsenal Street already is at maximum capacity for a majority of the day.
"What we're trying to do is take a holistic look at the needs in that area," Mrs. Corriveau said. "We can't just take a look at one site; we have to look at all of the potential in that area."
EXISTING DEVELOPER IRKED
Alexandria Bay developer Patrick M. Donegan has told the City Council that development on his land, which borders Interstate 81 between Arsenal and Coffeen streets, has been choked because of a lack of sewage capacity.
He told council members last month that he cannot construct a hotel and two or three restaurants on the vacant parcels because of the sewage issue.
The Gaffney Drive hotel project also may revitalize discussions about the recently scrapped Western Boulevard, which would have forced the city to purchase a portion of the Stateway Plaza parking lot to build a thoroughfare that connects Arsenal and Coffeen streets.
The roughly $7 million road was removed from the five-year capital budget included in the proposed 2009-10 budget because the city has been unable to acquire state or federal funding for the project.
Russell & Dawson Architecture & Engineering, East Hartford, has requested the city change the parcel's zoning to a commercial district from a planned development district.
Before receiving all of its approvals from the city, the developer will have to overcome sewage issues that have choked development along the Interstate 81 corridor.
If the zoning request is approved by the City Council, the change will pave the way for the developer to construct a four-story, 118-room Towne Plaza Suites Hotel and an adjacent three-story, 106-room Fairfield Inn.
The Towne Plaza Suites brand offers high-speed Internet, full-sized kitchens, fitness centers, an indoor pool and lower rates for extended stays.
The Fairfield Inn brand offers free breakfast, high-speed Internet in the rooms and lobby and a rewards package for free nights and flights.
GAFFNEY ENTRANCE
If approved, the hotels will share a parking lot that can be accessed from Gaffney Drive and Commerce Park Drive. The developer plans to purchase about 7 acres of the property from Jefferson Hostel, a holding company of the nonprofit Jefferson Rehabilitation Corp.
The city Planning Board needed almost no discussion Tuesday afternoon to unanimously recommend that the City Council approve the zone change.
The city has not yet received a site plan for the project, said Kenneth A. Mix, city planning and community development coordinator.
"It is our understanding that there will also be a subdivision request," Mr. Mix wrote in a memo to the Planning Board. "The northern 1.23-acre portion of the property contains parking for the convenience store, and Jefferson Hostels Inc. will keep ownership of" the land.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The developer also plans to make a 6,000-square-foot parcel within the hotels' parking lot available for future development.
"We're still working with the developer on conceptual drawings," said Julian Clark of Plumley Engineering. "We want to make sure that both the landowner and developer are happy with it."
The Baldwinsville engineering firm has most recently coordinated the environmental cleanup at the former AMF Bowling plant in Lowville.
Russell & Dawson also developed the Candlewood Suites Hotel along Herrick Drive near the Fort Drum gate. Construction on the four-story, 113-room hotel broke ground in October.
"This is most certainly a good thing for the city," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said. "We're excited to see continued development, especially where there are places in the nation where they're seeing hotels close. We're still seeing people who are interested in building in the city of Watertown."
FLOWS SLOWED
Developers eyeing vacant land along Gaffney Drive to construct a pair of hotels will have to overcome expensive hurdles caused by a lack of adequate sewage infrastructure in the area.
The city will ask to split the cost of upgrading sewage infrastructure along Gaffney Drive with the hotels' developer, Russell & Dawson LLC, City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said.
"Our city engineer is looking at it. There has been some initial discussion with the potential developers concerning the flow numbers they're expecting," Mrs. Corriveau said. "We've met with them and that is one of the factors that will play into what the solution is with the sewers in that area."
The city purchased a portion of Gaffney Drive last year along with the sewage main that runs underneath the road and an aging roadside sewage pump station. The main and pump will have to be either upgraded or replaced.
COFFEEN STREET EYED
The city likely will have to send the sewage produced by the hotels uphill to a main under Coffeen Street, because a main beneath Arsenal Street already is at maximum capacity for a majority of the day.
"What we're trying to do is take a holistic look at the needs in that area," Mrs. Corriveau said. "We can't just take a look at one site; we have to look at all of the potential in that area."
EXISTING DEVELOPER IRKED
Alexandria Bay developer Patrick M. Donegan has told the City Council that development on his land, which borders Interstate 81 between Arsenal and Coffeen streets, has been choked because of a lack of sewage capacity.
He told council members last month that he cannot construct a hotel and two or three restaurants on the vacant parcels because of the sewage issue.
The Gaffney Drive hotel project also may revitalize discussions about the recently scrapped Western Boulevard, which would have forced the city to purchase a portion of the Stateway Plaza parking lot to build a thoroughfare that connects Arsenal and Coffeen streets.
The roughly $7 million road was removed from the five-year capital budget included in the proposed 2009-10 budget because the city has been unable to acquire state or federal funding for the project.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Spring Tides Undo Parks Improvements
Watertown city staff and B-S Industrial Contractors employees knew the parks improvements being installed along the Black River last year likely would be swept away during the spring freshet.
As predicted, a portion of the staircase that leads river rats to the Hole Brothers kayak access site along Newell Street was damaged by the river during the spring thaw.
"We knew that might happen," City Planner Christine E. Hoffman said. "We'll probably need to move some boulders to block the river from those stairs."
Mrs. Hoffman said the city slashed concrete barriers from the project to save money. Lacking a buffer, the Black River swept away a sizable amount of gravel from the bottom three stairs. A portion of the trail B-S built that connects Bicentennial Park to Jefferson Community College also will be closed each spring because of flooding.
The city hired the Gouverneur contractor last year for $523,686, but only after the city cut portions of the park projects to save money. In September 2007, the city received a single bid for $1.3 million for the projects that were expected to cost half that amount.
"We're going to need to come up with a better solution," Mrs. Hoffman said of the staircase.
Other grading along the west side of the park was not harmed. Large boulders were put in a semicircle to protect the exposed soil.
"The river hasn't really been that high yet," Mrs. Hoffman said. "We're still waiting for the snowpack from the Adirondacks to melt and come down."
B-S was scheduled to complete improvements to Hole Brothers, Bicentennial Park, Veterans Memorial Walkway and Abe Cooper by the end of last year.
Finding that supplies were hard to come by, B-S will have to return next month to finish "punch list" items, which include the stairs, Mrs. Hoffman said.
As predicted, a portion of the staircase that leads river rats to the Hole Brothers kayak access site along Newell Street was damaged by the river during the spring thaw.
"We knew that might happen," City Planner Christine E. Hoffman said. "We'll probably need to move some boulders to block the river from those stairs."
Mrs. Hoffman said the city slashed concrete barriers from the project to save money. Lacking a buffer, the Black River swept away a sizable amount of gravel from the bottom three stairs. A portion of the trail B-S built that connects Bicentennial Park to Jefferson Community College also will be closed each spring because of flooding.
The city hired the Gouverneur contractor last year for $523,686, but only after the city cut portions of the park projects to save money. In September 2007, the city received a single bid for $1.3 million for the projects that were expected to cost half that amount.
"We're going to need to come up with a better solution," Mrs. Hoffman said of the staircase.
Other grading along the west side of the park was not harmed. Large boulders were put in a semicircle to protect the exposed soil.
"The river hasn't really been that high yet," Mrs. Hoffman said. "We're still waiting for the snowpack from the Adirondacks to melt and come down."
B-S was scheduled to complete improvements to Hole Brothers, Bicentennial Park, Veterans Memorial Walkway and Abe Cooper by the end of last year.
Finding that supplies were hard to come by, B-S will have to return next month to finish "punch list" items, which include the stairs, Mrs. Hoffman said.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Exemption Boost May Haunt Council
As the City Council develops a budget that has potential to inflict more pain on taxpayers than in recent years, it may come to regret a decision made during more robust times.
In February 2007, the council substantially raised the ceilings on veterans' exemptions, allowing applicants to keep as much as $75,000 worth of property in their primary residence free of city taxes.
That decision has come back to bite the city. Lawmakers were forced to close a $1.2 million budget gap, during the winter, caused by slumping sales tax revenues. If those revenues continue to falter, as some county officials fear, the city will likely need to hike property taxes to balance an estimated $2.6 million budget shortfall for the 2009-10 fiscal year, according to the city's five-year capital plan.
The amended rules allow veterans who served during wartime to exempt $15,000 worth of property, an increase of $9,000. Those who served in a combat zone can exempt an additional $10,000, an increase of $6,000. And those who suffered a disability can exempt up to $50,000 more - the previous maximum was $20,000.
Prior to the boost, veterans exemptions totaled $10.6 million in 2007. The increases added roughly an $8.9 million impact on the total taxable base, City Assessor Brian S. Phelps said.
The city of Watertown will forgo $536,391 in revenue because of tax exemptions granted to property owners.
The city provides 35 categories of exemptions, which lower the taxable assessed value by 28 percent to just more than $1 billion, according to a city Assessment Department report.
A majority of the exemptions are required by the state, meaning that 537 properties that meet specific requirements pay either reduced or no property taxes. State-mandated exemptions apply to properties owned by groups that include municipalities, nonprofit groups and development agencies.
The city does, however, opt in to 13 exemptions that lowered the assessments of 1,698 properties by $74.2 million, according to the report. If the city eliminated those optional exemptions, that revenue would have reduced the property taxes paid by everyone else by 7.3 percent, from $7.3 million to roughly $6.7 million.
The optional exemptions include groups such as veterans, senior citizens and both residential and business owners who have made improvements to their properties. By exempting some property owners from paying full taxes, the city shifts the property tax levy's burden onto owners who do not meet exemption requirements, Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham said.
Despite facing uncertain fiscal times, the mayor said the City Council likely will not amend or eliminate property tax exemptions to increase revenues.
"With 40 percent of the council up for vote this year, it's unlikely you'll get anyone to look at it," he said. "I think the politics behind that would be disastrous."
The council can try to bump revenues by updating fees for services it provides or by using its nearly $9 million fund balance.
"The question is whether we can get through this year if we're confident things will rebound quickly in 2010," the mayor said. "We'd better begin moderating things or burn through the fund balance. If it's called the rainy day fund - well, it's definitely raining now."
The city still is compiling a report that compares city fees to those of neighboring communities. The city's search for additional revenues is an about-face from 2007, when lawmakers increased exemptions for veterans and senior citizens.
With 1,271 properties enrolled, veterans' benefits surpass any other optional exemption.
"The veteran's exemptions are huge," Mr. Phelps said. "Information about those seems to get around to those who they apply to."
The largest property tax exemption the city hands out is to itself. The 239 city-owned properties are assessed at $83.2 million.
"A majority of those are properties are ones that no one really wants," Mr. Phelps said. "A lot of them were taken for back taxes; they're inaccessible lots, or lots that the city might keep because they're used for drainage or a utility runs through them."
Any homes taken for back taxes are either auctioned or demolished.
The city does own properties that include City Hall, the hydropower plant, Thompson Park and the water and sewage-treatment plants.
The city does not collect property taxes, which would total $222.7 million, on 172 properties owned by the county, state, Watertown City School District, Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency and Watertown Housing Authority.
"New York state law precludes them from paying property taxes, so we're not allowed to collect taxes from them, even if they wanted to pay," Mr. Phelps said.
Another 119 properties that include nonprofit agencies and religious institutions are exempt from paying $684,233 in taxes.
Another $84,959 million is reduced from 31 properties that are owned by railroad companies, cemetery associations and hostels.
The city probably can't look to its exempt properties to ease any budget shortfall.
"You really need to look at things in life that you can change, and those you can't," the mayor said. "The politics isn't there right now to repeal them. We could spend weeks debating and pining on them but I don't see the political will to tackle that issue."
In February 2007, the council substantially raised the ceilings on veterans' exemptions, allowing applicants to keep as much as $75,000 worth of property in their primary residence free of city taxes.
That decision has come back to bite the city. Lawmakers were forced to close a $1.2 million budget gap, during the winter, caused by slumping sales tax revenues. If those revenues continue to falter, as some county officials fear, the city will likely need to hike property taxes to balance an estimated $2.6 million budget shortfall for the 2009-10 fiscal year, according to the city's five-year capital plan.
The amended rules allow veterans who served during wartime to exempt $15,000 worth of property, an increase of $9,000. Those who served in a combat zone can exempt an additional $10,000, an increase of $6,000. And those who suffered a disability can exempt up to $50,000 more - the previous maximum was $20,000.
Prior to the boost, veterans exemptions totaled $10.6 million in 2007. The increases added roughly an $8.9 million impact on the total taxable base, City Assessor Brian S. Phelps said.
The city of Watertown will forgo $536,391 in revenue because of tax exemptions granted to property owners.
The city provides 35 categories of exemptions, which lower the taxable assessed value by 28 percent to just more than $1 billion, according to a city Assessment Department report.
A majority of the exemptions are required by the state, meaning that 537 properties that meet specific requirements pay either reduced or no property taxes. State-mandated exemptions apply to properties owned by groups that include municipalities, nonprofit groups and development agencies.
The city does, however, opt in to 13 exemptions that lowered the assessments of 1,698 properties by $74.2 million, according to the report. If the city eliminated those optional exemptions, that revenue would have reduced the property taxes paid by everyone else by 7.3 percent, from $7.3 million to roughly $6.7 million.
The optional exemptions include groups such as veterans, senior citizens and both residential and business owners who have made improvements to their properties. By exempting some property owners from paying full taxes, the city shifts the property tax levy's burden onto owners who do not meet exemption requirements, Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham said.
Despite facing uncertain fiscal times, the mayor said the City Council likely will not amend or eliminate property tax exemptions to increase revenues.
"With 40 percent of the council up for vote this year, it's unlikely you'll get anyone to look at it," he said. "I think the politics behind that would be disastrous."
The council can try to bump revenues by updating fees for services it provides or by using its nearly $9 million fund balance.
"The question is whether we can get through this year if we're confident things will rebound quickly in 2010," the mayor said. "We'd better begin moderating things or burn through the fund balance. If it's called the rainy day fund - well, it's definitely raining now."
The city still is compiling a report that compares city fees to those of neighboring communities. The city's search for additional revenues is an about-face from 2007, when lawmakers increased exemptions for veterans and senior citizens.
With 1,271 properties enrolled, veterans' benefits surpass any other optional exemption.
"The veteran's exemptions are huge," Mr. Phelps said. "Information about those seems to get around to those who they apply to."
The largest property tax exemption the city hands out is to itself. The 239 city-owned properties are assessed at $83.2 million.
"A majority of those are properties are ones that no one really wants," Mr. Phelps said. "A lot of them were taken for back taxes; they're inaccessible lots, or lots that the city might keep because they're used for drainage or a utility runs through them."
Any homes taken for back taxes are either auctioned or demolished.
The city does own properties that include City Hall, the hydropower plant, Thompson Park and the water and sewage-treatment plants.
The city does not collect property taxes, which would total $222.7 million, on 172 properties owned by the county, state, Watertown City School District, Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency and Watertown Housing Authority.
"New York state law precludes them from paying property taxes, so we're not allowed to collect taxes from them, even if they wanted to pay," Mr. Phelps said.
Another 119 properties that include nonprofit agencies and religious institutions are exempt from paying $684,233 in taxes.
Another $84,959 million is reduced from 31 properties that are owned by railroad companies, cemetery associations and hostels.
The city probably can't look to its exempt properties to ease any budget shortfall.
"You really need to look at things in life that you can change, and those you can't," the mayor said. "The politics isn't there right now to repeal them. We could spend weeks debating and pining on them but I don't see the political will to tackle that issue."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Mayor: I Want Your Input
Watertown Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham has a message for downtown business owners: If you have concerns about parking on Public Square, he wants to hear from you firsthand.
The mayor's request comes after comments made at City Council meetings by residents who said the north side of Public Square lacks enough parking for businesses, and the parking that does exist isn't properly labeled.
The consternation comes at a time when city officials are promoting downtown despite the lack of parking to accommodate patrons.
"If any of the owners of businesses do feel strongly about the issue - and I hate to see all the empty space there whether it's on the synthetic asphalt or not - I do strongly encourage them to come in," Mr. Graham said at Monday's City Council meeting. "It will lend firsthand testimony to the issue."
Crews put the finishing touches on the multimillion-dollar reconstruction of Public Square last year. About 13 parking spaces were removed from the north side of the square to make room for the widened synthetic asphalt crosswalks.
Charles G. Wert, owner of Wing Wagon, 71 Public Square, attended a council meeting in late January. He asked that the council review parking along the north side of the square because too many parking tickets are being issued by police.
"It's about being fair," he said Friday. "They don't have it signed properly. People are scared; they don't know where they can park. They come down and park and they leave these businesses and there is a ticket waiting for them."
City police have written 108 parking tickets in Public Square from Jan. 1 to Thursday, Capt. Gary R. Comins said Friday.
Michael V. Martini, whose parents own Avon Shoes & Orthopedic Center, 67 Public Square, said that uncertainty exists among the store's patrons about parking.
"The square looks nice, the brick is sharp, but not everyone's accustomed with the parking," he said. "I've had several people tell me that they're just not going to come back."
Both Mr. Martini and Mr. Wert requested that more spaces be added on either side of the synthetic asphalt crosswalk. Cars are not allowed to park on a roughly 20-foot buffer on either side of the crosswalk. The city should, at a minimum, install additional signs delineating where motorists can park, the business owners said.
City officials have said that any changes made to parking will have to be approved by the state Department of Transportation because the streetscape project was funded using state and federal grants.
The city plans to solve the parking problem by rebuilding the J.B. Wise parking lot, between Public Square and Black River Parkway. To finance a portion of that project, the city will solicit funds from the federal stimulus package, City Manager Mary M. Corriveau has said.
Without a financial boost, the project likely will be delayed.
The Engineering Department is compiling a report for the council outlining options for parking on the north side of Public Square, Mrs. Corriveau said.
City Engineer Kurt W. Hauk was on vacation and could not be reached for comment Friday.
The mayor's request comes after comments made at City Council meetings by residents who said the north side of Public Square lacks enough parking for businesses, and the parking that does exist isn't properly labeled.
The consternation comes at a time when city officials are promoting downtown despite the lack of parking to accommodate patrons.
"If any of the owners of businesses do feel strongly about the issue - and I hate to see all the empty space there whether it's on the synthetic asphalt or not - I do strongly encourage them to come in," Mr. Graham said at Monday's City Council meeting. "It will lend firsthand testimony to the issue."
Crews put the finishing touches on the multimillion-dollar reconstruction of Public Square last year. About 13 parking spaces were removed from the north side of the square to make room for the widened synthetic asphalt crosswalks.
Charles G. Wert, owner of Wing Wagon, 71 Public Square, attended a council meeting in late January. He asked that the council review parking along the north side of the square because too many parking tickets are being issued by police.
"It's about being fair," he said Friday. "They don't have it signed properly. People are scared; they don't know where they can park. They come down and park and they leave these businesses and there is a ticket waiting for them."
City police have written 108 parking tickets in Public Square from Jan. 1 to Thursday, Capt. Gary R. Comins said Friday.
Michael V. Martini, whose parents own Avon Shoes & Orthopedic Center, 67 Public Square, said that uncertainty exists among the store's patrons about parking.
"The square looks nice, the brick is sharp, but not everyone's accustomed with the parking," he said. "I've had several people tell me that they're just not going to come back."
Both Mr. Martini and Mr. Wert requested that more spaces be added on either side of the synthetic asphalt crosswalk. Cars are not allowed to park on a roughly 20-foot buffer on either side of the crosswalk. The city should, at a minimum, install additional signs delineating where motorists can park, the business owners said.
City officials have said that any changes made to parking will have to be approved by the state Department of Transportation because the streetscape project was funded using state and federal grants.
The city plans to solve the parking problem by rebuilding the J.B. Wise parking lot, between Public Square and Black River Parkway. To finance a portion of that project, the city will solicit funds from the federal stimulus package, City Manager Mary M. Corriveau has said.
Without a financial boost, the project likely will be delayed.
The Engineering Department is compiling a report for the council outlining options for parking on the north side of Public Square, Mrs. Corriveau said.
City Engineer Kurt W. Hauk was on vacation and could not be reached for comment Friday.
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