06-04-2025
Watertown City Council will discuss pollinator gardens, other issues on Monday night
Apr. 6—WATERTOWN — The City Council will have a busy meeting on Monday night when it considers a series of pending issues that members discussed in recent weeks.
Two weeks ago, the council took no action on establishing rules to allow pollinator gardens in the city and approving participation in a state lead rental registry program.
Those issues are expected to be voted on during Monday night's council meeting.
On March 17, council members tabled the proposed local law that would allow the city codes office to move forward with a series of regulations for pollinator gardens.
Pollinators help fertilize plants and produce seeds, fruits and vegetables. A Rutland Street couple has been lobbying the city to allow the gardens in the city.
Council members decided to hold off after two people spoke during a public hearing about the city's "No Mow May" initiative to allow pollinator gardens in Watertown.
They seemed poised to approve them on Monday night.
A resolution regarding a lead inspection program was withdrawn two weeks ago. Council members had asked to make some minor changes before Monday's meeting. Since then, City Attorney Kristin Smith has made the small changes in the resolution that they will be voting on at Monday's meeting.
The city's Code Enforcement Office is working with Jefferson County to inspect for lead in rental properties in Watertown that were built before 1980.
Jefferson County has received a $554,000 annual grant to address lead exposure concerns in rental units.
Council members also will consider two more issues on Monday night.
During a March 10 work session, they discussed a program to help residents with basement flooding in neighborhoods in the Western Outfall Trunk Sewer Basin area.
Under the program, the city will set aside $350,000 for the pilot program. The city would reimburse residents up to $3,500 to install backwater valve equipment in their basements to help mitigate basement flooding.
The targeted area would consist of about 100 basements on Butterfield Avenue and Marra Drive and surrounding streets.
Homeowners would buy the backflow prevention devices and hire a licensed plumber or contractor to install the equipment. When surcharging occurs, the device would prevent flooding into basements.
In yet in another issue, council is expected to approve a settlement with Dealmaker Dodge, LLC related to paying the full amount in outstanding property taxes for 235 Main Ave.
The deal, filed March 27 in state Supreme Court, essentially mirrors terms that Dealmaker's principal, P.J. Simao, had twice offered before litigation was initiated in November 2023.
Under terms of the settlement, Dealmaker will pay the full amount of the initial tax claim with interest, as well as all taxes accrued since, totaling $73,267.
City Council meets at 7 p.m. on Monday in the third-floor council chambers of City Hall, 245 Washington St.
