DeWitt board proclaims Black History Month, approves records software and several contracts; schedules housing code hearing

The Town of DeWitt Town Board on a single, regularly scheduled session adopted a Black History Month resolution, authorized a vendor agreement to begin digitizing town records, approved contracts and personnel postings, and set a public hearing on a proposed residential overlay for part of Main Street.

The board opened the meeting with a formal resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month and named a group of local honorees for the observance. The resolution directs the town to display the proclamation in town hall and to publicize it on the town website and newsletter during February 2025. A motion to adopt the resolution was made from the dais and carried by voice vote.

The board authorized a purchase and service agreement to implement Laserfiche (records-management software) for planning and zoning and town clerk files. Planning and zoning staff said the initial year cost will be $10,020 with an ongoing annual fee of $5,320; startup includes training and the initial load of documents. Board members discussed digitizing paper archives and the possibility of later grant applications to fund scanning of historical records. A motion to authorize the contract passed by voice vote.

The board scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 24 on a local law titled “Main Street 2–3 Family Residential Overlay District” that would create a narrowly targeted overlay for blocks along James Street to allow 2‑ and 3‑family dwellings and change related code definitions. Planning staff said the planning board recommended moving forward with a draft overlay district and circulated a parcel list (31 parcels identified). The hearing was set by motion and vote.

Board members spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing zoning options for the Jamesville penitentiary property and adjacent parcels. Planning staff and the planning board lawyer described options: a direct zone change to Hamlet, creation of a new, penitentary‑specific district, or a temporary change followed by a more tailored local law. No final zone change for the penitentiary parcel was adopted; the board directed staff and the planning committee to meet in the coming weeks to prepare refined proposals and legal language.

The board approved award of a janitorial services contract to Coin Facility Services, noting the vendor previously provided grass cutting and code‑enforcement cleanup in 2024. The contract includes a one‑year term with up to two renewals, and the town engineer’s memo recommended Coin as the best value. The board also authorized online auctioning of two town vans and two pickup trucks through Auctions International.

On personnel and staffing matters the board authorized posting for a Highway MEO position and a parks division position for 2025. The police department reported staffing levels and recent hires: three recruits completed field training and are now on patrol; the department is approximately five positions short of the 2025 budgeted roster. Chief Spencer and others described the January promotion creating a deputy chief position (Andrew Fusco was presented to the board as the new deputy chief), and the department said the position will oversee internal investigations, employee development and recruitment steps that start with upcoming academy graduations and college recruitment fairs.

The board approved a one‑time water‑bill adjustment for a residence at 21 Pickford Road after the homeowner provided receipts for a toilet repair; the board reduced the bill as requested.

On solid waste and recycling, the board authorized an outreach and container‑sticker program to transition from the open blue‑bin system to covered containers. Town staff said the town currently serves about 7,700 parcels in the solid waste district, and recommended printing stickers and instructional mailings and using a phased transition to encourage residents to move to covered containers; initial printing and mailing and program costs were estimated in the low five‑figure range and to be funded from the Solid Waste District budget. The board voted to authorize procurement and mailing of materials.

Board members also heard an update about conditions at Springfield Gardens (a multi‑family rental property) and plans for a special meeting with residents and management; tenants and the town have reported ongoing maintenance problems. The board discussed plans to press the property owner, Elliott Reed, for repairs and follow up with code enforcement and county or state contacts as needed.

Informational items included the town comptroller’s report that hotel‑tax receipts for 2024 totaled about $1,013,896 and a staff note that the town has 17 acres available at the landfill that could be used for solar development; staff said they will follow up with an RFP for the landfill solar project.

Votes at a glance - Black History Month resolution: motion to adopt carried by voice vote (mover: board member from the dais; second from the floor). Resolution to be posted in town hall and publicized on the town website during February 2025. - Laserfiche records‑management contract: motion to authorize $10,020 initial year and ongoing $5,320 SaaS fee carried by voice vote (mover: Carrie; second: Joe). - Main Street 2–3 Family Residential Overlay District: motion to set public hearing for Feb. 24 at 6:05 p.m. carried by voice vote (mover: Max; second: Sarah). Planning staff circulated a parcel list (31 parcels). - Janitorial services award to Coin Facility Services: motion to accept town engineer recommendation and award contract carried by voice vote (mover: Jack; second: Alana). - Auction of two vans and two pickups via Auctions International: motion carried (mover: Joe; second: Carrie). - Post Highway MEO and parks positions for recruitment: motions carried (postings budgeted for 2025). - Water‑bill adjustment, 21 Pickford Road: motion to approve adjustment carried. - Solid Waste transition outreach (stickers/printing/postage) funded from Solid Waste District: motion to authorize expenditures carried.

What the meeting did not decide - No final rezoning for the Jamesville penitentiary parcel was adopted; the board directed staff and the planning board to develop a refined proposal and schedule follow‑up meetings. No binding commitment to any particular redevelopment plan was made during the meeting.

The board moved into an executive session on a personnel matter at the meeting’s close.

Sources: Town of DeWitt Town Board meeting transcript and staff memos presented at the meeting.