Watertown Common Council reallocates $55,000 to park storage, approves EMS contracts and infrastructure purchases

The Watertown Common Council on Nov. 4 approved an intra-budget reallocation and several procurement and contract resolutions as part of its 2026 budget and routine business.

Alderman Arnett proposed and moved to transfer $55,000 from account O5552070 (capital — recreation, listed for a program vehicle) to account O5554170 (capital — parks) to increase funding for a park storage facility. Arnett said the money would raise the park storage allocation from $50,000 to $105,000 and cited two quotes for electrical and HVAC work totaling about $62,000. He framed the change as a no-net-change reallocation within capital spending. Alderman Smith seconded the motion; the council approved it by roll-call vote with members recorded as voting "Aye." Several members described the program vehicle as a transit van used for off-site recreation programs; proponents said the van would improve logistics but that the storage repairs were a higher immediate priority.

The council also approved multiple resolutions by majority/roll-call votes:

- Exhibit 9796: Resolution to approve the 2026–2027 EMS and Fire Township contract (motion by Berg; second by Smith). The motion carried on recorded 'Aye' votes.

- Exhibit 9797: Resolution related to EMS bidding/contract for 2027 (motion by Smith; second by Wetzel). The council recorded unanimous 'Aye' votes and carried the motion.

- Exhibit 9798: Resolution to purchase rotary lobe sludge pumps (sponsored by Alderman Arnett and Public Works). Council discussion noted the vendor supplies existing pumps at the facility and that introducing a different manufacturer could raise maintenance costs; the low bid came in well below the engineer's $150,000–$160,000 estimate. Motion carried on recorded 'Aye' votes.

- Exhibit 9799: Resolution to enter a contract with Synagro Central LLC for biosolids land application services (motion and second by council sponsors). The council approved the contract by roll-call.

Council members asked procurement and public works staff clarifying questions about competitive bidding and lifecycle maintenance costs; staff said the choice of vendor for the pumps was driven by spare-parts/commonality and that the bid was significantly under the engineering estimate. The motions were recorded as carried and will be implemented according to the usual contracting process and departmental assignment.

The meeting included other routine business (approval of committee minutes and appointments) and concluded with no additional public comment before adjournment.