Craig Fox

United States, Watertown

Reporter and Writer at Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, NY)

reporter at Watertown Daily Times. Reports City government and police

Articles

Lettiere Tract water district clears hurdle

6 days ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — Plans to form a new water district for the Lettiere Tract housing tract has cleared a major issue after a sufficient number of residents signed petitions for the project to move forward. During a town council meeting on Thursday, Town Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett confirmed that enough residents signed the petitions to form the water district. The Town Council is now expected to set a public hearing next month for July and vote on it. After the meeting, Bartlett told owner James V.
Pierce, Ruggiero differ at end of state police investigation

1 week ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — Bitterness continues to permeate between City Council members despite state police deciding not to bring charges in the nearly 18-month investigation into the $3.4 million purchase of the former Watertown Golf Course. Both Mayor Sarah V.C. Pierce and Councilwoman Lisa A. Ruggiero are expressing their dissatisfaction about the outcome of the state police investigation — but for different reasons.
Police, fire funds the focus of city budget session

1 week ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — The City Council’s first budget session on Tuesday night was uneventful and lasted an hour shorter than its three-hour allotted time for the police and fire departments. Fire Chief Matthew R. Timerman and Assistant Fire Chief Mike Kellogg were done answering questions about the fire department’s $12,360,072 budget after about 45 minutes.
Zoo New York advocates urge city to include funding for facility in upcoming budget

1 week ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — Last year, Zoo New York supporters successfully lobbied the city to keep the facility at Thompson Park open. On Monday night, about a dozen volunteers, members and fans of the zoo were back in front of City Council members to convince them to keep the zoo open, urging them to include funding in the city’s proposed $59.1 million budget. When he released the spending plan last month, City Manager Eric F. Wagenaar left out any money to support the zoo.
Question arises about Watertown city manager’s residency requirement

1 week ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — On Dec. 23, 2023, the City Council approved the contract to hire City Manager Eric Wagenaar with the stipulation that he’d move into the city. Now 14 months later, Wagenaar still hasn’t moved to Watertown, as has been the case with all previous city managers. On Monday night, city resident Robert Avallone asked council members about it and why they haven’t done something about the situation.
Jersey Mike’s sub shop coming to Watertown

1 week ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — Sandwich lovers will have a new place to get a sub on Arsenal Street. Jersey Mike’s, the New Jersey-based national chain of sub shops, will be moving into a vacant storefront next to Red Robin in the Hannaford plaza next fall. Adam Palisa, who has owned a franchise in Syracuse for two years, said Monday that “the goal is to open” the new Watertown store in September. Fort Drum soldiers visiting the Syracuse Jersey Mike’s store urged him to expand into Watertown, he said.
Zoo New York at Thompson Park receives $35,000 in donations

1 week ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — Zoo New York at Thompson Park has received a 25,000 anonymous matching donation to raise money for a new Nature Playscape and a $10,000 gift that will go toward the zoo’s membership campaign. The playscape and other on-site enhancements will support increased visitation, volunteerism and sponsorship opportunities for Zoo New York, zoo officials said.
City of Watertown’s proposed budget, with 18.8% tax hike, up for comment starting Monday

1 week ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — The public will get two chances to share what they think about the proposed city budget that carries an 18.8% property tax increase. On Monday night, the first of two public hearings will be held on City Manager Eric F. Wagenaar’s proposed budget. Residents can express what they think about the $59.1 million spending plan before City Council members begin budget deliberations on Wednesday.
Zoo New York at Thompson Park receives $35,000 in donations

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Craig Fox

May 2—WATERTOWN — Zoo New York at Thompson Park has received a 25,000 anonymous matching donation to raise money for a new Nature Playscape and a $10,000 gift that will go toward the zoo's membership campaign. The playscape and other on-site enhancements will support increased visitation, volunteerism and sponsorship opportunities for Zoo New York, zoo officials said.
City of Watertown proposes $7.5 million Newell Street reconstruction

1 week ago | nny360.com | Craig Fox

WATERTOWN — The city plans to embark on a complete reconstruction of Newell Street that could cost an estimated $7.5 million for a three-block stretch. Plans call for paving the road, installing curbs and sidewalks, completing major utility upgrades, including sewer and water, and adding new landscaping and other road treatments, according to the proposed 2025-26 city budget.