HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016-07-01 Adopt an island comments Town Of Watertown: Adopt An Island Program
The City known as the Town of Watertown Adopt and Island Program provides opportunities for
companies, civic groups, institutions, and individuals to adopt a traffic island or other designated public
spaces and create attractive, welcoming"oases" throughout the city.
The City known as the Town of Watertown, under the sole discretion of the Department of Public Works
(hereinafter"Department"), will maintain a list of islands available for adoption and assign spaces on a
first-come,first-served basis with prior year participants given right to "re-adopt"the same space.
Initial agreements will be for one(1)year and can be adjusted at the discretion of the Department of
Public Works. The Department will designate locations from time to time, as appropriate, and publicize
the opportunity to sponsor said island to the general public.
Under this plan an adopter will pay a yearly fee,to be determined by the Department,which will vary
depending on the size of the island in question. In return the City will provide and install a sign
recognizing the Adopter's support with no other signs or signage to be allowed on the island. The size of
the sign will be subject to the discretion of the Department of Public Works, but shall be uniform across
all islands. The fees collected will be strictly used for financing for a landscaping contractor to maintain
said islands.
Comments on proposed policy from Public Works Department-for discussion on proposed policy and
attached agreement.
• Mr. Mee, Mr.Shuman, and Mr.Sheehan have discussed this language, and are in support of the above
recommendations. We do have a few points, listed below, that we would like to add to the document
and be reflected in the minutes of the sub-committee meeting:
o Only qualified, bonded and insured landscape contractors can perform work under this program.
o Volunteer groups or businesses can secure landscape contractors to perform the work under
their organization or business name.
o The Public Works Department shall approve all types of plant materials to be placed, removed,
or aggressively trimmed or pruned.
o It is understood that most islands and planting areas do not have irrigation;drought and salt
tolerant plant materials should be considered.
o Maintenance work hours may be limited at certain traffic islands.
o We anticipate the sign to state the business name or organization only;it shall not display
addresses or phone numbers.
o The sign will be low profile,prominently displayed, but shall not detract from the appearance of
the island.
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The City Known As the Town Of Watertown
Adopt An Island Program Agreement
I. This document serves as an agreement between
and the City known as the Town of Watertown.
11. I, agree to participate in the Adopt an Island
Program by adopting the traffic island located at
for one (1)year, beginning this day of I agree to provide an
annual contribution of$ to do so.
III. In consideration of this service,the City known as the Town of Watertown agrees to provide
a sign bearing my or my organization's name, and to maintain the island by regular
landscaping, mowing,trash removal, and all other maintenance as needed.
IV. The Town reserves the right to terminate the Adoption Agreement at will and without
notice, should the terms or spirit of the program be knowingly or unknowingly violated. The
person or organization may terminate this agreement for any reason,with thirty days
notice.
V. I understand that I will be given first option to re-adopt this island and billed annually for
participation. Should I decide not to continue as agreed I will forfeit my island and the City
known as the Town of Watertown will remove my sign bearing my name or my business or
organization.
VI. The Watertown Department of Public Works shall select the spaces available for adoption.
The Superintendent of the DPW will decide any questions or disputes that may arise under
this agreement and its final decision shall be conclusive upon the parties to this agreement.
The agreement is not transferrable or assignable in whole, or in part, without the written
consent of the DPW.
VII. The signee below acknowledges that this is voluntary, and of its free will, participating in the
"Adopt-an-Island" program. The person or organization, through their signatures affixed
below, hereby, releases and forever discharges themselves,their heirs,their executors, and
their administrators,the City known as the Town of Watertown and the Watertown
Department of Public Works, its successors and assigns, of and from any, and all manner of
action and actions, causes and causes of action, suits, debts, sums of money, accounts,
reckoning, bonds, bills, covenants, contracts,judgments, executions, claims and demands„
whatsoever, in law or in equity, which against the City known as the Town of Watertown
had, now has, or which their heirs, executors, or administrators hereafter can, shall or may
have for upon any reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever form the beginning of
the world into the future, especially for participation in the "Adopt-an-Island" program.
VIII. The representative with their signature affixed below asserts the authority to execute this
agreement on behalf of the person, organization, company, etc.
Signature: Date:
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The City Known As the Town Of Watertown
Adopt An Island Program Application Form
Date:
Name:
Organization:
Phone Number:
Address:
Email:
Please review the list of available islands and fees and use the spaces below to identify which island you
would like to adopt and its fee.
What would you like written on the Adopt-an-Island sign?
Please also fill out the agreement and attached it with your check, payable to the Town of Watertown,
and this form delivered to:
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