WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – The Lettiere tract, located just at the edge of the town of Watertown, along Sunset Ridge and Holcomb Street, the water line serves some 118 homes. It’s privately owned, and it looks like it’s going to stay that way.
At this special meeting Thursday night, the Town of Watertown decided not to purchase the Lettiere tract for $500,000. Town Supervisor Joel Bartlett was in favor of that purchase. The rest of the board, however, was not.
“I’m not surprised. I’m disappointed, but it comes with the turf. 30 years, you get pretty thick skin, and it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to,” said Joel Bartlett.
It closes the door for now on what has been a controversial 3 year long ordeal. Controversial for residents like Wava Snyder, who believe the purchase would’ve been fiscally irresponsible.
“I think that they have made the right decision right now,” said Wava Snyder.
One person who isn’t happy is Jim Lettiere. His family has owned and operated the tract for the past 60 years. He was hoping to turn the page, and says he was giving the town a fair deal.
“Am I disappointed in that? Sure! The appraisal came back at $630,000. They feel that that’s too much. When I said I’d still sell it for the $500,000. They still think that’s too much,” said Jim Lettiere.
The purchase has been shot down for now, but Lettiere tells us he’s hoping to continue negotiations with the town. He specifies he won’t be giving away the tract for free, however.
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