Watertown City Council to Review Elmira Township Road Maintenance Agreement Amendment
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council will review an amendment to its shared road maintenance agreement with Elmira Township during Tuesday night’s meeting. The item, submitted by City Manager Alan Stager, updates the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines how the City and Township divide responsibility for maintaining joint‑jurisdiction roads.
The MOU governs financial responsibility for roadway upkeep, right‑of‑way care, bike paths, bridges, drainage structures, culverts, surfacing, overlays, chip seals, crack seals, reconstruction, mowing, signage, pavement markings, litter control, and snow removal. The agreement is updated every two years or as needed to reflect annexations and changes in jurisdictional boundaries.
Key Changes Proposed
According to the agenda document, the amendment adds two additional roadway segments to the City’s maintenance responsibilities:
· 31st Street NE north of 3rd Avenue NE to the end of the road
· A half‑mile stretch of 26th Avenue NW between Highway 81 and 2nd Street NW
These segments will now fall under City maintenance for road and right‑of‑way care, dust control, and plowing. As with other shared roads in the agreement, future paving—including curb, gutter, and sidewalk—will be paid for by adjacent landowners.
Financial Responsibilities
The MOU states that any road modifications required due to City annexations that cross or border Elmira Township remain the financial responsibility of the City or the developer. Examples include traffic signals at major intersections involving City streets. Routine maintenance of each party’s respective roads remains unchanged.
Oversight
City Engineer Justin Petersen is listed as the project lead for the agreement update.
City staff recommends approval of the amendment.
