Grafton Town Board Action – Board Votes For Sole Assessor

by Erin Hogan
The moment Grafton has been waiting for occurred at the July 8 Town Board meeting. Resolution 47 was introduced by Councilman Edward Fredricks authorizing the adoption by the Town Board of Proposed Local Law #1 of 2010 entitled “A Local Law to Establish the Office of Sole Appointed Assessor pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 328.” This two page resolution “… has determined by the Town Board of the Town of Grafton that the adoption of said proposed Local Law #1 of 2010 would not have the significant effect upon the environment and could be processed by other applicable governmental agencies without further regard to State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and therefore issues a negative declaration with respect to the enactment of such Local Law and finds it in the best interests of the Town of Grafton to adopt said local law.” The Board proceeded to vote on the law. Councilwoman Barbara Messenger said before voting that she was “fully aware of the negative and positive effects” and that she believes the community should have a vote. Councilmen Fredricks and Michael Crandall and Supervisor Allison Kirchner all voted for the law to be passed. (Councilwoman Marie Claus wasn’t in attendance.) Resolution #47 adopting Local Law #1 of 2010 was passed.
Public With A Voice, Board With Ears
The public had a lot to say about this. Bill Middleton started off with a few questions. He said that he had a lot of time to think about it and he wanted to know more about this Sole Assessor position. He asked if this would be a Town employee position, if they would be paid by salary, and he wanted to know if the Assessor would get perks such as health insurance. Supervisor Kirchner said yes, the Assessor would be a Town employee, and yes, he would be entitled to perks. As far as the salary, the Board will discuss that at the end of August at one of their budget workshops. The final question from Middleton was if there would be a data collection assistant and would they get paid. The answer was yes.
Tyler Sawyer was next to speak saying that he understood all sides and wanted to thank the Board as a whole for making such a tough decision. He said, “I commend the Board for making a tough but good decision.”
Rick Bly was next to question the Board asking why they didn’t let this decision go to a referendum. Kirchner said that something needed to be done and done quickly. In her opinion this was what was best for the Town. Councilman Fredricks chimed in that he was elected to take care of the Town and didn’t see the need to take this any further. Jack Ellis felt that Fredricks was implying that the townspeople couldn’t take care of themselves. Fredricks tried to assure Ellis this wasn’t the case. The room started to get heated as frustration rose, but Supervisor Kirchner stepped in and reminded the gentlemen that this was not the place or time for public debate. She asked kindly if there was anything else and, when no one spoke, closed the discussion.
David Buckley took time during the public comment to voice his concern about the Town website. He wanted to know if the website was up to date, but it was apparent he already had an answer. He was outraged at the fact the townspeople were paying for an “un-updated site.” Kirchner took this time to explain that the town doesn’t pay for the website, that she and her husband pay for the website themselves! Buckley continued to rant about how the website, in his opinion, was outdated and needs all the laws and minutes from the Town meetings up there. Messenger addressed Buckley saying the town would look at the cost and she also said that he has a point, it just needs to be looked into. Buckley told the Board that in Brunswick the town website has all the laws available for all to see unlike Grafton’s. He intends to run for Town Supervisor, and he said that if he wins he would make sure the website would be just the way he imagined it. Unfortunately for Buckley, unless his living arrangements are altered, he won’t be able to run since he lives out of town.
Reports
The highway report was given by Supervisor Kirchner at this month’s edition of the Grafton Town meeting. She reported that ditching has begun on Cranberry Pond Road, and on Babcock Lake Road brush had been taken care of. The Supervisor wanted to thank the highway department for their work, especially in the excruciating heat.
Next, Tom Withcuskey reported on building and code activates for the month. He said that housing was picking up in the Town. As well, he talked about the Sylvan Way project, a housing community that, once completed, will have a Homeowner’s Association for the properties there, and how the road is almost completed. Withcuskey predicted that upon completion of the road there will be many new housing permits.
There was much in the Youth Report that Supervisor Kirchner relayed this month. From July 12 through August 13 there will be a summer youth program at Grafton Elementary from 9 am until 2 pm. The Youth Commission will hold a Back to School dance on August 20. It goes from 5:30 until 10 pm and is for grades 2-8. The price is two dollars a person and parents don’t have to stay, but they will have to sign a release form. There will be a DJ, karaoke and a limbo contest!
In the Rescue Squad Report there were 10 calls, 59.59 hours spent and 212 miles traveled this month.
Correspondence
Received in the mail was an independent study on the Town of Grafton’s Assessment Equity. This study was conducted by The Central Research Group Inc., Robert Briglio, a Professor at SUNY Albany. This 19 page report was made available to the public at the meeting. Contents include an explanation of the Real Property System [RPS], impressions, maps and land values. Supervisor Kirchner chose to read a page of the Professors initial impressions. Over all, the Professor thinks, “It is clear that Grafton needs to come up with a strategy to restore assessment equity to their roll.”
Another communication was received from Helen Hemendinger requesting the permission to attend an assessors’ conference. The Board agreed that before any decision be made, the budget should be looked at.
Resolutions
Resolution 48 of 2010 was passed authorizing the Grafton Rescue Squad to purchase four Rescue Squad communication devices, including a 5 year warranty, in an amount not to exceed $420 each pursuant to three quotes obtained. Quotes will be obtained by Com-Tech Electronics, Wells Communications and Albany Communications, Ltd.
A communication was received regarding the Rensselaer County FEMA Mitigation Plan. FEMA mandates all states and local governments must have hazard mitigation plans approved by FEMA to be eligible for certain types of federal disaster mitigation funding. Because of this communication, Resolution 49 was passed authorizing the Town Supervisor to sign an agreement that the Town of Grafton will participate in the Rensselaer Country Mitigation Act of 2000. Supervisor Kirchner will be the designee and Herb Hasbrouck, Highway Superintendent, and James Goyer, Fire Chief, will be alternative designees for the plan. This Resolution was passed unanimously.