by Kieron Kramer
In spite of the weather hysteria, the Grafton Planning Board held its regular meeting on Monday at 7 pm under the guidance of Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey. There were two new faces at this meeting. Linda Laveway was appointed at the Organizational meeting on January 5 to fill the vacancy caused by Pete Gundrum’s resignation in early June for personal reasons. Allison Kirchner is the new Secretary to the Planning Board, replacing Jessica Crandall, who left in order to concentrate on her job and her academics. There was no one in the audience, probably because of the dire weather reports. All Board members were present except Arthur Surprise. There was no snow.
[private]Since there were no public hearings, no old business, no new business and no informal discussion, the meeting lasted about two minutes. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of the previous meeting and last month’s public hearings were approved unanimously, with Laveway abstaining since she was not on the Board at the time. There was a brief discussion about the corner of Palitsch Road and Route 2 where a condemned building has been demolished. Everyone agreed that the new lot looks pretty good there and that they are all disoriented coming up to that corner because of the missing building. The building at the Palitsch Road – Route 2 corner has been a fixture for a long time. According to Withcuskey it was a hotel and then a tavern years ago.
Before adjournment Withcuskey welcomed Laveway and Kirchner. This is Laveway’s first term on the Planning Board. Kirchner, however, was Secretary to the Planning Board in 1989, then a member, then the Chairwoman of the Board, she said. Kirchner said that in 1989 the Board met in the basement of the Grafton Library. She also served a stint as Town Supervisor from 2008 to 2011. “Look who’s back; it’s like gum on your shoe,” Withcuskey said, teasing Kirchner. Both ladies, who were beaming throughout the meeting, seemed very happy and eager to serve the Planning Board.
Due to the President’s Day holiday on February 16, the next regular meeting of the Grafton Planning Board will be held on February 23 at 7 pm.[/private]