by Deb Alter
The Town of Grafton monthly Board meeting was a contentious and long one. The meeting started at 7 pm with public comments and the usual business and reports from Town committees, and other regular business, including a discussion of a back-up dogcatcher.
[private]The bulk of the meeting (until the Board went into Executive Session at 8:06 pm) concerned Board Minutes from 2014. This has been an ongoing point of contention. Councilwoman Barbara Messenger brought up several resolutions concerning minutes from several 2014 meetings that had not been issued and/or needed corrections. Three resolutions were not seconded so there was no vote. There was a contentious discussion about the minutes from some meetings in 2014 that were non-existent, never drafted, inaccurate and/or had not been published. A lively debate ensued about correcting minutes so that things were accurately stated.
Councilman Rick Ungaro said it was the Town Clerk’s job to do the minutes and the Board should “butt out, end of story.” Town Attorney Salvatore Ferlazzo explained that the Town Clerk’s minutes were the official ones. Deputy Clerk Catherine Goyer explained that she had done research and, according to the Association of Towns, meeting minutes do not have to be approved by the Board, that that is merely a courtesy. The Board can clarify items but can’t change the minutes; they can suggest changes but not demand them.
Councilwoman Messenger said that the minutes give the Board legitimacy, gravity and clarity. Supervisor Frank Higgins stated that the Board should not try to recreate the past. The discussion overall was quite heated, and, at one point, Councilwoman Messenger called Councilman Ungaro “rude.” Ferlazzo suggested that the Board pass a formal resolution to accept what is on record for the past and move on, and the Board asked him to draft one.
After a resolution was passed stating that the audit of all the Town books were concluded, the Board went into an Executive Session that lasted from 8:06 pm until 9:23 pm.
A period of public comment followed and included comments concerning taping and archiving the recorded minutes (a citizen offered to purchase and donate a recorder). Comments from Mr. Buckley concerned a residency issue that had been resolved. In a public comments period earlier in the meeting, the Board was encouraged to approve the TRACS contract, which the Board did unanimously later in the meeting.
Another heated discussion concerned the addition of a back-up dogcatcher who can be called upon when the official Dog Control Officer, James Goyer, Jr., cannot answer a call. Although all concurred that there needs to be a Deputy Dog Warden since Goyer cannot answer calls when he is on his regular job, they did not all agree on who should appoint that person and from what part of the budget she or he would get paid. Some on the Board felt that the cost should come from Goyer’s salary since he is not available full time, others vehemently disagreed.
As for who gets to appoint the person, Supervisor Higgins said, “Essentially, the good old boy network doesn’t exist anymore,” implying that Goyer couldn’t choose his deputy. It was determined that Goyer could appoint the deputy. Attorney Ferlazzo, agreeing with Councilman Ungaro, said that the Board did not need to approve Goyer’s choice, but she/he will have to take an oath of office. Ungaro asked where the money would come from to pay the deputy and it was determined that the money would come from an existing budget line with no additional cost to the taxpayers.
Other motions and resolutions at the meeting included paying all bills as audited (passed), expenditures and voucher numbers are to be made public (passed), Herb Hasbrouck will attend Highway School, minutes will be taken at all meetings and published within two weeks of the meeting and a motion to pay all bills as audited was passed (there was no total amount available because the computer was down).
Reports from Town committees and departments were as follows:
Highway Department: Fuel (diesel and gas combined) – Approximately 41,380 gallons were used between January 1 and February 28, 2015, at an average cost of about $3 per gallon. There was a shortage of sand, and the 10 foot dump box was rotted and needs replacing. Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck and Councilwoman Messenger marched on the State capitol in support of CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program). There is no new or additional money for highways in upstate New York despite the grueling winter. They met with State senators and representatives who are on board to help get funds for infrastructure. Hasbrouck said it would be a fight with the governor.
Building Inspector: Solar Panels are going up in many places; permits are being given out.
Rescue Squad: Only six calls last month, about 10 hours and 52 miles were logged. They are looking into the possibility of billing for services (which would be covered by insurance, Medicaid, etc.) as costs are so high and more volunteers are needed.
Town Assessor: Updated land values and assessments.
Town Clerk: Took in $20, nothing else to report.
Dog Control Officer: One dog was hit on Route 2; Goyer now has the necessary equipment and is ready to go.[/private]