$150,000 NYS Grant Money For New Grafton Ambulance
By Doug La Rocque
Grafton Town Supervisor Frank Higgins told the Monday night meeting of the Town Board that the New York State Dormitory Authority has authorized a grant to the Grafton Rescue Squad to purchase a new ambulance to replace the current vehicle. The Squad’s current unit is pretty old, and has had many problems, particularly electrical, which have taken it out of service for repairs. [private]Captain Joe Allain said he has returned all the paperwork. It may take up to 18 months however, before the squad sees the money. Higgins thanked Allain, Councilwoman Barb Messenger and especially State Senator Kathy Marchione for their help in obtaining the grant. The NYS Dormitory Authority is the state agency that oversees the awarding of these types of grants.
Budget Hearing Set
A Public Hearing on the 2016 budget will be held on Thursday, November 5 starting at 6:45 pm at the Town Hall on Route 2. The budget is available for public inspection at the Town Clerks Office or Supervisor’s office during their posted hours
Dunham Reservoir Road A Concern
The meeting opened with a discussion about the condition and safety of Dunham Reservoir Road. Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck said he is aware of the conditions, but it is a case of both revenue to repair it, and heavy truck traffic using the road illegally. Hasbrouck said the road is posted for 10 tons, but he often sees heavier vehicles on it. He pointed out it is not local deliveries he is concerned about, but trucks using it to shorten travel distance to other areas. He also listed speeding on the road as a concern. In other highway matters, Hasbrouck pointed out that Rensselaer County Engineer Wayne Bonesteel has been appointed as a representative to the NYS committee that helps determine where and how much Consolidated Highway Improvement Money (CHIPS) is doled out to localities each year. He feels this is a plus for the county towns. He also reported that Time Warner has completed their main line construction, but that a few locations were missed in the initial mapping and will have to wait for Time Warner to get permission from National Grid to go on their poles. It will probably take until early spring until such places as Kautz Hollow Road and Old Siek Road see this construction completed. Sales representatives are currently in the town, and many places are already receiving cable service. Hasbrouck said they have extended Yerdon Road by 67 feet to create a safe turnaround for plows and other highway equipment. The place they used to turn around has been purchased by a new homeowner who is constructing his septic system in the area. The Town has received a five year renewable easement from Gordon Gundrum for the new turn around location. Codes Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey and Hasbrouck also met recently with the Sylvan Way Homeowners Association. They had requested the Town consider taking over the roadway. Hasbrouck said he explained to them they would lose control over the road if such a transfer took place, He said they voted not to proceed with the request at this time, nor for another five years.
Building Inspector Tom Withcuskey reported there are 45 building permits out year to date, with about 35 still active from last year. He said many of these are for new home construction or additions. He said he has sent out three letters about junk cars on properties and two letters concerning overall junk conditions.
Ambulance Billing And Contract Questions
Rescue Squad Captain Allain reported they were dispatched to 14 calls in September with six calls requiring advanced life support services from Mohawk Ambulance Service. As was reported previously in the Eastwick Press, Allain told the meeting they have begun to bill for their services. He hopes there will be enough revenue generated to pay stipends for daytime EMS personnel, when responders are tough to come by. Allain said Grafton’s was the last volunteer squad not associated with a fire department in the County to enact such billing. Squad member Donna Baldwin reported they have received 18 reimbursements from insurance companies to date, and two co-pays of $100 Allain said the co-pays are a one-time 30 day request, and no further billing is sent forth if the co-pay is not received. Deputy Town Clerk Cathy Goyer presented the Board with a contract between the squad and the Town signed by former Town Supervisor Larry Jensen in 1974 that said the Town would supply the squad with the ambulance and supplies and the squad would not bill for services. Baldwin asked why this was not brought to their attention before this. Goyer said she just found the signed copy in the vault within the last week, and that she was forwarding it to Town Attorney Sal Ferlazzo for review.
Town Clerk’s Pay
Deputy Town Clerk Goyer brought to light that Town Clerk Sue Putnam has not been receiving her pay. She said she contacted Town Attorney Ferlazzo, and she claims he informed Supervisor Higgins that he must legally pay Town Clerk Putnam. The Clerk has been out of the office most of the year due to illness and is not seeking re-election. Supervisor Higgins quoted from the Town Law manual, section 27. “The Town Clerk is required to submit monthly to the Supervisor a verified statement of all monies received and to pay such monies to the Supervisor. Unless such verified statement and payment is made, the Town Clerk may not be paid until such report is properly submitted.” Higgins said as Supervisor he is responsible for the fiscal matters of the town. He said not only are many of these reports missing, but also the checks that go with them. Higgins presented the matter to the Board, who voted 3-2 to pay Putnam. Council members Gundrum, Crandall and Ungaro in favor, Councilwoman Messenger and Supervisor Higgins voting against.
Suits About The 2015 Assessment Roll
Supervisor Higgins read a correspondence from town residents James and Jennifer Prazak, critizing the recent changes in many town aseesments. They contend Assessor David Garlarneau’s actions were illegal and have resulted in two lawsuits against the town. Higgins said there are no actual lawsuits at this time, simply notices of possible pending action that are currently a matter of negotiations. The letter also spawned questions as to whether the Town could return to three elected assessors versus the single appointed assessor as it has now. Councilman Mike Crandall pointed out there is no legal mechanism to reverse the change.
Higgins also read a request from Bridget Mae Hamill for a variance to place a camping trailer on property at 17 Pine Road as a temporary seasonal residence, until such time as the previous structure destroyed by fire can be replaced. Building Inspector Withcuskey presented the Board with his concerns, particularly the size of the lot, the condition of the roadway where the camper would sit, and concerns about potable water and sewage removal. Withcuskey also said she is not the owner of record on the property. The Board referred the matter to the Planning Board.
Lisa and Eric Buckley sent a check to the Youth Department for $205.80 for bottles collected by their children Abigail and Zachery in a bin at the Town Recycling Center.
The Board voted three in favor with two abstentions to pay bills as audited and adjourned the meeting in loving memory of former Councilman William Nugent.[/private]