The Grant To Purchase A New Ambulance For The
Town Of Grafton Moves Closer To Completion
By Doug La Rocque
For several months the $150,000 grant announced last year by State Senator Kathy Marchione’s office to allow the Grafton Rescue Squad to replace its aging ambulance, has been stuck in red tape at the NYS Dormitory Authority, the state agency charged with making sure all the requirements of the grant are met. [private]
Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain told the meeting of the Town Board Monday night, that hurdle has now been cleared and the final approval is back with Senator Marchione, awaiting only the finalization of the Rescue Squad’s official name. The Squad has had several names over the years, and it created some confusion. Allain said that matter has been resolved, and the final paperwork has been forwarded to the Senator. Allain is also hopeful the resolution will allow the Squad to soon start billing Medicaid and Medicare for their services, as they now do with patients who have private medical insurance. Bids to replace the ambulance by either purchase or lease were scheduled to be opened at the meeting, but a flaw in the language of the bid forced the cancellation of the opening. It is projected that the proposed purchase will be re-bid soon.
At a special meeting of the Town Board in April, there was discussion about the feasibility of replacing the ambulance, considering the decreased number of active members in the squad. It was also pointed out by some in attendance that there were a number of times the ambulance was not able to respond to a call because of a lack of staffing, forcing the Town to rely on a paid ambulance service to respond. In most cases, this falls to the Mohawk Ambulance Service. At the time it was pointed out by Allain that they too have had staffing problems, but he never indicated they have been unable to respond to a call in the town. Les Freemantle of the Mohawk Service took the time to point out in public comment session, that Mohawk has been proud to serve Grafton whenever called, and looks forward to continuing their service to the town.
Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum announced the Town has received the report on the review of the town’s financial practices conducted in March by the NYS Comptroller’s Office. This review was a follow up on the recommendations put forth in the Comptroller’s comprehensive audit conducted in August of 2013. The review was limited to interviews with town personnel and the inspection of certain documents related to the issues identified in the 2013 report. The report said, “based on our limited procedures, it appears the Town has not made progress implementing the corrective action” set forth in the report. The Town Board in 2013 submitted a response to the audit that included a claims auditing policy, but the review finds the Board did not adopt this policy. It urged the Board to adopt a claims auditing process that ensures the deliberate auditing of vouchers to confirm their legitimacy and that vendor payments are paid on time. The report did note that of the 30 claims they examined, that with one minor exception, all were legitimate and paid in a timely manner. Supervisor Gundrum said that Council Members Allison Kirchner and Lisa Dooley have been tasked with preparing a written policy for the Town to follow.
The report also faulted the Town for failing to recoup funds paid to vendors for services not provided. Specifically, this involves a cell phone used by the Rescue Squad during emergency calls. This phone has been in the possession of the Rescue Squad since 2009. The report said, “as a result, Town officials decided not to seek to recoup these funds.” The report concluded the contract between the Town and Rescue Squad does not require the Town to pay for the Squad’s phone. It urged Grafton to adopt a policy identifying appropriate users of Town-owned cell phones. Supervisor Gundrum said she has been in contact with several neighboring towns for a copy of their usage policy, and that she hopes to draft a policy tailored for Grafton for the Board’s consideration.
The meeting opened with a presentation from the TRACs/Youth/2/Youth organization, a community based group of teens that works with their peers dealing with issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, family talk, mental health and cigarettes. The group described their impact on young people in the Berlin School District, once rated to have the highest instance of drug and alcohol abuse in Rensselaer County, but now among the lowest. Youth/2/Youth has also produced a number of Public Service Announcements, dealing this year with mental health. They are again seeking funding from the Town in the amount of $850 to send two Grafton youth to the organization’s Northeast Conference, a multi-day event that focuses on the problems facing today’s younger population, and how they can respond and help their peers deal with these problems. The group asks for the funding from each of the four towns that make up a majority of the school district, as well as contributions from businesses and their own fund raisers. Grafton approved the request last year, and the Board told them they would make a decision by their July meeting.
For several years the Grafton Trail Riders Association has asked the Board for a variance of the law that prohibits the use of camping trailers in the Town, permitting their use for no more than 60 hours, usually at their September Gymkhana event. This year, the Association has been approved by both New York State and Rensselaer County as a private campground and asked the Board for a variance for use from late May through early October. The site has its own county-approved septic holding system, and the variance prohibits the dumping of any sewage or grey water. Approved by a 5 to 0 vote, the variance allows the number of campers on the site as outlined by State and County guidelines. Codes Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey said this number would be around 30.
The Board also heard a request for a variance of the law from Diane and Robert Harris, who are building a small camp and screen room on Johnson Road. They wish to reside in a camper on the property while there during construction. They already have a port-a-potty on the site for septic concerns. The camp is of the primitive nature, without pressurized water or electricity. The Harrises asked for the variance through September of 2017, but the Board indicated they were more inclined to renew it on a year to year basis. Board member Allison Kirchner also indicated it might be time for the Town to look at its camping law, which she believes was created in the 1970s and is in need of updating and revisions. The sentiment was echoed during public comment by town resident David Buckley, who has been arguing for an update for several years. The Board took the Harrises request under consideration and indicated they would like some input from Town Attorney Sal Ferlazzo, due to the nature of the request.
The Grafton Summer Youth program is slated to run between July 11 and August 11, with the swim program running from July 18 into the first week of August. Information on the program is available on the Town’s website and from Town Clerk Kathy Mason-Wagar, who also administers the events.
The Town recently repaired the retaining wall at the end of North Long Pond Road and Route 2, by the Grafton Town Store. The store is giving away a free ice cream sandwich to any town youth who would like to use a permanent marker to outline their hands on the wall with their name in the middle of the outline. Please sign up at the store.
Grafton Community Library Director Ronnie Tatro mentioned upcoming library programs including the kick off of the summer reading program on June 18, and a Mac-n-Cheese cook-off at noon on Saturday June 25. Two festivals are on tap this summer in Grafton. The first sponsored by Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church on July 16, and a special Grafton Day is in the works for August 6, featuring live music from the Whiskey Hill Band. More information on this is forthcoming. The Historical Society outlined their programs for the summer, including a session on the paranormal, and there were brief reports from the Highway Department, Codes Enforcement and the Assessor. The annual Grievance Day, a time when property owners may ask the Board of Assessment Review for a reduction in their property’s assessed values, was much quieter this year compared to last. Seven people appeared before the board, versus the 90 plus appeals the BAR heard last year.
The meeting was adjourned in memory of the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.[/private]