Questions Still Linger About Grafton Ambulance Purchase

By Doug La Rocque
Amid new concerns about the status of a New York State grant for $150,000, the discussion at the Grafton Town Board meeting July 11 showed the concern of many about moving forward with the purchase of a new vehicle. Members of the Grafton Rescue Squad and the Town Board opened bids last week from three companies submitting proposals. [private]The low bid was from a Midwest company named Osage Manufacturing. They offered to build a new ambulance on a 2017 chassis for $153,180. That bid however fell short of the many options that Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain feels are necessary, and are part of the bids offered by the two competitors. Allain said to add the options to the Osage base price would in fact increase their final costs to a level beyond the other two bids. AEV Manufacturing of North Carolina had the second lowest bid of the trio, at $156,596. This proposal contains all the items Allain outlined as necessary, with one exception. The final bid from PL Custom Brand of New Jersey came in at $162,790 and contained all the options the squad is asking for. Allain also told the Board that PL has a local repair facility as well, should such be needed. Allain informed the board the PL bid is the one they recommend.
It had been expected that the grant would be in place by now, having been approved by both houses of the State Legislature and signed off on by Governor Cuomo. Allain said however, he received yet more paperwork from the NYS Dormitory Authority this past week, that he labeled as redundant and the question of if and when the grant will be released remains unclear. The Dormitory Authority is the state agency charged with making sure all the particulars for such grants are met. Grafton Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum told the rest of the Board she is very frustrated with the whole process, but said “the issue is now on my plate to resolve.” She promised she would be on the phone to the Governor’s office and that of State Senator Kathy Marchione Tuesday morning. Marchione is the one who secured the grant for the town. As to the extra monies to cover the cost to the town above the $150,000 in grant money, Allain said the Rescue Squad has enough funds to cover the difference.
A Special Meeting Is Planned
Councilman Eric Buckley said the Board is divided on how to proceed at this time. He is in favor of moving forward with the purchase, optimistic the grant will be forthcoming. Councilman Mike Crandall is hesitant to approve such a purchase, without the grant money in hand. A concern raised by Allain about any further delays, is how long will the bid prices hold, and the fact it can often take more than 200 days from the time the contract is signed to actual delivery of the vehicle. The Board voted unanimously to hold a special meeting on Monday, July 25 at 7 pm, to further discuss the matter and perhaps entertain a vote on a purchase. Gundrum is hopeful she will have more information as to the status of the grant at that time.
Revising the Town’s Camping Law
At a previous meeting, town resident David Buckley brought up the proposal to revise the local law concerning the use of campers within the town. Currently such use is prohibited without a special variance from the Town Board. The matter was proposed last summer, and in fact offered up in the form of a resolution, but never acted on by the Board at that time. Buckley was reporting back to the Board about changes he would like to see to allow camping under certain conditions and restrictions. Supervisor Gundrum agreed that she thinks it’s time the law was revisited and asked Buckley if he would be willing to work with the Board about putting together a proposal they can move forward with. Buckley agreed to do so.
The Summer Youth Program Has Begun
The director of the program, Kathy Mason-Wagar told the Board there are 33 registered participants in this year’s program, that began the day of the meeting. She announced that she had hired town resident Ashland Hillis to run the program under her supervision. Hillis is beginning her final year in college for a degree in the teaching field. Mason-Wagar also presented the Board with a letter asking they consider expanding the budget for the program next year. It has been stagnant for a couple of years, and Mason-Wagar indicated increasing costs have forced cutbacks in what the program has to offer. She also asked the Board for permission to consider including children from outside the Town in the program for a fee. She said she has had several requests for such, and has information in hand from some neighboring towns as to how they handle the matter. The Board indicated she should look into it.
At the June meeting, the TRACS program, made up of students from the Berlin School District who work with their peers in dealing with drug, alcohol and mental health issues, asked that the Town once again fund two Grafton students to attended the group’s annual summer summit. Last year the board approved the expenditure of the $850 dollars from the youth program’s budget, which caused a shortfall on that line. Supervisor Gundrum said the Board has decided to fund one position by raising $425 dollars amongst themselves. Gundrum said the group will return this fall to discuss having funding for the program included in the 2017 town budget.
The Town Receives A Check From The Friends Of Dyken Pond
Supervisor Gundrum read a letter from The Friends of Dyken Pond, an organization that works with the Environmental Center in preservation of lands for the many programs the center provides. The letter contained a check for $450, a payment in lieu of taxes for property the group owns in the Town. They are a tax exempt organization. The Friends have made this payment for several years.
In committee reports, the Board heard from Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck, who announced the increase in the state’s Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) has been received by the Town. That figure is slightly more than $25,800. He also reported this year’s CHIPs projects have begun.
Buildings and Codes Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey announced there are currently more than 40 building permits out so far this year, and that some progress has been made in the sale of bank foreclosed properties that are being renovated and returned to the tax rolls.
The Rescue Squad reported they had 9 calls during May and 12 in June. There was a total of three times they were not able to field a crew to respond and had to rely on mutual aid or a private ambulance service to handle the call. They also reported they answered a mutual aid call in another district once during that time period. The issue of staffing levels for these volunteer ambulance programs is a lingering problem not only for Grafton, but many surrounding towns as well.
Dog Control Officer Jay Goyer reported there were two cases of lost dogs in the Town but that both resulted in the animals being found and returned to their owners. Town Clerk Kathy Mason-Wagar reported she turned over $3,427 to the Town from various fees and permits as well as income from the town’s recycling center. The Board approved two resolutions, one establishing a $500 Petty Cash fund for the Highway Department and the other approving the use of the Town Park for this weekend’s annual Grafton Festival. In public comment, Cathy Goyer inquired about a line in the town budget, establishing more than $600,000 for capital improvements to the Town-owned Senior Center. The line has apparently been part of several budgets, but its intended use remains unclear. Board member Lisa Dooley told Goyer she is looking into it for the Board and hoped to have an answer soon.
A Family Fun Night Is Planned
Tom Withcuskey announced a Free Family Concert will be held at the VFW Post on South Rd on Saturday, August 6. Festivities include a bounce house and face painting for the young ones, as well as refreshments offered for sale by the Grafton Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary. The program runs from 4 to 9 pm, with the band Whiskey Highway entertaining from 6 to 9 pm. More information on this event will be forthcoming.
Prior to adjournment, the Board approved the payment of $ 29,536 in bills, and adjourned in memory of town resident Ken Gardy and all those who have lost their lives in the various shooting incidents around the country this past week.[/private]