By Doug La Rocque
Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum told the regular meeting of the Grafton Town Board September 12 that Councilmembers Eric Buckley and Allison Kirchner, along with Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain have all but put the finishing touches on a bid for a new ambulance for the squad. [private] The bid has been pulled twice because of language difficulties that one bidder contends may have favored one of his competitors. Councilwoman Kirchner suggested the bid be reviewed by Town Attorney Sal Ferlazzo before it is released, a notion the complete Board agreed with.
Meanwhile, Supervisor Gundrum said the Town has received more paperwork from the Dormitory Authority, the state agency charged with grant administration. Grafton has been awarded a $150,000 grant but it has been tied up for nearly a year now in red tape. Gundrum said the latest request was for an environment impact study as it relates to the purchase of the ambulance. She said the study request has been returned with the Town’s assurance there is no environmental impact. In its August report, Captain Allain said the squad responded to ten calls, three with ALS assistance from the Mohawk Ambulance. He also said there were three times they were unable to field a crew to respond to the call and had to rely on mutual aid. Allain said the squad is in real need of more volunteers.
Offered as information, the squad said that starting next month they have been directed by Troy’s two hospitals to transport patients who will likely require overnight hospitalization, only to Samaritan Hospital. St. Mary’s will be used for lesser emergencies. This does not affect transport to Albany area or Bennington hospitals.
Tracs/Youth 2 Youth Seeks Funding
For the last two years, the organization made up of students from the four towns that compose the Berlin School District, have asked the various town boards for $850 to send two students from each town to their annual Northeast Conference, a multi-day event that focuses on the problems facing today’s younger population. The goal is to help these youths respond and deal with such problems facing their peers as drug and alcohol abuse, family talk, mental health and cigarettes. Three members spoke to the Town Board about the programs they have developed including special school functions and working with the various youth groups in the towns. Rachel Cahill, along with Grafton sisters Parker and Hayden Crandall urged the Board to consider creating a budget line for the group in the upcoming budget preparations, in the hope of avoiding asking the towns to scramble for the donations in the spring. Two years ago Grafton moved money around to pay for the trip for two Grafton members. This spring each member of the Board contributed $100 toward their expenses.
Department Reports
Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck said he is optimistic that with the assistance of Rensselaer County the Jay Hakes Road bridge project may soon become reality. He also reported that repair to Josh Hall Pond Rd. have been completed. Hasbrouck also explained several large repair bills, mostly related to their 2005 truck. He indicated the cutting of brush along town roads is underway but is behind schedule. Also of note are efforts to replace the road name sign on Bailey Rd. the second time it has disappeared in three years.
Building and Codes Officer Tom Withcuskey said there are 51 building permits out to date, and that several bank owned homes have been sold at auction and clean-up efforts around these buildings are underway. He indicated that many code changes adopted by New York State will go into effect next month.
Assessor David Galarneau indicated he spent time in August meeting with taxpayers, doing site visits and preparing for small claim court assessment challenges and other law suits against the town in regard to a number of assessment changes made in 2015. Youth Director Noelle Goyer reported they had a great carnival day in July in connection with the summer youth program, and that plans are underway for a “trunk or treat” Halloween. In what she describes as a safer alternative concept to regular trick or treating, people bring out their vehicle, decorate their trunk and hand out candy to kids. Several community events were discussed, including a Fall Festival sponsored by the Grafton Baptist Church on October 22, and the Historical Society’s Annual Wine and Cheese Festival on October 15 at the Grafton Inn. Town Clerk Kathy Mason-Wagar reported income of $3,166.50 in August, and the Board approved bills totaling $102,719.00 before adjourning for the night.[/private]