by Doug LaRocque
Unanswered Speculation About Whether The 2017 Grafton Town Budget Will Exceed The Tax Cap
There were a lot of comments brought forth during the public comment session of the Monday October 17 Grafton Town Board meeting about paving town roads, but the question asked by former town councilman Rick Ungaro about the upcoming budget drew the most interest.[private] Ungaro said he had heard rumors that the Board planned to exceed the New York State tax cap and wanted to know if it was true. The Board declined to answer the question, stating they were still talking about the budget, and that they have scheduled a public hearing on the spending plan for Monday, November 7. They indicated they would answer all the public’s questions at that time.
The tax cap law was enacted in 2011 and sets 2% as the limit a municipality can raise the tax levy from one year to another. That figure is frequently lower however, as the rate of inflation is factored into the equation. This year’s cap is set at .6%. There are also exemptions from the cap, including actual physical changes to taxable property that affect the tax levy in their first year. Capital costs and pension increases exceeding 2 percent of covered payrolls also fall into this category. To exceed the tax cap, Grafton would have to pass a local law that must have advance public notice and a public hearing. This law must first be approved by the Town Board with at least 60% in favor, before the budget could be voted on. In Grafton’s case, this would mean at least 3 of the 5 Board members must vote to approve such a law. No one on the Board indicated their personal feeling about such an override at this time.
Road Paving Councilman Eric Buckley asked Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck about two roads that received some new black top in the last few weeks. The roads in question were the middle section of Josh Hall Pond Road and Stuffle Street from Route 2 to the top of the hill. Buckley also asked why the paving projects were not brought up in recent conservations between Hasbrouck and the Board’s Highway Committee. The Superintendent answered there was a limited window of time to act concerning both availability of equipment and reimbursement regulations. The paving was done with the help of the Town of Brunswick, which loaned Grafton their paver and trucks to haul blacktop, as did Poestenkill and Petersburgh. This is part of the county’s shared services program.
Jay Hakes Road resident Mick Butler brought to light, that he had asked the Board 15 years ago to consider widening and paving his road. He thanked Superintendent Hasbrouck for completing the widening project, but said the road is still very rippled and slippery in mud season, noting various times when school buses have slid off the road. He is asking the Board consider a process where money is put away each year to begin paving town roads. Most of the 65 miles of roads in the town are dirt. Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum indicated this year’s budget will see a number of changes, some possibly impacting the Highway Department budget.
Other public comment brought forth by David Buckley was revising or scrapping the town’s law concerning camping. Presently a camper can only be occupied by a variance of this law. The changes were first brought forth two years ago, and revisited by Mr. Buckley earlier this year. At that time the Board invited him to bring forth proposals, which Buckley indicates he has. Supervisor Gundrum thanked him for all his work and asked that they keep the lines of communication open, but the Board decided that with the budget and ambulance issues of pressing concern at the moment, that they would deal with this after the new year.
Still Waiting on the Ambulance Grant During the correspondence session of the meeting, Supervisor Gundrum announced they were in receipt of another request from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York for a project narrative asking about what kind of ambulance the town would like to purchase, where it would be housed and how it would be used. Gundrum indicated these questions were all answered in the original grant application, but they have responded immediately to the request. All joking aside about what they would use an ambulance for, Gundrum said “it is truly out of hand, we need an ambulance, we need ambulance service, we need ambulance members and riders. It’s something we have to take very seriously.” DASNY indicated in conversations with the town two months ago, Grafton might see the $150,000 grant late this year or early next. The grant was announced by State Senator Kathy Marchione some 18 months ago. As far as September went, Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain indicated they responded to 11 calls of a various nature, four that required advance life support mutual aid.
Purchasing Some New and Used Highway Equipment Superintendent Hasbrouck asked the Board to approve a resolution to purchase two small sanders for his pickups to use this winter and a Gradall so the town does not have to rent one each year. The two sanders would cost $8,300 and the used Gradall $10,000. Hasbrouck pointed out they pay about $8,000 a year to rent one that is not in as good of shape as the one he wishes to purchase. He also indicated he has the money in this year’s budget to cover the costs, including $1,300 to have the Gradall brought to Grafton.
The Board approved the resolution unanimously. In other departmental reports, Building and Codes Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey said the town has 58 building permits out at this time, 30 of which have been issued this year. He also urged all homeowners to have any wood stoves and heating systems cleaned and inspected before the onset of winter. The Assessor reported various field visits and meetings with taxpayers, as well as representing the town in a small claims tax assessment case.
The Town Clerk reported September revenues of $5,732.00 and Youth Commissioner Noelle Goyer wanted to remind everyone of the Halloween Trunk or Treat at the VFW post. Such events have become popular the past few years as a safe alternative to Trick or Treating. Children go car to car in a supervised atmosphere to gather their treats.
Councilman Buckley also indicated there would be another bottle drive in November. Bottles may be dropped at the re-cycling center or picked up by calling the councilman. The State Park report highlight the groundbreaking for the new Welcome Center and plans to construct a new sewage treatment facility over the winter.
Library Director Ronnie Tatro spoke about several successful programs, including Tuesday Game Night. She also mentioned there has been a significant increase in the number of young adult volunteers and indicated she would like to build a reverse reading program, where children read to adults.
The Board voted to approval all bills, and retired to executive session to discuss a personnel matter before adjourning in memory of Francis May and Peter Gintner.[/private]