Residents Again Urge The Board To Reduce The Proposed Tax Hike To Keep It Under The Tax Cap

By Doug La Rocque
The regular November meeting of the Grafton Town Board on November 14 was preceded by two public hearings, the first on the proposed 2017 town budget.
In response to a question resident Jim Prazak of Pond View Road asked last week about why the Town’s total taxable value had gone down [private]by more than $100,000 this year, Councilwoman Lisa Dooley read an e-mail from Assessor David Galarneau. He cited a number of assessment changes, property destruction, abandoned properties, reductions made by the Board of Assessment Review and lawsuits that stemmed from the 2015 Assessment changes.
Former Councilman Rick Ungaro, who conceded that tax relief rebates for Towns that stay under the tax cap, have in fact been eliminated by New York State this year, asked the Town to consider using the unexpended fund balance to pay off the Grafton Senior Center loan. He feels eliminating the principal and interest payments from the budget would allow the town to bring down the tax rate and place money in a fund to replace aging highway equipment.
Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum called it an interesting idea, but since it was first brought up Monday evening, the Board did not have the figures handy as to how much money would be needed, and what would remain of the fund balance. Ungaro also expressed his opposition to any elected official receiving a raise. The only elected official slated to receive a hike is Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck, that being two percent.
During the second public hearing about Local Law # 1 authorizing the Town Board to exceed the .06% tax cap, resident Linda Laveway urged the Board to take another hard look at the budget to see where they might be able to trim a little more. She suggested they look at all budget lines, and pointed out the library, the programs for the aging and the Youth Commission as areas where she thinks funding could be reduced. Laveway also took up the plight of seniors in the town, many facing a social security increase of less than one percent. She feels any tax increase will adversely impact their quality of life.
There was also discussion about why the town is not assessed at full value. Without that, the equalization rate comes into play, with several different opinions offered as to how it affects taxes. Supervisor Gundrum said the Assessor has told her he simply does not have enough hours to do a full revaluation
All Board members expressed empathy and understanding of the concerns expressed, but also mentioned other financial challenges facing the Town. Councilman Eric Buckley told the audience “we are in this situation because of lack of planning. I can show you the highway fleet, we have an ambulance that is in disarray, we’ve got roads that need improvement, this roof (the town hall) needs replacing, we got people that want raises just like you guys want raises in your jobs. As a group, we are trying to do the right thing.”
The preliminary budget calls for a 3% take hike.
Reports
Highway Superintendent Hasbrouck reported the used Gradall which the Town Board authorized him to purchase last month, should arrive any day. He also told the Board that all the Consolidated Highway Improvement Programs paperwork has been completed and accepted. Hasbrouck said he expects to see this CHIPs money in December.
Supervisor Gundrum also read a letter from Cathy Karp of Red Pond Road, informing the Town of her concerns about a culvert on the road. Hasbrouck said he has looked at the culvert and agrees it is in need of immediate replacement. That work is slated to begin this week.
Also brought to light was the issue of some missing street signs, such as at Trail Riders Way and Fox Hollow. Supervisor Gundrum asked Hasbrouck to look into replacing them as soon as possible.
Codes Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey reported there are 60 building permits out to date, and advises everyone to make sure their home heating systems are clean. He also reminded anyone planning on installing a new wood or pellet stove they must be permitted. Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain reported they responded to ten calls in October, two requiring mutual aid from the Mohawk Ambulance Service.
Also discussed was a new sign installed at the entrance to Babcock Lake, that says “no public access.” It was noted that while the lake is indeed private, the roads around the lake are Town roads. The Board called the sign, “misleading,” and promised to look into it.
The Board next meets on Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 pm to consider the Local law and approval of the 2017 budget.[/private]