Still More Questions Than Answers Concerning The Town Of Grafton’s Buildings And Highway Equipment
By Doug La Rocque
The condition of the vehicles in Grafton’s Town Highway Department fleet are by most accounts a serious concern, now further complicated by the loss of a one-ton plow truck to a mishap during the height of last week’s blizzard.
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Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck said he was on his way to plow Old Siek Road when he encountered a New York State Department of Transportation plow coming in the other direction on Route 2 in Brunswick. “Due to the heavy deep snow, there wasn’t enough room for us both to pass with plows. I went to the right and my plow caught the snow edge.” Hasbrouck said he ended up on the snow bank, but was not hurt. The vehicle suffered pan and filter damage according to the Superintendent, and was taken to Marchese Ford in New Lebanon for repairs. When questioned by the Grafton Town Board at Monday night’s meeting, Hasbrouck said he had not yet received a report from the repair facility as to the extent of the damage or the total repair estimate. Grafton plows must travel through Brunswick to remove snow on Old Siek Road, as it is only accessible from the Brunswick side.
During the new business section of the meeting, Councilman Eric Buckley presented information he has been working on concerning the possible purchase of one to two new trucks. He used Delurey Sales and Service in Hoosick Falls as a starting point for costs to replace current vehicles. They came up with three options for a new 10-wheel tandem truck with attached equipment. Those prices range from $194,614.00 to $215,914.00. Councilwoman Lisa Dooley suggested the Board hold a least one workshop to look at all options on the table, and where the Town would stand financially should they decide to pursue one of them. Councilman Michael Crandall made it very clear these where just preliminary discussions, and that no purchase could be made without first putting out a request for bids. During his report to the Board, Hasbrouck noted that so far this month, 164 man hours have been needed for repairs to town vehicles. Councilwoman Dooley noted that is equivalent to having one town employee off the road for a complete month. Grafton resident Cathy Goyer also asked what might be planned to repair several roads in the town, that she said are in bad shape. She mentioned Josh Hall Pond Road and Fire Tower Road as just two examples. Superintendent Hasbrouck mentioned road conditions in his report, citing the recent thaws, then freeze and snow storm. He said these are playing havoc with the road conditions.
Goyer also asked if there has been any action yet on the problems that were discussed at a workshop meeting and tour of the Town facilities by the Board earlier this month. Councilwoman Dooley responded the Board is in the process of putting together a list of priorities and suggestions on how to best address them. She hopes these discussions will take place in the not too distant future.
Ambulance Concerns
Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum said the supervisors of both the towns of Berlin and Petersburgh have agreed to meet with her to discuss staffing levels and the inability of the various corps to respond to an emergency call from time to time. Both Grafton’s and Petersburgh’s squads are private entities that receive funding from the town to help provide service. In Berlin’s case, the ambulance is owned by the Berlin Fire Department, and a representative from the fire company would most likely be included in the meeting. No date has yet been set. In the Grafton Rescue Squad’s monthly report to the Town Board, squad member Donna Baldwin reported they responded to five calls in the month of February but were unable to form a crew for two more, and required mutual aid from either Petersburgh or a private service. She also reported one of the five calls they answered was a mutual aid call to Petersburgh, when that squad was unable to respond. As to the status of the $150,000 state grant for the Grafton squad to purchase a new ambulance, Supervisor Gundrum reported the situation has not changed since last month’s meeting. The NYS Dormitory Authority is still waiting for the Governor’s budget office to release the funds to them. That, according to Gundrum, needs Governor Andrew Cuomo’s approval.
A Veterans Banner
Display Program
For Grafton
Commander Len Claus of the Carner Etman Smith VFW Post # 6340 located in the town, presented the Board with plans to erect banners with the name and picture of a service member alive or deceased, who served during a time of war. The proposed program is similar to the one being conducted by the Taconic Valley American Legion Post in Berlin. Commander Claus said this one would modeled after a program conducted by the VFW Post in Poestenkill. He hopes to have more details worked out in time for a May kickoff. He noted they have already received permission from National Grid to use their poles.
The Board also approved a variance to the Grafton ordinance that prohibits the use of camping trailers in the town, except in a state approved campground. The variance was granted to the Grafton Trail Riders Association, as has been the case now for several years. The organizational has a state permit, and a Rensselaer County Health Department approved holding tank for septic and grey water on the property. No dumping of such materials onto the ground is permitted, as is any long term camping. Codes Enforcement Office Tom Withcuskey has the right to inspect the grounds at any time for compliance with the variance.
In response to a question from the floor, Supervisor Gundrum reported that Spectrum, the former Time Warner company, has received a grant to complete the installation of broadband service to the remaining areas of the Town not yet on line. This is primarily in the northern section near the Pittstown and Hoosick town lines.
A Drug Take Back Day Planned For Saturday
The Grafton Community Library is holding a Drug Take Back day on Saturday, April 25 from 10 am until 1 pm. Anyone wishing to dispose of old or unused prescription drugs may bring them to the library on Route 2 at that time. The event is in conjunction with the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department.
During public comment, Cathy Goyer asked about what she said were incomplete minutes for previous meetings, mostly in 2016. She pointed out specifically the lack of detail on resolutions. The Board informed her they are working with the new Town Clerk Vicky Burdick to make sure everything is compliant from here on out, and to correct as many of the possible defects as they can. She also asked about her Foil (freedom of information request) about e mails having been sent and received by Councilman Buckley, indicating the time period to respond has passed. Buckley informed her these can be of a sensitive nature, and he is consulting with Town Attorney Sal Ferlazzo as to what can and should be legally released.
Town Clerk Burdick reported revenues for the month of February from her office totaled over $2,465.00 dollars. Councilman Buckley turned over a check for the Youth Commission for $129.72 from his families most recent bottle drive. The Board also assured those in attendance that while these monies are deposited in the general fund, they are earmarked for youth commission expenditures only. The Board wrapped up its meeting by paying all bills as audited and adjourning in memory of town residents John W. McGrath and Edmund Skorupski. [/private]