Agrees To Buy A New Pick Up Truck
By Doug La Rocque
The Grafton Town Board met in a workshop session on Thursday April 6 to sort through all the information it gathered last month in its walk around the Town Hall, garage and other facilities. [private]Board members broke their lists down into four separate areas of responsibility, and have assigned a particular person to gather quotes and proposals on how the items in their charge can best be addressed. Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck has been asked to report back to the Board with quotes to fix or install full concrete flooring in the Highway Garage, as well as adding drainage and resurfacing of the ambulance garage floor. The Board is also interested in repairing or replacing the garage doors to bays 3 and 4. Other chores that Town employees may be asked to accomplish include screwing down the salt shed roof, repainting lines around the Town Park, setting up park lights on a timer, cleaning the catch basin by the monument, replacing the highway garage toilet and cleaning out some of the old junk around the garage.
Jim Goyer is going to get back to the Board with costs to paint the exterior of the highway garage, clean and set up a lunch room there, repair the Town Hall roof and replace the roof over the Post Office. Other repairs to that building include fixing soffits, the porch and front door flashing. The metal doors on the Town Hall are also in need of sanding and painting. Dog Control Officer Vicky Burdick is going to look into renting kennel space from the Town of Petersburgh on the rare occasions an animal has to be housed overnight, versus spending up to $600 for the Town’s own kennel facility. Deputy Town Supervisor Tom Withcuskey is going to look into the cost for a new diesel pump and possible donations of blacktop and a roller to repair the Town’s basketball court. The Board plans to meet again in a workshop on May 22 at 6:30 pm to discuss the results of the information and price gathering efforts, and to then propose what steps will be brought forth at the June regular meeting.
Buying a New Truck
And Trailer
Fast forward to the regular meeting of the Board on Monday April 10, where the consensus was the trailer the Highway Department has been using to move equipment to work sites is by all estimates beyond repair, and Superintendent Hasbrouck says he has found a used replacement for $8,700, the money for which he has in his budget. The Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase. It wasn’t so on a resolution to spend $30,000 to replace a 2009 Ford F-350 pickup. The money would come from the unexpended fund balance. The resolution was approved by a 4 – 1 margin, with Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum casting the sole negative vote. Speaking with The Eastwick Press following the meeting, Supervisor Gundrum said “I hate to buy something new before making sure what we have that’s old isn’t still serviceable. And from what I’ve seen, especially through this last go around with the uninspected trucks, there is an awful lot of routine maintenance and things that could be done on a daily basis to check out the trucks and make sure they are working right that isn’t being done and has resulted in the position we are in now. So I don’t agree at all with buying something new when what we have is probably still completely serviceable.” The Board has also stated they will look at the expenditure of between 150 and 200 thousand dollars to replace a 2001 single axle vehicle at a later point in the year.
Still Looking For The New Ambulance Grant
Supervisor Gundrum says there is still no word on when Governor Cuomo’s office will direct the Budget Office to allow the State Dormitory Authority to release the $150,000 grant to purchase a new ambulance for the Grafton Rescue Squad. It is now just shy of two years since State Senator Kathy Marchione announced the grant. During the public comment portion of the meeting, town resident Kate Brimmer wanted to know if there was any way the Town could help the rescue squad with its staffing problems. Brimmer also asked if there was anything the state could do since they pay no taxes to the town for the Grafton Lakes State Park, but the Rescue Squad must provide them with ambulance coverage year-round. It should be noted that at the time the grant was announced, Senator Marchione’s office indicated one of the reasons Grafton was awarded the grant was because of the ambulance service it provides the park.
Moving Ahead With Changes To The Town’s Camping Law
Also during public comment, resident David Buckley asked how the work to amend the law that currently prohibits the overnight use of camping trailers without a variance was progressing. Councilwoman Allison Kirchner indicated the committee has done two different drafts that would allow such camping, but they still needed to run the proposal by Town Attorney Sal Ferlazzo. She hoped they would be able to bring the new outline to the Board at their May meeting. Since it involves a local law, there would first have to be a public hearing before the Board could vote to approve any changes.
Recognizing A Sister And Brother’s Commitment To Military Service
Earlier this year The Eastwick Press brought you the story of KC and Ryan Gosse, Grafton residents that have both enlisted in the National Guard’s Military Police.
KC joined up two years ago while still a senior at Berlin High School, a path her younger brother Ryan has followed by also enlisting in what is now his senior year at the school. The Town Board took the time out at Monday night’s meeting to honor the siblings and express the town’s pride in the young pair’s career path.
In department reports, Highway Superintendent Hasbrouck admitted this winter has raised havoc on some town roads, and with the onset of warmer weather, his crews are working on repairs. He also responded to a question from councilman Eric Buckley, indicating the newly approved state budget contains more money for the annual Consolidated Highway Improvements Programs (CHIPS). Hasbrouck said the actual formula as to how it will be broken down has not been released yet, so he cannot say if Grafton will share in the increase. He also agreed to a request from the councilman to discuss with the Board what roads might be earmarked for improvements using these funds before any final decision is made.
Building and Codes Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey said there are 7 new permits out to date, with about 30 more still active from last year. He also indicated he is working with banks and owners about properties in severe states of disrepair on Dumbleton, Mill and South Roads.
Grafton Community Library Director Ronnie Tatro reported the recent Drug Take Back Day for prescription drugs was a great success, and the library would be interested in holding another such day, perhaps in conjunction with the Senior Center, later this year. She also talked about the continued success of their Reading Programs and Family Fun Nights, as well as their upcoming plant sale.
Grafton Lakes State Park reported work on the new Visitors Center and Park Offices is proceeding well, and that with a new vendor on board for the upcoming summer season, they are looking forward to many upgrades to the concession stand along the beach.
Youth Commission Director Noelle Goyer reported both the recent Movie Night and Easter Egg Party were a large success, and advised to watch for more programs this summer, and the return of the highly successful Trunk or Treat this Halloween. Town Clerk Vicky Burdick reported her office turned over $2,013 in revenue to the town in March. The Board concluded the night by approving the payment of $28,464 in bills and adjourned in memory of Jim Remington and longtime Grafton restaurant owner Lena Barrett. [/private]