Grafton

by Alex Brooks

In last week’s story on the Grafton Budget, the Code Enforcement Officer was reported to be getting a raise of $1,500 from his 2013 salary to his 2014 salary. Although it is true that his salary will be $1,500 higher, there is more to the story. Several years ago in a tight budget year, Code Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey was asked to accept $1,500 less salary on a temporary basis to help the Town get through a lean year without a big tax increase. He agreed, and his salary was reduced for a few years. The increase from 2013 to 2014 could therefore more accurately be termed a restoration of his previous salary than a “raise.”

The Grafton Community Library invites the public to welcome newly appointed Library Director Christian Collins and to participate in an ornament craft session. Stop in on Saturday, November 23, anytime from 10 am until 1 pm to create an ornament to decorate the Library’s entry for the Festival of Trees. Join the fun and make an ornament to celebrate your favorite book, author or genre.  Light refreshments will be served, and raffle tickets for the festive Holiday Cheer Basket will be available.  Visit graftoncommunitylibrary.org or call 279-0580 for further news of Library events.

The Grafton Volunteer Fire Department along with the Grafton Ladies Auxiliary will be serving an All You Can Eat Buffet Breakfast on Saturday, November 30, from 8 to 11 am at the Grafton VFW – Fire Hall on South Road (County Route 85).

Belgian waffles, pancakes, French toast, eggs (made to order), sausage gravy & biscuits, bacon, sausage, home fries, toast, orange juice, coffee and milk are on the menu. The cost is $9 per adult, $4 for kids 12 and under and free for kids five and under.

We look forward to serving you!

Rensselaer County’s Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road, Grafton, will be holding a Tree Festival again this year. Start thinking about how to decorate a 2 to 5 foot Christmas Tree for the Festival of Trees in Miniature at the Center in Grafton.  Trees will be displayed from Sunday, November 24, through Sunday, December 22.

The trees may be traditional or completely original but no taller than five feet and should be in place by November 23.  Local businesses, organizations and individual community members are invited to participate; prizes will be awarded.  Categories for prizes will be business or organization, adult group, adult individual, child group, child individual, most original and best traditional.

If you are interested in displaying a tree please call Donna Walker at 279-3275 or the Senior Center at 279-3413.

by Kieron Kramer
The Grafton Planning Board met at 6 pm on October 21, an hour earlier than its usual time, because the Town Board meeting, which was moved from its usual date due to Columbus Day, was scheduled to begin at 7. There was no old business and only one item of new business so the meeting adjourned at 6:12 pm.
The one item on the agenda was a change of use application by David Buckley for the property at 2432 Route 2 which is owned by Tom Forster, who also owns the Grafton Town Store. Buckley will use the small barn on the west side of the Grafton Store as the new location for Graftonondack Outfitters and Boat Livery, the business that he ran for three years at 2978 Route 2, property formerly owned by Ray Darling. Darling died in February of this year not long after becoming Grafton Town Supervisor. Forster was at the meeting in support of Buckley’s application and to answer any questions. He said that the public rest room in his store could be used by Buckley’s customers and that he had no objection to Buckley selling bait. He also said that he was agreeable to the installation of the sign that was used by Graftonondack at its previous location.
Not only will Buckley rent kayaks and other outdoor gear, but he will sell bait and, he hopes, conduct tours. He described the kind of tour he is planning – a bus trip from Grafton Lakes State Park to the Peace Pagoda and then lunch at the Fire Tower followed by a hike back to the Long Pond Beach at GLSP. Buckley said that he is a licensed NYS Guide and has numerous Red Cross certifications. Since it will take some time for the barn to be made ready for the outdoor equipment rental business, it is likely that Buckley will just sell bait this year.
Access to the road and parking were the main concerns of the Planning Board in reviewing Buckley’s application. Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey said that he had visited the site with Buckley to check on the line of sight issues from the pre-existing driveway and said there was good visibility from the driveway. The large Graftonondack sign will be placed so as to not block the line of sight in to or out of the business. Withcuskey recommended that Buckley check with the NYS DOT regarding the visibility issues and the sign “so that they don’t show up later and ask that the sign be removed.” Withcuskey also asked for a short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) to be filled out.
“This is a win-win for both businesses,” Withcuskey said. “We should encourage small businesses in town; they are important to the future of the Town,” he added. Withcuskey made the motion to accept Buckley’s application for a change of use. The Board voted unanimously to accept the application, and a public hearing was scheduled for 5:50 pm before the next regular Planning Board meeting on November 18. The November 18 meeting will start at 6 pm because the Grafton Town Board meeting will be held at 7 pm. The Town Board meeting has been rescheduled from the second Monday, November 11, because that is Veterans Day.
Buckley thanked Tom Forster and his wife as well as Withcuskey and Town Supervisor Frank Higgins for finding him a location so he could bring his business back to Grafton.