Grafton Town Board Action – A Junkyard At Lake Elizabeth?

by Erin Hogan
Lake Elizabeth once again took the spotlight at the Grafton Town Meeting on Thursday, July 9. Even though Building and Code Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey reported that the Lake Elizabeth clean up is “making good progress,” that the sheds are gone and the vehicles on the property have been addressed properly, concerned people from the Lake Elizabeth community came out to express their displeasure with the Draiss property. Linda Cleary read a letter that she wrote to the Board saying that she thinks that progress has not been made. In fact, she argues that it looks worse. She said that she doesn’t think Draiss is serious about selling the property and that she thinks it’s his personal “junkyard.”
On the other hand, Draiss defended himself saying that he is trying to sell the land and that he took the building down. He said that he’s going through hard times and is doing the best he can at this point in time.
It came back to Tom Withcuskey’s assessment, and he said that the camp is down, metal is piled, wood is being burned and the vehicles are all registered. Withcuskey is content with the progress being seen at this time. According to him, Draiss is “making progress.” Board Member Edward Fredricks is going up to take a look at the site.
Rain, Rain, Go Away
Herb Hasbrouck gave the highway report. He said that the Highway Department is still short handed and needs help, especially in these summer months with workers taking vacations. Also, he reported about the rain. He wasn’t playing weatherman, but because of this excessive rain that we have been blessed with, Hasbrouck and his men are behind with the projects. Currently, he’s working on getting three quotes on bushhog mowers to rent. It would help with all his projects because with all the rain the grass and weeds are growing high. The Board agreed that getting a bushhog mower quote would be a good idea. As far as the project on Johnson Road goes, the culvert pipe has been ordered and the trees have been cleared. At this point, only stumping needs to take place. He said that they’re about “30% into the project.” The Sylvan Way project has been red-flagged because of all the rain. Once the project is stabilized again, they will be able to continue.
Communications
The Board received a communication from John Lowe on behalf of the NYS Parks looking for a reversal of the Grafton Rescue Squad’s new policy about their ambulances aiding the State Parks. With the new policy ambulances are no longer provided to the State Parks during their functions. Lowe was trying to see if that could be changed because events that are held at Grafton Lakes State Park, such as the Triathlon coming up on July 18 and 19 and the Polar Plunge on January 1, need ambulance assistance. It was decided that the Board would compose a letter to the Rescue Squad because it seemed reasonable that the Park would want assistance for these events.
Old Business
In old business the wind mill law had modifications done on it since last meeting. If anyone is interested in reviewing it, there are copies available in the Town Office. As well, the Town will be taking comments in writing until August first about the law.
Other Reports
The ambulance was out of service on June 30 for maintenance. The Rescue Squad has had eight calls this month – one poisoning, one mental health, one stroke, two motor vehicle accidents, one difficulty breathing, one abdominal pain and one chest pain. Overall 32.9 man hours were spent and 189 miles driven.
The youth program started last Monday, and it looks like there’s going to be a good turnout with 45 children signed up this year. Town Supervisor Allison  Kirchner invited the Board to go check it out saying that last year when she went she got to play kickball for the first time since she was a child.
Resolutions 62 and 63
Resolution #62 of 2009 was presented at this meeting. It responded to a letter from Mark Wehnan asking for a variance on Section 161-14 of the Grafton Town Code for the Grafton Trail Riders. Wehnan wants to be able to have travel trailers at Trail Rider Way in Grafton. Once again, the Board, as with Glenn Hebert from last month, approved the variance as long as it was only on the dates specified (July 12, 24-26, August 9, September 13 and 5-27) and stayed within the appropriate guidelines set up by the Board. Once again, as with the last variance, Wehnan will be checked up on by Grafton officials to make sure he stays within the guidelines.
Resolution #63 was also passed extending the date of appointment of Owen Grandjean as the Chairman of the Planning Board for the Town of Grafton from June 30 to September 30, 2009. The Board took this time to thank Grandjean for doing the tough job.
In Memoriam
After the Board voted to pay the bills  as audited, the meeting was adjourned in memory of Sherwood Palitsch.