Grafton Town Board Action – Lake Elizabeth Finally Clean?

by Erin Hogan
According to Code Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey, Mr. Draiss has “cleaned up considerably” what is left of the mess on his property at Lake Elizabeth. Withcuskey said that of the mess that was there it is 95% cleaned up and that Draiss did comply and has done a good job at cleaning this up. Some residents even contacted Withcuskey and told him that they were happy with the progress that has been made. Withcuskey reported that the job is still not done and that there is more to clean up. Supervisor Allison Kirchner said that this project “really needs to be done.” She suggested that if he plans to still have some of his belongings on his property, he should perhaps invest in a small fence for privacy. Withcuskey said that the job should be completed and done within 7 to 10 days because along with cleaning up the property by himself, Draiss has a job and other commitments.
Donald Smicht of the Lake Elizabeth community was present, and he thanked Withcuskey for his effort in getting Draiss’ property cleaned up. As Withcuskey said, “It’s going to come to an end.”
Withcuskey also reported that there are 34 building permits out. Also, he wanted to remind people that if you have a woodstove a permit is needed.
Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck reported that Johnson Road was graveled and is mostly complete. A culvert is going to be put in next week and the County is going to help out with finishing it up. Other than that not much is going on. He is just looking forward to winter touch-ups and sanding once the snow starts to fall. Also, in Highway department news Resolution 71 was presented authorizing the change of the Town’s wage schedule to pay a long term MEOH (highway) substitute at a rate of $13.44 per hour. The resolution passed.
New Business
A letter was received from Michael Breslin telling Supervisor Kirchner that he was taking part in the NYS Department of State Local Government Efficiency Grant Program High Priority Planning Grants for a regional Solid Waster Management Authority Feasibility Study. The goal is to help develop the processes and the structures needed to most cost effectively dispose and recycle in all communities. An advisory committee of representatives for Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties will participate in the study. Breslin was asking if Supervisor Kirchner would write a letter of support to this group. Resolution 68 of 2009 was approved authorizing Supervisor Kirchners’ signature on a letter of support to this group.
A letter from the Grafton Rescue Squad was received requesting the purchase of four Motorola minitors. Minitors are devices used by the rescue squad to receive dispatch calls. The minitors currently used are outdated and constantly need repairs so new minitors would be quite useful. The cost of these new devices is $320-$330 per minitor and $80 per unit for a warranty. It is the Rescue Squad’s wish to purchase four units. Resolution 69 was passed allowing the Rescue Squad to purchase four minitors as long as the price does not exceed $1,700.
Another correspondence was received from the Grafton Trail Blazers. In their letter they are asking permission to use a piece of land owned by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation which runs through the Town of Grafton. Niagara Mohawk has agreed, and the Trail Blazers wanted Grafton’s permission as well. The Board had no problem with this proposal, and in Resolution 70 of 2009 authorized the Town Supervisor to sign a letter letting the Trail Blazers utilize the strip of land in Grafton for the purpose of a snowmobile trail.
The last communication received was from the Grafton Merry Makers asking permission to use the Everett Wagar Senior Center on December 5 for their annual Christmas party. Resolution 72 passed, and the Christmas party will go on as planned in the Everett Wagar Senior Center.
Budget Revisions
Resolution 73 of 2009 was brought to the attention of the Board. This Resolution covers increases and decreases made in the General Fund budget. The General Fund budget increases ranged anywhere from $23 for interest on debt service  to $9,500 on refuse/garbage disposal. Other areas that increased were unallocated insurance, dog control and ambulance. Decreases in the General Fund were for the assessor, buildings, central store room, municipal association dues, ambulance equipment, street lighting and planning. These decreases ranged from $83 on municipal association dues to $5,957 on buildings.
After the bills were paid as audited the meeting adjourned in “record time” of about 15 minutes in memory of Tina Morrow.