Grafton Town Board Action – Is Dumpster Complaint Rubbish?

by Erin Hogan
During the Town Board meeting in Grafton on February 11, Rick and Sara Ungaro were in attendance to make a complaint to the Board. The Ungaros claimed they were approached by Tom Withcuskey, Grafton Code Enforcement Officer, on January 31, in a neighbor’s home about their dumpster and how it needed to be fenced in. Mr. Ungaro thought it was extremely inappropriate to be approached in such a unofficial manner. Also, he and his wife wanted to point out that when the dumpster was placed on the property there were no complaints about its not being fenced in. The couple was very upset about the way the issue had been addressed and clearly let the Board know of this. Also, they let the Board know that they weren’t going to fight the need for a fence since they already had erected one.
In response, Tom Withcuskey explained that he had not intended to get into the conversation at the neighbor’s house but rather he just mentioned to Mr. Ungaro that he needed to talk to him when there was a chance. Withcuskey reported that Ungaro pried further so Withcuskey opened up the conversation. Withcuskey also added that since the complainant was anonymous it was unofficial so the current fence hadn’t needed to be erected yet. The Ungaros and Withcuskey talked it out with the Board, and Ungaro reminded the Board how much the property had improved since they had been there, and the Board acknowledged that. Ungaro expressed that he wished the issue had been dealt with better and that he would have rather spent the money on something more practical such as the school district instead of the fence.
Reports
Highway Department Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck reported that the flood conditions had been worse than the snow conditions and the team had been busy fixing washed out roads. He told the Board that the highway crew had been working on the excavator, changing the sprockets, chains and rollers themselves. The price for the parts is going to be $4,200. Also, Hasbrouck worked on the Rescue Squad’s building fixing the closet lights and sockets. Once again the Board thanked the highway crew for their great work this winter.
There was an Assessors’ report for the first time since Supervisor Allison Kirchner has been in office. There was a reminder that the Assessors have office hours from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday nights. Also, Assessor Craig Surprise thanked the Board for the new equipment he had gotten, such as a printer.
From Withcuskey came the Building Inspector’s report that showed one building permit to date this year and 52 previous. Also he reported half a dozen letters being sent out for junk cars in Grafton.
Communications
There was a letter dated January 11 from Ryan Silva from the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce letting the Board know that the Chamber had made an effort to “develop a directory of products that are created, manufactured and distributed… in the Capital Region.” Silva included the directory of contact information of over 220 businesses that produce products in the Capital Region.
Supervisor Kirchner discussed a letter that she sent to State Senator Roy McDonald concerning a grant that the Supervisor wants to get to fund the siding on the outside of the Grafton Post Office. According to the letter the purchase and installation of the siding would be $10,000.
Third was a letter received from the Rensselaer County Bureau of Central Services concerning the County Propane Bid. This letter extended an invitation to Grafton to participate in the bid. In response, the Supervisor sent a fax with the estimate of Grafton’s propane use in order to be listed as one of the interested municipalities.
Last was a letter received from Gail Padalinno writing about the Rensselaer County Housing Resources (RCHR) and how they are trying to get extra funding for the Rensselaer County Homeownership Program. This program “provides down-payment and closing cost assistance in the form of an interest free loan to low and moderate income families to purchase a home and additional funds for rehabilitation where it is needed.” In order to apply, RCHR needs support letters from Town officials showing support for the program. As a part of this communication, Resolution 39 passed allowing Supervisor Kirchner to write a letter in support.
Also, Resolution 37 passed that established the mileage reimbursement rate at 50 cents per mile as of January 1, 2010. Resolution 38 passed revising the 2010 fee schedule to reflect a correction in the Wind Measurement Tower fee to $1,500.
Finally, the meeting adjourned in memory of William Dubacher and Thelma Minkler.