Grafton Town Board Action – May 2010

by Erin Hogan
Herb Hasbrouck reported at the May 13 Grafton Town Board meeting that calcium chloride, the dust control product the Town is using, can no longer be picked up by Highway Department trucks. Because of heightened security, in order to pick up the calcium chloride, you now need to go through training and get licensed. To have the product delivered will cost an extra 71 cents per ton and a 12 cent per mile surcharge for gas used for the delivery. The Town also had to decide whether to lease or buy a tank to contain the product. It has to be a 3,400 gallon tank, and it will cost a dollar per year until the third year when the Town will have to decide whether to buy the tank or not. The other option is to buy the tank now. It will cost $2,600. Hasbrouck reported that now the Town uses 3,000 gallons a year so the tank would be worthwhile. The Board agreed that this would be good and decided that the lease was the better of the two deals. After they check with EnCon and DEC they will go though with the deal.
Sylvan Way
Hasbrouck also reported on the road at the Sylvan Way project. The day of the meeting was the first day of work on the project. The Board had many questions such as – if it would be a private road (yes) and when it would be done (July 15 except for the power lines). Once the road is done it will be turned over to the homeowners association. Supervisor Allison Kirchner said, “They have a lot of work ahead of them.”
The Building Inspector, Tom Withcuskey, reported that there are five new permits and 40 still active. It was also reported that the ban on burning will be lifted on May 14.
In the Rescue Squad report, there were four total calls and 29.16 man hours put in. As well, James Goyer reminded the Board that the fireman’s breakfast will be held on May 22 at the VFW.
Supervisor Kirchner reported that Noelle Goyer is the new instructor of the youth program. The Board showed much excitement to have her. Supervisor Kirchner said that she’s doing a great job, and she has already ordered supplies for the summer including rollerblades, and she is planning a welcome back dance.
Communications
Communications received this month included a request from the Grafton Library to use the Senior Center for cupcake decorating on June 27. The Board approved the request as long as they clean up the garbage and leave the Center as it was found. A communication was received from the Historical Society requesting to use the Town Park for a picnic. This was also approved. The third communication received was from the New York State Office of Real Property Services (NYS ORPS) relaying the Town Equalization Rate. A Town Equalization Rate, according to the NYS ORPS website, is “an equalization rate that is the state’s measure of a municipality’s level of assessment (LOA).” An LOA “is the percentage of full value at which properties are assessed within a community,” according to the website. The rate this year is 8.35, which is an increase from last year. The letter was just an informative one letting the Supervisor know where she can contact the NYS ORPS if there were any questions regarding the rate. Last was a letter from Julie Darling regarding her position as Assessor. She tendered her resignation because she didn’t feel that she had the time to get the proper training needed to do the job adequately.
The Board introduced Resolution 45 of 2010. This resolution was about the Town of Grafton Retirement Reporting. This laid out the standard work days for Board members Mike Crandall and Marie Claus, which is 6 hours per day from January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2013. Standard work days were also laid out for Kathy Wagar, the Court Clerk, Tyler Sawyer, bookkeeper, Alison Kirby, dog control officer, and Tom Withcuskey, Building Inspector. For them it is also 6 hours per day from January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2013.
Next the Board Introduced Local Law #1 of 2010 to establish the Office of Sole appointed Assessor Pursuant to Real Property Tax law section 328. For this the Board scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, May 20, at 7 pm.