Grafton Town Board Action June 2011 – New Siding For The Post Office

by Alex Brooks
Grafton Supervisor Tyler Sawyer said the Town has had problems keeping the Post Office painted. The old school house which houses the post office is owned by the Town and produces revenue through the post office rental. It’s a charming and attractive building but has some kind of moisture problem which makes the paint peel off it. Sawyer described some of the recent efforts to paint the building and the subsequent rapid deterioration of the paint. He proposed that the Town put new siding on the building using a composite pre-painted material. He passed around a sample of the material to be used, which he said will look like the existing clapboards and preserve the historic building’s traditional look.
Sawyer said he has arranged to have the Town hire a person highly skilled in siding application for the duration of the job as well as a laborer, which will make the job much less expensive than bidding it out. He estimated $4,000 for labor and $6,000 for materials. This $10,000 will be taken from the unappropriated fund balance, which Sawyer said is about $40,000 right now. The Board approved the project and the necessary budget transfers.
New Dog Officer
The Town of Grafton received a letter of resignation on May 18 from Dog Control Officer Martin Sawyer, effective at the end of June. The Town’s advertising of the position elicited a letter of interest from James Goyer, Jr. After a series of interviews, the Board approved the appointment of Goyer, and he was appointed at this week’s meeting.
Summer Program At Grafton School
Supervisor Sawyer said he had a series of discussions with people from the Berlin School District about using the Grafton School for the Town’s summer program for youth, and the result is that the program will be held in the Grafton Elementary School building. It was not possible to have potable water there because an extensive testing regime is required before allowing the kids to drink it, but the water can be used for hand washing and the like, and drinking water will be brought in.
Sawyer said the flashing speed limit signs that were used to enforce the school zone speed limit by the Grafton Elementary School are no longer needed there, and he is working on having them relocated to either side of the Town center, where there is a 40 mph speed zone. He has met with School District officials and the State Department of Transportation to get approval for the relocation. Sawyer also said he is working on getting DOT permission to put up “Welcome to Grafton” signs at the entrances to town on Route 2 East and West.
Department Reports
Building Inspector Tom Withcuskey said he has issued 66 permits to date this year. He said there has been a strong positive reaction to the Town’s amnesty program. He said the Palitsch Road property that he has been pursuing lately has finished the bankruptcy process and the bank has taken possession, and he expects the property will be secured and cleaned up within a few weeks. He noted that there was a tragedy in the Town recently related to a pool, and he urged people to call him if they are not sure what the regulations are for hot tubs and pools.
Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck said the State is requiring the Town to change all of its signs to a new reflective type of sign. This is supposed to happen in phases over the next three years. He is researching how much this is going to cost, but he does not have a figure yet.
Assessor Craig Surprise said three grievances were filed on Grievance Day. He also noted that there will be an information meeting about revaluations on June 27 at 6:30 pm in New Lebanon and anyone who is interested in learning more is welcome.
The Rescue Squad responded to 16 calls this month, put in 60 volunteer hours and traveled 214 miles. Three new members have passed their EMT practical exam, and the last hurdle for them is the NYS written exam that they will take this week. If they pass they will be ready to go, which will be a welcome addition to the Rescue Squad personnel.
In other business:
A committee, consisting of Fire Chief Jim Goyer, Councilman Ed Fredricks and Supervisor Tyler Sawyer, was set up to plan for observance of the tenth anniversary of 9/11 this year.
Supervisor Sawyer commended Randy Kneer on the publication of his book about Helen Ellett and the restoration of the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower.
There was no public comment. The meeting adjourned in memory of Madelyn Abigail Kelley. Sawyer said it was especially sad to acknowledge the passing of one so young.