Grafton Town Board Action – Town Revaluation Approved

by Alex Brooks
At its July 8 meeting, the Grafton Town Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to begin a full revaluation of the real property in the Town. The groundwork for this decision had been laid at last month’s meeting in which there was a good deal of discussion about the need for a revaluation. [private]At this month’s meeting there was very little discussion and no public comment on the resolution. Supervisor Higgins said  the proposed timetable for the revaluation would allow it to take effect in the roll to be completed by May of 2016.
Although Grafton Assessor Craig Surprise was not present at this meeting, a monthly report from him said that the Pictometry computer software is up and running and he has access to data from flyovers in 2006 and 2013. This system will provide much of the initial information needed to get the revaluation started.
Beach Road Parking
Prohibition And Occupied Travel Trailer Permits
The Board scheduled public hearings on two proposed new laws. The first one, to be held at 6 pm on July 22, proposes to eliminate parking on Beach Road, which is near Babcock Lake. Supervisor Higgins said this is necessary to ensure that emergency vehicles can get through.
The second one will be held at 6:15 pm on July 22. The proposed law would require occupied travel trailers parked in the Town but not in a licensed trailer camp to get site plan approval from the Planning Board, which would require use of holding tanks approved by the Rensselaer County Health Department.
Lawsuit Proceeding
Supervisor Higgins said that a  lawsuit against the Town of Grafton brought by former Supervisor Tyler Sawyer “is moving forward” and dates have been set for depositions and discovery. A story in the September 7, 2012, edition of this newspaper described Sawyer’s initial “Notice of Claim,” which claimed that former Grafton Bookkeeper Victoria Nellis and Deputy Supervisor Cathy Goyer made statements about him that he alleged were “false and defamatory.” He claimed that his personal and professional reputation had been damaged and claimed damages of $1 million.
Time Warner Cable Coming
Supervisor Higgins said Time Warner had agreed to run its cables into Grafton and provide service. He said it is likely to be a long process. They must first get Public Service Commission approval then they need the cooperation of National Grid and Verizon to prepare the poles for installation of new wires and then they need to actually hang the new cable. Higgins had no very definite timetable in mind but speculated that it might take a year or more. He said the Town Attorney will handle negotiations with Time Warner over the service contract.
Other Matters
• The Ambulance Squad responded to ten calls in June, traveled 277 miles and logged 48 volunteer hours in the ambulance. Captain Baldwin said the Ambulance is currently out of service because of brake issues and electrical issues.
• The Town received a letter from the Grafton Seniors thanking them for assistance building the new bocce court which is now bringing them “good exercise and good fellowship.” Higgins said the highway crew did the work of building the bocce court and “They did a good job on it.”
• Higgins said the Town held an auction of surplus and scrap equipment owned by the Highway Department and realized $40,000 from the sale.
• Higgins said Town employees are doing the cemetery mowing instead of contracting it out as before.
• Higgins said Code Enforcement Officer Tom Withcuskey visited Valente Gravel. The Town is in the last year of its ten year agreement with Valente in which Valente agreed to give the Town $2,500 and 500 tons of material each year. Higgins said he and Withcuskey are making sure these are delivered as promised.