Noise and Road Complaints Dominate Meeting
by Doug La Rocque
The Monday night, September 10 Grafton Town Board meeting started off smooth enough, until it came time for the public comment period. Peter Bearup, a resident of the Babcock Lake area, complained about the lack of maintenance on roads in that area by the Town’s highway department. He said he understood about the staffing problems, the department only has one full time employee besides Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck, but expressed his concern about the pending winter season and plowing. Alex Bassey, a resident of Claus Road, expressed several concerns, including the type of crusher run (gravel purchased to be placed on dirt roads and worked in) the Town had purchased. He said the quality was below par, and boney (having a number of large sharp rocks) that puncture tires of people driving over it. He also said the incline on Claus Road has become so steep that he has to use four-wheel drive during the fair weather months, and feared that buses and emergency vehicles will have a very tough, if not impossible, time climbing the hill in the winter months. He asked if the top of the hill could be lowered, or the bottom built up to alleviate the problem. Superintendent Hasbrouck indicated he was aware of the situation, and had to look into how lowering the top of the hill might impact resident’s driveways. He stated it might be more feasible to raise the bottom portion of the road.
The Town’s inability to attract Commercial Drivers Licensed (CDL) employees to staff the Highway Department was also a topic of discussion. The problem, as has previously been reported, is not unique to Grafton, but to all area towns, Rensselaer County, the NYS Department of Transportation, and indeed a number of private firms around the area. Some of the options the Town is looking at, as they discussed in the August workshop meeting, included hiring non-CDL drivers and beginning a training program, or purchasing two smaller one-ton pickups with boxes, that do not require a CDL to drive. Some in attendance wondered what expense would be associated with this idea. The Town earlier this year purchased a new and used tandem to replace aging equipment that was no longer serviceable, but both vehicles require a CDL to operate.
The idea of hiring private contractors to plow some areas of the town also resurfaced. The Town Board appropriated $30,000 in its 2018 budget for just such a purpose, but to this point has not put a contract out to bid. Superintendent Hasbrouck indicated he has mixed feelings, and noted after discussions with Town Attorney Sal Ferlazzo, there were a number of possible sticking points, including the requirement that any contractor hired would have to pay its employees prevailing wage. Other questions raised from the floor concerned insurance, and who would be responsible for any potential damage to town roads. One of the areas identified for plowing by a private contractor was the northeast section of the town, including Babcock Lake. That discussion ended with no resolution to the problem, just agreement that something needs to be done soon.
It Gets Noisy At Times
South Road resident Michael Salway complained to the Board about the noise and activity level at Greywacke Meadows (sometimes known as the Wedding Barn) on Dunham Reservoir Road. He said he has called the State Police five times, and indicated it was his belief the facility was in violation of the terms laid out when it was permitted by the Town Planning Board. Planning Board Chair Tom Withcuskey said he would check the records, but did not believe that to be the case. He has said he had several complaints from another area resident, but each time found the noise level emanating from the facility not to be excessive. He also reminded everyone the Town of Grafton does not have a noise ordinance, and follows the guidelines set forth by New York State, which are minimal. Mr. Withcuskey also indicated that Mr. Salway has never called him. Board member Lisa Dooley asked Mr. Salway to call Mr. Withcuskey in the future, so it could be investigated at that time. Mr. Salway indicated he would rather call the State Police.
Mr. Withcuskey asked Mr. Salway, if he has indeed been firing a so-called propane cannon (a loud noise-making device, that does not fire a projectile) in the direction of the Greywacke Meadow. He indicated he has, because he wants to scare off deer so he may plant an apple orchard in the future. Mr. Withcuskey said he has discussed the matter with Mr. Ferlazzo, who indicated that given the lack of a noise ordinance in the town, it is a civil matter between the two parties.
Other Action
Grafton Rescue Squad member Donna Baldwin reported the squad responded to 10 calls in August, five of which required Advanced Life Support (ALS) assistance. The average response time from dispatch to arrival at the scene was 10.2 minutes, and there were not any times last month when they were unable to respond because of a lack of personnel.
Library Director Natalie Hurteau said the shared services with the Brunswick Community Library were working out very well. She is also the Brunswick Library Director. Sharing has resulted in an increase in the number of programs available and being taken advantage of, in Grafton.
Town Clerk Vicky Burdick turned over a check for $3.586.87 representing revenues collected last month by her office, and the Board approved the payment of $36,533.96 in monthly bills, before adjourning in memory of all those that lost their lives in and since the September 11, 2001 attacks.