Grafton Highway Department Issues Boil Over
By Doug La Rocque
It was a rather routine and quiet Grafton Town Board meeting on Monday, December 10, until it came time for public comment. It was then that members of the Highway Department took exception with recent comments about their job performance on Facebook and comments they perceived as coming from Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum and other members of the Town Board. The most recent employee, Carlos Quinones labeled these comments “very disheartening.” It should be noted, however, that after the most recent storm, there were many comments of praise as well.
He also questioned why they “have to do as much work off the roads as they do to get ready to work on the roads. He also called for better communications between town residents and the department, asking if perhaps a liaison could be appointed. Town Supervisor Gundrum quickly answered that is the job of Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck, and advised any residents that have problems with the road conditions, call him at 518-451-0768.
Mick Butler, a resident of Jay Hakes Road, commented that during a recent snowstorm, he and other town resident finished plowing the road when no town snowplow had appeared. Apparently, one of the town trucks had slid off another nearby road and was unable to complete the beat.
Sharon Dubacher, who lives on South Long Pond Road, said she and her husband had slid off the road twice during the recent winter weather events, and knew of several other people who had also done so. She further complained about the condition of the road, indicating she had not seen it graded since April, and that her husband Charlie had to fill some of the potholes himself. Superintendent Hasbrouck countered the road had been graded and worked on since April.
Mr. Hasbrouck and the highway employees said they were short staffed all summer, and remain so. Supervisor Gundrum admitted that has been an issue, but criticized the superintendent for his time management of the employees he had. She also indicated the town has placed advertisements in The Eastwick Press and The Record, as well as placing signs along Route 2 and in front of the Town Hall. Mr. Quinones called these signs misleading, indicating there were several types of positions listed, when in fact an employee of the town is expected to operate equipment, work as a laborer, and do light mechanical work. He indicated that when he worked for New York State, these were distinctly different occupations. Board member Eric Buckley said while that might be true for the State, in small rural towns, it is different, and highway employees are expected to work in many capacities. At times, the discussion between Supervisor Gundrum and Superintendent Hasbrouck became so heated, that both individuals were accusing the other of lying.
Highway Department employee Eric Baudy said the Town is not paying enough, indicating when job applicants learns what is expected of them for $15 an hour, they turn and leave.
He claims some other towns pay a couple of dollars an hour more. The tentative contract the Town of Grafton has reached with the Teamsters Union, that represents the highway employees, calls for a starting wage of $15 an hour, which increases incrementally with longevity. The two county towns that are the closest in size and population to Grafton, are Petersburgh and Berlin. The three employees in Petersburgh are paid a range from $12.50 to $16.50, according to budget documents. The contact with the Berlin employees calls for a starting wage of $15, and also increases with longevity. The tentative contract that was reached in July between Grafton and its employees, is scheduled to be voted on Thursday afternoon, December 13. Councilmember Eric Buckley has repeatedly said the town cannot offer more that $15 per hour because of the tentative contract. He repeated it again Monday night, saying if town employees are not happy with the pay scale, they can turn down the agreement, or vote to decertify the union. During public comment, former Town Supervisor Frank Higgins reminded all that $15 dollars an hour is not the final cost to the town. He stated that during his tenure, that figure topped $30 an hour, when all benefits such as health care and paid time off, are figured in. Supervisor Gundrum indicated it was even higher than that now. The discussions finally settled down with no agreements reached, and pending the union’s Thursday vote.
Library Agreement with Brunswick is Ending
Library Trustee Leann Sweet told the board, the Brunswick Community Library is terminating its working agreement with the Grafton Community Library, effective December 22. The stated reason is a staffing problem in Brunswick. This means that Natalie Hurteau will no longer be the Library Director, and according to Ms. Sweet, they are beginning a search for a new library director immediately. She said they are considering a promotion from within their current staff, a new Memorandum of Understanding with another area library, or simply hiring outright from the public. The disillusion with the Brunswick Library also means some of the programs they have been providing, such as adult yoga, will cease at this time.
It’s Almost Here
Grafton Rescue Squad member Donna Baldwin said the construction phase of the new ambulance is complete, and that it is currently in the area, having final needs, such as snow tires, radio communications and NYS Health Department certification completed. She said they hope to have it on the road by the middle of next week.
Year End Meeting
The Board has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday, December 27 at 6:30 pm to go over its financial picture, including any proposed budget transfers that might be needed to balance the books.
Because of space considerations, the remainder of the report on the Grafton Town Board meeting will appear in next week’s edition.