Highway Department Issues Again Dominate Meeting
of a Sheriff’s Deputy Helps Keep Things Civil
By Doug La Rocque
Arguments between members of the Town Board and employees of the Grafton Highway Department have gotten pretty hot and heavy during the previous two monthly meetings. With the dismissal of a full time employee since the January session, the Town Board felt it prudent to have a member of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department on standby in a cruiser, just outside the entrance to the Town Hall. To the credit of all involved, the deputy was never needed, and the issues were discussed in a civil and constructive way.
At the beginning of public comment, Theresa Baudy stood up to defend her husband Eric, who she said was dismissed by the Town, following a verbal altercation with Councilman Eric Buckley in the Highway Department garage. She said her husband was sorry and apologized, but also questioned if the Town has a zero tolerance policy toward violence in the workplace, or in this case, the purported threat of violence, why was not the councilman facing some sort of discipline. She also asked if the Town had an ethics committee. Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum answered that there are provisions in town code for such a committee, but that none was presently in place. Mr. Buckley said that because it has been indicated there could be legal action instituted because of the incident, he could not comment.
Town Highway Department employee Carlos Quinones again raised the issue of pay, stating that the department now has two new full-time employees, but worried the starting wage of $15 an hour would not be enough to keep them. The employees, represented by the Teamsters Union, turned down the tentative contract with the Town and both sides now face the prospect of renewed negotiations. Mr. Quinones again repeated his argument that the Town could vote to raise employee salaries, even while negotiations are taking place, the Board just can’t decrease the wages. Councilman Buckley has said in the past, he feels there should not be any change in pay until a new contract is ratified by the union and accepted by the Town Board. He reiterated that belief at the meeting on Monday, February 11.
Mr. Quinones, for his part, is calling for new contract talks to begin as soon as possible, and said he would like to see a starting wage of $17 an hour. He said the Board could “show its appreciation to employees in the form of remuneration.”
Councilman Buckley also returned a sealed “list of demands” to Mr. Quinones that he said was presented to him that day at the Highway Garage. He said he was there to discuss the installation of a time clock, not to begin contract negotiations. He asked Mr. Quinones to present the list to the full board, not a single member.
Property Re-evaluation Notices Are Out
On Monday, some property owners in the town had received notices from Assessor David Galarneau with their new full value assessments. Supervisor Gundrum said the Assessor had run the new figures by both state and county real property tax offices, and said both had indicated they believed them to be in line. Those who disagree can contact the Assessor by phone or email, or make an appointment to see him at the Town Hall on Wednesdays to discuss the changes. If that fails, individuals can file to have the case heard by the Board of Assessment Review in May. The Board also passed a resolution regarding the 2019 Re-assessment, which allows the town to seek up to $8,500 from New York State to help defray the cost of the process.
Recycling Costs are Going Up
Ms. Gundrum said that for 11 years, County Waste has picked up the Town’s recyclables at no cost. That however, is changing, as the market for these items has “dried up.” She said the Board is discussing its options, which might include a $2 charge to dump recyclables at the town’s recycling center.
Ambulance Service Concerns
Grafton Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain reported the Squad had 8 calls in the month of January, and were able to respond to seven, with ALS assistance requested twice. He also announced the squad had two more members who had completed their 160 hours of EMT training, which actually gives Grafton more EMTs than several of its neighboring Ambulance Corps. In particular, he cited shortages in Petersburgh, Berlin and Stephentown. The Stephentown Fire Department is considering doing away with its ambulance because of staffing levels. Mr. Allain said talks between the four corps about seeking answers to the staffing and coverage problems have begun, but are in a very preliminary stage.
The other portions of the meeting were quite routine and quickly covered, prompting Supervisor Gundrum to tell The Eastwick Press, “after three years of relative calm at town board meetings, it was nice to return to civility.”