Highway Department Issues Again Dominate Town Board Meeting
By Doug La Rocque
The Monday, August 12 session of the Grafton Town Board was proceeding smoothly, and looked like it would be another quick summertime meeting. That is until it became time for public comment. One resident asked if it was true that part-time Highway Department employees were still making $15 an hour, while any new full-time hires would start at $18. She felt this was unfair, because the part-timers are the one’s with years of experience, and would be counted on to train any new employees.
That started a lengthy discussion between Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum, several other board members, Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck and one of the highway department employees. Explanations for the wage scale, proposed increases for the part-timers, should an increase be voted on that night and how much, all consumed the better part of an hour. In the end, the board decided they need time to look at the current budget, and where the highway appropriations stand, so decided to deal with the matter at their workshop meeting on Monday, August 26. What the wages for highway employees will be in 2020, may also be part of the discussion, as the annual budget talks begin.
There was a new resolution and a motion on the agenda that evening. The board was asked to accept the new agreement with the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society for dog kennel services, but it was tabled to review the fee structure. Also tabled for further debate was a motion to appoint an engineer to be used for town business.
Other News and Notes:
As can be seen simply by driving past the Grafton Community Library, renovation work is well underway, with new parking lots, a vestibule upgrade, new siding and inside work as well.
The cost is part of a New York State Grant, of which the Library has to match 25%.
It was a very busy July for the Grafton Rescue Squad. They responded to 17 calls, including three mutual aid assistance requests, twice to Petersburgh and once to Poestenkill.
Codes Enforcement reports the start of the process to take down a house on County Route 85. It will most likely be several months before any demolition work could begin. There are also two court cases pending, one over trash, the other on a unlicensed vehicle.
The Town Clerk’s Office turned over a check for $3,772, and the meeting was adjourned in memory of Astrid O’Dell.