Budget Is Approved
by Doug La Rocque
Two previous public hearings on the preliminary 2020 town budget brought out several comments, most dealing with the youth and library lines. Cuts had been made, then funds restored. In fact, the final figure for the Youth Program was increased $600 from the Preliminary budget, and the $5,000 cut from the Library’s contractual expenses was restored with the use of monies in the unappropriated fund balance. The largest increase over last year’s spending plan came in the ambulance contractual services line, which increased from $6,000 to $55,000. This money is to help fund a tri-town ambulance service with Petersburgh and Berlin, which would see a paid staff available Monday through Friday from 6 am to 6 pm. The other hours would still rely on volunteers and mutual aid coverage.
The emergency medical services problem in these three towns has been well documented, with the majority of the calls for help needing paid ambulance service assistance occurring primarily in the daytime hours. In his report to the Board, Grafton Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain reported 8 calls for the month of October, with the squad unable to respond to four of them, all during daytime hours.
There was no further comment on the budget at the meeting on Monday, November 18, and it was approved 4 to 0, with Councilman Jeff Wagar absent. The budget increases taxes by $23,729, which is $381 below the amount allowed by the state’s tax cap.
A New Roof Is Needed Now
Windstorms in both the spring and fall of this year have blown a number of shingles off the Town Hall roof, allowing water to drip down into the building. Those that have tried to effect repairs have made it very clear that this roof won’t last the winter.
The Town put the job out to bid, and according to Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum, they received four responses, two of them being thrown out as incomplete. The Board awarded the job to Pinnacle Roofing of Schenectady for $43,000, the lowest of the two remaining bids. Supervisor Gundrum said this is a complete replacement, not an overlay, and will start very shortly.
New Street Lighting
Councilwoman Lisa Dooley said the contract has been signed with National Grid to replace all the town’s street lights with new LED lights. The work is slated to begin in February. The only other area town to have the replacement complete so far is Granville in Washington County. Supervisor Gundrum said she recently traveled through Granville at night, and called the difference “amazing.”
The replacement will cost the town $3,000, but $2,500 will be recouped by a grant. Currently, Ms. Dooley says there are a number of street lights that are not working properly or at all, but under the current agreement with National Grid, the Town still has to pay for them.
More Money For Roads Next Year
Former Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck stood to say there will be $50,000 in left-over CHIPs money this year, that can and has to be spent next year. He told the meeting that with more CHIPs and Winter Storm Damage money from the state than expected, the $50,000 was the unused portion. New Highway Superintendent Jarod Bouchard must by law spend that money first on CHIPs approved expenses, before he can touch any of the 2020 funds. Mr. Hasbrouck suggested they look into a large project, that might not otherwise be feasible.
A Party For Herb
The Town plans to host a party for Mr. Hasbrouck, to honor his 38 years of service. For more details, please see the associated story on this page.
Honoring The Veterans
Two nuisance type snowfalls in the past week have delayed the town’s Highway Department in taking down the 50 plus veterans flags that hang on Route 2 and some side roads. Supervisor Gundrum said they will be removed from the poles very shortly, and once again hung in the main hallway at the Roxborough Holdings Building (former Grafton Elementary School). They were quietly taken out of storage last year and brought to the building. Ms. Gundrum said they plan a ceremony this year, to open what some label as Grafton’s “Hall of Heroes.”
Mr. Hasbrouck suggested that in future years, the flags be taken down before Veterans Day, so the ceremony could be held on November 11. It was an idea that was well received.
Other Notes
Deputy Supervisor Tom Withcuskey announced that the R.J. Valente Quarry was once again donating 50 turkeys to the Town for distribution to needy families, seniors, and any others who might be in need. It is the third year the Grafton business has made the donation.
If you think a turkey would help your family, or know of a family that could use one this Thanksgiving, please contact the Town Hall.