Old Resolution Haunts own Board Meeting
By Doug La Rocque
There was a lot of business before the Grafton Town Board on Monday, January 13, but a 2015 resolution that called for all future resolutions to be presented at least five days before a meeting, nearly scuttled all the new legislation before the Board that night.
Council Member Frank Lewandusky III produced a copy of that old resolution, just as the Board was preparing to deal with 8 new pieces of legislation. He asked the Board to table all of them until it either meets the criteria of the 2015 resolution or changes that legislation. Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum and other board members expressed their concern, especially in light of the fact that some of the new resolutions were important to the town’s business, and not controversial.
Council Member Steve Beaudry suggested, in light of Mr. Lewandusky’s discovery, that the first three of the eight bills be tabled until the Board could address the 2015 resolution, most likely at its upcoming workshop. One of these called for the rescinding of Resolution #48 of 2019, that hired former Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck as a consultant to the Highway Department through April of this year, under which the Town would continue to pick up his health insurance costs. The other two would allow the Town Clerk to sign checks in the Supervisor’s absence, which now may be a moot point, and possible changes to the public comment period at regular meetings. The Board agreed.
Mr. Beaudry suggested they move forward the other legislation that adopted 2020 salaries and wages as well as a Workplace Violence Policy.
The next resolution dealt with the Planning Board. You may recall in last week’s edition, The Eastwick Press pointed out the Town Board appointed one too many people to the Planning Board, reinstating Linda Laveway and naming Tom Withcuskey as its new Chair, although there was only one opening. At the beginning of the meeting when communications were read, Ms. Laveway resigned her appointment to make way for Mr. Withcuskey to be named to her seat, and assume the position as chair for a year. The Board voted 4 to 1 to approve all these, with Mr. Lewandusky voting nay, holding to his position no resolutions should be approved. Council Member Lewandusky changed that position on the final resolution however, indicating he felt it was too important to oppose, that being a bill that showed support for Assemblyman Jake Ashby’s legislation to amend or suspend the New York State’s bail reform laws.
Assessor Concerns
Town Assessor David Galarneau said in a written report, New York State’s Market Trends for Grafton seem to be way off base, at a 2% increase for residential parcels, 5% for commercial and 7% for vacant properties. He claimed three neighboring towns, which usually have similar trends, were listed by the State at 0.0 and 1 percent respectively. Bottom line, he feels Grafton may be able to maintain its 100 percent equalization rate for another year, but would face a new reassessment in 2021, unless the State can be convinced to change its numbers. A complete reassessment was just completed in 2019. Mr. Galarneau also indicated that grievance reductions resulting from that reassessment totaled over $1.4 million, which also jeopardizes the equalization rate.
Mr. Galarneau’s six-year term as Assessor expired in October of last year, but he has been kept on in a month to month capacity, until the Board feels it is ready to make a new appointment. It is currently interviewing four people, including Mr. Galarneau, and expects to make that appointment at the February meeting
Deputy Supervisor May Sign Checks
At last week’s re-organizational meeting, Supervisor Gundrum appointed former Council Member Eric Buckley as her Deputy Supervisor. The Board turned down a resolution authorizing him to sign checks in her absence by a 3 to 2 vote. Ms. Gundrum reported that after checking with the State and the Association of Towns, no resolution is needed for this and the Deputy Supervisor is automatically given such authority.
During public comment, there were questions to the Board as to why Mr. Buckley was appointed Deputy, noting he had lost his re-election bid to Mr. Lewandusky and Mr. Beaudry.
Supervisor Gundrum answered it was not a Board appointment, but hers alone by law, and she felt confident Mr. Buckley had the ability to conduct a meeting and other town business in her absence. When further questioned, Ms. Gundrum explained that since he was no longer a member of the Town Board, Mr. Buckley, when filling in for her, would not have any voting authority or permission to attend Executive Sessions.
Many Other Items Of Note
The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society has indicated it does not wish to renew its contract with the Town for kennel services. The Society indicated there was a lack of payment issue, with both Ms. Gundrum and Town Clerk Vicky Burdick indicating they believe the Town never received the invoices. Ms. Gundrum said they are hoping to work out the matter.
There is an old Jim Reeves song that says “the change in the weather has made it better for me.” That is not the case for Highway Superintendent Jarod Bouchard, who says the almost daily change between snowstorms, ice and record breaking warmth is problematic at best. He has indicated that between storms they have been completing repairs, prepping equipment for the coming summer road season and filling in some of the largest potholes in town.
The Grafton Rescue Squad said the efforts to form a paid service to handle daytime calls in Grafton, Petersburgh and Berlin has hit a roadblock with the NYS Health Department (DOH). According to captain Joe Allain, DOH has requested a voluminous amount of information, which will take some time to assemble. He also indicated that once it is submitted they have to wait on the committee that approved the Certificates of Need, and they only meet once a month. As to December calls, he said they received ten and were able to respond eight times. They also received ALS assistance from the Mohawk Ambulance Service three times.
There were questions from the floor about National Grid not replacing street lights that were out. Council Member Jeff Wagar responded they continue to work with the utility, but it appears National Grid is in no hurry because a project to replace all lights in the town with new longer lasting LED bulbs is scheduled to begin in February.
Mr. Lewandusky submitted a lengthy job description for the open Youth Director’s position. He suggested the Board review it at its January 27 Workshop meeting.
Town Clerk Burdick turned over a check for $4,361 to the Supervisor representing revenue from her office in December.