Tumultuous Times At Grafton Meeting
By Doug La Rocque
The Board moved through the Reports and Remittances from Department Heads and Town Committees expediently enough, even though the list is now 21 items long, but when it came to old business, it was a different story. The first item that brought disagreement between Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum and the other two board members present, were changes to some locks in the town hall, and moving some items out of the back conference room. Board member Frank Lewandusky III wanted to know why the locks where changed to that room, and why the board members were not given keys to the new locks. He indicated this happened just one day after he was given a key to the old lock.
Supervisor Gundrum told the Monday, February 10 meeting, she ordered the change because of a number of incidents and items coming up missing. She indicated that she felt as Town Supervisor, it was her responsibility to attend to the security of the building. She also told Mr. Lewandusky that a locked file cabinet, which board members would have access to, was move outside the room by the copy machine, which would hold vouchers and other items board members need to review. She also indicated their mailboxes were located in that area.
That did not placate Mr. Lewandusky, who produced a copy of what he said was NYS town law, that any such changes to the town hall must be discussed with and acted on by the town board. That contention was backed up by Council member Steve Beaudry, who said he had talked to the Town’s attorney, Sal Ferlazzo, and contends that Mr. Ferlazzo thought it was indeed the case. He also said Mr. Ferlazzo was willing to attend the March meeting to help solve the issue. Mr. Beaudry also asked the Supervisor why at the recent meeting to go over the Town’s books she did not inform the Board of the change, in light of the fact Ms. Gundrum had already set an appointment for the following day to have the locks changed. Ms. Gundrum apologized, and admitted she should probably have made mention of it.
Is It a Meeting Or A Workshop?
That was the question several town residents who attended the regular meeting, put forth, concerning a second scheduled gathering of the Town Board each month. There were comments that past practice has been that these so-called workshop meetings were to discuss issues and plan what was ahead, and no actual motions or resolutions were passed. Council member Lewandusky again explained that any time a quorum (three or more board members) is present, it is considered by law a meeting, and the Board can act on any business that may come before it. Council member Beaudry explained the second meeting would not involve all the typical department head and committee reports that take place at the first meeting of the month.
Mr. Beaudry also asked the Supervisor about alleged December comments that she did not want the second or so called workshop meetings. Ms. Gundrum explained that she felt they were not always necessary, but if other members of the board wanted them, that was fine. She also said that comments she wanted the meetings held on a Saturday morning were simply a statement of her personal preference and were not a dictate to the Board.
Hasbrouck Not Happy With Board Action
Former Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck expressed his displeasure with a resolution approved at the January 27 meeting, that rescinded a December resolution that placed Mr. Hasbrouck in a consultant’s position for five hours a week. In return, the town would continue to pay for Mr. Hasbrouck’s health insurance through April. Mr. Hasbrouck contends there were no legal issues with the agreement because it specifically said “in lieu of” pay. He also criticized the Board for taking the action at a second meeting, instead of waiting until the regular February session. He labeled it as sneaky. Mr. Lewandusky countered he withdrew the resolution at the first January meeting because it had not been properly noticed five days prior and he said then it would be re-introduced at the January 27 meeting.
Other Action:
Highway Superintendent Jarod Bouchard reported his crew had been cutting some brush between the repeated small snowstorms and working on equipment to have it ready for spring.
As to the two new trucks he would like to buy, he reported he was scoping out prices and should have the hard numbers to the Board at its next meeting.
Council member Beaudry reported the recycling building had a number of repairs that should be made this spring, noting a leaky roof, and said when it snows, it snows just as hard inside the building as out.
The Grafton Rescue Squad reported it had 10 calls in January and was unable to respond to one, a daytime call. The average response time for the month was 10.5 minutes.
A question was asked from the floor if the grant money for the new ambulance had been received yet, to which Supervisor Gundrum said no. At that point, there seemed to be some confusion between her and Mr. Lewandusky, as to who was going to follow up with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) about an official request to transfer the money. Mr. Lewandusky said at the January 27 meeting his calls to DASNY were answered with the response, the official request was all they were waiting for. At that time, Supervisor Gundrum said that request had been transmitted to DASNY several times.
The Grafton Community Library reported 366 patron visits for January.
The Board is next scheduled to meet on February 24 at 6:30 pm.