Grafton’s Summer Youth Program Will Go Forward
by Doug La Rocque
Governor Andrew Cuomo has said the summer camps for youths can open on June 29, though any decision on sleep away camps is still pending. Having heard the news, the Town of Grafton plans to go forward with its summer program, from July 27 to August 21. The program is not considered a summer camp, and as such, there are no state or county guidelines that have to be followed.
The program will be held this year at the Roxborough Holdings building (former Grafton Elementary School) at the corner of NYS Route 2 and Babcock Lake Road. There is a former classroom with its own outside door for their use, as well as expansive outdoor space. There are also facilities to provide lunch and snacks.
A point of discussion was about CDC guidelines for cleaning and whether it has to be done professionally or by Grafton Youth Program’s staff. Program Directer Noelle Goyer said they are in the process of determining exactly what protocols they will have to follow. All those associated with the program will also have to be tested for COVID-19.
More information on the program will be released shortly and Ms. Goyer is now accepting applications for counselors.
Assessor Controversy
During the public comment session of the Monday, June 8 Town Board meeting, town resident David Buckley stood to question why the town had appointed Craig Surprise to the position of sole assessor instead of reappointing David Garlarneau. Mr. Galarneau replaced Mr. Surprise in that position. He then proceeded to read a portion of a letter he had received from Mr. Garlarneau about a mobile home Mr. Buckley was residing in, not being on the tax rolls. He then attempted to point out that other towns where Mr. Surprise was also the assessor had problems with him, reading newspaper headlines from the Columbia Paper and The Record.
The Eastwick Press spoke to Mr. Surprise about the allegations. He indicated the headlines don’t tell the complete story, which he contends prove he has never done anything unethical or illegal. Mr. Surprise said since he returned to office he has found assessment problems from his predecessor’s time in office, and charged that New York State has been unable to set an equalization rate for Grafton as yet, because of what he alleges are filing and inventory problems.
Mr. Buckley also engaged in a protracted discussion with Town Clerk Vicki Burdick over Freedom of Information Requests (FOIL) he has submitted, some of which have been answered, and some not as yet. He also indicated he was tired of fighting with the Clerk and the town, and would be filing an Article 78 lawsuit to obtain the information he has requested.
Budget Concerns
As part of his report, Highway Superintendent Jarod Bouchard said he is waiting on starting a number of projects, because he is being told by the Highway Association towns could see a 25 percent reduction in state funding this year. He also indicated he has yet to receive any clear guidance as to if or how much CHIPS money the town might receive. In the meantime, he says his crew is continuing the summer road maintenance program and are in the process of reclaiming (grinding and replacing) Josh Hall Pond Road.
Ambulance Calls And Dollars
The Grafton Rescue Squad reported it received 20 calls during the month of May, and was able to respond to 16. These included two mutual aid calls to Petersburgh and one to Berlin.
A question was posed to town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum, if the $150,000 in grant money to be used to defray the cost of the new ambulance has been received yet. Her answer was no, but also said she has been following up with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), that everything the town needs to file has been filed, and it is simply now a waiting game. She also pointed out, the Rotterdam Ambulance Corp (Schenectady County) waited six years to get its money. Grafton is at four and counting. Ms. Gundrum indicated that DASNY’s window to release the funds does not expire until October of 2022.
Too Much, Too Little or Just Right?
Toward the end of the meeting, Councilman Frank Lewandusky said he had received some phone calls complaining about the way the gazebo in the town park was decorated, to which Councilwoman Jodie Deschaine said she had received similar calls. Supervisor Gundrum called that “extremely hurtful,” indicating she had purchased the hanging baskets, as well as flowers for the front of the Senior Center and the boxes along North Long Pond Road, and was watering and maintaining them herself. She also said friends of hers decorated the gazebo, all at no expense to the town. She further said that she took on the job because those that had been doing it, were no longer doing so.
Also discussed this night was whether to buy out the electric contract with NG energy (not National Grid), and return to National Grid as its supplier. The town is under contract to NG Energy until September of next year and a buyout would cost over $3,000 dollars. Would the savings realized by switching to National Grid offset the buyout cost is something the board plans to look into.
Budget Workshop
With so much concern and speculation as to what the COVID-19 pandemic is going to do to sales and mortgage taxes particularly, the board decided to dedicate its June 22 workshop meeting strictly to budget issues. The meeting begins at 6:30 pm.