Budget And Ambulance Again Top Meeting
by Doug La Rocque
Unlike the somewhat contentious debate at the late October Budget Workshop, the Monday, November 9 meeting of the Town Board was quiet and expeditious. When it came time to vote on the 2021 town budget, there was no discussion really, and the Board voted 4 to 0 to approve the spending plan, with Councilwoman Jodie Deschaine absent. Save for a small hike in the Grafton Fire District budget, Grafton residents will pay no more per thousand of assessed valuation in 2021 than they did in 2020.
A Light At The End Of The Ambulance Tunnel?
The meeting started off with Grafton Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum offering some positive news on the very long awaited $150,000 ambulance grant, secured back when Kathy Marchione was the district’s State Senator. Ms. Gundrum said the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) has informed her the grant has now been moved to accounts payable, indicating all the required paperwork has been received and approved. Whether DASNY did or did not have all that paperwork has been a topic of discussion between board members of late.
Supervisor Gundrum said she would like to believe the Town will receive the money “any day now,” but experience has shown her time is always on the state’s side.
At the invitation of Councilman Frank Lewandusky, two representative of EMTSNY made a presentation to the Board for consulting and possible staffing for a paid daytime ambulance crew. Peter Brodie, who heads the company and is also Captain of the Duanesburg Volunteer Ambulance Corp. (Schenectady County), said they provide a form of hybrid staffing for the outfit, but admitted under questioning from town resident David Buckley, that is their only client other than in the field of events management and training solutions. The Board took no action on their proposal.
Grafton Rescue Squad Captain Joe Allain reported the Squad had 20 calls in the month of October, and failed to respond twice for lack of a crew. Both times he indicated were during the daytime and on a weekday. Ten of these calls were in the Town of Grafton and nine in Berlin, which Grafton also covers. He said the average response time was 13.7 minutes to the patient, which he said was not bad considering the distance that sometimes must be traveled.
No New Takers For The Ethic Board
Town Clerk Vicky Burdick said there was no further response to ads seeking applicants to serve on the Town’s Ethics Board. Several responses had been received earlier in the year. It was mentioned that the Town could avail itself of the Rensselaer County Ethics Board rather than forming one of its own, but Councilman Steve Beaudry said he would rather “keep it homey.” Supervisor Gundrum said she planned to have an executive session to discuss all applicants and vote to appoint members at the December meeting.
Youth Program Pros And Cons
On the positive side, Youth Program Director Noelle Goyer announced plans for a “Black Friday Pajama Party” and the annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party in December.
When asked if the money owed by one out of town family for their two children’s participation in Summer Youth program had been paid yet, she said “no,” apparently despite several collection letters. Ms. Gundrum indicated the Town may have to go to court to try to recoup the $350. She also mentioned maybe Grafton should look at up front payments or at least a down payment for next year, but the discussion went no further than that.
Other News And Notes
Mr. Buckley asked if the Town’s Codes Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector Tom Withcuskey had a town issued computer and email address yet. Mr. Withcuskey replied he had a computer he purchased himself, and Supervisor Gundrum indicated assigning an email address wasn’t as easy as it sounds, since Spectrum, the town’s internet carrier, limits the amount of addresses available. She said they are looking into other options.
Highway Superintendent Jarod Bouchard said one of his two new heavy duty pickups is in and currently being outfitted for winter, and the other should be ready for delivery in about a week. He said his Department had rented a pavement grinder to help fill holes in the town’s paved roads, something he said makes the repairs last much longer than simply filling potholes.
He also said they are working to correct the road milage inventory with New York State, a figure that directly impacts the amount of Consolidated Highway Improvement monies the Town receives. Superintendent Bouchard said the State’s latest survey missed a number of town owned roads.
The Annual Festival of Trees is Saturday, November 14 from 10 am to 3 pm at Greywacke Meadows on Dunham Road. While the number of vendors is limited this year, organizers say there is a good variety as well as a food truck.
The Board has received the annual contract from the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society for dog boarding. The Board members wanted time to look it over and plan to act on the matter next month.
There will be a board workshop meeting on Monday, November 23 at 6:30 pm. The next regular meeting is Monday, December 14.