by Alex Brooks
The big barn across Route 2 from the Fresh Air Home was taken down this week by contractor Dan Sherman and his company D & L Excavation. The roof has been buckling for several years now, and last December Grafton Building Inspector Tom Withcuskey contacted the owner to say that it had to be taken down before it fell down, and the owner, Michael Levy, agreed. Levy put the job out to bid, hired the contractor, and, on Sunday, February 10, it came down.
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Grafton
Grafton Town Board Action – A FOIL Request By A Councilman
by Thaddeus Flint
When a Town Councilman, in order to do his job, feels he must resort to the Freedom of Information law in order to obtain documents from the very town he in part oversees, it could raise some eyebrows. But when Town of Grafton Councilman Rick Ungaro did this at the Town Board meeting Monday night, nobody in the packed Town Hall seemed all that surprised. Such is Grafton.
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Grafton Library Wants Volunteers
Anyone who wants to volunteer at the Library is welcome, depending on the needs of the Library and the abilities and skills of the volunteer. The suggested minimum age for young people volunteering at the library is 12 years old. We’re looking for help shelving books, checking in/out books for patrons, retrieving books off the shelves for inter-library loans and help with organizing materials for programs.
If you’re interested in volunteering, call the Library during open hours at 279-0580 or email the Director, Stephanie Preston, at Director@graftoncommunitylibrary.org.
Events At The Grafton Library
• Friday, February 15, 4 pm – Legos at the Library. Come to the Library and build something cool with Legos. Duplo blocks for little ones are also available. All ages are welcome.
• Tuesday, February 19, at 4 pm – Pre-School Sing-a-long! Join Mary Pierson for some songs and fun!
• Friday, February 22, 4 pm – Winter Break Fun. Need to get out of the house? We’ll have board games, Legos and crafty things to do! All ages are welcome.
• Wednesday, February 27, 10:30 am – Story Time – stories, songs and playtime for little ones and their caregivers.
The Grafton Community Library is located at 2455 NY Route 2. Handicap access is available to the building. For more information on our events, please call 518-279-0580, email the Director, Stephanie Preston, at director@graftoncommunitylibrary.org or visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org.
Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. 3-7, Wed. and Sat. 10-1.
Quilters Invited To Quilt Meeting
The Binding Friends quilt group meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Everett Wagar Senior Center, 1 Roxborough Road in Grafton. The group offers quilters the opportunity to share their work, seek advice, participate in group quilting projects and learn new skills. It is free and new members are always welcome .
If you are a quilter or would like to be, please join us on February 14 at 9:30 am to see what we do. You do not need to be a member of the Senior Center to join this group.
For more information please call Anne at 235-8317 or the Senior Center at 279-3413.
Grafton VFD And Ladies Auxiliary Breakfast
The Grafton Volunteer Fire Department along with the Grafton Ladies Auxiliary will be holding an All You Can Eat Buffet Breakfast on Saturday, February 23, from 8 to 11 am at the Grafton VFW – Fire Hall on South Road (County Route 85).
Belgian waffles, pancakes, French toast, eggs (made to order), sausage gravy & biscuits, bacon, sausage, home fries, toast, orange juice, coffee and milk are on the menu. The cost is $8 per adult, $4 for kids 12 and under and free for kids five and under.
We look forward to serving you.
Grafton School Of Fish
by Kieron Kramer
In an interview after Monday night’s Grafton Planning Board meeting, Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey was excited by the prospect that there seems to be a buyer for the Grafton Elementary School property. A local contractor, from Williamstown, who Withcuskey believes employs about 100 people in his construction business, wants to develop a fish farm on the 15.3 acre site. [Read more…] about Grafton School Of Fish
Letter To The Editor – A Question Of Security At The Grafton Town Hall
To the Editor:
I would like to elaborate further on the anonymous letter referenced in the January 18 Eastwick Press article titled “Weird Confrontations and A Sander Accident in Grafton.” The purpose for reading the anonymous letter, found in my Town Hall communication box at the January 14 Town Board meeting, was to point out that security within the Town Hall may need to be revisited.
On the surface the letter may seem as a practical joke or possibly a threat. More importantly, it speaks directly to the security of Official Town communications and correspondences. In addition to reading the anonymous letter at the meeting, I suggested the Grafton Town Board investigate additional measures to assure the security of official communication boxes and public safety.
As reported in the Eastwick Press during 2012, issues of Town Hall security were acknowledged, requiring changes in security procedures including securing communication boxes and changing locks on doors. It is apparent these procedural changes have been breached if someone can simply place an un-authored letter in Town Officials’ communication boxes located in a locked room. Residents of Grafton need to be assured their public and private information or correspondence remain secure. Every public servant has a responsibility to uphold these protections.
I would like to assure the people of Grafton as a public servant, I am committed to safeguarding YOUR information and protecting the public at large within the Town Hall and Grafton publicly owned properties.
Barbara J. Messenger
Town of Grafton Board Member
Calendar Of Events For Grafton Lakes And Cherry Plain State Parks
February 7, Thursday – Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park Winter Meeting at 7 pm. Join this diverse group of Park users in supporting Grafton Lakes State Park. Call to pre-register at 279-1155.
February 9, Saturday – Feed the birds at 9 am. Join our bird enthusiast Bob Davis to hear how to feed birds in your own backyard and discover the wonder of our feathered friends. Participants will receive information so they can sign up to do the Great Backyard Bird Count at their own homes over President’s Day Weekend. Meet at the Park Office; pre-register please at 279-1155.
February 10, Sunday – Animal Tracks and Traces Introduction – 1:30 pm. Meet at the Park office. Who left that trail in your backyard? Don’t assume it was your cat or your dog, but even if it is, they have stories to tell! Come on out to this introduction to reading stories left in the snow and transform your family into nature detectives. The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family. Snowshoes are available, if conditions permit, on a first come, first serve basis. Call to pre-register at 279-1155.
February 20, Wednesday – More Animal Tracks and Traces at 10 am. A second class for those who attended our intro to tracking on February 10 or who really want to go deeper into the art of animal tracking. The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family. Snowshoes are available, if conditions permit, on a first come, first serve basis. Call to pre-register at 279-1155.
February 22, Friday – Winter Survival Skills at 10 am. How do the animals survive the winter? What are some skills that would help us manage if we were out all night in the cold?
We’ll talk around a fire and build some shelters in the snow. The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family. Call to pre-register at 279-1155. Meet at Shaver Pond Center, 194 Shaver Pond Road.
February 23, Saturday – Cherry Plain State Park Outdoor Day from 10 am to 3 pm. Enjoy hot cocoa, snowshoeing and outdoor activities at this free Park event. Parking space is limited so please carpool.
February 25, Monday – Full Moon Hike at Grafton Lakes State Park at 6 pm. Come see the Park in a different light. Meet in the Main Parking lot, enter via the Winter Entrance. Call to pre-register at 279-1155.
February Programs At Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center
Sunday, February 3 – A Day on the Trail with Dan Yacobellis from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Choose one animal to follow for the day. By following one animal, you can learn many things about its behavior and possibly find den sites or the actual animal. Pre-registration is required and can be done by contacting Lisa at dykenpond@fairpoint.net. Enrollment is limited to 15 people; the spaces fill quickly. We need a minimum of six people, so please register early. The cost is $20, $15 for members.
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