2005

Supervisor's Report to the Town

Spring is just around the corner and the days are finally getting longer. The Town’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan was finally approved by FEMA on February 1, 2005. Granger’s plan was among the first ten in New York State to be approved be FEMA. With the PDM Plan approved, we are the only town in Allegany County that can currently apply for these grant programs from FEMA. We hope to be able to use this PDM Plan over the next five years to continually upgrade the town’s highway infrastructure. This is the reason we were able to get the culvert project on Kemp-Shaw Road funded. We will be reimbursed 87.5% of the cost. We have applied under the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program through FEMA to upgrade a culvert on Gleason Road. The projected cost of this culvert is almost $17,000.00 and if we are successful with the grant application, we will b e reimbursed 90% of our actual costs. We have also sent in a letter of intent under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to assist with the cost of upgrading a culvert on Cartwright Road. This is a 75% Federal and 25% Local share program.

The annual town cleanup will be held on Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1, 2005 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. Once again, we are asking for your help by bringing your materials to be discarded to the town highway department on those days. We would also like everyone to pitch in and help your neighbors that may not have a way to bring their materials to the Highway Department. The Highway Dept. will not be picking up from the roadsides. If you have “Special Needs” please contact Paul Beardsley to discuss your needs.

Just a reminder about the free rabies clinic that will be taking place at the Town Highway Dept. on Thursday May 26, 2005 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Also, please remember that all dog license renewals will come due in June. Please renew promptly.

We have been using the waste oil furnace in the highway sheds to reduce the expenses related to heating that facility. If you have waste oil and would like to donate it to the town to help keep our expenses down, please contact Paul Beardsley to arrange to drop off your waste oil.

The Town Board has decided to do a revaluation of all properties in the town. This will be taking place this year to go into effect later in 2005. Based on input from Duane Aylor, Town Assessor, the board realized the need to keep our assessment roles current and Duane will be doing the reval.

The town has received from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and NYSEMO (New York State Emergency Management Office) a total of $53,419.03 for the flood damages that occurred to the highway system of the town last year. This money is not a grant! It is money that was received for work that was already completed by the inspection date and for future work that needs to be completed in the year 2005 construction season. It is not money to be used to reduce taxes since we have many items that we have yet to purchase to complete necessary repairs. Now is the time to use this money from FEMA and NYSEMO wisely.

As you are aware, the town board ordered a new ten-wheel dump truck with plow and sander last August. According to Paul Beardsley the truck chassis is in Rochester and will be going to Finger Lakes Supply in Arkport to have the plow, wing and box mounted in the near future. We look forward to getting this truck, as it will replace the 1967 Oshkosh that went to greener pastures last year.

I hope that my columns have kept you informed as to what is happening in your town government. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all town residents to feel free to attend the Town Board meetings. Your input is always welcomed. They normally take place the 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall.

Short Tract's Fire Hall Opens its Doors

Since 1951, the firefighters of Short Tract had hopes of building a new fire hall. They had many fundraisers, then worked hard finishing the inside of the building and finally, on Saturday, October 15, 2005, the dream came true as the official Grand Opening was held. Granger Town residents, visitors from around the county, as well as firefighters from neighboring companies came by to congratulate the Short Tract Firefighters on their new home. It is great to see the trucks safely inside the bays ready to head out, at a moments notice, to provide fire protection for all of us.

Congressman Randy Kuhl Visits Granger

Randy Kuhl, (Rep.) Member of the US House of Representatives, honoring his campaign pledge to visit every town in the 31st Congressional District, held a Town meeting at the Granger Town Hall on September 10, 2005. He was accompanied by Phil Palmesano and Colleen Banik, from his District Office.

According to a few long-time residents, it may be the first time a Member of Congress has ever come to Granger.

Representative Kuhl shared information on his work in Congress and listed some of the many challenges facing lawmakers. He then opened the floor to Granger residents. The topics which were discussed included the FEMA rules on cost benefit and how it virtually eliminates small towns like Granger from receiving mitigation funding, what committees the Congressman serves on, (Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce, as well as several sub-committees), the availability of grants to fire companies and concerns over taxes and spending.

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