By Jaime Thomas
Firemen expect each other to respect boundaries on and off the job.
But a local official brought up a “fireman’s territory issue” at a town board meeting Thursday night.
Scott McCullen, fire chief of North Granville Hose Company, wanted to know if the town had any authority over an outside fire department coming into his district to do a fundraiser at Mettowee Mud Bogging.
“Prior, a fire department had to get permission from the town to do something,” McCullen said, adding that any fire that happened at the fundraiser would fall into mutual aid. He expressed that he saw the issue as a matter of that department being disrespectful more than anything.
And Milt Dunbar, Penrhyn Engine and Hose chief, supported that sentiment.
“It comes down to common courtesy between one chief and another,” he said.
In response to McCullen’s concern, Hicks asked Town Attorney Mike Catalfimo if there was possible action in the town’s jurisdiction, but Catalfimo essentially said there isn’t.
“You can’t tell a private property owner who they can host on their property,” Catalfimo said. McCullen did not seem satisfied with this answer.
“So anybody, anywhere can do a fundraiser? I did not get asked, and I just want to have all my ducks in a row,” he said.
Catalfimo said the best the town could do is put in a local law requiring permission for fundraisers, but “there are all kinds of reasons why you can’t get in the business of preventing that,” he said.
Calls made to the owner of Mettowee Mud Bog, who is holding the fundraiser, were not returned as of Tuesday afternoon.
The board also appointed a new member to the town’s planning board during the meeting.
Nate Baker will serve in the position of planning board member from May 9 through December of 2016, finishing an unfilled term.
At the meeting, Highway Superintendent John Tanner told the board that he ordered a new truck for town employees that cost just over $23,400. He said town workers have been applying black top to various roads and have scheduled reclamation work at the upper end of Fox road.
Employees will grind down the road, add calcium and eventually re-asphalt the area. While it may cause a few interruptions, Tanner said the project should not disturb traffic flow very much.
Matt Hicks also informed the board Thursday night that Granville will use A.E. Knapp as its floodplain administrator, in order to keep in compliance with New York state mandates. Also, he reminded everyone that Grievance Day will be on May 28, and specific hours are posted in the town office.
The board also scheduled a public hearing during its regular meeting on June 13 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss town subdivision regulations.