Town OKs N. Granville fire department’s bid for non-profit status

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The North Granville Hose Company firehouse located on State Route 22.

After jumping through required legal hurdles, the North Granville Hose Company was approved by the Granville Town Board on June 9 to amend its certificate of incorporation to formally become a 501c3 non-profit organization.

The board was required to conduct a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. in the middle of the meeting to allow community members a chance to speak on the proposed change in incorporation.

Town historian Erik Pekar spoke in favor of the amendment of incorporation after hearing the reason for why the fire company, established in 1953 by the town of Granville, would want to make the change.

Stemming from the desire to receive grant funds from the Granville Community Foundation, which in a May 10 press release said it was willing to give North Granville Hose Company $6,400 to purchase two blitzfire nozzles that would only require one firefighter to operate and, as long as the company’s 501c3 status is secured, the board had to approve a decision to change the status of the department.

Fire chief Scott McCullen said nothing is changing from an operation standpoint for the department, it was just a measure that needed to be taken to receive grant funds.

Town supervisor Matt Hicks said lawyers on the department and town’s side had worked diligently to follow the proper steps so no issues arise in the future. Hicks added both legal teams feel the Internal Revenue Service will approve the amendment change for North Granville to officially be listed as a non-profit.

“We’re going to have to do an environmental assessment report on you (McCullen) updating your (department’s) tax exempt status, which makes no sense but that’s the state of New York,” Hicks said. “I know Scott’s been working his butt off on this for months.”

Now, the ball is in the court of the Internal Revenue Service to approve the status change after the town board found no environmental impact to be present, short environmental assessment and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) forms were completed and passed the resolution to the amendment to the certificate of incorporation to “adhere to what the IRS is looking for.”

Also, the board approved a resolution to accept the resignation of deputy town constable Todd Balcolm. On the recommendation of town constable Raymond Boyea, the board appointed Bill Humphries, current town local ordinance officer, Fair Haven, Vermont police chief and Granville police department part-time officer, to the position.