JERSEY: Grafton’s December City Council Meeting
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By Dellaray Hileman
Dellaray Hileman/Jersey County Journal
Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow (right) presenting Justin Cote (left) with a Certificate of Appreciation at the Grafton City Council Meeting
Grafton’s city council met at City Hall for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20. The meeting was open to the public and streamed live on YouTube.
To start the meeting, Mayor Mike Morrow awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Justin Cote. Since June, Cote has been volunteering his time to work for the City of Grafton as the “Mayor’s Assistant.”
During the Public Forum, long term resident of Grafton, Kim Zimmerman, expressed her disapproval of excessive firework events in Grafton.
Zimmerman inquired, “Whether or not there are plans to have fireworks in town this coming summer season, other than for a fourth of July celebration?” Mayor Mike Morrow indicated that a three-year contract with the Fireworks Authority has already been approved.
Secondly Zimmerman asked, “Will any of the cost of this New Year’s Eve 2021 be coming out of the general fund?”
To which, the Council advised that fifty percent of the cost for fireworks will come from the general fund. In past years, donations have offset the cost of the fireworks and they hope for the same this year. The Council added that the fireworks are meant to draw tourism and that a sizable percentage of income for the city comes from tourism sales tax.
Stan Gula, a local Realtor in Grafton, approached the council to express his satisfaction with Mayor Morrow’s “Lot Resolution Program.” He informed the council that thirteen out of twenty-seven of the lots are under contract so far.
“I am getting an overwhelming number of inquiries for the program,” Gula announced, adding that they will “start seeing things pop up” in Grafton Hills after January.
Morrow reported that a new 120k grant program for Grafton Hills’ sidewalks and streets is in the works, stating, “It should be able to get all of the critical areas.”
Morrow has also been working diligently to get a Main Street Grant, which he said would “encompass the visitor center all the way up to the west end of town.”
Morrow indicated that the Main Street Grant will allow them to place decorative flags and flower holders on Main Street. This grant would be for 1.3 million and Morrow stated that it will cover “lots of other improvements.”
■ The Following New Business items were approved by the council.
■ Mason Hollow playground equipment
■ Ordinance 747 business licenses in R2 and R3 zoning districts.
■ Updated Business License Application.
■ Ferry Boat fee structure for 2022.
■ To add full time employees to the City Health insurance plan.
