Provided photo: The volunteers include from left: Lucy Rivers, Tim Archer, Sophie Markle, Gideon Pask, Emmaline Gailie, Cordelia Rivers and Tom Rivers.
The group thanks Ace Hardware for accepting the trash in the store’s dumpster.
Cordelia and Lucy Rivers found lots of litter in the brush between Platt and Main streets. They are joined in the garbage pickup by Sophie Markle and Emmaline Gailie.
In front of Dunkin’ Donuts was a small mattress and some clothes that had been out all winter.
There were two other waterlogged sleeping bags along the railroad tracks, and many empty cans of food.
The trash was weighed and the total will be sent into a database for the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Destiny Cherry (in blue coat) and Kellan Bensley shovel dirt in the hole where a maple tree will be planted. (Right) Kellan Bensley, left, and Jack Smith get shovels from FFA adviser Todd Eick, to help plant a maple tree at the FFA model farm.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 April 2024 at 11:26 am
MEDINA – Fourth-graders from Oak Orchard Primary School learned about trees and helped plant a maple tree at Medina FFA’s model farm on high school grounds.
It has been a tradition for several years for Medina Lions to conduct an activity with fourth-graders every year on Arbor Day, said Lions president Jim Hancock.
In the past the Lions have visited the fourth-grade classes with speakers to talk about trees, planted trees with help from the students in various locations, and in one year they gave a sapling to each child.
This year, however, they decided to plant a maple tree in the pasture of the mini model farm maintained by the FFA at Medina High School.
Medina Lions president Jim Hancock, left, and Lion Tim Moriarty, right, talk with Medina FFA teacher Todd Eick at the FFA Model Farm on Medina High School grounds, as they wait for fourth-graders to arrive for a tree planting ceremony.
Children and their teachers, Karen Pane, Scott Gerdes, Alina Patterson, Maria Lemme and Alexis Jones from all five fourth-grade classes walked to the farm on the southwest corner of the high school, where they were greeted by FFA instructor Todd Eick and his class of FFA members.
Eick asked each teacher to choose one child from their class to help shovel dirt around the tree.
Eick explained they planted a tree in the middle of the pasture to provide shade for the animals kept there. This includes alpacas, Nigerian dwarf goats and several ducks. A maple tree was chosen, as Eick explained, so 40 years from now when he has retired and his successor is in place, the tree can be tapped for maple syrup, providing another element of farming for the students to learn.
Then he asked the children how old they thought the oldest maple in New York state was. He told them the oldest living maple was planted in 1590 in Syracuse.
Medina FFA instructor Todd Eick, center, talks to fourth-graders about the importance of trees prior to planting a maple tree at the FFA model farm on Arbor Day.
Eick urged the students this summer to bring their families out for a walk and see how the tree is growing. He explained a maple tree grows about a foot a year and half an inch in diameter.
Hancock told the children about the Lions Club and how they were founded in 1935.
“We do a lot of good things for the community,” Hancock said.
He also introduced Tom Robinson, incoming president and chair of the tree program, and Lions Tom Beach and Tim Moriarty.
Eick then shared that the FFA in Medina was founded in 1936.
Before the children left to go back to their school, Eick asked them to line up and sing happy birthday to his mother, Pat Eick, whose birthday was Monday. Eick’s son Mason, an FFA member, recorded the song to play for his grandmother.
Fourth graders from Oak Orchard Elementary School head back to class after participating in a tree planting ceremony at the FFA Model Farm at Medina High School.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 April 2024 at 7:27 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Second graders at Oak Orchard School in Medina helped plant four trees Friday on North Avenue as part of an Arbor Day celebration in the village. These kids with shovels include Emma McGrath in blue sweater and Gabrielle Watts.
The four trees plants by the kids were “Northern Acclaim” varieties.
This group is in a second grade class taught by Jamie Brooks. Her students have helped with Arbor Day plantings for five years. They students look forward to it every year and it ties in with their science lessons.
“They are learning about the earth around them,” Brooks said. “It’s talking the classroom outside.”
Members of the second grade Glee Club at Oak Orchard Primary School sang three songs to help celebrate the tree planting an Earth Day. Here they are singing, “This Land Is Your Land.”
Andrea Busch, director of the Glee Club, leads them in singing from a stage on North Avenue, not far from the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
The group sang “This Land Is Your Land,” “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
Medina is planting 69 trees this spring with 44 new trees on North Avenue, South Avenue, West Avenue, Park Avenue and State Street Park. The other 25 trees are going in Boxwood Cemetery.
Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman reads an Arbor Day Proclamation and shares her enthusiasm for the community’s commitment to trees.
Arbor Day 2024 marks the 17th year Medina’s urban forestry program has been a participant in the Tree City USA program of the National Arbor Day Foundation. The annual Tree City award honors Medina’s commitment to community forestry.
Many of the trees were paid for with donations through ReLeaf Medina. Click here for more information.
Mary Lewis, the Medina Tree Board chairwoman, said the Tree Board welcomes corporate and community sponsors to the tree-planting program.
The Arbor Day celebration included 2nd and 3rd graders from Medina Central School. The kids in front are second-graders in Abbi Keppler’s class.
$319 million facility is second to build at STAMP, following Plug Power
These are renderings from the Governor’s Office show phase 1 of the new facility to be built for Edwards Vacuum.
Press Release, Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office
TOWN OF ALABAMA – Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer today announced the start of construction on the first phase of the $319 million Edwards Vacuum dry pump manufacturing facility, located in the Genesee County town of Alabama.
The British-based global leader in vacuum and abatement equipment for the semiconductor industry, part of the Atlas Copco Group, chose the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in Genesee County as the location for its new U.S. dry pump manufacturing facility.
The technology produced at the new facility is a vital component to controlling the highly sensitive environment of semiconductor manufacturing processes. Edwards Vacuum’s decision to invest in New York State followed passage of the federal CHIPS and Science Act, New York’s Green CHIPS legislation, and the domestic semiconductor industry growth the complementary programs have spurred, including Micron’s unprecedented $100 billion commitment to Central New York, which is expected to create nearly 50,000 jobs.
“As a Western New York native, I experienced the years of decline from the exodus of manufacturing from Upstate New York,” Governor Hochul said. “Those days are over. The start of construction on the newest Edwards Vacuum facility signals the beginning of a new chapter for both Western New York and the Finger Lakes regions. Edwards’ choice to build in New York State brings hundreds of good paying jobs and millions of dollars in investment Upstate while helping strengthen our domestic semiconductor supply chain, shorten delivery times for suppliers like Micron, reduce carbon emissions, and bolster national security.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Today is a great day for the Western New York and Finger Lakes region, with Edwards Vacuum breaking ground on its $300+ million manufacturing plant, which will create an estimated 600 good-paying jobs and boost New York’s already booming semiconductor supply chain. Thanks to my CHIPS & Science Act, which continues to deliver investment after investment for Upstate NY, we are adding another stop to our semiconductor superhighway along the booming I-90 corridor Tech Hub with Edwards Vacuum’s groundbreaking today. This is yet another example of my CHIPS & Science Law bringing manufacturing back to America, especially Upstate NY, and is only the beginning of the next chapter in Upstate NY’s manufacturing renaissance.”
Construction on the $127 million first phase of Edwards Vacuum’s 240,000 square-foot campus will include manufacturing, warehouse, and administration facilities, with a capacity to produce 10,000 dry pumps per year. The all-electric facility will strive for LEED certification, with a majority of the power generated via hydroelectricity.
Edwards’ commitment to build in the U.S. comes after significant investments by the Biden Administration to increase domestic chip manufacturing, and the passage of the federal CHIPS and Science Act and New York’s Green CHIPS legislation, as well as a growing need to support its customers in North America.
Edwards dry pumps are currently manufactured in Asia. By bringing manufacturing to New York, Edwards customers – including Micron and GlobalFoundries in New York, and Intel in Ohio – will experience shorter wait times, improved responsiveness and reduced CO2 emissions from an American-made product. Edwards estimates that when phase one is operational, it will reduce CO2 emissions by 13,000 tons per year.
Empire State Development has awarded Edwards Vacuum up to $21 million through a combination of performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits and Investment Tax Credits in exchange for 600 jobs, and an additional $1 million to support workforce development efforts and the training of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Additionally, the New York Power Authority is supporting the project though a 4.9-megawatt (MW) low-cost Niagara hydropower allocation and a 2.1 MW of High Load Factor power allocation that NYPA will procure for Edwards on the energy market. Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for companies within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project or businesses in Chautauqua County.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The start of construction for Edwards Vacuum’s new facility signals that hundreds of good jobs and millions of dollars in investments are headed to Upstate New York. We are well on our way to becoming a global hub for advanced manufacturing and building a strong semiconductor ecosystem in New York State.”
Semiconductors, and their supply chain partners, are vital to the nation’s economic strength, serving as the brains of modern electronics, and enabling technologies critical to U.S. economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness. The industry directly employs over 277,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 1.8 million additional domestic jobs. Semiconductors are a top five U.S. export, and the industry is the number one contributor to labor productivity, supporting improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of virtually every economic sector — from farming to manufacturing.
In the FY 2025 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul doubled down on her commitment to establish New York as a global hub for semiconductor research and manufacturing, including:
$100 million in funding for additional rounds of the FAST NY program.
$500 million for NY CREATES’ Albany Nanotech Complex – with total State investment of $1 billion – to jumpstart a $10 billion partnership that will bring the future of advanced semiconductor research to New York’s Capital region by creating the nation’s first and only publicly owned High NA EUV Lithography Center.
$200 million to establish One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) – a network of four new workforce development centers to prepare New Yorkers for the jobs of the future created by companies like Micron and Edwards Vacuum.
Assemblymember Steven Hawley said, “I’m proud to see the announcement today that Edward’s Vacuum is starting construction at the STAMP mega-site. The 139th Assembly District has always been a hub of innovation and it’s only fitting that it will be at the center of New York’s emerging semiconductor industry. This project is another step in the right direction toward growing the local economy, creating good-paying jobs and making New York a leader in this sector.”
Town of Alabama Supervisor Rob Crossen said, “We congratulate Edwards Vacuum on the start of construction at the STAMP mega-site. This latest milestone in the development of STAMP continues the realization of our shared vision for investments that improve the economy, attract good paying jobs, and enhance our community.”
GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde said, “As we work to grow our economy and deliver family-sustaining careers at the STAMP mega-site, having partners like Edwards Vacuum, Senator Schumer, and Governor Hochul is gratifying. The start of construction for this critical semiconductor industry project demonstrates the impact that STAMP provides in our shared state and federal vision to grow semiconductor and related advanced manufacturing sectors.”
Provided photos: Medina students Alexander Balaban, Isabella Gray and Elaina Bitsas pitched their idea of Pets & Found.
Press Release, Medina Central School
BUFFALO – Medina Junior-Senior High School business students competed and won top honors at the first-ever 43North Students to Startups Finals! The event was held at Seneca One Tower in Buffalo, NY.
Medina students Alexander Balaban, Isabella Gray and Elaina Bitsas competed against nine other teams, most from larger districts, and came home with first place and $1,000 for their hard work and effort.
Their business idea – Pets & Found – was a subscription style app to help owners find their pets and partner with local veterinarians to develop a kind of animal patient portal to benefit both pet owners and veterinarians.
43North is an accelerator program for seed-stage startups and has given over $5 million annually into growing Buffalo’s startup ecosystem. 43North is excited to collaborate with educators to inspire entrepreneurship and innovation in their classrooms.
“We are so proud of these students,” says Jody Sargent, one of the school’s business teachers. “We want to congratulate them for their hard work and effort as well as Business/Computer teacher Mrs. Krista Lindke who worked extensively to prepare these students for their success.”
The students were featured on the news television stations in Buffalo last night.
From left include Mr. Jody Sargent, Isabella Gray, Elaina Bitsas, Alexander Balaban and Mrs. Krista Lindke at the 43North Students to Startups Finals.
Provided photo: The new inductees of the National Junior Honor Society are pictured at the middle school on Thursday evening.
Posted 26 April 2024 at 3:29 pm
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Carl I. Bergerson Middle School inducted 31 students into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) on Thursday.
The current members of NJHS led the ceremony, explaining that the organization is built on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character and that inductees must exhibit all four qualities and be recommended by a faculty member in order to be eligible. The current member of NJHS include Aubrielle Barry, Sophia Bouchey, Maliyah Carithers, Makenzie Cook, Peyton Dimatteo, Alivia Dumrese, Lillian Fisher, Anna Gillette, Julia Graham, Sadie Money, Dakota Palmer, Adelaide Pettit, Drake Schomske, Keira Sidari, Katelyn Viza, Tra’Monie Walker, Nathan Wehling and Aniela Wilson.
Some of the current members were recognized with the Service Pin for completing 25 hours of service. Those members include Sophia Bouchey, Makenzie Cook, Julia Graham, Dakota Palmer, Adelaide Pettit, Drake Schomske, Tra’Monie Walker, Nathan Wehling and Aniela Wilson.
Once the Service Pins were awarded, Mrs. Robin Bower addressed both current and new members of NJHS as the night’s guest speaker. In her speech, she highlighted students’ perseverance and love of learning, commending them on their hard work and their well deserved success.
The soon-to-be new inductees were then asked to stand and recite the NJHS pledge before crossing the stage to receive their certificates and sign the registry book. The newly inducted members of NJHS include Madison Blount, Colson Braley, Stryker Braley, Aubrey Bruning, Kelsey Crawford, Blake Coty, Jax Gotte, Lena Grillo, Rianne Hand, Sophie Kozody, Carter Krull, Maddax Krull, Noah Latz, Nicole Loney, Adele Mathes, Logan Mayes, Mary McCormick, Brooklynn Miens, Tatiana Morales, Jane Nesbitt, Hannah Olles, Kamryn Peruzzini, Kendall Peruzzini, Brooklyn Pisano, Parker Roberts, Thailer Seibert, Scarlett Stambach, Oliver Stoffa, Caden Woolston, Chloe Mosele, and Kasia Robinson.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 April 2024 at 12:20 pm
Membership Dinner, Historic Masonry Workshop also planned for May
CHILDS – The Cobblestone Society has announced the first of its special events for the 2024 season.
The first will be an educational program May 3 by coverlet enthusiast Marty Schlabach on the Cobblestone Museum’s Orleans County 19th century coverlet collection. A guided tour of the coverlet collection is including in the evening, which begins at 6 p.m.
Marty Schlabach
Cobblestone director Doug Farley explained that coverlets are woven bedcovers, which were popular in the 19th century when most American homes had spinning wheels and looms. A wide array of cloth was woven by the women of the family for household use, including geometric patterned coverlets.
There were also professional weavers who wove specialty textiles and earned some or all of their living practicing their trade. Figured and fancy coverlets were one of the specialty items and required special equipment usually only found in the professional weave shops.
Following an introduction to coverlets, the coverlet weavers of Orleans County will be highlighted in the evening’s presentation.
Marty Schlabach came to appreciate coverlets through his wife, Mary Jean Wesler, who has been interested in and collected textiles for many years, with a particular interest in quilts. Sometime more than 10 years ago, while pawing through a pile of textiles at a local estate sale, Mary Jean came across two whole late 18th century cloth quilts and one geometric patterned coverlet. It was this that started their interest in exploration and collection of coverlets.
As a retired Cornell University librarian, Marty particularly enjoys the historical research associated with learning about coverlets and their weavers.
A free-will donation will be accepted at this presentation, and reservations are strongly encouraged by calling (585) 589-9013.
File photo by Tom Rivers: On May 8, the Cobblestone Society will host its annual Membership Dinner at the Carlton Recreation Hall. Here, Randy Bower lends his talent as auctioneer at one of the events.
The second event in May is the annual membership fundraising dinner at Carlton Recreation Hall. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6:15 p.m. A buffet catered by Zambistro’s will include chicken piccata and Italian meatballs.
Farley said this is the Cobblestone Society and Museum’s 64th year of service to the community, but there is still much important work to continue.
“With your help and generosity, the Cobblestone Museum will be able to maintain our 10 historic buildings and provide educational programming for generations to come,” he said.
Tickets for this year’s membership dinner are $67 per person or $124 per couple. Each package includes a full year’s membership to the Cobblestone Society and Museum (good through April 30, 2025).
The Carlton Recreation Hall is located at 1853 Oak Orchard Rd., Albion (in Carlton).
The third event announced by the Cobblestone Society is a hands-on Historic Masonry Workshop on May 18 presented by Brian Daddis Heritage Masonry at the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center, listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places.
The full day workshop will focus on maintaining a historic masonry structure. Topics include the importance of using lime mortar when reconditioning historic masonry structures, with a hands-on demonstration involving repointing a stone foundation, repointing brick, extracting and replacing bricks and composite patching of bricks.
Cost for the full day working, which includes lunch, is $90 for Cobblestone Society members and $100 for all others.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 April 2024 at 7:22 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Alexandria Purnell, left general manager of the Walsh Hotel, and bar manager Emily Plumb stand in the dining room, where Monday night euchre is going to be offered beginning April 29.
MEDINA – The staff of the Walsh Hotel is going all out to bring new life to the historic building, after an extensive remodeling by Tim Cooper and subsequent purchase by local developer Rollin Hellner.
General manager Alexandria Purnell has announced new features about to be launched, including extended hours, expanded menu and euchre games on Monday nights.
Purnell and bar manager Emily Plumb will welcome guests to the facility which, since 1852 has served the community as a bar, restaurant, hotel and speakeasy.
New hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
“We are getting busier and busier, and that is wonderful,” Purnell said. “We have even booked our first wedding and reception here for October.”
“It is so much fun to see the support from the community,” Plumb said.
Hellner reports that he expects to begin renovation of the upper floors by fall, creating 22 studio and one- or two-bedroom apartments.
Perhaps the most exciting news is the start of euchre games every Monday night. Seating is available for up to 48 players.
Games will begin at 6:30 p.m., and players can earn substantial prize money, based on the number of players.
A veteran euchre player, Lee Smith of Lyndonville will oversee the games and be a substitute player if someone ends up without a partner. No one will have to worry about getting a seat to play, whether they come with a partner or not.
A server will be available to take orders from the card players, so they won’t have to interrupt a game to get a drink. Free coffee and snacks will be provided.
The cost to play will be $5 per person, plus $2 to get in a loner pot. Prizes will be paid for first, second, third and last place.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced the launch of the Community Project Funding (CPF) process for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The deadline for this year’s submissions is Monday, April 29, at close of business.
The CPF process is an important way for members of Congress to advocate for essential projects that benefit our communities. It provides transparency, accountability, and oversight of the funding process rather than simply relying on bureaucrats to make critical funding decisions behind closed doors without congressional input.
The CPF program allows local governments and non-profits to submit requests for federal funding for high-priority community projects in New York’s 24th District. All projects are vetted thoroughly, are subject to strict oversight, and must demonstrate strong local support.
All CPF applications supported by Congresswoman Tenney’s office must meet rigorous eligibility requirements, as outlined in the appropriations guidance, and must provide a clear plan to execute funds promptly with strong accountability measures built in. Tenney’s office works closely with all grantees to ensure awarded funds are spent responsibly and for their intended purpose.
Local elected officials and non-profits interested in submitting applications for projects should visit Tenney’s website (click here). Those with questions should contact Tenney’s Washington, DC office directly at 202-225-3665.
Provided photo: Scott Schmidt of Medina, who will play the organ at three locations for the Cobblestone Museum’s progressive organ concert on May 26, is shown at the 156 rank Margaret Wendt Memorial Organ in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo, where he has been given permission to practice.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 April 2024 at 9:54 pm
ALBION – The Cobblestone Society and Museum’s progressive organ concert on May 26 promises to be a memorable and entertaining afternoon, featuring local organist Scott Schmidt playing the organ at three local churches.
The concert begins at 2 p.m. with a wine and cheese reception at the Pullman Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church on Main Street in Albion, next to the Orleans County Courthouse. Next stop will be the First Presbyterian Church on the other side of the Courthouse Square, with the final concert at the Cobblestone Church on Ridge Road, Childs.
At each church, Schmidt has planned a program that will demonstrate the breadth of the musical instruments selected, said Cobblestone Museum director Doug Farley.
Following introduction of the program and instructions by Maarit Vaga at the Pullman church, Bill Lattin will welcome visitors. Schmidt, who will play the church’s 1894 William Johnson and Son Opus 812 organ, has chosen three selections, each of which will be followed by singing of a congregational hymn.
At 3:15, guests will progress to the neighboring First Presbyterian Church, where they will be welcomed by Kevin Gardner. Again, three selections played on the 1875 E. & G.G. Hook and Hastings Opus 789 organ will be followed by singing of congregational hymns.
The Presbyterian Church’s organ has special meaning for Schmidt, as he donated a Zimbelstern for the organ in memory of his grandfather.
He explained Zimbelstern means “cymbal star” in German and is a “toy” organ stop consisting of a metal or wooden star or wheel on which several small bells are mounted. When engaged, the star rotates, producing a continuous tinkling sound. In some Christian liturgical traditions, it is run during the singing of the Sanctus, or on doxological stanzas of hymns.
At the Cobblestone Church, Holley pianist Raymond Santoro will present a musical interlude upon arrival. Farley will welcome guests, followed by three musical selections and congregational hymns played on the 1904 Estey Reed organ.
An added feature will be a narrative by Lattin of the previous hymn and introduction of his 1857 melodian.
Then the guests will depart for the Tavern on the Ridge across the corner (formerly Tillman’s Village Inn) for dinner. A choice of menu selections will be available for concert guests.
Schmidt is an accomplished organist with a lifelong love of the instrument. He first began taking piano lessons at the age of 8, then, following in his grandfather Bill’s footsteps, began taking organ lessons at the age of 12 after his family moved from Tonawanda to Middleport. When his teacher moved away after six lessons, he continued playing on his own, with encouragement from his grandfather.
At age 15, Schmidt became junior choir accompanist at the Middleport United Methodist Church. He has served as organist and choir director at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Lockport, prior to attending college and taking a position as organist at Gloria Del Lutheran Church in Potsdam. After college, he returned to Mount Olive, where he was organist from 1983 to 1988.
He transferred membership to Concordia Lutheran Church in Kendall, where he was organist from 1995 to 1999. In November of 2000, he ordained as a music minister in the First Presbyterian Church USA and was installed as organist and choir director at Barre Center Presbyterian Church. He currently continues as organist there.
Schmidt, a resident of Medina, often plays for other churches in the area. He is also a funeral director with Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, and has spent his entire funeral service career in Orleans County. He is the county’s chief coroner and is a member of several professional and service organizations. He is president of the New York State Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners and president of Orleans Recovery – a community support organization for those affected by the opioid addiction/overdose epidemic.
He has two daughters, Hayley Schmidt, a clinical mental health counselor with Orleans County Mental Health, and Danielle Schmidt, a student at Nazareth College studying communications.
Tickets for the afternoon are $35 for Cobblestone Society members and $40 for all others. Space is limited and tickets are presale only. Dinner at the Tavern on the Ridge (formerly Tillman’s Village Inn) is included.
To order tickets or for more information, call (585) 589-9013 or log on to www.CobblestoneMusuem.org.
Press Release, Genesee County Economic Development Center
BATAVIA – “The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) is pleased to announce that we are working closely with the towns of Oakfield and Alabama, along with the village of Oakfield and regulatory agencies to construct a force main to accommodate the current projects at STAMP and a potential future project.
“This project would result in capital improvements to the Village of Oakfield wastewater treatment plant, including the installation of equipment to reduce the current phosphorus discharge into Oak Orchard Creek.
“As the Oakfield line cannot fully replace Orleans County line we will continue to pursue the force main to Oak Orchard Creek in the town of Shelby through a different construction method and we look forward to working with United States Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation as this process moves forward. The Oakfield plan alleviates the timing pressures for the build-out of the force main to Oak Orchard Creek.
“As a result of being recently notified by the USFWS that our permit for horizontal directional drilling for the force main to Oak Orchard Creek in the town of Shelby has been terminated, we are in the process of submitting a new permit application to propose an open cut construction method which will avoid the types of incidents that resulted from the former method.
“The determination by USFWS is unrelated to claims made by Orleans County regarding the force main to Oak Orchard Creek. Those claims brought by Orleans County were recently dismissed by State Supreme Court following an Article 78 hearing.”
