Photos by Tom Rivers: Scott Burto, grant manager and administrator for G&G Muncipal Consulting and Grant Writing, goes over the Vacant Property Rental Rehabilitation Program, which would bring up to $75,000 per vacant rental unit for property owners.

ALBION – The Village Board is working with a grantwriter to submit two grant applications that could bring significant state funding into the community.

The village and its grant writer, G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, held back to back meeting son Thursday evening at Hoag Library to go over the grant opportunities.

Albion Mayor Tim McMurray said the village is pursuing grants to bring investment and upgrades into the community.

One program focuses on vacant rental property and the other is an economic and community development initiative.

The first meeting focused on a vacant property rental program that could bring up to $75,000 per unit that is rehabbed. Those units would need to be made available to lower-income residents for at least the next 10 years.

Albion and Medina joined together for the grant last year, seeking $2.5 million from the state. This time Albion is seeking the funding on its own.

Orleans County also has a shortage of residential units, according to a housing study commissioned by the Orleans County United Way. The grant would increase housing opportunities locally, and improve residential units in buildings.

The goal is to turn space that is currently uninhabitable or unmarketable into safe, quality, and affordable rental units.

Eligible projects could include health and safety improvements, correction of code violations, plumbing, electrical, roof and windows, environmental cleanup (lead/asbestos), accessibility upgrades and general improvements to make habitable.

Property owners don’t need to do a thorough environmental test to be eligible for the program. The state is only requiring testing for lead, village officials said.

The application is due to the state by Dec. 10. Applicants can seek funding for up to five units. The state is offering a $50,000 maximum per unit for a “standard” project and $75,000 for “enhanced.” No match is needed by the applicants.

Landlords and property owners interested in the project can reach out to Scott Burto, grant manager and administrator for G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing. His email is scott@ggprocess.com.

The program is funded by the state through the Office of Community Renewal.

For more on the Vacant Rental Rehabilitation Program Grant, click here.

$4.5 million NY Forward grant

This greenspace just north of the First Presbyterian Church of Albion could become a more inviting spot. The Village Board is considering this location, the next-door parking lot and other municipal-owned land for the NY Forward grant. Mayor Tim McMurray said the Village Board will work to identify a project on village-owned land for the grant application.

The Village of Albion also will be applying again for a $4.5 million NY Forward grant (Round 5) to support downtown revitalization, business development, and the rehabilitation of vacant or underutilized properties. The village was just edged out on getting the grant for 2026, Burto said.

The application is due Jan. 8. Burto would like to have all proposals for the grant submitted by mid-December so G&G has time to compile the application.

The project needs to be confined to downtown area.  Property owners can submit proposals for building renovations and facade improvements. The state wants to stimulate new retail, office, co-working, commercial or cultural spaces. Medina was awarded this grant in 2023.

The grant covers about 35 to 40 percent of project costs for private property, with the remainder to be paid by the building owner. The state would pay 100 percent for initiatives on municipal land, Burto said.

The state favors applications in a clear downtown area, with strong local support and vision, he said.

Albion has a clear downtown area by the Erie Canal, and the village is working to update its comprehensive plan that shows a vision for the community, he said.

He would like to see $6 million to $7 million in projects submitted for the grant, which would eventually be narrowed to $4.5 million in the grant.

To be considered in the application, building owners should submit a cost estimate, overview of the project and include photos.

Mayor Tim McMurray said the Village Board is discussing what to apply for the municipal portion of the grant. The board is considering speakers in the downtown to play music, and upgrade a parking lot, other one on Main Street with a median and greenspace next door or the lot by the Erie Canal behind the Albion Visitor’s Center.

Town has until Nov. 20 to adopt budget, which is currently at 2% tax increase

YATES – The Yates Town Board is waiting until the very last minute to vote on the town budget for 2027 due to an unresolved contract for ambulance services.

The town has a contract with the Village of Medina with the fire department providing ambulance coverage in Yates. The town paid Medina $35,000 in the contract for 2026, but Medina wants $135,000 in 2027.

Jim Simon, the Yates town supervisor, said that is too high for the town residents. The Town Board budgeted for the increase to go to $65,000. At that amount, the town’s budget in 2027 would stay just under the state-imposed property tax cap with a 2 percent increase.

The Town Board met on Thursday night and didn’t vote on the budget. The board has scheduled a 5 p.m. meeting on Nov. 20 for a final budget vote. That is the last day the town can finalize the budget.

Medina has a contract with the three western Orleans towns – Shelby, Ridgeway and Yates – for ambulance coverage and they were each paying $35,000 in 2026. Medina pushed for $135,000, saying the village is bearing too much cost for the ambulance service at over $1 million to village property owners. Shelby has agreed to pay $135,000 in its 2027 budget.

Simon said Yates is smaller town with a smaller budget and the $135,000 cost would have a disproportionally higher impact on Yates.

Simon also has been advocating for an increase in the local sales tax sharing from the county. The County Legislature has kept the collective share to the towns and villages at the same level since 2001 – $1,366,671. Yates received $69,760 of that in 2026.

The sales tax revenues have been growing at a steady rate, year after year, but the county keeps all of the increase, despite rising costs for the towns, especially with ambulance coverage, Simon noted.

The county is budgeting for $25.4 million in sales tax revenue in 2027, which would be up $1.06 million.

“We’re hoping for some reprieve there,” Simon said about a boost in the sales tax for towns and villages.

$106 million budget for county stays under tax cap with 2.48% increase

ALBION – Orleans County’s tentative budget for 2027 has been filed today and the $106 million spending plan calls for eliminating the Major Felony Crime Task Force.

The Task Force has a long-time supervising investigator in Joe Sacco and two investigators – retired Medina Police Chief Todd Draper and retired Rochester Police Department Sergeant Brett Sobieraski, who announced on Tuesday he is running for sheriff next year. The Task Force operates within the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office.

Cutting the Task Force will save the county nearly $400,000, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.

Felony indictments have decreased from 50 in 2023 to 44 in 2024 and 28 in 2025, a 44 percent decline over two years, he said.

A new model will be created within the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, and will continue to coordinate with local, state and federal law enforcement partners, Welch stated in his budget message filed today with the tentative budget.

He noted the Task Force’s organizational model has changed from how it was set up originally, when each village police department and the Sheriff’s Office assigned one employee to support it.

The tentative budget totals $106,119,042, which increases spending by 5.8 percent from the $100,261,320 in 2026.

The tax levy would increase by 2.48 percent or by $500,000 – from $20,139,000 to $20,639,000.

Despite the tax increase, the tax rate would drop 17.7 percent from $8.05 to $6.62 per $1,000 of assessed property. The levy will be down because the county’s overall assessed value has jumped by 24.7 percent – from $2.50 billion to $3.12 billion, an increase by $616,870,764.

The County Legislature will have a public hearing on the budget at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the Orleans County Legislative Chambers, 14016 Route 31 W, Albion. The Legislature will then vote on the budget right after the public hearing.

Welch said the county, just like the families and businesses, “continues to face significant affordability challenges. Rising health insurance costs, increased expenses and financial pressures beyond our control make it increasingly difficult to balance our budget and we will not simply pass these costs along to taxpayers.”

The Legislature sent a directive to Welch and department heads to maintain essential services, control spending and deliver a budget that stays under the state property tax cap.

He noted some of the budget pressures:

• The federal One Big Beautiful Bill will reduce SNAP administrative reimbursement in 2027 by more than $400,000.
• After switching to NYSHIP’s Empire Plan in 2026, family plan enrollment increased by 47% and single plan enrollment by 5%. Combined with a 22% increase in covered employees, this shift raised the 2027 medical coverage budget by a third to $9.5 million.
• New York State retirement expenses increase of 4.6 percent
• “We also continue to experience tremendous pressure from emergency housing placements, which have increased 149 percent since July 2022. Compounding these challenges, recent federal legislation will reduce administrative reimbursements to Orleans County by more than $400,000 in 2027.”
• “State mandates remain another major concern. The nine state-mandated programs commonly referred to as the ‘9 for 90 Mandates’ will cost Orleans County more than $23 million in 2027, representing 111.6 percent of our proposed property tax levy.”

Medina mayor praises partnership among governments in getting project done

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Medina Mayor Debbie Padoleski cuts the ribbon this afternoon for a new 100-foot-long pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek.

Kevin Foster, left, is owner of RJT Construction Services in Rochester, the general contractor for the project that also included about 2,000 feet of new sidewalks.

RJT Construction Services completed the work with an $837,448 bid. Mayor Padoleski praised the company for getting the job done on time and under budget.

This group gathers on the bridge for a photograph after the ribbon cutting. Pictured from left include: Dave Pettis, engineer in charge with Barton & Loguidice; Village Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess; Village Trustee Jeff Wagner; Village Trustee Scott Bieliski; Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for Orleans Economic Development Agency; Payton Corts, regional local projects liaison for the state Department of Transportation; Michael Dobell, chief executive officer for the Orleans EDA; Jonathan Walczak, project manager for Barton & Loguidice, the village’s engineering firm for the project; Erin Foster of RJT Construction Services; Jack Foster of RJT; Mayor Debbie Padoleski; Kevin Foster of RJT; Jason Watts, superintendent of Medina’s Department of Public Works; and Philip Gow Jr., WNY regional director for Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

The bridge intentionally has a rust-colored look. It won’t have to be repainted in the future and will require less maintenance, said Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent.

The project has been several years in the making. Padoleski noted that Mike Sidari, former Medina mayor, had the vision for the pedestrian bridge and sidewalks back in 2020.

The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

The grant required a 20 percent local share and that was paid locally from the village ($55,000), Town of Shelby ($130,000) and Orleans County ($97,500), using their share of funds from a now closed revolving loan fund through the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

“We would like to thank the Town of Shelby, Orleans County and the IDA for participating in this project in the Village of Medina,” Padoleski said. “We would like to thank the NYS DOT for making the funds available through a grant, which allowed the expansion of the project.”

The mayor also said officials from the state Office of Community Renewal were patient and understanding with the village, extending a deadline so Medina could get everything done.

After the ribbon cutting for the bridge, some of the officials walked the 2,000-foot stretch of sidewalks for a final inspection.

The village and Orleans EDA pushed for the sidewalks as this section of Maple Ridge Road has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA.

Long-time community volunteer works behind the scenes with many projects

File photos by Tom Rivers: Kathy Blackburn has led many efforts in Medina from planting trees, promoting small businesses, honoring veterans and keeping up a historic cemetery.

MEDINA – The 18^th annual Parade of Lights will be back on the Saturday after Thanksgiving –  Nov. 28 in downtown Medina.

Parade committee chairman Jim Hancock has announced that Kathy Blackburn has been selected as Grand Marshal of the big parade.

“Kathy has actively worked behind the scenes, and been involved in so many things to benefit Medina,” Hancock said.

She is active in Medina Area Partnership, Orleans Renaissance Group, Medina Sandstone Society, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery and many other initiatives in the village. She is member of both the Medina and Ridgeway planning boards, and Medina’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

Blackburn is past chairwoman of Releaf Medina, which raises money to plant trees in the village. She started Wreaths Across America in Medina, where more than 1,000 wreaths are placed on veterans’ graves in December.

She helped start the Faery Festival through MAP, and tries hard with many of the group’s events. For many years she dressed up as a character and welcomed families in line for Beggar’s Night the Friday before Halloween.

There will be some very interesting floats entered this year in the parade, Hancock said. He urges people and organizations to put together an entry in the parade. Entrants can compete for prize money in a variety of categories, including a $500 grand prize. The 10 best in class winners will each receive $300. Entry forms are available on the Parade of Lights website.

The Parade of Lights welcomes more entries in the big parade on Nov. 28. This photo shows a school bus decorated in a Candy Land theme last year by the Medina Transportation Department at the school district.

Events begin at 5 p.m. with a concert by Hit Men Brass in Rotary Park, followed by lighting of the Christmas tree in Rotary Park at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks over downtown at 5:45 p.m.

The parade will begin from the staging area at The Pickle Factory at 6 p.m. and travel down Park Avenue and north on Main Street.

Boy Scouts will be set up in the staging area, selling hot dogs, chili and hot chocolate.

A total of four bands are scheduled to perform – Hit Men Brass, Mark Time Marchers, Medina Mustang Marching Band and Pembroke High School Marching Band.

The first Parade of Lights took place in 2009, an idea of Hancock’s, who was talking with the Rev. Emily Frank, then pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Frank told him about a small town in Michigan, who had such a parade and 3,000 to 4,000 people turned out. They agreed if that small town could do it, Medina could do it.

Other communities in Orleans County also do a lighted parade, including Albion, Barre and Clarendon. Hancock urged people to create a float for Medina’s parade and then participate in the other local parades.

Community theater group performing shows from Friday through Sunday

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – These gamblers try their luck and skill in a scene from Guys and Dolls. They would sing, “The Crapshooters’ Dance.” It’s a scene early in the second act of the musical, which is being performed by the Lake Plains Players with shows 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Medina High School.

This is the biggest production of the year for the community theater group, which predominantly features people from Orleans and Niagara counties. The Lake Plains Players also do two cabarets during the year, a summer theater program for children, and will be adding a theater program for senior citizens in the summer of 2027. The Players are working on finding a venue of the production of Into the Woods.

Tickets for Guys and Dolls are $15 for adults and $12 for senior citizens. Click here for more information on tickets.

Scott Weber plays Nathan Detroit, who runs an illegal craps game and is constantly avoiding law enforcement. He also is stalling on a 14-year engagement.

The musical is usually performed at Roy-Hart, but the school is doing renovations and upgrades to its auditorium and stage.

The show is directed by Sarah Jones Geer, who performed in Guys and Dolls when she was a student at Lyndonville in 1995.

She said the audience will enjoy the musical.

“It’s a golden age of Broadway show,” she said. “There is a lot of word play and physical comedy.”

Other members of the production team include Gary Simboli, vocal director; Mike Thaine, music director; Mollie Radzinski, choreographer; Robyn Watts, costume designer; and Sue Glynn, stage manager.

Rebecca Witty plays the role of Sarah Brown and Erin Moody of Albion is Sky Masterson. They are singing, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before.” They are an unlikely couple with Sky a notorious gambler and Sarah, a pious member of the Save-a-Soul Mission.

Amelia Schuster, center, plays the role of Miss Adelaide, shown performing her nightclub act, “Take Back Your Mink.” She is frustrated with Nathan for putting off their wedding and his ongoing gambling. Adelaide is shown with the Hot Box girls, backup dancers at the club.

The Save-a-Soul Mission calls for sinners to repent. The mission will have to close if it can’t get more people at an upcoming revival meeting. Johna Wegand, right, plays Arvide Abernathy, one of the leaders of the mission band.

The gamblers are happy after winning in a craps game.

Erin Moody is Sky Masterson, a high stakes gambler, and Will Briggs is Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Sky’s right hand man. Nicely-Nicely leads the song, “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.”

MEDINA – With open enrollment for 2027 health coverage through the New York State Health Marketplace, Orleans Community Health is reminding residents of Orleans and Genesee counties that assistance is available to help individuals and families explore their health insurance options.

Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage began Nov. 1, and continues through Jan. 31, 2027. Residents are encouraged to review their current coverage, explore available plans and determine whether they qualify for financial assistance.

Orleans Community Health has a team of trained health insurance navigators ready to provide free, confidential assistance throughout the enrollment process.

Navigators can help residents:

• Apply for health insurance coverage.
• Renew or update existing coverage.
• Understand eligibility for financial assistance.
• Compare available health insurance options.
• Answer questions about the New York State of Health Marketplace.

Navigators are available Monday through Friday, with regular hours at Medina Memorial Hospital and the Batavia Dialysis Center. They also visit community locations, including Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Yates Library, Richmond Memorial Library, Hoag Library, Community Action locations in Albion and Holley, Offices for the Aging, Albion Healthcare Center and Genesee County Job Development.

Residents are encouraged to contact the navigator team to ask questions or schedule appointments for assistance.

For information in Orleans County, call (585) 798-2476, or in Genesee County, call (585) 798-8125.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Anne Joynt speaks during a meet the candidate event on Oct. 10 in Albion at Hoag Library.

A Medina graduate has been elected to the State Supreme Court. Anne Joynt, a Democrat, is one of four candidates elected to the 8^th Judicial District, which includes the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.

The race was too close to call on Election Day. But about a week later, with nearly all the ballots counted, Joynt is the winner over Jonathan Hickey, a Republican, by at least 6,000 votes.

There were seven candidates on the ballot for the justice positions with the top four vote-getters elected.

Robert Richardson (backed by Democrats, Republicans and Conservatives) led with 474,774 votes, followed by Michael Amodeo (endorsed by Democrats, Republicans and Working Families) with 444,280 votes. Deanne Tripi (backed by Republican and Conservative parties) was elected and currently has 284,819 votes. They were all clear winners right after Election Day.

Anne Joynt (on the Democratic and Working Families lines) was just ahead of Jonathan Hickey (Republican and Conservative) on election night. The latest totals have her at 268,807 votes and Hickey at 262,195.

Craig Bucki (Democratic and Working Families lines) is at 251,419 and Robert Vario, backed by the Conservative Party, has 55,026 votes.

“While the formal certification of election results will take some time, the information presently available indicates that we will not prevail in this year’s race,” Hickey posted on Facebook. “Although I am certainly disappointed in the outcome, I fully respect and accept the results.”

Joynt graduated from Medina in 1998. She is the daughter of former Medina teacher/principal Cathy Joynt and the late Robert Joynt. Her mother appeared in one of Joynt’s television ads.

Joynt graduated from Geneseo magna cum laude with degrees in English and Spanish. She enrolled at the University at Buffalo Law School and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 2005.

In her second year of law school, Anne saw an ad that a State Supreme Court candidate was looking for someone to help with her campaign. She went on to assist with the campaign of the Honorable Paula Feroleto, who is retiring this year. Joynt will assume the seat of her mentor.

Joynt is a partner with the firm Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford. Her clients include injured workers exposed to asbestos, children exposed to lead paint, and abused children.

She also has been involved as a member or in a leadership role with the Western New York Women’s Foundation; University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association; Girls on the Run; Women’s TAP Fund; the Center for Elder Law and Justice; the Erie County Bar Association Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society; the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Upstate Chapter); National Federation for Just Communities; and the Minority Bar Foundation.

She has also volunteered with the Western New York Board of Directors of Geneseo State College; the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter; Bar Association of Erie County; Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; and Law Intern Program of Buffalo.

Her honors include “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New York, National Trial Lawyers, 2025; Best Lawyers in America; University at Buffalo Law School Distinguished Alumni Award- Community Service; Upstate New York Super Lawyer; Woman Lawyer of the Year; Attorney of the Year Leader in Law Award; Woman of Influence by Buffalo Business First; Medina High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award; 2014/15 Woman in Leadership, Buffalo Niagara Chapter; Buffalo 40 Under 40 by Buffalo Business First; and Women in Leadership by NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara.”

She has been admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court and New York State Supreme Court.

(Includes reporting by Ginny Kropf.)

Photo and information courtesy of Knights of Columbus in Medina

MEDINA – The Knights of Columbus in Medina presented a check for $3,000 to Operation Honor with proceeds from a summer golf tournament.

Operation Honor is a local non-profit organization that exists solely to support Orleans County veterans, assisting them will bills and other expenses.

Pictured from left, bottom row: Aaron Feltz, Dave Bellucci, Kevin Bogan and Skip Draper. Back row: Bob Fox, Steve Winans, Jenn Thom of Operation Honor, Howie Gardner and Jim Mirand.

Winans is a US Navy veteran, while Gardner is a US Army veteran.

The Knights will be hosting the 2nd Annual Operation Honor Cornhole Tournament on Saturday.

A former Holley man has been missing for about six weeks, his family said.

Scott Davis, 39, has been living in Marion, Wayne County. The Finger Lakes Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team filed a missing person’s report on Oct. 27.

Anyone who has seen Davis or knows information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Tammy Noble, a recovery center specialist, at 585-360-6444.

Davis is known to frequent locations in Orleans, Monroe and Wayne counties.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Brian Christiaansen is shown outside the former KFC and then Mecate Mexican Restaurant, where he will relocate Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, with a sports bar going next door at the former location of Chia Sen, a Chinese restaurant.

ALBION – The Albion community will soon be getting a bigger Mark’s Pizzeria with a dine-in option, and a sports bar to follow.

Brian Christiaansen, owner of Mark’s Pizzeria in Albion, is moving the business from South Clinton Street to the plaza on South Main, at the former location of Mecate Mexican Restaurant and a KFC before that.

Christiaansen expects to move the Mark’s Pizzeria and have it ready in January. The site also has a drive-through window where he plans to offer slices and beverages.

“This will give us more room,” he said on Tuesday at the location where contractors have been busy. “The other building is tired, and worn down.”

He also is working to open a sports bar next to new Mark’s at the former Chia Sen, a Chinese restaurant at 170 South Main St.

This will become Tapped on Main II, and will be very similar to the sports bar he and his wife Lisa run on Main Street in Medina. The Albion sports bar should open in the spring, Christiaansen said.

The Albion community has been very supportive of Mark’s Pizzeria over the years, and he wants to offer the dine-in option and also provide the sports bar experience.

Both Mecate and Chia Sen recently closed, making the two sites available.

Christiaansen has been a Mark’s Pizzeria owner for more than 30 years. He started at age 22 as owner of the Mark’s in Hamlin in 1995. He also briefly owned sites in Brockport and Bushnell’s Basin.

He has been a long-term presence as Mark’s owner in Albion and Medina, and also is co-owner of the Mark’s in Newfane with Chris Marquardt. The two have been long-time business partners and friends. Marquardt also is a contractor and he is leading the renovations of the new Mark’s and Tapped on Main in Albion.

Christiaansen opened the Mark’s in Medina in 1997 with Albion following in 2007, and then Newfane in 2011. The three Mark’s sites have about 70 employees.

He was honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce last week with the “Businessperson of the Year” award for his steady growth at the Mark’s Pizzeria sites and with Tapped on Main in Medina, and his efforts to grow in Albion.

“Throughout his journey, Brian credits much of his success to the people around him,” said Darlene Hartway, the Chamber director. “His wife’s involvement and support have been essential to the growth of his businesses. He is especially proud of the employees and business partners who have worked alongside him over the years, recognizing that their dedication and contributions have helped make his success possible.”

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

As New York honors active and retired members of our military services, Governor Hochul today announced New York’s participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Even Exchange” program to provide opportunities for service members to put their military training to work as commercial drivers.

Under the program, qualified applicants who have been trained and educated to operate heavy equipment and machinery in the military will be able to use that experience to demonstrate the necessary knowledge to qualify for a Commercial Driver License (CDL), bypassing the need for a DMV written permit test.

“Keeping our economy growing and moving means we need qualified people to move goods across New York and the country, and those who have served proudly in the military are uniquely suited to do that,” Governor Hochul said. “This is not only a chance to give back to those who have protected us, but to also continue to make life affordable for New York families by ensuring we have the drivers necessary to give them more and better access to goods and services they use each day.”

This program will work in conjunction with the current Military Skills Test Waiver Program, which allows military personnel who are currently licensed or who have been employed operating the military equivalent of a commercial vehicle within the last two years to waive the road/skills test. Nationwide, more than 40,000 people have taken advantage of this opportunity since the program’s inception, including more than 3,100 New Yorkers.

New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said, “Our service members develop highly specialized skills, sound judgment, and an exceptional work ethic while serving our nation, and those qualifications should open doors to meaningful civilian employment. I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the tremendous value of military experience and taking practical steps to help veterans and transitioning service members put their training to work in New York’s economy. By participating in the Even Exchange program, New York State is helping create a more direct pathway from military service to civilian careers, reducing unnecessary obstacles and ensuring that the skills our veterans have already earned are recognized, respected, and put to good use.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: Town of Shelby residents, Darlene Scharping (left) and Mike Zelazny both spoke during a public hearing on the Shelby town budget on Tuesday. They urged the Town Board to try to reduce a proposed tax increase. “We just pay, pay, pay and it’s not getting any better,” Scharping said.

SHELBY – Town of Shelby property owners will likely be facing a steep tax increase in their town taxes in 2027, Town Board members said during a public hearing on Tuesday about the preliminary budget which shows a 22 percent tax increase.

Town Supervisor Jim Heminway said the board has meticulously gone through the budget over nine meetings, and he doesn’t see any more significant cuts or revenue to whittle down the tax increase. The board will have another meeting before finalized the budget which must be done by Nov. 20. The final budget meeting date hasn’t been set yet.

Heminway said the town dwindled down its fund balance in the 2024 and 2025 budgets, leaving the board with little left to help offset taxes. With less fund balance and a $100,000 increase in an ambulance contract, Shelby has no choice but to raise taxes, Heminway said during the public hearing on Tuesday.

Town Supervisor Jim Heminway said town officials have worked diligently to try to reduce a tax hike in the 2027 budget.

“It’s a painful process but the numbers don’t lie,” Heminway said. “None of us wants to see the taxes go up. It means we have to pay more, too. Everyone sitting on this board is a taxpayer, too.”

Shelby’s preliminary budget sets spending at $2,483,643. That is up from the $2,271,132 in 2026, but also down significantly from the $2,732,759 in 2024 and $3,045,220 in 2025.

The town will be paying the Village of Medina an additional $100,000 in an ambulance contract for 2027 – from $35,000 to $135,000. Heminway said other increases – fuel, health insurance, utilities, salaries – are driving up the town’s budget.

Shelby has a much smaller fund balance, money that accumulated and was unspent. In 2024, the town used $917,939 in fund balance followed by $961,139 to offset property taxes. In 2026, the town was down to $241,000 in fund balance and next year’s budget would only utilize $150,000.

With less money in the bank with the fund balance, Heminway said the board needs to resort to property taxes to keep the roads maintained and plowed, the town hall functioning and other core duties of the town government.

The budget would increase the tax levy by 21.9 percent or by $241,960 – from $1,103,227 to $1,345,187.

Despite that increase, the tax rate will go down due to a big jump in tax assessments. The town’s overall assessed value increased by 32.2 percent or by $97.5 million from $302.2 million to $399.7 million. The assessments outside the village increased 39.6 percent or by $71.2 million from $179.8 million to $251.0 million.

The rate for village property owners in the town will drop from $2.24 per $1,000 of assessed property to $1.99, while the outside village rate will decrease from $4.61 per $1,000 to $4.19, according to the preliminary budget.

During the public hearing, two residents said they were concerned by the tax increase. Mike Zelazny and Darlene Scharping noted the significant hike.

Scharping said residents are feeling cost increases everywhere.

“We’re taxed too death,” she said. “We just pay, pay, pay and it’s not getting any better.”

Town Councilwoman Linda Limina said excessive use of the fund balance by board in 2024 and 2025 left the current board in a difficult position where a tax increase is unavoidable.

“We are now down to pretty much the bare minimum,” she said about the current budget. “And it’s getting expensive to run the bare minimum.”

Councilman Larry Waters said he and the board members have been diligent in reducing expenses in the 2027 budget.

“We went over every line, forwards and backwards,” he said. “We are really trying our very best.”

John Parada, a local resident, said he attended nearly all the budget workshops and has seen the board members agonize over the budget.

“They have cut as much as they could,” he said.