Shelby

Town of Shelby chips in $10K towards basketball courts at Butts Park

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2023 at 10:16 pm

Provided photo

SHELBY – The Town of Shelby is contributing $10,000 towards two full-size basketball courts at Butts Park in Medina.

Pictured from left include Village Trustee Jess Marciano, Trustee Tim Elliott, Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz, Mayor Mike Sidari and Trustee Marguerite Sherman.

Shelby’s money comes from the town’s allotment of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The money will go towards four basketball posts, backboards and nets.

The village is putting in two full-size basketball courts at the park. It approved a construction bid on Monday evening to pay Super Seal Sealcoating of Penfield $122,319 for the courts.

The village will use $110,000 in money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The board also can use $13,200 from the Medina Sports Boosters towards the project.

The bid from Super Seal did not include four backboards, two for each court. That is another $9,846, putting the total cost for the courts at about $132,000.

Tonawanda Nation, environmentalists speak out against STAMP

Photos by Tom Rivers: Roger Hill, a Seneca Nation chief, urged the community to join the Seneca Nation in fighting the STAMP development.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2023 at 8:26 am

Full buildout at 665 acres seen as threat to wildlife, Native American culture

ALABAMA – A full buildout on 665 acres of the STAMP manufacturing site in the town of Alabama, just south of Orleans County off Route 63, was called a threat to the culture of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and the presence of wildlife, especially the short-eared owl and northern harrier.

Many speakers at a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation public hearing on Thursday evening were strongly against the DEC approving the plan proposed for mitigating the environmental impacts for the full build-out of the land. The Genesee County Economic Development Center is applying for the permit. About 200 people attended a 2 ½-hour public hearing at the Alabama Fire Hall.

“We’ve been opposed to it from day one,” said Roger Hill, a Seneca Nation chief.

The site should be recognized as Seneca land at the local, state and federal levels, he said.

Scott Logan, a subchief for the Bear Clan, said the project would be a threat to birds, other wildlife, water, and the medicine plants in the Big Woods that border STAMP.

“This would be an immense injustice to Mother Earth,” he said at the hearing.

Valerie Parker-Campbell, a Tonawanda Seneca woman, said STAMP jeopardizes sacred medicines and practices of the community.

GCEDC has been applying for permits one project at a time and is instead pursuing a permit for the overall site. Its first tenant, Plug Power Inc., is under construction for a $290 million hydrogen production facility that is expected to be ready in the summer 2024.

Another company, Edwards Vacuum, announced plans in November for a $319 million factory that will produce equipment used in the semiconductor industry.

There is still plenty of space at STAMP for other businesses and GCEDC officials say they are talking with other companies about coming to STAMP.

But the location doesn’t fit a very rural area near the Tonawanda Indian Reservation and Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, several speakers said. At full buildout the site could draw 600 trucks a day, likely leading to more motor vehicle accidents and more greenhouse emissions for the nearby residents, said Dr. Kirk Scirto, a family medicine specialist who works out of the Tonawanda Family Care Center on Bloomingdale’s Road in Akron.

He provides healthcare for many of the Tonawanda people, and said STAMP will have negative health consequences for the nearby residents. Emissions from cars and the manufacturing sites could exacerbate asthma, emphysema and other health conditions, he said.

He asked the DEC to deny the permit due to the health impacts on residents and also on the basis on environmental justice. The project will hurt the Tonawanda culture by scaring away wildlife. Many of the local residents rely on the lands for hunting and fishing, he said.

Chief Emerson Webster of the Tonawanda Band of the Senecas said the development at STAMP should be stopped because of the negative impacts on the local residents and Tonawanda people.

“We ought to work together to stop this,” said Chief Emerson Webster of the Tonawanda Band of the Senecas. “Our way of life is to save animals and medicine.”

He worries about the project’s impact on nearby lands that aren’t technically in STAMP, but would be altered by the project.

“We don’t need this,” he said at the hearing. “It’s not our way. This project may be good for some people, but it’s not good for us.”

Environmentalists decried a mitigation proposal from GCEDC. The full buildout would impact 665 acres of current open land. GCEDC is proposing for a 25-acre grassland habitat in the southeastern portion of STAMP and a 33-acre parcel north of the John White Management Area. That site would be converted from row crop to grassland.

GCEDC is seeking an Article 11 Part 182 permit for the mitigation plan, which would allow the agency to have 665 acres of land developed that is currently used as overwintering habitat for the state-listed endangered short eared owl and the state-listed threatened northern harrier.

Designating land of 25 and 33 acres doesn’t guarantee the endangered and threatened species will go to those sites, said Dr. Joe Stahlman, an anthropologist and research scientist at the University of Buffalo.

“The loss of birds and wildlife threatens the Tonawanda community,” he said.

The natural resources of a community are critical to the indigenous cultures, Stahlman said.

Kathy Melissa Smith, a member of the Tonawanda Band of the Senecas, lives a mile away from STAMP. She said the development of the site in such a rural area next to the reservation “will end our way of life.”

Environmentalists spoke at the hearing from the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, Sierra Club, Save Ontario Shores, the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, University of Rochester, Western New York Environmental Alliance and the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York.

Pam Atwater, president of Save Ontario Shores, said the local area has about 10,000 acres that will disturbed due to wind turbine projects and large-scale solar. That land isn’t far from the wildlife refuge.

“The cumulative impact of those projects should be considered,” she said.

GCEDC has been successful convincing large companies to commit to STAMP, a “quiet site” with little ground vibrations that is critical to advanced manufacturing.

STAMP would have its own wastewater treatment facility on site, with the treated water to be released in Oak Orchard Creek.

That impact is a concern for Karen Jones of Shelby, who lives about 5 miles north of STAMP. She said the watershed is interconnected.

“The refuge wasn’t intended as a wastewater filtration system,” she said.

Margaux Valenti, attorney for the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, said STAMP sits in an important area for biodiversity and the region’s ecological health.

“You’re setting this area up for disaster,” she said. “This is a grave threat to endangered species.”

Arthur Barnes, a Shelby resident, said the STAMP project is too disruptive to the Tonawanda community that relies upon and treasures open land and nature.

About 200 people filled the Alabama Fire Hall for the public hearing.

Scott Logan, a subchief for the Bear Clan, said STAMP is in a wildlife rich area. He said its development “would be an immense injustice to Mother Earth.”

Shelby getting new parking lot at town hall

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2023 at 6:44 am

Provided photos

SHELBY – The parking lot around the Shelby Town Hall is getting revamped. Keeler Construction was out with a milling machine on Thursday and a paver.

Twon crews from Shelby, Barre and Clarendon hauled asphalt from keeler’s asphalt plant in Barre. Altogether about 500 tons of blacktop was put down on Thursday, said Dale Root, the Shelby highway superintendent.

He reached out to keeler to work on the Shelby project while the company was in town repaving streets in the village of Medina.

Keeler and the crews from the three towns worked in front of the Shelby Town Hall, behind the building and on the north side. Root said the paving work will be finished on Monday.

Shelby crews will also assist Barre and Clarendon with paving work this year. Root said it’s an example of shared services, of pooling resources among the towns when one has a bigger job needing more trucks and personnel than is available in the one municipality.

The Town Hall is open while the work is happening. People can park at the lot next to the left of the front of the building.

Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz said the project is funded with a portion of Shelby’s share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Community gives big show of support for Brayden Hoffmeister at benefit dinner, auction

Photos courtesy of Angela Coon: Diane McCauley watches Brayden Hoffmeister ham it up at the benefit for him Saturday. McCauley is a long-time family friend, former waitress at Rudy’s diner and baker. She was there to support the family, she said.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 May 2023 at 7:22 am

Brody Hoffmeister and his fiancée Jenna Pangrazio pose with their children, Alania and Brayden, at the benefit for Brayden Saturday at East Shelby Fire Hall.

EAST SHELBY – A benefit Saturday at East Shelby Fire Hall will go a long way in easing the burden for the family of Brayden Hoffmeister, 4-year-old son of Brody Hoffmeister and Jennifer Pangrazio. The couple owns Rudy’s Diner in Medina, and customers came out in full force to support the family.

Brayden was born with sagittal craniosynostosis, a condition where the skull joins together too early before the baby’s brain is fully formed. The condition is so rare, Brayden falls in the 1% category of children who need more than one surgery. Brayden has had two surgeries and has another scheduled in June.

Family friend Angie Coon organized the basket raffle and spaghetti dinner Saturday, and although they don’t know the final profit yet, it was very successful, she said.

“We are so grateful, we don’t know how to say thanks,” Pangrazio said.

Coon was overwhelmed by support for the event. East Shelby Fire Hall’s truck bay and dining room were full of donated prizes for the raffles. People filled the hall and the tables were full of people eating for a good part of the day.

“We sold 594 dinners,” Coon said. “I’m so thankful for the people who helped make this benefit a success – the ones who helped me organize it, the ones who worked yesterday, the fire department and auxiliary, all of the people who donated baskets, food and other things we needed to make this happen. Because of our community we were able to help ease the journey Brayden and his family have with his upcoming surgery and recovery.”

People were shelling out $20, and even $100s for raffle tickets. At 3 p.m. the dining room was nearly full of people eating spaghetti.

Pamela Durow said she came to the benefit because she has known the Hoffmeister family for years.

“I eat at Rudy’s two or three times a day,” she said. “They are great people.”

Alan and Patti Bushover, who live just down the road, came to support the family.

“These are wonderful people, and I’ve known them for a long time,” Patti said. “They are great for their community. Just look at the people here and the caliber of the prizes donated.”

There was an entire table of framed prints and paintings of Buffalo Bills, several rifles, a wishing well, large grill, baskets and buckets full of wine, lottery tickets, money and much, much more.

Lisa Jacobs was one of the volunteers who sold tickets. She used to work at Rudy’s and said the family were long-time friends.

Tables in the truck bay and social room at East Shelby Fire Hall were packed with items for the fundraiser to benefit the family of Brayden Hoffmeister, whose parents own Rudy’s Diner in Medina.

Some amazing prizes were donated for the benefit for Brayden Hoffmeister, including this wishing well, girl’s bicycle, framed prints and paintings of Buffalo Bills, a grill and rifles. Nearly 600 spaghetti dinners were also served.

Shelby seeks more local sales tax from county

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2023 at 9:08 am

Share to towns and villages has been frozen for more than 2 decades

Photo by Tom Rivers: Shelby town officials met on Tuesday evening at the Town Hall. Pictured from left include Town Clerk Darlene Rich, Town Councilman Jeff Schiffer, attorney Jeff Clark, Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz, and board members Stephen Seitz, John Pratt and Ed Zelazny.

SHELBY – The Town Board unanimously voted on Tuesday evening to seek more of the local sales tax from the county.

The tax revenue has risen significantly in recent years with online sales being taxed and the price of goods rising through inflation.

However, the county hasn’t increased the amount of sales tax shared with towns and villages since 2001. That year it was boosted slightly after being frozen in 1996.

The county took in $22.5 million in local sales tax in 2022, with the Town of Shelby receiving $105,811 or 0.47 percent of the total.

The Town of Clarendon has been leading the push from towns and villages for more of the local sales tax. It has rallied the towns and villages to seek 14 percent of the total. That’s what the 10 towns and four villages received in 1996.

The county has capped the amount to the towns and villages at $1,366,671 since 2001.

To get to 14 percent of $22.5 million, the county would have to increase the amount to towns and villages to $3,150,000 – a $1,783,329 increase. In 1996, the local sales tax revenue was $9,499,138. It has more than doubled since then.

Shelby Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz said the town could use more of the sales tax to try to stave off property tax increases while maintaining services for residents.

“Every town is struggling to not raise taxes,” Wengewicz said. “What service do you cut? It’s a juggling act that’s hard to do.”

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson addressed the issue during the March 28 meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. She said the county faces big  potential increases due to the state.

“Until the governor’s budget goes through we’re in limbo,” Johnson said.

The county could see a $1 million hit in Medicaid expenses if the state opts to keep all of the federal funding used to help pay for that program, which would be about a 7.5 percent tax hit to the county, she said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul also is proposing to increase the hourly rate for assigned council from $75 to $119 an hour.  This would cost the county approximately $200,000 per year.

In other action at the Shelby Town Board meeting:

The board voted to increase the hourly pay for Miranda Bennett, a bookkeeper and secretary to the town supervisor, by $3 to $24.25 an hour. Wengewicz said the increase reflects a competitive environment and was needed to keep Bennett from taking another job. He said she has also taking on increased responsibilities.

Councilman John Pratt opposed the increase and encouraged the town to contract with a private firm for accounting. He said it would be cheaper and Shelby wouldn’t have to pay health insurance and other benefits.

 John Parada, a resident of Furness Parkway, asked the Town Board not to extend street lights near his home. There are two street lights there and the town is switching to LED lights for its street lights and has been inquiring if Furness Parkway residents want more street lights. Parada said two are enough for the street.

Town resident Lawrence Waters asked the Town Board to publicize the outdoor burn ban which is in effect in the state  through May 14. Waters said some residents are burning brush and may not be aware that is prohibited right now.

Wengewicz said the town will post that ban on its website and may send a text to residents who signed up for the town’s mass notification system.

Waters also asked the status of the proposal from Borrego Energy for two wind turbines at 633 feet tall on land owned by the Smith family on Route 63.

A public hearing on the environmental impacts of the project has been recessed since September. Wengewicz said he expects that hearing will be reconvened or started over.

He said the project hasn’t gone away.

He started as town supervisor on Dec. 13. The town also has a new attorney in Jeff Clark. With the new personnel getting their bearings with the proposal, the town will have to take up the review of the project soon, Wengewicz said.

He is aware that many residents are opposed to the project. Waters said he was “100 percent” against it.

The board can’t simply deny it. It has to have sound reasons and go through an environmental impact review.

“We need to follow the process fully and completely,” said Clark, the town attorney.

Town officials are preparing detailed questions for Borrego as part of the review process, he said.

“We want to be careful and not get in a lawsuit,” Clark said. “We are putting together arguments that are sustainable.”

Tenney meets Iroquois Job Corps students, tries bricklaying

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 April 2023 at 8:07 pm

Provided photos: Congresswoman Claudia Tenney chats with students at the Iroquois Job Corps during her recent visit.

MEDINA – The Iroquois Job Corps Center welcomed Congresswoman Claudia Tenney to their facility on April 3.

She was accompanied by her staff members, Michael Stadelmaier, district director; George McNerney, regional director; and Zev Siegfeld, legislative assistant.

Tenney spent several hours at the center, visiting with staff and students.

“She truly seemed to enjoy her time here,” said Jeanette Barr, administrative assistant at the Job Corps. “She toured some of our trade buildings and tried her hand at bricklaying. She said she would like to return again at some point.

Tenney talked with the center’s staff instructors about the pre-apprentice programs at Iroquois Job Corps, and the importance of the certifications students earn at Job Corps which assist them in gaining employment after the program in both union and non-union placement. These include carpentry, bricklaying and home builders.

Job Corps leaders discussed with Tenney the eligibility and suitability for their programs and how they can benefit low-income families in need of career training. Success stories of students were shared, along with how they went from high school drop-outs struggling in part-time jobs, homelessness and a lack of family support to getting their high school diploma, obtaining a driver’s license, earning Career Technical Trade certificates, apartment and vehicle searches, and obtainment for relocation, Barr said.

“Students get total life transformation with our program’s assistance, thus helping to break the poverty cycle and improve our communities,” Barr said.

The masonry class at Iroquois Job Corps Center got to meet Congresswoman Claudia Tenney during her visit there last week. Masonry instructor Robert Kelichner, left, watches as Tenney tries her hand at laying a brick.

Wildlife refuge plans controlled burns on 150 acres of grasslands, 30 acres of cattail marsh

Posted 17 March 2023 at 12:56 pm

Press Release, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

BASOM – Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge announces plans to conduct up to six prescribed burns on the Refuge during the 2023 season.

The goal this year is to burn up to 150 acres of grasslands and 30 acres of cattail marsh. The result will be enhanced grassland nesting cover and improved marsh habitat for a variety of migratory birds and other wildlife.

Grassland fields will be burned in the spring or summer (April – August) and marshes will be burned in the summer (June-August). Each burn should take approximately two to six hours to complete.

Prescribed burns are conducted safely and successfully on National Wildlife Refuges and other public lands across the country. With prescribed burns, fire becomes a management tool removing accumulated fuel loads thus reducing the risk of wildfire.

Additionally, fire improves Refuge habitats for wildlife by removing invading plants that compete for light and nutrients and exposing the soil to sunlight so that seeds may germinate and grow. At the same time, it releases nitrogen and other nutrients into the soil to nourish the new plants.

Specific dates cannot be announced in advance due to specific weather requirements, however, law enforcement and other emergency agencies will be notified on the day of the burn. Before a burn can take place, specific weather and site conditions, including wind direction and speed, humidity, air temperature, and fuel moisture must be present.

If any one of these conditions is outside of set parameters, the burn will not take place. Refuge staff have been specially trained to plan, ignite and monitor the fire to ensure public safety.

For further information contact Refuge Manager, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013 or call 585-948-5445 ext.7030.

East Shelby firefighters add UTV to respond to brush fires, off-road calls

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 March 2023 at 7:55 am

Provided photo: East Shelby Fire Chief Debbie Taylor and her husband Jeff, captain, pose with the fire department’s newest piece of equipment, a UTV for off-the-road rescues.

EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company has added a new piece of equipment to its fleet – a utility vehicle for off-road rescues or brush fires.

Fire Chief Debbie Taylor said her husband Jeff works with a friend who is a member of the Frontier Fire Department in Niagara County. The friend mentioned recently his fire department had purchased the vehicle in 2021 but decided they didn’t need it.

East Shelby Fire Company officials thought with their location close to the swamps, a vehicle such as this would be handy to have in case of a lost hunter or someone stranded in the swamps, so they agreed to purchase it.

The Taylors and their son Devin made arrangements to go get it and brought it to East Shelby a week ago. It only had 64 miles on it, Debbie said, and came with all the accessories, including a trailer.

East Shelby recognizes dedicated volunteers, including Mike Fuller for 50 years

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 March 2023 at 9:22 pm

Kirk Zinkievich named ‘Firefighter of the Year’

Provided photos: Kirk Zinkievich accepts the award for “Firefighter of the Year” at East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s annual banquet on Saturday. In addition to a plaque, he was presented with a statue of a firefighter holding a rescued child.

EAST SHELBY – East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company celebrated a milestone at its annual installation and awards banquet Saturday night.

The occasion was the 70th Platinum Jubilee of the fire company, founded by 13 charter members in 1953. The last surviving charter member was Laverne “Jiggs” Green, who died last year.

Dave Green emcees the 70th Platinum Jubilee celebration Saturday night.

Dave Green, a 63-year member of the fire company, was master of ceremonies. In honor of the 70th anniversary, guests received a commemorative drinking cup with straw and cover.

The evening began with welcoming remarks by fire company president Mike Fuller and ladies’ auxiliary president Bronwyn Green.

After introduction of guests, officers of the fire company were installed by Justin Niederhofer, Orleans 1. They are Mike Fuller, president; Joe Newton, vice president; Karen Bracey, secretary; Allen Turner, treasurer; and Norm Behrend, Gordon Reigle and Alan Lonnen, trustees; and Dave Green, steward. Line officers are Deb Taylor, chief; Devin Taylor, 1st assistant chief; Andy Beach, 2nd assistant chief; Dennis MacDonald, 3rd assistant chief; Jeff Taylor, captain; Laura Fields, fire police chief; Sue Behrend and Mike Fulller, EMS officers; and Todd Ralph, safety/training officer.

Officers of the Ladies Auxiliary, installed by Shelby Town Clerk Darlene Rich are Bronwyn Green, president; Deb Green, vice president; Sawyer Green, secretary; Sharlene Pratt, treasurer; Cassidy Oliver, Shirley Printup and Sue Green, trustees; and Rosie Allen, chaplain.

Members of the East Shelby Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary who received Certificates of Appreciation Saturday night are, from left, Rosie Allen, Judy Allen, Lisa Russo, Jessie Green, Sawyer Green and Paige Green.

Mike Fuller presented the President’s Award to Joe Newton. Newton is a long-time dedicated member of the fire company, who has been hospitalized for a year, first in Erie, Pa. and now in Ohio with a rare infection that required a ventilator and now dialysis. He is slowly improving and continues to keep track of the fire company on Facebook.

Gerry Zinkievich, right, is presented with the Auxiliary President’s Award from Bronwyn Green.

The Chief’s Award was presented by Debbie Taylor to Rusty Hoffmeister, a person she said she could always count on. He volunteers any time a work crew is needed and always sells a ton of tickets to fire company events. He responds to calls any time he is available. Not only is he an important asset to the fire company, but to his community, as well.

“During the blizzard of 2022, he spent long hours with little sleep helping neighboring departments clearing the roadways for emergency calls and personal needs,” Taylor said. “He even assisted with one of our calls for lift assistance with a dementia patient. I give credit where credit is due from this blizzard. I always thought it would be neat to just once be a snow plow driver, but after that storm and being in it, well, curiosity sure killed the cat. I give town guys credit for what they went through, but I can only give one of them this award.”

Taylor also presented the “Firefighter of the Year Award,” this year choosing a person who’s been in the department for many years, and also served as a past chief.

In announcing Kirk Zinkievich as her choice, she said, “He is a big asset. He shows up for calls when he can and is another big ticket seller. He always helps at events and doesn’t slow down, even with the medical issues he’s endured. He has a great personality and is very well liked. The one quality that stands out with him is that he always puts others before himself. You think he had a big heart, but since his rebuilt/remanufactured heart, it’s even bigger as he continues to put his family, friends and the fire company before him.”

The EMS Award was presented by Mike Fuller to Nick Boyle, a new member who took the initiative to complete the courses necessary to become an EMT.

(Left) East Shelby Fire chief Debbie Taylor, left, and president Mike Fuller look at the plaque he was presented Saturday night for 50 years of membership in the fire company. (Right) Mike Fuller is shown with his daughters, Amy Fuller (left) and Katie Crooks.

A highlight of the evening was honoring Mike Fuller for 50 years of membership in the fire company.

“It doesn’t seem like that long,” he said.

He first became interested in the fire company when, at the age of 14, he started working on the Zinkievich farm. They were dedicated firefighters and whenever there was a call, they dropped everything to respond, and Fuller would tag along. He couldn’t join back then until he was 18.

Fuller’s daughters Amy Fuller and Katie Crooks gave a presentation titled “Through the Years” about life in their home with a dedicated firefighter. It didn’t matter what they were doing, if there was a fire call, Mike was gone.

Both his daughters are firefighters and EMTs.

“I never pushed them,” he said. “They wanted to do it.”

Mike has held every line position in the fire department. He has been chief on two occasions – from 1981 to 1985 and again in 2005, when he served for 10 years. He has served as president for five years. He will be 69 in April and is still an active EMT.

Mike was presented with proclamations from representatives of Town of Shelby, Orleans County Legislature, State Sen. Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and the Firefighters Association of the State of New York.

(Left) Nick Boyle received an EMS award. (Center) Auxiliary president Bronwyn Green commends Judy Allen, 50 years, and Jessie Green, 60 years, for their long-term commitment to the organization. (Right) Patrick Holman, a magician from Medina, entertained the crowd.

Awards from the Ladies Auxiliary included certificates of appreciation presented to Rosie Allen, Judy Allen, Lisa Russo, Jessie Green, Sawyer Green and Paige Green. Judy Allen was recognized for 50 years of membership in the Auxiliary. Jessie Green is a 60-year member.

Auxiliary president Bronwyn Green presented a check to the firemen for $8,000 to help with their purchase of new pagers. Green said the Auxiliary is a big supporter of the fire company, always participating in any function they have.

A final ceremony paid tribute to a member Richard Pitcher, who passed away last August.

The fire company reported new members were Nick Boyle and Dylan Taylor. The Auxiliary also had two new members, Leona Weese and Pat Vadar.

The evening concluded with entertainment by magician Pat Holman of Medina.

The family of Richard Pitcher Sr. pose in front of the memorial wall at East Shelby fire Hall. The firefighter, who died Aug. 12, 2022, was a longtime member of the department and held many positions. From left is daughter Sara Pitcher-Szatkowski, his widow Linda Pitcher, and sons Rich Pitcher Jr. and Brian Pitcher. Fire chief Debbie Taylor paid tribute to Rich Sr. during the annual banquet Saturday night.

Pro wrestlers will be back in fundraiser for East Shelby Fire Company

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2023 at 7:27 pm

Event moved from fairgrounds to Medina school gym for ‘Spring Smash’ on April 15

Photos by Tom Rivers: Joe Gacy applies lots of pressure on Kevin Bennett during their wrestling match on May 4, 2019 during the “Fairground Fallout: Return of the Empire.” That was the last time Empire State Wrestling held an event in Orleans County. The wrestlers will be back on April 15, this time in a bigger venue at the Medina Junior-Senior High School gym.

MEDINA – The pro wrestlers who entertained crowds for events in 2018 and 2019 will be back in Orleans County on April 15.

Empire State Wrestling will bring the “Spring Smash” with eight or nine matches to the medina Junior-Senior High School gym. That is a change from the previous events at the Lartz Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The gym has more seating room, higher ceilings for wrestlers to jump off the top ropes, a bigger parking area and more heat.

Ryan McPherson, the event chairman, expects at least 500 people for the wrestling. That would be up from the high of 350 at the fairgrounds. The event will continue as a fundraiser for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

“We’re very excited,” McPherson said today about the return of the wrestlers. “We were happy with the turnout before. Everybody who came had great things to say. We are hoping this will be an even bigger draw.”

There will be four wrestlers with local ties in the ring on April 15: Thomas Green “Big Budget” of Albion; Kevin Lockwood (aka Kevin Blackwood), an Albion native; Gavin “A Cut Above the Rest” Glass, a Medina native; and Jacob Miller (aka Maxx Cannon) of Medina, also known as “The Filthy One.”

Medina’s Gavin Glass was in action during the May 4, 2019 at the fairgrounds. He waits to get tagged in by his partner Rob Sweet. Glass, a 2015 Medina graduate, will be back on April 15.

McPherson said there will be discounts for students in grades 12 and younger at $10 each while general admission for adults in $20. Kids under 3 can get in for free with an adult. There also is a four-pack ticket option for adults at $60.

“We are instituting special pricing for grade school students and hope to make this our largest and most family-friendly event to date,” he said.

McPherson said the half of the ringside tickets have already sold. He appreciates the school hosting the event. There will be mats on the floor and the ring will be set up on that to protect the floor.

The doors will open at 5 p.m. with the first match at 6. The action should continue until 8:30 or 9 p.m.

Several of the fans at the fairgrounds wrestling events exclaimed about the athleticism of the wrestlers, and how physical the matches were. There were drop-kicks, body slams and other moves. McPherson said many of the fans felt like it was WWE.

“It is definitely not fake,” he said.

McPherson urged people to take in the spectacle of the event, with the many colorful characters and strongmen.

“There is a ton of excitement,” he said. “I think everyone will be blown away by how much fun it will be.”

For more information on tickets, click here.

Kevin (Lockwood) Blackwood, an Albion native, pins Scotty O’Shea during one of the matches on April 28, 2018 during the debut “Fairgrounds Fallout.”

Big costs, no quick fix for Shelby residents facing water woes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2023 at 8:24 am

Construction costs have soared, grants haven’t kept pace to put in new waterlines

Photo by Tom Rivers: Shar Pratt speaks during Monday’s Shelby Town Board meeting and asks the Town Board to push for public water for many of the residents suffering from too little water in their wells. “This is 2023,” she said. “It’s a health and safety priority.”

SHELBY – Town residents, many of them desperate for public water, won’t have a quick or cheap fix for getting a public waterline by their homes, residents were told on Monday.

Construction costs have soared since the start of the pandemic about three years ago – by 2 to 2.5 times. And grant amounts from the state and federal governments haven’t kept up with the rising costs.

Shelby has about 70,000 linear feet without public waterlines – nearly 14 miles. To bring an 8-inch waterline to all of the spots would be about $12 million, said Jason Foote, an engineer and project manager with Clark Patterson Lee.

The town would need about $10 million in state and federal grants to make that project affordable for residents. The state comptroller sets a threshold for affordability for public water projects at $1,040 in annual expense to residents. Shelby residents pay an average of $478 for their water bills. That leaves about $552 left for the debt for a water district to under the state comptroller threshold.

The construction estimates are currently about $125 per linear foot, which is much higher than a few years ago, Foote said.

“There is high demand for contractors and low supply (for materials) – which is the direct opposite of what you need for low pricing,” he said.

Three town residents spoke during the meeting and urged the board to try to bring public water to residents. They said their wells have been nearly depleted. One woman said her family limits showers to 2 minutes and hauls in water.

“It’s horrible,” said Karrie Cronkhite of Wheeler Road. “In 2023, people shouldn’t have to live this way.”

She said her well has progressively worsened in the past three years. She estimated she is spending $100 a month on buying water in jugs and about $25 a week at the laundromat.

Shar Pratt of Martin Road said her well has largely dried up since last August. Her husband John, a member of the Town Board, has to lug water to the house. They put in auxiliary tanks for water so they can keep flushing their toilets, doing dishes and laundry at home. But it’s a lot of work to haul water two to three times a week.

“This is 2023,” Pratt said. “We shouldn’t have to live like this. It’s a health and safety priority.”

Andrea Walton of Maple Ridge Road said she is one of six homes on Maple Ridge without public water access. They have been asking the town the past three years to find a way to bring public water to that area.

Foote, the engineer, suggested the town try to break the project in multiple water districts to try to maximize the state and federal grants. He broke the areas without water into three potential projects (which could be modified).

For part 1 he suggested part of Maple Ridge Road (between Salt Works Road and Charles Street), Sanderson Road, Waterworks Road, Munzel Road and Martin Road. That includes 36 equivalent dwelling units on about 26,000 linear feet. Foote said the estimated construction would be about $4.5 million and would need $3.6 million to $3.8 million in grants to be affordable to residents.

Part 2 would be as $3.3 million project with 32 EDUs over about 20,000 linear feet and include Wheeler Road, Hemlock Ridge Road and Townline Road.

Part 3 would be about $4.2 million with 18 EDUs with part of Martin Road, Townline Road (including in Barre), Barber Road and Smith Road in Barre.

Foote stressed that no district boundaries are set, and those areas identified in his proposal could be shifted to make a district larger or smaller.

“I think it’s going to be smaller projects,” Foote said about the size of the water districts. “You need to prioritize the areas.”

One of the funding agencies, the federal Rural Development, wants to spread out its grants to many communities so it’s unlikely it would give Shelby a massive grant to cover the entire town currently without public water, Foote said.

He presented an option for three different phases, but he said it could be reworked to two phases, or even four phases.

He urged the town to start working on grants and other government assistance.

Scott Wengewicz, the town supervisor, said he supports pursuing as many avenues as possible for grant funding.

Shelby appoints town justice, Town Board member

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2023 at 9:03 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jeff Schiffer takes the oath of office as a new member of the Shelby Town Board on Monday evening. Town Clerk Darlene Rich administers the oath.

SHELBY – The Town Board has a new town councilman and also a new town justice.

The board appointed Jeff Schiffer to fill a vacancy on the board created by the resignation of Ryan Wilkins.

Schiffer is retired after a 36-year career with the state Department of Corrections, working as a corrections officer, counselor, sergeant and supervising counselor. He worked at the Albion, Orleans and Attica prisons.

Ed Grabowski

“I love everybody around here,” Schiffer said about the town. “I just want to try to help.”

Schiffer’s appointment brings the Town Board to full strength at five members. The board on Dec. 13 also appointed Scott Wengewicz as the Shelby town supervisor following the resignation of Jeff Smith from that position on Oct. 12.

The board on Monday also filled a vacant town justice position. Ed Grabowski will serve in the role following the resignation of Dawn Keppler on Dec. 2. She was a town justice since 1999.

Grabowski, an attorney and a retired criminal justice teacher at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, was a town justice from 1990 to 1994. He also was a police officer for eight years from 1973 to 1981.

Grabowski has worked as an attorney for the past 25 years. He also represents Medina as a member of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES school board.

He doesn’t start as town justice until June 1.

Snow creates winter wonderland at wildlife refuge

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2023 at 8:42 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

SHELBY – The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is always a striking place to visit. The few inches of snow that stuck to trees and branches gives it a feeling of a winter wonderland.

The top photo shows trees at the Ringneck Marsh in Shelby.

These trees are also by the Ringneck Marsh Overlook. This area is just off of Oak Orchard Ridge Road and half a mile east of Route 63. The refuge said the overlook provides a vantage point to see great blue herons, mallards, geese and sometimes even ringneck ducks for which the marsh is named.

A recreational vehicle heads south on Route 63 through the refuge in Shelby on Saturday afternoon.

The refuge says the Ringneck Marsh provides “a picturesque view of its brilliant seasonal colors.”

A bench gives a spot to sit and look out on the Schoolhouse Marsh Overlook. This is just east of the Ringneck Marsh Overlook. The Schoolhouse Marsh is named for the schoolhouse that once existed in this location, it is a great spot to view shorebirds, American wigeon, and discreet marsh birds, according to the refuge’s website.

The Oak Orchard Ridge Road provides a path through the refuge in the Town of Shelby. For more information on the 10,828-acre refuge, click here to be directed to its web site.

Shelby’s new town supervisor says he will push for more communication from town hall

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2023 at 5:30 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers: Scott Wengewicz started as the Shelby town supervisor on Dec. 13. He is pictured after Thursday night’s organizational meeting for the town, where appointments and salaries were set for 2023.

SHELBY – Scott Wengewicz, the new Shelby town supervisor, doesn’t have much interest in being involved in politics.

But he is willing to serve his town and community.

Wengewicz was appointed Shelby’s town supervisor in Dec. 13. He applied for the position after Jeff Smith stepped down as town supervisor on Oct. 12. Steve Seitz Sr. then filled in as acting town supervisor for the next two months.

Wengewicz, 59, is retired from a 30-year career as a Border Patrol agent. He has opened two businesses in downtown Medina. Mystic Dragon’s Lair at 339 North Main St. started in February 2020, offering quartz, gemstones, crystals and other products.

In November, he opened Patriot Guns next to Mystic Dragon. Patriot Guns sells guns, ammunition, camping supplies, hiking equipment and freeze-dried foods. His daughter-in-law Cassandra Wengewicz manages the two sites.

Wengewicz also is a commercial beekeeper with 480 beehives.

He didn’t pay too much attention to Shelby town business until late summer with reports that Borrego Energy proposed two wind turbines at 633 feet tall on land owned by the Smith family on Route 63. Jeff Smith was the town supervisor at the time and recused himself from town deliberations on the matter.

The issue has proven been divisive in Shelby and drew packed crowds to town meetings, especially a hearing on Sept. 13.

Wengewicz watched that hearing through a video that was livestreamed. That hearing on Sept. 13 was adjourned and needs to be reconvened. Wengewicz wants to address the issue again but not until there is a full five-member Town Board. Ryan Wilkins, the former deputy town supervisor, also resigned soon after that hearing which was about possible environmental issues and impacts with the turbine project.

The board will soon do interviews for people who expressed interest and applied for the vacant councilman position.

“We want to get it done as soon as possible,” Wengewicz said about filling the vacancy.

Once there is a full five-member board, Wengewicz said he expects that public hearing will be completed and a review of the project will go forward.

The board also needs to fill another opening with the resignation of Dawn Keppler as town justice on Dec. 2 after being in the role since 1999.

Wengewicz said he wanted to address one of the main complaints about residents during the meetings about the turbines. Many said they didn’t know about the project and other issues facing the town.

Shelby now has a Facebook page for the town. As of this afternoon it has 653 followers. Wengewicz and Shelby officials used the page to provide frequent updates during the blizzard from Dec. 23-25.

The town also has an messaging system where people can sign up for texts and emails about emergencies or other important notices in the town. Click here for more information.

A redesigned town web site also is nearly complete, Wengewicz said.

He is planning to be available to meet with community members at the Medina Senior Center and perhaps some Saturdays at the town hall, just so people can meet him and share some of their concerns. He wants to have those meet-and-greet opportunities because there wasn’t a public campaign for him to become the town supervisor.

“No one got to vote for me,” he said.

Wengewicz already has had one surprise since taking office. He didn’t know there was any pay for the position. It comes with a $10,878 salary.

Shelby is still down one board member and will soon try to fill the vacancy following the resignation of Ryan Wilkins. Pictured from left (going over resolutions at Thursday’s meeting) include Town Clerk Darlene Rich, Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz and Town Board members Steve Seitz, John Pratt and Ed Zelazny.

The Town Board approved appointments during the organizational meeting on Jan. 5, including:

  • Steve Seitz as deputy town supervisor.
  • Miranda Bennett as bookkeeper/confidential secretary to the town supervisor, human resources manager and IT program manager.
  • Dan Wolfe as code enforcement officer.
  • Bill Bacon as acting highway superintendent in the absence of Dale Root, the highway superintendent.
  • Dave Moden as fire warden.
  • Debbie Taylor as fire inspector.
  • Dale Root to serve as cemetery administrator of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
  • Don Lonnen as cemetery administrator of Millville Cemetery.
  • Claudell Grimes as dog control officer.
  • Christopher Woodruff as water superintendent.
  • Darlene Rich as marriage officer, tax collector, registrar of vital records and records management officer.
  • Dorothy Nolan as fair housing officer, deputy town clerk, deputy tax collector, deputy registrar of vital statistics and records management clerk.
  • Claude Grimes, Paul Gray and Mike Reese as part-time town and court constables.
  • Kirk Myhill as Planning Board chairman.
  • Craig Lacy as Zoning Board chairman.
  • Jeff Clark as town attorney.
  • Councilman Steve Seitz as the department coordinator to the highway department and the liaison to the Orleans County Legislature.
  • Councilman John Pratt as department coordinator to the town court judges, as liaison to the Village of Medina, and also will represent Shelby on the Joint Youth Commission.
  • Councilman Ed Zelazny will serve on the Ambulance Committee and also the Senior Citizens’ Advisory Board.
  • Supervisor Scott Wengewicz as department coordinator to the town clerk.
  • Lake Country Media as the official newspaper.
  • Bank of Castile as the official depository for the Town of Shelby.

2 Shelby firefighters, Howard Watts and Rick Quackenbush, honored for 50 years of service

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jason Watts and his dad Howard Watts, left and right center, hold a mounted gold axe the family presented to Howard in celebration of his 50 years as a member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. 

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 January 2023 at 12:13 pm

Tim Petry, president of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, presents a plaque for 50 years of membership to Rick Quackenbush.

SHELBY – The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s 54th annual installation banquet Saturday night was one of tears – tears of joy for celebrating two member’s 50 years as a firefighter and tears when reflecting on a fatal house fire to which firefighters responded in June.

Dale Watts was master of ceremonies for the evening, which began with a welcome from company president Tim Petry and introduction of invited guests and local dignitaries.

The fire company and auxiliary each lost a member during 2022. A brief ceremony paid tribute to Gary Williams and Gwen Way.

Each also acquired one new member during the past year.

Howard Watts presided at ceremonies installing new officers for 2023. Executive board officers are Tim Petry, president; John Palmer, vice president; Kirk Myhill, treasurer; Tiffany Petry, secretary; Dale Watts, sergeant-at-arms; Karl Haist Jr., chaplain; Phil Keppler, assistant chaplain; and Kali Sturtevant, steward.

Trustees elected are Bill Luckman, three years; Andy Benz, two years; and Gary Lamar, one year.

The Executive Board and Firematic officers are sworn in by Howard Watts during Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s 54th annual installation banquet Saturday night.

Firematic officers are David Moden, chief; Scott Petry, deputy chief; Zach Petry, assistant chief; Crystal Luckman, firematic captain; Hunter Sturtevant, firematic lieutenant; and Tiffany Petry, EMS captain.

New officers of the Ladies’ Auxiliary are Elaine Watts, president; Patricia Fuller, vice president; Robin Watts, secretary; Lori Myhill, treasurer; Marion Fry, chaplain; Kali Sturtevant, trustee for one year; and Mary Herbert, trustee for two years.

Members of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary take the oath of office during the installation banquet Saturday night.

Awards presentations began with Tim Petry choosing Bill Luckman as recipient of his President’s Award.

Outgoing chief Jason Watts thanked Dale Banker for his dedication as Emergency Management coordinator and congratulated his replacement, Justin Niederhofer. Then Watts announced his choice for the Chief’s Award.

Outgoing Shelby Fire Chief Jason Watts, left, congratulates David Moden, newly elected chief who was recipient of the Chief’s Award.

“Thirty years ago, David Moden presented me with the Chief’s Award and tonight I present it to him,” Jason Watts said.

He went on to explain he had intended to give up the position as chief last year when he accepted a job as head of Medina’s Department of Public Works.

“I thought I could manage both,” Jason said. “When I needed him, David stepped in and picked up the slack.”

He also commended Zach Petry, Scott Petry, and Tiffany Petry, who kept equipment and training up to par.

Jason went on to describe the heartbreak when the department responded to a fire June 21, in which a young man lost his life.

“We got the call there was a house fire on Freeman Road, and people were trapped and jumping out windows,” Watts said. “We had two trucks on the road within minutes and others from Medina. Everyone on our team knew we did everything we could, yet a 22-year-old perished.”

This was the first fatal house fire Shelby had responded to since 1978, Watts said.

“I was never prouder to be chief of this fire company than during our debriefing after that,” he said. “Tim was in charge of the debriefing. We always claim to be a big family, and it was never more evident than on that day.”

Representatives lined up Saturday night to read proclamations to Howard Watts, third from left, in honor of his 50 years as a member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. At left is Bill Eick, Orleans County Legislature; Andy Polecki, FASNY; Scott Wengewicz, Shelby town supervisor; Howard Watts; State Senator Rob Ortt; and Eileen Banker, chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

He went on to say that what makes a great chief are the firefighters underneath him.

“We are so fortunate to have so many past chiefs to lean on – to offer advice and to look up to,” he said. “One of those people is my dad (Howard Watts), who has shared his knowledge for 50 years. He’s the reason I was convinced to stay on as chief another year, so I could present him with his 50-year plaque.”

The two shared a tearful hug as Jason presented his father with a plaque of the American flag and Shelby Fire Company insignia. Later, all his family gathered around to present Howard with a large mounted gold axe.

Tim Petry asked all the members of the Watts family to stand up. He said all the Watts are always there for any event, and Howard has held every office, except secretary.

A second firefighter, Rick Quackenbush, was also presented a plaque for his 50 years as a Shelby volunteer firefighter.

(Left) Shelby Ladies Auxiliary President Elaine Watts, left, recognized Lori Myhill with the President’s Award at the annual installation banquet Saturday night. (Right) Elaine Watts presents a $5,000 check from the Ladies Auxiliary to president Tim Petry and newly-elected chief David Moden.

Both Watts and Quackenbush received proclamations from representatives of the town of Shelby, Orleans County Legislature, FASNY, Senator Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Ladies’ Auxiliary president Elaine Watts thanked all the ladies and men who helped during the year. She said they are always looking for new members. She chose Lori Myhill for her President’s Award, and also presented a certificate for 20 years membership to Marybeth Koch.

Elaine then presented a check for $5,000 from the Auxiliary to David Moden and Tim Petry for the firemen.

Tim Petry also commended Dale Root, Shelby highway superintendent, and his crew of Rusty Hofmeister and Bill Wolter for their work in clearing the roads during the blizzard from Dec. 23-25.

Others who were acknowledged were Steve Seitz, who has chaired the annual gun raffle fundraiser for 30 years; outgoing officers, Dawn Petry and Joe Kyle; Jay Grasso, grant writer, as “Friend of the Fire Company” and Crystal Luckman who chaired the banquet.

Tim Petry, right, commends the Shelby Highway Department for their efforts during the recent blizzard. From left in back are Rusty Hofmeister, highway superintendent Dale Root and Bill Wolter. Seated in front are Dale Watts and Dawn Petry.