Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Shea Hill of Albion and her granddaughter Lily, 4, work on a scarecrow today at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. They named their scarecrow “Sally.”

The scarecrow festival is an annual event put on the Medina Lion’s Club. The festival started at 10 a.m. and by noon about 170 scarecrows were made. The club expect to top 200 by the 3 p.m. end of the festival.

People paid $12 to make a scarecrow which included clothes, straw, and face on a pillowcase decorated by Medina art students.

Matt Kreutz, a member of the Medina Lions Club, served as one of the “surgeons” and tied the scarecrow together. Stephanie Corke of Barre made the scarecrow named “Wall-Eye” with her daughter, Lily.

Students in Jen Scott’s art classes at Medina High School painted many creative faces on hundreds of “scarecrow heads.”

Kim McAdoo of Medina and her son Mason Rodden, 5, worked together to make their scarecrow. McAdoo said she is getting her Halloween decorations ready and the scarecrow will help them celebrate the spooky holiday.

There was also a painting station set up by the Master Gardeners. From left include brothers Mason and Carson Bale of Medina, and their friends Evan and Cooper Kyle of Medina.

Many of the pumpkins were donated by Panek Farms.

The kids were able to paint on the pumpkins using acrylic paint pens.

Toni Bradshaw entered these pumpkins – Freddy Krueger at left and E.T. at right – in a pumpkin-carving contest. She won first place with E.T.

Richard Gudgel of Hilton did a pumpkin-carving demonstration as part of the day’s events.

Gavin Mosher, 11, of Holley won first place for best decorated pumpkins. He painted these pumpkins to look like doughnuts.

Anne Moyer of Lyndonville carved a pumpkin to look like a house, and decorated pumpkins to look like the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs. She is shown with her daughters, Josie and Addison. They received second place for best carved pumpkin in a contest run by the Master Gardeners.

The Three Little Pigs are shown inside the pumpkin house created by Anne Moyer and her daughters.

Photos courtesy of Soil & Water Conservation District: Two Orleans County fruit farms will get frost fans to help prevent damage to their orchards during a spring frost.

ALBION – The Orleans County Soil & Warer Conservation District has been awarded a $361,311 state “Climate Resilient Farming Grant” to assist three farms.

Two of the grants will go towards frost fans, while the other grant will help a farm in Kendall remove numerous ash trees along a waterway at the farm and establish a riparian buffer. The farm will replant the area with healthy, native trees, said Katie Sommerfeldt, the Soil & Water district manager.

The grant to replace a series of smudge pots with frost fans will help two farms, one in Gaines and one in Carlton, prevent frost damage to their orchards which can devastate crops, Sommerfeldt said.

The frost fans have automatic weather stations. They will blow warmer air from above through an orchard to fight a freeze in the spring when fruit buds are vulnerable to frost.

Farms now set up numerous smudge pots and power them with diesel fuel. It’s very labor-intensive, often needed manpower throughout a chilly night.

The frost fans will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and require far less manpower, Sommerfeldt said.

Many of the local fruit farms have been using smudge pots to try to warm up chilly orchards, a labor intensive effort.

Photo courtesy of Orleans County SWCD: Shoreline volunteers pick out trash from Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway.

ALBION – Volunteers collected nearly 400 pounds of trash on Sept. 14 during the 23^rd annual shoreline cleanup in Orleans County.

The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District leads the effort in connection with the American Littoral Society’s International Coastal Cleanup.

These events are held around the United States with volunteers cleaning up their local waterways and reporting their findings back to the society. The Littoral Society asks for specifics including trash items found and total weight, the data creates statistical analysis and trends in discarded trash for our population.

The volunteers gathered at 9 a.m. in Bullard Park in Albion and divided up the waterways that include the Canal Wide Waters, Glenwood Lake, the Waterport Dam and Point Breeze.

“Although this year’s crew was small, we managed to collect almost 400 pounds of trash, with quite a few tires contributing to the total weight this collection,” said Katie Sommerfeldt, the Soil & Water district manager. “Thank you all to who participated, you play an essential role in the preservation of our shorelines and we couldn’t do it without you.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Several seniors attended opening day of a respite program at the Clarendon Historical Society Museum on Thursday. Enjoying lunch are two seniors, Bud and Buelah. Kate Cudzillo, left, and Dana Jessmer (talking with Samantha Koons from the Orleans County Office for the Aging, were on hand for the first day of respite at the Clarendon program. Koons is in charge of the respite program at the OFA in Albion. Enjoying lunch in the rear is Allan Kropf of Medina.

CLARENDON – The Clarendon Historical Society Museum has taken on a new role as home to a respite program the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.

Opening day was Thursday and several seniors were brought to the program to enjoy lunch, games and camaraderie.

Respite programs became a reality in Orleans County nearly two years ago when Matt Holland, who was then a grant writer hired by United Way of Orleans County, wrote a $290,000 grant in cooperation with Community Action. Holland received input from Nyla Gaylord, also a grant writer and currently director of United Way of Orleans County.

After being funded, the program was slow to get up and running, due to difficulty in finding help to run it. Gaylord, however, was able to get the three-year grant extended a year and Dana Jessmer was hired as project coordinator.

Currently, Kate Cudzillo is coordinator of the Clarendon respite site, while Samantha Koons runs a similar program, funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, at the Albion Nutrifaire site at 16 East Academy St.

(Left) Stephanie Koons helps a senior named Buelah do a word search puzzle on the first day of a respite program at the Clarendon Historical Society Museum. (Right) Kate Cudzilo, right, welcomes Cindy Gregoire and her daughter Cathy to the opening day of a respite program at the Clarendon Historical Society Museum on Thursday. Cindy’s son Tim, a contractor, built the building which houses the respite program.

Cathy Gregoire brought her mother, Cindy, who wanted to get out and meet people.

Several more people came in the afternoon, including Grace Kent, who volunteered to help.

“Everyone had a great time,” Gaylord said. “It was a success and more people from the Clarendon/Holley area are being encouraged to come by with friends and relatives. The word is getting out.”

She said the Holley school district will be sending students to help. Volunteers and guests are always welcome, Gaylord added.

“At the end, a caregiver told me how lonely and isolated she felt and how much the respite benefitted them both,” Gaylord said. “That is exactly why the program is in Clarendon – to provide a setting where both caregivers and their loved ones can get support and re-establish social connections in their community. I think of it as a community living room.”

Nyla Gaylord, left, director of United Way of Orleans County, who helped write the grant which financed the respite program, chats with Cathy and Cindy Gregoire and Samantha Koons at right.

Several other sites originally offered respite, but didn’t pan out. Christ Episcopal Church at 26 South Main St. in Albion and the Clarendon Historical Society will serve as the respite sites. Caregivers are encouraged to take advantage of one or several of these sites to provide much needed respite for themselves and meaningful activity for their loved one.

Another respite site at the Nutrifaire site at 16 East Academy St., Albion, is for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia and is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association. It takes place the first and third Wednesday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It includes exercise, crafts, games and a nutritional lunch for the loved one, at no charge, but caregivers must pre-register by Monday of the date they plan to attend by calling Koons at 589-2863.

Respite at the Christ Episcopal Church is the first and third Thursdays of the month, from 1 to 4 p.m. Only the Park Street entrance should be used.

At the Clarendon Historical Society, their respite program is available from 1 to 4 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays. They are located at 16426 Fourth Section Rd. (Route 31A), Clarendon.

All respite sites are free to Orleans County residents.

Those wishing more information on respite sites or wanting to volunteer should call (585) 209-9151 or (585) 209-3416; or e-mail Caregiversrevitalize@gmail.com.

Medina native Adam Wakefield will debut his first book at 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at Author’s Note, 519 Main St.

MEDINA – A Medina native with a career in marketing is testing the waters as a first-time novelist.

Adam Wakefield grew up in Medina, a son of Mike Wakefield and Jackie Lundgard and grandson of the late Donald “Doc” and Janet Wakefield. He graduated from Medina High School in 2001, plays drums and considers himself a local history buff.

He has always been a horror enthusiast and admirer, and always wanted to write books.

Encouraged by his wife Megg, Wakefield wrote his first book, The Usher, which he will debut and sign copies at 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at Author’s Note, Medina’s independent book store.

The Usher is a cosmic horror set in nostalgic small-town America. While carding for his grandparents, Wakefield said he was inspired by stories his grandma told him about the theater in Medina.

“There has never been a better time than now to write a horror book,” Wakefield said. “There is a big appetite for it now. People like to be scared.”

He took seven years to write his first book, often getting up at 5 a.m. to write before going to work. His second book is in the works and on schedule to be completed in seven months total.

 “The next book is going to be very different,” he said.

The Usher appears at first to reminisce about an affectionate view of the Americana of yesteryear, but soon introduces a supernatural and thrilling twist. The novel follows the main character John Bradford, a lost soul at the end of his rope struggling to find his place in the world. Amidst his difficulties, a chance encounter with an impossible visitor from the past changes everything and sets John on a journey to save everyone dear to him.

“Inspired by Wakefield’s upbringing in Western New York and his personal experiences, this love letter to a bygone era blends cosmic horror with nightmarish sense of paranoid psychedelia and existentialism,” said Author’s Note owner and best-selling author Julie Berry. “A haunting tale of small-town America addiction and redemption, Wakefield’s debut is a twisting, dreamlike quest to set the wrong things right.”

The Usher is perfect for lovers of horror, fans of comebacks against insurmountable odds and Western New York locals who want to see their home brought to life on the page, Berry added.

The Saturday afternoon event at Author’s Note is free and open the public. Pre-ordering copies is recommended. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered at www.authorsnote.com.

Provided photos: Heidi Wyant of Albion was named Arc GLOW’s “Employee of the Year” and Nathan Johnidas of Albion was named the “Self-Advocate of the Year.”

Information courtesy of Arc GLOW

BATAVIA — The Arc GLOW, a four-county organization serving people with disabilities, held its second annual awards banquet and annual meeting on Wednesday. Two of the award winners are from Orleans County.

Heidi Wyant, the Arc GLOW transportation director, was named “Employee of the Year.”

Wyant has been with the agency for almost three years, coming to Arc GLOW from Community Action of Orleans Transportation. So, although she has only been with the agency since 2021, her impact has been felt by the people we serve for over 30 years since CATS had a long-standing partnership with Arc of Orleans and later Arc of Genesee Orleans, Arc GLOW officials said.

“The impact that Heidi has on the agency is far more in depth than most people realize,” said John Prospero, vice president of transportation.

Wyant supervises over 30 employees, is responsible for the transportation of over 200 adults and children, all with some type of special need, on more than 25 bus routes.

“In addition, Heidi is responsible for managing our northern vehicle fleet of about 100 vehicles—which entails everything from fleet maintenance to fuel and oh by the way now is done in a NYSDOT certified facility,” Prospero  said. “And here is one other tidbit that I am guessing most of you do not realize—Heidi’s operation transports people throughout seven counites. In the three years that Heidi and I have worked together, she has brought in new business, recruited drivers and literally doubled the number of bus routes and the people we serve.”

Nate Johnidas of Albion was named “Self-Advocate of the Year.” Johnidas was voted president of the Self-Advocacy All-Stars. As president, he led the group in preparing for the annual talent show and reached out to community members to invite them to speak at the 3rd Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day.

“This year was a big one for him,” said Jill Pegelow, vice president of self-direction and community services. “Nate set many goals for himself this past year regarding his desire to be more independent. In an effort to facilitate this, Nate took the appropriate measures to become his own guardian and representative payee. His self-advocacy efforts paid off and he was successful in reaching these goals and now resides his own apartment in the community. Nate continues to work with staff and natural supports to maintain his independence in his new apartment.”

Other award recipients include:

• Community Services and Self-Direction Person of the Year – Brittany Murphy
• KidStart Employee of the Year – Margaret Putman
• Supported Employment Person of the Year – Elizabeth Padilla
• Pre-Vocational Person of the Year – Tammy Reimels
• Day Habilitation Person of the Year – James Gibbs
• Residential Person of the Year – Monica Mineo
• Direct Support Professional Person of the Year – Heather Taft
• Friend of Arc GLOW – Hoffman Hanafin & Associates
• Business Partner of the Year – Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop
• Volunteers of the Year – Kevin and Dawn Fisher

Over 300 staff, individuals, family members and community members came to the Batavia Downs to honor the 12 award recipients. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and representatives from Senator George Borello and Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office were also in attendance.

“October first marked our official three-year anniversary as Arc GLOW; we have accomplished so much as one agency,” said Martin Miskell, CEO.

Additionally this year, Arc GLOW launched Genesee IGNITE in partnership with Genesee Community College. This, and the LIVES program through SUNY Geneseo which celebrated 15 years in April, are Arc GLOW’s inclusive higher education and college experience programs.

Two other agency milestones which were celebrated this year were Hilltop in August which celebrated 50 years and Finders Keepers Thrift Shop which celebrated 15 years in June.

Over 137 Arc GLOW staff also celebrated longevity milestones ranging from five to 40 years of service in 2024.

“We completed our first phase of the strategic plan to examine where we are, where we want to go, and how we are going to get there. Our first major initiative resulted in a Brand Marketing Plan, and we will be working with Causewaves to guide us through,” Miskell said.

In the coming year, Miskell said Arc GLOW aims to:

• Look to expand the variety of our programming to meet every interest and ability.
• Roll out the Brand Marketing Plan to include a new mission and vision statement.
• Advocate for more funding and grants.
• Continue to make renovations to Arc GLOW homes and sites to accommodate the needs of the individuals it serves.
• Increase staff retention and recruitment to be the employer of choice.
• Increase community awareness in Arc GLOW.

Three Arc GLOW Board of Directors were recognized for their service: John Haugh, Susan Maha and Michelle Mahler.

Additionally, Arc GLOW recognized the Tuohey family of Medina and their commitment to Arc GLOW. Mary Lou Tuohey announced she will be retiring from her family business Case-Nic Cookies at the end of 2024.

“The Tuohey family is the true definition of a community friend and supporter of Arc GLOW’s mission and vision,” said Englert. “The Tuohey family always can be found volunteering at Arc events or organizing fundraisers to benefit Arc GLOWs programs and other communities. Mary Lou constantly provides cookies for our fundraisers and events, and her daughter, Nicole, heads her own fundraisers. Her Have a Heart Campaign raised over $2,300 this year that benefited many programs within the agency.”

Provided photo: Albion resident Cheryl Kast, a physician assistant with the Albion Healthcare Center, examines a young patient at the facility.

ALBION – A physician assistant with the Albion Healthcare Center has been awarded the prestigious United Hero Award from United Healthcare.

Cheryl Kast is recipient of the award which recognizes healthcare professionals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to developing outstanding patient experiences, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health.

“Cheryl has consistently exceeded performance targets in three critical areas of patient experience surveys,” Robinson said.

She achieved 92% in getting needed care; 88% in care coordination; and 95% in provider-patient conversations.

These impressive achievements highlight Kast’s dedication to ensuring that her patients receive the highest quality of care and support, Robinson said. Her ability to connect with patients and effectively coordinate their care exemplifies what the primary care team at the Albion Healthcare Center strive to achieve.

“We are incredibly proud of Cheryl for this well-deserved recognition,” Robinson said. “Her commitment to patient care not only reflects her professionalism, but also sets a standard for excellence within our team.”

More information about Kast and the rest of the primary care team at the Albion Healthcare Center is available by calling (585) 589-CARE.

Daniel Quatro of Albion took this photo of a starry night with an Erie Canal bridge. The photo, entitled “Star Trails,” won second place in the “Classic Canal” category of the annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest.

The winners have been announced in the annual Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor photo contest and two scenes in Orleans County are among the honored images.

Daniel Quatro of Albion won second place in the “Classic Canal” category while Jules Hoepting received an honorable mention.

In the 19th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest, judges select first, second, and third place winners in four contest categories as well as 12 honorable mentions from a field of 329 entries.

Winning photos may be viewed at www.eriecanalway.org/gallery/photo-contests.

Jules Hoepting, formerly of Albion and now a Perry resident, received an honorable mention for this winter scene of the the Erie Canal in the Gaines Basin. Her photo is entitled, “Winter Sunset.”

“These exceptional images are a perfect invitation to visit the Canalway Corridor and discover the richness of its history, recreational offerings, and communities,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “We congratulate the winners and appreciate everyone who entered and shared the places and activities they love along New York’s extraordinary canals.”

Winning images can be viewed online and will be featured in the 2025 Erie Canalway Bicentennial calendar. The popular calendar will be available at no cost at libraries, visitor centers, and by request beginning in December. Funding support for the calendar is provided by the National Park Service and NYS Canal Corporation.

 “Year after year the stunning images contained throughout the calendar never cease to amaze me and Canal and history enthusiasts across New York State, as they showcase the diversity of the Erie Canal’s landscape, architecture, history, flora and fauna,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “As we approach our bicentennial year, this year’s calendar is arguably the most important and exciting edition yet, and I can’t wait for you to see it.”

Sarah Woodhams of Pittsford won first place in “Canal Communities” with this photo of the Fairport Lift Bridge.

Provided photos: Members of the Class of 1962 at Medina High School who have 80th birthdays this year recently met at East Shelby Fire Hall to celebrate. Class members are, seated from left, Carolyn Phinney Rankin, Fannie Stewart Isham, Anna Marie Pope Rozek, Gerry Scott Zinkievich, Ann Rumble Gilbert, Pat Kozoloski Grimes, Karen Elsom Gonzales, Lois Hobbs Kenyon and Sandee Falk Franklin. Standing from left are Harold Southcott, Jerry Johnson, Dick Bensley, Bob Heminway, Dan Malte, Gary Suzanne, Mike Kelly, Bill Koneski, Don Fernberg, Nancy Caleb Harrod, Clara Satkowski Lockwood, Carol Martin Hunting and Zona Navelle Shreves. Absent are Ron Klawitter and Jack Kiebala, who left before the picture was taken.

EAST SHELBY – Members of Medina High School’s Class of 1962 who have 80th birthdays this year met recently at East Shelby Fire Hall to reminisce and celebrate.

“We decided not to wait until our 65th reunion to gather again because at our age, you never know,” said Gerry Scott Zinkievich, a member of the class. “We enjoyed good food and good conversation and look forward to doing it again in 2027 for our 65th reunion.”

Gerry Zinkievich made this banner for the class of 1962. The date in the middle is interchangeable, so it can be used again and again.

Officers of the class were Dick Miller, president; Jack Kiebala, vice president; Anna Marie Pope, secretary; and Ann Rumble, treasurer. Miller is deceased, and the others all attended the reunion.

The Class of 1962 has the distinction of being the first sixth grade class to go into the new Oak Orchard Elementary School. Likewise, they were the first seventh grade class to attend Wise Middle School.

“We had to walk from the Middle School to the Elementary School for lunch because the Middle School did not yet have a cafeteria,” Zinkievich said.

They have met every five years since their 20th reunion, in addition to meeting in between for their 70th and 75th birthday years.

The class took up a donation for the Medina Scholarship Fund and hope to continue doing a scholarship every year from their Class of 1962.

A group of female classmates try to meet for lunch during the summer months so as to stay in touch. They recently got together at Alex’s in Batavia, where they discussed plans for the 80th birthday part and recalled that it was a much simpler time back when they were in school.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion Village Board is considering lowering the speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour on McKinstry Street in between East State Street and East Avenue. McKinstry is a popular route for students walking to school in the morning and then back home in the afternoon.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board will have a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23 to hear from the community about reducing the speed limit on McKinstry Street from 30 to 25 miles per hour.

Village Trustee Greg Bennett suggested lowering the speed limit. He said McKinstry Street is a popular street in the village for students walking to school in the morning and then back home in the afternoon.

The village is considering whether to have the lowered speed limit from State Street or Park Street to East Avenue on McKinstry.

Bennett wanted the limit to be lower to 20 mph to match the school zone speed limit. But village attorney John Gavenda said the state doesn’t want villages to drop the speed limit below 25 mph.

Bennett said that is enough to slow down traffic, especially if there are signs on McKinstry noting the slower speeds. Village officials will do more work before the public hearing to determine if there will be designated times for the lower speed. Bennett said it could just be for an hour in the mornings and afternoons when students are on foot.

Press Release, United Way of Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – United Way of Orleans County and Cornell Cooperative Extension announce the launch of their new project, Orleans Connected Healthy Educated Food Systems (CHEFS).

Inspired by the success of the Stone Soup program, the United Way and CCE worked together to secure a $200,000 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York’s Blue Fund.

The new CHEFS program will offer three classes to accommodate both new and returning participants.

The first class is similar to Stone Soup. Participants will learn how to prepare cost effective meals using the Kitchen Kits that are provided. Once they have completed the course, participants will have the skills and confidence they need to prepare nutritious meals at home. They will also be prepared for the two new CHEFS classes.

The second class covers Food as Medicine. Participants in this program will receive a health tracker and learn about the role of food in managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

In the third class, which covers practical cooking, participants will receive a lunch kit. Building on the kitchen skills developed in the first class, participants will learn more sophisticated kitchen skills to allow them to do meal prep and cook more complex dishes.

The Orleans CHEFS program will also continue the Fresh Food Rx. This allows Orleans County families to receive prescriptions, along with prepaid vouchers, from their primary care provider for fresh, local produce.

The United Way plans to begin convening a food systems working group after the start of the year to produce a food systems policy.

To find out more or sign up for one of the three classes, call 585-798-4265 or email asc355@cornell.edu.

Funding includes $405K grant, $2.8 million in financing

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley is among the recipients of $665 million announced today by Gov. Kathy Hochul to finance and help fund clean water projects around the state.

Holley has been approved for $2,061,338 in interest-free and $783,016 market-rate financing from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, and a $405,646 grant from the Water Infrastructure Improvement program for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant upgrades and disinfection improvements.

Hochul today announced the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved $665 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State.

“No one in New York should ever fear that they don’t have access to clean water,” Governor Hochul stated in a news release. “With this funding, we are safeguarding the health and well-being of New Yorkers, providing critical resources to local economies, creating jobs and protecting our natural resources.”

Barre, Shelby wanted higher share, but settle on 40 percent

Map from AES: The 200 megawatt solar project in Barre and Shelby would be along Crane, Townline and Burns roads near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

BARRE – A 200 megawatt solar project in Barre and Shelby will bring $900,000 annually in revenue to local governments, to be shared among two towns, three school districts and Orleans County.

The Orleans Economic Development Agency negotiated the host community agreement for the Hemlock Ridge Solar, discussions that started about 2 ½ years ago among the municipal leaders.

AES, owner of Hemlock Ridge, has agreed to pay $4,500 per megawatt to local governments or $900,000 total the first year, which is expected to be 2026. The amount will increase 2 percent after that. AES is hoping to start construction next summer on Hemlock Ridge with the project operational in 2026. The project is along Crane Road, Townline Road, and Burns Road about 5 miles southeast of Medina.

Typically, the Orleans EDA works out PILOT agreements (payment in lieu of taxes) and the local governments’ share is based on their tax rates. The school districts tend to have the highest tax rates and they get the largest amount among the towns and county in a typical PILOT.

But with Hemlock Ridge the entities agreed to not do a PILOT and base the revenue sharing on their tax rates. In that scenario, the towns would get the least of the revenue because their tax rates are less than the schools districts and county.

The host community agreement gives the two towns 40 percent of the total revenue, but Barre and Shelby wanted more.

The host community agreement hasn’t been made fully public, detailing the amounts for all the governments.

The Barre Town Board on Wednesday voted to accept its share. The project is 82 percent in the Town of Barre and 18 percent in Shelby. The towns together get 40 percent of the revenue or $360,000 the first year the project is operational.

Barre will get 82 percent of the money for the two towns or $295,200, while Shelby gets the other 18 percent or $64,800.

The two towns argued they should receive more than 40 percent because they are dealing with the impacts of the project and have done more work with the developer in siting it.

Barre with the Heritage Wind project will receive 75 percent of the local revenue through that host community agreement.

“We fought like hell but they wouldn’t budge,” Kathy Bennett, the Shelby town attorney, said about the county and school districts.

The Shelby Town Board is expected to finalize the agreement next month. The town also needs to sign a road use agreement during the construction phase of the project.

The Town of Barre also sought more funding, but town attorney Bridget O’Toole said the school districts and county wouldn’t go above 40 percent for the two towns.

“It was a very contentious negotiation with a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” she said after Wednesday’s Town Board meeting.

The County Legislature on Sept. 24 approved its share of the project, with the county amount varying on whether the solar panels are in the Albion, Medina or Oakfield-Alabama school districts.

The county will receive $1,008.90 per megawatt within the Albion school district (22.4 percent of total), $744.83 per megawatt within Oakfield-Alabama district (16.6 percent of the total), and $935.19 per megawatt for the project within Medina school district (20.8 percent).

The school districts, based on the county share and the 40 percent to the two towns, would get the following: 37.6 percent to Albion for the area in ACS; 43.4 percent of Oakfield-Alabama for the land in the project in that district; and 39.2 percent to Medina school district for the area in that district.

After 10 years, another $500 per megawatt will be added to host community agreement and that additional $100,000 a year will go to the two towns with Barre getting 82 percent, O’Toole said.