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Task Force report shows rural EMS in crisis in NYS

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2026 at 10:06 am

Medina fire chief highlights report – ‘The funding model is broken’

Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley shows a slide detailing a 21 percent in ambulance calls for the Medina Fire Department from 2008 to 2025. He also provided an overview of a 90-page report from the New York State Rural Ambulance Services Task Force. Cooley spoke during Tuesday’s meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities at the Fair Haven Inn. About 25 attended the meeting.

ALBION – It’s a recipe for a crisis: more calls for service and a declining numbers of responders. And it’s a situation that could get more dire without changes in the funding model for emergency medical services.

A 90-page report from the New York State Rural Ambulance Services Task Force paints a grim picture for EMS services in rural areas. Many agencies have been run by volunteers, but many of those ambulance squads have gone out of service or are not able to respond to a growing number of calls.

In Orleans County, Kendall Fire Department was the last volunteer-run ambulance. It ceased operations after on Dec. 31, 2022. COVA also went out of business in late 2022 after 44 years of service in central Orleans County.

Now the Medina Fire Department and Mercy Flight EMS are handling most of the calls in the county. Those organizations face high operational costs, with low reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare.

The Rural Ambulance Services Task Force released a report earlier this month calling for immediate state action to increase reimbursement rates and provide grants for rural ambulance services.

The Task Force said a state-level public health emergency should be declared to direct resources to areas struggling to provide timely service to residents in crisis.

Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley highlighted the report as well as data for the Medina Fire Department during a presentation on Tuesday evening. Rural areas have seen many of their hospitals close or shot down services such as maternity. Locally, hospitals have closed in Albion and Brockport, and Medina no longer delivers babies.

Those changes have ambulances driving farther out of county. That ties up ambulances often for several hours, and can result in overlapping calls where there are delays because ambulances are all in service.

A Medina Fire Department ambulance is shown on East Center Street on Thursday at the Main Street intersection. The ambulance headed to Route 63 and out of Orleans County. The Medina FD responds to over 2,000 calls a year.

Cooley started as a volunteer in 1990 at age 16 with Tri-Town Ambulance in Gasport. He has worked with Medina Fire Department as a career firefighter/paramedic since 2010, and has been the fire chief since last year.

“Volunteers were once the backbone,” Cooley said about the local ambulance service. “But there are no volunteer transporting agencies left.”

He said the Task Force report was a five-year effort and it makes 38 recommendations to strengthen rural EMS care.

“This is not a future problem,” he said. “It is already impacting response times, coverage and patient outcomes in communities like ours.”

Orleans County had 5,521 ambulance calls in 2025, which was up from 4,965 in 2024, according to the Orleans County Emergency Management Office. Medina responded to 2,416 of those calls, with most in western Orleans – Village of Medina and towns of Shelby, Ridgeway and Yates.

Orleans County is working on its own EMS and fire services report, which is expected to be complete next month.

County Legislator John Fitzak said he expects there will be conversations among officials throughout the county once the report is out about EMS and the fire service in the county.

“Everybody is thinking about this and we’re looking for answers,” he said during Tuesday’s meeting of the local officials.

Cooley said “the funding model is broken” for EMS, with the reimbursement rates too low with Medicaid and Medicare. The ambulance providers also can’t bill unless there is a transport, and many people receive care at the scene but decline to be transported.

“We should be paid for care and not just transportation,” he said.

Cooley said EMS should be classified by the state as an essential service, on par with police and fire service.

Cole Hardenbrook, a member of the Kendall Fire Department, takes the radio out of the Kendall ambulance in this photo from Dec. 31, 2022. The fire department ceased providing service at 11:59 p.m. that day after 54 years. Kendall was the last volunteer-run ambulance squad in the county that did transports. Kendall responded to 9,700 calls over those 54 years.

It recent years it was getting harder and harder for volunteers from to meet the training requirements and give up the time to respond to a call and then make the transport to a Rochester hospital. Often the ambulance would have to wait at the hospitals to drop off patients. It could take five hours to go on some of the calls.

“In New York State, the reliability of the EMS system has significantly declined in recent years due to various challenges,” the EMS report states in the executive summary. “These challenges include a decrease in volunteerism, insufficient and lack of public funding to cover readiness costs, staffing shortages, escalating operational expenses, inadequate insurance reimbursement, increased call volumes, absence of performance standards, limited awareness of the EMS system among elected officials and the public, the influence of NYS home rule, and a lack of transparency and accountability for EMS agencies.

“In some instances, these systems receive public funding, but in many communities, they are not financially supported. This results in a patchwork system with local municipalities or fire districts throughout the state opting for different approaches to provide EMS coverage.

“EMS response is often at the mercy of time of day, day of week, proximity of an ambulance within a geopolitical boundary, and the availability of staff. Response times vary from minutes to more than an hour in many locations.”

Click here to see the full report from the Rural Ambulance Services Task Force.

Tenney wants IRS to investigate non-profits for prohibited political activity

Posted 27 March 2026 at 9:43 am

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) calling for an investigation into reports that certain nonprofit organizations may have violated federal law by engaging in prohibited partisan political activity.

Recent reporting revealed that hundreds of 501(c)(3) organizations in New York may have made political contributions or engaged in electioneering despite longstanding federal prohibitions on such activity.

According to the report, more than 1,000 contributions from at least 650 nonprofits totaled over $400,000, with many organizations certifying to the IRS under penalty of perjury that they were not involved in political campaigns.

These actions, if confirmed, would represent a clear violation of federal tax law, which bars tax-exempt charities from supporting or opposing political candidates. In her letter, Rep. Tenney urged the IRS to investigate these allegations and take appropriate enforcement action, including revoking tax-exempt status where warranted.

“As founder and chairwoman of the Election Integrity Caucus, I am deeply troubled by the findings of this report. Federal law is clear that 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from participating in partisan political activities,” Tenney said. “Organizations that violate this prohibition are not only subject to revocation of their tax-exempt status but are also liable for excise taxes on every dollar of those illegal political expenditures. The IRS has both the authority and the obligation to act to protect the integrity of our electoral process and hold 501(c)(3)s to the standards set out under the law. I have referred this matter to the IRS for further investigation and urge the agency to fulfill its enforcement obligations if it finds wrongdoing on the part of any of the 501(c)(3)s implicated.

“The integrity of our elections depends on a level playing field. When tax-exempt organizations, which are subsidized in part by the American taxpayer, pour money into campaigns and endorse candidates, they are corrupting the democratic process.”

Click here to see the full letter.

Albion grad guides Purple Eagles softball

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 March 2026 at 8:44 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – New Purple Eagles softball Coach Albion graduate Jenn (Knaak) Mattle, meets here with her veteran players including Kaitlyn Bennett, McKinley Knight, Aubriella Barry, Lux Froman and Leah Pawlak.

A very familiar face has returned to coach the Albion varsity softball team this season. Albion graduate Jenn (Knaak) Mattle, who had been coaching at Red Jacket the past few years, has returned to teach and coach at her alma mater.

“I’m really excited. It’s so surreal,” she said of returning to coach the Purple Eagles team which she played for and helped lead to league and sectional titles. “We have such a special group. They are working really hard and with their work ethic and enthusiasm I think we will do well.”

The Purple Eagles lineup is anchored by a nucleus of five veterans including seniors Kaitlyn Bennett (infield/pitcher), McKinley Knight (outfield) and Leah Pawlak (infield) along with sophomore Aubrielle Barry (infield/pitcher) and freshman Lux Froman (catcher/infield).

Rounding out the Purple Eagles underclassmen dominated roster are junior Melia Prince (utility), sophomores Bailey Hickman (pitcher/infield), Katelyn Viza (outfield) and Sophia Bouchey (outfield) along with freshmen Aaliyah Jones (outfield/catcher) and Kamryn Peruzzini (infield).

Albion’s graduation losses included pitcher Alana Irvine, catcher Cami London and outfielders Kenzi Snook and Paige Newton.

The Purple Eagles are scheduled to open the Niagara-Orleans League season on Monday at Akron at 4:45 p.m.

Albion went 7-5 in N-O action and 11-6 overall last spring.

County issues proclamations promoting organ donation, Public Health Week, child abuse prevention

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2026 at 10:07 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday issued three proclamations to bring awareness to causes and initiatives in the community.

County Legislator John Fitzak, right, presents a proclamation about “Donate Life Month” in April to Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon. The DMV is one way people can get on the registry to be registered for organ, eye and tissue donations.

Hanlon said Orleans County has one of highest percentage in the state of people on the Donate Life registry for organ and tissue donations.

“A single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives,” legislators stated in the proclamation. “A donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 75 others.”

For more information on Donate Life, click here.

County Legislator Fred Miller reads a proclamation about “Child Abuse Prevention Awareness and Family Strengthening and Support Month.” He presented the proclamation to DSS Child Protective Services Supervisor Judianne Gearing, Senior Caseworker Sharon Nenni, and caseworkers Shelley Sherman, Isabella Gibbs and Maria Strathearn.

“All children need love and care to support their healthy growth and development, and they deserve to be raised in an environment that keeps them safe from potential forms of harm including verbal, sexual, emotional and physical abuse, exploitation, malnourishment, and neglect of other basic needs,” the proclamation states.

People can report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, the state’s child abuse hotline, which is available 24 hours a day/seven days a week by calling 1-800-342-3720.

Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties, accepts a proclamation from Legislator Don Allport. That proclamation was for “National Public Health Week” from April 6–12. The theme of the week is “Ready. Set. Action!”

The proclamation highlighted these services from the local Health Department:

  • Community Health Services team protects public health by monitoring disease trends, supporting mothers and children, administering immunization clinics and conducting 1,862 communicable disease investigations in 2025.
  • The Children with Special Needs Program ensures children with or suspected of having developmental, physical, or special health care needs have access to essential services and resources that support healthy growth and development, serving approximately 330 children in 2025.
  • The Department of Weights and Measures is responsible for testing and inspecting all commercial devices used to weigh or measure various commodities and tested 364 devices and evaluated 49 fuel quality samples in 2025.
  • Health education initiatives engage residents through presentations, training sessions, community events, and public communications, equipping community members with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions, prevent disease, and foster a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Orleans County.
  • The Emergency Preparedness program strengthens community resilience by equipping residents and partners for emergencies through training, education, drills, and coordinated response efforts, providing 68 individuals with training and contributing 72 hours of service and training through the Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) in 2025.
  • The Environmental Health protects Orleans County residents by conducting 253 food service inspections, collecting and analyzing public and private water samples, responding to 149 rabies investigations last year and upholding the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act.

The listed items touch on a portion of what is offered by the Public Health Department, Pettit said.

“Public health plays a critical role in protecting and improving the health, safety, and quality of life of all residents of Orleans County,” the proclamation states.

For 250th anniversary of USA, Treasury announces Trump signature will be on paper currency

Posted 26 March 2026 at 7:54 pm

Press Release, U.S. Department of the Treasury

President Donald Trump

WASHINGTON – In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump’s signature will appear on future U.S. paper currency along with the Secretary of the Treasury, marking the first time in history for a sitting president.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than U.S dollar bills bearing his name, and it is only appropriate that this historic currency be issued at the Semiquincentennial.”

“As the 250th anniversary of our great nation approaches, American currency will continue to stand as a symbol of prosperity, strength, and the unshakable spirit of the American people under President Trump’s leadership,” said Treasurer Brandon Beach. “The President’s mark on history as the architect of America’s Golden Age economic revival is undeniable. Printing his signature on the American currency is not only appropriate, but also well deserved.”

Upstate, including GLOW region, no longer under drought watch

Posted 26 March 2026 at 7:42 pm

The DEC released this map that shows no parts of upstate are considered in a drought watch. Only the Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk are in a drought watch.

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that all upstate drought regions have returned to “Normal” status.

In cooperation with the State’s Drought Management Task Force, DEC updated the drought status from “Drought Watch” to “Normal” in State Drought Regions II through VIII after assessing recent precipitation and elevated levels of ground and surface water. The Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk (State Drought Region I) remain in a Drought Watch.

“Precipitation and recent snowmelt have improved stream flows and groundwater levels, resulting in upstate drought regions returning to normal status,” said Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “DEC experts will continue to monitor conditions in coordination with the State Drought Management Task Force and update the public of any changes. DEC encourages communities and individuals to always be mindful of their water use and practice water conservation measures all year long.”

While regional hydrological conditions have notably improved, localized dry conditions may persist and despite encouraging hydrological conditions, New Yorkers are urged to continue reducing unnecessary water use and waste, fixing leaks, and choosing efficient water fixtures.

New York State drought Region IIA, which includes New York City and Westchester County, remains in normal status due to the satisfactory storage levels and refill probability of the New York City reservoirs. According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the city’s reservoirs are at more than 95% capacity. DEC continues to work closely with DEP to monitor reservoir conditions and encourage responsible water use, especially outdoors, regardless of the hydrological conditions or season.

New York State encourages ongoing water conservation to ensure adequate supply for all emergency use. To protect water resources, homeowners are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and follow these tips:

  • Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water plants.
  • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
  • Fix leaking pipes, fixtures, toilets, hoses and faucets.
  • Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
  • Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly.
  • Install water saving plumbing fixtures.
  • Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold.
  • Wash cars less frequently.

State Drought Index 

Drought stages are calculated using the State Drought Index, which evaluates whether several drought indicators have reached critical thresholds. DEC experts track and evaluate drought conditions based on stream flows, lake and reservoir storage levels, and groundwater levels.

These factors, and the duration of the dry period, season, and other information such as past and forecasted precipitation, weather patterns, and local conditions, are used by DEC to evaluate drought conditions across the state. The State Drought Index is attuned to the specific attributes of New York and may differ moderately from some national technical drought assessments.

DEC and the U.S. Geological Survey are partners in evaluating hydrologic conditions across New York State. In addition, DEC supports efforts by local governments and stakeholders to undertake water conservation measures based on specific local circumstances.

New Albion village trustee eager to work with village officials, staff and community

Posted 26 March 2026 at 7:31 pm

Editor:

To the residents of the Village of Albion, I would like to sincerely thank the people of our village for your votes, your confidence, and the opportunity to serve you as Village Trustee.

I do not take this responsibility lightly, and I am truly grateful for the trust you have placed in me. I am committed to serving our community with honesty, respect, and a genuine desire to do what is best for all residents.

I would also like to congratulate Tim McMurray on his election as Mayor and Kevin Sheehan on his election as Village Trustee. I look forward to working together in service to our village.

In addition, I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside William Gabalski, Greg Bennett, our village employees, and the residents of Albion as we move forward together. I believe that meaningful progress happens when people are willing to listen, collaborate, and work toward the common good of the community.

I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Joyce Riley and Angel Javier Jr. for their time and service on the board. Public service is not always easy, and I appreciate the time and effort they have dedicated to our village. I wish them both continued success in whatever comes next.

As we begin this next chapter, I encourage any and all residents to attend the next Village Board meeting on Monday, April 6, at 6 p.m. when the newly elected officials will be sworn in at Village Hall with the regular board meeting taking place right after. Community involvement matters, and I would love to see residents there as we continue working toward a stronger future for Albion together.

Thank you again for this opportunity to serve.

Sincerely,

Jami Allport

Village of Albion Trustee-Elect

Strong start for Green at Phoenix Tourney

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 March 2026 at 5:22 pm

Medina’s Melanie Green is off to a strong start at the LPGA Tour’s Ford Championship Tourament at Phoenix, Arizona.

Green fired a 3 under par opening round of 69 today.

Starting on the back 9, she registered a total of 5 birdies (on holes 11, 12, 1, 2 and 7) which more than offset a pair of bogies (on 10 and 3).

With some of the field still on the course the current tourney leader is Lydia Ko who had a 12 under par round of 60.

The tournament will continue on Friday and Saturday and conclude on Sunday. The field will be cut after Friday’s round.

Rams return veteran laden diamond squad

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 March 2026 at 9:38 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s veteran contingent includes, in front, Isaac Smith, RJ Townsend, Gavin Heideman, Sean Mettler and Evan Poeller. In back are Jared Hy, John Brigham, Will Bundrock, Blake Stahl and Lincoln Murray.

Last spring an underclassmen dominated Roy-Hart team posted a 7-5 record in Niagara-Orleans League baseball competition,

Now, with the lineup returning virtually intact, the Rams are looking to challenge for top N-O diamond honors.

That veteran group includes seniors Gavin Heideman (pitcher/outfield/first base), Evan Poeller (infield/outfield/pitcher), Sean Mettler (shortstop/second base) and Isaac Smith (third base/pitcher) along with junior RJ Townsend (third base) and sophomores Will Bundrock (second base), Jared Hy (pitcher/outfield), Lincoln Murray (outfield), Blake Stahl (outfield) and John Brigham (first base).

Heideman was a first team N-O All-League honoree last spring while Poeller and Mettler were both second team picks and Townsend an Honorable Mention selection.

“It is a good veteran group but they’re still pretty young,” said Coach Jim Heideman. “Our pitching and defense should be ok we just have to be able to hit the baseball.”

The Rams will begin tuning up for the April 13 N-O home opener against Albion by visiting Sweet Home on April 1.

Orleans gets big payout from WROTB with Batavia Downs success

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2026 at 9:28 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: The video gaming center at Batavia Downs has been a money-maker for Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., which shares its profits with 15 counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.

Orleans County is seeing a near doubling in its share of the profits from Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.

The county received $189,607 from WROTB in 2025, up from $101,097 in 2024.

WROTB is owned by 15 counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo. Batavia Downs Gaming has proven to be a money-maker for WROTB, averaging about $7.5 million in profit or “net win” a month with NYS receiving 39 percent of that total.

The WROTB revenues shared with the member municipalities increased from $6,705,049 in 2024 to $12,865,737 in 2025, a 92 percent increase.

“WROTB closed fiscal year 2025 with record-breaking results, marking the most successful year in the corporation’s history,” President and CEO Byron Brown wrote in a letter to Lynne Johnson, chairperson of the Orleans County Legislature.

WROTB paid out $251 million in winnings, up from $243 million. The organization also saw net win for the organization total $93 million, an increase of $4.7 million over 2024 and year-over-year growth of 5.4 percent, Brown said.

Orleans County was an original member when WROTB formed over 50 years ago. Since 1975, Orleans has received $3,180,777 from WROTB, Brown stated in his letter to Johnson.

Here are the revenues paid to Orleans County each year since 2020:

  • 2020: $6,975 (Covid restrictions shut down operations for several months before reopening with restrictions.)
  • 2021: $85,236
  • 2022: $123,945
  • 2023: $144,691
  • 2024: $101,097
  • 2025: $189,607

Albion mayor Javier, trustee Riley close out terms on Village Board

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2026 at 8:57 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: Albion village trustee Joyce Riley and mayor Angel Javier Jr. both are finishing four-year terms on the Village Board.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board meeting on Wednesday was the last one for Angel Javier Jr. as mayor and Joyce Riley as village trustee. They both are finishing four-year terms.

Javier, 36, didn’t seek re-election. He said he is moving outside the village and will be living in the Town of Albion. He wouldn’t have been eligible to be mayor.

Riley, 77, narrowly lost to Tim McMurray for mayor, 209 to 202, during the election on March 18.

Village residents also elected Jami Allport and Kevin Sheehan as trustees on the board with terms starting on April 1.

Riley, during Wednesday’s meeting, said she enjoyed the four years as trustee and has a deep admiration for the village employees.

“It has certainly been a learning moment,” Riley said about her time on the board. “Thank you for giving me these four years.”

With the election of McMurray, Allport and Sheehan, Riley said the village “is ready for a new look.” Her goal is the village will continue to offer all of its services, although “it may look a little different.”

The fire department, for example, now operates out of the Albion Joint Fire District rather than through the village budget with elected fire commissioners providing the oversight, not the Village Board.

Code enforcement officer Chris Kinter praised Riley for her work securing grants for the village. He also thanked Javier for his efforts as mayor.

John Grillo, the Albion recreation director, thanked both Riley and Javier for their service to the village.

After the meeting, Javier said he feels a sense of accomplishment during his four years as mayor.

“We brought in millions of dollars that is spread around through our water infrastructure and grants for the police and grants for our recreation department,” Javier said.

He also cited the land acquisition to allow for a future expansion of Mount Albion Cemetery. The village paid $250,874.58 to Patricia Nelson for the land that is next to Mount Albion’s southwest corner. That is about $7,000 an acre. The sale was finalized on Nov. 8, 2024 after about two years of effort.

A good chunk of Javier’s and Riley’s tenure involved the closing of the Main Street lift bridge. The bridge shut down to traffic on Nov. 14, 2022 for what was expected to be about 18 months for a major rehabilitation. But the project faced several delays and finally was complete on Sept.19, 2025.

The village dedicated the Erie Canal Park on Sept. 28, 2024. The new park includes a lamppost and a bench made from repurposed steel from the Main Street lift bridge when it was originally constructed in 1914. Bill Schutt, left, is the artist from Batavia who made the lamppost. A Go Art! grant paid for Schutt to make the lamppost. Albion Mayor Angel Javier Jr. is next to Schutt and then Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley is on the bench that was made by employees in the sewer plant, the Joint Pollution Control Facility. Village employees Ric Albright, Kyle Piccirilli and William Malone worked on the bench, which also includes a time capsule to be opened on Sept. 28, 2059. Albion students also were part of the day’s celebration which included the unveiling on a monument to the 15 people killed in the Main Street bridge collapsed on Sept. 28, 1859. A huge crowd gathered on the bridge that day to watch a tightrope walker.

Javier worries about the affordability in the village. He led a public hearing on June 11, 2025 to get a conversation started about possible dissolution of the village and consolidating many of the services in the village with the towns of Albion and Gaines. That idea has been seriously pursued at this point, but Javier said village residents might want to consider that in the future.

“I think it will be very difficult for any municipality at this time to operate,” he said after Wednesday’s meeting. “You’re really going to have to look at what your residents want. The residents are going to have to make a decision. If you want this it’s going to cost money. If you don’t want it, you’re going to have to tell the governing body.”

Javier said the village has been able to expand programs in youth recreation program through grants. He praised recreation director John Grillo for bringing in significantly more funding to expand that program. Other department heads also are being proactive pursuing grants, Javier said.

Overall, he counts many successes in Albion in the past four years.

“It was the village that did it, not necessarily me,” he said. “We all worked together to move forward.”

County Legislature approves expanded tax exemptions for low-income seniors

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2026 at 8:40 pm

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted to increase the maximum exemptions for low-income seniors from 50 percent off their property taxes to 65 percent.

The Legislature approved the change on Tuesday. While the cap is going higher, the Legislature isn’t increasing the income limits for people 65 and older to be eligible for an exemption. That will remain at a $24,700 threshold.

Here are the new exemption levels based on income:

  • $16,000 or less – 65 percent exemption
  • $16,000.01 to $16,999.99 – 60 percent exemption
  • $17,000 to $17,999.99 – 55 percent exemption
  • $18,000 to $18,999.99 – 50 percent exemption
  • $19,000 to $19,999.99 – 45 percent exemption
  • $20,000 to $20,999.99 – 40 percent exemption
  • $21,000 to $21,999.99 – 35 percent exemption
  • $22,000 to $22,899.99 – 30 percent exemption
  • $22,900 to $23,799.99 – 25 percent exemption
  • $23,800 to $24,699.99 – 20 percent exemption

Gov. Kathy Hochul in December signed legislation to allow local municipalities to increase the size of the exemptions from a maximum 50 percent to 65 percent.

“No New York senior should lose their home because they can no longer afford their property taxes,” Hochul said on Dec. 6 in announcing the higher exemption levels. “By signing this legislation, we are working to make New York more affordable for our seniors on fixed incomes and empowering them to age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.”