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Santa lights up Lyndonville trees

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The third annual holiday celebration in Lyndonville has grown to 54 trees decorated by the community at Veterans Park.

Santa Claus arrived in a sleigh and flipped a switch to turn on the lights for the trees at about 5 p.m. today.

Santa waves to the crowd gathered along Main Street as he makes his way to the park.

There were activities throughout the day to celebrate the Christmas season.

Santa arrives and is met by many happy children. After turning on the lights by flipping a switch at the “North Pole,” Santa met with children and their families until 7 p.m. at the Village Hall.

Santa is the center of attention at the park.

This is the third year Lyndonville has organized the holiday celebration.

The number of decorated trees has grown from 26 in 2013 to 43 last year and now 54 for 2015.

The trees are expected to stay at Veterans Park until early January.

Community stars in Hometown Christmas

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – About 500 people are expected for three shows today of the sixth annual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. The top photo shows Rachel Curtin, principal of the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School, singing “Heaven Everywhere.”

She is among about 50 different performers today in the Hometown Christmas shows at the Holy Family Parish Lyceum.

Marcy Downey sings “Baby, It’s Cold Outisde” next to a cutout of Dean Martin.

There are 17 acts in the show, which is nearly two hours long.

Michayla Kovaleski and her mother Kelly sing a duet, “Hallelujah (Light Has Come)” during the noon show.

Hometown Christmas raises money for a memorial scholarship for Nicholas Kovaleski, who fought leukemia before passing away at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis.

About $10,500 in scholarships in memory of Nicholas have been awarded to graduating Albion seniors. They write essays about community service and living with a purpose.

Mikayla Yaskulski, front, and Kate Krieger are part of a group that danced to the song, “Hello” by Adele. Many of the performers are dancers in the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy studio.

Rose Allen sings “Amazing Grace” to the crowd at the Lyceum.

Lauren Thomas dances to “Maybe I’m Amazed.” Michayla Kovaleski and Laiken Ricker also are in that group dance.

Weather Service warns of patchy fog, black ice tonight

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – This photo shows the dam in Lyndonville at Johnson Creek near Main Street this evening with the Lyndonville Central School in back.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather statement for tonight, warning about black ice and patchy fog.

The conditions are expected in Orleans County and much of Western New York. The Weather Service says visibility could drop to a quarter mile or less in the dense fog. Patches of black ice are also possible late tonight and into Sunday morning.

State gives more time for comments about wind energy project

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2015 at 12:00 am

YATES – The Public Service Commission has extended the public comment time for a proposed wind-energy project in the lakeshore towns of Yates and Somerset. Town and state officials pushed for more time to review and comment on the project.

Kathleen H. Burgess, secretary of the Public Service Commission, announced on Tuesday the deadline for comments has been moved from mid-December to Jan. 6.

“Having considered these requests, and in order to provide for the fair, orderly and efficient conduct of the proceeding, the comment period is extended ” Burgess wrote.

Apex Clean Energy, developer of the proposed project with up to 71 wind turbines, also will have more time to respond to the public’s comments. Normally, the developer of a large-scale wind energy project would have 21 days to comment, but Apex will have 30 days until Feb. 5.

Burgess in her letter notes that the Town of Yates sought a 42-day extension of the comment period and James Simon, town supervisor elect, requested an additional 90 days. State Sen. Robert Ortt also said the comment period should be extended.

Apex is eyeing 12 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline for the wind turbines on land approximately 3 to 4 miles south of Lake Ontario. Lighthouse anticipates that the project will consist of up to 71 wind turbines.

The company said the design and layout of the project, including all turbine locations as well as alternative locations, will be presented as the application moves along in the process.

Burgess, in her letter on Tuesday, said Lighthouse states that the design and layout of the project will be informed by a number of factors, including environmental studies, wildlife studies, electrical studies, land leasing, cultural assessments, and public input.

Comments may be submitted electronically by visiting the Public Service Commission’s website at www.dps.ny.gov. Click on the “Post Comments” button in the upper part of the screen.

The proposed project has been bitterly opposed by a citizens group, Save Ontario Shores, which will have a 7 p.m. public meeting at the Barker Fire Hall on Dec. 8.

Yates, Orleans County submit 4 names for Wind Energy Siting Committee

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2015 at 12:00 am

YATES – Four residents of Yates have the town and county support to serve on a committee to determine whether a large-scale wind energy project will be approved for Yates and Somerset.

Yates Town Supervisor John Belson and David Callard, County Legislature chairman, were asked by the state Public Service Commission to nominate four residents to be considered for an ad hoc siting committee.

Somerset and Niagara County also backed four residents for the committee. The state PSC will allow two local residents to be on the seven-member committee. The state will consider the eight people – four from both Yates and Somerset – nominated for the committee and whittle that to two. Ideally, Callard said this afternoon, there would be a local representative for both Yates and Somerset.

Yates and the county were united in submitting the following names for the PSC to consider: Russ Martino (former town supervisor), Cynthia Hellert, Jeffrey Oakes and Glenn Maid (a critic of the wind energy project who was endorsed for the Town Board by the Conservative Party and Save Ontario Shores. Maid didn’t win the election last month.)

“The four are a good balance representing different points of view,” Callard said.

He isn’t sure how the state will determine who is chosen to serve on the siting committee.

Besides the two local representatives on the siting committee, the seven-member group is chaired by the state Department of Public Service and includes the leaders of four other state departments: Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), Empire State Development and the Department of Health.

Feds give more money for NY bridges, infrastructure

Staff Reports Posted 4 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Brown Street bridge in Albion has been closed since 2012. It is one of several canal bridges in Orleans County that is either closed or has significant weight reductions.

A new federal transportation bill will provide more than $16.3 billion in direct infrastructure spending to New York State over the next 5 years, $1.5 billion more than New York would receive in a flat-funded bill, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said today.

The bill directs about $300 million more annually to NY help municipalities in the state repair and replace aging infrastructure, Schumer said.

“The regional economy is the very heart of our nation’s economy and our transportation systems are the lifeblood that make it all possible,” Schumer said in a statement. “Investing to maintain and improve those transportation systems boosts our economy in the near- and long-term and that’s exactly what government should be doing to keep our improving economy humming.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo thanked Schumer and the Congressional delegation for advocating for the state.

“The expected passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act is tremendous news for New York State,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “From helping to rebuild outdated bridges in Upstate New York to preventing massive funding cuts that would have hurt millions of public transit riders, this bill provides important support to our State’s infrastructure.”

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, also praised the new funding. She cited statistics from the State Department of Transportation, which considered more than one-third of New York State’s 17,000 bridges in need of repair, with 2,016 graded as structurally deficient and 4,735 graded as functionally obsolete.

In Western New York, there are a total of 2,743 bridges, and of these, 229 are structurally deficient bridges and 465 are functionally obsolete bridges.

In Orleans County, there are 138 bridges and 26 are structurally deficient with 28 functionally obsolete.

“With more stable and long term funding than New York has seen in previous years, it is an important investment in the Empire State’s future,” Cuomo said.

Medina students compete in American Legion oratorical contest

Posted 4 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Medina High School students are pictured with Paul Fulcomer, a representative for the American Legion, during the recent oratorical contest. Medina students include, from left: John Kelly, Tristan Sanders, Amanda Lunden and Kyla Leno.

Press Release
Medina Central School

MEDINA – Four students from Medina High School showed off their knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution at a contest at the American Legion.

The students gave eight- to 10-minute speeches on the topic, “What the Constitution Means to Me.”

Amanda Lunden won first place at the annual event and John Kelly took second place. Both advance to the Orleans County competition Dec. 12 at Clifford Wise Middle School in Medina.

“It is a great way for the students to get public speaking experience while teaching them leadership qualities and the history of our nation’s laws,” said Social Studies teacher Todd Bensley.

Judges were teachers Todd Eick, PJ Bell and Dawn Morse, American Legion representative Paul Fulcomer, attorney Ed Grabowski and Lubna Zaidi, Academic Director of the Medina Language Center and Gavel Club Advisor.

Friends of Library use treats, old books to raise money for Hoag

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Friends of Hoag Library held its annual Tasty Treats fund-raiser on Thursday night with chocolate, cookies and other baked goods prepared by S-n-L Sweet Escapes owner Sarah Brigham.

The Friends raise about $2,500 each year to support library programs with most of those dollars raised from an ongoing sale of used books. Proceeds from the Tasty Treats event will be used to pay for a holiday party for library staff, trustees and volunteers.

The Friends contributed $12,500 to the construction of the new library. The group welcomes more volunteers, said President Mary Anne Braunbach. Stop by the library for more information about joining the Friends or click here.

Lily Brigham, daughter of the S-n-L owner, serves some of the treats to Kae Wilbert during Thursday’s event. Lily’s brother Sawyer also has a tray of goodies in back.

The Friends are also selling ornaments and coffee mugs with an image of the former Swan Library. The Hoag Library opened in July 2012.

Yates residents have until next Friday to mail in survey

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2015 at 12:00 am

YATES – The Town of Yates sent 2,608 surveys to residents last week, asking 10 questions about issues related to a proposed wind turbine project in Yates and Somerset.

Yates residents have been asked to send in the self-addressed, stamped envelopes with surveys, postmarked by Dec. 11.

“We wanted something we can submit to the Siting Board that is legitimate, that can be taken seriously,” said Town Supervisor John Belson.

The town formed a three-person committee to compile the questions on the survey and also give residents two pages of background on the “Lighthouse Wind” project. Town Councilman Wes Bradley was on the committee along with Save Ontario Shores member Richard Pucher and Taylor Quarles, the project manager for Apex Clean Energy.

Apex has submitted a scoping document to the Public Service Commission. The company may build up to 71 wind turbines in the two towns, generating 200 megawatts of electricity.

In a letter to residents that went out with the survey, the Yates Town Board says the town doesn’t have an official vote on the project, but town officials can influence the decision-making with the project through its laws and regulations as well as with a presentation to the Siting Board.

The state passed a law in 2011 giving a Siting Board authority to approve electric generating projects 25 megawatts or bigger, according to the letter from the town to residents.

The letter also says a host community agreement with Apex could be part of the process with Apex paying annual payments to the town, the company agreeing to repair roads as part of the construction, and also to have a plan for decommissioning the turbines in the future.

The letter also outlines the state’s plan for 50 percent of the power to come from renewable sources by 2030. State leaders want to significantly reduce greenhouse emissions, according to the letter.

Bradley said the data from the survey could be part of the town’s presentation to the Siting Board if Apex can move the application past the preliminary scoping document.

“If there is a final application, there will be a comment period and I would expect that the Town Board would make a presentation to the Siting Board,” Bradley said. “The survey will give us information we can use in the presentation.”

The town has committee in place to tabulate the data and do a final report for the Town Board.

Here are the 10 questions residents are asked to answer on the survey:

1) Many topics are currently being studied regarding Lighthouse Wind. These proposed wind turbines would change the appearance of the landscape within the town. Do you have a concern about this?

Yes, No, No Opinion

2) As currently proposed, the electricity from this project would be delivered into the New York State electrical grid. Should the Town of Yates attempt to negotiate a separate agreement with electric suppliers for more favorable rates?

Yes, No, No Opinion

3) If Apex eventually seeks a PILOT (Payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) from COIDA (County of Orleans Industrial Development Agency), should this be granted?

Yes, No, No Opinion

4) In 2015, the Town of Yates tax levy was $852,205. What percentage of decrease in the Town of Yates tax levy would you like to see come from this project? Circle one answer.
0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, No Opinion

5) What effect do you feel wind turbines would have on property values in the Town of Yates?

Increase, Decrease, No Change

6) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of health issues is important?

Yes, No, No Opinion

7) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of wildlife issues is important?

Yes, No, No Opinion

8) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of possible effects on the operations at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is important?

Yes, No, No Opinion

9) Do you feel New York State’s “Reforming Energy Vision” is an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Yes, No, No Opinion

10) Based on your knowledge of Lighthouse Wind, are you in favor or opposed to this project at this time?
Favor, Oppose, No Opinion

Bullard sledding hill has a new look this winter

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – When the snow comes his winter, blanketing the local landscape, sledders in the Albion area will see a new look at the Bullard Park sledding hill.

The village used dirt from the Clarendon Street bridge approaches to reshape the hill, shifting it from facing south to west. It will also have a gentler slope with hand railings and stairs on top.

The bridge was taken out this year and Keeler Construction, the contractor on that project, hauled dirt to the sledding hill.

Employees from the Village of Albion Department of Public Works and the Albion Town Highway Department worked together to assemble the stairs, welding the pieces together on Wednesday.

The sledding hill now faces west.