By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2014 at 12:00 am
YATES – The state Department of Environmental Conservation is testing wells on Ward Road after residents complained cow manure contaminated their water supply, Town Supervisor John Belson said this afternoon.
Residents attended Thursday’s Town Board meeting to voice their concerns about the manure. A dairy farm spread on Ward Road and then a downpour hit in late August, causing significant manure runoff, Belson said.
The manure washed into ditches and Johnson Creek, and residents fear some of the manure got into their wells, Belson said.
There are five houses on Ward Road, which is located off Alps and Platten roads. They have shallow wells, Belson said. The town does not have a public waterline along the road.
Belson said samples have been taken of the well water. The DEC and the Orleans County Department of Health are both investigating, he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Town will apply excess to reducing debt for districts
GAINES – The Town of Gaines overcharged residents in water districts by about $175,000, the Town Board announced on Wednesday after audits by two accounting firms.
The Town Board decided it will take money from the water district reserves to pay down debt in the districts. That will shorten the life of the loans and also reduce the annual payments to residents in eight water districts.
One district, No. 8, actually wasn’t paying enough and residents in that district will need to pay “a little more” to cover the district’s full expenses for debt and maintenance, said Town Supervisor Carol Culhane.
Water District No. 4 overpaid by $52,000 and that will be enough to wipe out the remaining principal, eliminating debt payments in the future for that district.
Other districts overpaid by the following amounts, according to the town:
Water District 2: $29,567
Water District 3: $29,633
Water District 5: $20,269
Water District 6: $2,617
Water District 7: $39,522
Water District 9: $2,788
Water District 10: $2,014
Culhane said she has been working with auditors for about 18 months, trying to determine if there was an overcharge and how to best solve the problem. The town also consulted the State Comptroller’s Office and reviewed New York Finance Law, she said.
She couldn’t say why the town overcharged residents. She said it goes back to at least 2006.
A resident complained about a high tax bill for water and that got Culhane, the town supervisor for about three years, to look into the issue.
The changing numbers in the districts makes it difficult to craft a solution for the excess charges. Some residents who overpaid their water district bills have sold their homes and moved out of the district.
The water districts often add users as new houses are constructed. Sometimes lots are split up, changing the numbers of users from when the districts were first formed and started collecting annual debt payments to pay off the loan for the construction.
Using the excess funds from the water district reserves will provide relief to water users in 2015 with smaller debt service charges, except for District No. 8.
“The most important thing is we came up with a fair fix,” Culhane said. “I don’t see another viable plan.”
Culhane said the Town Board is united in wanting to address the problem.
“It’s the board decision to go forward and straighten this out,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Four C’s was sold in August to Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina
Photo by Tom Rivers – Gene Christopher and his son David Cristofaro are pictured on Wednesday evening when they treated about 130 friends and customers to dinner at The Village Inn.
CHILDS – For 30 years the Christopher family made charter boat captains and other customers feel at home along the Oak Orchard River.
Gene and Judy Christopher and their sons David and Darrick operated Four C’s Marina. They did it with class, said Sharon Narburgh, owner of Narby’s Superette and Tackle for nearly 50 years.
“They did a service and the people don’t forget that,” Narburgh said.
She attended a dinner on Wednesday at the Village Inn, when the Christophers treated 130 friends and customers to an appreciation dinner. The Christophers sold their marina last month to Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina and Rod Farrow.
Bud and Peggy Fischer of Spencerport were long-time customers at Four C’s. The Christophers won the admiration of the Point Breeze community, the Fischers said.
“They were always concerned about our welfare,” Mr. Fischer said. “Gene and his wife are very special people. They’re very accommodating.”
Mrs. Fischer said the Christophers were always “above the table” in dealing with the public.
“He always told you like it was,” she said.
Besides the marina, the Christophers expanded the operation to lodging and a next-door café. The marina was the first job for the boys, Darrick and David.
Judy Christopher was a strong presence at the marina for its first 29 years. She died from cancer at age 70 last Aug. 3. Gene credited his wife for doing so much for Four C’s, especially when he was juggling his full-time job before he retired about 15 years ago.
Robin Boyle worked as a cook and waitress at the café, and also helped detail boats and work in the office. She said the Christophers treated people with respect and class.
“They were always honest and they were very good role models,” Boyle said. “Their customers kept coming back. They developed a very good rapport with everybody.”
Gene and David worked the room on Wednesday at the Village Inn, exchanging hand shakes and hugs with many of the attendees.
“This is just a thank you from us to them,” Gene said.
Staff Reports Posted 12 September 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home in Albion is moving the date of its car show scheduled for this Saturday to Sun., Sept. 28 from 1 to 5 p.m., said Becky Karls, site manager and coordinator of the car show.
Saturday is forecast for 58 degrees with the threat of rain.
Karls wants to have a good weather day for the event, which includes food and a DJ. The show at 12 Ingersoll St. is also a benefit for Hospice of Orleans.
For more information, call the funeral home at 589-4466.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Ray and Linda Burke bring a grand old house back to life
Photos by Tom Rivers – Ray Burke is pictured outside Fair Haven Treasures, which opened in May after 18 months of renovations. The site will have a peace garden in the spring by the flag poles.
GAINES – Ray Burke says he was looking for a “project.” About two years ago he and his wife Linda bought a stately old house at the corner of routes 98 and 104 in the heart of the Cobblestone Historic District.
The house has been vacant for five years and needed significant renovations. Burke and a team of volunteers went to work. The site was given a new life as “Fair Haven Treasures,” a business featuring crafters and artisans. Fair Haven now has nine vendors with room for more.
The Chamber of Commerce has picked Fair Haven for its “Phoenix Award,” recognition given to a significant restoration effort. The award will be presented on Sept. 20.
“It’s a lovely old home and I’m glad we did it,” Mr. Burke said. “It’s been a lot of work and there’s more to do.”
Linda and Ray Burke are pictured inside Fair Haven Treasures on the business’s opening day in May.
Gaines Town Supervisor Carol Culhane watched the old brick house decline in recent years before the Burkes bought it. She served on the Zoning Board of Appeals with Mr. Burke a few years ago and the two became friends. Culhane suggested the Burkes buy the building and she envisioned it as a site for high-end artisans, live music and other special events.
Culhane and her husband Gerry helped bring the building back to life. They teamed with the Burkes and other volunteers to remove plywood and linoleum from the floors, and discovered hardwood floors underneath. They took out one wall to make a bigger room that can be used for performances, book-signings and public events.
“You could see the house was declining,” Culhane said. “It’s so tragic to see these beautiful stately homes decline.”
She grew up in the “Dutchtown” neighborhood in Rochester. That area in Jay, Childs and Ames streets has been overwhelmed with crime, and so many of the houses, even her old high school, have been torn down, Culhane said.
When she saw the brick house deteriorating, she worried it would meet the same fate as some of the beloved buildings of her youth.
These bowls and a table were created by Ted Hicks of Oakfield. He has other wooden furniture for sale that he made from reclaimed wood.
The 3,040-square-foot brick house was built in 1834, the same year the Cobblestone Universalist Church was erected across the street. Burke said the house is a prominent location and should be a showcase for the community.
“It’s the crossroads of the county and the crossroads of our town,” he said. “It’s a stately building that sits up on a hill.”
Burke is retired from DuPont in Rochester. The former machine shop foreman also has renovated smaller houses as rental properties. He has built his own plane and driven a Harley. He was looking for something else, a new challenge with the brick house.
“I’ve had all the toys and I’ve always been busy,” he said. “I can’t stand to sit still. This house will probably never be done. The list is on and on.”
Burke put in a new driveway and parking lot for the house, which required 1,300 tons of stone. He just added three flag poles out front and in the spring, there will be an International Peace Garden by the flags. It will be the second peace garden in Orleans County. Brown’s Berry Patch has the first.
To be a peace garden, the site needs to have a historic connection to the War of 1812. The site was once owned by John Proctor, who is considered the Paul Revere of Ridge Road. He warned residents the British were coming during the War of 1812. Proctor also gave the hamlet the name Fair Haven.
Fair Haven could be used for wine-tastings, concerts and other special events.
Culhane helps manage the site, lining up vendors and planning events. Fair Haven will begin offering “paint and sip” classes every two weeks beginning on Sept. 17. Participants can sip wine and paint in classes led by Culhane.
Fair Haven also is working with two other businesses, Tillman’s Village Inn and The Cabaret at Studio B, for an “Evening in Orleans” this Sunday. Fair Haven will host a wine-tasting from 3 to 4 p.m. before the activity shifts to the Village Inn and then the Cabaret.
Burke said he has been encouraged by the business partnerships in the community and other new business ventures. Tillman’s is expanding its dining facilities, and Ridge Road in Gaines also is home to other recently opened ventures including the Old Goat antique store, Cobble-Ridge Co-Op and the Rocking R Ranch.
He sees the Ridge Road corridor as a draw for culture and history enthusiasts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
Tammy Yaskulski, the branch manager for Five Star Bank in Medina, paints the dining hall at Christ Church in Albion. The church hosts the community kitchen every Friday, providing hundreds of meals.
Yaskulski was one of nine members of the Albion Rotary Club doing service projects in the United Way’s Day of Caring. Rotarians were also doing yard work and projects at Community Action and Head Start.
“I want to help the community,” Yaskulski said.
Employees at Baxter Healthcare in Medina and CRFS in Albion also helped paint the dining hall and kitchen at Christ Church. Sandra Walter, a CRFS employee, paints a wall in the dining hall.
“It is Sept. 11 and I can’t think of a better way to honor those people, the firefighters and police officers, than to come out and give back,” Walter said.
In this photo, Missy Gibbs, right, from CRFS and Sherry Quazi from Baxter paint inside the dining hall at Christ Church.
Provided photo – Lisa Tombari and Madhusharee Gnanasambandan, both employees at Baxter Healthcare, work on a landscaping project outside the Marshall Road residence for the Arc of Orleans County.
About 50 volunteers were out doing service projects through the “Day of Caring” by the Orleans County United Way. This is the second annual Day of Caring with the event scheduled on Sept. 11.
Volunteers also worked on projects at Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway, the Hamilton Street residence for The Arc, the Stork Street residence for The Arc, the day hab site for The Arc at the former Grammar School in Albion, Hospice of Orleans in Albion, a Habitat home in Medina, and the Cooperative Extension fairgrounds.
HOLLEY – A new fitness center will soon be opening at Holley Elementary School for use by the students, staff and community. The creation of the fitness center is due to the Carol White Physical Education Program, a multi-year $441,000 federal grant for Holley.
Lisa Campbell, the district’s Director of Physical Education, was instrumental in securing this grant for the district. Holley has used the grant money to purchase state-of-the-art fitness equipment to outfit the center.
Initially, the fitness center will be open two nights per week from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., starting in late fall/early winter. The center will be supervised by a Holley staff member and Holley Security Officers will be on duty during the community use hours.
During the evening hours, children under the age of 10 will not be permitted to use the equipment. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form in order to use the equipment.
“I invite you to use the fitness center as your schedule permits, as it is just one more service that the school district provides the community, and we are very proud to do so,” said Robert D’Angelo, Holley school district superintendent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Crews have been busy the past few weeks removing towering maple trees in the village of Albion. National Grid identified the trees as a hazard.
Many trees have been taken down, including this one at the corner of West Academy and West Bank streets by the former Albion Grammar School.
A crew takes down big branches on another tree by the former school.
Here is a close-up of another tree that was taken down in front of the former school, which is now used for senior apartments and also for services for senior citizens and developmentally disabled residents.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Village already does work for Holley
ALBION – The village could add another municipal contract for providing sewer services, which will bring in revenue for the village and also help a neighboring community meet standards for providing the service.
The village of Albion may take over managing Elba’s sewer plant and a water well on Oct. 10. The contract proposal calls for Albion to be paid $34,320 for the work.
The village would do the job with its existing three-person sewer crew. Rick Albright, the sewer plant chief operator, would assume most of the extra work. He is in a salaried position.
Albright said Elba is just looking for a one-year deal. The community expects to hook into a sewer and water district, Batavia North, in about a year.
The Camden Group currently provides sewer services for Elba, but the company has given notice it will discontinue working with Elba on Oct.10, Albright told the Village Board on Wednesday.
Village Attorney John Gavenda wants to review the contract. It’s a little different from the agreement with Holley, which started on June 1. Albion is paid $63,000 annually to provide the personnel for running the sewer plant. In Holley, Albion doesn’t have to work with Holley’s water system.
The agreement with Holley cut that village’s sewer costs by $30,000 in an annual operating expenses. The Holley agreement was initially for three years but Albright said Holley wants to extend the deal to five years.
Albright said he sees a talented workforce in the village that could be used in other communities, helping those municipalities while bringing in revenue for the village.
“We could expand village services,” he told the Village Board on Wednesday. “The sky is the limit. How far do you want us to go?”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Proposal to limit to 3 days a week fails
ALBION – The Village Board wants to stop some residents from having “perpetual” garage sales, saying the daily sales aren’t fair to some neighbors, other businesses and can be unsightly.
But the five-member board isn’t sure how to best solve the problem with legislation. During a public hearing on Wednesday, one resident there shouldn’t be any restrictions on garage sales while another urged the board to rein in the sales.
“These sales have graduated to boats, cars, motorcycles, tread mills and furniture,” the resident said. “They’re really out of the scope of what a true garage sale is.”
The board considered a proposal to limit the sales to no more than Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Trustees Eileen Banker and Pete Sidari voted for it, but the proposal failed to reach a majority.
Banker said residents with frequent sales don’t pay sales tax or property taxes for a commercial building for their merchandise. That isn’t fair to other businesses paying the tax and keeping up a storefront, she said.
Sidari said most residents with garage sales only have them once or twice a year. But he said there are at least two sites that have items are their lawns for many days at a time.
“We have to do something,” he said. “It’s an eyesore.”
Trustee Stan Farone is reluctant to pass legislation on the issue.
“I can’t see putting restrictions on everybody else over two people,” he said.
Trustee Gary Katsanis wants the village to keep working on proposals. The proposal on Wednesday “introduces too many gray areas,” he said.
Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti has presented several options for the Village Board to consider. Vendetti would like residents to register their sales at no cost. That way the village could track them and make sure people aren’t exceeded three days at a time.
He suggested limiting the hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the merchandise to be removed from front lawns after the third day of the sale.
Mayor Dean London wants the board to look at proposals in other communities. In the short term, he said the State Department of Taxation and Finance should be notified of the perpetual garage sales. London said those residents should be collecting sales tax because of the frequency of their sales.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This 9-11 flag was raised outside the Elks Lodge on West State Street after a memorial service this morning in Albion.
Orleans County Legislator Don Allport, left, teams with State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Larry Montello, a leader with the American Legion, in raising the 9-11 flag. Montello organized the memorial service today.
Jodi Genno of the Albion Fire Department carries a helmet to represent the 343 firefighters who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
During the service, the group observed a moment of silence for Rochester police officer Daryl Pierson, who was fatally shot last week.
Jason Spencer, COVA director of operations, lights a candle in memory of the first responders who perished in the terrorist attacks 13 years ago today.
David Rearick, a member of the American Legion Riders, lights a memorial candle during the service.
County Legislator Don Allport tells a crowd of about 50 people at a 9-11 memorial service that world remains an unsafe place and the United States is vulnerable to attack.
“I don’t feel safer today,” Allport said. “Our borders are open. The terrorists don’t need a fake ID. They can just walk across the border.”
Allport said the country needs to be united in the fight against terrorists.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, also addressed the group. He said the terrorist attacks drew the country together and strengthened Americans’ resolve. Today, the 13th anniversary of the attack, should be a day to honor firefighters, police officers and other first responders, Hawley said.
Larry Montello, coordinator of the memorial service, displays mementos from 9-11, including badges for the 343 firefighters who died and 23 New York City police officers who perished.
The honor guard fires during a 21-gun salute to conclude a memorial service today on the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
There will be a 6 p.m. vigil today outside the Orleans County Courthouse in memory of the nearly 3,000 victims of the terrorist attacks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It was another dazzling sunset last night on a warm September day. This photo shows the sun setting behind the Albion Central School campus, looking west from the soccer fields.
Today is forecast to reach 81 degrees. The temperatures will drop on Thursday with a high of 69 and low of 49. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the highs are forecast at 62 degrees.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department recently conducted a three-day Speed Enforcement Detail in the School Speed Zone on East Avenue.
The Police Department conducted the detail during the opening week for the Albion Central School on Sept. 3-5. The Albion Police Department received a $5,040 grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to participate in the statewide Police Traffic Services Program.
The goal of this grant is to increase seatbelt usage and reduce speeding, and aggressive, distracted and other dangerous driving behaviors in an effort to reduce serious injury and death from traffic crashes.
During the opening week of school Albion Police Officers issued 72 Uniform Traffic Tickets for various Vehicle & Traffic Law violations including the following:
63 – Speeding in School Zone Tickets;
3 – Uninspected Motor Vehicles;
2 – Aggravated Unlicensed Operator 3rd Degree;
1 – Unregistered Motor Vehicle;
1 – Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle;
1 – Seatbelt Violation;
1 – Stop Lamp Violation.
The main factors that cause fatalities in motor vehicle accidents continues to be speeding, not wearing seatbelts and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The safety of our streets continues to be among the top goals of the Albion Police Department. We will continue to strive to make our community safe.
Staff Reports Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
President Obama in a prime time address tonight said the U.S. is building a global coalition to “degrade and ultimately destroy” militants in the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Obama said the effort could require years of effort.
“We will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are,” Obama said. “That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.”
Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, released this statement after the President’s address laying out his strategy to eliminate the ISIS threat.
“It is clear, we cannot allow for the same mistakes that have gotten us into this situation,” Collins said. “The current events in Iraq and Syria prove the absence of American leadership enables and emboldens our enemies, and puts our country and citizens at risk. I fully support actions to eliminate the threat posed by ISIS and protect our citizens at home and abroad.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
‘Law enforcement is a brotherhood. We’re all brothers and sisters out there and when something like this happens it hurts.’
Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni
Police officers from every department in Orleans County attended the funeral in Rochester today for Daryl Pierson. About 1,000 law enforcement officers were at the funeral at Blue Cross Arena.
Pierson, 32, died a week ago when he was shot by a man wanted on a parole violation. That man fled from police after a traffic stop.
The contingent from Orleans County included eight officers and Police Chief Roland Nenni from the Albion Police Department, three officers from the Sheriff’s Department, one from the county jail, two officers from the Medina Police Department and four officers from the Holley PD.
“Law enforcement is a brotherhood,” said Nenni, chief of the Albion PD. “We’re all brothers and sisters out there and when something like this happens it hurts.”
One Albion police officer Kyle Edwards worked with Pierson at the Rochester PD before Edwards transferred to Albion about four months ago. Jeff Cole, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department, attended the same police academy class with Pierson.
Nenni said the funeral for Pierson was “very touching” and a great tribute to the 8-year veteran of the RPD.
The funeral was also a reminder of how dangerous the job can be for police officers. Nenni said officers in Albion and other departments in Orleans County often have to apprehend parolees.
“We come in contact with parolees a lot,” he said. “It could have been any one of us.”
The officers attended the funeral on their own time.
