By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
The Civil War cannon and some of the headstones for Civil War soldiers are largely covered in snow at the Civil War section of Mount Albion Cemetery.
Today will be another bitterly cold day, with temperatures forecast for a high of 12 and a low of 3 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold alert with the wind chill to fall to minus 8 degrees.
Friday will be even colder with a high of 11 and a low of minus 1 in the forecast.
The weather gets better on the weekend with a high of 20 on Saturday and a high of 29 on Sunday. On Monday, it is forecast to hit 30.
Some foot prints show up in the snow at Mount Albion Cemetery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
David Callard (center), chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 17, 2014, when the bridge on Route 279 was reopened following repairs.
The project was honored by the Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association during a banquet on Jan. 29. The Orleans County Highway Department was recognized along with the state Department of Transportation, LaBella Associates and Keeler Construction Company for their work on the project.
Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, right, stands with Jerry Gray, the county highway superintendent, on Wednesday to highlight the bridge’s recognition by the APWA for projects that cost less than $5 million.
The bridge was closed for five months last year while it received $1.5 million in upgrades, including new railings, repairs to concrete piers, a new deck, asphalt top, two new fascia beams and drainage improvements.
The bridge is the longest county-owned span at 700 feet, crossing Lake Alice and the Oak Orchard River.
Assemblyman also responds to DREAM Act and business competition
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) called on Gov. Cuomo to release school aid runs across the state. Hawley said that school districts are up against the clock to present a workable budget plan to their faculty and residents.
The aid numbers are typically part of the governor’s budget proposal in January. This time Cuomo did not detail numbers for individual districts. He said they would see a state-wide increase of 1.7 percent in educational aid if the State Legislature doesn’t approve his educational reforms, and 4.8 percent more if the reforms are passed.
“The release of school aid runs is supposed to be a routine part of the budget process each year,” Hawley said. “The governor’s tactics rob students, faculty and parents of the ability to plan things such as availability of classes, extracurricular programs, faculty size and school tax burden. Without this information, school districts are forced to build contingency budgets that could likely include many layoffs and program eliminations. I am calling on Gov. Cuomo to do what is right for our school districts and release the required funding information.”
Hawley’s comments come after a press conference was held this morning by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R-Canandaigua) urging Gov. Cuomo to release school aid runs. Superintendent Christopher J. Dailey of the Batavia City School District also commented on the lack of information.
“The governor holding back state aid runs has hindered the process of formulating our budget for the 2015-16 school year,” said Dailey. “To plan for flat state aid is the only choice we currently have. Playing games with the school system helps no one.”
Passage of Dream Act should not be a priority
The State Assembly passed a bill that would give college financial aid to immigrants living in the country illegally. The legislation still needs to get through the State Senate.
The Democrat majority in the Assembly approved the bill that would allow immigrants to participate in programs that distribute state-funded tuition breaks, including the Tuition Assistance Program and the Educational Opportunity Program.
“The Assembly’s passage of the DREAM Act demonstrates that we are still not putting the needs of New York citizens first,” Hawley said. “At a time when school districts are still struggling with the Gap Elimination Adjustment cuts and cannot properly formulate budgets because school aid runs have not been released, we chose to focus on funding for illegal aliens.
“The Assembly leadership and the governor are sending the message that legal New York taxpayers are less important than illegal aliens. Our priorities should be to fully fund and protect New York parents, teachers and students who are here legally before we give money to those who are not.”
Promotes the NY business plan competition
Hawley also encouraged college students to participate in New York’s annual business plan competition. Hawley praised the competition for allowing bright students across the state to present new ideas consistent with New York’s focus on nanotechnology, entrepreneurship and advanced technology. More than 600 students are expected to participate and compete for a top cash prize of $100,000.
“As the owner and operator of a small business, I know the hard work and ingenuity it takes to succeed as a business owner in New York,” Hawley said. “This competition highlights principles that make our state great – determined and visionary entrepreneurs and businesspeople. I am thrilled that we are allowing the next generation of business- and technology-minded students to fulfill their passions right here in New York State and generate ideas that will allow our economy to grow and thrive. I encourage all college students interested in this competition to participate.”
The competition’s regional semifinals, held at St. John Fisher College in Rochester for students from Hawley’s district, will be held in March and early April with the finals being held on April 24 at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Since the first competition in 2010, more than 1,130 students have competed with cash prizes being awarded in excess of $1,300,000. Visit www.sunycnse.com/NYSBusinessPlanCompetition for more information about the competition.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Village Board voted on Wednesday to seek bids from manufacturers for a new fire truck that would replace two vehicles for the Albion Fire Department.
The department wants to replace a pumper from 1974 and a smaller truck used to respond to motor vehicle accidents. That truck from 2004 has extrication equipment.
The fire department wants a new fire truck that is a pumper and also has extrication equipment. That will save the department in maintenance costs and also reduce some manpower needs, fire department leaders told the Village Board on Wednesday.
“This will be an all-around truck,” said Harry Papponetti, a past chief for the AFD.
He outlined the plan during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting. He handed the board a 160-page document with specifications for the new truck. The department won’t know the cost of the truck until bids come in, but Papponetti said he expects it will be about $500,000.
It will take about 8 months to a year for the truck to arrive once the board makes a decision on accepting a bid. That vote could happen in June.
The village wouldn’t have to start paying on the truck until the 2016-17 budget. By that time some existing debt for fire trucks will be reduced. The new debt payment will likely be less than what the village is currently paying, especially if the payments for the new truck are stretched over 10 years, said Steve Lanning, a member of the fire truck committee.
Papponetti said the department expects to get another decade of use out of a pumper from 1992 and a ladder truck from 1995. He praised the work of village mechanics, Dusty DeCarlo and Ray Smith, for giving the fire trucks such an extended life.
DeCarlo and Smith served on the truck committee along with Papponetti, Lanning, Dale Banker, Rocky Sidari, Jeremy Graham, Jeremy Babcock and Ron Armstrong.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – The Albion Village Hall is a historic building at the corner of Platt and East Bank streets. The Village Board on Wednesday approved a formal resolution, asking the State Legislature and Gov. Cuomo to direct more state aid to villages.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature and Albion Village Board both passed formal resolutions on Wednesday, calling on state government leaders to update a formula for sharing aid to villages, towns and cities.
Right now, 90 percent of the $714 million in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities goes to upstate cities, about $277 per capita for city residents compared to only $7 for residents in towns and villages.
The resolution approved by the Village Board says the current AIM formula is a form of “state-sponsored economic discrimination” for villages, because those residents pay for a myriad of services with little state aid, resulting in high property taxes for villagers.
Albion passed the same resolution as the Medina Village Board on Monday. The issue is gaining momentum in Orleans County with several municipalities passing resolutions that are forwarded to the governor and local state legislators. The Albion Village Board also is sending its resolution to Carl Heastie, the new speaker of the State Assembly and a Bronx resident.
The village is challenged with a shrinking tax base and many needs, from dilapidated housing and decaying infrastructure, while trying to meet the public needs for police, parks, water, sewer and other services.
The County Legislature joined the push for state aid with its own resolution. Legislators said the revenue-sharing formula – intended to ease property taxes – has not been updated in at least 30 years.
The state should boost the AIM funded by 50 percent and share more with towns and villages, the Legislature said. That state aid would be an effective way to knock down the local property taxes, according to the resolution.
The formula should factor population, population density, poverty and public safety services, and should also consider tax-exempt property within a municipality’s borders, legislators said.
The current formula is not targeted to communities based on economic and demographic factors, and “fails to accurately reflect the fiscal need and capacity of recipient cities, villages and towns,” according to the county resolution.
County officials raised the issue with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul last week when she visited Albion. David Callard, Legislature chairman, said he is optimistic Hochul can push for a change in AIM funding with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“She can bring it closer to the governor than maybe anyone,” Callard said.
The Legislature chairman said an increase in state aid is critical for the local governments, especially during a time of 2 percent tax caps.
“The time has come when we need to help our villages and towns,” Callard said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Village Board tonight approved bringing back a K9 for the Albion Police Department.
The Albion PD has been without a drug-detecting dog for several years. The previous K9 handler, Joe Fuller, retired last year.
Robert Wagner, an Albion police officer, will be the new handler. He will train with the new dog, to be purchased in a few weeks from a breeder in Pennsylvania. Wagner and the dog will train for 14 weeks with the Rochester PD and should be in service with the Albion PD this summer, Police Chief Roland Nenni said.
The department has $11,000 towards the dog and training, which includes $6,000 in donations and $5,000 from a drug forfeiture account through the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.
The police department already has a vehicle to transport the dog from Fuller’s tenure, Nenni said.
“This will be a big asset for the police department, which has a long history with a K9,” Nenni said.
The dog can track down suspects, detect drugs, help officers’ collect evidence, and help in many other ways, including public relations.
“A K9 can save us a lot of personnel time and also save a lot of lives,” Nenni said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The water storage tank on Route 98 in Gaines is part of Albion’s water distribution system.
ALBION – The Village of Albion is the main municipal water provider for central Orleans County, but the village faces increasing pressure from much-larger spreading systems in neighboring counties.
The Monroe County Water Authority supplies water to parts of eastern Orleans and the Niagara County Water District supplies part of western Orleans, including the Village of Medina. Those water organizations try to lock water customers into long-term contracts.
Albion has historically had agreements with its town customers for no more than five years. The village now wants to follow the example of Monroe County Water Authority and secure 40-year commitments.
The issue was raised during a joint meeting on Monday between village and town of Albion officials.
Albion Town Supervisor Matt Passarell said he is open to a long-term deal with the village, which has a water plant in Carlton that treats water from Lake Ontario. Passarell said he wants to support the village and assets within the county.
The current deal with the village expires in May, giving the town time to consider a new contract.
The village and town are also discussing having village employees maintain the town water lines.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2015 at 12:00 am
The Village of Lyndonville and Town of Shelby have both gone on the record in asking the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to distribute municipal aid in a fairer way, rather than the current lopsided approach that directs an overwhelming majority of the funds to cities in Upstate New York.
The Medina Village Board passed a resolution on Monday calling on fairness in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities. The state allocates $714 million in AIM funding, and 90 percent goes to upstate cities. That gives the average city resident about $277 per capita in aid, while town and village residents only get an average of $7 per person.
“It should be equal for each resident, across the board,” said Ken Schaal, a Shelby town councilman. “This is very unfair to rural residents.”
The Shelby Town Board passed a resolution on Feb. 10, calling for more aid for the towns and villages.
“We are tired of the millions of dollars that are given to upstate cities. We believe it is time for our fair share,” Town Clerk Darlene Rich said in an email to State Sen. Robert Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Assemblywoman Jane Corwin.
Shelby passed the resolution after a vote to dissolve the Village of Medina was rejected by village residents on Jan. 20. Schaal said the Town Board wanted to show support for more aid for the villagers.
He said the town and village have many of the same issues as cities with aging infrastructure and the need to provide services and push for economic development, initiatives that don’t come cheap.
The Lyndonville Village Board passed the resolution on Jan. 12, one week after Orleans Hub proposed a draft resolution, urging the local elected board to pass resolutions for more AIM funding. Click here to see “Here’s a resolution that every elected official in Orleans should support.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Legislature chairman wants push for heritage tourism
File photo by Tom Rivers – Matt Ballard, interim director of the Cobblestone Museum, is pictured in front of the Cobblestone Universalist Church built in 1834. Ballard was appointed the county’s new historian today.
ALBION – Orleans County’s new historian is only 26. But Matthew Ballard already has shown a commitment to historical initiatives.
Ballard has served as interim director at the Cobblestone Museum for more than a year, and organized an exhibit and lecture series at the museum on medical history in Orleans County and Western New York.
He created a web site in 2010, www.albionpolonia.com, that highlights the history and art of the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albion. Ballard grew up on Brown Street and was part of the St. Mary’s community while growing up. He was an altar server.
The Albion Polonia site includes baptismal records, marriage licenses, and funerals of the Polish community. Ballard has photos of many of the weddings. He has a searchable database that helps people on a genealogical quest.
Genesee Community College and Orleans Hub named Ballard one of the inaugural “Heritage Heroes” during a ceremony last April during the Civil War Encampment in Medina.
Ballard wants to build an on-line resource of many of the artifacts in the historian’s office. He praised the work done by Bill Lattin, the county historian for over 35 years. Lattin retired on Dec. 31.
“Bill has done a great job getting the history of the county out to the community and to all of Western New York,” Ballard said.
He intends to write a regular historical column for local publications, and wants to take stock of the photos and artifacts in the historian’s office. He said the county may want to pursue grants for archiving the materials and safeguarding them for the future.
Lattin has been pushing for Ballard to be historian for many months. Lattin said he observed Ballard give a tour of St. Mary’s several years ago, and Lattin saw Ballard’s knowledge of the church and community, and his ability to captivate a crowd with stories.
Lattin also was the Cobblestone Museum director before retiring. He said Ballard has proven himself in that role, bringing a high level of professionalism, especially with his organization of the medical exhibit. Ballard is now putting together an exhibit on World War I, and some of the local ties to that war from a century ago.
“I’ve really been impressed by what Matt has done,” Lattin said after Ballard was appointed historian by the County Legislature this afternoon. The part-time position pays $8,000 a year.
Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard wants to see Ballard work with local historical groups to help develop a heritage trail that would be county-wide. Callard said a “Sandstone Trail” could be one possibility.
He noted the state is providing funding for such endeavors that promote community pride, link attractions and draw visitors.
Ballard said the county is fortunate to have many dedicated historical enthusiasts. He mentioned the Clarendon Historical Society, Medina Sandstone Society, Orleans County Genealogical Society (where he is treasurer), Cobblestone Society, and several other local historical societies.
“There are a lot of people really interested and dedicated to local history,” Ballard said. “We need to draw them together to see what we can do as a group.”
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital announced today that it will file a 90-day notice to end its management contract with Health Tech Management Services and also the company that has been handling billing.
Health Tech, a Tennessee-based healthcare management company, has been providing administrative and consulting services to Orleans Community Health since June 2013 at $20,000 a month. OCH also contracted with Gaffey Healthcare, an affiliated Health Tech company, since April 2014.
Orleans Community Health also signed an affiliation agreement with Catholic Health in June 2014 to help strengthen healthcare services in Orleans County and provide area patients with greater access to other specialty and support services.
“They gave us all kinds of support but we’re getting that with Catholic Health,” said Dawn Meland, vice president of the OCH board of directors. “We don’t need the redundancy.”
The Health Tech contract included the hospital’s former president and CEO, Dolores Horvath, who resigned earlier this month citing personal family obligations. With the termination of the contracts with Health Tech Management Services and Gaffey Healthcare, Orleans Community Health is currently reviewing proposals from new billing companies.
With Horvath’s departure, the Orleans Community Health Board of Directors felt it was a good opportunity to move the organization in a new strategic direction by naming Wendy Jacobson as Medina Memorial’s Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer, Interim President and CEO, according to a statement released by the organization.
Meland said Health Tech provided a transition for the hospital after the departure of Jim Sinner, the former president and CEO, in June 2013.
With local support from Catholic Health, which includes physician recruitment and other service opportunities, Orleans Community Health is committed to the success and sustainability of Medina Memorial Hospital and to providing high quality healthcare to the residents of Orleans County, according to the OCH statement.
