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Dunham Family Farms honored for conservation efforts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Mark Dunham and his son Brian appeared on the January cover of the American Agriculturist magazine. The two talked about the benefits of a new tile plow.

KNOWLESVILLE – A seven-generation farm that has embraced new ways of planting crops and preserving soil health has been named the “Conservation Farm of the Year” in Orleans County.

Dunham Family Farms in Knowlesville received the award today at the annual meeting for the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District at Tillman’s Village Inn.

The farm works 2,000 acres and had adopted many conservation practices, including no-tillage planting, cover crops and installation of drainage tile. Dunham also is working on precision nutrient management.

“We’re honoring somebody who has concentrated on the stewardship of the land,” said Dennis Kirby, district manager for Soil and Water.

The farm about eight years ago started to use no-till for planting. Rather than plowing a field before planting, the farm minimally disturbs the soil for planting. That has kept microorganisms thriving in the soil.

“We’ve seen some big advantages with no-till,” said Brian Dunham, co-owner of the farm with his father Mark. “The soil is a living organism in itself. Every time you disk or plow a field, you disrupt it.”

Dunham Family Farms has seen its yields increase for corn and soybeans through no-till. The farm saves fuel costs because it’s not running as much equipment over the fields, Dunham said.

The farm purchased a tile plow last year and has used that to add drainage tiles to some of its land. That has helped the ground to dry out sooner in the spring for planting and do better at moving water off crops after big storms.

Brian, 31, said the entire farm has embraced no-till and conservation practices. After several years of effort, it is paying off with healthier soils and bigger crops.

“I’m really proud of the effort everyone puts in,” Brian said. “It’s not just one year or one field. It’s a mindset that everyone buys into.”

Brian works closely with his father. Brian’s brother Tim also works part-time on the farm. His full-time job is as a school administrator at Holley.

Richard Dunham, Brian and Tim’s grandfather, remains active on the farm. At one time Richard had the largest hog operation in the state, Kirby said.

Dunham Family Farm now grows corn on 1,000 acres, 700 acres of soybeans, 200 acres of wheat and 100 acres of peas.

The farm is now incorporating precision nutrient management. That involves taking soil tests in the fields and entering those results on a map. A computer records that data and feeds it to GPS systems on farm equipment. Rather than blanketing an entire field with the same amount of fertilizer, precision nutrient management varies the application.

“It is based on need,” Kirby said. “You match the use with the need. That saves the extra fertilizer from becoming run-off.”

Medina Kwik Fill will get new pumps and canopy

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Kwik Fill gas station on Pearl Street in Medina will be upgraded, including a new canopy.

MEDINA – The Kwik Fill gas station at 118 Pearl St. will get a new canopy and the gas pumps will be upgraded, according to a proposal by the site’s owner, Petroleum Services Inc. of Hilton.

“We are proposing to upgrade the existing facilities at this location to provide a better experience for our customers and the residents of the village of Medina,” George Marek, Petroleum Services owner, said in a Dec. 17 letter to village officials.

The Village Planning Board discussed the application on Tuesday. It was referred to the Orleans County Planning Board for its Feb. 27 meeting. The Village Planning Board could give a final vote of approval for the project on March 4.

Residents can comment on the project during a 7:05 p.m. public hearing on March 4 at City Hall.

The site currently does not have a canopy to provide protection from the weather for customers. The new canopy will also have lights to improve the safety for customers, Marek said.

Petroleum Services will reduce the gas dispensers from four to two. With four dispensers, “you’re jamming too much on the lot,” Marek told the Planning Board.

The concrete pads and gas piping also will be upgraded as part of the project.

Courtesy of Village Planning Board – Petroleum Services submitted this rendering on how the new canopy will look at the Kwik Fill gas station.

Winter storm wallops area

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2014 at 12:00 am

All 5 Orleans County districts cancel after-school activities

Photo by Tom Rivers – The photo above shows Gaines Basin Road, just south of Route 104. The photo was taken at about 11:30 a.m. looking south.

It’s nasty with white-out conditions, blowing snow and slippery roads.

Albion, Medina and Lyndonville schools have cancelled all afternoon and evening activities due to the storm. Holley and Kendall will dismiss students early, and both have cancelled after-school events.

Holley will send middle and high schoolers home at 12:30 with elementary students to follow at 1:30 p.m. Kendall will send middle-high school students home at 2 p.m. When the busses return, elementary students will go home.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning until 10 tonight for most of Western New York, including Orleans County. The heaviest snow will be late morning through mid-afternoon across the region, according to the Weather Service. We could get 5 to 9 inches of snow today.

Gov. Cuomo has declared a state-wide emergency due the storm. Some downstate highway crews have severely depleted road salt supplies, the governor said.

Statewide, the state has 1,700 plows, 359 loaders and 4,000 operators on the roads, Cuomo said.

“This is a significant winter storm impacting all regions of the state and we are taking all necessary steps to keep New Yorkers safe,” Cuomo said. “I have declared a state of emergency for all counties so that we can continue our effective and quick response in communities that have been hit the hardest. New Yorkers in affected regions should stay off the roads, check on their neighbors and loved ones, and stay inside their homes until the worst of the storm has passed.”

Hojack crew is working on the railroad

Posted 5 February 2014 at 12:00 am

By Bill Lattin, Orleans County Historian

In this rare photo, taken Sept. 11, 1897, we see a section gang on the “Hojack” railroad. The picture was perhaps taken in Kendall or Carlton, with Charles M. Vincent of Holley front and center.

The woman down the road has probably just brought these men their lunches as we see lunch pails on the handcar. A section gang was a crew of workers that kept the rails and ties in perfect condition at all times. When a train approached, these men had to lift the handcar off the track for the train to pass by.

Former Albion resident could get 9 years for cocaine possession

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 February 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A former resident of West Park Street in Albion could be sentenced to up to 9 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third and fifth degrees.

Tyriek Johnson, 26, now lives in Fairport. He said in Orleans County Court on Monday that he was trying to sell cocaine in Albion on March 14, 2013. He said he was driving on Platt and Ingersoll streets, looking to sell the drug.

He is a first-time felony offender. He will be sentenced on April 28.

In other drug cases in county court on Monday:

Tracey Stratton, 51, of Vermont pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a charge that carries a maximum of 2.5 years in state prison.

As part of a plea deal, she will face up to a year in jail. She will be sentenced on April 7.

Stratton was charged after she mailed a controlled substance, the drug buprenorphine, to her son, who was an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility. She mailed the drug on Dec. 20, 2012.

Stratton was initially charged with promoting prison contraband in the first degree and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.

Her son Jason Seifert, 28, pleaded guilty last week to promoting prison contraband when he received the controlled substance from his mother. Seifert could face another year in jail, plus three years probation when he is sentenced on April 7.

Two men were arraigned for criminal sale of marijuana in the third degree. Christopher Hoste, 33, of Bishop Road in Appleton and Michael Nellist, 35, of East Center Street in Medina both face four counts of criminal sale of marijuana.

The sales allegedly took place in Ridgeway on May 20, July 3, October 23 and October 30.

Rudolfo Juarez-Ramerez, 30, of 17255 Lakeshore Rd., Kendall, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. He will be sentenced to up to a year in jail on March 31.

Juarez-Ramerez admitted he sold cocaine and received $80 for the transaction. He was charged in June after a multi-agency law enforcement effort resulted in 13 local arrests for drug and immigration crimes.

Man who stole kayak could get up to 7 years in state prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 February 2014 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – A Medina man who let in a friend’s loose dog and then stole a kayak could be sentenced to 3 ½ to 7 years in state prison.

Brandon Taylor, 33, of Fletcher Chapel Road pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary in Orleans County Court on Monday.

He is second felony offender. He will be sentenced on April 14.

Taylor said he was in drug and alcohol withdrawal on Nov. 6, when he saw his friend’s dog running loose. He returned the dog to a house on Portage Road and discovered an enclosed porch was unlocked. He admitted in court to taking a kayak from the porch. He said he knew he was stealing.

Judge James Punch is keeping bail at $25,000 for Taylor. He also approved a request from the District Attorney’s Office for an order of protection for the victim of the crime.

In other cases on Monday:

Judge Punch set bail at $100,000 for an Albion man who allegedly repeatedly violated orders of protection.

Brian Beach, 42, of West Park Street has two prior felonies. He has been charged with aggravated criminal contempt.

A Batavia man who was banned from Wal-Mart but then allegedly stole from the store in Albion was arraigned for third-degree burglary and petty larceny.

Jason Lang, 33, of Liberty Street in Batavia allegedly stole two coffee machines and a blender from the Albion store on Nov. 20. Because he was banned from Wal-Mart, he faces a charge of burglary.

An Albion man pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and could face up to six months in jail when he is sentenced April 28.

Josh Porter, 40, of East Park Street was charged with DWI after being stopped on Sept. 7 on East Center Street in Medina. He registered a 0.13 percent blood alcohol content, above the legal limit of 0.8 percent.

He has a prior DWI from Oct. 27, 2011 in Lockport. If he receives a sentence of more than six months in jail, he can withdraw his plea.

Raffle and returned bottles will help upgrade vans for vets

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Issac Robinson, a former combat medic who now owns Robinson’s Redemption in Albion and Medina, holds a container of tickets while Paul Fulcomer, director of the Joint Veterans Council, pulls the winning ticket today.

ALBION A former combat medic who served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the U.S. Army is trying to raise money for the Joint Veterans Council in Orleans County.

Issac Robinson, owner of Robinson’s Redemption in Albion and Medina, welcomes customers to donate returned cans and bottles for the Veterans Council. He has a bin for those cans.

Robinson also is selling tickets for monthly prize raffles. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Vets Council to help them purchase an upgraded van. The Council runs a transportation service, with volunteer drivers and office staff working with veterans to get them to their medical appointments.

The Council has six vans for the service and some of them have topped 100,000 miles. Paul Fulcomer, director of the Joints Veteran Council, said the group has raised about $10,000 towards a low-mileage van. He expects that will cost $16,000 to $17,000.

He thanked Robinson for agreeing to ongoing fund-raisers for the council.

“It’s veterans taking care of veterans,” Fulcomer said about Robinson, who served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

Robinson expects he will be able to raise $1,000 or more this year for the council. He also promotes the cause inside his business, which Fulcomer said provides a consistent reminder to Robinson’s customers about veterans.

Robinson, who was stationed out of Fort Drum, wants people to be more mindful of the sacrifices by veterans and their families.

“This will help people think about that we have service men and women who have sacrificed their quality of life,” he said.

Robinson said other businesses or residents are welcome to donate raffle prizes to help generate ticket sales. For more information, stop by his business on Route 31 near Wal-Mart or in Medina at 306 East Center St.

For more information about donating towards a newer van for the Vets Council, contact Fulcomer at (585) 589-3219.

Waverly will debut new show at Albion Cabaret

Posted 4 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Josie Waverly

Press release, Cabaret at Studio B

ALBION – The Cabaret at Studio B in Albion has been chosen by popular country entertainer Josie Waverly to introduce her new touring show, “The Queens of Pure Country,” on March 8-9.

The show features songs of country icons Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Reba McEntire, Patsy Cline and other entertainers. Based on the original script “Ladies of Country Music at The Legend Inn,” the show presents Josie’s live performances of legendary songs through the reminiscing of the lead character Missy (played by Davida Bloom) as she fondly remembers growing up at a honky tonk called The Legend Inn.

Waverly and her band of musicians will return to The Cabaret at Studio B after performing her “My Gal Patsy” show there Oct. 26. In this new show, Waverly, who has been dubbed “New York State’s Queen of Country Music,” will sing “Stand By Your Man,” “Walkin After Midnight,” “Here Comes My Baby Back Again,” and many others.

Shows are 7 p.m. on March 8 and 3 p.m. on March 9 at 3 p.m. For information about tickets, call the Cabaret at 585-354-2320. The Cabaret at Studio B is located inside Gotta Dance Studio at 28b West Bank St., Albion. For more information, check the Cabaret web site by clicking here.

Maziarz cheers Senate bill that would block EBT cards at casinos

Posted 4 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Press release, State Sen. George Maziarz

ALBANY – State Sen. George Maziarz (R-Newfane) is pleased to announce that the Public Assistance Integrity Act (S.966) was approved today in the State Senate by a wide margin of 53-4.

The bill would prohibit the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at casinos, liquor stores and adult entertainment establishments.It would also prohibit public assistance benefits from being used to purchase alcohol, tobacco and lottery tickets.

“Some people truly need the public’s help to buy groceries and clothes, and that’s fine,” Maziarz said. “But when someone is using taxpayer dollars to gamble, drink and smoke, I think most New Yorkers would agree that’s a clear abuse of the public assistance program.”

Maziarz is one of more than two dozen co-sponsors of the Public Assistance Integrity Act in the State Senate.The measure was previously approved by the Senate in 2012 and 2013, but the Assembly has not acted on the proposal.

“We want to make sure that public assistance is being used to put food on peoples’ tables and support families in their times of need,” Maziarz said. “This is a common sense effort to make sure that taxpayer dollars are being used for their intended purpose.”

Enactment of the Public Assistance Integrity Act would bring New York into compliance with a federal law known as the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.This law required states to pass abuse prevention measures like the Public Assistance Integrity Act or forfeit some federal temporary assistance aid. If New York does not pass a law this year, it could stand to lose up to $122 million in federal aid per year.

Gov. Cuomo included a measure similar to the Public Assistance Integrity Act in his executive budget proposal released last month. The legislation still needs to pass the State Assembly.

“The time for action is now,” Maziarz said. “This should be a no-brainer but we have been waiting for two years for the Assembly to pass this bill.”

UMMC project gets OK from Medina Planning Board

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Courtesy of smartDESIGN architecture PLLC – United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia is proposing to tear down the former Pizza Hut in Medina and construct a 4,300-square-foot building on Maple Ridge Road.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina Planning Board tonight approved the site plan for a new women’s healthcare site on Maple Ridge Road, a project that will tear down the former Pizza Hut and replace it with a new 4,300-square-foot building.

Construction could start between March 15 to April 1, Todd Audsley, project manager for smartDesign architecture in Batavia, told village Planning Board members.

“The hospital and the building owner want to get rolling,” Audsley said at the meeting.

United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia will be the tenant at the site with developer Chad La Civita of Buffalo the owner of the site. The new building will be next to McDonalds.

The Batavia hospital has been providing women’s health services at 100 Ohio St., space owned by Medina Memorial Hospital. Medina closed its birthing wing in July 2011. UMMC now delivers more than 100 babies a year to Orleans County women.

The site at 100 Ohio St. is cramped for space, said Colleen Flynn, UMMC’s director of community relations. The new site will have more space for doctors, patients and staff. UMMC provides obstetrics, gynecological care and other health services. The project includes 28 parking spaces.

The new building will be close to the eastern side of the property. Pizza Hut was in the middle of the property.

The village code requires a 20-foot side setback for the parking area. UMMC is proposing a 12-foot side setback. The project will go before the village Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday.

The building is planned to have a dark blue metal roof. The more prominent exterior sides of the building will be brick, while the eastern and northern sides are a split-faced block. Those walls will have varied colors and textures.

The Planning Board would like to see colors for the bricks and blocks before construction begins. The board also wants to know if there will be a pylon sign or a monument sign in front. The board didn’t want to hold up the project and gave conditional approval.

UMMC and La Civita were eyeing the former K & K site owned by Reid Petroleum for the project. But environmental tests showed some concerns with that property, prompting them to look at the former Pizza Hut.

Planning Board members said the Pizza Hut site is a better fit for the health care site.

“It will be a nice addition,” Planning Board Chairman Chris Busch said.

Rock Paper Salon brings hip, urban space to Medina

Posted 4 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Sue Cook – Rock Paper Salon moved in August 2013 from Pearl Street to its new space at 409 Main St.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

MEDINA – Downtown Medina has evolved into a place where new businesses strive to be considered cool and unique. Fitting in comfortably among these shops is Rock Paper Salon.

Owner Yvonne Flores opened three years ago in Medina and moved into the downtown in August. Rock Paper offers more than hair cuts. Besides a full-service salon, her shop is home to a clothing and accessory boutique called [resurrection] that sells repurposed clothing for both men and women. Flores refers to it as “buy.sell.trade.”

“The shop symbolizes a place of rejuvenation and transformation,” she said.

A Buffalo native, she says her love of styling hair comes from her mother, but her choice to open in Medina came because of her husband. He was a Medina native and she fell in love with the area and wanted to bring in a touch of Buffalo. Fashion is also a passion of hers, which prompted her to open the boutique portion of the business.

“I was a sales rep for many years for a dentistry company,” she said. “I wasn’t happy with my job though, so when dentistry sales began to move online, I went back to school for hair. It was the perfect opportunity. Knowing the foundation of what business is about from my former job helped.”

Casey Coleman is one of Flores’ customers. Coleman first went to Flores for help fixing a botched highlighting job from another salon. Ever since, she returns to Rock Paper for all her hair appointments.

“She’s an artist,” Coleman said. “I come from Rochester to visit my family here in Medina and at the same time I make an appointment to come see Yvonne.”

The accessories in the boutique receive a unique display to showcase each item.

The [resurrection] boutique offers specially selected clothing that focuses on trendy current fashion.

The salon captures a hipster aesthetic through the use of furniture being given a second life.

Flores offers coffee and tea to clients during their services as well. She is the sole stylist for the salon, ensuring quality, consistent service to all her customers.

“I just drop off the kids at my mom’s, come do some shopping, get my hair done, and leave looking fabulous,” Williamsville resident Megan Hungerford said. “This is such a fresh spot for this area.”

The [resurrection] boutique in the back portion of the space offers sophisticated clothing purchased by three professional shoppers. The clothing runs up to a size 14 with some exceptions if something particularly awesome is found. The items are unlike anything sold in stores and fit the fashion-forward, trendy vibe that many associate with upscale city looks.

“You have to grab it or it’s gone,” said employee Megan Fuller.

Besides being individually purchased, the merchandise is sometimes changed out for other reasons.

“We change the clothing out to remain seasonal and on trend,” Fuller said. “This is not a thrift store. This is much more sophisticated.”

Rock Paper Salon was one of the stops on Saturday’s Wine About Winter event in Medina, which was a sell-out with 750 patrons. Many of them told Flores her shop felt like a super chic space found in a city.

“This is an urban sanctuary,” Flores said. “The space caters to a lifestyle that craves creativity, edginess, and a progressive attitude.”

Rock Paper also thinks green by repurposing as much as possible. A significant portion of the shop includes restored furniture, antiques such as counter trays for salon products, and even upcycled crates and palettes for displays and storage. The salon itself uses mostly Davines hair products, which are sustainable and natural and also come in sustainable packaging.

On top of that Rock Paper participates in a program in California that takes hair clippings from the floors of salons nationwide and creates carpet-like material out of them to use for cleaning up oil spills.

“It’s just another way to repurpose and get use out of something that would normally go to the trash,” Flores said.

The shop is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (716) 553-0900 or check the business’ facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-Paper/210920982273409.

Botello pleads guilty to attempted murder of trooper

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Kendall man faces maximum of 9 years in prison

Botello

ALBION – A Kendall resident could face a maximum of nine years in state prison after he pleaded guilty today to attempted murder in the second degree.

Carlos Botello, 42, said in Orleans County Court today that he backed a car towards state trooper Dan Metz and smashed into the trooper’s patrol car on Sept. 3. But Botello said he wasn’t trying to injure Metz, who jumped out of the way and wasn’t hit by the car.

Botello said he was intoxicated at the time. He said he was trying to smash into the police car, but he insisted he didn’t want to hurt Metz.

However, Metz testified in a hearing last week that he and Botello made eye contact when Metz was standing behind Botello’s vehicle. Botello then accelerated, nearly pinning Metz between the two vehicles, Judge James Punch said in court this afternoon.

Botello’s blood alcohol content was 0.11 percent, which is above the 0.8 BAC threshold for DWI, but not “highly intoxicated” to the point where he didn’t know what he was doing, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

Metz’s patrol car also was 25 to 30 feet behind Botello, and Botello accelerated and continued until he hit the patrol car.

“The defendant had plenty of opportunity to stop,” Cardone said in court.

Botello could face a maximum of 25 years for second-degree attempted murder. He could face a life sentence as a persistent violent felon.

Rather than risk a longer sentence with a guilty verdict at a trial, Botello said he is pleading guilty with the stipulation he not spend more than 9 years in state prison. Judge Punch will sentence Botello on April 14. If the sentence is longer than 9 years, Botello can withdraw the plea.

Botello also pleaded guilty to drunk driving. He faces a year maximum sentence for that and the sentence will run concurrently. It won’t be added to the other one.

As part of the plea deal, Punch could order Botello to pay restitution for the damaged car, pay a fine, have his license revoked and install an interlock ignition device, as well as attend a victim impact panel.

Student from Albion displayed college spirit in early 1900s

Posted 3 February 2014 at 12:00 am

By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian

Shown here is Lorenzo M. Burrows (1884-1944) while he was a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

He graduated from RPI in 1907. This wonderful interior photo shows us what student housing was like at the time. Although the contents are dated, the clutter is much the same today. Banners and advertising are still popular along with an interest in music as we note the mandolin.

Mr. Burrows grew up in Albion and returned to his native home after receiving his degree in civil engineering.

Holley school hosts ‘Biggest Winner’ weight loss contest for residents

Posted 3 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Press release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – The Holley Central School District is once again partnering with area businesses to host its annual “Biggest Winner” weight loss challenge.

This healthy living competition is presented by the district’s Wellness Committee and it is open to the Holley community. Adults and students ages 10 and up can participate. The challenge begins with a 6:30 p.m. meeting at the Holley Elementary School on Feb. 11. The competition runs through June.

The Biggest Winner challenge requires participates to weigh in monthly at the school. Participants must also attend at least four out of the five monthly seminars that take place at each weigh-in session. The seminars focus on healthful eating, exercising and tips for weight loss success and include a grab bag prize at each meeting.

At the end of the challenge, a grand prize is given to the participant who has lost the largest percentage of body weight. Last year, the grand prize was a 50-inch large screen Samsung TV.

To register, pick up a form in the Elementary School office or attend the first meeting on Feb. 11 at the Elementary School.

Kendall residents and officials state opposition to Troutburg tax breaks

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata (back to crowd) stands and tells Jim Whipple, chief executive officer of the Orleans Economic Development Agency, that Cammarata opposes any property tax breaks for a residential project along the lake at a former Salvation Army Camp.

KENDALL – Town officials and residents maintained their opposition to $227,000 in tax breaks for a residential project at a former Salvation Army Camp along Lake Ontario.

The Wegman Group wants to develop a 400-cottage community to be called The Cottages at Troutburg. Construction has started on a few of the cottages. The developer has requested a 10-year tax plan that would shave $227,777 off the tax bill for the 126 acres and the existing structures. The new cottages are not part of the tax break plan.

“I’m not in favor of it,” Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said during a public hearing this evening. “They should pay their taxes like everyone else.”

About 50 people attended a public hearing at the Kendall Junior-Senior High School this evening. The Orleans Economic Development Agency also had a hearing on Jan. 15 about the Troutburg proposal when residents criticized the tax abatement plan. The EDA board is scheduled to vote on the tax incentives on Feb. 14 at 8 a.m. at 121 North Main St., Albion.

There were 11 speakers at today’s public hearing and they all opposed the tax breaks. The plan would give the Wegman Group 100 percent off of the taxes for the first year on a $1.3 million assessment.

Each following year another 10 percent of the tax bill will be added until the full amount is billed after 10 years. The developer would get a $41,414 tax break the first year and would then pay $4,141 the second year with another $4,141 added until it’s at full value. The school district accounts for 54 percent of the tax bill, followed by the county at 32 percent, and the town at 14 percent.

The agreement would require the developers to pay $186,363 in taxes over 10 years on the land, with the new cottages boosting the tax base. If it’s fully built, the site could increase the tax base by about $30 million.

Town Councilman Bruce Newell would like to see the tax incentives only offered once the Wegman Group meets targets for the project, such as when the staff is hired for 13 jobs, or when there are 50 cottages, and then 50 more. With each benchmark met, the developer could get 5 percent off the taxes, Newell suggested.

He would prefer the company pay the full shot of taxes.

“It’s the principle,” he said after the hearing. “It’s corporate welfare. Why would you do that when you have the economic conditions that we have in Orleans County?”

Resident Kim Gillett said the Wegman Group should pay its fair share of taxes. She said the cottages and land already seems to be assessed at a discount, compared to the big tax bills for other homes along the lakefront. She said her tax bill for a 1,300-square-foot home along the lake is $6,000 a year.

“It’s outrageous that the Wegman Group would trade goodwill with the town, their civic responsibility, and the support of a generation of school children for a mere $41,000 per year,” Gillett said. “It’s even more disheartening that the EDA board seems to think this is a good deal for this community. Let the Wegman Group joyfully pay their fair share and be satisfied that they’ll get a lot for their money.”