HOLLEY – The Holley Police Department is currently investigating the larceny of two vehicles recently from residences on South Main Street in the Village of Holley.
The crimes occurred in the mid to late evening. The vehicles were located at a later time in the City of Rochester in close proximity to each other. The vehicles were located in the area of Lake Avenue and Lyell Avenue in Rochester.
Holley residents are asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activity immediately. Residents are also asked to make sure their vehicles are locked and not left unattended with the keys in the vehicle or valuable items inside the vehicle. Video footage from the area of the crimes is being reviewed.
Anyone with information related to the crimes is asked to contact the Holley Police by calling 911.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Ed Morgan, chairman of the board for the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, congratulates Todd Roberts, center, after Roberts Farms was named the 2015 Conservation Farm of the Year in Orleans County. Todd’s son, Mason, is at right.
GAINES – A family farm now in its fourth generation was honored today for decades of conservation efforts, including installation of drainage tile, planting cover crops, reducing chemical usage and optimizing soil health.
Roberts Farms was started in 1931 by Justin Roberts. He was succeeded by sons Orren and Lee. Todd Roberts joined the farm in 1986 and became a partner with his father Lee in 1993. Lee retired in 2000 from management but was active with the farm until his death on April 7, 2015.
Todd’s son Mason, 21, is now part of the farm when he is home from Morrisville College, where he is majoring in agri-business.
The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District honors a farm each year for being committed to protecting the environment. Roberts Farms today was named the 2015 “Conservation Farm of the Year.”
The farm produces corn, wheat, soybeans, peas and lima beans on 2,000 acres in Orleans and Niagara counties. It is based on Salt Works Road in Shelby.
Todd Roberts, in accepting the award today, thanked Soil and Water staff for their expertise over the years with drainage tile, cover crops, grass waterways, soil testing and integrated pest management.
Gerald Scharping, the first Soil and Water district manager in 1972, assisted the farm in installing drainage tile about 40 years ago and Roberts said those tiles still work. Scharping attended today’s annual meeting.
State Sen. Robert Ortt congratulates the Roberts family on the conservation award. Ortt is pictured with, from left: Todd, Mason, Virginia and Deb Roberts.
Todd Roberts has a business card and letterhead that declares the farm is “Stewards of the land for generations.” The family has tried to live by those words in growing crops, Roberts said.
“You have to take care of the land and we have,” he said after Soil and Water’s annual meeting today at Tillman’s Village Inn.
State Sen. Rob Ortt and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley attended the meeting and presented the Roberts family with citations. Ortt said farmers are conservationists every day. A representative for Congressman Chris Collins also presented the family with a citation.
Dennis Kirby, the Soil & Water district manager, went over highlights from 2015 that included installing 245,000 feet of drainage tile (about 46 miles), surveying and designing 13 culverts, helping with 11,460 feet of ditches, and working with 15 farms to use Best Management Practices for conservation.
In addition, Soil and Water did its 15th annual shoreline cleanup and collected 489 pounds of trash from waterways, collected about 400 tires in its 10th annual tire cleanup, hosted Conservation Field Days at the farirgounds, sold 7,000 trees, 4,000 fish and maintained 5,275 feet of impaired waterways using a Slashbuster to remove debris and overgrown areas. The agency also works with farmers on agricultural value assessments, and is available to highway superintendents and residents for expertise.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Three villages in Orleans County will have elections on March 15 for seats on the Village Board.
In Lyndonville and Medina, the elections will include the village mayor as well as trustees. Albion’s mayor, Dean London, has two more years on his term. However, two trustees – Peter Sidari and Gary Katsanis – are at the end of their terms.
The Republican and Democratic parties will have caucuses to nominate candidates for the Albion trustee positions. The Republicans have scheduled their caucus for 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Orleans County Courthouse. Democrats have until Tuesday to post when they will have their caucus, said Linda Babcock, the village clerk.
In Lyndonville, the mayor’s position is open as well as two trustee spots. All three positions are for four-year terms.
Steve McAvoy was the mayor until resigning on Oct. 31 due to the demands of his full-time job. James Tuk, the deputy mayor, has been acting as mayor. Tuk has picked up petitions to run for mayor, said Village Clerk Teri Woordworth.
The trustee positions for Ellen Tuohey and Danny Woodward Jr. are up for election and both incumbents have picked up petitions. The petitions are due in the village clerk’s office between Feb. 2-9.
In Medina, the mayor’s position, currently filled by Andrew Meier, is up for election, as well as trustee positions currently filled by Marguerite Sherman and Michael Sidari. The terms are for two years.
Petitions need at least 100 signatures from eligible village voters and must be turned in to the village clerk by Feb. 9.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2016 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Adam Johnson owns a building with three storefronts in downtown Albion, 39-41-43 North Main St.
ALBION – The new president of the Albion Merchants Association believes downtown Albion can again be a thriving business district.
Adam Johnson said there is already a good nucleus of businesses, but he said many of the merchants are struggling and the historic buildings are costly to properly maintain.
He urged the community to support the merchants in downtown. There are a variety of shops, and several new ones have recently opened.
“Hopefully we can get people to open their eyes and take notice,” Johnson said. “The potential is there, people have just been conditioned to look past it.”
Johnson, owner of Blue Top Management, owns about a dozen properties, including a mobile home park near Syracuse. He bought the building in downtown Albion last year. He has sat on a bench outside the building and observed there is a lot of traffic on Main Street, but not too many cars pull over and stop in downtown.
Johnson said local officials and businesses should work on branding the community with stepped up marketing efforts. He thinks the artistic nature of many of the businesses, with hand-made crafts, clothes and other products, could be part of the Albion brand.
The community also has a wealth of stained-glass windows and other artistic features – even the ornate doors on many of the historic buildings. He said the architecture of the buildings from the 1800s is an asset and should be better highlighted as an attribute for the downtown.
“We really have a lot of appeal,” he said.
The challenge is to make local residents and visitors aware of the downtown strengths and the merchants.
Johnson wants to engage the community and local officials to build a stronger downtown. He tried last year to get the Albion Village Board to pursue a Main Street grant that offers matching funds for downtown buildings owners. The board didn’t pursue the grant last year, but Johnson is hopeful the board will try this year.
Medina was awarded a Main Street grant last month. Holley also used a Main Street grant to improve its downtown, with the transformation of the former Tagg’s Tavern into a restaurant and bar the biggest project. Other buildings were painted, and received new awnings and windows.
Albion received a Main Street grant about four years ago. Johnson said there are many buildings in the downtown that would benefit from the grant.
Johnson was elected president of the Albion Merchants Association on Tuesday by the group’s members. He succeeds Carolyn Ricker, owner of Bindings Bookstore. Other officers for 2016 include: Paula Brooks, vice president; Lisa Stratton, treasurer; and Sarah Brigham, secretary.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon has been a vocal critic of the Lighthouse Wind project for Yates and Somerset. Simon voted for a resolution officially opposing the project at today’s Yates Town Board meeting.
YATES – The Yates Town Board with new leadership in Town Supervisor James Simon cast a unanimous vote tonight in opposition to Lighthouse Wind, a proposal by Apex Clean Energy for up to 71 wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.
The Town Board’s decision follows similar actions by the Somerset Town Board, Niagara County Legislature and Orleans County Legislature. State Sen. Rob Ortt and Congressman Chris Collins have also been public with their concerns about the project, notably their view the turbines that could peak at up to 620 feet high would jeopardize air missions from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
The Orleans County Legislature opposed the project last month, citing the shift from local control or “home rule” in deciding the fate of Lighthouse Wind. That decision rests with a siting board where five out of seven members are state officials.
The Yates Town Board was critical of the new Article 10 process, taking away home rule. The Town Board had other reasons for its opposition. Here are some of the stated reasons in the official board resolution:
The large-scale turbines do not comply with the town’s comprehensive plan;
The project will create significant negative visual impacts from aesthetic points in the community and region, including but not limited to the Lake Ontario Shoreline, 30 Mile Lighthouse, and state and local parks;
The location of residences and land designated for residential development is inconsistent with the development of utility-scale wind turbines in town;
Many of the residents at the meeting, including Agnes LaPorte of Somerset, front left, applauded in support of the board’s resolution.
There are significant resources in adjoining towns that would be harmed by the construction of utility-scale wind turbines in Yates;
Available information indicates that noise impacts in the current rural area – based on World Health Organization standards – would negatively impact the health and quality of life of residents;
The local economy has shown great recent strength in agricultural-based manufacturing that would be impaired by the loss of productive farmland;
The placement of the STAMP (Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park) in nearby Alabama (Genesee County) demonstrates the attractiveness of the area to employers who create far greater job growth and require less public support;
There are areas of significant residential and recreational activity that would be impaired by the turbines’ noise, visual impact and other hazards, including shadow flicker, ice shedding and blade throw;
Large-scale, multiple-tower wind energy facilities may present risks to the property values of adjoining property owners not part of the project;
Significant avian flyways and habitats may be negatively impacted;
Bat populations, as documented by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, may be unable to sustain losses typical of such projects;
Taylor Quarles, development manager for Lighthouse Wind, said Apex Clean Energy will keep working on the project, working to address concerns from the community.
There are significant wetland and other surface resources that would be negatively impacted by the large scale modification required for the project.
After the resolution, most of the 50-plus people at the meeting broke into sustained applause.
“I feel now we’re pulling all in the same direction,” resident Roger Barth told the board.
The board vote was unanimous. One board member, Brad Bentley, didn’t attend the meeting.
John Riggi was elected to the board in November and campaigned strongly against the turbine project.
“This resolution was a long time coming,” Riggi said.
He said a survey by the town was helpful in building board support against the project. The Town Board on Dec. 28 announced the results of a town-wide survey about the turbine project. There were 1,187 respondents and 770 or 65.59 percent said they oppose it, 353 or 30.07 percent said they support it, and 51 or 4.34 percent with no opinion.
“The survey opened a lot of eyes,” Riggi said at the Town Board meeting.
Wes Bradley said the survey results showing strong community opposition to the project convinced him to vote for the resolution against Lighthouse Wind.
Taylor Quarles, the development manager for Lighthouse Wind, told the group that Apex remains committed to the project and will be working the next month to address concerns raised in the preliminary scoping statement for the project.
The town will work to submit a final application this summer that Quarles said would be open for comment for a year.
“We’re already hard at work working on our responses,” Quarles said.
GCC started recognizing “Heritage Heroes” in 2014 and the first class included Erin Anheier, Matthew Ballard, Chris Busch, Craig Lacy and Robert E. Waters. Bill Lattin, the county historian, was honored with a “Lifetime Achievement” award. This plaque hangs in GCC’s Albion campus center.
Press Release, GCC
MEDINA Genesee Community College is eager to recognize the efforts of dedicated citizens who work hard to preserve the county’s history. The college is now seeking nominations for the third annual Orleans County Heritage Heroes Awards.
Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 15.
“Residents of Orleans County take great pride in their heritage,” said Jim Simon, associate dean of GCC’s Orleans County Campus Centers in Medina and Albion. “For our third consecutive year, we want to continue to recognize the time and investment of individuals who are tireless advocates for local history.”
Nominees for Heritage Heroes Awards can be any age but posthumous nominations will not be accepted. History professionals and GCC employees are also not eligible for the award, nor are those who serve on the awards selection committees. Nominees must be Orleans County residents.
Four winners were honored last year including Holly Ricci-Canham, Susan Starkweather Miller, Andrew W. Meier and William A. Menz. Because nominations are not retained for future consideration, nominees not selected to receive awards in previous years are encouraged to re-submit a nomination again for this coming year.
“Many residents from all over the county work hard on restoring historic houses and protecting other community assets, including museums and churches,” said Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor. “The dedicated people working to preserve these treasures deserve praise for adding to the quality of life and character of our community.”
To nominate someone for the Heritage Heroes Awards, write up a brief statement outlining the person’s contributions, projects and community affiliations. Anyone sending in a nomination should provide their name (anonymous nomination packages will not be accepted), address, phone number and email address. The more in-depth the detail provided in the nomination, the stronger the submission.
Submit the nomination to:
ATTENTION: Heritage Heroes Committee
Genesee Community College / Medina Campus Center
11470 Maple Ridge Rd.
Medina, NY 14103-9675
The Heritage Heroes recognized last year include Holly Ricci-Canham, Susan Starkweather Miller, Andrew Meier and William Menz. This plaque hangs in GCC’s Medina campus center.
Nominations may also be emailed to Jim Simon at jsimon@genesee.edu. Please write Heritage Heroes Nomination in the subject line.
A screening committee made up of community members, history professionals and GCC students will review the nominations and select finalists. From those finalists, a committee including GCC Associate Dean Jim Simon, Associate Professor Derek Maxfield and Orleans Hub Editor Tom Rivers will choose the Heritage Heroes.
“We’re excited to continue these awards,” said Maxfield. “When we held the Civil War Encampment in Medina for three years, it became obvious how Orleans County values its history and embraces its preservation. These efforts often go unnoticed. This is a way to shine a light on those who make many personal sacrifices in order to preserve history for future generations.”
The Heritage Heroes will be recognized during a ceremony at Genesee Community College in Medina in April 2016.
HOLLEY – The leaders of the Holley Joint Fire District were sworn into office on Wednesday at the Holley Fire Hall on Thomas Street. The Fire District has a new fire chief with Kevin Dann. He succeeds Peter Hendrickson, who served as chief for five years.
The officers include, from left: Kevin Dann, fire chief; Harris Reed, deputy fire chief; Raymond McMillion, assistant fire chief; Eric Brett, captain; Robert Wood, lieutenant; and Susan Dann, EMS lieutenant. Ron Meiers, a lieutenant, isn’t pictured.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Most of the appliances and floor tiles have been removed from the kitchen at the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County is upgrading the kitchen so it can be better used for classes and also to prepare food for events at the Trolley Building. The Extension is working to develop a commercial kitchen that would also be available to rent.
The Extension received a $15,000 grant from a foundation for the upgrades, which includes new plumbing and electric, new flooring, a 3-bay sink and other improvements. The Extension is trying to secure additional funds for two stainless steel table islands with water and electric.
The top photo shows a refurbished stove with 10 burners that was recently acquired. The Extension also added ventilation and fire suppression systems to the kitchen.
Volunteers and staff removed these pieces from the kitchen. The sink will be put in the Senior Council Stand.
The Extension would like to put an addition on the building and turn the site into a larger commercial kitchen/conference center.
Jennifer Wagester, the Extension executive director, is applying for a $250,000 state grant for the addition, which would include a new roof for the Trolley Building, and renovations, including handicapped accessible bathrooms.
Those funds are available through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York in the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program. The grant would cover 100 percent of the project, meaning no local match. The grant application is due Jan. 29.
The $50 million was announced by Gov. Cuomo last year with the one-time funding to help non-profit agencies combat poverty and who work with vulnerable populations in the state.
Provided photo – Medina posters winners Jaxon Phillips, left, and Logan Meacham are pictured with Medina Lions Club President James Hancock.
Press Release
MEDINA – Every year, Lions Clubs around the world sponsor the Lions International Peace Poster Contest in local schools.
The contest encourages young people to use their artistic abilities and create a poster that represents their vision of peace. Millions of children participate worldwide every year.
This year the Medina Lions Club recognized two Clifford Wise Middle School students for their artwork. Logan Meacham, a sixth grader, took the top honor and sixth grader Jaxon Phillips received an honorable mention.
Physical education teacher Travis Phillips is a Lions Club member and organizes the contest for the club, who had a record number of entries this year.
The school’s art teacher Judy Light says it was great exercise for her students.
“I find the contest to be a good challenge for my students,” Light said. “It is unusual that there is no slogan or logo. The students have to create their image about a message of peace using only symbols and pictures and no words.”
Press release, NY Farm Bureau President Dean Norton
“Governor Andrew Cuomo is moving forward with some major budget proposals that will impact agriculture across the state in positive and negative ways. New York Farm Bureau has advocated on a host of issues mentioned in the State of the State, and many of the Governor’s requests reflect his interest to improving conditions for family farms across the state.
“New York Farm Bureau is hopeful his efforts to substantially increase the Environmental Protection Fund will assist farmers with expanded water quality, conservation and farmland preservation programs that are widely used.
“In addition, his request to offer a 100% tax credit on Thruway tolls for farm vehicles that use EZ Pass is a sensible approach to helping farms save money while at the same time making it easier to move their products around New York. Improving rural infrastructure also remains a priority for New York Farm Bureau, and we are pleased to see additional funding as well to improve roads and bridges in the upstate and Long Island regions.
“There is also support for agriculture reflected in funding for critical research. Plus, the Governor has maintained his commitment to marketing initiatives that let our neighbors and the world know about the healthy food and products that come from our farms.
“Despite these positive endeavors, New York Farm Bureau remains deeply concerned about the impact of a $15 minimum wage on our farms’ bottom lines. Many of our members tell us they will be forced to make tough choices should it pass, choices like reducing staff, changing what they grow and how they grow it, or just leaving farming altogether.
“We encourage Governor Cuomo to continue working with Farm Bureau to find better ways to promote job growth, better wages, and new opportunities for our family farms and their employees.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2016 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health, the parent organization of Medina Memorial Hospital, is eliminating four full-time positions from nursing, care management and registration.
The job cuts represent about 1 percent of the overall staff of 422 workers. The layoffs are effective Feb. 14, said Wendy Jacobson, CEO and president of Orleans Community Health.
“OCH expects to minimize the actual number of reductions by offering impacted associates the opportunity to apply for other vacant positions within the health system,” she said today.
Medina Memorial, like many other hospitals, saw a decrease in patient volume in 2015, Jacobson said.
“The reductions and reassignments also come at a time when area health providers are facing increasing pressure to find operational efficiencies amid continued state and federal cutbacks in healthcare reimbursement and an overall weak economy,” she said in a statement.
Medina Memorial in April was designated as a “Critical Access Hospital” by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“Operational efficiencies are imperative for designated Critical Access Hospitals and those efficiencies are closely monitored by State and Federal regulatory bodies,” Jacobson said.
The Critical Access designation should bolster the hospital’s chances for grants. Jacobson said she is awaiting notification on one grant that would be great news for Medina Memorial.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2016 at 6:42 pm
High winds, slippery roads and freezing temperatures aren’t a good combination for safe traveling.
Those conditions were likely factors in several accidents in Orleans County today. A dispatcher said none of the accidents resulted in serious injuries.
Some of the accidents include: A car into a tree on Ridge Road in Gaines at about 5:15 p.m. between Kent and Transit roads; accident on Main Street in Albion near railroad tracks around 2:30 p.m.; accident on Quaker Hill Road in Barre at about 2 p.m.; and 2-car accident in Medina around noon on South Avenue.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Fourth grade teacher Karin Richards, her student Landin Chaffee and Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley John Grillo are pictured at Monday’s Board of Education meeting after Landin was recognized for his good character.
HOLLEY – Sharon Zacher, Holley Central School’s assistant superintendent for business, says school officials will be watching closely on Wednesday when Gov. Andrew Cuomo makes his State of the State address.
“We are anxiously awaiting it to get a handle on what will go between him and legislators,” she said in her report Monday evening during the regular meeting of the Holley Central School Board of Education.
Zacher additionally told board members she has begun work to determine where the tax cap will be for the district in the upcoming budget year. Due to “carry over,” Zacher said she anticipates the allowable increase in the levy could be up to 2.5 percent. The district will have to determine by March 1 if it will vote to override the tax cap, she said.
Board members and district officials will begin work on the preliminary budget for 2016-17 on Feb. 1.
Zacher mentioned to board members the district might want to consider participating in a survey being compiled by Transportation Advisory Services, a consulting firm, regarding the possible regional sharing of certain school transportation services.
Districts around the region are finding it “tough to get bus drivers,” Zacher noted. The survey might result in programs that would “help all districts having trouble … it’s something everybody is having an issue with,” she said. Substitute driver pools was an example cited by Zacher as a potential shared program.
“It can’t hurt to participate in the study,” District Superintendent Robert D’Angelo said.
The district would have to pay $1,600 to participate in the survey, but Zacher said there is aid available to help with the cost.
In other business, Board of Education members recognized fourth grader Landin Chaffee, 9, with the monthly Soaring to New Heights Award for “his tremendous character.”
Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley John Grillo presented the award saying Landin heard about a child in the eastern part of New York State who had suffered the loss of her father and three siblings in a fire and was asking that people send her cards for Christmas.
“Landin started a discussion amongst his peers which lead to a class project to assist the child. He showed selfless compassion and true leadership,” Grillo said.
“The effort became contagious,” said Landin’s teacher, Karin Richards. “The entire fourth grade got involved.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photos – Charles Slack, left, and John Slack were recognized for their many years of service to Medina Savings & Loan on Monday.
MEDINA – Charles Slack and his cousin John Slack both were recognized on Monday during the board of directors meeting at Medina Savings & Loan.
The two are retiring from their positions with Charles serving 37 years on the board, including 25 years as chairman. John gave 27 years to the organization.
Charles has worked in the insurance business and is co-owner of Slack Insurance with his son, Martin. John worked at Fisher-Price and is currently an adjunct professor for GCC in business and marketing.
Medina Savings & Loan has been in the community since 1888.
“We’re one of the few community-chartered banks left,” said Don Colquhoun, who was picked as the board’s new chairman on Monday. “The whole industry is getting rid of the little guy.”
Medina S & L serves Orleans County, eastern Niagara and northern Genesee. Colquhoun said the bank is in “very sound financial condition.”
Colquhoun, a retired executive director for The Arc of Orleans County, prefers the smaller banks to the bigger corporate conglomerates.
“In a small community, small is better,” he said. “We take the money the people deposit and invest it locally. It all stays local.”
The board of directors for the bank are pictured, from left, bottom row: Tim Moriarty (president), Katherine Bogan, Charles Slack, John Slack and Don Colquhoun. Top row: Jeanne Whipple, Craig Lacy, Kathleen Boice, James Gardner, Richard Barry and Ed Fancher.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 January 2016 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – Members of the Village of Holley Development Corporation had the group’s first meeting of the new year scheduled Monday evening, but due to a lack of quorum, and no new business on which to vote, no action was taken.
However, Board President Daniel Schiavone updated those attending on the status of the situation between the VHDC, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the village over the eight Diaz homes the VHDC is hoping to acquire and sell.
“We’re close to moving forward,” Schiavone said of the still unsigned agreement between the three parties. “The EPA has found the money to get lead evaluation (lead assessment) done on the eight properties.”
The evaluation will ascertain the level of lead contamination in the homes and how much cleanup would cost. Additionally, the EPA will provide information on the cost of the option of tearing down the homes and disposing of any contaminated materials.
Schiavone said the EPA expects reports by the end of the month and the information provided will make members of the VHDC, “… more comfortable with accepting ownership, once we have an idea of cleanup costs,” he said.
Progress on transferring ownership from the EPA to the VHDC stalled late last summer over wording in the agreement requiring certified lead abatement – the cost of which might threaten the future ability of the VHDC to sell the homes, Schiavone said.
The date for the next meeting of the VHDC was not set, but Schiavone said board members should be prepared to potentially, “vote to accept ownership of the homes,” at that time.
He explained that the VHDC has to sell the homes with the condition that the new owner has the money to cover cleanup costs. A certificate of occupancy will not be issued until proper cleanup is done by the new owner.
When the EPA comes through with information regarding the lead assessment, prospective buyers will “be clear on what the cost of cleanup would be,” Schiavone said.
He noted that with the homes valued between $0 and $60,000, once the cost of cleanup is factored in, the village might end up splitting perhaps $80,000 with the EPA for all eight properties. The EPA and the VHDC will split the money from the sale of the properties 50-50.
Currently the VHDC has no money and even $40,000 would be of benefit, Schiavone observed, allowing the Board to begin its mission of, “positive development for Holley. The goal is to get rid of vacant eyesores in our community … it makes Holley more attractive and takes our image up a notch,” he said.
