Photos by Tom Rivers – Barre firefighters Richard Barnard, right, and Amanda Dixon work to put out a brush fire last May 3 in Barre. The fire in a brush pile on Route 98 quickly spread to a nearby hedgerow and scorched about a quarter acre of land.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a burn ban beginning on Wednesday through May 14 for towns with fewer than 20,000 people.
Without snow cover, the state is at a high risk for wild fires in the coming weeks.
The DEC has advised that all open burning is prohibited in New York with several exceptions including the following:
Campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
Small cooking fires are allowed.
Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.
Only charcoal or clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
Carlton firefighters Tom Niehaus, left, and Chyenne Tackley man the hose while knocking down a brush fire on Route 98 on Aug. 29 near the Ricci Meadows Golf Course.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Residents return Peter Sidari, welcome newcomer Mattea Navarra-Molisani to Village Board
Peter Sidari
ALBION – Village residents re-elected Peter Sidari to a four-year term on the Village Board today, and also picked a political newcomer, Mattea Navarra-Molisani, for the board.
The two were endorsed by the Democratic Party. Gary Katsanis was the lone Republican candidate. He has served on the board for two years. He received 109 votes and wasn’t re-elected. Sidari had the most votes, 174, followed by Navarra-Molisani, 133.
The new terms start on April 1.
Sidari, 55, works as a fire safety educator for the North Greece Fire District. He said the current board has been a good team moving along projects, including a solar installation at the sewer and water plants.
“There will be huge savings for us,” he said. “We need to think about long-term.”
He praised village department heads for pushing shared services with the Village of Holley and Village of Elba. Albion personnel run Holley and Elba’s sewer plants, and Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni also leads Holley’s Police Department.
Sidari said the board needs to back projects that will bring in revenue for the village and ones that will reduce costs.
“We’re revenue stricken,” he said at the Village Hall tonight after the votes were counted.
Sidari praised Katsanis for his dedication the past two years on the board.
Navarra-Molisani
“He is a workhorse,” Sidari said. “He took on a lot of the problems during the day.”
Katsanis, 57, is retired after working in medical data analysis for Strong and then Blue Cross. He managed a staff that stretched from Buffalo to Utica. He said he brought an analytical approach to village business.
He was the village liaison to the Albion Town Board, a local development corporation, the Albion Merchants Association, and the Energize Albion group. Katsanis said he will stay active in the community, but will hand off his village capacities.
Navarra-Molisani, 40, has worked 11 years for Claims Recovery Financial Services. She is currently a claims operation manager. She is familiar with Housing and Urban Development regulations and thinks that federal department could bring resources into the village.
She said she would bring an attention to detail and a new perspective to the board.
Sidari has known her since she was a young child.
“I think she is up for the challenge,” Sidari said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Michael Sidari elected mayor of Medina
John Belson
LYNDONVILLE – Less than three months after leaving public office, John Belson was elected to a new role today. The former Yates town supervisor was picked as new mayor of Lyndonville.
Belson lost a close election in November to Jim Simon for town supervisor. Belson served out his term that ended Dec. 31. He ran for mayor and won, 92 votes to 19 for James Tuk, the village’s current deputy mayor.
Tuk has been leading the village since Steve McAvoy resigned as mayor on Oct. 31 due to the demands of his full-time job. Belson will take over on April 1.
Tuk will remain on the Village Board as a trustee.
Three other people ran for two seats on the Village Board. Andrew Cousins will be joining the board after being elected with 67 votes. Incumbent Danny Woodward led the trustee candidates with 70 votes. Incumbent Ellen Tuohey came in third with 56 votes.
In Medina, Mike Sidari was elected to a two-year term as a mayor with 87 votes. Marguerite Sherman was re-elected trustee with 87 votes and Tim Elliott was elected with 71. Sidari will succeed Andrew Meier as mayor. Meier opted not to seek re-election.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Albion town asked to help fund festival June 10-11
File photo by Tom Rivers – A clown entertains in the Strawberry Festival Parade in this photo from June 2013.
ALBION – The bands, musicians and other entertainment don’t come cheap at the annual Strawberry Festival.
The two-day event in June, held the second Friday and Saturday, costs nearly $23,000 to put on. None of that goes for salaries. The festival is organized by an all-volunteer planning committee.
The Strawberry Festival Committee raises most of money for the festival through sponsorships and vendor fees. But the committee is facing about a $4,000 funding gap.
Michael Bonafede, chairman of the committee, asked the Albion Town Board on Monday to meet that financial challenge. The Town Board budgeted $3,000 towards the festival in 2015, and expects to at least meet that level again in 2016. The board will discuss whether it should go above budget for the festival. It should make a decision at its April meeting.
Town Councilman Jake Olles said the board wants to know specifically what the money will be used for. Bonafede said the money from the town can go towards bringing in some of the bands. The high school bands play for free, but the committee makes a donation to each participating school band.
The adult bands typically cost $800 to $1,200. This year’s parade on June 11 will include a newcomer to the Albion festival: the Stampede Drumline, the official drum line for the Buffalo Bills.
Michael Bonafede, chairman of the Strawberry Festival Committee, addresses Albion Town Board members on Monday evening. The board includes, from left: Darlene Benton, Richard Remley, Town Supervisor Matt Passarell, and Jake Olles.
The festival is also adding wooden boats to the parade, a wine-tasting event at Waterman Park this year on Main Street near the canal, food trucks on a limited basis, and the possibility of a chalk art display and competition. Nels Ross, a comic and popular children’s entertainer, will also make his debut at the festival as part of the return of the Teddy Bear picnic for children.
Festival organizers estimate the two-day event brings 12,500 to 20,000 people to the downtown and Courthouse Square.
“We see the festival as economic development, as well as showing off our community,” Bonafede told the Town Board.
The festival is sponsored by the Albion Rotary Club, and includes lots of in-kind support from the Village of Albion, said Karen Sawicz, the Rotary Club president.
The event this year will feature an Erie Canal theme. Returning attractions include a car show, 5K/8K race, turtle race with plastic toys in the canal, student poster and essay contest, fish pond, farmers’ market, food booths, a craft show, five entertainment venues, a Family Fun Center with games, and other displays.
Town Councilman Richard Remley thanked Bonafede and the many dedicated volunteers for organizing the event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Medina school counselors Sarah Ha, left, and Linda Knipe, right, are pictured with Kelsey Wolcott, a mental health clinic therapist.
MEDINA – Medina has three school counselors working with 635 students in grades 8 through 12. They focus on academic and career preparation, but the counselors for years have juggled helping students with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
That changed in early February when a mental health clinic therapist from the Orleans County Department of Mental Health started working out of the school.
Kelsey Wolcott spends two days at Medina Central School, splitting time in the high school and elementary school. Middle schoolers also go to appointments at either school building.
Wolcott said some students feel the pressure of family life, with parents going through divorces or blending families, while others may also feel the strain of poverty, and social and academic pressures. She helps students develop coping skills for some of the challenges.
Wolcott’s presence has allowed the school district’s guidance counselors to stay focused on providing career and college guidance for students.
“We were spending an inordinate amount of time on personal counseling,” said Linda Knipe, one of Medina’s guidance counselors. “We try to clear the obstacles so they can get an education.”
Medina, Lyndonville, Kendall and Holley have all teamed in recent months with the Mental Health Department to allow a therapist to work out of the school. That way students miss less class time by not having to travel to Albion at the Mental Health clinic on Route 31. Some of the students also have transportation issues, making it difficult to get to Albion.
Marc O’Brien, the director of the county’s Mental Health Department, has been part of joint meetings with the five school district superintendents the past two years. He said other counties have tried satellite offices at schools.
“It makes it more accessible for the kids,” O’Brien said. “The superintendents have been super cooperative to work with.”
All of the new satellite sites needed approval by the state Office of Mental Health. Students still need to travel to Albion if they need to see a psychiatrist.
The satellite sites are funded just like the county’s main clinic in Albion. Insurance companies are billed for the services, O’Brien said.
“We’ve been able to broaden the footprint of the department and get out into the community,” he said. “So far it’s working great.”
Provided photo – Albion student Brooklyn Moore and Dr. Clark Godshall, superintendent of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, show off the display that features her photography.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Dr. Clark Godshall, superintendent of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, has decided to use the walls of his office waiting room as a gallery for students’ artwork in the BOCES program.
He recently put out a call to his administrators that he wants to show off the creativity of the various classes at both the career and technical education centers and the special education sites.
For the next couple of months a student in Crystal Hall-Cirillo’s Graphic Arts class at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center will submit photography to grace the walls.
Brooklyn Moore, a senior from Albion, said she was proud that her artwork was chosen.
“Photography is a real passion of mine and something I would like to have as a sideline business as I work my way through college,” she said.
Brooklyn will be going to Genesee Community College for general studies then complete her bachelor’s degree in graphic design at Robert Wesleyan College in Rochester.
Lily Strickland, a former student, also contributed a photo to balance out the display.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Three people were sentenced to either county jail or state prison today, including two people for sex crimes.
A Cheektowaga man, 21, who allegedly had sex four times with a 16-year-old girl in Shelby was sentenced to 1 ½ years in state prison, plus five years of post-release supervision.
Carson Cavers also is facing rape charges in Ontario County and an unrelated charge of second-degree assault in Erie County.
He apologized to his victim and his family for the crime, third-degree rape, in Shelby. Orleans County Court Judge James Punch said the crime was too serious for probation.
“You seem to have a growing problem,” Punch told Cavers during sentencing this afternoon. “You need to get control of this right away.”
The judge also issued an order of protection for the victim. He told Cavers to change his trajectory in life, because he is harming others.
“You’re leaving a trail of disturbed people,” Punch told Cavers.
A Holley man was sentenced to six months in county jail, plus 10 years probation for second-degree attempted rape. Anthony Roe was 20 when he allegedly had sex with a 14-year-old girl in July.
“I just want to apologize for my actions, sir,” Roe told Punch in court today.
The judge said Roe has been too arrogant and should express humility.
“Arrogance will stop you from getting over this problem,” the judge said.
A Lockport man was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison for attempted assault in the second degree.
Markel Hill, 25, admitted in a previous court appearance he punched a woman in the face on Oct. 9, 2014. He was arrested by the Medina Police Department and charged with second-degree assault.
The woman who was punched in the face suffered a broken jaw and needed surgery. Her mouth was wired shut. She continues to suffer pain from the injury.
“It was unreasonable and unnecessary force that caused some pretty serious injury,” Punch said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – This metal sculpture of a battlefield cross was added in front of the Albion Town Hall last May. It is pictured at about 8 p.m. today after the Town Board meeting on Clarendon Road.
ALBION – Town officials are looking to add a small wall of Medina sandstone by a war memorial, along with a new flagpole with a POW/MIA flag.
The Town Board this evening authorized spending up to $400 for a new 25-foot-high flagpole with a POW/MIA flag. The memorial – a metal sculpture of a battlefield cross – was added last May.
Jeff Benfer, a local welder and artist, created the sculpture as a donation to the community. The pieces were all cut and shaped by hand.
Town Board member Jake Olles and other board members want to add to the site. The town has secured sandstone blocks for the wall that should be added this summer.
The Town Highway Department will put in the foundation for the wall.
Estimates for the flagpole are $315, with a flag costing $35. The POW/MIA flag will be lower in height than an existing flag pole with an American flag.
Highway Superintendent Michael Neidert said the second pole will “tie the memorial together.”
The American flag by the Town Hall is pictured at 7 p.m. this evening.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Dennis Kirby, manager of the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, addresses about 160 people on Saturday at the 18th annual Farmer to Neighbor Night at Tillman’s Village Inn.
Kirby urged farmers to sign up for soil health programs. Soil & Water sponsors the annual Farmer to Neighbor Night along with Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Albion FFA Alumni.
Proceeds from the event are used to send FFA students to state convention, camps and help with other costs in the ag program.
Albion student Alexis Bentley recites the FFA Creed before the crowd at The Village Inn.
Jennifer Wagester, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, said it will be a busy 2016 for the agency as it celebrates its 70th year. The annual fair, scheduled for July 25 through July 30, will be the highlight of a busy year at the fairgrounds in Knowlesville.
Barry Flansburg served as emcee of Saturday’s event. Albion FFA students, from left, include Clara Stilwell, Katie Mann, Allyson Graham and Garrett Derisley.
The FFA students praise the support from the farm community, especially with donations in an annual food drive that topped 30,000 pound sof produce in December.
Orleans County Farm Bureau board member Anna Smith urges the group to go online (NYFB.org) to lobby state legislators to oppose raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. A report by Farm Credit East says the higher wage will increase costs to the farm community by $622 million a year.
The annual Farmer to Neighbor Night is light on speeches and focused more on sharing conversation and good meal together before the busy planting season starts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Medina man admitted in Orleans County Court today that he entered a home without permission last year and took money and jewelry.
Michael Santoro, 22, of Gwinn Street admitted he entered a North Gravel Road house in Ridgeway between April 26 and May 1 last year. The house was unlocked, but Santoro said in County Court today that he didn’t have permission to be inside.
He pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the second degree, a charge that carries a maximum of 2 to 7 years in state prison. However, as part of a plea deal today, he won’t be sentenced to more than 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison on May 23.
If Judge James Punch gives Santoro a longer sentence, Santoro can withdraw the plea and go to trial.
In another case today, a Carlton woman declined a plea deal and will go to trial on June 1.
Stacy Hamilton, 31, is accused of taking about $15,000 from her elderly grandmother. She was offered a plea deal reducing a grand larceny charge to petit larceny. Hamilton has insisted on her innocence.
Hamilton was managing the finances for the elderly woman with dementia. District Attorney Joe Cardone has said Hamilton had her grandmother sign checks and give her the money while not paying the grandmother’s taxes and other bills.
Hamilton said she never took money from her grandmother, who instead gave her money on occasion.
Punch set June 1 as the start for Hamilton’s trial.
A Holley woman was arraigned on counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Roxanne M. Thomas, 40, of 17 Jay Drive, Holley, is accused of selling suboxone to an undercover Task Force agent. She pleaded not guilty to the crimes today. She is free on $10,000 bail.
