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DEC will discuss cleanup plan for Monroe Electronics in Lyndonville

Staff Reports Posted 23 December 2015 at 12:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – The public can weigh in on a proposed cleanup plan for Monroe Electronics, which is part of the state’s Superfund Program.The DEC will discuss the cleanup plan during a 6:30 p.m. meeting on Jan. 7 at Village Hall, 2 South Main St. The state will also accept comments about the project until Jan. 22.

Monroe Electronics is located at 100 Housel Ave. The company has operated from the site since 1972, manufacturing electrostatic measuring instruments and other electronic devices. Before Monroe Electronics operated here, the property was the site of the former DuPont/Barre Lime and Sulfur Company where various pesticide sprays and dust mixtures were manufactured, according to the DEC.

In September 1986, Monroe Electronics submitted a Hazardous Waste Disposal Questionnaire as a requirement of the Community Right-to-Know survey. Monroe Electronics indicated that it dumped 1 to 4 tons of TCA at the Housel Avenue facility outside a former door on the west end of the building in the early 1970s. The owner indicated that TCA and waste oil was spread along the driveway on the east side of the building.

A remedial investigation was completed in multiple phases between 2011 and 2014 and included installation of over 30 soil borings and monitoring wells. Several monitoring wells were constructed in “clusters” to monitor groundwater quality in the overburden (shallow and deep) and the upper bedrock zones.

The drilling program also included installation of five soil borings inside the active manufacturing building. Field investigations included testing of soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, soil vapor, and indoor air both on-site and off-site to define the nature and extent of contamination.

The contaminants of concern at the Monroe Electronics site include industrial solvents in groundwater and arsenic in soil. The two specific industrial solvents known to be causing environmental impacts at the site are 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and trichloroethene (TCE). TCA and TCE are chlorinated volatile organic compound (VOCs) that were used for cleaning and degreasing components in the manufacturing process. These two chemicals, as well as their by-products of degradation, have been detected in groundwater at concentrations above Class GA Groundwater Standards and Guidance Values.

Based on the results of groundwater sampling conducted to date, it is clear that the overburden and bedrock aquifers beneath the site are contaminated by chlorinated VOCs originating from one of two subsurface sources: 1) a source of TCE near the gravel parking area at the east end of the building, and 2) a source of TCA located at the west end of the building.

These dissolved contaminant plumes are thought to be co-mingled at some point beyond the northern property boundary and undergoing limited reductive dechlorination. As a result, the extent of VOC contamination in groundwater off-site appears to be limited to the area near the site and does not extend far beyond West Avenue to the north, the DEC said.

The DEC, in consultation with the state Department of Health, developed the proposed remedy after reviewing the detailed investigation of the site and evaluating the remedial options in the “feasibility study” submitted under the state’s Superfund Program.

The site is listed as a Class “2” site in the State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites. A Class 2 site represents a significant threat to public health or the environment and action is required, the DEC said.

The remedy proposed for the site includes:

Enhanced In-Situ Bioremediation, involving multiple injections of bioamendments and degrading bacteria into the bedrock aquifer, to treat chlorinated volatile contaminants in groundwater beneath the manufacturing building and immediately downgradient;

In-Situ Chemical Reduction, involving injections of liquid-phase reducing agents (e.g., zero-valent iron) to supplement the bioremediation groundwater remedy and boost the rate of abiotic destruction of organic contaminants in groundwater;

A vegetated soil cover in areas where surface soil exceeds the applicable soil cleanup objectives for arsenic. The soil cover will be a minimum of one foot of soil placed over a demarcation layer (e.g. a layer of orange snow-fencing), with the upper six inches of soil of sufficient quality to maintain a vegetative layer;

Indoor air monitoring program to address potential exposures related to soil vapor intrusion during and following the active remediation phase;

An environmental easement that will restrict use of the site to commercial or industrial purposes in conformance with local zoning laws, prohibit use of any structure on the site for residential purposes, restrict use of groundwater for potable or process water, and require compliance with the approved Site Management Plan;

Development of a Site Management Plan, approved by the DEC, to ensure that the institutional and engineering controls are properly implemented and monitoring requirements adhered to.

For more information, click here.

Fire causes heavy damage to Kendall home

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2015 at 3:35 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – A fire caused heavy damage to a Kendall home on Creek Road this afternoon. The top photo shows a firefighter trying to ventilate the back of the house to let the smoke out.

The house at 17248 Creek Rd. is owned by Joe and Lisa Stephens. Mr. Stephens said it appears the fire started in the laundry room and quickly spread.

No one was injured in the fire, which filled the house with heavy smoke.

Mrs. Stephens had Christmas presents bought and wrapped for family, including grandkids, and those gifts were likely ruined from the fire.

The Stephens family declined assistance from the Red Cross, saying other people are more in need.

Firefighters from several fire companies in eastern Orleans and western Monroe counties responded to the fire, which started at about 1:30 p.m.

Firefighters let out smoke and sprayed water into the house to keep any hot spots from igniting and spreading.

New state law bans shackling of pregnant inmates during transportation

Posted 22 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation relating to the restraint of pregnant inmates. The bill (A.6430-A/S.983-A) prohibits the use of restraints during the transport of all pregnant inmates at state and local correctional facilities, and within eight weeks after the delivery or pregnancy outcome, except in the most extraordinary of circumstances.

“These common sense reforms strike the right balance that protect the health and dignity of a pregnant inmate, while also addressing public safety concerns,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation has made New York’s criminal justice system fairer and stronger and I thank the sponsors and advocates who worked so hard to get it passed.”

Orleans County is home to the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison with about 1,000 inmates, as well as the county jail that has a section for women.

While current law prohibits the use of restraints on an inmate about to give birth, it does not address the use of restraints on pregnant inmates prior to or after childbirth or pregnancy outcome.

Currently, restraints are being used on pregnant inmates in a number of situations ranging from trips to weekly medical appointments, to trips between prisons, which can take more than 10 hours. This poses tremendous health risks to both the mother and child. It heightens the risk of blood clots, limits the mobility needed for a safe pregnancy and delivery, and increases the risk of falling, which can possibly cause a miscarriage.

In addition to the shackling provision, the bill also prohibits the presence of any correctional staff in the delivery room unless requested by medical staff or the inmate giving birth, requires more rigorous training of all correctional staff on this policy, and institutes annual detailed reporting of all instances in which officers deem restraints necessary.

“The anti-shackling law will finally put an end to the practice of subjecting women in prison to the painful, humiliating and unhealthy practice of shackling women throughout pregnancy including labor and delivery,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU.

Sonia Ossorio, president of the National Organization for Women in New York, said, “Banning the shackling of pregnant incarcerated women is just the latest in a significant list of game changing reforms Governor Cuomo has prioritized and accomplished in 2015. From the historic Women’s Equality Act to extending discrimination protections to transgender individuals to making our prisons more humane and safe. It lifts my heart and makes me proud to be a New Yorker.”

Holley school officials want meeting with legislators over unfunded mandates

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 22 December 2015 at 12:00 am

HOLLEY – Robert D’Angelo, superintendent of Holley Central School, says he plans to reach out to State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, State Sen. Robert Ortt and Congressman Chris Collins early in the new year to discuss the state’s tax cap and the burden placed on school districts by unfunded mandates.

“I want them to come and physically meet with us,” D’Angelo told members of the Holley Central School Board of Education during their regular meeting Monday evening.

D’Angelo said he will reach out to his Orleans County colleagues in other school districts and invite them to take part as well.

D’Angelo and Assistant Superintendent for Business Sharon Zacher have been researching unfunded mandates and have found that they account for $1.2 million of the district’s annual budget, a figure D’Angelo called conservative.

“It disturbs me as a superintendent … as many years as I can remember I have contacted legislators … with no action on the backside,” D’Angelo said.

He noted small rural districts are “under the gun” regarding the tax cap and unfunded mandates, but explained that overriding the tax cap is not realistic as a solution.

“We don’t have to hurt the taxpayer any more … every legislator values education, now is the time for the rubber to meet the road,” D’Angelo said.

He asked Board of Education members to assist him in his efforts by reaching out to politicians and asking them to please help the school district with Foundation Aid per student, which is the main source of general operation aid for school districts and takes into account student need and local ability to pay.

“Foundation Aid is where they can help, this is where we need to appeal to them. They have room to play with Foundation Aid. We don’t have to go to the taxpayers and burden them more,” D’Angelo said, and noted he is passionate about the issue and is determined to sit down and talk directly to lawmakers.

“I need more from them at this point,” he said. “Something has to give.”

“You have to reach out to them,” School Board President Brenda Swanger told him.

Sharon Zacher provided board members with a chart regarding Foundation Aid and added next year’s tax cap has the possibility of being zero. She told board members she will have more information for them regarding the Tax Cap during the January board meeting.

Holidays can be difficult time for people grieving loss of loved ones

Posted 22 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Submitted by the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Orleans County

When grieving the loss of a loved one or a relationship, the holidays can be a challenge. Whether it is the first holiday or the 10th without your loved one, there are times when you struggle to be in the festive mood others may expect from you.

Everyone grieves differently and the most important thing to remember is to not put pressure on yourself. If you feel like participating in your holiday traditions, go ahead. If you don’t want to participate or feel you can only handle a short time with others, understand your limits.

Consider starting new traditions that will honor your loved one such as preparing their favorite treats, decorating your tree (if you choose to have one) in their favorite color, spend some time looking over old pictures, write a letter, or go on a trip. Some people like to plant a tree or have a tree planted in memory of those they have lost. Whatever you do, make it simple. It may feel awkward or difficult at first.

It is also important not to completely isolate yourself. It is understandable that you don’t want to be around “happy” people when you are hurting so much. Consider talking with your clergy, a counselor or a trusted friend. You can also talk with someone through the Orleans Life Line at 585-327-4452. Trained listeners are available to take your call through this free, confidential service and they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Recently members of the Suicide Prevention Coalition donated copies of After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Loss by Bob Baugher, PhD and Jack Jordan, PhD. The books are at each of the local libraries to be checked out. We also encourage you to “friend” our Facebook page: OrleansCountySuicidePreventionCoalition for more resources as well as event announcements throughout the year.

We hope you and yours have a peaceful holiday season and hope you know you are never alone.

County’s new law requires pawn shops to hold items for 5 days before sale

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Orleans County has passed a local law requiring pawn shops and other secondhand dealers to hang on to merchandise for at least 5 days before a sale.

The county had considered the local law to require businesses to hold merchandise for at least 14 days but trimmed that wait to 5 days instead. Erie County last week voted to pass similar legislation and it requires a 14-day hold.

The law in Orleans applies to pawnbrokers, swap shop operators, stamp dealers, coin dealers, jewelers and auction houses that purchase and resell items from people other than dealers and suppliers. There are some exemptions, including garage sales, antique dealers and sales by governmental, civic and religious organizations.

Law enforcement officials requested the law, saying stolen merchandise is often taken to pawn shops and jewelry stores.

The new lawn requires secondhand dealers to not buy from anyone under age 18, and cannot purchase items where the original manufacturer’s serial number no longer legibly exists.

Sellers to the secondhand shops also need to present identification at the time of sale.

The owners of the secondhand businesses need to keep records of what was purchased and from which sellers, and those records need to be filled out on forms provided or approved by the district attorney. The person who made the acquisition, whether the owner of the business or an employee, also needs to be recorded for each item.

All entries of sales and transactions need to be kept for a year and open for inspection by police officers, according to the local law. (Erie County is requiring the records be kept for five years.)

Owners of the secondhand businesses also need to allow law enforcement officers to examine, during normal business hours, any goods, articles, pledges, pawns, books or other records relating to secondhand property.

Officers are also allowed to seize items they have “reasonable grounds to believe to have been stolen.” Property seized will be receipted and shall be returned within 10 days if determined not to have been stolen.

Secondhand dealers who break this law could be fined a minimum of $50 and maximum of $500 on the first offense.

Paul Lauricella of Lyndonville was critical of the law during last week’s Legislature session. Lauricella said police shouldn’t be allowed to search businesses without warrants.

“Our Founding Fathers went to war over this,” Lauricella said.

The law was unanimously passed by the seven county legislators. Legislature Chairman David Callard said the law went through “numerous revisions” before the vote last Wednesday.

Yates man arraigned for criminal possession of stolen property

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Yates man pleaded not guilty today when he was arraigned in Orleans County Court on fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Michael P. Silversmith, 57, of Marshall Road was arrested in August after a search of his home by law enforcement agencies. The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force said that some of the property, including a Cub Cadet LTX-1042 KW riding lawn mower and Mercury 9.9 HP outboard boat motor, were stolen from Niagara County.

Silversmith remains free on $25,000 bail.

In another case, Judge James Punch determined a Brockport man is a level 1 sex offender, the least likely to reoffend.

Mitchell Mensing, 30, of Brockport served time in prison after pleading guilty in June 2011 to knowingly possessing child pornography.

He allegedly possessed in excess of 600 images of child pornography which were found on two computers he owned.

During a risk assessment hearing this afternoon, Mensing said he is undergoing counseling. He also has a full-time job and is married.

Judge Punch said he couldn’t give Mensing a higher rating based on the scoring system set by the state.

“You have a very serious problem and the most important thing is that you deal with it,” Punch told Mensing. “Children are victimized for a profit and you are an accomplice.”

Punch told Mensing to never view child pornography again.

“If you have to take a sledgehammer to your computer, then do it,” Punch said.

Clarendon joins municipalities in seeking changes to tax cap

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 21 December 2015 at 12:00 am

CLARENDON – The Clarendon Town Board is joining other municipalities around the state in a grass-roots initiative relating to the current tax cap.

Municipal officials are bound by a tax cap set by the state, limiting tax increases to no more than 2 percent annually. (Municipalities have the option of overriding the cap.)

Clarendon Town Board members last week agreed to sign a letter to Gov. Cuomo requesting, “… that the current Tax Cap legislation be revisited and amended in such ways as to alleviate what I am certain were its unforeseen negative consequences.”

In a letter dated Dec. 8, 2015, Orchard Park (Erie County) Supervisor Dr. Patrick J. Keem invited municipalities around the state to join together in signing letters to the governor which will be presented to his office before the end of this month.

Keem is also asking one elected official to serve as a community’s point of contact in regards to the tax cap and that one elected official be willing to travel to Albany on a date yet to be determined to meet with and encourage the governor and locally elected state officials to take some positive action.

“We are of the opinion that the time has come for local officials to do what we do best, namely, personally represent and attend to the needs of our respective communities,” Supervisor Keem wrote.

He called the current tax cap, “unsustainable at the local level,” and asked community leaders to work with all parties to achieve a tax cap that benefits residents.

The form letter thanks the governor for his determination to bring tax relief to residents of the state. However, “… in the absence of mandate relief and/or increased state and federal aid, and given the reality of stagnated revenue streams, in spite of our ongoing efforts to consolidate services where feasible, local governments have begun to experience financial stress, and is some cases distress, in our efforts to comply with the current iteration of the tax cap,” the letter states.

Additionally the letter states many local communities are having to draw down to reserve funds to unhealthy levels, reduce services, eliminate some employees and submit to options that, in the long term, “will prove costly both in terms of service and expenses (e.g., infrastructure).”

“Furthermore, it appears that the tax cap is not currently applied in an equitable manner among all governments,” the letter continues.

Clarendon officials say that it is hoped that personal contact and visits to Albany will help to address the situation and note highway superintendents annually travel to Albany to discuss concerns, issues and funding.

County asks Transportation Council to study repurposing Parkway

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Reducing expressway to 2 lanes may ensure better maintenance

File photos by Tom Rivers – The Lake Ontario State Parkway runs along the lakeshore from Carlton into Rochester.

ALBION – Orleans County officials, increasing worried about the deteriorating conditions on the Lake Ontario State Parkway, think a long-term answer to the route’s maintenance may be reducing some of the lanes.

The expressway currently has two westbound and eastbound lanes. The road is bumpy in spots with cracks and pockmarks, especially just across the Orleans County line in Hamlin. The off-ramps are in bad shape and the state also seems to be reducing roadside mowing, county officials said.

“They are not maintaining the roadway or mowing much,” Jim Bensley, director of the Orleans County Planning Department, told the County Planning Board last Thursday.

He advised the board the county has applied to the Genesee Transportation Council for a feasibility study to reduce lanes of the Parkway, which extends 12.7 miles into Orleans County, ending near the Lakeside Beach State Park. The Parkway includes bridges that go over the Oak Orchard River.

The bridges over Oak Orchard River were built for the Lake Ontario State Parkway, which ends abruptly 2 miles west of the river.

The county is seeking $55,000 from the Transportation Council for the study, with the county providing an additional $9,000 in in-kind services.

The county would only support repurposing or decommissioning the west- or east-bound lanes if that resulted in the state better maintaining the remaining lanes, according to the county application with the Transportation Council.

The state Department of Transportation and Genesee Transportation Council have been directed state and federal highway resources to higher-volume routes. That doesn’t well for the continued maintenance of the Parkway, Bensley told the Planning Board.

One Planning Board member, Andrew Kludt of Kendall, said the Parkway has become so jarring that ambulance drivers don’t want to take patients on it. They look for alternative routes which take longer to get to the hospital.

“The Parkway is a huge time-saver if it’s operational,” Kludt said.

If the west- or eastbound lanes were closed to traffic, the closed lanes could perhaps be opened as a recreational route for walkers or snowmobilers, according to the county application. The remaining west- or eastbound lanes would stay open to traffic with steady maintenance from the state.

If the Transportation Council approves the study there will be public meetings and opportunities for residents and businesses to provide input about the Parkway and its future.

The study will take an inventory of the transportation assets on the Parkway and project the remaining useful life of the bridges, pavement, etc., and an anticipated maintenance schedule.

The study will also look at the most feasible route for repurposing the Parkway.

The study should weigh the conversion costs of a repurposed Parkway with its ongoing maintenance. Bensley said it’s possible a study could show it will cost too much to close lanes on the Parkway when conversion costs are tallied.

The project would be unprecedented, certainly for Orleans County, because it seeks to downsize a limited access state roadway. The route isn’t available to commercial traffic.

The goal of the study is a continuous highway corridor on the parkway from the Orleans-Monroe County border to Lakeside Beach State Park, Bensley said.

Judge sentences 3 to state prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Batavia man gets longest punishment at 9 years

Philip R. Ayala

ALBION – Three people were sentenced to state prison today with a Batavia man getting the longest punishment at 9 years of incarceration.

Philip R. Ayala, 30, of Summit Street admitted in a previous court appearance to selling cocaine in Orleans County on March 31. He pleaded guilty on Sept. 14 criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. As a second felony offender, he could have faced a sentence of 2 to 12 years in state prison.

“It’s pretty clear you’re a drug dealer with a very bad record,” said Orleans County Court Judge James Punch. “The only way you will stop is to be incarcerated.”

As part of the plea deal, Ayala’s sentence is capped at 9 years, and Punch gave Ayala the maximum. It will run concurrently as his sentence in Genesee County Court, where Judge Robert Noonan sentenced Ayala to 8 years in state prison in August.

The following were also sentenced this afternoon in County Court:

Philip A. Riley, 32, of Albion was sentenced to 5 years in state prison, the maximum under a plea deal.

Riley on Oct. 5 admitted in court he had heroin and sold it for a profit on April 7. He pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. Riley is a second felony offender and has been in the county jail on $100,000 bail since his arrest in July.

A Rochester man with eight alcohol-related offenses was sentenced to the maximum, 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison, for driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Jeffrey Houghtaling, 50, was arrested in Murray by Holley police on Oct. 25 when he was driving erratically with another person’s ID. He had a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit.

Houghtaling has been in treatment for alcohol and mental health, while keeping a full-time job. He said he has been sober for 14 months.

“I’m 50 years old but I have turned the corner,” Houghtaling told Judge Punch. “My commitment is to stay focused.”

Punch responded that Houghtaling has been on probation at least three times before.

“You have a deep-rooted problem,” Punch said. “I would be irresponsible as a judge to let you out again. It just doesn’t get any worse than this as far as DWI goes.”

Houghtaling also is to install an inter-lock device that measures his BAC when he is released from prison.

A Holley woman was sentenced to 90 days in jail and five years probation. Jennifer McCarthy-Conklin, 39, is a first-time offender. She admitted she had cocaine and sold it from the Holley Hotel on Feb. 27.

She pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

“This is a classic case that calls out for probation but also warrants some punishment,” Punch said.

Charlie Howard image joins sign noting Santa School founder in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Last month a new sign went up on Route 98, noting Albion is the home of “Legendary Santa” Charles W. Howard, who started the world’s’ first Santa School. Howard ran the school in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966.

The school still bears his name, but has been relocated to Midland, Mich. It is run by Tom and Holly Valent. (Click here for more information.)

The new sign received an addition today: a large cutout image of Howard from 1965. Terri Wood, co-owner of the Lonowood Art Company, created the image of Howard from a black-and-white photo, believed to be one of the last images of Howard wearing the Santa suit.

The image of Howard is a mounted digital print on aluminum with a plastic core.

Terri Wood tightens a bolt for a bracket used to hold the image of Charlie Howard as Santa next to a new sign that proclaims Albion as home to the man who started the first Santa School.

The image of Howard is 6 feet, 2 inches. The sign is across from the Don Davis car dealership.

Howard is a revered figure in the Santa community. He was inducted in the Santa Claus Hall of Fame in 2010, part of the inaugural class. Click here for more information.

The Albion Betterment Committee paid for the new sign that is located on the property of Gil and Donna Wolcott.

Betterment Committee directors include, from left: Joe Gehl, Gary Kent and Gary Derwick.

Lyndonville names winners of best-decorated houses

Staff Reports Posted 21 December 2015 at 12:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club has announced the winners of the annual Christmas decorating contest.

Kevin Johnson and Yates Town Supervisor John Belson served as judges of the contest.

Lynne Johnson, the Lions Club president, said it was difficult for the judges to narrow the list to five winners because “so many houses were beautifully decorated for the season.”

This year’s winners include:

Eric Morton/Rose Carter of 65 Eagle St.
Jim Scharlau of 10262 Millers Rd.
Alex Seaman of 1559 North Lyndonville Rd.
Serena Starr of 201 Maple Ave.
Barb and Julio Tice (and extended family), 8 Eagle St.

Nursing home shifts more sales tax from village to town

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Village of Albion takes $5K hit in sales tax as town assessments continue to grow

File photo by Tom Rivers – The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center on Route 31 in Albion went on the tax rolls for the first time in 2015 at a $6,618,900 assessment. The facility is just outside the village borders.

ALBION – The addition of the former county nursing home to the tax rolls will result in a loss of sales tax revenue to the Village of Albion, and a gain for the Town of Albion.

The county collects about $15 million in sales tax each year and shares $1,366,671 from that total for the 10 towns and villages. (The $1,366,671 has been frozen since 2001.) The county is budgeting for a $250,000 increase in sales tax in 2016.

The town and village amounts are tied to assessed values. The villages have been shrinking in value in recent years while the towns have been gaining. That has resulted in more sales tax money for the towns and less for the villages.

The Village of Albion will get $5,307 less in sales tax in 2016, according to the sales tax apportionment approved by the County Legislature last week. The Village of Albion will get $169,998, which is down from $175,305 in 2015. In 2013, the village was getting $180,457 – $10,459 more than in 2016.

The Town of Albion’s sales tax will jump from $115,666 to $120,628. The Town of Gaines, which also includes a portion of the village, will increase from $86,558 to $86,902.

Albion’s village and town numbers shifted in 2016 mainly because of the nursing home. That 120-bed facility on Route 31 went on the tax rolls for the first time in 2015 with an assessed value of $6,618,900.

Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC paid $7.8 million for the nursing home. Comprehensive has filed legal papers to drop the assessed value to $2.5 million.

Other villages also will see a drop in 2016. Medina is down from $159,586 to $158,208. Holley dropped from $47,746 to $47,706 and Lyndonville decreased from $15,473 to $15,316.

To determine the village share, the county divides the village taxable value by the town taxable value. As the villages lose assessed value and the towns gain, the village share gets smaller.

For example, in the Town of Albion, the village now accounts for 55.30 percent of the town’s total taxable value. It was 57.14 percent in 2015, 57.45 percent in 2014 and 58.59 percent in 2013.

Altogether the villages in 2016 will receive $391,229 of the $1,366,671 in sales tax shared with the towns and villages. The village share is down nearly $7,000 from the $398,110 in 2015. The villages received $404,666 in 2013.

Here are the amounts set aside for the towns in 2016: Albion, $120,628; Barre, $64,536; Carlton, $95,418; Clarendon, $116,261; Gaines, $86,902; Kendall, $86,813; Murray, $111,259; Ridgeway, $126,126; Shelby, $101,257; and Yates, $66,238.

Hospital lights up annual memorial tree

Staff Reports Posted 20 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos, Orleans Community Health Foundation

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation’s Annual Memorial Tree is proudly standing in the lobby at Medina Memorial Hospital. The 12-foot tree is filling up quickly with nearly 100 gold angel wing ornaments already purchased.

Ornaments orders are available in the hospital’s lobby. Pictured from left to right: Jeanne Crane and Jean Wetherbee, both of the MMH Association of TWIGS, along with Angela DiRosa, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation.

The Orleans Community Health Foundation took a little time to help with holiday decorations in the dining room at the Long Term Care Residential Facility at Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital, known as the North Wing.

Angela DiRosa, executive director of OCHF, distributed centerpieces during lunch with the residents. She was assisted by Bill Carroll, administrator of the unit; Mary Luckman, department manager; and Adrienne Belson, activities director. They are pictured with resident Joan Henel.

County Legislature, Medina Memorial oppose mandated staffing levels at hospitals

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Medina Memorial Hospital would take a big hit financially if the state passes legislation requiring mandated staffing levels in hospitals, according the Medina Memorial’s CEO.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is opposing proposed state legislation that would require minimum staffing levels for hospitals and nursing homes.

“One size does not fit all,” said Legislator Lynne Johnson, who is also on the board of directors for Orleans Community Health, the parent organization of Medina Memorial Hospital.

County legislators said the legislation (click here), takes staffing decisions away from hospitals and would add $3 billion in the cost of care across the state.

“This one could close us down and bankrupt all of us,” Johnson said.

Wendy Jacobson, CEO and president of the hospital, addressed the County Legislature last week. She thanked the county officials for opposing government-mandated staffing levels.

If the state proposal goes through, Jacobson said she expects hospitals would turn to more agency staff and employees would face more overtime.

“It would be financially devastating to our organization,” Jacobson said.

The legislation would also pose increased staffing costs and demands on nursing homes.

“I can’t emphasis enough how important it is that Orleans County has its one hospital and two nursing homes,” Legislature Chairman David Callard said.

The New York State Nurses Association favors the state legislation. For more on the Nurses Association and why it backs the law, click here.