Barre

Wrong-way driver charged in fatal accident on McNamer Road in Barre

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2024 at 8:38 am

Dirt bike driver killed in head-on collision with pickup truck

Photos by Tom Rivers: Emergency responders and law enforcement are shown at the scene of a fatal collision on McNamer Road in Barre near Angevine Road on Thursday evening.

BARRE – A person was killed on Thursday in Barre when he was struck by a pickup truck going the wrong way on McNamer Road, State Police said this morning.

Roger Kingdollar, 24, of Holley was killed while operating a dirt bike while headed westbound on the north shoulder. He was struck at about 4:05 p.m.

State Police said a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado was driven by Noah Magee, 19, of Brockport. He was driving eastbound on the north shoulder, which is the wrong way of travel, State Police said.

After the collision Magee continued eastbound on McNamer Road, leaving the scene, State Police said.

Kingdollar was driving a Honda CRF450R Dirt Bike. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

There were two uninvolved four-wheelers traveling with Kingdollar, State Police said.

Magee returned to the scene without the truck and state troopers detained him. Troopers arrested Magee on the recommendation from the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, State Police said.

He has been charged with reckless endangerment 1st degree (D Felony), leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident (D Felony) and other vehicle and traffic infractions.

Magee was processed at the State Police barracks in Albion. He was then transported to the Orleans County Jail for centralized arraignment today.

The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office assisted in this investigation, which State Police said is ongoing.

Quill Diesel Repair removes a Chevrolet Silverado that was involved in a fatal collision.

County planners back solar array in Albion, screening berm at Barre Stone Products

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2023 at 12:14 pm

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board has backed a 2.25 megawatt solar project in Albion and 525-foot-long screening berm for Barre Stone Products.

Planners met last Thursday and recommended the Town of Albion approve a special use permit and the site plan for a solar project with 5,048 panels at 12811 Route 31, on land owned by Rachael Murray near the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The project is an extension of the solar array on Long Bridge Road, but they are separate facilities with their own interconnections to the grid, planners said.

USLE/West Albion Community Solar of Latham, NY is the applicant for the new solar project. The panels will be connected to a single-axis tracker racking system. The system will encompass 16 acres of a 63-acre site. The solar array will be surrounded by a fence with a vegetative buffer. There won’t be a battery-storage system. Construction of the project will take 6-8 months.

Planners also recommended the Town of Barre approve a special use modification for a 525-foot-long screening buffer berm by a mine at 4412 Oak Orchard Rd.

Keeler Construction and Barre Stone Products will provide a visual shield and sound barrier for the mine. The berm will be 12 feet high with a base width of 112 feet, allowing for a 1:3 slope that will be easy to maintain with a mowable grass cover.

Barre Stone officials estimated the berm will take about two weeks to construct.

Barre woman charged with assault after allegedly stabbing boyfriend

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2023 at 8:59 pm

BARRE – A Barre woman has been charged with assault with intent to cause serious physical injury after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend several times this morning, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said.

Nathalie Ann Smith

Nathalie Ann Smith, 57, allegedly stabbed her boyfriend, John G. Dunn, 59, multiple times at 5164 Oak Orchard Rd. The Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the scene at 7:56 a.m. with a report of a violent domestic incident involving a knife, Bourke said.

Law enforcement arrived on scene and assisted in rendering aid until medical personnel arrived. Dunn and Smith were both transported by ambulance to area hospitals where they were treated, Bourke said.

Dunn is in stable condition at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, while Smith was taken into custody after an evaluation.

Besides the assault charge, a class B felony, Smith has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use, a class A misdemeanor.

Smith was arraigned in Orleans County CAP Court at 7:30 this evening. She is being held at the Orleans County Jail on $100,000 bail. An order of protection has been issued for the victim.  Smith is to return to the Barre Town Court.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, the Barre Fire Department and Monroe Ambulance.

Tractors, farm equipment light up 98 in Barre

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2023 at 1:37 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – About 20 tractors and other farm equipment were decorated in Christmas lights for a parade on Saturday.

This was the seventh time the Barre Betterment Committee organized the event. In two prior years, the parade was cancelled due to high winds, including in 2021.

But on Saturday, the temperatures were about 60 and a threat of rain never arrived. There were many more people along Route 98 than in past parades.

Santa waves to the crowd while riding on the trailer strewn with lights. It was a fun time in Barre during the parade.

Jesse Farwell holds his young son while driving a tractor in the parade.

This chopper was brought in from Alexander by Brian Thompson Farms. It is reflected in a big puddle at the Van Lieshout farm on East Barre Road. That was a staging area for the tractors and farm equipment before then headed down Route 98 to the barre Town Park.

This boy gets a ride on the chopper from Brian Thompson Farms.

Bruce Naas of Oakfield gets his tractor lighted up for the parade.

Bruce Naas gets some lights on a wreath of his tractor. He said it was his first time being in a parade. He was invited by his friend Mike Van Lieshout.

Gallagher Hill Trucking has its truck decked out in lights for the parade.

The Basinait family made float of the North Pole Farms.

60 degrees on Dec. 9 proves ideal for local lighted parades

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 December 2023 at 10:31 pm

Albion and Barre both host procession of illuminated vehicles

Photos by Tom Rivers

Albion and Barre both hosted lighted parades this evening with Barre having its annual tractor parade down Route 98 at 5:30 p.m., and Albion having “Santa’s Hometown Parade” at 6:30 p.m.

Santa waves in the top photo while sitting on a trailer adorned with lights in the Barre parade.

It was a balmy 60 degrees for the parades, at a time of year when it is often snowing with high winds in a deep freeze.

Many of the people watching the parade didn’t even have a coat on, with some people in short sleeve shirts.

The Albion Fire Department was led Brantley Conner in the battery-operated car. He was joined by his brother Lucas Conner and mother Amber. AJ Fisher is at left.

Mike and Cyndy Van Lie Shout ride in a tractor wishing “A Barre Merry Christmas To All.” The parade in Barre started at the Van Lie Shout farm on East Barre Road near Route 98 and then headed north.

Dawn Spencer of the Eye of Oden gives an enthusiastic greeting on Main Street in Albion. She and the other dog trainers led dogs which wore blue light-up sweathers. Eye of Oden had a “Blue Christmas” theme to express their sadness on the death of a beloved dog, George’s Legend.

This tractor heads north on Route 98 in the tractor parade.

The middle school chorus, led by teacher Karen Conn, sings “Feliz Navidad” while walking down Platt Street in the Albion parade.

These tractor are lined up at the Van Lieshout farm before the start of the Barre parade. The inflatable boot is for A.L. Bennett & Sons, which sells boots and other supplies.

Photo by Marsha Rivers: Santa rode on a boat to close out Albion’s parade. The boat was part of a float decorated by Susie’s Boat-tique.

Orleans Hub will post more pictures from the two parades on Sunday.

Barre firefighters bring ‘Santa Express’ to 147 kids

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2023 at 9:25 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – Santa Claus was escorted by Barre firefighters around town today on 34 stops, visiting 147 kids. This is the 10th year the Barre Volunteer Fire Company has organized the Santa Express.

In the top photo, Santa and the Barre firefighters stop at Amanda and Joe Nash’s home on Pine Hill Road. Landon Flansburg walks up to greet Santa.

Madelyn Bell of Brockport is pleased to meet Santa. She was among the kids during Santa’s stop at the Nash home. Many family and friends were there.

The fire company welcomes people to drop off gift-wrapped presents at the firehall and those gifts are then delivered by firefighters and Santa. People are encouraged to make a donation to the fire company if they get a visit from Santa and the firefighters.

Santa meets many kids during the stop at the Nash’s.

There were about 24 Barre firefighters on the Santa Express. The split into two different groups, taking Santa by fire truck.

The firefighters say the Santa Express gives them a chance to see families for a good reason, rather than an emergency. It also helps children to meet the firefighters, who act as Santa’s elves while delivering the gifts.

“We love it just as much as they do,” said long-time Barre firefighter Jerry Bentley.

He has enjoyed seeing the kids grow up in the 10 years of the Santa Express.

Luke Flansburg gives Santa a hug, while Luke’s cousin Landon watches.

The kids are excited while holding their gifts that were delivered by Santa and Barre firefighters.

Mike Randall will perform ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Barre church on Dec. 16

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 November 2023 at 11:32 am

Provided photo: Mike Randall will perform his solo impersonation of Charles Dickens Presents: “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 16 at Barre Center Presbyterian Church.

BARRE CENTER – Mike Randall, retired feature reporter for WKBW Channel 7, will present his critically acclaimed rendition of Charles Dickens in “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 16 at the Barre Center Presbyterian Church.

The solo performance will begin at 7 p.m. and feature Randall in what has been acclaimed as “an exquisite, moving performance.”

Randall’s appearance comes from an invitation by Albion native Charles Nesbitt, who has invited Randall to the Albion area several times in recent years to do his impersonation of Mark Twain and Dickens.

Having performed his Mark Twain show for 51 years and now the Dickens show for 16 years, Randall has been to Orleans County a number of times throughout the years.

“The first time I brought Charles Dickens to Orleans County was 2009 at the Carlton Methodist Church for two performances, with a return engagement in 2021,” Randall said.

Randall is a lover of Buffalo history and when he discovered Charles Dickens performed in Buffalo in 1868, he decided to recreate Dickens presentation of his most well-known story, “A Christmas Carol.”

Randall started performing as Mark Twain in his first year of college, just to see if he could do it. His first show was May 14, 1972 at Rosary Hill College. He celebrated his 50th anniversary of the show on May 14 last year at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda.

“Mike Randall is a gifted performer who once again brings the spirit of Christmas to Orleans County,” Nesbitt said. “The beautifully decorated Barre Center Presbyterian Church is the perfect place to experience an evening immersed in Charles Dickens classic story.”

Randall said coming to Orleans County has always been special for him. He and his wife Kathy are avid campers and have a favorite spot at Golden Hill State Park.

“As a reporter for WKBW-TV I would always enjoy my trips to the country to cover stories,” Randall said. “And now I have family in the county. My son, his wife and my grandchildren live in Medina.”

In addition to his 40 years as an award-winning feature reporter on Channel 7, Randall also spent several years as chief meteorologist. He has also performed a variety of roles in theaters across the country, and spent time as the Marvelous Magical Burger King, where he perfected his abilities as a magician and live family entertainer. He is a member of the Puppeteers of America, and was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame in September 2017.

Tickets to see Randall as Charles Dickens at Barre Center Presbyterian Church are $20 and available at Orleans Travel Bureau at 21 East Bank St., Albion, or from church members. A limited number will be available at the door.

Pogue wins Barre town supervisor by 5 votes over Burnside

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2023 at 12:16 pm

File photo: Sean Pogue is shown during a Barre Town Board meeting in November 2019. Pogue has been re-elected to another two-year term.

BARRE – All of the votes have been counted and Sean Pogue has won re-election to Barre town supervisor.

Pogue had a 1-vote lead, 293-292, over Scott Burnside at the end of Nov. 7. That included the votes that day, nine days of early voting and the absentees received at that point.

This morning, the Board of Elections did a manual recount and any absentee ballots received after Nov. 7, but by Nov. 14, were included today.

Pogue picked up four more votes, and won the election, 297-292, over Burnside.

Burnside ran under the Conservative line after losing a Republican Primary in June to Pogue, who has been supervisor for nearly six years and won three previous elections.

Pogue ran as a Republican and also under the “Future for Barre” line. He ran with incumbent board member Margaret Swan and Kirk Mathes, a dairy farmer on the Planning Board.

Mathes had the most votes, 343, of three candidates seeking two positions as council members. Swan had 318 with Kerri Richardson, an incumbent who ran under the Conservative line, finishing with 299.

Pogue said he is grateful to be the victor. He said many of the controversial issues in the town – wind turbines and ambulance services – are outside the Town Board’s control. The state Office of Renewable Energy Siting will determine if the turbine project is approved in Barre. Pogue said he is focused on trying to get the best package financially for the town.

With the ambulance services, Pogue said his goal is having a dependable provider to respond to calls in Barre. The Town Board last week approved a contract with Monroe Ambulance for 2024.

He is aware that some people want him and the Town Board to be more transparent, but Pogue said he strives to answer questions at meetings, and if people call or email him.

“If you ask me anything I’ll give you an answer if I know it,” he said. “People can contact me anytime. My phone number and email are right on the town website. I’ll get back to you within 24 to 48 hours.”

Pogue and Burnside both watched the ballot count by hand today in a conference room at the Orleans County Administration Building. It took nearly two hours for Board of Elections staff to count them and tabulate the votes. Kirk Mathes, Steve Harling and the Orleans Hub editor also were there.

There were 11 ballots where no one voted for the town supervisor. Two other ballots had write-in votes, 1 each for Richard Bennett and Chris Flansburg.

Burnside declined to make a comment after the vote totals were announced. He said he would send a statement later today.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Board of Elections staff do a manual count of the votes for Barre town supervisor and council members this morning. From left include Christine Pask, deputy election commissioner for Republicans; Abby Fitzwater, deputy election commissioner for Democrats; Eileen Aina, deputy election commissioner for Democrats; and Mike Mele, Republican election commissioner. In front on table are Orleans Hub editor’s tallies for the candidates.

Absentees, manual count of Barre votes set for Thursday, Nov. 16

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2023 at 11:07 am

Town supervisor race separated by 1 vote, with council seat also close

BARRE – The winner of the election for Barre town supervisor should be known on Thursday. That’s when the Board of Election will count the absentee ballots that have come in since Tuesday and also do a manual recount of all the votes.

As of Tuesday night, incumbent Sean Pogue has a 1-vote lead over challenger Scott Burnside, 293 to 292. That includes the votes on Tuesday during the general election, nine days of early voting and the absentees that had been received as of Tuesday.

The Board of Elections said there are potentially seven more absentees that could be turned in. They need to arrive to the Board of Elections by Tuesday, Nov. 14, and be postmarked no later than Nov. 7.

The BOE plans to start the count at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.

There is a chance the race could end up in a tie.

Mike Mele, the Republican elections commissioner for the county, is checking with the state Board of Elections about what to do in the race ends in a draw. He talked with other past elections commissioners in Orleans, and none recall there ever being a tie.

Some communities with ties among candidates have flipped a coin, done a run-off election or filled the position by appointment with the municipal board making the decision, and that appointment hasn’t always been one of the candidates in the election. Mele wants to get direction from the state on how to proceed if there isn’t a winner in Barre.

The manual recount in Barre also will include the candidates for the town council. A three-way race for two positions also is close.

Kirk Mathes has a comfortable lead in first place with 339 votes, but Margaret Swan is currently 16 votes ahead of Kerri Richardson, 315 to 299.

Mele said an automatic recount by hand is triggered when a race is within 20 votes or a half percent difference. That is the state elections law, he said.

Pogue, Mathes and Swan all ran under the Republican Party line as well as the independent “Future for Barre” line. Burnside and Richardson were both backed by the Conservative Party.

Barre approves new contract with Monroe Ambulance, town share up from $8K to $13,740

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 November 2023 at 10:09 am

7 towns asked to pay company $300K for ambulance coverage in 2024

BARRE – The Barre Town Board voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a second year of having Monroe Ambulance as the primary ambulance provider for the town.

Barre will pay $13,740 in 2024, which is up from the $8,000 this year, which is the first time Barre has paid an ambulance provider.

Barre is part of a block of seven towns working on a contract with Monroe. In 2023, Monroe sought $200,000 for the seven towns. It was reduced to $181,200 after Kendall bowed out of the contract, claiming it didn’t need to pay because there already was an agreement with the local fire districts in Kendall.

Monroe is insisting Kendall be in the contract this year and pay towards the cost of dedicated ambulances in Albion and Holley to respond to the seven towns – Albion, Barre, Gaines and Carlton in central Orleans, and Clarendon, Murray and Kendall in eastern Orleans.

Monroe is seeking $300,000 overall from the seven towns. The shares for each town are based on the percentage of overall call volume.

The Town of Albion, which has a nursing home and two state correctional facilities as well as most of the Village of Albion, has just over half of the ambulance calls for the seven towns. The contract with Monroe calls for Albion to pay $155,820 of the total. That is up from $84,400 in 2023. In 2022, the towns weren’t paying anything for ambulance coverage.

Here is what the Monroe contract calls for each of the seven towns to pay in 2024, with the amount they paid in 2023 in parentheses.

  • Albion, $155,820 ($84,400)
  • Barre, $13,740 ($8,000)
  • Carlton, $22,350 ($14,800)
  • Clarendon, $25,350 ($18,800)
  • Gaines, $12,030 ($24,600)
  • Kendall, $17,850 ($0)
  • Murray, $52,860 ($30,600)

Barre officials said they want the Barre Volunteer Fire Company to be part of the discussion next year when the town will look to either renew a contract with Monroe or may choose a proposal from Mercy EMS.

Monroe and Mercy are both responding to calls in Barre, depending on which has the closest available ambulance. Mercy has taken over COVA ambulance which was based in Albion.

Barre Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said the block of seven towns plans to go year by year with an ambulance contract for now.

“Once we feel more comfortable we may go to a five-year contract,” Pogue said.

Barre again tops among towns in voter turnout

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 November 2023 at 2:22 pm

BARRE – The Town of Barre has the highest voter turnout in Orleans County for the election with 45.3 percent or 599 out of the 1,323 registered voters.

That compares to a countywide percentage of 20.8 percent with 5,282 casting ballots out of 25,455 registered.

Barre has led the voter participation in at least the last four local elections. The town continues to have contested races for the town supervisor and Town Board seats. (Sean Pogue, the incumbent, currently has a 1-vote lead over Scott Burnside for town supervisor, 293-292.)

In 2021, the turnout was 45.6 percent in Barre, and it was 51.2 percent in 2019 and 48.4 percent in 2017.

Back in 2015, Yates topped in turnout among local elections at 50.2 percent. That was the year when candidates, including Jim Simon for town supervisor, ran a vigorous campaign on an anti-wind turbine agenda. Simon won on write-in ballots. Barre had the second highest turnout in November 2015 at 46.4 percent.

In the current election, the turnout countywide was down significantly from four years ago when it was 34.8 percent, with 8,048 voters going to the polls out of 23,183 registered voters. That year there was a hotly contested race for sheriff. This year none of the countywide positions had opposition.

Here are the percentages of turnout among the 10 towns in Orleans County:

  • Albion – 11.8% (436 out of 3,684)
  • Barre – 45.3% (599 out of 1,323)
  • Carlton – 17.7% (370 out of 2,087)
  • Clarendon – 12.7% (318 out of 2,509)
  • Gaines – 14.5% (296 out of 2,038)
  • Kendall – 30.7% (575 out of 1,871)
  • Murray – 23.0% (702 out of 3,054)
  • Ridgeway – 10.0% (410 out of 4,102)
  • Shelby – 34.4% (1,081 out of 3,138)
  • Yates – 26.0% (428 out of 1,649)
  • Orleans County – 20.8% (5,282 out of 25,455)

Five of the 10 towns – Albion, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines and Ridgeway – did not have any contested races and their turnout was well under 20 percent.

Shelby had the second-highest turnout with voters drawn to the polls with races for town clerk, highway superintendent and the Town Board.

The turnout tends to be significantly higher during presidential election years (next in 2024) or during a gubernatorial year (next in 2026).

West Barre church sells out of turkey dinners in election day tradition

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 November 2023 at 8:45 am

Regarding politics and hot-button issues, ‘We don’t talk about it’

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – Dora Leader, left, and Shania Mathes put turkey dinners in plastic bags as part of the assembly line of volunteers at West Barre United Methodist Church.

The church served 479 dinners on Tuesday in an election day tradition going back at least 40 years.

The church used to have a dine-in option, but since the Covid pandemic in 2020 he meals have been served drive-through only.

Scott Bennett, a technician with the Orleans County Board of Elections, picked up eight dinners to take back to the BOE staff in Albion. Bennett, a Barre resident, said he has been coming for the meals on election day for the past 25 years.

The church used to serve lunches and dinners on election day, but has scaled back with fewer volunteers.

Tuesday’s dinner was still a big effort for the church, with members cooking 30 turkeys, five 50-pound bags of potatoes, 80 boxes of stuffing, 60 pies, and many bushels of squash and seven cans of No. 10 cranberry sauce.

The vehicles are lined up for the meals, which were hot items in Barre.

Naomi Caldwell cuts a pumpkin pie into eight slices. She looks forward to helping prepare and serve the dinner every year.

“It’s a lot of effort for a small church but we love it,” Caldwell said. “We are a community. We are one body.”

The church also serves 900 chicken barbecue dinners during July.

Eileen Collins whips up water and butter for the stuffing.

Melissa Dibley is ready to put turkey in the to-go containers.

The event brings the church members together in a town where there are strong opinions about a wind energy project, and who should serve on the Town Board.

“We agree to disagree,” said Joy Markle, one of the coordinators of the dinner. “There are some who are for and some who are against. We don’t talk about it.”

Pogue clings to 1-vote lead in Barre after early voting, some absentees added

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 November 2023 at 10:46 pm

7 potential votes out there with unreturned absentees

Barre Town Supervisor Sean Pogue holds a very slim lead over challenger Scott Burnside.

BARRE – Just after 9 p.m. it didn’t look good for Sean Pogue in his bid for another term as Barre town supervisor.

He was losing by 19 votes to Scott Burnside in the tally today at Barre Town Hall.

But a 259-240 gap changed when early voting results and some absentees were added. Pogue, at the end of the night, has a 1-vote lead, 293-292.

There are seven unreturned absentee ballots. They need to be postmarked by today. The Board of Elections plans to count them on Monday, but will accept them up until a week from today, Nov. 14.

In a three-way race for two Town Board seats, Republicans Kirk Mathes, 359, and Margaret Swan, 315 votes, are the winners. Mathes, a member of the Planning Board, ousts Kerri Richardson, a Conservative Party member, from the board. Richardson received 299 votes. Mathes, Swan and Pogue all ran under the independent “Future for Barre” line in addition to the Republican line.

Burnside ran as a Conservative. He lost a Republican primary in June to Pogue, 165-115.

Other candidates elected today in Barre include: Dale Brooks, (Republican and Working for a Better Barre), 422 for highway superintendent; Maureen Beach, (Democrat), 338 for town clerk; and Earl Jenks Jr., (Republican), 372 for town justice.

Burnside has lead in Barre for town supervisor over Pogue

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 November 2023 at 9:35 pm

Mathes, Richardson have most votes for Town Board with early voting, absentees to be counted

BARRE – Scott Burnside is holding a 19-vote lead over Sean Pogue for town supervisor, after votes were counted today at the voting machine at the Town Hall.

That doesn’t include absentees and may not include early voting for nine days.

Burnside, who lost a Republican primary to Pogue on June 27 by a 165-115 vote, holds the lead after today’s vote, 259 to 240.

Burnside only had the Conservative Party line while Pogue has the Republican and ‘Future for barre” lines.

Pogue has been the town supervisor for nearly six years, during a time when the town has wrestled with a large-scale wind energy project and also a 2,000-acre solar facility that extends into the Town of Shelby.

Pogue was at the Town Hall when the results were announced not long after 9 p.m. He said he expected the vote to be close, but felt like he had the support of the voters.

“I knocked on a lot of doors and there was a lot of positive feedback,” Pogue said.

There is a close race for two other Town Board seats. Kirk Mathes leads with 282, followed by Kerri Richardson with 266 and Margaret Swan, 262.

Richardson, a Conservative, has frequently butted heads with Pogue and the pro-wind faction of the board. Mathes and Swan both are Republicans with the “Future for Barre” line.

Other totals for Barre candidates at the Town Hall today include 361 for Dale Brooks as highway superintendent, 315 for Earl Jenks, Jr. for town justice, and 275 for Maureen Beach as town clerk.

Barre urged to take gradual steps in upgrading town park

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 October 2023 at 9:11 pm

Playground, restrooms, pickleball/tennis courts suggested before adding more fields

Photo by Tom Rivers: The pavilion and playground at the Barre Town Park are shown on Nov. 3, 2022.

BARRE – The Town Board was urged to take a gradual approach in moving to upgrade the town park with a new playground, and possibly a restroom and pickleball/tennis courts.

The town has a lot of space at the park and could add more fields, walking trails and other amenities in the back end of the property.

But Jason Foote, director of Parks and Recreation for the town, said the fields are currently underutilized. Barre used to host a summer soccer program but that shifted to the town-owned fields in Carlton.

Barre has youth baseball teams in the Albion Midget League. This year they practiced in Barre but didn’t have home games because of new drainage tile being installed. Foote said the drainage work has made a big difference and will help the fields dry out sooner after a rain.

He would like to see the Little League field be used for youth baseball and softball tournaments next year.

The town also has a full-size field for the teen-agers and adults who play baseball.

Foote advised the Town Board at last week’s board meeting to not look at developing more fields, but instead focus on keeping their existing fields in top condition.

“Let’s take care of the two fields we have and make them the two best fields in the county so people want to come here,” said Foote, who has coached the Barre Cubs youth baseball team for many years.

The town park on Route 98 opened about two decades ago. It currently has porta-potties, but Foote told the Town Board a better option to make the site more attractive to local residents and visiting teams would be to have permanent restrooms.

If there were restrooms, Foote said the park could be marketed for flea markets and other events.

He also said courts for pickleball, tennis and basketball would likely be frequently used.

He would like to keep the existing playground and add a Ninja Warrior-style playground that has been paid for with fundraisers by the Barre Betterment Committee.

The Town Board said they liked the concept plan suggested by Foote, but want to have a joint session with the Barre Betterment Committee, Barre Park Committee and the Town Board to discuss the next steps with the park.

Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said the park is 60 acres, but only about 15 are utilized right now. He said a simple hiking trail could make better use of the entire park.

Foote also said a disc golf course and cornhole boards are also new amenities that wouldn’t require much maintenance from the town.

He discouraged the town from adding more fields, which would be more upkeep for the town and may not have much use in the immediate future.

“I don’t think the right direction is putting in more fields,” he said.