BARRE – The Town of Barre will celebrate its Bicentennial June 29-July 1, with events primarily at the Barre Town Park on Route 98. A full weekend of entertainment is planned including an antique car and tractor show, game booths, a parade, contests, fireworks and live music. A delicious array of food will also be available all weekend long.
History will be on display with photos, recipes, and stories from Barre’s past highlighted throughout the weekend. Many organizers will be in period dress and attendees are encouraged to dress in historical costume as well.
Historical exhibits will highlight notable residents such as former US Congressmen Lorenzo Burrows and John G. Sawyer, American anthropologist and ethnologist Frank Hamilton Cushing, and Marvin V. Frey, an evangelical minister and writer of the well-known spiritual song “Kum-Ba-Yah.”
The event’s planning committee is looking for historical contributions from the public. If you have a story or item of significance from Barre’s history, or would like to be involved with the planning or fundraising for the event, please contact one of the committee members or the Town Hall.
Several fundraisers are planned, including can/bottle drive bins available for returnables located at the Town Hall and the Barre Deli. Several fundraiser dinners are planned with the next one, a spaghetti dinner, on Feb. 3 at the West Barre United Methodist Church. Tickets will be available at the door. Any monetary donations would be gladly accepted as well.
There will be contests for residents to participate in including beard growing and photography. Participants can start growing their beards now.
In addition to the weekend-long celebration at the end of June, the town will officially mark its 200-year anniversary on March 6, 2018. There will be a recognition ceremony at the Barre Town Hall on that date and another ceremony on March 3, 2018 at 1 p.m. with local politicians and press invited.
About Barre:
The Town of Barre was founded in 1818 and was named after the birthplace of an early settler, Judge John Lee. The town, at 55.1 square miles, forms the southern border of Orleans County. In the quiet Town of Barre, there are country roads, small churches, friendly neighbors, and some of the best chicken barbecues around.
The Town of Barre remains much the same today as when it was founded; it is still a friendly agricultural community. The farms in the town are small family owned operations and among these are several century farms.
The town also contains approximately 4,000 acres of muck land. Along with the farms are some small businesses and other community services including two churches, a volunteer fire company, and an airport. There are also two sportsmen clubs in town and many acres of wide-open spaces providing countless opportunities for outdoor fun, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and trail riding.
For further information, please contact the Town of Barre Bicentennial Planning Committee:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 January 2018 at 11:43 am
Photos courtesy of Maureen Beach
BARRE – The Town of Barre held a party on Saturday for Mark Chamberlain, who retired on Dec. 31 after 18 years as town supervisor. In the top photo he is shown cutting a cake with his wife Lois by his side.
The celebration was held at the Barre Town Hall. During Chamberlain’s tenure as town supervisor, Barre built a new town hall, a new salt storage facility, a new town park and also created four new water districts. Construction of the fourth water district starts today.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a proclamation to Chamberlain from the State Assembly for his 18 years as town supervisor.
Chamberlain, a retired chemistry teacher at Albion Central School, served as Barre town supervisor following his career as a teacher.
Chamberlain chats with town residents, including Bill Basinait at left.
Sean Pogue, the new Barre town supervisor, reads a citation for Chamberlain, thanking him for his service. Chamberlain didn’t seek re-election in November. Pogue won a three-way race for town supervisor and took office on Jan. 1.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Fonda and Don Carr are pictured in their home on Wednesday on Wilkens Road in Barre. They moved into the house on Dec. 21. Their old farmhouse was destroyed in an explosion and fire on Christmas Day about a year ago.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2018 at 10:36 am
Don and Fonda Carr appreciate community’s help the past year
BARRE – It was just over a year ago when Fonda and Don Carr crawled through a window at 4 in the morning, escaping with their lives while their home on Wilkens Road was engulfed in flames.
The Carrs lost nearly everything in the fire on Dec. 25, 2016. They are thankful to be alive. They consider it a “Christmas miracle” that they survived that night.
Since then the community has responded in a big way, donating $26,000 through a GoFundMe and additional funds at a benefit raffle.
“The people of Orleans County have just been wonderful to us,” Mrs. Carr said on Wednesday evening at the new house. “We’re very grateful and we’ll never forget them.”
People from outside the county also donated to help them recover from the fire.
File photo: The Carr house was destroyed in an explosion and fire on Christmas about a year ago.
The Carrs have been married for 44 years. They lived in an apartment in the Village of Albion for much of 2017. A contractor, Geoff Christian, worked to build them a new house on Wilkens Road. On Dec. 21, four days before Christmas, the Carrs moved into the new house.
“It’s beautiful,” Mrs. Carr said about the one-story, two-bedroom home.
They miss their old farm house, where the Carrs said they have strong memories of raising their two children there.
The couple also feared all of their family photos were lost in the fire, but their son Donny found some pictures that survived. Wet towels and clothes landed on a box of photos and that protected the batch from the fire. Those photos include Mrs. Carr when she was a baby and her parents’ wedding album.
The Carrs are grateful to be back in their neighborhood. Mrs. Carr grew up down the road and Don is a life-long West Barre resident. The road is named for Mrs. Carr’s grandfather, John Wilkins, who was a farmer, just like Mrs. Carr’s father, Arthur Wilkins.
‘The people of Orleans County have just been wonderful to us. We’re very grateful and we’ll never forget them.’ – Fonda Carr
Mrs. Carr worked as a substitute teacher in Albion and Medina. Many of the donations came from her former students.
Mr. Carr is retired as a mechanic and operator from Iroquois Rock Products, a quarry in Brockport. He also is a long-time member of the Barre Sportsmen’s Club. One of the members, Nick Salvatore, organized a benefit for the Carrs. His band, Eagle Creek Band, was one of four bands to play at the benefit.
The Carrs are proud people who have tried to help others and aren’t accustomed to being on the receiving end.
But they said the help, as well as encouraging words throughout the year, have been appreciated.
They recalled fleeing from their burning home about a year ago.
Don Carr heard the ice slide off the roof at about 4 a.m. Then he heard a loud hissing.
Carr happened to be up at that hour going to the bathroom. He thinks the ice severed the propane line. Soon his house was filling with gas. Carr yelled to his wife Fonda to get up.
Carr suspects the well pump turned on in his basement, and that spark ignited an explosion with the house turning into an inferno.
“It was the loudest boom I’ve ever heard in my life,” Mrs. Carr told the Orleans Hub about a year ago. “The house was filling with flames. There was a series of explosions and the wall was buckling.”
The house was rocked by the first explosion, and more followed as the Carrs frantically tried to get out. The front door was jammed and wouldn’t open from the house shifting. The Carrs opened a kitchen window leading to the porch – and got out, barely. As they were scrambling to get away, the house became fully engulfed in flames.
“Your adrenaline is pumping,” Mrs. Carr said. “We just wanted to get out. We didn’t get anything out of the house, because we just knew we had to get out.”
The Carrs made it out wearing their pajamas. Everything else was destroyed including the Christmas presents they had for their family.
Their neighbor, Tom Keeler, heard the explosion and called 911. (Keeler, one of the owners of Keeler Construction, donated gravel and money to help the Carrs rebuild.)
The Carrs escaped the house without any burns. Mrs. Carr was hit in the back of the head by her “Jesus clock” in the living room. She needed one stitch after being taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. After getting hit with the clock, she said she realized how urgently she and her husband needed to get out.
“Jesus was watching out for us,” she said on Wednesday. “Without that I don’t think we would have made it.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2017 at 9:25 pm
Stephen Karas helps spread holiday cheer with firefighters
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE – The Barre Volunteer Fire Company made Stephen Karas a lifetime social member of the fire company in appreciation for joining firefighters in delivering presents to children the past three years.
Ben Flansburg, assistant chief for Barre, presents the certificate to Karas on Saturday. The certificate thanks Karas, “For your dedication helping the Fire Company during the holidays. We couldn’t do it without you!”
Stephen Karas is happy to portray Santa in the Town of Barre when the Fire Company delivers presents dropped off by parents at the firehall. Karas is joined on the deliveries by firefighters Ben Flansburg and Brian Neal, right.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2017 at 4:57 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE – Santa visits families and children in Barre today while riding a Barre fire truck. Santa is pictured with Barre firefighters and the grandchildren of past fire chief Jesse Babcock.
The Barre firefighters include, from left: Ben Flansburg, Brian Neal, Brianna Caldwell, Austin Zobel and Chris Flansburg, back right.
The Babcock grandchildren include Lance Babcock, in back; Kallan Babcock, left; and Patrick Babcock, front right.
Santa is pictured with Jesse Babcock and Babcock’s grandchildren on Eagle Harbor Road.
Santa made 14 stops today and has 18 scheduled for Sunday. The Barre Volunteer Fire Company sends out letters to the Barre community, asking if they wanted Santa to stop by this weekend.
Barre firefighter Austin Zobel hands out candy canes provided by the Ladies Auxiliary.
The fire truck carrying Santa arrives at Jerry and Terry Bentley’s house on Route 98. The Bentleys had several young nieces and nephews as well as other family there to meet Santa.
Santa gets a big greeting from the children at the Bentley home.
Santa gives each kid a toy. (Those presents were dropped off at the Barre Fire Hall by parents or grandparents a few days ago.)
Teagan Bisig gives Santa a hug during one of his stops in Barre today.
Each kid is invited to go inside the fire truck and blow the horn.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Barre water tower is pictured on Sept. 6 with a rainbow.
Press Release, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer
BARRE – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced $1,096,000 in federal funding, including a loan of $606,000 and a grant of $490,000, has been approved for the Town of Barre in Orleans County.
The federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program. Specifically the Town of Barre will use the funding to create Water District #8, providing public water service to 36 residential users who do not currently have access to safe drinking water.
“This federal investment is good news for the Orleans County,” said Senator Schumer. “These federal funds for the Town of Barre will help boost economic development and increase access to water for residents. I am proud to announce this federal investment and will continue to fight to make sure that rural communities have the tools they need to build, protect and maintain their infrastructure.”
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.
“This will be the 4th water district in the Town of Barre, and we have two more in the works,” said Mark Chamberlain, Barre town supervisor. “Our local USDA office in Batavia has been so helpful in getting these projects funded. People have been asking for water in this area for a while, especially since last summer when we saw many wells dry up due to dry weather conditions and noticed some sulfur in the water supply. This new district will not only bring these people – who so desperately need it – safe water, it will also increase their property value and lower their insurance costs.”
This funding is awarded through the Rural Business Development Grant program, administered by the USDA’s Rural Development agency. The Rural Development agency is committed to improving economies and lives in rural America, through loans, grants and loan guarantees. They support local businesses, individuals and communities by promoting economic development, offering loans and providing technical assistance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 March 2017 at 12:25 pm
Jerry Bentley is pictured with his family, including from left: parents, Doug and Linda; daughter Kara; son Brian; wife Terry; and brother Tom.
Photos by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – The Barre Volunteer Fire Company honored Jerry Bentley on Saturday for his many years of service to the fire department, including two stints as fire chief from 1997 to 2004, and 2015 to 2016. Bentley was recently named a deputy fire coordinator for the county for the center battalion.
Bentley in the top photo is wiping a tear from his eye after being presented with an award of appreciation from Chris Flansburg, captain; Karl Diesel, president; and Ben Flansburg, assistant chief.
Driesel said Bentley, who also works full-time for the Barre town highway department and part-time as a dispatcher, is a “people person.”
“He has a way of encouraging people to push themselves to do a little more,” Driesel said.
The fire department responded to 2019 calls in 2016, including 114 EMS, 27 motor vehicle accidents, 5 structure fires, 6 car fires, 5 brush fires, 16 miscellaneous fires, 4 traffic control, 1 Mercy Flight landing zone and 32 mutual aid.
The following were the top 10 in responding to calls: Jerry Bentley, 132; Amanda Dixon, 119; Pat Lamka, 108; Kara Bentley, 99; James Neal, 96; Sarah Lamka, 92; John Egloff,89; Mark Farone, 87; Brian Bentley, 79; and Geddy Morgan, 78.
The fire department completed 1,332.5 hours of fire/EMS training last year, including in-house, county and state fire courses.
“Training is very important to me, more than making calls,” Bentley told the firefighters. “I would rather have members know what they are going to do when they get to a call than wonder how do it when they get there.”
The top 10 in training hours include: Richard Barnard, 159; Brian Bentley, 119; Jerry Bentley, 104; Kara Bentley, 101; Sarah Lamka, 76.5; Karl Driesel, 75; Andrew Faskel, 62.5; Chris Flansburg, 62; John Egloff, 48.5; Doug Bentley, 43.5.
Jerry Bentley presented two awards as the outgoing chief on Saturday. He named Rich Barnard the “firefighter of the year.” Barnard led the department with 159 training hours, including completing the firefighter 1 course and a class for basic pump operations.
“He’s very self motivated and willing to learn,” Bentley said about Barnard.
Bentley presented the Chief’s Award to his daughter, Kara Bentley, who was fourth in the department in training hours and in responding to calls. She was a high school student for half the year until she graduated last June, and then attended classes at Finger Lakes Community College.
Kara, 18, is working on becoming an EMT. She said she enjoys helping others through the fire department. Her father said she has become a dependable member of the department, looking to improve her skills.
The fire company also announced that Steve Karas was made an honorary lifetime social member in appreciation for portraying Santa the past two years while firefighters delivered toys to local children. Karas was unable to attend the dinner on Saturday because he is in Florida.
The fire department formed in 1961 and several of the charter members have been steady contributors all 55 years. They were recognized during the installation banquet on Saturday, including Herman Hicks, John Baron, Don Josyln, Larie Vagg, Warren Snyder and Frank Babcock. The 55-year members were presented with citations of appreciation from the State Assembly and Orleans County Legislature.
Herman Hicks accepts certificates of appreciation on Saturday for his 55 years of service to the Barre Volunteer Fire Company. Eileen Banker, chief of staff for Sate Assemblyman Steve Hawley, hands Hicks one of his certificates. Dale Banker, the emergency management director, is in back left by State Sen. Rob Ortt.
Hicks remains a commissioner with the Barre Fire District. He was the fire company’s first assistant chief in 1961. A retired dairy farmer, he served in numerous roles for the fire company throughout its history.
“There was a big demand (for the fire company) and we have done a lot of good for the community,” Hicks said.
He is encouraged by a new generation of volunteer firefighters stepping up to serve in Barre.
“We have a lot of people interested and that’s what you need, a good nucleus,” Hicks said.
John Baron receives his certificates of appreciation for his 55 years with the Barre Volunteer Fire Company from President Karl Driesel. Baron worked the third shift at Rochester Products and he said that made him available to respond to many fire calls during the day, when other firefighters were working. He was an active firefighter for 25-30 years.
“You’re needed,” he said about volunteer firefighters. “I also have made a lot of friends through the fire department.”
State Sen. Rob Ortt addressed more than 100 people who attended the annual installation dinner for Barre, held at the East Shelby Fire Hall. Ortt said the volunteer firefighters provide an invaluable service to their communities, and save taxpayers an estimated $3 billion annually if the communities had to have paid personnel.
Ortt was praised by Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management coordinator, for directing a $75,000 grant to pay for a fire prevention trailer to be used for smoke simulation, and teaching children and the community about fire safety and prevention. That trailer will be available county-wide.
Banker also said State Assemblyman Steve Hawley has directed funds for a firefighter recruitment effort, paying for billboards and advertisements to urge people to join their local volunteer fire department. Those ads and billboards will be out in April.
Marty Zwifka receives a plaque and appreciation for his 20 years of service as deputy fire coordinator for central Orleans County. Dale Banker, the EMO director, made the presentation to Zwifka. Jerry Bentley has succeeded Zwifka in the part-time role as deputy fire coordinator.
These Barre officers take the oath of office. They include, from left: Barry Flansburg, Brian Bentley, Nic Elliott and Ben Flansburg.
The officers for 2017 include:
Department Officers: Karl Driesel, president; Jesse Babcock, vice president; Terry Bentley, secretary; and Edgar Morton, treasurer.
Firematic Officers: James Neal, chief; Ben Flansburg, assistant chief; Chris Flansburg, captain; Bert Mathes, 1st lieutenant; Nic Elliott, 2nd lieutenant; Brian Bentley, 3rd lieutenant; Barry Flansburg, 4th lieutenant; Andrew Faskel, EMS captain; Susan Driesel, Fire Police captain; Doug Bentley, chief mechanic; John Egloff, assistant mechanic.
Directors: Jesse Babcock, Bert Mathes, Bradlee Driesel, Chris Flansburg, Andrew Faskel and Bill Basinait.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Taylor Quarles, development manager for Apex, speaks with local dairy farmer Richard Miller about the Apex proposed project for the Town of Barre.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 January 2017 at 10:48 am
BARRE – Apex Clean Energy held the first of two public meetings on Wednesday about its proposed project in Barre. The Barre Town Hall was crowded as residents asked questions and looked for more information on the project.
Apex is in the public outreach phase for “Heritage Wind.” It hasn’t submitted a preliminary scoping statement for the project. After the PSS is submitted, the community and state agencies can comment on the document and Apex may have to provide more detailed information.
Apex Clean Energy handed out pens that resembled windmills.
Residents also will have opportunities to comment on a final application if Apex moves to that phase.
Apex wants to build a 200-megawatt project in Barre with about 70 turbines. The town ordinance limits the height of turbines to 500 feet from the top tip of the blade.
Apex is considering turbines throughout the town except for a 2-mile buffer around the Pine Hill Airport. Ben Yazman, project manager for Apex, said the company has leases for 2,500 acres and wants to sign up more land. He is pleased with the reception from residents and landowners.
“The town has been very hospitable,” Yazman said. “The farmers see it as a drought-resistant crop.”
Albert Davis, a retired dairy who lives on Maple Avenue, attended the meeting Wednesday and said he supports the project. Davis said his sister lives in Texas amidst a wind farm.
“She doesn’t have an issue with them,” Davis said.
Barre residents Mark Farone, left, and Mike Van Lieshout discuss the project.
He lives close to the 2-mile buffer with Pine Hill and hasn’t been approached to lease land. Davis said the project would reduce town taxes and provide revenue for many landowners.
“I think it would be a good thing,” Davis said. “Barre has nothing but high taxes.”
Town Supervisor Mark Chamberlain said most residents tell him they support the project, but he has heard from some people who oppose it in Barre.
Joe Grabowski is one of the residents who opposes the turbines. Grabowski lives on Culver Road. He said he wouldn’t receive any lease payments for having turbines near his property.
“If I have to look at it 365 days, I should be compensated,” Grabowski said.
He also worries Apex will site the turbines on “Grade A farmland.” The company, if it builds in Barre, shouldn’t pick prime farmland, he said.
Grabowski said he’s heard from several residents against the project. He thinks it’s 50-50 for those in favor or against it.
“The farmers want it because they have the land,” Grabowski said.
Apex is planning another open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Heritage Wind office at 49 N. Main St. in Albion. There will also be a public hearing on the application of the meteorological tower at 7 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the Barre Town Hall.
Apex wants to put up three met towers, at the corner of Culver and Thorp roads, on Oak Orchard Road (Old 98), and on Route 31A across from Keeler Construction. Those towers will gather information on wind strength and consistency.
Apex has been pushing another project in Yates and Somerset, but has encountered strong resistance from Save Ontario Shores, a citizens group. The Yates and Somerset town boards, and county legislatures in Orleans, Niagara and Erie counties have also opposed that project along the lake. Those officials have been critical of the Article 10 process, which gives a state-appointed siting board the final say on the project, rather than the local community.
Pam Atwater, president of Save Ontario Shores, attended the Barre meeting and urged residents to research Apex and the wind industry.
“Our goal is education,” Atwater said. “There should be information that isn’t just coming from a corporation. I think it’s important for people to know what they’re getting themselves in for.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: Shawna Edwards has a big smile after flowers were dropped off this morning congratulating her on the reopening of the Barre Deli. Her parents, Jerry and Mora Edwards, are in back working in the kitchen.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 January 2017 at 11:43 am
Shawna Edwards reopens deli her parents ran for 16 years
The deli is located on Route 98 in Barre Center.
BARRE – It felt like a homecoming in the Barre Deli this morning. Shawna Edwards was warmly greeted by many of her customers.
Edwards grew up in the deli. Her parents, Jerry and Mora Edwards, ran it for 16 years until retiring in 2006.
The business had a new operator for a few years after that, but the Barre Center has been without its popular hangout for breakfast and lunch since 2011.
Edwards, 30, wanted to bring it back. The building had been turned into apartments. She needed to put in a kitchen and make other renovations.
Today she opened at 6 a.m. and has been greeted by a grateful community.
“I want to congratulate her because she put a lot of work into it,” said Mark Chamberlain, the Barre town supervisor.
Mora Edwards cooks breakfast this morning at the Barre Deli.
The community has felt a void with no Barre Deli the past several years. There hasn’t been a place to stop for a bite to eat between Elba and Albion. But that changed today.
The deli makes the popular breakfast sandwiches and omelets from when Jerry and Mora Edwards ran the business. (Jerry and Mora were there this morning, working the grill and reconnecting with Deli customers.)
The Deli also serves subs, pizza, chicken wings and homemade soups. It has soda, coffee, and some grocery items for sale.
“We’re very grateful for some place in town where you can buy milk and bread,” said Maureen Beach, the Barre town clerk.
Lynn and Billie Condoluci live next door. They stopped by for breakfast this morning. They were regulars when the Edwards first ran the business.
“If you needed something in a pinch, you could come right over,” Mrs. Condoluci said. “It looks good. They’ve done a lot of work.”
Lynn and Billie Condoluci are happy to have the Barre Deli back as a neighbor.
Edwards has worked the past 10 years in insurance with Paychex and Tompkins.
Her parents still own the Barre Deli building. Shawna wanted to make use of the site, and bring back a community asset.
“It’s so great to see everybody again,” she said this morning.
The deli will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and open 6 to 11 a.m. on Sundays. Shawna said she will likely be open later in the spring.
Shawna Edwards is pictured with her parents, Jerry and Mora.
