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.

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.

BARRE – The Town of Barre’s Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals will have a joint public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Town Hall to take comments on a proposed cell tower.

Bell Atlantic/Verizon has proposed a 170-foot-high tower with a 4-foot-high lightning rod at 14295 West Barre Rd., on land owned by the Frederick A. Daniels and Adrienne C. Daniels Irrevocable Trust.

Verizon, in its application to the town, acknowledges the company “has service inadequacies in the Town of Barre.”

The hearing on Nov. 13 will be for site plan approval and a special use permit from the Planning Board, and a height variance from ZBA.

Besides the tower, the project includes a 7-foot-tall chain link fence, an equipment shelter and gravel access road.

Verizon also will be able to lease out space on the tower to other companies.

More people could be added to group looking at land use in town

BARRE – The Town of Barre has named members to a committee to update a comprehensive plan from 2017.

The group will be headed by Town Councilman George McKenna. Other members approved by the Town Board on Wednesday include John Depatie from the Planning Board, Cyndy Van Lieshout, Scott Burnside, town assessor Stephanie Underhill, Larry Gaylard from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Wes Miller of the Planning Board, Kelly Dudley of the ZBA, Kathy Klein and Gary Palmer.

The Town Board said more members could be added. McKenna said he would like to see a more diverse representation with more people from small businesses outside of agriculture and some younger adults. He said the current members include many from the ag community.

McKenna said the current members cover different communities of the town, from barre Center, East barre, West barre and South Barre.

He expects the comp plan will include a survey for residents to weigh in on many issues, including large-scale solar and wind energy projects.

Barre will be working with Barbara Johnston from LaBella Associates on updating the plan, which sets policies and goals for land use. Barre has about 2,000 residents and just under 800 households. There are 34,563 acres in the town and agricultural is just over half of the total.

Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said there will be many opportunities for public to weigh in on the plan in the coming months.

If there are any amendments to the plan, there will be at least one public hearing for the residents to comment on the changes.

Press Release, Heritage Wind

BARRE – The Heritage Wind Community Grant Program is now accepting applications for its fall 2023 grant cycle.

Counting the last grant cycle’s recipients, the grant program has awarded nearly $90,000 to community causes and non-profit organizations working to build healthy communities, increase environmental sustainability, foster economic development, and promote education, since its inception in 2020.

The previous Spring Grant Cycle included the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, United Way of Orleans County, and Supportive Care of Orleans.

Local organizations working in the Town of Barre, and the broader Orleans County community are encouraged to apply. Grants are typically awarded in $250 to $4,000 increments, with priority given to proposals that demonstrate meaningful impacts to the greatest number of area residents. We will be accepting applications until Nov. 3.

Please apply at www.heritagewindpower.com/grant.

The four focus areas for the community grant program are:

• Building Healthy Communities – Programs that support public health or enhance the quality of life in the community.
• Economic Development – Programs that support the economic wellbeing of the community.
• Environmental Sustainability – Programs that support environmental revitalization, sustainability, or empower residents to be stewards of the environment.
• Promoting Education – Programs that support educational institutions, especially the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This may include curriculum development, vocational training, or literacy support.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Anna Mathes at anna.mathes@apexcleanenergy.com or (585) 563-5137.

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – A barn from the early 1900s burned this afternoon in Barre. The barn is owned by Frank and Cynthia Stumer at 4715 Oak Orchard Rd.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 3:38 p.m. The property is next to the Barre fire hall on Route 98.

The fire also damaged a garage next to the barn. No one was injured in the blaze.

“I just loved that barn,” said Mrs. Stumer, who is deputy commissioner of the Department of Social Services for Orleans County. “I’m just devastated. We had plans of renovating it.”

Several local fire departments responded to the scene. The cause is under investigation.

Firefighters use a saw to cut open the garage door.

The fire spread from the barn to a garage, causing extensive damage.

Albion firefighter John Papponetti, left, and Steve Miller of the Medina Fire Department get water on the back of the barn.

Provided photos: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) met with the Keeler family and leaders of Barre Stone Products.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

BARRE – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visited Barre Stone Products, Inc. on Thursday in Orleans County.

Barre Stone Products is located in the Town of Barre and is a fourth-generation, family-owned business. Their parent company, Keeler Construction Company, was incorporated in 1942 and has been working in highway construction for more than 60 years. They specialize in crushed stone products, hot mixed asphalt and agricultural lime. Hawley is happy to see local businesses thriving and making an impact in the community.

“I was thrilled and honored to spend almost two hours talking, listening and touring Barre Stone Products and Keeler Construction operations yesterday,” Hawley said. “Their expertise, financial investment in equipment and technology and good stewardship of their many contiguous acres in Orleans County is commendable. I thank Barre Stone Products for allowing me to tour their facilities and for their impact on Western New York’s economy.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – Julius Dillard, 3, of Barre sprays a fire hose this afternoon during an open house at the Barre Volunteer Fire Company. His grandfather Josh Jurs is a lieutenant with the fire company, and great-grandfather John Jurs is a long-time member.

Barre held an open house with demonstrations as part of a state-wide Recruit NY outreach effort to try to attract more members and volunteers. Fire company leaders said about 60 people attended the open house and two people took applications to join the fire company.

This group of members welcomed people to learn more about the fire company which responded to 268 calls last year. From left include Barry Flansburg, Jerry Bentley, Terry Bentley, Kara Smith, Bert Mathes, Judy Kurtz, Doug Bentley, jay Kurtz and Mark Farone.

The fire company invited people to check out the fire trucks and try on turnout gear. The fire trucks include a 2010 pumper, 2022 pumper-tanker and 2019 pumper.

Barry Flansburg said the all departments would welcome more members, who can assist a fire company in many ways, whether responding to fire and emergency calls, and helping to run the organization, which could be with some of the office work.

Julius Dillard, left, gets some guidance in spraying the house from his great-grandfather John Jurs while Landon Flansburg, 4, of Barre gets a little help from his father, Ben, who is the Barre fire chief.c

BARRE – The Barre Volunteer Fire Company is hosting an open house Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community is welcome to get hands-on training, said Fire Chief Ben Flansburg.

The event is part of Recruit NY outreach efforts this weekend by many fire departments in New York State.

Barre will offer refreshments during the open house. People also can try on turn-out gear, learn how to spray water and check out the fire trucks and see how they are operated. Barre firefighters responded to 268 calls in 2022.

For more on Recruit NY, click here.

Provided photos

BARRE – Students in Mr. Tim Archer’s seventh grade Service Learning class at Albion Middle School recently helped Clarendon Historian Melissa Ierlan repaint a New York State historic marker commemorating the burial place of the Rev. Marvin Frey, composer of Kum Ba Yah and other popular spiritual songs.

The students included Sophia Bouchey, Maliyah Carithers, Sadie Money, Cameron Manacle and Tyler Sullivan.

The students are shown outside the chapel at Hillside Cemetery in Clarendon, working on the sign.

The sign is located on West Barre Road in the Town of Barre. Ierlan has repainted many of the historical markers in Orleans County in recent years.

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – Firefighters were dispatched this morning to a fire at a vacant trailer at 13455 Allis Rd. in Barre.

A man who used to live in the trailer passed away about two years ago, a neighbor said.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 6:41 a.m. Barre, Albion, Medina and Elba responded as well as the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

The fire seemed to be concentrated on one side of the trailer.

Fire investigators are on scene to try to determine the cause of the fire.

UPDATE at 6:17 p.m.: Fire investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as accidental but the investigation is continuing.

BARRE – A late night fire at 13200 Hemlock Ridge Rd. has resulted in a total loss of the residence, said James Neal, assistant fire chief for ethe Barre Volunteer Fire Company.

Firefighters were dispatched to scene at 1:24 a.m. It was 2 degrees out and the temperatures would drop to minus degrees while firefighters were at the scene until about 6 a.m.

The one resident in the house got out safely and the Red Cross has been requested to assist that person with temporary housing, Neal said.

He estimated 30 to 40 firefighters assisted with the response with firefighters from Barre, Albion, Carlton, East Shelby, Elba, Oakfield and Medina.

They used water from a hydrant and also filled 11 tankers with water to try to put out the fire, Neal said.

“My guys and everyone did a great job,” he said.

The cause has been undetermined and remains under investigation.

BARRE – The town may send out surveys to residents, gauging their opinions on many issues, from industrial wind turbines to tiny homes.

Town Council George McKenna presented a list of issues on he would like to hear from residents about, including whether they would support a dollar store, an electric charging station, term limits for Town Board members and other boards (Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals).

McKenna, speaking at Wednesday’s Town Board meeting, also wants to hear from residents on whether the town should pay for announcements in the local media, consolidation of justice courts in the county, marijuana dispensaries, the use of agriculture land for solar projects, and whether the town should adjust its zoning law to not allow industrial-sized turbines.

He would like the Planning Board to take the lead in crafting the survey, and that board could add more questions to the survey.

McKenna said it would make the Town Board’s job easier to know how residents feel about the many issues that could confront the board.

“We can start the ball rolling,” he said about getting a survey in motion.

Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said Planning Board could work on the survey with the Town Board getting a final look at the document before it’s sent out.

Pogue and the board members said residents may need more information on some of the issues, such as “tiny houses.” Pogue said those could be patio homes that are more affordable to senior citizens and younger families.

The Town Board voted to have the Planning Board begin work on the survey. McKenna also suggested an open-ended question for residents to offer ideas to improve the town and also to lower taxes.

In other action at Wednesday’s board meeting:

• Supervisor Pogue said Verizon is looking for a site in Barre for a tower to improve coverage in the community. Pogue said the tower would likely be somewhere near the town hall. The town property at the town hall doesn’t have enough room for a “fall zone” for a tower, Pogue said.

Town employees are well aware of the struggles to get a strong signal.

“It should improve our reception so the guys in the highway don’t have to step out of the garage into the parking lot to talk to somebody,” Pogue said.

• The board voted to advertise for a town attorney. Bridget O’Toole has worked the past year in the position, following Lance Mark who served the town for 37 years.

Board members said O’Toole has done a good job for Barre. However, the majority of the board wanted to give other attorneys a chance to apply for the position.

Councilman McKenna questioned spending the money to put out advertisements when the board is satisfied with O’Toole.

Councilwoman Kerri Richardson also said she didn’t think the advertisements were necessary, when the board is happy with O’Toole.

But Pogue said Richardson wasn’t being consistent with her thinking because she insisted the board advertise to fill vacancies on the Planning and Zoning boards. (There weren’t any new applications from the community for those positions and the board on Wednesday reappointed Tom Keeler to the Planning Board and Larry Gaylard to the Zoning Board of Appeals.)

Richardson said that was different because the Town Board was trying to reach out to community members to serve on those boards.

Councilwoman Margaret Swan said advertising for the attorney position may give someone in Orleans County a chance to apply for the post.

• The board approved a modified contract for ambulance services with Monroe Ambulance. Barre was the first of seven towns in eastern and central Orleans to approve a contract with Monroe on Nov. 9, calling for Barre to pay $8,000 towards ambulance services.

The original contract called for seven towns to pay $200,000 to Monroe to have ambulances based in Albion and Holley in 2023. But the Kendall Town Board didn’t vote to be in the agreement, saying Kendall was already covered through a contract between Monroe and two fire districts.

The revised contract without Kendall is among six towns for $181,200. Barre’s share remains at $8,000.