By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2026 at 3:36 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kathy Harnischfeger speaks during Tuesday’s Clarendon Town Board meeting. She challenged Councilman Fred Seeman to a debate for town supervisor. Seeman told her he would think about it.
CLARENDON – A Clarendon resident has announced a write-in campaign for town supervisor.
Kathy Harnischfeger wants to give people an option besides Fred Seeman, who won the Republican primary over incumbent Marc Major. Seeman won’t have any challengers with their names on the ballot because the deadline has passed for independent candidates or other political parties to nominate a candidate.
Seeman is currently a town councilman. His wife, Melissa Ierlan, was the town’s code enforcement officer, historian and cemetery administrator. On June 26, three days after the Republican primary, she pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree in Orleans County Court, admitting to taking $62,000 without authorization from the Clarendon Historical Society when she was the group’s president.
She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26. Ierlan won’t have to go to jail, but will need to pay full restitution and will be on probation for five years as part of a plea agreement.
Harnischfeger said Seeman shouldn’t have pursued the higher office given the case against his wife.
“There has been a very dark cloud over our town now,” Harnischfeger said. “The respect for our town has been diminished around the county.”
Harnischfeger is a semi-retired school teacher. She worked at the Rochester City School District but continues as a sub at Spencerport. She also is a home health aide and an animal rescuer.
She described herself as a moderate Democrat who would insist on integrity in the Clarendon Town Hall and push for lower taxes for residents.
“Why not me?” she said. “I’m a leader naturally and I will fight for all.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2026 at 9:12 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Tracy Chalker, Clarendon highway supervisor, said the town’s costs are up significantly for plowing and salting roads.
CLARENDON – The 10 towns in Orleans County are seeking a 30 percent increase for plowing and salting county roads.
Orleans County currently pays the towns $7,218 per mile in an agreement that ends Dec. 31. That price however isn’t nearly enough to cover the towns’ expense for plowing and salting, said Tracy Chalker, the Clarendon highway superintendent. He also is president of the Orleans County Town Highway Superintendents Association.
Chalker said the costs of fuel, salt, labor and plow trucks have all increased dramatically since the last agreement was approved five years ago.
The towns aren’t seeking to make money by plowing the roads for the county, but they do want to cover their costs, Chalker told the Clarendon Town Board on Tuesday.
“We’re not looking to make a profit but the Town of Clarendon and the other towns shouldn’t have to eat the costs for the county,” Chalker said.
Clarendon plows 14.94 miles of county roads, for 29.88 lane miles. Those roads include Upper Holley Road, South Holley Road, Fancher Road, Hindsburg Road and section of New Guinea Road.
The highway department did 150 plow runs last winter, using 6,723 pounds of salt every time on the county roads, Chalker said.
He tallied the costs at $123,798 for the 14.94 miles for a per mile cost of $8,286. Chalker said those calculations are light on the total expense because employee benefits aren’t included.
The towns are seeking a 30 percent increase or $2,165 more per mile in 2027, for $9,383. They then want a 5 percent increase each following year in the five-year agreement.
The $7,218 rate per mile adds up to $107,836 for Clarendon, leaving a significant deficit, Chalker said.
Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer, has shared a letter with the 10 towns, listing what other nearby counties pay towns for plowing and salting. Welch said Orleans County is paying slightly more than other counties. Welch reported the following: Orleans at $7,218; Monroe at $7,010; Genesee at $6,954; Wyoming at $7,000; and Ontario at $6,954.
Clarendon officials noted that most other nearby counties share far more in sales tax than Orleans County does with towns and villages. Orleans hasn’t increased the share to municipalities since 2001.
The Clarendon Town Board passed a formal resolution on Tuesday seeking the 30 percent increase for 2027 to plow and salt county roads, with 5 percent increases to follow from 2028 to 2031. Clarendon and the other towns also are seeking a 30 percent increase in mowing the sides of county roads. They are currently paid $759 per mile.
“I think that’s reasonable because the county isn’t sharing the sales tax,” Town Councilman Chris Caufield said about the 30 percent increase.
The county currently doesn’t have plow trucks or the personnel to plow and salt their own roads. Chalker said the towns just want a fair deal to cover their costs.
“We want to stay on good terms with the county,” he said. “We want to work with them. We don’t want to beat them up.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2026 at 8:12 am
Photo courtesy of Peter Turkow
CLARENDON – An anonymous donor has committed to paying the cost for cleaning, repairing and resetting the headstone for Clarendon’s founder, Eldredge Farwell.
Farwell is buried at Pettengill Cemetery on Hibbard Road. He was the town’s first white settler of town. Farwell built the first mills in Clarendon, with a saw mill in 1811, and then a grist mill in 1813.
His headstone is broken near the bottom. It lists his death as Oct. 15, 1843. He was born in March 6, 1770 at Charlestown, New Hampshire. Farwell initially settled around nearby Clarkson along the Ridge Road.
His brother Isaac settled nearby to the west of the Ridge Road and Lake Road intersection in the same location, according to a column by former Orleans County Historian Matt Ballard.
“As so many historians have recorded, the story of Clarendon’s foundation occurred by happenchance after the unfortunate escape of Isaac Farwell’s horse around 1810,” Ballard wrote in a column posted on Jan. 20, 2018. “Following the animal’s trail along the bank of Sandy Creek, it is said that Eldredge stumbled upon a waterfall and while recognizing its potential for power, decided that he should settle the area.
“Farwell purchased approximately 210 acres the following year and relocated his wife and five children to the area in the spring of 1811. With that acreage upon which the beautiful waterfall sat came the mill privilege, providing him with the opportunity to construct a grist mill on the site.”
Farwell would be elected Clarendon town supervisor, and he operated the first post office at the location then known as “Farwell’s Mills.” He was later selected as a judge in the court of common pleas and from that point on was known locally as Judge Farwell, Ballard wrote.
Peter Turkow, the Clarendon historian, said a donation will cover the costs of repairing and resetting the headstone. Brigden Memorials in Albion is taking on the job. Turkow said the repaired headstone could be reset in the fall.
Another headstone of a prominent early resident also is broken and Turkow said some money has been pledged to fix it, but more is needed. Benjamin Pettingill (1795-1870) is the namesake for the cemetery and served as a Clarendon town supervisor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2026 at 10:32 pm
CLARENDON – Fred Seeman holds a 15-vote lead over Marc Major in the Republican primary for Clarendon town supervisor. After the votes today, early voting and absentees received by today, Seeman is ahead, 170-155.
There are 16 absentee ballots they haven’t been turned in. They need to be postmarked by today and received by the Board of Elections one week from today to be counted.
Major has been the town supervisor for about a year. He was the deputy town supervisor and was appointed town supervisor after Richard Moy retired. Major was a town councilman for 12 years.
When Major became town supervisor, his councilman seat was open and Seeman was appointed to the position about a year ago.
Both were then elected in November, but for Major it was only a one-year term, forcing him to go through the election process again this year.
Major had the Republican Committee endorsement but Seeman forced a primary. He holds the lead today.
Seeman’s wife, Melissa Ierlan, is facing felony grand larceny charges for allegedly stealing about $100,000 from the Clarendon Historical Society, where she was president. Ierlan also was the town code enforcement officer, cemetery administrator and historian.
She is scheduled to appear in County Court on Friday morning.
In Clarendon, there were 326 votes today and with early voting and absentees turned in by today. (There was one write-in vote.) There are 1,284 registered Republicans in the town for a turnout of 25.4 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2026 at 9:32 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
CLARENDON – Clarendon Deputy Town Supervisor Allen Robinson, left, and Town Supervisor Marc Major stand by a new defibrillator, first aid station and emergency handbook at the Clarendon Town Hall. It is located inside the town courtroom.
Clarendon also has a Narcan kit among the emergency supplies.
The Clarendon Lions Club contributed $1,000 towards the new defibrillator. The Lions Club meets at the Town Hall and wanted to support the town for making the space available to the club.
The town also paid $800 and tapped into a $1,895 grant from AEDGrant.com. Town Supervisor Marc Major wrote the application in November and the grant was approved in December. The new defibrillator has a battery that lasts seven years. The defibrillator replaces one that had expired.
Major, a longtime Clarendon firefighter, also wanted a Narcan kit. He said he has administered that several times as a firefighter to someone having an overdose.
“If you can help somebody we’re lucky we can do it,” said Robinson.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 June 2026 at 4:32 pm
Town Board rejected previous effort to run sewer line from Heron Falls to Village of Holley
CLARENDON – Heron Falls, a mobile home park off Route 31A with about 400 housing units and 800 residents, has asked the Clarendon Town Board to create a sewer district that would serve the park and connect into the Village of Holley system.
Heron Falls last year offered to pay an estimated $2 million to run a 4-inch sewer line from Heron Falls and connect into Holley’s system at Bennetts Corners Road.
During a town meeting in November, several Bennetts Corners Road residents spoke out against the project concerned it would bring development to their rural neighborhood and possibly foul odors and negative impacts from construction.
The Town Board ultimately voted unanimously not to support the project as presented.
But now Heron Falls, owned by Estates West MHC LLC, wants to try a new approach. It has submitted a petition to the town to form the Heron Falls Sewer District.
Town Supervisor Marc Major and the rest of the Town Board have referred the petition to Bond, Schoeneck and King Attorneys for its advice on how to proceed. Major said Heron Falls hasn’t taken an adversarial stance with Clarendon. The company has petitioned for a district in the same manner that a group of residents do when they are looking to form a water district.
The Town Board now takes it under review to see if it will proceed as a town-driven project.
When Heron Falls looked to hook into Holley’s sewer system, the Clarendon Town Board was brought into the process in the late stages, Major said.
If the sewer district goes forward, Major said he wants an agreement “where all parties benefit.”
Heron Falls last year offered to spend $2 million to extend public sewers in the town by about 2 miles.
Heron Falls, formerly called Thomas Estates, wants to decommission its aging wastewater treatment system on site and instead run a 4-inch sewer line to connect with Holley’s sewer system.
Heron Falls offered to pay for the new sewer lines and a pump station, and then turn the project over to the Village of Holley. Residents along 1,650 feet on Route 31A and then 9,150 feet along Bennetts Corners Road would have the option to connect to the sewer system, but wouldn’t be required, according to the proposal from last year.
Holley’s sewer plant currently treats about 210,000 gallons a day. Heron Falls wants to send another 38,000 to 70,000 a gallons to Holley’s plant which has a capacity to treat 450,000 gallons a day. Even with Heron Falls, Holley would have plenty of capacity to accommodate other users, village officials said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2026 at 10:56 am
Provided photos
CLARENDON – Boy Scout Troop 59 in Clarendon placed about 600 American flags at the graves of veterans at Hillside Cemetery on Wednesday evening.
Pictured at top: (Left) James Shaw places a flag at a veteran’s grave at Hillside Cemetery. (Center) Tyler Moore has several flags to place at the gravesites of veterans. (Right) Ken Shaw joined in the effort of placing flags to honor veterans with Memorial Day coming up on Monday.
From left include Scott Galliford, American Legion; Dave Arnold, former Cub Scout leader and Navy veteran; James Shaw, scout; Tyler Moore, scout; Randy Moore, scoutmaster; and Ken Shaw, committee chairman. Logan Lane (not pictured) also was part of the effort.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 March 2026 at 10:32 am
Clarendon responded to 565 calls, Murray 866
Photos by Tom Rivers: Clarendon Fire Chief Bob Freida and Rose Porter light a candle in memory of her husband, Mark Porter, who passed away at age 54 on April 15, 2025. Porter was a commissioner on the Murray Joint Fire District and was very involved in the previous three decades with the Holley Fire Department and Monroe Ambulance.
BATAVIA – The Clarendon Fire Company and Murray Joint Fire District held a combined annual installation dinner on Saturday at Batavia Downs. Both fire service organizations reported record high call volume in 2025 with Clarendon going to 565 calls and Murray responded to 866.
“Behind every one of those numbers is a person who needed help – and members who answered,” said Bob Freida, the Clarendon fire chief.
Clarendon responded to 248 EMS calls, 127 fire calls, 50 motor vehicle accidents including one with seven patients with five of those in critical condition. Clarendon firefighters also went on 140 service calls with trees and wires down, pump details and lift assists.
Earl Jenks, left, a member of the Clarendon Fire Company Board of Directors and Fire Chief Bob Freida address a crowd of 144 people on Saturday at Batavia Downs.
Clarendon presented the following awards:
Chief’s Award – Karl Biedlingmaier “for his outstanding commitment to our organization and his leadership with training.”
President’s Award – Cory Fultz for his drive to not only better himself with training but to help make the Clarendon Fire Company stronger.
Board of Directors Award – Renee Biedlingmaier for her commitment to the organization.
Years of service awards were presented to the following: Matt Campbell for 30 years; Troy Kingdollar and William Gergly Sr. for 25 years; James DeYoung and Jon R. DeYoung for 20 years.
This is the 70th anniversary of the Clarendon Fire Company. Freida noted how the community formed the fire company in 1956 when “a handful of local farmers and friends who believed their community deserved protection. They pitched together to purchase a used fire truck, not because it was easy but because it was necessary.”
The fire company now has a fire hall with state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained members, Freida said.
Larry Vaughn, retired Brockport fire chief and lieutenant with the Ridge Road Fire Department, served as master of ceremonies. He said the volunteer departments all need more active members. He urged the members to personally invite people to join their organizations.
The Clarendon Fire Company currently has 26 active members. Freida said more members are welcome. Some of the members in January started meeting at the fire hall at 9 a.m. on Sundays for breakfast. Freida said it facilitates the family environment and fellowship at the fire company.
Clarendon firefighters logged 1,421 training hours in 2025, with 530 hours in meetings and 5,504 hours dedicated to calls and work details.
“That’s thousands of hours given freely, away from families, jobs and personal time, all in service to this community,” Freida said.
He highlighted the following:
Cory Fultz completed both the BIFO (basic interior firefighting operations) and IFO (interior firefighter operations) classes and is working on his EMT.
Renee Biedlingmaier earned her EMT certification.
Kyle White completed the BIFO class and is working to complete the IFO.
Mark McGuire and Jamie Steffen were welcomed back as members.
Clarendon Fire Company Line Officers for 2026 include:
Fire Chief: Robert Freida
Deputy Chief: Karl Biedlingmaier
Assistant Chief: Don Moiser
Captain: Jim DeYoung
Lieutenant: Earl Jenks, Bill Gergly, Pat Wallace
Safety Officer: Dan Campbell and Bob Margis
Fire Police Captain: Craig Hadden
EMS Lieutenant: Renee Biedlingmaier and Lorene Biedlingmaier
Freida said Clarendon is grateful for the positive working relationship with the Murray Joint Fire District.
“The teamwork and camaraderie between our two organizations is outstanding,” Freida said. “Whether it’s on scene at a call or working together throughout the year, your partnership makes us stronger and better.”
Murray Fire Chief Rick Cary addresses the crowd for the installation banquet, which Clarendon and Murray held at Batavia Downs for the first time, to try to something different for the annual event.
Murray’s 866 calls in 2025 were up from 124 in 2024, and already are at 142 the first two months of this year.
Murray responded to four working fires, several accidents with people trapped, a fatal drowning in the canal with large law enforcement presence from two counties, 125 mutual aid calls, and many storm-related services calls “from the never-ending falling ash tree saga around the county,” Cary said.
Murray firefighters also lead fire prevention at Holley schools and attend many community events, such at the June Fest, the Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat for Halloween.
Murray’s Line Officers for 2026 include:
Fire Chief: Rick Cary
Deputy Chief: Pete Hendrickson
Assistant Chief: Kevin Dann
Captains: Chris Chilson and Allan Smith
Lieutenants: Chris Middleton Justin McMillon and Matt Edick
Fire Police Captain: John Morriss
Fire Police Lt: Jerry Wagner
Bob Beisang, third from left, receives an award for his efforts with inventory control. He receives congratulations, from left: Chief Cary, Deputy Chief Pete Hendrickson and Assistant Chief Kevin Dann.
Chief Cary announced the following awards:
• Dave Smith for working on all the small-powered equipment, keeping everything running and the blades sharpened.
• Bob Beisang for spending many hours on reports and inventory control. “When I need a task to be completed, he usually steps up and asks how he can help,” Cary said.
• Allan Smith as top responding line officer. “This individual is always just a phone call away,” Cary said. “He manages our training program and oversees fleet maintenance. Although he has only been a member for a couple of years, he has jumped in with both feet and has truly excelled.”
Cary also commended “rock stars” for their efforts with many of the emergency calls in the community. He praised the Holley Police Department, Holley DPW, Murray Highway Department, Orleans County dispatchers and road patrol deputies, and others for their assistance.
Dr. Dan Schiavone and Jenna Amering receives the “Distinguished Service Award.” The duo responds to the night-time calls. Schiavone runs a dental practice in the Public Square and Amering is the practice’s adminsitrator.
Cary said Schiavone and Amering both have been “standout” members. They respond to about 500 calls a year.
Schiavone manages health and safety initiatives, ensuring medical needs are met and follows up with members to keep them on track, Cary said.
Amering is a district commissioner. She also completed the 151-hour training courses for basic exterior firefighter and interior firefighter. She is working on becoming a certified EMT. Schiavone already is an EMT and interior firefighter. The couple said they want to give back to the community that gives back to them at the dental office.
They also said they enjoy the friendships with the Murray Joint Fire District.
Fran Gaylord, right, received a “I can’t pay you but I can feed you” plaque for his many years of offering hospitality at the fire hall in Holley. He is shown with Holley Police Chief Bob Barton and Shannon McMillion, who is a board member for the Holley Fire Company. McMillion said Gaylord makes chili and other food for firefighters.
“He’s such a role model,” McMillion said. “He’s a person who makes our fire department feel like family.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 February 2026 at 10:48 am
Michelle and Matthew Cryer await cleanup from Monday night crash
Photos courtesy of Michelle Cryer
CLARENDON – A tractor trailer hauling grain crashed in the front of Michelle and Matthew Cryer’s property on Holley-Byron Road on Monday at 9:10 p.m. The truck from Whitetale Trucking in Gasport was hauling grain.
The truck took down trees, a utility pole with a transformer and a fire hydrant, while dumping tons of grain. The driver was able to walk away from the accident.
The Cryers haven’t been able to leave their property since Monday night because wires and pieces of the truck remain in the driveway, along with all the grain.
The driveway and front of the Cryers’ property is filled with grain after the tractor-trailer collided with trees.
National Grid was able to reset a pole and remove its fallen wires on Monday night, but Michelle Cryer said Spectrum and Verizon haven’t taken care of their wires, delaying the removal of the grain and chunks of the truck and trailer.
“We’ve been on the phone with everybody,” Mrs. Cryer said this morning. “The cleanup can’t happen because the wires are in the way.”
This tractor-trailer took down trees and wires after an accident Monday night in Clarendon.
Mrs. Cryer has cancelled doctor’s appointments because she couldn’t leave her property. Her home is set back about 200 yards from Holley-Byron Road (Route 237).
She and her husband felt the house shake with the crash, even though they are set back a distance from the road.
The accident happened on the curve of Holley-Byron Road, between Brown Schoolhouse Road and Glidden Road. Cryer said this is the seventh accident in the past 5 to 6 years.
“Consistently people are crashing on the front of our property,” she said.
The tractor-trailer on Monday was headed north and went off the road at the curve.
Since then the Cryers have been stuck home. They wanted to go out on Tuesday for Mr. Cryer’s birthday.
“We had to stay home but I told him his birthday came in with a bang,” she said.
UPDATE at 11:01 a.m.: Verizon was on site and left just before 11 a.m. after lifting its wires and also for Spectrum to allow for a cleanup of the front of the property.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2026 at 2:27 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Clarendon Town Board met this morning for the 2026 organizational meeting. From left up front include Town Councilman Fred Seeman, Councilman Chris Caufield, Town Clerk Susan Colby, Town Supervisor Marc Major, Councilman Allen Robinson and Councilman Bruce Hovey.
CLARENDON – The Clarendon Town Board met this morning for its annual organizational meeting where appointments are made and salaries set for different positions in the town government.
The board held off on making appointments to three positions that have been held by Melissa Ierlan. She was charged on Tuesday by State Police with two felonies – falsifying business records in the first degree and second-degree grand larceny with property value exceeding $50,000.
Ierlan has been serving as Clarendon’s code enforcement officer and building inspector, the administrator of Hillside Cemetery and also the town historian. She also is president of the Clarendon Historical Society, which is separate from the town government.
Town Supervisor Marc Major said he has no comment at this time about the allegations against Ierlan. The State Police also hasn’t provided any information except listing the charges on the daily blotter report.
Fred Seeman, Ierlan’s husband and a town councilman, said State Police have provided little information to him and Ierlan except to say the allegations involve the Historical Society.
The board during the organizational meeting tabled filling the code officer/zoning inspector at a salary of $44,440; the cemetery caretaker/administrator at an annual salary of $7,293; and the town historian at a salary of $1,950.
Some of the other appointments include:
Cemetery maintenance for $7,150, Tracy Chalker
Dog enumerator at $2,280, Susan Colby
Planning Board Chairman – David Griggs, with Patrick White as deputy chairman
Deputy Town Supervisor at $1,298, Allen Robinson
Cleaning Service at $65 a week, Michelle Chalker of Save Time Cleaning
Water Superintendent at $10,402, Tracy Chalker
Water District billing clerk at $20 an hour, Donna Moore
Water District collection clerk at $5,244 annual salary, Linda Barrett
The board also set the following pay rates and salaries:
Highway superintendent, $66,977; foreman in highway department, $31.32 per hour; full-time motor equipment operator, $30.73 an hour (top rate) and $30.59 an hour for other MEO; part-time MEO, $22.73 an hour; part-time cemetery laborer, $17.14 an hour.
Assessor, $27,281; assessor clerk/bookkeeper to the supervisor, $27,891; town clerk/tax collector, $47,114; primary deputy town clerk, $21 an hour; secondary part-time deputy, $16.20 an hour; part-time records deputy, $16.20 an hour.
Planning Board chairman, $126 per meeting; members, $31 per meeting; Board of Assessment Review, $150 per hearing day; secretary to Board of Assessment Review, $250 annual salary; four town council members, $4,202 annually; town supervisor, $12,988; budget officer, $806; town justice, $16,200; court clerk, $20 an hour; registrar of vital statistics, $408 annually.
The board also named the Suburban News/Westside News as the official newspaper to carry legal notices; Five Star Bank as the official town bank; the mileage reimbursement rate at 70 cents per mile; and meal reimbursement for meetings/conferences not to exceed $68 per day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2026 at 9:28 am
CLARENDON – Fred Seeman is due to take the oath of office for a new term as Clarendon town councilman on Friday.
Cecelia Pacheco Stevens
Seeman’s wife, Melissa Ierlan, serves as the town’s code enforcement officer. She is also administrator of the Hillside Cemetery, and a leader of the Clarendon Historical Society.
She was charged by State Police on Tuesday with two felonies – falsifying business records in the first degree and second-degree grand larceny with property value exceeding $50,000.
State Police haven’t released more information about the case and Clarendon Town Supervisor Marc Major has declined any comment.
Cecelia Pacheco Stevens ran for the Clarendon Town Board in November and lost to Seeman and Chris Caufield. Stevens, a Democrat, received 125 votes to 311 for Caufield and 310 for Seeman.
Stevens issued a statement on Wednesday evening asking Seeman to resign and not be sworn in for a new term.
This is the statement released by the campaign of Cecelia Pacheco Stevens:
The campaign of Cecelia Pacheco Stevens wishes to address recent developments affectingthe Town Board with care, respect, and a continued focus on the best interests of ourcommunity.
Recent news reports have indicated that Melissa Ierlan, a valued and longtime member of our community, has been arrested by New York State Police on felony theft charges. As with all legal matters, it is essential to state clearly and unequivocally that Melissa is innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. We recognize the many contributions she has made to our town and hope that due process proceeds fairly and justly.
Fred Seeman, her husband and a current member of the Town Board, has not been accused of any wrongdoing. There is no allegation that he was involved in or aware of the matters currently before the courts. However, the Town Board is entrusted with significant responsibility, including oversight of public funds and financial decision-making on behalf of residents.
At moments like this, community trust is paramount. While difficult, residents reasonably expect their elected officials to consider whether their continued service supports that trust. With this in mind, we respectfully urge Fred Seeman to consider resigning from the Town Board in the interest of transparency and public confidence.
The upcoming organizational meeting on January 2 at 9:00 a.m., when Fred is scheduled to be sworn into a new term, presents an appropriate opportunity for him to do so.
Should a vacancy occur, we strongly encourage the Town Board to appoint Cecelia Pacheco Stevens to serve our community. Ms. Stevens ran a positive, Clarendon-focused campaign, conducted herself with integrity, and continued to advocate for residents even after the November election. Appointing her would bring a new voice to the Board. A voice grounded in civic engagement, accountability, and respect for the public trust.
Our town deserves leadership that reflects both competence and confidence from the community it serves. We believe Cecelia Pacheco Stevens embodies those values and stands ready to serve.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 December 2025 at 12:51 pm
Melissa Ierlan
CLARENDON – Melissa Ierlan, the Town of Clarendon’s code enforcement officer and building inspector, was charged with two felonies by state police on Tuesday for falsifying business records in the first degree and second-degree grand larceny with property value exceeding $50,000.
Ierlan, 54, was arraigned by central arraignment in Albion. State Police haven’t released any additional information and Clarendon Town Supervisor Marc Major said he had no comment at this time. Ierlan’s husband, Fred Seeman, is a member of the Town Board.
Ierlan is well regarded in the community for her years leading the Clarendon Historical Society and efforts to improve Hillside Cemetery. She also leads the town’s annual Christmas celebration at the Historical Society.
She has repainted and refurbished more than 50 historical markers in the past decade in the community and is a past member of the Holley Board of Education.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2025 at 5:25 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: Barre will be able to build a new water tank in the Pine Hill area after being approved for a $2,097,940 grant from the state today. This photo shows the current 150,000-gallon water tank behind the firehall on Route 98. The new tank will be 250,000 gallons and will boost water pressure and allow for possible expansion of the water system on the western side, linking with Shelby.
Three towns in Orleans County have been approved for grants from the state for water infrastructure.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced nearly $8 million in grants for three towns – Barre, Clarendon and Kendall.
The grants are among $453 million approved for water infrastructure projects across New York State through the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant programs.
“New York families should not be burdened by rising water bills and outdated systems,” Governor Hochul said. “With this funding, the State is helping communities take on essential projects without passing unsustainable costs to residents and businesses. These investments will protect public health, support local economies, and help ensure reliable, safe water for years to come.”
The grants for Orleans County municipalities include:
• Town of Barre – $2,097,940 for water storage tank and pump station improvements.
Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said the grant will go towards a second water tank in town, with the new one in the Pine Hill area. The project also includes pump station upgrades.
Pogue said the exact location of the new water tower is to be determined. It will be a 250,000-gallon tank, which is bigger than the 150,000-gallon behind the fire hall on Route 98.
Barre also is waiting word on whether it will be approved for a grant for Water District. No. 10 through the Community Development Block Grant program.
• Town of Clarendon awarded $928,000 towards Water District No. 14 , which includes a section of Route 237, Boots Road, Merrill Road and McAllister Road. The project will link some water districts and close some dead-end lines while expanding public water access.
• Town of Kendall – $5 million for Water District No. 11, which covers 76,700 linear feet (nearly 15 miles) on Roosevelt Highway and Lakeshore, Petersmith, Norway and Center roads.
Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said the project loops districts improving water flow and bringing more public water to residents.
“There are streets where half are with water half are without,” he said. “We’re trying to complete the puzzle. This will be the second largest water district in the town.”
The town and residents had wells tested, completed income surveys and took other steps to secure the grant.
“They deserve it,” Cammarata said about the need for the new water district. “We’re very thankful and very appreciative.”
Kendall also putting in a new sewer district that is currently under construction.
“We’re moving in the right direction to give our residents more reasons to work here and stay here and be part of our community,” he said.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 December 2025 at 9:40 am
Photos courtesy of Dana Jessmer: (Left) Nearly two dozen individuals and their caregivers attended a Christmas party in their honor on Dec. 2 at the Clarendon Historical Society. Here, they listen to Ryan Klatt on vocals and guitar. (Right) Beulah and Pam Jenks enjoy each other’s company during a Christmas party Dec. 2 to celebrate the Caregivers Revitalize program.
CLARENDON – More than 50 attendees attended a festive Christmas party on Dec. 2 at the Clarendon Historical Society to celebrate the Caregivers’ Revitalize program. The evening offered a much-needed evening of relaxation and connection for Orleans County caregivers and their loved ones.
The event from 4 to 7 p.m. featured a dinner provided by 58 Main BBQ & Brew, along with cookies and pies for dessert. Guests were also treated to live music by Ryan Klatt, whose performance was so well received, that he continued playing until 9 p.m., way beyond his scheduled end time.
The event, funded by United Way of Orleans County with a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Caregiver Support Initiative, provided an evening of food, music and camaraderie.
“We want to get the word out to Orleans County caregivers that we are here to help support them,” said Samantha Koons, site coordinator of Clarendon Caregivers Revitalize. “Sometimes you need time away from caring for your loved one – to run errands, attend a doctor’s appointment or simply take a much-needed break. Social gatherings like this help to reduce stress and foster connections among caregivers for ongoing support. I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make this event a success.”
The Caregivers Revitalize program provides a welcoming environment, where caregivers and their loved ones can receive support and re-establish social ties within their community. A caregiver is anyone who assists a spouse, parent, family member, friend or neighbor with tasks, such as medication management, medical appointments, mobility, personal care, housework shopping or meal preparation.
“Tuesday’s party was truly a great event,” said caregiver Pam Jenks. “To have a small gathering like that with others who have been caregivers or are current caregivers is truly heartwarming. This organization is unselfish and willing to take time to help others so caregivers can take a break. My life is dedicated to my mom, helping her every day. Unfortunately, she has Alzheimer’s, but her spirit is still here with us. Especially when special events like this include songs from her time. As in her picture here with me, mom is singing ‘Take Me Home, Country Road.’ It truly warms my heart that the little things like this bring her back.”
Respite sites are located at the Clarendon Historical Society, 16426 Fourth Section Rd., (Route 31A), Clarendon, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays; and at Christ Episcopal Church, 26 South Main St., Albion (Park Street entrance only) from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. Both sites are closed on holidays.
For more information about respite sites or volunteer opportunities, call (585) 209-9151 or (585) 208-4999; or e-mail Caregiversrevitalize@gmail.com. They can also be followed on Facebook at Caregivers Revitalize – Orleans County, NY.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2025 at 7:55 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CLARENDON – Santa waves to people along Route 237 in Clarendon during a lighted parade on Friday night. He was able to ride on Clarendon’s ladder truck.
The fifth annual parade started at the fire hall on Route 31A, then went through the town’s main intersection and took a right turn onto Route 237, and then a left on Church Street to the Historical Society.
Santa was able to ride up high on the fire truck, waving to people who braved the cold temperatures for the parade.
Megan Rombaut drives this tractor from Rombaut Repair and Landscape.
The Holley Interact Club at the school district brought a contingent of kids for the parade.
Apollo Wilmot, 7, shares a Christmas wish list with Santa in the Clarendon Historical Society museum.
Town Historian Melissa Ierlan holds her granddaughter Rylie next to an ox statue that Ierlan covered with photos from Clarendon as part of the Orleans County Bicentennial celebration this year.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office led off the parade with a contingent of vehicles.
The Boy Scouts carried the colors – American flag and one for the Boy Scouts.
Girl Scouts had a float in the parade and they promoted an upcoming cookie sale.
The Grinch was back in the parade and handed out onions to people along the route.
The Murray Joint Fire District participated in the parade and put some Christmas lights on a fire truck.
