$23.3 million spending plan holds line on taxes

HOLLEY – Members of the Holley Central School District Board of Education held their annual meeting and budget hearing on Tuesday.

Sharon Zacher, assistant superintendent for business, presented the $23.3 million 2015-16 school budget, which does not increase taxes. The budget maintains current programs and services and shows a 7.06 percent budget-to-budget decrease from 2014-15.

The decrease in the 2015-16 budget was possible, “because of additional debt paid down in the 2014-15 school year,” Zacher said.

According to the district, the average tax rate will be approximately $22.44 per $1,000 of assessed value.

District residents will vote on the budget on May 19 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Holley Middle School/High School foyer.

Zacher said in order to vote, residents must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the Holley Central School District for at least 30 days before the vote and must have proper ID.

In addition to the budget, voters will decide on two additional propositions. The first would authorize the purchase of two full-sized school buses, one wheelchair bus and one 30-passenger school bus at a total cost not to exceed $355,000.

The second additional proposition authorizes the district to raise $108,072 to support the Community Free Library in Holley. Library Director Sandra Shaw attended the meeting and said the budget is a 2 percent increase over the last year’s budget and follows the tax cap.

“The majority of the money is for payroll,” Shaw said, noting she has five staff members.

Two candidates are running for three open seats on the Board of Education.

Jeff Martin, the school district attorney, said voters will be able to write-in a candidate’s name for the third vacant seat. Voters cannot vote for more than three candidates in total.

Anne Winkley and Mark Porter are current board members and are running for re-election. The third seat up for election is now occupied by John (Jack) Welch, who is not seeking re-election.

Winkley said she hopes to continue to provide students in the district with the best possible education, “and make sure our mission statement stays in place (while being financially) responsible to the community.”

Porter said he would like to continue to work with administrators, teachers, staff and students to ensure, “we have successful students coming out of Holley.” Porter has also stressed the need to be financially responsible to taxpayers students and staff.

Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – A brush fire at Red Rock Ponds on Canal Road in Murray spread to the nearby woods with at least one tree catching on fire.

In the top photo, Captain Dave Smith of the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company sprays water on the burning tree stump after firefighter Gary Sicurella cleared a path for Smith.

Gary Sicurella chopped down vegetation so other firefighters could get to the spot in the woods with a fire hose.

Firefighters had to wind the hose through the woods and many pricker bushes to get to the burning tree stump.

Firefighters from FHM were on scene at about 12:30 p.m. and put out the fire in the wooded area. Firefighters also extinguished the pile of brush that was burning.

Firefighter Patrick Hayes sprays water on the bigger pile of burning brush. Firefighters suspect a hot spark from that pile was blown into the woods, catching a tree stump on fire.

The National Weather Service has issued a “red flag warning” from noon to 7 p.m. today for western and northern central New York, saying the area is vulnerable to grass and forest fires.

Winds will move from southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 30 to 35 mph, the Weather Service said.

Temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s, combined with humidity as low as 25 percent, have made the forest and grass fuels very dry.

The combination of factors “may result in dangerous fire behavior,” the Weather Service said. “Any fires that do occur could spread quickly, burn intensely and be difficult to contain.”

The Weather Service reminded the public a burn ban is in place until mid-May.

Firefighters Debbie Fiorito, foreground, and Kevin Dann try to break apart the burn pile at Red Rock Ponds.

Firefighters were also called to brush, tree and grass fire this afternoon at East Shelby Road near Millville Cemetery in the Town of Shelby.

Photos courtesy of Shana Smith
HULBERTON – The Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company hosted an open house this past Saturday and Sunday, part of the fifth annual Recruit NY effort to attract more members to fire departments.

The fire company based in Hulberton did live car fire demonstrations and vehicle extrication demonstrations.

There was also a bounce house both days and a Future Firefighters of Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company station for the kids with many activities for all ages.

The EMS team gave free glucose testing, blood pressure checks and gave out free First Aid kits.

The event resulted in eight new social members and three new active members, with several people saying they were interested in applying in the near future, said Gary Sicurella, FHM president.

Mercy Flight flew in on Sunday and gave the public a chance to see the helicopter up close.

Firefighters from Fancher-Hulberton-Murray are pictured with the crew from Mercy Flight.

HOLLEY – The Holley community came together on Friday evening to enjoy great food, award-winning wines, farmers market offerings and music all while supporting the children’s summer reading program at the Community Free Library.

About 150 people attended the fourth annual “Raise a Glass for Reading” fundraiser at the library, which included wine from Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina and Victorianbourg Wine Estate in Wilson, and mead (honey wine) from 810 Meadworks in Medina.

Attendees enjoy a spread of finger foods and sweets during the annual “Raise a Glass for Reading” event at the Community Free Library.

“If you look around, you see people talking and having a great time,” Library Director Sandra Shaw said. She observed the event is an example of what the library is supposed to be – “the hub of the community.”

Farmers market participants included Kirby’s Farm Market in Brockport and Penna’s Farm Market in Holley. Susi’s Hot Sauce by Susan Johnson and Woodturnings by HNB – Harry Beaver in Kendall also participated.

Live music was provided by Wendy and Sean Williams (and sons) of Sound Foundations in Batavia.

Proceeds from the event support the summer reading program, by helping to provide “… performers, incentives, gifts and materials,” Shaw said and noted the event also supports local farms and vineyards.

Linda Kirby of Kirby’s Farm Market was promoting Kirby’s CSA program and also had baskets of apples, samples of frozen cherries and lush containers of annual flowers from Kirby’s greenhouse.

Linda Kirby of Kirby’s Farm Market talks with attendees at Friday’s event at the library.

“This is so great,” Kirby said of the Raise a Glass event, “We’re opening May 1st and this allows me to get to see a lot of our good customers and get caught up.”

Holley Village Trustee Connie Nenni said this is her third year attending.

“We come with a group of friends, we just love it,” Nenni said, “and it’s for a great cause.”

Additionally, she likes the opportunity to support local wineries, ” … and you also get to see a lot of the community,” she said.

The theme for the 2015 summer reading program is “Every Hero Has A Story” and will explore what defines a hero – from superheroes to everyday heroes.

Those attending the annual Raise a Glass for Reading at the Holley Community Free Library sample wines from Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina.

HOLLEY – The Holley Central School District Board of Education has adopted a $23.3 million budget for the 2015-2016 school year.

Holley residents will vote on the budget, Board of Education candidates and other propositions on May 19 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Holley Middle School/High School Foyer.

The budget includes a 0 percent increase in the tax levy and overall spending is down 7.06 percent or $1.77 million from the 2014-15 budget while maintaining current services.

According to district budget information, $1.4 million was used from the Appropriated Fund Balance to balance the budget.

Sharon Zacher, district assistant superintendent for business, says the reduction in the budget was possible without cuts because the district, “… chose to pay down additional debt,” in 2014-15. She says putting the budget together is, “challenging every year,” but the district is pleased with this year’s results.

In a letter to residents from the Board of Education, members state, “At this time, we are in the best shape we have ever been in. Soon we will begin Phase III of our Capital Project. Our district is financially sound and our physical plant and grounds are in very good condition.”

The Board of Education annual meeting, including a public hearing on the budget, will be 6 p.m. on May 5 in the Board Room located in the District Office.

HOLLEY – Village Trustees have approved a $1.18 million General Fund tentative budget for 2015-16. That includes a tax rate of $15.38 per $1,000 of assessed property.

No one spoke during a public hearing held before the vote on Tuesday evening.

The tentative plan includes $816,203 to be raised by taxes and a Police Department budget of $262,992. The Water Fund appropriation is $409,271, and the Sewer Fund appropriation is $173,587.

“It’s still a budget we’re working on,” Mayor John Kenney explained, noting the tentative plan is not the final budget, and that from this point forward, the tax levy cannot go up but only be decreased.

He said village leaders and department supervisors have been using “creative thoughts” to get the budget to where it is now.

Village Clerk/Treasurer Sarah Trowbridge says trustees must adopt a new budget by May 1 and will continue to meet to work on the plan. They have scheduled their next meeting for 9 a.m. on Saturday to work on the budget.

Trowbridge says trustees plan to make cuts to the tentative budget that would reduce the final tax rate. The tax rate in the 2014-15 budget was $13.93 per $1,000 of assessed property.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Diane Kilburn of Hamlin is pictured with Myrtle Patterson of Holley at Patterson’s apartment last week. The two have become friends through a home visitation program run by Catholic Charities.

HOLLEY – It started with a phone call and now Diana Kilburn and Myrtle Patterson have become close friends.

The two were paired up in a “Friendly Phones” program through Catholic Charities. Kilburn would call Patterson, a 95-year-old Holley resident, once or twice a week. The two clicked, and now Kilburn calls and visits with Patterson.

“It’s been perfect,” said Kilburn. “The moment I heard her voice I thought, ‘This is going to be great.'”

She likes Patterson’s sense of humor, her stories from years ago, and her determination. The two play cards and Patterson dominates.

Kilburn had lost her mother about two years ago and saw the ad for the “Friendly Phones” program. Catholic Charities started that for senior citizens who may live alone without immediate family nearby.

There are about 25 people in the program, making phone calls once or twice a week to seniors. Catholic Charities wants to include home visitations for some seniors. The volunteers are all screened with background checks.

Jim Morasco coordinates the program for Catholic Charities. He said it provides needed socialization and companionship for seniors.

“We’ve become good friends,” Patterson said about Kilburn. “She’s a keeper.”

Patterson has helped fill a void for Kilburn after the death of her mother. Kilburn encourages other residents to volunteer in the program and reach out to local senior citizens, either through phone calls or home visits.

Catholic Charities also has a caregiver support class for family members and friends helping to care for senior citizens.

For more information about the programs, call Morasco’s Albion office at (585) 589-7477.

Photos by Tom Rivers
HULBERTON – Firefighters responded to call about a house filled with smoke at about 7:30 p.m. at 3380 Hulberton Rd.

The house is north of the canal. Firefighters did not find a fire, nor an obvious cause of the smoke. The smoke came through the chimney and fireplace, but the chimney had recently been cleaned. Fran Gaylord, Orleans County deputy fire coordinator, said firefighters believe a big gust of wind may have blown the smoke down the chimney and into the house.

Firefighters helped ventilate the house before leaving the scene. Albion, Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray departments all responded to the call.

Fire police had a section of the road closed near the canal.