MURRAY – The Town of Murray’s proposed solar law includes four tiers for projects which differs from most of the local towns which divvy the projects into two tiers.

Murray officials have been working on the proposed law for about a year, code enforcement officer Mylynda Kuba said during last week’s Orleans County Planning Board meeting.

Murray is proposing the following tiers:

• Tier 1 (Capacity up to 25 kW) – Permitted in all zoning districts and exempt from site plan review. They could be roof mounted or ground mounted.

• Tier 2 (Capacity up to 1 megawatt and which generate no more than 100 percent of the electricity consumed on the site over the previous 12 months) – Permitted in all zoning districts as accessory structures and subject to site plan review; view minimized from adjacent properties; requires a landscape plan.

• Tier 3 (Capacity up to 5 megawatts and up to 40 acres in size) – Issuance of special use permit and site plan review, and permitted in residential/agricultural and industrial zones; must complete a study to be submitted to local airports for encroachment issues; shall be screened from adjoining uses and any roadway.

• Tier 4 (projects not included in tiers 1, 2 or 3) – Issuance of special use permit and site plan review, and permitted in residential/agricultural and industrial zones; eligible for solar systems PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) and will require a host community agreement fee; same restrictions and requirements as a tier 3 system but with additional requirements including an agricultural impact statement to determine impact on agriculture in town and community; economic impact study to determine economic impact of project on town; and proposal for host community agreement that reflect large-scale impacts of the project.

Kuba, the town’s code officer, said no current solar projects have been submitted to the town, but she said many farmers are being approached about projects.

The town’s proposed code establishes regulations and an application process for projects of all sizes. Kuba said the rules from the town give farmers and larger land owners options to host projects with fewer regulations than going through the state process.

Murray’s law doesn’t address larger battery storage systems for solar. Kuba said town officials want more information on large battery storage projects before establishing regulations.

The town’s law also addresses solar projects that are abandoned or deemed inoperative. Those systems, regardless of size, shall be decommissioned and removed at the owner’s expense.

The County Planning Board recommending Murray approve the proposed regulations.

Recommends Albion rezone 2 sites on 31A to general commercial

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is recommending the Town of Murray approve a special use permit and the site plan for a landscaping business in a residential-agriculture district at 3733 Hulberton Rd.

Nicholas Bell and Hannah Beall own and operate Bell Design & Landscape. They plan to run the business from their property using 1.3 acres of a 14.1 acre site for the business.

Their plan includes construction of a 40-by-70-foot barn with the potential of a 40-by-30-foot addition in the future.

There would also be a 20-by-70-foot lean-to off to the south of the newly constructed barn. There would also be two greenhouses at 65 by 32 feet, and a 45-by-20-foot office attached to the north of the barn.

The business currently has three employees. Most of the coming and going from the site would be in the morning and late afternoons.

Planners recommended approval of storage and sale of topsoil, mulch, wood chips and similar products as long as they are stored at least 300 feet from any residential structure and 50 feet from any property line. Any piles of those products should not exceed 25 feet in height.

Any repairs to construction equipment for the business also should be done inside a building, planners said.

• In the meeting last Thursday evening, the County Planning Board also recommended the Town of Albion amend its zoning map from residential-agriculture to general commercial for land at 14530 East Lee Rd. owned by Land Pro Equipment, and 14846 East Lee Rd. owned by Henry Haines. The two sites are 3.3 acres.

The Land Pro site is for sale. Frontier Heating & AC Service is looking to acquire it. The spot used to be used as a cabbage storage facility and more recently by BCA Ag technologies. Land Pro is combining its Oakfield and Albion locations with a new site in Batavia.

The property next door owned by Haines has been used for auto repairs.

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – The school district’s Pre-K and kindergarten registration will be on Wednesday, March 15, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Registration will be held in the Elementary Library Classroom. Please bring the following original documents to register your child: completed registration packet, birth certificate, immunization record and proof of residency (for example, utility bill). Copies will be made during your visit.  You will not be able to register without these documents.

To be eligible to register for Pre-K, children must be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2023. To be eligible to register for kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by Dec. 1, 2023.

Pre-K and kindergarten health physicals are required to be completed by Sept. 1, 2023.

If you need assistance completing the registration packet, we can help you on March 15, when you bring in your packet and other required documents.

To request a registration packet, click here and it can be mailed to you.

If you have any questions, please call Alexa Downey at 585-638-6318, extension 2580.

Provided photos

HOLLEY – Julie Berry of Medina, front, met with Holley 10^th graders last Wednesday for a presentation on her book, Lovely War. Berry addressed about 65 students during a presentation, where she also played ragtime music on the piano.

The sophomores are reading the book in their English classes.

Berry in her presentation covered the major themes in the book such as segregation, trench warfare, Greek gods and ragtime music.

Berry, owner of Author’s Note in Medina, also signed copies of the book for students. The book is set in World War I & II.

The book averages a 4.25 star rating out of 5 with 46,070 ratings and 8,862 reviews on Goodreads, the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. Click here to see the reviews.

Julie Berry played ragtime music and discussed her book with Holley students last week.

MURRAY – Two resolutions were scheduled for a public vote today for the Murray Joint Fire District. But that special election has been moved back to Feb. 21.

The commissioners for the fire district had set a public vote from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the fire hall at 7 Thomas St. in Holley.

The commissioners are seeking voter approval to spend up to $680,000 to purchase a pumper and up to $220,000 to refurbish a mini-pumper.

The fire district will pursue financing through serial bonds or statutory installment bonds up to 20 years, and may utilize bond anticipation notes for up to five years for the $680,000. For the $220,000, the financing would be for up to 15 years.

Eligible voters must be at least 18 and live in the fire district for at least 30 days prior to the vote on Feb. 21.

Photos courtesy of Murray Joint Fire District

MURRAY – Firefighters were dispatched to a chimney fire at about 10 this morning. The fire at 2925 West Kendall Rd. in Murray spread from the chimney into a partition wall and into the attic, Murray Fire Chief Rick Cary said.

There were three occupants at the house and none of them or any of the responding firefighters were injured, Cary said.

Murray was assisted by the scene by firefighters from Kendall, Albion and Hamlin. The fire was knocked down in about 15 minutes, Cary said.

Orleans County fire investigators also responded to determine the cause.

The residents are currently displaced due to the fire.

HOLLEY – School district residents approved a proposed $18.1 million capital project today with a vote of 192 yes and 46 no.

project will be funded with $14.1 million in state aid and $4 million that is already in a Holley capital reserve fund. School leaders say there won’t be any new taxes on residents with the project.

The proposed project is focused on safety, program improvements and site renovations, according to a newsletter about the project.

The scope of the project includes:

Safety

• New secure entrances at the Elementary School and Middle/High School
• Security film applied to doors at both schools’ main entrances

Program Improvements

• Music rooms renovated in both schools
• New STEM and instructional spaces created at the ES
• M/HS Auditorium lighting updated

Site Renovations

• New bleachers, scoreboard, lights and parking lot installed at The Woodlands
• Air conditioning established in remaining ES classrooms
• Storage added inside and outside district buildings
• Signage increased on campus
• Track resurfaced in Hawk Stadium
• Hawk Drive and sidewalks upgraded

Holley’s last capital vote was in December 2014. The new project will need detailed plans to be prepared by Holley’s architects and construction management team. Those plans will be submitted to the state Education Department for review, a process that typically takes several months.

The district will push to have all the needed approvals and bidding process on schedule for construction to start in the summer of 2024.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Emelia Logsdon, 2, and her mother Lauren Logsdon visit with Santa in the Holley fire hall this evening after the village’s annual tree-lighting ceremony in the Public Square.

There was a big crowd gathered in the fire hall for snacks while they waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Kelly Marzano, Holley’s high school chorus teacher, leads the group while the sign Christmas carols.

Greyson Thorn, 4, of Holley is happy to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Holley Mayor Mark Bower reads the names of the Holley residents who were remembered with memory bulbs as part of the tree-lighting ceremony. Bower said the holiday season can be difficult for families and friends who are missing loved ones.

Marzano directs the chorus while it sings carols and Christmas songs, including “Silent Night” prior to the tree-lighting.

The tree is lighted up in the Public Square after Mayor Bower read the names of people recognized with memory bulbs.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Holley Elementary School is pictured recently on North Main Street.

HOLLEY – The school district will present an $18.1 million capital project to the community in a vote on Dec. 13.

Voting will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Holley Middle/High School Foyer, 16848 Lynch Rd. Eligible voters must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen and a legal resident of the district for at least 30 days.

The project will be funded with $14.1 million in state aid and $4 million that is already in a Holley capital reserve fund. School leaders say there won’t be any new taxes on residents with the project.

The proposed project is focused on safety, program improvements and site renovations, according to a newsletter about the project.

“We focused on the following three areas: keeping our schools safe, enhancing and increasing educational opportunities for our students, and ensuring our buildings and grounds, including The Woodlands, are in outstanding condition for many years to come,” District Superintendent Brian Bartalo and Board of Education President Robin Silvis wrote in a letter to the community.

The scope of the project includes:

Safety

• New secure entrances at the Elementary School and Middle/High School
• Security film applied to doors at both schools’ main entrances

Program Improvements

• Music rooms renovated in both schools
• New STEM and instructional spaces created at the ES
• M/HS Auditorium lighting updated

Site Renovations

• New bleachers, scoreboard, lights and parking lot installed at The Woodlands
• Air conditioning established in remaining ES classrooms
• Storage added inside and outside district buildings
• Signage increased on campus
• Track resurfaced in Hawk Stadium
• Hawk Drive and sidewalks upgraded

Holley’s last capital vote was in December 2014. The district leaders expect the new project, if approved by voters, would then need detailed plans to be prepared by Holley’s architects and construction management team. Those plans would be submitted to the state Education Department for review, a process that typically takes several months.

Bartalo and Silvis said the district is pushing to have all the needed approvals and bidding process on schedule for construction to start in the summer of 2024.

“The timing of the planning and construction comes when we can maximize state aid dollars to maintain zero tax impact,” Bartalo and Silvis said in their letter.

For more information on the project, click here.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley’s Electric Department has added red and green LED lights in the Public Square for the holiday season.

Holley will have its annual tree-lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. The village is selling memory bulbs for $5 for the tree until 4 p.m. on Dec. 2.

There will be Scouts caroling in the Public Square beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, followed by the high school choir at 6 p.m. in front of Red White and Moo.

After the names are read for the memory bulbs, there will be a visit from Santa and refreshments provided by the Holley Fire Department.

The Town of Murray also has put Christmas lights on the sign in front of the town hall at 3840 Fancher Rd.

There also is a Christmas tree lighted up at one of the Town of Murray’s highway barns.

This chart shows the new senior citizen income levels and the percent of the property tax discount.

MURRAY – The Murray Town Board on Monday voted to raise the eligible income levels for both senior citizens and disabled property owners younger than 65 to receive a break on their property taxes.

The town followed the Orleans County Legislature which last week approved the higher income levels for the seniors and disabled to receive a discount on their taxes.

Like the county, Murray’s senior exemption previously gave 50 percent off property taxes for those 65 and older with an annual income at $15,500 or less.

The new exemption levels offer 50 percent off at annual incomes of $19,000 or less. It then drops in 5 percent increments until bottoming out at 20 percent off between $23,800 and $24,699.99.

This chart shows the new low-income disabled resident income levels and the percent of the property tax discount. Low-income disabled residents will switch to the senior citizen tax exemption once they are 65.

Murray also expanded the income levels for low-income disabled residents. The maximum exemption used to be at incomes $15,500 or below. Now it’s up to $19,000 for 50 percent off. That exemption then drops 5 percent before the lowest level of 5 percent off at incomes between $26,500 and $27,399.99.

The exemptions take effect in the 2024 tax bills. Applications for the exemptions are due by March 1.

Property owners can go through the town assessor to apply for the exemption.

Gerald Rightmyer signs the oath of the office as a new member of the Murray Town Board. Town Clerk Cindy Oliver administers the oath. Rightmyer resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals to take the position on the Town Board, filling a vacancy created when Paul Hendel resigned. Rightmyer was appointed unanimously by the board to fill a term ending Dec. 31, 2023.

MURRAY – The Town Board this evening approved a $30,600 contract with Monroe Ambulance to provide EMS services in the town in 2023.

Murray follows Barre, Albion and Clarendon in approving an agreement with Monroe. The Rochester-based ambulance company negotiating a contract with seven towns in Orleans to provide ambulance services.

Monroe would be paid $200,000 collectively by the seven towns, with the share of each town based on call volume.

Murray has the second-largest amount at $30,600. It is the fourth town to approve the contract after Albion at $84,400, Clarendon at $18,800 and Barre at $8,000.

Gaines ($24,600) wants to consider wait on Monroe to get more information from Mercy Flight EMS about its proposal for ambulance service. Kendall ($18,000) also has tabled a decision. Carlton at $14,800 hasn’t voted yet, either.

Monroe currently serves the three eastern towns – Clarendon, Murray and Kendall – but doesn’t station an ambulance in Orleans County.

With the new agreement, Monroe would station an ambulance in Holley and also in Albion.

Murray Town Councilman Randy Bower said the agreement will result in better service for the community.

“I think it really, really helps our town with the ambulance coverage because we have been lacking in that area,” he said at the board meeting. “Monroe can keep an ambulance and backfill when needed.”

Monroe can draw on about 20 ambulances to help when there are high call volumes.

Murray will pay for the $30,600 out of federal funds it received through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The agreement with Monroe was approved unanimously by Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio and councilmen Lloyd Christ, Mike Mele, Randy Bower and new board member Gerald Rightmyer.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Costumed characters paraded in Holley’s Public Square today as part of Holley’s Fall “Hallow” Fest.

The weather cooperated with bright sunshine and temperatures at 60 degrees.

Rochelle Moroz, village trustee, passed out candy to many kids in the Public Square.

Olivia Klatt, 4, of Clarendon wears a cat costume while riding a pony named Aladdin with some assistance from Jayme Scheiber of JMC Training in Spencerport.

The event included horse and pony rides, face painting, wine and hard cider tastings and a baked sale with food vendors. The library also hosted a coloring contest and other activities. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Church will have a trunk or treat in the church’s back parking lot.

Chloe Imbert-Stockton, 6, of Holley rides the horse named Princess.

Kids enjoy the bounce house at the playground along the canal trail.

Sullivan Sevor, 4, of Holley enjoys good old-fashioned fun on a swing. He is wearing a Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtle costume.

Charlotte Sevor, 5, could swing high next to her brother at the playground.

Murray resident served as EDA board chair, OC Planning Board member and town councilman

Photo by Tom Rivers: Paul Hendel leads a toast welcoming a new hotel to the Medina community during a celebration on May 16, 2019. Hendel was the chairman of the Orleans Economic Development Agency board at the time.

MURRAY – Paul Hendel, an active local government official for the past two decades, has resigned from his positions after moving from Murray to Ontario County.

Hendel has stepped down from the Murray Town Board, Orleans Economic Development Agency and Orleans County Planning Board.

Hendel, a retired school principal at Sweet Home, said he enjoyed being a part of the local government. He followed his late father Art Hendel on the County Planning Board, and then joined the Orleans EDA, serving as the board chairman for about a decade. He was on the Murray Town Board for nearly 13 years.

“You reach a point a time where it’s time to pass the torch,” Hendel said. “It was a joy to work at all levels for the residents of the town and county. I will miss it. But it’s time to move on.”

Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator and EDA board member, said Hendel was an advocate for the entire county, and helped the EDA and local governments to bring in businesses and projects around the county.

“He stepped up to the plate for us,” DeRoller said. “He took a wholistic view of county. He will be missed because he has a lot of history with the county. He has a lot years involved with giving back.”

DeRoller said Hendel brought great administrative skills to the local positions, especially as board chairman for the EDA. Hendel was very supportive of the EDA staff, and his leadership was a factor in the staff staying long-term with the EDA. DeRoller said.

“He is very supportive of the process,” DeRoller said. “He was very engaged.”

The EDA only has three employees compared to other EDAs with bigger staffs and more resources. But Hendel and Orleans EDA were able to convince several companies to build in the county, DeRoller said.

Brian Napoli, the County Planning Board chairman, commended Hendel for serving on that board for about 20 years, including time as the vice chairman.

“Paul Hendel was an excellent vice chairman of the County Planning Board,” Napoli said. “He provided an insight and guidance that will be missed.”

Hendel said he is grateful he was able to be a part of the three boards and see positive direction locally.

“Over the years with all three boards I see progress in Orleans County with people moving into the county,” he said. “I’m proud of some of the businesses we brought in. And I’m proud of the individuals that work for the town or county. Anyone who works for town and county, they provide services to residents. People do pay a lot in taxes but they get a lot of services.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Charlene Sielaff, a retired village clerk who worked 41 years in the village’s clerk’s office, holds a plaque listing her as the 2022 recipient of the Mayor Vaughn Award for her years of distinguished service. She is joined by Village Trustee Connie Nenni (a former village clerk) and Mayor Mark Bower.

Bower and Nenni presented the award to Sielaff at Tuesday evening’s Village Board meeting. Bower pushed to bring back the award which was last presented in 2003 to Fedora Formicola. Other recipients include Daniel Mawn in 1982, Roland Nenni Jr. in 1983, and Evelyn Smalley in 1986.

Sielaff was hired in the village clerk’s office on June 11, 1978 by former Mayor Herman Vaughn.

“Everybody thought he was a great person,” Sielaff said about Vaughn.

Sielaff worked for the village for 41 years until retiring on June 1, 2020.

“I enjoyed working with the public,” Sielaff said on Tuesday. She was joined by many of her family members when she was presented with the award.

“It’s an honor to be on the same plaque with all those other names,” she said.

Mayor Mark Bower presents the award to Charlene Sielaff during Tuesday’s Village Board meeting at the former Holley High School. The auditorium in the former school is now used for village meetings.

Bower said Sielaff was always professional and always represented the village well in her role at the village office. She was often the person at the front counter or on the phone, assisting residents with their village business.

Bower recalled going to the village office to pay a water or electric bill, or his village taxes.

“She was the first face I saw,” Bower said. “She was a great representative of the village at the office.”

Bower, who started as mayor on July 1, recently learned of the Mayor Vaughn Award and wanted to bring it back as an annual award for a deserving citizen. When he announced the return of the award, Sielaff “was one name that came up immediately.”

Connie Nenni hugs Charlene Sielaff after she was presented with the Mayor Vaughn Award.

Nenni, who is the Holley school district clerk, was the village clerk and worked 4 ½ years with Sielaff. Nenni said Sielaff was very well organized with village records and knew local residents very well.

“Everyone loved her,” Nenni said. “I learned quite a bit from Charlene but I never got to her level of knowledge.”