HOLLEY – The state Department of Transportation announced this afternoon that the bridge on Route 237 in Holley has reopened.

The bridge had been closed since April 11 for repairs.

Connie Nenni and John Morriss elected village trustees

HOLLEY – Mark Bower was elected Holley’s next mayor today, receiving 122 votes to 33 for former mayor John Kenney.

Mark Bower

Bower is a current village trustee. He has been on the board for two years. He is a retired Hilton elementary school principal and director of staff development.

He said he wants to build strong partnerships with other organizations in the village, including the fire department, historical society, Community Free Library, Rotary Club and other residents and groups.

“I am big on outreach,” he said.

Bower, 65, sees a village on an upswing and he wants to keep the momentum going.

“There is a lot of work to do and there is a lot of good things going on,” Bower said.

He wants to see a sidewalk project completed for East Union Street and Park Place. The village needs to keep pursuing grants for infrastructure and community development.

“Our access to the Erie Canal really helps us (with grant funding),” he said.

Bower’s two-year term as mayor starts on July 1. He will succeed Kevin Lynch who didn’t run in this election.

Residents also re-elected Connie Nenni as village trustee with 123 votes.

She was the only trustee candidate on the ballot. The other spot was filled by write-in votes and John Morris had the most with 92 followed by Skip Carpenter with 18.

Nenni is a former village clerk who works as the school district clerk and administrative assistant for the superintendent of schools.

She said she is proud of the board’s recent work with the redevelopment of the former Holley High School, new sidewalks in Holley and increases in pay for Holley police officers. She would like to see more upgrades to village waterlines and sidewalks.

Morris is a former Murray town supervisor and village trustee.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Holley Elementary School held its Flag Day celebration this morning with a parade from the school down North Main Street through the Public Square.

There are about 550 students in grades prekindergarten through 6. They walked together by grade level, carrying flags with many wearing red, white and blue.

Holley’s Flag Day parade is a tradition going back to 1957. There wasn’t a parade in 2020 because students weren’t in school in person due to Covid. Last year there was a parade but now ceremony at the Murray-Holley Historical Society depot.

This year the parade and ceremony where back, and the school presented citizenship awards.

The students head out of the school while “You’re A Grand Old Flag” was played on the loudspeaker.

Scott Wheeler, the elementary school band director (in red shirt), leads the band in performing the Star Spangled Banner.

Students recited the pledge of allegiance and sang patriotic songs during the service.

This railing at the historical society museum is decorated for Flag Day.

Shoaid Yunus, right, carries an American flag and walks with his little brother, Zide, who is in Holley’s PreK program.

Brianna Pelligrino, a sixth grader, participated in the parade with a patriotic dinosaur.

Here are some more photos from the parade:

HOLLEY – The June 21 village election has two people running for mayor, including John Kenney, a former Holley mayor, and Mark Bower, a retired Hilton elementary school principal and director of staff development.

Kenney is a retired Holley math teacher. He served several terms as mayor and trustee until June 2016 when he stepped away from public office. Bower currently is on the board as a village trustee.

Kevin Lynch, the current mayor, isn’t running for the position.

There are two trustee positions open, but only Connie Nenni, an incumbent, is seeking a two-term term. The other trustee will be elected by a write-in vote.

Voting will be from noon to 9 p.m. in the main entrance (ground level) of the Village Office at 1 Wright St., which is the former Holley High School.

Kenney is running under The Dove Party, with Bower under the Historic Holley Party, and Nenni with The Peoples Party.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – A new ice cream shop – Red, White, and Moo – opened today in Holley at the former First Niagara bank site at 51 Public Square. The building had been vacant since the bank closed in October 2016.

The site was acquired by Jason Stott, left, and Becky and David Gagne. Their bigger plan for the building is for a brewery. That project, called Restauration Brewery Company, is planned for a fall opening.

But they saw a need for an ice cream shop in Holley, and another place for the community to gather and socialize.

Red, White, and Moo offers 20 flavors of hard ice cream as well as soft ice cream, slushies, sundaes and banana splits. Smoothies and blended coffee drinks will be added soon.

David Gagne, left, and Pamela Coopenberg work on an order at Holley’s new ice cream business. There were long lines of customers the first two hours after the business opened at noon.

The owners put in a giant patriotic-themed chair that they expect will be popular with customers seeking selfies and some fun.

The Gagnes are long-time Holley residents and Stott lives in neighboring Brockport.

“We are excited to bring ice cream back to Holley,” Stott said. “There has been an outpouring of support.”

Mr. Gagne said he hopes Red, White, and Moo will keep visitors to the community in Holley longer. He knows many come to the village to go see the Holley Waterfalls.

Tatum Gagne, Dave and Becky’s daughter, was selling T-shirts and ice cream with her boyfriend Haiden Herring of Brockport along the canal trail. They were among 40 vendors in Holley’s June Fest celebration.

Sydney Gagne takes orders from customers in a window that used to be where the ATM vestibule was located. Stott’s daughters, Adalyn and Kaylie, also work at the business.

Red, White, and Moo will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on Sunday which is 2 to 9 p.m.

The Gagnes and Stott also will be busy in the coming months on the brewery. Restauration Brewery Company is named for the ship that brought Norwegian immigrants to the Holley community in 1825.

No parade or fireworks, but still plenty of chances for fun

Photo by Tom Rivers: Holley June Fest organizers, Keith Lutes and Rainey Losee, are pictured in the Public Square near the Salisbury Fountain. The downtown area will have many sites as part of a scavenger hunt to learn about Holley during June Fest on Saturday.

HOLLEY – June Fest returns to Holley on Saturday after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns.

The festival is easing back. It won’t have a parade in the morning or fireworks to cap off the occasion at night.

But there will still be opportunities to get together and see friends and meet other community members.

There will be about 40 vendors at the main area for the festival near the playground area along the canal trail.

Rainey Losee is co-leader of the festival with Keith Lutes. They responded in March when they heard the festival needed coordinators. They are hopeful with more time – and funding – that the parade and fireworks will return for June Fest in 2023.

The event includes many activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The schedule includes:

• 9 a.m. to :15 a.m. –Opening ceremonies and welcome at the gazebo by the canal
• 9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Band introduction and kickoff
• 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Blues Crew Band
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Anita Lyn’s Lounge
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Scavenger Hunt starting place is at the museum.
• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Special hours at Holley Falls Bar and Grill
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Nick LaDue Band
• 1 p.m. to 1:15 pm – Scavenger Hunt winners announced
• 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Raffle Baskets must be present to win
• 2:30 p.m. – 50/50 Raffle drawing must be present to win
• 3 p.m. – Line Dancing by The Whole Approach
• 5 p.m. – Festival ends
• 4 to 6 p.m. – Community Free Library’s 75th Anniversary Party
• 6 p.m. – Red, White and Moo Grand Opening

Losee moved to Holley in October. A Wellsville native, her husband is from Brockport. They were looking for a small town environment. Losee soon joined the Holley Garden Club and started volunteering at the Eastern Orleans Community Center. She heard the June fest Committee needed volunteers. She offered to help and said she has met many Holley residents and business owners in only a few months.

“It’s all about the community and the village,” she said. “This is a very close-knit community.”

She encouraged people to come to the festival. She thinks they will link a scavenger hunt where they learn about the village through many clues.

There will also be wine-tasting, a petting zoo and food trucks. People can also leave ideas in a suggestion box for the next June Fest.

Lutes is a Holley native and he is glad to see the festival come back, even at a smaller scale.

In addition to the festival, Lutes said many garage and yard sales will be happening in the village and those are always a draw. He expects the village will be busy on Saturday with all of the activities.

Photo by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – JP’s Farm Market had its last day in Holley today. The site will become a Crosby’s. The Piedimonte family started the business more than three decades ago and in recent years it has been operated by Kathy Brooks, who maintained a frequent, friendly presence at JP’s, often in the deli.

The store on Route 31 was popular especially for its subs. It has a dine-in area where many people would congregate in the mornings and at lunchtime.

When JP’s becomes a Crosby’s there will be two in Holley, as well as locations in Clarendon, Kendall, two in Albion, one in Gaines, one in Medina and one in Lyndonville.

Site will establish telehealth hub to help people access healthcare

Renee Hungerford

HOLLEY – The homeless and those experiencing poverty and other challenges will soon have access to free health care, due to a grant received by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee County.

Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action, has announced her agency has received a grant from the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System to fund a program she calls “Axis of Care.”

Hungerford has a background in healthcare with a focus on informatics and addressing the social determinants of health. A few months ago she learned FLPPS had some funding available for innovative programs to bring health care to the homeless or those at risk of being homeless.

She wrote a proposal and submitted it. She came up with name “Axis of Care,” likening the meaning of axis (a point around which things gather) to the local agencies gathering together to provide “access” to health care.

Community Action knows first-hand the extent of poverty in Orleans County. Last year Hungerford reported the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley served 6,277 meals to nearly 400 people. In addition, hundreds more were helped with free clothing, food pantry services and holiday gifts and baskets.

At the time Hungerford wrote her proposal, Orleans County had the third lowest health ranking in New York state, according to “County Health Rankings.” It ranks in the bottom quartile for both outcomes and health factors.

There is increased risk of premature death, as well as much higher than state average for child and infant mortality. Some of the health behavior challenges are smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity and teen births.

Much of the area is considered a “food swamp,” in that available food is from fast food restaurants or dollar stores. Public transportation is very limited in the county, creating an additional barrier to healthcare and nutrition.

Hungerford reported that according to “Homeless Shelters Directory,” in 2019 there were an estimated 924 homeless people in Orleans County. The pandemic and recent end of the eviction moratorium has certainly increased this number, she said.

Further information obtained by Hungerford states that medical care is estimated to account for only 10 to 20 percent of the modifiable contributors to healthy outcomes for a population. She said Orleans County has only one medical doctor per 13,540 patients.

In response, Hungerford made her proposal to FLPPS to make the Holley Center an access point that brings healthcare to the customers.

FLPPS issued a press release May 26 announcing the grant and explaining Community Action will hire a health coach who will connect and coordinate individuals with services, set and track goals and outcomes, improve health literacy among those in need and coordinate transportation to healthcare facilities as needed. The health coach will be integrated into the existing case management program and collaborate with a peer advocate from GCASA.

A telehealth hub will be established in Community Action’s Eastern Orleans Community Center, where community members experiencing homelessness or being at risk of homelessness can access healthcare using telehealth services. The agency is partnering with Orleans Community Health, Oak Orchard Health and GCASA on telehealth services, and will have a mobile health van from Oak Orchard Health available. The health coach will connect individuals with needed services such as behavioral health treatments and services at the center or at healthcare facilities.

‘Patients need a trusted source to find accurate health information, as well as support in care coordination. This program addresses these challenges by bringing coordinated health and social care to the patient. It is truly a community coming together to make a difference for people who suffer many challenges. I feel blessed with the support we are receiving.’ – Renee Hungerford, Community Action director

A section of the clothing depot at the Community Center will be sectioned off as the telehealth center, where the health coach will work. The health coach will also be able to provide information on Community Action’s other services, such as weatherization, Head Start, utility assistance and day care.

Carol Tegas, executive director of FLPPS, said her agency is proud to partner with organizations in the community who have fostered deep trust with individuals and have the expertise to deliver excellent services in a collaborative model of care.

“This pioneering program aims to address health disparities and will provide vital care to vulnerable individuals in a rural community,” Tegas said.

“Navigating the healthcare system is difficult for everyone and even more so for people who are experiencing life challenges, like poverty and homelessness,” Hungerford said. “Access to care is impeded by a low number of available healthcare providers, coupled with a lack of transportation. Patients need a trusted source to find accurate health information, as well as support in care coordination. This program addresses these challenges by bringing coordinated health and social care to the patient. It is truly a community coming together to make a difference for people who suffer many challenges. I feel blessed with the support we are receiving.”

Sean Ossont, president of Continual Care Solutions, said they are thrilled to be the technology solution partner in the Axis of Care homelessness initiative.

“Being a common digital platform is necessary to have a holistic view of individuals who will be receiving supports and services from a network of community providers,” Ossont said. “Data capture and visibility of outcomes will provide keen insights on best practices and have an impact on the initiative.”

Hungerford said they hope to have the new program up and running as soon as they can hire a health coach, hopefully over the summer.

HOLLEY – The Holley Police Department posted the above images from security cameras during a burglary at Dollar General store last night at approximately 1:50 a.m.

“The suspects pictured forced entry into the building and stole several items,” the Police Department posted on its Facebook page. “We are also investigating the report of individuals looking into vehicles and houses in the early hours this morning.”

The Holley PD asks that anyone with information or security camera footage to contact the department immediately at (585) 638-5308 or message directly through the department’s Facebook page.

MURRAY – The Town Board filled three spots in the town government on Monday.

Scott Lang was appointed to the Planning Board, John Rich was named to Board of Assessment Review and Dan Seeler was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The town advertised the positions but only had three people show interest, said Mike Mele, a town councilman.

The Town Board also authorized Highway Superintendent Dirk Lammes to spend $235,000 in highway funding for 2022.

The board also rescinded a resolution to borrow money for a $119,000 to purchase a new loader backhoe. The interest rate have changed from 2.9 percent to nearly 5 percent. The town has the money in its fund balance and will pay for the loader backhoe without borrowing.

Spada and Passarell say district court would cost much more, be less responsive to community

Photos by Tom Rivers: Murray Town Justices Gary Passarell, right, and Ted Spada speak against a district court in Orleans County, saying it would cost much more to operate with less local accountability.

MURRAY – The town’s justices, Gary Passarell and Ted Spada, said they are strongly opposed to a district court coming to Orleans County, saying it will be more costly to operate, driving up local property taxes.

A district court judge could cost close to $300,000 for salary and benefits, and that person would have to be an attorney, Spada said.

The clerks would also be paid about $80,000 in salary. There would be mandated costs for security, stenographers, language interpreters and computer and facility upgrades.

“It would be a very poor business decision and would defy common sense,” Spada said about a district court.

The possibility of a district court has been suggested by District Attorney Joe Cardone and Public Defender Joanne Best, who say those courts would provide more equitable justice throughout the county. State aid would pick up some of the higher costs to operate a district court, Cardone and Best have said.

Murray Town Justice Ted Spada said a district court would be far more costly with higher-paid judges, clerks and other personnel.

Spada and Passarell are two of 12 town justices in the county. Passarell is retiring on Dec. 31 after 33 years on the bench. They are members of the Orleans County Magistrates Association, where all 12 justices oppose a district court.

“These are the courts closest to the people,” Passarell said about the town courts. “The town justices have a better grasp of common sense and their communities.”

A district court needs to include at least two towns. One district court could be enough for the entire county, or perhaps there could be two or three district courts, Cardone and Best have suggested.

Cardone and Best, during an April 27 meeting with the County Legislature and many of the town justices, said they are just trying to get a discussion going about the issue.

County Legislator John Fitzak attended the Murray meeting and he said the district court has a long way to go if it becomes a reality in the county.

“This is in its infancy beyond infancy,” Fitzak said. “Nothing is set in stone.”

If it moves forward Fitzak said there will be many public hearings and referendums in each for voters to have their say. Right now there isn’t enough information about the costs of the court and how it could work to have an informed discussion, he said.

He would like to see the town justices, district attorney and public defender get in the same room and discuss the issue at length.

“We’re all trying to make the system work,” Fitzak said.

Spada and the Magistrates have compiled a database on what the current town courts cost versus the costs of a district court.

Spada said a district court would cost $973,726 for one serving the four central towns of Barre, Albion, Gaines and Carlton. That’s four times the current expense of $245,235 for running the courts in the four towns, Spada said. This does not include the costs of infrastructure to bring the buildings up to regulations for a district court.

Two district courts at the west end (Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates) and the central towns (Barre, Albion, Gaines and Carlton) would cost $1,947,452 versus the $451,435 in the actual town budgets for 2022, Spada told county legislators on April 27 and again on Monday during the Murray Town Board meeting.

If there were three districts courts – west, central and east – The cost would be $2,921,177 compared to $562,127 to operate 10 town courts, and that doesn’t include the building upgrades that would be needed, Spada said.

If there were three district courts Spada said it would increase the county tax rate by $1.58 per $1,000 of assessed property or about 15 percent. The current tax rate is $10.09. The rate has gone up 60 cents in the past 10 years.

He said the local towns have worked to reduce their court costs. Eight of the 10 towns are down from two to one judge. Murray will go to one when Passarell retires.

“Orleans County is a relatively poor county,” Passarell said. “To burden them with the startup costs (and ongoing expense of a district court) would be an abomination.”

Photos courtesy of Dan Mawn

HOLLEY – This class of Holley second-graders wave tickets after visiting the railroad depot last week. The tickets were designed by the historical society to resemble original tickets from the New York Central Railroad.

Volunteers act as a conductor and ticket agents, punching the tickets for the students.

The depot was constructed in 1907. It was moved in 1988 to Geddes Street Extension and was turned into a museum about local history. Holley second-graders typically would visit the site each year to learn about Holley and Murray artifacts.

Students didn’t come to the museum in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid restrictions, but they are back this year. Four classes of second graders visited the museum.

These students try an old restored telephone inside the museum.

“The kids are amazed by it since all they know are cell phones,” said Dan Mawn, president of Murray-Holley Historical Society. “This one rings when the handle is cranked.”

Mawn and the historical society volunteers also showed the students a working telegraph, which is a precursor to the telephone.

Press Release, Community Free Library in Holley

HOLLEY – To celebrate its Diamond Jubilee (aka 75th anniversary of service to the community), the Community Free Library is planning a variety of events to be timed to coincide with the Holley June Fest on June 4.

Ahead of the activities planned during June Fest is a raffle – a floral arrangement sprouting gift cards totaling more than $300. These gift cards are not only for Holley businesses such as Dustin’s and Sam’s, but include Lowes, TJ Max,  Sara’s Garden, Red Lobster,  Chili’s, the Outback, Wild Flour and more – something for every taste.

Need to fix something around the home? Want to go out to eat? Need flowers for your garden? All of these are possible for the lucky winner. Tickets are currently on sale in the library, and are $2 each or three for $5. The drawing will be held at the end of the day on June 4. Don’t miss your chance to win!

Starting June 27 and running concurrent with June Fest will be an art show presenting the works of three local artists – Tony Barry, Debra Mignano and Ken Claus in the library board room. Many of these art works are also available for sale. An exhibit of children’s art from the classes of Ken Claus – art works that reflect the joy children feel when working in different media – will be on view in the Library Children’s Room.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during June Fest, there will be an “Outrageous Book Sale” where participants can bring a bag from home and fill it to the top with books, DVDs and other items on sale – all for only $1. For those who want to add more to their home library, they can bring a box and fill it to overflowing for $3.