By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 November 2020 at 6:22 pm
MURRAY – The community can offer input on a proposed comprehensive plan for guiding the town’s land use, and policies and actions for zoning regulations and capital investments.
There will be a 7 p.m. meeting on Monday through Zoom where the community can learn about the plan and offer feedback. Click here for a link to the meeting. The meeting ID is 861 2115 5436, with the passcode, 172412.
An Advisory Committee appointed by the Murray Town Board has been working on preparing the comprehensive plan with assistance from LaBella Associates. Click here to see a draft of the proposed 130-page plan.
The document includes descriptions of existing conditions, analysis of issues, and recommended actions to advance the town’s goals. The plan will help the town publicize its agricultural, natural, historic and scenic assets for beneficial development of compatible businesses and homes.
The plan addresses the following topics:
Land Use
Historic Resources
Population and Housing
Recreational Resources
Economic Vitality
Utilities
Agriculture & Farmland
Transportation
Natural Resources
Public & Community Services
A representative from LaBella Associates will summarize the findings and recommendations and facilitate public comment during the meeting on Monday. The session will be recorded for viewing later.
Following the presentation, those in attendance will be invited to comment. Written comments will be accepted through December 18. Comments can be sent to the Town Clerk via e-mail at clerk@townofmurray.org or by mail to:
Town Clerk, Town of Murray
3840 Fancher Road
Holley, NY 14470
Please call Cindy Oliver, Town Clerk, at (585) 638-6570 with any questions.
Provided photo: Josmar Hernandez (second from left), is pictured with his teacher Crystal Gurney, Weson, Animal Control Officer Airel Ambrose, and Undersheriff Mike Mele.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
HOLLEY – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Animal shelter received a large donation from a Holley Elementary student.
Josmar Hernandez, a sixth-grader, has been collecting donations for the past three weeks from staff and students in Holley to give to the Orleans County Animal Shelter.
Josmar’s love for animals, especially dogs, prompted him to start collecting items that the shelter could use. Over 300 items including dog and cat food, toys, bedding, and cat litter are just some of the items that were collected.
Josmar wanted to come to the shelter to visit the animals but due to Covid-19 that currently isn’t allowed.
Undersheriff Michael Mele and Animal Control Officer Airel Ambrose along with friendly dog Weson visited Josmar at the school.
All items donated will be used at the shelter to make the animals have a happy stay while they are waiting to be adopted to a loving family.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 November 2020 at 9:33 am
Many volunteers, community members contribute to friendly environment
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Debbie Rothmund, coordinator of the Eastern Orleans Community Center, and volunteers Rachael Escobar and Hunter Rife get desserts ready for lunch at the Holley Center.
HOLLEY – Whether providing free holiday food boxes or a free lunch, or just offering a place for friendly conversation, the Eastern Orleans Community Center is a vibrant program of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
The center, led by coordinator Debbie Rothmund, provides a variety of services to the community, including an emergency food pantry, daily meals, free holiday food baskets, free clothing, family development/case management services, public access to computers with internet and more.
With all this, many of the people who visit the center, like a woman named Patti, come every day for the socialization.
“And the food is always good,” she said.
The Eastern Orleans Community Center partners with several local agencies to fight poverty and hunger on the eastern end of the county. These include FEMA Pro, St. Vincent de Paul from Rochester, Food Link and The Salvation Army.
National Honor Society students from Holley High School volunteered to put boxes together last week at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley. The boxes were packed with food for Thanksgiving dinner for families in the Holley area.
Annette Finch, director of emergency services at Community Action, praised the cooperation from local organizations and people, such as the National Honor Society members at Holley High School. Last week they came to the center to fold boxes and help give out 60 Thanksgiving food boxes.
“We do it every year,” said high school senior Julia Buck.
Senior Kasey DeFrank said she likes to do it to help the community.
Rod Skehan, local treasurer for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, said they have been involved for 40 years. They had always done some drive at Thanksgiving at their church, but with change in the laws, they now partner with the Community Center to provide Thanksgiving dinner to needy families.
“Through donations to our society, we are able to purchase turkeys, milk and bread to distribute to the families,” he said. “We utilize the Honor Society to tie it in with the community.”
Julie Tranello, standing, a volunteer at the Eastern Orleans Community Center, talks with center coordinator Debbie Rothmund in the dining room.
Finch said it is amazing what Rothmund does at the center. They average 750 meals a month, serving daily at 11:30 a.m. They play bingo on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“Through the pandemic shutdown, we never stopped,” Rothmund said. “We did take-outs instead.”
Rothmund, who has been at the Community Center for almost 20 years, also makes regular phone calls to the shut-ins to make sure they are alright.
The food pantry serves 60 families a month and food distributions benefit 600 households annually.
Patty’s Boutique next door provides free clothing, all of which is donated, to anyone. Volunteer Julie Tranello works at the boutique. The Center’s affiliation with The Salvation Army helps people facing eviction, utility shutoffs or needing prescriptions.
Carol Pietrzykowski, seated, new fiscal director at Community Action, enjoys lunch at the Eastern Orleans Community Center. Talking to her, from left, are Community Action’s director of emergency services, Annette Finch, and volunteers Maria Fernandez and Kerri Glover from Maison Albion.
The center is always looking for volunteers, such as Kerri Glover, new owner of Maison Albion (formerly the Pillars) on County House Road in Albion, and her venue coordinator Maria Fernandez. Kerri, her husband Cole and son Benjamin, 12, visited the center last week, where Kerri volunteered to help serve lunch.
After purchasing the Pillars, the Glovers were looking for a non-profit agency to support, and she learned about Community Action. After meeting with Finch, she asked where she could volunteer. Maison Albion is planning a grand opening celebration on Dec. 12 and will be doing a fundraiser for Community Action at that event, which will be in-person and virtual.
The Eastern Orleans Community Center welcomes all residents. Finch’s invitation is to “Stop by, meet our friendly staff, get answers to your questions, have a cup of coffee, play a game of cards or bingo or just have fun.”
The Center is located at 75 Public Square in Holley.
Annette Finch, left, director of emergency services at Community Action, opens a pizza for lunch at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley. Looking on is center coordinator Debbie Rothmund. Hunter Rife, at right, comes every day to volunteer.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The former Holley High School received $17 million in renovations. The building was last used as a school in 1975. After two years of construction, Home Leasing has the building fully occupied with 41 apartments and the Holley village offices.
Posted 10 November 2020 at 7:19 pm
Building sees dramatic renovation with 41 apartments, Holley village offices
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of a $17 million substantial rehabilitation of the historic former Holley High School in the village of Holley in Orleans County. Now known as Holley Gardens, the building offers 41 affordable homes for seniors with public meeting space and offices for use by the village of Holley.
“As New York builds back better, we are steadfast in our commitment to providing safe and affordable housing to our vulnerable populations,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Holley Gardens housing builds upon our strategic investments in communities across the state and in the Finger Lakes region and will provide 41 affordable homes for New York’s seniors. We have a responsibility to protect and support our seniors and new developments like Holley Gardens will provide crucial housing opportunities to those who need it most.”
“Every New Yorker deserves the warmth and security of a roof over their heads and supportive services they need,” Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This $17 million project included a significant rehabilitation of a vacant high school that will provide over 41 affordable homes for our older New Yorkers, including supportive services for individuals with physical disabilities. New York is committed to investing in projects like these to help ensure fairness and enhanced quality of life while continuing to build back better, stronger and more inclusive for the future.”
Governor Cuomo’s commitment to strengthening communities and growing the Finger Lakes economy is reflected in “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. Since 2011, HCR has invested over $639 million in the Finger Lakes Region that has created or preserved nearly 7,700 homes.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, front center, cut the ribbon for the project at a celebration this afternoon. Front row, from left, include Ed Morgan, representing Satte Sen. Rob Ortt; Nelson Leenhouts, Chairman of Home Leasing and Home Leasing Construction; Wayne Goodman, executive director of the Landmark Society of WNY; State Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul; County Legislator John DeFilipps ( a member of the Holley Class of 1975, the last to graduate from the old school); former Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty; and current Mayor Kevin Lynch, also a member of Holley’s Class of 1975. Back row: Charlie Oster, development manager for Edgemere Development; George DeRue, Home Leasing’s vice president of historical preservation and construction manager for the project; Bret Garwood, CEO of Home Leasing; Connie Nenni, Holley village trustee; John Kenney, former Holley mayor; Kim Russell, Home Leasing attorney.
Originally constructed in 1931, the three-story Neo-Classical brick building served as the village’s high school until the mid-1970s. It sat unused in the decades since closing. After careful rehabilitation, including the preservation of original architectural details, Holley Gardens now offers 41 affordable apartments for New Yorkers aged 55 and up.
The school’s original auditorium was kept largely intact to be used as a public meeting space for the village’s board meetings and other public forums. The area beneath the balcony was renovated to house the village’s administrative offices.
Building amenities for residents include a community room, Energy Star appliances, air conditioning, and laundry facilities, along with outdoor space. Located in the heart of the Holley’s downtown, Holley Gardens is within walking distance to the village’s library, restaurants, churches, and retail.
Seven of the apartments will be available for households where at least one member is a person with a physical disability who will have access to supportive services provided by Independent Living of Genesee Region. The developer is Home Leasing in partnership with Edgemere Development.
State financing for the $17 million development includes federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that generated a total of $6.8 million in equity and $4.1 million in subsidy from HCR. The project received federal and state Historic Tax Credits that generated $6.4 million in equity allocated by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Empire State Development provided $1 million through the Restore NY program and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $41,000.
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Holley Gardens serves a dual purpose of providing 41 much-needed affordable homes for older New Yorkers and rehabilitating a historic building in the heart of the village. The state’s investment to carefully preserve the historic architecture will breathe new life into Holley’s historic district, create a more walkable and active streetscape for the building’s residents, and show that the Finger Lakes economy is reopen for business and moving forward.”
State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “It is rewarding to see a historic landmark in the village get new life as affordable housing for senior citizens. The project is the first time the Historic Tax Credit program has been used in the village of Holley, which now joins communities across the state in successfully transforming underutilized buildings to create much-needed housing and business opportunities, and preserve local heritage.”
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul attended today’s ribbon-cutting celebration. She said the project shows the state is committed to bringing resources to small towns.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and CEO & Commissioner-designate Eric Gertler said, “Holley Gardens is a prime example of New York State’s creative approach to community development through our Restore NY program. By transforming a long-vacant school into a vibrant residential development for seniors, this public-private partnership revitalized an underutilized local facility to serve the current needs of the Holley community.”
Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said, “Holley Gardens will be a wonderful addition to the Village of Holley and for our senior residents who are seeking a new, yet affordable, place to call home. By renovating the already existing Holley High School, New York State and private partners have found a way to reutilize the Village of Holley’s landmarks for community residents. I am proud to have worked with tremendous local officials to secure state funding and make this project a reality.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley said, “Holley Gardens is another example of the creativity, hard work, and dedication that the people of Western New York have. With this development, the opportunity to give more of our senior citizens comfortable, affordable housing in the village of Holley shows yet another way our communities continue to give back and support each other. I look forward to seeing the complex be filled, and seeing the wonderful life our neighbors can bring to it.”
Mayor Kevin Lynch said, “In a five-year period, the old high school has been transformed into senior housing and new space for the village offices and public meetings. This is a great change for the village of Holley. Thanks to Home Leasing, Edgemere Development and everyone who worked to make this project a reality.”
Chairperson Orleans County Legislature Lynne M. Johnson said, “Thanks to the hard work and commitment of so many, Holley Gardens is the first adaptive reuse to offer affordable senior homes, municipal offices and communal space for the benefit of all who live and work in Orleans County. The spectacular redevelopment of the former high school is the finest example of public and private partners working together to sustainably preserve and enhance smaller communities with historical assets.”
CEO of Home Leasing Bret Garwood said, “We are thrilled to be part of the transformation of the long abandoned historic Holley High School into Holley Gardens. With this project, we are helping to address the critical need for affordable housing for seniors and are part of creating a vibrant village. I am grateful to all our partners including New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the Village of Holley, and Edgemere Development, who have offered their expertise and dedication throughout the entire process.”
Founder of Edgemere Development John Oster said, “Many thought there was no hope or use for this beautiful former school. The completion of this successful project was due to the willpower and collaboration of Edgemere, Home Leasing, the Village of Holley and County of Orleans, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Key Bank, and our other public and private partners. Holley Gardens is now a welcoming home for our seniors and critical Village offices.”
Executive Director of The Landmark Society of Western New York Wayne Goodman said, “This impressive and collaborative project converted a problematic liability into a true community asset, and by doing so, saved an irreplaceable historic building that has played such a formative role in Holley’s past. With the end result providing quality housing and enhancing Holley’s commercial district, this project is a prime example of how historic preservation elevates our communities across New York.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2020 at 6:43 pm
Photos courtesy of Melissa Ierlan
HOLLEY – This new historical marker was installed today at 35 South Main Street. It notes the site was once a “Safe House” and the home of Chauncey Robinson, who lived from 1792-1866.
Robinson was an Orleans County pioneer and an abolitionist. He sheltered escaped slaves at this site as part of the Underground Railroad.
The sign was funded by Roy Bubb, James Robinson, the Orleans County Historical Association and the Orleans County Historian’s Department under Matt Ballard.
The other side of the marker notes the location is the “Brainerd Home,” which was built by Col. Ezra Brainard, inventor of Brained Truss Bridge. He was a contractor on the Erie Canal who built the Sandy Creek embankment in Holley.
Local historians have long suspected there were houses in Orleans County on the Underground Railroad, which was a secret network of trails and homes. But there wasn’t documentation to back it up, until Clarendon Historian Melissa Ierlan found a letter from Robinson’s grandson.
In the lengthy letter, the grandson details visiting his grandfather, who took him up to the second floor of the back side of the house. The grandfather pulled back a curtain, and there was a group of escaped slaves on beds.
More research showed that Robinson was in fact an outspoken abolitionist,.
This is the second historical marker in Orleans County about African-American history. Medina in April 2015 unveiled a marker on Main Street in recognition of two speeches delivered in the community by Frederick Douglass, a leading abolitionist.
The Holley marker highlights a local resident advocating for escaped slaves.
The Holley marker is two-sided with one side highlighting Robinson and the Underground Railroad, and the other side noting the work of Ezra Brainard, who built Robinson’s home and oversaw construction of the canal embankment over Sandy Creek.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 October 2020 at 9:05 pm
School now used for 41 apartments, village offices
Photo courtesy of Erin Anheier: The front columns were added this past week to the Holley Gardens, the former Holley High School. Home Leasing of Rochester has transformed the building with a $17 million project.
HOLLEY – One of the last touches on a $17 million transformation of the former Holley High School was completed this week when six new columns were put on the front of the building.
Delivery of the columns was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The columns give the building a final exclamation point.
Home Leasing has turned the building, which was vacant for more than two decades, into 41 apartments and the village offices. The apartments include one studio, 35 one-bedrooms, and five two-bedroom apartments.
The building was last used as a school in 1975. It was last used by a manufacturing company, Liftec, which went bankrupt in the 1990s.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Here is how the former school looked on December 11, 2018 before the major construction started.
The building was nearly done in August, but Home Leasing was still waiting on delivery of the columns.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 October 2020 at 9:19 pm
HOLLEY – The school district has informed the community a Holley High School teacher has tested positive for Covid-19.
The positive test follows two students who have tested positive in the Holley Junior-Senior High School.
The teacher was last working at the school on Wednesday and the last day the teacher had contact with students was on Tuesday with the “Red Hawks” cohort, Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent, said in a letter to the community posted on the district website.
Orleans County Health Department officials have told Holley school leaders the teacher’s Covid case does not appear to be related to the two positive student cases.
“Contact tracing has to begin as soon as possible,” Bartalo said. “Just as in the student cases, the district is unable to legally disclose any further details or personal identifiable information about this teacher per the federal privacy laws.”
The district this evening was planning to share class rosters and contact information with the Health Department so that the department can begin the tracing process.
“The only students (parents) who may be called will be those high school students (Red Hawks) who were in school on Tuesday and who may have been in close contact with this particular teacher,” Bartalo said. “At this time, there’s no need for students to quarantine or get tested, unless you are contacted by the Health Department and directed to do so.”
If a student is contacted and put on mandatory quarantine, the district asks that the family call the high school nurse at 638-6316, ext. 5100 or the principal’s office at 638-6318, ext. 5505. The district will work with the students about being fully remote during the quarantine period.
It is recommended that students and staff members continue daily monitoring for symptoms of Covid-19 which could include fever, loss of taste or smell, headache, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, body aches and/or nausea. If these or unusual symptoms occur, please consult your medical provider, Bartalo said in his letter.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2020 at 3:10 pm
HOLLEY – A Holley student who was last at the middle-high school campus on Wednesday morning has tested positive for Covid-19, the Orleans County Health Department said today.
“The school learned about the positive case before school this morning and ordered precautionary cleaning and disinfection of the area the student was last in,” said Brian Bartalo, superintendent of Holley Central School District. “The student did not report to school today.”
Holley is working with the local Health Department and New York State Covid-19 School Specialists to assist with contact tracing.
The local Health Department will go back 48 hours from the onset of symptoms or the date of the test to determine any order of quarantining of individuals of close contact with the student.
In this case that would start on Monday, October 19th. As a member of the “White Hawk” cohort, the student who tested positive was not in school on Monday or Tuesday this week. Any communication of the need for quarantine will come directly from the Health Department or the NYS School Liaison. If the local Health Department indicates there is anything further that needs to occur at the school building or district level, families will be updated, Bartalo said.
Paul Pettit, Health Department director, said the district and health officials are unable to legally disclose any further details or personal identifiable information about this student per the federal privacy laws.
If a student in the Holley school district receives confirmation of a positive Covid-19 test, Bartalo urged parents and guardians to contact the school’s nurse or principal immediately “so we can help the Orleans County Health Department most efficiently begin the contact tracing process.”
Any student who has Covid-19 symptoms or has been tested should not report to school until cleared by a medical professional and/or have a negative test result.
“In addition to working closely with the Health Department, we will continue to reinforce the best practices of mask wearing, staying physically distant from others, and handwashing,” Bartalo said.
Symptoms of Covid-19 include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
For information on school statistics, click here for the New York State Covid-19 Report Card.
Photo courtesy of the New York Landmarks Conservancy: The First Presbyterian Church of Holley was approved for a $5,000 grant from the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites program.
Press Release, New York Landmarks Conservancy
HOLLEY – The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced eight Sacred Sites grants totaling $140,000 awarded to historic religious properties throughout New York State, including $5,000 to First Presbyterian Church of Holley to help fund roof repairs.
The First Presbyterian Church of Holley is a tan-brick, Collegiate-Gothic style church completed in 1909 to the designs of architect William C. Walker. A modern concrete-block addition (1958-59) abuts the east side of the original building.
The sanctuary interior contains the original exposed roof trusses, paneled ceiling in dark wood, heavy wood window trim, altar furnishings, and organ installed in a loft behind the altar. The church serves about 400 people a year through activities such as school supply and clothing distribution, a holiday gift drive, scout troops, fellowship groups, and meetings of the local garden club.
“We’re delighted our grants can help maintain these important institutions during this difficult time,” said Peg Breen, President, The New York Landmarks Conservancy. “Throughout the pandemic, they have continued feeding and recovery programs, as well as health and cultural offerings to their communities.”
The Sacred Sites Program provides congregations with matching grants for planning and implementing exterior restoration projects, technical assistance, and workshops. Since 1986, the program has pledged 1,559 grants totaling more than $12 million to 828 religious institutions statewide.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy
The New York Landmarks Conservancy, a private non-profit organization, has led the effort to preserve and protect New York City’s architectural legacy for nearly 50 years. Since its founding, the Conservancy has loaned and granted more than $52 million, which has leveraged more than $1 billion in 1,850 restoration projects throughout New York, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus and supporting local jobs.
The Conservancy has also offered countless hours of pro bono technical advice to building owners, both nonprofit organizations and individuals. The Conservancy’s work has saved more than a thousand buildings across the City and State, protecting New York’s distinctive architectural heritage for residents and visitors alike today, and for future generations.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Sarah and Nick Callahan have been operating Callahan Towing the past year in Holley. They will have an open house this Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. The public is welcome to stop by to see tow trucks, fire trucks and police vehicles.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 October 2020 at 11:33 am
Husband and wife run Callahan Towing, 24-7
HOLLEY – A husband and wife has found Holley to be a great base for running their towing business.
A year ago, Sarah and Nick Callahan moved Callahan Towing from Batavia to 106 Geddes St. in Holley. They have the contract for emergency towing in eastern Orleans County in the towns of Kendall, Murray and Clarendon – “from the lake to the Genesee County line.” They have the contract following the retirement of Eric Smith of Glenside Auto from the towing business.
The Callahans respond to numerous automobile accidents and stay busy with other towing jobs, including emergency roadside assistance and moving vehicles for an auction company.
Both Nick and Sarah operate the tow trucks, and they respond to calls at all hours of the day.
“It’s being committed because it’s literally 24-7,” Mrs. Callahan said.
Her husband was 18 when he started working for a towing company. At the time his car broke down and he needed to be towed. He talked with the tow operator on scene and even helped to get the car hooked to the tow truck. Soon he had a job with the towing business.
He enjoys the challenge of the job and helping people who are often in distress.
“You need to be able to think on your feet and do it fast,” he said.
He knows it is an inconvenience for other motorists when a road is closed due to an accident or incident with a vehicle off the road. He tries to work quickly, while preserving as much of a damaged vehicle as possible.
Nick, 31, worked for bigger towing companies before starting his own business in 2014. In Genesee County, he said there are about 15 towing companies. He said it is a “cutthroat business.”
In Orleans, the towing companies work together, he said. He credited Smith of Glenside for helping Callahan find a nice location in Holley and for recommending them to many in the community.
“We owe a lot to Eric,” Mr. Callahan said.
The Callahans want to thank the community for the support in their first year in Holley. They are having an open house Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at 106 Geddes St. People can get an up close look at tow trucks, police vehicles and fire trucks from Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray.
Mr. Callahan said he works with firefighters and law enforcement on many of the calls. He was a volunteer firefighter in Alexander for 8 years. He said the first responders have his deep respect.
The open house also will include wine tastings, food trucks and kids’ activities, including rock painting.
Mrs. Callahan also wants to have a WNY Tow Ball for the tow truck community. She said the Callahans support the “the thin yellow line” campaign to make people aware of the dangers of being a tow truck driver, where motorists often speed by while tow truck operators are working on a scene.
One tow truck driver is killed an average of every six days in the United States. The Callahans have had friends killed while working.
“We want people to slow down and pull over when they see a tow truck,” she said.
