HOLLEY – The Village of Holley will hold its election Tuesday from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Clerk’s Office, 72 Public Square.

Voters will select two trustees for 2-year terms from a field of three candidates.

Current Trustee James DeFilipps was appointed to the board following the election last year of former trustee Brian Sorochty as mayor.

DeFilipps is an Orleans County Deputy Sheriff and received the New York State Sheriffs Association Deputy of the Year award in 2016. He has lived in Holley for most of his life.

“I worked for the village years ago in the police department,” he said. “I have a lot of family and friends in the village, and the village has always meant a lot to me.  I hope to be able to keep taxes down while we keep services up and get our infrastructure more up to date. Holley is a wonderful small village that I am, and will be, proud to serve as a trustee.”

DeFilipps is running on the Peoples Party line.

Rochelle Moroz moved to the village four years ago to be closer to family. She and her husband have one daughter and two granddaughters.

“We love the quiet, friendly charm of the village and have met many wonderful people since moving here,” she said.  “And, we really enjoy the canal – walking around it and kayaking on it.”

Moroz holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo College in Florida and is a Vietnam Era military veteran. She formerly served as a church secretary/treasurer and said she understands the importance of maintaining a balanced budget and spending frugally.

“I am excited about the revival of the old school and the possibility of brining other businesses and services to this village,” Moroz said. “I was encouraged to run for trustee by a few village residents who think I would be a positive addition to the board. I want to continue the good work already started, with the desire to even better enhance the community experience.”

Moroz is running on the Common Sense Party line.

Kurt Wannenwetsch has lived in the village for close to ten years, “and I grew up just two miles outside the village. As a life-long resident of the area, I have seen first hand the decline of the village,” he said. “I would truly like to see Holley become a better community.”

Wannenwetsch says there are many important issues facing the village including the need for more control over spending; lack of businesses in the village; lack of communication back to residents; more accessible public board meetings and better communication to the residents as to when they take place; the need of a more proactive approach to curbing the known drug use and illegal activities in and around the Holley Hotel; and degradation of the old buildings in the Public Square.

He enjoys living in the village because, “It is a great little historic country town (and), with exception (of) a few specific areas, a quiet town,” Wannenwetsch said.

He is running on the Citizens Voice Party line.

Current Trustee Skip Carpenter decided not to run for re-election due to ongoing health issues in his family.

Return to top

Provided photo

HOLLEY – Brooklyn Bartholomew, a senior at Holley Jr./Sr. High School, is pictured with some of the shoes donated in a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls.

The Holley Interact Club decided for its Global Community Service project to partner with Soles4Souls, a non-profit organization with a mission to create sustainable jobs and provide relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world.

Bartholomew and the Interact Club set a goal of collecting 100 pairs of shoes. Letters were sent home with all Elementary School students asking for donation of gently used shoes.  Donation boxes were set up in the High School and in the Elementary School.

At the end of the drive, 285 pairs of shoes were donated by the Holley community and Brooklyn delivered them all to Soles4Souls on Friday.

Return to top

File photo Tom Rivers: Developers want to convert the old Holley High School, which has been vacant for two decades, into apartments and offices.

HOLLEY – A developer continues to work on securing funding for the renovation of the old Holley High School, Mayor Brian Sorotchy said.

In May, the mayor announced the project was not funded in this year’s competitive Homes and Community Renewal financing round, but that developers were updating the application for the next funding round this fall.

On Tuesday, Sorochty said Edgemere Development, which is partnering with Home Leasing on the old Holley High School project, is currently pursuing a “separate funding source” for the portion of the project which involves the move of the Village of Holley offices to the school.

The process involves the village registering for the NYS Grants Gateway program, Sorochty said.  The Gateway program provides assistance in locating funding opportunities through state agencies.

Village attorney John Sansone will review any necessary paperwork, Sorochty said, to make sure that the village is protected if funding does not end up coming through for the entire school renovation process.

He explained that Edgemere specializes in seeking out funding sources as part of the development process.

Photo by Kristina Gabalski: A large pile of broken-up concrete was recently dumped on a lot located on Jackson Street in the Village of Holley. Neighbor Glenn Hughson says he wants the village to take action to have the material removed.

In other business, Jackson Street resident Glenn Hughson asked for help from the board regarding the dumping of “ten trailer loads of concrete” on property across the street from his home.

The property is located adjacent to and just west of the former Diaz chemical plant. The person believed to be the current owner does not live on the site but Hughson said a contractor working for the owner dumped the concrete.

“I can’t be looking at this,” Hughson said.

Sorochty said the village is aware of the situation, but village code enforcement officer Ron Vendetti said he felt the village was “hand-cuffed” over taking any action.

Hughson told the board he believed the EPA had taken the property and leveled the site.

Sorochty said he was not aware if the property had changed ownership.

Sansone, the attorney, advised that as a first step, the village needs to determine who owns the property.

Return to top

HOLLEY – The Village Board is working on a big upgrade to the village’s water infrastructure.

The Village Board on Tuesday unanimously approved resolutions regarding the proposed $2 million Holley Water System Improvement Project. The water grant resolution authorizes Mayor Brian Sorochty to submit an application to the Environmental Facilities Corporation for the NYS Water Infrastructure Improvement Act  Program and to execute all financial and administrative processes relating to the completion of the project.

The village has also passed a bond resolution in the amount of $2.09 million for the total project cost.

The village anticipates receiving a Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant for $1.25 million and will provide $406,000 in in-kind services. The balance of $430,000 will be bonded.

The project includes replacement of approximately 9,050 linear feet of water main within the existing right-of-way throughout various locations within the village. Additionally, the project will replace fire hydrants, valves, water service transfers and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system for improved operation of the village water storage tank and pumping system.

The location of the water main improvements include portions of South Main Street, North Main Street, East Union Street, Park Place, East Albion Street, Geddes Street, and the water storage tank. The improvements coincide with sidewalk upgrades being completed as part of the Sidewalk Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant the village has received.

A fact sheet provided by the village states the water mains are being considered for replacement due to age, deteriorating conditions, inoperable fire hydrants and valves, and brown water complaints received by the village. Village officials say it is desirous to replace the water mains prior to excavation for new sidewalks.

“This project will address the concerns with the aged system (some piping dates to the 1920’s).  The proposed improvements are modest and economical,” the fact sheet states. “The improvements proposed will help to solve health, safety and maintenance issues associated with the existing system.”

Residents are encouraged to provide the village with letters of support for the project. They can be sent to Mayor Brian Sorochty, Village of Holley, 72 Public Square, Holley, NY, 14470, or by email at bsorochty@ddscompanies.com.

Return to top

HOLLEY – Three candidates are running for two open seats on the Holley Village Board.

James DeFilipps, who is currently serving the remainder of Mayor Brian Sorochty’s trustee term, is running on the Peoples Party line;  Rochelle Moroz is running on the Common Sense Party line and Kurt Wannenwetsch is running on the Citizens Voice Party line.

“I wish all the candidates well,” Mayor Brian Sorochty said during Tuesday evening’s regular meeting of the Village Board.

He explained that Trustee Skip Carpenter is not seeking re-election due to health issues in his family.

The election will be held Tuesday, June 20, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Office, 72 Public Square in Holley.

Both trustee terms are for two years.

Return to top

Stella the Hedgehog won the special election that raised funds for the After School Friends program.

HOLLEY – The Holley Elementary Student Council held its second annual “special election” featuring four animals. Stella the Hedgehog emerged as the winner in the contest, which raised $415 for an afterschool program.

Stella’s victory was announced on Wednesday during Holley’s Flag Day celebration.

Stella is owned by Hannah Bock, an elementary instrumental music teacher. She keeps Stella in her classroom, and the animal has proven popular with students.

Stella will now serve as an ambassador for the After School Friends program.

Last year, the election was a fundraiser for the chapel at Hillside Cemetery. Gamma the Dog was the winner.

In her campaign literature, Stella was touted as being energetic and  enjoying fun. She is always excited to meet new people and make new friends. She enjoys running around, digging tunnels and playing with toys. Stella enjoys crafts and building things.

Stella was the top vote-getter against Mabel the Goat, Simon the Alpaca and Bubba the Turtle.

The After School Friends program is held each Wednesday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Holley.  The program, which is free for students in grades 4-6, is now funded through Fit 4 U, which offers nutritional programming and activities for participants.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Hannah Bock, Holley elementary instrumental music teacher, accepts the award on behalf of Stella, which was resting in her classroom during Wednesday’s Flag Day celebration.

Return to top

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – There were about 500 students from Holley Elementary School waving flags and wearing red, while and blue for the school’s annual Flag Day celebration, which includes a march from the elementary school to the depot museum near the Public Square.

The annual tradition started 60 years ago in 1957 and is one the highlights of the year for the school and community.

These Pre-K students get a ride in a wagon down Route 31.

The crowd makes it way to Public Square, with many of the kids holding the flags high.

This Boy Scout, third grader Dawson Arnold, leads the student body in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Sally Martin, the elementary chorus teacher, holds the microphone.

Sarah Kingdollar, a sixth grader, served as one of the student emcees for the program. Nick Figura, a fifth grader, also helped lead the program from the podium.

The students gathered near the depot museum. Holley Central School brought in bleachers for the program.

The elementary chorus sings, “Every Day in America.”

Each year a fifth grade girl and boy are presented with the prestigious Catherine B. Press Award, in honor of a former school secretary. The award goes to two students who display traits of a good citizen. This year’s winners are Caitlin Dobri and Jaxson Schicker.

Each elementary school classroom also recognizes one student with a “Good Citizen Award.” This group includes Cameron Kelley, a kindergartner with the sunglasses.

The elementary band performed “God Bless America” and “Lone Eagle March.”

John Pera, commander of the American Legion in Holley, hands a shell casing to Grayson Kelley, 3, of Holley, who watched the Flag Day program with his grandmother, Penny Cole. Pera and the Honor Guard did a gun salute as part of the program.

The students selected as “Good Citizens” lead the student body back to the school after the Flag Day celebration.

Return to top

Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Author Roy Bubb and Clarendon Historian Melissa Ierlan greet residents of the Clarendon/Holley/Murray community at the meeting room at the Holley Community Free Library on Sunday afternoon. They gathered to hear Bubb discuss his new book, The Family Scrapbook, an Era in Clarendon and Holley-Murray History.

HOLLEY – Roy Bubb, a Clarendon native who taught at the College at Brockport for 25 years, felt inspired to write a book after receiving a scrapbook compiled by a member of the Berry/Partridge family during the 19th century.

Bubb realized the newspaper clippings and family notations in the scrapbook told the story of the founding and development of the Holley/Clarendon community.

Although it is not a comprehensive history of Holley/Clarendon/Murray, Bubb said he believes it is the first time such historical information from the era covered has been documented.

Books are available for $25 at the Holley Community Free Library, the Clarendon Town Hall, and from the Holley-Murray Historical Society.

Bubb knew descendants of the families included in the scrapbook and his experiences with them are included in the book.  He believes the scrapbook was compiled by Helen Berry and is significant, because it shows which local events she lived through were important to her.

The hardcover book includes a family tree of the John Berry family (John arrived in the area in 1837); five chapters which include historical information on Holley, Holley public schools and Academy, The David Partridge Family, Beechwood Park at Troutburg-on-the-Lake (where many Holley and Brockport residents spent the summer), the Baptist Church of Holley, and entrepreneur John Downs; an epilogue; an appendix which includes a basic timeline and additional information regarding people included in the scrapbook; a second appendix with photographs showing the Holley community then and now; a bibliography; endnotes and an index.  The book contains many historic photographs.

Bubb also signed copies of the book during the event.  He said many old friends and classmates attended, as well as former students from the College at Brockport.

Budd is donating all proceeds from the sale of the book to the Holley Community Free Library, the Clarendon Historical Society and the Holley-Murray Historical Society.

“You’ve got to learn to give,” Bubb observes.  “I love to give, you get so much more in return.”

Holley Community Free Library Director Sandra Shaw said it was wonderful to have so many people attend the event, including seniors.  “It’s always a joy for the library to have local authors in to speak and share their accomplishments,” she said.

Clarendon Historian Melissa Ierlan said families grew out of connections between the Holley-Murray and Clarendon communities. As the Erie Canal helped the area to grow, some chose to settle in Clarendon and farm, others chose to live closer to the canal itself.  Ireland says Bubb’s book is important because it shows what events were important to residents who lived in the community during the era of 1837-1907.

Artifacts from the Berry and Partridge families is on display in the glass case at the Holley Community Library.  The actual scrapbook can be seen on the right side of the top shelf.

Return to top

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is backing new regulations proposed for solar energy systems in the Town of Murray.

The town is proposing to require property owners to secure building permits for solar energy systems, whether rooftop or building mounted, or freestanding, solar thermal or building-integrated photovoltaic.

Freestanding or ground mounted systems need site plan approval from the town, and must be at lots with a minimum size of 40,000 square feet.

The ground-mounted systems are limited to 12 feet in height, and will require landscape screening or other buffers.

Larger-scale projects, solar farms, will need to be enclosed by perimeter fencing, have appropriate screening and landscaping, be limited in height to 12 feet, on-site power lines need to be placed underground to the extent possible, glare shall be avoided in the design and siting of the panels, a maximum lot coverage will be 75 percent, and there needs to be a decommissioning plan.

The County Planning Board backed the proposal from Murray, a town that is working to become a certified “Climate Smart Community” through the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

• The Planning Board also recommended the Town of Clarendon extend a moratorium by another 120 days that temporarily bans mobile home construction at sites outside mobile home parks.

The extension gives the town additional time to research options for regulations of mobile homes, and to develop, consider and enact a local law for mobile homes in all residential districts.

• The Planning Board supported an amended site plan for ARG Recycling Center to build an 8,000-square-foot construction and demolition debris processing facility at 330 Washington St.

The plan was revised from an earlier one approved by the Planning Board. The revised plan moves the processing facility 19 feet further east or about 300 feet from an existing building on the property. A proposed dumpster storage (186 by 60 feet) at the rear is no longer included in the project.

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is now included in the plan and avoids disturbing a drainage ditch on site.

Return to top

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is recommending the Town of Murray deny a variance request for a farm to host weddings and other events.

Kateland Farm at 3990 Lake Rd. wants to run the site as an event facility. That use is not allowed in a Residential/Agricultural District.

Kateland, which is owned by Theodore Jenney, has been hosting weddings at the site since 2014 – without incident, Jenney said in his application for a variance.

“We have run some 20 weddings over the last three years without a single problem,” Jenney said in a letter to the Planning Board. “We provide them with a real country wedding and reception.”

Murray issued a stop work order last year at Kateland. Ron Vendetti, the Murray code enforcement officer, sent a letter to Jenney on Aug. 30, 2016, advising him the property wasn’t zoned for events and the barn didn’t meet the state building code. Vendetti, in his letter, told Jenney, “Please stop advertising for events.”

Kateland hosted horse shows from 1995 to 2010. The site has an existing gravel parking area that can accommodate 100 vehicles, with additional overflow on a grassy area.

Jenney leases the property to Jean Klatt, who runs a business as a wedding coordinator. In his application to the Planning Board, Jenney said the site has helped Klatt run a business and also allowed the farm to turn a small profit, after it operated at a loss of nearly $45,000 in 2015.

Jenney said the town code doesn’t address weddings and receptions. He said the site should be considered as a recreation use, which is allowed in a RA District and would cover the use of weddings with music, dancing, eating as well as the horse activities.

County planners didn’t support the variance request because weddings and events aren’t an allowed use in the RA District. The horse shows, which were allowed, are different because they can be considered agricultural events, which fits in a RA District, planners said.

Weddings and other special events have longer hours with more noise than the horse shows for the residential neighborhood, which typically is very quiet with minimal traffic, planners said.

They also saw the need for a variance as a self-created hardship.

The decision from the Orleans County Planning Board is recommendation to the town. Murray can override that decision but would need a super-majority vote.

Return to top

Roy Bubb

HOLLEY – The Community Free Library in Holley will host a book release and signing on Sunday for author Roy Bubb’s latest release, The Family Scrapbook, An Era in Clarendon and Holley-Murray’s History.

Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Clarendon Historical Society, Community Free Library and the Holley-Murray Historical Society. Books are available for $25 at each of the three locations.

Bubb said the idea for the book began with a scrapbook given to him many years ago. It was begun in 1837 and tells the story of the Berry and Partridge family who lived in Holley and their impact on the community.

John Berry arrived in the area in 1837 and helped to establish the Holley Academy as well as earlier schoolhouses. The scrapbook continues over a 70-year period and ends with Berry’s daughter celebrating the last reunion of the Holley Academy in 1907.

Bubb said he was inspired to write the book when he remembered the kindness of the person from whom he received it.

He re-read the scrapbook several years after receiving it, and said its contents suddenly “came to life” before him, as would a family tree of a pioneer family.

The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings, business cards and alumni information from several schools.

Bubb, a native of Orleans County, taught at the College at Brockport for 25 years. His previous books include his autobiography, Memories of Manning Corner, Visions From a White Mountains Palette about artist Charles Hunt, and From Clarendon to Colon: The Lure of  Panama’s Isthmus, a biography of Tracy Robinson’s 50 years in Panama, his work there, and his witness of the building of the Panama Canal.

The book signing will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Holley library in the Public Square.

Return to top

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

HOLLEY – The Clarendon Lions Club had a stand with food and beverages during today’s Holley June Fest..

Mayor Brian Sorochty called the event, “A big success…. traffic has been steady all day.”

He thanked members of the committee that worked to re-organize the annual event after it took a hiatus in 2016.

“The committee is the same group of people who work on the Festival of Lights event (in December),” Sorochty said.

He also thanked the Holley Central School District, which organized this year’s 5K race, and village staff who volunteered to help make the day a success.

June Fest activities continued through the late afternoon with music, food, games and local vendors.

Krista Wiley-Neale is a member of the committee which organized this year’s return of June Fest. She said she is happy that June Fest is back. She said the committee worked to make the event appeal to families from the area and to give it a welcoming, small-town feel.

“We welcome new volunteers and new ideas,” Wiley-Neale said.

Families and their pets enjoy strolling along the Erie Canal Saturday afternoon in Holley. June Fest activities centered around the village park on the canal.

Numerous vendors lined walkways with merchandise and food. Orleans County Historian Matthew Ballard gave talks at noon and 3 p.m. at the Gazebo about the history of the Erie Canal – especially pertinent as 2017 marks a state-wide celebration of the bicentennial of the start of construction of the canal.

“I am discussing the general history of the canal and how  the canal impacted Holley,” Ballard said.

Holley Community Free Library Director Sandra Shaw said she learned much from Ballard’s talk. She said she was enjoying the June Fest activities.

“It’s wonderful seeing people come out and support local businesses,” Shaw said.

Return to top

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Many community organizations participated in this morning’s Holley June Fest parade that started near the VFW and went through the Public Square to the village’s Canal Park.

The top photo shows shows the Holley-Kendall Marching Band.

The June Fest returned after being cancelled last year.

A Clarendon fire truck carried these happy passengers.

Mayor Brian Sorochty tossed candy to kids along the parade route.

Heads Over Heels Acrobatics and Dance added some pep to the parade.

Kim DeFrank and many of her backers were out supporting her campaign for county treasurer.

The Holley youth baseball team brought along a dog for the trip through Public Square.

The clock tower offered a birds eye view of the parade.

A giant chinook salmon, recently restored by the Medina FFA, returned to a public parade after more than a 20-year-absence. The monstrous 13-foot-long Chinook salmon was created in the 1980s and used to promote the Orleans County Trout and Salmon Derby, which was run by the local Rotary clubs.

Ron LaGamba pulled the fish in the parade today. He was promoting next week’s Strawberry Festival which will include a fishing pond in Albion.

These veterans marched in the parade.

Return to top