By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2016 at 2:13 am
This photo has been shared on Facebook and claims to be proof that a farmer was stealing water from the Town of Murray. Murray officials said that isn’t true.
MURRAY – Town Supervisor John Morriss has seen the posts on social media that show a farm field being irrigated with water from a fire hose connected to a hydrant on Fancher Road.
The posts on Facebook ask if a farmer is stealing water.
“There are accusations being made against the Town of Murray,” Morriss said at tonight’s Association of Municipalities, which includes town, county and village officials in Orleans County. “Murray does not let farmers steal water.”
Lloyd Christ, a Murray town councilman, attended the Association of Municipalities meeting today. Christ is the one who connected the fire hose at the hydrant. Christ said the hose had a water meter in it, about 150 feet from the hydrant. The meter isn’t visible in the picture on Facebook because Christ said the meter, with a backflow device, was at the end of the hose.
That hose was then linked with steel piping for Christ’s irrigation equipment. He said he borrowed the fire hose from another farmer.
Murray officials said it is common practice for farmers to use water from hydrants during a drought. The farmers get meters from the Highway Department, and the water usage is measured and then billed.
Christ said he started irrigating about two weeks ago and did for a few days. He needed the water or he likely would have lost his cabbage crop. He was irrigating a field on Fancher Road near East Transit Church Road.
Many farmers will irrigate using water from canal, but Christ said his cabbage field was too far from the canal. Christ said it will cost him about $100 per acre to irrigate the field.
Paul Hendel, a town councilman, said Christ has been unfairly “smeared” with the posts on Facebook. The state police were called to investigate if water had been stolen, and Hendel said troopers found no wrongdoing.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 10 August 2016 at 6:17 pm
MURRAY – Those attending events at Holley Central School may soon see “No Parking” signs along Lynch Road near the entrance to the Middle School/High School.
Murray Town Board members Tuesday evening continued their discussion of on-road parking in the town and charged town attorney Jeff Martin with the task beginning the process of placing “No Parking” signs on the north side of Lynch Road outside the Middle School/High School and also at the Lynch Road/ Rt. 237 intersection.
Residents of Lynch Road have complained to the board regarding dozens of vehicles which typically park along the road during events at the school when the main parking lot off Lynch Road fills up. They expressed concerns over safety and cars which end up parked in their yards.
Murray Supervisor John Morriss reported that he and Councilman Paul Hendel recently met with Holley Village Board members regarding the issue. Most of the south side of Lynch Road is in the village.
Morriss said the Village Board was also expected to discuss the issue at its meeting Tuesday evening.
“Paul and I discussed it,” Morriss said of putting up ‘No Parking’ signs. “We felt that regardless of what the village wants to do, we want to do something to help the people” who live on Lynch Road.
“We need to try to do something,” Hendel said. “We’ve got to take the first step.”
Martin, the town attorney, advised that the town should be the enforcement agency regarding the parking ban and Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer Ron Vendetti said he would be able to enforce the restrictions.
Martin said he would prepare a draft for a workshop meeting planned for Sept. 7 and noted a public hearing would be needed in the process.
Lynch Road resident Doug Piedemonte thanked board members for looking into the situation. He reminded the board that there are 140 additional parking spaces on the Holley School campus near the old bus garage and said he felt people will begin parking there and things should then, “fall into place.”
Town Board members and Vendetti also discussed parking along roadways outside of businesses. Vendetti has asked that “No Parking” signs be placed outside the Murray Superette and Tuesday night added A & M Auto, which he said has had 33 violations since the June workshop meeting on the parking issue.
Vendetti noted that some businesses have “taken extraordinary measures” to direct customers to off-street parking. “If people want no signs, they must take matters into their own hands and police themselves,” he said. “We need to move ahead and fix the problem before somebody gets killed.”
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 August 2016 at 6:19 pm
Photos by Kristina Gabalski-Rochester Rhino Sean Totsch reads, Rhinos Who Play Soccer, during a special Summer Reading program Monday evening at the Holley Community Free Library. His teammate Jordan Becker joined him during the program.
HOLLEY – Two members of the 2016 Rochester Rhinos read stories, talked about soccer and ran through some drills with young patrons at the Holley Community Free Library on Monday evening.
The event was part of the “On Your Mark, Get Set…. Read!” Summer Reading Program, which this year stresses fitness, a healthy lifestyle and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Rhinos players Jordan Becker and Sean Totsch also signed team pictures and soccer balls for those attending.
Totsch read an appropriately titled children’s book – Rhinos Who Play Soccer by Julie Mammano. The illustrated book tells the story of rhinos (the animals, not the Rochester team) who play a spirited game as Team Rhino, but lose in the end.
“I’m not too happy that Team Rhino loses, but they were good sports,” Totsch said.
He added that in addition to golf, he enjoys reading in his spare time between soccer games.
Participants line up for a soccer drill with the pros.
Totsch and Becker use their heads to demonstrate some soccer moves.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2016 at 6:13 pm
File Photo by Tom Rivers –The old Holley High School is being eyed by a developer for senior apartments. The Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday agreed to forgive back taxes.
HOLLEY – Orleans County legislators on Wednesday forgave $75,421 in back taxes for the old Holley High School, hoping that tax relief can help a prospective developer revive the site and turn it into senior housing and offices.
Home Leasing, LLC, is eyeing the site for senior housing apartments as well as office space for the Village of Holley.
The former school at 1 Wright Street has been vacant for about two decades. The school was built in 1931 at the corner of routes 31 and 237. It is one of the most prominent buildings in Holley.
It was last used by Liftec Manufacturing, which went bankrupt. Liftec’s owner and his wife are both now deceased.
The site hasn’t generated local taxes since 2002. The county will often acquire buildings when taxes aren’t paid after several years, but the county hasn’t taken ownership of the former school because county officials didn’t want that liability on the county.
Local government leaders have been trying to find a solution for the building for many years. The site was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, making the developer eligible for tax credits for 40 percent of the project’s rehabilitation costs.
“It’s going to be great for the east end of the county,” Legislator Lynne Johnson said in supporting the resolution to forgive the taxes.
Legislature Chairman David Callard said there is still a lot of work to do to make the project a reality.
“It’s still not a done deal,” he said. “It will be a wonderful project if it comes to fruition.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2016 at 6:09 pm
HOLLEY – Hickory Ridge Golf Course hosted its fifth annual “Honoring Heroes” Golf Tournament on Sunday. Cindy Diehl, co-owner of Hickory Ridge, welcomes a big crowd at dinner to the event, which raised money for the New York Warrior Alliance.
The first four golf tournaments events raised $57,000 to assist wounded American soldiers and their families.
The fund-raising totals have increased each year from $10,000 in 2012, $13,000 in 2013, $16,000 in 2014 to $18,000 last year. The total from yesterday isn’t available.
Lyndonville native David Bellavia, an Iraq War veteran with the U.S. Army, was keynote speaker during Sunday’s banquet at at golf tournament. Bellavia was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah. He wrote about his war experiences in House to House: An Epic Memoir of War.
Bellavia has been a leader in advocating for veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars through Vets for Freedom.
Bellavia said he is proud of Orleans County and how the community rallies around veterans, whether at the Hickory Ridge golf tournament, or standing in bitter cold weather to welcome home a fallen soldier. He noted the county has a long record of sacrifice. Nearly 500 people from Orleans died in the Civil War. Holley had the highest per capita death rate for young men who died serving in the Vietnam War.
The county continues to have young men and women sign up to serve in the military, Bellavia said, calling them “the best of their generation.”
Bellavia also praised the New York Warrior Alliance, the beneficiary of the golf tournament, for its work on behalf of injured veterans and their families. The VA is “overburdened,” Bellavia said, and NY Warrior Alliance helps fill some of the gaps.
Amy Tausch, president of the NY Warrior Alliance, shares some of the group’s outreach. NY Warrior Alliance started as a ministry at Northfield Church in Pittsford.
The all-volunteer alliance provides financial support and basic essentials for wounded warriors and their caregivers. Tausch and a group of volunteers each year take a mission trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and deliver supplies. Tausch noted that Carol Culhane of Albion is part of the annual trip and presents ornaments with her patriotic artwork to veterans.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2016 at 6:02 pm
MURRAY – Faron Reding Sr. of Lawtons in Erie County competes in the light pro stock class during today’s Murray Tractor Pull. There were about 50 competitors in the tractor pulls, which started on Saturday.
Lloyd Christ developed the track and grounds on Groth Road, which has been hosting the “Fury in Murray” for more than 20 years.
These young fans watch Kirsten Voelpel of Newfane get ready to go in a light super stock tractor she calls “Farmer’s Daughter.” Voelpel, 24, has been pulling for five years. She was second in the light super stock with a pull of 345.9 feet.
The tractors have to pull a 40,000-pound sled along a dirt track.
The Farmer’s Daughter emits dark smoke as it heads down the track.
Stan Farone was among the volunteers in the concession stand. Proceeds from the Murray Tractor Pull are shared with the St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company, and Holley Fire Department.
Skip Bartz cuts open a new bag of French fries at the concession stand.
About 600 fans watched the tractor pulling, including this group with close seats to the track.
Chris Jeffres of Wyoming, NY, competed in the semi division and had the biggest pull of the day at 380.4 feet.
Matt Darling of Strykersville drives “Forever Red,” a super farm tractor, as an exhibition pull this afternoon.
Adam Foss of Clarendon watches the action with his son Cian, 2, who covers his ears due to the noise.
HOLLEY – A vehicle hit a building at 81 State St. in Holley at about 8:30 this morning, causing some structural damage to the building and minor damage to the vehicle. The driver wasn’t injured.
Code enforcement assessed the damage and deemed a section of the building uninhabitable until the damaged area could be stabilized and further assessed.
Holley firefighters, including Fran Gaylord (pictured), responded to the scene as well as Holley police officers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 July 2016 at 3:15 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – Firefighters from six local departments were at a brush fire this afternoon on Ridge Road in Murray, preventing the fire from destroying a house and spreading to a nearby wooded area.
This photo shows Joe Morlino of the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company at the front of a hose with Andrew Niederhofer, a Carlton firefighter.
Dave Smith, assistant chief for Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, said the homeowner at 15659 Ridge Rd. was burning debris when the fire spread to the grass and brush.
“It was right up to the back of the house and was close to a thicker field,” Smith said at the scene.
The brush fire scorched this field and was close to getting into a wooded area. Firefighters from FHM, Carlton, Barre, Kendall, Holley and Clarendon all responded to the scene.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from damaging this house.
Barre firefighters Rich Barnard, left, and Jesse Babcock keep water on hot embers in the field.
The fire feasted on this pile of limbs in the backyard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 July 2016 at 8:00 am
HOLLEY – The village of Holley has been home to a bank for at least 150 years, but that will change in October when the First Niagara site at 51 Public Square closes.
First Niagara notified some of its customers today by mail that the branch will close on Friday, Oct. 7. The bank steered customers to the closest First Niagara branch at 4707 Lake Rd., Brockport.
“Your accounts will automatically transfer to the Brockport Branch where you’ll be able to take care of your banking needs with the same ease and personal service you’ve come to expect,” said a letter to customers from Mark R. Rendulic, executive vice president for consumer financial services for First Niagara.
First Niagara is being acquired by Key Bank. The news of the Holley closure disappointed many in the community, including former Mayor John Kenney.
“I’m totally caught off guard,” Kenney said today.
He was Holley’s mayor up until June 30. He didn’t seek re-election last month. Kenney said he met with bank officials in Holley last month and they told him they expected the Holley site would remain open.
Kenney said it will leave a big vacant building in the heart of downtown, and also be inconvenient to residents, businesses and the village government officials, who have the added burden of traveling to sites in Brockport or Albion if they stay with First Niagara/Key Bank.
“The staff in Holley they have a rapport with their customers,” Kenney said. “We’re an older community and change like this isn’t easy for people to deal with.”
Dan Schiavone, a Holley dentist, received one of the letters from First Niagara today, notifying him of the bank’s shutdown. He is hopeful another bank will acquire the site so the site is utilized and the community has easy access to banking services.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 9 July 2016 at 12:00 am
MURRAY – Members of the Murray Town Board on Tuesday evening have a public hearing scheduled on Local Law No. 2 of 2016 which would enact a workplace violence prevention policy for the town.
When the first public hearing on the law was held in March, a group of residents demonstrated against it, saying the the section which banned firearms from town property, buildings and vehicles was unconstitutional.
“The law is belligerent to the Constitution,” resident Kerri Neale told the board at that time.
The board decided to table its decision and has since decided to remove any references to weapons in the law.
Town attorney Jeff Martin says the reason the weapons ban was initially part of the law was that the town’s insurance carrier, New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR) had recommended the town adopt a workplace violence policy which included the firearms ban.
NYMIR has since “backed off” regarding the ban, Martin said.
“There will be no repercussion for dropping it from the policy,” Martin said. “They will not be dropping us as a carrier nor increasing our premiums.”
Martin said those who had concerns over the initial version of the law should be pleased with the modifications.
He explained that he spoke with Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower regarding eliminating provisions in the policy pertaining to weapons on town property, and the sheriff was in agreement with the town. Both town leaders and the sheriff questioned, “How, as a practical matter, do you enforce the ban?” Martin said.
He noted that if at some time in the future, the town wishes to revisit the issue, it can do so.
Tuesday’s public hearing on the amended law is scheduled for 7 p.m. The regular Town Board meeting will follow.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2016 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – Albion firefighters Matt Francis and Nathan Bloom are at the top, 103 feet, of the Albion Fire Department ladder truck today spraying water. Albion was one of four fire departments with ladder trucks – Brockport, Clarendon and Holley were the others.
They were part of a big drill in Holley at Precision Packaging Products where firefighters could practice water flows. If Precision or other larger manufacturing sites ever caught on fire, “we’d need an enormous amount of water,” said Harris Reed, Holley’s deputy fire chief.
The drill helped Holley and other departments determine how quickly they could have access and use lots of water for a fire.
Tanker fire trucks hauled water to the scene, and the water was then released into dump tanks. This photo shows volunteer crews from the Kendall and Barre fire companies.
Brockport firefighters spray water at the Holley Business Park, which includes Precision Packaging Products and other companies.
Firefighters also went inside Precision and practiced four scenarios of assisting employees. Firefighters also simulated two mayday scenarios where there was a missing firefighter. In those practice exercises, members of Fast Teams went in to find the firefighter pretending to be missing.
Clarendon and Holley both brought their ladder trucks for the drill, one of the biggest training exercises in Holley in about a dozen years.
Brian Bentley, left, and Jesse Babcock from the Barre Volunteer Fire Company help fill the dump tanks with water.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 25 June 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Members of the Holley Central School Class of 2016 enter Holley Hawks Stadium Saturday morning for commencement ceremonies.
HOLLEY – Sunny, dry weather Saturday morning meant Holley Central School was able to hold its 2016 commencement ceremonies outside in the Holley Hawks Stadium.
“Having the ceremony outside is a good thing,” Middle School/High School Principal Susan Cory noted as the program began.
Holley Central Class of 2016 Salutatorian Xander Lee Apicella, gives his address to fellow graduates as School Board President Brenda Swanger and Middle/High School Principal Susan Cory look on. Apicella said it is likely the dreams his classmates have today will change in the future. “Pursue your goals with passion and determination,” he said. “Take every opportunity, even if they are not what they once were.”
In his valedictory address, Brady James Smith said he, his classmates and their teachers, “have become one, big family,” over the past four years. He advised his fellow graduates that sometimes what they might expect to happen in the future, doesn’t.
“Learn new things … expect the unexpected and adapt,” Smith said.
As Class of 2016 Vice President, Smith presented the class gift – a monetary donation to the school’s unified sports team that includes some students with disabilities. This year was the first time Holley took part in the program, fielding a basketball team.
“We would love to see them expand beyond basketball,” Smith said.
Commencement speaker, Holley teacher and wrestling coach John J. Grillo, spoke to graduates about how to make good choices after bad breaks and advised: saying “I love you” are the three greatest words you can say to each other.
Middle/High School physical education teacher and varsity wrestling coach John Grillo gave the commencement address. As a teacher at Holley for 30 years, Grillo said he has known the graduates since they were, “barely able to do jumping-jacks or say the alphabet.”
Grillo, who was picked by the seniors to be commencement speaker, said inspiration leads to motivation, which leads to dedication, success and fulfillment.
“Strive to go above and beyond,” Grillo told graduates. “Open your wings and fly to another level. Being a Holley Hawk has given you the wings.”
Principal Susan Cory said that of the 84 graduates, 61 will pursue higher education at colleges and trade schools, 12 are entering the workforce, six are joining the military, three are undecided, and one is seeking additional training through a vocational program.
Heather Anne Winkley receives her diploma from her mom, Anne Winkley, Holley Central School Board member.
Holley graduate Courtney Morgan Winkley receives a hug from her mother, School Board member Anne Winkley. Anne Winkley presented diplomas to twin daughters Courtney Morgan and Heather Anne.
Members of the Holley Central School Class of 2016 during commencement ceremonies Saturday morning.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2016 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – There will be firefighters from 25 local departments Sunday at Precision Packaging Products in Holley, practicing search and rescues, firefighter mayday, and water supply relays.
The training drill will start at 8 a.m. and is expected to go until noon, said Harris Reed, deputy fire chief for the Holley Fire Company.
The drill will use water from village hydrants and there is a chance residents’ water could turn brownish, Reed said.
There will be nearly 20 pumper fire trucks at the scene to practice water relays. Water will be put in dump tanks at the scene. Reed said this is the first big training drill hosted by Holley in about a dozen years.
Firefighters will also utilize a KnoxBox, an indestructible spot that gives firefighters and emergency responders access to keys to get inside the building. Precision Packaging is the first Holley business to use a KnoxBox. Reed said Holley firefighters would like to see more businesses use KnoxBoxes.
Precision Packaging is located in Holley’s Business Park off Route 31, behind JP’s Farm Market.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 23 June 2016 at 12:00 am
Business owners praised for ‘stepping up’ to address situation
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Nathan Pace, an attorney from Medina, speaks to Murray Town Board members Wednesday evening during a workshop meeting. The town’s ongoing efforts to address on-street parking outside businesses was discussed.
MURRAY – Members of the Murray Town Board agreed Wednesday evening to monitor and assist businesses in the town in regards to on-street parking issues.
The town has spent two years discussing options for bringing businesses into compliance with its zoning, which Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti says requires businesses to provide off-street parking for customers.
The Town Board workshop session on the issue began with Vendetti reporting that the situation is much different now than two years ago in regards to compliance.
“There has been progress everywhere to varying degrees,” Vendetti said. “People have made efforts to control parking on the road outside their businesses.”
He noted there are still some problems, but the town has so far refrained from putting up no parking signs to, “Give folks a chance to address” the issue, Vendetti said.
Several business owners attended the meeting.
“We pull people from far and wide,” said Amy Machamer of Hurd Orchards. “We try to make them feel welcome.”
For Hurd’s, that has meant creating additional on-site parking and encouraging customers to park there.
Vendetti noted Hurd’s is the largest business affected by the parking issue and for that reason has, “seen the most dramatic decrease in (on-street) parking.”
Machamer asked the Board not to resort to no parking signs, calling them negative communication and a complete deterrent to customers. “Help us to encourage our guests as opposed to punishing our guests,” she said.
Attorney Nathan Pace represented A&M Automotive and told the Board that he had been in contact with the state Department of Transportation. He explained the DOT has no regulations prohibiting on-street, parallel parking on state roads and is responsible for safety along its roadways. The DOT doesn’t see parking as a “safety issue,” Pace said.
He, too, asked the town not to put up no parking signs which would, “chill what Murray is,” Pace said. He explained that most businesses along Rt. 31 and Ridge Road are located in former homes – “which are not amenable to a shopping center parking lot.”
Murray Town Supervisor John Morriss said “sandwich” signs like those used by Hurd Orchards can direct customers to off-street parking. Morriss said those signs are an effective alternative to the town placing no parking signs.
“It’s a good idea, a compromise,” he said.
Councilman Paul Hendel said he agreed that the town should not resort to no parking signs. “There has been lots of voluntary compliance, the best compliance is voluntary,” Hendel said. “The business owners are stepping up.”
Vendetti and Hendel both brought up the issue of safety, particularly when customers park across from a business and must walk across the roadway.
“I don’t believe we should wait for accidents,” Vendetti said. “It’s an unsafe situation. We are not requesting parking areas be paved.”
He said the Murray Superette at the corner of Rt. 104 and Rt. 237 continues to be an issue. He said he would contact the NYSDOT regarding signs which block the view for motorists and requested the town put up no parking signs at that location. The owners of the Superette were not in attendance at Wednesday’s work session.
The board also addressed the issue of on-street parking along Lynch Road outside the Holley Middle School/High School during special events. Residents told the board they continue to worry about safety issues. Doug Piedemonte said there is parking available on the Holley Central School campus near the old bus garage. He said he counted 140 parking spaces, which would accommodate the 70-80 car overflow which often ends up on Lynch Road.
Town Board members said they would discuss the issue with the School District and with the Village of Holley as the south side of Lynch Road is in the village.
HOLLEY – Village residents elected Brian Sorochty as Holley mayor during Tuesday’s village election. Sorochty was unopposed and received 62 votes. He will succeed John Kenney, who is retiring from the Village Board.
Two incumbent trustees were also unopposed. Connie Nenni received 53 votes and Kevin Lynch was backed on 52 ballots.
Sorochty, who works in the engineering field, has served as trustee for three years and is currently deputy mayor. Sorochty says important issues facing the community include addressing the village’s aging infrastructure, the number of vacant and under-utilized properties, and maintaining and improving village services to residents while minimizing taxes.
The new two-year terms start July 1 for Sorochty, Nenni and Lynch.
As mayor, Sorochty said his future plans include pursuing grants to aid in repairing aging infrastructure; following up on goals set as part of the village’s Comprehensive Plan; making the renovation of the old high school a reality; and working to find new ways to encourage more positive interaction and involvement from village residents with local government.
