Provided photo: State Sen. Robert Ortt met with library leaders in Orleans County on Wednesday and presented ceremonial checks for $35,000 total. Pictured at the Community Free Library in Holley, include front row, from left: Community Free Library Director Sandra Shaw; Senator Rob Ortt; and Kristine Mostyn, assistant director and librarian at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in medina. Back Row: Community Free Library board member Sue Orman; Community Free Library board member Barbara Lehning; Community Free Library supporter Sue Persia; Yates Community Library Director Emily Cebula; Yates Community Library board member Kathleen Sillick; Betty Sue Miller, director of Hoag Library in Albion; and Barbara Kerns, president of board for Community Free Library in Holley.
HOLLEY – The four public libraries in Orleans County collectively were presented $35,000 in state support on Wednesday from State Sen. Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda).
The bullet aid funding, included in this year’s State Budget, will help the libraries with educational services and programming, purchasing materials, renovations, operations, or events that serve the community.
The Community Free Library in Holley received $20,000, while Hoag Library in Albion, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina and Yates Community Library in Lyndonville received $5,000 each.
The Holley library received the largest check at $20,000. Sandra Shaw, library director, said the funding could be used to hire a part-time children’s librarian and also increase children’s and adult programming. The library’s board of directors will determine how the funds will be used, she said.
Shaw said she and the other library directors appreciate that Ortt is directing some state funds to the local libraries.
“It’s wonderful,” Shaw said. “We were so excited to receive it. He values libraries and the services we provide to our communities.”
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 22 September 2016 at 9:15 am
Kendall no longer in Urban/Suburban program with Rochester
KENDALL – Kendall and Holley school leaders are working to combine their junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams.
The Holley Board of Education gave its approval during their regular meeting Monday evening, and Kendall Central Superintendent Julie Christensen says Kendall BOE members gave tacit approval during their regular meeting Sept. 14.
Christensen said she expects the board to vote on the combined team during their October meeting. She explained that many districts are no longer offering the sport, and Holley and Kendall forming a combined team will mean that Kendall students who would like to wrestle will have the opportunity.
Combining wrestling teams is one of several ways the two districts are currently sharing services, Christensen said. Other areas include transportation runs for students with disabilities who have placements in other districts, including schools outside Orleans County.
Holley and Kendall are also exploring shared extracurricular clubs such as 4-H and robotics.
“Some could be hosted by Kendall, some by Holley,” she said.
Sharing services is a way of “sharing the wealth” of the two districts, allowing both Holley and Kendall to “expand opportunities” for their students while still maintaining their own district identities, Christensen explained.
• Community Forum planned Oct. 5
Superintendent Christensen says community members are invited to attend a community forum Oct. 5 hosted by the Board of Education at 7 p.m. in the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria.
The Board is seeking input from residents regarding strategies and methods to promote Kendall. Topics such as the importance of broadband Internet will likely be discussed, Christensen said. She explained that suggestions for enhancing the quality of life in Kendall will help both the school district and the community to encourage people to consider making Kendall their home and school.
• Urban/Suburban withdrawal
Superintendent Christensen also explained the Kendall School District was notified in late summer that the 15-mile transportation limit would be upheld and therefore not provide transportation to Kendall for students in the Urban/Suburban Inter-district transfer program.
“We looked to relay options with our neighboring districts, but the drop off and pick up times would result in students missing too much instructional time,” Superintendent Christensen said. Additionally, “A midway pick up posed some safety issues for students,” she said.
Kendall joined the Urban/Suburban program just last year and two students who live in the Rochester City School District participated.
“We really enjoyed our students and wish them well in their new school districts,” Christensen said. “We hope that the transportation issue will be resolved in the future.”
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 15 September 2016 at 9:39 am
Testimonials can help bolster grant application
HOLLEY – Village residents learned more about Holley’s efforts to obtain grant funding to help pay for replacement and construction of sidewalks.
The Village Board had an informational meeting Tuesday evening just prior to the regular meeting of the Village Board.
Tom Lajewski of J. O’Connell Associates attended the meeting and explained that the village is applying for a federal Transportation Alternatives Grant (TAP) grant and that a show of public support through the writing of letters – which will be included with the application – are vitally important to the village obtaining the grant.
“The support is 20 percent of the grant points,” Lajewski said.
He explained that letters should be dropped off at the Village Office, 72 Public Square, by the end of September. Those writing letters should discuss their use of sidewalks for transportation to church, a restaurant, for appointments, visiting the library, dance class or getting to the canal. Current sidewalk conditions, which make using the sidewalks difficult and result in safety concerns, should also be included, he said.
Lajewski explained that it is important for the letters to be personalized with comments regarding how the condition of the sidewalks impacts the letter writer directly.
“I would also encourage other people (outside) the village to write … people who visit,” Lajewski said.
The TAP grant is an 80/20 matching grant. The 20 percent of the cost shouldered by the village could come as in-kind services from the Department of Public Works, Lajewski said.
Mayor Brian Sorochty echoed Lajewski when asked by resident Kerri Neale if the cost of the project would impact taxes. The mayor explained there is the potential that if the project is large enough, some of the 20 percent of the village’s cost might be paid for through bonding.
Currently the village and O’Connell Associates are working on a scope for the project considering, “what it would take to do all the sidewalks and then pair it down to something realistic. The village will make a decision on what you can handle,” Lajewski said.
“The sidewalks are a mess,” Trustee Connie Nenni said. “This is our best option at getting them fixed.”
She noted that faculty and staff at the Holley Central School District are being encouraged to write letters as teachers often plan walking field trips in the village and residents walk to and from school events and the Fitness Center.
During the supervisors’ meeting prior to the informational meeting, Holley Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti told Village Board members they will need to develop a maintenance plan for sidewalks once they are in place.
“There are some significant decisions this board has to make,” Vendetti said. Those decisions include the extent of the work to be done in addition to how the sidewalks will be maintained.
Vendetti estimated the cost of replacing all needed sidewalk at $1.9 million.
Lajewski said it would be a couple of years before any construction began and even then the project would likely be done in several phases.
During the business portion of Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, trustees approved paying Chatfield Engineers $6,000 for preliminary engineering costs related to the TAP grant application.
Trustees discussed contacting state Senator Robert Ortt to see if funds might be available to the village to help cover engineering and consulting costs related to the grant application.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 14 September 2016 at 9:58 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Save-A-Lot store in Holley will close on Sept. 17 after 4 ½ years in Holley.
HOLLEY – Mayor Brian Sorochty says he is reaching out to grocery store operators and economic development officials to fill the impending void when Save-A-Lot closes in Holley on Sept. 17.
Sorochty said during Tuesday’s Village Board meeting that he has been in contact with Jim Whipple of the Orleans Economic Development Agency and Orleans County Legislators John DeFilipps and Ken DeRoller about the Save-A-Lot closing.
“I’m not sure what the village can do,” Sorochty said about the privately owned property.
The mayor has reached out to locally owned grocery stores in the area including the Alabama Holley Farms store in Basom (Genesee County) and Dash’s Market in Clarence (Erie County). He said the Alabama Holley Farms did not show an interest and he had not yet heard back from Dash’s.
“I will try to find grocers if someone gets me names and numbers,” Sorochty said.
He also updated the community on other issues, including the First Niagara bank closing. Despite efforts by local officials, Key Bank has made a final decision to close the First Niagara branch in Holley early next month.
“They have given final notice that they are vacating the property,” Sorochty said.
The towns of Murray, Clarendon, Kendall, the Village of Holley, Holley Central and Kendall Central Schools and members of local fire districts met several times over the summer to see if they could convince Key Bank to keep the branch open. A letter from all concerned parties was sent to Key Bank officials and signatures gathered on a petition. Sorochty met personally with Key Bank officials and local, state and national representatives were asked for support in the effort.
The building is privately owned, Sorochty noted. “They are motivated to get a new tenant. I have spoken with the broker.”
The broker has had some interest in the property, but more interest is expected once the property is vacated, the mayor said. The village will be interviewing with other banks and will move their accounts. Sorochty said the Town of Clarendon has already moved to Five Star Bank.
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: A public information meeting is being planned later this month on development plans for the old Holley High School.
Regarding the old Holley High School, a public information meeting is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Home Leasing of Rochester is working to acquire the property for possible restoration/renovation into mixed use including senior housing and space for Village of Holley offices.
Sorochty said the exact time and location of the meeting are being determined, but Home Leasing will be in attendance to bring the public up-to-date regarding their plans in advance of a planning board public hearing in October.
In another long-standing issue in Holley, Sorochty said the village and its Village of Holley Development Corporation (VHDC) have both signed the latest agreement with the federal Environmental Protection Agency to transfer ownership of the eight Diaz homes in the village to the VHDC.
He said actual transfer of the ownership could come in six to eight weeks, following a closing process. The VHDC will then work to market and sell the properties to get them occupied once again and back on the tax rolls.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 14 September 2016 at 7:35 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Joe Sidonio poses with his family Tuesday evening at the Holley Middle School/High School where voting in the Murray District 4 Republican Committee Primary took place. His daughter, Amelia, is on the left and wife, Amy Machamer, is on the right.
MURRAY – Joe Sidonio was the top vote-getter in Tuesday’s town Republican Committee primary in District 4.
Sidonio received 87 votes. Incumbents Kimberly DeFrank and Edwin Bower received 71 and 57 votes respectively.
The results mean that Sidonio now becomes a member of the committee and Bower loses his seat. DeFrank also was elected.
Sidonio said he is ready to work to move the Murray Town Committee forward in a positive way. “It’s a privilege and an honor to be elected,” Sidonio said.
Murray is a community with wonderful people, he noted. “I want to hear what they have to say.”
He said he worked to stick to the issues during his campaign and was encouraged Monday evening when he returned home after a Planning Board meeting and saw balloons tied to one of his political signs.
“It meant a lot,” Sidonio said. “Politics can be negative.” The fact a resident had decorated his sign, “comforted me,” he said.
Turn-out for the primary was very high with 215 people voting. Officials at the polls remarked that 52 people from outside Murray District 4 came to vote, but had to be turned away as party members had to reside within the District 4 boundaries to be eligible to vote.
Sidonio said he had been concerned that turnout might be low, but the high numbers, “send a message to the Republican Party – that this little district wants freshness and fresh ideas.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2016 at 1:42 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
CLARENDON – Sheena Hamiter, a high school social studies teacher at Holley, portrayed her great-grandmother Jessie Moore during Saturday’s Ghost Walk at Hillside Cemetery. Jessie had 13 kids, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren total about 250. She lived to be 100.
Hillside Cemetery highlighted prominent people in this historic cemetery with the Ghost Walk, an event that was part of the Orleans County Heritage Festival. About 50 people attended the Ghost Walk before it was called off due to a lightning storm.
Allen Smeltzer, a Genesee Community College student, portrayed Jewell Buckman, the first soldier from Orleans County to be killed in World War I about a century ago. The American Legion Post in Holley is named in Buckman’s honor. Several GCC students volunteered to serve as ghosts and guides during the Ghost Walk.
Cindy Davis, Clarendon’s town assessor, portrayed Irene Gibson, a lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. Gibson was also a teacher. “She was a rather remarkable woman,” Davis said.
This is the backside of a monument dedicated on May 19 to Carl Akeley, the famed taxidermist who grew up in Clarendon. Akeley was portrayed at the Ghost Walk by Tom Rivers, the Orleans Hub editor. Akeley is buried in the Congo. He died there in 1926 after getting the fever. The memorial stone is carved from black African granite and bears the shape of the continent that Akeley worked tirelessly to preserve and protect.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2016 at 8:17 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The American flag by the Holley Jewell Buckman Post (American Legion) is pictured during a lightning storm last night. The storm barreled through the area with high winds and took down several trees and wires.
Here is how the scene looked without lightning in the background.
It started to downpour at about 8:15 p.m. in Holley. This shows the Public Square in the storm.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2016 at 7:38 am
Pawlak family opened store in former Jubilee in February 2012
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Save-A-Lot store in Holley will close on Sept. 17 after 4 ½ years. The Pawlak family will continue to operate the Save-A-Lot in Albion and some of the Holley employees have been offered jobs in Albion.
HOLLEY – The Save-A-Lot store on Geddes Street will close on Sept. 17. The Pawlak family opened the store on Feb. 15, 2012 to great fanfare. A crowd of 300 people turned out for a grand-opening celebration. Holley had been without a grocery store since Jubilee closed in September 2006.
Unlike the former Jubilee store, Save-A-Lot had to contend with Dollar General in Holley, which appears to do a brisk business.
Village officials have been worried about the Save-A-Lot because it didn’t seem busy, and the shelves haven’t been fully stocked in recent months.
“We recognize that retail business is changing,” Jerome Pawlak and the Pawlak family said in a news release. “Competitive realities, a slow economy, and cost deflation the past two years in the food industry have forced us to make the decision to close the Holley Save-A-Lot Food Store. Unable to compete with these trends, we recognize the closing of our Holley location is the necessary course of action for us to take.”
The Pawlak family has been operating the Save-A-Lot in Albion for more than a decade. Pawlak said some of the employees at the Holley store have been offered jobs in Albion.
“My employees gave it their best and I’m thankful to them,” Pawlak said.
The Holley store will close at 5 p.m. on Sept. 17. The store received more than $1 million in renovations to become a Save-A-Lot.
The closing of the grocery store follows the announcement from First Niagara that the bank in Holley will also be closing next month. First Niagara has been acquired by KeyBank.
“We would like to thank the Holley community and especially our associates for your support, friendship, and the memories you have given us,” Pawlak said.
HOLLEY – There will be a free electronic waste recycling event on Saturday at the Holley Junior-Senior High School at 16848 Lynch Rd. Residents are encouraged to bring their old e-waste and properly recycle it.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) is hosting the event.
“Our first electronic recycling event in April was a massive success and I look forward to the same result in Holley,” Hawley said. “The ‘going green’ movement is crucial to ensuring a safe and clean environment for future generations, and this is a free event where residents can do their part and have some fun at the same time. I am encouraging all my residents to participate and bring their old printers, computer monitors, cell phones and other old or unusable electronic devices they wish to recycle.”
The event goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can dispose of cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, audio-visual equipment, small devices, and undamaged old-style TVs.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 7 September 2016 at 11:14 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Village Board members have been discussing their concerns over the condition of sidewalks in Holley for some time. This photo shows sidewalks on Geddes Street.
HOLLEY – Village Board members have been concerned about deteriorating sidewalks in the community for years.
A federal grant could bring sought-after dollars to replace walkways in disrepair. Village Trustee Connie Nenni said the village is applying for a federally funded Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant which seeks to offer transportation choices for non-motorized users which are safe, reliable and convenient.
“The grant uses sidewalks as a form of transportation,” Trustee Nenni said.
The village needs personal letters of support from the community and is planning an informational meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Office, 72 Public Square, just prior to the next regular Village Board meeting.
The village is light on downtown parking availability, Nenni explained.
“Some people may prefer to walk to dance class, the library, restaurants, canal concerts, church, or athletic events at the school or soccer fields – if the village had decent sidewalks,” she said. “Right now, when people walk in the village, they are usually seen in the road.”
With the focus of the grant to use sidewalks as a form of transportation, Nenni emphasized letters of support should focus on how sidewalks facilitate getting people from one place to another.
Sidewalks are also used recreationally and for exercise, she noted, but that use is not the focus of the TAP grant. Time is also of the essence. The village has only a few weeks to prepare and apply for the grant, making it important for residents to attend the Sept. 13 meeting, Nenni added.
SYRACUSE – Several dancers from Lisa’s Dance Boutique competed at the talent showcase at the State Fair, with some of the dancers making it to the finals, which featured the top 25 acts from qualifying rounds.
The top photo shows a group that made it to the top 10, finishing seventh. They performed a dance called “Me Too.” The dancers were led by instructor Heather Kelley.
The group includes, from left: Leah Weinbeck, Madison Isenberg, Tori Allen, Savanna Isenberg, Olivia Amoroso, Julia Frederick, Kylie Towne and Allison Amoroso.
The dancers are shown in action performing “Me Too.”
This group made it to the finals, performing “Footloose.” They include, from left: Savanna Isenberg, Julia Frederick, Allison Amoroso, Leah Kania, Charlie London, Deanna Schubmehl, Leah Weinbeck, Cora Bennage, Madigan Neumann, Kylie Towne, Hannah Coolbaugh, Olivia Amoroso and Leah Pritchard.
Madison Isenberg, a soloist, made it to the semifinals with her lyrical dance to “Human.”
These contestants – Hailey Bader, Emilie Weinbeck and Carly Fox – performed at the maxi level. Hailey and Carly performed a tap duet to “Feedback” and advanced to the semifinal round as did Emilie with her lyrical solo to “Piece by Piece.”
This mini group – Olivia Amoroso, Allison Amoroso, Kylie Towne and Julia Frederick – advanced to the semifinal round with their lyrical number to “Not About Angels.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2016 at 4:37 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HULBERTON – The hamlet of Hulberton on the Erie Canal welcomed a big crowd of people today for the 40th annual St. Rocco’s Italian Festival. People flock to the community for Italian food, the Western New York Bocce Tournament and the chance to see old friends.
The top photo shows Jon Bower, 19, of Holley concentrating on his next shot in Bocce. He competed on the Erie Canalway Tree Farm team. There are 24 teams in today’s tournament.
The festival is the fund-raiser for the Catholic parish in Holley and Kendall, which includes St. Mary’s Church in Holley and St. Mark’s in Kendall.
A building that used to be used by a quarry company is now a dining hall and kitchen for the annual spaghetti dinner. Volunteers had enough dinners for 200 people. This picture was taken at about 2:30 p.m., when there was a lull in the dinner crowd.
Lena Pellegrino, a former Holley resident who now lives in Brockport, tends to the fried dough at the food pavilion.
Dan Mawn is in the back while a stack of sugar waffles wait to be consumed. The festival draws people from throughout the region for the food and fellowship.
The Brick Band from Holley had the festival grounds rocking.
Ed Morgan keeps watch on a pot of spaghetti. Volunteers started working on the dinners on Wednesday, first preparing meatballs for today’s crowd.
Jean Valente of Kendall serves one of the spaghetti dinners.
Charlene Poprawski, left, and Olivia Welch add sugar, and cinnamon and sugar to friend dough, which was popular with the crowd. Long-time volunteers said they were encouraged to see many younger people helping to put on the annual event, which is always the Sunday before Labor Day.
Bocce players measure to see who is closest to the small ball.
Festival-goers watch the bocce and enjoy a moment to catch up with their friends.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 September 2016 at 7:36 am
‘Best food in the league’ is also great bonding, chance to welcome students for new school year
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The concessions stand at Holley’s Woodlands Field was busy on Thursday evening while Holley hosted three games in a soccer tournament. Two principals and the office staff at the junior-senior high school volunteered to make burgers, French fries, chicken fingers, soft pretzels and nachos. They also fetched drinks from the busy spot.
The top photo shows Principal Susan Cory, left, and High School Secretary Roxanne Wagner. The high school office staff and principals volunteer in the concessions stand two or three times a year. That takes some pressure off the Sports Boosters and allows parents to watch their kids play in the games, Cory said.
She said the group had fun working together last night, and serving the food to the public, including many students.
“It’s a great way to start the year and see the kids and tell them we’re excited to see them,” Cory said.
She said other teachers and staff in the school district also volunteer for stints in the concessions stand during the soccer season.
Penny Cole, secretary for the guidance department, gave many people enthusiastic greetings.
Paula Barrus, the attendance clerk at Holley, collected money from people going to the Holley-Albion girls soccer game last night. It cost $1 for adults and 50 cents for kids to go to the game.
Roxanne Wagner is at the front window getting an order. It was fast-paced for the volunteers in the concessions last night.
Sal DeLuca, a Board of Education member and volunteer coach, cuts some of the home-made French fries. Holley has a reputation for an expansive menu with good food at its concessions stand, Cory said. “We have the best food in the league,” she said.
Dan Courtney, the assistant principal and athletic director at Holley, serves up an order of chicken fingers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2016 at 7:37 pm
This photo which was widely shared on Facebook shows a hose for irrigation connected to a fire hydrant without a backflow prevention device by the hydrant. It shows a hydrant on Fancher Road in Murray.
(Editor’s note: This article was updated from the original to state the towns could face a $100 fine, although that likely would be waived once the towns assure the Health Department they are in compliance.)
ALBION – Two towns in Orleans County were sent violation notices last week for not having backflow prevention devices by a fire hydrant when farmers were using water for irrigation.
Carlton and Murray both allow farmers to use water from hydrants, just like most towns in an agricultural community. However, the Orleans County Health Department saw instances in the two towns where backflow devices were not by the hydrants.
It is the towns’ responsibility to ensure backflow devices are by the first point of connection, in these cases the fire hydrants, said Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans County.
“It’s not the farmer or any other end user that are in violation,” Pettit said today. “It’s the towns that are responsible for the water districts.”
The towns could face a $100 fine by the Health Department. That fine likely would be dropped if the towns respond by next week and ensure the Health Department they are in compliance by not allowing hook-ups to the system without backflow devices by the hydrant, Pettit said.
Water with bacteria or contaminants from a hose could get in the main water system without a back flow device, he said. In the case of a fire where there could be a big draw or change in pressure in the water system, water from a hose could be pulled into the main waterlines if there isn’t a backflow device, possibly contaminating the public water supply, Pettit said.
The Health Department sent letters to all 10 towns, reminding them to use backflow devices by hydrants for outside users.
“We have a great working relationship with all of the towns,” Pettit said. “But we wanted to make sure they all are doing their due diligence to protect our water supply.”
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 30 August 2016 at 2:00 pm
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: One of the homes affected by a leak from Diaz Chemical sits on the northwest corner of the South Main Street/Jackson Street intersection. During Monday’s meeting of the Village of Holley Development Corporation, President Dan Schiavone said the home is appraised at $62,500 with lead clean-up is expected to cost $3,400.
HOLLEY – Members of the Village of Holley Development Corporation have given approval for VHDC President Dan Schiavone to sign an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency which would transfer ownership of the eight “Diaz homes” in the village from the EPA to the VHDC.
VHDC members met Monday evening at the Village Hall to discuss two significant changes in the agreement. The two parties have been at an impasse for nearly a year over terms regarding lead abatement.
“After months and months of not hearing (from the EPA),” Schiavone said the EPA now has told him they have been looking into situation and the latest agreement offered includes a 90 percent/10 percent split on the sale of the homes. That means 90 percent of the sale price goes to the EPA and only 10 percent goes to the VHDC.
Initially, the VHDC had hoped to receive much more on the home sales. A previous agreement had included a 50/50 split with the EPA.
“The 90/10 percent split is awful,” Schiavone said. “The LDC isn’t going to make any money for future projects.” He noted that fees and closing costs are not subject to the split.
“We thought we would have a nice chunk of change,” he said. “We will be lucky to get ($5,000-$7,000). That will not take us very far.”
He said the EPA explained that the 90/10 split is how the agency handles agreements between the federal and state governments. In the case of the Diaz homes, the VHDC is “acting on behalf of the state,” Schiavone said.
“The best we can get on the sales is 10 percent.”
The federal agency has been caretaker of the former Diaz site since the company declared bankruptcy in June 2003, following a chemical leak in the community on January 2002.
“We will grumble, but we will sign the MOA,” Schiavone said about the agreement. He recounted efforts the committee has made to come to a more favorable agreement including contacting Sen. Charles Schumer who assisted in their efforts.
Schiavone said the EPA is “anxious to get out of paying for the properties. They have been pinned down for code violations and have had about enough.”
But he said he feels the VHDC will not be able to make further progress with negotiations. The local LDC was formed to get the properties sold and back on the tax rolls.
“We need to get the project moving forward again,” Schiavone said.
On the lead abatement issue, the agreement requires lead clean-up completed by a certified contractor. Those who purchase the homes would be responsible for having the clean-up work completed. Documentation of certified clean-up must then be provided to the village code enforcement officer before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
Schiavone said the EPA will disclose its reports on contamination levels in the homes as well as the estimated cost of lead clean-up to prospective buyers. Schiavone said the EPA told him that once the agreement is signed, ownership of the properties would be ready for transfer in six weeks.
“In federal government talk that means three months,” Schiavone mused. The VHDC will also assume responsibility for maintenance of the properties as soon as the agreement is signed by all three parties involved – the VHDC, the Village of Holley and the EPA.
Those in attendance at Monday’s meeting, including Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty, discussed the possibility that the village could provide mowing for the properties. The agreement further stipulates that the EPA must approve of the final sale price of the homes.
VHDC member Krista Wiley expressed concern over the stipulation and requested Schiavone inquire if a time deadline could be placed on the EPA to respond to a written notice of a final sale price. She said she also worries that the VHDC might get stuck with the properties if the EPA “doesn’t agree with the price.”
“I think there is potential in all the properties,” Schiavone said. He agreed to discuss the possibility of setting a time limit for the EPA to respond the the sale price. Schiavone said the committee would meet again once the quit claim deeds are on the way.
“Then we will have to decide how to sell the homes,” he said. The committee has a real estate attorney to provide guidance and has discussed auction, RFPs, listing with a real estate agent, or a mix of methods as possibilities.
