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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

Brian Sorochty

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.

Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Holley Trustee Kevin Lynch, left, and Deputy Mayor Brian Sorochty pose during a recent Village Board meeting. Trustee Connie Nenni was excused from the meeting and is not pictured.  The three are running unopposed in Tuesday’s Village election.

HOLLEY – There are no races in this year’s Holley village election, but residents will elect a new mayor on June 21.

John Kenney, Jr., the current mayor, is retiring from public office and is not seeking re-election.  Trustee Brian Sorochty is running unopposed for mayor, and says he has a passion for the community.

“I love living and raising my family here,” Sorochty says. “I see many potential opportunities to enhance our strengths as well as build new ones in the future.”

He 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 potential development/renovation of the old Holley High School is still in the preliminary stages, but Sorochty says the village continues to work with local developer Home Leasing on a plan to renovate the school into senior housing units as well as to accommodate village office space.

“They are a very reputable developer with much experience with these project types,” Sorochty says. “They are currently nearing completion of the renovation of the former Eastman Dental Dispensary, which was also one of the Landmark Society’s ‘Five to Revive’ buildings.”

Moving the village offices to the school would provide accessible office and public meeting space which the village currently lacks, Sorochty explains, and adds that the developer is working towards applying for funding, which will be submitted later this year.

“We have a ways to go, but it is a very exciting opportunity that I believe will have benefits even beyond the village limits,” he says.

Regarding the eight “Diaz” homes in the village currently owned by the EPA, Sorochty says the Village Board is continuing to work with the Holley LDC and the EPA towards having ownership of the properties transferred to the LDC.  The transfer will facilitate getting the properties on the market, occupied, and back on the tax rolls.

“The LDC and Chair Dan Schiavone have been working hard at this and I applaud their efforts,” Sorochty says.

Sorochty also discussed the efforts of the mayor and Village Board over the last few years to improve the efficiency of village government and the services it provides.

“To that end, we have contracted with the Village of Albion for police chief and management services for our sewage treatment plant,” Sorochty explains. “We have also created the Holley LDC in order to manage vacant properties, specifically the EPA-owned properties.”

As mayor, 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.

“On a daily basis, I commit to continue to work with the Village Board and staff, much as I have over the past three years, to make good decisions that benefit the community, and to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” Sorochty says. “I am very excited to put my experience – which is a combination of my last few years on the Board and my 25 years of working in the consulting engineering and construction industry – to work for the Village of Holley.”

Sorochty also thanks Mayor John Kenney for his many years of service to village residents as both a trustee and as mayor.

“He is very dedicated to serving this village, and has been tremendous to work with as a colleague and a friend.  I wish him well in his future endeavors,” Sorochty says.

Two trustee seats are also up for election and incumbents Connie Nenni and Kevin Lynch are both running unopposed. The trustee seats are two-year terms.

Connie Nenni serve three years previously as a Village Board member, was off the Board for three years, and then returned again after the election two years ago.

She says she is running for re-election because she truly cares about the community and believes the current Board has made many improvements and continues to make progress in several areas.

“We started with the LDC, which will eventually help to get the Diaz homes back on the market and the tax rolls and possibly other abandoned homes,” Nenni says.  She adds that changes have also been made in the police department and the Board continues to work on issues there.

She says right now, staffing of the village police department is one of the most important issues facing the village.

“We currently run with part-time officers and our village has always been a stepping stone because of that and a lower pay scale,” Nenni explains. “We, like many communities around us, are finding it hard to keep officers. We have raised starting pay and will continues to look at this. In the past, our voters have confirmed that they do not want to lose our village police department and neither do I.”

Other important issues include the vacant Diaz homes, and some of the bank owned homes which have been empty for far too long, Nenni says.

Like Deputy Mayor Sorochty, Nenni is very hopeful about the possibility that the old Holley High School will be renovated and that the current developer will be able to move forward.

“The old school is something that not just village residents would like to see something happen with, but the entire Holley community,” she says.

Nenni encourages residents to come to Village Board meetings to gain an understanding of all that goes into decision making.

“I’d rather see them get their information from coming to a meeting or emailing or calling a Board member to get first-hand information or ask questions,” she says. “With social media and rumors spread by word of mouth, incorrect information spreads quickly.

“Many times it gets lots of people very upset when they didn’t need to be if they had the correct information the first time around. I am always hearing about someone second guessing something that they heard the Board had done or didn’t do. Usually, once they hear the reasoning behind it, they understand. There is almost always more to the story than what people hear.”

She notes that there are five people on the Board and many times multiple opinions are brought to the table on issues.

Nenni says that if residents find it hard to get to meetings, they can always contact Village Board members via email or phone.

Trustee Kevin Lynch was first elected to the Village Board two years ago and says his first term has been a learning experience.

“There was more involved than I anticipated,” he says about serving as a member of the Village Board.

As a member of the final graduating class from the old Holley High School, Lynch says his interest in and connection to the village’s most prominent landmark encouraged him to get involved in public office in the hopes of saving the building.  He says he, too, is hopeful that Home Leasing will be successful in their efforts.

“It may be the last chance” for the building, he says.

Lynch also cites the need to improve the village’s aging infrastructure while keeping taxes in check, a job which is a challenge as there is little room in the village for expanding the tax base. He notes that makes getting the Diaz homes back on the tax rolls even more essential.

His two years as a trustee have given him a good understanding of the budget process, Lynch says.

“We work to do what we can for the village,” he says. “It’s hard to keep taxes down.”

He says members of the Village Board have an excellent working relationship and feels, “Brian (Sorochty) will be a good mayor.”

Voting will take place Tuesday, June 21. at the Holley Village Offices, 72 Public Square, from noon to 9 p.m.

John Kenney leads final meeting as mayor

HOLLEY – Mayor John Kenney ended 13 years of public service to the village Tuesday evening when he oversaw his final meeting of the Village Board.

Mayor Kenney, who served three years as a trustee before being elected mayor, decided not to seek re-election this year.

“I have enjoyed my time serving this community,” he told Orleans Hub. “I am thankful for all the support from this community.”

Kenney said his retirement from public service will allow him to spend more time with family, including his grandchildren.

During their meeting, board members approved hiring six new part-time police officers for the Holley Police Department. The move will help the department stabilize after what Police Chief Roland Nenni described as a “serious loss of personnel.”

During the supervisors’ meeting prior to the Village Board meeting, Chief Nenni reported that over the history of the Holley Police Department, there have typically been three to four full-timers.

“We can get back to that stability with a couple of full-time officers,” the chief said.

Two of the six part-time officers will become full-time before the end of the year, after they have received a second phase of training, Nenni said. He noted that Orleans County has extended the probationary time for newly hired police officers to 78 weeks, meaning that when the two part-time hires become full time, the department will be able to retain them for 18 months.

“Starting in November we will have real stability,” Nenni told Village Board members. “A full-time employee has a stake in the department.”

He noted that officers will work to fulfill priorities of the Holley community.

“The non-police type stuff can be the most important,” he said, and added that he is working to have the police department become more involved in the community. For example, he recently met with members of the library board as part of that effort, the chief said.

Kenney asked the chief if the village will be able to financially handle the new hires. Nenni said as a budgetary measure, the village could cover the expense. Recent vacancies in the police department will also help to cover payroll expenses, Nenni said.

In other business, the Village Board approved the consolidation of the Planning and Zoning Boards, by adopting Local Law No. 2 of 2016.  The purpose of the consolidation is to, “increase the efficiency and administration of land use, planning and zoning review in the village,” Section 1 of the law states.

The board will now be called the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Board and will consist of five members. Membership will be comprised initially from existing selected members from both boards for the remaining length of their current terms of office.

Resident Kerri Neale spoke against the consolidation during a public hearing before the vote. He said a Zoning Board of Appeals creates a safety valve for oppressive zoning laws.

“It should not share responsibility with any other board,” Neale said. “What happens today may change tomorrow. I have difficulty understanding how a joint board can rule on hardship cases it created by itself.”

Deputy Mayor Brian Sorochty tried to allay Neale’s fears by explaining that every right of review or appeal will still exist.

“The Planning Board does not issue site plan approval,” Sorochty said.  “If you need relief you can still go to zoning. Every avenue a resident had before, he will still have.”

Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti said residents also have recourse to Article 78 as well as other appeals at higher levels of government.  He noted other municipalities in the state have consolidated the two boards, including the Village of Hilton.

Zoning Board Chairwoman Sandra Heise stated she is “a little nervous” about the consolidation, mainly due to the increased workload.  She said she felt more at ease knowing other municipalities have taken the same step.

Neale said he would like to see the village work to encourage residents to fill both boards, as lack of interest is one reason for the consolidation.

Sorochty additionally pointed out the make-up of the boards is a concern as two married couples serve on the boards – one couple on the Planning Board and a second on the Zoning Board. Sorochty said that is not appropriate.

Kenney thanked Neale for his comments.

“It’s good to see input,” the mayor said.

Neale said it is important for community residents to become involved and to attend meetings, enabling them to have a part in the process and to, “see why decisions are made.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Five people were taken by ambulance for minor injuries after a two-vehicle accident this morning on Route 31 between Holley and Hulberton roads.

The driver of this van was headed westbound when the van crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a pickup truck that swerved to avoid a head-on collision, a state trooper said.

Eric Smith, left, of Glenside Auto in Holley works with Holley firefighter Fran Gaylord to tow the van, which had four occupants who all had minor injuries and were taken by Monroe Ambulance for medical treatment.

The state trooper at the scene said it is unknown why the driver of the van crossed into the opposite lane. The trooper said the accident could have been far worse if it had been a head-on collision.

The trooper was working on a report of the accident and wasn’t ready to release names of those involved.

The driver of this truck swerved to avoid the van, but was hit in the back of the truck on the passenger side. The collision knocked the rear axle off the truck.

Rich Gallo, in safety vest, is fiance of the driver, Michelle Hampton of Murray. (Gallo shared her name with the Orleans Hub after texting Hampton.) Gallo said he is thankful the accident wasn’t worse. He is pictured trying to move the rear axle with Joe Morlino (center) of the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company and Louie Lustumbo, owner of TLC Auto Recycling in Kuckville.

The accident at 9:32 a.m. closed Route 31 between Holley and Hulberton roads for about an hour.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Joint Veterans Council is about $2,500 closer to getting a low-mileage van. The Council runs an all-volunteer van service that takes veterans to medical appointments. The van service has five vans and the council is trying to raise funds to replace a van that currently has about 133,000 miles on it.

Three Holley organizations combined to donate toward the cause. The VFW raised $1,208 during a Jamboree on May 29. The Marine Corps Attachment 1271, which meets out of the VFW in Holley, donated $1,000 and the Holley Rotary Club also gave $200 towards a low-mileage van.

Pictured include, from left: Phyllis Schrader, coordinator of the van service; Urb Bennett, president of the VFW in Holley; Ray Madigan, senior vice president of VFW in Holley; James Andre, president of the Joint Veterans Council; and Earl Schmidt, chairman of the Joint Veterans Council and the director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County.

Andre said the Council will continue to raise funds to replace one of the vans. He said it will take at least $15,000 to get a low-mileage vehicle.

Zach Pogel

GREECE – A Holley man was killed in a motorcycle accident on Friday morning on Ridge Road in the Town of Greece.

Zachary Pogel, 22, was headed west on Ridge Road when he drove into a Cook Iron box truck that was attempting to turn left into a parking lot, Greece Police said.

Pogel died on impact. He was a 2011 graduate of Medina High School, and played on the Medina baseball team. He also played on several local softball teams.

Pogel worked as a salesman for Fuccillo Hyundai in Greece and was attending Finger Lakes Community College. He and his wife Allysia VanderVen were raising two daughters.