Provided photos

KENDALL – Town of Kendall officials today joined Dollar General staff in celebrating the opening of a new store on Route 18. Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, front right center, welcomed the new store and said the community anticipates a long-lasting relationship with the store. Barb Flow, a town councilwoman, joins Cammarata in front at center left.

The store opened for the first day on Dec. 18. Today was a grand opening celebration.

Many residents braved the cold weather to attend a ribbon-cutting celebration at 8 a.m. The 9,100-square-foot structure is on Route 18, just west of the Kendall Road (Route 237) intersection.

This is the fifth Dollar General in Orleans County. Other stores are located on West Avenue in Albion, Route 31 in Holley, Maple Ridge Road in Medina and Ridge Road in Medina (just south of Lyndonville).

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Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Kendall Town Board members work their way through 39 resolutions during their organizational meeting Wednesday evening. Pictured from left include: Councilman Wayne Martin, Jr., Councilwoman Lynn Szozda, attorney Andrew Meier, Supervisor Tony Cammarata, Town Clerk Amy Richardson, and Councilwoman Barb Flow. Councilman Bruce Newell arrived later in the meeting and is not pictured.

KENDALL – Town Board members met for their 2018 organizational meeting Wednesday evening and approved a number of resolutions.

Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, who was re- elected in November to a third term as supervisor, reviewed progress made on his election promises to residents, including bringing public water to more residents, residential and commercial growth, and safety improvements to the town hall and highway garage.

Cammarata reported that two new water districts will be created in the town in 2018 and two additional water districts will be created by 2020.  He noted commercial growth with new ownership for the Bald Eagle Marina and the recently opened Dollar General store.

“We have had 20 new residential building permits issued since I took office as supervisor,” Cammarata said. “That’s about five per year.”

The town hall and highway garage will receive new roofs in 2018, and power assisted doors will be added to the town hall in the spring or summer. Additionally, the town will continue to pursue conversion to LED street lighting, Cammarata said.

He explained that taxpayers now have the option of making partial tax payments, and the town expects to adopt the tax exemption for Cold War veterans in the spring.

“I would like to congratulate the recently elected people and look forward to working with them,” Cammarata said.

Town council members Wayne Martin, Jr. and Bruce Newell were re-elected in November, as were Town Clerk Amy Richardson, Justice Debra Drennan, and highway superintendent Warren Kruger.

Council members re-appointed Andrew Meier as town attorney, Patrick Bolton as chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Andrew Kludt as chair of the Planning Board, Michelle Werth as Director of Youth and Adult Recreation, Heather Banker as town historian, Eileen Grah as librarian,  and Paul Hennekey as code enforcement officer.

Town Councilwoman Lynn Szozda was re- appointed deputy supervisor.

The 2018 salary and wage schedule adopted by council members includes no pay increases for the supervisor, councilpersons, town justices, the town clerk or the code enforcement officer.

The Superintendent of Highways receives a $2,000 salary increase to $53,250. Highway Department employees also receive increases in hourly wages for 2018.  Full-time motor equipment operators will now make from federal minimum wage up to $20.60/hour, an increase from $20.20; part time motor equipment operators will receive from federal minimum wage up to $14/hour, up from $13.36; full time laborers will receive from federal minimum wage up to $12/hour, an increase from $11.74; and part time laborers will receive from federal minimum wage up to $12/hour, an increase from $11.70.

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Provided photo: Sharon CassanoLochman has two new books published with a third due out in February.

KENDALL – A Kendall resident has two new books out. Sharon CassanoLochman, a former teacher and motorcycle safety instructor, has written Stranded on Thin Ice and Man with the Sand Dollar Face.

CassanoLochman in February also expects to have a three-volume collection of spiritual verses published.

Last January she established her own publishing company, Ontario Shore Publishing, and has been working to write and publish her books.

CassanoLochman brings her life experiences into creating her characters. In addition to working as a motorcycle safety instructor and teacher in Penfield and Honeoye Falls, CassanoLochman has been a paralegal, and a stay-at-home mother who enjoys hunting.

In 2013, she started writing Stranded on Thin Ice. That book tells the story of Tanner Phillips, a 12-year-old who fishes the Oneida Lake Ice Fishing Derby every year with his father.

The competition turns disastrous when one of the competitors goes missing and another gets injured. Tanner’s father must leave Tanner and his new friend, Richie, alone on the ice. After their ice hut comes unhitched, Tanner and Richie find themselves blown across the frozen lake in a blinding snowstorm, according to a description of the book on Amazon.

“It’s about all the young boys like to read about and participate in,” CassanoLochman said.

Click here for more on Stranded.

Man with the Sand Dollar Face was published last month and focuses on a quirky widow in her early sixties who takes her first job in a private investigator’s office. Arriving early she discovers an agitated man waiting at the door. He insists he must see the PI immediately. In the midst of his anxious demands, he clutches his chest and collapses. Shocked, she runs for help. Upon returning, the man has disappeared. As the story unfolds the woman finds herself embroiled in an international drug trafficking ring. Everything hinges on finding the man with the sand dollar face.

Click here for more on Sand Dollar Face.

CassanoLochman said she enjoys the writing process.

“It’s like watching a movie unfold when I sit down to write and give life to these characters,” she said.

She has taken writing classes through the Institute of Children’s Literature. While she owns the publishing company, she outsources the book’s formatting and cover design.

She has the books available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online. The books are also at the Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport, where she had a book-signing last Saturday.

CassanoLochman lives by Lake Ontario on Lomond Shores. She is active with the United Shoreline group that has held several events and protests for residents effected by the Lake Ontario flooding this past year.

She said being by the water has been inspirational, especially for her spiritual verses.

“The Town of Kendall itself is a very beautiful place,” she said. “It’s a community in the very best sense where I know my neighbors.”

For more on CassanoLochman’s books, click here.

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Provided photo

KENDALL – The Dollar General store opened today in Kendall. The 9,100-square-foot structure is on Route 18, just west of the Kendall Road (Route 237) intersection.

This is the fifth Dollar General in Orleans County. Other stores are located on West Avenue in Albion, Route 31 in Holley, Maple Ridge Road in Medina and Ridge Road in Medina (just south of Lyndonville).

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Lori Cyr, director of the Kendall Community Band, passes out bells so the audience could participate while the band played “Jingle Bells” during a concert at Hoag Library this evening.

The Kendall Community Band played many holiday classics during an hour-long Christmas concert.

Many of the band members wore Santa hats during the concert. These musicians include, front to back, Paul Rider on clarinet, Don Bishop on tenor sax, and Mike Metcalf on tuba.

The band played the following selections: Yankee Fanfare, Joyous Christmas Spirit, Hogan’s Heroes March, Christmas from the ’50s, Fantasia on an Irish Hymn, All I Want For Christmas Is You, An American Christmas Portrait, Fantasy on ‘The Minstrel Boy’, Grease!, American Christmas Festival and We Need A Little Christmas.

Kay Metcalf plays the clarinet and Skip Scroger plays the trumpet.

The band started five years ago for Kendall’s 200th anniversary celebration and has continued with musicians from throughout the county and western Monroe.

The band welcomes more members. For more information on the band, click here for its Facebook page.

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KENDALL – An “Evening of Healing” is planned for Jan.16 and will include a table discussion where participants will gain knowledge of local resources to support and understand those who may be struggling with the sudden and traumatic loss of a loved one, Kendall Central School administrators said in a news release.

Discussion will address mental health issues and touch upon loss from suicide and unexpected loss, such as from accidents or unforeseen health issues.

“Sadly, so many of our families are in crisis and the holiday season can add additional stress,” said Julie Christensen, Kendall Central School superintendent.

Kendall has invited other local school districts to take part.

The event is open to anyone who wishes to attend and not limited to Kendall residents, she said.

The Evening of Healing will facilitate conversation in support of, “one another in our efforts to learn positive ways to cope with sudden, traumatic loss and to foster resiliency and mental wellness,” the release said.

Education on how to support oneself or others who may be struggling with challenges associated with sudden loss will be a part of the event as well as a panel of experts engaging in conversations on healing, support, education, hope and recovery. Those attending will also be able to familiarize themselves with available resources.

The event is appropriate for ages 12 to adult and is a collaborative effort between state, local community leaders and the Kendall Central School District. Pre-registration is preferred, but not required.  To pre-register, contact the Kendall Central Schools District Office at 659-2741 or email your intent to webmaster@kendallschools.org. Refreshments will be served.

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Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – The Kendall community held its annual holiday tree and gazebo lighting Wednesday evening. Residents gathered at the gazebo to listen to holiday music and sing carols. Activities were held earlier at the Kendall Elementary School with the annual Dinner with Santa and book sale.

Following the tree and gazebo lighting, hot cocoa and cookies were served at the Kendall Fire Hall.

Kendall Elementary students play holiday carols following the lighting of the tree.

Kendall Supervisor Tony Cammarata welcomes Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves to the Gazebo.  Children were able to visit Santa at the fire hall following the outdoor festivities.

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KENDALL – Members of the Kendall Board of Education have approved the formation of a trap shooting team for students in grades 7-12.

Board President Nadine Hanlon on Wednesday evening called the formation of the team, “very exciting.” High School Principal Carol D’Agostino said the new program is a “great idea.”

The team will likely be ready to begin competition in the spring of 2018, district administrators said.

Students must possess league-approved firearm safety certification (NYS Hunter Safety Course) and meet all school curricular activity and eligibility requirements to participate.  The hunter safety training may be provided at the school, the trap shooting team proposal indicates.

The team will meet at the North Star Sportsman Club on Walker Lake Ontario Road in Hilton on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Each spring and fall season will last seven weeks. There is a NYS tournament in Cicero for spring seasons, which team members must qualify for.

Students will also have the ability to shoot all year and/or during the off season if there is interest.

Students attending the Board of Education meeting indicated they felt there would be interest in the team from many students. The proposal passed unanimously.

“I’m very excited to offer this opportunity to our students and kudos to Jack Keenan for all of his work and research,” Superintendent Julie Christensen said. Keenan worked on drafting the team proposal for the board and is named as club advisor and coach.

Board member Lisa Levett noted the success of the trap shooting team at Holley Central School and said the team there has provided an opportunity for students who may not typically become involved in team sports.

Students will need to transport themselves and their firearms to and from North Star Sportsman Club. Team members will shoot each week with a member of the North Star Sportsman’s Club.

The district will set a stipend cost once participation numbers and other details are determined. The stipend will provide for coaching and instruction of students.

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Photo by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – Contractors have been busy building the new Dollar General store in Kendall. The 9,100-square-foot structure is being built on Route 18, just west of the Kendall Road (Route 237) intersection. The site is shown in a photo taken this morning.

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KENDALL – State Sen. Robert Ortt will be in Kendall on Tuesday morning with Assemblyman Steve Hawley to meet with local officials about state legislation that would give local government officials control on setting speed limits with school zones.

Kendall has been trying to have the speed limit by the high school on Route 18 reduced from 50 miles per hour but has been unable to convince the state Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit.

The DOT has declined to reduce the speed limits by the Kendall school. The state recommended that the Kendall Central School District utilize flashing beacons to help make Rt. 18 safer for students and motorists.

Ortt is pushing legislation that would allow counties to set the speed limits by schools, even if they are located on state roads. Last week Ortt held a press event by Starpoint High School, where school leaders want the speed limit reduced from the current 45 miles per hour.

Ortt and Hawley will be joined Tuesday morning by County Legislator Ken DeRoller, Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, and School Superintendent Julie Christensen.

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KENDALL – The New York State DOT has recommended that the Kendall Central School District utilize flashing beacons to help make Rt. 18/Roosevelt Highway outside the Jr./Sr. High School safer for students.

The district, local elected officials and parents last year asked the state to reduce the speed limit in the area, which is 50 miles per hour, following accidents involving students at the entrance to the school campus. They had requested the limit be reduced to as low as 20 miles per hour.

“The DOT conducted a thorough assessment and determined a reduction in speed was not the solution based on traffic patterns, a 10-year review of accidents in that area, site lines, etc.,” District Superintendent Julie Christensen told Orleans Hub.

The DOT did provide a multitude of suggestions, however, she explains, to help improve safety in the area.

The district has already completed several including moving the stop bar line, moving signs for better visibility and trimming trees around signs.

“A no-pass zone in front of the high school is in progress now,” Christensen said, “and changing our current flashing signs with some that are programmable and with improved visibility to travelers.”

During the Kendall School Board of Education meeting Tuesday evening, Christensen said she has asked State Senator Robert Ortt’s office to consider funding to help the district purchase the flashing beacons as the signs and posts are expensive. The district will purchase the beacons regardless, she said, to address community concerns about safety.

The district hopes to purchase the beacons and have them installed as soon as possible.

In other business Tuesday evening, Superintendent Christensen opened discussion regarding the district’s next capital project.

She said the next capital project could come during the 2020/2021 school year, which means the planning stages could begin as early as 2018.

Christensen and board members discussed preliminary ideas for projects which might be covered in a future capital project.  Those ideas include art, music and technology hallways in the high school; replacing gymnasium floors in both the Jr./Sr. high school and the elementary school; replacing the partition in the high school gymnasium and refurbishing heating and ventilation in the elementary school.

“It would not be as extensive as our last capital project,” Christensen said.

Board President Nadine Hanlon said the district should move forward with the process.

“May of 2019 is too long (to wait),” she said. “The flooring in the art room and gym is getting dangerous.”

The Board and the district superintendent discussed holding a public information meeting early next year and putting a new capital project up for a vote during the school budget vote/district election in May 2018.

Christensen also recognized Board of Education members for their volunteer service by reading a state proclamation for School Board Recognition Week, Oct. 23-27.

“We thank you and recognize all you provide to the Kendall community,” Christensen said.

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KENDALL – Town Board members Tuesday evening heard from residents of The Cottages at Troutburg who expressed their concerns over plans by the owner of the development to convert from a three-season to a four-season community.

Currently, there are six cottages which have been sold and several residents told council members they want to be certain that the conversion of their cottages to four-season homes be done by a reputable, independent contractor and in compliance with town codes.

They said they are worried that the assistance which owner/manager Jack Howitt is offering is not enough to make the cottages four-season ready.

“We are all very committed to making this community a success, but we feel like the owner blatantly disregards the original concept of the community in order to make a profit,” residents stated in a letter sent to the board dated Oct. 10.  In the letter, they spelled out three areas of concern including the conversion of current properties, security and safety.

Residents say the development still does not have security gates and the original large lake house on the property as well as a vacant cottage are rented out the owner to anyone. The Cottages at Troutburg is located at a former Salvation Army Camp along Lake Ontario.

“In the email from the owner, he stated that a benefit of converting to four season will be ‘cross country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, possible ice fishing and skating,’” a group of residents wrote to council members. “The cottage owners’ issues with this is that it may not be rented out to strangers who will have total access to the community when days are much shorter.

“These are not just frivolous weekend cottages and are, in fact, primary homes to some,” the residents informed council members. “When we bought, we were committed to the idea that was sold to us, and actually signed contracts for a three season community. Now, the whole concept of what we purchased is being changed and we feel our concerns are being ignored at every turn and we have no say.”

In a separate, anonymous letter to Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, a writer stated that there are residents who are happy with the change to four season.

“We feel it would be both beneficial to the town and the residents. We have also heard prospective buyers would buy if it was a four season community which is why we believe the sale of the cottages have been challenging,” according to the letter.

In a letter to Supervisor Cammarata from Jack Howitt, he writes that he believes the change will assist The Cottages with sales efforts.

“We expect this to increase, to some small extent, the number of full time residents of Kendall, increase town tax revenue, and increase the prospects for success of this slow moving project,” he said.

Howitt requests town approval for four-season use of the Cottages going forward.

Residents of Troutburg were notified of the change in an email from management. The notice states that current residents will not be affected by the change unless they choose to have their leases amended to allow four-season use of their site.  Management states hot boxes (the cottages do not have basements) will be upgraded at no charge with a four-season choice.  New cottage sites will be leased year-round.

“Four season owners will pay 100 percent assessed taxes rather than the present 80 percent,” the notice states. “The additional tax cost for all season use is quite gentle at approximately $49/month for a cottage that cost $140,000.”

The notice states that this is a one-time offer to present residents and contract holders to have their lease modified free of charge and with no rental adjustment other than a small increase in RE taxes.

“Troutburg Management will be paying the difference in taxes to the Town of Kendall for current residents who remain three season. The single tax bill that comes to The Cottages with this charge will now reflect 100 percent assessment for all cottages.”

Residents attending Tuesday’s Town Board meeting told Supervisor Cammarata they will be satisfied if they are assured winterizing of their cottages will be done correctly to meet the standards of a four season residence.

Council members took no action on the issue Tuesday evening.

• In other matters, the board heard from residents Trudy and Bob Slocum, who live in the area of Norway and Lake Shore Roads, and who would like the town to expand public water into their neighborhood.  They presented the board with signed petitions of residents in the Lake Shore/Kendall Road/Norway Road area who would like public water.

Cammarata said the town has been working diligently to create water districts and that West Kendall Road is next in line.

“We appreciate the work you have done,” Cammarata told the Slocums. “A staple of life is water, and we’ve been working for five years getting water districts in place. We do want to get you water. For Kendall to grow, we need water.”

The town would take the petitions to the town’s engineer to discuss moving forward, but because of the process involved in creating a water district, it could be sometime in 2019 that a water district would actually be in place.

Town of Kendall is now accepting partial tax payments

Kendall property owners now have the option of making partial payments for or on account of taxes, special ad valorem levies or special assessments under certain terms and conditions.

Council members approved the partial payments in September to help taxpayers who are having difficulty paying their real estate taxes on a timely basis.

Partial payments can be made from January 1 through April 30 and there is no limit to the number of partial payments a taxpayer may make on a tax bill for a particular tax map parcel, but it must be at least $200.

The partial payments provide, “tax relief for people having difficulties,” Supervisor Cammarata said.

By allowing for partial payments during the tax collection period, residents can avoid or decrease penalties charged against the unpaid balance.

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Photos courtesy of April Scanlan

ALBION – The top photo shows the Albion junior varsity girls soccer team, which is playing Kendall’s team this afternoon in Albion. Both the JV and varsity Albion teams wore Kendall blue “Hearts for Harrier” T-shirts as a show of support for Kendall JV player Kari Harrier.

Her parents, Rebecca and Randy Harrier, were killed in a car accident last month on Route 31 near the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The Albion players all bought T-shirts, which are a fundraiser for the Harrier family.

The varsity team is pictured before today’s game versus Kendall.

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