By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2023 at 7:51 am
KENDALL – The Board of Education has approved the school tax warrant which sets the tax rates among the five towns that are included in the district.
The rates vary from a low of $10.51 in Clarkson to a high of $17.36 in Murray. Other rates include $12.15 in Carlton and Kendall, and $15.69 in Hamlin.
Clarkson, Kendall and Carlton are all at 100 percent full value after doing town-wide reassessments. That has resulted in much lower tax rates this school year.
A year ago, the rates for those towns included Carlton at $15.99, Kendall at $16.39 and Clarkson at $13.48.
Clarkson is in Monroe County, and Monroe County shares some of the local sales tax with school districts. That resulted in $150,000 being directed to the Kendall school district to lower the school property taxes in Hamlin and Clarkson.
Orleans County used to share some of the local sales tax with school districts but that ended about 25 years ago.
Kendall has a $20,413,805 overall school budget for 2023-24. Property taxes through the tax levy remain unchanged at $4,964,656.
The district’s full property value totals $420,902,818. Clarkson represents 0.52 percent at $2,199,479; Murray is 11.58 percent at $48,758,819; Carlton is 12.98 percent at $54,627,942; Hamlin is 21.20 percent at $89,247,870; and Kendall is 53.71 percent at $226,068,708.
Photos and information courtesy of Kendall Lions Club
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club on Sunday presented four AED devices to local churches. The automated external defibrillators is a portable electronic device that can be used to restart a heart of someone in sudden cardiac arrest.
Pictured from left includes Past District Governor Judy McKnight, Grant Coordinator Tom Bartolini, Patty Longrod (St. Mark’s Catholic Church), Pastor TC Smith (Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church), John Becker (Kendall United Methodist Church), Pastor Steve Worrall (Morton Baptist Church), Beth Schmidt (Concordia Lutheran Church), Kendall Lion Club President Eric Maxon and District Governor Melanie Adams.
The Kendall Community gathered for a community worship at the town gazebo on Sunday. In a ceremony at the service the AED devices and cases were presented to representatives from the five Kendall area churches.
The Kendall Lions Club received funds for these devices through a matching grant from the New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation. The total cost for the five AEDs was $9,400.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 August 2023 at 11:06 am
Amy Laureano
KENDALL – The school district is mourning the loss of a beloved first grade teacher. Amy Laureano passed away unexpectedly on Sunday.
“We are saddened to share news of the unexpected loss of Kendall Elementary School Teacher Amy Laureano,” Nick Picardo, the district’s school superintendent, posted in a message to the community. “Amy was a beloved member of our community, and our thoughts are with her husband, family and friends during this difficult time.”
Laureano’s husband Justin is also a coach and teacher at Kendall. They have three children.
Several people have posted tributes to her on the website for Fowler Funeral Home in Brockport.
“She was a great teacher and I never had the honor to have her as a teacher but I had many friends say she was a great one to have she was sweet and always kind to anyone around her,” Kari Harrier wrote. “My condolences goes towards her family who lost this wonderful women.”
Audrey Dezen posted that “Miss Amy” will be deeply missed by her former students.
“You were a bright light who always saw the good in others along with their potential,” Dezen posted. “Your smile could brighten anyone’s day, no matter how miserable they felt. You were not only a wonderful teacher/tutor to our Kylie, but a beautiful human being & friend to our family that had a passion for teaching & life.”
Holley Mayor Mark Bower, a retired teacher and school principal, said Laureano was a “beautiful human being.” He posted that Laureano left a strong impression on him when she was a student in the elementary school and he was a teacher at Brockport.
“I can’t even think of one instance where Amy didn’t demonstrate kindness and respect or any time when she didn’t put forth her best effort,” Bower posted. “How ironic that she became a teacher and that she taught 1st grade, as I was her 1st grade teacher at Ginther School in Brockport … I know from colleagues in Kendall and families whose children or grandchildren had Amy, what an exemplary teacher she was.”
Adriana Passarell said she had the then Miss Parmele in first grade 17 years ago.
“She was the BEST teacher,” Passarell wrote. “Always so kind, nurturing, understanding, and fun. I distinctly remember 1st grade and I truly believe it’s because of her. She had so much love for her students and a special bond with every single one of us, which speaks right to her amazing character. Mrs. Laureano definitely left a mark on Kendall that will never be forgotten.”
Laureano’s family will receive friends on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fowler Funeral Home, 340 West Ave., Brockport. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Brockport Free Methodist Church, 6787 4th Section Rd, Brockport.
Donations are being accepted to the Kendall Central School District for the Amy Laureano Scholarship Fund.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2023 at 7:42 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Firefighters at the Murray Joint Fire District are high on the ladder truck dousing a fire at the grain dryer at Kludt Farms this afternoon 1161 West Kendall Rd.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 5 p.m. Smoke was coming from the grain dryer and there were flames.
Firefighters first tried getting water from a hose on the grain dryer, using a lift from the farm. Then Murray arrived with its ladder truck.
Albion firefighters apply water from another side of the grain dryer.
The farm recently harvested wheat which was wet from the heavy rainfall on Thursday. Kludt was using the grain facility to dry out the wheat.
No one was injured in the fire and it is under investigation, said Sgt. Adam Hazel of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
Kludt family members and employees work to get burnt and soggy wheat out of the grain dryer.
Albion firefighters get water on the hot grain dryer. Firefighters responded from Albion, Kendall, Carlton, Murray and Hamlin, as well as the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
Andrew Kludt of the Kludt Farms posted this message on the Orleans Hub Facebook page: “Thank you to everyone who came to our aid. And thank you for all the well wishes and offers to help. It’s extremely appreciated. I love our small community and how everyone rallies around you in your time of need. There had to be over 100 firefighters here and everyone played a crucial role. 🙏🏻very grateful everyone is going home safe tonight.”
Provided photo: Orleans Millworks owner Karl Driesel gives Assemblyman Steve Hawley a tour of the business in Kendall.
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
KENDALL – Last week, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visited Orleans Millworks to tour the facilities and meet with owner Karl Driesel.
Orleans Millworks was founded in Kendall in 2016 and has three full-time and three part-time employees. The company uses industry-leading and cutting-edge manufacturing equipment to take on numerous projects throughout the region. These projects include the iconic East Garden Pergola at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, interior moldings at the Orleans County Courthouse and renovations to the Student Union at SUNY Geneseo.
“I was excited to visit Orleans Millworks, an unbelievably successful and innovative business that has done so much to make our community a better place to live,” Hawley said. “The owner, Karl Driesel, is a ‘homegrown boy’ and is a great example of someone who is living out the entrepreneurial spirit and the American dream. I want to congratulate Karl and the entire team at Orleans Millworks for their success and impact on the region.”
Orleans Millworks’ warehouse has stocked over 120,000 feet of lumber and has supplied over 2.5 million feet of trim since 2019. The company has experienced excellent growth over the last few years and has expanded its operations, including a new warehouse expansion in 2020.
Driesel is a 2005 graduate of Kendall High School and a 2009 graduate of Morrisville State College. He lives in Kent with his wife, Rachel, and sons, Joseph and Luke.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2023 at 9:33 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – The Grinch waves to people along the parade route Friday evening in Kendall for the Kendall Fire Department’s annual carnival. The Grinch was part of a float created by local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
The annual carnival welcomed big crowds on Thursday and Friday. The event culminates today.
The schedule today includes:
Corn Hole Tournament at noon
Lawn Mower Tractor Pull at noon
Ride Special from 1 to 5 p.m.
Cruise-in at 4 p.m.
Ride Special from 6 to 10 p.m.
Band: Shotgun Pauly
Fireworks at 10 p.m.
Clifford “C.J.” Provost, a Kendall native who now lives in Brockport, takes pictures of the parade on Friday. Provost said he doesn’t miss the carnival. He looks forward to seeing old friends and seeing the community come together.
“Every year I got to come back,” he said. “It’s a small town. I just love it.”
Nora Rasmusson, 4, of Kendall has fun on the Sky Fighter ride in the midway.
Max Martin, 5, and his sister Alice, 8, of Kendall zoom on the swing ride.
Jeff Partyka holds his granddaughter McKenna, 15 months old, on the merry-go-round.
The Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes and Drums performed in the parade. The band formed in 1998 to honor public safety and military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Dave Smith, assistant chief of the Murray Joint Fire District, marches with other firefighters in the parade. There was a big turnout from departments in Orleans and western Monroe counties.
A lineup of fire trucks joined the procession down Kendall’s main road from the elementary school to past the town hall and fire hall.
Horses and riders from Lone Oak Stables in Kendall remain a big part of the parade. This year the group welcome Before the Last Call, an equine therapy program for first responders and veterans. That program tries to help people with post traumatic stress disorder.
The crowd salutes and gives a standing ovation to the Vietnam Veterans of American, Chapter 20 out of Rochester. These veterans led the parade down Kendall Road.
Sparky the Firedog from Holley waves to the crowd.
State Sen. Rob Ortt greets a person along the parade route. Several local and state officials and candidates were in the parade.
Margaret Buell rides in the parade and is celebrated as Kendall’s oldest resident who was born in the town and continued to live in Kendall. Buell is 91.
“It’s a great town,” she said before the parade. “I have lived here all of my life.”
Betty Wilson rides in the parade with her great-grandchildren, Carson and Finn Carbonel in back. Wilson is Kendall’s oldest resident at age 103. Many on the parade route gave her an enthusiastic greeting.
These kids in the Kendall Rec program ride on a trailer pulled by Partyka Farms. Partyka has been pulling the trailer for more than 30 years in the parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2023 at 4:37 pm
Photos courtesy of Beth Nash/Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES
KENDALL – Kendall’s Class of 2023 celebrated commencement in the junior-senior high school auditorium on Friday.
The top photos show Principal Carol D’Agostino congratulating Riley Robinson on his graduation. He is one of 48 graduates in the class. D’Agostino is retiring June 30 after 18 years of leading the school as principal.
The class gathers on the stage for commencement on Friday evening.
Taigan Guerrero stands to be recognized as one of the graduates. Highlights from her time at Kendall were shared.
These grads include El Chaw, left, and Liza Martinez Tinoco.
Danon O’Brien and Bruce Rasmusson are happy for the next stage of their lives after graduating from Kendall.
These Kendall friends include, from left: Gabriel Loran, Owen Hirschman and Ronald Kuhn.
These members of the Class of 2023 include Arianna Lissow, Aubreye Haskins and Tyana Burroughs.
Speakers at the graduation included, from left: salutatorian Tori Conner, valedictorian Mary Jones and keynote speaker Jim Oschmann, a 1977 Kendall graduate.
Oschmann is the co-founder and advisor of Photonect Interconnect Solutions Inc. and a retired executive from Ball Aerospace.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2023 at 6:48 am
Provided photo
KENDALL – Firefighters kept a shed fire with huge flames and dark smoke from destroing a residence about 10 feet from the fire on Monday afternoon.
The Kendall Fire Department was dispatched to 16653 Roosevelt Highway at 1:09 p.m. on Monday for a shed fire.
Kendall, Hamlin-Morton-Walker Fire District, the Murray Joint Fire District and Hamlin Fire Department all responded to a fully involved shed fire, that was beginning to burn a tree to the west and the Tyvek wrap on the rear of the house. The fire was under control at 1:28 p.m.
“Due to the quick response the fire was contained mainly to the shed with no damage to the inside of the house and minimal damage to the exterior of the residence,” Kendall Fire Department officials posted on the department’s Facebook page. “The shed, which contained a motorcycle, miscellaneous tools and building materials, was a total loss.”
Orleans County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
Besides the four fire departments, Orleans County Emergency Management, Monroe Ambulance and New York State Police responded to the scene.
“Kendall command would like to thank all responders for their quick response which allowed for a quick fire attack, preventing any damage to the residence itself,” Kendall fire officials said.
Provided photos: Lions Club member Helen Unterborn, left, and Kendall Lions Club President Eric Maxon, right, present Zina Cappotelli with the 2023 Lion of the Year Award.
Press Release, Kendall Lions Club
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club held its annual Officer Installation and Awards Dinner on Thursday.
At the meeting Lion Randy Unterborn installed our incoming officers for the 2023-2024 year. The following will lead the club: Eric Maxon, president; Zina Cappotelli, vice president; Steve Giverson, secretary; Julie Bunn, treasurer; Tom Minigiello, Mindy Zyra, Kurt Charland & Bill Ingham, board of directors.
In addition, several members were recognized for their service and leadership in the community and our Lions Club. Zina Cappotelli was awarded the Lion of the Year. Cappotelli has been a member of our club for four years and has actively served our club in many of our service projects and in her role as vice president. She has assumed the role of scheduler for tent rentals, our biggest fundraiser.
Lions Club member Ken DeRoller, left, and President Eric Maxon, right, present Frank Panczyszyn with a Robert J. Uplinger Award for service to the community.
The Robert J. Uplinger Award was presented to Frank Panczyszyn, who has been an active and enthusiastic member for 18 years. He organizes our twice-yearly visit to the Batavia VA hospital where we provide a bingo night for the residents and actively participates in our service, fundraising and social activities.
He is active not only in our club activities but in the community as well, even while wintering in the south. Panczyszyn is active with the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, emceeing their summer concert series and many activities supporting veterans.
Kendall Lions Club member Gary Crawford, left, and President Eric Maxon, right, present Bill Ingham with a Career Lion Award recognizing his active membership and long-term service to the club.
A Career Lion was presented to William Ingham, who has been an active member of the club for 42 years and has served in many leadership roles. He takes an active role in service projects whether it be driving tractor for the annual hayride or cooking at the BBQ, steak roast, spaghetti dinner or highway cleanup. For many years, Ingham organized and hosted the hospitality room at the State Conventions and is always present at our meetings, offering the board of directors his expertise from many years of service.
Kendall Lions Club President Eric Maxon presents June Knapp with a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest award a Lion can receive. Looking on is her husband, Clarendon Lions Club member Don Knapp.
A Melvin Jones Fellowship was awarded to long time member June Knapp. When she transferred to our club, she became the first female member of the Kendall Lions Club opening the door and setting the example for many more who follow in her footsteps.
Knapp and her husband, Clarendon Lions Club member Don Knapp, have been representing the Kendall Lions at both District and State Conventions for many years and are the first to sign up to help at our activities and meetings. When they wintered in Florida, they also provided service through their participation with the Bradenton Lions Club.
KENDALL – The Board of Education has approved Mark Driesel as the next Junior/Senior High School assistant principal and athletic director. He will begin his new position on July 1.
Driesel returns to Kendall school district after serving as an assistant principal at Hilton High School this past school year. Prior to that, he served as a special education teacher and coach at Kendall for nine years.
“I am excited to be rejoining the Kendall family as the assistant principal and athletic director,” said Driesel, a Kendall graduate. “I know the students and staff we have here in Kendall are top tier, and the coming year will bring lots of great things for all. I’m looking forward to the 2023-24 school year!”
Cara Montrois
The Board of Education also approved Cara Montrois as the director of technology. She will begin her new position with the district on July 1.
Montrois comes to Kendall with 22 years of teaching experience and eight years as a Teacher on Special Assignment as the Teacher Center Director at Wheatland-Chili Central School District.
“I am thrilled to begin my journey with the Kendall Central School District,” said Montrois. “I look forward to working with the teachers and administrative team within my position as Director of Technology. There is already a dynamic team in place, and I am eager to join their efforts in supporting all students in achieving at high levels.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2023 at 2:29 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – The driver of a delivery vehicle was taken by Monroe Ambulance this afternoon after her vehicle was knocked on its side in a collision at the intersection of routes 237 and 18.
The delivery van was headed north and failed to yield at stop sign and flashing red light at the intersection, an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy said at the scene.
The delivery van then struck a small bus that was carrying 10 workers. They are installing a new solar project on West Kendall Road. They work for LBFNY Solar which is based in Cato in central New York. None of those workers were injured, the Sheriff’s deputy said.
The accident at 12:20 p.m. kept the intersection closed to traffic for about an hour.
Kendall and Murray firefighters assisted at the scene. Two Sheriff’s deputies, a state trooper and Orleans County Emergency Management Office also responded to the call.
Provided photo: Kendall Lions President Eric Maxon presents Julie Kludt with our annual “Citizen of the Year Award.”
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club honored Julie Kludt as the 2023 Citizen of the Year. The cub gives the annual award to an individual whose volunteerism and dedication have made a significant contribution to the community.
Kludt, through many years of service to both the causes and citizens of Kendall, has never sought recognition. She serves, supports and shows up. She has volunteered for a variety of community organizations over the years.
She has supported the Kendall Fire Auxiliary and Fire Department as she runs the waffle booth at the Kendall Fireman’s Carnival and volunteers at the annual Easter Egg Hunt, coloring eggs and bringing the Easter Bunny to life.
Kludt also volunteers to help our youth with the Recreation Department and Kendall Central School.
“My heart always smiles the biggest when I am with kids,” she said.
Kludt is also active in her church and helps many others through her many acts of kindness throughout the community. The Kendall Lions appreciate the many years of service and congratulate Julie Kludt on her award.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2023 at 12:20 pm
Provided photos
LETCHWORTH – Ben Brundage, 16, of Kendall crosses the finish line on Sunday in the Vale of Three Falls at Letchworth State Park. He completed three courses that day – the Lower Falls 5K, Middle Falls 10K, and Upper Falls 15K.
The previous day he ran the Sehgahunda trail marathon. He covered 72-kilometers in all or 44.7 miles. He is the youngest to ever complete the Sehgahunda 72.
Two years ago he was the youngest at age 14 to finish the Sehgahunda trail marathon. He did it in 7 hours, 43 minutes as a 14-year-old.
The course is notoriously difficult, with a 3,000-foot elevation change on narrow, winding paths.
As a 15-year-old Brundage lowered his trail marathon time to 5 hours, 43 minutes.
Saturday there was a deluge of rain, and the course turned muddy. Brundage still finished in a new personal best of 5 hours, 4 minutes.
That was 34th out of 182 finishers. Not too many would then run another 30-kilometers or 18.6 miles on Sunday.
“It is very challenging but it is a lot of fun,” Brundage said today. “It’s not your average marathon.”
His father Daniel also finished the trail marathon on Saturday. His mother Sarah has conquered the course in previous years.
(Left) Ben Brundage stays focused while running a soggy course at Letchworth on Saturday during the Sehgahunda trail marathon. (Right) Ben Brundage smiles and holds a plaque on Sunday for completing the Sehgahunda 72. All of the finishers receive the “Put a Nail in Me, I’m done” plaque.
Ben is a member of Kendall’s cross country and track teams. He runs the 1,600 meter, 800 meter, 400 meter and 4-by-400 relay for Kendall. He competes at Sectionals on Saturday.
He said he enjoys long-distance running and often trains on the country roads in Kendall, Hamlin, Holley and Albion.
A junior at Kendall, he would like to run cross country in college at the Division II level.
File photo by Tom Rivers: in this photo from May 11, 2017, then Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul is joined by Assemblyman Steve Hawley in thanking members of the National Guard who were filling sandbags in the Kendall Highway Garage. About 50 National Guard members were in Kendall that day filling and placing sandbags for shoreline property owners. High lake waters devoured parts of the shoreline, with backyards slipping into the lake.
Posted 10 May 2023 at 9:12 am
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State agency personnel are closely monitoring the rising water levels along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, as lake levels have surpassed 247 feet, following prolonged rainfall throughout the Great Lakes system in recent weeks.
While water levels have yet to reach and are not forecasted to reach the flood stages seen in 2017 and 2019, agencies including the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are coordinating efforts and preparing resources to assist lakeshore communities with potential flooding impacts. Agencies will make sandbags, pumps and other flood mitigation resources available to local governments, as needed, over the coming weeks.
“Residents who live and work along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have faced tremendous challenges in recent years, but by taking proactive measures and coordinating with our local government partners along the lake, we are ensuring our communities impacted by previous flood events have the resources and information they need to mitigate the impacts of potential flooding this year,” Hochul said. “We will continue to work together with our local and federal partners to monitor Lake Ontario water levels and are ready to deploy resources to protect residents and businesses from flooding on the lakeshore.”
Due to recent heavy rainfall in the Great Lakes system, Lake Ontario’s water level is currently above 247 feet and forecasts suggest levels may continue to rise, as the International Joint Commission (IJC) manages water flows in the system to address flooding throughout the region. In recent years, the lowest points along the lake began to flood at approximately 248 feet. The historic maximum lake level is 249 feet.
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) is working closely with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and other state agency partners to coordinate the availability of flood mitigation resources, including pumps and sandbags, should local emergency management officials request assistance.
This past week, field staff from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) participated in a conference call with local partners from Cayuga, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego and Wayne counties regarding lake levels and discuss the availability of state resources, should flooding become an issue. New York State is also coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on federally-supported preparation efforts in advance of any potential elevated water levels.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Several recent periods of heavy rain have led to above average water levels on Lake Ontario. While there are no active reports of flooding, and the State’s REDI projects have made the shoreline considerably more resilient to high water, we continue to monitor water levels and are prepared to assist shoreline communities with resources, if necessary.”
The following assets are available to deploy from the State’s regional stockpiles to assist shoreline communities:
Melissa Strelick starts July 1 as Kendall Junior/Senior High School principal, following the retirement of Carol D’Agostino.
KENDALL – The Kendall Board of Education has approved Melissa Strelick as the next Junior/Senior High School principal. She will begin her new position on July 1.
“It was apparent throughout the interview process and this past school year that Melissa’s ability to lead instructionally, make connections with staff and students, and her ‘all in’ mentality made her a wonderful fit for the position,” said Superintendent Nick Picardo. “I look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”
Strelick is currently the assistant principal for Grades 7-12 and athletic director for the district, and she has served in both positions since July 2022. Prior to that, Strelick served as an administrator for three years in the Fort Mill School District and as a secondary science teacher for 16 years in the Webster Central School District.
“I am extremely humbled to be introduced as the new principal of Kendall Junior/Senior High School,” Strelick said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to honor the legacy of the school and contribute to the culture of excellence and care. I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to continue our strong tradition of respect, creativity and achievement at Kendall.”
