Long-awaited project comes in under budget

Photos by Tom Rivers: A pedestrian bridge will soon be built across the Oak Orchard Creek along Maple Ridge Road (Route 31A) in Medina. This area will get about 2,000 feet of new sidewalks.

MEDINA – Four contractors submitted bids by today’s 3 p.m. deadline for a new pedestrian bridge and about 2,000 feet of sidewalks on Maple Ridge Road.

The bids were opened at the village office by Jason Watts, Medina’s superintendent of the Department of Public Works.

The bids include:

• $837,448 by RJT Construction Services in Rochester
• $943,088 by Keeler Construction in Barre
• $977,000 by Rochester Earth Inc. in Churchville
• $1,058,485 by C.P. Ward in Scottsville

The bids will be reviewed and the Village Board may choose the bidder during its meeting on Monday. Village officials were pleased with the bids, and said the project will be under budget.

The new bridge and sidewalks have been several years in the waiting. The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent will be paid locally from the village ($55,000), Town of Shelby ($130,000) and Orleans County ($97,500). The money comes from a revolving loan fund that was administered by the Orleans Economic Development Agency. The state in 2019 required funds be ended with the money staying in the community for projects if they are for handicapped accessible initiatives or if they assist a neighborhood that is predominantly low-income.

The section of Maple Ridge Road by the creek has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the project will make it much safer for residents and cyclists along that stretch of Maple Ridge. The spot by the creek, in particular, has a very narrow space for pedestrians and cyclists. The pedestrian bridge will be north of the busy road.

The sidewalks will go 200 feet east of the Intersection of Maple Ridge Road (NY 31A) and South Main Street (NY 63), and then to 1,900 feet east of the intersection of Maple Ridge Road (NY 31A) and South Main Street (NY 63).

The Barton & Loguidice firm worked on the design of the bridge, and worked to secure easements from utility companies and property owners.

Jason Watts, superintendent of the Medina Department of Public Works, opens bids from four contractors this afternoon. Miranda Herbert, the village’s deputy clerk, records the bid amounts.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has given its blessing for the Medina Triennial to have art installations at State Street Park and Rotary Park, but the board is holding off approval for sculptures at Gulf Street Park.

Those sculptures would be close to the playground equipment at Gulf Street, and might be taking away too much of the play area for kids, two of the park’s neighbors told the board recently.

The board has asked leaders of the Triennial to see if other areas of the park farther away from the playground, or perhaps even a different site would work for the sculpture.

Two nearby residents, Jim Hibbard and Ron Stork, both spoke during a recent board meeting, saying they didn’t think the sculptures should be so close to the playground.

Stork said there would be several tall sculptures that would take up a big footprint at the park. He suggested the Triennial put the art installation at State Street Park. He also wondered inf the installation would stay after the Triennial, which runs from June 6 to Sept. 7 and is expected to bring 50,000 visitors to Medina.

Organizers have said some of the installations could stay long-term, but that is up to the village or the host property.

The debut of the Medina Triennial will feature works from 35 different artists at 12 sites in the community. Organizers are trying to keep the locations within a 15-minute walk of each other.

At State Street Park, the Village Board approved a project that will have barnacles resting on top of four slate boulders. Barnacles are strong indicators of water quality and the sculpture symbolizes the power of natural materials to filter and purify water. The sculpture will be created in Buffalo and transported into Medina.

The artist making this sculpture created a similar piece for a biennial in the United Kingdom, said Triennial co-artistic director Karin Laansoo. She spoke at the Jan. 15 board meeting.

The artists’ names haven’t been officially announced yet. The Triennial expects to announce the artists and their projects in March and April.

At Rotary Park, the Triennial wants to feature a shed-like sculpture filled with handmade objects for birds, including nesting materials and perches.

The shed is 7 feet tall and about 4 ½ feet wide. The sculpture will have a protective plexiglass screen attached to the front to protect the contents inside. Laansoo said this sculpture is whimsical and shows the artists’ sense of humor.

At Gulf Street Park, an artist wants to create a sculpture stacked with stone pillars. The artist is working with students from the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. They want to locate unused Medina Sandstone, scan that in 3D and assemble the stone into precise sculptures through computational processes.

Mark Prawel, a Medina village trustee, said the sculpture will result in extra work for the DPW to mow around the objects.

Matt Hollenback, the Triennial’s head producer, said the Triennial is looking to finalize sites to showcase this art installation and others.

“We want to do something that makes sense for Medina,” he told the board. “We want something that people can interact and connect with.”

Photo from Medina FD: Medina firefighters evacuated more than 20 homes after a natural gas meter was damaged by falling ice.

MEDINA – A residential gas meter that was damaged by falling ice from a roof resulted in an uncontrolled gas leak at Applewood Mobile Home Estates on Sunday afternoon.

Medina firefighters were dispatched at 4:48 p.m. for a reported natural gas leak at 1 Pebbleridge Drive, with the caller noting a strong smell and sound of gas outside.

Upon arrival Medina firefighters detected a strong odor of natural gas. Medina firefighters notified Orleans County dispatchers and requested an expedited response from New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG).

At the same time, firefighters conducted door-to-door notifications and safely evacuated more than 20 nearby homes as a precaution, ensuring the immediate area was cleared until the hazard could be mitigated, said Steve Cooley, the Medina fire chief.

Due to the extent of the damage to the meter, firefighters were unable to shut off the gas supply and were required to await NYSEG personnel to secure the leak, Cooley said.

Medina firefighters kept Engine 11 and Engine 12 strategically positioned on either side of the incident scene and supplied by a nearby fire hydrant as a precautionary measure to ensure immediate fire suppression capability if needed, Cooley said.

NYSEG representatives arrived on scene and worked to safely stop the flow of natural gas, he said.

Board may vote Feb. 23 on whether to put it as a referendum on March 18

MEDINA – Will the public get a say in whether the village moves its elections from March to June?

The Village Board is expected to vote on Feb. 23 whether the issue will be a referendum in the March 18 election.

During Monday’s board meeting, Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Trustee Jess Marciano said they favor putting it to a public vote.

Trustees Deb Padoleski, Mark Prawel and Scott Bieliski all said they favor keeping the election in March.

Marciano has led the effort to move the village elections back three months. She said the timing would be better for incoming board members who could ease into their roles of the running the village government.

With the election the third week in March, the elected board members start their terms on April 1 and then are tasked with putting together the village’s budget by April 30.

Marciano said that isn’t a good fit to have inexperienced people developing the village’s budget and setting the tax rate.

Other forms of local government – town boards, county legislature, fire districts and school boards – all have their elected officials start terms after the budgets have been developed.

Padoleski, a retired Medina village-clerk treasurer, said she is “hesitant” to put the issue to a public vote on March 18. She said the election would add more work to the clerk’s office in June during what is already a very busy time in the office.

Padoleski said it is beneficial for the new board members to have a say in the budget process. If the election was the third Tuesday in June – after the village fiscal year starts on June 1 – the newly elected board members “work with a budget you had nothing to do with.”

Prawel also said new board members gain a deeper understanding of the village government by being part of the budget process and working with the department heads on the spending plan for the village.

“I think you should be part of the budget process,” Prawel said. “It certainly helped me.”

Mayor Sherman said the public sits in many of the budget discussions and often offers feedback. But Prawel said that is different than having a seat at the table and making budget decisions.

Moving the election back would also mean warmer weather for the vote, and when candidates are out securing signatures for their petitions and campaigning. The candidate petitions – signed by at least 100 registered voters in the village – currently are due in early February.

Bieliski acknowledged the winter season is tough on candidates for getting signatures and going door to door. But he said he wouldn’t want to take office and have to work with a budget put together by the prior board.

“I’d rather work with a budget I created than one handed to me,” he said.

Marciano said she believes village residents ultimately get a better budget product with experienced board members working on the budget.

She said she will introduce the resolution on Feb. 23 to move the elections to June. If at least three of the five board members back that resolution, it would be on the March 18 ballot and would take effect in 2027.

“Let’s see how the residents feel and put it on the ballot,” Sherman said.

MEDINA – Medina’s Lenten luncheon series hosted by the Medina Area Association of Churches will begin Feb. 19 and take place at noon every Thursday for six weeks at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street.

Participating churches will provide lunch on a rotating basis, followed by a meaningful reflection.

The first lunch Feb. 19 will be soup and sandwich provided by the First Presbyterian Church, followed by pasta on March 6 by Holy Trinity, quiche by One Church on March 6, pulled pork by Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship on March 12, beef on weck March 19 by New Hope Community Church and scalloped potatoes and ham March 26, prepared by the Grove United Methodist Church.

Everyone is welcome to stop in to share in the meal and fellowship, said Barb Hancock, organizer of the Lenten lunches.

Meals begin at noon and the program ends at 1 p.m. Takeouts are available, beginning at noon. There is a suggested donation of $5 for lunch, with all the proceeds going to the Meals on Wheels program and the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion.

Comfortable seating for guests is available in the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.

Internationally recognized Mexican artist and composer will premiere work during Triennial arts initiative

Press Release, Medina Triennial and Go Art!

MEDINA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) is pleased to partner with the Medina Triennial to announce a casting call for community participants in a collaborative performance artwork premiering during the Triennial’s inaugural event in 2026.

This unique opportunity invites individuals of all ages and backgrounds to take part in a filmed performance created by a renowned Mexican artist in collaboration with a composer and sound artist. The work will explore the history and hydrology of the Erie Canal through simple, guided vocal actions that together form an immersive soundscape.

Casting Call Details

• The Medina Triennial will run from June through September 2026, highlighting contemporary art and community engagement throughout Medina and the Erie Canal corridor.
• Participants are needed for a filmed performance directed by an internationally recognized artist.
• The performance will feature accessible vocal actions, requiring no prior training.
• Filming will take place on March 28 at 324 Catherine St., Medina (the former Medina High School) with optional rehearsals on March 25 and 26.

Participant Requirements

• Open to singers, vocal enthusiasts, movers, and community members of all ages; no experience necessary.
• Participants must provide their own transportation to Medina.
• Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and submit a signed photo release.

Application Process

• Interested individuals or groups should complete the participation form by February 20.
• All participants will be credited and must consent to being filmed for promotional and archival purposes.
• The casting call and application form are available on the Medina Triennial website.

Or click here to apply online.

Hard copy applications are also available at GO Art!

Contact: Federico Rosario, Community Engagement & Programs Coordinator for the Medina Triennial, at info@medinatriennial.org.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Rollin Hellner speaks during a Jan. 29 Medina Village Board held at the high school auditorium. At the meeting he faulted the board for poor planning with the purchase of a new ladder truck without having a spot to place it. During the meeting Hellner said he was running for mayor in the March 18 election, but he decided not to seek the position and is instead backing Deborah Padoleski, a retired village clerk-treasurer and current trustee. Padoleski on Feb. 9 made the motion to declare the ladder truck surplus, and two other trustees backed that motion.

MEDINA – Rollin Hellner’s supporters have his signs around Medina, urging people to vote for him for mayor and “Make Medina Greater” on March 18.

But Hellner ultimately decided not to pursue the position. Tuesday was the deadline for submitting petitions signed by at least 100 registered voters in Medina. Hellner, 32, said he had enough signatures but is instead throwing his support behind Deborah Padoleski.

That makes it a two-person race with Padoleski against current Mayor Marguerite Sherman.

Hellner, owner of The Walsh, also owns a property development business. He said he didn’t want to split votes with Padoleski, who he said shares a similar goal as mayor. When Hellner announced his campaign for mayor, he said he didn’t know Padoleski also was planning to run.

He shares Padoleski’s position that the village didn’t do enough planning with the new ladder truck and fire hall addition, and its high taxes are driving out residents and discouraging businesses from investing in Medina.

“We have similar views,” Hellner said today about Padoleski. “A lot of business owners are frustrated with the current administration. And the taxes are just burying people.”

Hellner said village officials can come across as picking favorites and not always being fair in applying the rules.

He said the board and village government need to develop a plan for addressing the aging water and sewer lines, and also the sidewalks in disrepair.

He regrets Medina is now in the news around Western New York about the ladder truck and not having a permanent place to put it. The truck was in the compost facility and now will go to the DPW garage which is heated – until the board decides whether to sell it or keep it.

“The fire truck gets a lot of press coverage and it’s embarrassing,” Hellner said. “People see the division on board that’s not the Medina I came here for.”

He believes Padoleski can be a strong agent of change in bringing down the tax burden and helping to unify the village government.

Hellner has encouraged people who have campaign signs out for him to swap them out once the new ones arrive for Padoleski.

Sherman has been the mayor for nearly two years. She announced on Jan. 29 she wants to form a Long-Term Strategic Planning Committee to focus on Medina’s short and long-term infrastructure needs, financial sustainability, and responsible growth while preserving the character of our village.

Padoleski is running as a team with trustee candidates, Mark Prawel and Jeff Wagner. They are running under the “People’s Party.” Sherman is running under the “Village Party.”

Another candidate, Dean Bellack, is running for trustee under the “Connect Orleans Party.”

Medina’s local election don’t have the major political parties. Candidates instead pick an independent party line.

The Medina Village Board is shown during a meeting on Jan. 29 in the high school auditorium. From left include Trustee Deborah Padoleski, Trustee Jess Marciano, Village Clerk-Treasurer Jada Burgess, Mayor Marguerite Sherman, Trustee Mark Prawel and Trustee Scott Bieliski.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Archery instructor Merle Fredericks, left, greets young archery Aric Fox and his grandparents Mark and Pam Coville prior to the conclusion of the third archery class at the YMCA in Medina last Monday night.

MEDINA – The third archery class at the YMCA – started and run by Merle and Mitzi Fredericks – wrapped up eight weeks of competition last Monday evening, with a final shoot, some novelty shooting and awarding of trophies to the top three archers.

Fredericks who runs the local chapter of Christian Bowhunters of America at his home, got the idea for the indoor archery range several years ago and after getting permission from the YMCA, spent months clearing out what used to be the indoor shooting range for the National Guard when they occupied the armory.

Students (boys and girls) in grades four through 12 compete for eight weeks. An important component of the classes is learning to be a Christian and each night, in addition to archery instruction, students have a half hour of Scripture.

Archery students and their families and friends wait to be welcomed to the final competition and awarding of trophies after eight weeks of classes at the YMCA.

Students not only learn how to shoot a bow and arrow, but stewardship and good sportsmanship.

Mark and Pam Coville came to watch their grandson Aric Fox, 10, a first-year archer.

“We saw the ad for the classes and saw it was a Christian event,” Mark said. “It sounded like a good program. Aric’s dad is an avid hunter, and like a typical 10-year-old boy, Aric loves to hunt and the outdoors. We shoot in here and outside in summer.”

Instructors of the archery program with Merle and Mitzi are Doug Egert of Middleport and John Curtin of Medina, all certified by the North American Archery in Schools Program.

Merle and Mitzi Fredericks, Doug Egert of Middleport and John Curtin of Medina are all certified archery instructors who work with children in the new archery program at the YMCA in Medina.

Andy and Ann Fisher-Bale enrolled their son Mason, 9-1/2, in the archery program.

“He has participated in other things at the Y and learned about this,” Ann said. Dad is also an archer and his older sister likes to shoot, too.”

The evening concluded with awarding of trophies and refreshments. The top three archers were Niaweik Mt. Pleasant, first, with 1,060 points; Cole Jackson, second, with 1,044 points; and Quincy Atwater, third, with 993 points.

Merle said they have a waiting list to join the archery class.

“Kids just love it,” he said.  “I’m proud of all these kids. We are planning something for them in summer, also.”

The next class will begin later in spring, and any child in fourth through 12th grade who is interested may sign up by contacting the Fredericks on Facebook, by e-mail at mfred2@hughes.net or by calling (585) 765-2839.

An important part of the archery classes sponsored by the Christian Bowhunters of America is learning to be a Christian. Here, leader Merle Fredericks leads the class in a few minutes of devotion.

Press Release, Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman

MEDINA –  As the cost of living continues to rise, the Village of Medina is highlighting its Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption as an important way to help older residents remain in their homes and manage increasing expenses.

This exemption is the result of the Village of Medina taking action under Section 467 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law, which authorizes municipal corporations to enact a local law granting up to a 50 percent property tax exemption for qualifying homeowners 65 years of age and older.

The Village’s Local Law was officially filed with the New York State Department of State on March 19, 2024, reinforcing Medina’s commitment to affordability for seniors.

The exemption provides meaningful, income-based tax relief for seniors living on fixed or limited incomes.

Senior Property Tax Exemption highlights include:

• Available to homeowners age 65 and older
• Authorized under Section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law
• Based on annual household income, including Social Security and retirement benefits
• Income limit to qualify: $24,700
• Graduated tax exemptions ranging from 20% to 50%, depending on income level

The property must be the owner’s primary legal residence, used exclusively for residential purposes, and owned for at least 12 consecutive months.

Applications with proof of income must be filed with the Assessor’s Office by the taxable status date of March 1. Julie Cecchini is the assessor for both Shelby and Ridgeway.

“Our seniors are feeling the pressure of higher prices everywhere – from groceries to utilities,” said Marguerite Sherman, mayor of the Village of Medina. “By taking action under Section 467, the Village is using every tool available to help ease that burden and ensure residents can afford to stay in the homes and community they love.”

Sherman emphasized that affordability must remain a priority as costs continue to rise.

“Affordability isn’t a buzzword – it’s a responsibility,” she added. “This exemption reflects deliberate action to support seniors and protect longtime residents from being priced out of Medina.”

Eligible residents are encouraged to pick up a form at the Village Clerk’s office, the Town of Ridgeway Assessor’s office, or on either website. Residents must file the application with the Assessor’s office by March 1, 2026.

MEDINA – Families who purchased “Hometown Hero” banners for the first time in 2023 may now take them home to keep.

Mary Woodruff, who originated and runs the banner program in Medina, will be at the conference room at the village clerk’s office on Park Avenue from 9 a.m. top 4:30 p.m. on Thursday for family and friends who want to pick up their veteran’s banner.

Those who wish to have banners mailed to them may contact Woodruff at (585) 798-4438 or by e-mailing mbwoodruff16@gmail.com.

Information on purchasing a banner for spring and summer 2026 will be forthcoming in an article on Orleans Hub in the near future.

District implemented own policy about a year ago, before state-wide ban in September

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mollie Mark, assistant principal at Medina Junior-Senior High School, goes over data on student discipline that shows a drop in referrals since students have been banned from using their cell phones during the school day.

MEDINA – It was just over a year ago when the Medina Junior-Senior High School implemented a “bell to bell” cell phone ban in the school.

Medina started the new policy in January 2025, the beginning of the second semester. The district was ahead of the state which imposed its own state-wide cell phone ban in schools beginning in September at the start of the new school year.

Medina has seen a drop in student discipline referrals since instituting the new cell phone policy, and students report they are better able to focus on their studies. The hallways and cafeteria also are much noisier, which is a good sign that students are talking and laughing with their classmates rather than scrolling on their phones, said Mollie Mark, the school’s assistant principal.

She and Michael Cavanaugh, the junior-senior high principal, presented data to the Board of Education on Tuesday about student discipline and phone violations.

Discipline Data – first semester from September to January

• 2025-26: 562
• 2024-25: 727
• 2023-24: 744
• 2022-23: 623
• 2021-22: 1,104

Phone violations

• 2024-25: 156 first violations, 15 violations and 11 contracts
• 2025-26: 73 first violations, 8 second violations and 0 contracts

The school policy sets the following discipline for students who violate the cell phone policy:

• First Offense – Student delivers device to the main office and may pick it up at the end of the day.

• Second Offense – Student delivers device to the main office and is held for parent pick-up.

• Third Offense – Student delivers device to the main office and is held for parent pick up. A conference is then held and a contract is put into place with the parent/guardian.

Cavanaugh told the board there has been a “transformative change” in the school building since the new policy started. Students have to keep all devices silenced and in their lockers for the duration of the school day – from 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.   That includes cell phones, earbuds/headphones, tablets and smartwatches. (The only exceptions to this policy are with a note provided by a medical doctor and the approval of school administration.)

Cavanaugh interviewed students on video about the policy change and showed their responses.

“People are interacting more with each other rather than sitting on their phone,” one male student said.

Other students said the school atmosphere is much more calmer.

“Everyone gets along better,” the male student said.

Students aren’t recording each other or posting on social media about other students during the school day, reducing a lot of anxiety among students.

“It’s easier to pay attention in class,” another male student said. “It’s less stressful.”

A female high school student said she is better able to focus on her classwork and made the honor for the first two marking periods this school year.

“It’s less stressful because I’m not constantly checking the phone,” she said.