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Lee-Whedon library leaders seek support for $5.2 million bond vote on Dec. 10

Photos by Tom Rivers: Emily Connors, a project architect at Passero Associates in Rochester, discusses the layout of a proposed 4,785-square-foot addition to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. About 75 people attended a public information meeting on Tuesday evening at the library. Registered voters in the Medina school district can go to the polls on Dec. 10 from noon to 8 p.m. at the district office to determine whether the library can take out a bond for up to $5.2 million.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2024 at 11:53 am

MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library officials presented a plan to expand the library on Tuesday evening to about 75 community members.

Lee-Whedon is seeking the public’s support for a $5.2 million bond. A vote will be from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the district office for Medina, next to the high school.

Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing, discussed the financial impacts of the bond.

The expansion would go on the back of the current library at 620 West Ave. The current building is 11,100 square feet.

The 4,785-square-foot addition would create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, a teen room and 14 parking spots.

There would also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.

The library already has $795,320 in grants secured and $175,000 in reserves, leaving a $4,229,680 to be financed over 20 years. That would result in a $48 a year increase in taxes for homes valued at $100,000, said Christine Crowley, president and municipal advisor with Fiscal Advisors and Marketing.

That represents the “worst-case scenario,” she said, because the library is likely to get additional grants and raise money in a capital campaign.

The library is seeking an additional $789,520 grant from the state for library construction. If that is secured, the amount to be financed would be $3,4410,160, lowering the tax impact to an average of $39 for houses at $100,000 in assessed value, Crowley said.

The library also expects it could raise $500,000 in a fundraising or capital campaign. If that is successful, the amount to finance would be $2,940,160 or a $34 impact for property assessed at $100,000.

Kristine Mostyn, the library director, noted Lee-Whedon has already acquired and razed two buildings behind the library for the addition. That property and building demolition has already been paid for.

Passero Associates showed a rendering of the front of the building, which includes an overhang near the entrance. That creates a visual impact, draws attention to the entrance and gives a spot to protect from rain and snow.

Passero Associates presented this rendering of the addition, showing how it blends in with the existing building. The addition would be from the three windows on the left.

Mostyn shared statistics from the library, including being open 287 days a year, hosts 371 annual programs attended by 6,899 people, summer programs attended by 1,411 children, 28 community partners, 650 monthly WiFi and computer users, and 103,769 items borrowed a year.

The expansion would allow the library to meet a growing need for meeting space. Right now there aren’t dedicated meeting rooms, and no individual tutoring space.

The library currently has five full-time staff and six part-timers. As part of the expansion, it would add one part-timer, Mostyn said.

If the bond resolution is approved by the public, construction on the addition is expected to start in 2025.

Residents attended the public information meeting to hear about the expansion and the impact on taxpayers.

Medina A’Capella Choir helps senior citizens celebrate holiday season

Rachel Trillizio, director of the A’Capella Choir, greets the audience during their visit to the Medina Senior Center on Monday. Singing for the Senior Center has been an annual tradition for many decades.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 December 2024 at 9:59 am

MEDINA – Senior citizens packed the Senior Center of Western Orleans in Medina on Monday for their annual Christmas dinner and entertainment by Medina High School’s A’Capella Select Choir.

Following the business meeting, director Kelly Shaw handed out $40 gift cards to Tops to 10 seniors whose names were drawn. Concluding the meeting, president Lynn Creasey presented Shaw with a check in appreciation of all she does for the center and its seniors.

Dinner was potluck with beef on weck provided by the center and an array of Christmas cookies.

A highlight of the Christmas dinner every year is a visit from the A’Capella Select Choir, under the current leadership of Rachel Trillizio.

“Their visit is an annual tradition,” Shaw said. “I’ve been here 20 years and they were coming here back then. They’ve never missed a year.”

(Left) Medina Senior Center director Kelly Shaw, right, presents a poinsettia to A’Capella Choir director Rachel Trillizio, after their performance Monday at the Senior Center Christmas party. Each choir member received a decorated Christmas cookie to take home. (Right) Lynn Creasey, president of the Senior Citizens of Western New York, presents a check to Kelly Shaw in appreciation of her hard work and dedication to the seniors.

The choir sang a number of old favorite Christmas carols, including Silent Night, Oh Come all Ye Faithful and Joy to the World, along with several praise and gospel tunes, such as Alleluia Madrigal and Nanita Lullaby in Spanish.

“I’m the luckiest person in the world to work with these kids, who give 99.9% of their time to being in the musical program, including choir, marching band and plays,” Trillizio said. “Some of them want to go to college to study music, but those who don’t still show the same amount of pride, passion and dedication to the Music Department.”

Student Riley Tompkins was among the members who sang for the senior citizens on Monday.

“It is always a very enjoyable experience to share our music with people who have been a part of the community for years,” Tompkins said. “It is always a blast to sing in front of them, as they are a very fun audience who love hearing us sing. It means so much knowing that our hard work is recognized with grace. Performing in the Medina community means the world to me, and the people involved are always the highest of excellence.”

Rachel Trillizio, director of the A’Capella Choir, greets the audience during their visit to the Medina Senior Center on Monday. Singing for the Senior Center has been an annual tradition for many decades.

Another member of the Select Choir is junior Ava Blount. This is her second year in the choir and Select ensemble.

“A’Capella has been a safe space for me these past two years,” Blount said. “No matter what kind of day I’m having, it never fails to brighten my day. Performing for my community has been an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life – seeing all the little kids faces light up when we sing our Christmas carols, and seeing proud parents and sibling watch their babies carry on family traditions. And to those at the Senior Center, I value this experience because I admire carrying on the legacy that was created so many years ago. Yesterday was special, watching everyone’s reactions and faces as we sang songs they once sang. Carrying on this legacy and seeing everyone in the community enjoying our art, no matter what their age, truly makes our hard work worthwhile.”

Trillizio praised her forerunners who built and maintained the A’Capella Choir, namely the late Robert Conner and Lisa Roesseler.

Trillizio said they have sung every year, even during the Covid pandemic when they had to stand three feet apart and wear masks.

Trillizio ended by reminding the audience of their annual A’Capella Community Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 at St. Mary’s Church.

More photos from Medina’s dazzling Parade of Lights

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2024 at 8:12 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd along Main Street on Saturday night. Several thousand people braved the frigid temperatures to watch nearly 50 decorative floats, bands and fire trucks.

Takeform created this float which has been used the past three parades to bring in Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Talis Historic Restoration in Medina was among several first-time parade participants.

Case-Nic Cookies created another float for the parade. Case-Nic has been in all 16 of the parades. The store is closing at the end of December with owner Mary Lou Tuohey retiring after 29 years in the cookie business.

Ginny Kropf, a long-time local news reporter, served as grand marshal of the parade. Kropf also has long been involved in community organizations, and currently serves on the boards for the Orleans County United Way and Medina Railroad Museum.

“I’ve been to every Parade of Lights but one, so it was a great honor to have been chosen grand marshal of this spectacular event,” Kropf said. “I am truly amazed at the work and creativity of everyone who entered a float. It was truly a magical evening, even with the cold!”

The Pembroke marching band lighted up their instruments while performing in the parade.

Oak Orchard Health joined the fun in the parade.

M.J. Dreher Trucking in Brockport

East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company

Great Grandpa’s Truck included one of several Grinch characters in the parade.

Orleans Community Health participated in the parade with residents from the North Wing at Medina Memorial Hospital in the van, waving to the crowd.

Cub Scout Pack 18 had Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other characters from Peanuts.

Cycling Without Age featured Sebastian Erakare pedaling a tri-shaw bike down Main Street. He is giving a ride to his wife Bradeen Walders Erakare and her mother, Susan Walders. Walders started the organization in Orleans County that using the tri-shaw to give senior citizens rides.

Newton Racing/Petry’s Pulling Team

Eye of Oden K9 Training

The Medina Fire Department

The Medina Lions Club

The Medina Marching Band

Bentley Brothers in Albion and Brockport created this float. The business is nearing its 100th anniversary.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee

Prime Time Brass

Logan’s Landscaping

Mark Time Marchers

Winning floats announced in Medina’s Parade of Lights

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2024 at 5:49 pm

Orleans/Niagara BOCES named grand champion of 16th annual parade

MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES has been named the grand champion in Saturday’s 16th annual Parade of Lights.

There were nearly 50 participants in the parade. The BOCES receives a $500 check as the grand champion. Other winners receive $300. All of the winning floats and participants receive a plaque from the Parade of Lights.

The float included a 1954 John Deere 40U tractor restored at Orleans/Niagara BOCES by Matthew Page.

The Orleans/Niagara BOCES works on their winning float ready for the parade in a staging area at the Olde Pickle Factory. The parade route went from the Olde Pickle Factory down Park Avenue and north on Main Street.

The winners in the different categories include:

Best in Class (Not-for-Profit) – Niagara County 4-H Equine

Best in Class (Commercial) – Mahar Excavating

Best in Class (Service Clubs) – Albion FFA

Best in Class (Religious) – The Vine (formerly Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God in Medina)

Best in Class (Fire companies) – Albion Fire Department

Best on Class – Metz’s Family Christmas

Star Award (for creativity) – Western New York Energy

Santa’s Pick – Heveron Electric

Littlest Elf Award (that best incorporate youths and adults in float) – Albion Girl Scouts

Community Spirit Award – Painted Sky Ranch/Monroe County 4-H

Before the big parade, fireworks lighted up sky in downtown Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2024 at 11:06 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Fireworks created a spectacle in the sky just before the Parade of Lights in Medina on Saturday evening.

Young Explosives in Rochester set off the fireworks from the canal, exploding over Main Street.

Bent’s Opera House is decked out for the holidays, and has added two large nutcrackers and a giant ornament to add to Medina’s decorations.

A big crowd gathered on Main Street in front of Bent’s to watch the fireworks and Parade of Lights.

Pets get a parade at Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2024 at 3:29 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – This dachshund is decked out for Christmas during today’s Pet parade at noon down Main Street in Medina.

The parade started on West Avenue at the Medina Historical Society.

There was a big group of pets with many in costume for the parade.

Medina Village Trustees Jess Marciano as Olaf and Dianna Baker as Anna from Frozen wave to the crowd. They are joined by Marciano’s daughter, Cadence.

The Cutest Little Elf contest winners, Paisley Morgott of Medina and Kenslee Smak of Batavia, got to walk in the parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Zach and Andrea Busch walked in the pet parade with Winston, a Labradoodle.

Chris Seefeldt is the Grinch and Stacey Seefeldt dressed as Cindy Lou Who for the parade.

Lynne Menz, left, brought two dogs and Kelly Kiebala brought one for the parade. Kiebala’s and one of Menz’s dogs are brothers from the same litter. Menz is shown with Brody, a Pomeranian Husky; and Bo, a Pomeranian Sheltie. Kiebala’s dog is named Teddy, a Pomeranian Sheltie.

The Medina High School Band played Christmas music in the noon parade.

Santa and Mrs. Claus acknowledge the crowd on Main Street.

The Parade of Lights is at 6 p.m.

150 tackle chilly 5K to start Medina’s Christmas festival

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2024 at 2:23 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Medina High School students Riley Tompkins is dressed as an elf and Logan Trillizio wore a Santa costume in today’s Home for the Holidays 5K in Medina. They are sprinting at the end of the race on North Main Street near the American Legion. (St. Mary’s Catholic Church is in the background.)

There were 150 participants in today’s event with temperatures in the low 30s.

Debbie Tompkins welcomes the runners to the race when they gathered near the starting line in the Canal Basin. She organizes the race with Teresa Wilkins.

Proceeds from the race are planned to go to backpack food program at Oak Orchard Primary School and a new scholarship program at the school.

Jeremy Weakland of Gasport carries an American flag while running next to his son, Jeremy Weakland Jr., 12. They finished in 37:16.

Arian Cayea, 20, of Medina was the first male in a time of 19:05 while Jen Curtis, 34, of New York was the first female with a time of 22:06.

There are events throughout the day in Medina for the Hometown Christmas celebration, including the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m.

Engineering firm working on concept plan for Medina fire hall addition

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 November 2024 at 9:27 am

Mayor: Project will fit in with historic district and ‘won’t break the back of the taxpayers’

File photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Village Board is working to get a new one-bay addition on the fire hall, which doesn’t have enough room for a new ladder truck due to arrive in December 2025.

MEDINA – An engineering firm is working on a concept design for a one-bay addition to a the Medina fire hall.

That added room is needed to for a new ladder truck that is expected to arrive in just over a year.

Medina has hired the MRB Group for $15,000 to prepare the design. Those renderings can help the village pursue grants and financing for the project, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.

The Village Board also approved an $800 contract with Paradigm Environmental Services to complete an asbestos survey at the fire hall. The company took samples and found no environmental issues standing in the way of the addition, Sherman said at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

The board was looking at a two-day addition to the fire hall plus renovations to the current building, but those construction estimates were about $6 million.

The board deemed that too expensive for the village. The cost of a one-day addition concerns board members but they said the project must go forward with the impending arrival of a ladder truck that won’t fit in the current fire hall.

The village is replacing a ladder truck from 1996. That truck has a ladder that is 75 feet long. That truck barely has clearance in the garage. The ladder truck has a clearance of 10.4 feet but the space in the garage is 10 feet, 6 inches, Jackson said.

The new ladder trucks have a clearance of 13 feet. The new hall addition is expected to have clearance up to 14 feet.

Trustee Jess Marciano said the concept plan has “basic schematics.”

“Essentially this project will come down to dollars per square foot,” she said.

Village Board members said the time frame is tight to have the addition done in time for the fire truck, but they said it should be ready.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the addition will blend in with the historic downtown.

“It will only park a fire truck and not detract from the look of the historic district,” she said. “It won’t break the back of the taxpayers.”

Medina Village Board asks state to increase AIM for municipalities

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2024 at 9:37 am

MEDINA – The state budget approved last April did something that hadn’t been done in 15 years: it increased funding to towns, villages and cities for Aid and Incentives to Municipalities or AIM.

The budget increased AIM by $50 million or 7 percent from the $715 million. The boost mostly went to cities, which get 90 percent of the AIM total.

Little of the AIM funding comes to Orleans County because there isn’t a city in the county.

The Medina Village Board on Monday passed a formal resolution asking the State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul to keep the $50 million increase in AIM, which was presented in April as “Temporary Municipal Assistance.”

Medina also is calling on the state to go beyond the $50 million increase to help municipalities as they wrestle with rising costs of inflation, maintaining infrastructure, providing public safety and other services.

“The Village of Medina urges state officials to recognize the need for a long-term plan that ensures consistent and predictable increases in financial support for local governments that keep pace with inflation,” the Medina resolution states.

The “Temporary Municipal Assistance” gave towns and villages in Orleans County a slight boost in aid.

This list shows what they were getting in AIM in 2023-24, and then the additional funds approved in 2024-25:

Towns

  • Albion, $46,944 plus $3,284
  • Barre, $12,486 plus $873
  • Carlton, $13,680 plus $957
  • Clarendon, $11,416 plus $799
  • Gaines, $21,323 plus $1,492
  • Kendall, $21,299 plus $1,490
  • Murray, $44,677 plus $3,125
  • Ridgeway, $46,273 plus $3,237
  • Shelby, $45,007 plus $3,149
  • Yates, $10,421 plus $729

Villages

  • Albion, $38,811 plus $2,715
  • Holley, $17,786 plus $1,244
  • Lyndonville, $6,251 plus $437
  • Medina, $45,523 plus $3,185

The New York Conference of Mayors, a state-wide association representing cities and villages, is urging municipalities to pass resolutions in support of keeping the $50 million AIM increase and adding more. NYCOM last year said the state should increase the AIM total to $1.1 billion (up from the $765 million) to keep up with the cost of inflation after more than a decade of no increases until last year.

Decorate Medina Committee works its magic at Rotary Park

Photos courtesy of Mary Woodruff: Cal Tuohey and his son Jackson hang the letters for Christmas greetings on the railing around Rotary Park.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 November 2024 at 8:30 am

MEDINA – Decorating Medina has become a holiday tradition with dependable volunteers as reliable as the Thanksgiving turkey and arrival of Santa Claus.

The first organized effort to decorate the village was the result of an idea brought back by the late Rev. Burt Entrekin from a trip he took out of state. He had visited a town elaborately decorated for Christmas, and he thought, “Why don’t we do that in Medina?”

That was more than 45 years ago, said Mary Woodruff, a member of the committee.

Year after year, donations poured in and more decorations were added.

Sue DeHollander, Mike Carey (behind the reindeer’s antlers) and Paul Woodruff set up reindeer in Rotary Park. All are members of the Decorate Medina Committee.

It has become a tradition for the Decorate Medina Committee to transform Rotary Park the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The Medina Lions have already put up the decorations in State Street Park, done as a volunteer project for the community.

The Decorate Medina Committee conducts fundraising, accepts and funds donations for the decorations in Rotary Park, State Street Park and the wreaths and garlands which Medina’s DPW hangs over Main Street.

Takeform donated a new sign of a photo booth for families to take pictures together.

Jaye Sullivan co-chairs the Decorate Medina Committee with Eric Watson. Among its members are secretary Barb Gorham, treasurer Maureen Sanderson, Paul and Mary Woodruff, Dave Sevenski, Kevin and Sue DeHollander, Cal Tuohey, Mary Lewis and Mike Carey.

As donations are the key to updating the decorations and adding new ones, the committee annually sends out mailers seeking contributions. This year, Sullivan said they are going to put flyers in the North Pole in Rotary Park for visitors to pick up.

Donations of any amount can be sent to Decorate Medina, P.O. Box 880, Medina, 14103.

Jaye Sullivan, co-chair of the Decorate Medina Committee with Eric Watson, stands by the clock in Rotary Park as she contemplates the decorating on Sunday morning.

The most wonderful time of the year has always been possible, thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and organizations who support Decorate Medina, according to Sullivan.

“As we continue to improve, add and refurbish our many decorations, we give a heartfelt thank you to all of our many supporters,” reads a flyer being circulated by the committee. “Please help us ensure the holiday Christmas spirit continues for generations to come by including the Decorate Medina Committee on your Christmas list.”

Rotary Park is ready for the holiday season, beginning with lighting the giant Christmas tree just before the  start the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Saturday.