MEDINA – The Village of Medina has been awarded a $50,000 state grant to evaluate the current condition of the wastewater treatment plant to replace aging equipment.

The grant for Median was among $20 million in Clean Water grants announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday. The funding comes from two key programs that support clean water initiatives across the state: the Green Innovation Grant Program and Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grants.

This funding provides critical support to communities working to affordably modernize water infrastructure, protect public health, and enhance resilience to extreme weather. The awards are announced during National Water Quality Month.

The study of Medina’s sewer plant also will include a report to recommend and prioritize improvements, including resiliency and cyber security enhancements. Implementation of this project will provide further water quality protection measures for Oak Orchard Creek, stated a press release from the governor.

“Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe water, and we’re making that happen by investing in smart, affordable infrastructure upgrades,” Governor Hochul said. “From planning to construction, we’re supporting communities every step of the way so families across the state can count on reliable water systems for years to come.”

Close to Orleans County, the City of Lockport in Niagara County was awarded $1.4 million for Phase 2 of a streetscape improvement project that will incorporate green infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality in the Erie Canal.

Flotsam performs for 500 in Medina, headed east on Thursday to Brockport

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Flotsam River Circus performed from a ramshackle raft this evening to about 500 people in Medina. Many watched under umbrellas along the bank at the Canal Basin.

Flotsam will be performing at Erie Canal towns as part of the bicentennial celebration of the canal. The troupe of eight performers also will be performing at Hudson River communities in New York City as part of its tour which started Aug. 1-3 in Buffalo and ends in NYC on Sept. 14. On Thursday the group performs in Brockport at 6:30 p.m. at Harvester Park along the canal. Click here to see the full schedule.

Camille Swift, a Chicago-based circus artist, is among the performers for Flotsam.

Jason Webley (right), a musician based outside of Seattle, leads Flotsam. He performed today while wearing a fish costume.

“It’s a hard time for humans and a glorious time to be an invasive mutant fish,” he told the audience.

The floating circus started in 2019 and has performed in 13 states and traveled over 2,000 river miles. Last year Flotsam traveled the entire Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Paducah.

Webley said the group embraces being different.

“I think there should be more weird, amazing stuff in the world,” he said.

The troupe members this year include performers skilled as gymnasts, puppeteers, balance artists, hair suspension and aerial hoop, juggling, clowning, sword swallowing and playing music.

Webley played the accordion while singing and proclaiming during the show. Other members played the fiddle and trombone.

“Don’t eat the fish. All it takes is one bite for it to be a real long night,” Wembley told the audience.

Flotsam drew a big crowd to the Canal Basin to see an unusual performance from a floating circus. The show was slightly delayed and curtailed by the rain.

Danila Bim impressed the crowd with her fast spinning while suspended by her hair.

Some of the troupe members walked the plank and interacted with the crowd during the performance.

Photos by Natalie Baron: Caspian Villegas of Medina high-fives the Safety Pup during National Night Out on Tuesday evening in Medina.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

MEDINA – On Tuesday, Medina hosted National Night Out for the third time. At NNO, visitors were encouraged to meet law enforcement, first responders and representatives from community organizations. Several hundred people attended the event at Clifford Wise Intermediate School on Gwinn Street.

Sidney from Medina poses with an emptied food trailer. He was one of the Boy Scouts, along with volunteers, who served hot dogs, chips, and water bottles to residents for free.

The dunk tank was, once again, a slam dunk with guests of all ages.

Law enforcement officers take off for Battle of the Belts. Participants entered a vehicle, buckled seat belts and threw their hands onto the car’s ceiling to indicate they had finished. They did so a couple of times, switching seats. Due to law enforcement’s hefty vests, they scored 5th with a time of 52.54. In 4th place was team Fire Red at 52.34, in 3rd was Froot Loops at 46.79, in 2nd was first responders, Ridgeway Water Rats, at 43.62, and in 1st was National Night Out volunteers at 43.07.

Braxton Hart, 5, of Medina hoses down fires in a prop building with some help from a Medina firefighter.

The County of Orleans Department of Mental Health brought free snacks and a fishing game to NNO. Pictured, from left: Patricia Urquhart, Melinda Rhim, Patrice Beadle, and Director of Mental Health Danielle Figura.

Melinda Rhim cheers on Audrey Pierce while she catches a fish. Noa Pierce watches the exchange. Medina Mental Health’s fish had positive words on them, including Happy, Excited, Smart, Love, Kind, and Brave.

Evelyn Strickland, 7, of Medina gets her face painted at the Pathstone stand. Face painting was open to all ages.

Cassandra Kinne smiles as she has her caricature done by Murray Mann.

The stand of the Medina Railroad Museum featured a game called Boxcar Brainiacs. Participants answered historical or strange train-related questions and threw balls into cups. Winners received water bottles. Renee Hemby, the events coordinator at the Medina Railroad Museum, ran the event for the museum.

One Church members pose with their stand. Their Vacation Bible school will be open to pre-k through grade 5 and will run from August 11-13 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Patrick Holman, a magician, performs a ball trick and other magical acts.

MJ Roman, 4, rides his bike as Alyssa Andrews, 9, cheers him on. Medina PD set up the bicycle rodeo again this year, allowing kids to test their bike skills.

Zach Blount wipes water away after being dunked in by Charlotte Pierce.

Brandi Zavitz has worked since late May on 32-foot-long mural at Medina Dog Park

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A 32-foot-long mural at the Medina Dog Park features many of the community’s beloved dogs, showing them doing some of their favorite activities – playing with tennis balls, relaxing at the beach, playing catch and eating ice cream.

Brandi Zavitz has given these dogs lots of personality. A dog that was viewed as a strong protector is depicted wearing a sheriff’s hat. Another dog that loved the spoiled life is shown as a princess with a crown and a royal robe.

Zavitz has created an impressive scene with this mural. Many of the park’s users are moved to tears when they see their dogs.

“It is absolutely amazing,” said Cindy Davis, leader of the Medina Dog Park.

There will be a public reception in the near future for the finished mural.

Davis and Zavitz wanted a mural to enliven the park. They were talking about it last year. Some of the dogs that were regulars at the park had passed away since it opened in September 2020.

Zavitz is a retired art teacher who has painted murals in the community. She envisioned a mural where she would paint some of those dogs, giving them angel wings. Zavitz has long painted portraits of dogs and she wanted show their personalities and activities they enjoy. She gave them superhero capes, tutu dresses, a Buffalo Bills jersey and other features to show their character. One dog enjoy sailboat rides so Zavitz painted a sailboat on the mural.

The mural was initially planned to be 24 feet long and would include 50 dogs. For $100, Zavitz would paint a beloved pet with the proceeds going to the Medina Dog Park.

But there was a big response from the community. Zavitz added another 8-foot-section. Her nearly finished artwork includes 69 dogs, 3 cats and an ox.

Zavitz included Orly the Ox in the upper left corner to show the mural was done in 2025, the year of the county’s bicentennial. Orly has been the county’s ambassador the past year, helping to promote the bicentennial of Orleans County. He is shown in front of a sandstone building. Zavitz wanted to recognize the community’s Medina Sandstone heritage.

Zavitz and the Dog Park received a $5,000 grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) towards the project.

Kye, Medina’s K9 for nine years, is shown with his super hero cape. He passed away from bone cancer in February 2022. Kye was an 11 year old Belgian Malinois that served the Medina PD from 2012 to 2021. Todd Draper served as Kye’s handler. After the dog retired about a year ago it continued to stay with Draper’s family.

The Medina Dog Park opened in September 2020 at a fenced-in area on North Gravel Road, next to the village’s former compost plant, just south of Boxwood Cemetery.

Zavitz painted the branches in the shape of the heart. She said many people love their dogs as cherished family members and the dogs love them back with a deep devotion.

Zavitz is adding some fairies to the mural in one of the finishing touches of the large painting.

The mural may be extended in future years to accommodate the demand, Zavitz and Davis said. There were about 30 others who wanted their dog on the mural and Davis said more will likely want to be included after seeing Zavitz’s creativity and care in honoring these beloved pets.

‘For months now the administration has put the Iroquois Job Corps Center in limbo. For the people who work here, for the people who train here, each day might be their last. That’s no way to live. That’s no way to do a job.’ – Sen. Schumer

Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer was in Medina this morning outside Brunner to show his support for the Iroquois Job Corps Center, one of 99 that was targeted for closure by the U.S. Department of Labor. A federal judge has issued an injunction to keep the program going while the case is heard in court.

MEDINA – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer was in Medina this morning to state his strong support for keeping the Iroquois Job Corps open as well as others targeted for closure by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Schumer said the Iroquois site for about a half century has provided critical job and life skills to at-risk students.

“For months now the administration has put the Iroquois Job Corps Center in limbo,” Schumer said before a crowd of Job Corps supporters at Brunner. “For the people who work there, for the people who train there, each day might be their last. That’s no way to live. That’s no way to do a job.”

Schumer said there is bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate to keep Job Corps funded into the future. The program is currently funded until Sept. 30 but a budget bill advanced by the Trump administration doesn’t include money for Job Corps. Schumer said the Senate will include funds for Job Corps, but the House of Representatives needs to hear from communities that back the continued funding for the program.

“We’re all here with one single message: We want to save the Iroquois Job Corps Center,” Schumer said. “We got to save it if we want our young people to have a future. We don’t want them to have a handout. We want them to have a future. They should know if they work hard and learn a skill they can get a good-paying job to support a family and be proud parents and proud spouses. That’s what this center has done for so long.”

Brunner hosted Schumer’s press conference because the company has a longstanding relationship with Job Corps. The center has directed many high-quality employees to runner and other local companies, said Eric Bauer, general manager for Brunner in Medina. The company on Bates Road manufactures brake systems for tractor trailers.

“The program has proven to be a reliable pipeline for well-qualified individuals who support Brunner’s ongoing success,” Bauer said about the Job Corps.

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson speaks in support of the Iroquois Job Corps Center. She said the program has an $8.9 million direct impact on the local economy. She noted the National Association of Counties made keeping the Job Corps program open one of the association’s top priorities during its conference last month. “It’s no secret that we consider the Iroquois Job Corps center in Medina hugely important to creating pathways to employment for many young men and women,” Johnson said.

Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced on May 29 that 99 privately run Job Corps centers would go on “pause” due to what she said were low graduation rates and high incidents of violence. She said Job Corps is not cost-effective. She set June 30 as the date for the centers to close, with students to be sent home earlier on June 6.

But U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter said the Department of Labor can’t dismantle a program that Congress established and set aside funding to run. A preliminary injunction nationally will allow the centers to stay open while litigation continues.

The Job Corps program was founded in 1964 to help teenagers and young adults who struggled to finish traditional high school and find jobs. The program provides tuition-free housing at residential centers, training, meals and health care.

Schumer said he is optimistic Job Corps will win in court. He said ending the program in the middle of the year “is wrong and probably illegal.”

The Iroquois site has 100 employees with a capacity to serve 225 students. But right now only 46 students are on site. Iroquois needs the DOL to do students’ background checks so students can return to the centers.

Pictured from left: Eric Seppala, center director of the Iroquois Job Corps; graduate Kevon Parson; U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer; and Lindzey Clark, a 2022 Job Corps graduate.

A recent Job Corps graduate spoke about the program’s impact in his life. Kevon Parson, 24, graduated four years ago. He has completed his apprenticeship as a mason and is now a journeyman working for a Buffalo contractor.

Parson said the program strengthened him in more ways than just learning a trade. He was the student government president while at Job Corps. He said the staff pour their hearts into the student body, helping to equip them from when they graduated.

“The employees aren’t there for a check,” he said. “They love the students. When they look at you, you aren’t a bar code on your forehead. You’re a human.”

Lindzey Clark, a 2022 graduate of Job Corps, completed  a program as a certified clinical medical assistant. When she graduated, she worked a job at the Rite Aid in Batavia. Now she is back in school at Niagara County Community College studying psychology with a goal to become a therapist.

Clark said Job Corps is critical for many of students who come to the center in challenging life circumstances.

Many of the students earn their driver’s licenses, and learn other life skills for the next steps of their lives, she said.

“They completely set you up for more than a trade,” Clark said.

Rollin Hellner said Job Corps graduates have been hard-working employees for his business that tackles many redevelopment projects in the region.

Rollin Hellner, owner and president of Hellner Development Company, said he has hired more than a dozen graduates from Job Corps who work in carpentry, masonry and other construction skills.

Those Job Corps graduates bring an eagerness to learn skills and work on projects, Hellner said.

“It’s important to bring the next generation into a career path,” he said.

Job Corps, he said, “is an investment in education, people and our future.”

Jennifer Hill-Young, representing the Medina Rotary Club, said Job Corps students have helped local service clubs put on many of their events and fundraisers. Students also made Buddy Benches for local parks, birdfeeders at a local nursing home and Adirondack chairs for public spaces in the community.

“Their students not only learn valuable trades – they put those skills to work by giving back to their community,” Hill-Young said. “What truly sets them apart is the pride and heart they bring to every project. The Rotary Club of Medina is incredibly grateful for Iroquois Job Corps’ partnership.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Village of Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman stands with Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and State Senator Rob Ortt at the unveiling Monday of an interpretive panel detailing Medina’s involvement in the Underground Railroad. Hawley and Ortt funded the panel, which stands by the historic sign for Frederick Douglass in front of Main Street TV and Appliance.

MEDINA – A new piece of history was unveiled in Medina on Monday afternoon, with the dedication of an interpretive panel detailing Medina’s involvement in the Underground Railroad.

“Medina residents have long been intrigued about their community’s contribution to the Underground Railroad,” said Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, whose efforts resulted in installation of the panel. “There are many examples of local lore and legend regarding area homes with odd architectural features, that were rumored to have been used to help escaped slaves – but none of these stories were substantiated. For myself, a former village historian and Social Studies teacher, this has always been a topic of great interest. That’s why a letter in the New York Daily Tribune on June 29, 1854 is so important. It confirms without a doubt that Medina’s citizens played a role.”

The new panel is next to a historical marker unveiled in 2015 that noted famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass gave two speeches in Medina.

The article mentions a chattel who arrived by Underground Railway in the village of Medina, N.Y. from Richmond, Va. The article tells of his destitute condition and how he sat in the home of a friend.

It continues to read, “And while darkness still held the portals of the East on sabbath morn, he set out, accompanied with a friend, for his prospective home in Canada, where we rejoice to know, he safely arrived on Sunday evening.”

The panel explains, “All over the North the news was the same. A fugitive slave reached Medina, N.Y.; the people hid him, supplied him with money and hurried him into Canada. The NY Tribune letter enumerates the details of a fugitive slave who arrived in Medina and was assisted to freedom by organized locals via the “Underground Railway.” Where this safe house was or to whom it belonged remains a mystery along with any other names or locations. Nonetheless, this singular piece of historic information confirms local lore and clearly shines a light on Medina’s efforts in assisting fugitive slaves to find freedom.”

Also documented on the panel are Medina’s connection to “Free Soldiers” and the “Free Soil Party,” Frederick Douglass’ speeches in Medina and Medina attorney Silas Mainville Burroughs Sr.’s efforts against slavery.

The Underground Railroad panel is the 14th in a series which was debuted with 11 panels being installed throughout the village in 2014. Each was made possible through generous donations of sponsorship, Busch said. Two more panels were added last year, one telling the story of the British field gun and World War I memorial in State Street Park and one chronicling the contributions of the Burroughs family, also in State Street Park.

The marker in recognition of two speeches delivered in the Medina community by Frederick Douglass, a leading abolitionist, were unveiled in April 2015 by ORG, also through generous donations from the community.

With Busch’s discovery of the letter in the New York Tribune, Medina has recently been designated as a municipality along the New York Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway by the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State.

Busch quotes information from the Consortium’s website in which they highlighted the Douglass historical marker on Main Street in Medina, and says, “However, there is significantly more to the story of Medina’s contribution to the Underground Railroad and the cause of abolition.”

Chris Busch, left, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, talks with Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Assemblyman Steve Hawley while waiting to dedicate in interpretive panel with Senator Rob Ortt, detailing Medina’s involvement in the Underground Railroad. Busch was instrumental in efforts to create the panel and obtain funding from the legislators.

The website explains how Busch, while researching another project in 2017, noticed a reference to Medina and the Underground Railroad quoted in a multi-volume history of the Civil War by Allan Nevins, entitled The Ordeal of the Nation.  It revealed a footnote for the reference, noting the letter published in the New York Tribune.

By locating the letter in the Tribune, Busch uncovered the first known published testimonial by a resident of Medina regarding the community’s role in the Underground Railroad.

“This was a really cool discovery,” Busch said Monday.

He contacted State Senator Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley, asking if they could help with funding the 14th interpretive panel documenting Medina’s involvement in the Underground Railroad.

“My grandparents’ home in Warsaw was part of the Underground Railroad,” Hawley said. “I jumped at the chance to talk about it. My family has a history of supporting freedom.”

The new interpretive panel is the 14th in Medina about local history.

“When Busch contacted me and asked if we had the ability to help, I thought it was a worthy thing,” Ortt said. “For the amount of $1,000, split 50/50, I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ Steve and I both looked at it and wanted to help make it happen. I am well versed in the role other parts of my district played,” he added, citing Niagara Falls and the Underground Railroad Museum.

“There is an uptick of people coming here to Medina and they should know about things like this,” Ortt said. “It’s important to show them your history. I’m standing here where Frederick Douglass made a speech, and that’s a great thing.”

“Medina should be proud of what they have here,” Hawley said. “When I first got elected, I came to Medina. You have the opera house and fine restaurants. What you see in Medina is the envy of a lot of other counties.”

“The secret is we all work together and that’s important,” said Mayor Marguerite Sherman.

Ortt said a lot of villages along the canal maintained their old integrity.

“Medina said ‘no’ to urban renewal, and look at it now,” he said. “This is what people want.”

Looking up and down at Medina’s historic Main Street, Ortt said, “You couldn’t rebuild this in a million years.”

“This was all due to Chris,” Sherman said, pointing to the new panel, which he researched and designed.

Busch added his thanks to Jason Watts, superintendent of the Medina DPW and the DPW staff which did the installation, and the Print Shop, which fabricated the sign base and panel.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina is accepting applications for police chief with the impending retirement of Todd Draper from the position.

Draper’s retirement will become effective Aug. 30. He has served as police chief since June 12, 2023.

Draper has worked for Medina for 21 years, including 8 ½ years as a K9 handler until Kye, a Belgian Malinois, retired in November 2020.

Resumes and cover letters can be emailed to Mayor Marguerite Sherman at msherman@villagemedina.gov or dropped off in person at 119 Park Ave., Medina, NY 14103.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Jonah Fisher, 5, of Albion high fives Sparky the Fire Dog. Jonah’s dad, Medina firefighter Adam Fisher, wore the costume of the friendly dalmatian during National Night Out in Medina on Aug. 2, 2022. The event returns on Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. outside the intermediate school.

MEDINA – An event that connects residents with first responders and community organizations returns on Tuesday.

National Night Out will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. outside the Clifford Wise Intermediate School. The event is free with hot dogs, beverages and many activities.

National Night Out often draws about 700 people. Albion hosted NNO for five years from 2015 to 2019. It was then cancelled due to the Covid pandemic and restrictions in 2020 and 2021. Medina has hosted it annually since 2022.

“There are a lot of activities, and it will be a way for families to meet law enforcement and establish a connection and relationship,” said Diana Fulcomer, a prevention educator with UConnectCare. She is co-chair of the NNO committee with Sherri Bensley, public health educator with GO Health.

There will be a K9 demonstration at 5:45 p.m., the Battle of the Belts competition beginning at 6:30, and many community members in the dunk tank most of the event. The battle of the Belts feature four-person teams alternating as fast as they can to put on seat belts in four different seats in a car.

More than 40 community groups are expected to be at NNO. There will also be a magician, caricaturist and balloon artist.

A committee has been working on planning National Night Out since January. Fulcomer said NNO is a county-wide event. The committee is open to trying another location next year. The group partners with a law enforcement agency to host the event.

MEDINA – Baxter Healthcare will be hosting a community safety day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Baxter parking lot at 711 Park Ave.

There will be free food and beverages, as well as kid-friendly activities.

The Safety Committee at Baxter is an employee-led group who is hosting the event, and this week the facility is focused on both workplace and at home safety, with it all culminating with the community safety day.

The Medina Fire Department, Orleans County Sherif’s Department, and the K9 unit will be at the event doing demonstrations and talks about safety, as well as car seat safety checks.

Someone will be doing car care demonstrations and will be available to answer general car questions. There will be cornhole and water balloons set up, as well as face painting and temporary tattoos, balloon animals, and a coloring station.

There will also be a basket raffle to benefit the fire department.

Owner of property says he wants townhouses at site on West Oak Orchard Street

Photos by Tom Rivers: James Nashwenter, left, and Dan Dunn, right, share their concerns about a housing development on West Oak Orchard Street that would be close to their homes at Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park. Nashwenter said he doesn’t want to see low-income housing at West Oak Orchard.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has approved a zoning change for 46 acres of property at 450 West Oak Orchard St., which will allow a mix of housing types through a “planned residential community.”

Several residents spoke out about the zoning change, saying they were concerned the zoning change could usher in low-income housing that could potentially reduce the values of other nearby properties.

The speakers want to know specifically what types of housing will be on the property. Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale owns the site. He said his plan is for townhouses.

But he has held off on incurring the expense for precise plans until the property was rezoned from light industrial, which doesn’t allow housing, to planned residential community.

Michel was advocated for R-3 zoning to allow more than single-family housing, but the Village Planning Board pushed for the “planned residential community” zoning which gives Medina more control on how the property is developed.

Local resident Scott Carlton said there has been too many unknowns with the potential development. He said the minutes from a County Planning Board meeting state the site could potentially have up to 400 units.

But Dan Gardner, the village code enforcement officer, said there haven’t been any numbers proposed for units at this time.

“We don’t know how many units of anything,” he said. “We’re not at the site plan stage.”

Jim Nashwenter, a resident of the nearby Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park, said there is too much “mystery” about what could be coming to the 46 acres. Nashwenter said the Lakewood Village community “vehemently opposes” lower-income housing. Lakewood Village ois for residents 55 and older.

“We worked our asses all our life to enjoy a quiet peaceful retirement,” Nashwenter told the board at Monday evening’s meeting. “This is a non-starter. It will destroy the park.”

Ed Michel of Sieck Wholesale wants to use 46 acres for housing. He said the main goal is for townhouses on the property. Now that the property is rezoned, he will work with engineers are more precise details for the property.

J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, responded to concerns that the property may be contaminated. He said the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) shows there is no contamination on the vacant land. There was a spill from Fisher Price but a monitoring well hasn’t detected any contaminants in about 40 years, Swedrock said.

At a Village Board meeting last month, J. Lincoln Swedrock, an engineer and vice president with BME Associates in Fairport, said there needs to be a mix of housing with some townhouses to allow more units so a project would be economically feasible.

Swedrock works for Michel, the owner of the property. Michel wants a mixed-use option with single-family houses as well as multi-family town houses.

The Village Board approved the zoning change, and Mayor Marguerite Sherman said there would be public hearings in the future as plans are developed.

Village attorney Matt Brooks said the village can’t make decisions about housing and zoning based on the income, gender and ethnicity of residents.

“We can’t discriminate against this group,” said village trustee Scott Bieliski. “We can’t just shoot it down.”

The zoning change “just opens up the possibility” for the land to be developed for housing, he said.

“At the end of the day this is his property and it will give him some options,” Bieliski said.

Nashwenter asked the Village Board to keep the public apprised of any developments with the property.

“I’m not a meeting person but this thing has lit a fire under my butt,” he told the board in a packed meeting room.

Two representatives from the United Way, executive director Nyla Gaylord and board member Dean Bellack, attended last month’s board meeting and urged the board to make the zoning change. They said the area has a significant housing shortage that is a factor in the county’s decreasing population.

The housing shortage is threatening the community’s ability to grow. For businesses to come to Medina, there needs to be more housing for their workers, she said.

Orleans County overall needs more housing options from single family construction, to affordable rentals for young adults and senior citizens, Gaylord said.

“We have some scary data for our community if we don’t allow more property to be developed for housing,” she said.

Photo by Tom Rivers – A Medina Fire Department ambulance heads out for a call on Monday evening.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has set a special meeting for Aug. 20 for the discussion to focus on the future of the Medina Fire Department.

Board members say they highly value the work of firefighters, but the board is concerned about the costs of running a department with 17 full-time paid staff. The board recently reduced the paid staff from 21 to 17.

Trustee Debbie Padoleski, a retired clerk/treasurer for the village, said it is imperative for Medina to get more financial help from neighboring towns for the fire department services, which includes running the primary ambulance service for western Orleans County. The fire department responds to about 2,500 calls a year and about 90 percent, more than 2,200, are EMS/ambulance calls.

The towns of Shelby, Ridgeway and Yates each contribute $35,000 a year to Medina towards the ambulance service.

“That doesn’t even begin to pay for our firemen, the ambulances, fuel, and wear and tear,” Padoleski said during Monday’s Village Board meeting.

The other seven towns in Orleans County contract with Mercy EMS for ambulance services. The amount varies and is based on call volume. Mercy will be paid $250,000 this year for staging two basic life support ambulances in central and eastern Orleans 24 hours a day, seven days a week, plus an advanced life support fly car that would be available 24-7.

The contract calls for the seven towns to pay the following in 2025: Albion, $93,000; Barre, $11,000; Carlton, $18,500; Clarendon, $28,000; Gaines, $38,500; Kendall, $12,750; and Murray, $48,250.

Medina village officials also need to decide soon about whether it will proceed with an addition to the fire hall to accommodate a new ladder truck due to arrive in December.

Medina will be paying $1.7 million for the ladder truck. A one-bay addition to the fire hall is expected to be just over $1 million. Medina is pursuing a state grant for $1 million to help pay for the addition, but Padoleski said she worries about the difference in the final cost and what a grant may cover. She said village taxpayers are already stretched to the limit.

The Aug. 20 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. whether at the Ridgeway Town Hall or the Medina Senior Center. The location will be posted soon, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.

The county also is doing a study for EMS/firefighting services throughout the county. Village Trustee Scott Bieliski said village officials already know Medina is a cornerstone for the service in western Orleans, and often providing mutual aid in central Orleans as well. The big issue is getting more revenue to Medina for the service that often goes outside the village boundaries, he said.

“They’re doing a study, but we know we are taking care of a lot of the county,” Bieliski said.

File photo: Jesse Cudzillo, left, and Dean Bellack are shown in this picture taken last year at the YMCA while Cudzillo was director. He has recently stepped down to accept a position in a new online telehealth company founded by his brother.

MEDINA – Jesse Cudzillo has announced his resignation as executive director of the Orleans County YMCA.

Cudzillo is stepping down to pursue a new venture as chief executive officer of Neneu Wellness Club, a next-generation wellness company he has launched with his brother and founder, Nicholas Cudzillo.

“This is an opportunity we saw to really help people, and this seemed like the right time,” Jesse said. “I am filled with gratitude for my time at the YMCA. The mission, the people and the impact we have made together in this community will always be part of who I am. The YMCA stands for strengthening spirit, mind and body – and I have witnessed firsthand the real change it creates in people’s lives.”

Cudzillo led the Orleans County YMCA through significant programming expansion, community partnerships and youth development initiatives. He credits the organization with preparing him to take the next step in his professional journey, building upon the foundation of health, wellness and community.

“Jesse Cudzillo will be greatly missed,” said Dean Bellack, former board chair who is serving as chief volunteer officer until a decision can be made how to replace Cudzillo. “He has accomplished many new community partnerships, including the Christian Bow Hunters Archery Program, building the teen center and kitchen and bringing Kwandrans’ Tae-Kwan-Do into the Y. He established himself as a community leader and grew membership in our Orleans County branch. On behalf of the staff and board members in the GLOW YMCA, we wish him success in his new venture.”

“We have launched Reneu Wellness Club to take our mission one step further,” Cudzillo said. “Reneu is a physician-aligned telehealth and functional wellness platform focused on personalized care, advanced peptide therapies, hormone optimization and lifestyle coaching. Our mission is to deliver transformative, medically-responsible wellness to individuals across the country – starting right here in Western New York.”

Reneu Wellness Club aims to blend cutting-edge medicine with heart-centered coaching to help people feel, look and live better, Cudzillo explained. The company operates through a concierge telehealth model, offering care that is proactive, not reactive.

While stepping away from the YMCA is bittersweet, Cudzillo said, he emphasized that his admiration and support for the Y’s mission remains as strong as ever.

“The YMCA will always have my respect and appreciation,” he said. “I am proud of the work we did together, and I am excited to continue serving our community in a new way.”

Appointments can be made by logging on to www.reneuwellnessclub.com.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board approved an expanded school zone where the speed limit is capped at 15 miles per hour.

Police Chief Todd Draper advocated for the change with the extended boundaries near the Wise Intermediate School and Oak Orchard Primary School.

The Village Board held a public hearing on the change on Monday evening. Tim Zeiner, a local resident, supported the change and asked the village to better mark cross walks for pedestrians. He would like to see signs and paint in the road similar to what is done with the Main Street cross walks.

The school zone is designated from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Mondays through Fridays. The state Department of Transportation allows a school zone to extend a maximum of 1,320 feet along a highway passing a school building entrance or exit of a school abutting on the highway.

The expanded zone includes:

• Gwinn Street, extending 1,320 feet north from the northern intermediate school entrance
• Gwinn Street, extending 650 feet south of the southern intermediate school entrance
• West Oak Orchard Street, extending 500 feet west of Oak Orchard School western loop entrance
• West Oak Orchard Street, extending 1,320 feet east of Oak Orchard School eastern loop entrance

The school zone restrictions do not apply to ambulances, fire vehicles or police vehicles when on emergency trips.

MFD, pared back from 21 to 17 full-time, needs to fill fire chief vacancy

Photo courtesy of Medina Fire Department: The Medina Fire Department welcomed Mackenzie Rider-Work, left, and Brian Bates as probationary firefighters. They were hired at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department has two new full-time members after they were hired at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

Brian Bates and Mackenzie Rider-Work both are joining the department, while it loses Andrew Steel, a full-time firefighter the past three years whose resignation effective July 31 was accepted by the board on Monday.

Steel’s departure follows the resignations last month of fire chief Matt Jackson and firefighters Tiffany Petry and Dylan Schreader. Captain Jonathan Higgins also retired.

The department was at 20 full-time members and a fire chief, but was pared down to 16 firefighters and a chief.

Once the fire chief position is filled, the Medina FD would need to fill one more position if the fire chief is promoted from within the department.

Bates joins Medina, coming from the Hilton Fire Department and Monroe Ambulance. He has completed the fire academy and is waiting to take the paramedic test.

Rider-Work comes from the Clarence Fire Department. He is an EMT-B and a state fire instructor assigned to Erie County.

“Brian will be assigned to the 4th Platoon and Mackenzie will join the 2nd Platoon once they complete the onboarding process,” stated the Medina professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2161. “They are both a welcome addition to the team but we still face a long road to return to being considered fully staffed.  We are still awaiting the promotion of a new fire chief to lead our department.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Village Board approved a lease agreement with Erie Floatel, LLC to have a house boat at one of the floating docks in the Canal Basin until Oct. 31.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has approved a lease for a house boat to be at the Canal Basin, a boat that will be available for short-term rentals and overnight stays.

The boat will remain at the dock and won’t be operated in the canal. The board approved the lease with Erie Floatel, LLC of Medina for use of the floating dock on south end of the canal for $220, plus another $100 for electric and water consumption for the season.

Erie Floatel will be operated by Andrew Meier and Svein Lilleby. The lease runs from Memorial Day to Oct. 31, 2025.

The lease agreement has been discussed at length in recent board meetings. Medina officials said the project is unusual along the canal and adds another feature for visitors to the community. Erie Floatel will be available to rent through Airbnb as a short-term rental.

The Village Board and Erie Floatel reached an agreement for the business to have $2 million in insurance coverage with the Village of Medina named as “additional insured” in Erie Floatel’s umbrella coverage of $2 million.

Brian Hellner, operator of North Star Cruises, said the village reached a more favorable tenant agreement with Erie Floatel than with Hellner’s boat ride business which started in 2023. Hellner said the village made him have $2 million in general liability coverage, not umbrella coverage and also didn’t make utilities available for his boat.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman and the board members said Hellner could have access to water and electricity at the same $100 rate.

Village attorney Matthew Brooks said the village has insisted on the $2 million of minimum insurance coverage, and Erie Floatel met that requirement.

Hellner said the village should insist the house boat is inspected and safe for the public. Brooks said a marine inspection is not within the purvey of the village.

Heather Farnsworth Hungerford, co-owner of the Bent’s Opera House, cautioned the Village Board from leasing too many of the docks spaces to businesses, limiting the public use of the properties. She said the house boat business for overnight stays could also discourage investment in the historic downtown for lodging.

Sherman said the leases in the Canal Basin are short-term for less than a year so the village can re-evaluate them. Right now, only two of the spaces are being leased. Sherman and the board members said there is still an abundance of dock spaces for the public.

“These are short-term leases so we have an opportunity to correct them if something goes wrong,” said Brooks, the village attorney.

Sherman said the board appreciates North Star Cruises and Erie Floatel for the services they are offering in the community.

“We are being fair,” she said. “We’re trying to work with our businesses as best as possible.”

Village attorney Matthew Brooks said the board is approving short-term leases that allow for re-evaluating after each season. In back are village trustees Mark Prawel and Scott Bieliski.