By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2015 at 12:00 am
The unemployment rate in Orleans County dropped from 7.2 percent in May 2014 to 6.0 percent this past May, according to the state Department of Labor.
There were 17,100 people working in the county in May, compared to 16,800 in May 2014. The number of unemployed fell from 1,300 in May 2014 to 1,100 in May 2015.
The 6.0 percent unemployment rate is higher than the 5.3 percent rate in both New York and for the country. Of the 62 counties in New York, Orleans is one of 14 with an unemployment rate at 6.0 percent or higher.
Here are the rates for other nearby counties: Genesee, 4.7; Wyoming, 5.2; Livingston, 5.3; Niagara, 5.7; Erie, 5.2; and Monroe, 5.1.
Columbia County has the lowest unemployment rate in state at 3.9 percent and the Bronx is the highest at 8.0 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – JP Morgan Chase announced in June 2013 it would close its Albion site the following September, cutting about 400 jobs.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article should have stated CRFS has 600 employees, but due to a typo said 60.
ALBION – The economic development agency for Orleans County needs clear policies for why some businesses are approved for tax benefits and assistance and others are not, according to an audit for the State Comptroller’s Office.
The comptroller also said some businesses, notably JP Morgan Chase, are approved for tax-saving benefits and leave town early, without a “recapture of benefits” clause from the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
In the case of Chase, the company received $605,000 in tax abatements in the first three years of the 10-year tax deal. The company paid $98,900 to local governments during that period.
However, the company announced in June 2013 it would close its Albion site the following September, and would eliminate 400 jobs in the village.
The comptroller said Chase was able to leave Albion without returning any of the tax breaks. The EDA needs a clause that requires companies to pay back the benefits if they don’t follow through with promised benefits to the community, according to the comptroller’s report. (Click here to see it.)
Jim Whipple, chief executive officer for the EDA, said the tax incentives gave the community more time with Chase as a major local employer.
“Those three to four years were very important,” Whipple said.
When Chase acquired the former Washington Mutual, Chase evaluated other sites in the country for the Albion operation. The tax incentives helped keep the company in Orleans County until “a further retrenchment in the banking industry,” EDA Board Chairman Paul Hendel said in a letter to the comptroller.
Claims Recovery Financial Services has since moved into the former Chase site and has about 600 employees in Albion.
The EDA in August 2013 also added a recapture-of-benefits clause to be used at the discretion of the agency, Hendel said.
In another case, the EDA under-billed a company for its payment of lieu of taxes by $246,000 over 12 years. The EDA billed the company for less than the PILOT plan approved by the seven-member board.
The comptroller said the payments should be corrected, or else the discrepancy will balloon to $635,000 over 20 years.
The EDA said the PILOT was amended, however the paperwork wasn’t available for that change. That paperwork issue is an isolated incident and has been resolved, Hendel said.
Comptroller staff reviewed Orleans EDA projects from Jan. 1, 2013 to Oct. 10, 2014, and analyzed documents from back to 1998. The EDA has 22 open projects with capital investment of about $134 million. (Western New York Energy in Medina accounts for $89 million of that total.)
The report cited some “deficiencies” in the EDA’s evaluation and approval of businesses seeking benefits, the EDA’s determination of agreement terms with businesses and the subsequent monitoring of the businesses for compliance.
Economic development agencies should follow a 1:10 minimum cost benefit ratio, or $1 granted for at least $10 in capital investment and other benefits to the community, the comptroller said.
The EDA has a document cost-benefit ratio for six of the 22 projects, but not for 16, the comptroller said.
“Lack of consistent computing of the CBA (cost-benefit analysis) for all projects can lead to selective inclusion and exclusion of these ratios by management, potentially creating an advantage or disadvantage for an applicant,” the report states.
The report further states the EDA board and management did not formally document and adopt procedures for calculating cost-benefit ratios and for determining the contractual time periods for businesses seeking financial assistance.
Because of that, evaluation criteria may not be consistently applied, and the basis for approving or rejecting businesses is not clear, according to the report.
Whipple said the EDA board will work to formalize its methodology for the cost-benefit analysis.
The EDA also approves some tax-saving plans for 10 years and others for as long as 30 years. The majority are for 10 years. The comptroller said the EDA needs to be clear in justifying the varying lengths for PILOT plans.
In a response to the comptroller, EDA officials said the standard PILOT is 10 years, but the agency can deviate from that schedule for some manufacturing facilities and vacant buildings.
The comptroller said the EDA should better monitor businesses to see if they are following through with capital investments and job creation (as well as employee salaries and benefits).
The comptroller reviewed employment numbers for the 22 EDA projects and found 14 companies met their employment targets, but eight did not. The 14 businesses exceeded their projections by 278 jobs. However, eight businesses did not meet their projections. Overall, the 22 businesses were projected to create or retain 2,118 jobs, but reported 1,348 jobs for a shortfall of 770.
Associated Brands in Medina had the biggest net increase in jobs with 282.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – This car was badly damaged in a two-car accident on June 9 on Route 31 in Albion. No one was seriously injured in the accident, which was caused when a driver took his eyes off the road to reach for peanuts.
Orleans Hub had another strong month in June when we topped 600,000 page views (609,524) for a daily average of 20,317.
We also averaged 6,569 daily unique visitors for one of our best months since Orleans Hub started on April 2, 2013. That is about four times the audience as the former Journal-Register in Medina, which closed in May 2014. At the time it had a circulation of about 1,500 copies.
The top five stories (the ones with the most “clicks”) last month include:
The Amish community in the Lyndonville area mourned the loss of Martin Yoder, who operated an organic dairy farm on Murdock Road and also served as a minister in their church.
The most popular sports story (click here) was a feature about two Albion baseball players who earned scholarships to play at GCC.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Orleans and Genesee counties made history in the state in October 2012 when they started sharing a public health director.
Paul Pettit, the director in Orleans County, took on the Genesee County duties at that time, working in both counties. Since then the two counties have added other shared Health Department staff and contracts, including for busing preschool children with disabilities.
The shared services are saving Orleans County about $400,000 a year, Pettit said.
The two counties are making history again with a joint Genesee/Orleans Board of Health. The two counties had maintained separate boards of health, with Pettit and staff answering to the two boards.
Effective today, the joint board takes effect. The board includes seven members and they will meet every two months on the third Tuesday, alternating locations in the two counties.
The State Legislature passed legislation allowing for the joint board. It will be in place for the next five years.
“This is another layer of integration and oversight,” Pettit said.
The board sets policy and serves as the regulatory arm for the Health Departments in the two counties, Pettit said.
“It gives one board to go through and receive direction,” he said.
There are at least five shared staff members for the two counties. Pettit said the two Health Departments “tip toed” into the joint efforts. The agreement has worked well, saving money and allowing staff to work with their strengths.
The two counties combined are about 900 square miles in area, which is smaller than some Western New York and Southern Tier counties, including Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Steuben and Allegany counties. Some of those counties with large geographical territories have satellite offices to serve those sprawling counties.
The board members for the joint board of health include Orleans County Legislator John DeFilipps, Genesee County Legislator Ed Dejaneiro, Medina pharmacist Paul Grout, Genesee County physicians Kelly Rose Nichols and Mary Obear, Orleans County physician Satya Sahukar and Deanna Page, an at-large member from Genesee County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – State officials urged Orleans County canal communities to seek downtown development grants. This photo shows the Main Street clock in Albion, which is part of a downtown district on the National Register of Historic Places.
ALBION – A group of Orleans County legislators travelled to Albany to meet with state officials, pressing high-speed Internet, infrastructure money, downtown development and other issues for the county.
“Everyone we met with was very accommodating to us and to hearing about Orleans County and out initiatives,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard. “We are confident that through this trip we have laid the groundwork to be successful in upcoming funding rounds – especially the Upstate Revitalization Intiative and the New NY Broadband Program. We will continue to press our case to ensure that Orleans County gets its fair share.”
Callard travelled to Albany with legislators Lynne Johnson, Ken DeRoller and John DeFilipps. They met on June 10 with local state legislators – Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda), Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) and Assemblywoman Jane Corwin (R-Clarence) – as well as representatives from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Department of State and the Canal Corp.
Callard said the state government officials had advice for the county in seeking state funds. The county would be a prime candidate for state grants for the canal villages and historic downtown business districts in Albion, Holley and Medina, Callard said.
The state urged the Orleans communities to pursue Main Street development grants, Callard said.
Holley and Albion both have received those grants in recent years, and Callard said more of that funding would help the canal communities. He said the county could take the lead in working with the villages for those grants.
The state also recommended the county’s lakeshore towns of Yates, Carlton and Kendall update a lakefront development study from about 20 years ago. A fresh study could help those communities, and the county access state funds.
The county sought about $160,000 in state funds for projects at the Orleans County Marine Park in Carlton. Orleans was approved for half of that amount last year. Callard said the outdated development plan was a one factor in why the county missed out on the full amount.
The county is already working on applications for broadband Internet coverage throughout Orleans, including rural pockets without the service. Orleans also is pursuing funds for its emergency radio system to make it interoperable with neighboring counties and to boost service in schools and larger buildings.
Callard said the trip to Albany is part of the Legislature’s stepped-up efforts for state funding for projects in the county.
“Given that a vast majority of key decision makers on state initiatives critical to Orleans County are based in Albany, it’s imperative that we get to the State Capitol to meet face-to-face on a regular basis,” Callard said. “By taking the time to travel to Albany to press our case directly with state officials, they can gauge both our sense of urgency and our great desire to gain state resources and funding for our top priorities.”
The county has also retained a lobbyist for $60,000 for a year to help Orleans County have better success with state grants. The firm, Park Strategies of Albany, helped arrange the meeting on June 10 with the various state officials.
State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) both issued statements after the conclusion of the legislative session in Albany.
Both have districts that include Orleans County.
Ortt says work needed to fight ‘destructive policies of downstate politicians and special interests’:
“I believe the 2015 legislative session, now officially concluded, was a mix both personally and for the Western New Yorkers that I represent,” Ortt said. “There have been significant victories for our region on tax relief, education, and job creation. Our unwavering commitment to protecting the property tax cap – and keeping state spending under a similar cap – will result in larger property tax relief checks and record funding for STAR and Enhanced STAR.
“We also secured a key victory for Western New York children, parents, and teachers through record investments in our schools as well as common sense policies to ensure transparency and fairness in student testing and teacher evaluations. We’ve also prioritized local job creation by taking important steps to strengthen agriculture, redevelop brownfields, reduce energy rates, fund infrastructure, and expand green technology.
“In other areas, we increased critical services to veterans returning from combat, children without adequate health care, women subjected to rape and domestic violence, victims of mental illness, and individuals and families affected by disabilities. Stricter measures against drug dealers and sex offenders will keep our families and communities safe.
“But I’m also extremely disappointed in the actions – or inaction – taken by the New York City-dominated Assembly and a downstate liberal Governor on key issues. The Governor and Assembly walked away from most of our common sense reforms to the unconstitutional SAFE Act.
“The Governor threatened to shut down government unless legislators accepted his divisive education proposals. He has also vowed to proceed unilaterally on controversial issues like mandating a minimum wage that’s unacceptable to our small businesses and non-profits and appointing a special prosecutor to investigate our police officers.
“Despite the progress, I’m not ready to declare victory because we still have a lot of work ahead of us to revitalize Western New York and fight back against the destructive policies of downstate politicians and special interests.”
Hawley says upstate ignored as ‘Corruption Session’ comes to a close
“This year’s session has been extremely dysfunctional and marred by gridlock and controversy,” Hawley said. “We saw the downfall of two of Albany ‘s most powerful elected officials, yet there has been little to no meaningful ethics reform passed despite consistent pressure from the Assembly Minority Conference. Gridlock epitomized the waning days of session and the divide between upstate and downstate became much more apparent.
“As upstate businesses continue to struggle and middle-class New York is eroding, legislative leaders selfishly negotiated rent control as their end-of-session priority, an issue virtually meaningless to upstate New York.
“The extended negotiations between the ‘three men in a room’ cost taxpayers almost $40,000 per day for the per diem and travel expenses for the 213 legislators that were required to remain in Albany. We have been in session for a total of 14 hours this week, so that amounts to an extra $160,000, or $11,429 per hour in session, paid for by taxpayers. These extended negotiations are an affront to hardworking citizens of our state. “
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower, left front, has been endorsed for sheriff by a union representing jail corrections officers, dispatchers, three clerical staff for the Sheriff’s Department, and two kitchen employees at the jail. (Bower is pictured at the far left with Jim Lyman from Council 82, Local Union President Mike Christopher and Lt. Chris Bourke, who Bower said would serve as undersheriff if Bower is elected.)
(Editor’s Note: This article includes two corrections/ clarifications from an earlier version, which stated the union gave most of its support to Randy Bower, then Tom Drennan had second most votes and Donald Organisciak was third. The vote to endorse didn’t include the option to vote for Drennan or Organisciak. It asked union members if they wanted to endorse Bower, not endorse him or if they preferred not to vote. About 60 percent favored endorsing Bower, with about 30 percent saying they didn’t want to endorse him and about 10 percent saying they didn’t want to vote.
The earlier version also listed four job titles that are part of the union but the article may have implied each of the four groups voted for Bower. The vote was the collective total from the four job titles.)
Randy Bower, a dispatcher for nearly 30 years, is running for Orleans County sheriff. He has the Conservative Party endorsement and is working on forcing a Republican primary against Tom Drennan, the chief deputy for the Sheriff’s Department. Drennan was endorsed by the Orleans County Republican Committee last month.
The Democratic Party has endorsed retired Medina police investigator Donald Organisciak for sheriff.
Scott Hess, the incumbent, is retiring on Dec. 31 and isn’t seeking re-election.
Bower and many of his key supporters met Thursday at the Orleans County Veterans Club when Bower was presented a $1,000 campaign donation and endorsement from the Council 82. That union in Albany represents about 4,300 corrections officers and law enforcement officers.
Jim Lyman from Council 82 made the trip to Albion to meet Bower. Lyman said Council 82 takes direction from the local union for endorsements and donations.
Mike Christopher, a corrections officer in the jail for 23 years, is president of the local union. He said the union membership put the endorsement to a vote and Bower received the majority of the support.
Bower reached out to the union for an endorsement, and Christopher said the group welcomed being part of the election process.
Drennan didn’t seek an endorsement from the union and he said he doesn’t want to put employees in an awkward position at work, asking them to pick sides.
Bower also has the endorsement from the Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
With the latest endorsement of the union that represents dispatchers, corrections officers and some other Sheriff’s staff, Bower said he has a team that can work to improve services for residents.
“With the support from the two unions there will be no broken campaign promises,” Bower said. “We can get the job done.”
One of Bower’s plans is to reach out to the state for a more intensive drug and alcohol abuse program for inmates. Bower said many of the inmates are in jail due to their addictions.
Christopher, in his role as correction officer, said he sees the impact drug and alcohol addictions have in crimes that result in jail.
“Nine out of 10 inmates are in there directly or indirectly by drugs or alcohol,” Christopher said. He wants a stronger program to help inmates break the cycle of addiction.
Christopher said he has known Bower since they were kids growing up in Holley. Christopher was the ball boy in junior high when Bower played on the varsity basketball team.
Bower was injured in a car accident at 18, and paralyzed from the waist down. He has shown tremendous determination in living a full and active life since that accident more than three decades ago, Christopher said.
He has watched Bower ride snowmobiles, play golf and hunt since he has been paralyzed from the waist down.
“I’ve known Randy since we were kids and you can’t find a more likable guy,” Christopher said.
He knows Bower can inspire others, and raise the level of performance.
“It’s really a motivation thing,” he said about Bower. “He shows initiative and he has good ideas.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – The Orleans County Historical Association wants to preserve this one-room schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road in Gaines, just north of the Erie Canal. The building (pictured in March) was built in 1832 and is one of the oldest cobblestone structures in the county. The Historical Association would like to have a historical marker noting the building’s history as a schoolhouse.
ALBION – Orleans County’s pride in its history is obvious from the many markers that celebrate prominent former residents, architectural marvels and other important sites in the county, County Historian Matt Ballard said.
For many years, the county set aside funds in the historian’s budget to help pay for the blue and gold markers that are sprinkled around the county, Ballard told county legislators on Wednesday.
Ballard wants to have those funds reinstated some more markers can go up in a partnership with the Orleans County Historical Association.
That group wants a marker on Gaines Basin Road for a former one-room cobblestone schoolhouse that was built in 1832. That site “is likely the oldest cobblestone building we have in Orleans County,” said Al Capurso, who is leading the effort to preserve the former schoolhouse, which has largely been abandoned since 1944.
The Historical Association is in process of acquiring the former school house from Jim Panek, who is donating the building, Capurso said. Volunteers have been cleaning out the school house and planning for its future.
The marker would note the Gaines Basin Schoolhouse was built from field cobblestones in 1832, replacing a log cabin where Caroline Phipps taught. She would later start a seminary for women in Albion at a site where the County Clerks’ Building now stands.
Here is a rendering on how the historical marker could look.
The historical marker would cost $1,289. Capurso and Ballard asked legislators to set aside $500 in county funds for the marker. The Historical Association would pay the remaining $789.
Legislature Chairman David Callard said the county wants to first see a public campaign to cover the $500. If the funds can’t be raised, Callard said the Legislature would consider the request.
Callard also said he would like to see the group work on refurbishing some of the existing signs that have flaking paint and are difficult to read.
Capurso said the effort to preserve the schoolhouse has enjoyed support in the community, from Jim Panek, the volunteers on the cleaning crew, and the Town of Gaines, which said it would have highway workers set the marker in concrete.
Capurso said the marker and effort to save the site will honor the cobblestone masons from nearly two centuries ago, and the many students and teachers who worked out of the building.
Putting up the marker and safeguarding the building are small tasks compared to efforts of the early settlers, teachers and students.
“Our efforts pale in contrast to what they’ve done,” Capurso said.
He also praised the contributions of the late Emilio Dilodovico, a farmer who kept the schoolhouse from collapse.
“He kept it going,” Capurso said. “It’s still structurally sound.”
For more information on the project, call Capurso at 590-0763.
Bruce Schmidt, a Gaines town justice and member of the Historical Association, also encouraged the county to develop heritage tourism trails. He cited a smiliar effort in Niagara County. The trails could have locations about the Underground Railroad, Civil War and other historical sites, Schmidt said.
Provided photo – The Orleans County Clay Crushers are pictured after members won many medals in last Sunday’s State Trap and Skeet Championships.
Press Release, Orleans County Clay Crushers
Thirty-six members of the Orleans County Clay Crushers youth shooting team participated in the State Trap and Skeet Championships held at the DeWitt Fish and Game Club in Jamesville on Sunday. The event is part of the New York State Scholastic Clay Target Program.
In the Trap shooting competition:
In the Intermediate Entry Division the OCCC squad of Alex Rustay (Albion), Ryan Krenning (Albion), Austin Aman (Albion), Jacob Long (Elba) and Tyler Goslau (Albion) earned first place honors.
The OCCC squad of Shane Hastings (Albion), Max Hapeman (Albion) Cole London (Albion) and Madison Bale (Medina) shot their way to a third place finish. Individually, Jacob Long broke 92 out of 100 targets to place first in the division. Alex Rustay broke 74 out of 100 targets to take third.
In the Intermediate Advanced Division, the squad of Patrick Brien (Albion), Mitchell Knaak (Albion), James Hapeman (Albion), Jacob Delamarter (Albion) and Andrea Muoio (Albion) came in first place.
The OCCC squad of Victor Benjosky (Albion), Bryan Bale (Medina), Zachary Monagan (Albion), Ryan Mileham (Wyoming, NY) and Jacob Kuhmann (Medina) placed second.
Individually, Patrick Brien broke 88 out of 100 targets to earn first place, Ryan Mileham broke 83 out of 100 for second place and Andrea Muoio also broke 83 out of 100 targets and earned a third place finish.
In the Junior Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Anthony Tomasetti (Holley), Bryce Wickham (Medina), Brett Nichols (Wyoming, NY), MacKenzie Donahue (Albion) and Jacob Bensley (Medina) shot their way to first place. Individually, Anthony Tomasetti broke 90 out of 100 targets to capture first place. Bryce Wickham broke 85 out of 100 targets to earn a third place finish.
In the Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Brandon Baker (Brockport), Zach Brazzell (Medina), Jared Atwell (Albion), Jenna Coyne (Pittsford) and Jack Burgoon (Albion) shot their way to a first place finish.
The OCCC squad of Josh Hylkema (Batavia), Dyer Benjovsky(Albion), Hayden London (Albion), Logan London (Albion) and Kerry Rice (Albion) placed third. Individually, Jared Atwell broke 95 out of 100 targets and earned second place.
In the Skeet competition:
In the Intermediate Entry Division, the OCCC squad of Madison Bale (Medina) and Alex Rustay (Albion) earned second place honors. Individually, Madison Bale broke 52 out of 100 targets and placed second.
In the Intermediate Advanced Division, the OCCC squad of Patrick Brien (Albion), Mitchell Knaak (Albion) and Jacob Delamarter (Albion) came in second place. Individually, Patrick Brien broke 88 out of 100 targets to earn first place honors.
In the Junior Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Jacob Bensley (Medina), Anthony Tomasetti (Holley) and Bryan Bale (Medina) shot their way to first place.
The OCCC squad of Zach Monagan (Albion) and MacKenzie Donahue (Albion) came in second. Individually, Jacob Bensley broke 78 out of 100 targets to earn first place while Bryan Bale broke 72 out of 100 targets for second.
In the Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Jared Atwell (Albion), Zach Brazzell (Medina) and Brandon Baker (Brockport) earned first place honors.
Individually, Jared Atwell broke 94 out of 100 targets for first place, Zach Brazzell broke 85 out of 100 targets for second place and Brandon Baker broke 83 out of 100 targets for third place.
The Orleans County Clay Crushers, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to teaching youth safe and responsible firearms handling in a safe, fun and competitive manner. For more information, contact Chris Rice at 585-589-5025.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am
CLARENDON – The towns of Barre and Clarendon were unable to hold a planned public hearing on the possible consolidation of their justice courts Tuesday evening due to the Barre Town Board not making the necessary quorum.
Barre Supervisor Mark Chamberlain explained that health-related issues had kept some members from attending.
Despite the fact an official public hearing could not be held, municipal leaders decided to discuss the issue informally and answer questions from residents in attendance.
Clarendon Supervisor Richard Moy explained that an official public hearing will need to be held as part of the process. If one or both of the towns then decide against consolidation, the issue would be dead. If both town boards agree to consolidate the court, the issue would be on the November ballot for a public vote. Clarendon residents would additionally decide if the town would go from two justices to one.
Moy outlined facts regarding consolidation: Each town can retain its own court facility; Clarendon Town Justice Thomas DiFante and Barre Town Justice Richard DeCarlo would have jurisdiction in both towns; and money would stay in the town in which it was collected.
Moy also clarified figures regarding state grant money. A $12,000 matching grant would be available to each town for costs associated with the consolidation process and additional grant money would be available from the state following consolidation.
District Attorney night would be held in each town, just as it is now, Moy added.
Joe Cardone, Orleans County district attorney, attended the meeting.
“From my perspective, (consolidation) has worked well,” he said, regarding the west side of the county where the Ridgeway, Shelby, and Yates justice courts have been consolidated.
“One judge is able to handle the workload in these jurisdictions,” he said and noted that in 1992, the county had 23 municipal justices.
“I think now the number is down to 14,” Cardone said.
Besides the town court consolidation on the western end, where the three towns went from two judges to one each, the villages of Medina and Albion eliminated their courts, with towns picking up the added workload.
A Clarendon resident asked about the extent of financial savings if consolidation takes place.
“It’s not a huge amount of money,” Moy said and explained that at budget time, the town could decide to pay a single justice more, but not as much as both justices combined.
“Overall, most people will tell you there’s not great financial savings,” Cardone added. “There are some savings to the county.”
Others asked about what would happen if one of the justices needs to take a long-term leave. Cardone explained that County Court Judge James Punch would then appoint someone to serve as justice. In the case of short-term leaves, one judge would take over both courts. If a judge needs to recuse himself from a case, the case is moved to another jurisdiction.
Barre Town Justice Richard DeCarlo expressed concerns that in the future, the state might step in and change the law regarding consolidation – perhaps compelling towns to have only one court facility.
“The direction from the state has been to let local jurisdictions do what best works for them to make the court system most efficient,” Cardone responded, but explained if changes come from the state level, there would not be much the towns could do.
Clarendon Town Attorney Karl Essler said that the town boards could work together on the language of future resolutions regarding court consolidation to help protect them from any future changes which might happen at the state level.
Town of Ridgeway Court Clerk Stacy Silker attended the meeting.
“It works just fine,” she said of consolidation on the county’s west side and referenced a recent traffic ticket conflict in the Ridgeway court. “We sent it to Yates and didn’t have to take it to Judge Punch,” she said.
Clarendon and Barre will now have to determine if they can set a new date for an official public hearing, or, if because of the time-frame, need to pass another resolution first before calling for a public hearing.
Sept. 28 is the “drop dead date” for the towns to approve consolidation in order for the issue to appear on this November’s ballot, Moy said.
A Rochester man is in Orleans County Jail without bail after being arrested on Monday and charged with eight counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony.
Roy L. Carter, 39, of 474 Alexander St. is accused of selling crack cocaine in Orleans County, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.
Carter was arrested after a six-month investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine from Rochester to Orleans County. The Task Force was assisted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Town of Ogden Police Department, Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and Rochester Police Department in executing a search warrant on a vehicle in Spencerport and a residence at 474 Alexander St., Rochester.
Photo courtesy of Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force
Police seized approximately 50 grams of crack cocaine and powder cocaine, a loaded defaced 9 mm semi-auto pistol, more than $1,000 in cash, scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.
Carter was committed to Orleans County Jail without bail, and is to appear in Orleans County Court at 2 p.m. today. He is currently on probation in Monroe County.
Further drug and weapon charges are pending in Monroe County, the Task Force reported.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The federal Environmental Protection Agency has denied a grant application to identify brownfields, sites in Orleans County that may be contaminated and need environmental remediation.
The EPA sent a letter on May 28, notifying the Orleans Economic Development Agency of the news.
The EPA had 730 grant requests, but only had enough money to approve 253 projects, David R. Lloyd, director of the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, wrote in a letter to Jim Whipple, Orleans EDA chief executive officer.
The EDA sought the funds through the EPA’s National Brownfields Program Grant competition.
Lloyd urged the EDA to try for a brownfields grant next year.
“I commend your efforts and appreciate the time and energy you put into preparing your grant proposal,” Lloyd said in the letter to the EDA. “Although your proposal was not selected, we thank you for your continued efforts to return brownfields to productive reuse.”
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess is pleased to announce that 12 children from Orleans County will attend the NYS Sheriffs’ Association’s Summer Camp this year.
Located on Keuka Lake in Yates County, the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. The camp has been in operation since the mid-1970s and is supported by the NYSSA’s honorary members through their contributions and annual dues. This year, as in the past, the camp will accommodate hundreds of deserving kids from across New York State from June 28 through July 4.
Throughout their week-long stay, these children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by Sheriff’s Deputies and other law enforcement personnel from across the state. Included are D.A.R.E. presentations, boat- and bicycle-safety programs, law-enforcement equipment & technical demonstrations, pistol & archery competitions, and a talent show.
Upon completion of their stay, all campers will be awarded a certificate for their participation in a program of Good Citizenship & Law Enforcement Studies.
The following children are the 2015 Orleans County attendees:
From Albion: Maria Cruz, 12, Kaitlyn Ramirez, 12, Raul Cruz, 11, Vanessa Perez, 10, Alejandro Samsel, 10, Anayeli Cruz, 9, Charles Samsel, 9, and Raja Warren, 9.
From Kent: Brianna Sample, 10, and Aries Schuster, 10.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced resurfacing projects totaling $75 million will be completed this year on approximately 428 lane miles of state highways across New York. That includes Route 98 from Route 31A to Route 104 in Orleans County.
Funding for these projects was accelerated into this construction season in order to repair widespread damage from deep frost over the winter.
“It’s important to keep the state’s highways in top shape, and after another harsh winter, we’re expediting critical repair projects to ensure the roads are safer for New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will speed up much-needed resurfacing and rebuilding efforts, which is good for motorists across the state.”
These accelerated paving projects are in addition to more than $437 million in capital construction funds dedicated to paving an estimated 2,311 miles of state roads in the 2015-2016 State Fiscal Year.
Depending on the location, the New York State Department of Transportation’s resurfacing projects will include paving over sections of rough road, removing the worn top layer of pavement from all travel lanes and shoulders, repairing base concrete and/or asphalt and installing a new asphalt riding surface.
Wherever practical, pavement that is removed will be recycled and reused, either at the same location or in future construction. Traffic signal vehicle detectors will be replaced and new pavement markings will be installed as needed.
“By accelerating essential resurfacing projects into this construction year, we are able to mitigate some of the damage caused the severe freeze-thaw cycle that contributed to advanced road deterioration this winter,” said DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center became privately owned this year and was added to the tax rolls for the first time at a $6,618,900 assessment. Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC bought the site for $7.8 million.
ALBION – For the first time since the nursing home was constructed in 1960, the site on Route 31 in Albion was added to the tax rolls this year.
The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center was purchased for $7.8 million by Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. The site has 120 beds, including a rehabilitation unit.
The site went on the tax rolls in May with a $6,618,900 assessment. Assessors factored the site’s market value and its annual income in trying to determine the assessed value, said Dawn Allen, the director of real property tax services in Orleans County.
The new owners of the nursing home are challenging the $6,618,900, filing a grievance saying the assessment should be lower. A final assessment will be determined before July 1 by the Board of Assessment Review.
The site is just outside the Village of Albion and won’t give the village a much-needed boost in its assessed value. However, the Town of Albion, Orleans County and Albion Central School will all see a jump in their tax rolls.
Comprehensive would have to pay $211,606 in taxes to the town, county, school district and library based on a combined $31.97 tax rate on a $6,618,900 assessment. Every $1 million in assessed value means $31,970 in taxes.
Another nursing home in the county also is challenging its assessment.
Global Health Care purchased Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, a 160-bed nursing home on Bates Road, in 2012 from Medina Memorial Hospital. The site sold for $4.1 million and that has been its assessment since going on the tax rolls for the first time in 2013. That site is located within the Village of Medina.
Global Health Care has filed a grievance, challenging the assessment. The issue will be considered by the Board of Assessment Review, weighing information from Global and the local assessor.
