NY appeals to IJC to let out more water

Photo courtesy of Nicole Bellnier: Ed Bellnier tries to save the steps that led to the deck at his home along Lake Ontario in Point Breeze on Monday.

Press Release, Gov. Cuomo’s Office

Governor Cuomo today declared a State of Emergency for the following counties in order to expedite repair to impacted structures and construction of shoreline stabilization projects: Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wayne.

The Governor’s order empowers the Department of Environmental Conservation and other state agencies to issue emergency individual permits for those larger-scale response actions that may be necessary.

Cuomo also announced the deployment of 20 members of the National Guard and a coordinated Lake Ontario Rapid Response Team, including experts from the DEC, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, National Guard, State Police and Office of General Services, along with city and county agencies.

At the Governor’s direction, 365,000 sandbags have been deployed to the region and are ready for placement in lower elevation areas. The deployments by county are as follows: 60,000 for Niagara County, 30,000 for Orleans County, 115,000 for Wayne County, 50,000 for Jefferson County, 30,000 for Oswego County and 80,000 to Monroe County. Five sandbaggers have also been deployed to Niagara, Monroe and Wayne Counties.

The Governor also announced that the State is formally appealing to the International Joint Commission to release additional water through the Moses-Saunders Dam to lower Lake Ontario water levels and protect impacted communities. The IJC is a bi-national organization established by the federal governments of the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, regulates Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River water levels by controlling water releases through the Moses-Saunders Dam located on the St. Lawrence River between Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York.

In addition, the Governor has launched a Lake Ontario Flood Assistance Hotline to provide the latest information to residents affected in their community at 866-244-3839. Residents can call the hotline for the latest flooding forecast, help with flood mitigation measures like sandbags, or for technical assistance regarding on-site repairs.

“With waters on the Lake Ontario coastline rising to the highest levels in 20 years, we are remaining vigilant and will continue to do everything in our power to assist communities with flooding preparation and response measures,” Cuomo said.

DHSES has been in constant communication with county emergency management officials in the region. The New York State Police assets are ready for deployment as needed and troopers are on high alert and instructed to closely monitor flood prone areas for rising waters while on patrol. Two high axle vehicles with zodiac boats and an additional sandbagger has been pre-positioned at DHSES Chili Stockpile, and the Stockpile is also fully stocked with generators, light towers, pumps, hoses and barriers which can be deployed as necessary.

As part of the Lake Ontario Rapid Response Team, DEC is deploying a team of experienced coastal engineers to Lake Ontario to work with property owners to address erosion, conduct site visits, meet with owners, and offer technical guidance. The team will rapidly review all emergency permit applications received. DEC’s engineers stand ready to work with property owners so that protective structures can be repaired and homeowners can take appropriate actions expeditiously. Property owners can contact DEC’s Division of Water at 518-402-8185 or coastals@dec.ny.gov.

As of April 27, Lake Ontario levels rose about 25 inches since the beginning of April, reaching 247.7 feet, which is over 20 inches above the seasonal average. The current Army Corp of Engineers Lake Level forecast indicates that the lake may rise an additional 3 inches through May 28, 2017. The coastal communities of Lake Ontario are at particular risk from wind-driven waves and even higher water elevations from storm surge. Many towns have declared a state of emergency.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “With increased precipitation and rapid snow melt, record water flows through major tributaries upstream and downstream of the lake, water is high throughout the Great Lakes system. The Governor has directed DEC to take strong actions now to assist local communities and residents with erosion and flooding issues. The State of Emergency and associated actions announced today will reduce flood risk and help speed recovery.”

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File photo by Tom Rivers: The County Administration Building on Route 31 in Albion may get an addition with some county departments moving to that site, including from the historic Courthouse Square.

ALBION – Orleans County is waiting to hear from the state if there are grant funds available to help pay for an addition to the County Administration Building on Route 31.

The county building, at 14106 Route 31 West, is located behind The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center and the Public Health Department.

The county may shift several offices to the addition, including the Board of Elections and Public Health Department, which is leasing space from Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services, the owner of the nursing home.

The county could also shift information technology (currently in Treasurer’s Office), the legislative chambers (in County Clerk’s Building), the county’s administrative office (also in Clerk’s Building) and create large multi-use rooms to accommodate training for large groups, conference rooms and offices.

The county last year agreed to pay Wendel, a firm in Williamsville, to design the addition to the County Administration Building. Payment for up to $70,000 to Wendel was approved during last Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting.

Legislator Bill Eick, R-Shelby, made the motion to approve the payment, while noting it was a “possible” addition.

“It’s not a done deal yet,” David Callard, the Legislature chairman, said this morning. “We are waiting to hear about grant funding which would further define the project, whether we would pursue it now and to what extent.”

Moving the Elections and Public Health from leased space will free up money that could go towards the addition. The county expected to hear from the state last December if it would assist with the project. Callard said the state hasn’t made a decision yet on whether it will contribute.

Callard said he and county officials looked at existing buildings, including sites in Albion’s historic downtown, but those sites wouldn’t improve efficiency of the county government operations.

The Legislature last week approved two other agreements to advance projects, including $40,000 to the Wendel firm for work on a waterfront revitalization plan for the towns of Kendall, Carlton and Yates.

The county also agreed to pay$14,750 to Delmar Electric Construction Corporation of Tonawanda to upgrade electricity for the docks at the Orleans County Marine Park.

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File photo by Tom Rivers: The canal bridge on Bennetts Corners Road in the Town of Murray is one of seven on schedule for improvements in the next two years. The bridge has had the weight limit reduced to 4 tons. The county credits a lobbyist for helping to make the canal bridge repairs a bigger priority for the state.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has agreed to keep a lobbyist working as an advocate for the county in Albany at $5,000 a month or $60,000 annually.

The Legislature last week voted to renew its agreement with Park Strategies, effective May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018.

That is the same amount the county has paid the lobbying each of the past two years.

Legislature Chairman David Callard said Park Strategies has been worth the money, by helping the county better connect with state officials on many issues, including more state investment in canal bridges and the Lake Ontario State Parkway.

The state last year announced an “unprecedented” push to bolster 17 canal bridges in the region, including seven in Orleans County, DOT Regional Director Kevin Bush said.

The state DOT also is planning $14 million in paving and improvements to the Parkway starting at Route 237 in Kendall and heading east into Monroe County.

The DOT’s capital plan for the region also includes $13 million for canal bridges in Orleans in 2017-18. Those bridges are about 100 years old.

The ones identified for improvements include Bates Road in Ridgeway, Bennetts Corners in Murray, Densmore Road in Gaines, Gaines Basin Road in Albion, Marshall Road in Ridgeway, Telegraph Road in Murray and Transit Road in Albion.

The DOT also plans major rehab work to the Main Street lift bridge in Albion as well as the lift bridge in Brockport. The work on those two lift bridges is pegged at $7.8 million in 2018-19.

The county also secured grants for Marine Park upgrades and a planning grant to update a lakefront development study for the towns of Yates, Carlton and Kendall.

“They’re integrally involved in our overall strategy,” Callard said during last week’s County Legislature meeting. “It’s been very worthwhile.”

Legislator Ken DeRoller said Park Strategies has helped get county officials “in the room” with state leaders, so the county officials could press for funding for the bridges, the Parkway and other concerns. Park Strategies helped set up a meeting with the Department of State for the updated plan for Yates, Carlton and Kendall, DeRoller said.

“It’s an opportunity to get us in the right place and right time to influence Orleans County,” DeRoller said.

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Skip Draper picked to succeed David Callard, Kim DeFrank for treasurer

ALBION – The Orleans County Republican Committee met this evening to endorse candidates for county elected office, including successors for two long-time officials  who are retiring – County Legislator David Callard and Treasurer Susan Heard.

Skip Draper

Callard represents a countywide position for a legislator who lives in western Orleans. The Republican Committee endorsed Skip Draper, the Shelby town supervisor to take Callard has been a county legislator for nearly 24 years and is the current chairman of the seven-member Legislature.

The five other Republican incumbents were all endorsed for new two-year terms, including Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville (District that includes Yates, Ridgeway and portion of Shelby), Bill Eick of Shelby (District that includes most of Shelby, and Barre and Clarendon), John DeFillipps of Clarendon (countywide position from east end), Ken DeRoller of Kendall (District that includes Murray, Kendall and Carlton) and Don Allport of Gaines (countywide position from central Orleans.)

Allport was challenged by Bilal Huzair of Carlton for the Republican nomination.

Kim DeFrank

The Republicans opted again not to run a candidate, the lone Democrat on the Legislature. Miller represents a district that includes Albion and Gaines.

The GOP Committee endorsed Kim DeFrank of Murray for a four-year term as a county treasurer. She is the current deputy treasurer. She is seeking to succeed Susan Heard, who is retiring after 24 years as county treasurer. Heard has worked in the Treasurer’s Office for 40 years, starting when she was 18 on a summer work program.

DeFrank has worked in the office for 23 years, starting from the bottom like Heard and working her way up.

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Motorcycle Awareness and Safety, Armed Forces Week, Foster Care Month, Donate Life Month all recognized

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature issued several proclamations on Wednesday, trying to highlight programs in the county and region.

The top photo shows Legislature Chairman David Callard reading a proclamation recognizing April as “Donate Life Month.” Lori Laine and her husband Tom accepted the proclamation. Mr. Laine received a liver transplant in July 2014.

County Legislator Fred Miller, right, reads a proclamation declaring May as “Foster Care Month.” Tom Kuryla, the Department of Social Services commissioner, accepts the proclamation. The county will have a banner on the Courthouse lawn for two weeks in May, thanking foster care families and encouraging others to serve in that role.

Matt Tracy, vice president of the ABATE chapter in Orleans County, accepts a proclamation from County Legislator John DeFillipps declaring May, “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.” ABATE will have a rally and ride in the county on May 7, beginning at noon at the courthouse.

The county also joined seven others in Western New York in declaring May 7-13 as Western New York Armed Forces Week. The proclamation encourages residents to thank active duty members, reservists, military retirees and veterans “for their dedication, sacrifices and service to Our Nation.” County Legislator Don Allport presents the proclamation to Earl Schmidt, director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County; and David Kusmierczak, a veteran from Medina.

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File photo by Tom Rivers: The Farm-To-Table dinner in Medina is featured in a new video about attractions in Orleans County. There were 137 people who participated in the first dinner last Aug. 4.

ALBION – A new video highlighting Orleans County attractions has gone live on YouTube.

The video, “Discover Orleans County from a New Perspective,” includes footage shot from drone. The 3:23-long video was put together by Lynne Menz, the county’s tourism coordinator.

To see the video, click here.

It includes video of Courthouse Square, the Cobblestone Museum, the tower at Mount Albion Cemetery, Medina Railroad Museum and Thomas the Train Engine, warm weather parades in Albion and Lyndonville, 4-H Fair rides and the grease pole, Canal Culvert tunnel in Ridgeway, kayakers, Holley waterfalls, Metro 10 race in Albion, Farm-To-Table dinner on Main Street in Medina, a farm market, the Oak Orchard Harbor at Point Breeze, concerts at the Orleans County Marine Park, sailboats on Lake Ontario, fly fishermen on the Oak Orchard River, the Kendall scarecrow fest and country barn quilt tour. The video concludes with images from the Parade of Lights in Medina.

Menz showed the video in Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting. Legislators and others at the meeting applauded and congratulated Menz.

She said she would like to work on themed videos for agriculture, fishing and other attractions in the county.

“I’m hoping this one goes viral,” she said.

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Medina seeks to reduce board seats from 9 to 7

Candidates have come forward to run for volunteer positions on the Board of Education.

The five local districts had a candidate filing deadline on Monday. They will be on the ballot during the May 16 annual budget votes and elections.

Medina also is seeking to reduce the number of positions on its board from nine to seven. If the proposition passes, the board would remain at nine seats in the 2017-18 school year, with the reduction taking effect beginning July 1, 2018.

• ALBION – There are three candidates running for two five-year seats on the board. Wayne Wadhams, Kathy Harling and incumbent Marlene Seielstad are all running. Dean Dibley decided not to seek another term on the board.

• HOLLEY – There are two open seats and both incumbents – Robin Silvis and Sal DeLuca – are seeking re-election to three-year terms. Andrea Newman also is seeking election to the BOE.

• KENDALL – Lisa Levett and Jason ReQua are running for two spots on the board. There is one five-year term and another to fill about a year on the board, from May 17, 2017 to June 30, 2018. The latter term is to fill the spot vacated when Martin Goodenbery moved out of the district. Levett is currently on the board, filling a different vacancy created when Chris Gerken resigned.

• LYNDONVILLE – Two people – Penny Barry and Darren Wilson – are running for two open seats. Susan Hrovat isn’t seeking re-election to her spot on the board, and Michelle Dillenbeck resigned from her seat last month. One of the open seats is for three years and the other is to fill the remainder of Dillenbeck’s term, which runs to June 30, 2018.

• MEDINA – In Medina, four people are running for three open seats, including incumbents Dave Sevenski and Bill Keppler. Mary Hare and Arlene Pawlaczyk are also running. Chris Keller isn’t seeking re-election.

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