Pay hikes will get Orleans to average salaries for smaller counties

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has approved a three-year contract with 24 members of the Orleans County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, giving the 24 members a boost in pay to bring the group to the average pay for deputies in smaller counties.

The agreement includes deputies, sergeants, criminal investigators and lieutenants. They are currently about $5,400 below the average base salary for their positions among 13 smaller counties. In Orleans, they currently have a base salary of about $75,000.

They will get a 6.6 percent raise in 2027, bring the base pay to about $80,000, and will then receive 2.5 percent increases every six months – Jan. 1, 2028; July 1, 2028; Jan. 1, 2029; and July 1, 2029.

The agreement brings Orleans in line with the salaries among other smaller counties, and still well below the pay offered by larger law enforcement departments in nearby Monroe County, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer. Some of those departments are offering $100,000 to start, he said. In Orleans, new deputies start at about $60,000 base salary.

The county used 13 comparable counties to compare the pay rates. Legislature Chairwoman thanked Welch, county attorney Kathy Bogan and Sheriff Chris Bourke for their work on the agreement which is in place seven months before the current contract expires.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has authorized the county to use a $6 million bond to pay for a new emergency management office at 14064 West County House Rd.

The Legislature in a unanimous vote on Tuesday authorized the county treasurer to issue a bond. That follows a vote about a month ago when the County Legislature approved about $5 million in construction bids today for a new Emergency Management Office.

The total cost of the EMO facility is expected to be about $5.5 million. The Legislature still needs to approve a bid for electric work on the building.

The new building will be one-story and 7,700 square feet. It was downsized from a proposal for a 17,000-square-foot building. Initially county officials sought a new building that was 11,000 square feet for offices and classrooms, and another 5,600 square feet for equipment storage. That complex would have topped $12 million.

The county has a $2 million federal grant secured by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney towards the project. That puts the local contribution to the building at about $3.5 million. (The county needs to spend the money towards the building and then gets reimbursed the $2 million from the federal government.)

The construction bids approved on April 28 include $3,931,000 for general construction by the Watson Construction Group Inc. of Albion; $360,000 for plumbing/fire protection by McGrain Mechanical of Rochester; and $547,500 to McGrain Mechanical of Rochester for HVAC.

The new building will be west of the current structure that is about 3,000 square feet. Most of the current EMO building is underground and is prone to flooding after heavy rains. It isn’t handicapped accessible and is tight on space.

County officials eventually want to have that building demolished but that isn’t part of the construction bids approved today.

The new building will include offices for the EMO’s three full-time staff, a classroom for training for firefighters and other first responders, and space to have the backup 911 dispatch system.

Legislators approved two other resolutions on Tuesday related to the EMO.

The Legislature approved paying Colliers Engineering & Design in Rochester $110,546 and $20,717 for professional services for the Emergency Management Office facility.

The county also will be renting space from the Fancher, Hulberton and Murray Volunteer Fire Co. at 3353 Hulberton Rd. in Holley from June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2031, using two apparatus bays for equipment and miscellaneous storage needs at no cost for first year then $10,000 each subsequent year.

With the new building being downsized, the EMO has some storage needs. The agreement with FHM will allow the EMO to store a command post, foam trailer for when there are spills, PPE (personal protective equipment) and supplies for the Health Department.

The fire trucks from FHM are now kept at the Holley fire hall. Mercy Flight also is using part of the FHM site to keep ambulances.

ALBION – The state has approved a $500,000 grant for Orleans County to upgrade the animal shelter at the intersection of Route 31A and Route 98.

The funding will go for kennel installation, upgraded fencing and HVAC systems, structural repairs and drainage improvements.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the grant as part of $10 million awarded to 31 animal care organizations across the state through the eighth round of the New York State Companion Animal Capital Projects Fund. The grants were announced on Friday.

“From cats and dogs to small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and more, pets are family,” Governor Hochul said. “Many of these beloved companion animals start their journey at an animal shelter or humane society, so I’m proud to continue supporting these essential organizations through New York’s historic Companion Animal Capital Projects Fund. This funding awarded today is going to make a real difference, helping to better equip these vital facilities with the tools they need to keep our furry friends safe and well cared for as they wait to meet their new families.”

Since the 2017 launch of the Companion Animal Capital Projects Fund program, the state has dedicated over $48 million to the program.

Photo by Tom Rivers: These veterans in the honor guard carry the colors along the parade route in Medina during last year’s Memorial Day parade on May 26, 2025. The parade started at the Pickle Factory on Park Avenue, then onto Main Street and East Center Street to State Street Park.

Communities in Orleans County are planning parades and services for Memorial Day. All of observances are on Monday, except in Kendall which has its service on Saturday, May 30. That was the original day of Memorial Day. It was changed to the be the last Monday of May in 1968 to have a three-day weekend for federal employees.

• ALBION – The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Main Street near the Park Street intersection. From there the processional goes to East Avenue, and then to the middle school.

A service will be held in front of the middle school at approximately 11 a.m.

• HOLLEY – A ceremony will start at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Post on Wright Street and will include patriotic music played by the Holley-Kendall Marching Band.

The Holley-Kendall Marching Band will then lead the way down 31 to the traffic light and then down South Main to Hillside Cemetery where the first of three services will take place. The Jewell Buckman gravesite across South Holley Road is the next service and then the Catholic cemetery for final prayer service.

• KENDALL – A ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Kendall Community Park where there is a war memorial and gazebo. It is located on Kendall Road, across from the Kendall Elementary School.

• LYNDONVILLE – A parade will start at 9 a.m. from the parking lot at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Lake Avenue and participants will march to the library for the ceremony which follows. (For veterans who wish to march in the parade or ride the trolley, they should arrive in the Lake Avenue parking lot no later than 8:45 a.m.)

• MEDINA – The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory building on Park Avenue and proceed to the State Street Park where a ceremony will be held at about noon.

Provided photo: from left, Foster Parent of the Year Michelle Lewis and DSS staff members Lianna Sheffer and Lizzy Boring.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – As part of Foster Care Awareness Month, the Orleans County Department of Social Services held its annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner on Monday night at Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion to recognize the individuals and families who provide safe, supportive, and nurturing homes for children in need.

The evening was coordinated through the efforts of the department’s Homefinder, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Boring, and Foster Care/Preventive Supervisor, Lianna Sheffer, whose work helped create a meaningful opportunity to celebrate and thank local foster families.

During the evening, Michelle and Cory Lewis were honored with the Foster Parents of the Year Award in recognition of their dedication, compassion, and commitment to children and families.

“Their willingness to open their home and heart reflects the important role foster parents play in the lives of children experiencing difficult circumstances,” said Dr. Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner of Orleans County DSS.

While the evening was a celebration of those already serving as foster parents, it also highlighted an important community need. Orleans County, like many communities across the state and country, continues to experience a shortage of foster homes.

“Foster care is about much more than providing a place for a child to stay — it is about providing safety, stability, support, and hope,” said Stumer. “Our foster parents step forward during some of the most difficult moments in a child’s life, and we are incredibly grateful for them. As we recognize Foster Care Awareness Month, we also encourage members of our community to consider whether fostering may be right for them. One caring home can make a lasting difference.”

The Orleans County Department of Social Services said it extends its appreciation to all foster families and staff who work together to support children and strengthen families throughout our community.

For those interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please contact Lizzy at 585-589-3161 or visit the county website to fill out the Foster Care Inquiry Form (click here).

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Dean Bellack, president of Orleans Community Connects’ board, takes a picture of volunteers from Baxter Healthcare before they left for their volunteer jobs during Community Connects Day.

KNOWLESVILLE – Volunteers from throughout the county joined together on Friday for Community Connects Day, sponsored by Orleans Community Connects.

Formerly known as Day of Caring, nearly 50 individuals arrived for breakfast at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, before embarking on their volunteer opportunities at a handful of sites.

Orleans Community Connects’ director Nyla Gaylord sits with volunteers Grace Ryan and Todd Schrauger, Baxter employees who volunteered for Community Connects Day on Friday.

Community Connects Day is a dedicated initiative that brings together volunteers and local nonprofits to complete meaningful projects which directly benefit the Orleans County Community.

More than a dozen volunteers came from Baxter on Friday, while others were from Velociti, Takeform, Western New York Energy and Orleans County Mental Health. Sites where they volunteered included Camp Rainbow, the YMCA, Cooperative Extension, Go Art! at Cooperative Extension, Hospice, P‘raising Kids and Arc GLOW.

Volunteers perform such duties as painting, lawn work, filing, cleaning, assembling bookcases and small maintenance jobs.

Orleans Community Connects’ director Nyla Gaylord welcomed volunteers and explained the organization’s name change and the successes achieved in recent years. This included grants and support for expanded broadband in Orleans County, including classes on how to use the modern technology.

“Our new name and new focus are to bring the community together, solve its problems and make it attractive for people to live here,” Gaylord said.

She also shared her appreciation to North Shore Network, who sponsored the day by providing funds for goodie bags for all volunteers. NSN, the company doing broadband installation in the county, is owned by Duston Ellis of Medina.

Dean Bellack, president of Orleans Community Connect’s board, addressed volunteers, saying the agency has made tremendous strides in recent years, having applied for and received more than $2 million in grants, which have funded a grant writer, broadband expansion, respite for caregivers and nutrition programs.

“Our next step is building finances to help towns and villages get state grants and to bring in housing and development,” Bellack said. “We are a housing development agency with a charitable component.”

Orleans Community Connects’ board president Dean Bellack chats with Rahema Quedue and Megan Davenport from Takeform on Friday before they leave for their volunteer opportunities for the day.

Gaylord and Bellack emphasized Orleans Community Connects will continue to give financial aid to its charitable partners throughout the county.

Among Friday’s volunteers were Grace Ryan from Baxter Healthcare. This is her third year of volunteering for the day.

“I have been a big supporter of everything Baxter does involving volunteers,” Ryan said. “I love doing it. Two years ago, I helped clean up the playground at Towne School, and last year I cleaned the storage at the YMCA. I’m going there this year.  It’s for sure I’ll be back again next year,” she said, giving a ‘thumbs up.’

Terry Kingdollar, a family support specialist with Arc GLOW, was with a group from the Arc’s Self Advocacy All Stars. Kingdollar said this was her third time volunteering.

“I like helping people,” she said.

Dawn Winkler, financial manager at Orleans Community Connects, checks in three volunteers at Community Connects Day – Cari Matusak and Larah Rotali from Baxter and Terry Kingdollar from Arc GLOW’s Self Advocacy All Stars.

Matt Luker came with co-workers from Western New York Energy.

“This is my first time here, but I’m a big community person,” he said. “I help in my community a lot, doing anything I can. I’m that kind of person.”

This was Megan Davenport’s first year to volunteer.

“I wanted to last year, but I was too busy at work,” she said. “So this year I made sure I had time this year.”

An employee of Takeform, Davenport headed to Camp Rainbow for the day.

Melinda Rhim, an employee of Orleans County Mental Health, has been an avid participant in the day for many years, going back to when she was on the board of United Way. She comes every year with a team of co-workers to volunteer.

A team from Western New York Energy wait to start out for their volunteer assignments at Community Connects Day on Friday, sponsored by Orleans Community Connects.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is backing an effort to create a state-wide registry of people convicted of animal cruelty.

A bill for “Buster’s Law” in the State Senate has been introduced by Sen. James Tedisco, a Republican for the the 44^th District.

Tedisco’s Senate Bill 1563 would amend the Agriculture and Markets Law to establish a statewide animal cruelty registry maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Buster’s Law was named after Buster, a cat, was intentionally burned to death in Schenectady in 1997. The perpetrator who poured kerosene on the cat was later imprisoned for other crimes, including attempted rape, sexual abuse and unlawful imprisonment of a 12-year-old girl.

Buster’s Bill in 1999 made unjustifiable, intentional and violent acts of cruelty to companion animals a Class E felony crime. Tedisco and legislators have said animal cruelty offenses have long been recognized as indicators of broader patterns of violent behavior.

 The proposed revision to Buster’s Law creates the state-wide registrythat would be made available in print and electronic form to law enforcement entities, district attorneys, humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, animal control officers, dog or cat protective associations, breeders, animal rescues, and pet stores conducting business in New York.

The bill would prohibit individuals required to register from owning companion animals or working in facilities where companion animals are present, including shelters, pounds, pet stores and zoos.

Orleans County legislators noted that counties are responsible for supporting animal control services, public safety functions, district attorney offices, and coordination with local humane societies and SPCA organizations. Counties would benefit from improved access to accurate, centralized information regarding individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses, legisators said last week when they voted to support the registry.

Leg leader says state policies play big role on local spending

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson gives her “state of the county” address on Tuesday at the legislative chambers in the County Office Building.

ALBION – The leader of the Orleans County Legislature said state policies are straining the county budget and local pocketbooks.

Lyne Johnson, the chairwoman of the County Legislature, said the impact of state mandated programs continues to increase as a percentage of the county property tax.

County officials in the past spoke about the “9 for 90” mandated programs, how nine directives from the state would consume about 90 percent of the property tax. Johnson said those days feel nostalgic because the mandated programs now are 115 percent of the property tax. (The county can offset some of that and provide non-mandated programs with the local sales tax revenues).

“Our government must do what working families do every day – live within a tight budget and make tough choices,” Johnson said in a “state of the county” address. “We must continually finds ways to do more with less. We must forgo some things we really need until we are in a better fiscal position, and we have to be creative and aggressive in our search for solutions.”

State policies have driven up costs for housing and energy. Residents also face climbing  expenses for childcare, groceries and filling their gas tank, Johnson said.

“New York has long been recognized as one of the least affordable states in the nation, but it feels like it has gotten much worse,” Johnson said. “The cost of living continues to rise faster than wages, leaving families squeezed from every direction.”

She faulted the state’s climate initiatives, in particular, for being “poorly designed” and ignoring the reality of the harsh Western New York winters. Johnson said the state rushed to close coal power plants, and has turned to thousands of acres of “unreliable solar panels on once pristine farmland.” Solar hasn’t made up for the loss of the coal plants, forcing NY to turn to other states for some power “at a premium cost.”

“This is just one of a hundred policies that simply ignore common sense,” she said.

Johnson said she will remain optimistic about Orleans County, and the resilience of its residents and the local leaders. She noted the County Legislature will continue to stay under the state-imposed property tax cap of about 2 percent.

“It’s no secret that this body will not vote to exceed the property tax cap because that just worsens the cost of the affordability crisis on our taxpayers,” she said.

She highlighted partnerships with neighboring counties, including the shared Genesee and Orleans County Health Department (GO Health) and the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance.

“Intermunicipal cooperation and the sharing of resources will always be an important focus for us,” she said.

The Legislature leader said county officials have pursued state and federal funding “at every turn possible, pounding the pavement in Washington and Albany to lobby for our needs.”

That paid off with $2 million from the federal government to help pay for a new Emergency Management Office operations center and $2 million for upgrades to the Public Safety Building.

The county is seeking $1.65 million through Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s office to renovate the former GCC building in Albion, which is currently used by Probation. The county would like to bring the Office for the Aging to the site as well.

Johnson cited other new initiatives to assist residents:

• Department of Social Services launching an AI-powered virtual phone assistant to help residents
• An annual paint recycling program with the next one is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 30 at the GCC campus in Medina.
• Emergency services citizen preparedness training
• Safe Harbor program to keep kids safe from online predators

Orleans County faces $252,000 financial hit from change

Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

ALBANY – The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), joined by county leaders from across the state and representatives from the anti-hunger community, today called on Congress to delay implementation of a major federal cost shift to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), warning it will strain local budgets and threaten food access for millions of New Yorkers.

The call came during a virtual press conference featuring NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario, NYSAC President and Oswego County Administrator Philip Church, Onondaga County Executive and New York State County Executives’ Association President Ryan McMahon, and leaders from the Regional Food Bank and Island Harvest.

The appeal follows changes enacted in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which reduces the federal share of SNAP administrative funding from 50 percent to 25 percent beginning October 1, 2026. In New York, where counties administer the program, this change is expected to impose at least $168 million in new annual costs for counties and New York City. (Editor’s Note: The impact to Orleans County would be $252,000 annually.)

County leaders are urging Congress to delay the cost shift to allow time for states and local governments to prepare for the significant operational and fiscal impacts.

“New York is unique in the nation in that counties are charged with delivering SNAP benefits to nearly 3 million New Yorkers, and this abrupt federal cost shift threatens our ability to do that effectively,” Acquario said. “We are asking Congress for a reasonable, bipartisan solution—a two-year delay—so counties can plan, build capacity, and continue serving residents without disruption.”

Acquario noted that the urgency of the issue is underscored by recent experience. During the federal government shutdown late last year, disruptions to SNAP benefits led to immediate spikes in demand at food banks across the state, highlighting the program’s critical role in preventing hunger and stabilizing communities.

Philip Church, NYSAC President and Oswego County Administrator, emphasized the fiscal pressure counties are already facing and the limited options available to absorb new costs.

“After decades of partnership, this sudden shift in federal responsibility places millions of dollars in new requirements on local governments,” said Church. “Counties are already dealing with rising costs in Medicaid, retirement benefits, and other state mandates. Without relief, we are left with two unacceptable choices: raise property taxes or cut essential public services.”

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon highlighted both the human and economic stakes of the proposed changes.

Leaders from New York’s food banks echoed these concerns, noting that any disruption to SNAP will increase demand on already strained emergency food systems.

Susan Lintner, Chief of Advocacy and Engagement, Regional Food Bank said, “For every meal provided by food banks and our partner food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters, SNAP provides nine; the charitable food system is not designed to meet that need. SNAP remains the our nation’s most critical program to addressing food insecurity. In order to ensure seamless continuity of these essential benefits, our county leaders deserve the opportunity to plan, prepare and budget to ensure that our neighbors continue to access, while also being fiscally responsible to taxpayers. All New Yorkers deserve the confidence of knowing they have access to their next meal.”

Counties stressed that the request for a delay is a practical, time-limited solution that would allow for proper planning, staffing, and system upgrades needed to implement the changes effectively.

In addition to the federal delay, county leaders urged the State of New York to include funding in the enacted state budget to cover the full cost of the shift if it proceeds as scheduled—protecting counties, New York City, and the 2.7 million New Yorkers who depend on SNAP.

Chart information from State Comptroller’s Office. The state-wide number represents the amount for local governments – counties and cities.

ALBION – Orleans County’s sales tax revenues are up 4.6 percent in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of nearly $300,000 from $5.88 million to $6.15 million, according to the State Comptroller’s Office.

Orleans is coming off a big sales tax year in 2025 when revenues jumped 9.3 percent or nearly $2.2 million from $23.42 million in 2024 to $25.59 million in 2025.

The revenue helps the county offset increases and helps hold down property taxes at the county level. The County legislature also shares $1,366,671 with the 10 towns and four villages, a level that has been unchanged since 2001. The towns and villages collectively receive about 5 percent of the total.

State-wide the local government sales tax collections are up 5.1 percent from $5.8 billion to 6.1 billion. Ulster County in seeing the biggest increase at 10.7 percent, followed by Genesee County at 9.7 percent.

“Local sales tax collections experienced a substantial increase in the first quarter compared to last year, but growth varied significantly by region,” said Tom DiNapoli, the state comptroller. “An economic slowdown due to geopolitical conflicts and federal actions could affect future tax collections, and local governments must be cautious in estimating this revenue.”

The comptroller said inflation was 2.4 percent in both January and February this year before increasing to 3.3 percent in March.

“In addition, gas prices spiked nationwide this past March due to the conflict between the United States and Iran,” the report from the comptroller stated. “Large fluctuations can influence local sales tax collections, even though motor fuels sales taxes comprise a small percentage of total collections.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Main Street in downtown Albion is shown in this photo from early March.