By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2022 at 11:20 am
ALBION – Orleans County has retained a lobbyist for $90,000 for 2023, keeping a relationship with Park Strategies that started in 2015.
The $90,000 is the same rate the county has paid annually since 2020.
The agreement calls for the county to pay Park Strategies $5,000 a month for government affairs services at the federal level and $2,500 a month for government affairs services at the state level.
The firm will be tasked with helping the county to receive $1.5 million from the federal government for broadband services. That funding was announced by Congressman Chris Jacobs and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer as part of a joint project with Niagara County.
“The way the language of the bill was written, we are having trouble accessing those funds for broadband,” said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
Park Strategies has contacted Jacobs office to try to resolve the issue before his term ends in the next few days. Park Strategies also has coordinated meetings with the federal agency handling the funds to see how the county can access that money, Welch said.
Park also is assisting the county in obtaining $2 million through U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s office for a new building for the Emergency Management Office.
“Orleans County currently has $3.5 million in promised funding from the federal government that Part Strategies is assisting us with the progress of being able to access these funds for our broadband and EMO project,” Welch said. “Without guidance from an outside agent for the county, we could very well lose these promised funds.”
Park Strategies was founded by Al D’Amato, the former U.S. senator from New York. The firm has given Orleans County a “louder voice” at the state and U.S. capitols, county officials said.
The firm assists county officials in setting up meetings with representatives from the state and federal governments. Park Strategies also makes the county aware of legislative that could be helpful or harmful to the county, and brainstorms ways to pursue funding for critical projects in the county.
In the past county officials have praised Park Strategies for helping to make the county’s case to the state Department of Transportation for canal bridges to be repaired. The state spent about $10.7 million recently to fix seven bridges.
The state also has repaved portions of the Lake Ontario State Parkway, committed to dredging harbors on Lake Ontario and also allocated funds to protect lakeshore properties from flooding.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2022 at 9:13 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has reappointed Kathy Case of Murray and Janice Grabowski as elections commissioners for two-year terms.
Case was recommended by the Orleans County Republican Committee and Grabowski was backed by the Democratic Committee. They will each be paid $21,664 in 2023 and $22,097 in 2024.
In other action at the Legislature’s meeting last week:
• Accepted a $93,490 state grant for the Sheriff’s Office for costs and services at the dispatch center. The funding is from the NYS 2021 Public Safety Answering Points Operations Grant Programs.
• The Sheriff’s Office also received a $26,888 grant from the State Homeland Security Program.
• Authorized emergency engine replacement of a 2017 Sheriff’s patrol vehicle for the K9 unit with $9,886 to be paid to Bidleman Chevrolet Buick GMC in Albion.
• Approved an agreement with James Punch, the retired Orleans County Court judge, to continue as the administrator of the Assigned Counsel Plan. Punch started in the role in Dec. 1, 2020. He will be paid $35,000 in 2023. He was recommended by the Assigned Counsel Advisory Committee.
• Appointed Dr. Thomas Madejski of Albion to continue to serve as coroner’s physician at an annual pay of $3,730 in 2023 and $3,805 in 2024.
• Authorized treasurer Kim DeFrank to set up new money in the Department of Public Works budget due to the $1,064,893 from the state’s Consolidated Local Street Highway Improvement program. Those CHIPS funds are an increase from the state.
• Appointed the following to three-year terms on the County Planning Board: Janet Navarra-Salvatore, representing Village of Albion; Michael Massaro, Village of Albion alternate; George Avery, Village of Lyndonville; Dan Gardner, Village of Medina; Richard Moss, Village of Medina alternate; David Knapp, Town of Murray; Thomas Fenton, Town of Ridgeway; and Tim Elliott, Ridgeway alternate.
• Reappointed John Kast of Kast Farms to serve an at-large position from the farming community on the Soil & Water District Board. The term is for three years.
• Reappointed Ed Urbanik to a three-year term on the Orleans County Board of Ethics.
• Created a part-time housekeeper aide position in the Office for the Aging to help with a waiting list for home care service. The position is 75 percent funded by the state.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 December 2022 at 8:00 pm
Villages and towns in Orleans share $1,366,671 – same amount since 2001
The Orleans County Legislature approved the 2023 sales tax apportionment for the 10 towns and four villages in the county.
They will again share $1,366,671 in sales tax. That amount to the towns and villages hasn’t changed since 2001 even though the sales tax revenue have seen big increases in recent years.
The county has used the big increase to stave off property tax increases while also addressing capital projects and infrastructure upgrades. The total local sales tax is about $20 million annually in Orleans County.
It has been rising recently with internet sales now taxed, higher inflation making goods and services more expensive, and higher gas prices for much of 2022.
The new amounts for the 10 towns in villages puts the total town share at $987,894 in 2023, down $3,157 from the $991,051 in 2022.
The villages are up $3,157 – from $375,620 to $378,777. Medina and Holley both will get more, while the villages of Albion and Holley are down slightly.
Charts compiled by the Orleans Hub.
The county every 10 years divvies up the shares among the towns and villages based on population. After that is set, the county in the following years will tweak the village and town amounts based on changes in taxable value in the municipalities. (That taxable value change doesn’t include Barre, Carlton, Clarendon and Kendall because they don’t have a village within their border.)
If a town’s tax base grows at a greater percentage than the village within that town’s borders, the town gets more of the sales tax and vice versa.
The villages generally see a steady decline in their sales tax because the towns’ tax base grows at a faster pace. In 2022, the village share dropped nearly $8,000. In 2013, the villages collectively received $404,661, nearly $26,000 more than they will get in 2023.
In Albion, the village hit a high of $211,669 in 2004. In 2022, it will receive $165,309, which is $46,360 less than in 2004.
In Holley, the village hit a high of $62,549 in 2002 – 21 years later it’s down to $46,545, a cut of $16,004.
Lyndonville was at $18,592 in 2002 and has dropped to $14,876 in 2023.
In Medina, the village received a high of $173,592 in 2002 and will be at $152,047 in 2023, a decline of $21,545.
Photos by Tom Rivers: A volunteer kept the Oak Orchard Lighthouse open on the evening of June 23, 2022 for people to climb to the top and learn about information at Point Breeze. The 35-foot lighthouse is a replica to one that toppled in 1916 after a storm.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 December 2022 at 9:00 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature opened up the county wallet last week and approved some funding for the Cobblestone Museum and the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum.
The Cobblestone Museum will receive $3,000 and the Lighthouse $1,500 with the funds coming from the county’s bed tax, the 4 percent tax on lodging.
The county has used the bed tax to fund tourism efforts, with the thinking that would bring more visitors to the county who would spend more at local businesses.
County Legislator Bill Eick of Shelby, who moved the resolution for money for the two organizations, said they both welcome visitors to the county and are key assets to the community.
The Cobblestone Museum has received $3,000 before in contingency funds from the county during a year-end meeting. This is the first time the Oak Orchard Ligththouse is getting money directly from the county since soon after the 35-foot-high structure was built in 2010.
Editor’s Note: Peg Wiley, one of the leaders of the effort to build the lighthouse, said the county provided $5,000 soon after it was built to help cover some of the contingencies related to the project.
The Cobblestone Museum has asked to be a line item in the county budget with an annual commitment from the county but that hasn’t happened.
The museum is working on developing a new visitors’ center at the corner of routes 98 and 104 that will be used to promote sites throughout the county.
The museum has raised $800,000 towards the project. Legislator Don Allport of Gaines cast the lone vote against county funding for the two organizations. He said he sees the Cobblestone Museum’s fundraising success as a sign it doesn’t need any help from the county.
He also said the county helped with the lighthouse at Point Breeze when it constructed in 2010.
“They’ve raised close to a million dollars,” he said about the Cobblestone Museum. “The $3,000 was supposed to be one time and it’s become a permanent part of the county budget.”
Eick said the Cobblestone Museum and Lighthouse are both iconic sites in the county, and are attractions.
“This is just to help them out,” Eick said.
The Cobblestone Museum, a National Historic Landmark, is working to development a visitors’ center at the corner of routes 104 and 98 in Gaines. The project would include a new addition to the historic brick house, and will give year-round access to the museum.
The Lighthouse hasn’t been able to raise its usual funding to help with the costs of operating the site.
“They have bills that have to be taken care of,” Eick said.
Chris Manaseri, vice president of the Lighthouse Museum’s board of directors, said the organization also is receiving $1,500 from the Town of Carlton and $600 from the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association. This is the first time the Lighthouse organization has asked for financial assistance from the town and county since soon after the site was constructed.
“Our organization has operated for a dozen years entirely on donations and grants,” he said.
The organization has about $5,500 in annual expenses with insurance, accounting, reporting and WiFi access.
“We’re very thankful to the town, the county and the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association for supporting this icon in the community,” Manaseri said. “This will help us to use this year to adjust some things.”
For many years Dick Anderson spearheaded successful fundraisers.
“He was the face of the lighthouse for many years,” Manaseri said.
Anderson passed away on Oct. 3 at age 84. Many of the fundraisers since 2020 were cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.
Manaseri said the Lighthouse Museum doesn’t want to seek annual funding from the town and county, but finds itself in need of some assistance right now.
The group has a dedicated core of volunteers who keep the site open on the weekends during warm-weather months.
“We draw a lot of attention on weekends,” he said. “Often we have 50 people on the weekends who climb the ladder inside the lighthouse and ring the bell.”
The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is a landmark at Point Breeze.
The Cobblestone Museum welcomes the $3,000 from the county, said Doug Farley, the museum’s director.
“I am very pleased that Orleans County is providing a $3,000 tourism appropriation for the Cobblestone Museum,” Farley said. “For our part, we are very committed to increasing tourism in the county as demonstrated by our recent purchase of our Visitors Center which will provide year-round tourism promotion and provide important tourism services to the traveling public.”
The Cobblestone Museum is a caretaker of artifacts from throughout the county. The site is the only National Historic Landmark in Orleans County.
The Holland Land Office Museum, a National Historic Landmark in Batavia, receives $38,554 in direct support from Genesee County.
The Orleans County Legislature on Nov. 30 passed a $93.7 million county budget for 2023. That budget provides funding for the following agencies or organizations in the county: $240,000 for the Cornell Cooperative Extension; $200,000 for the Orleans Economic Development; $95,000 for Soil & Water Conservation District; $10,000 to be shared among four public libraries; $5,000 for Mercy Flight; $4,000 for the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council; and $1,000 for the Sportsman’s Federation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2022 at 5:55 pm
ALBION – Orleans County will be closing most government operations on Friday with a blizzard warning in effect from 7 a.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Sunday.
The forecast includes sustained winds of 35 miles per hour with gusts topping 60 mph. Power outages are expected from the fierce winds.
Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman is moving to close non-essential county operations on Friday, with employees in essential operations to report to work per their Department Head’s operational plan.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2022 at 5:39 pm
Meetings will change from Wednesdays to Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Legislature is shown during a meeting on Monday, which was outside of the usual schedule on the fourth Wednesday due to the holiday season. Pictured from left include legislators Bill Eick, Ed Morgan and Don Allport, county attorney Kathy Bogan, County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch, Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, Clerk of Legislature Lisa Stenshorn and Legislator Fred Miller at far right. Not visible in photo are County Treasurer Kim DeFrank and legislators John Fitzak and Skip Draper.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is making a change in the day for its monthly meeting in 2023.
For at least 25 years, the Legislature has met on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. It was the second Wednesday of the month before being moved to the fourth Wednesday on most months.
In 2023, the Legislature will meet on the fourth Tuesday during the months of January, March, April, May, June, August, September and October. The meetings will be on the third Tuesday for February, July and December.
The sessions are in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building at 14016 Route 31 W.
Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer, said attendance from the public in person and through Zoom video conferencing has dropped, especially this year.
“After the pandemic, it seems like the public has stopped participating in person or online with our Legislature meetings,” Welch said. “In 2022 public participation has been extremely low.”
The Legislature is hopeful the change will result in more attending the meetings or offering comments through Zoom.
“One thing for sure is that participation can only improve with a new day,” Welch said. “This is another example of us asking why we are doing things a certain way. If our best answer is because we have always done it that way, then perhaps it is time to change things up a bit.”
The Legislature made a big change in its meetings in July 2019. That’s when the seven-member body moved from the top floor of the County Clerks Building in the historic Courthouse Square to a new meeting room as part of a 23,000-square-foot addition to the County Office Building on Route 31.
The County Legislature meets upstairs in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building at 14016 Route 31 W.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2022 at 9:05 am
Provided photo: Ron Bierstine has been a big part of the local fishing community for at least 25 years.
ALBION – Orleans County named a new sportsfishing coordinator on Monday. Ron Bierstine is no stranger to anglers, charter boat captains and the fishing community.
He has owned Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge since 1998, and has served on many local and state-wide committees to promote the fishery. He also works part-time as the dock master at the Orleans Marine Park, a county-owned site on Route 98.
Bierstine succeeds Mike Waterhouse, a charter boat captain who served in the post for 13 years until retiring in March 2018.
Bierstine has been volunteering to attend some trade shows to help promote the fishery. His hiring will take some pressure off Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director and allow the county to have a person focused on its top tourism attraction.
Sportsfishing is the county’s top tourism draw, with a total economic impact of $28 million with $5.1 million in local and state tax revenue, according to the NY State DEC Anglers Survey for 2017.
Borchet was pleased to see the Legislature hire Bierstine for the job on Monday.
“He has the experience,” Borchet said. “He already has been attending many of the shows.”
Besides attending sportsfishing trade shows, Bierstine will write articles, field calls and attend other events to promote lake and stream fishing in the county.
Bierstine has fished the local streams since the 1980s. He has a bachelor’s degree from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He worked as an environmental consultant in the 1990s before committing to the Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge in 1998.
He is a licensed outdoor fishing guide, and a member of the Lake Ontario Bi-National Stakeholders committee, the Lake Ontario Fishing Management Focus Group, the Governor’s Task Force to “Re-imagine the Canals” and the Lake Ontario Fisheries Advisory Board.
Bierstine will be paid up to $20,000 in the part-time role for 2023.
The county Legislature approved other resolutions affecting tourism and fishing on Monday.
The county is increasing the cost for boat slip rental by 20 percent in 2023 at the County Marine Park, with the seasonal rate for a 24-foot-long dock going to $1,135 ($315 a month), a 28-foot-long dock at $1,260 ($346 a month) and the daily rate at $1.50 per foot per boat per slip.
The Legislature also renewed agreements with Lynne Menz of Lynne Menz Designs in Kent to serve as tourism coordinator at a cost not to exceed $14,500 for 2023. Menz also will be paid up to $22,000 for design services for her work with advertising design, social media, photography and video production.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2022 at 9:06 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature today accepted a $937,336 construction bid from CATCO in Alden to replace a bridge on Route 237 in Kendall over Bald Eagle Creek.
The project totals $1,197,300 with preliminary engineering, design and right-of-way incidentals and construction. The total expense is 80 percent funded by the federal government ($957,840) with the state Marchiselli program paying 15 percent ($179,595) and the county the remaining 5 percent ($59,865).
In other action during today’s meeting, the Legislature:
• Approved paying $20,332 to Trane U.S. of Buffalo to replace the HVAC unit for the visitation room of the Orleans County Jail.
• Approved paying $5,061 to American Rock Salt Company in Pittsburgh, Pa. for bulk ice control salt.
• The county agreed to a snow and ice control contract at $2,100 a month or $70 a day for the Comprehensive of Orleans property at 14012 Route 31 in Albion, from Jan. 1 to April 30, 2023.
• Approved spending $36,880 for a 2022 Heli CPCD300 forklift from Clark Equipment Rental and Sales in Syracuse. The forklift will be used by the county Department of Public Works.
• Approved spending $7,992 for plastic pipe for a DPW project on West Countyhouse Road. Chemung Supply Corporation of Elmira will supply the pipe.
• Authorized the Office for the Aging to apply for a $15,244 MIPPA grant (Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act). The funding will pay to educate and assist Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes, outreach and assistance with Medicare Part D for beneficiaries in rural areas, and assist with Low Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Applications.
• Approved an annual agreement with Genesee County at $17,634 to operate the youth bureau for Orleans County, to be paid in quarterly installments in 2023.
• Approved an agreement for up to $76,567 between the Orleans County Clerk and Tyler Technologies and Records Management Solutions for conversions of data, office/cloud development, training and implementation for the year 2023. There will be a fee of $52,700 in 2024 for final conversion and a one-time implementation and service fee. There will be annual SaaS fees of $66,567 from 2024 to 2027.
• Authorized spending $30,000 to SHI International Corporation in Somerset for cybersecurity software.
123 people have now completed program highlighting strengths and challenges in community
Provided photos: Members of the 2022 Class of Leadership Orleans celebrate their graduation last Thursday at the White Birch in Lyndonville. Pictured include front row, from left: Faye Conley, Miranda Bennett, Marlene Seielstad, Jennifer Hill-Young, Patricia Neuman and Becki Gibson. Back row: Susan Howard, Natasha Wasuck, Cyndi Stumer, Jerry Pasnik, Michele Chatfield, Tim Elliott, Benjamin Jones, Jim Doyle, Gloria Brent, Matt Holland, David Warren, Katie Leach, Jennifer Ashbery, Katrina Chaffee, Dawn Borchert and Wayne Wadhams. Missing from photo include Mindy Frasier and Christopher Cappetta.
Press Release, Leadership Orleans
LYNDONVILLE – The Leadership Orleans program held its 5th annual graduation ceremony on Thursday at the White Birch Golf Course.
Leadership Orleans is a year-long education program focused on building leadership skills while exposing participants to the necessary knowledge, experiences and people that make Orleans County work.
Its mission is to create the nucleus for investment in the community through continuing education, volunteerism, and networking to enhance leadership potential throughout our region.
The 2022 Leadership Orleans Class included 24 individuals from a wide array of sectors in our communities, from agriculture to manufacturing, education to government, small business owners to nonprofit service providers.
With this class, the number of those who have completed the program since its inception in 2018 and become LO alumni totals 123.
This year’s graduates include:
Jennifer Ashbery, Principal, Albion High School
Miranda Bennett, Bookkeeper, Town of Shelby
Dawn Borchert, Director, Orleans County Tourism
Gloria Brent, President, MDS Consultants
Christopher Cappetta, CFO, Harris Seeds, Garden Trends, Inc.
Katrina Chaffee, Director of Community Services, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner, Orleans County DSS
Wayne Wadhams, Board Member of O/N BOCES and President of Albion Board of Education
David Warren, Board Member, Kendall Central School District
Natasha Wasuck, Owner, The Lockstone & Tinsel
(Left) Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action, accepts the award for alumna of the year. (Right) Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee and Orleans counties, was recognized by Leadership Orleans with the “distinguished leader” award.
In addition to honoring the LO2022 graduates, the evening’s agenda involved several special awards:
First Impression (voted by class) – Torrey Dairy Farm
Presenter of the Year (voted by class) – Elissa Smith (LO21)
Alumna of the Year – Renee Hungerford (LO21)
Distinguished Leader of the Year – Paul Pettit
The program was kicked off with a welcome by former NYS Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt, comments by Orleans County Legislature Chair Lynne M. Johnson, followed by LO Steering Committee Chair Kelly Kiebala and LO Program Director Skip Helfrich. 2022 LO Class Comments were presented by Miranda Bennett and Susan Howard.
The Leadership Orleans program is thankful for the support of its sponsors: Orleans County, Talis Equity, Barre Stone Products, Baxter Healthcare, Bentley Brothers, Brigden Memorials, Brighton Securities, Brian Bourgraf, Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Claims Recovery Financial Services, Friends of Steve Hawley, Holley Rotary Club, Kast Farms, Medina Area Partnership, Medina Sandstone Society, Orleans County EDA, Orleans Ford, Takeform Architectural Graphics, Watson Enterprises, and Western New York Energy.
Skip Helfrich, director of Leadership Orleans, welcomes the class and guests to the graduation program.
In addition, the program sincerely benefits from the leadership of its director, Skip Helfrich, and its Steering Committee: Kelly Kiebala-Chair, Delano Alvarez (LO19), Jackie Dunham (LO20), Ellen Eaton (LO19), Nadine Hanlon (LO18), Jerod Thurber (LO19), Kathleen “Kitty” Maerten, Charlie Nesbitt, Laura Olinger, Paul Pettit, Barbara Shine, Lisa Tombari (LO18) and Patrick Weissend (LO18).
During her acceptance speech as presenter of the year, Elissa Smith (principal of Lyndonville Elementary School) challenged audience members to “…imagine an issue or problem plaguing your work or community. Really think of something difficult.”
She then paused to allow all to have time to think, and then followed up with, “The answer to solve that issue is in this room. Collaborate with those outside your sphere; join forces with the alumni network for Leadership Orleans to find and leverage resources; or lobby to change policies and procedures.”
Congratulations to all the graduates of the Leadership Orleans Class of 2022!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2022 at 11:26 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The county will replace its fuel farm on West Academy Street in Albion, a $1.5 million project to be paid out of the county’s building & reserve fund.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday unanimously passed a $93,702,812 budget for 2023 that doesn’t increase taxes.
Spending is up by about $15 million – from $78,691,774 in 2022. A big increase in capital projects is the primary reason for the budget growth.
The county has a long list of capital projects totaling $13,618,267, which is up from the $5,066,125 in the 2022 budget.
“This is a record-breaking investment for us in capital projects,” said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer and budget officer.
He outlined the budget during a public hearing on Wednesday in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building. The Legislature then voted 7-0 to adopt that plan.
The tax levy, what the county collects in property taxes, remains at $18,657,000. The tax rate, however, will drop 22 cents from $10.09 to $9.87 per $1,000 of assessed property.
Lynne Johnson, Legislature chairwoman, said the budget “is a smart, fiscally responsible plan that funds our DPW, public safety and makes key investments in public health and wellness, economic and workforce development, and in restoring and rebuilding our critical community infrastructure that contributes to our quality of life.”
The county has collected big increases above budget in sales tax in recent years. Next year will be the first time the county’s budget for sales tax at $18,853,000 exceeds the tax levy. That number is up $1 million from the budget in 2022 for sales tax.
Sales tax on online purchases has been the biggest driver in the increase, Welch said.
The $13.6 million in capital projects is believed to be the most in county history, Welch said, and is up from the $5,066,125 in 2022.
Some of the capital projects for 2023 include:
$1.5 million for replacement of the county’s fuel farm
$1,390,000 for a solar farm and energy efficiency project (by the Emergency Management Office on West Countyhouse Road)
$2,096,100 to replace the Angling Road bridge
$1,040,00 to replace the bridge on Route 237
$999,616 for the Lakeshore Road bridge project
$776,000 for Taylor Hill Road culvert replacement
$1,890,000 for highway reconstruction
$740,000 for an addition to the DPW
$792,615 for CAD and RMS software in the Sheriff’s Office
$200,000 for jail repairs
$90,000, Clerk and Courthouse parking lot
$25,000, Courthouse dome lighting project
“The proposed 2023 budget is encouraging as it keeps property taxes flat while also investing in critical infrastructure throughout the county,” Johnson said during the budget hearing. “As we move beyond direct pandemic response, we are shifting our focus to investments for our long-term future.”
The budget also includes nearly $17 million towards nine state-mandated program. The “9 for 90” accounts for about 90 percent of the county’s tax levy.
Those programs and the county cost include:
Medicaid, $7,385,441
Pension, $2,944,844
Public Assistance/Safety Net, $1,915,672
Child Welfare/Protection, $1,805,697
Special Education, $947,038
Probation, $711,056
Indigent Defense, $512,889
Mental Health – Law Expense 730.30, $401,500
Early Intervention, $253,621
Total of “9 for 90” – $16,877,758
The budget gives some agencies an increase and while others stay at the same level of funding.
The Orleans Economic Development will receive $200,000 in 2023, up from $190,000; Soil & Water Conservation will get $95,000, up from $92,500; and the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will receive $4,000, up from $3,000.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension remains at $240,000 and the four public libraries continue at $10,000. Mercy Flight stays at $5,000 and the Sportsman’s Federation remains at $1,000.
The county workforce includes 345 full-time employees and 96 part-timers. There are also 163 seasonal workers with 150 in the Board of Elections.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2022 at 8:20 am
The unemployment rate in Orleans County is at the lowest level in recent recorded history. The state Department of Labor reports the unemployment rate for the county was at 2.5 percent in October. That is the lowest in the 32 years the state has been tracking the data.
The previous low was 3.2 percent in September 2022 and also in December 2021.
The rate 2.5 percent rate for Orleans County is down from 3.7 percent in October 2021. The DOL reports there were 16,600 people working in the county in October, up by 400 from the 16,200 in October 2021. The number on unemployment dropped from 600 to 400 in that time.
The unemployment rates in other nearby counties includes: 2.1 percent in Genesee, 2.8 percent in Niagara, 2.2 percent in Livingston, 2.1 percent in Wyoming, 2.6 percent in Monroe, and 2.7 percent in Erie.
Columbia and Saratoga counties have the lowest unemployment rates in the state at 1.9 percent, while the rate is the highest in the Bronx at 7.4 percent.
Statewide the unemployment rate is at 4.4 percent in October, up from 4 .3 percent the previous month.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Representatives of three local organizations have joined to carry on the annual tradition of the Red Kettle Drive for The Salvation Army. Meeting here are, clockwise from left, Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action; Nyla Gaylord, director of development at United Way of Orleans County; Katrina Chaffee, director of community services for Community Action; Jackie Dunham, COO at Community Action; and Bob Harker, director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. The team is in need of volunteer bell ringers for Walmart in Albion and Tops in Medina.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 November 2022 at 9:19 pm
One of the most recognizable holiday traditions throughout the world is The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, and this week representatives of three local organizations met to plan the drive in Albion and Medina.
For decades, the Red Kettle Drive has been overseen by Annette Finch, former director of emergency services at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. But last year, when Finch announced her retirement, the drive was left in jeopardy.
Community Action reached out to United Way of Orleans County, whose board felt they didn’t have the manpower to take it over, but agreed to help in any way they could.
On Tuesday morning, Community Action personnel Renee Hungerford, director; Katrina Chaffee, director of emergency services and Jackie Dunham, COO, met with Nyla Gaylord, director of development at United Way; and Bob Harker, director of Ministry of Concern, to discuss plans for the Red Kettle Campaign.
Their biggest concern is the need for volunteer bell ringers. Where, in the past, bell ringers have been stationed throughout the county, this year there will only be two locations with bell ringers – Walmart in Albion and Tops in Medina. Table top kettles will be place in several locations, including the Country Club Restaurant and Rudy’s in Medina.
“We expect the drive to be a struggle in this day and age, as so many people don’t carry cash,” Hungerford said.
The Salvation Army is promoting displays of their QR code, which people can simply scan in with their smart phone to make a donation. The donation will go to The Salvation Army serving the zip code of their phone.
Bell ringers will only be needed Wednesday (Nov. 23) and Fridays and Saturdays until Christmas. Volunteers can go on the Sign-up Genius website and see when bell ringers are needed and sign up there.
Harker has sent letters to local churches, asking them to put kettles in their facilities. Any other business who would like a table top kettle to display may contact Harker at 589-9210.
Residents are reminded that all money donated to The Salvation Army in Orleans County stays in Orleans County. Funds collected are divided between Community Action and the Ministry of Concern to help people in need, especially to provide funding for kids to go to camp.
“This is a wonderful way to help kids and these two organizations under the umbrella of The Salvation Army,” Gaylord said.
The Red Kettle team is urging volunteer bell ringers to be creative.
“Start a family tradition. Bring your kids, pets, musical instruments, smiles and carolers,” Gaylord said. “Help spread the spirit of Christmas throughout Orleans County.”
The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by minister William Booth in England. The Red Kettle Campaign was started by a Salvation Army officer in 1891 in Liverpool. By 1897 the effort had spread across the eastern United States, and that year resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy in Boston. The Salvation Army now serves in 131 countries.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2022 at 9:55 pm
This chart shows the new senior citizen income levels and the percent of the property tax discount.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has increased the income levels for senior citizens and disabled property owners to receive a break on their property taxes.The County Legislature on Wednesday approved higher income levels for senior citizens and disabled residents to get a tax reduction on their county tax bills. The senior exemption was last changed in 2014, while the low-income disabled exemptions were last modified in 2017.
The senior exemption previously gave 50 percent off property taxes for those 65 and older with an annual income at $15,500 or less and then dropped in 5 percent increments.
The new exemption levels offer 50 percent off at annual incomes of $19,000 or less. It then drops in 5 percent increments until bottoming out at 20 percent off between $23,800 and $24,699.99.
The county also expanded the income levels for low-income disabled residents. The county started offering that exemption in 2007. The maximum exemption was for incomes at $15,500 or below. Now it’s up to $19,000 for 50 percent off. That exemption then drops 5 percent before the lowest level of 5 percent off at incomes between $26,500 and 27,399.99.
This chart shows the new low-income disabled resident income levels and the percent of the property tax discount. Low-income disabled residents will switch to the senior citizen tax exemption once they are 65.
Dawn Allen, the county’s director of real property tax services, said most of the towns in the county are also looking to expand the income levels for seniors with their property tax exemptions.
The Town of Murray is currently the only town in the county offering the low-income disabled exemption, Allen said.
The county’s expanded income levels for exemptions will apply to assessment rolls prepared on taxable status dates occurring on and after March 1, 2023.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Participants in the fall class of the Orleans Economic Development Agency’s Microenterprise Assistance Program graduated Tuesday night at Gallo’s Bar and Grill in Hamlin. Seated, from left, are MAP administrator Diane Blanchard, Brandi DiMatteo, instructor Dorothy Daniels, Jennifer Walker and Mandee Heinsler. Standing, from left, are Sam Campanella with the Small Business Development Corporation, Mindi Warne, Dan Rosentreter, Michelle Gallo, Christina Nenni, Charlie Ricci, Diego Russell and Tracie Fleischhut.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 November 2022 at 7:10 pm
HAMLIN – The Orleans Economic Development Agency graduated 10 budding business entrepreneurs from its fall class Tuesday night at Gallo’s Bar and Grill in Hamlin.
Gallo’s co-owner Michelle Gallo graduated from the Microenterprise Assistance Program several years ago and has become an instructor for the class. The insights from MAP helped her and her husband to run two successful businesses – the bar and grill in Hamlin and Gallo’s Performance Auto Parts & Truck in Brockport.
Diane Blanchard, administrator of the Microenterprise Assistance Program, cuts the cake at the fall graduation ceremony Tuesday at Gallo’s Bar and Grill in Hamlin.
Administrator of MAP, Diane Blanchard, introduced Tuesday’s graduates and their proposed businesses. They are Brandi DiMatteo of Albion, event planning and party rentals; Tracie Fleischhut of Middleport, retail store and antique gifts; Jordan Gawne of Medina, bakery; Mandee Heinsler of Waterport, dance boutique; Gabrielle Joyner of Albion, holistic wellness center; Christina Nenni of Medina, party rentals; Charlie Ricci of Medina, heavy equipment and golf cart rentals; Dan Rosentreter of Medina, Coffee Pot Café; Diego Russell of Medina, lawn care; and Jennifer Walker of Albion, party bus.
Also attending the graduation were Sam Campanella with the Small Business Administration; John Fitzak, county legislator and board member of Economic Development Agency; Craig Tuohey and Skip Draper, board members of the EDA; Dorothy Daniels, instructor; and guest speaker Dan Conrad, MAP graduate and owner of Toyz n Kandy in Albion.
The graduates gave short speeches, describing their proposed business and goals.
Charlie Ricci was inspired by his late grandfather, who was a contractor, and his father Dan Ricci, who owned a golf course. They provided the role models to start a business renting heavy equipment and golf carts.
“MAP helped me in all aspects of starting a new business,” Ricci said. “From the banks who visited our class, I learned about loan options. The lawyer Brett Dawson wrote my contract for the rental business.”
Ricci, who currently runs a dump truck business hauling stone, sand and top soil, said he will rent heavy equipment and golf carts because there is nothing like it in the area.
Brandi DiMatteo, whose business Yolo plans events and has party rentals, said what will set her business apart is the attention to detail.
“I combine old-fashioned value, by going the extra mile and using cutting-edge ideas to plan my customers next special event,” she said. “Being in business has always been my dream.”
She will offer reasonable prices, and customers can choose from full packages or custom options. Rentals will include everything from tables and chairs to decorations.
Dan Rosentreter opened the Coffee Pot Café on East Center Street in Medina on Aug. 1. He sells coffee, tea, lemonade, bagels and pastries and is in the process of creating a full bakery in the store.
Like other graduates, MAP helped him with a business plan and made him eligible to apply for grants.
Jordan Gawne, Christina Nenni and Brandi DiMatteo all graduated from the Microenterprise Assistance Program Tuesday night. They are in related businesses and plan to help each other along the way.
Jennifer Walker hopes to purchase a party bus and offer a unique and fun way to attend special events. Her party bus would be a limousine with entertainment enroute to wineries, business meetings, weddings or other events. Alcohol would be allowed if provided by the passengers.
Christina Nenni and Michelle Wiseman started Party Tyme Rentals about three years ago, during the height of Covid. They brought party supplies to families to use in the safety of their own home. In March 2021 they moved into the Arnold Gregory Complex in Albion. What Nenni learned in the MAP class has guided them in establishing a business which is not only successful, but very supportive of their community. They rent photo booths, popcorn machines, bounce houses and party decorations.
Tracie Fleischhut used the support she gained from MAP to open Rustic Ridge Country Store on Ridge Road. It is a retail store with antique gifts and vendors. Her goal is to accommodate 25 vendors. She hopes to seek grants through MAP.
Jordan Gawne’s expertise is specialty cakes, and she hopes to open a bakery in Medina. One thing MAP encourages is networking with other classmates, and Gawne, Nenni and Brandi DiMatteo have shared ideas and plan to work with each other.
Dan Conrad, a MAP graduate and owner of Toyz N Kandy in Albion, talks to the fall graduating class on how MAP helped him build a successful business.
Mandee Heinsler of Lyndonville sells dance apparel and supports the arts at her business, Barre Boutique, in Albion at the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy studio.
Diego Russell has started Hometown Lawn Care in Medina, and will mow lawns, rake leaves and do yard cleanup.
Gabrielle Joyner also graduated from the class, but was unable to attend the graduation. She hopes to start a Holistic Wellness Center.
Guest speaker for the evening was MAP graduate Dan Conrad, who shared how he took the class to start a new business when a hand injury prevented him from doing his construction job. His business, Toyz N Kandy, occupies 1,200 square feet of space on Albion’s Main Street.
“MAP is a great resource,” Conrad said. “I never hesitated to pick up the phone and call Diane for advice.”
He stressed the importance of getting out and working together with other business owners. He said he walked throughout downtown connecting the other business owners. He is currently awaiting a grant from the EDA, with which he plans to open a second location in Brockport.
“Don’t ever lose your dream,” he told the graduates. “Be creative, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box.”
The evening concluded with cake supplied by Cassandra Brady, a MAP graduate who operates Iced and Glazed Bakery.
The Microenterprise Assistance Program started in 1999 and since then, 567 people have gone through the program. MAP offers two classes each year – one in the spring and one in the fall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2022 at 9:10 am
$93.7 million proposal includes replacement of county’s fuel farm, bridge and road work
ALBION – Orleans County’s tentative 2023 budget would increase spending by 19.1 percent or by about $15 million – from $78,691,774 in 2022 to $93,702,812 in 2023.
Despite that increase, the tax levy will remain the same at $18,657,000 with the tax rate decreasing by 22 cents to $9.87 per $1,000 of assessed property.
“This year’s $93 million budget recommendation is influenced by the core inflation rate that is at a 40-year high, the continued employment challenges of retaining and hiring new employees, prolonged supply chain issues which have no certainty of the price of goods or the delivery of goods as quoted as well as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jack Welch, the county’s budget officer and chief administrative officer.
He filed the tentative budget on Nov. 15. He thanked the department heads and county legislators for their work on the budget.
There will be a public hearing at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building.
The tentative budget includes a capital plan totaling $13,618,267 with $3,000,715 coming from the 2023 budget with the rest from state CHIPS and TIP funds, as well as a county infrastructure, and building and equipment reserve funds.
Some of the capital projects include $1.5 million for replacement of the county’s fuel farm; $1,390,000 for a solar farm and energy efficiency project; $2,096,100 to replace the Angling Road bridge; $1,040,00 to replace the bridge on Route 237; $999,616 for the Lakeshore Road bridge project; $776,000 for Taylor Hill Road culvert replacement; $1,890,000 for highway reconstruction; $700,000 for an addition to the DPW; $792,615 for CAD and RMS software in the Sheriff’s Office; $200,000 for jail repairs; and other vehicles and equipment upgrades.
The budget gives some agencies an increase and while others stay at the same level of funding.
The Orleans Economic Development would receive $200,000 in 2023, up from $190,000; Soil & Water Conservation would get $95,000, up from $92,500; and the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council would receive $4,000, up from $3,000.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension remains at $240,000 and the four public libraries continue at $10,000. Mercy Flight stays at $5,000 and the Sportsman’s Federation remains at $1,000.
The county continues to experience strong growth in sales tax revenue, which is taking pressure off from raising property taxes. The budget Welch and Kim DeFrank, county treasurer, budgets for a $1 million increase in sales tax. That $18,843,000 is up $1 million over 2022. The county’s sales tax revenue increased about $400,000 through the first nine months this year, after jumping $2.4 million in 2021.
“Orleans County experienced historical growth in sales tax receipts during the pandemic,” Welch said in a budget message. “The question was this a temporary change or have residents created a new habit of purchasing online? Now with record inflation rate on food, non-taxable sales, will this reduce our residents’ discretionary taxable sales purchasing in 2023?”
The county has used some of the sales tax increase to fund capital projects. It opted against lowering the county sales tax on gas when prices were at record highs this summer.
The county workforce includes 345 full-time employees and 96 part-timers. There are also 163 seasonal workers with 150 in the Board of Elections.
