Orleans County

All villages, nearly all towns in Orleans ask county to share more sales tax

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 April 2023 at 12:23 pm

Ridgeway declines to pass resolution seeking more sales tax money but urges county to take ‘serious look’ at issue

The 10 towns and four villages in Orleans County are nearly unanimous is asking the County Legislature to increase the local sales tax revenue shared with the local municipalities.

The Clarendon Town Board in the past two months has urged the towns and villages to seek more of the local sales tax, which hasn’t increased for the towns and villages since 2001, despite more than doubling in that time.

All four villages – Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina – have passed formal resolutions asking for more money in the local sales tax, which last year totaled $22.5 million collected in the county. The Orleans County Legislature has kept the amount capped to the four villages and 10 towns at $1,366,671 since 2001.

“Our concern is the towns and villages have stayed absolutely flat while our expenses, like everybody else’s, have gone sky high,” said Mark Bower, the Holley mayor.

Eight of the Town Boards also have passed resolutions, asking the county for more of the sales tax. That includes Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Kendall, Murray, Shelby and Yates.

The Ridgeway Town Board declined to pass a resolution, but did offer a letter of support to look at the issue. The Gaines Town Board has yet to vote on the matter.

Brian Napoli, the Ridgeway town supervisor, said he agrees with county legislators who have said the county faces a potential $1 million tax shift with the state if the county is forced to pick up more of the Medicaid burden. That issue is expected to be settled with the new state budget, which is now three weeks late.

Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, said the county is in limbo while waiting for the state budget to be approved to see how if the county will get hit with more Medicaid costs, as well as an increase in assigned counsel rates. Those two issues could have a $1.3 million impact on the county budget resulting in about a 7 percent tax increase.

“We understand the fiscal constraints and unfunded mandates that the State imposes on the County and we understand the many questions that currently remain unanswered concerning funding and increased unfunded mandates due to the lack of the State to pass a budget on time,” Napoli wrote in a letter April 18 to the county legislators.

However, he urged the legislators to take a “serious look” at sharing more sales tax with the towns and villages. More sales tax for Ridgeway would assist the Town Board in offsetting possible tax increases at the town level, Napoli said.

“The Town also faces economic pressures to keep the town tax rate within the tax cap while providing the needed services to the Town residents,” Napoli wrote in his letter.

The resolution approved by the four villages and eight towns seeks 14 percent of the total sales tax to be shared with towns and villages to seek 14 percent of the total. That’s what they received in 1996.

To get to 14 percent of $22.5 million, the county would have to increase the amount to towns and villages to $3,150,000 – a $1,783,329 increase. In 1996, the local sales tax revenue was $9,499,138.

The amounts allocated for the villages and towns for 2023 includes:

• Villages ($378,777 total) – Albion, $165,309; Holley, $46,545; Lyndonville, $14,876; and Medina, $152,047.

• Towns ($987,894 total) – Albion, $123,953; Barre, $64,536; Carlton, $95,418; Clarendon, $116,261; Gaines, $88,267; Kendall, $86,813; Murray, $122,421; Ridgeway, $130,057; Shelby, $103,489; and Yates, $66,679.

County authorizes study of district court; issue could go to public referendum in November

Photos by Tom Rivers: Some of the committee members looking into the feasibility of a district court in Orleans County include Public Defender Joanne Best, Sheriff Chris Bourke, District Attorney Joe Cardone, and Assistant DA Susan Howard.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2023 at 11:43 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has authorized forming a committee to look at the potential implementation of a district court in the county, with the issue possibly going to a public vote in November.

The Legislature cited increasing complexities and frequent changes in state laws with the criminal justice system. Forming a consolidated district court could result in a more effective local court system, legislators said in authorizing the formation of a committee.

The committee includes District Attorney Joe Cardone, Sheriff Chris Bourke, Public Defender Joanne Best, Albion Town Justice Joe Fuller (representing the Orleans County Magistrates Association), Assistant DA Susan Howard, County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch, former Gaines Town Justice and Assistant DA Bruce Schmidt and county legislators John Fitzak and Skip Draper.

The committee expects to hold public hearings on the issue to outline how a district court could look in the county. The hearings will also be a chance for residents to provide feedback. Cardone expects a hearing in the eastern, central and western sides of the county.

“I’m proud of Orleans County with the open mindedness of the County Legislature and the department heads,” Cardone said on Thursday.

He was interviewed at the Public Safety Building with Sheriff Bourke, Public Defender Joanne Best and Susan Howard, the assistant DA.

Bourke said he isn’t necessarily pushing for the district court but wants the information fleshed out with residents having an opportunity to hear about the proposal and vote on it.

‘It’s a different world that we’re living in with respect to the criminal justice system. It’s very complex and difficult. We want to give the people in the community some options.’ – District Attorney Joe Cardone

Several of the town justices have already urged their town boards to oppose a district court saying it takes away local control and reduces the influence of the town justices who are closer to the people.

“It would be a very poor business decision and would defy common sense,” Murray Town Justice Ted Spada said in a May town meeting about a district court.

He said the operational and staffing costs are much higher with a district court.

The DA has been urging the county in recent years to look at a district court. He favors one district court for the county to handle many of the cases currently in front of the town justices. Those judges would still remain if there is a district court. They could still do marriages, code violations, some vehicle and traffic cases, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims and some criminal cases.

“The town justices we have the upmost respect for them and the work that they do,” Cardone said. “But we’re looking at the direction of the complexity of criminal justice in the State of New York.”

The top of the columns at the Orleans County Courthouse are shown last week in Albion. A district court would be different than the local town courts and also the County Court level.

The committee will look at how the workload among the town justices and a district could be divvied up between town courts and district court. The committee also needs to look at a location for the court that would meet all the standards sets by the office of Court Administration.

Among the 10 town courts, only the Murray facility meets the OCA standards. Many of the sites are lacking in adequate space, attorney-client rooms, security, sound and other standards.

Joanne Best, the public defender, said judges handle cases differently in the towns. She sees the benefit of a district court as fairness with cases being handled uniformly in the county.

She also said there is a shortage of attorneys in the county for the public defender and district attorney’s office. Having cases in one location, rather than 10, would make it much easier for the public defender and DA’s office to have attorneys for the proceedings, she said.

“This is about trying to make better use of the system,” she said. “Fewer attorneys would be needed. We would staff one court instead of 10.”

Orleans County has already made strides to a more streamlined court system, Cardone said. When he started as DA about three decades ago, there were 24 local justices with two each at the 10 towns, while Albion and Medina each had two village justices.

Albion and Medina have since abolished their village courts, and now the 10 towns only have one judge, except for Murray which has two but will go to one following Gary Passarell’s retirement.

Ridgeway and Shelby also share a courts facility at the Shelby Town Hall. There are also agreements in the western end – Shelby, Ridgeway and Yates – for the judges to have jurisdiction in all three towns.

“What we’ve done is unprecedented in the State of New York,” Cardone said.

The county the past three years also has been operating a CAP Court (centralized arraignment parts) with arraignments in the county jail at 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. This is every day including weekdays, weekends and holidays.

Besides arraignments, the CAP Court handles driver’s license suspensions, orders of protection and outstanding warrants. The town justices rotate serving in the role for CAP Court. The Sheriff’s Department has been providing security personnel for those proceedings.

Cardone said the CAP Court has been a success, showing the benefits of a centralized system with one spot in the county for arraignments. People have shown they can make it to Albion for the appearances.

Cardone believes the county has been at the forefront for how to run more efficient town courts, and continue to lead the way for the state with the establishment of a district court in a small county.

He looks forward to discussing the possibilities with the community.

“It’s a different world that we’re living in with respect to the criminal justice system,” Cardone said. “It’s very complex and difficult. We want to give the people in the community some options.”

County celebrates Donate Life Month, Weights and Measure Weeks, and Public Health

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2023 at 9:15 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County legislator Skip Draper, center, presents a proclamation for “April as Donate Life Month” to Pam Boyer (left), deputy county clerk at DMV, and Nadine Hanlon, the county clerk.

The County Legislature urges residents to join the New York State Donate Life Registry.

“In New York State there are approximately 8,100 people waiting for an organ transplant which represents the third highest need in the nation; and there are an estimated 400 New Yorkers that die every year while waiting for an organ transplant,” county legislators stated in the proclamation. “A single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives; donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 75 others.”

County legislators also issued a proclamation celebrating March 1-7 as “Weights and Measures Week.” Weights and Measures Director Ron Mannella accepts the proclamation last week from County Legislator Don Allport, right. Paul Pettit, the public health director, is at left.

Mannella serves as Weights and Measures director for both Orleans and Genesee counties. The two counties have had a shared program for four years which officials say has saved $200,000.

Weights and Measures is responsible for the annual assurance of accuracy and design for over 1,200 commercial weighing and measuring devices in more than 200 businesses.

“The efforts and determination exemplified by Weights and Measures to resolve any price or product discrepancies for the advancement of equality does not go unnoticed,” legislators stated in the proclamation.

County legislators also issued a proclamation for April 3-9 as “National Public Health Week.” That proclamation was presented to Paul Pettit, the public health director.

“Public health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and recover from the impact of a full range of health threats, including—disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other disasters, including those caused by human activity and public health emergencies,” legislators stated in the proclamation.

Legislature leader: too much uncertainty from state for county to consider sharing more sales tax right now

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2023 at 3:44 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson speaks at last week’s Legislature meeting in Albion.

ALBION – Orleans County legislators are well aware of the effort among towns and villages in the county to receive more of the local sales tax.

But uncertainty with the state budget – the potential cost shifts and added expenses to the county – have the Legislature in a guarded position with finances, said County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson.

“Until the governor’s budget goes through we’re in limbo,” Johnson said during last week’s meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities.

The county could see a $1 million hit in Medicaid expenses if the state opts to keep all of the federal funding used to help pay for that program. Those federal funds have helped prevent a cost spike in Medicaid from the county in recent years. But county officials say it could be a $1,059,034 hit to the county budget, resulting in a tax increase locally of 7.5 percent.

Hochul also is proposing to increase the hourly rate for assigned council from $75 to $119 an hour. This would cost the County approximately $200,000 per year.

“I don’t want you to think we’re hoarding the sales tax,” Johnson told the town and village officials last week.

The local sales tax revenue has increased significantly in recent years with online sales being taxed and inflation fueling more in sales tax collections.

The county took in $22.5 million in local sales tax in 2022, up by $4.8 million or by 27 percent from the $17.7 million in 2019.

The 10 towns and four villages have been frozen at $1,366,671 since 2001. That year there was a small increase after the town and village share hadn’t been changed since 1996.

Many of the towns and villages have passed resolutions asking the Legislature to boost the percentage given to the villages and towns to at least the 14 percent in 1996. That year the local sales tax was $9,499,138. It has more than doubled since then.

To get to 14 percent of $22.5 million, the county would have to increase the amount to towns and villages to $3,150,000 – a $1,783,329 increase.

The towns and villages say the added revenue is needed to help them offset rising expenses and maintain services, without putting it all on the property tax.

Johnson said some of the money has been used by the county to get caught up on infrastructure projects, from the county buildings to maintaining roads and bridges. This year’s infrastructure budget is a record for the county at $19 million.

County may implement 2-tiered garbage collection rates, with some on private roads paying more

Photos by Tom Rivers: A Modern Disposal garbage truck heads down East park Street in Albion last week. The trucks are too big for some of the private roads in Orleans County which are often too narrow and don’t have a turnaround.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 April 2023 at 11:38 am

LYNDONVILLE – Modern Disposal picks up garbage and recyclables for about 15,000 residential sites in Orleans County.

The company faces a challenge at about 10 percent of the sites, properties along some of narrow private roads. Modern can’t easily get its larger trucks down those roads, which tend to be in the lakeshore communities in Yates, Carlton and Kendall. There is also one in Barre on Rice Road.

Often there are branches projecting towards the road that can scratch and damage the $400,000 garbage trucks. Or the roads may be muddy and not have adequate turnarounds, Modern officials told local government leaders last week.

On garbage collection days for communities with the private lanes, the company will use two larger garbage trucks and three pickup trucks with a hopper and lift. But those pickup trucks only have space to collect garbage from about 12 to 15 of the sites. Then the driver of those trucks has to hunt down a larger garbage truck to transfer that trash, and then they go back to the private road for another fill. The big trucks can hold enough garbage from about 800 residential sites.

Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, speaks during last week’s Orleans County Association of Municipalities when town, village and county officials discussed the garbage collection challenges on the narrow lanes. Dennis Moriarty, seated, is the vice president of collection operations for Modern.

Using the satellite pickup trucks is not efficient. It requires more staff, more vehicles and much more time, Modern officials said.

“This has gone on for years,” said Dennis Moriarty, vice president of collection operations for Modern. “We’d like a resolution. We’d like to solve it.”

There could be collection points, perhaps with dumpsters in some of the areas with private roads. Residents would have to bring their garbage and recycling to those spots. It would be a lot more effort for them.

Not all private roads are too small for the trucks or lacking in a turnaround. Moriarty said some of the roads have the branches cut back. They are wide enough and there are spots for the trucks to turnaround. He said Kendall in particular has done a good job making the roads usable for the bigger trucks.

But many of the private lanes in Carlton and Yates are too difficult for the garbage trucks. Moriarty said sometimes the trucks go down the roads, and a second employee hops out of the truck to help the driver back up a half mile or more. That is not a safe situation for the Modern employees, having to back up a 40-foot-long truck for a long distance, Moriarty said.

Those trucks are also 13 feet wide and need a 30-foot-turning radius.

He wants to work with the towns to compile a breakdown of the current conditions, which of the private roads could be improved so the larger trucks could use them.

Modern is nearing the end of a five-year agreement for the garbage and recycling collection in the county. The contract expires the end of this year. Moriarty said the company wants to continue in Orleans, but wants the local officials, especially in the three lakeshore towns, to work with residents to improve the private roads.

Otherwise, there could be a two-tiered rate schedule, with the residents on some private roads paying more.

“I don’t really think it’s fair for everyone to subsidize a small portion of the population,” said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.

Welch and Modern Disposal leaders discussed the challenge last week during a meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities which includes officials from town, village and county officials. Welch said they wanted the issues out there well before the contract expired at the end of the year to give the community several months to work on the issues with some of the private roads. Welch estimated the issue on the private affects about 1,500 residential sites out of the 15,000 total in the county.

Tony Cammarata, the Kendall town supervisor, said the private roads residents won’t be happy if they are required to pay more than the rest of the county.

“If it’s a two-tiered system you watch the fireworks explode,” he said.

But Welch said it’s only fair if those properties require more trucks and more expense from Modern. Welch said Kendall has done the most to keep the private roads up to standard not only for garbage trucks, but for school buses and fire trucks.

Cammarata offered praise for the garbage collection program in the county, where the county administers the contract and residents are billed $216 annually as part of their county taxes. Cammarata said it’s great deal for the local residents and a program the county should brag about. In many other communities outside Orleans there are multiple trash haulers and residents are paying a much-higher price.

Looking into the not-too-distant future, Modern Disposal officials said the company is looking to automate more of the collection. They move to the larger 96-gallon tote for recycling totes in June 2019. They are picked up with an automated arm on the trucks and unloaded with an employee having to leave the truck.

Modern Disposal said the industry is shifting to those larger totes also for garbage collection. It is more efficient, and safer for employees. But it also requires adequate space on a road.

The company also has a couple garbage trucks that are all-electric. Moriarty said they have enough charge for about six hours of use. That is enough to serve some of Niagara County near the company’s landfill and base near Lewiston. But the Orleans trucks are run about 10 hours a day. Moriarty said the electric vehicles need to make advancements before there is a larger changeover to all-electric.

The company is transitioning to more green energy, he said. About 40 percent of the fleet is powered by compressed natural gas, instead of diesel. That has helped insulate the company from some of the price hikes with gas, Moriarty said.

Regarding the garbage collection on the private roads, Welch said there are six to eight months for those communities to discuss how to either improve their roads and possibility put in a turnaround, or consider spots for a dumpster for residents.

Moriarty said the company is committed to finding a solution for all of the residents.

“We want everybody’s trash to get picked up,” he said. “We want to make this as easy as possible.”

$14K grant available to support local emergency food, shelter programs

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 April 2023 at 8:15 am

ALBION – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has been notified of an award of $13,846 to Orleans County in federal funds for emergency food and shelter programs through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as appropriated by Congress through FY2022.

The announcement came from Jeanette Worsley, case manager and health coach at Community Action in Albion.

Applications are due from qualified organizations by April 14.

The National Board consists of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, the Jewish Federations of North America, the Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. More information about the national program is available online at www.efsp.unitedway.org.

According to Worsley, a local board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help supplement food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. The local board will determine how the funds awarded to Orleans County are to be distributed among local qualifying agencies.

The Orleans County Emergency Food and Shelter Program board is encouraging local agencies that meet requirements to apply for the funds. Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must (1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, (2) be eligible to receive federal funds, (3) have an adequate accounting system, (4) practice non-discrimination, (5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs and (6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have an active voluntary board of directors.

Non-profit organizations or public agencies interested in applying for funding may contact Worsley, local board chair, at (585) 589-5605, Ext. 105 or via e-mail at JWorsley@caoginc.org.

Home Show had strong first day despite downpour

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2023 at 8:27 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Michael Klepp and Darlene Hartway are at the booth for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce on Saturday afternoon during the Chamber’s Home Garden and Outdoor Show.

Klepp, a nature teacher, gave a presentation about “Bountiful Butterflies” and the benefits of having pollinators in gardens.

Hartway is the executive director fo the Chamber. She said the event had a strong first day, despite a downpour in the afternoon.

There are 25 vendors at the show, up for 14 last year. The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions.

The show continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. There is no admission charge.

Gertie Montulli greets the Easter Bunny (Michelle Wiseman in costume) in a booth set up by Best of Tymes Party Rentals.

Presenters today include Nancy Haas of Larkin Tree Care at noon, “Buying & Selling in 2023” by Mark Zambito of BHHS Zambito Realtors at 1 p.m., and “Weed Control” by master gardener Erica Joan Wanecki at 2 p.m.

The show includes a raffle to win a fully installed blooming garden designed by Preston Landscaping, with trees, shrubs and plants; a wooden bistro set; or a pair of gravity chaise lounges.

Aaron Preston, owner of Preston Landscaping in Albion, said he was glad to be back at the show. He said he gets many leads from potential customers during the two-day event, and is glad to answer questions from people about how to improve their property.

Preston provides landscaping and hardscaping services, and this year is promoting drip irrigation for people to care for their lawns and gardens.

County Legislature recognizes Vietnam War veterans on 50th anniversary of war’s end

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2023 at 9:51 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller shakes hands with peter Huth, second from left, and Ronald Poss, left, after Miller read a proclamation during Tuesday’s Orleans County Legislature declaring March 29, 2023 as “Vietnam War Veterans Day.”

The day recognizes the 50^th anniversary since the departure of the last American troops from Vietnam.

County legislators urged the community to honor the service of the Vietnam War veterans, who often weren’t treated well in their return home.

Fred Miller reads the proclamation from the County Legislature honoring the service of the local veterans who served in the Vietnam War. Nancy Traxler, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, is at far left.

Governor Kathy Hochul today also issued a proclamation declaring March 29, 2023 “Vietnam Veterans Day.”

“Vietnam Veterans deserve the utmost respect and recognition for their immense service to our state and nation,” Governor Hochul said. “In New York, we work each day to ensure that their duty and sacrifice is commended and remembered, and it is my honor to celebrate New York’s 207,000 Vietnam Veterans on this Vietnam Veterans Day.”

An estimated 207,000 Vietnam War Veterans currently live in New York State, and 4,119 New Yorkers died during the war in defense of this nation and the values for which it stands. Their names are among the 58,276 names listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

OC Fraud Unit prevented $1.4 million of overpayments in 2022, with $46K more recovered

Posted 22 March 2023 at 7:58 am

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services Fraud Unit is staffed by two investigators who review circumstances on both active and pending cases for applicants/recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Day Care, Emergency Assistance and Cash Assistance.

Referrals to the Fraud Unit initiate from staff, hot line tips from the public, database matches with Department of Labor and Wage Reporting System, and other public and private agencies. Investigations are done on known or suspected violations of the law, related to fraudulent receipt of welfare funds.

A typical fraud investigation consists of interviewing applicants/recipients, unscheduled site visits to applicant/recipient residences, and by making direct contact with retailers, employers, landlords, and other individuals associated with the individual suspected of committing fraud. Some instances of fraud are appropriate for court prosecution resulting in criminal charges being lodged such as Filing a False Instrument (the Application for Benefits), Petit Larceny or Grand Larceny.

The success of fraud mitigation efforts is measured in two ways:

• Cost avoidance is the upfront savings realized when a case is prevented from opening due to detected irregularities in the application. Applications are referred to the Fraud Investigator by Examiners in our Temporary Assistance or Day Care unit when specific indicators are present such as inconsistencies in reported income/resources, household composition, or prior case history.

If the investigator confirms inaccurate information, or if the applicant fails to keep their investigative appointment, benefits will not be issued. New York State establishes the basic cost per case which, when multiplied by the number of cases not opened, results in the cost avoidance amount. In 2022 the cost avoidance for Orleans County was estimated to be $1,389,462.

• Recovery is the actual monetary amount the agency collects when overpayments are verified to have occurred. In 2022 the amount established to be recovered for SNAP and Cash Assistance overpayments was $52,692 and the amount adjudicated by the court for recovery was $46,121.

Recoveries established by the Court are repaid through the Probation Department and the remainder are paid to Orleans County Department of Social Services. It is important to note that most of the money recovered is returned to either the Federal or New York State government and not returned to the county coffers.

An additional outcome that can result from a Fraud substantiation is the Intentional Program Violation (IPV). If it can be established than an overpayment to an applicant/recipient was an intentional act, that applicant/recipient can be disqualified from receiving future benefits:

For Cash Assistance the disqualification period can be 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 5 years.
For SNAP, the disqualification period can be 1 year, 2 years, and permanently for the third offense.
Disqualification periods are tied to the number of previous offenses.
If the IPV is the results from criminal charges, the Judge imposing the sentence can increase the length at their discretion.

During the height of the pandemic Orleans County cost avoidance and recovery figures decreased due to New York State relaxation of some eligibility criteria. As those restrictions have been gradually lifted, the number of investigations has increased.

For suspected cases of fraud call the Orleans County Fraud Hotline at 589-3110 or 589-3178.

United Way approves $120K in allocations to 17 agencies, organizations

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 March 2023 at 1:21 pm

MEDINA – United Way of Orleans County has announced allocations for its 2023 fiscal year.

According to executive director Matt Holland, United Way of Orleans County will distribute $120,000 to 17 non-profit organizations throughout the county. Funds will help basically every segment of the population in Orleans County, including childcare services, after school programming, services for the aging, community kitchen support, services for developmentally disabled, infants and all ages of youth.

Community partners receiving funds this year are GLOW Arc’s Camp Rainbow and Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts of America Iroquois Trail Council, Care Net Center of Greater Orleans, Koinonia Community Kitchen, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, GCASA, GO ART!, Supportive Care of Orleans, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Senior Center of Western Orleans, OCALS, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Orleans County YMCA, P’Raising Kids Child Care Center, Project Stork and VIA WNY 211.

“This year’s allocations cover a wide range of programming that will be of great benefit to the community,” Holland said. “We would like to give special thanks to all who give to the United Way of Orleans County’s fundraising campaign. Your donations make this process happen.”

Through the allocations process, organizations submit proposals and requests for funding for certain projects. The United Way’s allocation committee works diligently to review proposals and provide funding, Holland said. This year, every request received funding.

“These allocations are essential to ensure the viability of the wide variety of services provided by these organizations,” said Jim Punch, United Way’s board president. “The United Way of Orleans County fulfills its responsibility to provide funds year after year, no matter what financial and economic conditions prevail in the area we serve. We are extremely thankful to the people of Orleans County who donate and sacrifice to help those less fortunate. You make this a better place to live for all. I am very proud to be a part of our United Way and a member of this community.”

Individual donations to support United Way of Orleans County can be made online at OrleansUnitedWay.org. Contributions can also be mailed to P.O. Box 188, Medina.

In addition to soliciting donations, United Way of Orleans County is actively involved in fundraising, including the annual golf tournament scheduled this year on June 2 at Shelridge Country Club, and other special events. More information on these events will be announced in coming weeks.

Orleans, Niagara lead effort for southshore dredging plan at 19 harbors

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2023 at 9:43 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: Dean Marine & Excavating Inc. from Michigan dredges the Oak Orchard Harbor on Aug. 26, 2021. The dredging barge is near the breakwall at the end of the Oak Orchard channel. The harbor last was dredged in August 2014, when it was done for the first time in 10 years.

ALBION – Orleans and Niagara officials are teaming to lead a regional dredging effort for southshore harbors at six counties.

The Lake Ontario Regional Dredging and Maintenance Council was officially formed in 2019 under a memorandum of understanding between the six contiguous counties of Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego.

Orleans County is lead agency for the council with Lynne Johnson as the council’s chairman and Niagara County Legislator David Godfrey as its vice chairman.

The 19 harbors were last dredged in 2021 through $15 million from the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). The state made $300 million available through REDI in response to historic lake flooding and erosion from 2017 and 2019.

Johnson, the Orleans Legislature leader, said there needs to be a plan for the future to make sure the harbors are routinely dredged.

The Orleans and Niagara officials say boating activities and fishing generate about $100 million annually at the southshore harbors.

“The failure to keep our harbors dredged and open means that boats cannot access our communities and that has a very negative financial impact,” Johnson and Godfrey said in a statement.

The council is trying to secure federal funding to help with regular dredging of the 19 harbors in the six counties. The council’s plan also has the six counties sharing resources to contribute to the effort.

“The dredging needs for our Lake Ontario harbor access channels, even those under the responsibility of the US Army Corps of Engineers, are not being met due to federal budget constraints, lack of responsibility by other levels of government, and the limitations of sporadic privately funded dredging,” Johnson said. “Our only choice is to do it ourselves.”

The plan proposes annual funding shares from the six member counties at $163,919. It would be $245,923 with a capital cost included.

The plan pro-rates the shares from each county based on a proportional share of dredge volume in one option or a proportional share of sales tax generated in another option.

Orleans would pay a low of $12,360 annually in one option (sales tax generation without capital cost) to a high of $23,655 (based on dredge volume with capital cost).

The report includes total spending in the counties through boating activities: $7,087,101 in Orleans, $10,500,954 in Niagara, $30,930,870 in Monroe, $18,416,854 in Wayne, $6,611,742 in Cayuga and $20,443,860 in Oswego.

The plan sets time frames for when each of the 19 harbors should be dredged. The Oak Orchard Harbor in Orleans should be dredged every five years with 15,000 cubic yards removed, according to the plan.

The dredging needs for other nearby harbors includes: the channel in Wilson should be dredged every 5 years with 15,000 cubic yards removed; Olcott Harbor very five years with 15,000 cubic yards removed, and Sandy Creek in Hamlin every five years with 1,200 cubic yards removed.

Johnson and Godfrey presented a dredging plan for the harbors last week to the Great Lakes Dredging Team. They also have been working with Congressman Joe Morelle’s office to obtain funding to remove sediment form the harbors.

“Our small harbors serving recreational boating and fishing generate approximately $94 million annually in economic activity, support over 1,350 jobs, and provide sales tax revenues of approximately $7.6 million annually for the local counties and New York State” Godfrey said. “These same small harbors also provide safe harbors-of-refuge for vessels on Lake Ontario and can only provide these important benefits if adequate water depths are maintained in their access channels by regular, periodic dredging of accumulated sediments.”

Orleans DSS seeks to restart Youth Court

Posted 14 March 2023 at 12:13 pm

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services has recently hired a Youth Court coordinator to develop a Youth Court program.

Youth Court is an alternative for young people who face disciplinary action through school or law enforcement. It provides young people with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes without facing the juvenile justice system.

We are currently reaching out to each of the five school districts in the county to recruit Youth Court members. The Youth Court members will be trained by professionals including attorneys, judges and service providers in order to qualify to serve in various roles on the youth court.

Youth Court members participate as judge, jury and advocates as they impose sanctions on their peers that reflect restorative justice ideals and connect the peer and their family to the community.

Youth Court members need to be entering grades 7 through 11 for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Having a history with Juvenile Justice or Juvenile Diversion Program in the past does not prohibit youth from participation in the program.

Members are committed to attending the hearings and participating in enrichment programs. Participation in Youth Court may fulfill requirements for community service hours if approved by your school district.

This is an exciting opportunity to take an active role in your community and with your fellow students. You can make a difference and I am anxiously looking forward to taking this journey with you.

If anyone is interested in participating in this venture please reach out to Jeannine Larkin at (585) 589-3149 or (585) 297-0137.

$3 million grant will do more upgrades to emergency communications system in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 March 2023 at 9:14 am

File photo by Tom Rivers: Workers from Upstate Tower Construction erect a 180-foot-high radio tower on Jan. 20, 2020 next to the Orleans County Public Safety Building along Route 31 in Albion. This was one of four new radio towers to go up in the county as part of $6 million project to upgrade the emergency communications system in the county.

ALBION – Orleans County has been approved for a nearly $3 million grant from the state for more upgrades to its emergency communications system.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $2,990,000 to Orleans through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant. It is part of $62 million awarded for 14 counties in the state.

In Orleans, the money will pay for a new tower and equipment at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office on West Countyhouse Road in Albion, equipment for a new tower in Carlton that is being built as part of the broadband project, and two backup 911 dispatch consoles at the EMO site.

The state funding will allow a connection with the Monroe County emergency communications system so first responders from the two counties can better communicate with each other.

The new tower at the EMO office will replace an older one that is at end of life, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The grant program is administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Gov. Hochul said the funding is used to enhance public safety through improving and modernizing infrastructure, addressing communications deficiencies, implementing national interoperability channels, and boosting regional connectivity between counties and systems.

“When disaster strikes, New York must be ready. This grant funding is critical to modernizing our emergency communication systems to ensure that our brave first responders have the resources and data they need to keep the community and themselves safe during an emergency,” Hochul said. “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority and this program is key to improving public safety throughout Upstate New York.”

Orleans County in 2020 completed a $6 million project to upgrade the emergency communications system in the county. The state awarded Orleans a $5,897,141 grant for four new towers, accompanying communication shelters, technology to connect separate radio systems and new radio channels. Those 180-foot-high towers are next to the Public Safety Building on Route 31 in Albion, Millers Road in Yates near the water tank, and at the Kendall Central School near the bus garage. The other tower is 150 feet high next to the Holley water tank on Route 237.

County Legislature again speaks out against $1 million Medicaid cost shift

Posted 1 March 2023 at 6:20 pm

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature today advocated strongly for the elimination of a budget proposal backed by Governor Kathy Hochul that would cost local governments more than $625 million in the coming state fiscal year, and billions in subsequent years.

The proposal would end the longstanding practice of sharing federal Medicaid savings provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with counties and New York City. This funding, known as eFMAP, has been critical to counties’ ability to hold property taxes in check by limiting the local financial burden of Medicaid.

“At a time when our residents are paying more for housing, food, and fuel, Gov. Hochul’s proposal will make living in this state even less affordable,” said Orleans County Chairman Lynne Johnson. “This action would strip $1,059,034 in revenue from the Orleans County budget, which will end up coming out of residents’ pockets in the form of increased property taxes or cuts to vital county services like public safety and road maintenance.”

According to the Governor’s budget materials, this proposal would shift $625 million in Medicaid costs onto local taxpayers in its first year, and the minimum four-year cost to local taxpayers is calculated at between $2.5 billion and $2.9 billion. The New York State Association of Counties estimates that by state fiscal year 2027, the fourth year of this proposal, that state cost shift from this single initiative will be equivalent to an average property tax increase of 7 percent statewide and as high as 14 percent in some counties. To make matters worse, the State is also proposing to permanently keep six years of eFMAP funds, exceeding $1 billion worth of federal assistance owed to counties from unreconciled reimbursements.

“We are concerned that this proposal undermines Congressional intent. New York’s Congressional Delegation, led by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, fought hard to ensure that local taxpayers wouldn’t bear the burden of expanding Medicaid by specifically designating this funding for counties,” Johnson said. “This proposal reverses the state’s twenty-year practice of sharing these funds with counties and it’s unnecessary. Gov. Hochul must remove this disastrous proposal from her budget and work with counties to reach a compromise that does no harm to counties and maintains the cap on local contributions to Medicaid.”

First class graduates from program that teaches to prepare healthy, affordable meals

Photos courtesy of Marie Gabalski: Sarah Martin, a nutritionist with SNAP, demonstrates how to make tacos at the first Stone Soup classes at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. The program was funded by a $250,000 grant from Highmark.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 February 2023 at 1:08 pm

Sarah Martin (left), SNAP nutritionist, and Marie Gabalski, nutrition program coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension, clown around during a break in the first series of Stone Soup.

KNOWLESVILLE – A new program funded by a Highmark grant of $250,000 is teaching families with limited incomes how to eat healthy on a budget.

The grant was an idea developed at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee with assistance from Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Called Stone Soup, the first six-week classes at Cornell Cooperative Extension on the fairgrounds just ended with 21 graduates, said Cooperative Extension nutrition coordinator Marie Gabalski.

Each week, participants in the classes learned something different, such as food groups, fiber, fats and carbs, how to read food labels, fruits and vegetables and how to shop affordably, Gabalski said.

“We try to make it fun,” she said. “Twenty-six people registered for the first series of classes and 21 graduated. Classes for March and May are already full.”

Participants who attended all six classes and graduation received a kitchen kit which included a skillet, utensils, hot plate and an Instapot.

Many positive comments were received on the classes. One lady said, “I enjoyed learning how to pair healthy ingredients into a meal and knowing what and how to choose.”

Another commented, “What was important to me was being talked to and not ‘at.’The information was easy to understand.”

Yet another said she enjoyed learning about nutrition and healthy options. “I didn’t know the difference in types of fat before,” she said.

During July, the nutritionists are planning a similar program with school children. Registration for May classes is being prioritized for those who attend the meal program at Community Action’s center in Holley. Others will be placed on a waiting list for the Stone Soup program in the fall.

While Stone Soup was developed with low-income families in mind, there is no income requirement and anyone who wishes to sign up may contact Gabalski at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, (585) 798-4265.

Marie Gabalski, nutrition coordinator at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, hands out certificate of completion to Rosemary Fisher and Beth Williams.

Members of the first graduating class of Stone Soup at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension get their free gifts, including an Instapot, hot plate and utensils. Marie Gabalski, Cooperative Extension nutritionist, left, hands out kits to Jane Read, Janine Parker, right, and Alicia Dingman, rear.