Press Release, Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon

ALBION – Orleans County Clerk Nadine P. Hanlon today urged residents to sign up for a free service that will help protect them from deed fraud.

Fraud Notify is a tool provided through the Orleans County Clerk’s office that alerts people whenever a document, such as a deed or a mortgage, is recorded under their names with the Orleans County Clerk.

“Recently in the news, there have been plenty of stories of unsuspecting homeowners who had fraudulent deeds filed on their homes and there have been attempts right here in Orleans County,” said Hanlon.  “While the Fraud Notify service cannot block any filings, the fact that you are notified instantly allows you to contact law enforcement and get a lawyer to immediately put a stop to it.”

Hanlon said sign up is easy. The steps are:

• Go to: https://orleanscountyny-web.tylerhost.net/web/
• On that site, click the link to subscribe to Fraud Notify.
• Sign up by creating an account. Although there is a box checked for “Billing address” you will NOT be billed for signing up for this service.
• You will then receive an email to confirm your account and verify your email address.
• Go back to Fraud Notify and log in with your credentials and add names of those you want to receive alerts for, like yourself and your spouse; or parents or grandparents if they cannot receive emails.

“The whole process takes just a few minutes, which is well worth it to know you are protecting your most valuable asset— your home,” said Hanlon.

Hanlon added that those that have the same name as other Orleans County residents could receive alerts for documents that do not pertain to their real property.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Employees from Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati work at a household hazardous waste collection event in Albion on Aug. 12, 2023. EEI will be back on Aug. 16 to collect more household hazardous waste.

ALBION – There are still about 200 spots available for Orleans County residents to stop by a household hazardous waste collection event on Aug. 16.

The county has contracted with Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati for residents to safely dispose of leftover chemicals, batteries, tires, oil and solvents at no charge to residents. So far more than 300 spots have been taken.

Residents can register by calling (585) 589-3198 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Orleans County Department of Planning and Development may take registrations up until Aug. 15.

The event will be at the Orleans County Highway Garage on West Academy Street in Albion.  The county will collect all acceptable items from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. is reserved for tire collection only.

Acceptable items include pesticides, motor oiler & filters, adhesives, antifreeze, solvents, tires (limit 10), batteries, fluorescent bulbs, aerosols, oil-based paints and empty propane tanks.

Items that cannot be accepted include explosives, pressurized tanks, ammunition, PCBs, radioactive waste, medical water, electronics, latex paint, tires on rims and commercial tires.

Municipalities used to each have equal vote, but weighted system diminishes clout of smaller members

ALBION – The first 50 years of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., each member county or city had the same vote per municipality, regardless of the population.

But about two years ago, the OTB board changed to a weighted-voting system with more populous areas getting more votes. Orleans, instead of an equal seat at the table, ended up with the least power.

Orleans and five other counties sued over the changes. The State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, on Wednesday dismissed the case.

Orleans was joined in the lawsuit by Genesee, Niagara, Livingston, Wyoming and Seneca counties. The case was initially filed and argued in Orleans County.

The State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul approved the weighted voting changes with the state budget in 2023-24, citing improprieties and mismanagement at the WROTB.

The six counties that sued said the change violated the “one county, one vote” model of WROTB with a population-based model that effectively consolidates the power to manage and operate the WROTB in Erie County, Monroe County, the City of Buffalo, and the city of Rochester. Those four members have 62 of 99 votes in the weighted system.

The weighted vote system includes the following votes: Erie County, 24; Monroe County, 20; City of Buffalo, 10; City of Rochester and Niagara County, 8; Chautauqua, 5; Oswego, 4; Steuben, Wayne, Cattaraugus and Cayuga, 3; Livingston and Genesee, 2; and Wyoming, Orleans, Seneca and Schuyler, 1.

The Appellate Division sided with the State of New York, which asserted that the six counties lacked capacity to bring a suit to invalidate state legislation. The Appellate Court said the changes in the weighted voting doesn’t affect the revenue that will go to the smaller counties.

The court noted that WROTB’s funds vary by year, depending on the wagers placed and WROTB’s operating expenses. Those funds are not in immediate possession of the member municipalities, but are distributed regularly at intervals determined by the board.

Orleans and the other counties in the lawsuit were represented by former attorney general Dennis Vacco, now with Lippes Mathias LLP. In a March 27, 2024 court appearance in Orleans County before State Supreme Court Judge Frank Caruso, Vacco said the case is a very important challenge, showing smaller rural counties standing up to a “power grab” imposed by the state.

“I’m a little emotional about it because I think they receive these types of shenanigans from Albany all the time,” Vacco told the judge in court that day.

The municipalities in WROTB fronted the money to start WROTB in 1973, which has returned more than $250 million in profits to the municipalities.

Joe Terragnoli, representing the Attorney General’s Office, appeared in court on March 27, 2024.

“It’s been a very lucrative deal,” he told the judge. “They gave loans and they were paid in full.”

That contribution never guaranteed an equal vote for perpetuity. The money didn’t purchase voting rights, Terragnoli said.

The state has the right to restructure the board with a weighted vote, he said.

Vacco said the smaller counties never would have put up the money if they had such a small voice at the board table.

Provided photo: County Legislators Skip Draper, Lynne Johnson and John Fitzak are shown outside the U.S. Capitol building last week.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

Scott Buffin, deputy emergency management director for Orleans County

ALBION – A local delegation from Orleans County joined U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for the First Responders Summit on Thursday, July 24th in Washington, DC.

The summit provided in-depth information about supporting the wellbeing of first responders and their families, fostering community engagement, and grant writing.

“This summit was a great opportunity to discuss a broad array of issues on how we can support our first responders and provide critical services to our residents,” said Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson. “Plus, there are unique challenges for rural communities like ours when it comes to first responders so being able to share information between similar counties is very helpful.”

Johnson was joined at the summit by County Legislators Skip Draper and John Fitzak as well as Scott Buffin, deputy director of the Emergency Management Office.

 Over the course of the summit, representatives from law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency management departments across New York shared their expertise and best practices. The summit featured speakers from the Police Benevolent Association of New York State, the Uniformed Firefighters Association, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, amongst others.

County representatives plan to use the information shared at the summit to provide the best law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency management services for our county residents.

“The discussions on first responders and family well-being brought some new ideas to incorporate into what we are already doing for our first responders in Orleans County,” Buffin said. “The opportunity to network with other first responders at the summit was invaluable.”

To conclude the summit, county representatives spoke with Sen. Gillibrand and her staff where they shared ideas about the areas for growth and support of Orleans County.

“I thank the representatives from Orleans County for making the trip to share their expertise and enhance the quality of our larger discussion,” Sen. Gillibrand said. “I hope that the First Responders Summit provided information to enhance the quality of life of the constituents of Orleans County.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller, right, presents a proclamation to child support specialists, Alex DeSmit and Kaitlin Zwifka, during last week’s County Legislature meeting. The Legislature recognized August as “Child Support Awareness Month.”

The proclamation states:

“Whereas, Orleans County is committed to ensuring the safety, health and well-being of our children, our greatest hope and promise for the future; and

“Whereas, parents have the most critical role in the development of their children, and an obligation to provide safe, loving and secure environments in which their children can grow and flourish; and

“Whereas, parents have an obligation to support their children, financially and emotionally; and

“Whereas, studies have shown that when both parents provide financial and emotional support, children are less likely to engage in unhealthy and unproductive behaviors and are more likely to do well in school and succeed later in life; and

“Whereas, the Child Support Enforcement Program and child support professionals in Orleans County play a vital role in assisting parents in achieving and maintaining economic security for their children.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The County Legislature has approved bids from contractors to make structural repairs for part of the roof on the west side of the Public Safety Building as well as other upgrades to the site.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has accepted about $800,000 bids from contractors to make repairs and upgrades to the Public Safety Building.

Part of the western side of the Public Safety Building, in the area that used to include Probation, needs work. The structural supports on the western side are undersized to support HVAC.

The Legislature on Tuesday approved the following bids for “Public Safety Building emergency structural repairs” that total $815,700:

• $649,000 for general construction from Javen Construction Company of Penfield
• $61,200 for HVAC from Crosby Brownlie in Rochester
• $55,500 for electrical from Crosby Brownlie in Rochester
• Up to $50,000 for plumbing from McGrain Mechanical in Rochester

The Legislature in February approved spending up to $427,000 for Wendel Companies in Williamsville for design, bidding services and construction management for replacing and strengthening the roof.

The county bought the building, a former furniture store, in 1998. The building houses the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, 911 Dispatch Center and Major Felony Crime Task Force.

It used to include Probation until that department moved last summer to the former GCC campus in Albion due to concerns with part of the Public Safety Building. Probation will stay at the former GCC site once the Public Safety Building work is done. The Sheriff’s Office will be able to use the space that was Probation’s.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Nick Fitzak raising the American flag while other veterans join at opening ceremonies of the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Monday evening.

Veterans for many years have led a flag-raising ceremony for the start of the fair.

Next to Fitzak are Dave Kuzmierszak, at left, and Tom Snyder.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said fairs help celebrate agriculture’s critical importance to the local and state-wide economy.

The 2022 Ag Census put the farm revenue in Orleans County at $233.6 million, the 15th most of 62 counties in the state. Cayuga is the top-ranked county at $461.9 million.

State-wide, the ag revenues totaled $8.04 billion in 2022.

Hawley also invited veterans to consider going on the next Patriot Trip to Washington, DC from Sept. 19-22.

These veterans provided a dignified presence at opening ceremonies for the fair.

JW Cook, the Finger Lakes region representative for Gov. Kathy Hochul, touted NY’s investments in rural New York, including $11 million to broadband Internet expansion in Orleans County.

Caton Conde, president of the board for the Cornell Cooperative Extension, praised a team of staff and volunteers that have worked on the fair all year. Conde was an active 4-H member when she was a kid. She said the fair is a showcase for 4-Hers and their projects.

Fair manager Marty Zwifka said the fairgrounds have new bathrooms/showers, and a full slate of entertainment.

This week’s fair also changes the admission, from per car to a $10 admission fee per person that is good all week. The parking lot off Wood Road also is being used for vendors with the public lot shifted to the side by Taylor Hill Road, the second entrance off Route 31.

Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, said the fair is a chance for local youth to make memories that will last a lifetime.

A parade through the grounds included Orly the Ox in the Gator, 4-H members and their dogs, and a Ridgeway fire truck.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Peggy Barringer is shown with some of her photographs of a great blue heron at sunset along the Erie Canal in Albion, not far from her backyard.

Barringer is one of 11 featured artists in a bicentennial show at the Marti’s on Main gallery in Albion, highlighting the 200^th anniversary of both the Erie Canal and Orleans County.

Barringer also has black-and-white photo of the Erie Canal in the show, including this shed that she said no longer exists. She started walking the canal in her 50s and became more serious about photography then after being downsized by Chase Bank.

“I started to walk the canal regularly and I started to see things with a fresh set of eyes,” she said.

Two of her photos have been winners in the annual state-wide Erie Canal photo contest. Barringer is often on local expeditions trying to get photos of snowy owls, bald eagles and other scenes.

“There’s a lot of here with nature and wildlife,” she said about Orleans County. “The sunsets are gorgeous. I chase the eagles and snowy owls.”

Other artists in the show include Chris Manaseri, Kim Martillotta Muscarella, Elizabeth Cooper, Amber Smarpat, Bradeen Walders, Jeff Watkins, Tony Barry, Connie Mosher and Christy Valsente.

Christy Valsente of Holley creates art work in glass. This piece is entitled, “Corn.”

Kim Martillotta Muscarella did this acrylic painting of a sunset.

Muscarella said the county has a vibrant diversity in the landscape that appeals to artists, especially with the Erie Canal and agriculture scenes.

“People who come to visit here say it’s so beautiful with the apple trees and the great blue herons,” Muscarella said.

Tony Barry, a retired art teacher at Holley, stands near one of his Erie Canal paintings of a scene in Holley.

“I like the simplicity of it with the birds and the variety of trees,” he said about the painting.

Barry enjoys painting scenes of the canal and the Holley Waterfalls.

‘I like the environment around here and the people that live here,” he said. “I like the beauty of the canal, even in the winter. I appreciate the starkness of it.”

Jeffrey J. Watkins did these oil paintings of “Evening, Alabama Swamps” at left and “Evening on the Canal.”

Bradeen Erakare, 31, has three paintings in the show. The one on the left is her friend since childhood, Gregg Albertson, and the other is another lifelong friend, Jackie Madejski. Albertson was Erakare’s neighbor growing up in Albion. He now lives in Nashville and is a musician. Madejski is an actress currently with the lead role in Hamlet during a summer production in Cooperstown. The other painting is a landscape along Wood Road in Albion.

Erakare said part of celebrating the county’s bicentennial should include recognizing friends and people in the community.

‘The people make up the town,” she said. “As an artist the people inspire me.”

4-H Fair by Amber Smarpat

Chris Manaseri painting this pic of the tugboat Lockport tied up at canal side.

Elizabeth Cooper of Medina created these dolls of pioneers with an ox.

Rosie Patronski painted the tower at Mount Albion Cemetery.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Amelia Paratore, 15, of Corfu moves part of a stall for the goat barn on Wednesday evening during a work bee at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Many volunteers and 4-H’ers were at the fairgrounds getting the site ready for next week’s fair which runs from July 21-26. Amelia will be showing goats, poultry and beef cattle at the fair.

The exhibitors for the fair include 204 showing animals, and another 50 are expected to have entries at the Trolley Building.

One of the biggest improvements for the public will be new bathrooms with showers. Jay Silversmith is shown helping spread some stone by the building. Charlie Ricci is doing most of the site work for the project.

Bert Mathes shows the inside of the new building including one of the four new showers. The new bathrooms and showers are handicapped accessible. There will be more space for the users and the bathrooms and showers will be in one building.

There is still some work to get the bathrooms and showers done, with siding, fixtures, sinks and handicapped accessible features all to be added.

“We’ll get it done,” Mathes said. “It’s only Wednesday.”

Camden Price, 12, of Lyndonville checks on a robot that will be on display in the Trolley Building. Camden is part of the Robotics program through the 4-H program. Erik Seielstad, in back, is the mentor for the program that is looking for more members, especially at the high school level.

Orleans contingent writes resolution that gets backing of NACo

Provided photos:  Orleans County Legislators John Fitzak, Lynne Johnson and Skip Draper are shown at the NACo conference in Philadelphia.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

PHILADELPHIA, PA. – Orleans County Legislators Lynne Johnson, Skip Draper and John Fitzak today announced that the National Association of Counties (NACo) has passed a resolution, authored by the three lawmakers, opposing closure of Job Corps centers across the country.  The vote took place yesterday at the NACo annual conference in Philadelphia.

Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson, joined by Legislator Skip Draper, presents the resolution opposing Job Corps closure at the NACo conference.

“It’s no secret that we consider the Iroquois Job Corps center in Medina hugely important to creating pathways to employment for many young men and women,” Johnson said. “It was extremely gratifying to see other counties across the country feel the same way about Job Corps centers in their regions and joined our effort to save them.”

Legislator Skip Draper said, “The Iroquois Job Corps trains hundreds of students each year for jobs in the building trades, and Job Corps centers around the country train over 50,000 students annually. If the federal government’s desire is to reduce people’s reliance on social services programs, and instead move them into meaningful work, then cutting Job Corps does not make any sense.”

With yesterday’s vote on the Orleans County resolution, support to maintain Job Corps now becomes a priority for NACo’s lobbying efforts in Congress.

“As the old saying goes, there is strength in numbers,” said Legislator John Fitzak.  “With the full weight of NACo and its member counties behind efforts to save Job Corps, we stand a much better chance of building a coalition of federal representatives to preserve this important program.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jay Lazarony, retiring director for the GLOW Workforce Development Board, receives a “Special Recognition Award” from County Legislator Fred Miller during a recent Legislature meeting.

ALBION – The leader of the GLOW Workforce Development Board has pushed to be bring in training funds to help residents develop skills for in-demand local careers.

Jay Lazarony led the GLOW organization the past eight years, and worked 20 years before that as a youth counselor for the Genesee County Job Development Bureau. He has retired, and has been praised for his efforts to connect GLOW residents to job training.

He also was one of the driving forces in the GLOW With Your Hands career exploration events that showcased careers in the trades and local manufacturing, and also in healthcare.

The Orleans County Legislature recently presented Lazarony with a “Special Recognition Award” for his career in workforce development.

Lazarony, in an interview today, said it has been a rewarding career “to provide people with a restart, an initial start or just a change in their work status.”

The GLOW WDB works with BOCES to connect residents to training. That training can make a huge difference for people in getting a new career or a step up at the jobs. GLOW has secured about $500,000 a year each of the past five years for job training in the four local rural counties.

“A small training could be the difference in them getting a new career with a family-sustaining income,” Lazarony said.

When he worked for the Genesee County Job Development Bureau, Lazarony said the office would ring a bell every time someone landed a job through the bureau’s help. That signified a new start, a chance at a family-sustaining career.

Lazarony said those jobs are available in the GLOW region, but more residents need training to be hired at these positions.

“I think there are great careers locally but there is a skill gap,” he said. “We have to get them trained first. We’re fighting for funding for training. It’s not that nobody wants to work. It’s just that they’re not up to speed yet.”

Lazarony praised the work of the job development agencies in each of the four counties. In Orleans, Kelly Kiebala is director of the Job Development Agency.

The overall GLOW Workforce Development Board has a new leader in Tracy VanVleck, the executive director who is based in Batavia.

Lazarony said she worked with him his final month in the position. He is confident she will be a good fit for the four counties.

“She will take it in a direction that is positive and very good for all of GLOW,” Lazarony said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 17, 2024 recognized award winners for 2024. The group includes, front row, from left: Lisa Christiaansen, Tapped on Main in Medina; Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee; Jenna Pangrazio and Brody Hoffmeister of Rudy’s in Medina; Marisa and Matthew Burch, Chop’s Shop Bar & Grill North in Lyndonville; and Tom Laine, owner of Frontier Heating & A/C Service. Back row: Brian Christiaansen of Tapped on Main, David Mitchell; Bob Gibbs of Environmental Construction Group in Albion; George Lacey and Samantha Tillman of Captain’s Cove in Carlton; Gary and Maggie Roberts of Roberts Farm Market in Medina; Rex Harvey, Ray Laine and Lori Laine of Frontier Heating & A/C Service.

Press Release, Orleans County Chamber of Commerce

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 27th annual business awards.

Nominations are due by Sept. 1 and can be emailed to director@orleanscountychamberofcommerce.com mailed to OCCC, PO Box 501, Medina NY, 14103 or entered on a Google Form (click here).

The categories include:

• Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year. (Last year’s winner: Frontier Heating & A/C Services.)

• Lifetime Achievement – This award is presented to an individual with a long-term record of outstanding business achievements. (Dave Mitchell received the award in 2024.)

• Phoenix Award – This award is presented to an organization or business that has successfully adapted or re-used an existing facility. (Tapped on Main – Mark’s Pizzeria won the award last year.)

• New Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business or organization that has opened in the past year. (Chop’s Shop Bar and Grill North in Lyndonville won last year.)

• Community Service Award – This award is presented to a business, organization or individual that has provided meaningful contributions to the community in either professional or non-professional spheres. (Community Action of Orleans and Genesee received the honor in 2024.)

• Agricultural Business of the Year – This award is presented to an agricultural business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year. (Roberts Farm Market in Medina won the award in 2024.)

• Small Business of the Year – This award is presented to a small business that has experienced significant achievements/success throughout the year. (Rudy’s Diner in Medina won last year.)

• Hidden Gem –This award is presented to a business that has made a positive contribution to tourism in Orleans County. (Captain’s Cove in Point Breeze won the honor in 2024.)

For more information check the Chamber website or Facebook page.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Employees from Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati were in Albion on Aug. 10, 2024 for the Orleans County annual household hazardous waste collection day. More than 500 residents were able to get rid of leftover chemicals, batteries, tires, oil and solvents. The event returns on Aug. 16.

ALBION – Orleans County will again hold a popular household hazardous waste collection day.

The event returns Aug. 16 and is a chance to get rid of leftover chemicals, batteries, tires, oil and solvents at no charge to residents.

The event is open to all Orleans County residents but registration is needed and can be done by calling the county Planning Office at (585) 589-3198 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The event will be at the Orleans County Highway Garage on West Academy Street in Albion.  The county will collect all acceptable items from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. is reserved for tire collection only.

Acceptable items include pesticides, motor oiler & filters, adhesives, antifreeze, solvents, tires (limit 10), batteries, fluorescent bulbs, aerosols, oil-based paints and empty propane tanks.

Items that cannot be accepted include explosives, pressurized tanks, ammunition, PCBs, radioactive waste, medical water, electronics, latex paint, tires on rims and commercial tires.

“This is Orleans County’s annual collection event that I know a lot of residents like to plan for to get rid of those leftover chemicals, batteries, tires and other items that are lying around in the garage, basement or shed,” said Corey Winters, director of the Planning Office. “And more than just getting rid of this clutter, people can be assured these items are being disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible way.”

A state grant covers half of the cost with the county paying the other half. The county’s cost has been about $18,000 in recent years.

The County legislature approved the following agreement with Environmental Enterprises Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio: Aerosol Cans, $1.00 per pound; Anti-Freeze, $.23 per pound; Chemicals (labpacks), $1.20 per pound; Corrosive Acids, $1.20 per pound; Corrosive Bases, $1.20 per pound; Fluorescent Tubes, $1.00 per pound; Household Cleaners, $1.20 per pound; Miscellaneous Chemicals, $1.20 per pound;

Oil Filters, $.25 per pound; Organic Liquids, $.24 per pound; Oxidizers, $1.20 per pound; Pesticides/Insecticides, $1.89 per pound; Pesticides/Insecticide (dioxin precursors), $12.00 per pound; Poisons, $1.20 per pound; Resins & Adhesives (with cans), $1.20 per pound; and Waste Oil, $.20 per pound.

“We have opened up registration early so we can properly plan and be ready to accommodate as many residents as possible who want to take part,” Winters said.  “When you call to register, please be prepared to generally describe the type of chemicals and/or the number of tires you will be disposing.”

Orleans County Public Works Department employees remove tires from the back of a pickup truck on Aug. 10, 2024. Residents are able to dispose of car tires at the event.

Legislature hires consultant to help present alternatives to public

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Murray Joint Fire District – led by in front from left, Pete Hendrickson, Rick Cary and Kevin Dann – march in the Kendall Firemen’s Carnival parade on June 26. In 2021, the Murray Joint Fire District combined the Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray districts.

ALBION – Orleans County has hired a consultant to assist local officials in looking at several options for providing EMS and fire service in the county.

Municipal Resource Inc. (MRI) of Plymouth, NH will work with the Orleans County Emergency Management Agency on a study looking at options to improve EMS and the fire service in the short and long term in the county.

MRI will be paid $71,807 for its work, with half of that coming from a state Local Government Efficiency grant. The other half will come out of Emergency Management’s budget.

Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director, said MRI will work with local officials from villages, towns, the fire departments and EMS providers. The study will look at options ranging from the current nearly all-volunteer fire service to having paid firefighters in all three battalions.

The Village of Medina is currently the only department with paid staff and they respond to fires and handle the EMS calls on the western end of the county.

Many of the fire companies and departments are short-staffed especially with responses during the work hours.

Niederhofer said there will be opportunities for public inut as the study moves forward in the coming months.

A long line of fire trucks participated in the Kendall parade on June 26, including a group from the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company.