Orleans County

Long-time Hospice volunteer, medical director honored for service

Staff Reports Posted 27 April 2018 at 7:02 am

Curtis Foundation also recognized for contributions

Orleans Hub photos: Jean Shervin of Albion, left, gets a hug from her daughter Jan Albanese at Hospice of Orleans’ annual meeting and volunteer appreciation luncheon Thursday at the Medina United Methodist Church. Shervin was named Volunteer of the Year by Hospice.

MEDINA – Jean Shervin has been volunteering since she was in grammar school, and she has carried that spirit of helping others throughout her life.

Shervin, 84, of Albion on Thursday was honored as Volunteer of the Year by Hospice of Orleans County at their annual meeting and volunteer recognition luncheon at the Medina United Methodist Church.

Shervin’s first volunteer efforts were with Red Cross during World War II. She learned how to knit so she could make squares for afghans for servicemen.

“I’ve been volunteering for different agencies ever since,” she said.

Shervin is a regular volunteer at Hospice, not only helping with fundraisers on special occasions, but serving meals at the Martin-Linsin residence two nights a week.

Being honored by Hospice was a complete surprise and one Shervin doesn’t think she deserves.

“There are so many volunteers who do more than I do, but I’m very appreciative they chose to recognize me,” she said.

Also honored was Dr. Thomas Madejski, who received the Mary Janet Sahukar Award, named for the woman who was instrumental in forming Hospice years ago. Madejski was also presented with citations by Senator Robert Ortt, Eileen Banker on behalf of Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and George McNierney representing Congressman Chris Collins.

“Dr. Madejski has spent countless hours serving hospice patients in their homes, at the hospital, nursing home and in the Martin-Linsin residence,” Spychalski said.

Jean Shervin, standing, chats with Dr. Thomas Madejski just before they were both honored by Hospice of Orleans County at the organization’s annual meeting and volunteer appreciation luncheon Thursday. Shervin was named Volunteer of the Year, while Madejski received the Mary Janet Sahukar Award for his support of Hospice. At left is Dr. Andrew Esch, who is taking Madejski’s place as Hospice’s medical director.

Madejski has stepped down as medical director for Hospice.

Taking his place is Dr. Andrew Esch, who is certified in hospice and palliative medicine and internal medicine. He is also a consultant for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Catholic Health and the National Center to Advance Palliative Care, and is medical director for the Palliative Care and Survivorship of Western New York.

He said two of the biggest unsung heroes at end of life are volunteers and caregivers.

“An organization the size of this speaks volumes about the way this community comes together to help others,” Esch said.

Brittany Dix, Development manager for Hospice, announced the Curtis Foundation as recipient of Business/Civic Award.

“They have been strong supporters over a number of years, contributing to several of our pursuits, including providing funds for IT needs, renovations to our administrative offices and most recently, upgrades for the Martin-Linsin residence,” Dix said.

David Mitchell accepted the award on behalf of the Curtis Foundation.

Brittany Dix, Development manager at Hospice of Orleans County, stands at the microphone after David Mitchell accepted the business/Civic Award on behalf of the Curtis Foundation at Hospice’s annual meeting and volunteer luncheon. County Legislator Bill Eick is at right.

Chris Fancher, volunteer coordinator, said their many volunteers never cease to amaze her.

“Their generosity can be seen each and every day at Hospice of Orleans,” she said before calling the names of more than three dozen individuals who volunteer in many capacities for Hospice, from office work and grocery shopping to sanitizing medical equipment.

One volunteer, Gil Cain, holds the record for volunteer hours, with 400.

Fancher also announced that volunteer Florence Surdi has been chosen by Orleans County Office for the Aging as Senior Volunteer of the Year. She will be presented with her award in Albany in May.

In addition to recognizing volunteers, Hospice conducted its annual meeting. Vice chair Maura Pierce shared highlights of 2017, calling attention to the total number of volunteer hours (5,975), which saved the organization $111,194.

Officers elected were Craig Lape, chair; Doug Miller, vice chair; Beverly Saskowski, treasurer; Annette Pearl, secretary; Ada Grabowski, assistant secretary; and Sheila Myer and Ada Grabowski, directors.

Kellie Spychalski, CEO of Hospice of Orleans County, welcomes guests at Hospice of Orleans County’s annual meeting and volunteer luncheon.

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County ups contract with lobbyist from $60K to $90K

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2018 at 11:14 am

Legislators want more focus on federal issues, including lake levels, dredging

ALBION – The county will keep a lobbyist for a fourth year, but this time with a 50 percent raise – from $60,000 to $90,000 for the year.

The County Legislature approved the higher rate on Wednesday in a 6-1 vote. Legislator Fred Miller cast the lone opposing vote, despite prodding from Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson and Legislator Ken DeRoller for a unanimous vote.

Miller said legislators are challenged each year to stay under the tax cap, and have to cut many expenses from the budget. He said he couldn’t justify the $30,000 increase. He said he would have favored keeping it at $60,000.

DeRoller said the lobbyist, Park Strategies, has been instrumental in helping address state funding issues for the county. He noted several canal bridges are now on the state Department of Transportation’s list for upgrades, and the DOT is paving the Lake Ontario Parkway from Hamlin to 2 miles past the Orleans County line into Kendall.

The $30,000 increase for Park Strategies represents the county’s desire to push harder at the federal level to fight higher Lake Ontario water levels that flooded the south shore last year. DeRoller said the county also will press the federal government for dredging the Oak Orchard Harbor and expanding broadband Internet access in Orleans.

Park Strategies has made a difference in helping the county to strategize and “be in the room” with state officials, DeRoller said.

“We’re trying to improve our relationship with federal officials,” DeRoller said.

Al Lofthouse, chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party, asked about the role of state and federal elected officials, who Lofthouse said take a lot of credit for advocating for the county.

DeRoller said it’s a team effort to bring needed resources to the county. He praised the efforts of Assemblyman Steve Hawley, State Sen. Rob Ortt and Congressman Chris Collins.

The lake level issue, for example, jeopardizes about a third of the tax base in the towns of Carlton, Kendall and Yates, DeRoller said. Landowners there are still waiting for $12 million in reimbursements from the flooding damage last year. The lobbyist is just an added effort to bring attention and funding to the county, DeRoller said.

The new contract runs from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019, at $7,500 a month.

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County breaks ground on $10 million addition to Administration Building

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2018 at 7:25 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County officials gathered at 2 p.m. on Wednesday for a ceremonial ground-breaking behind the County Administration Building, where construction will soon start on a 23,000-square-foot addition.

Pictured from left, include: Mark O’Brien, director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department; Chuck Nesbitt, county chief administrative officer; County Legislator Fred Miller; Legislator John DeFilipps; Gerald Summe, vice president at Wendel which is overseeing the construction project; Legislator Bill Eick; Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson; Paul Pettit, director of Public Health; Legislator Ken DeRoller; Jayleen Carney, a staff member for Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Madelyn Genovese, staff member for State Sen. Robert Ortt; and Edwin Moss, the county’s director of computer services.

Construction is expected to take about 15 months until the building is ready for about 50 employees from the Health Department, Board of Elections, information technology department and the Legislative office and staff. The building will be connected to the current Administration Building with the addition on the south side. There are currently about 125 people working out of the building for the Department of Social Services, Job Development, Tourism, Planning and Development, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Personnel.

The new space will include a meeting room for the Legislature with about 60 seats. The current Legislative chambers has about 30 seats and is one of the smallest municipal meeting rooms in the county.

Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said the county has been preparing for the project for several years.

The Board of Elections and Public Health Department currently are leasing space from Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services. Comprehensive purchased the former county-owned nursing home for $7.8 million in January 2014. The county has been leasing space from Comprehensive for Elections and Public Health because those offices are part of the nursing home complex.

Moving those offices from those sites will spare the county from paying those lease payments. The money the county was paying for the lease will go towards paying the debt for the addition.

The new addition will be more modern, secure and centralized for the county, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer.

Paul Pettit, director of Public Health, said he welcomes the opportunity for his staff to work in a new building.

The County Legislature on March 28 accepted five construction bids totaling $7,006,600 for the addition of the building at 14016 Route 31. Alternates for $495,900 push the total bids accepted to $7,502,500. In addition, the county will pay the Wendel firm $900,000 for construction administration, project coordination, additional design services, commissioning services and grant administration.

The County Legislature has approved a maximum bond of $10,063,881 for an addition the building on Route 31, behind the nursing home. The bond is expected to be about $6.5 million due to grants for the project. The county has already been approved for a $3,682,748 state grant towards the project and State Sen. Robert Ortt also secured a $200,000 state grant.

The larger grant includes funds to create space at the neighboring Mental Health Building for a primary doctor from Oak Orchard Health. Mental Health also has two therapists working out of Oak Orchard Health’s site on Route 31 in Albion.

Work has started on a new parking lot on the west side of the building. There will be a temporary entrance for the public on the west side while the building is under construction. The county will also install a one-way traffic light on the driveway during the peak of the building’s construction.

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Ministry of Concern praised for loving their neighbors for 50 years

Photos by Tom Rivers: State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a proclamation to Nyla Gaylord, executive director of the Geneses Orleans Ministry of Concern, on Saturday during a 50th anniversary celebration for the agency.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2018 at 12:44 pm

HOLLEY – An agency that has served residents in need for 50 years was praised for providing critical assistance.

The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern held a celebration on Saturday for the agency’s half century of service.

John LaFalce, a retired congressman, said the agency has been following one of the great commands of Jesus by loving their neighbor, by providing shelter, clothing and food.

John LaFalce, a retired congressman, has been a longtime supporter of the Ministry of Concern.

“You are sharing love for your neighbors in Genesee and Orleans counties when you provide for those in need,” LaFalce said during the celebration on Saturday at Hickory Ridge Golf Course. LaFalce served in Congress for 28 years until 2003.

The Ministry of Concern grew out of what was initially a grassroots effort of local churches that wanted to assist farmworkers and poor residents. The Ministry of Concern now serves about 2,000 people annually in Orleans County, helping with personal care items, prescription co-pays, emergency shelter and some utility bills.

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson reads a proclamation from the County Legislature in appreciation of the 50 years of service from the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern. John Deleo, a Genesee County legislator, also presented a proclamation from the Genesee County Legislature. Sister Dolores O’Dowd, left, is board chairwoman for the Ministry of Concern.

Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, also has served as a bookkeeper for the Ministry of Concern for about 15 years. She said the agency is a “best-kept secret” in the county. She said the Ministry of Concern could have assisted a mother and son from Kendall who died last week from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning after their electricity was shut off. They then used a generator to try to provide power for the house.

“We need to get the word out,” Johnson told about 200 people at the banquet on Saturday. “This is what the organization stands for: It’s meeting the needs that no one else could.”

She urged residents to reach out to the Ministry of Concern if they are in a crisis, and concerned about losing power or facing other emergencies.

“That’s why we’re here gathered tonight so there’s not another death,” Johnson said.

A big crowd turned out to support the Ministry of Concern on its milestone celebration at Hickory Ridge.

The agency also runs a used furniture and appliance program, collecting items and delivering them to people in need.

The Ministry of Concern has a youth mentoring program, Just Friends E-3 Team, that matches youth mentors (coaches) to children in need of positive adult connections.

Nyla Gaylord serves as executive director of the agency. She said many of the agency’s clients are people who work hard, but they don’t make enough money to pay all of their bills, or they can’t afford an big unplanned expense, such as a car breakdown.

The Ministry can provide some financial assistance or advocate for residents for a reasonable payment plan, Gaylord said.

Gaylord and Jacki Mowers-Sciarabba, a full-time client advocate at the Ministry of Concern, are well connected in the community, working with other non-profits and government agencies to assist people in crisis. The job can be stressful and takes a lot of problem-solving, Gaylord said.

“It’s hard to believe the number of so many people who have worked so hard for so many years to provide services to people in need,” Gaylord said.

Doug Egling performs with “A Blues Band” during Saturday’s celebration.

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Ministry of Concern will celebrate 50 years with banquet on Saturday

Photo by Tom Rivers: Nyla Gaylord, center, is executive director of the Geneses Orleans Ministry of Concern. She is pictured recently with a committee helping to plan the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday at Hickory Ridge Golf Course. From left in back include: Sister Dolores O’Dowd, Judy Boyle, Bob Golden, Amy Monti, Mary Grace Demarse, Kelly Murray and Pat Morrissey.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 April 2018 at 10:56 am

HOLLEY – An agency that initially started as a migrant ministry in 1968 and has expanded its mission over the years will celebrate its 50^th anniversary on Saturday with a banquet and celebration at Hickory Ridge Golf Course.

The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern is a nonprofit organization that grew out of a grassroots effort of local churches who wanted to assist farmworkers and poor residents.

The Ministry of Concern serves about 2,000 people annually in Orleans County, helping with personal care items, prescription co-pays, emergency shelter and some utility bills.

The agency runs a used furniture and appliance program, collecting items and delivering them to people in need.

The Ministry of Concern also has a youth mentoring program, Just Friends E-3 Team, that matches youth mentors (coaches) to children in need of positive adult connections.

“There are so many people living paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “These are the working poor. They work so hard they just can’t make it.”

The Ministry can provide some financial assistance or advocate for residents for a reasonable payment plan, Gaylord said.

“We try to look beyond the crisis,” she said.

The celebration on Saturday begins at 5 p.m. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley will share a proclamation about the agency’s 50^th anniversary. John LaFalce, a retired U.S. congressman, also will attend. He was a strong supporter of the agency when he was in Congress, Gaylord said.

There will be a presentation about the agency’s history and its plan for the future.

“We’re celebrating that we’re still in existence and on an upswing,” Gaylord said. “We’re on solid ground and moving forward.”

The Ministry of Concern is known as “the agency of last resort.” It often helps people avoid shut-off notices and obtain needed housing and health insurance.

“The leadership at the Ministry of Concern is inspiring,” said Bob Golden, a retired Probation director who is on the committee planning the 50^th anniversary celebration. “They’re like saints.”

Gaylord has a quote posted in her office by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Gaylord said that quote sums up the impact of the Ministry of Concern and the guiding principles of the staff and supporters.

For more information on the banquet and the agency, click here.

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Orleans sets ground-breaking for April 25 for addition to government center

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2018 at 5:42 pm

Courtesy of Wendel

ALBION – Orleans County officials will have a ground-breaking program at 2 p.m. on April 25 for a new addition to the County Administration Building.

Invitations were sent today for the ground-breaking of the “Government Center” – the County Administration Building with the 23,000-square-foot addition.

Construction is expected to start next month and continue for 15 months until the building is ready for the Health Department, Board of Elections, information technology department and the Legislative office and staff.

The County Legislature has approved a maximum bond of $10,063,881 for an addition the building on Route 31, behind the nursing home. The bond is expected to be significantly reduced due to grants for the project. The county has already been approved for a $3,682,748 state grant towards the project and State Sen. Robert Ortt also secured a $200,000 state grant.

Moving those offices from those sites will spare the county from paying those lease payments. The money the county was paying for the lease will go towards paying the debt for the addition.

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After study of local law enforcement, no push to end village police

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2018 at 12:23 pm

Agenda for shared services and consolidations doesn’t include radical change to local law enforcement

Photo by Tom Rivers: The sign for the police station for the Holley Police Department is shown on Thomas Street. Roland Nenni is currently Holley’s police chief.

ALBION – The village mayors, town supervisors and county legislators are talking about sharing more services and possibly consolidating some functions, including code enforcement, water service, grant writing, information technology and perhaps other services.

The group met on April 5 to discuss several possibilities that could reduce overall costs and perhaps result in better service.

Law enforcement, however, won’t be part of the discussion, right now. Village officials declined to even mention the issue at the April 6 meeting.

The village police departments and Orleans County Sheriff’s Department will continue to do some specialized training together, but there is no push to dissolve a village department and have the county Sheriff’s Office step up its patrols in a village.

“The leadership at the various villages have expressed reservations for a number of reasons,” said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer. “It has to come from the villages. They’re the ones who have to vote or not vote.”

The local entities worked with a consultant, CGR in Rochester, on a law enforcement efficiency study. CGR’s work showed there would be significant tax savings for the villages of Albion and Medina – about $6 to $8 per $1,000 of assessed property – if they dissolved their departments and then the county took over. (Doing so would also raise the county tax rate by an estimated $2 per $1,000 if all of the village police departments dissolved and deputies were hired to work in the villages.)

Holley, which also has a police department, wouldn’t see as much savings because it’s department is staffed with many part-timers. Having full-time deputies patrol the village ultimately wouldn’t reduce costs in Holley, according to the study. (Lyndonville only has one part-time officer.)

All of the villages joined the county in voting to do the study. However, the villages haven’t embraced the findings.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari has told the law enforcement committee he wants to keep the village police. He said there hasn’t been a push by village residents to end the local department.

Albion had a village election last month and three candidates who made keeping the village police a focus of their campaign were all elected, although it was close.

Eileen Banker received 250 out of 614 votes to win election in a three-way race that included Joyce Riley, 211 votes, and Kevin Doherty, 153. Riley and Doherty said they were open to looking at all villages expenses and making tough decisions. That didn’t mean they favored dissolving the police department, but they said they were willing to give the department rigorous scrutiny. Although Banker won, she didn’t receive an overwhelming mandate. She received 41 percent of the vote.

The Republican duo of Gary Katsanis, 306 votes, and Stan Farone, 300, eked out a win over Democratic Party candidates, Jason Dragon, 274 votes, and Sandra Walter, 264. Dragon and Walter said they didn’t think the police department, which costs the village about $1.2 million annually, was affordable for the village. Having a county-wide force, doing the primary patrols in the villages, would spread out the cost for all taxpayers. Dragon said village residents pay for law enforcement in both their county and village taxes.

A state grant paid $36,000 towards the study while the county paid CGR $38,000 for its work. The county isn’t going to press the issue, Nesbitt said.

If village residents want to pursue the issue, they could always petition to have a police department dissolved. Ultimately, if a village wanted to consider a dissolution of the village police, residents would decide the fate in a public referendum.

To see the law enforcement study, click here.

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Home & Garden Show has record number of vendors

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 April 2018 at 7:17 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Becky Charland, executive director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, is pictured this afternoon setting up for this weekend’s Home, Garden & Outdoor Show at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. There will be a pirate theme at the event, including a treasure hunt on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

There will be clues for children to complete a pirate themed challenge. If they can solve it, they will win prizes. Nine of the vendors will have clues in the contest.

All 50 spots for the show have been taken for the Home, Garden & Outdoor Show, a first for the event. After taking a break from the show in 2016, the Chamber brought in back in 2017 and this year is the biggest one yet. There are vendors for home projects, landscaping improvements and other household upgrades and services.

“It promotes the businesses in Orleans County,” Charland said about the show. “That is really what the Chamber is here for.”

The show will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is free with a $3 admission for adults. Kids can enter for free. (Click here to see a list of vendors and to download a coupon for free admission.)

The Albion Elk’s Club will be serving chicken barbecue on Saturday from 1 to 4 pm. There will be a wine-tasting both days.

Judy Szulis of Medina gets her Tupperware products ready for the weekend’s show. Szulis has been selling Tupperware for 11 years, including eight years as a director. Szulis is looking forward to the Home & Garden Show.

“”It’s hometown,” she said. “It’s nice to touch base with a lot of people.”

This is the 70^th anniversary of Tupperware and Szulis said the company keeps innovating, offering new products in new colors, including Tupperware that can be used in the microwave and dishwashers. There are new Tupperware water bottles, and other items, she said.

“It’s not your grandmother’s Tupperware anymore,” Szulis said.

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Local officials consider ways to best capitalize on Lake Ontario waterfront

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ellen Parker, a planner with Wendel, discusses a waterfront plan for the towns of Carlton, Yates and Kendall. The three towns are working to update a plan from 1998. About 40 community members met on Wednesday evening at the Carlton Rec Hall.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2018 at 11:00 am

Revised plan also looks at Lyndonville’s big pond, dam

Orleans County legislator Ken DeRoller of Kendall has been a proponent of the waterfront development plans. In addition to the plan for the three towns along Lake Ontario, the county will soon be working on a waterfront development plan for the canal communities. The Village of Medina is also doing a waterfront development plan.

CARLTON – Local officials want to improve fishing and recreational access along Lake Ontario and its tributaries.

That was one strong theme in a discussion about an update of a waterfront development plan for the towns of Kendall, Carlton and Yates. The three towns adopted a plan in 1998, and now they are making updates, which this time will include Patterson Pond and the dam at Lyndonville.

The three towns have 24 miles of shoreline. Once the plan is updated and adopted, likely next year, it will put the three towns and the Village of Lyndonville in a better position for state grants for projects, said Ellen Parker, a planner with Wendel, a firm hired as a consultant on the project.

The state provided the Orleans County with a $40,000 grant to revise the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

Fishing is the county’s top tourism draw, netting about $9 million in economic activity a year. There may be opportunities to grow that by increasing fishing access along tributaries, including Johnson Creek in Lyndonville. Residents also suggested a boat launch between Golden Hill State Park in Barker and Point Breeze. Officials may want to consider a launch at the Yates Town Park on Morrison Road, which is between Golden Hill and Point Breeze.

Tony Cammarata, the Kendall town supervisor, also wants the plan to focus on publicly owned land that could be used to boost recreational activities. Not only is there the Lake Ontario State Parkway, which runs about 12 miles in Orleans, but there are other pockets of public land sitting vacant.

Wendy Salvati points to the Johnson Creek area in Lyndonville during a discussion about waterfront assets in the area.

Wendy Salvati, a consultant on the plan, cited the example on the land at the Shadigee in Yates. It’s right by the lake, but it’s just a grassy spot. She said adding benches and picnic tables would be a simple way to make the site better used by the public.

“This is a community-driven project,” she told about 40 people at the meeting in Carlton. “This is about your communities and how this works for you.”

Tony Cammarata, the Kendall town supervisor, would like the plan to focus on making publicly owned land by the lake more accessible to residents.

Officials from the three towns, and Lyndonville are working with consultants on the project and the county’s Department of Planning and Development. They have visited numerous sites in the three towns, making an inventory of assets.

Lyndonville wasn’t in the 1998 plan, but will be in the new one. Wes Bradley, a Yates town councilman, said the community wants to make better use of Patterson Pond and the dam. He would like the pond to be dredged and then promoted for use by kayakers, paddle boats and canoeists. There should be docks put in.

“If it was clear and open, there would be a lot of recreational use,” he said. “It would make this area a destination.”

For many years, there was a false understanding that the pond was owned by the village, Bradley said. It’s actually owned by the school district. That was determined two years ago, he said.

He would still like to see the other local government leaders work to have the pond dredged. The village owns the dam and that area needs a lot of work to improve the structural integrity and access for fishermen.

Jim Bensley (right), the county’s director of the Department of Planning and Development, discusses the waterfront in Orleans with John Riggi, a Yates town councilman.

Carlton Town Councilman Dana Woolston suggested have public bathrooms and a place for fishermen to eat on Park Avenue Extension near the Oak Orchard River and Waterport Dam. That area is very popular in the fall for salmon fishing. However, there aren’t many amenities there for the visiting anglers.

Frank Panczyszyn, a member of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, would like to see a bridge put back in at The Bridges and he would like to see the small span be a covered bridge. That would be a tourist draw and also serve a useful purpose, he said.

Jim Shoemaker, a former Carlton town councilman, said the best ideas and plans may all be for naught due to flooding along the lake from high water levels. Many marinas, boat launches and businesses didn’t open or had to curtail their operations due to the flooding last year. The lake is up again this year.

“If high water happens again this year then we have an out-of-control situation,” he said.

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Dispatchers get praise for calming voice during a time of crisis

Posted 8 April 2018 at 4:57 pm

Provided photo: Two of the dispatchers for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office include Pete Hendrickson, sitting, and Mike Schultz. Public safety dispatchers in Orleans County handle about 35,000 calls a year. Many of those calls were at a time of crisis, people reporting heart attacks, strokes, fires and other emergencies.

Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower, a former public safety dispatcher

ALBION – This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

In a time of crisis, public safety dispatchers are the calming voice on the other end of the phone line, the one with answers or advice. They’re “the life blood” of public safety, the true first responders; this is where it all starts.

Please join me in recognizing our Public Safety Dispatchers for all their hard work, dedication and service to our community.

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Officials to consider countywide code enforcement, water services

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2018 at 7:24 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers: Leaders of the town, village and county governments met Thursday to discuss shared services and possibly consolidating some functions. Brian Sorochty, mayor of Holley, said the village will be tackling water infrastructure soon. County Legislator Ken DeRoller, left, and Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata were among the participants in the discussion.

ALBION – Many of the leaders from village, town and county governments met Thursday to discuss shared services, and possible consolidation of some government functions including countywide code enforcement and water services.

The town supervisors, mayors and county legislators are making a list of potential changes in how local government services are provided. That may include sharing a grant writer, information technology services and buying electricity.

The group met for an hour and half on Thursday, and spent the most time discussing code enforcement. Many of the town and village codes officers are nearing retirement, and many only work part-time.

Moving the job to the county with a team of perhaps four full-time codes officers would likely increase availability of the code enforcement services and also allow some of the officers to specialize in tasks, with some reviewing plans and others doing inspections. Some could specialize in low-density housing or house-density housing, with another focused on lakefront development.

The 10 towns and four villages should also consider a uniform code so the municipalities don’t have different regulations, said Legislator Ken DeRoller of Kendall.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari suggested looking at a shared grant writer and also information technology specialists.

“It’s a standardization and quality issue,” DeRoller said at the meeting at the County Administration Building. “Right now there are 14 different ways.”

The local officials met to discuss a shared services plan that needs to be submitted to the state later this year. First the plan needs to be presented to the County Legislature by Aug. 15, with public hearings to follow before the final plan is sent to the state by Oct. 15.

Gov. Cuomo has offered matching funds to local governments if they can share services or consolidate some functions. If those savings are quantified, the state will offer matching money, thus doubling the financial incentive.

Shifting code enforcement to the county level may not save money. In fact, it could cost more to replace several part-timers with full-time codes officers. The officials will calculate the current costs of all the current code enforcement officers, looking at salaries, fringe benefits and other expenses.

The concerns about costs ended the discussion about a decade ago when county-wide code enforcement was pushed by Richard Moy, the Clarendon town supervisor. But now officials are open to looking at how to improve the service.

“Having a unified system makes the county more attractive for development,” said Bob Miller, the Murray town supervisor.

Chuck Nesbitt, center, is the county chief administrative officer. He is leading the effort for a shared services plan that has to be submitted to the state by Oct. 15.

DeRoller said some economic development projects may be stalled or slowed due to the current code enforcement situation in the county. He said if there are added costs with a centralized code enforcement in the county, it would be worth it if it leads to more residential projects, more small business development and larger manufacturing projects.

DeRoller also wants to see more focus on 500 houses that he said are vacant in the county.

“People are dissatisfied,” he said about code enforcement. “We’re not consistent.”

Ron Vendetti, center, said the local municipalities should have standardized forms, setbacks and many regulations. He works as the codes officer for the villages of Albion and Holley, and the town of Murray.

Ron Vendetti works as the codes officer for the villages of Albion and Holley, and also the town of Murray. He said a unified code for the county would be well received by developers and the code enforcement officers. Vendetti is one of the codes officers nearing retirement. He noted that Wyoming County runs code enforcement through the county.

“Right now we have different levels of code enforcement throughout the county,” he said. “In some towns, there is a code enforcement officer for three hours a week. We could improve the quality and the standardization.”

If the job was moved to the county, it’s possible the duties could be handled through the Public Health Department, which already does public health inspections throughout the county.

Having a team of codes officers also might make the job less stressful for the codes officers, especially if they can specialize in different parts of the job. They would also have other colleagues to consult when interpreting the code.

In addition to code enforcement, the county and the town and village leaders will be looking at the current costs for providing water services. The county received a $50,000 grant to hire a consultant to review the 10 towns and four villages, looking at the water infrastructure and costs.

It’s possible a county water authority could be created to manage the water infrastructure. If the towns and villages were more united, it would help Albion and Lyndonville, which both have water plants, to secure financing for upgrades.

These officials include, from left, Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Barre Town Supervisor Sean Pogue, Gaines Town Supervisor Joe Grube, and Albion Mayor Eileen Banker.

Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer, said maintaining local control of the water plants is important for the entire county for future economic and residential development.

Lyndonville pumps about 400,000 gallons a day within the town of Yates. Albion pumps close to 2 million gallons and serves five towns, plus the village of Albion. The Monroe County Water Authority also supplies water in eastern Orleans and has locked Clarendon and Kendall into 40-year contracts. That has some officials in Orleans concerned the MCWA will push for more in-roads in the county.

Albion has an asset in the center of the county, Nesbitt said.

“It needs to be maintained and protected,” he said about the water plant. “How do we set this plant on its best foot going forward?”

The local officials will meet again 6 p.m. on May 3, and will compare their costs for information technology, grant writing, code enforcement and electricity, and look for ways to share services or perhaps consolidate the functions.

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County buys new excavator with help from $100k state grant

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2018 at 9:27 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Highway Department has a new Crawler Excavator. The machinery arrived last Friday. A $100,000 state grant went towards the $220,000 purchase.

Pictured from left include County Legislator Don Allport, Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, Legislator Bill Eick, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Legislator Fred Miller, County Chief Administrative Officer Chuck Nesbitt, Highway Superintendent Jerry Gray, and Deputy Highway Superintendent Pete Houseknecht.

Hawley directed the funding to the county through the State & Municipal Facilities Capital Program (SAM). Hawley said he picked a project that would benefit residents throughout the county. The new Crawler Excavator will be used for village, town and county highway projects.

Hawley takes a seat in the operator’s chair.

The machine can dig trenches, load trucks, lift pipe, and handle attachments, such as hydraulic breakers, shears and grapples.

Houseknecht said it will be used to set rocks by the lake, to help fight flooding. He also expects the highway departments to use the Crawler Excavator to replace pipes and culverts, demo bridges, and assist with many other projects.

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Niagara County Mental Health takes over YWCA crisis helpline that served Orleans, Genesee

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2018 at 6:53 pm

A crisis helpline that was run by the YWCA in Genesee County is now being handled by Crisis Services of Niagara County, which is operated by Niagara County Mental Health Department.

The YWCA announced on Monday it was closing, and would be ceasing many of its services, including the helpline.

Orleans County Mental Health Director Mark O’Brien found a new provider in Niagara County. The Mental Health Department there has trained staff and already handles calls for Niagara County. Now it will take calls from Orleans and Genesee as well, O’Brien said.

The phone numbers for the Care and Crisis Helpline through the YWCA – Local: 585-344-4400 and Toll Free: 1-844-345-4400 – are still working. Verizon, however, switched it some the phone will be answered by Niagara County staff.

“Everybody worked together to do this as smoothly as possible,” O’Brien said. “We’re very thankful to Niagara County for them stepping up to the plate.”

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With YWCA closed, Orleans looking to have new crisis helpline in place soon

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2018 at 10:01 pm

The YWCA of Genesee County announced it was closing today. The Batavia-based agency provided many services, including a crisis hotline that served Orleans County residents.

The Orleans County Mental Health Department contracted with the YWCA to provide that service. With the agency closing, the Mental Health Department is urging people in crisis to call the dispatch through the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at 911 or (585) 589-5527, or people can call the Mental Health Department at (585) 589-7066.

Mark O’Brien, Mental Health director, said he is working to contract with another crisis helpline in the next few days. Calling dispatch or Mental Health will be an interim option until the new crisis helpline is in place, O’Brien said.

“We will have another crisis line up shortly, in a matter of days,” O’Brien said.

People can call dispatch, and the dispatchers can activate the Mental Health staff in a person is in need, O’Brien said.

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County approves policy allowing employees up to 4 hours paid leave each year for cancer screenings

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2018 at 4:38 pm

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has adopted a new county policy allowing employees up to four hours of paid leave annually for a cancer screening.

The county acted after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a new law requiring counties to provide four hours of leave each year for all public employees to have a cancer screening.

The leave time is not accumulative and cannot be carried over to the next year if it is not used.

The Cancer Screening Leave includes travel time to and from the appointment an any subsequent follow-up consultation visits. (Any times in excess of the four hours is chargeable to other leave credits.)

In other action at last week’s County Legislature meeting:

• Approved spending $49,510 to buy a new Chevrolet Tahoe four-wheel drive from Joe Basil Chevrolet in Depew.

• Approved spending $183,487 from the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in 2017. The money will purchase: $110,531 for Harris P25 LMR System for four Symphony Console upgrades and the purchase of two Symphony Consoles with professional services and training; $72,956 to Caster Communications for 15 Pyramid P25 Vehicle repeaters with programming and complete installation and accessories.

• Authorized the Emergency Management Office to apply for a $420,587 grant from the state Department of Homeland Security for emergency radio system upgrades.

• Approved spending $27,609 for Custom Carpet Centers in Orchard to put new flooring in the Probation Office, and also approved $10,825 for Pete Madafferi of Brockport to paint the inside of the Probation Department in the Public Safety Building.

• Reappointed Jack Welch as director of Personnel and Self Insurance for a six-year term.

• Renewed an agreement with Ron Bierstine of Kent to provide dock worker and custodial services at the Orleans County Marine Park from April 15 to Oct. 31 at a cost not to exceed $16,187.

• Approved paying Vick’s Plowing, Landscaping and Removal of Albion $250 for each time it does mowing and trimming at all of the following: Orleans County Marine Park, Point Breeze site, boat dock rental site and Route 98/18 site.

• Approved spending $9,399 for 40,000 Travel Guides to be printed by Van Guard Printing of Ithaca, to be paid with I Love NY matching funds.

• Appointed Neil Valentine as a landowner representative to the Fish and Wildlife Management Act Board, term ending Dec. 31, 2019.

• Appointed Jan Albanese, program director of ACT in Albion, and Carol D’Agostino, Kendall High School principal, to four-year terms on the Community Services Board.

• Approved a five-year intermunicipal services agreement with Genesee County where Genesee will provide signage and graphic arts services to Orleans. Genesee will be reimbursed the cost of labor and material.

• Approved an agreement with Wyoming County where Orleans will pay Wyoming $90 a day for housing any inmates from Orleans County. The agreement is good for three years.

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