Town switched software, which resulted in difficulties that have been remedied

Press Release, Shelby Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz

SHELBY – Following up the Comptroller’s Audit Report from September 2024, the Town of Shelby retained Nichole Ruf with Drescher Malecki to reconcile the Town’s cash and fund balances for 2023 and retained Tina DeNigro from LGSS to bring all bookkeeping activity current and to reconcile the Town’s 2024 financials. This is a summary of their reports to the Town Board during the February 11, 2025 Board meeting.

Prior to 2023, the Town used KVS as its bookkeeping software. KVS was bought out and the Town needed to switch to a new software system. The Town Board in 2022 chose Williamson Law Books to replace KVS as its new bookkeeping software.

Ms. DeNigro advised that Williamson was a significant step back from KVS and had certain limitations. For example, at month end, once the month is closed, Williamson did not allow any more entries to be made to that month. In other words, any receivables (monies owed to the Town) that came in after month end or any errors that were discovered after month end could not accounted for in the month in which they occurred.

Instead, entries would have to be added manually to make any necessary adjustments. Other accounting software programs do not have that limitation.

It also appeared that the conversion from KVS to Williamson Law was performed with insufficient direction and oversight. When implementing a new software program, the beginning balances should always agree to the audited ending balances for the prior year, but that did not happen because the conversion was completed prior to the completion of the audit of the Town’s 2022 financials.

Additional issues were created as a result of the conversion to Williamson. For example, only the Town’s cash accounts were created in Williamson; no balances were carried forward for the accrual accounts, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and unearned revenue. Accordingly, fund balances (total operating surpluses and deficits) were not established in Williamson.

The Town’s account structure also changed significantly during the conversion. Specifically, the Town’s computer account, which is the Town’s clearing and disbursement account, was set up as one general ledger account (record of all financial transactions for a specific account) in KVS. In Williamson Law this was set up as 18 different accounts.

Finally, the code structure of the funds changed so that the 204 accounts in KVS became the 200 accounts in Williamson, the 200 accounts in KVS became 201 accounts in Williamson, and 201 accounts in KVS became 202 accounts in Williamson.

Ms. DeNigro noted that given these issues, the conversion to Williamson would have been difficult for any bookkeeper to understand. Ms. Ruf noted it was clear that during the course of 2023, the process was starting to work better and fewer corrections were needed, but given the structure of Williamson, it was difficult to go back and make adjustments to previous months.

For year end 2023, Ms. Ruf noted that it was her opinion that there was “never anything that was intentionally done wrong.” There is a difference of approximately $3,000 to the positive, which means there is not any money missing (the Town’s bank accounts show $3,000 more than the Town’s books).

The year-end numbers for 2023 will be audited and then provided to Ms. DeNigro for LGSS to complete the Town’s financial reports for 2024. However, looking at 2024 as a stand alone year, the checking account and the payroll account have a discrepancy of less than $100 each.

Both Ms. Ruf and Ms. DeNigro identified issues with the Town’s utility payment software and procedures that will need to be addressed moving forward.

Both Ms. Ruf and Ms. DeNigro noted that in their opinions it would not be worth the Town expending additional funds and resources to go back to any previous years. The Town is in a good place moving forward.

SHELBY – The Town of Shelby Republican Committee has endorsed candidates for the Town Board and County Legislature.

The committee is backing Scott Wengewicz for another term as town supervisor. The committee picked Mike Moriarty and Vassilios Bitsas for Town Board. One incumbent, Stephen Seitz Sr., isn’t seeking re-election.

The committee also endorsed incumbents for positions at the county level, including Kim DeFrank for treasurer; Skip Draper of Medina for at-large legislator from the western end of the county; Bill Eick for a district that includes most of Shelby, and all of Barre and Clarendon; and Lynne Johnson of Yates for legislator, representing a district that includes Yates, Ridgeway and a small portion of Shelby.

Photos by Tom Rivers

SHELBY – The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company installs its officers and executive board during a banquet on Saturday at the rec hall. Gary Watts leads the group in taking the oath of office.

The executive board includes Howard Watts, president; Gary Lamar, vice president; Kirk Myhill, treasurer; Michael Saladeen, assistant treasurer; Kali Sturtevant, secretary; Dale Watts, sergeant at arms; Karl Haist Jr., chaplain; Phil Keppler, assistant chaplain; and Andrea Benz, steward.

Trustees include Ron Smith for 3-year term, Bill Luckman for 2-year term, and Nick DiCureia for a one-year term.

The firematic officers include Dave Moden, fire chief; Zachary Petry, deputy chief; Crystal Luckman, assistant chief; Hunter Sturtevant, firematic captain; Rob Schaal, firematic lieutenant; Jenna Simmons, EMS captain; and Donnell Bennett, EMS lieutenant.

The Ladies Auxiliary executive board also was sworn in. The board includes Elaine Watts, president; Patricia Fuller, vice president; Robyn Watts, secretary; Lori Myhill, secretary; Marian Fry, chaplain; Sherry Wheatley, trustee for one-year term; and Mary Herbert, trustee for two-year term.

(Left) Kirk Myhill, left, received the president’s award from Howard Watts. (Right) Fire Chief Dave Moden, left, presented the Chief’s Award to firefighter Bill Luckman.

Moden said Luckman is in the top 10 of responders and helps in lots of ways around the firehall and with training.

“He is here for everything,” Moden said about Luckman. “He is a shining example of a volunteer firefighter.”

Watts said Myhill, the fire company treasurer, served on the committee for the rec hall remodeling. He works on many other projects, and has been successful securing grants for the fire company.

The fire company responded to 243 calls in 2024, and 53 percent were EMS related. Fire Chief Moden said there were 46 fire-related calls.

The top 10 responders by calls include:

• Howard Watts, 164
• Jason Watts, 90
• Bill Luckman, 89
• Zach Fike, 77
• Alex Benz, 76
• Andy Burtwell, 75
• Tom Falls, 75
• Gary Watts, 75
• Gary Lamar, 71
• John Rotoli, 71

Shelby Volunteer Fire Company officials presented a “Friend of the Fire Company” award Andy Marciniak for his work in remodeling the rec hall with new paint, dry wall, insulation and windows. From left include Andy Marciniak and the remodeling committee of Gary Lamar, Kirk Myhill and Howard Watts.

(Left) Elaine Watts, president of the Auxiliary, presents her Auxiliary award to Logan Quackenbush for all of his help at events and with cleanup, especially with doing the dishes. (Right) Justin Niederhofer, director of emergency management for Orleans County, served as emcee. He leads the group in the pledge of allegiance.

He is fourth Watts brother to reach 50-year milestone with Shelby

Photos by Tom Rivers: Dale Watts is shown with his family after he received this ceremonial clock in appreciation for his 50 years of service to the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. He was recognized during a banquet on Saturday that also included the installation of officers for the fire company and Ladies Auxiliary.

SHELBY – The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company honored Dale Watts on Saturday for 50 years of volunteer service to the company. Watts is a past fire chief and long-time officer for the fire company.

For many years he was among the top responders. He had the shortest drive to the fire hall. He worked next door for 37 years as owner of Radiators Plus, doing oil changes, inspections, tire changes, exhaust and other repairs.

Dale is the fourth son of the late Sidney Watts to reach 50 years of service with the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Sidney was a charter member of the fire company in 1947. Gary, Howard and Sidney “Buster” Watts all reached 50 years. Another son, Mark, has 48 years in with the milestone anniversary not far away.

Dale Watts, center, is presented a proclamation for his 50 years of service to the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. It was presented by his brother Howard Watts, left, who is president of the fire company and Dave Moden, right, who is fire chief.

Dale has been a past chief, assistant chief, deputy fire coordinator for the county, first chairman of the pull tabs, advisor of the Explorer Post in the 1980s, assistant chaplain for 15 years, winner of the Chief’s Award for five different years, and Christmas Party chairman for 10 years.

“It became part of my life,” Dale said during an interview at Saturday’s banquet at the Shelby fire hall. “I love the camaraderie and service to the community. I love my firefighting family.”

He appreciates the backing of the other firefighters over the years when he served in leadership positions. He said his customers also were understanding when he left the garage to respond to a call.

Watts received citations and proclamations from the Shelby Town Board, State Sen. Robert Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Stephanie Thomas speaks during Saturday’s Shelby Volunteer Fire Company banquet, praising her father Dale Watts for his many years of dedication to the fire company in numerous roles.

Watts’ daughter Stephanie Thomas spoke on behalf of his family, including his other daughter Melissa.

“Fifty years of service as a volunteer firefighter,” Thomas said. “Fifty years. That’s not just a number – it’s a half century and my dad has answered the call whenever it came. Whether it was in the middle of the night, the heat of the summer, or freezing cold of winter, he was there – putting others’ needs before his own.”

Watts recently moved to Lyndonville and continues to drive to Shelby for the fire company.

“I can say without a doubt that his commitment to serving others that has shaped the man he is – always there when needed, unwavering and dependable,” his daughter said.

Shelby Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz reads a proclamation commending Dale Watts for his 50 years as an active volunteer firefighter.

Photo courtesy of Mike Zaidel: Russ Peters made it back to Rochester on Wednesday after spending about a month at a hospital in Guatemala. Peters is shown leaving Centro Medico Hospital in Guatemala City.

SHELBY – Russ Peters made it back to Rochester on Wednesday, a month after being stricken with serious health issues while on a humanitarian mission trip to Guatemala.

Peters, the pastor of Alabama Full Gospel Church on Route 63 in Shelby, is at a Rochester hospital and being treated for abdominal abscesses. His wife Jodi said he may need surgery for those abscesses. They are treating him for sepsis and C. diff while awaiting additional testing results to confirm if he has those conditions.

Peters flew out of Guatemala City at about midnight Wednesday with friends from Guatemala and Mike Zaidel, Alabama Full Gospel church coordinator and head elder.

When he arrived in Rochester around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, he was taken by ambulance to a Rochester hospital where a team of infectious disease doctors and surgeons who specialize in pancreatic diseases were waiting, Mrs. Peters wrote on a GoFundMe page for her husband.

“Russell is completely off the oxygen!” she wrote. “His stomach is 2-3X the size and he’s very uncomfortable. There are multiple abdominal abscesses noted and much edema with it.”

She thanked doctors in Guatemala for saving his life, and Zaidel for traveling to Guatemala and ensuring his safe return close to home.

Zaidel said Peters traveled well and is in good spirits, but has a long road ahead of him in his recovery.

Mrs. Peters thanked people for their prayers and those who contributed to the GoFundMe. Nearly $65,000 has been raised towards a $90,000 goal.

Peters went to Guatemala on Nov. 11 to visit churches Alabama Full Gospel has partnered with for about 40 years, starting when Russ’s dad Terry was the pastor of the local church in Shelby.

One of the long-time church leaders in Guatemala recently passed away and Russ went to see that church and others in a mountainous region. It was his first trip there since the Covid pandemic. He used to go every 3-4 years, Zaidel said.

Peters became gravely ill when he couldn’t hold down food or his diabetic medicines and his blood sugar rose to 500. He has gall stones which caused vomiting and severe pain, leading to pancreatitis, his wife said.

Her husband was so stricken he couldn’t walk or move on his own. He was in San Cristobal, about four hours from proper medical care. Once moved to a hospital in Guatemala City, he received IV fluids, antibiotics, pain medicines and insulin.

Two bald eagles are busy rebuilding a nest in the Cayuga marsh. These images are from a nest cam.

Courtesy of Dick Moss and Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

BASOM – After a brief but concerning setback, the Cayuga marsh bald eagle pair and the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge nest camera project are back on track.

Two weeks after the nest camera, funded by Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (FINWR), began streaming on Oct. 19, disaster struck when high winds knocked down the cottonwood tree that the eagle nest had been perched in.

Since that time, the eagle pair has been busy building a new nest – fortunately within range of the new eagle nest camera. Click here to see the view from the nest cam.

The new nest cam project has been more than a year in the making.

In November of 2023, FINWR started planning to install a live camera at an active bald eagle nest on the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Basom.

“We determined almost from the start that history and location were very important factors,” said outgoing FINWR President Garner Light of Gasport, who was instrumental in developing and implementing the project. “Based on those factors, the Cayuga marsh nest was our first choice. That location has been used for most of the last 25 years by bald eagles. It was also more accessible than the next best nest site. No other site on the refuge met both requirements.”

FINWR consulted with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from the start to ensure that its plan was abiding by environmental regulations.

FINWR also found Bill Powers of the Pittsburgh area, who runs the Pixcams website, which hosts numerous wildlife cameras around the country. Powers offered advice and technical expertise that proved invaluable, and Pixcams offered a ready home for the nest cam streaming.

The FINWR board approved the nest camera plans during the summer months, and the proper equipment was ordered.

The group’s target for installation was early to mid October, and it eventually settled on Oct. 18, which turned out to be an ideal fall day. Plan A was to climb the nest tree, uninstall a camera that had been inactive for over 20 years and install the new camera in its place. The plan had to be altered when it was determined that the tree with the nest was not safe to climb. This prompted plan B, which was to install the camera in a tree near the nest.

Treeman Tom LLC and his crew donated their time and expertise to safely install the camera and secure the cables. The new camera went live on Oct. 19. The bald eagle action was amazing right from the beginning, and the camera gave a front row seat.

“For two weeks we watched, learned and engaged in wonderful conversation on the live camera chat,” Light said.

But on Nov. 1, after several days of high winds, the old nest tree blew over.

“We were heartbroken,” Light said. “The bald eagles largely disappeared for the next two days.”

But within four days, the eagles were attempting to place branches in the tree right next to the old nest tree. Since then they have worked diligently to build a new nest. It is almost the same size now as the old nest was.

The original camera that hasn’t worked in 20-plus years was so popular that visitors to the refuge had been still asking to watch it.

“This is a dream come true for FINWR. We are looking forward to increasing awareness of this beautiful place that we call Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge,” said new FINWR President Richard Moss of Medina. “We are currently working on designing a nest cam display with a large screen TV for the visitor center.”

He added that the FINWR website also is undergoing a redesign that will prominently feature the nest cam.

“Special thanks to refuge manager Tom Roster, Bill Powers, Treeman Tom and his crew, DEC’s Region 8 wildlife biologist, FINWR’s Emma DeLeon and the rest of the FINWR board,” said Light.

Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Inc., has about 150 members and is a nonprofit corporation organized by volunteers dedicated to supporting the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (INWR) via fundraising, education, enhancement and preservation of the refuge and its wildlife.

Photo from findagrave.com: The gravesite for Benjamin Darling on Saturday will add marker signifying he served in the Revolutionary War.

SHELBY – There will be a ceremony at 1 p.m. on Saturday when a marker is dedicated for a Revolutionary War soldier buried at the Maple Ridge Cemetery.

Benjamin Darling served with the 7^th Connecticut Regiment and wintered at Valley Forge. He was born July 6, 1758 at Lunenburg in Worcester County, Massachusetts. He died at age 82 on Feb. 7, 1841. Maple Ridge Cemetery is at 12055 Maple Ridge Rd., just west of Sourced Market & Eatery and Culvert Road.

Brent Downing, president of the Rochester chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, said a contingent from the chapter will be at the dedication service on Saturday, wearing Revolutionary War uniforms, offering a musket salute and playing Taps.

A descendant of Darling’s, who now lives in Pontiac, Mich., also will attend the service, Downing said.