By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2025 at 4:25 pm
SHELBY – A wind energy developer has notified Shelby town officials it is withdrawing its applications for two turbines on South Gravel Road.
New Leaf Energy sent Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz a letter March 21, saying it won’t be pursuing the projects.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Town Board in reviewing and considering Community Wind for the area,” New Leaf senior project developer David Strong wrote to the town supervisor. He is based out of Troy, NY.
The proposals for the two turbines that peaked at 633 feet initially was proposed by Borrego Solar System Inc. Borrego spun off the development side of its business to ECP, which named the new company, New Leaf Energy.
New Leaf sought two turbines on Route 63, and said the turbines could produce enough power for 2,600 homes within the Shelby and Medina communities.
But Shelby town officials declined to create a wind overlay district needed for the project to move forward.
Borrego in February 2024 had two balloons up about 600 feet along Route 63 to show the height of two wind turbines proposed by the company. That height alarmed many members of the community. Many residents signed a petition opposing the project.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2025 at 8:31 pm
Construction of $400 million project expected to start 2026, be complete 2027
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jack Donelan, development manager for AES Corporation, speaks to the board of the Orleans Economic Development Agency this morning. Neil Habig, director for AES Corporation, is seated next to Donelan. Board members Craig Tuohey, by EDA sign, and Jeff Martin (back to camera) listen to Donelan’s comments.
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency today approved incentives for Hemlock Ridge Solar and the AES Corporation for its $400 million solar project covering 1,200 acres in barre and Shelby.
The Orleans EDA approved a sales tax abatement of $4,930,000 and an estimated mortgage tax abatement of $1,300,000. It also will be exempted from $63,583 in the local property tax.
Instead, the company will begin paying local governments nearly $40 million in a host community agreement over the next 30 years. The agreement starts with $900,000 the first year, which is $4,500 per megawatt in a 200 MW project. The amounts then increase 2 percent annually over 30 years.
The EDA also negotiated a host community agreement with the taxing jurisdictions with the project that is different than the usual payment in lieu of taxes plans that give companies a reduction in taxes.
Each taxing jurisdiction approved a host agreement that sets the following payments over 30 years to these taxing jurisdictions:
• The Town of Barre will receive $14,007,929 over 30 years for an annual average of $466,931, ranging from $295,200 in year 1 to $646,077 in year 30.
• The Town of Shelby will be paid $3,074,911 over 30 years for an annual average of $102,497, ranging from $64,800 in year 1 to $141,822 in year 30.
• Orleans County will be paid $7,923,242 over 30 years for an annual average of $264,108, ranging from $64,800 in year 1 to $141,822 in year 30.
• Albion Central School will be paid $10,407,330 over 30 years for an annual average of $346,911, ranging from $256,540 in year 1 to $455,575 in year 30.
• Oakfield-Alabama Central School will be paid $1,213,558 over 30 years for an annual average of $40,452, ranging from $29,914 in year 1 to $$53,123 in year 30.
• Medina Central School will be paid $2,363,633 over 30 years for an annual average of $78,754, ranging from $58,239 in year 1 to $103,423 in year 30.
AES also will pay $100,000 a year for 10 years to National Grid to help lower local electricity bills. That will be for $1 million total over 10 years.
The Orleans EDA also will be paid a 1.25 percent administration fee on a $400 million project or $4,519,804 with $750,000 upon execution of the project assistance agreement (within 30 days of the EDA board’s approval of the project) and then another $3,769,804 at the close of financing.
AES officials attended the meeting said they expect construction won’t start until 2026 to line up all the equipment, materials and contractors. The 200 megawatt facility is expected to operational in 2027.
AES detailed the expenses in a filing with the Orleans EDA. The total project costs are estimated at $400,150,000.
That includes building and land purchase, $150,000; site preparation, $10 million; new construction, $160 million; utilities & infrastructure, $30 million; and transportation access, $5 million.
The machinery and equipment is estimated at $190 million and includes solar modules at $98 million; solar racking/piles, $41 million; inverter, $11 million; wiring, $30 million; and HV equipment, $10 million.
Jack Donelan, development manager for AES Corporation, told the EDA board there will be a 7-foot-high agricultural style fence on the 1,200 acre perimeter. There will be a 7-foot-high chain-link fence around the electric substation, with a foot-high of barb wire.
AES estimates 264 workers will be needed for the construction. Once it’s done, 0.5 full-time-equivalent may only be needed at the site.
Donelan said AES will connect into the grid through the transmission lines that run along the southern part of Orleans County.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Patti Bushover speaks during a public hearing in the Town of Shelby on Tuesday about Hemlock Ridge Solar. Bushover lives on East Shelby Road and doesn’t want the solar panels so close to her home. Bushover said too much valuable farmland is being affected by solar projects locally. The public hearing was on the tax incentives for the project. The state has already approved the project and held its own hearing on the site plan and environmental impacts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2025 at 1:47 pm
BARRE/SHELBY – The Orleans Economic Development Agency held public hearings in Shelby on Tuesday and Barre on Wednesday for the tax incentives being offered Hemlock Ridge Solar/AES for its $400 million solar project that would be 82 percent in Barre and 18 percent in Shelby.
The company is slated to receive $6,230,000 in tax abatements in year one. AES won’t have to pay $4,930,000 in sales tax or $1.3 million in the mortgage tax. It also will be exempted from $63,583 in the local property tax.
Instead, the company will begin paying local governments nearly $40 million in a host community agreement over the next 30 years. The agreement starts with $900,000 the first year, which is $4,500 per megawatt in a 200 MW project. The amounts then increase 2 percent annually over 30 years.
Map from AES: The 200 megawatt solar project in Barre and Shelby would be along Crane, Townline and Burns roads near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
The Orleans EDA also will be paid a 1.25 percent administration fee on a $400 million project or $4,519,804 with $750,000 upon execution of the project assistance agreement (within 30 days of the EDA board’s approval of the project) and then another $3,769,804 at the close of financing.
The agreement includes the following payments over 30 years to these taxing jurisdictions:
The Town of Barre will receive $14,007,929 over 30 years for an annual average of $466,931, ranging from $295,200 in year 1 to $646,077 in year 30.
The Town of Shelby will be paid $3,074,911 over 30 years for an annual average of $102,497, ranging from $64,800 in year 1 to $141,822 in year 30.
Orleans County will be paid $7,923,242 over 30 years for an annual average of $264,108, ranging from $64,800 in year 1 to $141,822 in year 30.
Albion Central School will be paid $10,407,330 over 30 years for an annual average of $346,911, ranging from $256,540 in year 1 to $455,575 in year 30.
Oakfield-Alabama Central School will be paid $1,213,558 over 30 years for an annual average of $40,452, ranging from $29,914 in year 1 to $$53,123 in year 30.
Medina Central School will be paid $2,363,633 over 30 years for an annual average of $78,754, ranging from $58,239 in year 1 to $103,423 in year 30.
AES also will pay $100,000 a year for 10 years to National Grid to help lower local electricity bills. That will be for $1 million total over 10 years.
As a percentage of the funds for the taxing jurisdictions, Barre will receive 35.9 percent, Shelby at 7.9 percent, Orleans County at 20.3 percent, Albion Central School at 26.7 percent, Medina Central School at 6.1 percent, and Oakfield-Alabama Central School at 3.1 percent.
The total community payments include $39,989,603 over 30 years with $38,989,603 to taxing jurisdictions and $1 million to National Grid.
The EDA board of directors is scheduled to vote at 8 a.m. on Monday on the tax incentive plan.
Kirk Mathes, a member of the Barre Town Board, speaks at Wednesday’s hearing in Barre, which was only attended by a few people. Steve Harling of the Planning Board is at left. Mathes said the Orleans Economic Development Agency should have better advertised the hearing. The EDA said the notices were on the EDA website and the agency met its legal requirements by posting in the official town newspaper, The Daily News of Batavia. The Orleans Hub and The Lake Country Pennysaver don’t meet the requirement because they aren’t printed periodicals with paid subscriptions.
Provided photo: Pictured from left include Allen Turner, treasurer of the east Shelby Volunteer Fire Company; Debbie Taylor, East Shelby fire chief; Neely Kelley, senior manager for AES’s New York Stakeholder Relations Team; and Mike Fuller, East Shelby president.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 March 2025 at 6:25 pm
EAST SHELBY – The AES Corporation presented the east Shelby Volunteer Fire Company with a $45,000 donation for 12 new turnout gear suits for firefighters.
AES will be the owner/operator of the proposed 200 MW Hemlock Ridge solar facility in Barre and Shelby. The company is expected to soon start clearing land of that project, which the facility becoming operational in about two years.
The new turnout gear are the protective clothing required by firefighters to shield them from extreme heat, flames and other hazards.
“These suits are essential equipment shielding our firefighters from extreme heat, flames, and other hazards, ensuring their safety in the field and compliance with New York State fire codes and regulations,” said Debbie Taylor, East Shelby fire chief. “We are grateful for our partnership with AES and its support of crucial emergency response efforts in East Shelby.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Dave Green, left, was presented with the President’s Award by East Shelby’s president, Mike Fuller. (Right) Josh Fuller was chosen Firefighter of the Year by East Shelby’s chief, Deb Taylor. Fuller also received the EMS Award from president Mike Fuller.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 March 2025 at 8:46 pm
EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company welcomed members and guests to its annual installation banquet Saturday night at East Shelby Fire Hall, where outstanding members were recognized, those recently lost were remembered and a 50-year member was honored.
The evening began with opening remarks by Dave Green and welcome by Ladies Auxiliary president Shirley Printup and Fire Company president Mike Fuller.
Officers of East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company took the oath of office administered by Dale Watts, a 50-year member of Shelby Fire Company, at the annual banquet Saturday night. In front, beginning with Deb Taylor (in plaid shirt), chief, are Karen Bracey, secretary; Kirk Zinkievich, vice president; and Mike Fuller, president, followed by Dennis MacDonald and Alan Lonnen, trustees; and David Green, steward. Others at left are Alan Turner, treasurer; Steve Wolters, fire police chief; Jeff Taylor, 3rd assistant chief; Matt Grimes, lieutenant; Todd Ralph, safety/training officer; Devin Taylor, 1st assistant chief; and Jared Zinkievich, captain.
Before giving the invocation, chaplain Rose Allen asked for a moment of silence to remember recently lost Auxiliary members Fonda Carr and Margaret Reigle.
Elaine Watts, president of Shelby Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary, installed officers of the Ladies Auxiliary, which are president Shirley Printup, vice president Leona Weese, secretary Sawyer Green, treasurer Sharlene Pratt, trustees Bronwyn Green, Sue Green and Pat Vader and chaplain Rose Allen.
Fire company executive officers installed by Dale Watts, a 50-year member of Shelby Fire Company, are president Mike Fuller, vice president Kirk Zinkievich, secretary Karen Bracey, treasurer Allen Turner, steward Dave Green and trustees Dennis MacDonald, Norm Behrend, Gordon Reigle and Alan Lonnen.
Line officers installed were chief, Deb Taylor, 1st assistant chief Devin Taylor, 2nd assistant chief Andy Beach, 3rd assistant chief Jeff Taylor, captain Jared Zinkievich, lieutenant Matt Grimes, fire police chief Steve Wolter, EMS officers Sue Behrend and Mike Fuller and safety/training officer Todd Ralph.
Watts joked he bet the firemen remembered when banquets were on Friday nights, and they anticipated bingo on Saturday nights.
In an age where fire companies are struggling to get new members, it was announced the auxiliary had welcomed five new members and the fire company seven. New auxiliary members are Cassandra Harden, Emily Oberther, Natalie Printup, Leslie Green and Jessie Allen. New members of the fire company are Mike Green, Dave Haas, Logan Gardner, David Bell, Nathan Fuller, Mike Hamilton and Brennan Zinkievich.
“When their training is complete this year, we will have six new interior firefighters,” Fuller said.
Kirk Zinkievich, holds his certificate for 40 years of membership in the East Shelby Fire Company. With him, from left, are fire chief Deb Taylor, Bill Eick representing Orleans County Legislature, fire company president Mike Fuller and Eileen Banker, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
The awards ceremony began with Mike Fuller presenting his President’s Award.
“I’ve been president four or five years and it’s always hard to choose,” Fuller said. “But this person is well known and a point man or assistant point man on most of our events. He’s our ‘go-to’ man on little things and big things. He’s also our steward, a firefighter and certified first responder. This committed person is my friend, Dave Green.”
In presenting the EMS Award, Fuller said he and Sue Behrend share leadership, teaching basic EMT and first responder duties.
“This person took the bull by the horns when he joined,” Fuller said. “He took the training class and passed it and is now a certified EMT. It is Josh Fuller.”
Deb Taylor handed out certificates recognizing membership of five to 40 years. Recipients were Mike Hinkley, Megan Perkins, Scott Barber and Ben Schiffer, 5 years; Andy Beach, 15; Jackie Keller and Deb Taylor, 20; Rusty Hoffmeister, 25; Todd Ralph, 25; Kirk Zinkievich 40; and James Ralph, 40.
Dave Morien was presented with this mounted axe in honor of 50 years of membership in the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Holding the axe are fire chief Deb Taylor and company president Mike Fuller.
Dave Morien received special recognition for 50 years of membership, and was presented with a large wooden plaque with a mounted axe.
Morien said he first joined the fire company when Jack Hassall approached him and asked if he had joined yet.
“So I joined,” Morien said. “It is a great way to get to know people in the area.”
He has served as first assistant chief, secretary, treasurer and fire police chief.
Taylor next announced the winner of her Chief’s Award.
“This person has been in the department for many years,” she said. “If we needed help, we just had to call or text him. He plays a big role here. It’s an honor and a privilege to present this award to Mike Fuller.
Taylor chose Josh Fuller as recipient of the Firefighter of the Year award.
“He has shown tremendous dedication to the fire company,” Taylor said. “He completed his EMT training and also helped bring in more members.”
Elaine Watts, president of Shelby Center Ladies Auxiliary, standing at right, installs officers of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company Saturday night. From left are secretary Sawyer Green, president Shirley Printup, treasurer Sharlene Pratt, vice president Leona Weese, and trustees Sue Green, Pat Vader and Rose Allen.
Shirley Printup took the podium to present awards to ladies in the auxiliary and acknowledge outgoing members – president, Sawyer Green, treasurer Debbie Green and trustee Sue Green.
Certificates for years of membership were presented to Amber Draper and Lynn Woodruff, 5; Megan Wolter, 15; and Sue Zinkievich, 50 years. Zinkievich, who was in Florida and could not attend, also received a special gift and proclamations from local officials. Final recognition was paid to Doris Antinore for 55 years.
Sawyer Green, left, and Shirley Printup, representing the East Shelby Ladies’ Auxiliary, present president Mike Fuller with a check for $10,000 toward new gear.
Printup also stated the hardest part of her job was having to pick one person for her President’s Award. Her choice was Leona Weese, a member who is fairly new, but stepped right in and took over a new function.
The final gift was a check presented to Mike Fuller by Printup and Sawyer Green from the auxiliary.
“It is our custom to give the firemen a gift every year,” Printup said. “This year they said they really needed new gear, so we are giving them a check for $10,000 toward that new gear.”
Dave Green then called Elaine Newton to the front to receive his Steward’s Award. Fighting off tears, he hugged her and explained how active she had been during 50 years of membership, including the last year when, in spite of dealing with a very difficult time and her husband’s death, she continued to be a tremendous help to the fire company.
Several members, including Morien, received proclamations from Shelby town board and representatives of Orleans County Legislature, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Senator Rob Ortt and FASNY.
The evening also included dinner catered by Donna Eick.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 February 2025 at 8:28 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2025 at 9:34 am
Shelby seeks more time for wind energy regulations
Photo by Tom Rivers: The 17-member Orleans County Planning Board met for the first time this year on Thursday in the legislative chambers at the Orleans County Administration Building. The board re-elected Brian Napoli of Ridgeway as chairman and Dan Strong of Carlton as the vice chairman.
ALBION – The Town of Albion is working on updating regulations for larger solar projects and also wants an ordinance for battery storage utilities.
The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday backed six-month moratoriums in Albion for constructions of commercial solar farms and construction of battery storage utilities.
Albion has three commercial solar farms under construction and another one has been approved. Dan Strong, a member of the County Planning Board, said Albion wants to address “some glitches and holes” in its ordinance and have an option for host fees to allow the town to receive a larger percentage of the revenue for the projects. Right now with a PILOT the revenue is shared in thirds among the town, school district and county.
The town approved regulations for solar farms in 2017.
The Albion Town Board has scheduled public hearings on the moratoriums for 5 p.m. on Feb. 10. During a moratorium no applications shall be considered or processed by the town while it works to update or write its ordinances.
The town currently doesn’t have any battery storage utilities, including among the four commercial solar projects, Strong said.
Albion approved regulations for battery storage systems in 2021, but wants to update those, he said.
The Planning Board on Thursday also gave its OK for a six-month extension of a moratorium in Shelby on wind energy systems. The Planning Board approved a six-month moratorium in July 2024, but the town wants more time to go through and approve the regulations.
Kirk Myhill, the Shelby Planning Board chairman, said the Planning Board has made its recommendation to the Town Board, which is now reviewing the ordinance.
During the moratorium, town officials will suspend any permitting, processing, interpreting or deliberating upon wind energy projects and wind energy overlay districts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2025 at 7:39 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2025 at 5:05 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2024 at 10:02 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – The Lyndonville Area Foundation has approved a $9,700 grant to the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company for EMS training equipment. East Shelby trains many of the EMTs in Orleans and nearby counties.
Lyndonville Foundation representatives met at the East Shelby fire hall on Monday evening to see some of the new equipment.
Pictured from left include Mike Fuller, an EMT and certified instructor coordinator; Norm Behrend, CIC; Russ Martino, treasurer of Lyndonville Area Foundation; Harold Sure, EMT and foundation board member; Sue Behrend, EMS coordinator at East Shelby and CIC; and Gary Lamar, a Shelby firefighter in the EMS continuing medical education recertification program.
East Shelby just had 20 EMTs students take their practical skills exam. Behrend leads the four-month training program that starts in August. Classes are twice a week, and sometimes additionally on Saturday.
The new equipment includes two mannequins to train on opening airways and properly do suctions. The mannequins will be used to practice inserting an oropharyngeal airway (OPA), which is is a medical device in airway management to maintain or open a patient’s airway. The students also will insert a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), which is a thin, clear, flexible tube into a nostril.
There is also a new childbirth mannequin at left to practice birthing scenarios, from breached birth, normal child births and the umbilical cord around the baby’s neck.
The grant from the Foundation also paid for a hemorrhage control kit to practice “Stop the Bleed” from gunshot wounds, punctures or other cases with big open wounds. The EMS class often used a Nerf ball to simulate “Stop the Bleed.”
The EMS program also now has two emergency traction splints, and padded wood splints to assist the class in training to move people with broken legs and other injuries.
Harold Suhr, an EMT for 25 years, also is on the Foundation board of directors. He said East Shelby is training and recertifying many of the EMTs in the county, as well as eastern Niagara and Genesee. That includes an EMT in Lyndonville, and many who respond to calls in Lyndonville.
“This really saves lives,” Suhr said about enhancing the training for EMTs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2024 at 3:15 pm
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.
Provided photos: (Left) This family of opossums was saved by wildlife rehabilitator Hannah Robillard of Shelby after their mother was hit by a car. (Right) Hannah Robillard is a Medina native who has loved animals all her life. She recently got her license to rehabilitate small animals and non-protected birds.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 November 2024 at 6:58 pm
SHELBY – Hannah Robillard has loved animals all her life, so while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at Medaille College, it was no surprise she decided to attend Clemson University and get her master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries resources.
“I always loved being in nature, growing up in Medina,” Robillard said. “I had pets and Rose, a horse.”
After graduating from Medina High School in 2018, she knew what she wanted to do, in addition to working for her dad, Arnold Mahnke, at Top Gun Construction.
In 2022, she married Jason Robillard, who is also pursuing his license so he can help Hannah.
Hannah became involved with Western New York Raptors and Wildlife Care, whose director Bernadette Clabeaux was a professor of hers and got her interested in rehabilitation.
Hannah also recently went to Corning for training for rabies vector species. Skunks, bats and raccoons are defined as rabies vector species.
There is a major lack of RVS rehabilitators, which is one of the reason Hannah chose to get involved in it, she said. She has rabies pre-exposure vaccine, which is why she is able to handle RVS animals.
Hannah recently was brought a family of 10 baby opossums whose mother had been hit and killed by a car. She rehabilitated them and released them. She was also brought a baby bunny, which she also rehabilitated.
Bats are prone to wing injuries, and Hannah is able to rehabilitate them so they can fly again.
She and Jason plan to convert their barn into a facility to accommodate rabies animals by 2026.
A week ago, Hannah spent the day at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market to inform the public of the service she provides and to share the need for donations.
“We have to buy all the food and medications and pay veterinarian bills for all the animals which are brought to us,” she said.
She plans to be at the farmer’s market every week until Christmas, and then every other week after that.
Hannah said there are a small handful of rehabilitators in Orleans County and she would like to contact them to form a support group.
More information on wildlife rehabilitation is available at the DEC website (click here).
File photos: Russ Peters, pastor of the Alabama Full Gospel Church on Route 63 in Shelby, is shown in December 2016 in Albion, carrying a bag of potatoes after the Albion FFA delivered food to Community Action of Genesee & Orleans. Alabama Full Gospel used some of that food for Christmas baskets for 33 families. The photo at right shows Peters performing in Medina in September 2022 when he was a busker or street performer during the Ale in Autumn.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 November 2024 at 10:30 am
MEDINA – Russ Peters, pastor of Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship, is currently in intensive care at a hospital in Guatemala City.
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 on Route 63 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, said Mike Zaidel, Alabama Full Gospel church coordinator and head elder.
Peters became gravely ill when he couldn’t hold down food or his diabetic medicines and his blood sugar rose to 500, his wife Jodi stated on social media and in a GoFundMe page. Click here to see the GoFundMe.
Peters 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.
Peters has been in the ICU for about a week. He is now walking with some assistance.
“Our faith is strong, but we are walking through a nightmare,” Mrs. Peters said. “We have limited, spotty communication and we are beside ourselves that he does not have family with him and that he is suffering.”
Russ Peters has been diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis and pancreatitis. He has inflammation in the abdomen and is in a lot of pain from the pancreatitis, his wife said.
The family’s health insurance was not accepted and they have spent $13,000 so far out-of-pocket. Mrs. Peters said there will be more medical bills and travel expenses.
The new nest cam project has been more than a year in the making.
