Shelby

Albion woman escapes serious injury after struck by truck in Shelby

Posted 1 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith

SHELBY – An Albion woman escaped serious injury last night after being struck by a pick-up truck in the town of Shelby.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 in the 11800 block of Maple Ridge Road (State Route 31-A).

Amber S. Holloway, 22, was crossing the road when she was struck by a westbound pick-up operated by David C. Erway, 27, of Albion.

Holloway was transported by Medina Fire Department ambulance to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo where she was treated, and released shortly before 2 this morning. Erway was not injured.

The incident occurred in a section of highway where there is no artificial lighting. Holloway told deputies that she was walking home after consuming alcohol at a private residence. Neither alcohol nor unsafe speed on the part of Erway were contributing factors.

The incident was investigated by Deputy D.S. Klips, assisted by Lieutenant R.E. Perry.

Driver in fatal accident identified

Posted 26 December 2013 at 5:31 pm

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department

SHELBY – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the names of the individuals involved in a one-vehicle crash earlier today in the town of Shelby.

The driver of the 1998 Pontiac sedan is identified as David M. Russo, 43, of Stafford in Genesee County. Russo was pronounced dead at Medina Memorial Hospital at 12:31 p.m.

A female passenger in Russo’s car is identified as Lisa A. Stanley, 40, of Le Roy in Genesee County. Ms. Stanley was treated at MMH and was then transferred to Highland Hospital in Rochester.

While the incident remains under investigation, it’s apparent that weather and slippery road conditions were contributing factors.

Man dies in Route 63 accident in refuge

Posted 26 December 2013 at 2:15 pm

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department

SHELBY – A man is dead and his female passenger hospitalized following a one-vehicle crash in the town of Shelby at about 11:35 a.m. today.

The incident occurred on South Gravel Road (State Route 63) between Oak Orchard Ridge Road and the Genesee-Orleans County Line in the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

The vehicle was travelling south on Rt. 63 when the driver apparently lost control. The vehicle crossed the center line, ran off the east side of the roadway, and overturned before coming to rest upside down in flooded swampland.

A Shelby Fire Department pumper was utilized to drag the vehicle out of the water and back onto the roadway. Both occupants were extricated by firefighters and transported by ground ambulances to Medina Memorial Hospital.

The man was pronounced dead at 12:31 p.m. The female passenger is currently being treated. Names are being withheld pending next-of-kin notifications.

Deputy J.W. Halstead responded to the incident. He was assisted by Sergeants D.W. Covis and G.T. Gunkler, and Investigator C.L. Black. State Troopers stationed at both Albion and Batavia also assisted at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Car drives into flooded swamp

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2013 at 12:00 am

Provided Photo

SHELBY – A Holley woman drove into the flooded Alabama swamp on Christmas eve, when Route 63 was slippery at about 4 a.m.

Kelly Ross, 41, was the lone occupant in the vehicle. She wasn’t injured, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department reported.

She lost control of the car while headed south on 63. She was driving too fast for the conditions, Undersheriff Steve Smith said today. The vehicle was towed out of the swamp by Lyons Collision of Medina.

Shelby, Ridgeway officials provide scenarios to Medina dissolution

Posted 26 December 2013 at 12:00 am

Prepared by the Town Boards of Ridgeway and Shelby

(Editor’s Note: Brian Napoli is Ridgeway town supervisor and Skip Draper is Shelby town supervisor.)

MEDINA – In an effort to dispel rumors, misunderstandings, and misconceptions concerning the possible dissolution of the Village of Medina, the following article is offered by the Town Boards of Ridgeway and Shelby to provide effected residents with factual information.

There are many issues that must be taken into account should the village dissolve. Many of them will be guided by state law. Should anyone have questions and wish to verify any of this information, they may contact the New York Department of State, New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of the New York State Comptroller. They are the main sources of information and answers for questions.

The decision of whether or not to dissolve is a matter for village residents. Should this issue be brought to a referendum, only the village residents are allowed to vote. Ridgeway and Shelby residents living outside the village are not eligible. Should the village residents decide not to dissolve, this issue may not be brought up again for at least four years.

Should the voters decide to dissolve the Village of Medina, the boards of the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby have 18 months to decide what additional resources are needed to provide town services.

Also, decisions would be made regarding separation of village assets, as well as absorbing them into the respective towns. The Village Board must submit a dissolution plan to the towns. However, the towns are under no obligation to follow it.

Below is an explanation of how different departments and services will be affected should the village decide to dissolve.

Police Department – If the village dissolves, there would no longer be a Police Department. Also, any contracts dealing with the department would be dissolved along with any collective bargaining unit. The reason for this is that, according to the Attorney General’s Office, there are no longer two parties to the contract.

If the residents wish to keep the Police Department, a solution for this would be to establish a Special Police District in what was the former village. This would be paid for by the residents of the former village as a separate tax levy. Another solution would be to ask the Sheriff’s Department to expand and establish a sub-station in the former village.

Fire Department – Because the Fire Department serves only the village, it will not be taken over by the towns. Also, any contracts for services, such as union contracts, are voided and the union bargaining unit is dissolved. The reason for this is because if the village dissolves there are no longer two parties to the contract.

Should village residents wish to keep the Fire Department, a Special Fire District must be established, much like in the towns. Also, to pay for and support this service, only residents of the former village will be charged for it as a separate tax levy.

Ambulance Service – The towns would have to determine how to provide this service. This service could remain a part of the current fire department or a separate ambulance corporation could be established.

Water/Sewer Service – This is a difficult area and one in which even the State does not know how to answer. The reason is that when the dissolution law was passed, it never foresaw a situation where a village straddles two towns. As an example, how do you divide water and sewer infrastructure? How do you divide assets (trucks, equipment)?

Again, in order to do this, a Special District would have to be established and only residents of the former village will be charged maintenance and support. Any contracts, such as union contracts, will be dissolved as there are no longer two parties to the contract.

Another possible solution for this would be to establish a Water/Sewer Authority for the former village. However, according to the Attorney General and Comptroller’s offices, special legislation would be necessary from the State. Historically, this option would take a long time and have very little chance of succeeding.

Public Works & Village Administration – These departments would dissolve with the village. The town boards would have to determine how to provide any services necessary to residents.

Debt – This is a question that was raised when dissolution was first discussed and continues to be asked. What happens to any village debt should the village dissolve?

According to the New York State Attorney General’s Office, all debt created by the village, stays with the village. What this means is any and all debt created by the village will stay in the former village and will be paid by the former village residents. It will not be dispersed throughout the towns. This will be calculated and billed to former village residents as a separate tax levy.

New York State’s Role in this Process – New York created the process by which municipalities can dissolve, however, the final decision is up to the municipalities’ residents.

A Question Continuously Asked – Where do we go from here? The answer: stay informed, ask questions, attend meetings AND, if this comes to a referendum and you are eligible to vote – PLEASE VOTE!!!

Lastly, we value your questions and welcome your comments. You may contact your Town/Village representatives as follows:

Town of Ridgeway – meets the 3rd Monday at 7p.m. at the Ridgeway Town Hall, 410 West Ave, Medina (Phone 585-798-0730)

Town of Shelby – meets the 2^nd Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Shelby Town Hall, 4062 Salt Rd, Medina (Phone 585-798-3120)

Village of Medina – meets the 2^nd & 4^th Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Shelby Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd. Medina (Phone 585-798-0710)

East Shelby church welcomes public to celebrate a less frantic Christmas

Posted 8 December 2013 at 12:00 am

Gingerbread, caroling and carriage rides are part of the day

Press release, East Shelby Community Bible Church

EAST SHELBY – Have you ever wished you could celebrate Christmas the way your grandparents did – simple, no commercialism, with the emphasis on the birth of Jesus Christ?

The congregation of the East Shelby Community Bible Church would like to invite everyone to be able to do just that by joining them as they celebrate the real meaning of Christmas in West Jackson Corners. Come experience “The Smells and Tastes of Christmas Past” today from noon to 5 p.m.

Begin your afternoon in the church listening to the church’s “Band of Renown,” which will begin playing at noon. The band has been practicing for weeks to provide you with a wonderful concert of Christmas hymns and carols.

Afterwards walk across the road to West Jackson Corners and experience the true meaning of Christmas in a restored 19th century village. West Jackson Corners was the original name of East Shelby in the early 1800s.

While visiting West Jackson Corners take a sleigh ride. There will also be a special team of horses this year called “Norsk Heist.” They are Norwegian horses that are small and powerful. Come and enjoy a sleigh ride pulled by these specialty horses.

Listen to a tale of long ago, hear the Dickinson style Christmas carolers, view the two 20-foot Christmas trees in the village square, see the lights, taste a pioneer Christmas dinner cooked over an open hearth, or sing your favorite Christmas songs along with the church choir.

Check out an old fashion toy display in the local country store, view a living manager scene in the barn at the edge of town, make an old fashioned garland with pine cones, nuts, berries and cinnamon, taste homemade hot chocolate, or just visit with the folks from West Jackson Corners.

Be sure to come back to the church and view the 16-foot Christmas tree in the church sanctuary, the candelabra ready for lighting on Christmas Eve and the traditional holiday greens decorations. While in the church sample traditional holiday snacks and desserts prepared and served by the ladies of West Jackson Corners.

As you enjoy the holiday foods, have a cup of coffee or a special Christmas punch and watch the folk dancing by some of the teens of the church.

Stop in at the 19^th century parsonage next door to the church. The parsonage, restored to its 19^th century splendor, will be decked out for an old fashion Christmas.

While there visitors will also have a chance to decorate a homemade gingerbread man in the kitchen, watch heritage craft demonstrations in the living room and visit the children’s craft corner. Upstairs in the parsonage is Santa’s workshop where youngsters can make their own wooden toy.

Be on hand at 4:30 p.m. when the children greet Santa Claus as he arrives by horse drawn sleigh at West Jackson Corners.

Albion man hospitalized after Shelby accident

Posted 16 October 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department

SHELBY – An Albion man was hospitalized on Tuesday evening following a head-on crash with an 18-wheel tractor-tanker truck.

The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. in the 5000 block of South Gravel Road (Route 63) in the town of Shelby. Stephen G. Thomas II, 24, was driving a 1998 Buick sedan north when he crossed the center line and collided with a 2013 International tractor that was hauling a tanker trailer with refrigerated liquid oxygen.

After the collision, Thomas’s car ran off the east side of the roadway and came to a rest in a residential yard. Thomas was trapped in the car for about 45 minutes before being extricated by Shelby firefighters. He was then air-lifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter.

Shawn W. Scott, 32, of Derby was driving the truck. He was not injured but was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital by the Medina Fire Department ambulance as a precautionary measure.

The truck and tanker is owned by the Linde Group LLC, based in Germany with a local terminal in Buffalo. The tractor sustained heavy damage, however the tank was not compromised, nor was the approximate 800 to 1,000 gallons of liquid oxygen on board.

Representatives of the Linde Group were on scene. There was minimal spillage of diesel fuel and the hydraulic fluid was quickly contained by the fire department.

Route 63 was re-opened to traffic at 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by Deputy D.S. Klips, who is assisted by Sergeant G.T. Gunkler, Lt. R.E. Perry and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan. State troopers from the Albion barracks also assisted at the scene.

250 walk and run to support Orleans cancer patients

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 October 2013 at 12:00 am

Big crowd for Knights-Kaderli won’t be stopped by rain

Photos by Tom Rivers

Robert Patterson of Akron pulls Colten Cleveland, 7, in a wagon up Barber Road in today’s walk/run to benefit the Knights-Kaderli Fund.

EAST SHELBY – A big crowd gathered today at the East Shelby Fire Hall, undeterred by damp weather, and then proceeded to walk and run with purpose on a 3.5-mile loop. This group is walking up Barber Road before making a turn on Townline Road.

The 25^th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run drew 250 participants. The event raises money for Orleans County residents battling cancer. The Knights-Kaderli Fund distributes about $50,000 a year to residents fighting cancer who need help with their bills. Rhonda Kaderli Sloper and her brother John Kaderli are among the volunteers who help organize events and manage the fund. Their mother Sue Scharping Kaderli died from cancer in 1989. The family of Richard Knights, who died from cancer in 1984, also are active organizers for the fund.

Sarah Flower of Medina walks with her dog Lilah during today’s Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run in East Shelby.

Nicole Goyette of Medina pushes her 2-year-old son Bradley on the 3.5 mile course. They are joined by Mia Hobbs, 8, at right and Evie Schultz, 10, both of Medina. They are pictured on Townline Road.

Knights-Kaderli plans 25th anniversary walk/run on Saturday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 October 2013 at 12:00 am

Fund provides about $50K annually to families fighting cancer

Provided photo – Walkers and runners join in last year’s Knights-Kaderli walk and run. About 500 people are expected for the 25th anniversary event on Saturday, beginning at the East Shelby Fire Hall at 11 a.m. Registration starts at 9:30.

MEDINA – Two families that lost loved ones to cancer have been working together for 25 years, raising money for Orleans County residents and their families fighting the disease.

The Knights and Kaderli families on Saturday will have their 25^th anniversary run/walk, beginning at the East Shelby Fire Hall. The course covers about 3.5 miles. Organizers say 500 could be attend the event, which would be a record.

“It’s turned into a huge party, said Melissa Knights Bertrand.

Her father, Richard Knights, died from cancer in 1984. Five years later Sue Scharping Kaderli died from the disease.

The walk-run has raised about $200,000 since 1994, with the annual walk/run raising more money as participation has grown. It netted about $20,000 last year. A golf tournament in memory of David Millis of Albion also nets about $15,000, while a wine-tasting organized by the Zinkievich family in November raises $10,000. Other fund-raisers, including a Pink Crystal Ball, help push the fund to about $50,000 total a year.

That money helps about 50 families a year pay for out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays, transportation and other bills. Bertrand and Mary Kaderli Zelazny take requests for aid. A recipient must be undergoing a cancer treatment and must be an Orleans County resident.

“We’re a very unique fund,” Bertrand said. “You can have a check within a couple of weeks. We work really hard to get money to people because we know they are in a desperate need.”

The Knights and Kaderli families share the workload in planning events and managing the fund. Both families are well-known in the Medina area. They have worked to be inclusive, welcoming others in the community to help raise funding for families suffering a physical, emotional and financial toll from cancer.

“We’re there at a difficult time in people’s lives,” Bertrand said. “They let us in and we keep it all confidential. We give to the patients as a gift, expecting nothing in return.”

The Knights and Kaderli families expect to be committed to the fund for many years to come. The grandchildren of Richard Knights and Sue Scharping Kaderli have joined the effort.

For more information’s about the fund or Saturday’s walk/run, check the organization’s web site by clicking here.

Name sought for new 280-acre business park in Medina/Shelby

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2013 at 12:00 am

EDA favors honoring Sandstone roots with name

MEDINA – Land that the Orleans Economic Development Agency has been working on for years to make attractive to developers will soon have a name, likely connected to Orleans County roots with Medina sandstone.

The Orleans EDA is close to securing certified “shovel-ready” status for land near Route 31A and Bates Road, including a cow pasture owned by the Keppeler family. (The EDA has an option to buy the site.)

The EDA board of directors next month is expected to vote on calling the 280 acres the “Sandstone Business Park,” or something that includes “Sandstone.”

The county was once home to more than 100 Medina sandstone quarries, and that stone was shipped along the canal and used to build roads, houses and other structures all over the state and beyond New York’s borders.

The land eyed for the business park sits in Medina and also in the town of Shelby. The site is viewed as some of Orleans County’s most attractive land for wooing manufacturing and other large businesses.

The 280 acres has access to all the needed utilities and infrastructure, including low-cost hydropower. Once it has shovel-ready certification, it is expected to draw a lot of interest in the business community.

“I’m very excited about it,” said Jim Whipple, the CEO for the Orleans EDA. “It may be the largest shovel-ready site with infrastructure in Western New York.”

Whipple said the EDA may use the Sandstone name for other business parks in the future, perhaps a “Sandstone East” site because the sandstone quarries were such a dominant industry in the canal towns across Orleans.

Ridgeway ‘not interested’ in Medina’s dissolution plan

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2013 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The consulting firm that is working with Medina to prepare a dissolution plan for the village shouldn’t expect much assistance from the town of Ridgeway.

“We’re really not interested,” said Brian Napoli, the Ridgeway town supervisor. “We’ve never been consulted. They formed a committee and we were never asked or consulted.”

The village received a $50,000 state grant to work on a dissolution plan, a document that is required by law before the village can hold a public referendum on whether or not to dissolve the village government.

The plan would identify how village government functions could best be assumed by the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby, or perhaps through new special taxing districts or water and sewer authorities.

The Center for Governmental Research is working with Medina on the plan. CGR staff sent letters to Ridgeway and Shelby, requesting documents on budgets and town staffing and equipment resources. CGR would also like to interview staff and officials from the two towns to discuss how they could absorb some of the functions currently provided by the village.

Shelby said it is willing to meet with CGR, but Napoli turned down the organization’s initial request.

“This is a village project so why do we need to use town money and resources for it?” Napoli said. “We were never consulted, but now that they’re doing it, they expect us to jump in and solve it.”

Medina Mayor Andrew Meier said both towns knew for months that Medina applied for the dissolution grant. Napoli and Shelby Town Supervisor Skip Draper also have been part of a shared services discussion for the past couple years among the three municipalities.

Napoli said CGR can submit specific requests for information, and the town will comply, much as it has to with the Freedom of Information Act. But he doesn’t want open-ended requests that would send town employees on a time-consuming “fishing expedition.”

Meier said he wants the town feedback on the plan so the best options can be presented to voters and municipal leaders.

“There are a range of options,” he said. “It’s not one-size-fits-all.”

If the village puts a dissolution to a vote and its supported by village residents, Napoli said Ridgeway and Shelby don’t necessarily have to follow the plan. They can determine their own course of action for assuming village functions. Napoli thinks special taxing districts would be created for police, fire protection and village debt.

Medina’s sewer plant is in Ridgeway. Napoli doesn’t expect the town would just take over the plant in a village dissolution. He said a water and sewer authority could be created to own and manage those assets.

“If you dissolve the village, the only thing that goes away is the signs,” Napoli said. “The village debts have to stay with the village. A lot of the stuff provided by the village would stay with special taxing districts.”

Meier said a committee will complete a dissolution plan with CGR’s assistance. He wants to give residents a chance to remove one layer of local government, which he believes will reduce taxes for village residents, making the community more attractive for residents and businesses.

He would like Ridgeway to be an active participant in developing the plan.

“It’s in the best interests of their constituents that they (town officials) remain in contact throughout this process,” Meier said. “We’ve asked for their participation repeatedly.”

Medina officials expect the plan will take six to nine months to prepare. Dissolution should go to a public vote next year.

Shelby trying to create 2 new water districts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 August 2013 at 12:00 am

SHELBY – The town is working to create two new water districts that would bring public water to rural areas of the town that have been plagued by poor water quality and quantity.

The town has had well water tested in water districts no. 10 and 11, which haven’t been formally created yet.

“There’s bad water in both of them,” said Mike Fuller, the town highway superintendent, who also oversees the water districts.

The town will pursue grant and low-interest loan funding for the projects through the federal Rural Development Agency.

The town has identified about 30 houses for Water District No. 10, which would run along portions of West Lee, Shelby Basin, Possum, Podunk and East Shelby roads, as well as one house on Smith Road.

Water District No. 11 includes about 50 homes on portions of Bigford, Harrison, Edwards and Creek roads.

The town will have public hearings on the projects once it has financial projections on the costs of the districts. Residents in the districts will know the annual expense per home for the debt service as well as an average water bill.

Shelby officials are working to complete the pre-eligibility requirements for financing through Rural Development. Once the town knows the size of a grant, as well as the costs of each district, it can calculate costs for the two districts’ property owners.

Shelby Town Hall gets a new sandstone sign

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Mike Fuller, the Shelby highway superintendent, and Town Clerk Darlene Rich stand next to a new town sign made of Medina sandstone. The sign was mounted on the front wall of the town hall last week.

SHELBY – A new sign made of Medina sandstone connects the Shelby Town Hall with the community’s heritage, town officials said.

And the new sign on the Shelby Town Hall looks “beautiful,” a vast improvement over a metal sign that was on the building the previous decade, said Town Councilman Ken Schaal.

“This is history from Medina and it will last forever,” Schaal said.

The town hall, a former Niagara Mohawk building on Salt Works Road, has been used for town officials since about 2000. Town Board members have wanted to use Medina sandstone for a sign, and they had a 4-by-4 piece of stone in storage.

The Town Board and Highway Superintendent Mike Fuller recently decided it was time to use that stone for the sign, rather than have the stone stashed away. The town spent $2,950 to have the stone engraved and then mounted. That price included the cost of adding border stone.

The new sign went up on the building last week. It’s been drawing rave reviews from the public.

“It looks really nice,” County Legislator Bill Eick, a former Shelby town councilman, told the Town Board on Tuesday. “I really appreciate you getting that up.”

The town hall is named for former councilman Lorne McMurray, who pushed the town to acquire and renovate the former NiMo building about 13 years ago. The old town hall has been razed to make room for Aldi’s.

DOT will reduce speed on 31 near Salt Works Road

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2013 at 12:00 am

State will also double-line section of road in Shelby

Photo by Tom Rivers – The intersection at Salt Works Road and Route 31 in Shelby will be safer after the DOT posts a speed limit reduction, town officials said on Tuesday.

SHELBY – Motorists will soon have to drive slower on Route 31 on a section of the road just west of the village. Drivers also won’t be allowed to pass another vehicle on a portion of the state highway near the Salt Works Road intersection.

Town of Shelby officials and Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick announced Route 31 will soon have the posted speed limit reduced from 55 to 45 miles per hour about 50 yards west of Salt Works Road to the beginning of the 40 mph zone at the village line. The state Department of Transportation will also double-stripe the road near the intersection.

“We’re hoping it will be taken care of in the next month to month in a half,” Eick said during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting.

He has been pressing the state DOT to improve the safety of the Route 31 and Salt Works Road intersection for a year. He said he was nearly “clipped” about a year ago at the intersection. Town officials said the intersection is currently dangerous because of fast drivers on Route 31 who often pass other vehicles.

“We’ve been trying to do something with that intersection for the last 25 to 30 years,” said Ken Schaal, a Shelby town councilman.

He said a concerted effort by several businesses near the intersection, requesting a speed reduction, helped sway the state to lower the speed limit.

Vote on Medina dissolution unlikely for next village election in March

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 August 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – A committee looking at developing a plan for the dissolution of the village of Medina met for the first time on Thursday at City Hall. A group of village residents is working with the Center for Governmental Research to develop the plan. The group includes, from lower left going clockwise: Paul Bishop and Scott Sittig of CGR, Medina Mayor Andrew Meier, Village Trustee Mark Irwin, Committee Chairman Don Colquhoun, and members Charlie Slack and Thurston Dale.

MEDINA – A public referendum about dissolving the village of Medina’s government probably won’t be ready in time for the March 2014 village elections due to a tight time frame to develop an orderly plan for the village’s dissolution.

“Let’s take our time to come up with a plan that we can all consider and accept,” Mayor Andrew Meier said during the Dissolution Committee’s first meeting Thursday. “I see no reason why to go through an expedited process.”

Medina is using a $50,000 state grant to hire the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester to help prepare the plan. There is a chance CGR and the committee could have the plan fall quickly into place, and possibly be ready for a public vote in March. But Meier and committee aren’t pushing for that as a time frame.

“We need to give the public time to chew it over,” said Don Colquhoun, chairman of the Dissolution Committee.

A public referendum can’t come sooner than about three months after the Village Board formally endorses a dissolution. That gives time for the public to study the plan and make an informed vote.

In order for the dissolution to be part of the March 18 village election, the Village Board would need to endorse a dissolution plan in December to allow for three months of public review before a vote.

Meier expects the village will call for a special election on the issue later in the year.

CGR has a lot of work to do with data collection and interviews with village officials and representatives from the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway. CGR needs to take an inventory of village assets and debts. The group will present a plan for how the debts will be paid if the village dissolves, and how current village services can best be folded into the two towns.

To pay off some debts, some village assets could be sold, including highway equipment and buildings, such as the historic but mostly underutilized City Hall.

Some services, such as police and fire, may continue with the formation of special taxing districts. The committee will look at which government entity would own the village’s water and sewer plants, and how those services can best be provided if the village dissolves.

Colquhoun, the committee chairman, said the group is determined to continue with the process, to look for ways to reduce the costs of government in the community while still maintaining services. The study may show it doesn’t make sense to dissolve Medina. He is going in with an open mind, not committed to dissolution.

“We don’t want to disrupt everyone’s lives,” he said. “But let’s see the data. I think people need to know the alternatives. Everyone complains about their taxes and says there’s nothing you can do about it. This is something we can do about it.”

If the issue goes to a public vote, only village residents will go to the polls. Residents in Shelby and Ridgeway, outside the village, don’t get a vote, but they can participate in the planning process.