By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2023 at 8:24 am
Construction costs have soared, grants haven’t kept pace to put in new waterlines
Photo by Tom Rivers: Shar Pratt speaks during Monday’s Shelby Town Board meeting and asks the Town Board to push for public water for many of the residents suffering from too little water in their wells. “This is 2023,” she said. “It’s a health and safety priority.”
SHELBY – Town residents, many of them desperate for public water, won’t have a quick or cheap fix for getting a public waterline by their homes, residents were told on Monday.
Construction costs have soared since the start of the pandemic about three years ago – by 2 to 2.5 times. And grant amounts from the state and federal governments haven’t kept up with the rising costs.
Shelby has about 70,000 linear feet without public waterlines – nearly 14 miles. To bring an 8-inch waterline to all of the spots would be about $12 million, said Jason Foote, an engineer and project manager with Clark Patterson Lee.
The town would need about $10 million in state and federal grants to make that project affordable for residents. The state comptroller sets a threshold for affordability for public water projects at $1,040 in annual expense to residents. Shelby residents pay an average of $478 for their water bills. That leaves about $552 left for the debt for a water district to under the state comptroller threshold.
The construction estimates are currently about $125 per linear foot, which is much higher than a few years ago, Foote said.
“There is high demand for contractors and low supply (for materials) – which is the direct opposite of what you need for low pricing,” he said.
Three town residents spoke during the meeting and urged the board to try to bring public water to residents. They said their wells have been nearly depleted. One woman said her family limits showers to 2 minutes and hauls in water.
“It’s horrible,” said Karrie Cronkhite of Wheeler Road. “In 2023, people shouldn’t have to live this way.”
She said her well has progressively worsened in the past three years. She estimated she is spending $100 a month on buying water in jugs and about $25 a week at the laundromat.
Shar Pratt of Martin Road said her well has largely dried up since last August. Her husband John, a member of the Town Board, has to lug water to the house. They put in auxiliary tanks for water so they can keep flushing their toilets, doing dishes and laundry at home. But it’s a lot of work to haul water two to three times a week.
“This is 2023,” Pratt said. “We shouldn’t have to live like this. It’s a health and safety priority.”
Andrea Walton of Maple Ridge Road said she is one of six homes on Maple Ridge without public water access. They have been asking the town the past three years to find a way to bring public water to that area.
Foote, the engineer, suggested the town try to break the project in multiple water districts to try to maximize the state and federal grants. He broke the areas without water into three potential projects (which could be modified).
For part 1 he suggested part of Maple Ridge Road (between Salt Works Road and Charles Street), Sanderson Road, Waterworks Road, Munzel Road and Martin Road. That includes 36 equivalent dwelling units on about 26,000 linear feet. Foote said the estimated construction would be about $4.5 million and would need $3.6 million to $3.8 million in grants to be affordable to residents.
Part 2 would be as $3.3 million project with 32 EDUs over about 20,000 linear feet and include Wheeler Road, Hemlock Ridge Road and Townline Road.
Part 3 would be about $4.2 million with 18 EDUs with part of Martin Road, Townline Road (including in Barre), Barber Road and Smith Road in Barre.
Foote stressed that no district boundaries are set, and those areas identified in his proposal could be shifted to make a district larger or smaller.
“I think it’s going to be smaller projects,” Foote said about the size of the water districts. “You need to prioritize the areas.”
One of the funding agencies, the federal Rural Development, wants to spread out its grants to many communities so it’s unlikely it would give Shelby a massive grant to cover the entire town currently without public water, Foote said.
He presented an option for three different phases, but he said it could be reworked to two phases, or even four phases.
He urged the town to start working on grants and other government assistance.
Scott Wengewicz, the town supervisor, said he supports pursuing as many avenues as possible for grant funding.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2023 at 9:03 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jeff Schiffer takes the oath of office as a new member of the Shelby Town Board on Monday evening. Town Clerk Darlene Rich administers the oath.
SHELBY – The Town Board has a new town councilman and also a new town justice.
The board appointed Jeff Schiffer to fill a vacancy on the board created by the resignation of Ryan Wilkins.
Schiffer is retired after a 36-year career with the state Department of Corrections, working as a corrections officer, counselor, sergeant and supervising counselor. He worked at the Albion, Orleans and Attica prisons.
Ed Grabowski
“I love everybody around here,” Schiffer said about the town. “I just want to try to help.”
Schiffer’s appointment brings the Town Board to full strength at five members. The board on Dec. 13 also appointed Scott Wengewicz as the Shelby town supervisor following the resignation of Jeff Smith from that position on Oct. 12.
The board on Monday also filled a vacant town justice position. Ed Grabowski will serve in the role following the resignation of Dawn Keppler on Dec. 2. She was a town justice since 1999.
Grabowski, an attorney and a retired criminal justice teacher at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, was a town justice from 1990 to 1994. He also was a police officer for eight years from 1973 to 1981.
Grabowski has worked as an attorney for the past 25 years. He also represents Medina as a member of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES school board.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2023 at 8:42 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is always a striking place to visit. The few inches of snow that stuck to trees and branches gives it a feeling of a winter wonderland.
The top photo shows trees at the Ringneck Marsh in Shelby.
These trees are also by the Ringneck Marsh Overlook. This area is just off of Oak Orchard Ridge Road and half a mile east of Route 63. The refuge said the overlook provides a vantage point to see great blue herons, mallards, geese and sometimes even ringneck ducks for which the marsh is named.
A recreational vehicle heads south on Route 63 through the refuge in Shelby on Saturday afternoon.
The refuge says the Ringneck Marsh provides “a picturesque view of its brilliant seasonal colors.”
A bench gives a spot to sit and look out on the Schoolhouse Marsh Overlook. This is just east of the Ringneck Marsh Overlook. The Schoolhouse Marsh is named for the schoolhouse that once existed in this location, it is a great spot to view shorebirds, American wigeon, and discreet marsh birds, according to the refuge’s website.
The Oak Orchard Ridge Road provides a path through the refuge in the Town of Shelby. For more information on the 10,828-acre refuge, click here to be directed to its web site.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2023 at 5:30 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Scott Wengewicz started as the Shelby town supervisor on Dec. 13. He is pictured after Thursday night’s organizational meeting for the town, where appointments and salaries were set for 2023.
SHELBY – Scott Wengewicz, the new Shelby town supervisor, doesn’t have much interest in being involved in politics.
But he is willing to serve his town and community.
Wengewicz was appointed Shelby’s town supervisor in Dec. 13. He applied for the position after Jeff Smith stepped down as town supervisor on Oct. 12. Steve Seitz Sr. then filled in as acting town supervisor for the next two months.
Wengewicz, 59, is retired from a 30-year career as a Border Patrol agent. He has opened two businesses in downtown Medina. Mystic Dragon’s Lair at 339 North Main St. started in February 2020, offering quartz, gemstones, crystals and other products.
In November, he opened Patriot Guns next to Mystic Dragon. Patriot Guns sells guns, ammunition, camping supplies, hiking equipment and freeze-dried foods. His daughter-in-law Cassandra Wengewicz manages the two sites.
Wengewicz also is a commercial beekeeper with 480 beehives.
He didn’t pay too much attention to Shelby town business until late summer with reports that Borrego Energy proposed two wind turbines at 633 feet tall on land owned by the Smith family on Route 63. Jeff Smith was the town supervisor at the time and recused himself from town deliberations on the matter.
The issue has proven been divisive in Shelby and drew packed crowds to town meetings, especially a hearing on Sept. 13.
Wengewicz watched that hearing through a video that was livestreamed. That hearing on Sept. 13 was adjourned and needs to be reconvened. Wengewicz wants to address the issue again but not until there is a full five-member Town Board. Ryan Wilkins, the former deputy town supervisor, also resigned soon after that hearing which was about possible environmental issues and impacts with the turbine project.
The board will soon do interviews for people who expressed interest and applied for the vacant councilman position.
“We want to get it done as soon as possible,” Wengewicz said about filling the vacancy.
Once there is a full five-member board, Wengewicz said he expects that public hearing will be completed and a review of the project will go forward.
The board also needs to fill another opening with the resignation of Dawn Keppler as town justice on Dec. 2 after being in the role since 1999.
Wengewicz said he wanted to address one of the main complaints about residents during the meetings about the turbines. Many said they didn’t know about the project and other issues facing the town.
Shelby now has a Facebook page for the town. As of this afternoon it has 653 followers. Wengewicz and Shelby officials used the page to provide frequent updates during the blizzard from Dec. 23-25.
The town also has an messaging system where people can sign up for texts and emails about emergencies or other important notices in the town. Click here for more information.
A redesigned town web site also is nearly complete, Wengewicz said.
He is planning to be available to meet with community members at the Medina Senior Center and perhaps some Saturdays at the town hall, just so people can meet him and share some of their concerns. He wants to have those meet-and-greet opportunities because there wasn’t a public campaign for him to become the town supervisor.
“No one got to vote for me,” he said.
Wengewicz already has had one surprise since taking office. He didn’t know there was any pay for the position. It comes with a $10,878 salary.
Shelby is still down one board member and will soon try to fill the vacancy following the resignation of Ryan Wilkins. Pictured from left (going over resolutions at Thursday’s meeting) include Town Clerk Darlene Rich, Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz and Town Board members Steve Seitz, John Pratt and Ed Zelazny.
The Town Board approved appointments during the organizational meeting on Jan. 5, including:
Steve Seitz as deputy town supervisor.
Miranda Bennett as bookkeeper/confidential secretary to the town supervisor, human resources manager and IT program manager.
Dan Wolfe as code enforcement officer.
Bill Bacon as acting highway superintendent in the absence of Dale Root, the highway superintendent.
Dave Moden as fire warden.
Debbie Taylor as fire inspector.
Dale Root to serve as cemetery administrator of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Don Lonnen as cemetery administrator of Millville Cemetery.
Claudell Grimes as dog control officer.
Christopher Woodruff as water superintendent.
Darlene Rich as marriage officer, tax collector, registrar of vital records and records management officer.
Dorothy Nolan as fair housing officer, deputy town clerk, deputy tax collector, deputy registrar of vital statistics and records management clerk.
Claude Grimes, Paul Gray and Mike Reese as part-time town and court constables.
Kirk Myhill as Planning Board chairman.
Craig Lacy as Zoning Board chairman.
Jeff Clark as town attorney.
Councilman Steve Seitz as the department coordinator to the highway department and the liaison to the Orleans County Legislature.
Councilman John Pratt as department coordinator to the town court judges, as liaison to the Village of Medina, and also will represent Shelby on the Joint Youth Commission.
Councilman Ed Zelazny will serve on the Ambulance Committee and also the Senior Citizens’ Advisory Board.
Supervisor Scott Wengewicz as department coordinator to the town clerk.
Lake Country Media as the official newspaper.
Bank of Castile as the official depository for the Town of Shelby.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jason Watts and his dad Howard Watts, left and right center, hold a mounted gold axe the family presented to Howard in celebration of his 50 years as a member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 January 2023 at 12:13 pm
Tim Petry, president of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, presents a plaque for 50 years of membership to Rick Quackenbush.
SHELBY – The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s 54th annual installation banquet Saturday night was one of tears – tears of joy for celebrating two member’s 50 years as a firefighter and tears when reflecting on a fatal house fire to which firefighters responded in June.
Dale Watts was master of ceremonies for the evening, which began with a welcome from company president Tim Petry and introduction of invited guests and local dignitaries.
The fire company and auxiliary each lost a member during 2022. A brief ceremony paid tribute to Gary Williams and Gwen Way.
Each also acquired one new member during the past year.
Howard Watts presided at ceremonies installing new officers for 2023. Executive board officers are Tim Petry, president; John Palmer, vice president; Kirk Myhill, treasurer; Tiffany Petry, secretary; Dale Watts, sergeant-at-arms; Karl Haist Jr., chaplain; Phil Keppler, assistant chaplain; and Kali Sturtevant, steward.
Trustees elected are Bill Luckman, three years; Andy Benz, two years; and Gary Lamar, one year.
The Executive Board and Firematic officers are sworn in by Howard Watts during Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s 54th annual installation banquet Saturday night.
Firematic officers are David Moden, chief; Scott Petry, deputy chief; Zach Petry, assistant chief; Crystal Luckman, firematic captain; Hunter Sturtevant, firematic lieutenant; and Tiffany Petry, EMS captain.
New officers of the Ladies’ Auxiliary are Elaine Watts, president; Patricia Fuller, vice president; Robin Watts, secretary; Lori Myhill, treasurer; Marion Fry, chaplain; Kali Sturtevant, trustee for one year; and Mary Herbert, trustee for two years.
Members of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary take the oath of office during the installation banquet Saturday night.
Awards presentations began with Tim Petry choosing Bill Luckman as recipient of his President’s Award.
Outgoing chief Jason Watts thanked Dale Banker for his dedication as Emergency Management coordinator and congratulated his replacement, Justin Niederhofer. Then Watts announced his choice for the Chief’s Award.
Outgoing Shelby Fire Chief Jason Watts, left, congratulates David Moden, newly elected chief who was recipient of the Chief’s Award.
“Thirty years ago, David Moden presented me with the Chief’s Award and tonight I present it to him,” Jason Watts said.
He went on to explain he had intended to give up the position as chief last year when he accepted a job as head of Medina’s Department of Public Works.
“I thought I could manage both,” Jason said. “When I needed him, David stepped in and picked up the slack.”
He also commended Zach Petry, Scott Petry, and Tiffany Petry, who kept equipment and training up to par.
Jason went on to describe the heartbreak when the department responded to a fire June 21, in which a young man lost his life.
“We got the call there was a house fire on Freeman Road, and people were trapped and jumping out windows,” Watts said. “We had two trucks on the road within minutes and others from Medina. Everyone on our team knew we did everything we could, yet a 22-year-old perished.”
This was the first fatal house fire Shelby had responded to since 1978, Watts said.
“I was never prouder to be chief of this fire company than during our debriefing after that,” he said. “Tim was in charge of the debriefing. We always claim to be a big family, and it was never more evident than on that day.”
Representatives lined up Saturday night to read proclamations to Howard Watts, third from left, in honor of his 50 years as a member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. At left is Bill Eick, Orleans County Legislature; Andy Polecki, FASNY; Scott Wengewicz, Shelby town supervisor; Howard Watts; State Senator Rob Ortt; and Eileen Banker, chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
He went on to say that what makes a great chief are the firefighters underneath him.
“We are so fortunate to have so many past chiefs to lean on – to offer advice and to look up to,” he said. “One of those people is my dad (Howard Watts), who has shared his knowledge for 50 years. He’s the reason I was convinced to stay on as chief another year, so I could present him with his 50-year plaque.”
The two shared a tearful hug as Jason presented his father with a plaque of the American flag and Shelby Fire Company insignia. Later, all his family gathered around to present Howard with a large mounted gold axe.
Tim Petry asked all the members of the Watts family to stand up. He said all the Watts are always there for any event, and Howard has held every office, except secretary.
A second firefighter, Rick Quackenbush, was also presented a plaque for his 50 years as a Shelby volunteer firefighter.
(Left) Shelby Ladies Auxiliary President Elaine Watts, left, recognized Lori Myhill with the President’s Award at the annual installation banquet Saturday night. (Right) Elaine Watts presents a $5,000 check from the Ladies Auxiliary to president Tim Petry and newly-elected chief David Moden.
Both Watts and Quackenbush received proclamations from representatives of the town of Shelby, Orleans County Legislature, FASNY, Senator Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Ladies’ Auxiliary president Elaine Watts thanked all the ladies and men who helped during the year. She said they are always looking for new members. She chose Lori Myhill for her President’s Award, and also presented a certificate for 20 years membership to Marybeth Koch.
Elaine then presented a check for $5,000 from the Auxiliary to David Moden and Tim Petry for the firemen.
Tim Petry also commended Dale Root, Shelby highway superintendent, and his crew of Rusty Hofmeister and Bill Wolter for their work in clearing the roads during the blizzard from Dec. 23-25.
Others who were acknowledged were Steve Seitz, who has chaired the annual gun raffle fundraiser for 30 years; outgoing officers, Dawn Petry and Joe Kyle; Jay Grasso, grant writer, as “Friend of the Fire Company” and Crystal Luckman who chaired the banquet.
Tim Petry, right, commends the Shelby Highway Department for their efforts during the recent blizzard. From left in back are Rusty Hofmeister, highway superintendent Dale Root and Bill Wolter. Seated in front are Dale Watts and Dawn Petry.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2022 at 10:24 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Dawn Keppler is shown in this photo from April 28, addressing the Orleans County Legislature. She shared her concerns about a district court in the county.
SHELBY – Dawn Keppler, a Shelby town justice since 1999, has resigned her position, as well as the associate town judge for Ridgeway and Yates while being investigating by the State of New York Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Keppler’s resignation resolved the matter before the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The Commission notified Keppler in April it was investigating a complaint that she improperly promoted prejudicial and inflammatory content on Facebook, and that she inappropriately lent the prestige of her judicial office to advance the private interests of others.
Judge Keppler resigned from judicial office on Dec. 2, and agreed never to seek or accept judicial office at any time in the future.
“It has been a privilege to serve our community as Town Justice for the last twenty-three years, but I am resigning my position effective at the close of business on Friday, December 2, 2022,” Keppler wrote in a Nov. 21 letter to Steven Seitz, the acting town supervisor for Shelby.
She also sent letters on Nov. 21 to Brian Napoli, Ridgeway town supervisor, and Jim Simon, Yates town supervisor, announcing her resignations as the associate town justices in those towns, and said she appreciated the opportunity to serve the community.
Keppler served as president of the Orleans County Magistrates Association and also was on the board of directors for the NYS Magistrates Association, serving as treasurer.
Robert H. Tembeckjian, administrator for the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, issued this statement on Dec. 20 following Keppler’s resignation:
“Judges must approach social media with caution,” he said. “Public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the courts is shaken whenever a judge originates or republishes social media posts that are insulting to particular individuals or groups, stridently political, or otherwise brash and indiscreet.”
‘When I came in here, I felt like I had stepped back in time, back to when T.O. Castle was here, and this was the mecca of Millville.’ – Daniel Hurley
Photos courtesy of Historian’s Office: Daniel P. Hurley displays the sign which will mark the building at 12348 Maple Ridge Road as an officially recognized site on the National Register of Historic Places.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 2, No. 40
MILLVILLE – Christmas came early this year for Daniel P. Hurley, owner of the former T.O. Castle & Son General Store on Maple Ridge Road in Millville.
He was notified that his application for National Historic recognition status for the building was approved on Dec. 8, at the 190th meeting of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation, held at the New York State Museum in Albany.
Hurley, a Gaines resident, first noticed the building in 2019 while driving past the site on Route 31A.
“I was just drawn to this building, it’s hard to describe,” he said. “When I came in here, I felt like I had stepped back in time, back to when T.O. Castle was here, and this was the mecca of Millville.
“It housed the store and the post office back then,” Hurley continued. “Everybody who lived around came in here for items that they needed. This is where the news of the day was gathered and passed on: who was sick, who had died, how the crops were doing. This stove here is probably where the men gathered and talked about politics. You can feel the past in the air here.
“As the application says, this place ‘retains much of its architectural integrity.’ The floors, beams, joists, walls, ceiling, and the shelves are all as they were and that contributes to the feeling that it is a time capsule.”
He sought National Historic Registry status for the building because he felt it was worthy of recognition as an example of an enduring structure and because of the affinity he felt with the T.O. Castle era of ownership.
Built about 1849 of locally sourced stone, it was owned and operated by two generations of the Castle family between 1849 and 1933. Prominently situated at a busy crossroads, this general store served the needs of the local farming community, selling dry goods, crockery and hardware.
At that time, a harness store, tannery, carriage shop and blacksmith shop were also in operation in the vicinity and local children attended School No.7 nearby and the Millville Academy operated until 1870.
Thomas Oliver Castle was born in Parma, Monroe County on April 2, 1826, the son of Jehiel and Nancy (Willey) Castle. He taught school for two years and in 1846, moved to Shelby Center in Orleans County. He worked at the store owned by his uncle, Reuben S. Castle, and then worked in Buffalo for two years as a supervisor of salesmen at the George M. Sweeney store.
After serving in the U.S. Army during the Mexican War, he settled in Millville in 1849. He married Mary Timmerman, daughter of Catherine Timmerman, in December of 1850. He was involved in every aspect of community life. He was a notary public, judge of sessions, post-master, and served on the Millville Cemetery Board. His obituary in the Medina Daily Journal of March 30, 1910, noted that “he was widely known and esteemed.”
Hurley plans to accomplish the necessary repairs as soon as possible. He envisions minimum alterations to the interior as he would like to preserve the store’s sense of the past and operate an emporium there. The building is the second National Historic Register site in Millville – nearby Millville Cemetery was recognized in 2007.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 October 2022 at 5:34 pm
Jeff Smith
SHELBY – Jeff Smith has resigned as the Shelby town supervisor, effective at 5 p.m. today. Smith cited a “scorched earth policy” from “the anti-wind people” in pushing him out of office.
Smith’s resignation follows the departure of Deputy Town Supervisor Ryan Wilkins about two weeks ago.
“I have always been honest, and ethical in my dealings,” Smith said. “The negative comments and innuendos directed towards me have caused me to reevaluate my position on the board. I tried to stick it out and keep doing the much-needed work, but finally my sense of duty has been overcome by all the negativity.”
Borrego Energy has proposed two wind turbines at 633 feet tall on land owned by the Smith family on Route 63. Smith has recused himself from town deliberations on the matter. The issue has been divisive in Shelby and drawn a packed crowd to recent town meetings. Many have faulted Smith for a conflict of interest.
Smith said he and Wilkins have been subjected to personal attacks from many residents because of the turbine issue. Wilkins has been leading the town meetings when the turbines are discussed at board meetings.
“These attacks resulted in Councilman Wilkins resigning,” Smith said at Tuesday night’s board meeting, when he read his resignation letter. “This is very unfortunate because he was an active, hardworking young man, exactly the type of person the board and the town needs.”
Smith named Steve Seitz as the acting town supervisor. He is joined on the board by John Pratt and Edward Zelazny.
Smith said he hopes the three can work together especially as Shelby confronts many other issues besides the turbines, with the town budget among the most pressing.
The board, while it has three members, will need a unanimous vote for any resolution to pass. It takes three votes at a minimum to approve a resolution.
Smith, a recently retired fruit farmer, joined the Town Board in April 2018 to fill a vacancy for town councilman following the death of Dale Stalker in December 2017. About six months later Smith was appointed by the other board members to be town supervisor following the resignation of Ed Houseknecht on May 31, 2018. Smith was appointed by the other board members on June 9, 2018.
“I am not special, nor am I a hero,” Smith said. “I did not seek the position, really did not want it, but felt it was my duty to stay while Covid disrupted everything.”
Smith said the town has been working on many other issues besides the two turbines proposed by Borrego, including an ambulance contract, the town budget, weed and brush law, anti-littering law, improvements to Shelby and Millville lighting districts, recruiting and hiring a code enforcement officer, pedestrian bridge on Maple Ridge Road near Mariachi, hiring engineer for potential projects at Medina Business Park, negotiating PILOT and host community benefits package with for solar project with Barre, hiring a town attorney, reviewing sewer discharge from STAMP site in Alabama into Shelby, negotiating water rate with Village of Medina, reviewing public water expansions in the town, as well as lighting at Furness Parkway.
“The wind turbines are not the only important thing going on in our little town,” Smith said. “It is my sincere hope that those who have actively opposed the turbines, and those who support the project will seriously consider becoming members of the Town Board. Our town needs people willing to pitch in and do the work needed.”
The town welcomes applications to fill the vacant town councilman from Wilkins’ resignation. People interested can send a letter and resume by Oct. 26 to Town Clerk Darlene Rich by email darlenerich@townofshelbyny.org.
Seitz is scheduled to be sworn in as acting supervisor on Thursday. The board has yet to discuss how to fill Smith’s vacant spot on the board.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Rebecca Mannella looks at a poster of an $8,500 check donated to the Knights-Kaderli fund by Lizzy's Loves, a charity in memory of Liz Monell-Higgins, who died of cancer in 2018. The check represents the proceeds of their family's annual golf tournament. It was displayed with the basket raffle at today’s walk.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 October 2022 at 10:51 pm
MEDINA – Thirty-three years ago, two local families who lost loved ones to cancer combined their fundraising efforts to found the Knights-Kaderli Fund.
Since then, the families of Richard Knights and Sue Kaderli have given out more than $800,000 to 750 cancer patients and their families, to help with medical bills, food, transportation and living expenses.
It has become a tradition that the Knights-Kaderli Walk is held the first Saturday in October at East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall. While Covid dampened their fundraising the past two years, this year the event was back in full swing.
Kathy Hodgins, Kathy McCauley and Joe Rosenbeck, all of Medina, show their excitement at completing the Knights-Kaderli Walk. Approximately 200 participants completed the course.
Approximately 200 participants showed up this morning for the 34th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk. They ranged from the youngest – six-week-old Garrett Walker who was pushed in his stroller by his mother Emma Wolter and grandmothers Julie Wolter and Lynn Ambrose, to 69-year-old Joe Rosenbeck, who was among the first group to finish.
The fundraiser is a family event for many, such as the McAdoos. Katie McAdoo, granddaughter of the late Ken McAdoo, and her daughter Gracelynne Kujawa, 8, walked, along with Ken’s daughter-in-law, Kristin McAdoo and her son Justin. Also joining them was cousin Allie McAdoo.
Gracelynne walks every year, her mother said. This year she was recognized for the most pledges by a youth, $50, said Stacey Knights Pellicano, daughter of the late Richard Knights and an organizer of the event. The most money brought in by an adult was $4,679 by Barb Hale of Medina.
Christine Griffin contemplates purchase raffle tickets at the Knights-Kaderli benefit today at East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall. Seated from left are Stacey Knights Pellicano and Mary Kaderli Zelazny.
The family of Sue Martin of Medina have also been big supporters of the walk. They have walked together as a family in past years, and Sue has helped register participants every year. She has walked for at least 20 years, she said. She was going to try this year with daughter Sarah Hanssen, even though she had a bad knee.
A basket raffle and big-ticket raffle items were also part of the fundraiser, along with a “last number drawn” game and 50/50 drawing.
The Knights-Kaderli Fund got a big boost from an $8,500 donation from the Lizzy’s Love Fund, a charity in honor of the late Liz Monell-Higgins. The check represents the proceeds from a golf tournament they hold every July.
Pellicano said the walk raises between $15,000 and $20,000 each year. The record year was almost $30,000.
Donations to the Knights-Kaderli Fund can be made by logging onto the Knights-Kaderli website or by paying through Venmo or Paypal, or by sending a check to P.O. Box 684, Medina, 14103.
Six week-old Garrett Wolter was the youngest participant in the Knights-Kaderli Walk on Saturday. With him, from left, are his grandmas, Julie Wolter and Lynn Ambrose and mother Emma Wolter.
Kristin McAdoo, her son Justin and grandson Gracelynne Kujawa, 8, wait for the walk to start.
Luke Duffina, 13, grabs a bottle of water at the conclusion of the Knights-Kaderli Walk. He was the first person in overall. With him is Laura Albone, the first woman to complete the walk.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 September 2022 at 9:25 pm
File photo by Ginny Kropf: Walkers are off to start the 30th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run in October 2018. The course starts by the East Shelby firehall.
SHELBY – For more than three decades, the community has gathered for a walk/run to support patients living with cancer in Orleans County and their families.
The Knights-Kaderli Fund was formed when two families, whose loved one died from cancer, joined their fundraising efforts. The foundation was named in honor of Richard Knights and Susan Kaderli, both lifelong residents of Orleans County.
After being apart in 2020 due to Covid-19, the walk reconvened last year, although the pandemic forced organizers to pivot and make logistical changes to the event to keep participants safe, said Knights’ daughter, Stacey Knights Pellicano.
“This year we are happy to report we can again gather without restrictions for the 34th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk on Saturday,” Pellicano said. “We are returning to an untimed event, so registrants can participate at a leisurely walk with family and friends, or set their watches for a 5K run.”
The event this year will resemble the more casual family atmosphere of the walk’s earlier years, Pellicano said.
The event on Saturday will begin at 11 a.m. at East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall. Lunch will be served immediately following the race and guests may eat outside under the pavilion. Participants and the public are urged to be part of a big basket raffle.
“This is one of our major fundraisers for the year,” Pellicano said. “We look forward to being with all of our supporters. Those who have ever participated in our event understand the energy of that day. It gives us hope and unites participants. We know the community will show up to support their neighbors who are living with cancer. Cancer does not stop for a pandemic, and our neighbors need us, especially now as they fight their disease and are sometimes isolated from their own families to protect their health.”
The Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund is a 50l(c)3 tax-exempt organization run by a board of directors, which means there are no administrative costs. This allows 100 percent of money raised to be used to help cancer patients. Money raised is used for the benefit of Orleans County cancer patients. In addition to fundraising, money is raised by contributions made by individuals, organizations and memorials.
Funds thus far have assisted families with nutritional supplements and prescriptions, as well as medical supplies and bills and transportation costs.
For more information or financial assistance, contact Mary Zelazny at (585) 746-8455; Melissa Knights Bertrand at (716) 983-7932; or Stacey Knights Pellicano at (716) 998-0977.
Participants may register online (Click here for more information.) Donations may be made by logging online (click here) or Venmo @knightskaderli.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 September 2022 at 11:38 am
Jeff Smith also says revenue for farm should keep orchard in family for years to come
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jeff Smith, the Shelby town supervisor and owner of Ledge Rock Farms, is pictured at the farm with some of the bins on Wednesday. Smith has retired from active operation of the farm on Route 63 but he wants to keep the land in the family.
SHELBY – Jeff Smith, like many farmers in Orleans County, has a stack of solicitation offers from solar and wind energy companies looking to use his land for projects.
Smith never really considered solar. The panels would take up too much of his 100-acre orchard.
He also didn’t want several turbines scattered on the property.
He was intrigued by a proposal from Borrego Energy. The company, after initially wanting to construct four wind turbines on Smith family property, would like to put up two – one in an orchard owned by Jeff and his wife Char and their three grown children, and the other next door on land owned by Smith’s two sisters.
The project, when complete, would take up a half-acre and have the capacity to generate 8.4 megawatts of power.
The two turbines have been a contentious issue at recent Shelby Town Board meetings. Many residents say the two turbines, peaking at 633 feet high, would dramatically change the landscape, and nearby residents would suffer from shadow flicker, infrasound and possible impact to property values. Residents also are concerned the turbines could be destructive to birds and other wildlife.
Smith has recused himself from any voting and formal discussions about the project in board meetings.
Borrego Energy is planning for one of the two turbines near this deer fence about 2,000 feet from Route 63. In the background in this photo is Roberts Farm Market on Maple Ridge Road.
Speaking to the Orleans Hub on Wednesday, Smith said the family wouldn’t have been open to leasing land to Borrego without financial benefits to the community and without the power being available locally at a discount. Borrego said residents and businesses who sign up for a community wind program can get the electricity at a rate less than non-renewable energy providers.
“I feel very strongly we have to start doing something about our energy situation,” Smith said. “These things aren’t perfect but they are getting better. When Kennedy said we’re going to the moon, they didn’t roll out a rocket the next day.”
The taller turbines generate more power, so fewer of them are needed, Smith said.
The 75 wind turbines in the High Sheldon project in Wyoming County peak at about 400 feet, and they each have a capacity for 1.5 megawatts, about the third of the power that is proposed for the two turbines in Shelby.
The Smith family has been farming in Shelby since 1898. Jeff Smith said the revenue from the turbines should keep the land agriculture and in Smith control for years to come.
The farm along Route 63, just south of the Village of Medina, has been in the Smith family since 1898. Smith is the fourth generation to work the farm.
He said it is a challenging business, especially at 100 acres, which is a smaller orchard in today’s farm economics. Many years there are razor-thin margins, Smith said.
At 68, he opted to lease out the land this year to another fruit grower, Toussaint Farms in Ridgeway. Smith said he wanted less stress in his life and he knows Toussaint will do a good job with the Smith acreage.
Smith and his family have made big changes to the farm over the years. Cherries used to be the dominant crop on the farm but that changed when the tart cherry market dried up. Those trees were removed. Smith in the past 20 years has gradually shifted to a high-density orchard, with smaller apple trees supported in a trellis system.
It’s a lot of work planting and managing those trees – and expensive. Smith said he has tried to replace about 5 percent of the trees or 5 acres each year, at a cost of $20,000 per acre. The high-density orchards have 1,500 trees per acre with posts and wire.
The Smiths have had to sell off land before to keep the farm going. In another financial pinch, Smith worked as a teacher starting at age 46 and did that for 10 years as a middle school technology teacher in Medina from 2001 to 2011.
The revenue for two wind turbines gives the farm more security for the future, to help ensure the land stays farmland and in the family’s control.
Smith attended the Sept. 13 Town Board meeting, where several speakers opposed the turbines being so close to the village and altering the landscape in a dramatic way. Smith watched the meeting from a chair from the side of the room, away from the other Town Board members.
Smith, speaking on Wednesday, said he took issue with speakers who implied the board was “too dumb” and wasn’t qualified to review the environmental impacts of the project.
Smith said the board members have different backgrounds, and often disagree. They have an engineer and land use attorney to assist the town in reviewing the project.
Ryan Wilkins, the deputy town supervisor, said Smith has stayed out of conversations at the town hall about the project.
Jeff Smith said farming is challenging to keep viable, especially with a 100-acre orchard, which is smaller than most fruit operations these days. Smith left farming full-time from age 46 to 56 and worked as teacher, while trying to keep the farm going. Now at 68 he has retired from the farm’s active operation and leases the land to Toussaint Farms.
Smith joined the Town Board in April 2018. He was appointed councilman, filling a vacancy after the death of long-time councilman, Dale Stalker, in December 2017. About six months later he was appointed by the other board members to be town supervisor following the resignation of Ed Houseknecht on May 31, 2018. Smith was appointed on June 9, 2018.
Wilkins credits Smith for stepping up to be town supervisor when no other board members were willing to take on the job.
Smith said he hasn’t tried to steer a project to his family’s property in an improper role as a town official.
“It hurts that people think I’m trying to line my own pocket,” he said.
Smith said he was receiving many solicitations from wind and solar companies around the time he joined the board. He knows many other farmers in the county also have been inundated with similar requests.
Smith’s property is a near a three-phase electrical line, which is desirable for companies as a transmission line. The Smith land is also at a slight hill. He knows from his years of spraying the orchards that it’s breezy with gusts at the property.
“The wind always blows at our place,” he said.
He said he signed a letter of intent with Borrego in September 2019. In January 2020, there was a public hearing about a meteorological tower on his land. That 200-foot-high met tower was up about 18 months. It was removed in February 2022.
Wilkins said he looked through town minutes and there have been 13 meetings and three public hearings about the turbines and met tower.
“People say they feel this is something new and is being shoved down their throats,” he said. “But it’s been talked about and discussed.”
The minutes from prior meetings are available on the town website. Shelby also has been broadcasting its meetings live through YouTube. It started that in the early days of the Covid pandemic.
Wilkins, as deputy town supervisor, has been running the meetings when the turbines are discussed.
He said the board continues to gather information. It will discuss the environmental impact statement during the next meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11. He said the board isn’t in a rush to make a decision on that study, and the review of a site plan and whether Borrego will get a special use permit for the project.
“We’re not trying to sneak anything through,” Wilkins said. “We’re trying to get as much information as possible to make the best decision for the town.”
The spot in the orchard of Rome apples is the second of two turbines. Jeff Smith steered Borrego from more valuable apples in the orchard, such as Honeycrisp. The Rome apples are used by a processor in Quebec.
Shelby also would need to give the turbines a height variance. The town code caps the height at 500 feet. Wilkins said that regulation was enacted before the new generation of wind turbines at over 600 feet high.
Wilkins said the big benefit in the larger turbines is that fewer of them are needed. The two turbines proposed for Shelby would generate 8.4 megawatts. It would take six turbines from 10 years ago, at a 1.5 megawatt capacity, to be close to on par with the electricity from the taller turbines.
“The way they are going now is bigger and more efficient turbines , which take up less space,” Wilkins said.
He doesn’t expect Borrego will pursue more than two turbines because he said that electricity, along with an existing solar project in Ridgeway by Allis and Beals roads, would nearly maximize the capacity of a substation on Bates Road.
The town is in the early stages of talking with Borrego about a host community benefit package. Wilkins said he wants to use the numbers approved for Barre as a starting point in the discussion.
Apex Clean Energy agreed to $9,000 per megawatt for the local governments for the 184.8 megawatt Heritage Wind project in Barre.
The town gets $6,750 per megawatt annually as part of the deal with Apex or $1,247,400. With the PILOT, the county and Albion and Oakfield-Alabama school districts share $2,250 per megawatt or $415,800.
With those numbers, Shelby would get $56,700 annually ($6,750 multiplied by 8.4) with the Medina school district and the county sharing $18,900 annually ($2,250 multiplied by 8.4) in a PILOT.
Wilkins said other concessions could also be negotiated as part of a host community benefits package.
But he stressed those negotiations are just getting started.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2022 at 1:35 pm
Map from Community Energy Solar: The proposed 200 megawatt solar project in Barre and Shelby would be along Crane, Townline and Burns roads near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
BARRE – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today that the state has approved a 200 megawatt solar project in the towns of Barre and Shelby. Hemlock Ridge Solar covers about 2,000 acres with 80 percent in Barre and about 20 percent in Shelby.
The State Office of Renewable Energy issued siting permits to Community Energy’s Hemlock Ridge Solar, LLC and also a 120-megawatt project – Boralex’s Greens Corners Solar, LLC. The latter project is in the Towns of Hounsfield and Watertown in Jefferson County.
The permits from ORES are to develop, design, construct, operate, maintain and decommission two major solar energy facilities. These projects will bring a combined 320 megawatts of clean energy to New York homes and businesses and bring over $54 million to local economies, Hochul said.
“My administration has significantly accelerated our development of renewable energy since last year, and today we are further cementing our position as a leader in climate action,” Hochul said in a statement. “We will continue to follow through on our commitment to develop green energy throughout the state, and these projects bring us closer to surpassing our ambitious climate goals, creating well-paying green jobs, and creating a clean, healthy New York for future generations.”
Hemlock Ridge Solar will generate enough power for over 36,000 households and will offset 282,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year, Community Energy officials said. The project will go along Crane, Townline and Burns roads, about 5 miles southeast of Medina.
With today’s decision, ORES has now issued seven permits since 2021, with a majority of the decisions coming within six months of applications being deemed complete.
The Hemlock Ridge and Greens Corners solar facilities are expected to generate enough clean energy to power over 62,000 New York homes for at least 20 years and reduce carbon emissions by over 476,000 metric tons annually, Hochul said.
“New York is rapidly accelerating its development of large-scale renewable energy projects as part of our all-encompassing approach to transforming the state’s electricity grid,” said New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “The approval of these two projects – Greens Corner Solar and Hemlock Ridge Solar – is a major milestone in their journey towards commercial operation and demonstrates the productive engagement between project developers, local host governments, and community stakeholders to site these projects responsibly in support of the state’s clean energy targets.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2022 at 11:29 am
Shadow flicker, noise and impact on birds among concerns
Photos by Tom Rivers: Shelby residents Brian McCarty and Karen Jones spoke against two wind turbines that would peak at 633 feet along Route 63, south of the village of Medina. Jones said the town needs to do more rigorous environmental impact studies.
SHELBY – The Town Board heard from several residents that they don’t think an orchard on Route 63, just south of the Village of Medina, is a good spot for two wind turbines that would peak at 633 feet.
The turbines proposed by Borrego Solar System Inc. would alter the landscape visually, and also potentially harm residents with shadow flicker, noise, lower property values and other impacts, residents said. They also worry the turbines are in a major migratory bird path.
The Town Board was asked to hold off on approving an environmental impact assessment of the project until a more detailed analysis can be done. The board started going through that assessment on Tuesday night but tabled it after the meeting went on for three hours and neared 10 p.m.
Ryan Wilkins, the deputy town supervisor, said the town is going through the process and no decision has been made.
“We are going to get all the information we can and make the decision after that,” he said.
In the environmental assessment that will be reviewed by the town, Shelby officials will identify if there are any issues that warrant more study or information.
The board already said it wants more information on a water runoff plan and mitigation strategies. It wants to know how the towers would be anchored into the ground.
Dan Koneski said the two turbines are too big to be so close to the village and many other residential properties.
The assessment considers the project’s impact on the land, geological features, surface water, groundwater, flooding, air, plants and animals, agricultural resources, aesthetic resources, historic and archeological resources, open space and recreation, critical environmental areas, transportation, energy, noise, odor and light, human health, community plans and community character.
Shelby resident Wendi Pencille said the Town Board isn’t qualified to make those determinations, especially with the potential harm to human health. The shadow flicker, noise and vibrations can disrupt sleep, cognitive function and could lead to debilitating headaches and depression.
Sherman Gittens, the town engineer from the MRB Group, goes over the environmental impact assessment. That process will continue. “This is a continuing review,” he said.
Pencille said she doesn’t oppose wind energy but said the location of Route 63, on land owned by the Smith family, is not a good spot. (Town Supervisor Jeff Smith has recused himself from voting and discussions about the project because his family owns the land.)
“There are places where wind turbines will do less damage,” she said.
Resident Barbara Hoffman said the turbines would be an eyesore. She also fears the two turbines will lead to more turbines in the town and around the county. She said solar panels would be a better option for the land.
Resident Alana Koneski said the turbines at nearly 650 feet high are way out of scale, especially in populated areas near the village and Maple Ridge Road.
“Please consider all the neighbors out here,” she said.
Dan Koneski said the turbines in Wyoming county are about 400 feet high. The ones proposed for Shelby would be among the tallest in the country. He called the turbines “a nuisance.”
“You won’t be able to hear the deer with the swoosh, swoosh, swoosh all day long,” he said.
Jim Heminway, another resident, said the town has done a poor job of notifying the public about the proposed project. He compared that to when the Village of Medina had a vote to dissolve the village government in January 2015. In that case, the town paid for mailers and advertisements, urging people to oppose dissolution. The issue was voted down, 949 to 527.
Jim Heminway said the town hasn’t done enough to make people aware of the project.
“Many residents are not aware of this project and it impacts a lot of people,” Heminway said. “There is nothing built like it in New York State.”
Resident Karen Jones asked the town for a six-month moratorium on the environmental assessment to allow residents and experts more time to review the potential impacts.
She is concerned about the turbines’ impact on birds and wildlife, the shadow flicker for nearby residents,
She questioned the accuracy of Borrego’s report that put the flicker impact at 19 hours over a full year. She believes it will be longer.
Jones also said the turbines are close to the Shelby Earthworks, an ancient Indian Fort on Salt Works Road in Medina. The environmental assessment doesn’t mention this site in the report.
“I ask for a moratorium,” she said. “It is a moral imperative.”
Resident Craig Stalker faulted the Town Board for trying to fast track the project with little public input.
“This is a horrible location (for turbines),” he said. “It’s near a historic village on the main route to and from town.”
Linda Limina also asked for a six-month moratorium to give residents and the town officials more time “to educate themselves and be more aware of the project.”
Mike Zelazny doesn’t want to see good farmland lost to turbines and solar panels.
Resident Brian McCarty said it was “an absolute betrayal of trust” to consider the project in that area.
Anne Smith of Lakeshore Road in Yates has opposed a turbine project in Yates and Somerset. She said the two in Shelby is a different approach from wind energy companies. Rather than propose a larger project with 30 or more turbines, Borrego is going for two in Shelby. She sees that as a way to avoid a more through environmental study from the state. If Borrego is successful, she expects more developers will put up turbine projects, two or four a time.
“Those two turbines will develop into 2, 4, 6, 8 – 30,” she said. “The whole of Orleans County will be covered in wind turbines.”
She urged Shelby officials to do a survey of the town residents and property owners, gauging their opinions on the matter. She said Yates did three community surveys.
Mike Zelazny said he is concerned about the long-term effect not only of the turbines, but solar panels and batteries. He wonders how the units and equipment will be disposed. The projects seem to be targeted to rural communities.
“There are better places for it rather than residential communities and good farmland,” Zelazny said.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 August 2022 at 9:05 am
Benefit planned at fire hall on Aug. 13 for Joe Newton
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Ayriel George has issued an update on the condition of her father, Joe Newton of Medina, who remains in a rehab facility in Ohio. She holds a flyer promoting a benefit in his honor Aug. 13 at East Shelby Fire Hall.
EAST SHELBY – An East Shelby firefighter remains in rehab at a facility in Ohio, while support continues to grow for a fundraiser for the family, according to his daughter Ayriel George.
Joe Newton was hospitalized in March with necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating bacteria, which caused damage to all his organs. He underwent several surgical procedures and ended up on a ventilator. He was eventually transferred to a facility in Erie, Pa., the only one available which took patients on a ventilator, then was transferred to Andover, Ohio for further rehab, where he remains today.
He was close to being removed from the ventilator two weeks ago, until he had to be hospitalized for little more than a week when his wound became infected again. George said they have figured out the right antibiotic for him and are now working with him again to regain the momentum he lost while in the hospital. In an effort to get him off the ventilator.
George said she, her mother and her two boys visited him a few weeks ago.
“It was the first time my boys had seen their grandpa in more than four months, and I think they were a good dose of medicine for him,” George said.
George also shared an update on the benefit planned for him from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 13 at the East Shelby Fire Hall. Support for the event has been incredible, according to George.
Several large items have been donated for the raffle, including a patio set with a fire pit, a cooler filled with liquor, a griddle grill with accessories, a lottery tree and a television.
Anyone wishing to donate a basket can drop them off at the fire hall the day before the event between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Coffee and donuts will be served in the morning of the fundraiser and hot dogs and chips will be available during the afternoon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2022 at 5:06 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday voted in favor of two 633-foot-high turbines in Shelby.
Borrego Solar System Inc. is proposing the two turbines on South Gravel Road in an apple orchard owned by the Smith family. Town Supervisor Jeff Smith recently retired as an apple grower. His family’s property is proposed for the two turbines. He is recusing himself from any votes or official discussion about the project.
The County Planning Board recommended that Shelby approve a special use permit for the project and also OK the site plan.
The two turbines would each have a capacity to generate 5 megawatts of power. The turbines would disturb 11 acres of land. The turbines would peak at 633 feet in height, and that is from the ground to the top tip of the blade. The ground to the main hub is 363.7 feet with the blades at a total diameter of 479 feet. Because of the height of the turbines, they will need to be lighted for Federal Aviation Administration standards.
The project includes a 20-foot wide access road, and that road will need to cross a stream. A battery storage system isn’t part of the project.
Borrego, the project developer, plans to keep existing trees around the edge of the property to act as a noise and visual buffer. Borrego presented visual studies that show the turbines would be very prominent on Route 63, and also would be visible from the Oak Orchard Elementary School and Glenwood Avenue canal bridge near Main Street.
A shadow flicker study was conducted at 166 locations. Borrego said the maximum light flicker will be 19 hours, 34 minutes a year, or just over 3 minutes a day on average.
Borrego in a noise analysis report said the sound decibels will range from 28 to 43 dBA, which falls within the sound category for quiet rural nighttime to small town residence.
The County Planning Board recommended that Shelby submit the proposal to the U.S. Department of Interior for its review about whether the turbines pose a risk to migratory birds and bats. The project would be close to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
County planning officials said construction of the project would result in some traffic delays when the long blades are being delivered. Once the project is constructed, there will be minimal traffic to the site, planners said.
Hurley, a Gaines resident, first noticed the building in 2019 while driving past the site on Route 31A.
