Facebook

Shelby

Shelby residents share concerns over two 650-foot-high turbines on Route 63

Photos by Tom Rivers: Representatives for Borrego Solar System Inc. discuss the company’s proposal for two 650-foot-high turbines on South Gravel Road. David Strong is the senior project developer for Borrego and Lydia Lake is an engineer with Borrego. They are speaking during a public hearing Tuesday evening at the Shelby Town Hall.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2022 at 5:06 pm

SHELBY – Residents shared concerns that two proposed wind turbines, that would peak at 650 feet high from the top tip height, don’t fit in with a rural area and would be the beginning of more of the oversized structures for the town.

The Town of Shelby held a public hearing on Tuesday evening about a special use permit and the site plan for the turbines proposed by Borrego Solar System Inc. They are planned for 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.

Borrego already has completed a big energy project in Orleans County. in 2019 it developed an 8.5 megawatt solar project in the Town of Ridgeway on Allis and Beals roads on land owned by Ken Baker.

The two turbines were presented as a “community wind project” by David Strong, senior project developer for Borrego. He said the turbines could provide enough electricity for 2,000 homes. He said residents could be eligible for 10 percent off their electricity costs through the project.

Several residents spoke during the hearing, including from left: Kathy Colley, Karen Jones and David Reese.

Residents during a public hearing had many questions. Kathy Colley wondered where the parts for the turbines would be manufactured. She wants assurance the two turbines would be properly maintained for years to come. She worries the turbines would have a negative impact on the Oak Orchard River through vibrations.

Others shared concerns that Borrego is using the two turbines to get a foothold in the town, with a bigger project to come. The project, at 10 megawatts, is below the 25 megawatt minimum for a renewable energy project to obtain a siting permit from the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES).

“The two will turn into 20,” said David Reese. “It’s small little bites at the apple. It’sd a domino effect. We’re chipping away slowly of our backyard.”

Reese said the turbines will be disruptive with their enormous size on a rural landscape.

The two Vesta V150 turbines would have a capacity to generate 10 megawatts of power. The hub height is 393 feet with a rotor diameter of 493 feet. With shadow flicker, Borrego officials said in the worst-case scenario the residences and businesses along Maple Ridge Road, Salt Works Road and South Gravel Road will see 19 hours and 34 minutes of shadow flicker a year, or an average of just over 3 minutes a day.

Patti Bushover also is concerned the two-turbine project could lead to more. The public hearing was attended by about 50 people, but there were few younger adults in the room.

“There aren’t young people here,” Bushover said. “You guys are deciding the future and it’s not our future. It’s the future for the young people.”

About 50 people attended the public hearing about whether Borrego should be issued a special use permit and have the site plan approved.

Michael O’Keefe said he supports the project if it stays at two turbines and doesn’t lead to more. He said the community should do as much as it can to meet local energy needs and be less dependent on others.

Phil Keppler, a local beef farmer on South Gravel Road, said he supports the project but would like to see Borrego pay more than the $500,000 it is offering the community to provide more tax relief and help the town keep up with road maintenance.

Wendi Pencille sought clarification on that $500,000, whether it was a one-time payment or if it would be spread over the life of the project, an estimated 15 to 30 years. She also asked if the 10 percent discount on electricity would be based on electricity from renewable energy, which is billed at a higher rate. In that case, the residents might not see a reduction in their electric bills, Pencille said.

Ryan Wilkins, the deputy town supervisor, said Borrego would be responding to questions in writing and wouldn’t give answers during the public hearing.

Resident Jim Zelazny also said Borrego should be paying more to the community.  He said the Town of Sheldon in Wyoming County received $936,000 from the wind energy developer in 2018 for 112 megawatts of wind energy. That is about $8,300 per megawatt annually.

With Borrego, if the $500,000 is over 15 years that would be an average of about $33,000 a year or about $3,300 per megawatt annually, Zelazny said, advocating for more money for Shelby.

These residents also spoke during the hearing. They include Judy Smith, Michael O’Keefe and Wendi Pencille.

Judy Smith spoke during the hearing. The turbines would be on her family’s property. She said she has been to the Sheldon wind farms. The two in Shelby would be set farther back from the road than most in Sheldon, she said.

“After seeing it, I felt OK with it,” she said about seeing the Sheldon turbines. “It’s part of the solution, bringing power. Russia has every one over a barrel. I think this is part of the solution. It’s a way for us to be ourselves – to be free.”

Karen Jones of South Gravel Road said the turbines are out of scale for a rural area. She presented a model showing her home at 22 feet high, her barn at 70 feet in height and the turbines at more than 630 feet.

“This turbine will be visible from so much of Orleans County,” she said.

She also said Borrego may sell off the project to a different developer or operator. The company last month announced a sale of over 8.4 GW of solar and 6.4 GW/25 GWh of energy storage to ECP. Borrego officials said it is selling its development arm, including projects in the pipeline, but not the company itself.

“Who are dealing with?” Jones said.

Georgette Stockman also submitted a comment online during the hearing. She said the area has bald eagles and other wildlife with the refuge so close by. She worries the two turbines could be a menace to the eagles and wildlife.

“They are so out of character with a rural area,” she said about the turbines.

Village of Medina, Town of Shelby urge residents to sign up for notification system

Staff Reports Posted 14 June 2022 at 8:27 pm

MEDINA – The Village of Medina and Town of Shelby are urging their residents to sign up for a new emergency alert system for rapid notification of hazardous and urgent situations using a mix of telephone calls, text and email messages, and even TTY/TDD service for the hearing impaired.

Medina and Shelby contracted with Hyper-Reach to provide a mass emergency notification system designed specifically for public safety.  The municipalities expect to have the service fully operational by the end of June.

The system sends thousands of these messages to geographically targeted households in seconds, and can simultaneously deliver them to an even broader audience via social media, as well as sending broadcast messages to most current mobile telephones (made since 2011) in an affected area by providing access to FEMA’s Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system.

“Our job is to protect the citizens of the Village of Medina as effectively and cost-effectively as possible,” said Jess Marciano, trustee for the Village of Medina. “We reviewed all the major vendors for emergency notification service, and Hyper-Reach gave us everything we needed at half of the price of its competitors.  We’re really excited about this new capability.”

The Village plans to use the service primarily for alerts about hazards, criminal activity and missing persons. Community and weather alerts to VoIP phones, mobile phones, and email addresses are only included when people enroll.

Residents and people who work in the Village of Medina and Town of Shelby are encouraged to enroll now (using a village or town address) either by calling or texting “Alert” to (585)318-8831 or by going to this website.

Citizens can get emergency alerts via their Alexa-enabled smart speakers just by saying “Alexa, enable Hyper-Reach” and following the Alexa-provided instructions. With more than 50 million US households using Alexa devices, there are obviously hundreds of local residents with Alexa units.

Citizens can also download the Hyper-Reach Anywhere app on their smartphone.  Hyper-Reach Anywhere is a free smartphone app that allows individual citizens to manage and monitor the alerts they receive, both for their home and office addresses and for other addresses they care about such as those of elderly relatives or friends.

“We’re honored to have been selected by the Village of Medina NY and the Town of Shelby NY to provide their emergency alerts,” said Sam Asher, President of Hyper-Reach. “It’s gratifying to be part of an effort to save lives and protect property and we take that responsibility very seriously.”

The village is paying $2,600 and the town $1,300 for the community mass alert system.

About Hyper-Reach

Hyper-Reach (www.hyper-reach.com) is a mass notification system with over 15 years of experience in emergency messaging.  Hyper-Reach sends messages via automated telephone calls, text messaging (SMS), email, and social media, such as Twitter.  Other uses of Hyper-Reach include Amber alerts, toxic chemical warnings, and armed shooter alerts. In addition to 911 centers, Hyper-Reach is used by law enforcement, educational institutions and corporations.

Engineer’s report says local creek in Shelby can accommodate STAMP site

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2022 at 4:26 pm

SHELBY – An engineer’s report says discharges from the STAMP manufacturing site can be handled by Oak Orchard Creek, although some revisions are needed to protect from erosion near the outlet of a 24-inch pipe from STAMP to Oak Orchard Creek on Route 63.

Wendel, an engineering firm, did an independent review of designs and engineering from Clark Patterson Lee and JM Davidson Engineering, analyzing the plan for a force main project from the STAMP site about 8 miles north to Shelby.

Wendel reviewed the designs for having up to 6 million gallons of water discharged daily into the creek. The Genesee County Economic Development Center paid for the review, Shelby town officials said.

The GCEDC is having the force main designed and permitted for up to 6 million gallons of discharge into the creek. If STAMP needs more than 6 million, Shelby Town Supervisor Jeff Smith said the town should ask GCEDC and the state Department of Environmental Conservation to have additional analysis on the impact in Shelby on those discharges.

Wendel agrees with JM Davidson that STAMP discharges “will not have a noticeable impact on the 100-year elevations downstream nor will it have an impact on the stream velocity or water levels,” according to the Wendel report dated Feb. 22.

The Town Board accepted the report during its meeting on Thursday. Smith said the report should ease concerns from economic development officials that the water from STAMP could overtax the local creek and not leave much capacity for other businesses that may come to Shelby in the future.

Wendel did say the current design should be improved to better mitigate erosion where the force main discharges into Oak Orchard Creek. Wendel said there should be more stone protection to help prevent erosion. The current design is too thin with rip-rap, Wendel said.

The firm also said more detail is needed in the design of the outlet structure’s shape in determining the flow characteristics exiting the outlet. And, Wendel said, there is an existing ditch near where the force main will send water. The engineers should explain how the discharges could impact water flows to that ditch.

Shelby approves demolition of ‘unsafe’ house on 63

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2022 at 1:43 pm

SHELBY – The Town Board approved demolition of an abandoned house at 5063 South Gravel Rd., next to the Oak Orchard Creek.

The house on Route 63 is “unsafe and dangerous” and the owner has not responded to notices from the town, said Code Enforcement Officer Dan Wolfe. The building cannot be safely repaired, he said during a Town Board meeting on Thursday.

Shelby officials will attempt to work with the highway department to knock down the structure and have those materials buried onsite. Or the building could be used for a training exercise by the fire department, Wolfe said.

He will try to get the structure removed in the cheapest way possible. Those expenses will then be put on the tax bill for the property.

Wolfe said he is making a push to focus on property maintenance violations around town, especially “junk properties” that are an eyesore and a blight for neighbors.

In his 13 years as the town’s code enforcement officer, Wolfe said Shelby has gone through the process of having four or five houses removed due to an unsafe condition.

In other action, the Town Board:

• Approved a $3,000 raise for Town Clerk Darlene Rich to set her base salary at $37,827, despite objections from Councilman Ryan Wilkins. Rich hasn’t received a raise in two-plus years, like other elected officials.

Wilkins said the town should treat all elected officials the same and not give raises to some and not others.

The other board members – Supervisor Jeff Smith, and council members John Pratt, Ed Zelazny and Steve Seitz – approved the raise for Rich. She recently came off the town’s health insurance policy.

• Appointed Dorothy Nolan as deputy town clerk and Lori Myhill as water clerk.

• Approved spending $1,300 to be part of an emergency notification system with the Village of Medina and Town of Ridgeway. That system will allow residents who sign up to be notified by text, email or phone calls of road closures, watermain breaks and other pressing matters.

East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company honors outstanding members during annual banquet

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 March 2022 at 8:12 pm

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Dennis MacDonald was named Firefighter of the Year by East Shelby Fire Chief Debbie Taylor at their installation banquet on Saturday night.

EAST SHELBY – Members and officers of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company were happy to be back to normal after dealing with two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, they announced at their Installation of Officers Banquet Saturday night.

Firefighters and guests packed the fire company recreation hall for dinner, installation of officers, recognition of firefighters and entertainment.

Dave Green was master of ceremonies for the evening, which began with a welcome from Fire Company President Mike Fuller and Ladies Auxiliary President Bronwyn Green. It was noted the fire company is 69 years old this year.

Mike Fuller, right, presents the President’s Award to Devin Taylor at the East Shelby Firemen’s Banquet Saturday night.

The loss of three members during the past year was acknowledged. They are Herb Oberther Sr., Jim Newton and Laverne “Jiggs” Green, who was one of the 13 original members of the fire company.

After introduction of guests, new fire company officers were sworn in by Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick. They are president, Mike Fuller; vice president, Joe Newton; secretary, Karen Bracey; treasurer, Allen Turner; trustees, Ken Printup, Norm Behrend, Gordon Reigle and Alan Lonnen; steward, Dave Green; chief, Debbie Taylor; 1st assistant chief, Devin Taylor; 2nd assistant chief, Andy Beach; 3rd assistant chief, Dennis MacDonald; captain, Jeff Taylor; lieutenant, Mike Hinkley; fire police chief, Laura Fields; EMS officers, Sue Berend and Mike Fuller; and safety/training officer, Todd Ralph.

Officers of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company are sworn in by Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick Saturday night at East Shelby Firemen’s Recreation Hall.

Officers of the Ladies Auxiliary sworn in by Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon are president, Bronwyn Green; vice president, Debbie Green; secretary, Sawyer Green; treasurer, Sharlene Pratt; co-chaplains, Rose Allen and Carol Lonnen; and trustees, Cassidy Oliver (three years); Shirley Printup (two years); and Sue Green (one year). Jessie Green is Sunshine chair and Wanda Dingman is historian.

Mike Fuller chose Devin Taylor as recipient of his President’s Award. Fuller said Taylor was a person who helps him day to day whenever he needs help.

As a captain of the EMS program, Fuller also shared what a challenge it has been during the Covid pandemic to do the required training while still meeting Department of Health protocol. He said EMS personnel are required to be re-certified every three years. He said this was a challenge because of the number of hours required. When he started in 1986, it took about 80 hours to become and EMT, and now the requirement is 180. Fuller acknowledged the work by instructors Norm and Sue Behrend.

Debbie Taylor, Orleans’s County’s first woman to serve as fire chief, hugs her husband Jeff after presenting him with the Chief’s Award at the East Shelby Firehall Saturday night.

Debbie Taylor and Fuller handed out certificates for years of service to Gretchen Carr, Nathan London and Shawn Perkins, five years; Brian Zinkievich, 10 years; Katie Crooks, 20 years; Walter Dingman, 30 years; Scott Green and Joe Newton, 35 years; and Jeff Green, 40 years.

Debbie Taylor said she didn’t have to do much thinking when making her choice for the Chief’s Award.

“This person supported me in my run for chief and is always there for me, whether it’s cleaning up a truck or doing an errand at home,” she said.

Her award went to her husband Jeff. Debbie also noted he has bragging rights that he is the only man in the county whose wife is a fire chief.

Awards continued with Debbie naming Dennis MacDonald as Firefighter of the Year.

“You can always depend on him and he is dedicated to the fire company,” she said. “He always shows up for a work detail or to help a crew.”

Dave Green hugs Sue Green after presenting her with the Steward’s Award.

The Steward’s Award was presented by Dave Green to Sue Green. Sue is always willing to help the fire company and is known for her baked goods.

Carol Lonnen, center, receives a gift from East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary vice president Debbie Green, left, and president Bronwyn Green for her four years of service as Auxiliary treasurer.

As president of the Ladies Auxiliary, Bronwyn Green acknowledged Carol Lonnen as the Auxiliary’s only outgoing officer. Lonnen has been treasurer for four years, and was very supportive of Bronwyn when she became president.

In return, Lonnen commended Bronwyn for her ingenuity in coming up with creative ways to raise money for the Auxiliary when the pandemic shut down all fundraisers. Brownyn came up with the idea for an online basket raffle, which turned out to be very successful and helped raise cash which the Auxiliary donates every year to the fire company. This year

Bronwyn presented a check for $5,000 to Fuller and Debbie Taylor.

From left, East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company president Mike Fuller and chief Debbie Taylor are presented with a check for $5,000 from Auxiliary president Bronwyn Green at their banquet Saturday night.

The East Shelby Firemen’s Auxiliary officers greet the audience after being sworn in by Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon. From left are Carol Lonnen, chaplain; Bronwyn Green, president; Debbie Green, vice president; Sawyer Green, secretary; Sharlene Pratt, treasurer; Rose Allen, chaplain; and Sue Green and Cassidy Oliver, trustees.

Auxiliary members were also presented with service awards for years of service, as follows:

Mary Lonnen, five years; Sharlene Pratt, 10 years; Mindy Kenward and Carol Lonnen, 15 years; Meaghan Boice-Green, 20 years; Becky Fruehauf, 20 years; Shirley Printup, 25 years; and Sue Squires, 30 years.

Bronwyn chose Shirley Printup as recipient of her President’s Award.

“You are always able to count on her,” Bronwyn said. “She has been a hard worker for the fire company for 25 years. She started the craft fair the year she joined and has chaired the show and gun raffle. She has given up timeless knowledge, respect and friendship.”

The evening concluded with a performance by juggler and entertainer Nels Ross.

Job Corps names Career Transition Readiness instructor as employee of the year

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 January 2022 at 11:56 am

Photo courtesy of Iroquois Job Corps: Dennis Essom, left, Iroquois Job Corps Center director, and Luke Kantor, Center manager, pose with Christi Horanburg, Career Transition Readiness instructor, who was recognized as Employee of the Year for 2021.

MEDINA – The Iroquois Job Corps Center manager Education and Training Resources has announced that Christi Horanburg, Career Transition Readiness instructor, has been chosen as the Center Director’s Employee of the Year for 2021.

According to Center Director Dennis Essom, Horanburg has been a key staff member at Iroquois Job Corps Center for the past 8 1/2 years. Her role in the program is to work with their young adults to ensure they have the career transition readiness skills that will assist them in future pursuits of employment.

“Teaching our students about career success standards, core values of ETR, assisting with resume writing, job searches, relocation efforts for apartment finding, tutoring/assistance for ASVAB military testing and placements and promotion of Job Corps Advanced Trade opportunities are just a few of her many tasks here at the Iroquois Job Corps Center,” Essom said. “Ms. Horanburg’s classroom is in many ways a final step for our graduates to get ready for life after the program. Countless numbers of students have benefited into their early careers due to her dedication, hard work and perseverance.”

The Iroquois Job Corps located south of Medina is a federally funded vocational and academic training program. At Job Corps, young adults between the ages of 16 to 24 work on bettering themselves through career technical training and high school equivalency programs.

“Our residential, college style center allows students to live on campus and take advantage of meals, recreation activities, clubs and organizations, leadership opportunities, drivers’ education programs, work-based learning internships and more at no cost to eligible students,” Essom added.

After shutting down due to the pandemic, Essom said Iroquois Job Corps is now open for business. Having been approved for traditional enrollment, they are starting to bring back students for normal classes.

More information about the Job Corps program can be found by clicking here or by calling the Center at (585) 344-6700.

Shelby Volunteer Fire Company installs leaders for new year

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 January 2022 at 3:11 pm

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Shelby Fire Company president Tim Petry, left, presents a plaque to David Moden after announcing he was the recipient of the President’s Award at the Shelby Fire Company banquet.

SHELBY – The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company welcomed members and guests to their banquet Saturday night at the Shelby Fire Hall.

Tiffany Petry was recipient of the Chief’s Award by Jason Watts at the Shelby Fire Department’s banquet. They are holding a plaque which would have been given to last year’s recipient Rob Schaal, who was not at the banquet. Because of Covid, a banquet didn’t take place last year. Petry’s plaque had not yet been received.

Master of ceremonies Dale Watts introduced special guests, which included members of area fire companies, Orleans County Emergency Management Coordinator Dale Banker and his wife Eileen; Sheriff Chris Bourke and wife Suzanne; Andrew Pilecki, director of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York and his wife; State Senator Rob Ortt and his wife Meghan; Assemblyman Mike Norris; and town of Shelby officials.

Stefano Napolitano, Deputy State Fire Administrator, administered the oath of office to 2022 Shelby firefighters. Executive board officers are president, Tim Petry; vice president, John Palmer; treasurer, Kirk Myhill; secretary, Tiffany Petry; sergeant-at-arms, Dale Watts; chaplain, Karl Haist Jr.; assistant chaplain, Phil Keppler; and steward, Dawn Petry.

Trustees are Joe Kyle, three years; Gary Lamar, two years; and Andy Benz, one year.

Firematic officers are chief, Jason Watts; deputy chief, David Moden; assistant chief, Scott Petry; firematic captain, Zach Petry; firematic lieutenant, Crystal Luckman; and EMS captain, Tiffany Petry.

New officers of the Ladies Auxiliary were installed by Town Justice Dawn Keppler. They are president, Elaine Watts; vice president, Patricia Fuller; secretary, Robin Watts; treasurer, Lori Myhill; chaplain, Marion Fry; three-year trustee, Mary Herbert; two year trustee, Kali James; and one-year trustee, Delores Wolters.

Tim Petry led off the awards program by naming David Moden as recipient of his President’s Award.

“I could have chosen many people for this award, including Howard Watts and David Moden,” Petry said. “Many of them helped at our events, but the individual I chose has helped me and the entire fire company in many ways.”

Jason Watts named Tiffany Petry “Firefighter of the Year.” She received her own flashlight and will receive a wooden plaque with her name on it when it arrives.

Brian Napolitano, standing at right, administers the oath of office to 2022 officers of the Shelby Fire Company at their banquet Saturday night.

Watts commended many people who helped the fire company achieve its goals in 2021, including the major purchase of the department’s first ladder truck.

“I never through I would see that happen,” Watts said.

Those responsible included Jeff Lyons, Tiffany Petry and Gary Lamar. Other accomplishments were the purchase of an autopulse (CPR) device and replacing 1,800 feet of hose, purchase of eight sets of turnout gear with a grant from the Gary Sinese Foundation; acquiring grain bin rescue equipment and rope rescue equipment.

He said the fire department fell five short of reaching an unprecedented 300 calls for the year. He praised firefighters who completed various training courses and recognized Scott and Zach Petry for taking care of the apparatus. He said Crystal Luckman, a firematic lieutenant, kept them on track.

Dawn Keppler swears in new officers for the Shelby Ladies Auxiliary on Saturday night.

Because of Covid, a banquet was not held last year, but they would have recognized Rob Schaal as Fireman of the Year. His award was presented Saturday night, although he was not in attendance to receive it.

Pat Fuller, past president of the Ladies Auxiliary, said they are looking forward to 2022. She said the Auxiliary welcomed five new members during the year. She presented awards to Elaine Watts, vice president and purchasing agent; and Marion Fry, who worked on many committees.

Three outgoing officers were recognized – Jim Wade, trustee; Jeff Lyons, EMS captain; and Lee Hellert who passed away in 2021.

Pat Fuller, center, past president of the Shelby Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary, recognized Elaine Watts, left, and Marion Fry for their dedication and service.

Two individuals were honored as Friends of the Fire Company. Kevin Bogan with Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home was recognized for supporting the fire company by paying for tickets for all their events. Erving Stauffer, who owns Lakeview Storage Sheds in Lyndonville, was recognized for always being ready to do any projects the fire company needs done and for giving them a break on the price of a shed they are raffling off. The drawing for the shed will be on Mother’s Day and tickets can be purchased from firefighters any Tuesday they are at the fire hall or by calling Petry at (585) 590-6713.

Two members received special recognition for 50 years as a firefighter. Joe Lewandowski, who was not in attendance, and Gary Lamar received a plaque and citations from Senator Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Mike Norris, Legislator Bill Eick on behalf of the Orleans County legislature, Steve Seitz on behalf of the town of Shelby and Andrew Pilecki from FASNY.

Lamar said he started as a firefighter in his teens at Lewiston II, then moved to Sanborn. When he moved to Medina, he attempted to join the Medina Fire Department, but they weren’t accepting call men at the time. When someone suggested he join Shelby, he said he didn’t even know where Shelby was.

Petry announced he had one more presentation for Lamar and called his family to the front of the room, where he was given a wooden flag bearing the insignia for Lewiston, Sanborn and Shelby.

Tim Petry, president of Shelby Fire Company, congratulates Gary Lamar for 50 years of membership in the fire company. Looking on is Fire Chief Jason Watts.

The family of Gary Lamar pose with him and the plaque he received for 50 years as a firefighter at the Shelby Fire Company banquet Saturday night. From left are daughter-in-law Olivia Lamar, son Mike Lamar(in back), grandsons Nicholas and Benjamin Lamar, wife Pam Lamar, Gary, daughter Melissa and fire company president Tim Petry.

Shelby town clerk’s office will be closed Dec. 22-Dec. 27

Posted 20 December 2021 at 3:03 pm

Press Release, Shelby Town Clerk Darlene Rich

SHELBY – Due to staffing issues because of Covid, the Town of Shelby Clerk’s Office will be closed on Wednesday (December 22) and Thursday (December 23).

There is a drop box by the front door that can be used for your convenience. We will also be closed for the Christmas holiday on Friday (December 24) and Monday (December 27).

The office will open on Tuesday, December 28. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Shelby Town Hall will reopen on Monday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2021 at 4:30 pm

SHELBY – The Town Hall including the court will reopen to the public on Monday after being closed since late Tuesday afternoon following a electrical fire and power outage.

Town Supervisor Jeff Smith said the town offices have been sanitized after the electricity was restored late Thursday.

“We would like to thank the Shelby Fire Company and National Grid for their quick response on Tuesday,” he said. “We were fortunate to get all workers safely out of the building.”

The main three-phase power feed to the building became compromised and the wires burned apart, Smith said.

“This is a very unusual occurrence, which leaves us very happy we did not have any injuries or a major fire,” he said.

He commended Modern Electric from Lockport, Highway Department Superintendent Dale Root and employees Rusty Hoffmeister and Jeremy Beatty for going “above and beyond to get power restored.”

Power restored, but Shelby Town Hall closed again Friday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 December 2021 at 9:21 pm

SHELBY – The Shelby Town Hall will be closed for the third straight day on Friday. Power has been restored to site but a smoky smell needs to be cleared out, said Jeff Smith, the town supervisor.

The building has been closed to the public since Wednesday after an electrical fire on Tuesday afternoon. Smith said he expects the building will be open on Monday.

Community welcome for old-fashioned Christmas on Sunday at East Shelby church

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 December 2021 at 8:10 am

Provided photo: Erik Olsen, pastor of East Shelby Community Bible Church, leads the choir in singing Christmas carols at a previous Old Fashioned Christmas celebration at West Jackson corners, the miniature village created by the church on East Shelby Road.

EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Community Bible Church will again host its annual Old Fashioned Christmas on Sunday at the church at 5278 East Shelby Rd.

The event, from noon to 5 p.m., will feature old-time Christmas traditions and activities at the church and in the miniature village of West Jackson Corners.

There will be crafts for children, swags for mom, cookies for dad and dancing for everyone’s entertainment. The Band of Renown will present a Christmas concert at noon, and the choir will sing in the village and in the church.

Visitors are invited to see the new barn and the extra-large manger scene. There will be an opportunity to make a candle, catch a ride on the drawn wagon, make a swag to take home, string popcorn and visit Mrs. Claus upstairs in the parsonage.

Santa will arrive at 4 p.m.

The pastor and congregation invite everyone to come to West Jackson Corners on Sunday and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way.

There is no charge to attend this celebration which takes visitors back to a bygone era.

Christmas Bird Count will be Dec. 28 at Oak Orchard Swamp

Photos courtesy of Celeste Morien: A Tufted Titmouse was spotted at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Posted 7 December 2021 at 4:08 pm

Press Release, Celeste Morien, count compiler for Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count

SHELBY – It’s close to that time again for the Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count.

The count began in December 1968. The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring Christmas Bird Counts for 121 years and the Friends of Iroquois NWR, Inc. provide support for this local count.

Count compiler and Medina resident Celeste Morien would like the public to be alert for counters with spotting scopes and binoculars who will be out and about Dec. 28 on local roads, searching for birds in fields and at bird feeders.

Filling bird feeders now and keeping them stocked ahead of the count helps fulfill the count objective of counting all wild birds seen and heard within the circle! Our Oak Orchard Swamp count is centered at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on the Orleans and Genesee County line at Route 63. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, which includes more than the refuge and state wildlife areas, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.

According to the Audubon website, “Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas “Side Hunt.” They would choose sides and go afield with their guns—whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition—a “Christmas Bird Census” that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

So began the Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of Chapman and the enthusiasm of 27 dedicated birders, 25 Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America.

From Dec. 14 through Jan. 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.

The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

The long term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well.

If your home is within the circle and you are at home on count day, you can report the birds that visit your feeders. To do so, please contact celeste.morien@gmail.com.

Please consider donating to the Christmas Count here since the Audubon Society no longer collects fees from each participant. Click here for more information.

For past results of any Christmas Bird Count, the National Audubon Society website is an excellent resource. Click here for more information.

A Song Sparrow blends in with the surroundings at the wildlife refuge. Last year there were 20,843 birds counted in 73 species.

American Legion donates to Warrior House

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 December 2021 at 8:42 am

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina made a donation to the Warrior House on Saturday. Here, Dave Morien presents a check to Warrior House owner Pete Zeliff as Jim Wells, left, and Legion commander Glen Whitmore at right look on.

MEDINA – The Butts-Clark American Legion Post on Saturday gave out the last donation from its raffle held throughout the spring and summer.

The first of the profits given out over a month ago was $2,500 to the winner of the raffle. The remaining $1,000 was divided between the Legion to help with expenses and the Warrior House on Salt Works Road, a retreat for veterans.

Legion members Jim Wells, Dave Morien and Commander Glen Whitmore presented Warrior House owner Pete Zeliff with a check for $500 on Saturday morning.

“We had hoped for a larger amount, but everything helps,” Whitmore said.

Zeliff said every donation is appreciated, especially as the Warrior House didn’t do any fundraising last year due to Covid.

“We are blessed with people like this who step up to support us and keep us going,” Zeliff said.

The Warrior House is an unused farmhouse on Zeliff’s property on Salt Works Road, which he has donated as a weekend retreat for veterans, who spend weekends there while enjoying hunting excursions. All expenses are paid, including food, for the veterans.