(UPDATED: Town Court scheduled for March 18 has been cancelled.)
YATES – Due to the rapid escalation of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Yates Town Hall offices are closed to the public until further notice.
The Yates Town Clerk and the Town Supervisor will be available by appointment at (585) 727-0209 or (716) 946-2075, respectively.
Town Court, including the session for March 18, is cancelled until further notice.
Please deposit necessary documents in the drop box located at the front of the building in the south door. Include your name and phone number so we can contact you if necessary.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2020 at 10:55 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Hillary Ingalls, left, and Kim Hodon, waitresses at Sam’s Diner in Holley, said they rely on their tips and worry with the shift to take-out only for restaurants. They also said many of their customers are like family and not having the dine-in option will be hard on many of the residents.
Restaurants and bars won’t be serving customers on premises, effective at 8 p.m. today.
Gov. Cuomo said the directive is needed to help fight the spread of the coronavirus. Friday the governor announced that restaurants can have up to 50 people or be no more than half full. Today came more stringent news, than dining on premises is now not permitted until the threat of the coronavirus passes.
“It’s going to be a tough road for everybody,” said George Gitsis, owner of Sam’s Diner in Holley.
He hopes the pandemic threat is over quickly and businesses and residents can get back to life as normal.
“The main thing is we have to get through this as a country,” Gitsis said this evening, not long before dining area would be closed temporarily to the public. “It’s changing so quickly.”
Natalie Galletto, a waitress at the Village House in Albion, holds take-outs orders at the restaurant on Route 31 this evening at about 7:30 p.m. After 8 p.m. today restaurants and bars are no longer allowed to serve patrons on premises until after the coronavirus health emergency passes.
Sam’s will remain open with take-outs.
Kim Hodom has worked as a waitress at Sam’s for 20 years, since she was a junior in high school.
“We’re extremely nervous,” she said about the impact on the business. “I live off my tips.”
The diner is popular with many residents in the community as a social gathering place. She worries about customers who come in frequently to see their friends.
The Village House in Albion is another popular local diner, where some customers come in daily, often two or three times a day.
The Village House also will transition to take-outs on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day, and will have a special of corned beef and cabbage.
Natalie Galletto has worked as a waitress at The Village House for 12 years. She feels the anxiety among her co-workers and customers.
“It’s a sad situation,” she said. “We’re going to think positive and get through it. No one has ever dealt with this before.”
The New York State Restaurant Association is urging Gov. Cuomo to help the industry to prevent restaurants from going out of business. One way would be delaying restaurants quarterly sales tax payment.
Melissa Fleischut, president & CEO of the NYS Restaurant Association, wrote a letter to governor on March 12 asking for some concessions and intervention for the industry.
“We need your assistance during this ongoing COVID-19 crisis,” she wrote to Cuomo. “We applaud the proactive steps you and your administration have taken in the face of this growing crisis, and we firmly agree that the health and safety of our employees is the number one priority.”
Brick-and-mortar small businesses are struggling to make ends meet, and face an “inevitable downtown” with the government’s restrictions.
“We are asking the state to develop a program to provide the hospitality industry in the state with some relief as they weather this impossible situation,” Fleischut said.
Some of the organizations suggestions include:
• The state should extend the window for restaurants to make payments on COVID-19-related costs they are incurring, including paid sick leave;
• Extend the terms of payments to alcohol distributors from 60 to 90 days;
• Enact a 90-day extension on paying monthly sales tax;
• Make available no interest loans to those who have seen a dramatic decrease in business;
• Eliminate penalties for late payment of business and property taxes.
• Educate the public about how it is safe for patrons to continue to go about their normal business and to patronize their local community brick-and-mortar restaurants and bars.
“We cannot overstate how many restaurants are facing a dire future right now,” Fleischut said. “We want to stay open and keep employees on the payroll, but for some that will not be possible if this pandemic, and the associated quarantines, continue for even the next month.”
Police chief wants to reduce officers’ potential exposure to virus
Press Release, Roland D. Nenni III Chief of Police for Albion and Holley Police Departments
The Albion and Holley Police Departments are changing some of our operations as how we normally function because of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. As per the guidelines being implemented by the Center for Disease Control and other federal, state and local authorities, the Albion and Holley Police Departments have taken steps to reduce officers’ exposure to the Covid-19 Coronavirus.
These steps are as follows:
• The Albion and Holley police stations’ administrative offices are closed until further notice. Only police officers and other essential persons will be allowed inside the stations.
Officers can be contacted through the County Dispatch by calling 585-589-5527 or in an emergency by calling 911.
For administrative needs, call the Albion PD at (585) 589-5627, and the Holley PD at (585) 638-5308
• Non-essential administrative support personnel will be in the offices to answer the phones on an intermittent basis.
• Officers responding to calls for service that are not priority police calls may utilize phone contact rather than appearing in person.
• Officers may, if the call for service warrants, ask persons to speak with officers outside rather than indoors or in close proximity.
These steps are being taken to reduce officer exposure so there isn’t a greater disruption to police service.
The Albion and Holley Police Departments are making sure that our response to calls for service for the protection of life remains at the highest level and is not jeopardized by the steps indicated above.
These operational changes will remain in effect until further notice is given.
We ask that citizens understand our frustration during this difficult time and we hope to resume normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
Dollar General, which operates four stores in Orleans County, announced that all of its stores across the country will dedicate the first hour of shopping each day for senior citizens only.
Dollar General’s local stores open at 8 a.m. Dollar General made the change in response to the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Dollar General wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods.
Additionally, all stores plan to close one hour earlier than current close times to allow employees to clean and re-stock store shelves, as well as for their health and wellbeing.
“In keeping with our mission and our ongoing commitment to serve our communities, we are dedicating the first hour of each day to seniors,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General CEO. “We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign on the front door of the Holley Elementary School this evening tells students to stay out the building. The school was open for a Board of Education meeting and also for parents or guardians to pick up schoolwork for students the next three weeks.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed an executive order directing all schools in New York to close by Wednesday, March 18, for two weeks ending April 1.
At that time, the state will reassess whether to extend the school closures further and continue to suspend the 180-day instructional requirement. Schools that exceed the closure period without state authorization will not be exempted from the 180-day rule.
This action will ensure consistency and uniformity across the state in instructional time for this extraordinary school year.
“The single most effective way to slow the spread of this virus is to reduce close contacts, and that includes in our schools,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am directing the closure of all schools throughout the state for two weeks as we continue working aggressively to ramp up testing, isolate those who are sick and mitigate the impacts of this virus. Every district will be required to submit a plan to ensure children of healthcare workers and first responders have access to child care so these closures do not strain our hospitals and that children who depend on school meal programs continue getting the support they need.”
School districts will be required to develop a plan for alternative instructional options, including distance learning; distribution and availability of meals; and daycare, with an emphasis on children of parents of first responders and healthcare workers. Those plans must be submitted to the State Education Department, who can amend or modify those plans in consultation with the State Department of Health and the Office of Children and Family Services at any time.
HOLLEY – In cooperation with the Governor’s directive and what we feel is in the best interest of our community and our staff, we are closing our village offices to the public.
Our critical staff will still be reporting to work providing necessary services. Any payments can be made by using the drop box located on the front of the Village Office Building or through online. (See the village’s website for directions: www.villageofholley.org).
We regret having to do this, but do feel this precautionary measure is necessary. If there are any questions or concerns, call the Village Office at 585-638-6367.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2020 at 8:06 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order today, pushing back the village election scheduled for March 18 to April 28.
Albion, Lyndonville and Medina all were planning on elections this Wednesday. The change was made in response to concerns about the coronavirus.
The new date also aligns with the upcoming presidential primary in New York.
In an effort to keep New Yorkers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today issued an executive order delaying village elections statewide until the April 28 primary election.
“Our top priority has been keeping New Yorkers safe and stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus,” Governor Cuomo said. “Public health officials have been clear that reducing density is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread, and delaying village elections will help ensure poll workers and voters are not potentially exposed to the virus and at the same time maintain integrity in our election system.”
CLARENDON – Due to the rapidly escalation of the COVID-19, coronarvirus, the Clarendon Town Offices, Court and Highway Department will be closed to the public until further notice. At this point, the Town Court intends to resume April 30.
Offices will continue to operate but will restrict exposure in order to provide essential government services. If you have questions you may email us or call the appropriate office.
Please deposit any necessary payments/documents in the drop box, located to the west of the Town Clerk Office door. Include your name and phone number so we can contact you if necessary.
We regret this decision. In the best interest of our community it has become necessary to help prevent the spread of the virus. This is a routine precautionary measure and not a cause for panic. Thank you.
A skateboarder does a trick off a ramp at the skate park on Sunday.
MEDINA – The Medina Skate Society raised about $1,600 on Sunday with a meat raffle and special event at Butts Park in medina, where the Skate Society wants to upgrade the equipment for skateboarders.
Alex Feig, president of the Skate Society, estimated about 40-60 people stopped by for the two-hour event.
The Skate Society is pushing to raise money as part of a matching grant. Medina has been awarded up to $250,000 from the Tony Hawk & Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundations. Medina had $202,000 raised locally before Sunday’s event.
The Village of Medina will be building a new public concrete skate park over the next year thanks to a pair of area donors who wish to remain anonymous, Feig said.
The grant deadline is March 30 at which point every dollar that has been raised will be doubled and the Village of Medina could have $500,000 to build a skate park, which will be used by skateboarders, bikers, scooters and in-line skaters as well as be an architectural work of art, Feig said.
The skate park is anticipated to be a new hub of activity for families, organizations and even radical skateboarding tourists from far and wide.
The Skate Society is requesting $2,500 contributions each from the Village of Medina, towns of Shelby and Ridgeway and Orleans County.
The Skate Society wants to name the new skate park in memory of Luke Nelson, who passed away unexpectedly in April 2017. “Luke’s passion to fix his beloved skate park has inspired family, friends and community members to love and appreciate their local skating scene and skate park,” Feig said.
KENDALL – Due to the rapidly escalation of the COVID-19, coronarvirus, the Kendall Town Hall and highway department offices will be closed to the public.
The Kendall town clerk will be available by appointment only. Please phone (585) 659-8721 or email: clerk@townofkendall.com.
Town meetings will temporarily be closed to the public as permitted by Governor Cuomo’s executive order 202, which modifies the rules of open meetings.
Please deposit any necessary documents in the drop box, located by the front door. Include your name and phone number so we can contact you if necessary.
We regret this decision. In the best interest of our community it has become necessary to help prevent the spread of the virus. This is a routine precautionary measure and not a cause for panic.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2020 at 1:17 pm
(UPDATED: The election was moved back to April 28.)
ALBION – Village of Albion offices are closed to the public until further notice, Mayor Eileen Banker said.
Any payments can be made by using the drop box located on the front of the Village Office Building. Please put any payments in an envelope with a name and phone number. If there are any questions or concerns, call the Village Hall at 585-589-9176.
Payments can also be made online. (Click here for the village’s website.)
As of today, the Village election for two trustee positions will continue as scheduled for March 18.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2020 at 12:29 pm
Local municipalities and some utilities have agreed to suspend all collections-related activities due to the coronavirus pandemic, Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said.
The suspension of activities, including service disconnections, is being implemented to lessen any financial hardship experienced by customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following have agreed to suspend collections-related activities:
Utilities
National Grid, and RG&E/NYSEG. (RG&E and NYSEG said they will revisit the issue in 30 days)
Towns in Orleans County
Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall (water from Monroe County Water Authority), Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates
Villages in Orleans County
Albion, Holley (water and electric), Lyndonville and Medina
Any further questions should be directed to your water, electric or natural gas provider.
“We recognize that this pandemic has brought many challenges for our customers and we want to do our part to lessen any financial impact they may face as the result of the outbreak,” said Badar Khan, National Grid’s Interim U.S. President. “We are committed to our customers’ well-being during this difficult time.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2020 at 12:09 pm
Ridgeway and Carlton town offices are closed to the public until further notice.
Any tax payments in Carlton can be made online though the link provided on the town website.
Any other payments can be made by using the drop box located in the zoning enforcer’s door. Please put any payments in an envelope with a name and phone number. If there are any questions or concerns please call the Town Hall at 585-682-4358.
In Ridgeway, the Town Court will be closed to the to the public in cooperation with the directive sent by Governor Cuomo, said Town Supervisor Brian Napoli.
The Town Board’s regular meeting today will go on as scheduled.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 March 2020 at 11:27 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts and track facilities will be quiet for awhile with the closing of area schools due to the Corona virus concern.
In Western New York delays in getting the spring high school sports season underway are not unusual as snow packed fields and rain soaked ball diamonds occur very often.
However, this spring it is not Mother Nature but a virus – the Coronavirus – that has put a hold on the spring sports season after just one week of practice as the result of the closing of area schools.
“This is uncharted waters,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley. “It’s having a huge impact and right now everything is pending. Once we restart school we can restart sports. ”
“We’re just taking it day by day,” said Albion AD Adam Krenning. “There area a lot of variables but we do have time and everybody hopes we’ll be back soon.”
“It’s going to be interesting.” said Lyndonville AD Jim Zeliff. “The Genesee Region League ADs met via text conference Saturday evening and right now everything is put on pause. There are a lot of unknowns but when school resumes we are probably looking at a condensed schedule. We’ll just try to get in all we can and salvage what we can.”
Zeliff added that Section V officials have stated that no spring sports contests in that section will begin until at least April 14. In addition, Section V leagues, including the G-R are requested to submit by Friday a scheduling plan for resuming competition by April 14.
The Niagara-Orleans League season was scheduled to begin the first week of April with tennis getting going on the 1st, baseball on the 2nd, softball on the 6th and track on the 9th.
The G-R likewise was scheduled to begin league competition after the first of April.
Although the resumption of practice looks to be several weeks away the HUB looks to get ready for that resumption by starting to do its series of annual diamond previews on Tuesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2020 at 11:15 am
Movie theaters, gyms and casinos all to close temporarily at 8 p.m.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this morning that crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings will be limited to up to 50 people, effective at 8 p.m. today.
This follows updated guidance that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued yesterday recommending the cancellation or postponement of in-person events consisting of 50 people or more.
Cuomo and the governors of Connecticut and New Jersey made a joint announcement to try to limit crowd sizes in the three states.
The three governors announced restaurants and bars will close for on-premise service and move to take-out and delivery services only. These establishments will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol. These measures will take effect at 8 p.m. today.
Finally, the three governors said they will temporarily close movie theaters, gyms and casinos, effective at 8 p.m. today.
This uniform approach to social distancing is meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, Cuomo said in a news release.
“Our primary goal right now is to slow the spread of this virus so that the wave of new infections doesn’t crash our healthcare system, and everyone agrees social distancing is the best way to do that,” Governor Cuomo said. “This is not a war that can be won alone, which is why New York is partnering with our neighboring states to implement a uniform standard that not only keeps our people safe but also prevents ‘state shopping’ where residents of one state travel to another and vice versa. I have called on the federal government to implement nationwide protocols but in their absence we are taking this on ourselves.”
