By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2024 at 8:39 am
Provided photo
CLARENDON – Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon historian and code enforcement officer, stands with a fiberglass ox that was delivered to the town on Wednesday.
The town paid for the ox and the delivery charges from Texas, using ARPA federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. It will be painted and on display at the town hall as part of Orleans County’s bicentennial in 2025.
The first ox was painted during the Orleans County 4-H Fair in late July by artist Stacey Kirby Steward.
Ierlan said town officials are discussing the theme for the ox. She is leaning towards a Carl Akeley theme in honor of Clarendon’s native son who was a world famous taxidermist and conservationist. He was instrumental in creating the first national park in Africa.
Akeley grew up on Hinds Road in Clarendon, when he started “stuffing” birds and small animals. He made ground-breaking advances in taxidermy. The Akeley Hall of African Mammals includes many of Akeley’s elephants, lions, rhinos and gorillas. They are displayed in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History.
Anyone with other ideas for painting the ox can send Ierlan an email at clarendon_hs@yahoo.com.
Ierlan said oxen were instrumental in helping the pioneers settle in Orleans County. She recalled visiting Ida Cook when she was 106 and she shared how her ancestors came to Orleans County, with only their children, an ox and a cart.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2024 at 9:25 pm
BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley will leave Batavia on Thursday morning with a group of veterans and their families, heading to the U.S. capital to see numerous monuments and landmarks.
This will be the 15th time Hawley has led veterans on the Patriot Trip. This year’s trip will feature stops at several notable locations in the D.C. area including the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War memorials as well as Arlington National Cemetery.
“Taking our local veterans on these annual Patriot Trips is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” Hawley said. “I’m glad we’re able to put this event on for another year and show our veterans the gratitude and appreciation they deserve.”
The bus will leave at 7 a.m. from the Batavia Downs parking lot.
Hawley started leading the Patriot Trip in 2008. It has been an annual event every year, except in 2020 and ’21 due to concerns about Covid.
Hawley started the trips for local veterans after taking his father, a World War II, to see the war memorials in the nation’s capital. Hawley said seeing the memorials helped his father to talk about his experiences in the war and to feel appreciation for his service.
Photo courtesy of Rob Ortt’s Office: State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt and owners of Escarpment Arms call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the big game hunting by rifle bill into law.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
LOCKPORT – Today, standing with the owners of Escarpment Arms, New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt called on NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign Senate Bill S.8382B, which would allow for rifle hunting of big game in Niagara County, into law.
The bill passed the Senate and the Assembly with wide, bi-partisan support and will amend existing conservation laws at no cost to taxpayers. After passing both houses, the bill now awaits Gov. Hochul’s signature to become law. Until then, the current prohibition on big game rifle hunting in Niagara County will continue.
“I, along with my partners in the Assembly, are calling on Governor Hochul to sign this bill prior to deer and bear hunting season. In Niagara County, sportsmen have been waiting a long time to be able to partake in the tradition of hunting big game by rifle within county limits,” said Senator Ortt. “Niagara County remains one of the last counties upstate where rifle hunting is prohibited. At the request of county residents and lawmakers, this bill aims to change that and allow more opportunities for hunters to exercise an American tradition.”
The bill does have limitations. Cities within the county, including Lockport, North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls, will be excluded from rifle hunting.
Once signed by Governor Hochul, the bill will immediately go into effect.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2024 at 1:30 pm
ALBION – The public is invited to a dedication at 9 a.m. on Sept. 28 when four memorial benches will be unveiled by the basketball courts at Bullard Park.
The coated steel sport benches are the latest addition to the new courts, which opened last October.
Four people or organizations paid $750 for a memorial bench which will have plaques.
Those memorialized include Jonathan Doherty, an active community member who helped with many of the events and fundraisers at the park. Doherty was 38 when he passed away on May 5, 2022. The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events is paying for the bench.
Another bench is in memory of Jesse Swartout, who passed away at age 21 in 2002 when he was a senior at Skidmore College. He has family in the local area.
A bench will be in honor of Craig H. Anderson who died from leukemia in 1973 following his senior year at Albion. He was a standout athlete at Albion and the high school gym is named after him.
The other bench will be in memory of Justin Swanger, who passed away in his sleep at age 22 on Nov. 28, 2014. Swanger played on the Albion basketball team and was a three-point specialist.
The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, a non-profit that has helped spearhead improvements at Bullard, also is working on a video promoting the activities and recent upgrades. The group is planning a video shoot at noon on Oct. 12 at the park. The community is welcome to be part of the video.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 September 2024 at 9:10 am
File photo by Ginny Kropf: This banner hung over downtown Medina to promote homecoming last week. The Medina Mustang Sports Boosters urges stores to decorate their windows.
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Sports Boosters are excited to announce they will again be celebrating Homecoming 2024 by inviting local businesses to get involved in Homecoming Week in a variety of ways.
“Homecoming is a community event – a time to celebrate, not just Mustang athletics, but who we are as a community,” said Melissa Valley, head of the Mustang Sports Boosters. “Mustang Sports Boosters are always incredibly appreciative of the support the Medina business community provides us, and now we want to celebrate you.”
Their goal for Homecoming the week of Sept. 23 is to get the whole community involved and into the Mustang spirit. Homecoming will feature activities and games throughout the week, including the Homecoming game Sept. 27, when the Medina Mustangs football team hosts Newfane.
“We hope to get businesses involved in two ways,” Valley said. “First, we would love for downtown to show its Mustang spirit with our third annual window decorating contest. Secondly, we want to promote their business by adding their homecoming special of the week to our Mustang Menu.”
If businesses don’t want to enter the contest, Valley said the Mustang Boosters will welcome any form of Mustang spirit that works for them.
A giant banner proclaiming Homecoming Week will be hung over Main Street in honor of the week.
“The banner was made by our very own Print Shop and it will be on display over Main Street next week,” Valley said. “We also have banners that will be up at Vets Park. We will promote any business who wants to join in on the run or any Mustang specials for the week.”
The Mustang Boosters encourage everyone downtown and in Medina to show as much Mustang pride and spirit as they can during Homecoming Week.
“It is something that unites the community in a positive way,” Valley said.
Anyone wishing more information can contact Valley at mvalley@medinacsd.org or by calling (716)-531-3055.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 September 2024 at 8:15 am
GASPORT – Once Brandi Silsby had two children of her own, she knew she wanted to raise them in the Montessori method of learning.
On Sept. 16, Brandi Silsby and co-founder Rachel Struckmann opened the Bergamot Montessori School at 8403 Rochester Rd. The school is affiliated with the Wildflower Organization, which helps schools around the country with funding.
The method of teaching was founded in Italy in the early 1900s by Maria Montessori, who applied the scientific method of learning and observed children’s natural tendencies toward learning.
Montessori schools accept children ages 2 years 10 months to kindergarten.
“In a traditional Montessori school, children stay with us three years,” Silsby said.
Both Silsby and Struckman are highly trained educators. Silsby, a reading specialist, taught in public schools in the area since 2008, the last year being at Towne School in Medina. She has a dual major in childhood and early childhood education and a master’s in literacy. Both ladies are Montessori trained. Struckmann, who has a degree in social work, did an observation of Montessori at Nardin Academy and St. Columba Brigid in Buffalo.
In traditional classrooms, students follow the same lessons, leaving some children behind while others forge ahead. In Montessori classrooms, students challenge themselves when they’re ready, developing greater self-sufficiency and personal independence, and building an internal sense of purpose and motivation.
In Montessori, each child has an individualized learning curriculum which follows the child.
(Left) Rachel Struckmann watches as Brandi Silsby demonstrates a child’s learning exercise on a work rug. The rug defines a child’s space and they learn to respect other children’s rug and walk around it. (Right) Brandi Silsby points out number rods, which help children learn to count.
Bergamot Montessori School is one of only two authentic, full-day Montessori schools in Niagara County, and will be the only one licensed in Niagara County through the Office of Children and Family Services.
“This allows us to offer financial assistance to our families,” Struckmann said. “We also have to follow strict guidelines for health, safety, administration and education.”
Fourteen children are registered at the school, which has the capacity to accept up to 24. If they reach 19 students, they will hire a third person, Silsby said. They hope to draw children from Middleport, Medina and Gasport.
Struckmann said their method of learning creates independence in every aspect.
“We are setting the foundation for independence,” she said.
Rachel Struckman and Brandi Silsby stand by a sound chart, which helps children learn the alphabet and associate letters with certain sounds.
When children arrive, the first thing they do is go in a small room called the Cubby Room, to hang up their coats, take off their outside shoes and put on their inside shoes. They next walk to a counter and choose a popsicle stick with their name on it.
All learning activities are done individually. The only group activities during Circle Time, are songs, movement and reading aloud.
Children are assigned a work rug, and are taught the meticulous, calculated way to unroll it. All activities are completed on their rug, which defines their space, and other children quickly learn to respect it and walk around another child’s space.
The method also makes time for learning grace and courtesy, a hallmark of Montessori, Struckmann said. Respect for others is also part of the curriculum.
“Children learn how to tuck in a chair, blow their nose and wash their hands properly,” she added.
A sensorial area is for refining the senses and preparation for the mathematical mind.
“Everything we do is precise,” Silsby said. “If a child is talking, he’s not moving. If he’s moving, he’s not talking.”
When a child has picked an activity, he is asked if he wants to practice more or put it back on the shelf. They cannot choose an activity until they’ve had a lesson in it, then they may choose it any time.
“Montessori is incredibly structured,” Structmann said.
“We call it ‘freedom within limits,’” Silsby said.
Bergamot Montessori is a 501c3 organization through Wildflower.
An open house is planned for the public from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2024 at 10:15 pm
Arc GLOW, an organization serving people with disabilities in the four local rural counties, is grateful for today’s announcement from Tom Golisano that he is donating $5 million to the agency.
“What a wonderful and unexpected surprise we received today!” the organization posted on Facebook.
Golisano announced he is giving $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse regions.
Of those donations, $104 million is going to 26 organizations serving people with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Arc GLOW is among eight Western New York and Finger Lakes chapters of The Arc New York that will each be receiving a gift of $5 million from The Golisano Foundation.
“We are thrilled to learn that Arc GLOW will be receiving $5 million from the Golisano Foundation,” said Martin Miskell, Arc GLOW’s chief executive director. “This will allow the agency to expand our programs to meet the needs of the individuals and families we serve.”
Arc GLOW serves people with disabilities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
“On behalf of the entire Arc GLOW community, thank you to Thomas Golisano and the Golisano Foundation for opening doors for opportunities for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) to be valued members of their communities with the opportunity to realize their full potential and a future that is secure,” Miskell said.
Press Release, Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition
ALBION – This Sunday, Sept. 22, the Medina Teachers’ Association and the Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition will be hosting our first Men’s Day Out event from 1 to 6 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate, 165 S. Platt St.
This event is for men, their sons, nephews, neighbors, co-workers and friends. It will be an opportunity to play some neat games – fowling, soccer pool and cornhole – and learn about suicide prevention, and local resources.
The free registration includes a brief message of hope, Dubby’s mini pizza, 4 wings, a bottle of water, cornhole, fowling, soccer pool, resources and so much more. More food and other beverages/games will be available at cost.
Students in grades Pre-K to 8 must be accompanied by adult to enter Vets Park
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – The Medina Central School District is looking forward to an outstanding fall season. The district’s goal is to provide a positive and welcoming experience to our athletes, students, parents, fans, visitors and officials.
Please help us achieve this goal by following our expectations and contributing to a positive environment.
As a reminder, all students in grades Pre-K to 8 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or responsible adult when attending a game. This parent or responsible adult must supervise their children at all times. Students in grades Pre-K to 8 will not be allowed into Vets Park without a parent or responsible adult.
Also, as a reminder, there should be no use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or any controlled or banned substance on the Medina Central School District premises. Additionally, vapes, “dab” pens, and e-cigarettes are not allowed on District premises.
We also want to remind fans to refrain from using profanity and making negative comments toward coaches, athletes, or officials. Game supervisors and administrators will address inappropriate behavior. The District and the New York State High School Athletic Association may prohibit unruly spectators from attending games.
Thank you for helping us maintain a positive, supportive atmosphere for all our student-athletes! Go Mustangs!
ROCHESTER – Tom Golisano announced today he is giving an unprecedented and historic series of major awards totaling $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse.
This commitment nearly doubles Golisano’s lifetime giving, bringing the total to $775 million, with more to be expected. The announcement was made at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship.
Golisano, the founder of Paychex and the former owner of the Buffalo Sabres, is listed on the Forbes 400.
The unrestricted, multiyear awards range from $250,000 to $20 million each, paid over four to five years, spanning healthcare, education, animal welfare, disability services, and other crucial community needs.
Almost all of the organizations who learned today that they are receiving a major award have been recipients of prior awards by Mr. Golisano and/or the Golisano Foundation. This significant financial commitment represents support for a diverse range of causes, all of which are meaningful to Tom and follow suit with prior awards given. Awards received may be used at each organization’s discretion.
Capping the monumental nature of this initiative, Mr. Golisano is also making a transformative $52 million award to the Golisano Foundation by increasing the total investment assets to $120 million. This infusion of funding will increase the Golisano Foundation’s giving from approximately $3 to more than $5 million annually, allowing even more opportunities for new and current organizations to access crucial grant funding that falls within the Foundation’s established mission.
“I’m thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, to the region where I built my life and my business,” said Mr. Golisano. “I know that there are many organizations doing great work and understand that running a nonprofit is not easy, facing both opportunities and challenges, like raising money. These awards are the result of relationships I’ve formed over the years. I am impressed with these organizations’ dedication and innovation. It is extremely rewarding to see what they have been able to accomplish with my financial support over the years. I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact.”
The $360 million commitment announced today brings Mr. Golisano’s overall philanthropy to $775 million. This includes more than $41 million in grants made by the Golisano Foundation, which he founded in 1985, primarily to organizations devoted to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It also helps animal welfare organizations through Bailey and Friends, an initiative of the Golisano Foundation founded in honor of Golisano’s two dogs, both of whom were named Bailey.
“We encourage non-profit organizations to visit our website to learn more about Tom’s personal giving and the Foundation’s mission,” said Erica Dayton, executive director of the Golisano Foundation. “We look forward to the new influx of agencies we’ll be introduced to through the widespread news of Tom’s most recent giving. Understanding the needs of the communities we support and the organizations that devote their expertise to serving them is a constantly evolving process. We are always looking to learn more and determine how we can be supportive with the resources available.”
Today’s announcement follows Mr. Golisano’s June 2024 commitment of $50 million to the University of Rochester Medical Center to establish the Golisano Intellectual and Development Disabilities Institute—his largest single gift to date.
$360 Million in gifts announced today to 82 organizations
Gifts by Region: Rochester, $201 million; Buffalo, $66.5 million; and Syracuse, $40.5 million. $52 Million also is going the Golisano Foundation, which serves the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse regions and Southwest Florida
Community – 8 Organizations – $25 Million
The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester – $5 Million
Foodlink – $5 Million
Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind – $2 Million
Hillside Family of Agencies – $5 Million
Lifespan – $2 Million
Medical Motor Service of Rochester & Monroe County – $2 Million
Veterans Outreach Center – $2 Million
WXXI Public Broadcasting – $2 Million
Education – 16 Organizations – $86 Million
Alfred State College – $5 Million
Allendale Columbia School – $5 Million
Aquinas Institute of Rochester $5 Million
Bishop Kearney High School – $5 Million
Canisius University – $5 Million
The Charles Finney School – $3 Million
Daemen University – $5 Million
The Harley School – $5 Million
Hope Hall School – $3 Million
McQuaid Jesuit High School – $5 Million
Nazareth University – $5 Million
Niagara University – $10 Million
Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women – $5 Million
Roberts Wesleyan University – $5 Million
Rochester Institute of Technology – $10 Million
St. John Fisher University – $5 Million
Health – 9 Organizations – $69 Million
American Cancer Society, Golisano Hope Lodge – $2 Million
American Red Cross – Greater Rochester Chapter – $5 Million
Daystar Kids – $5 Million
Mercy Flight Central – $5 Million
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center – $10 Million
Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo – $10 Million
Rochester Regional Health – $20 Million
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY – $2 Million
Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital – $10 Million
Arc GLOW (Genesee/Livingston/Orleans/Wyoming) – $5 Million
Arc of Monroe County – $5 Million
Arc of Ontario County – $5 Million
Arc of Wayne County – $5 Million
AutismUp – $3 Million
Best Buddies, WNY – $1 Million
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services – $5 Million
CDS Life Transitions – $5 Million
Cobblestone Arts Center – $2 Million
Empowering People’s Independence (EPI) – $5 Million
EquiCenter – $2 Million
Golisano Autism Center – $3 Million
Heritage Christian Services – $5 Million
Holy Childhood – $5 Million
Lifetime Assistance – $5 Million
Mary Cariola Center – Future Announcement
Mozaic (Arc of Seneca, Cayuga & Yates Counties) – $5 Million
People, Inc. – $5 Million
Special Olympics New York – $1 Million
Springbrook – $5 Million
Starbridge Services – $2 Million
Summit Center – $5 Million
Animal Welfare – 23 Organizations – $24 Million
Better Together Pet Rescue Center – $250,000
Beverly Animal Shelter – $1 Million
Chautauqua County Humane Society – $1.5 Million
Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA – $1 Million
Finger Lakes SPCA – $1.5 Million
Headed for Furever – $250,000
Hornell Area Humane Society – $1.5 Million
Humane Society of Schuyler County – $1.5 Million
Humane Society of Wayne County – $1.5 Million
Humane Society of Yates County – $1.5 Million
Joyful Rescue – $250,000
Keller’s Kats Rescue – $250,000
Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester – $2 Million
Mr. Grey’s Strays – $250,000
Operation Freedom Ride – $250,000
Pet Adoption Network – $250,000
Pet Pride of New York – $1.5 Million
Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services – $1.5 Million
Rochester HOPE for Pets – $250,000
SPCA in Cattaraugus County – $1.5 Million
SPCA Serving Allegany County – $1.5 Million
SPCA Serving Erie County – $1.5 Million
Wyoming County SPCA – $1.5 Million
Golisano Foundation – $52 Million
“One of my favorite sayings is ‘the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,’ and I’m so lucky to be able to live that out,” Golisano said. “The success of Paychex and the hard work of the employees there are ultimately what makes these donations possible, and I am beyond grateful that I have the ability to do so. I look forward to seeing how this will be used to strengthen their organizations and better the communities they serve.”
ALBION – Orleans County is planning two voter registration days for people to make sure they can cast ballots in the upcoming election.
The Orleans County Board of Elections has set the following voter registration days:
Oct. 5 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Hoag Library, 134 S Main St., Albion.
Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Board of Elections office, 14016 State Route 31, Suite 140.
Eligible New York voters have until Oct. 26 to register to vote in the general election on Nov. 5.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging New Yorkers to contact the NYS Board of Elections or their local County BOE for accurate and trustworthy election information.
The governor noted today, Sept. 17, is National Voter Registration Day. Eligible New Yorkers can register to vote online, in person, or by mail. Information about voter registration eligibility requirements, as well as links to the online voter registration portal and downloadable registration forms, can be found on the State Board of Elections website (click here).
“National Voter Registration Day is an important opportunity to foster engagement in our democracy,” Governor Hochul said. “Our democratic institutions are only as strong as the voters who participate in them, and I encourage every eligible New Yorker to make their voice heard.”
Voters who are unsure of whether they are already registered to vote can check their registration status at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
Contact information for county boards of elections across New York State can be found by clicking here.
Election Day this fall will take place on Nov. 5 with early voting from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2024 at 8:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jesse Cudzillo (left), director of the YMCA in Orleans County, and Tim Elliott hold the new Medina-opoly game that is being sold as a fundraiser to upgrade the women’s locker room at the Y.
MEDINA – The Monopoly game has been given a facelift in Medina, with local businesses taking the place of the prime real estate featured in the economics-based board game.
Players buy and trade properties in the game, and seek to develop them with houses and hotels.
The Medina-opoly game starts in a corner featuring the Medina Area Partnership. About 70 Median businesses and organizations are featured on the board.
Tim Elliott, a former Medina village trustee, worked with Jesse Cudzillo, director of the YMCA in Orleans County, to sell the spots on the board. They were a quick sell out.
“Medina is lucky to have businesses to fill it up and to have a waiting list,” Elliott said.
The board highlights Medina’s historic downtown business district.
There are 350 copies of the game that arrived in early September. The sponsorships paid to have the game produced in a Medina theme.
The games are being sold for $35 each, and the proceeds will go to the Y to update the women’s locker room. If the games sell out, the Y should receive about $12,000 towards the locker room improvements.
“It’s a Medina keepsake,” Cudzillo said. “It takes a snapshot of where Medina is in 2024.”
The Y director said he appreciates the support from the community in buying spots on the board, and also in purchasing the games. So far about 75 have sold. The came be purchased at the front desk of the Y. They will be there for the upcoming Ale in Autumn event on Sept. 28. They are also available online through the Canalside Tattoo website.
Medina was featured in the Monopoly game before, back in 1995 and 2000. The Medina Rotary Club led the effort to sell the spaces on the board and to make the games available to the community.
Elliott said the game could be updated again in the future.
“This shows how Medina has changed,” he said about the new board, compared to the Medina businesses from 1995 and 2000. “In 10 years there will be more changes.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2024 at 8:59 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Village Planning Board, after several months of discussion, today recommend to the Village Board that Lyndonville update its zoning ordinance to allow residents to have up to six chickens, but no roosters.
Residents will need to get a permit (a one-time fee of $25), and the chickens are restricted to the rear or backyard of any residential zoning district. Chicken owners will need to submit photos of the cages or coops where the chickens are housed. The cages shall not exceed 32 square feet or be taller than 7 feet.
The cages or coops need to be at least 30 feet from any door or window of a dwelling, school, church or other occupied structure other than the applicant’s dwelling.
The coops or cages also need to be at 5 feet from a side yard property line and more than 18 inches from a rear lot line. No chickens shall be kept in a front yard or side street yard areas, according to the draft ordinance.
An earlier proposal for the ordinance called for residents to have consent of neighbors within 50 feet of the property, but that was scrapped at this afternoon’s meeting of the Planning Board.
Board member Justin Edwards said he supported the ordinance, but didn’t think neighbor approval should be required.
“You don’t have a say if your neighbor gets a dog or puts up a fence,” he said. “I think it sets a very bad precedent (to require neighbor approval for chickens).”
Planning Board Chairman Steve Vann said he wanted to reach a compromise in the ordinance that could be submitted to the Village Board for its consideration. The Village Board asks the Planning Board to recommend a draft ordinance for the village trustees and mayor to review.
Edwards said he couldn’t support a proposal with the neighbor consent required. Board member Virginia Hughes agreed.
The proposed ordinance passed 4-1, with member Terry Chaffee casting the lone opposing vote. He said chickens shouldn’t be allowed in the village.
Village code enforcement officer David Reese said he is concerned neighbors will be upset if the chickens prove to be noisy and smelly.
“We have close quarters in the village,” he said.
The proposed ordinance requires the coops and cages be kept “in a clean, dry and sanitary condition at all times.”
Despite removing the requirement for neighbor approval, the proposed ordinance was called “extremely strict” by Kate Hardner, who has led the effort to have chickens be allowed in Orleans County villages.
“I would not call this loose by any means,” Hardner said during today’s meeting.
Vann said some restrictions are needed for having chickens in the village.
“The neighbors are living with your chickens, too,” he said. “The goal was to find common ground to make it allowable.”
The issue now goes to the Village Board, which next meets 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 for a workshop and then 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 for a regular board meeting.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2024 at 7:43 pm
SHELBY – The state comptroller’s office has issued a report of the town’s fiscal affairs since 2021 and found many accounting discrepancies. The comptroller’s office said there is no evidence of missing funds, but the town is not properly reconciling accounts.
The comptroller found $29,993 in unreconciled differences in 2021 out of a $3,233,773 budget, $31,881 in differences in 2022 out of $3,593,795 budget, and $102,712 in unreconciled difference in 2023 out of a $3,665,533 budget. The comptroller’s office said in a report posted on Friday that it couldn’t do reconciliations in 2024 because of incomplete accounting records.
The comptroller’s office said it has tried to get the town supervisor and bookkeeper to make changes since an audit in December 2021, but six of the seven recommendations have not been implemented, and the other recommendation was only partially followed.
Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz was faulted for not providing monthly financial reports from the town supervisor, and not providing proper oversight of the bookkeeper’s work, to make sure the bank accounts and accounting records matched. Wengewicz was appointed town supervisor on Dec. 13, 2022. He applied for the position after Jeff Smith stepped down as town supervisor about two months earlier.
Town bookkeeper Miranda Bennett stood before the Town Board at last Tuesday’s meeting and resigned, effective Aug. 28.
She told the Town Board the past five years working for the town have not been easy, and have taken toll on her health and family.
“I’ve chosen to live a happier life away from the constant drama and finger-pointing,” she told the board on Tuesday, three days before the report from the comptroller was made public. “I’ve learned a long time ago that life is too short to deal with constant harassment and name-calling.”
“I step down knowing I’ve made some lifetime connections that I hope to never break and some that I hope to walk away with my head held high.”
Bennett also served as secretary to town supervisor, human resources manager, and IT program manager. Wengewicz would like her to continue in a part-time role as confidential secretary until a replacement can be found. Wengewicz said at the board meeting he foresees it as 20 hours a week at $22 an hour.
The board last week also hired an accounting firm for the remainder of the year, to make sure the town bills are being paid. The board expects to seek proposals from firms to do the work in 2025.
The comptroller’s report posted on Friday urges the town to “take appropriate actions to fullt implement our recommendations.”
Those recommendations from 2021 include:
• Recommendation 1 (not implemented) – Resolve discrepancies in the town’s accounting records. The town supervisor and bookkeeper could not provide a “reasonable explanation for not correcting the discrepancies in the town’s accounting records,” according to the report from Robin L. Lois, the state’s deputy comptroller.
• Recommendation 2 (not implemented) – Complete bank reconciliations. Neither the town supervisor or bookkeeper performed monthly reconciliations between bank accounts and accounting records, the report states.
The comptroller’s office noted that the town supervisor and bookkeeper attributed accounting discrepancies and unreconciled differences to a change in the accounting system. But the comptroller’s office said the issues existed before the change in an accounting system.
“As the Town’s chief financial officer, the Supervisor is responsible for maintaining complete and accurate accounting records,” the comptroller’s report states. “Without complete and accurate records, the Board and Town officials do not have sufficient information to properly manage and monitor Town financial operations.”
The report notes that two accounts that weren’t reconciled resulted in 28 bank overdraft charges at $38 each, collectively totaling $1,064 from Jan. 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. In a three-day period, from May 24-26, 2023, an account was overdrawn 16 times because the bookkeeper issued 15 of those checks 12 days before the money needed to cover those checks was transferred and available in the bank account. Another check was issued five days prior to money being transferred into the account.
“Had transfers been made prior to or at the time checks were issued, these overdraft fees would not have been incurred,” the report states. “incurring overdraft fees is an unnecessary cost and form of wasteful spending that could be easily avoided by requiring the bookkeeper to monitor cash flow and to make transfers prior to issuing checks.”
• Recommendation 3 (not implemented) – Review records and reports, and monthly bank reconciliations. The town supervisor did not provide a proper review of the bookkeeper’s reports. In 2023, Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz did not sign off on the monthly reports from the bookkeeper in 11 of 12 months to indicate he reviewed them.
Wengewicz told comptroller staff he relied on the bookkeeper and reviewed the reports with her. In six of the reports, the beginning balance did not agree with the ending balance from the previous month, according to the comptroller’s report.
“However, had the Supervisor completed a proper review, he likely would have identified those discrepancies,” the report said.
The town supervisor also didn’t generate or review any financial reports for fiscal year 2024 and did not ensure that bank reconciliations were completed, the report said.
• Recommendation 4 (not implemented) – Monthly financial reports to the board. The town supervisor hasn’t been providing monthly financial reports to the other Town Board members, detailing all money received and disbursed.
Two Town Board members, Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny, have been opposing paying town bills due to the lack of accurate financial records and reconciliations of all accounts.
• Recommendation 5 (not implemented) – Annual financial reports to the Office of the State Comptroller. The reports for 2021 and 20022 were filled 60 days late, while 2023 was submitted on time but the amounts for all three years were not supported by accounting records, the comptroller’s office stated.
• Recommendation 6 (partially implemented) – Attend trainings. The town supervisor and bookkeeper both attended trainings but they are not properly performing all of their accounting responsibilities, the report stated.
“We encourage the Supervisor and bookkeeper to apply what they learned from training courses into their daily work, and seek out additional training as needed,” the report stated.
• Recommendation 7 (not implemented) – Implement CPA recommendations. A CPA management letter in 2021 recommended a standard policy that ensures that bank reconciliations be performed and be reviewed on a timely basis. Cash accounts should be reconciled on a routine basis to ensure that all transactions are accounted for, according to the CPA letter, which also urged the town to have a preparer and reviewer sign off on the bank reconciliation.
The comptroller’s office said that neither the town supervisor or bookkeeper prepared proper bank reconciliations, and the Town Board did not adopt a policy requiring bank reconciliations be performed and reviewed on a timely basis by designated town employees.
To see the report from the comptroller’s office, click here.
