MEDINA – The Board of Education approved $25,183,948 in construction bids on Tuesday evening for a slew of improvements at all three school buildings, the bus garage, and Vet’s Park. There will also be a new access road between Oak Orchard Elementary School and Clifford Wise Middle School.

The new access road will be built this summer. That bid was approved for DiFiore Construction of Rochester for $4,698,000 and includes reconstructing the junior varsity softball and baseball fields, and also rebuilding the track. The bid also includes an entrance at Vet’s Park, a new press box and bleachers.

The bids overall came in low enough that the district doesn’t need to remove any pieces of the capital project, except for one. The district was interested in having a gate made of Medina sandstone at Vet’s Park. But materials cost about $250,000 and labor would have been another $100,000.

Mark Kruzynski, the school superintendent, said the district couldn’t in “good conscience” approve that much for the gate. Some Medina sandstone will likely be used in the gate, but it will be mostly made of “cultured stone,” Kruzynski said.

District residents approved the $32,588,000 capital project on Dec. 21, 2016. The State Education Department gave final approval to the project with a building permit on Monday.

Other bids accepted on Tuesday include:

• $6,264,300 for general trades, Concept Construction in Elma;

• $1,385,248 for windows, TGR Enterprises in West Seneca;

• $1,157,000 for plumbing, Thurston Dudek LLC of Ontario, NY;

• $2,607,000 for mechanical one, Quackenbush Co. in Buffalo;

• $2,749,600 for mechanical two, Mollenberg-Betz, Inc. of Buffalo;

• $1,864,600 for mechanical three, Hoot Mechanical & Electrical of Lockport;

• $3,770,000 for electrical, Frey Electric Construction of Tonawanda;

• $688,200 for temperature controls, U & S Services of Tonawanda.

Kruzynski said it’s “very great news” that the overall costs are within budget.

The construction projects will be spread over two summers with some work during the school year.

The project will replace 50-year-old windows at Oak Orchard Elementary School, and the school campus will have air-conditioning for the first time. The district is replacing HVAC units with much more efficient systems, Kruzynski said.

Here is a breakdown of the project:

• Health, Safety and Code Compliance: The district will replace aging bus lifts, upgrade the fire alarm systems, door hardware and toilets.

The roof, ceiling panels and wall panels will all be upgraded at the swimming pool.

Windows and a generator will be replaced at Oak Orchard Elementary School. Those windows are more than a half century old.

The project expenses are broken out to an estimated $3,637,300 at the elementary school, $2,562,400 at the middle school, $892,800 at high school, $561,500 at bus garage and $7,000 at concession stand.

• HVAC: All three school buildings, as well as the bus garage, will have HVAC totally overhauled with $4,728,200 planned for the high school, $4,115,200 at the middle school, $4,103,000 at the elementary school and $649,900 for the bus garage.

The district also will add air-conditioning for the high, middle and elementary schools at $285,600 per building or $856,800 total. The HVAC and air conditioning projects will be funded 98 percent by the state. The boilers are all about 25 years old and are nearing the end of the their useful lives. If the district tried to fix a boiler or install air-conditioning outside of a capital project, Medina would have to pay 100 percent of the costs.

• Information Technology: The district wants to move the network operations center from the basement of the district office to Oak Orchard Elementary School. The project will also add fiber optics to handle future needs as Medina moves to more electronic devices and on-line testing.

• Academics/Programs at High School: The project will include upgraded science rooms, renovations in library (by knocking out a wall and expanding to a next-door computer lab), replacing windows and renovating toilet facilities.

A pole barn will also be built for storage for marching band equipment (so no longer have to rent at Olde Pickle Factory).

The gym bleachers will be renovated, and JV softball and baseball fields will be upgraded. There also will be renovations in Ag Classroom and greenhouse.

• Academics/Programs at Middle School: The project includes renovations to the auditorium with stage floor, carpet, houselighting, some lighting and sound, and also some toilet renovations.

• Academics/Programs at Elementary School: The project includes auditorium renovations – carpet, seating, general, and improvements to toilets, new drinking fountains, classroom storage units with sinks, upgrades to the playground, and provisions to abate hazardous materials if any are found inside walls during the construction project.

• Site work for track: The track has already been resurfaced once and patched several times and the state won’t pay for another resurfacing but will aid a reconstruction of the site. The rebuilt track will have six lanes, event area, a scoreboard, and fencing and paving.

• Site work for road from elementary to middle school: A campus road will be constructed between Oak Orchard Elementary and Wise Middle School for bus traffic. The road will be heavy duty for buses.

The project includes demolition, removal and grading, as well as new sidewalks, stormwater management, parking and road lighting, removal of playground and construction of a new one for younger elementary-age students, and restored landscaping.

A new parking lot with room for 70-75 vehicles also will be added.

The $32,588,000 approved for the project includes legal, architectural and engineering costs, which weren’t included in the bids approved on Tuesday.

Dairies, facing historically low milk prices, are critical to rural economy

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, on Tuesday called on U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to authorize $300 million in emergency relief funding for dairy farmers immediately.

Dairy farmers across New York are suffering from historically low dairy prices and are forced to shoulder an increasing amount of debt in order to continue operating their farms. The USDA has the authority to provide direct financial assistance to struggling agricultural industries. This authority has been used most recently in 2016 and 2018 to support and protect cotton farmers. Gillibrand called on the USDA to utilize this authority once more for dairy farmers in New York and across the country.

“Dairy farms are at the heart of New York’s rural economy, but milk prices are so low that more than 1,200 dairy farms have shut down in just the last decade, and many more are on the brink of failing. This is a crisis right in our own backyard,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m calling on the USDA to immediately provide financial assistance to our dairy producers. I want this emergency funding to go directly to the farmers who need it, so they can keep producing milk without going bankrupt. The USDA should do the right thing and give our dairy farmers the help they need now.”

Dairy farmers could receive $8,000 on average if the USDA complies with Gillibrand’s request. This funding would be paid directly to farmers as part of their milk check. New York is the third-largest dairy producing state, with more than 4,400 dairies producing nearly 15 billion pounds of milk each year. These farms are the bedrock of the agricultural economy and rural communities throughout the state. Every dollar of on-farm milk sale generates $2.29 in the local economy, and for every full-time worker on a dairy farm, another 1.5 jobs are created in other parts of the food industry.

Provided photos

ROCHESTER – Brendan LeBaron, an Albion eighth-grader, is pictured with Spikes, the Rochester Red Wings mascot. Brendan, 14, threw out the first pitch at tonight’s game at Frontier Field.

Brendan made the ceremonial pitch for his grandfather, Bill Smout, who was recognized before the game as the Lifespan Volunteer of the Month. Brendan is the son of the Rev. Randy LeBaron, pastor of the Albion Free Methodist Church, and Sheryl LeBaron, an Albion elementary school teacher.

Brendan also played for the St. Mary’s Athletic Club in the Albion Midget League and has moved up to the U-14 league.

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community lost electricity for about two hours tonight.

A dispatcher for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office said there is no explanation for the outage. There wasn’t any car accidents or wires down to cause the outage. Power was first reported to out at 7:50 p.m.

Speakers at the 22^nd annual For Women Only event needed to use the lights on their cell phones to read their speeches at the White Birch Golf Course after the power went out about 8 p.m. The event raises money for people battling cancer.

The power also went out during a school concert and audience members turned on their phone flashlights to help students see their music.

Lyndonville was in the dark between routes 104 and 18. By 10 p.m. only a few people were without electricity according to National Grid.

HOLLEY – District residents approved the school budget and other propositions, while electing three to the Board of Education, including one new member, retired teacher Anne Smith.

The $25,210,000 school budget passed, 437-207. The budget represents a 2.0 percent tax increase, with the tax levy going from $6,968,766 to $7,108,141.

Other propositions include:

• Authorization to spend up to $222,914 for two school buses and a sport utility vehicle, which passed, 418-224.

• Approval of $153,713 in funding for Community Free Library, passed 473-173.

• There were five candidates running for three positions. Two incumbents were re-elected to three-year terms, including Melissa Ierlan, 441; and Mark Porter, 348. Anne Smith was elected with 351, which was 12 more than incumbent Anne Winkley with 339. Nancy Manard MacPhee received 179 votes. The new terms start July 1.

KENDALL – District residents approved the school budget and also a $14.97 million capital project.

The $17,367,477 budget passed, 155 to 34. The budget reduces spending and doesn’t increase taxes. It also includes $100,000 for a school resource officer. Kendall will keep its security staff and wants to have a deputy from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office devoted to the school.

The capital project was backed 145 to 43. Kendall school leaders say they already have the local share for the work in a capital reserve fund so there wouldn’t be a local tax increase.

The project follows a series of other improvements at the district campus in recent years. The scope of the new capital project includes:

• Proposed improvements to the Elementary School include improving ventilation on the second floor of the quad and auditorium; renovation of the multi-purpose room for technology, agriculture and consumer science programs; replacement of the original gym bleachers and the gym floor, renovation of locker rooms, and a re-design of the cafeteria and serving line.

• Improvements proposed for the Jr./Sr. High School include renovation of the art, technology and music rooms which would address accessibility, storage and ventilation; replacement of gym floors and bleachers; renovation of the girls’ locker room; renovation of music practice rooms; renovation of the lavatory in the arts hall; update of the public access system; ventilation in the office and gym; improving light and sound and providing fly space for set productions in the auditorium; addition of a vestibule at the entrance to the art and music wing.

• Site improvements could include lighting and traffic flow at the Elementary School front loop; improvement of traffic flow at the Jr./Sr. High School bus loop; drainage in the athletic fields, addition of bathrooms and storage by the track and sidewalks from the High School cafe to the tennis courts.

• The bus garage is in need of roof repairs, an update to the fuel system and outside lighting as well as improvements to the water line. The old bus garage behind the Elementary School is in need of replacement windows and doors, Julie Christensen, district superintendent, said at a January community meeting about the project.

Construction could begin in 2019 and be completed by 2020.

• Voters also gave approval, 159 to 31, to spend up to $250,000 from the School Bus Reserve Fund for transportation vehicles.

• Jason ReQua was the lone candidate running for a five-year term on the Board of Education. He received 179 votes.

Albion elects new Board of Education member; Medina approves having high schooler sit on board

Albion and Medina school budgets both passed with overwhelming support today. Their polls closed at 8 p.m. while Holley and Kendall polls are open until 9.

Here is a quick breakdown:

ALBION:

• Budget passes, 615-118.

• Bus purchase approved, 644-89.

• Capital reserve fund approved, 587-139.

• Hoag Library funding passed, 549-181.

• Elissa Nesbitt and Margy Brown were elected to five-year terms on the BOE. Nesbitt had the most votes, 521, and Brown, the current board president, had 452. Linda Weller, an incumbent, missed re-election with 407.

LYNDONVILLE:

• Budget passes, 284-61;

• All other propositions pass including authorization to collect $100,888 for Yates Community Free Library, approval to build the transportation reserve fund up to $700,000 over eight years, and authorization to purchase two 64-seat passenger buses to replace ones from 2007, not to exceed $250,000. The money is already in transportation reserve.

• There were seven candidates for four spots on the Board of Education. These three were elected to three-year terms: Steve Vann, 214; Sue Hrovat, 198; and Ted Lewis, 193.

Kelly Cousins, 178, was elected to a two-year term. Other candidate results include Bill Jurinich, 136; Tara Neace, 136; and Stephanie Hargrave, 99.

MEDINA:

• Medina budget passes, 300-35.

• High school senior approved to be on board with no voting privileges, 259-75.

• Ann Webster Bunch elected to three year on BOE with 221 votes to 108 for Brian Koch.

Photo by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Ben Lacey, in the cab, and Jason Watts, both employees of the Medina Department of Public Works, dig holes for the posts of a new bandstand in Medina’s State Street Park.

Initial money for the bandstand was provided by an anonymous donor, and Mayor Mike Sidari said the some of the materials also have been donated.

Job Corps masonry and carpentry students will do most of the work with the foundation, posts and construction of the building, Sidari said.

The covered bandstand will be suitable and available for use by the community for concerts, weddings and other special events.

This rendering from the Medina Waterfront Development Committee shows how the bandstand will look when it is complete.

Schools have a host of activities on day of budget vote

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion FFA members Demetrius Gardner, left, and Bryce Pritchard flip some of the chickens that will be served later today for the FFA annual chicken barbecue dinner. The FFA has prepared 1,300 dinners that will be available from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the high school cafeteria.

The dinner is the FFA’s biggest fundraiser of the year and covers costs for summer camp, jackets for some students, a scholarship for a graduating senior, the $15 dues for each FFA member, and meeting supplies.

FFA member Nick Sacco, right, squirts the Cornell sauce on the chicken.

Kerry Panek of Albion made the Cornell sauce for today’s dinner. Dale Root of Medina also picked up the chicken and the rolls donated by Costanzo’s Bakery.

“It’s a big team effort,” said Adam Krenning, the Albion FFA advisor.

Other districts in Orleans County have dinners and other events today during the budget vote.

ALBION – Five years ago Amy Sidari turned part of her dance studio into a cabaret, where she welcomes musicians, comedians, dancers and theatrical groups for performances.

She upgraded the space with professional sound and lighting. Each show she brings out tables and chairs with seats for up to 80 people.

The Cabaret at Studio B has been a success, Sidari said, with the performances regularly selling out.

That success, and a growing list of talent, has her working to take the next step, a major renovation of the second floor for the cabaret. If the cabaret went to the top floor of her building at 28 West Bank St., Sidari said the seating could increase to at least 125. She could also keep the room permanently set up for shows.

Right now she has to bring out tables and chairs for every cabaret performance because the space is also used for her dance studio, Gotta Dance by Miss Amy.

Sidari opened her studio 21 years ago at 28 West Bank St., and has steadily been upgrading the first floor and the building, including a new roof in 2012. She would like to next tackle a major renovation of the second floor.

This Saturday one of the cabaret performers, Dave Mancini of Rochester, is doing a show to benefit the project – the future new cabaret. That show starts at 7 p.m. Click here for more information. This is the first fundraiser in what Sidari said will likely be a multi-year effort.

Mancini is a well-known jazz musician from Rochester who appeared at the Cabaret last August. The Cabaret also welcomed nationally acclaimed jazz singer Erin Boheme, who sang at President Trump’s inauguration.

Sidari gave a tour of the top floor last week. The space is currently used as storage. But Sidari said she envisions it as an elegant performance venue.

“It will have an open, airy environment,” she said.

She is working with an engineer to draw up designs and estimate costs. It will be a big effort with new windows, air-conditioning, heating, lights, sprinklers  and flooring all needed, as well as an elevator.

The Cabaret at Studio B opened in July 28, 2013 with Marcy Downey as the first performer. Sidari routinely sells out shows with a capacity of 80 seats.

Sidari is undaunted in the effort to create the new cabaret. She opened Gotta Dance in the building 21 years ago and worked with family and friends to create the first space for dancers. A second room for dancers was added, as well as a store with dancing supplies, a café area, and a small studio for piano lessons.

“It has the potential,” Sidari said. “To me it’s just the next step. I can smell it – the excitement.”

Gary Simboli, an Albion music teacher, has been a regular performer at the Cabaret the past five years. He wants to stay active as a musician when he retires from teaching in four years.

Sidari said teaming with Simboli would make the space a big draw in Albion and beyond.

“Gary is a superstar, a hometown man who gives more than anyone in the community,” Sidari said.

In addition to performing at the Cabaret, Simboli said he would like to cook for people as part of the expanded space. The new cabaret would lend itself to bus tours, and would be a draw to downtown Albion, Simboli said.

“We are an arts community,” Simboli said. “We support many things. This would be a place to call our own.”

Courtesy of Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center

Josephine blows out her candles with a little help from her daughter, Liz Winters. Josephine’s son Steve Seitz is in back.

MEDINA – Josephine Seitz celebrated her 100th birthday today at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center surrounded by family, friends, residents, and staff.

Born in Buffalo, Josephine (Mazur) Seitz was raised on a farm in Shelby. She came from a large family with seven siblings. Josephine raised two children and now has three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

According to her daughter Liz, Josephine was a good cook, making the best vegetable soup around.  “Jo” loved spending time in her vegetable and flower gardens and other hobbies included canning and cooking.  She was very family oriented.

Josephine was always a friendly neighbor. Josephine’s daughter Liz found out years later through old neighbors that “Jo” would tie bags of vegetables to their doors. To this day, Jo makes her daughter bring in potatoes, zucchini and summer squash for Orchard Manor staff, to continue the tradition. Josephine’s son Steve is known as the “Candy Man” for providing candy for Josephine to have in her room to share with the staff and her visitors.

When asked about reaching 100 years old, Josephine said she attributes it all to working hard her whole life.

Sheriff Bower urges seniors to participate in Yellow Dot

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Lynn Creasey, president of the Senior Center of Western Orleans, and director Kelly Shaw introduce Sheriff Randy Bower, who talked about the Yellow Dot Program during the monthly senior luncheon on Monday.

MEDINA – Seniors who attended Monday’s luncheon meeting at the Senior Center of Western Orleans learned about the workings of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and also were given a lesson in promoting their own safety.

Guest speaker at the meeting was Sheriff Randy Bower, who explained the role of the Sheriff’s Office. One of the responsibilities is the 911 call center and the $1 charged on everyone’s cell phone bill which is supposed to help pay for it. However, the state takes almost all of the money, Bower said.

Recently, Bower met with Congressman Chris Collins and the Federal Communications Commission, and it looks like counties are going to start getting more of that money back by the end of the year, Bower said.

The sheriff also focused on the Yellow Dot Program. He passed out a form which seniors were encouraged to fill out with all their pertinent medical and contact information. Then, by placing one of the yellow dots on the rear driver’s side window of their car, in case of an emergency, first responders know to look in the glove compartment for the information form. Also, a yellow dot placed on a window or door in the house lets emergency personnel know the information form is in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.

Bower said his department gives the yellow dots out at the fair, schools or any event which they attend.

He also praised the cooperation his office receives from neighboring sheriff’s offices in Niagara, Genesee and Monroe counties.

“Any time we need something, like a helicopter from Niagara County, it is here, at no cost to Orleans taxpayers,” Bower said. “We are the most blessed county.”

The senior luncheon also included a business meeting, during which president Lynn Creasey said the Center is planning to install new lights. He will meet with National Grid to make sure the lights purchased qualify the Center for rebates. The installation will save the Center about $600 a year, he said.

On June 9, the Senior Center will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization of Senior Center of Western Orleans. The historic depot in which they meet is 110 years old, Creasey said.

As part of the celebration, all members of the Senior Center will receive a magnet with a picture of the depot. The Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and refreshments will be available.

A basket raffle is scheduled to benefit the Center on June 30. Donations of baskets will be accepted after May 27 and tickets will go on sale shortly after.

Cobblestone Museum has busy calendar of events

Photos by Tom Rivers: Gary Simboli plays the organ at the First Baptist Church in Albion on Saturday night, the final stop in a progressive organ concert that was also a progressive dinner.

The Cobblestone Society & Museum organized the first time event it was a sellout with 80 participants.

Maarit Vaga, the event organizer, wanted to showcase three historic churches and their pipe organs. Besides the First Baptist Church, the event included stops at Christ Church and the Cobblestone Universalist Church.

The event featured three very different historic pipe organs. Simboli played a 1925 Moller Pipe Organ. The instrument features two separate pipe chambers and pressure driven pneumatic action. Simboli is an award-winning instrumental music teacher at Albion High School.

Simboli was joined by guest soloist, the Reverend Aleka Schmidt who is pastor of the First Baptist Church. She is also a classically trained soprano.

Dessert was served following Simboli’s recital.

Christ Church was the second stop on the progressive event. After the concert, Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, gives instructions to the crowd about dinner, which was served in the church’s fellowship hall.

Darryl Smith performed on the 1877 Steer & Turner Pipe Organ at Christ Church. This instrument is unique in that it maintains its original mechanical linkage, known as tracker action, between the keyboard and pipes. Smith is the principal organist at Christ Church.

Maarit Vaga prepared a beef bourguignon dinner.

The event started at the Cobblestone Universalist Church, which was built in 1834, making it North America’s oldest cobblestone church. The first stop on the progressive concert included appetizers and wine.

Andrew Meier of Medina played the 1904 Estey Reed Organ. This unusual instrument was built for church performance in Brattleboro, Vermont, and features two full keyboards and a pedal board. Meier is the principal organist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Medina.

The Cobblestone Museum has an expanded schedule of events this year. Next up is Friday at 6 p.m. with a tour of eight outhouses at the museum.

For more on the museum, click here.

Photo by Tom Rivers: It was quiet while it was raining this morning on the Erie Canal in Albion, where these vessels are tied up near the Ingersoll Street lift bridge.

The Erie Canal opens at 10 a.m. today for its 194^th season.

The Canal Corporation is waiving tolls again this year for recreational vessels as the state continues to commemorate 200 years of Erie Canal history. The Erie Canal was under construction from 1817 to 1825.

The Canal Corp. also waived the tolls last year. Those tolls are normally $25 to $100 for a season pass, depending on the size of the vessel.

This year also marks the 100^th anniversary of the Barge Canal, when the expansion of the Erie Canal was complete in 1918.

The standard hours of operation for the 2018 season are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lift bridges in Orleans County have extended hours until 10 p.m. from May 18 to Sept. 12.

The canal’s navigation season continues until Oct. 10.

Update: The Erie Canal section in Orleans County doesn’t open until May 18.