ALBION – The tentative budget for Orleans County in 2018 has been filed and shows a 2.5 percent increase in taxes.

The tax levy, what the county collects in taxes, would increase by $421,913, from $16,728,410 to $17,150,323.

The tax rate would increase by 19 cents or 1.9 percent to $10.05 per $1,000 of assessed property, according to the budget submitted by Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The budget is within the state-imposed property tax cap because the county has some carryover from prior years when it was below the cap level. The levy since 2014 has grown a collective 4.31 percent, or an average of 1.08 percent annually, Nesbitt said.

The tentative budget proposes $69,804,984 in spending, which is up 6.4 percent or by $4,190,360. The biggest change in expenditures is the $3,646,000 in state- and federal-funded bridge projects in 2018. That is up from $152,000 in 2017, for a difference of $3,494,000.

The budget benefits from a more “robust” local economy, Nesbitt said in his budget message. Home sale prices have increased, and sales tax revenue is up in 2017, with an additional $610,000 in sales tax budgeted for 2018.

Some burdens on the budget include:

• A $230,000 loss in revenue from the Seneca Nation, which is in a dispute with the State of New York over local and state gambling payments.

• An additional $273,618 for jail operations, mainly with medical and mental health costs, due to the opioid epidemic.

• An extra $202,845 in Medicaid ($8,211,137 total in Medicaid in 2018).

The budget keeps contributions to some agencies flat, while giving some an increase. The Cobblestone Museum, which sought a $7,500 county contribution, remains out of the budget. Other funded agencies include:

• Libraries, stay at $10,000

• Orleans Economic Development Agency, from $170,000 to $180,000

• Sportsman’s Federation, stays at $1,000

• Soil and Water Conservation District, from $80,000 to $92,500

• Cooperative Extension, stays at $240,000

• GO Art!, stays at $3,000

The fee for solid waste and recycling service will be $212 for the year, which is up $5.

There will be a public hearing on the budget at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the County Courthouse.

To see the line items in the budget, click here.

ALBION – A proposal to build a professional office with storage on West Lee Road in Barre was approved by the Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday.

Eric Watson of EWatson Enterprises wants to have the office building and storage area in a wooded area on West Lee Road, in an Agricultural/Residential District. The location is 1,300 east of Barre Stone Products.

Watson will lease the space from Expedited Property Service, according to Watson’s application for site plan review and a special use permit.

Watson said the building would be used to host clients, review blueprints, have its shop to maintain equipment, and also have storage.

Watson has four full-time employees and plans on growing in the future.

“We’d like to build our shop, invest our dollars here, and have a positive impact on our county,” Watson told members of the County Planning Board.

The project includes 10 parking spaces, and a business sign that would be 7 feet wide and 5 feet tall. Business hours for the office would be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board would like to see the final plans for a proposed 22,000-square-foot addition to the County Administration Building.

Municipalities tend to be exempt from getting local reviews and approvals from other municipalities for building projects. While the county doesn’t need Planning Board approval, members of the board said a review could result in a better project.

“I truly believe when we have these discussions, and sometimes they are vigorous discussions, that we get a better product in the end,” said Ron Vendetti, a member of the board representing the Village of Holley.

Planning Board Chairman Brian Napoli brought up the issue during Thursday’s Planning Board meeting.

“They’re expanding the building,” Napoli said. “Shouldn’t we see the plan?”

The 17-member Planning Board reviews projects around the county for new buildings, additions, zoning changes and other land use matters.

“It’s kind of a double standard,” Napoli said. “They make zoning ordinances for everyone else.”

This rendering from Wendel shows a proposed 22,000-square-foot addition to the County Administration Building.

Vendetti, in his role as Albion code enforcement officer, said some recent projects in the village were exempt from his input, including projects at the school district and the new bus garage on county-owned land on West Academy Street.

Having another professional look over the plans could save significant money later if a mistake is caught before construction, Vendetti said.

“There is a lot of experience and expertise on this board,” Vendetti said. “I think we put a better product out when we sit here and talk about it.”

The Orleans County Legislature has approved a maximum bond of $10,063,881 for an addition to the County Administration Building on Route 31, behind the nursing home. The Public Health Department, Board of Elections and other county offices will be relocated to the new addition.

Jim Bensley, director of the county’s Department of Planning and Development, said he would talk with county legislators about having the project go before the Planning Board for a review.

Town shrinks buffer from 3,000 feet to 2,000 near refuge

SHELBY – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday supported the Town of Shelby’s Wildlife Refuge Protection Overlay District, which provides a 2,000-foot buffer north of the refuge.

That overlay district would prohibit “incompatible” uses with a refuge, such as mining, blasting for non-agricultural purposes, junkyards, telecommunication facilities, airports and airstrips, motor vehicle repair shops that aren’t home businesses and some other uses.

Members of the Orleans County Planning Board were unanimous on Thursday in supporting the Overlay District. Brian Napoli of Ridgeway, far end at left, is chairman of the board. Wes Miller of Barre is at front right.

The town approved the overlay district in June and established it as a 3,000-foot buffer to the north of the refuge. The town is now amending the district to 2,000 feet and is allowing some uses that were prohibited in the initial district.

The revised overlay district would allow blasting if it is for an agricultural purpose, and would allow motor vehicle repair shops if they are home businesses. The overlay district also has been amended to allow motels/hotels if they have 24 units or less. The amended district will also allow commercial campground and recreational vehicle parks if they do not exceed 10 acres.

Three uses that had been prohibited in the overlay district – agricultural product processing facilities, agricultural product distribution centers, and kennels – have been removed and will be allowed uses in the amended district.

Frontier Stone has secured state mining permits to operate a 215-acre quarry on Fletcher Chapel Road. The company needs town approval for the project and a change in zoning for the land owned by  Zelazny Family Enterprises, LLC – Chester, Jim and Ed Zelazny.

Frontier last month filed an Article 78 legal proceeding against the town, challenging the Overlay District.

The state Department of Environmental Consrvation has been the lead agency on the environmental review of the proposed quarry. Scott Sheeley, regional permit administrator for the DEC, notified Frontier on Oct. 3 that the company had satisfied the DEC on a range of issues, including blasting and vibration, mining setbacks, cultural resources and Indian nation consultation, mine dewatering and off-site discharges, transportation and other potential impacts.

Shelby has been resistant to giving the local approvals for the project. The Wildlife Refuge Protection Overlay District is another level of protection in maintaining a residential/agricultural land use near the refuge.

The Orleans County Department of Planning and Development, in reviewing the Overlay District, commended the Town of Shelby for its “admirable cause” in trying to protect the Wildlife Refuge with the Overlay District.

Frontier has said its studies show the quarry won’t have a negative impact on the refuge.

The Town of Shelby will have a public hearing on the amended Overlay District at 5 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the Shelby Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.

MEDINA – A law enforcement efficiency study shows significant savings for village residents if the village police departments are dissolved and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office assumes the additional work.

The report says villages would have similar police presence and response time, and the village tax rates would drop, perhaps as much as $6 to $8 per $1,000 of assessed property in the Village of Albion, for example.

Despite those savings (several hundred dollars a year for a typical homeowner), few village residents are pushing for the change, according to Albion and Medina officials.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari said village residents have been fairly quiet about the issue. As mayor he wants to see the final report from the consultants and the committee working on the issue before he has an opinion.

Medina hosted the third public meeting on five options for law enforcement services in Orleans County. Last week, CGR held meetings in Albion and Holley. (The next meeting is scheduled 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Lyndonville High School Auditorium.)

About 40 people attended the meeting Wednesday at Medina High School on the law enforcement efficiency study.

The five options range from the status quo to dissolving the village police forces and having a single-entity law enforcement department through the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Eileen Banker, the deputy mayor in Albion, said she hasn’t heard support for dissolving the village police, even with the projected savings.

“People are satisfied with what they have,” she said today. “They feel safe. They know when call they will get a response that is fast.”

Paul Bishop, an associate principal with CGR, has been working on the study since August 2016 with a committee that includes local elected officials and law enforcement officers. The calculations show the Albion village tax rate would fall from about $18 per $1,000 of assessed property to $10 if the village police department was eliminated and the Sheriff’s Office assumed the village patrols. If the Sheriff’s Office maintained the same number of officers as the village departments, the county tax rate would go up about 20 percent or $2 per $1,000 of assessed property, according to the report.

This slide shows that Albion has the highest crime rate in the county. These statistics are a 5-year average.

Sidari and Banker both said the issue hasn’t drawn a lot of comments from the community.

“No one has been coming to our meetings to say if it’s a good or bad idea,” Banker said.

She was referring to the twice a month Village Board meetings. During a meeting last Wednesday about the law enforcement study in Albion, several residents said they would be concerned with a decline in staffing in the villages and a longer response time if the county took over the job.

Bishop said the option for a single law enforcement agency calls for keeping the same amount of officers, 52, in the county. Bishop said those officers wouldn’t be bound by jurisdictional lines and could respond where they are needed. Often that is just outside village lines and busy state roads, he said.

Bishop told about 40 people in Medina on Wednesday that the service and response times might improve under a single law enforcement agency. He also sees opportunities for the officers to specialize, perhaps with drug detection or as juvenile officers.

“Community discussions will drive what happens next,” Bishop said. “Are you happy with the status quo or is there something here to go after?”

This slide breaks down the types of calls for law enforcement officers. The leading call is traffic violations, with public safety assists the second-leading when officers help other agencies.

The law enforcement entities in the county – Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Albion PD, Medina PD, Holley PD and a part-time officer in Lyndonville – currently cost about $7 million collectively. Bishop said those costs will likely climb to $9 million in the next 10 years in the current model.

In a single entity department – keeping the same number of officers – Bishop said the cost in 10 years would stay close to the current $7 million. There would be reduced personnel costs, even without staff cuts. All of the officers would be on the county contract. The average pay for Sheriff’s deputies with three years’ experience is $50,000, while Medina police officers are paid about $53,000 after 3 years, and Albion officers are paid $63,000 with 3 years of experience, Bishop said.

“Erie and Monroe counties pay substantially higher and that’s where you begin to lose some officers,” he said.

Orleans County recently approved a new contract for deputies that has narrowed the gap with the pay at Albion and Medina, Bishop said.

“The village officers are paid more but it is not a dramatic difference,” Bishop said.

Some of the other options explored by the committee include:

• Expanded Collaboration – The departments remain intact but share resources for evidence storage, central booking and holding, and training and tools.

• Villages Scale Back – Albion and Medina both have two officers on night shifts, and Holley has one officer committed overnights. However, there are few calls between 2 and 8 a.m. on weekdays. One option would be for Albion and Medina to have only one officer working during that low-call volume five days a week. Holley could not have an officer at those hours. There are existing resources to help the villages with the Sheriff’s Office and State Police during the overnight.

That would save Albion and Medina about $100,000 a year. The savings wouldn’t be very dramatic in Holley because that department covers many of its shifts with part-time officers.

• Villages Contract with County – The villages could abolish their departments and contract with the Sheriff’s Office for dedicated patrols and service within the villages. Bishop said residents would notice little change, but would see about $250,000 in savings in the Village of Albion, for example, and about $200,000 in Medina. The savings would primarily come from the reduced pay for the officers who would now be county employees. Some of the administrative tasks would also shift to the county, saving the villages some costs.

Holley and Lyndonville, because they use part-time staff, would actually have to spend more if they contracted with the Sheriff’s Office because deputies are full-time with benefits.

In the contract option, the villages would pay for patrol cars and capital costs. The villages would still bear much of the expense of the operation, but the law enforcement officers would be county employees managed by the sheriff or an appointed leader in the Sheriff’s Office.

Paul Bishop goes over some options for law enforcement services in Orleans County.

If a village moves to eliminate its police department, the issue would need to go for a public vote. Bishop said the police unions will likely fight the changes and elected officials may not embrace them, either.

He asked about 40 people at the Medina if they supported pursuing some of the options, including the single entity agency. It was split in Medina, with about half open to looking at the single entity agency and half saying they liked the way law enforcement services are currently provided.

Bishop said CGR will work to compile feedback at the four meetings in a final report that could be ready in mid-December or by the end of the year.

To see the report on law enforcement in Orleans County, click here.

BATAVIA – Orleans County Historian Matt Ballard will give a presentation on Dec. 6 at Genesee Community College in Batavia as part of the college’s “Historical Horizons Lecture Series.”

Ballard will discuss, “Fear of the Unknown: Creating the Illegal Immigrant in 19th Century America.” His presentation will be at 7 p.m. in the Conable Technology Building, Room T102.

The theme of immigration to the United States is a relative topic in current events, but the establishment of the “illegal immigrant” only dates back to the turn of the 20th century. In the earliest years of immigration, Europeans were accepted without restriction, but an influx of new immigrants during the latter half of the 19th century raised concerns about potential impacts on American society.

Uncertainty and unfounded fears created excessive restrictions focused on limiting access to specific ethnic/racial groups, religious groups, the disabled, the infirmed, and those likely to become a “public charge.”

Ballard wrote about the resilience of immigrants in a June 24, 2017 column in the Orleans Hub. Click here to read it.

ALBION – The state Department of Transportation has reposted the weight limit on the Allen’s Bridge Road canal bridge from 3 tons to 12 tons, said Michael Neidert, the Albion town highway superintendent.

When the bridge was at a 3-ton limit, the town had to close the road and bridge during the winter because plow/salt vehicles could not go over it, and other ways of removing snow were unsafe, Neidert said.

“I feel this is great news as we enter into the winter season and we have now eliminated a lengthy detour for the residents that use that route,” Neidert said.

The DOT changed the signs on Tuesday, posting a 12-ton weight limit.

Neidert said the town will be able to take a small plow/sander truck over the bridge this winter.

The town also will be working on paving the south side of the approach to the bridge next year. Neidert said the DOT two years ago ruled that canal bridge approaches – pavement, guardrails, weeds, brush – were no longer the state responsibility.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The former Rocking R Ranch on Ridge Road is pictured last month.

GAINES – The Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance and permit for Preston’s Country Market to open a seasonal business on Ridge Road at the former Rocking R Ranch, 14877 Ridge Rd.

The Gaines board met last week and approved the project after the Orleans County Planning Board had recommended it be denied last month. Gaines needed a super-majority vote for the project to move forward.

The County Planning Board recommended denial of the project because the residential-agricultural zoning doesn’t allow a “seasonal tourist business.”

The Gaines board approved a variance and permit, as well as the site plan and subdivision of the property.

Marie Preston intends to sell nursery stock, garden stock, flowers and locally grown fruit and vegetables from the family-owned orchard and farm. Preston also said she would have gift shop items that were nature related, such as birdhouses. She would like to have a U-pick pumpkin patch and sell baked goods, soups, sandwiches and hamburgers.

Her sons, Jim and Aaron Preston, run Preston’s Lawn Care & Landscaping, which is based on Zig Zag Road.

Preston’s Country Market expects to open in mid-April, depending on the weather, with a grand opening the first weekend in May.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Collins

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today voted for H.R. 1, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which will provide historic tax relief to families across America and spur economic growth.

“With today’s vote, President Trump and House Republicans have seized this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform our nation’s tax code,” Collins said in a press release. “Since this plan was introduced, I have crunched the numbers and know that this bill will allow families in Western New York and the Finger Lakes to keep more of what they earn, while unleashing America’s competitiveness to bring jobs and profits back home, where they belong.”

The legislation passed by the House today lowers tax rates, collapses tax brackets, increases the child tax credit and doubles the standard deduction, which will allow families to keep more of their paychecks. Most families are likely to use the new standard deduction, no longer needing to itemize deductions. For those that still choose to itemize, House Republicans have maintained important deductions for mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and state and local property taxes up to $10,000.

“Families that are struggling to make ends meet will see more cash in their pockets to help with everyday expenses,” said Collins. “This tax reform will also have an overwhelming impact on our nation’s economy that will create jobs and increase wages.”

Currently, the United States has the highest corporate tax rate in the world. H.R. 1 will lower this rate to be competitive with other industrialized nations. Additionally, the plan lowers the tax rate on small businesses to the lowest it has been since WWII.

Collins added: “Unfortunately, career politicians like Andrew Cuomo and Chuck Schumer have not been truthful over the past few weeks as they look out for New York City millionaires and try to keep more of my constituents’ hard earned money for their wasteful spending. I am only looking out for the people of Western New York and the Finger Lakes, and their wallets. The tax reform package ultimately sent to President Trump’s desk will improve the lives of my constituents and will truly Make America Great Again.”

Based upon average family household income, average home value, an estimated mortgage interest of 4%, and respective state and property taxes, a family of four in the follow counties under the House Republican tax plan would save an average of:

• Erie: $1,845.60

• Genesee: $1,637.50

• Livingston: $1,736.40

• Monroe: $1,872.76

• Niagara: $1,703.00

• Ontario: $1,836.52

• Orleans: $1,362.64

• Wyoming: $1,509.28

KENDALL – Members of the Kendall Board of Education have approved the formation of a trap shooting team for students in grades 7-12.

Board President Nadine Hanlon on Wednesday evening called the formation of the team, “very exciting.” High School Principal Carol D’Agostino said the new program is a “great idea.”

The team will likely be ready to begin competition in the spring of 2018, district administrators said.

Students must possess league-approved firearm safety certification (NYS Hunter Safety Course) and meet all school curricular activity and eligibility requirements to participate.  The hunter safety training may be provided at the school, the trap shooting team proposal indicates.

The team will meet at the North Star Sportsman Club on Walker Lake Ontario Road in Hilton on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Each spring and fall season will last seven weeks. There is a NYS tournament in Cicero for spring seasons, which team members must qualify for.

Students will also have the ability to shoot all year and/or during the off season if there is interest.

Students attending the Board of Education meeting indicated they felt there would be interest in the team from many students. The proposal passed unanimously.

“I’m very excited to offer this opportunity to our students and kudos to Jack Keenan for all of his work and research,” Superintendent Julie Christensen said. Keenan worked on drafting the team proposal for the board and is named as club advisor and coach.

Board member Lisa Levett noted the success of the trap shooting team at Holley Central School and said the team there has provided an opportunity for students who may not typically become involved in team sports.

Students will need to transport themselves and their firearms to and from North Star Sportsman Club. Team members will shoot each week with a member of the North Star Sportsman’s Club.

The district will set a stipend cost once participation numbers and other details are determined. The stipend will provide for coaching and instruction of students.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Frank Berger is shown during Medina’s Memorial Day observance on May 29.

MEDINA – The committee organizing the 9^th annual Parade of Lights on Nov. 25 has named Frank Berger as grand marshal of the event.

“We are excited to have Frank serve in this honorary position,” said Jim Hancock, the parade chairman. “Frank has a long history of community involvement in the village of Medina along with several committees in Western New York.”

Berger is a Korean War veteran and has been active in the Butts American Legion Post 204. He has served as commander at both the local and regional levels.

He also has been involved in local Scouting since 1946 and is currently serves as vice chairman of the Towpath District/Iroquois Trail Council. Besides working 30 years as an Industrial Arts teacher in the Medina School system, Berger served 14 years as a county legislator, and worked diligently on behalf of the local Medina Historical Society.

He also served over 30 years in the Masonic Lodge #336 of Free and Accepted Masons and has organized the Memorial Day Parade in Medina since 1971.

“It will be nice that Frank will finally be able to see a Parade in full,” Hancock said. “The Committee is very pleased to be able to have such an active supporter of the village be this year’s Grand Marshal.”

Berger, as part of his duties, will light the Community Christmas Tree in Rotary Park at 5:30 on Nov. 25. He will then take his place of honor by riding in the Parade at 6 p.m.

File photo: The Knowlesville lift bridge, which has been reduced to one-lane traffic with a 6-ton weight limit, is be closed for the winter.

Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation

RIDGEWAY – The New York State Department of Transportation today announced that the bridge carrying Knowlesville Road over the Erie Canal in the town of Ridgeway will close to all traffic, including bicyclists and pedestrians, for the winter months beginning today. The road is expected to reopen by the end of February 2018.

A recent bridge inspection and engineering analysis identified the need to close the bridge immediately for steel repairs. A previously scheduled repair project to fix the steel beams carrying the bridge over the Canal is scheduled to begin on November 27.

The truss-style movable bridge, built in 1910, is posted with a maximum weight of six tons. Upon completion of the repairs, the bridge is expected to reopen to all legal loads.

Approximately 1,100 vehicles use this canal crossing daily.

No official detour will be posted. Culvert Road passing under the canal is approximately 1.5 miles to the west, and the Presbyterian Road bridge is less than two miles to the east.

Provided photo: Albion Rotary Interact members spent the day at Foodlink in Rochester on Wednesday. Pictured from left: McKenna Boyer, Alanna Holman, Emily Mergler, Noah Wadhams, Cody Wilson, Aubrey Boyer and Annalise Steier.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ROCHESTER – Albion High School Rotary Interact members and Middle School service learning students are doing their part to help needy families in the area.

Interact Club students recently spent the day at Foodlink in Rochester learning the supply chain of getting ample resources into the hands of needy students and families.

The students learned that area retailers and producers, like Wegmans, provide thousands of pounds of food daily to food banks like Foodlink, one of over 200 food banks across the country.

From there, food is distributed to local providers like Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. Ultimately it is distributed to families. Students learned how vital Foodlink is to the supply line to local food pantries and soup kitchens throughout western New York.

“Each year during the holiday season we are reminded of just how blessed we are to have ample food, shelter, and clothing,” ACS Interact advisor and service learning teacher Tim Archer said. “It doesn’t take much motivation for our kids to want to give back.”

To better understand the next process in the chain Albion Middle School service learning classes will team up with  Community Action of Orleans and Genesee and help pack “holiday baskets” that will be distributed locally prior to the Christmas holiday. In assembly line fashion, the pre-teens pack boxes containing, vegetables, potatoes, desserts, drinks and other items.

Press Release, Department of Transportation

ALABAMA – The New York State Department of Transportation will hold an information session on Tuesday, November 28, to discuss proposed plans for a project to improve safety at the intersection of Route 77 and Ledge Road in Alabama, Genesee County.

The meeting will be held in an open house format at the Alabama Fire Hall, located at 2230 Judge Road, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. No formal presentation will be given.

The preferred alternative is to build a modern roundabout. The proposed project will improve safety at the intersection by reducing crashes. A preliminary layout of the roundabout will be available to view and discuss with NYSDOT representatives.

Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2019.

The location is accessible for people with disabilities. If anybody requires special accommodations to participate in this public outreach, please contact Colleen Williams at 272-3363 or by e-mail at colleen.williams@dot.ny.gov by November 20.

Photos by Tom Rivers: This leaf is pictured recently in an Albion backyard.

Southshore of Lake Ontario, including Orleans County, has been in state of emergency since May 2

Another lakeshore flood warning has been issued for southshore counties, including Orleans. The flood warning is in effect today from 1 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Friday.

The southshore has been in a state of emergency since May 2, according to a declaration from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The lakeshore has been vulnerable to flooding and erosion for more than six months now.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo said strong northwest winds will develop today and this evening behind a cold front. The wind and building waves, combined with above-average lake levels, will increase shoreline erosion, the Weather Service said.

Today’s high temperature will be 45 degrees followed by a high of 39 on Friday.

The temperatures on some recent nights have dropped below freezing.