Residents could hook into system that would run along 31A, Bennetts Corners Road

Photos by Tom Rivers: Matt Zarbo, director of engineering for Square Engineering in Buffalo, discusses constructing a sewer line from the Heron Falls park on Route 31A and connect with the Village of Holley sewer system on Bennetts Corners Road near Route 31.

CLARENDON – Heron Falls is offering to spend $2 million to extend public sewers in the town by about 2 miles.

Heron Falls has about 400 housing units and 800 residents. The park on Route 31A, formerly called Thomas Estates, wants to decommission its aging wastewater treatment system on site and instead run a 4-inch sewer line to connect with Holley’s sewer system.

Heron Falls would pay for the new sewer lines and a pump station, and then turn the project over to the Village of Holley. Residents along 1,650 feet on Route 31A and then 9,150 feet along Bennetts Corners Road would have the option to connect to the sewer system, but wouldn’t be required.

During an information meeting about the project on Monday, some Bennetts Corners Road residents – Dan Cater, Katie Applegate and Charles Kinsey – said they were concerned the public sewer line would bring more development to the rural road which they said already sees lots of speeding motorists.

Cater said the construction of the project could have negative impacts on properties, and he also worries potential leaks in the sewer line could contaminate well water.

“I only see negatives,” Cater said during the meeting. “I only see negatives for my family and neighbors.”

Matt Zarbo shows how the proposed sewer line would go east 1,650 feet along Route 31A, and then north 9,150 feet along Bennetts Corners Road.

Matt Zarbo, an engineer working as a consultant for Heron Falls, said the sewer line is safer than having septic near wells. He said there is very little chance the sewer line would leak. The sewer line should last for a century.

The project would use directional drilling to minimize construction impacts, he said.

Applegate said the rural nature of the community is a big draw for the residents.

“I don’t want to see development on Bennetts Corners,” she said. “It would decimate the peacefulness we have in that area.”

The project would give the village of Holley more sewer users to help the village pay for its sewer plant, which recently completed over $2 million in upgrades.

Holley’s sewer plant currently treats about 210,000 gallons a day. Heron Falls would send another 38,000 to 70,000 a gallons to Holley’s plant which has a capacity to treat 450,000 gallons a day. Even with Heron Falls, Holley would have plenty of capacity to accommodate other users, said Aric Albright, the sewer plant chief operator.

The project needs the Clarendon Town Board’s approval to proceed. Town Supervisor Marc Major said he wants the board to consider the comments made during the meeting. The board hasn’t set a date on when it will vote on the issue.

Major said residents can check the Town Board agenda and attend upcoming meetings. The regular town board meetings are the third Tuesday each month beginning at 7 p.m.

Matt Zarbo speaks during a public information meeting on Monday at the Clarendon Town Hall. About 25 people attended the meeting. Town Supervisor Marc Major said the board would discuss the issue in an upcoming meeting.

If the town doesn’t allow the sewer project, Zarbo said Heron Falls would have to spend more to put in a new waste water treatment facility, and would need to pay an operator for the system. That would also mean there wouldn’t be a new sewer line over about 2 miles for residents to have the option to tap into, and Holley wouldn’t get the sewer revenue from Heron Falls.

The proposal to run a sewer line and connect to Holley’s system is the best option for Heron Falls residents, Zarbo said, while offering a benefit for residents along the line and the Village of Holley.

“We view this as a win, win, win,” Zarbo said about the benefits for Heron Falls, Clarendon and Holley.

A Heron Falls representative said the park has no plans of expanding and adding more units as part of the proposed sewer project.

Heron Falls is working to have all the approvals in place between now and February, so construction can start in the spring and be done in the fall 2026. It has an agreement with Holley to connect into the sewer system. Heron Falls also is working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Transportation to get their approval.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Part of the Orleans County Courthouse dome is illumined in green on Monday evening as part of Operation Green Light.

ALBION – Orleans County is joining in Operation Green Light, a campaign designed to show support for our nation’s veterans, raise awareness of the county role in providing support and resources to veterans, and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties’ ability to support veterans.

In honor of Operation Green Light, the dome of the courthouse will be lit green from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in Operation Green Light by placing a green light in a window of their home or business.

Orleans County legislators last week passed a resolution in support of Operation Green Light. Legislators said 44 to 72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life.

“Active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service,” legislators stated in the resolution.

The Orleans County Veterans Service Office can help veterans with anything they need including filing important paperwork, fighting for benefits, securing medical appointments and finding counseling. The office can be reached at (585) 589-3219.

Photos courtesy of Medina Fire Department: Three Medina firefighters were sworn in as lieutenants of the Medina FD during a Village Board meeting on Monday. Pictured from left include Steve Miller, Adam Fisher and Tim Miller. (Steve and Tim are twin brothers.)

Press Release, Medina Fire Chief Steve Cooley

MEDINA – At the special meeting of the Village Board on Monday, the following promotions were made.

• Firefighter Adam Fisher was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 3.
• Firefighter Stephen Miller was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 4.
• Firefighter Timothy Miller was promoted to Lieutenant effective Nov. 5.

Lieutenant Fisher is a nine-year veteran of the Department. He has been a senior firefighter/paramedic on the 4th Platoon and serves as the Department’s Municipal Training Officer.

Lieutenant Fisher is also a Certified Instructor Coordinator for NY State EMS courses as well as a Fire Instructor for NYS Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services assigned to the NYS Fire Academy in Montour Falls. Lieutenant Fisher will serve as the Company Officer for the 1st Platoon effective Dec. 1 and oversee the Department’s EMS Operations.

(Left) Fire Chief Steve Cooley pins the collar on Tim Miller during the swearing in ceremony. (Right) Steve Miller takes the oath of office in front of his family.

Lieutenant Stephen Miller is a 13-year veteran of the Department, most recently serving as the senior firefighter on the 2nd Platoon with prior time as the senior firefighter on the 3rd Platoon.

He also serves as a Fire Investigator with the Department’s Fire Investigation Unit. Lieutenant Miller will be the Company Officer for the 2nd Platoon and will be assisting Lieutenant Fisher with the Department’s EMS Operations.

Lieutenant Timothy Miller is an 8-year veteran of the Department and has been serving as the senior firefighter on the 3rd Platoon. He has been running the Department’s CPR training program both in-house and for outside agencies including the public.

He will serve as the Company Officer for the 4th Platoon effective Dec. 1 where he will also assist Senior Lieutenant Jacob Crooks with planning and Fire Department Operations.

Congratulations Gentlemen!

Adam Fisher takes the oath of office while joined by his family.

Editor’s Note: The promotions give Medina a lieutenant for each of the three shifts. They fill some of the recent leadership vacancies. Steve Cooley was promoted from lieutenant to fire chief on Sept. 8. Jonathan Higgins, a captain for the Medina FD for 11 years, retired on Aug. 8.

MEDINA/BARRE – Two churches are serving meals today on election day.

The First Presbyterian Church in medina will again be serving a ham and scalloped potato dinner. Last year the meal was such a big hit, the church is doing it again this year.

The dinner will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. as a drive-thru only at the Senior Center on West Avenue. The Senior Center provides a convenient setup to pull up, hand in your ticket and pull forward to the next door and get your meal to go.

Pre-sale tickets are encouraged, but if not sold out, a limited number might be available at the door. Tickets are $15 and available by calling the church at 798-1264 or dinner chair Sue Martin at (585) 721-4723.

The meal will include ham and scalloped potatoes, green beans, applesauce, roll and butter and dessert.

 The West Barre Church for many years has served a turkey dinner on election day. The meals comes with sides and pie for dessert.

It is take-out only from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are pre-sale only and are $15 for adults and $7 for children. The church is located at 5377 Eagle Harbor Rd.

Orleans County residents go to the polls today with voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There are positions up for election in each of the 10 towns as well as the seven Orleans County legislators and the county treasurer. There are 25,777 registered voters in the county.

Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library, part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company, and Carlton uses the Fire Company Rec Hall.

Here is a list of the polling sites:

• Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
• Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
• Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
• Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
• Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
• Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
• Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Town Hall/Highway Garage, 3840 Fancher Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
• Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
• Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

It was an intense thunderstorm this evening in Orleans County, which pelted the landscape with hail.

The top photo was sent in by Rebeccah Demaray of Waterport.

Demaray also sent in this photo of hail all over her porch.

Jacob Delamarter took this photo of the sky lit up by lightning.

Aaron Vosburgh had hail all over his yard in Albion.

ALBION – Orleans County had 425 registered voters cast ballots through nine days of early voting.

The general election is Tuesday and polls will be open in all 10 towns. But with early voting, there is one polling location at the Board of Elections office in Albion.

The totals included  54 on Oct. 25, 26 on Oct. 26, 58 on Oct. 27, 30 on Oct. 28, 48 on Oct. 29, 50 on Oct. 30, 66 on Oct. 31, 58 on Nov. 1 and 35 on Nov. 2.

The early voting total is down significantly from a year ago when 4,539 ballots were cast over the nine days. In 2024, the election featured the presidential race.

This time, the election is at the local levels and nearly all the positions are unopposed.

The only races among candidates on the ballot include:

Carlton Councilman – Marlene Seielstad, Democratic Party, and Ryan Woolston, Republican.

Clarendon Council members with three candidates for two positions – Cecelia Pacheco Stevens, Democratic Party, and Christopher Caufield and Fred Seeman, III, Republicans.

Shelby Councilman – John Pratt III, Republican, and Mark Wambach, Conservative.

There are some write-in campaigns as well. Jeremy Ross of Murray has been endorsed by Democratic Party as write-in candidate for County Legislator in District 4 against John Fitzak of Carlton, a Republican.

George and Iva McKenna are mounting a write-in campaign for Barre Town Board against Wesley Miller and David Allen, who have the Republican and “Future for Barre” lines.

In Murray, William D. “Bill” Bosley Jr., is seeking write-in votes to unseat Dirk Lammes Jr., a Republican, for highway superintendent.

The following proposal also is on the ballot: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. This would allow skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park.

A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve, while a no vote does not authorize this use.

File photos by Tom Rivers: The Elks Lodge in Albion dedicated this memorial for Jason Johnston on Aug. 17, 2019. The Albion Elks Riders have supported a memorial scholarship for Johnston that is given each year for an Albion senior who is pursuing a helping profession.

Editor’s Note: This article was corrected from an earlier version that said Route 98 in Albion would be dedicated in honor of Jason Johnston. 

ALBION – A part of Route 31A in Albion, from Route 98 to Powerline Road, will be dedicated on Wednesday for Spc. Jason Johnston, who was 24 was killed by a roadside bomb in the war in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley said there will be a dedication event at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Route 98 and Route 31A.

Hawley said State Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and other elected officials will be there for the highway dedication for Army Specialist Jason Johnston, who was born and raised in Albion.

Johnston enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2006. His family always said Johnston had an eagerness to serve in the military and then attend Syracuse University after his term in the Army was completed, Hawley said.

Johnston was killed in action on Dec. 26, 2009, when his unit was bombed in Arghandab, Afghanistan.

“I’m honored to take part in this dedication honoring Army Specialist Jason Johnston, a hometown hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” Hawley said. “His courage, commitment and love for his community and country embody the very best of Albion and Western New York. May this highway stand as a lasting reminder of his service and the gratitude we all owe to those who defend our freedom.”

The American Legion Sheret Post in Albion also unveiled a memorial bench in Johnston’s honor on Aug. 14, 2021. Johnston is the only Orleans County resident killed in combat during the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Aug. 17 was taken from the Ingersoll Street lift bridge looking west towards the Main Street bridge. The Main Street bridge reopened on Sept. 19 following a nearly three-year construction project.

ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion is closing for 4 hours tonight to replace gate arms, the state Department of Transportation said today.

The DOT is advising motorists that the lift bridge will be closed to traffic from 2 a.m. until  6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions, the DOT said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Cyndi Stumer (center), deputy commissioner for the Orleans County Department of Social Services, accepts a proclamation from the County Legislature last week that declared November as “National Adoption Awareness Month.”

She is shown with Elizabeth Boring, foster care caseworker, and Legislator Fred Miller.

“Adoptive and foster care families open their hearts and homes, demonstrate great compassion and provide hope and love to children,” the proclamation states. “National Adoption Awareness Month helps to raise public awareness of the fact that there are children available who are waiting for caring families.”

Stumer said there are local children in foster care awaiting adoption.

“It is the desire of this Legislature and Orleans County Department of Social Services that all children awaiting adoption in Orleans County and beyond find permanent and loving homes,” the proclamation concludes.

For more information, click here to be directed to the Orleans County DSS.

Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – The Albion High School National Honor Society inducted 21 new members into its ranks this school year. The ceremony was held in the middle school auditorium on the evening of Oct. 30.

The Albion NHS 2025-26 inductees (listed alphabetically): Olivia Andrews, Lily Brigham, Adam Burgio, Maddison Button, Dejeanna Conner, Shayla Cruz, Brooke Doty, Yaritza Fernandez Perez, Heidi Franco-Lopez, Loralei Gailie, Anna Grillo, Logan Kast, Jillian LeBaron, Nicholas Luft, Jaxon Lynch, Madison Muckle, Bradley Pierce, Carley Smith, Jackson Snook, Mason Snook and Ava Woolston.

Current members (listed alphabetically): Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Lindsay Crawford, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Gideon Pask, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez and Joshua Zayac.

NHS is built upon four pillars; scholarship, service, leadership and character. In order to be eligible, inductees must exhibit all four qualities, be recommended by a faculty member and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 90% or higher.

Current members led the ceremony and guided inductees through the NHS Pledge. After the inductees took the oath, they each accepted their membership pin and signed their names within the book that holds the names of all Albion members before them.

The ceremony included recognition of outstanding high school staff members, decided on by current NHS members. Four faculty members were chosen for exemplifying the four NHS pillars. Caton Conde received recognition for embodying scholarship, Mike Jones for service, Bridgette Varin for leadership and Kyle Syck for character.

Richard Gannon was honored with the Albion NHS Excellence in Teaching Award for his profound influence on his students. Gannon, who has taught history at Albion High School for 29 years, served as the guest speaker at the ceremony.

In his remarks, he congratulated inductees and encouraged members to try new things, even if it might make them a little afraid or uncomfortable. “Be willing to deviate from your original plan,” he said. “You never know how rewarding or educational it can be.”

MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmer’s Market has found a new home for the winter – in the basement of the former NAPA building on North Main Street.

Previously, the market occupied the first floor of the building, but that is now home to the Triennial Hub, according to Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market.

The market’s new location from now through spring is in the lower, rear section of the building, with storefront access in the canal basin. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

The NAPA building had previously been owned by Craig Lacy and his family since 1925. He recently sold the building to Samantha Rae Hughes of Hughes Martin, LLC of Lockport, who is in the process of redeveloping the site.

“The new owner has been great to us,” said Gail Miller, manager of the market. “The Canal Village Winter Farmer’s Market will actually be located Canalside this year. We are incredibly grateful to Samantha for allowing us to use this beautiful space for the winter. Without it, there’d be no winter market.”

In years past, the canal basin space was occupied by Bob’s Electronics, but has sat empty for several years, according to Busch.

“We’re very excited to embrace the new spot,” Miller said. “There’s plenty of parking in the basin and plenty of room for our vendors, too.”

Plans are currently underway to redevelop the current summer market site at 127 West Center St. into an entirely new facility, on the site where once existed a Shell gas station, circa 1964, and later a drive-thru bank. The summer market operates there from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from June through October.

In 2024, a successful grant of $4.5 million was awarded by New York State to the village of Medina, including $725,000 for an exciting and transformative redevelopment of the entire market site. The project will feature a new addition to the existing structure, affording more interior, year-round operating space, along with an entire redevelopment of this pivotal location in downtown Medina.

It will be the first truly impactful development on-site in more than 60 years, according to Busch.

To date, $750,000 has been secured toward the goal of $1.2 million to fully complete this transformative project as envisioned.

To that end, ORG continues to pursue every avenue of additional funding via grants, charitable foundations and private contributions, according to information provided by Busch.

Once completed, the new facility will provide the market with year-round conditioned space and the ability for expanded hours and offerings.

“We’re very lucky to have Canal Village Farmer’s Market year-round, but it takes generous volunteers and benefactors who believe in its importance to the community,” Busch said.

In addition to a dedicated core of volunteers, Busch said the market also benefits from generous community sponsorship from Takeform, Medina Lumber and Hardware and Maureen Sanderson, who lend financial support to the operation.

The market has operated at its summer site on West Center Street and West Avenue since 2015.

“It’s a great spot for a festive, open-air summer market, but the current facilities are tired,” Busch said. “We need our customers to hang in there and support us while we get through this project. Once the new facility is complete, it will be a game-changer, not only for the market, but for the site, downtown and the community. We envision a bigger, better, expanded market, along with a site that can support great community activities. It will be a hub for downtown.”

A start date for construction has not yet been set, but according to Busch,’ “It will be sooner, rather than later.”

Vendors at the newly-located winter market will include Human Farms and Greenhouse (assorted vegetables, spice blends and BBQ sauces), Stone Hollow Farms (fresh bread), Baker Farms (local meats, eggs and garlic), LockRidge Apiary (local honey and honey products), Bower Family Farms and Greenhouse (microgreens, pumpkins, mums and apples) and MBHERR (dog paw creams and moisturizers and seasonal crafts).

The winter market will also continue the Kid’s Tent, featuring crafts and a scavenger hunt with prizes.

Community groups continue to be invited to frequent the “Community Table,” a space for non-profits and groups to connect with the public.

Additionally, the market will serve as a canned/non-perishable food drop-off center for the Medina Emergency Food Pantry. No food will be distributed at the market, but can be obtained at the Emergency Food Pantry located at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 1355 West Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Shoppers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to help others in need,” Miller said. “People really require our help right now. Circumstances are especially difficult and the market is happy to be able to provide a collection site.”

Donations must be suitable for consumption, Busch said. No expired or damaged items will be accepted, or no broken boxes/bags.

Additional information about the market or any of its features is available by e-mailing Miller at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com or via FB Message.

Kimberly Stawicki sent in this photo from this morning from Marshall Road in Medina showing the Erie Canal at sunrise.

A wind advisory has been issued today for Orleans County from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with southwest winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph. The advisory also includes Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Chautauqua and Jefferson counties.

“The strongest gusts expected along the shoreline of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and then downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario,” said the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Today is forecast to reach 53 degrees with showers in the forecast. Tuesday is forecast to be sunny with a high of 55 followed by a high of 55 on Wednesday with showers.

Provided photos: Ava Pouch meets with Katlyn Moore, the county’s animal control officer.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

Ava Pouch hands off donations for the Orleans County Animal Shelter.

ALBION – Ava Pouch, a 10th-grade student at Caledonia-Mumford, recently completed a meaningful community service project in support of the Orleans County Animal Shelter.

With the guidance of her parents, Steve and Samantha Chalker (a Clarendon native), Ava partnered with Clarendon Historian Melissa Ierlan to develop the project as part of her National Honor Society service requirements.

After coordinating with Animal Control Officer Katlyn Moore, Ava created and distributed a donation flyer asking for both monetary and supply contributions. Thanks to her efforts and the generosity of the community, she collected $300 in cash along with a variety of essential items for the shelter.

On October 25, Ava delivered the donations to Animal Control Officer Moore at the shelter. Sheriff Chris Bourke extends his sincere gratitude to Ava, her parents, Melissa Ierlan, and everyone who contributed to this thoughtful and impactful initiative.