By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 October 2024 at 9:26 am
Barre, Shelby wanted higher share, but settle on 40 percent
Map from AES: The 200 megawatt solar project in Barre and Shelby would be along Crane, Townline and Burns roads near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
BARRE – A 200 megawatt solar project in Barre and Shelby will bring $900,000 annually in revenue to local governments, to be shared among two towns, three school districts and Orleans County.
The Orleans Economic Development Agency negotiated the host community agreement for the Hemlock Ridge Solar, discussions that started about 2 ½ years ago among the municipal leaders.
AES, owner of Hemlock Ridge, has agreed to pay $4,500 per megawatt to local governments or $900,000 total the first year, which is expected to be 2026. The amount will increase 2 percent after that. AES is hoping to start construction next summer on Hemlock Ridge with the project operational in 2026. The project is along Crane Road, Townline Road, and Burns Road about 5 miles southeast of Medina.
Typically, the Orleans EDA works out PILOT agreements (payment in lieu of taxes) and the local governments’ share is based on their tax rates. The school districts tend to have the highest tax rates and they get the largest amount among the towns and county in a typical PILOT.
But with Hemlock Ridge the entities agreed to not do a PILOT and base the revenue sharing on their tax rates. In that scenario, the towns would get the least of the revenue because their tax rates are less than the schools districts and county.
The host community agreement gives the two towns 40 percent of the total revenue, but Barre and Shelby wanted more.
The host community agreement hasn’t been made fully public, detailing the amounts for all the governments.
The Barre Town Board on Wednesday voted to accept its share. The project is 82 percent in the Town of Barre and 18 percent in Shelby. The towns together get 40 percent of the revenue or $360,000 the first year the project is operational.
Barre will get 82 percent of the money for the two towns or $295,200, while Shelby gets the other 18 percent or $64,800.
The two towns argued they should receive more than 40 percent because they are dealing with the impacts of the project and have done more work with the developer in siting it.
Barre with the Heritage Wind project will receive 75 percent of the local revenue through that host community agreement.
“We fought like hell but they wouldn’t budge,” Kathy Bennett, the Shelby town attorney, said about the county and school districts.
The Shelby Town Board is expected to finalize the agreement next month. The town also needs to sign a road use agreement during the construction phase of the project.
The Town of Barre also sought more funding, but town attorney Bridget O’Toole said the school districts and county wouldn’t go above 40 percent for the two towns.
“It was a very contentious negotiation with a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” she said after Wednesday’s Town Board meeting.
The County Legislature on Sept. 24 approved its share of the project, with the county amount varying on whether the solar panels are in the Albion, Medina or Oakfield-Alabama school districts.
The county will receive $1,008.90 per megawatt within the Albion school district (22.4 percent of total), $744.83 per megawatt within Oakfield-Alabama district (16.6 percent of the total), and $935.19 per megawatt for the project within Medina school district (20.8 percent).
The school districts, based on the county share and the 40 percent to the two towns, would get the following: 37.6 percent to Albion for the area in ACS; 43.4 percent of Oakfield-Alabama for the land in the project in that district; and 39.2 percent to Medina school district for the area in that district.
After 10 years, another $500 per megawatt will be added to host community agreement and that additional $100,000 a year will go to the two towns with Barre getting 82 percent, O’Toole said.
File photo by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer holds a photo of a finished factory for Edwards Vacuum during a celebration on Aug. 6 in front of the company’s manufacturing facility that has been under construction since April.
Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
TOWN OF ALABAMA – After announcing that Edwards Vacuum plans to build manufacturing facility in Western New York two years ago, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced Edwards Vacuum has reached a $18 million preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) funding agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce under the CHIPS & Science Law he championed.
This proposed federal funding will support Edwards Vacuum’s plans to build its new $300+ million dry pump manufacturing facility for the semiconductor industry, the first of its kind in the country, as there is currently no domestic production of semiconductor-grade dry vacuum pumps.
“This investment will ensure an essential part of the semiconductor supply chain – that will be surging in demand – is made right here in Genesee County,” Schumer said. “I am proud to announce my CHIPS & Science Law is investing $18 million in Edwards Vacuum’s expansion in Western New York, creating the first dry pump vacuum manufacturing facility of its kind in America.”
Today’s proposed federal funding will support a planned $300+ million investment and 600+ good-paying jobs when the facility reaches full production capacity. Schumer explained all chip fabs need vacuum technology like what Edwards makes to power the sophisticated equipment and state-of-the-art machine tools needed to make microchips.
Those tools need and use vacuum pumps, like those that will now be made in Western New York, to manipulate the chip wafers to manufacture the finished microchips. By bringing manufacturing to New York, new chip fabs such as Micron and GlobalFoundries in New York, and Intel in Ohio can have access to critical dry pumps that will now be made in the U.S., offering chip producers shorter wait times, improved responsiveness, and reduced CO2 emissions from an American-made product.
This is the third agreement for a New York company from the CHIPS Incentives Program funded by Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law. Earlier this year, Schumer announced that Micron, which plans to invest $100 billion over the next two decades – the largest private investment in New York’ s history – reached a $6.1 billion CHIPS PMT funding agreement.
In addition, GlobalFoundries in the Capital Region also reached an agreement for $1.5 billion in direct grant funding under his CHIPS & Science Law to support a $12.5 billion public-private investment over the next ten plus years to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in Malta, NY.
“This continued investment by the Biden administration is proof positive the value of our region as a ‘Tech Hub’ and America’s emerging semiconductor superhighway,” Schumer said. “Today, Edwards Vacuum’s plans to expand in Western NY move forward. And that dream becomes one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to my CHIPS & Science Law.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2024 at 3:56 pm
The colors are changing on leaves around the state, with some places ahead of others.
In Orleans County, the changes are still early, with only 15 percent change in Albion “with muted-to-average red and yellow shades,” according to today’s Fall Foliage report released by I Love NY.
Erie and Genesee County are at about 30 percent change, with Wyoming at 65 percent, according to spotters highlighted in the report.
Other parts of the state are near peak foliage, including the higher elevations of the Adirondacks, the northern Catskills, the southwestern portion of the Finger Lakes and much of the southern portion of the Chautauqua-Allegheny region.
I Love NY released this report today of the fall foliage status around the state.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2024 at 1:04 pm
ALBION – A music video shoot planned for this Saturday at Bullard Park has been moved to the spring.
Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc. wants to create a video celebrating the recent upgrades to the park, including the splash pad, new pavilions, amphitheater, walking trail, disc golf course, basketball courts, a scoreboard for the football field, a murals painted on a utility building.
The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc. “G-ACRE” has a mission to create and provide for recreational activities, support volunteerism, and improve the quality of life in the greater Albion community.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2024 at 9:08 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Board of Elections will have a voter registration day on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the BOE office, 14016 State Route 31, Suite 140.
The BOE also held a local registration day on Oct. 5.
Eligible New York voters have until Oct. 26 to register to vote in the general election on Nov. 5.
Voters unsure of whether they are already registered to vote can check their registration status at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2024 at 8:19 am
MEDINA/ALBION – Operation Honor, a group that raises funds to assist local veterans, is planning a 5K in Medina on Nov. 9 and the group for the first time will lead Wreaths Across America at Mount Albion on Dec. 14.
The annual 5K starts and ends at the Junior Wilson Sportsman Club on Bates Road. Oct. 11 is the deadline to sign up and receive a free shirt. Participants can sign up after that but won’t be guaranteed a shirt. Click here to sign up.
Operation Honor is a 501(c)3 non-profit that supports veterans in Orleans County, helping to cover utility bills, car payments, or purchasing heating pellets for veterans in need. Operation Honor assisted one veteran with the cost of registering a wheelchair-adapted van.
The organization this year joined in Wreaths Across America, where remembrance wreaths will be placed at the newer veterans’ section. The wreaths are $17 each and can be purchased online (click here).
There will be a ceremony at noon on Dec. 14 at the cemetery.
ALBION – The U.S. economy is certainly interconnected with its politics. In this highly charged political atmosphere we are experiencing a number of developments which include the moderation of inflation, a slight lowering of the interest rate, etc.
The Community Coalition for Justice has invited Patrick Golden, principal analyst for Consumer Affairs and Protection for the NYS Assembly and Counsel, to help us make sense of what is going on.
Golden will address the current economic situation in the U.S., how it relates to the political climate and provide us with a glimpse of what is ahead. He will give a presentation at 6:30 p.m. at the Hoag Library on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Golden is a graduate of Kendall High School and St. Bonaventure University. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from SUNY Albany.
A discussion will follow the presentation, and will include a question and answer period.
The Community Coalition for Justice includes the Albion Betterment Committee, Pullman Universalist Church, Hoag Library, People Embracing Diversity and the Social Justice Committee.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2024 at 5:03 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Brody Hoffmeister and his wife Jenna Pangrazio stand behind the counter in Rudy’s Soda Bar and Cafe. The business will be honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year.
MEDINA – When Brody Hoffmeister and his wife Jenna Pangrazio took over his family’s business in 2020, they knew they would have big shoes to fill, but didn’t realize what a challenge they faced.
Now, with Rudy’s Soda Bar and Café being recognized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce as their Small Business of the Year, Hoffmeister hopes things are looking up.
Rudy’s was first started in 1988 by Hoffmeister’s grandparents, Joseph and Debra Russo. Then his mother Kelly Duffield stepped in and ran it until she died of cancer in October 2019, and Hoffmeister was thrust into running the establishment much sooner than he expected.
As if that wasn’t enough, soon after he took over, Covid hit and the restaurant was forced to close in March 2020. When they did reopen, it was for take-out only, and unfortunately, they lost employees and customers, many of whom have not come back.
The couple, however, is determine to turn the restaurant around from surviving to thriving.
“Winning the Chamber award was a surprise and humbling, and a much-needed boost,” Hoffmeister said. “We want to do what people want. I’ve spent a lot of time making sure this place survives.”
Earlier in the year Hoffmeister was on a path to change. Personally, he has lost 100 pounds. On the business side, he thought a change in the menu and décor might be welcome and he teamed up with a branding and graphic design firm to implement a change, a decision that didn’t pay off.
At their suggestion, he revamped the menu and began renovations to create a 1950s diner look.
He soon discovered, however, the new menu was not catching on.
“Sometimes you have to look through the forest to see the trees,” Hoffmeister said. “Our customers weren’t coming back. So we are going back to our old menu. Daily specials and homemade soups. Turkey dinners on Thursdays and fish on Fridays. And real mashed potatoes.”
He said his focus will continue to be quality over quantity and he invites customers to come back and check it out.
Overall, he said Rudy’s is a generational thing.
“It’s forging of bonds and the commitment of building something together that ultimately is bigger than everyone involved,” Hoffmeister said.
Of his menu he said, “If we are going to do specials, they are going to be good.”
Rudy’s, 118 West Center St., is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: The PTA, Albion school officials and students celebrated a new book vending machine at the elementary school.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – The Albion Parent Teachers Association (PTA) donated a brand-new book vending machine to the elementary school this fall.
For the past couple of weeks, the Albion PTA has stocked the vending machine with age-appropriate books and, on Monday a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held before the monthly Board of Education meeting.
Albion PTA Vice President Jessica Estela says the goal of the book vending machine is to help promote literacy and provide an opportunity for positive reinforcement.
According to Estela, the plan is to provide each elementary teacher with enough awards so every student can be recognized for their “good” behavior at some point during the school year. Students will be given the opportunity to use either the school’s book vending machine or the book vending machine at the Hoag Library as their reward.
“We want this to be an opportunity that is inclusive of everyone,” Estela said. “Even the children with significant behavioral struggles will have a ‘good’ day at some point throughout the year. The goal is to really emphasize the good behavior and hopefully create a cascade of better behavior.”
Students in kindergarten, first, and second grades will be introduced to the vending machine by reading the book that came with it: “The Dream” by Jason Blumberg. The story follows Inchy the Bookworm’s adventure as he finds through reading and wants to share those feelings with his friends.
Albion Elementary School Principal Angela Conway said it was important to both the school and the PTA that this be a character-driven award rather than an academic highlight.
“Our goal is always to foster good, well-rounded learners,” Conway said. “It is equally important that we encourage our students to be good citizens as well.”
Principal Conway hopes that this program will reinforce the school’s motto: SOAR, which stands for safety, showing ownership, acting responsibly and respectfulness toward others.
Estela also explains that this process will encourage a positive office experience for students.
“The [principal’s] office is often thought to be a place where students are sent just when they have done something wrong, and I really wanted to change that,” Estela said. “I think it’s important that students see administration and office staff as supports.”
“We are happy to partner with the Albion PTA and Hoag Library to promote literacy, inclusivity, and positive behavior incentives,” Principal Conway said. “This is a continued goal at the Elementary School and we are grateful for the community’s support in educating all of our SOARing Purple Eagles.”
The Albion PTA will continue to purchase, donate, and stock books for the vending machine, providing the students with plenty of new options throughout the year. For more information on the Albion PTA, please contact PTA President Beth Stanley at purple.eagles.pta@gmail.com.
Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
WATERFORD – The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are offering competitive grant funding to support tourism, recreation, and events along the New York State Canal System including canal waterways and Canalway Trail. Applications are open now through Nov. 15.
As New York State commemorates the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025, the grants program will emphasize infrastructure and amenity improvements that boost tourism, and events that commemorate the canal’s 200th anniversary or expand the audience of canal users.
Funding is open to counties, municipalities, units of local government, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes located within the Canalway Corridor. Applications for infrastructure projects located on land owned by the New York State Canal Corporation are open only to federal/state/local governments, unless a nonprofit applicant is currently named as a permittee on an existing Canal Corporation Use and Occupancy Permit.
New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “As we approach the Erie Canal’s 200th birthday, the Tourism Infrastructure and Events Program is a fantastic way for communities and organizations to join in the commemoration of this milestone. The Canal Corporation is proud to be working on this impactful program with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor for another year as we help the municipalities and stakeholders that line the Canal’s banks bring their ideas to life. I can’t wait to see what this year brings.”
The grant program includes two funding categories: Event Support, with an award range of $500 to $3,000, and Tourism Infrastructure & Amenity Support, with an award range of $5,000 to $24,000. Applicants may apply for one or both categories.
Interested applicants are invited to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, October 16, at 10 a.m.
Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor said, “We look forward to supporting community investments in infrastructure and amenities that prepare the canal corridor for its next century of service. Equally important, event support is critical for commemorating the Erie Canal’s 200th year and contributing to a thriving and vibrant waterway.”
In 2024, 43 nonprofit organizations and municipalities received NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Event Grants totaling $196,349. The grants supported eight tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 36 events.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2024 at 8:42 am
MEDINA – Jim Hancock is counting down the days.
“There are only 54 days until the 16th annual Parade of Lights,” said Hancock, who has helped lead the event for nearly 15 years.
“We’re already planning this year’s event and have had several committee meetings,” he said.
He hopes people, businesses and organizations will start planning their float.
“We are offering an early-bird incentive to get your entries in,” Hancock said. “The first 10 who submit their float entry form before Halloween will get a $50 reward.”early-bird
They must appear in the parade to receive the $50, Hancock said.
Regular entries will be accepted until Nov. 24 for the parade, this year scheduled on Nov. 30.
He urges everyone, including individuals, not-for-profits, religious groups, fire departments, commercial groups, service clubs and organizations or agricultural groups to enter a float in the parade.
Floats are judged in seven Best in Class awards and a Grand Champion. In addition, four special awards will include a Star Award for the most creative float; Littlest Elf Award for the entry that best incorporates youth and adults in their float; Community Spirit Award, given to the entry that best illustrates a community spirit from the community they come from; and Santa’s Pick Award, for the entry that in the opinion of the judges would be the one Santa himself would choose for an award.
Entries can be submitted by logging on to Olde Tyme Christmas and clicking on “Registration and other forms,” or by calling Hancock at (585) 798-2118.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2024 at 8:22 am
Proceeds come from ‘Tabletop Sales’
Provided photos: (Left) Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, accepts a check from Sharon Miller on behalf of West Barre Church. (Right) The community donates all kind of goods to the West Barre Church, who then store it in a building across the road, where people can come and shop every Friday and Saturday from May to September and leave a donation.
WEST BARRE – For a little church located on a country road, the West Barre Church has proven itself to be a pillar in the community.
Under the leadership of the Worship Committee, the congregation plans fundraisers, serves meals to the public and runs other fundraising events, which allow them to support worthy causes in the community.
One of those causes is Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, and recently, church member Sharon Miller presented a check for $931 to CAOG’s director Renee Hungerford.
A fundraiser called Tabletop Sales grew out of an abundance of donations of all kinds of merchandise, which the public continues to give to the church. The members sort and arrange goods in a large room set aside as a shopping center, where the public can come in shop to their hearts content.
There is merchandise of all kinds, including pictures, kitchen wares, baby items, holiday decorations, toys and gifts, and more. There are no prices on any merchandise. Shoppers simply leave a donation of what they think their items are worth or what they can afford. No one is refused anything because they can’t pay for it.
Members of the community and friends of West Barre Church relax and listen to a band in Mull-Barre Park. When land across the road from West Barre Church was donated by the late Wilbur Mull, the church developed Mull-Barre Park, where they hold concerts all summer.
Money earned is donated to a different cause in the community each month. Previous donations have gone to Hands for Hope, the Cobblestone Museum, Albion’s food kitchen, Ministry of Concern, MAAC and community members.
Miler explained another fundraiser is summer concerts in the park, possible because of Mull-Barre Park.
Since 1993, when a local farmer Wilbur Mull donated land across the street to the church, they have used it for community entertainment and a playground for youth. For the last five years they had a concert in the park on Sunday afternoons. Members of the community bring their lawn chairs and sit under the trees to enjoy the music, which differs every week, from rock and roll and blues to country. An added feature is Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza which sets up a portable wood-fired oven at the edge of the park.
The church is planning a craft show on Oct. 19, chaired by Jann Davis. It will include a basket raffle from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A big part of their ministry is community dinners. They are known for their Election Day turkey dinner, which since Covid, has been drive-thru only. This year’s will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, featuring turkey and all the trimmings.
“We are a church with community in our hearts,” Miller said.
Anyone is welcome to attend worship at 9:30 on Sunday mornings.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2024 at 7:37 am
Gas prices have been dropping, down an average of 3 cents statewide in the past week and down 65 cents from a year ago, according to AAA.
The average price in the state was $3.22 on Oct. 6, compared to $3.87 a year ago. The price nationwide was $3.17 on Oct. 6, down 5 cents in the past week, and down from $3.75 from a year earlier.
Around WNY, the average prices in each county on Monday include:
Orleans, $3.458
Genesee, $3.369
Wyoming, $3.425
Livingston, $3.428
Erie, $3.350
Monroe, $3.346
Niagara, $3.313
Chautauqua, $3.434
Cattaraugus, $3.441
Allegany, $3.435
AAA issued this statement on Monday: “According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand plummeted last week while total domestic stocks rose slightly. Tepid gasoline demand and recent low oil costs could keep pump prices sliding down, and soon the arrival of cheaper winter-blend gasoline will help to further take pressure off pump prices.
“Despite literal and figurative storm clouds here and abroad, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline still fell by five cents since last Monday, and prices regionally have dropped by an average of three cents. The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene did little to impact gasoline supply, but tensions in the Middle East could disrupt oil shipments and has already led to oil prices creeping higher.”
