KENDALL – The school district announced today that all student in the Kendall Elementary School are eligible for free breakfast and lunch every school day during the 2023-34 school year.

Kendall Elementary School was approved for the Community Eligibility Provision, a program funded by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and New York State that allows schools in low-income areas to provide free breakfast and lunch to students.

“As a district, we are excited to provide this opportunity to our youngest learners,” said district superintendent Nick Picardo. “This goes into effect immediately.”

Based on the eligibility requirements set by CEP, only the elementary school meets the criteria for the 2023-24 school year, he said.

To qualify for the program, a school must have at least 40 percent of students in households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid.

With the CEP program, students can receive the meals at no cost, and the meals are not tracked by fee category – free, reduced-price and paid.

ALBION – The Village of Albion is working to submit an application for the $4.5 million Forward NY grant program.

The village has already received proposals from business and building owners, as well as village-led projects on municipal land, that combined top $4 million. More projects are expected to be submitted for the program that could push the total to $6 to $7 million, said Jay Grasso of G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing.

The Village Board next week will work G & G staff to prioritize the projects to be submitted for the application which is due the end of the month.

Grasso and G & G have held two public meetings at the Village Hall, Sept. 5 and Sept. 12, to go over the Forward NY and to encourage the community to submit projects and ideas. Both meetings drew a near full house to the Village Hall.

“Give me a project,” Grasso said at Tuesday’s meeting. “Go for it. Think of something exciting you want to do with your building.”

The reimbursement rates can vary on the projects with the grant covering at least 50 percent of the cost. Some of the grant for façade improvements can cover up to 75 percent of the cost.

One building owner wanted more specifics on the varying reimbursement rates. Gary Derwick said a 75 percent reimbursement rate is much more attractive than 50 percent.

Grasso said building owners aren’t committed to a project that they propose in the application.

He went over the goals of Forward NY. The program supports adaptive reuse of buildings, especially turning upper levels into apartments and living spaces, Grasso said.

The program targets vacant spaces rather than new construction. The state wants projects that elevate cultural, historical qualities “that enhance the feeling of small-town charm,” Grasso said.

The grant can’t be used for one project. The application must demonstrate $3 to $5 million “in multiple synergistic projects,” Grasso said.

Albion is a “prime candidate” for the NY Forward program, which seeks to boost communities that lost industries around which their town grew, such as the canal, railroad, coal and mill towns, he said.

“We often think of these as crossroads or bedroom towns, small business districts along corridors that connect major employment centers and magnet cities in the region,” Grasso said.

The applicants must submit a vision for the downtown and a slate of developable projects to achieve that vision. The regional economic development councils will review the applications and nominate winners. Albion is in the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.

The application should include a full suite of synergistic projects that could include one or two anchor projects and a variety of smaller supporting projects.

Medina was awarded a $4.5 NY Forward on Feb. 13, and the village is finalizing a list of projects to be approved by the state. The Forward NY grants range from $2.75 million to $4.5 million.

The state started the program about a year ago to help more villages and hamlets access funding. The state was doing a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative for each region and those grants tended to go to cities, with few villages getting the DRIs.

Albion Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said the Village Board will work with members of the Planning Board, Zoning Boards of Appeals and Historic Preservation Commission to review the proposals and try to build a strong application.

The village in January tried for a $2.5 million Restore NY grant for projects in the downtown. The village never received a formal acceptance or denial letter, but Grasso said it seems that application wasn’t approved. However, he has contacted many of the building owners in that application who have already done much of the preliminary work for a proposal.

Building owners, not-for-profit organizations and residents with ideas and projects can send an email to contact@ggprocess.com and request a form from Grasso to detail the proposal.

The project area is focused in the downtown area but Grasso said the boundaries can be stretched. He wants to include repairs to the chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery in the grant, and could propose a heritage trail to connect the cemetery to the downtown and Courthouse Square.

“We’re looking for projects that bring people here and keep people here,” Grasso said. “Shoot for the moon.”

Village will have to spend about $1 million more to complete project

File photo by Tom Rivers – The 1-million-gallon water tank on Route 98 is pictured through a metal fence at the site north of the village in the Town of Gaines. The village will have the tank demolished and replaced with a new one.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board approved a $1.5 million construction contract on Wednesday evening which is the first phase of replacing a 1-million gallon water tank on Route 98 in Gaines.

The village will have to spend about $1 million more in the second phase.

The first phase includes the demolition of current tank, and installation of new piping, valve and a meter pit.

The board accepted a $1,527,000 bid from STC Construction of Springville for the first phase.

A $1,250,000 grant from the state will cover most of the cost. That money is from the Community Development Block Grant program, with another grant covering 60 percent of the remaining cost. The state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) will cover $166,200 or 60 percent of the remaining $277,000.

The village expects it will pay its share through the water rates in the water fund.

The village broke the project into two phases because it needs to spent the $1.25 million state grant by April 1, said Brian Sibiga, the village’s consultant on the project from Wendel, an engineering and construction management firm.

Albion will prepare bid specifications to replace the water tank from the early 1960s. The current steel tank will be demolished with a new concrete tank or a glass-lined tank. Sibiga said that cost is expect to be about $1 million.

The village could bond the expense with the cost to paid through a long-term loan through a likely increase in the water rates.

Press Release, Friends of Boxwood

Provided photo: The Beach Mausoleum is shown at last year’s Boxwood at Night.

MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery in Medina will once again present, “Boxwood at Night: See the Cemetery in a New Light.”

The event will take place Sept. 30. Tickets cost $15 and there will be two time slots – 7 to 8 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m.

“The time slots are when you can enter. Once you are checked in, you are welcome to stay until the event ends at 9:30 p.m.,” said event co-chair Nicole Bensley. “Guests will stroll through the cemetery at their own pace in a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere.”

The event receives some funding through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, which Bensley said will make Boxwood at Night bigger and better this year.

“We included more musicians, artists, and performers and have been working with a professional lighting designer to really enhance the experience,” she said.

Tickets are limited to the first 300 people and there will be no admission tickets sold at the event. Tickets are available during business hours at the English Rose Tea Shoppe and Thistle Ridge Décor and Gifts – both places are on Main Street in Medina.

Tickets will also be available at the Canal Village Farmers Market in Medina on Sept. 23. As an added convenience, you may also purchase tickets using a credit card by going online by clicking here.

“Last year’s event raised enough money to pay for the restoration of the stained-glass window in the chapel,” said Robby Klino, president of the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery. “We are hoping that this year’s event will give us enough money to complete the remodeling of the chapel’s interior.”

Raffle tickets will also be available to purchase at the Farmers Market booth and again at the event. Concessions and glow-in-the-dark accessories will be available for purchase at the event.

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!

Art Hill Excavating named Business of the Year

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jennifer Hill-Young is shown with her father Art Hill during a celebration on Nov. 11, 2017 at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company. They threw a party to celebration 40 years of Art Hill Excavating. Mr. Hill passed away on Jan. 26 at age 78 after suffering a fall in Florida. His daughter continues to run the business.

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce has announced its annual award winners. They will be honored on Oct. 19 at the White Birch Country Club in Lyndonville. It will be the Chamber’s 25^th annual awards dinner.

The winners for 2023 include:

• Business of the Year – Art Hill Excavating

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Mark Tillman

• Phoenix Award – The Webber Hotel

• New Business of the Year – The Grove 1848 Bistro & Bar

• Community Service Award – Mary Lou Tuohey

• Agricultural Business of the Year – Orleans Poverty Hill Farms

• Businessperson of the Year – Dan Klips

• Small Business of the Year – Sourced Market & Eatery

• Hidden Gem – The Downtown Browsery

For more information on the Chamber of Commerce, click here.

ALBION – A Kendall resident was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Brandon J. Baker, 32, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in the third degree for causing $651 in damage to a sink and faucet in the county jail. He received 1 to 3 years for that crime.

He also pleaded guilty to obstruction of breathing and received 364 days in the county jail, which will be satisfied with the state prison time.

Baker used his forearm to pin a woman against a wall, making it difficult for her to breathe.

That woman spoke at the sentencing, and asked the judge to give Baker the maximum sentence. She said she fears for her safety with Baker. The judge issued an order of protection for her until 2034.

“He is not a nice man,” the victim told the judge during sentencing. “He can’t go around in society taunting people for fun.”

Baker said he has anger issues and has been taking anger management classes while in the jail. He apologized to the victim, and also to the county for the damage in the jail.

In other cases:

• Cassandra McGuire, 33, of Albion pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. She admitted she had cocaine on June 18, 2020 with the intent to sell it.

She is a first-time felony drug offender. She faces a maximum of 1 to 2 ½ years in state prison when she is sentenced on Nov. 15.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its employees of the year for the 2022-2023 school year. Employees are nominated by their peers and a committee selects an awardee in each of these categories: Administrator, Clerical, Continuing Education, Custodial/Maintenance, Staff Specialist, Substitute, Teacher Aide and Teacher.

Daniel Connolly is the Administrator of the Year. Dan is the Director of Facilities and has worked at O/N BOCES for seven years. Connolly said his favorite part of his job is that every day is different.

“I kind of like the chaos and the challenge that every day brings. I think it keeps me young and active,” he said. “I really am lucky that I work with so many great people. I was shocked when I was named the administrator of the year. It was a real honor.”

Cindy Hurt is the Clerical Person of the Year. She has worked at BOCES for 42 years at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center. She is the secretary to the District Superintendent and the District Clerk.

“I am blessed to work with a lot of great people and I am grateful for being recognized as an employee of the year,” she said.

Carmen Montgomery is the Continuing Education Employee of the Year. She has worked as an Adult Literacy teacher for five years.

“I felt very humbled to receive this honor, because we have so many absolutely amazing teachers in the Adult Literacy unit,” Montgomery said. “My favorite part of my job is seeing our students succeed, and being part of a team that is truly dedicated to making that happen.”

John Watson is the Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year. He has been a custodian worker at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center since August 2019.

“My favorite thing about my job is working on different tasks and learning new things,” he said. “I was totally surprised to receive this award. I was not expecting it. I am very happy to be working with a great group of people.”

Anita Muzzi is the Staff Specialist of the Year. She has been a part of the Public Relations Department for almost nine years.

“My favorite part of my job is interacting with the component districts that I cover,” Muzzi said.  “Going into a classroom, where students are working on projects, or a school where an event is taking place and seeing the students engaged in what they are learning is second to none. I really love going to the district buildings around the holiday times, especially when Santa Claus makes a visit! Additionally, I find seeing the connection between students and local charities/organizations at all grade levels throughout the year heartwarming.”

She said she was surprised and honored at being named Staff Specialist of the year.  “Getting an award for something you love doing every day is priceless!”

Dianne Hosmer was named the Substitute of the Year. Dianne worked as a teacher aide at the Niagara Academy for many years.  Luckily for Orleans/Niagara BOCES she still continues to work in the capacity of a substitute.

Kathy Haseley is the Teacher Aide of the Year. She has worked at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center for 25 years.

“My favorite part of my job is of course the students! I feel very fortunate as I have been able to be involved in many of our programs over the years. It is fun to see the students learn their trade and become excited about their accomplishments,” Haseley said. “The staff at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center are the best!  All these wonderful people make coming to work easy! I feel very honored to receive this award and I was certainly surprised. It made my day!”

Ashley Austin is the Teacher of the Year. Ashley has worked as a special education teacher for almost six years at the North Tonawanda Learning Center.

“My favorite part of my job are the students and seeing their successes and helping them succeed,” Austin said. “I love that ‘aha look’ on a student’s face when something finally clicks or they do good.”

She said she was shocked and surprised when she was announced opening day as the teacher of the year.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Michelle Okonieczny

MEDINA — Oak Orchard Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Okonieczny, DNP, from the Medina office as its new Director of Advanced Practice Providers.

“She has proven herself to be an exceptional leader with unwavering dedication to our organization and the field of family medicine,” said Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead, Oak Orchard’s chief medical officer. “Michelle brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, having recently achieved her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).”

Okonieczny’s dedication to expanding the capabilities of our advanced practice providers (APP) which includes Family Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Practitioners, and her deep understanding of family medicine, make her the perfect choice. In her new position, Okonieczny will be responsible for overseeing and guiding the growth of our APPs, providing mentorship, and ensuring all APPs have the resources they need to excel in their roles. Michelle will be under the leadership of our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mead.

“Michelle has a deep commitment to our mission and values and will continue to see patients in the Medina office in addition to her new responsibilities,” Dr. Mead said. “We look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to our team and the communities we serve. Together, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care and making a difference in the lives of our patients.”

About Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve. Oak Orchard currently serves over 30,000 patients at eleven locations in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Medina and Warsaw.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation (A4456/S4617) to crack down on telemarketers and safeguard New Yorkers from continuous, unwanted calls. This legislation will help curb calls by nearly doubling the fine for telemarketers violating the Do Not Call Registry.

“Every day, hard-working New Yorkers are forced to field call after call from relentless telemarketers,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we’re raising the penalty for violators of the Do Not Call Registry to deter telemarketers, protect New Yorkers, and send a clear message that New York won’t tolerate these frustrating, unsolicited calls.”

Legislation (A4456/S4617) amends the general business law to raise the maximum fine for violators of the Do Not Call Registry from the current $11,000 penalty set in 2004 to $20,000. By raising the fine, this legislation will deter telemarketers and safeguard New Yorkers from incessant calls. This builds on legislation Governor Hochul signed into law in December 2022 to require telemarketers to give customers the option to be added to the company’s do-not-call list at the outset of certain telemarketing calls.

“This law is a victory for every New Yorker who would like to be able to pick up their phone in peace,” said Assemblymember Alex Bores. “I am grateful to Senator Griffo and the Governor for ensuring this common sense legislation, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses, is now law.”

Genesee attorney calls Orleans action ‘frivolous and politicized attack’

Photos by Tom Rivers: The new sewer line is shown on Aug. 12 on Route 63 in the Town of Alabama, Genesee County. Orleans County officials are seeking to stop the construction from going to the STAMP site about 10 miles north to the Oak Orchard Creek.

SHELBY – Orleans County is suing its neighbor to try to stop a sewer line from coming into the Town of Shelby and depositing up to 6 million gallons of what Orleans says is “contaminated” water into the Oak Orchard Creek.

The county on Monday filed an Article 78 complaint in State Supreme Court, seeking to halt placement of a sewer line from the STAMP site to the Oak Orchard Creek, a 9.5-mile long pipe along Route 63 that has been under construction since Aug. 3.

Orleans is asking for a temporary restraining order to stop construction so the arguments can be heard in court without the pipeline getting built in Orleans County.

The court action from Orleans County is called a “frivolous and politicized attack” in a court response from Craig A. Leslie, attorney for GCEDC and others named in the suit.

Orleans County officials contend the county never gave its permission for the project, and the Genesee County Economic Development Center formed a “sham corporation” – STAMP Sewer Works – to make the project happen.

The STAMP site is 1,250 acres and is considered a top priority for economic development officials in the region. It is targeted for advanced manufacturing – semi-conductors and renewables manufacturing.

Plug Power is currently building a $290 million facility at STAMP for a green hydrogen production facility that includes an electric substation. The new facility will produce 45 metric tons of green liquid hydrogen daily when fully operational, making it the largest green hydrogen production facility in North America. Plug will employ 60 people.

Another company, Edwards Vacuum, announced last November it would build a $319 million “factory of the future” at STAMP in a project serving the semiconductor industry. Edwards plans to employ 600 high-skill professionals at the semiconductor dry pump manufacturing facility.

The commitments from the two companies follow a 20-year effort to develop STAMP in a rural area of Genesee County, only a few miles south of the Orleans County border. STAMP has been pushed by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Gov. Kathy Hochul and her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo.

But Orleans County officials say the Genesee County Economic Development Center has been driving the contracts for the project, including engineering and construction – and that is illegal because an economic development agency can’t fund and push projects outside its own county unless it has permission from the other municipalities, Jennifer Persico, an attorney representing Orleans County, wrote in the complaint filed in State Supreme Court in Orleans County.

Jennifer Persico, an attorney with Lippes Mathias LLP, speaks during an eminent domain public hearing on July 27. She said at the hearing that the Genesee County Economic Development Center illegally created STAMP Sewer Works as “a sham corporation” to do the eminent domain proceedings against two Orleans County property owners.

In the court filing, she said Orleans “strenuously objects” to the sewer project.

Genesee County EDC is illegally funding a project outside its jurisdiction, Orleans contends in its complaint. The EDC paid for easements to allow for temporary construction, including all but two in Shelby. Orleans County secured two easements in Shelby with the stipulation no sewer line can be constructed.

Orleans officials contend the sewer discharge could limit the county’s efforts to develop its own business park in Medina, and the water may cause flooding and hurt the county’s $30 million annual fishing industry at the Oak Orchard, which is world renown for salmon and trout fishing.

The GCEDC on March 25, 2021 awarded a $9,777,000 contract to G. DeVincentis & Son Construction Company for the 20-inch sewer main which goes from the northern refuge boundary to north of Shelby Center. GCEDC accepted low bid from Highlander for construction at $5,193,445 and approved a $900,000 contract and a $560,000 contract to Clark Patterson Lee for engineering services for the sewer project. GCEDC approved the bids without the consent of Orleans County.

The request for bids shows GCEDC contemplated construction in Orleans County without the consent of Orleans, Persico said.

GCEDC also has purchased at 18 temporary easements in Orleans County to allow for construction of the sewer line, without consent of Orleans, a violation of general municipal law, according to the complaint.

Orleans, in the complaint, also faults Genesee County EDC for improperly forming STAMP Sewer Works, for illegally funding and noticing the eminent domain hearing at the Alabama fire hall on July 27.

Orleans seeks to have the Supreme Court annul the easements. The county also seeks to stop the GCEDC-backed project in Orleans without the county support. That includes efforts from the GCEDC-affiliated Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation and STAMP Sewer Works.

Leslie, attorney for GCEDC, asked the judge, Frank Caruso, to not approve a temporary restraining order on the project. Leslie said the sewer line construction has received all of the needed environmental and right-of-way permits from the state Department of Transportation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to cross the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Leslie said Orleans County shouldn’t be granted a temporary restraining order because the project is still weeks and even months from getting into Orleans. Persico wrote in her court filing the project was likely a matter of hours or days until it started in Orleans. The contractor is currently installing the sewer line in the refuge in Genesee County, Leslie wrote.

Orleans is beyond its authority isn’t seeking to stop all sewer line construction when the project currently is solely in Genesee County.

Leslie , the GCEDC attorney, said the claim that GCEDC is using its own money is false because the funding is part of $33 million awarded for STAMP development by Empire State Development, a state entity “which fully supports the STAMP project,” Leslie wrote.

He responded that the Town of Shelby gave its consent to the sewer line project, and so did the Orleans County Department of Health.

He asked the judge to deny the Orleans request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order.

“Orleans County will sustain no injury by the continued construction of the Force Main, particularly in Genesee County, while this matter is appropriately determined by this Court,” Leslie wrote to Judge Caruso. “Meanwhile, STAMP Sewer will be irreparably harmed if the overbroad and unreasonable order requested by Orleans County is granted.”