By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2023 at 6:12 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – These runners make a final push towards the finish line in today’s Wayne A. Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness Run in Albion. From left include Micah Martin of Albion, Mark Basile of Williamsville, Mickalene Cross of Forestville and her nephew Nathan Cross of Silver Creek.
The race started on Clarendon Road near the elementary school, went down Route 31 to Mount Albion Cemetery for a loop and then came back on 31 with the participants finishing in the parking lot of the elementary school.
About 50 people completed the 3.17 mile course in heavy rain. The top three finishers in age groups received one of these coasters with a saxophone player. There were also medals and mugs with a similar likeness.
The event is in memory of an Albion elementary music teacher who passed away at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.
Burlison’s wife Lisa and son Adam attended today’s event in Albion.
Lindon Morici of Albion was the first female with a time of 22:02 and Rodney Egli of Newark was the fastest male at 20:38. The course is slightly longer than a 5K at 3.17 miles.
The race is organized by Bert Gallmon of Wolfpack Multisport, which also manages the Albion Strawberry Festival 5K and 8K on June 10.
Gallmon wanted to add a half marathon to today’s Burlison event. He is hoping the half marathon will debut for the race next March.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 March 2023 at 8:19 am
Those who complete 6-hour course can receive a free computer
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Alwyn Cayea and Abby Smith of Medina discuss a new free computer class with Katie Leach at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Tech 360 is being offered to 10 individuals who want to learn basic computer skills and receive a free computer at the end of the 6-hour course.
KNOWLESVILLE – A new free class, Tech 360, offers basic computer skills at the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
And there is an added a bonus: the first 93 people who complete the six-hour course can receive a free refurbished desktop computer to take home.
Tech 360 will be held over three weeks and open to the first 93 individuals who register.
The class will be taught by Alwyn Cayea and Abby Smith of Medina, both interning Americorps students, with guidance from Katie Leach, who oversees the Orleans Digital Literacy Program.
Tech 360 is a collaborative mission with Ignite Western New York Digital Equity Coalition, a community collaboration of representatives from community-based organizations, business, government, school districts, higher education, philanthropy and unaffiliated community members. Leach is a member of the Coalition. Its goal is to get computers into the hands of families who previously couldn’t afford one because of (1) affordability, (2) lacking the technology and (3) no internet access.
“We are trying to address all of these with the Digital Literacy Initiative,” Leach said.
The Tech 360 class will fall under the umbrella of United Way of Orleans County, which secured the grant to fund the Orleans County Digital Literacy Initiative.
The first class will be April 12, followed by classes on April 19 and 26. All classes will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Participants must complete all six hours of classes to receive their free computer.
“Alwyn and I are both looking forward to teaching the classes,” Smith said. “We’ve been brushing up on our curriculum.”
Leach said she expects the classes to fill up fast. Anyone wanting to register may call Cooperative Extension at (585) 798-4265, Ext. 146 or (585) 857-9883 or e-mail orleansdigitalliteracy@gmail.com. Anyone is eligible as long as they are over the age of 14.
If the classes fill up, there will be a waiting list, Leach said. She also said her office offers other services, such as one-on-one technical tutoring, classes upon request and help in applying for $30 a month Internet under the Affordable Connectivity Program of FCC. More information on that is available online at www.fcc.gov/acp.
Anyone who receives any kind of benefits, such as free school lunches, Medicaid, veterans’ benefits or is at or below the poverty level is eligible for the low-cost Internet.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2023 at 5:59 pm
BATAVIA – About 600 high school students from 29 districts in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties spent several hours today at Genesee Community College, learning about career opportunities in healthcare.
The inaugural GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare was held at GCC. The five school districts from Orleans County – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – were among those that attended the event.
The students received hands-on instruction and experience in first aid/CPR, nursing, caretaking and other healthcare-related activities. The students were also provided information about secondary career paths such as physical therapy, complementary and alternative medicine, Doctor of Medicine, and many other careers in healthcare.
“The kids have shown a spark,” said Jay Lazarony, executive director of the GLOW Workforce Development Board. “They’ve said they like so many of them.”
The event was supported by business and educational groups and sponsors, with many of the healthcare providers saying they need workers.
The event grew out of success from the GLOW With Your Hands event at the Genesee County Fairgrounds. That event educates students through simulations and other hands-on experiences in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food processing and skilled trades sectors on career opportunities available in students’ own backyards.
A large team in the GLOW Workforce System organizes the Glow With Your Hand events.
Oak Orchard Health was among the organizations and businesses looking to connect with students. Joe Palmeri, left, is the organization’s chief human resources officer and Mary Kelly-Pelletier is the director of nursing.
“We want to get our name out in the community and get younger people interested in healthcare,” Kelly-Pelletier said.
Oak Orchard has sites in Albion, Lyndonville, Medina, Brockport, Batavia, Pembroke and Alexander, as well as Warsaw and Hornell.
“Recruiting healthcare workers can be a challenge in rural areas,” Palmeri said.
Orleans Community Health had a spot at the event with students able to meet Kristin Grose, left, the human resources benefits specialist at OCH and Christine Kropf, the corporate educator for the organization.
Orleans Community Health has been growing, adding about 40 jobs in the past 2 ½ years with a short-term rehab of about two to four weeks on the second floor of Medina Memorial Hospital, and also more surgical services offered at the hospital.
“We’ve grown a lot with the additional services at the hospital,” Grose said. “We thought it was really important to expose kids to all the different aspects of healthcare.”
Students may only think of nurses and doctors for healthcare careers, but Grose said there are many other positions, from respiration therapists, to working in the lab and other services.
The OCH spot at GCC also quizzed students on whether they could tell the difference based on appearance of pills and candy. Grose said students were right 70 to 80 percent of the time. Some vitamins look very much like a prescription pill, she said.
All of the students stopped by first responder demonstrations in the gymnasium at GCC.
This photo shows Dustin Pahura, a Medina firefighter, showing students how to do CPR. Andrew Cheverie, another Medina firefighter, also showed how to do CPR, including on infants.
Pam Cherry of Albion (right), outreach coordinator for Mercy Flight EMS, and Terry Thompson, an advanced EMT, showed students how to apply a tourniquet as part of a “stop the bleed” demonstration.
Cherry said the students were very engaged in wanting to know how to do emergency medical care. She encouraged many of them to seek out their local fire departments to volunteer. That is often the first step to getting training to become an EMT, she said.
“We are trying to spark something,” she said about Mercy Flight’s presence at today’s event. “This industry is in desperate need. Most of the fire departments say they need people, especially in Orleans County where almost all of the fire departments are volunteer.”
Justin Niederhofer, Orleans County’s emergency management director, and LeeAnn Dann, Monroe Ambulance’s training manager, also let students try to “stop the bleed” with tourniquets.
Niederhofer said many students showed interest in careers as firefighters and EMTs.
Press Release, Orleans County Safe Harbour program
ALBION – The Safe Harbour Program sought entries for a poster contest with the theme: “Spot the Signs – Stop the Traffick”.
Entries were accepted through Feb. 15. There were multiple posters entered and they were voted on with the following winners: Inez Stangler, 1st place; Elena Girangaya, 2nd place; and Kenidy Kaminski, 3rd place.
The Safe Harbour program is designed to be a safe place for teens and young adults (12-21 years of age). In addition to providing education and awareness on sex trafficking, sexual exploitation and healthy relationships, Safe Harbour provides lessons in life skills to promote a strong foundation to help children launch into their future.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2023 at 9:25 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The cast of The Addams Family performs the opening number of the musical on Thursday during a preview day in the middle school auditorium. They are singing, When You’re An Addams.”
The family is visiting the graveyard for an annual gathering of all family members, including the dead who are the Ancestors.
Albion performs the musical with shows at 7 p.m. today, and noon and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
“There are so many parts and so many opportunities for the kids in the cast, crew and all of it,” said Connor Doran, the musical director.
He said the message in the show challenges the audience to consider what is normal.
“They want to be heard, respected and loved,” he said about the Addams family members. “It’s within all of us to look within ourselves and discover who we are.”
The Ancestors, including Chloe Gray in front center, perform throughout the show. The dresses were made by students in Kathy Winans class. Winans is the long-time assistant director for the Albion high school musicals.
The Ancestors include Kailee Anstey, Julia Button, Chloe Gray, Haleigh Pollock, Charlie Allen, Madalyn Ashbery, Neveya Barnes, Samantha Hand, Khalil Thompkins, Danielle Wyant and Keira Zambito.
Nick Andrews plays the role of Uncle Fester, who brings lots of zaniness to the show, including singing a love song to the Moon.
Andrews, a senior, has been in the Albion shows since he was in sixth grade.
He said he has gained confidence and many friends through his years on the stage. He has gravitated toward the characters who provide comic relief.
The role of Uncle Fester caps his acting career at Albion.
“I wanted to get to be the funny person and jump around the stage,” Andrews said.
Fester isn’t just for laughs.
“He sends a deeper message, to love who you want, even if it’s the Moon,” Andrews said.
Pugsley, played by Ella Trupo, is the little brother of Wednesday, played by Alexis Hand.
In this scene Wednesday is torturing Pugsley on a rack.
Pugsley enjoys the punishment by his sister and is sad when she develops a love interest and doesn’t give as much attention to her little brother.
Hand said she enjoys playing the adventurous and very independent role of Wednesday.
“You don’t have to change yourself for other people,” Hand said about the character’s message.
Natalie Baron plays the role of Grandma, a feisty old woman with many concoctions. Pugsley takes one of the potions, hoping to change Wednesday from her love obsession. But the magic liquid ends up in the wrong hands.
The Beineke family follows a map and tries to find the Addams Family home where they are headed for dinner. James Ruiz plays the role of the father, Mal, while Aaron Woodroe is Lucas (Wednesday’s boyfriend) and Mallory Kozody is Alice, Lucas’s mother.
Zack Baron plays the role of Gomez, the head of the family. He loves his wife Morticia deeply but struggles to keep a secret from her, that his daughter wants to get married. Morticia detests secrets.
Morticia played by Mallory Ashbery shares a drink and conversation with Alice (Mallory Kozody). They are joined by Cousin Itt (Keira Zambito).
Morticia tells Alice a marriage should be honest without any secrets.
Ashbery said Morticia is a loving and caring wife and mother, with a strong presence.
“She doesn’t tolerate any secrets, because she believes secrets can break a family,” Ashbery said.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 March 2023 at 8:22 am
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Home, Garden and Outdoor Show is fast approaching, and plans are in full swing for the annual event, scheduled this year April 1 and 2 at Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Chamber director Darlene Hartway said this will be the Chamber’s best home show, with twice as many vendors, enhanced prizes, free admission and fantastic food. Vendors will be set up in the Lartz Building and outdoors.
Hours for the show are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 2. Parking is ample and also free, according to Hartway.
A children’s Easter Egg hunt is designed for children to participate any time they arrive at the home show.
On April 1, the Albion Elks will serve a chicken barbecue and on April 2, Dubby’s Pizza will be on site.
Those attending the show have the opportunity to win one of three prizes this year. Instead of buying an admission ticket, Hartway said attendees will be able to purchase tickets for a raffle, which will feature prizes designed to fit the theme of the home show – home, garden and outdoors.
Prizes are a fully installed blooming garden designed by A. Preston Landscaping, with trees, shrubs and plants; a wooden bistro set; or a pair of gravity chaise lounges.
There will be random prizes drawn by vendors throughout both days.
The Easter Bunny will also make an appearance.
Also new this year will be a small spring plant sale, featuring Easter lilies and tulips, and a small stage set up in the Trolley Building where presentations will take place at scheduled times. These include Larkin Tree Service, talking about plant and tree health; Michael Klapp, a Master Gardner, talking about nature; and Berkshire Hathaway/Zambito Realty, who will talk about buying and selling a home in 2023.
Several banks are scheduled to discuss banking , home mortgages and home repair. Tastefully Simple and Hartway will do a presentation for Weber Kitchen in Lyndonville. Programs listing all the vendors and a schedule of the presentations will be handed out to each person who enters the show.
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and Schwenk Winery will have wine tasting both days.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2023 at 8:09 am
A high wind watch has been issued from 5 p.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Sunday with 60-mile-per-hour gusts expected.
The National Weather Service issued the high wind watch for Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Genesee, Wyoming and northern Erie counties.
The strongest winds will occur from 8 p.m. Saturday night through 5 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Weather Service said. Travel could be difficult, including on I-90, especially for high-profile vehicles.
Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, with scattered power outages possible, the Weather Service said.
The high temperatures in Orleans County in the coming days include 40 today, followed by 52 on Saturday, 46 on Sunday, 41 on Monday and 43 on Tuesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2023 at 6:09 pm
Performers will show talents in fingerstyle guitar, harp, African dance and drumming, Chinese Zither and “Pipa”
Provided photos: Hoag Library starts a new music series on April 1, with Kinloch Nelson (right) the leadoff performer. Leah Ou is scheduled for a July 1 concert at the Hoag.
ALBION – Hoag Library is starting a new music series with most of the concerts set for noon on the first Saturday of the month. Hoag has musicians booked through late September and expects to add more.
The new series is the brainchild of Jim Doyle, an adult reference librarian at the library. He joined Hoag in October. He also has been running Jim’s Guitar Studio for 23 years in Albion, and is a founding member of the Rochester Guitar Club.
He knows many of the performers in the series. He is a regular at The Little Theater in Rochester where several have performed in the café.
Many of the performers in the Hoag Music Series are graduates of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, which Doyle said is a world-level conservatory drawing top students from around the globe.
Duo Purla will be at the library on June 3 for a concert.
Doyle wanted to help organize a concert series at Hoag, but wanted something different for the community.
“We wanted to bring in people who haven’t performed in Orleans County before,” Doyle said. “I think the community is hungry for music and the arts.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Hoag Library staff members Michael Magnuson and Jim Doyle have put together a new music series at the library. Doyle, owner of Jim’s Guitar Studio in Albion, knows many of the musicians in the new series.
The Hoag Music Series kicks off on April 1 with a noon concert in the meeting rooms by KinLoch Nelson, a professional musician who plays the fingerstyle guitar.
The lineup of performers also includes:
Ricardo Saeb: Saturday, May 6, at noon
Womba Africa Dancing & Drumming: Monday, May 15, at 6 p.m.
Duo Purla: Saturday, June 3, at noon
Leah Ou: Saturday, July 1, at noon
Trio Ghidorah: Saturday, August 19, at noon
Sunshine Quan: Saturday, September 23, at noon
The concerts are free to the public with support from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and Friends of Hoag Library.
Michael Magnuson, an adult services librarian at Hoag, also helped organize the events. He said Hoag was careful not to compete with other concert series in the community.
The events will be in the meeting room space at the library which seats well over 100 people.
Magnuson said the noon time on Saturdays may work better for people to attend concerts. Most of those concerts tend to be weekdays in the evenings.
Ricardo Saeb will perform May 6, and Sunshine Quan is scheduled for Sept. 23.
Doyle has connected with musicians in a range of styles, from guitarists, a harpist, the Chinese Zither, the Chinese lute or “Pipa.”
Doyle drives 45 minutes to see them perform, and he said it’s well worth the trip. He is happy the Albion and Orleans County community can have such high-caliber musicians come to the Hoag Library. More musicians are expected to be added to the performance schedule.
Womba Africa Dancing & Drumming performs at the Hoag on May 15, which is a Monday evening. This is the only performance that won’t be at noon on a Saturday.
BATAVIA – Genesee Community College is pleased to announce that Benjamin J. Bonarigo Sr., Esq. will be the 55th commencement speaker for the college’s graduating class of 2023.
Mr. Bonarigo, a former trustee of GCC and a first-generation college graduate, will share insights with the graduates during the ceremony which will take place on May 20 at 1 p.m. in the Richard C. Call Arena.
“I am honored to be speaking at Genesee Community College’s commencement ceremony and to share my experiences with the graduating class of 2023,” said Mr. Bonarigo. “I am proud of what the college has accomplished over the years, and I look forward to seeing the impact that these graduates will have in the future.”
Born and raised in Batavia, Bonarigo graduated from Batavia High School in 1975. He attained an Associates of Science Degree in Business from GCC in 1977, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1979, and his Juris Doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1982.
After passing the bar exam, he returned to his hometown and was the founding and managing partner of the Bonarigo & McCutcheon Law Firm, where he practiced law for 40 years and held various positions including the attorney for the City and Towns of Batavia and the Village of Oakfield.
Bonarigo was deeply involved in the betterment of his profession as President of the Genesee County Bar Association, a delegate to the NYS Bar Association, a member of the Attorney Grievance Committee that governed the ethical behavior of attorneys, and a member of the Judicial Qualification Commission that screened and gave ratings to prospective judges.
He was an active member of his local community, serving on the boards of many civic organizations, including Notre Dame High School, Paulo Busti Cultural Foundation, Literacy Volunteers, Batavia Youth Football and the Holland Land Office Museum. He also coached little league baseball and football.
From 2011 to 2020, Bonarigo served as a member of the Board of Trustees at GCC, where he was instrumental in the Capital campaign that raised over $5 million that helped fund the college’s Student Success Center, Richard C. Call Arena and numerous scholarships. He also advocated for a multi-phase renovation plan to College Village, GCC’s apartment-style student residence.
Having retired from practice in 2020, Mr. Bonarigo resides in Batavia and Rushford Lake, NY and in Palm Harbor, Florida. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 40 years, Diane, his three children and their spouses, and most of all, with his five grandchildren.
GCC President Dr. James M. Sunser stated, “We are thrilled to have Mr. Bonarigo as our 55th commencement speaker. His commitment to education and his contributions to GCC and the community make him an ideal choice for this special occasion.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced The Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act in the 118th Congress.
This legislation will help protect pro-life pregnancy centers from attacks by radical activists and ensure attackers are held accountable for their violent actions.
Following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision last year, pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide have become victims of violent attacks from radical pro-abortion extremist groups, such as “Jane’s Revenge.” CompassCare Pregnancy Services, a pro-life pregnancy center in Amherst, was firebombed in June of last year by the group. Just last week, the facility was criminally vandalized once again.
“Pregnancy resource centers across the country are continuing to be attacked and vandalized by radical pro-abortion extremist groups,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The recent vandalization of CompassCare and increased attacks on pro-life facilities are simply reprehensible. The perpetrators of these attacks must be found and prosecuted. It is my honor to reintroduce The Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act on behalf of women and families everywhere who visit centers like CompassCare to receive compassionate and professional care and support. This bill works to hold these criminals responsible for their acts of violence. House Republicans remain committed to protecting and preserving the right to life for all.”
The Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act increases penalties for attacks against abortion-alternative providers and places of religious worship by:
Increasing criminal penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony for first-time offenses and increasing the criminal fine from $10,000 to $25,000;
Guaranteeing that pregnancy resource centers and religious facilities that successfully sue will receive no less than $20,000, a $10,000 increase from current levels; and
Imposing a 7-year mandatory minimum when attacks involve arson, an increase from the current 5-year mandatory minimum.
Tenney also cosponsored The Pregnancy Center Security Act this week. This bill complements The Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act by establishing a grant program for pregnancy-help organizations to implement security upgrades, including the installation of security cameras and systems, and update facilities for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
Press Releases from offices of Assemblymen Steve Hawley and Mike Norris
From Steve Hawley:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) joined a coalition of assembly members and district attorneys from across the state and on both sides of the political aisle, to call for an end to the dangerous ”Raise the Age” law that has been in place in New York since 2018.
The law was designed to keep 16- and 17-year-olds arrested for violent felonies from being convicted of those felonies by keeping their cases in family court rather than the Youth Part of the Superior Court.
The felonies that fall under this category range from sex offenses to dangerous weapon offenses and even making terroristic threats. This law has provided a loophole for more organized crime by providing an incentive to recruit adolescents into their fold, as their sentences often end up being lighter and their records sealed in family court. Hawley wants to close this loophole.
“Violent crime is violent crime, plain and simple, and if adolescents are going to commit violent crime they must face consequences,” Hawley said. “It’s an unfortunate feedback loop that kids are being indoctrinated into criminal activity because of the way the law is written to leave them facing minor consequences, and it falls to the state government to close that loop before more people get hurt.”
According to the Department of Criminal Justice Services, in 2021 only 257 of the 3,303 arrests of adolescents for violent crime received a conviction. Those arrested include 112 cases of homicide, 80 cases for sexual offenses, 587 cases for firearm offenses, 691 cases for robbery, 213 cases for burglary and 20 cases for making a terroristic threat.
“This law treats the offender as the primary victim rather than those who are afflicted by the committed crimes. It is wrong to continue operating this state in this way. We must repeal Raise the Age,” Hawley concluded.
From Mike Norris:
Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) joined Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), members of their conference, district attorneys and law enforcement from across the state at a press conference today in the State Capitol calling for reforms the policy known as “Raise the Age.” First enacted in the 2017-18 State Budget, Raise the Age is a series of policies that ultimately raised the age of criminal responsibility in New York state from 16 to 18, even in violent felony cases.
“I voted against Raise the Age knowing the adverse impact this law would have on public safety and holding violent criminals responsible for their actions,” Norris said.
Raise the Age has also led to violent, felony offenders being processed the same as juvenile delinquents through family courts, and as such do not face criminal consequences or develop accurate permanent records. If detained, they are housed with other juvenile delinquents under the supervision of the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
“It is crucial people know we are talking about violent offenders, often repeat offenders. These are not kids who made a bad decision. These are young adults who decided to break the law, commit crimes like assault, rape and using guns or other deadly weapons,” said Norris. “These aren’t the ‘one bad decision’ stories. These are the stories of career criminals in the making, and they need to be treated as such — As much for their own welfare as for public safety. If there is any hope for their future, they must learn to face consequences now.”
Before Raise the Age took effect in October of 2018, 59.8% of 16- and 17-year-olds charged with a felony crime were convicted or sentenced. However, after Raise the Age, and 16- and 17-year-olds arrested for felony crimes were processed under the new system, just 9% were convicted or adjudicated.
Essentially, the program has helped enable criminal activity in two ways: by creating a consequence-free revolving door for youthful offenders, and secondly, by creating a grooming opportunity to exploit new recruits. Gangs and drug dealers have taken particular advantage of this lack of accountability.
Among the reforms included the legislation proposed by Norris, Barclay and their colleagues is a change to current law to ensure all violent felony offenders see real consequences for their crimes by being processed through the Youth Part of the Superior Court, instead of through family court. Additionally, their bill allows for these felony-level, violent offenders’ records to be accessed in the future should they continue to pursue a criminal life after they turn 18.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2023 at 9:58 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Main Street in Albion is shown on Wednesday, including the businesses for Laura Loxley Vintage Inspired Goods and 39 Problems.
ALBION – The Albion Village Board is asking the Orleans County Legislature to consider an increase in the local sales tax for the village.
The county took in about $22.5 million in local sales tax in 2022, according to the state comptroller.
The county shares $1,366,671 of that with the 10 towns and four villages. The Village of Albion received $165,688 of that amount in 2022, which is 0.7 percent of the total in the county.
The towns and villages have been frozen at $1,366,671 since 2001. The County Legislature gave a slight boost in 2001 after the sales tax share was frozen in 1996 to the towns and villages.
Clarendon Town Supervisor Richard Moy is trying to rally the towns and villages to seek an increase in the local sales tax revenues.
He sent the Albion Village Board a letter and a sample resolution, seeking the sales tax share for towns and villages go back to the 14 percent in 1996.
The $1,366,671 to the towns and villages represents 6.1 percent of the total local sales tax in the county.
“It’s a reasonable ask,” Albion Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley said during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting. “We want an increase.”
County Legislator John Fitzak attended the village meeting. He said legislators are aware some towns and villages are pushing for more in the local sales tax revenue.
“We’ve seen the resolution,” he said. “We’re not in a position to make a determination right now because we don’t know what the state budget will be.”
County legislators are concerned the state budget could shift some Medicaid costs, at a $1 million hit for the county budget.
The Murray and Kendall town boards have approved resolutions asking the Legislature to increase the sales tax revenue for towns and villages, Fitzak said.
The sales tax rate is at 8 percent per taxable $1, with the state getting 4 cents and the county 4 cents.
Orleans County’s sales tax revenue is up by $4.8 million or 27 percent in the past three years. In 2019, the sales tax collections were at $17.7 million, followed by $19.4 million in 2020, $21.8 million in 2021 and $22.5 million last year, according to the state comptroller’s office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2023 at 9:21 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: The Barre water tower is pictured on Sept. 6, 2017 with a rainbow. Barre will be billed more for water from the Village of Albion beginning on June 1.
ALBION – The Village of Albion is raising the water rates charged to towns from $2.94 to $3.34 per 1,000 gallons.
That 13.6 percent increase is effective June 1.
The village directly bills the towns of Carlton, Gaines, Barre and Albion. (Most of Albion’s water however comes through Barre’s water system and Barre bills most of the Town of Albion.) Village water also goes to portions of Ridgeway and Murray, going through the Town of Albion system, with Gaines sending some village water to Murray.
The village pumps about 1.45 million gallons a day on average and the towns and prison account for about 60 percent of that usage.
The Village Board approved the rate hike on Wednesday evening, with trustee Chris Barry casting the lone no vote.
The $3.34 rate for the towns compares to a $3.39 rate charged to the water users inside the village.
The board on Wednesday also voted to increase the penalty for about 20 village water customers who have not allowed the village to put in new water meters. Those meters are put in at no cost to the water customers.
The board voted to increase the penalty by $25 per month to $65, or $195 every quarterly billing cycle.
There are about 2,000 water customers in the village and a small percentage, about 1 percent, continue to hold off on swapping out their old water meters.
