MIDDLEPORT – After a three-year absence due to Covid restrictions, Medina and Middleport Masons (now the Towpath Lodge) are serving bringing back their Lenten fish dinners at the lodge at 20 Main St., Middleport.

As with most organizations whose memberships are aging, the Towpath Lodge needs help in all areas, including kitchen, servers and clean-up. Every worker will be given a free meal in exchange for their help.

“This event will put us back in the public view as we Masons raise funds to be used to give back to the community through donations to various charities and others in need of aid,” said Scott Mason, secretary of Towpath Lodge.

Anyone who can help in any capacity can call Scott Mason at (585) 704-9323.

County stands to lose about $1 million in revenue if state keeps money

ALBION – A move proposed in the governor’s executive budget would take $1,059,000 in revenue from Orleans County, which could result in a nearly 6 percent tax increase locally.

The Orleans County Legislature has formally passed a resolution asking the governor and State Legislature to continue the pass-thru of federal Affordable Care Act enhanced Medicaid Assistance Percentage funds or eFMAP.

The state is proposing to keep those funds going forward and use them to cover further expansions of Medicaid eligibility and benefits and to increase payments to health care providers. That would have a $280 million impact on 57 counties and nearly $1 billion when New York City is included, according to the New York State Association of Counties.

NYSAC said the governor is proposing to cut the counties’ hare while trying to fully fund the state reserves two years ahead of schedule.

The Orleans County Legislature is following the NYSAC lead in urging the state to continue sharing federal funds with counties “as has been the precedent for over 20 years.”

Copies of the resolution from Orleans County, approved on Tuesday, will be forwarded to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the New York State Legislature, and the New York State Congressional Delegation.

David Simoni deemed competent to assist in his defense

ALBION – A Holley man who spent more than a year in a Rochester psychiatric facility has been deemed competent to aid in his own defense and the case against him will proceed, County Court Judge Sanford Church ruled today in court.

David Simoni, 34, was charged with attempted murder on June 15, 2021 after he allegedly lunged at a Holley police officer, attempting to stab him, when the officer was dispatched to the Holley waterfalls on Frisbee Terrace that evening.

Simoni has been transferred from the psychiatric facility to the Orleans County Jail where he remains on $50,000 cash bail and $100,000 bond.

Simoni was allegedly walking around that day with a knife antagonizing people, Robert Barton, Holley police chief, said a day after the incident.

Simoni also has been arraigned on menacing a police officer, reckless endangerment in the first degree, attempted assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, menacing in the second degree, criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, criminal mischief with intent to damage property, acting in an injurious manner to a child younger than 17, and resisting arrest.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said the case against Simoni will now proceed through the court process.

In other action in court today:

Joe A. Cortez, 40, of Batavia pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal contempt for violating an order of protection. He could face up to nine months in the county jail when he is sentenced.

Cortez also is facing a more serious charge of first-degree rape and third-degree rape in Genesee County for allegedly having forcible sexual intercourse with a juvenile victim under the age of 17.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved a redistricting plan in a 6-1 vote on Tuesday that makes slight adjustments in four legislative districts and keeps the at-large districts unchanged.

Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said the Legislature is following the recommendations of its redistricting consultant, Skyline Demographic Consultants, Inc.

The current districts have an 11.7 percent population variance, which is above the 5 percent threshold allowed.

Skyline’s recommendations include adding part of western Murray to a district that currently is the towns of Albion and Gaines (currently filled by Fred Miller, the lone Democrat on the Legislature).

That gives the Albion-Gaines (District 3) more people and also takes away from District 4 that includes Murray, Kendall and Carlton (currently filled by John Fitzak). The Murray section that is added to District 3 includes 522 people from Murray’s election district 5.

The orange part of Murray will be shifted into a district that includes Albion and Gaines, while the yellow will be in a district that includes Carlton, Kendall and most of Murray.

During the last redistricting about a decade ago, the county added a small part of Shelby to District 2 that included Yates and Ridgeway (currently served by Lynne Johnson).

This time the county will move more of that area back into District 1, the Shelby-Barre-Clarendon district (represented by Bill Eick). That represents a shift of 418 people.

Fred Miller cast the lone vote against the plan. He said there remains a 413-person difference between the biggest district and the smallest. Miller would have the most populous district at 9,961 people.

His district would pick up 522 people from Murray. He thinks it would have been better to split that part of Murray – with half in his district and the other half going to District 1, which has 9,548 people and includes Clarendon, Barre and most of Shelby.

The consultant from Skyline said that portion of Murray comes from election district 5. Redistricting plans should keep an election district whole and not split them up, according to the consultant’s report.

The other district sizes include 9,725 people in District 2 (Yates, Ridgeway and small part of Shelby) and 9,747 in District 4 (Carlton, Kendall and most of Murray).

The deviation from the biggest to smallest is 4.2 percent, within the legal threshold.

The three at-large countywide positions don’t legally require any changes because they represent the same population – the entire county, according to the consultant.

Jeff Lewis, the Orleans County Democratic Party chairman, was among the speakers during a public hearing on Feb. 9, when he asked the redistricting go to seven districts with no county-wide positions.

Lewis attended the Tuesday meeting and asked the legislators if there was any consideration given to his suggestions and others made at the hearing.

“There was much consideration,” Johnson responded.

The Democratic Party has filed a lawsuit against the Legislature about the redistricting. The group would like a bipartisan panel of local residents to draft a proposal for seven districts.

This shows the section of Shelby in red that will be included in the Yates-Ridgeway District and the section in blue that will be in the district that includes Barre, Clarendon and most of Shelby.

First phase starts Jan. 1, 2024 with OT cap at 56 hours a week

Photo by Tom Rivers: A farmer works a field by an orchard on Route 31 in Ridgeway in May 2016.

ALBANY — The overtime threshold for farm workers will be 56 hours a week starting Jan. 1, 2024 – down from the current 60 hours a week.

After 56 hours, farm workers will be paid at an overtime rate. It is part of a phased-in plan to bring the OT threshold to 40 hours a week in 2023.

The threshold will be reduced by 4 hours a week every two years until it is at 40 hours.

“These new regulations ensure equity for farm workers, who are the very backbone of our agriculture sector,” New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said on Wednesday when she announced the changes have been finalized. “By implementing a gradual transition, we are giving farmers time to make the appropriate adjustments. These new regulations advance New York State’s continued commitment to workers while protecting our farms.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature enacted new tax credits to assist farm employers to ease the implementation of the lower overtime standard. The DOL said those include:

• The Investment Tax Credit was increased from 4 percent to 20 percent for farm businesses, providing an encouragement for potential automation of farm production.
• The Farm Workforce Retention Tax Credit was increased to $1,200 per employee to provide near-term relief to farmers.
• A refundable tax credit was established for overtime hours paid by farm employers at the level established by the new regulation up to 60 hours.

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said the change will drive up cost for farmers who are already struggling with soaring operating expenses.

“Our family farmers are already struggling with skyrocketing inflation, high unemployment insurance taxes, and a severe worker shortage,” Ortt said in a  statement on Wednesday. “This is one more burdensome mandate passed on by unelected bureaucrats that will cause more harm. Instead of working to make New York more affordable, One Party Rule continues to impose anti-business policies that drive up costs for our small businesses and family farms.”

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney said the decision from the state will make it more challenging for farms to be successful in New York.

“Kathy Hochul, her Department of Labor, and Democrats in Albany have turned their backs on New York’s family farms,” Tenney said in a statement. “This gravely misguided decision deliberately ignored input from important stakeholders and will worsen the already difficult headwinds for New York’s agriculture sector. No farms, no food isn’t just a slogan; it will become the new reality if Albany Democrats continue to treat New York’s family farms with such disdain. I will continue my fight in Congress to assist our farm businesses and hold Albany Democrats accountable for this disastrous decision.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement: “For the past three years, my colleagues and I have advocated for the family farmers of New York who have told us time and again that any changes to the overtime threshold would severely impact their economic security. I’m deeply disappointed that the DOL and Commissioner Reardon have ignored those pleas.

“Agriculture is the largest industry in New York, and its workers are the best in the nation. But for these smaller farms trying to get by, the costs just skyrocketed, and the burden of this mandate will unfortunately cause many farmers to fall by the wayside. With this reality in mind, I can’t help but wonder who the DOL thinks it is helping.”

The Orleans County Legislature went on the record on Tuesday in opposition to proposals from Gov. Kathy Hochul concerning fossil fueled-powered appliances.

The legislature called the proposed mandates “hypocritical and nonsensical environmental laws which burden the working-class citizens of the county and state.”

The governor last month said she wants to ban fossil fuel hookups in newly constructed buildings started with smaller buildings in 2025, and larger buildings in 2028. Any new homes or apartments would not be permitted to have gas-powered appliances. This does not include existing buildings.

Hochul also called for a ban on the sale of new fossil fuel-powered heating equipment in New York, beginning with smaller buildings in 2030 and larger buildings in 2035.

“The Governor’s ban is intended to help address climate change, but this government mandate is more of a burden on our region’s working-class residents and will have a devastating effect on restaurants, businesses and manufacturing facilities whey they have to convert to all electric,” the County Legislature said in a resolution.

Legislators said the cost to convert a house to electric would be $20,000 to $50,000 per household and would not include any kind of backup system in the event of a power outage.

The Legislature said the mandate creates an “unnecessary financial burden and hardship for businesses that compete on a national or global level.” Legislators said the ban on gas appliances will push more businesses and residents out of the state, contributing to “accelerated population loss.”

The ban on gas appliances and water heaters arlso isn’t feasible in Western New York with its harsh winters and exposed electrical infrastructure, according to the Legislature’s resolution. Appliances used to heat water and cook food need to work during power outages especially during times of inclement weather.

“The Orleans County Legislature hereby strongly urges Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to fully examine the real-life impact their decisions will have for all New Yorkers, especially those least able to afford them,” the resolution states.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The path through the woods at Mount Albion Cemetery was covered in snow on Wednesday afternoon.

Winter weather is back with snow and sleet since Wednesday afternoon. Orleans County remains under a winter weather advisory until 6 p.m. with mixed precipitation and additional ice accumulations of up to a tenth of an ice, the National Weather Service in Buffalo reported.

“Periods of freezing rain will result in slippery roads and limited visibilities,” the Weather Service said. “Slow down and use caution while driving.”

It’s been an unseasonably warm February so far for most of the month, with some days hitting highs in the 50s and even 60s.

Today is forecast for a high of 32, followed by a high of 22 on Friday and 27 on Saturday.

Gates to Recovery says it would invest $1 million into improving site, add 90 to 100 jobs

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Clover Hill assisted living site at 355 South Main St. closed last March. It is listed for sale by Snell Realtors for $899,900.

ALBION – An organization that has been overseeing walk-in centers for people fighting addictions wants to operate a residential site in Albion at the former Clover Hill Adult Residence at 355 South Main St.

Randy Cimino, president of Gates to Recovery, said the organization is looking to invest $1 million in interior and exterior improvements to the property. It would like to operate a 35-bed residential treatment program with a focus on mental health.

Cimino, who said he is a recovering addict and is 15 years sober, said the mental health treatment is critical to breaking the cycle of addiction. He also said Gates to Recovery would offer longer supervision and treatment – from 4 to 18 months. He said most treatment programs are only a month – not enough time for many people to be successful in breaking their drug addictions.

“This is about saving lives,” Cimino said in a presentation to the Village Board this evening. “This village could be the one place where it all started, where we change rehabilitation.”

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said Gates to Recovery hasn’t shown a proven record in running a rehab facility. He told the group the Village Board doesn’t support that use of the Clover Hill site, which is close to many residential properties.

He said he also doesn’t want to see the property become tax exempt, taking away about $30,000 in tax revenue for local governments. Javier said he also envisions the facility putting a strain on local police and ambulance services.

Cimino and Gates to Recovery representatives said they didn’t see the site putting a demand on local services. Cimino said there would be about 90 to 100 employees at the site, about 30 per eight-hour shift.

Cimino said the organization has the financial backing to run the program in the foreseeable future. He said the local governments could be paid any lost tax revenue. He urged the board to support the effort. If Gates to Recovery fails, Cimino said the community would get back an upgraded Clover Hill site with about $1 million in improvements.

“Give us a chance,” Cimino said. “I’m telling you we can do this.”

Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley said Albion already has two drug treatment sites in the community, plus two state prisons.

“We don’t want to be known as the drug rehab center of Western New York,” she said.

Riley said the village can’t stand in the way of Gates to Recovery purchasing the property, which is listed for sale at $899,900. But Gates will need “a certain amount of community buy-in, acceptance and tolerance” to succeed, Riley said.

The organization also will need to find a full staff of professionals to run the site, and Riley, a retired nursing supervisor, said there is a shortage of healthcare professionals.

Gates to Recovery reps said they have some key staff members ready to go, and relationships with colleges for work placements.

Cimino said Gates to Recovery sees the Albion location as ideal for the program. But he doesn’t want to move forward if the board and community are opposed to the effort.

He was joined at the meeting by recently retired Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode. He said the opioid crisis has caused over 100,000 fatal overdoses annually in the country, and numerous related burglaries, larcenies and crimes as people try to feed their addiction.

He said the longer-term residential program will make a big difference for those in the program, who are only there if they choose to be.

“This is a perfect facility for us,” Cimino said. “We could do a lot for your community. I know it works because it worked for me.”

Grants not keeping pace with rising construction costs

Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said town officials will keeping pursuing state and federal funds to help expand public water in the community.

KENDALL – The Town Board remains determined to expand public water in the community, but Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said rising construction costs are making the projects too expensive right now.

Kendall will need bigger grants and very favorable loan terms to make the projects affordable for residents, Cammarata said at Tuesday’s Town Board meeting.

The state comptroller sets the affordability for public water projects at $1,040 in annual expense to residents. That includes the cost of water and any debt towards a waterline.

Recent estimates from LaBella Associates put the projects at $1,400 to $1,500 annually – too high for many residents, Cammarata said.

He responded to two residents during Tuesday’s meeting who said they have been asking for public water for several years now.

Truda Slucum of Lakeshore Road would like to be included in the town’s next water project – Water District No. 11.

Beverly Robinson of Lakeshore Road also asked to be included, said the area suffers from sulfur in wells.

Cammarata has been town supervisor for about 10 years. The town has completed four districts during that tenure. But he said they are getting tougher to do as the construction costs rise dramatically.

He is scheduled to meet Congressman Joe Morelle today and would send the message to increase federal grants for the projects. Cammarata also said the town needs low-interest loans through the federal Rural Development, which are 38 years instead of 30. That helps bring down the annual payment to stay below the comptroller’s threshold.

Cammarata said forging ahead now with a district at a $1,500 annual cost to residents would result in “a lot of pushback” because the cost would be too much for many residents.

He said Kendall will continue to look at options to get more public water lines in the ground, including whether smaller districts make a difference in lowering the annual debt costs.

“We’re trying,” he said. “I truly believe to move Kendall ahead you have to have water. We’re going to have grovel to get some funding.”

County Legislator John Fitzak attended the meeting and said residents should consider writing letters to state and federal representatives, explaining the difficulties with their well water. Those testimonials could make a difference, Fitzak said.

“I would suggest a grass-roots efforts with water,” he said about writing the letters. “We need money. Don’t forget us because we pay taxes like everyone else.”

Many STR owners vow to sue, calling law ‘discriminatory’

Photos by Tom Rivers: June Chippendale of Kendall asks the Town Board not to pass a law putting regulations on short-term rentals. She is looking to operate an STR in the future.

KENDALL – The Town Board on Tuesday night passed a law regulating short-term rental properties in the town, an action that some of the STR owners said was “discriminatory” and would result in a lawsuit against Kendall.

The new law also bans any new short-term rentals in the waterfront districts, excluding bed and breakfasts which require a separate special use permit. Existing STRs shall be grandfathered in and allowed to continue.

The Town Board said the waterfront districts have houses closer together on private one-lane roads. The STRs are presenting “parking and traffic impacts,” town officials write in the new law.

The board and community have been debating short-term rentals for several months. Town Board members said there have been complaints in recent years with the rise of short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs and Vrbo.

Some of the neighbors of STRs have complained that some of the STRs are loud, especially at night when the homeowners want peace and quiet after working in the city. Some neighbors said those businesses shouldn’t be allowed on one-lane private roads, and STRs also can drive up neighbors’ property insurance costs.

STR owners who spoke at Tuesday’s meetings said the community has a long history of renting out cottages to visitors. The STRs are nothing new, but have become more popular during the Covid pandemic with people seeking a getaway after being confined to their own homes.

Greg Stuckless of Norway Heights said the income from an STR was essential in allowing his family to put in a breakwall to protection from erosion during the flooding in 2017 and 2019. During an economic downturn the STR revenue helped Stuckless keep up with his bills.

“It’s saved me,” he told the Town Board. “We would have lost our house.”

Greg Stuckless said operating a short-term rental gave his family needed funds, allowing them to keep their home.

Stuckless said the fees in the law are not unreasonable but he said he is concerned about the town increasing the STR owners’ liability for having guests on site and in the community.

The Town Board modified the law after a public hearing last month. An annual licensing fee with the town for an STR will be $250 (or $500 over 2 years), which was lowered from the $1,000 annually in the proposed law. Kendall will require a $1 million liability insurance for STR owners, rather than the $3 million in the draft law.

The town had proposed STR owners would lose their permit to operate if they haven’t had any STR business over six months. That has been changed to one year.

The board passed the new law in a 4-0 vote with yes votes from Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, and board members Barb Flow, Margaret Lynn Szozda and Paul Jennings.

Rich Miller, a resident of Lakeland Beach Road and a real estate agent, said the town’s new law is “ill advised” and an attack on property rights.

He told the board to expect a lawsuit. About 20 of the rental owners have joined together to hire an attorney to oppose the regulations. They are represented by attorney Steven Barshov of Sive, Paget & Riesel in New York City.

One resident said the STRs are better maintained than most of the properties in the town, with the buildings, lawns and vehicle upkeep. The board should be looking at all properties and not just focusing on STRs, the resident said.

Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator, said Kendall should coordinate its law with the towns of Carlton and Yates as part of a Kendall-Yates-Carlton local waterfront development plan. That LWRP aims for consistency with town regulations along about 25 miles of shoreline. DeRoller urged Kendall to “slow it down” in adopting the regulations.

The town’s property maintenance codes already address issues with poorly maintained structures and don’t require the regulations for STRs, attorney Barshov wrote to the town last month.

Barshov questioned parts of the regulations that limit two people per sleeping room, sprinkler systems above the second floor of buildings used as STRs, and a ban on parking recreational vehicles, campers, trailers or motor vehicles larger than a 1-ton pickup truck.

“The character of a neighborhood is not destroyed by occupants of short-term rental properties doing exactly what residential property can do,” Barshov wrote.

The attorney said the Town Board has misstated the issues with STRs, portraying an “STR war zone” that doesn’t exist. There are only a few isolated incidents and none are “malicious,” he said.

“There are no reports of rampant misbehavior or anything like it at STR properties,” he wrote.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Don Draper takes the oath as undersheriff on Tuesday during a ceremonial swearing-in before the County Legislature meeting. His wife Emmy holds the Bible while Sheriff Chris Bourke administers the oath.

Draper replaces Jeff Gifaldi in the role. Gifaldi has retired and works as a code enforcement officer and also part-time in security at Holley Central School.

Draper is a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. He worked 20 years as a deputy on road patrol and then as supervisor of court security. He most recently has been a sergeant in charge of the civil division.

“I work for the sheriff,” Draper said about the role as undersheriff. “Whatever he needs done, I will do it.”

Draper is the son of retired Medina Police Chief Don Draper and the brother of Medina Police Department Lt. Todd Draper.

Bourke said the new undersheriff knows all of the positions in the Sheriff’s Office “from top to bottom” and has proven to be very dependable and knowledgeable.

“He’s a solid guy,” Bourke said. “He treats people fairly. That’s what I want.”

The Sheriff’s Office also has a new administrative chief deputy with Steven Ploof. He was unable to attend the ceremonial swearing in. Ploof provides oversight of the Civil Division and the numerous local, state and federal grants managed by the Sheriff’s Office, Bourke said.

Brian Marsceill takes the oath of office as an investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Marsceill replaces Shannon Brett, who retired from the position. The other investigators in the Sheriff’s Office include Devon Pahuta and Kevin Colonna.

Marsceill started as a deputy at the Sheriff’s Office in 2017. Before that he was as a police officer in Medina and Attica.

The sheriff administered the oath for other staff on Tuesday including Amy Sherman, sheriff’s accounts manager; Tyler Ajitsingh, corrections officer; Kari Hagglund and Jodi Marion as part-time dispatchers; and Theresa Brien as a civil clerk.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Mike Norris

New York State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt and Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) are announcing new legislation they have introduced that would assist volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers for costs relating to using their personal vehicles when they are responding to emergencies, reimbursing them at the mileage rate for gas and vehicle wear and tear through a state tax credit (A.4094).

The lawmakers are hoping this measure will help recruitment efforts and encourage more New Yorkers to volunteer for this critical public service.

“In communities across our state, our volunteer fire and medical personnel are our first response to dangerous and time-sensitive emergencies where paid personnel may not be available,” Ortt said. “However, as time goes on, we continue to see these volunteer organizations struggle to retain and bolster their ranks with new recruits, which places an even larger strain on their shrinking numbers. By removing barriers for recruitment and relieving some of the financial burdens on our existing volunteers, we will be helping to ensure that our communities, especially here in western New York, will continue to have reliable and necessary volunteer first response companies.”

Over the past decade, the number of volunteers in fire companies and ambulance services has significantly decreased. In fact, over 20,000 volunteers have aged-out or left service for other reasons in the past 20 years. During that same time, the number of calls have nearly doubled, with many companies within our districts responding to hundreds of calls per year.

Ortt and Norris acknowledge that because volunteers often use their personal vehicles in response to emergency calls, it is appropriate to aid with their gasoline and vehicle wear and tear expenses in the performance of their duties. Specially, their bill would provide a state income tax credit equal to the federal mileage rate.

Volunteer fire and ambulatory services save New York state taxpayers more than $3.3 billion annually.

Ortt and Norris also encourage the public to consider getting involved with their local volunteer fire company. There are many ways to help. You can become a volunteer firefighter, EMT or participate in the fire company as an exempt or auxiliary member. To learn more, please go to www.fireinyou.org.

“The lifesaving services provided by these volunteers is absolutely essential to everyone’s quality of life across our state,” Norris said. “No one knows when they will get into an accident, have a serious or life-threatening health emergency, fall and need assistance, or have a fire-related incident. Having these courageous and selfless men and women on standby night and day is an assurance we all, quite frankly, take for granted. That’s why our state should do everything we can to assist them for this dedicated service. This bill is an important part of that, and I believe it should become law as soon as possible to help address the shortage in recruitment.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller shakes hands with Marlene Hill of Medina, one of the board members for Arc GLOW. Miller on Tuesday presented a proclamation on behalf of the County Legislature that declared March as “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.”

Arc GLOW officials on hand included Cheryl Englert, board president; John Huber, board member; Martin Miskell, CEO; and Lisa Bors, public relations director.

The former Arc of Genesee Orleans and Arc of Livingston-Wyoming merged in 2021 following 18 months of planning to form the new Arc GLOW. This is the first four-county chapter of The Arc New York. This follows the merger in 2016 of the former Arc of Orleans and Genesee Arc.

In Orleans County, Arc GLOW has homes for individuals with disabilities, operates Orleans Enterprises Work Center in Albion, day habilitation programs, Meals on Wheels/Nutrifare in Albion and Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway. Several programs and departments also share space with the finance department on Caroline Street in Albion, Arc GLOW officials said.

MURRAY – Voters in the Murray Joint Fire District approved spending up to $900,000 for a new pumper-tanker fire truck and a refurbished rescue truck that will serve as a mini-pumper.

There was a special election this evening from 6 to 9 p.m. and the expenditures were approved by a 66-45 vote.

The Murray Joint Fire District will be replacing two pumper-tankers that are each about 25 years old. One is based at the Holley fire hall and the other at the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray hall. They each can carry 1,000 gallons of water.

They will be replaced with a new pumper-tanker at a cost of $680,000. Fire district leaders also will convert a rescue truck into a mini-pumper at a cost of $220,000.

The district leaders opted to do the smaller mini-pumper rather than buy two new pumper-tankers to try to reduce the costs to the fire district, said Mark Porter, chairman of the commissioners.

Refurbishing the rescue truck into a mini-pumper also will be easier to get the vehicle into tight driveways and on laneways, Porter said.

The fire district will pursue financing through serial bonds or statutory installment bonds up to 20 years, and may utilize bond anticipation notes for up to five years for the $680,000. For the $220,000, the financing would be for up to 15 years.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Megan Johnson (left), director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, and Amanda Luckman, admissions coordinator, hold one of the red hearts given to employees of Medina Memorial Hospital in observance of February as American Heart Month.

MEDINA – With heart disease being the number one killer of men, women and many ethnic groups within the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control, Orleans Community Health is celebrating February as American Heart Month with a number of events and giveaways.

It is reported that one in every four deaths is due to heart disease and approximately 805,000 people have a heart attack every year.

On a positive note, according to information from Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health, heart disease is largely preventable by following basic tips. These include eating foods that promote heart health, avoiding smoking tobacco products, making sure to get at lease 30 minutes of physical activity for five days a week and talking with your doctor to make sure you’re keeping track of blood pressure and checking for other warning signs.

February was declared American Heart Month by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, nine years after his own heart attack. Orleans Community Health is taking the opportunity this month to highlight the importance of heart health and the fact that heart disease is largely preventable.

“The time is now to take heart disease seriously, and research steps you can take to reduce your own personal risk,” Robinson said.

Medina Memorial Hospital offers several services in the Cardiac Department that can help. Electrocardiograms (or EKGs) are an innovative diagnostic tool. An EKG records the electric signal from the heart and is useful in detecting arrhythmias, heart attacks and heart failure.

An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound that uses two-dimensional, three-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound waves to create a clear image of the heart. That image can then be used to diagnose conditions that affect the heart’s valves and chambers.

Vascular ultrasounds use similar techniques to form images of blood vessels. At Medina Memorial, this tool is used to diagnose blood clots, blockages and other sources of congestion.

Cardiac stress tests are used to measure the heart’s ability to respond to stress, such as exercise or other stimulation. A stress test is an essential tool for identifying problems with blood flow, like blockages or arrhythmias aggravated by stress.

In addition, the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute opened a location in Medina Memorial Hospital in 2022.

Robinson added February is great time to take advantage of heart health information, and that is why Medina Memorial is celebrating the month by handing out red heart stress balls and sponsoring several other giveaways in an effort to raise more awareness of heart disease.