Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A 53,000-pound truss from the Main Street lift bridge in Albion was moved to land just north of the canal today.

The much-anticipated project had been delayed by windy conditions in recent days. Today there is barely any wind and Clark Rigging & Rental was able to use a big crane with a 400-ton capacity.

The 115-foot-long truss on the east side rises in the air above the truss on the west side.

Before the truss was picked up by the crane, an employee with BVR Construction Company in Churchville cut the end free on the north side. BVR is doing the structural steel work on the bridge rehabilitation.

The truss is slowly lifted above wires and the tower, to be set on land on the north side of the canal.

The truss is set on a cradle where BVR can more easily work on replacing the bottom steel beam. Most of the diagonal steel beams also will be replaced. The top beam doesn’t need to be replaced and is in good shape because it doesn’t have much exposure to road salt.

Click here for a short YouTube video of the truss being hoisted in the air.

Jon Long, engineer in charge for the state Department of Transportation, said the trusses will be worked on over several months and expected to be reset over the canal in late August or September. At that point they will have new steel on the bottom and most of the diagonal pieces.

BVR will also put in new stringers, a new deck (flooring system) and cross beams and the bridge will be repainted.

Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport is the general contractor for the project and will be doing the concrete work on each side of the bridge, as well as ordering the materials for the project.

BVR is a subcontractor doing the structural steel work. O’Connell & Electric will be doing the electrical work, which is primarily with the lifting system.

The 18-month rehabilitation project started in November. The Brockport lift bridge on main Street will be getting a similar overhaul with that bridge expected to close in April. It also will be taken apart and moved offsite on land for most of the repair and replacement work.

DOT staff and many of the workers took videos of the truss being removed at about 11:45 a.m. The other truss is expected to be lifted this afternoon.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – One of the big beams on the Main Street lift bridge is moved to a spot on land, north of the canal in Albion this morning.

The much-anticipated removal of trusses and beams is happening today. Clark Rigging & Rental has a crane in Albion with a 400-ton capacity.  Windy conditions in recent days delayed the truss removal, but today there isn’t much wind so the work is proceeding.

The beams and trusses are expected to be removed by late this afternoon.

The trusses, the long horizontal steel going across the canal, each weigh an estimated 53,000 pounds. This isn’t one of the trusses, but one of the cross beams.

The crane has a 257,000-pound counterweight.

Construction workers cut through the steel to take apart the bridge today.

There is a live stream of the bridge available by clicking here.

ALBION – It will cost $10 more to rent the pavilion at Bullard Park for parties and events. The Village Board voted on Wednesday evening to increase the cost for village residents to $35 while non-village residents will have to pay $60 to reserve the space.

This is for Bullard Park only, where the new pavilion is next to bathrooms and has electricity.

The Village Board may also add a cleaning/damage deposit in the future, said Trustee Tim McMurray. He said the village Department of Publics Works employees often come in on weekends on overtime to clean up after parties and events.

He said the fees are in line with what many other communities charge to reserve pavilions.

The village may include a charge to rent pavilions at other parks once those facilities are upgraded, board members said.

Tracy VanSkiver, the village clerk and treasurer, said the village office has been getting several requests to rent out the pavilion at Bullard Park in 2023.

In other action at the meeting:

• The board approved taking $20,013.94  from the police equipment reserves to purchase a 2022 Durango patrol vehicle for the K-9 unit.

• Appointed Susan Oschmann to the Historic Preservation Committee, with a term expiring in April 2026.

• Voted 4-0 to post employee contracts and salaries on the village website. Trustees said that information is already on the SeeThroughNY website. Putting them on the village website will make it easier for the Albion community to see the information, trustees said.

• Voted to advertise for two part-time clerk positions.

• Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley said she has spoken with the state Department of Transportation about the closed off Brown Street canal bridge. That bridge has become unsightly, she said. It has been closed to traffic for about a decade.

Riley and the board would like it to be fixed and reopened, but that isn’t in the short-term plan for the DOT, Riley said.

She said the village will continue to advocate that the bridge be reopened to traffic. If the DOT doesn’t have plans to fix it, the state should consider removing the bridge while looking at an option for pedestrian access, Riley said.

County Legislator John Fitzak said if the bridge was removed, the DOT should regrade the approaches, and could create more parking spaces for the former Crooked Door Tavern which is on the south side of the bridge. The Crooked Door is being turned into a café.

“Don’t just leave it this way,” Riley said about the bridge. “It is an eyesore just sitting there.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Genesee Community College’s main campus in Batavia is shown in this file photo from March 2021. GCC also operates campus centers in Orleans, Wyoming and Livingston counties.

ALBION – Orleans County, which spent over $2 million in community college chargebacks in 2020, was well below its budgeted amount in 2022 of $2,050,000.

The county paid $1,657,803 to community colleges last year. That was down from $1,839,535 in 2021 and $2,214,515 in 2020.

The $2.2 million total in 2020 prompted county legislators to set a $2,050,000 cap for the county expense, with anything cost over that to be paid by towns in the county.

But since the $2,050,000 cap was put in place for 2021, the county hasn’t exceeded that amount, meaning the towns haven’t had to pay.

By state law, counties contribute to the community college costs for residents, even if they take classes at community colleges in other counties. The formula was supposed to be the counties, the state and student each paying about a third of the costs, but the state percentage has dropped, pushing a higher percentage of the cost on students and the counties.

Among students in Orleans County, Genesee Community College is the most popular option – by far. GCC accounted for $1,284,261 or 77.5 percent of the county’s total chargebacks of $1,657,803, according to data from the county treasurer’s office.

GCC operates a campus center in Medina, as well as the main campus in Batavia, and other campus centers in Wyoming and Livingston counties. GCC also offers online classes.

Here is a breakdown of what the county was billed for chargebacks from community colleges in the state:

• Genesee Community College ­– $1,284,261
• Niagara County Community College – $139,237
• Monroe Community College – $122,694
• Fashion Institute of Technology – $50,049
• Erie Community College – $22,687
• Finger Lakes Community College – $21,517
• Mohawk Valley Community College –$4,997
• Jefferson Community College – $2,893
• Onondaga Community College – $2,613
• Jamestown Community College – $2,475
• Jefferson Community College – $1,666
• Cayuga County Community College – $1,664
• North Country Community College – $531
• Hudson Valley Community College – $528

The operating chargeback rate for GCC for full-time students is $5,890, plus a $300 capital charge rate per full-time student. That compares to the operating chargeback rates of $4,330 in Erie, $4,560 in Monroe and $6,360 for NCCC.

The Fashion Institute of Technology has the highest operating chargeback in the state at $16,800 per full-time student while Onondaga Community College is the lowest at $2,960.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A large crane is in place north of the Main Street lift bridge in Albion. The contractor for the project, Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport, and the state Department of Transportation are planning for Friday to lift the bridge from its current spot over the canal to land north of the site.

The lift has been delayed due to weather. It was planned for earlier this week.

Crane-Hogan is doing a major rehabilitation of the bridge that was originally built in 1914. The span has been closed since Nov. 14 for a major rehabilitation project expected to last 18 months.

Diane Harvey

MIDDLEPORT – A Middleport woman with dementia who was missing since Wednesday morning was located today and found deceased, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office reported at about noon.

Diane Harvey, 82, was last seen at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday. There was an intensive search for her Wednesday afternoon and evening. It resumed this morning in the area where Harvey was last seen in Middleport.

Search teams did grid searches on foot, and other resources used included all-terrain vehicles, K-9s and drones.

“After a thorough search she was located deceased in the search area by first responders,” a press release stated from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office. “This was not the outcome anyone was hoping for. We would like to thank everyone that assisted in the search. We extend our condolences to her family.”

File photo by Tom Rivers: A boater heads east in Albion after passing under the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in this photo from Oct. 2, 2019.

The navigational season for the Erie Canal will run from May 19 to Oct. 11, the New York State Canal Corporation announced today.

This will be the 199th consecutive season of navigation, and for the seventh year in a row the tolls for recreational boaters will be waived. Those tolls were normally $25 to $100 for a season pass, depending on the size of the vessel.

The season will open at 7 a.m. on May 19 and close to navigation at 5 p.m. on Oct. 11.

The canal is now a year away from the 200th navigation season of the waterway that goes 363 miles, linking the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo.

It cuts through about 25 miles of Orleans County and includes seven lift bridges. That is more than any other county in the canal system, which has 16 lift bridges total.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney      

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced the Health Freedom for All Act to prevent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from overstepping its congressional authority by enacting a Covid-19 vaccine mandate.

In September of 2021, the Biden Administration through OSHA attempted to mandate Covid-19 vaccines for employees of businesses with 100 or more employees and require weekly testing for those who remain unvaccinated.

While this mandate was blocked by the Supreme Court, this legislation will stop the Biden Administration from ever attempting a Covid-19 mandate through OSHA again. The bill finally clarifies that under existing law, OSHA does not have the authority to implement rules requiring Americans to undergo Covid-19 vaccinations or testing.

The Health Freedom for All Act was co-sponsored by Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-2), Congressman Bill Posey (FL-8), Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17), Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-3), and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-2).

“President Biden’s efforts to force vaccines into the arms of Americans is a complete overreach of the federal government’s power,” Tenney said. “Whether to receive the Covid vaccine should be personal decision, and every American should be free to choose what option is best for them and their families. I’m honored to lead this legislation once again, which reinforces that the government does not have the authority to enforce covid vaccine mandates and limits President Biden’s ability to further abuse our constitution.”

ALBION – The Albion Village Board approved a $2 million application on Wednesday evening for the Restore NY grant program.

The application would assist 22 properties in the downtown area, and if approved would bring state funding for 90 percent of building improvement projects in vacant or underutilized buildings.

Jay Grasso, the village’s grantwriter for the application, said the projects range from $50,000 to up to $400,000. Most of the projects include drywall, utility work, plumbing and other improvements to make space more usable for residential and commercial uses.

He thanked the building owners and the village office staff for their efforts in providing information for the application. Building owners needed to submit estimates from contractors for work.

If Albion’s application is approved, Grasso said more detailed construction bids will likely be needed and the state will finalize contracts with each building owner.

Albion qualified as a severely distressed community, making it eligible for Restore NY funding. That state program seeks to revitalize the heart of community centers, bringing funding for residential and commercial projects.

The grants for a community are up to $10 million, and are often anchored by a massive project for several million dollars. Albion is going funding for 22 smaller projects, rather than one giant effort.

Grasso, the grantwriter and owner of G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, said he expects it will take several months before the state announces the winners in Restore NY. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 1 announced a new round of $250 million in Restore NY funding is available.

The Albion sites in the grant are on Main Street, South Clinton Street, South Platt Street, East Bank Street, North Liberty Street and Beaver Alley.

Grasso said the connections he’s made with building owners, included some not in the application, will be helpful if Albion pursues other grants including the Forward NY program. He said Albion qualifies for many of the programs and is a strong candidate for funding.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the launch of a new committee to better serve members of the community.

Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Medina Memorial Hospital, released information explaining the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will bring individuals from the public together with team members of Orleans Community Health to serve all members of the community.

“Building an inclusive environment both internally and with our neighbors is our commitment,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “As we continue to expand the services we provide to our community, we want all people to feel welcome and proud that we are their health care provider. The DE&I steering committee began meeting in 2022 to determine goals that would guide future planning. I’m happy with the direction things are going and the input we’ve received from those in the community.”

The list of current objectives for the committee include:

• To define diversity, equity and inclusion and how each relates to Orleans Community Health.
• To cultivate a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in the facility and community.
• To identify, share and facilitate opportunities for learning and self-growth within the facility and community.

“I think it’s great that we were able to get this committee off the ground and immediately work on ways that OCH can serve and represent everyone,” said Freddrica Fuentes, director of Nutritional Services at Orleans Community Health and one of the founders of the committee. “That means everyone, whether you’re a veteran, disabled, part of the LGBTQ community, or of a certain age, religious group or ethnic background. This committee represents a way that we can work with our partners in the community to better represent everyone, which is what we should always strive for.”

Current members of the committee are Emily Stavange, Angie Doval, Jessica Marciano and Jessica Dittly from the community; and Leighann VanAuker, Victor Doval, Freddrica Fuentes, Nadine Wright-Johnson, Scott Robinson and Kim Gray from Orleans Community Health.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A truck from Indiana, hauling local cabbage, slid off of Brown Street and flipped on its side this afternoon at about 4:30 p.m. during heavy snowfall.

The driver was headed north on Route 98 but was redirected due to the Main Street lift bridge being closed. Rather than following the detour signs, the driver went by his GPS and ended up on Brown Road. He was attempting to go north to Route 104 when he went off the east side of the road, a state trooper said at the scene, which was just north of the village line.

The driver will be ticketed for speed not prudent and for an overweight load. The limit of Brown Road is 12,000 pounds, the trooper said.

A towing company with a big wrecker is coming from Buffalo to pull the truck off its side and from a neighbor’s yard.

No one was injured in the accident.

Albion firefighters are on the scene and also providing traffic control. There are several other accidents around the county.

ALBION – A Medina man was sentenced to 3 ½ years in state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Brennen D. Callara, 24, was sentenced for first-degree attempted robbery and petty larceny. He faced a maximum of 4 years in prison as part of a plea agreement. The judge gave him less than the maximum.

Callara admitted in a previous court appearance that he threatened a cashier at Crosby’s in Medina on July 20 by displaying a knife and demanding money. Callara also admitted to stealing a chain saw sharpener from Tractor Supply in Medina on Aug. 30.

The sentencing also satisfies other charges he faced in Shelby and Ridgeway courts.

In another case, Brandon Belski, 27, of Holley pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless endangerment, a class D felony.

He admitted in court today that on April 1 he pointed a shotgun at someone in a car and discharged the gun, hitting tires on the passenger side of the vehicle.

As part of a plea, he will face up to 9 months in the county jail when he is sentenced on March 29.

(Editor’s Note: Joe Palumbo, owner of the Albion Gun Shop, wanted to clarify that the purchased guns aren’t for sale at his shop. He served as the middleman for the guns to be sold back to Sheriff’s deputies and other local law enforcement officers. He said he did the background checks for free as a courtesy for the Sheriff’s Office.)

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is switching over from 45 mm handguns to 9 mm handguns and the old guns are being sold.

The County Legislature on Tuesday agreed to sell 23 outdated Glock Model 21, 45 ACP caliber pistols to J.S. Palumbo of the Albion Gun Shop for $310 each or $7,130 total.

The Legislature approved other resolutions relating to the Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, including:

• Authorized acceptance of a $172,413 domestic terrorism prevention grant  through the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. The grant covers two years, from Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2024.

• Accepted $150 in community donations with $100 towards SWAT and $25 each to animal control and the K9 unit.

• Set the following civil office fee schedule for mileage for round trips by the Sheriff’s Office, effective Feb. 1: $20 for Albion 14411 zip code; $24 for Elba, Middleport, Kent and Waterport zip codes; $26 for Medina, Bergen, Brockport, Clarendon and Holley zip codes; $28 for Lyndonville, Oakfield and Kendall zip codes.