Modern Disposal will start early at 5:30 a.m. in Orleans County

ALBION – Orleans County officials say Friday’s garbage collection may be delayed depending on the intensity of the forecasted snowstorm.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this creates for our residents along the affected routes,” said Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer. “We will have to wait and see how this snow storm affects northern Niagara County and Orleans County to determine if Modern Disposal Services may complete the collection in a safe manner for their workers. Unfortunately it is possible that some routes may not be able to be completely collected by the close of business tomorrow.”

Orleans County works closely with Modern Disposal Services to provide a countywide solid waste program for residents. With the anticipated snow fall beginning tonight over Western New York, Modern Disposal Services will be starting their collection service early on Friday at 5:30 a.m., Welch said.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services provides many services to the community throughout the year.

Child and Family Services is incorporated in this bustle of activity. CFS works with many families across Orleans County. The work that we provide takes on many different forms.

Each year our department looks forward to our annual family Christmas Party with eager anticipation. The children and families that we are involved with are invited to come celebrate the holiday season with us.

During this celebration there is face painting, a coloring contest (with prizes), sing-a-longs with DJ Doug, and special balloon creations for each child provided by Rosco the clown.

The children and families get to enjoy pizza, cookies and refreshments all donated by local businesses. The celebration is then concluded with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The children all receive presents from Santa before the festivity ends.

For the past two years, due to Covid, it was unsafe for CFS to celebrate this special occasion with our families. The staff has missed the lighthearted joy that it brings by being a part of this celebration.

This year we are so very appreciative that the Elks Club and Upstate Tint Pros have honored our families and CFS by donating their space for our celebration. We can’t thank them enough as the party is entirely made possible by donations from individuals and agencies in the community.

Our community may be small, but the hearts within it are huge. It is our great pleasure to work with such wonderful people including the Elks Club and Upstate Tint Pros.

If anyone is interested in donating presents or any other items to our Christmas party, please reach out to Krista LeFrois at (585) 589-3120 by Dec. 9.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Orleans County from 7 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. on Sunday with about 4 to 7 inches of snow expected and winds gusting as high as 35 miles per hour.

“Periods of snow will result in snow-covered roads and limited visibilities,” the Weather Service said. “Slow down and use caution while driving.”

Other parts of Western New York will see more snow, including Buffalo, which is forecast for 3 to 4 feet. Batavia and Lockport could get at least a foot.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued a State of Emergency for 11 counties: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wyoming.

That list also expands to contiguous counties, which includes Orleans.

The significant snowfall could cause hazardous travel conditions and local power outages. Lightning and thunder may also occur in the heavier, more intense bands.

Hochul is urging New Yorkers to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel this evening through Friday, particularly in the Buffalo and Watertown areas.

Photos and information courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA –  Congratulations go to students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education program who have been inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.

The students include: Samantha Andrews (Early Childhood Ed Program/Lockport), Alyson Berner (Early Childhood Ed Program/Royalton-Hartland), Bryce Broeker (Diesel Technology Program/Barker), Anthony Cercone (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Program/Lockport), Michael Chisler (Electricity/Electronics Program/Medina), Hannah Coder (Early Childhood Ed Program/Newfane), Tyler Currie (Building Trades Program/Lockport), Arie Decker (Allied Health Program/Royalton-Hartland), Angelina Delgrolice (Health Occupations Technician Program/Barker), Cameron Fisher (Electricity/Electronics Program/Royalton-Hartland), Gabriella Flores-Medina (Allied Health Program/Medina), Dillion Freiburger (Electricity/Electronics Program/Lockport), Alexander Gagne (Building Trades Program/Royalton-Hartland), Miranda Gebo (Allied Health Program/Albion), Miya Goodale (Health Occupations Technician Program/Barker), Kayla Guerin (Computer Technology Program/Lockport), Tyler Halifax (Computer Technology Program/Lockport), Rylee Hallows (Culinary Arts Program/Royalton-Hartland), Rachel Hill (Allied Health Program/Medina), Ian Jones (Computer Technology Program/Lockport), Jaiden Just (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering/Lockport), Drew Kauffman (Electricity/Electronics Program/Lockport), Madison Kelley (Allied Health Program/Royalton-Hartland), Olivia Kroening (Cosmetology Program/Medina), Zachary Luick (Electricity/Electronics Program/Lockport), Samantha McIntyre (Allied Health Program/Royalton-Hartland), Lydia Samson (Health Occupations Technician Program/Barker), Emily Scott (Allied Health Program/Royalton-Hartland), Jazmyn Shaw (Early Childhood Ed Program/Lockport), Sara Smith (Cosmetology Program/Medina), Logan Tolliver (Electricity/Electronics Program/Barker), Zachary Walker (Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Program/Royalton-Hartland), Tyrell Wright (Computer Technology Program/Medina) and Alexa Zglinicki (Health Occupations Technician Program/Barker).

The students had to maintain an 89.5 grade average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools, have superior attendance, exemplary behavior, be a member in good standing with SkillsUSA and have a recommendation from a faculty member.

Out of all the high school students in the United States, the National Technical Honor Society students who receive this honor comprise 1.6 percent of that population. For staff at the Orleans/BOCES center, they represent the four pillars of the National Technical Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

The students were honored in front of their teachers, families and school district representatives.

Students at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center who were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society include: Logan Becker (Electricity/Electronics Program/Starpoint), Lorna Becker (Conservation Program/Royalton-Hartland), Andrew Birtch (Electricity/Electronics Program/Starpoint), Colby Blake (Culinary Arts/Christ the King Prep), Ryan Butler (Animation, Film & Visual Effects Program/Starpoint), Matthew Cake (Building Maintenance & Management/North Tonawanda), Marianna Campione (Cosmetology Program/Starpoint), Joshua Chesterfield (Electricity/Electronics Program/Wilson), Melania Deabes (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Carter Galyen (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Jami Gerwycki (Emergency Medical Services Program/Lewiston-Porter), Evan Husarrek (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Anhelina Kavalchuk (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Blair Kephart (Early Childhood Ed Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Henry Jack Leible (Electricity/Electronics Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Joshua Linderman (Diesel Technology Program/Starpoint), Tyler Lorence (Computer Technology Program/Lewiston-Porter who attend Niagara Academy), Thomas May (Welding Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Lenora Mercurio (Fashion Design & Interior Decorating Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Sarah Morrow (Culinary Arts Program/Christian Academy of WNY), Serena Nice (Fashion Design & Interior Decorating Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Nicholas Paszt (Welding Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Eoin Potwin (Culinary Arts Program/Niagara Falls), Zelda Pulver (Culinary Arts Program/Starpoint), Sally Rick (Animal Science/Niagara Falls), Savannah Shine (Graphic Communications/North Tonawanda), Kayla Simmons (Early Childhood Ed Program/Wilson), Ranvir Singh (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Evan Strong (Electricity/Electronics Program/Starpoint), Patrick Stryker (Diesel Technology Program/Niagara Falls), Cameron Thomas (Computer Technology Program/Niagara Wheatfield), Damon Tunnicliff (Project Based Engineering Program/Niagara Falls), Cassidy Wagner (Conservation Program/Wilson), Emily Yarington (Health Occupations Technician Program/Wilson) and Brian Zatkos (Project Based Engineering Program/Niagara Wheatfield).

$93.7 million proposal includes replacement of county’s fuel farm, bridge and road work

ALBION – Orleans County’s tentative 2023 budget would increase spending by 19.1 percent or by about $15 million – from $78,691,774 in 2022 to $93,702,812 in 2023.

Despite that increase, the tax levy will remain the same at $18,657,000 with the tax rate decreasing by 22 cents to $9.87 per $1,000 of assessed property.

“This year’s $93 million budget recommendation is influenced by the core inflation rate that is at a 40-year high, the continued employment challenges of retaining and hiring new employees, prolonged supply chain issues which have no certainty of the price of goods or the delivery of goods as quoted as well as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jack Welch, the county’s budget officer and chief administrative officer.

He filed the tentative budget on Nov. 15. He thanked the department heads and county legislators for their work on the budget.

There will be a public hearing at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building.

The tentative budget includes a capital plan totaling $13,618,267 with $3,000,715 coming from the 2023 budget with the rest from state CHIPS and TIP funds, as well as a county infrastructure, and building and equipment reserve funds.

Some of the capital projects include $1.5 million for replacement of the county’s fuel farm; $1,390,000 for a solar farm and energy efficiency project; $2,096,100 to replace the Angling Road bridge; $1,040,00 to replace the bridge on Route 237; $999,616 for the Lakeshore Road bridge project; $776,000 for Taylor Hill Road culvert replacement; $1,890,000 for highway reconstruction; $700,000 for an addition to the DPW; $792,615 for CAD and RMS software in the Sheriff’s Office; $200,000 for jail repairs; and other vehicles and equipment upgrades.

The budget gives some agencies an increase and while others stay at the same level of funding.

The Orleans Economic Development would receive $200,000 in 2023, up from $190,000; Soil & Water Conservation would get $95,000, up from $92,500; and the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council would receive $4,000, up from $3,000.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension remains at $240,000 and the four public libraries continue at $10,000. Mercy Flight stays at $5,000 and the Sportsman’s Federation remains at $1,000.

The county continues to experience strong growth in sales tax revenue, which is taking pressure off from raising property taxes. The budget Welch and Kim DeFrank, county treasurer, budgets for a $1 million increase in sales tax. That $18,843,000 is up $1 million over 2022. The county’s sales tax revenue increased about $400,000 through the first nine months this year, after jumping $2.4 million in 2021.

“Orleans County experienced historical growth in sales tax receipts during the pandemic,” Welch said in a budget message. “The question was this a temporary change or have residents created a new habit of purchasing online? Now with record inflation rate on food, non-taxable sales, will this reduce our residents’ discretionary taxable sales purchasing in 2023?”

The county has used some of the sales tax increase to fund capital projects. It opted against lowering the county sales tax on gas when prices were at record highs this summer.

The county workforce includes 345 full-time employees and 96 part-timers. There are also 163 seasonal workers with 150 in the Board of Elections.

ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to seven years in prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

David W. Snyder, 53, was sentenced to the maximum as part of a plea deal for attempted course of sexual conduct against a child. Snyder sexually abused a child for over six years from June 2014 to June 2020, Assistant District Attorney Susan Howard said.

The victim of the crime spoke in court today, telling Snyder, “you’re sick.”

“I’m the one crying every day,” said the 14-year-old girl. “I hate what you did. You took away my ability to be a child.”

She asked Snyder to apologize. When he was given a chance to speak by the judge, Snyder said, “I’m sorry.”

Snyder left Orleans County soon after his arrest on July 21. He was extradited from North Carolina.

In addition to seven years in prison, he will be on post-release supervision for 15 years.

In other cases today in County Court:

• Danielle Rowe, 36, an inmate at Albion Correctional Facility, was sentenced to another 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for prison contraband and for criminal possession of a controlled substance by having suboxone without a prescription.

• Jacqueline Garrett, 43, of Le Roy was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for third-degree burglary and petit larceny.

She was on a judicial diversion program but didn’t make it through without committing more crimes.

Garrett most recent offense was taking aerosol cans from a hardware store in Albion so she could use them for huffing.  Her attorney, public defender Joanne Best, said Garrett has been struggling with drug addiction. She was doing well but had a relapse.

Garrett said she will use the time while she is incarcerated to “better myself.”

Judge Church said a treatment court with supervision was tried with Garrett but it wasn’t successful. He said incarceration will keep her away from drugs.

• Towonna Baxtrum, 35, of Rochester was sentenced to five years of probation for bringing suboxone into Orleans Correctional Facility. She also was fined $500.

“I made a horrible mistake,” she told Judge Church.

• Dennis Bach, 36, of Buffalo pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny. He admitted to taking about $11,000 worth of construction supplies from Pride Pak in Medina.

He faces a maximum of 1 to 3 years in prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 9.

• Patrick Casanova, 29, of Medina was arraigned on felony assault with intent to cause serious physical injury, and two counts of misdemeanor acting in a manner injurious to a child under age 17.

Casanova is accused of striking a woman in the face in front of her two children on Aug. 11.

District Attorney Joe Cardone asked for high bail because Casanova has two prior felonies. Church set bail at $25,000 cash and $50,000 bond.

• Shane Dipilato, 25, of Albion (formerly of Holley) pleaded guilty of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and driving while ability impaired.

He was charged on June 16 after running into a tree at Hillside Cemetery in Holley.

Dipilato admitted to drinking alcohol while using fentanyl before driving that day. He also said he had fentanyl that he gave to friends, which is considered “selling” in a criminal definition.

Judge Church accepted Dipilato into a diversion program with treatment. If Dipilato is successful, the felony charged will be reduced to a misdemeanor in about a year and he won’t have to spend any time incarcerated.

If he is unable to complete the diversion program he could face 1 to 2 ½ years in prison.

Press Release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – The Lee-Whedon Memorial Library is looking for feedback on the library’s future.

The library is looking to expand so that we may continue to support the needs of our growing community. We would like to offer rooms for tutoring and small meetings, expand our collections, and add more programming space.

The library used grant funding to acquire the neighboring property to the west at 214 and 218 North Ave.

The input of visitors and community members is a key component of the first phase of the expansion process. An architectural firm will use the data compiled from this survey to create conceptual drawings of what our future library could look like.

We are asking that people complete a short online survey by Nov. 28. The survey can be found by clicking here. Printed surveys can also be picked up from the library.

About 200 people often attend the “Finally Fridays” concerts at the library during the winter on Friday evenings. This is a file photo from a previous concert.

KENDALL – The Kendall Town Board didn’t vote on Tuesday whether to approve a contract with Monroe Ambulance for EMS services.

Kendall town officials first want to talk with leaders of the two fire districts – Kendall and Morton.

Monroe Ambulance has proposed a one-year contract with Kendall for $18,000. Monroe would station in ambulance in Holley and Albion as part of the agreement. Right now, Monroe is the primary ambulance provider in Kendall, but Monroe doesn’t stage an ambulance in eastern Orleans County.

Mercy Flight EMS also wants to provide services for Kendall. Mercy Flight on Sunday took over the COVA operations in Albion and Hamlin. Kendall is next to Hamlin and Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata wants to see how Mercy Flight’s close presence in Hamlin could impact services in Kendall.

“This is an expedition that no one thought we would be doing,” Cammarata said. “We want to do the right thing for our people.”

Kendall will next meet on Dec. 6.

CLARENDON – The Town Board approved a one-year contract on Tuesday evening with Monroe Ambulance for EMS services in the town.

Clarendon will pay Monroe $18,800 in the one-year contract that starts Jan. 1.

Clarendon is the third town to approve a contract with Monroe in Orleans County, joining Barre and Albion. The Gaines Town Board on Tuesday tabled the Monroe proposal so Gaines officials could consider a proposal from Mercy Flight EMS.

Clarendon and the other eastern Orleans towns – Murray and Kendall – are already in Monroe’s primary service area. But those towns haven’t been paying a stipend to Monroe for its services.

As part of a new contract, Monroe is agreeing to station an ambulance in both Holley and Albion. Right now Monroe doesn’t base in ambulance in Orleans County.

Monroe is seeking $200,000 from the seven towns in eastern and central Orleans in a contract for 2023, with a commitment to base two ambulances in the county.

ALBION – The Town Board has authorized Highway Superintendent Michael Neidert to pursue state funding to replace a culvert on Phipps Road.

That culvert has been closed to traffic since Sept. 9 after an inspection showed the steel high-beam supports are rotted.

Neidert said it could cost $600,000 to $700,000 to replace the culvert that spans 19 feet over Otter Creek. He told the Town Board on Monday that the state has opened up a new round of Bridge NY funding.

The town has previously received a Bridge NY grant from the state. In 2019, Albion used $174,000 from that program to replace a culvert on Clarendon Road.

Neidert said the Phipps Road project is a bigger culvert and it’s over a protected stream. Albion applied for Bridge NY funding for the Phipps Road culvert in 2016 and 2018 but was denied. Now that the culvert has been closed to traffic, Neidert said that will give Albion more points in the grant application.

GAINES – The Town Board tabled voting on an ambulance contract on Tuesday evening, saying it wants more time to consider a proposal from Mercy Fight EMS.

Town supervisors from seven towns in Orleans have been meeting with Monroe Ambulance officials about a contract for eastern and central Orleans.

Monroe already has a contract for eastern Orleans – Clarendon, Murray and Kendall – but doesn’t station an ambulance in the county. With the contract, Monroe would keep an ambulance in Holley and one in Albion. The agreement calls for the seven towns to share a $200,000 stipend to Monroe with the shares based on call volume.

Mercy Flight, which took over COVA operations on Sunday, is proposing a $185,000 contract with two ambulances with paramedics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and another ambulance for 12 hours a day, seven days a week that would be basic life support.

The towns of Albion and Barre have already approved the agreement with Monroe, however if even one of the seven towns doesn’t approve the contract the deal is “null and void.”

Richard DeCarlo, co-owner of Heritage Estates in Gaines, urged the Gaines board to do its due diligence in reviewing and comparing the proposals. DeCarlo said it looked to him like Mercy Flight was offering better service at a lower cost, and also has hired 40 of the COVA employees.

He also asked the Town Board to compare the rates that will be charged residents for ambulance transports. That should be a factor considered by the board.

Gaines Town Councilman Ken Rush said the Mercy proposal doesn’t break out the share due by Gaines. With the Monroe agreement, Gaines would pay $24,600. That cost would come out of the town’s federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act and wouldn’t affect the local taxpayers, Town Supervisor Tyler Allport said.

Rush said thanked Mercy Flight for stepping in as COVA ceased operations and for hiring the 40 local paramedics and other field staff.

“Personally I want to go with Mercy Flight,” Rush said. “If we go with Mercy Flight, what does that mean to Gaines for the cost?”

Mike Gugliuzza, director of medical operations for Mercy Flight EMS, said the organization would break out the number for Gaines as part of a seven-town agreement. He said it would likely be cost prohibitive for Gaines to be the only town in an agreement with Mercy Flight.

Ron Mannella, a Gaines town councilman, said Gaines could talk with Carlton officials about at least a two-town agreement. Or, Manella said, if Gaines doesn’t go with Monroe and it makes that agreement “null and void,” the other towns might come back to the table to hear out Mercy Flight.

DeCarlo said the towns for too long avoided paying towards ambulance services. COVA tried in recent years to get funding from the towns but that never happened.

“The COVA can has been kicked down the road for years,” DeCarlo said during Tuesday’s meeting. “We’ve run out of road.”

Allport said the seven towns felt a sense of urgency in working on an agreement with Monroe Ambulance. The leaders of the towns wanted ambulance services for residents if COVA closed.

Now that Mercy Flight has taken over those operations, Gugliuzza said central Orleans can be assured there will be high-level service while the towns work out an ambulance contract.

The deal with Monroe calls for them to start on Jan. 1. Monroe said it will stage ambulances in Albion and Holley, but those locations haven’t been disclosed yet.

Gaines will have its next regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 12. That will give the Town Board time to compare the proposals from Monroe and Mercy Flight.

COVA representatives attended the meeting on Tuesday. Allport asked them how the organization will be handling its debt, whether that would be passed to Mercy Flight. Jennifer Stilwell, COVA president, said Mercy Flight won’t have any of COVA’s debt. COVA can bill for its services up until the transition to Mercy Flight at 12:01 a.m. this past Sunday.

Those invoices plus a $150,000 employee retention credit should satisfy any outstanding bills, she said.

“We have every intention of paying off our debt,” she said.

If Mercy secures a contract for ambulance services for the community, Gugliuzza said Mercy would look to acquire the COVA base and its ambulances. If Monroe is chosen, Mercy would provide service up until when Monroe is ready, and then Mercy would “bow out,” Gugliuzza said.

Councilman Rush commended the COVA organization for its 43 years of service to the community.

“Thank you COVA,” Rush said. “You’ve been there for my family and my friends.”

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Orleans and Niagara counties from Friday evening until Sunday morning with heavy lake-effect snow possible.

“Total snow accumulations of 9 inches or more possible in the most persistent lake snows,” the Weather Service said. “It is possible that southern portions of Niagara and Orleans counties could be impacted for a time by a wavering lake band as early as Friday morning.”

There also is a winter storm watch beginning Thursday evening through Sunday evening in the Buffalo metro area, northern Erie County, Genesee and Wyoming counties. Those areas could get multiple feet of snow, the Weather Service said.

“Travel could be very difficult to impossible with very poor visibility and deep snow cover on roads,” the Weather Service said about those three counties. “There is still uncertainty in the exact band placement and amounts, but multiple periods of heavy snow are possible, including across the heart of the Buffalo metro area. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.”

MEDINA – Village officials are open to new basketball courts at Butts Park, even after Medina wasn’t approved for a grant that would have added new basketball courts, a pickleball court and an ice skating rink.

Melissa Valley, a member of the Parks Committee, said the committee is disheartened by the grant denial. The group waited eight months to hear the application’s fate.

Valley and the committee don’t want to give up on the basketball courts. She asked the Village Board on Monday how much village funds would be available for two new asphalt courts. That would be down from the original goal of three.

Jess Marciano, a village trustee, said she would be willing to spend $60,000 to $80,000 towards the courts, with those funds coming from Medina’s pot of federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Mayor Mike Sidari also said he would support ARPA funds towards the courts.

Trustee Tim Elliott said he would like to see the basketball courts be the priority because Medina doesn’t have any outdoor courts at its parks.

“We’re the only town without one,” he said.

A pickleball court could be set up at the tennis courts on the school property, Elliott suggested.

Mayor Sidari also said an ice skating rink is part of a long-range plan at State Street Park by the Erie Canal and that would be his preferred location rather than at Butts.

Valley said the dollar amount from the village will help the committee as seeks cost estimates from contractors.

Trustee Owen Toale said he would like to see a plan for Butts Park, which has become busier with youth sports, adult softball, and a new skate park. All of the park users have maxed out a lot of the parking, he said.

Jason Watts, the Department of Public Works superintendent, has a plan to expand parking at Butts Park, said Trustee Marguerite Sherman.

She wants to see the courts at the park because many kids are playing basketball in the streets.

Village of Medina approved for $50K for assessment of drinking water system

ALBION – The Village of Albion has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant funding for upgrades to its water plant on Wilson Road in Carlton.

The Village of Medina also was awarded $50,000 to complete an assessment of its drinking water system.

Gov. Kathy Hochul today announced those grants as part of 54 CDBG awards totaling $33 million. The funding will help municipalities to make improvements to water systems and also build public housing that serve primarily low- and moderate-Income residents.

“These critical investments in our public infrastructure will help provide safe, stable housing and affordable amenities to New Yorkers while allowing businesses to grow and thrive, and I thank the New York Congressional Delegation for securing this vital funding for our state,” Hochul said in a statement.

The Community Development Block Grant program is a federally funded program administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal that helps counties, cities, towns and villages with projects that improve communities and benefit residents across the state.

Community Development Block Grant Housing grants can be used for housing rehabilitation of owner-occupied or renter-occupied homes, down payment assistance for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers, and private water/wastewater system assistance for low- and moderate-income homeowners, according to a news release from Hochul’s office.

For 2022, Homes and Community Renewal awarded $10.4 million for 24 housing rehabilitation, manufactured housing, and well and septic projects. A total of 301 households are projected to benefit from the proposed improvements.

Community Development Block Grant Public Infrastructure and Community Planning grants can be used for improvements to public water, public sewer, stormwater sewer and flood drainage improvements. For 2022, Homes and Community Renewal awarded over $23 million for 21 public water, public sewer, and public facility projects, and another $445,000 towards nine community planning projects.