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.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mercy Flight EMS is now operating COVA ambulance based out of Albion and Hamlin.

ALBION – Mercy Flight EMS announced today that it is operating Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance, Inc. That includes the operations in Orleans County based in Albion and in Hamlin, Monroe County.

Mercy Flight’s agreement with COVA was effective at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. Mercy Flight will provide ground ambulance service under COVA’s NYS Department of Health “Certificate of Need,” said Scott P. Wooton, executive vice president and treasurer for COVA.

“Under the agreement, COVA’s medical providers have been hired by Mercy Flight, and will continue to operate COVA’s vehicles while the two organizations work to have COVA’s Certificate of Need permanently transferred to Mercy Flight,” Wooton said in a statement. “Additionally, as per the agreement, Mercy Flight has taken over the right to billing and collections for ambulance services as of the same date.”

Mercy Flight submitted a proposal to seven towns in Orleans County to be considered in a contract for ambulance services. Monroe Ambulance also is seeking that contract for the seven towns. Barre and Albion already have voted to have Monroe Ambulance be the ambulance provider and the other towns are expected to vote in the next week on a contract.

Mercy Flight’s agreement with COVA “has allowed for a seamless continuation of Advanced Life Support ambulance service to the people of Orleans County and Hamlin, and provides opportunities for COVA’s dedicated employees to continue to work for a nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to provide compassionate patient care,” said Wooton of Mercy Flight.

MEDINA – Fire Chief Matt Jackson said the department will be changing its work hours in January, going to 24 hours on duty with the next 72 hours off.

The 19 career firefighters currently work two 10-hour day shifts, followed by two 14-hour night shifts. Jackson said that schedule with the two consecutive nights disrupts their sleep patterns and takes a toll on their physical and mental health.

Fire departments and EMS providers have found the 24-hour shift with three days off allows personnel to have a better sleep routine and more personal time off, Jackson told the Village Board on Monday.

The change in schedule won’t result in any additional overtime costs for the village, he said.

“It will be good for the health and safety of firefighters” by allowing for more recovery time from an all-nighter, he said.

Jackson said it will make Medina Fire Department more attractive as a place to work.

“I think it’s beneficial and I’m tired of our guys leaving for other things,” he said. “If we commit to our employees, it gives a better chance they will commit to us.”

Trustee Owen Toale said the change should be negotiated as part of a new contract, with firefighters offering a concession to the village.

However, Toale said Jackson has the power to set the firefighters’ work schedules and he can make the change without the board’s endorsement.

Trustee Tim Elliott said he was concerned about firefighters, who also run the department’s ambulance services, providing emergency medical services when they are at the end of a 24-hour shift. He said it would seem those staff would be struggling with fatigue.

Jackson said he is confident the staff will be going strong throughout their shift. He expects they will be fresher than the current work schedules, which leave many sleep-deprived because their schedules aren’t consistent.

Trustee Marguerite Sherman said first responders are wired differently, and the adrenaline kicks in on late-night calls, whether they are volunteers or paid staff.

Elliott asked Jackson to consider some mandatory time off for someone who finishes a 24-hour shift. Jackson said he would look at how other departments handle required time off.

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department said several suspects are in custody after search warrants were executed this morning in Medina.

The local police department worked in cooperation with multiple local, county, and federal agencies to execute two federal search warrants, the Medina Police Department stated on its Facebook page.

“Multiple suspects were taken into custody,” the Medina PD said. “No names are being released at this time as this is an ongoing investigation.”

Village asked to consider renaming State Street Park in honor of Burroughs family

The stained-glass window donated by the late Silas Burroughs will be repaired. The window and the chapel at Boxwood Cemetery were featured on Sept. 26 in a night-time tour of the cemetery. Catherine Cooper, county historian at center, is shown discussing the window.

MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery have met their fundraising goal of $7,500 to repair the stained-glass window in the chapel at Boxwood.

The window was donated by the late Silas Burroughs, who was influential in the pharmaceutical industry. Burroughs and Henry Wellcome pioneered the use of Empirin Compound for headaches. They also developed a technique to make powdered medicine more palatable by making pills.

Burroughs in his estate left money to Boxwood Cemetery. The bottom half of the window and frame will be repaired by Pike Stained Glass Studios in Rochester. The company will remove the window in the spring and try to have it back in place in time for next year’s “Boxwood at Night” event, where many of the cemetery paths were lighted up.

The inaugural “Boxwood at Night” on Sept. 26 attracted more than 200 people. The event was a big fundraiser for the window restoration. There was also music and seven stops with docents or interpreters discussing people buried in the cemetery. One of the stops was inside the chapel where people could see the window donated by Burroughs.

The Village Board approved the repair at a cost of $6,750 with the money coming from the Friends of Boxwood.

Todd Bensley, the village historian and member of the Friends of Boxwood, said a bigger goal for the Friends of Boxwood is a complete restoration of the Medina Sandstone chapel. The group would like to get contractors in the building over the winter to prepare bids for a project.

Bensley also asked the Village Board on Monday to consider an interpretive panel about Burroughs and his father at State Street Park. The panel would be done in a similar style as the ones in the downtown. Bensley said once the panel is designed it will be presented to the board for its input.

Burroughs father, Silas Burroughs, was a member of Congress from 1857 until his death on March 4, 1860. The elder Burroughs was a lawyer, a brigadier general in the New York State Militia and a state assemblyman.

The family home was at State Street Park until 1916. Bensley asked the board to consider renaming the park in honor of the Burroughs family.

That request was made to the village in 2019 by Chris Busch, the former Village Planning Board chairman and current president of the Orleans Renaissance Group.

Bensley said the village previously renamed a park. South Main Street Park was renamed Butts Park in honor of John Butts, a Medal of Honor recipient in World War II.

“We’re not asking for it to happen today, but trying to gauge the interest level,” Bensley said during Monday’s board meeting.

Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said one possibility could be naming the new pavilion at the park in memory of the Burroughs family.

“The village board needs some time to digest,” Mayor Mike Sidari responded to Bensley.

The board last month approved having a sidewalk at the corner of the park leading to a World War I cannon. An anonymous donor is covering the cost.

KENDALL – The elementary school has been approved for a grant to establish raised beds for a garden.

Terra Science and Education, based in Syracuse, announced the $903.60 grant for Kendall’s “Pumpkin Patch Problem Solving” project, led by teacher Wendy O’Hearn.

The project will involve K-12 students in the school district establishing raised beds for a garden located at Kendall Elementary School. A garden offers an ideal area for teaching and learning about plant science, biology, chemistry, soil science and math. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the natural world when they are actively engaged in scientific inquiry.

Kendall Elementary School is among 16 organizations across New York State awarded 2023 Capacity Building Grants from Terra Science and Education. For the 2023 grant cycle, Terra received 28 applications requesting more than $115,000 in grant funds. Terra awarded a total of $57,468 in grants to increase educational opportunities for students throughout the state.

Terra Science and Education is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the quality of life through investment in those involved in education and innovation. For more information about Terra Science and Education or the Capacity Building Grant Program, email info@terraed.org or visit the website at www.terraed.org.

Albion will pay $84,400 in 1-year contract; big tax hike approved for 2023

Photo by Tom Rivers: Anna Tower (back right), treasurer for COVA Ambulance, speaks during Monday’s Town Board meeting. She questioned the board about picking Monroe over Mercy Flight EMS.

ALBION – The Albion Town Board in a 5-0 vote on Monday approved a contract with Monroe Ambulance of Rochester to provide ambulance services for the community.

Albion is one of seven towns in the contract. The contract calls for the towns to collectively pay $200,000 to Monroe. Albion will pay $84,400, or about 42.2 percent of the total.

The town hasn’t been paying towards ambulance services. That $84,400 is a big factor in the tax rates jumping in Albion in 2023. (Albion also will see a big increase in its budget for a town-wide reassessment next year, and the town will replenish its reserve funds.)

The Town Board also approved next year’s budget on Monday. Tax rates will go from $3.09 per $1,000 of assessed value for village properties in 2022 to $4.69 in 2023, while outside-village properties will go from $4.17 to $6.27 per $1,000. (The owner of a house assessed for $100,000 in the village will pay $160 more in town taxes while the owner of a $100,000 property outside the village will pay $210 more in town taxes.)

Anna Tower, treasurer for COVA Ambulance, asked the board why it’s going with Monroe, when Mercy Flight EMS is willing to provide ambulance services for central Orleans. Mercy Flight is taking over in the short term after COVA closes. Nearly all of the COVA staff will become Mercy employees for at least the short-term.

Town Supervisor Richard Remley said officials from the seven towns have had several meetings with Monroe, which currently is the primary ambulance provider for Clarendon, Murray and Kendall in eastern Orleans. The central Orleans towns – Albion, Barre, Gaines and Carlton – joined with them in a seven-town block to negotiate a contract.

Monroe has agreed to station an ambulance in Albion and Holley as part of the contract, and can draw on other ambulances in Brockport and Greece if there is a need for more.

Jason Dragon, a village resident, said the plan for two ambulances to serve seven towns seems like a drop in service for Albion because COVA typically had two ambulances in service the past 43 years.

“I’m very confident it won’t be less than what we have now,” Remley said about the Monroe service.

The contract calls for Monroe to start on Jan. 1 for the seven-town block. Officials from the towns will meet with Monroe leaders in August or September next year to evaluate response times and discuss if the one-year contract will be extended, Remley said.

Dragon also asked when Albion is paying such a high percentage of the overall contract. He said other agreements among multiple towns divvy up the share based on either population or tax base. In this agreement, the percentage is based on call volume in each town.

“It seems to be disproportionately affecting the Town of Albion,” Dragon said. “I’m concerned we’ll be establishing a precedent for other contracts.”

Dick DeCarlo, another resident who spoke at the public hearing, asked if Mercy Flight offered to provide the service at lower cost. Remley said Mercy Flight’s proposal was about $15,000 less than Monroe’s $200,000 contract.

But Remley said Mercy Flight is coming in very late in the process, “at the 11 and a half hour.”

The seven town leaders drafted a contract for one year to allow for them to revisit the level of service. Remley said Mercy Flight could be considered as an option in the future.

“We’re at the 11^th hour and we’re not going to take it back to the drawing table,” he said about opening talks with Mercy Flight EMS.

Mike Gugliuzza, director of medical operations for Mercy Flight EMS, attended the meeting on Monday and said the organization would like to be considered as a primary ambulance provider. He said Mercy Flight would stage three ambulances in the service area.

Anna Tower urged the town officials to go with Mercy Flight, which will station out of COVA’s base and keep the COVA staff – at a lower cost than the towns have to pay Monroe.

“Inflation is hurting a lot of people,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like you’re working for us.”

Monroe hasn’t said where it will be stationing ambulances in Albion or Holley. Remley said Monroe would like to hire COVA staff for its service in Orleans County.

The Town Board approved the contract with yes votes from Remley and board members Darlene Benton, Sandra Bensley, Terry Wilbert and Arnold Allen Jr.

‘People are just so happy being together, and it brings back fond memories of being a kid, going to cut your Christmas tree, the smell of the greens.’

Provided photos: Master Gardener class regulars Nicki Dresser and Pam Maryjanowski show off their finished wreaths in the 2021 class.

Press Release, Orleans County Master Gardener Program

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are gearing up for one of their most popular workshops of the year – their Wreath-Making Class – on Nov. 28.

This year, the master gardeners are thrilled to be able to offer the class in its original pre-Covid format at two different times, 2 p.m. or 6 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 28.

In this hands-on workshop, Master Gardeners provide all of the supplies needed to create the holiday wreaths, the base evergreen branches, accent materials like pinecones and dried flowers, holiday ribbon, and some decorative trinkets.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own pruners and gloves, plus any additional accents they would like to really personalize the wreaths. By the end of the class, each participant has their own truly unique masterpiece to hang on their door or wall.

”I think people really enjoy the hands-on part, that they get to make their own wreath,” said Janelle Flammger, Master Gardener chairperson of the event, “It’s just so neat to see everyone’s final product – they all start out with the same materials and yet every single wreath turns out completely different and uniquely beautiful.”

The Wreath-Making Workshop has been a Master Gardener tradition for years, a staple in the program lineup that stays constant despite changes in staff, volunteers, or circumstances.

“We were really fortunate that we were able to hold the workshops in 2020 when so many other events and programs were cancelled because of Covid,” said Katie Oakes, CCE staff coordinator of the Master Gardener Program. “We did have to tweak the format a bit to comply with the safety protocols at the time, but people were just so grateful to still be able to do something fun and creative in such a tumultuous time.

Master Gardener Kristina Gabalski shows participants the various greens available with which to make their wreaths.

In  2020 the workshop was offered as a series of small classes, with a max capacity of eight participants per class. Last year, in December 2021, the capacity of participants was increased, but social distancing was still recommended so the class size continued to be restricted.

Now that Covid limitations have been widely lifted, Master Gardeners are thrilled to be able to offer the workshop like they always have – in a big room, everyone all together, sharing creative ideas, and encouraging each other.

“I really love the social aspect of this workshop,” said long-time Master Gardener Eileen Sorochty. “People are just so happy being together, and it brings back fond memories of being a kid, going to cut your Christmas tree, the smell of the greens. It’s nostalgic.”

Master Gardeners wanted to offer the class shortly after Thanksgiving so that participants could enjoy their fresh wreath for as long as possible before the holidays.

The cost for this workshop is $30 per wreath.

To sign up for the Wreath-Making workshop or for more information on the Master Gardener program, call the Orleans County CCE office at 585-798-426 or email Katie Oakes at klo54@cornell.edu.

Low-volume users will pay less while average users pay about $25 more per quarter

ALBION – The Albion Village Board approved changes in its water and sewer rates with a more simplified system that bills customers for actual water and sewer usage, rather than a minimum bill for the first 5,100 gallons.

Some people would get billed for 5,100 gallons of use even if they only used 2,000 gallons.

The result in the new changes will be smaller quarterly water and sewer bills for low-volume users, while an average user will pay about $25 more per quarter.

“We’re not trying to raise this to make a fortune,” said Deputy Major Joyce Riley during a board meeting last Wednesday. “It’s to continue to provide safe water for the public.”

The new water rates lower the rate from $3.61 to $3.39 per 1,000 gallons for the village residents and commercial customers. And the village eliminates a $5 quarterly administrative fee.

The big changes are the addition of a new base charge at $21 per quarter for residents with ¾” meter and how the village does a minimum charge. That is currently $28.16 for residents and most small businesses and includes the first 5,100 gallons of water.

The new system puts the minimum at $21.00 per quarter (the base charge) but doesn’t include any water usage. The village will start billing at zero gallons.

The changes should net the village about $100,000 more annually for the $1.7 million annual water fund.

The new water rates were approved by the board on April 27 and will go into effect in the January 2023 bill, while the sewer rates were approved last Wednesday and take effect in the April 2023 bill.

The village operates a sewer system with 24 miles of sewer lines, 600-plus manhole covers, five lift stations and the sewer plant on Densmore Road. The budget for the current sewer fund is $1,249,377.

The sewer bill will include a base charge for $26 per quarter. The rate for village and commercial users will be $3.97 per 1,000 gallons for a ¾” meter, which is a 5-cent drop. Outside-village residential and commercial users will stay at a $4.95 rate.

The correctional facilities will be increased by 25 cents (to $4.35 for water and $4.65 for sewer). Those increases for the two prisons were approved the board two years ago but haven’t been implemented.

Riley said the sewer plant has received about $3 million recently in improvements that were mostly funded with state grants.

“There is a cost to having a service that is good for us and the environment,” she said.

The sewer plant operates at about 84 percent capacity. That excess space is considered one of the village’s big assets in attracting new residential and business development.

Photo and information from Oak Orchard Health

ROCHESTER — Karen Kinter, Oak Orchard Health’s interim CEO, joined public health and government leaders in Monroe County recently to help launch the “Keep Your Holidays Healthy” campaign. (Kinter is shown in top photo at right while Adam Bello, Monroe County executive, speaks during a news conference.)

The campaign emphasizes the need for flu shots and Covid vaccines.

“Covid precautions greatly reduced flu cases the past few years,” Bello said.

However, that isn’t the case this year. National data from the Centers for Disease Control shows that flu hospitalizations for this time of year are at the highest level since 2010.

That is one reason why Oak Orchard Health has a program for walk-in flu shots and for the Pfizer Bivalent Covid Booster for ages 12-plus for its patients. Check the Oak Orchard website for the most up-to-date information.

“Oak Orchard Health’s focus is to keep its patients and the community healthy, particularly during the holidays,” Kinter said. “It’s also important to keep our patients out of the hospital and one way is to get their updated vaccines, including the flu shot.”

During the campaign announcement, she joined Bello, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, and Dr. Michael Mendoza, Monroe County Public Health commissioner.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 2, No. 37

HOLLEY – The telegram that the parents of every serviceman dreaded was delivered to the Buckman home at 18 Ray St. in Holley on Friday, June 28, 1918.

“Deeply regret to inform you, cable from abroad states that Private Jewell Buckman, Marine Corps, was killed in action, June 7th. Remains will be interred abroad until end of the war. Accept my heartfelt sympathy in your great loss. Your son nobly gave his life in service of his country.” – George Barnett, Major General Commander

Wayne Jewell Buckman was born in town of Stockbridge in Madison County, NY on December 20, 1891. He was the only child of Albert S. Buckman and Almira (Jewell) Buckman. The family moved to the Holley area when he was young.

His father, who was born in England, is listed as a farmer in the 1900 Census for the Town of Murray, and as a mail carrier in the 1915 Census. His mother, known as Myra, was from Murray.

Jewell graduated from Holley High School, Class of 1910. He served as organist for the Baptist Church for three years. He attended the University of Louisiana at Baton Rouge for two years and went to train as a landscape architect at Flint, Michigan with the renowned William Pitkin, Jr. of Boston who was engaged in designing the grounds of estates owned by General Motors executives at that time.

Jewell enlisted at the age of 25 and was sworn into the Marine Corps in Rochester on 26 June 1917. He trained at Parris Island, SC. He and his comrades in the 17th Company, 5th Regiment, Second Division, sailed for France on Dec. 8, 1917.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Allen Smeltzer, a Genesee Community College student, portrayed Jewell Buckman in a Ghost Walk at Hillside Cemetery in September 2016. Buckman was the first soldier from Holley to be killed in World War I about a century ago. The American Legion Post in Holley is named in Buckman’s honor. Several GCC students volunteered to serve as ghosts and guides during the Ghost Walk.

A letter to his parents dated May 5, 1918, one month before his death, conveys Buckman’s passion for horticulture and the projects he was planning to complete upon his return home:

“Tell me how the three cut leaf sumacs are doing. Also, take the honeysuckle vine up by the seat and put it on the south side of the front porch….The bricks around the edge of the pool is something I had rather do when I get home….

“I saw red flowering horse chestnuts here for the first time a couple of weeks ago and they were really beautiful, also the laburnum or golden chain tree is in blossom now and believe me there are going to be three planted among the shrubs when I get back.”

But his life was cut short on June 7th, 1918, fifty miles northeast of Paris, at the Battle of Belleau Wood. A comrade, Corporal H.E. McCurdy recounted later:

“After a long, hard day of fighting in the Belleau Wood on June 6th, we took a position on the brow of a large hill, and each man dug a hole to keep out of shell fire. Jewell’s was next to mine. That night, the Germans in some way managed to get around our left flank under cover of total darkness and were right on us before they were discovered.

“It was between two and three o’clock in the morning, a fierce hand-to-hand fight took place, and it was in that fight that Jewell fell. You may know that Jewell died the death of a true man in the field of honor, fighting for his country and flag.”

Pvt. Buckman is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Holley, as are his parents. His mother died in 1932 and his father in 1935.

Pvt. Buckman was the first serviceman from Holley killed in action in World War I. Holley’s American Legion Post 529 was named in his honor. Fifteen World War 1 veterans from the Holley area signed the Post’s Charter application on 17 October 1919, their stated purpose was to assist former comrades in need.

American Legion Jewell Buckman Post 529, located at 5 Wright St. in Holley, continues to observe its stated philosophy of being of service to the community, state and nation. Scott Galliford is the current Post Commander. He encourages those who are eligible to join (email: alholley529@gmail.com)

(Source information: Articles from Holley Standard newspaper on file at the Orleans County Dept. of History.)

Diesel price remains much higher than a year ago

AAA is reporting this morning that gas prices barely budged in the past week. In Orleans County, the average price for regular unleaded went from $3.900 a week ago to $3.894 today, a drop of about a half cent.

The national price decreased 3 cents to $3.77 and the state-wide average is $3.90, up 3 cents.

The diesel price is New York is at $5.890 today, down less than a penny from the $5.897 a week ago.

The average regular unleaded prices today in Western New York counties include:

• Orleans, $3.894
• Genesee, $3.782
• Wyoming, $3.832
• Livingston, $3.808
• Monroe, $3.818
• Niagara, $3.705
• Erie, $3.797
• Chautauqua, $3.888
• Cattaraugus, $3.845
• Allegany, $3.859

AAA issued the following statement about gas prices:

“Gas prices nationally are down this week led by a slight decrease in the cost of oil. Lower prices along the West Coast are being countered by an increase in the average cost for a gallon of gas in New York.

“While there is no change in the average cost across Western New York, we are seeing an increase in prices in Central New York as tight supply and delivery costs hit motorists at the pump. Prices could continue to increase if supply remains tight alongside fluctuating oil prices.

“This morning, oil prices range from $89 to $96 per barrel, up from $91 to $98 one week ago.

Diesel fuel prices remain elevated with the national average at $5.36, up from $3.65 one year ago. The New York average for diesel is $5.98 compared to $3.76 one year ago.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Traffic moves along Main Street in Albion near the lift bridge this evening.

The bridge will be closed beginning on Monday for a major rehab that is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The state Department of Transportation will also be closing the Main Street lift bridge in Brockport in the spring for a similar rehab. The two projects will cost $28.3 combined.

Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport is the general contractor on the two bridges. Crane-Hogan did the rehab work on seven canal bridges in Orleans County from 2018 to 2021. That was a $10.8 million project for the work on the single-lane truss bridges.

The Main Street lift bridge in Albion was built in 1914. Some of the upcoming work includes:

• Replacing bridge deck and portions of the truss system with high-strength, galvanized steel.
• Modernizing mechanical and electrical components within the bridge’s lifting system.
• Rehabilitating the bridge tower.
• Installing new bridge rails.
• Repainting the bridge, maintaining its current shade of green.

During construction, the bridge will be dismantled with individual trusses lifted and placed in the lot adjacent to the Canal, where the rehabilitation work will occur. When work is complete, it will be moved back into place over the Canal, according to a notice from the DOT.

A signed detour will be in place utilizing State Routes 31, 387 (Fancher Road), and 104 (Ridge Road). The Erie Canal Trailway will remain open for the duration of the project.