Jeff Smith also says revenue for farm should keep orchard in family for years to come

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jeff Smith, the Shelby town supervisor and owner of Ledge Rock Farms, is pictured at the farm with some of the bins on Wednesday. Smith has retired from active operation of the farm on Route 63 but he wants to keep the land in the family.

SHELBY – Jeff Smith, like many farmers in Orleans County, has a stack of solicitation offers from solar and wind energy companies looking to use his land for projects.

Smith never really considered solar. The panels would take up too much of his 100-acre orchard.

He also didn’t want several turbines scattered on the property.

He was intrigued by a proposal from Borrego Energy. The company, after initially wanting to construct four wind turbines on Smith family property, would like to put up two – one in an orchard owned by Jeff and his wife Char and their three grown children, and the other next door on land owned by Smith’s two sisters.

The project, when complete, would take up a half-acre and have the capacity to generate 8.4 megawatts of power.

The two turbines have been a contentious issue at recent Shelby Town Board meetings. Many residents say the two turbines, peaking at 633 feet high, would dramatically change the landscape, and nearby residents would suffer from shadow flicker, infrasound and possible impact to property values. Residents also are concerned the turbines could be destructive to birds and other wildlife.

Smith has recused himself from any voting and formal discussions about the project in board meetings.

Borrego Energy is planning for one of the two turbines near this deer fence about 2,000 feet from Route 63. In the background in this photo is Roberts Farm Market on Maple Ridge Road.

Speaking to the Orleans Hub on Wednesday, Smith said the family wouldn’t have been open to leasing land to Borrego without financial benefits to the community and without the power being available locally at a discount. Borrego said residents and businesses who sign up for a community wind program can get the electricity at a rate less than non-renewable energy providers.

“I feel very strongly we have to start doing something about our energy situation,” Smith said. “These things aren’t perfect but they are getting better. When Kennedy said we’re going to the moon, they didn’t roll out a rocket the next day.”

The taller turbines generate more power, so fewer of them are needed, Smith said.

The 75 wind turbines in the High Sheldon project in Wyoming County peak at about 400 feet, and they each have a capacity for 1.5 megawatts, about the third of the power that is proposed for the two turbines in Shelby.

The Smith family has been farming in Shelby since 1898. Jeff Smith said the revenue from the turbines should keep the land agriculture and in Smith control for years to come.

The farm along Route 63, just south of the Village of Medina, has been in the Smith family since 1898. Smith is the fourth generation to work the farm.

He said it is a challenging business, especially at 100 acres, which is a smaller orchard in today’s farm economics. Many years there are razor-thin margins, Smith said.

At 68, he opted to lease out the land this year to another fruit grower, Toussaint Farms in Ridgeway. Smith said he wanted less stress in his life and he knows Toussaint will do a good job with the Smith acreage.

Smith and his family have made big changes to the farm over the years. Cherries used to be the dominant crop on the farm but that changed when the tart cherry market dried up. Those trees were removed. Smith in the past 20 years has gradually shifted to a high-density orchard, with smaller apple trees supported in a trellis system.

It’s a lot of work planting and managing those trees – and expensive. Smith said he has tried to replace about 5 percent of the trees or 5 acres each year, at a cost of $20,000 per acre. The high-density orchards have 1,500 trees per acre with posts and wire.

The Smiths have had to sell off land before to keep the farm going. In another financial pinch, Smith worked as a teacher starting at age 46 and did that for 10 years as a middle school technology teacher in Medina from 2001 to 2011.

The revenue for two wind turbines gives the farm more security for the future, to help ensure the land stays farmland and in the family’s control.

Smith attended the Sept. 13 Town Board meeting, where several speakers opposed the turbines being so close to the village and altering the landscape in a dramatic way. Smith watched the meeting from a chair from the side of the room, away from the other Town Board members.

Smith, speaking on Wednesday, said he took issue with speakers who implied the board was “too dumb” and wasn’t qualified to review the environmental impacts of the project.

Smith said the board members have different backgrounds, and often disagree. They have an engineer and land use attorney to assist the town in reviewing the project.

Ryan Wilkins, the deputy town supervisor, said Smith has stayed out of conversations at the town hall about the project.

Jeff Smith said farming is challenging to keep viable, especially with a 100-acre orchard, which is smaller than most fruit operations these days. Smith left farming full-time from age 46 to 56 and worked as teacher, while trying to keep the farm going. Now at 68 he has retired from the farm’s active operation and leases the land to Toussaint Farms.

Smith joined the Town Board in April 2018. He was appointed councilman, filling a vacancy after the death of long-time councilman, Dale Stalker, in December 2017. About six months later he was appointed by the other board members to be town supervisor following the resignation of Ed Houseknecht on May 31, 2018. Smith was appointed on June 9, 2018.

Wilkins credits Smith for stepping up to be town supervisor when no other board members were willing to take on the job.

Smith said he hasn’t tried to steer a project to his family’s property in an improper role as a town official.

“It hurts that people think I’m trying to line my own pocket,” he said.

Smith said he was receiving many solicitations from wind and solar companies around the time he joined the board. He knows many other farmers in the county also have been inundated with similar requests.

Smith’s property is a near a three-phase electrical line, which is desirable for companies as a transmission line. The Smith land is also at a slight hill. He knows from his years of spraying the orchards that it’s breezy with gusts at the property.

“The wind always blows at our place,” he said.

He said he signed a letter of intent with Borrego in September 2019. In January 2020, there was a public hearing about a meteorological tower on his land. That 200-foot-high met tower was up about 18 months. It was removed in February 2022.

Wilkins said he looked through town minutes and there have been 13 meetings and three public hearings about the turbines and met tower.

“People say they feel this is something new and is being shoved down their throats,” he said. “But it’s been talked about and discussed.”

The minutes from prior meetings are available on the town website. Shelby also has been broadcasting its meetings live through YouTube. It started that in the early days of the Covid pandemic.

Wilkins, as deputy town supervisor, has been running the meetings when the turbines are discussed.

He said the board continues to gather information. It will discuss the environmental impact statement during the next meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11. He said the board isn’t in a rush to make a decision on that study, and the review of a site plan and whether Borrego will get a special use permit for the project.

“We’re not trying to sneak anything through,” Wilkins said. “We’re trying to get as much information as possible to make the best decision for the town.”

The spot in the orchard of Rome apples is the second of two turbines. Jeff Smith steered Borrego from more valuable apples in the orchard, such as Honeycrisp. The Rome apples are used by a processor in Quebec.

Shelby also would need to give the turbines a height variance. The town code caps the height at 500 feet. Wilkins said that regulation was enacted before the new generation of wind turbines at over 600 feet high.

Wilkins said the big benefit in the larger turbines is that fewer of them are needed. The two turbines proposed for Shelby would generate 8.4 megawatts. It would take six turbines from 10 years ago, at a 1.5 megawatt capacity, to be close to on par with the electricity from the taller turbines.

“The way they are going now is bigger and more efficient turbines , which take up less space,” Wilkins said.

He doesn’t expect Borrego will pursue more than two turbines because he said that electricity, along with an existing solar project in Ridgeway by Allis and Beals roads, would nearly maximize the capacity of a substation on Bates Road.

The town is in the early stages of talking with Borrego about a host community benefit package. Wilkins said he wants to use the numbers approved for Barre as a starting point in the discussion.

Apex Clean Energy agreed to $9,000 per megawatt for the local governments for the 184.8 megawatt Heritage Wind project in Barre.

The town gets $6,750 per megawatt annually as part of the deal with Apex or $1,247,400. With the PILOT, the county and Albion and Oakfield-Alabama school districts share $2,250 per megawatt or $415,800.

With those numbers, Shelby would get $56,700 annually ($6,750 multiplied by 8.4) with the Medina school district and the county sharing $18,900 annually ($2,250 multiplied by 8.4) in a PILOT.

Wilkins said other concessions could also be negotiated as part of a host community benefits package.

But he stressed those negotiations are just getting started.

“There are no numbers yet,” Wilkins said.

Provided photo

ALBION – The new scoreboard has been installed and is in use for the Albion youth football games at Bullard Park.

Players, cheerleaders and coaches recently gathered for a photo with a representative from the Burger King in Albion. Mark Cammilleri, owner of the local Burger King, covered the cost of purchasing the scoreboard. Shelby Hollenbeck, a Burger King employee, joined the AYSAP group for a photo celebrating the new scoreboard which was installed by the Village of Albion Department of Public Works.

“The ability to have the scoreboard is huge for our organization,” said Geno Allport, the AYSAP commissioner for Albion. “Instead of having to worry about the officials keeping the time on the field and having people wonder what’s the score, quarter and time remaining. Mark and Albion Burger King have relieved a lot of stress from our organization.”

The Albion youth teams will have home games on Saturday at Bullard and they will be selling T-shirts in support of Maddox Pearl, a 5-year-old Albion boy who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Proceeds will go to Maddox’s family.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Nancy Walker was one of several members of the Orleans County Retired Teachers’ Association who were presented certificates of appreciation by outgoing president Frank Berger at their annual meeting Thursday. Seated in the foreground are Al Buell of Albion and Grace Kent of Albion.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Chapter of Retired Teachers Association had their annual meeting Thursday at the Abundant Harvest Fellowship Hall.

The 13 educators collectively amassed nearly 400 years of teaching in basically every school subject, from industrial arts to physical education.

Those in attendance included Frank Berger of Medina, Al Buell of Albion, Gary and Grace Kent of Albion, Gail Johnson of Albion, Nancy Walker of Holley, Georgia Thomas of Medina, Barb Filipiak of Medina, Kay VanNostrand of Medina, Jill Klotzbach of Basom, Charlene Smith of Medina, Ann Czajkowski of Barker and Kathy Punch of Medina. Also attending was Mary Beth Tyndall, president of the Central Western Zone RTA.

Berger, who has served 10 terms as president, presided at the meeting, during which a new slate of officers was elected. They are Georgia Thomas of Medina, president; Gary Kent of Albion, vice president; Nancy Walker of Holley, recording secretary; Gail Johnson of Albion, corresponding secretary; and Charlene Smith of Medina, treasurer.

New officers elected at the Orleans County Retired Teachers’ annual meeting Tuesday are, from left, Georgia Thomas of Medina, president; Gary Kent of Albion, vice president; Nancy Walker of Holley, recording secretary; Gail Johnson of Albion, corresponding secretary; and Charlene Smith of Medina, treasurer.

Berger issued a plea for someone to volunteer as a historian for the organization. He said it was important to have their history documented.

Berger presented certificates of appreciation to several members, including Nancy Walker and Gary Kent. Two recipients, Jeffrey Annable of Gasport and Eileen Wuethrich of Kendall, were not in attendance. The awards were actually announced by the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association at the Central Western Zone meeting a week ago.

Treasurer Ann Czajkowski reported the RTA would donate $100 to Camp Rainbow for the 22nd consecutive year. Jenn Batt from Camp Rainbow was guest speaker at the meeting.

Another $100 was donated last year to the Cobblestone Museum and $50 to the autism trail at Letchworth State Park.

Part of the money for donations is earned from raffles at each meeting, conducted by Barb Filipiak. On Thursday, Filipiak sold tickets for a 50/50 drawing and chances to win a Buffalo Bills banner which had been donated.

Mary Beth Tyndall, president of the Central West Zone of Retired Teachers’ Association, addresses those in attendance at the annual meeting Thursday at Abundant Harvest Fellowship Hall in Knowlesville.

Kathy Punch of Medina, a retired teacher, shared information about OCALS (Orleans County Accredited Learning Services) and explained the need for tutors.

Thomas shared she has volunteered as a tutor for OCALS and it was very rewarding.

“When you see a child all of a sudden ‘get it,’ it’s a wonderful thing,” she said.

Czajkowski stressed the importance of members attending meetings, after declining membership caused the Orleans County RTA to consider disbanding before Covid.

“We are in a time when all groups are wondering how they can keep going,” she said. “But people don’t realize how much fun it is to be with other colleagues.”

Grace Kent reported on the Membership Committee, saying she sends letters to all school administrators requesting names of newly retired teachers. They have one honorary life member, Joanne Loughlin of Medina.

The Orleans chapter, which used to meet in the spring and fall, has decided to have just one meeting a year. It will be in the fall to welcome new retirees.

Retirees were reminded anyone who worked in a school system in any capacity in Orleans County is eligible to join the Retired Teachers Association.

‘Our farming industry functions much differently than other industries and would crumble under this Albany mandate.’ – Rob Ortt

Press Release, NYS Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference penned a letter to the New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon urging her to reject the Farm Laborers Wage Board recommendation to lower the overtime threshold for New York State farms from 60 hours to 40 hours per week.

“Our economy relies greatly on our New York State farmers, who are already struggling with 40-year high inflation, record-high fuel prices, and severe worker shortages,” Ortt said. “Our farming industry functions much differently than other industries and would crumble under this Albany mandate. If the final report is accepted by the Labor Commissioner, we will see livelihoods across our state ruined and a mass exodus of farm workers. The damage will go beyond our farming industry and increase the price of consumer goods that many New Yokers are already struggling to afford. If we want to keep workers here, combat rising prices, and support our farmers, then Albany must stay at 60.”

During public hearings held by this Farm Laborers Wage Board, hundreds of farmers took time from their busy days to give emotional comments expressing their concerns that increased labor costs would threaten their small family farms, which make up 96 percent of New York’s farms. Several economic development and business organizations came out in opposition to reducing the 60-hour overtime threshold, including the Grow NY Farms Coalition, the Business Council of New York State, the National Federation of Independent Businesses of New York (NFIB) and Upstate United.

“While it is common to hear state leaders praise the invaluable contributions of our farming community, nice words ultimately do nothing to help New York farmers who are struggling under the weight of ever-expanding state mandates and rising costs,” said Senator George Borrello, Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee. “The decision on whether to accept the Wage Board’s misguided recommendation that the overtime threshold be lowered is an opportunity to back up words with action. By rejecting the adoption of a 40-hour threshold, Governor Hochul and Commissioner Reardon can save our farming community from a long, painful demise and ensure this vital industry has a future in our state.”

“I govern by listening and when farmers and farmworkers alike tell me this change will be detrimental to their ability to produce here in New York, I take notice. It is far past time for Albany to do the same and reject this misguided change. The future of farming in New York State is on the line, and we will not stop speaking out against this bad policy until the voices of those who will be impacted are truly heard and the decision reversed,” said Senator Sue Serino.

In December 2021, Senate Republicans wrote a letter to the Wage Board, citing a Cornell University study that found that two-thirds of dairy farmers would make significant changes to their operation, including leaving the industry or investing out of state, and half of fruit and vegetable farmers indicated they would decrease their operations or exit the industry, if the overtime threshold was lowered to 40 hours.

On January 28, 2022, the Wage Board revisited the overtime threshold set in 2019 through the Farm Laborer Fair Labor Practices Act (FLFLPA), and voted to reduce the threshold from 60 hours to 40 over the next decade, decreasing the threshold by four hours every two years.

Members of the Senate Republican Conference signed onto a follow-up letter written Aug. 16, 2022. On Sept. 1, 2022, Senator Serino joined her Republican colleagues and members of the local agriculture community calling on the Farm Labor Wage Board in Albany to reject a reduction of the overtime threshold from the current 60 hours to the proposed 40 hours.

Despite near-universal opposition, the Wage Board voted 2-1 on Sept. 6 to advance its final recommendation for lowering of the overtime threshold for farmers. The state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon has 45 days from this date to accept or reject the recommendation.

In addition, Senator Borrello carries a bill to abolish the Farm Laborers Wage Board, who ignored 70% of testimony with their overtime threshold recommendation. The legislation is co-sponsored by fellow Senate Republicans, including Leader Ortt and Senator Serino.

CHILDS – There is still time to make reservations for a wine and cheese reception at 6 p.m. Friday at the Orleans County Visitors Center, 14386 Ridge Road West.

The evening will celebrate the unveiling of two of the Cobblestone Museum’s 19th century heirloom paintings, which have been fully cleaned and restored with the help of a Conservation Treatment Grant from the New York State Council on the Arts and Greater Hudson National Heritage Treatment Network.

The individual paintings of Charles and Mary Jane Danolds, pillars of the Universalist churches in Childs and Albion, have been returned after conservation efforts performed by Great Lakes Conservation in Grand Island.

The paintings are stunning, to say the least, according to Cobblestone Museum director Doug Farley. They will be “re-introduced” to the Museum community at the public reception Friday night.

Former Orleans County historian and Cobblestone Museum director Bill Lattin will offer reflections on the life of this storied couple, and will explain how the paintings came to be in the Museum’s collection. Wine and cheese will be served and Raymond Santoro will provide light musical entertainment.

The program is free, but donations will be gladly received. For reservations, call (585) 589-9013.

EPA, state DOH both list Genesee County as having high radon rates

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Did you know that radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is released in rock, soil and water?

Radon has no smell, taste or color and kills more than 21,000 people each year. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Radon can build up to dangerous levels in your home, which can occur in new homes or older homes.

“Radon can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, cracks in basement walls, holes, joints, dirt floors, sump pump holes, suspended floors and in the well-water supply,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Any house that has contact to the ground has the potential for radon to enter the home.”

Both the EPA and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) have identified Genesee County as having a high average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter).

“Testing your home for radon is the only way to know if high levels are present and corrective action is needed,” stated Brodie. When radon tests are completed, they should be performed in the lowest primary living area of the home.

GO Health encourages residents to test for radon when buying a home, doing a major renovation, every 2 years if there is a mitigation system installed or every 5 years otherwise. You can purchase a short-term radon test kit from your local hardware store or through a radon-testing laboratory.

For more information on radon or other GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org.

Map from Community Energy Solar: The proposed 200 megawatt solar project in Barre and Shelby would be along Crane, Townline and Burns roads near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

BARRE – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today that the state has approved a 200 megawatt solar project in the towns of Barre and Shelby. Hemlock Ridge Solar covers about 2,000 acres with 80 percent in Barre and about 20 percent in Shelby.

The State Office of Renewable Energy issued siting permits to Community Energy’s Hemlock Ridge Solar, LLC and also a 120-megawatt project – Boralex’s Greens Corners Solar, LLC. The latter project is in the Towns of Hounsfield and Watertown in Jefferson County.

The permits from ORES are to develop, design, construct, operate, maintain and decommission two major solar energy facilities. These projects will bring a combined 320 megawatts of clean energy to New York homes and businesses and bring over $54 million to local economies, Hochul said.

“My administration has significantly accelerated our development of renewable energy since last year, and today we are further cementing our position as a leader in climate action,” Hochul said in a statement. “We will continue to follow through on our commitment to develop green energy throughout the state, and these projects bring us closer to surpassing our ambitious climate goals, creating well-paying green jobs, and creating a clean, healthy New York for future generations.”

Hemlock Ridge Solar will generate enough power for over 36,000 households and will offset 282,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year, Community Energy officials said. The project will go along Crane, Townline and Burns roads, about 5 miles southeast of Medina.

With today’s decision, ORES has now issued seven permits since 2021, with a majority of the decisions coming within six months of applications being deemed complete.

The Hemlock Ridge and Greens Corners solar facilities are expected to generate enough clean energy to power over 62,000 New York homes for at least 20 years and reduce carbon emissions by over 476,000 metric tons annually, Hochul said.

“New York is rapidly accelerating its development of large-scale renewable energy projects as part of our all-encompassing approach to transforming the state’s electricity grid,” said New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “The approval of these two projects – Greens Corner Solar and Hemlock Ridge Solar – is a major milestone in their journey towards commercial operation and demonstrates the productive engagement between project developers, local host governments, and community stakeholders to site these projects responsibly in support of the state’s clean energy targets.”

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

File photos by Tom Rivers: Fishermen try to catch salmon and trout along the Oak Orchard River in October 2015.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Saturday, September 24 as a Free Fishing Day in New York State.

This free freshwater fishing day is one of six held annually and coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, which is celebrated to promote outdoor activities that are significant contributors to New York’s economy and help support fish and wildlife conservation.

“From Babylon to Buffalo, Free Fishing Days are a great opportunity for New Yorkers to enjoy the outdoors at one of New York State’s many world-class fishing locations,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this weekend’s Free Fishing Day, support New York’s local economy, and see the benefits of our extensive conservation efforts to protect and enhance our natural resources.”

On Free Fishing Days, New York residents and non-residents may fish New York’s fresh waters for free without a fishing license. Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that, although the requirement for a fishing license is waived, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. The sixth and last Free Fishing Day of 2022 is on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2022.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC is thrilled to support Free Fishing Days throughout the year to help introduce people to the sport of fishing. Along with other improvements like our new Tackle Box feature on the HuntFishNY smartphone app, DEC continues to work to make fishing more accessible for local anglers of all skill levels to enjoy the excellent fishing in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in every region.”

Earlier this summer, DEC launched the new ‘Tackle Box’ feature to enhance fishing-related tourism and help new and experienced anglers enjoy the great fishing offered throughout New York.

The Tackle Box feature is available on DEC’s HuntFishNY smartphone app, (available for iOS and Android) which provides information on nearly all State fishing regulations, waterbodies, State-operated fishing access sites, stocking information, and other useful features like photos to help identify fish likely found in a certain river, lake, or stream. More information on the HuntFishNY Mobile app can be found on DEC’s website.

Medina’s quest to claim a third straight C North Division football title will continue on the road Friday evening as the Mustangs visit Tonawanda at 7 p.m.

Medina is 3-0 in the division while Tonawanda is 0-1 in the division and 1-2 overall.

After Friday, the Mustangs have only one C North game remaining against Akron at home on Thursday Oct. 13. Akron is currently in second place at 2-0 in the division and 2-1 overall. In between, the Mustangs have a pair of interdivisional contests at East Aurora on Sept. 30 and at home against Springville on Oct. 7.

Albion will look to make it two wins in a row as the Purple Eagles visit Pioneer at 7 p.m. Friday in an interdivisional contest.

Albion, which is looking to keep the momentum from a 38-21 victory at Olean last week, is 1-2 while Pioneer is 3-0.

Roy-Hart/Barker/Lyndonville will host Newfane in a C North Division game at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Silverbacks are 0-1 in the division and 1-2 overall while the Panthers are 0-2, 0-3.

In Section V 8 Man Division action, Holley will look to get back on the winning track as the Hawks visit CG Finney at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Holley, which lost to co-leader Bolivar-Richburg 34-0 last week, is 2-1 while Finney, which defeated Wellsville 50-22, is 1-2.

After a 50-mile run, bikes begin arriving at the VFW in Medina to conclude their toy run for Community Action.

MEDINA – ABATE’s Orleans County chapter has been sponsoring a toy run for 35 years, all of which have benefited Community Action.

This year’s run on Sunday began like the rest at Ridgeway Fire Hall and concluded at the VFW in Medina, where the riders enjoyed hotdogs and snacks.

Duane Munn dressed as Santa Claus led the procession of more than 30 bikes on his motorcycle, escorted by an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy.

This year a handful of toys and $620 in cash donations were collected. Riders from the Elks Lodge who were unable to ride because of a conflicting event, collected $160 of that amount.

Riders pay $10 each to participate, and that can be in the form of cash, gift card or toy.

Matt Tracy, vice president of the Orleans County ABATE, said this run as been taking place for 35 years, and in all his 18 years as a member, the funds are always donated to Community Action to kick off their holiday giving season. A number of life members participate every year, he said.

Katrina Chaffee, director of community service at Community Action, said they utilize the money to help provide gifts for children in Orleans County at holiday time. Last year, they helped 200 families with holiday gifts and/or meals, she said.

Chaffee said Community Action is very thankful to ABATE for their donation and to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department for the escort.

Cyclists line up at Ridgeway Fire Hall on Sunday to begin the annual toy run to benefit Community Action.

Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle

ALBION – On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Albion Police Department will be conducting a Child Safety Seat Check Event in the Save-A-Lot parking lot located at 320 West Ave.

This event is being conducted for Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, which is currently taking place from September 18-24.

This Check Event, which is sponsored by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the Albion Central School District, will allow parents and guardians to have their child seats inspected by a Child Safety Seat Technician. The technicians will determine if the child safety seat will provide adequate protection for the child or if a new child safety seat is needed.

Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% when used correctly. However, misuse reduces effectiveness. More than 90% of child safety seats are used improperly.

The Albion Police Department will continue to address this issue by participating in the New York State Child Passenger Safety Grant Program and conduct Safety Seat Inspection Checks.

Residents may call the Albion Police Department anytime at (585) 589-5627 in order to schedule an individual appointment to have their child safety seat inspected.

The unemployment rate for Orleans County was at 4.2 percent in August. That is lowest for an August in the county in at least the last decade.

Other recent August unemployment rates in Orleans include 4.2 percent in 2022, 5.1 percent in 2021, 7.4 percent in 2020, 5.0 percent in 2019, 4.6 percent in 2018, and 6.0 percent in 2017, 5.6 percent in 2016, 5.9 percent in 2015, 7.3 percent in 2014, 8.8 percent in 2013, and 10.2 percent in 2012.

The state DOL reports that the number employed in the county is up 200 from 16,300 in August 2021 to 16,500 in August 2022. The number unemployed is down from 900 to 700 in that time.

The unemployment rate dipped in Orleans from 4.1 percent in July to 4.2 percent in August. The rate was at 3.7 percent in June, and 3.3 percent in May.

The August unemployment rate for nearby counties includes:

• Orleans, 4.2 percent
• Genesee, 3.0 percent
• Wyoming, 3.1 percent
• Livingston, 3.3 percent
• Niagara, 4.2 percent
• Monroe, 4.0 percent
• Erie, 4.1 percent

Nationally the unemployment rate is down from 5.3 percent in August 2021 to 3.8 percent in August 2022. Statewide the rate dropped from 6.7 to 4.9 percent.

In New York, there were 9,101,300 people employed in August, compared to 8,869,900 the previous August. The number of unemployed statewide dropped from 636,900 to 473,500 during those 12 months, according to the Department of Labor.

Chart from Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The latest data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments shows confirmed Covid cases are on the rise locally.

In Orleans, the cases have increase from 39 from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6, to 64 from Sept. 7-13, and then 79 from Sept. 14-20. In Genesee, the cases in the past three weeks have increased from 62, 91 and 123.

Genesee also recently reported two deaths from Covid and now is at 200 Covid-related deaths in the Covid pandemic since March 2020. The State Department of Health also is reporting another Covid-related death in Orleans County, putting the Covid deaths at 121 in Orleans during the pandemic.

The federal CDC puts both Orleans and Genesee counties at medium for the community level for Covid.

Statewide Gov. Kathy Hochul is reporting today that the 7-day average of positive tests for the state was at 6.48 percent on Tuesday.

Orleans and Genesee are in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region which is at 7.32 percent positive. The Western New York region is at the highest positivity rate at 11.52 percent while New York City is the lowest at 4.89 percent.

The seven-day positivity averages for the Finger Lakes counties includes:

• Orleans, 5.9 percent
• Genesee, 6.6 percent
• Livingston, 7.4 percent
• Monroe, 6.8 percent
• Ontario, 8.1 percent
• Seneca, 7.0 percent
• Wayne, 7.5 percent
• Wyoming, 7.2 percent
• Yates, 7.8 percent

“With tomorrow marking the official start of the fall season, I remind all New Yorkers to take the necessary steps to better protect themselves against Covid-19,” Governor Hochul said in a statement today. “Take advantage of the latest tools and resources at our disposal in order to keep our families and our communities safe. Test before gatherings or travel and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.”

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the New York State initiative, NYS Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project, was awarded a $60 million grant under the first round of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity.

Led by the State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Agriculture and Markets, the project is one of 70 selected nationally and will help agriculture producers and forest landowners implement climate smart agriculture and forestry practices, and build connections between landowners and companies with a growing demand for commodities produced using climate smart strategies.

“Sustainable agriculture is critical for combatting the effects of climate change, and this significant funding commitment will greatly aid New York’s farm and forest owners, allowing us to partner together as a nation to reduce greenhouse gases,” Hochul said. “Thanks to this funding announced under President Biden and his Administration, we take another major step towards improving our environment for the next generation. The public and private partnerships leading the Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project will provide new and innovative measures that promote forestry and farming that will help achieve our ambitious climate goals, protect the environment, preserve farmland, and meet a global demand for products grown with greener technology.”

A climate smart commodity is an agricultural commodity that is produced using agricultural (farming, ranching or forestry) practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon. The NYS Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project will immediately fund landowners working to implement multiple climate smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF) practices by building on current State programs.

The project will identify and mitigate social and behavioral barriers to CSAF practice adoption, particularly among underserved and minority populations. A combination of new and well-developed tools will be used for measurement, quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification. This data will also be beneficial for building continuous improvement processes to refine practices and programs, reduce costs, and mitigate greenhouse gas emission impacts.

In the first round of funding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects nationally from more than 450 submitted project proposals. The initial projects will expand markets for climate-smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and provide direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers. USDA will work with the applicants for the 70 identified projects to finalize the scope and funding levels in the coming months.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, “In New York State, private forests are removing climate-altering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a rate equal to the emissions from two million gasoline-powered vehicles, highlighting the importance of partnering with landowners to sustain our forests and fight climate change. With strong partners in Washington, D.C., DEC will use these federal funds to implement our aggressive climate action plans by bolstering forest regeneration programs and encouraging landowner participation, while also helping small landowners and those in underserved communities offset costs to develop forest management plans.”

Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “This USDA award is major, exciting news for New York, and will build on the tremendous work that has been ongoing at the state level to combat climate change. From the Climate Action Council to the Climate Resilient Farming Grant program, the Department is a critical part of the solution, helping our farmers to implement conservation measures in response to environmental challenges and secure our food supply.

“Together, in partnership with DEC, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNY ESF, Syracuse University and many others, we are leading the way in innovative, best agricultural environmental practices that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and helping farms build resiliency to the impacts of a changing climate. The USDA funding will help us reach even more farmers through our CRF program and ensure the participation of new, underrepresented farmers and the development of Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry for small scale farms, including urban operations.”

New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires some of the most aggressive climate targets in the nation. The Climate Act provides policy certainty and ensures that this project will have an immediate impact and will accelerate the development of CSAF practices and ensure continuation for decades. This initiative also can lead to substantially larger investments to decarbonize multiple sectors of the economy, such as buildings, and energy sources, through the ability to advance the highest standards in measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification. In this way, it can unlock the agriculture and forestry industries to enable deeper decarbonization across the entire economy.

USDA ranked New York State as number eight nationally for direct jobs in the Biobased Products Industry prior to implementation of the Climate Act. The state’s biobased economy added more than $9.2 billion of total value and supported over 100,630 total jobs, with forest products, agriculture, and biobased chemicals and textiles leading the way.

In addition to contributing to the 85 percent economywide greenhouse gas reductions, agriculture and forestry will be the main source of offsets for the remaining 15 percent of State emissions by 2050. To meet these ambitious targets, New York’s farmers will need to reduce emissions while boosting carbon sequestration in soils and trees. Increases in funding and support for farm planning, reporting, benchmarking, and tracking are needed to meet these ambitious targets, along with developing market-based systems to incentivize CSAF commodities.

In addition to DEC and AGM, supporting partners in this project include the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), and Syracuse University.

(Editor’s Note: An earlier version of the article said the village would move its meeting locations to the Shelby Town Hall, but an agreement hasn’t been finalized yet.)

MEDINA – The Village of Medina is looking to make the Shelby Town Hall its official meeting place location after a complaint was filed that City Hall isn’t handicapped accessible.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari said village officials initially discussed having the meetings at the Ridgeway Town Hall, which is in the village. But many of the official Ridgeway meetings are scheduled at the same time as Medina’s.

The Shelby Town Hall is just outside the village. Medina has used the building before for Village Board meetings until the sessions were moved to the Senior Center on West Avenue.

The village also has a meeting room in the village office on Park Avenue but that is a smaller room used for work sessions.

The village has commissioned a study to have the village office expanded for a bigger meeting space. If the meeting room is enlarged, Sidari said that will likely become the main meeting room for the Village Board, Planning Board, Boxwood Cemetery Commission, Tourism Committee, Waterfront Development Committee, Parks Committee, Police Advisory Committee, Visioning Committee, and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Medina hasn’t finalized an agreement with Shelby. Sidari said he will work with Shelby officials on times for the Medina meetings so that aren’t in conflict with Shelby’s meetings.

He said he appreciated Shelby offering use of the Town Hall while the village works towards a long-term solution.

In other action during last week’s Village Board meeting:

• The board heard from resident Jason Irwin of Frank Street who has declined to cut down some of the wild flowers on his property. He has been cited by the village code officer for having grass that is too high. Code officer Dan Gardner also sees the wildflowers as “unsightly” and a “detriment to the surrounding properties.”

Irwin said he has kept the grass below the 10-inch threshold, but he has been experimenting with the wildflowers on his property.

Mayor Sidari urged Irwin to put stones and landscaping around the wildflowers. He said it looks to be a hodge-podge approach.

Irwin said he has learned a lot this year and will work to have landscaped spots on the property for the wildflowers, while pulling out weeds and obnoxious plants.