A Yates resident who is in the 30s is the latest confirmed case of Covid-19 in Orleans County. The individual was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The county has now had 288 people test positive for Covid-19.

Genesee County doesn’t have any new Covid-19 cases to report today. The county has one more recovery for 215 total.

Genesee also is reporting three more people on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. One Genesee resident also is hospitalized who has Covid.

• State-wide data: Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported that 791 people tested positive for Covid on Wednesday out of 83,437 test results for a positive rate of 0.95 percent. That is the 20^thstraight day the state has been under a positive rate of 1 percent.

Other data includes:

• Patient Hospitalization – 490 (-2)
• Number ICU – 126 (-10)
• Number ICU with Intubation – 52 (-2)
• Deaths – 4 (Total Deaths – 25,309)

More from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments:

• Agricultural Seasonal Worker Covid-19 Testing Opportunity: The Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Health, and Labor are partnering with county health departments, Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York Farm Bureau and community health partners in Clinton, Genesee, Orleans, Ulster and Wayne counties to offer free Covid-19 testing to agricultural workers.

These counties were selected for this opportunity as these counties see the highest number of out-of-state workers during harvest season. For registration, click here.

Chris Jacobs says Congress should authorize infrastructure funding to jump-start economy

Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs speaks with Orleans County legislators on Wednesday.

ALBION – Chris Jacobs, the area’s newly elected congressman, told Orleans County legislators he supports a federal stimulus package that includes funding for local governments.

Jacobs, who started in Congress last month, also wants to see Congress approve a major infrastructure bill that would include high-speed internet in rural areas.

Jacobs, speaking to county legislators on Wednesday, said broadband access has become a bigger issue for families during the Covid-19 pandemic, with students forced to do remote learning at home. Many don’t have internet access or strong enough internet to do the work online. He also said broadband is needed in the rural communities with the emphasis on more telehealth services.

Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, said the county already has submitted a list of infrastructure projects totaling about $40 million if federal funding is approved. Broadband expansion accounts for $10 million of the total, with roads, bridges, culverts and waterlines representing most of the work. (Click here to see the projects.)

Johnson told Jacobs the projects aren’t a “wish list.”

“This is a mandatory list for us,” she told Jacobs.

The congressman told the legislators he wants “to be a proactive partner” with the local government.

Jacobs told the group he is in a position to help the county’s strongest industry – agriculture. He was appointed to serve on the Agriculture Committee in the House of Representatives and looks to establish an Agriculture Advisory Committee in the 27^th Congressional District, which includes eight counties.

He also is on the Budget Committee and would like to be on the Committee for Transportation and Infrastructure.

Chris Jacobs addresses county officials, and takes questions from the group during a meeting on Wednesday at the Legislature chambers in the County Office Building.

The county officials said Congress and the President so far have failed to deliver funding for local governments, which have seen tax revenues drop and delayed or shrinking reimbursements from the state. Johnson said the funding wouldn’t be a “bailout” but a “stimulus” so the local governments can maintain services without a big tax increase.

Jacobs said he supports stimulus funding for the local governments. He is concerned the money would be allocated to the states, which would then hold onto the funding. He wants to see if the money can be sent directly to the local municipalities.

“We need to be partners with the local government,” Jacobs said. “We need to see if we can send it directly or force the state to release it.”

Jacobs also said he supports federal aid to hospitals, more funding for the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, and continuing the federal unemployment bonus but not at the $600 weekly level. Jacobs said that amount discouraged people from going back to work, making it difficult for many businesses to find employees as they have reopened during the pandemic.

County Legislator Ken DeRoller told Jacobs that the U.S. Postal Service is critical in the rural areas. Jacobs voted against $25 billion in federal funding for the Postal Service, but then said he meant to vote in support of the funding.

DeRoller also said broadband internet is crucial to help the county offset a population loss. Younger families demand high-speed internet or they won’t consider moving to the country or a rural area. DeRoller said the county is in demand, and there is actually a housing shortage. The Covid-19 pandemic has allowed more people to work from home, rather than drive to the city, and that has more people looking to small towns with big backyards, DeRoller said.

County Legislator John DeFilipps also said the county is concerned about flooding from Lake Ontario. The lakeshore towns of Yates, Carlton and Kendall all suffered significant property damage from flooding in 2017 and 2019.

Jacobs said a bi-national plan for managing lake levels needs attention. Since Plan 2014 was adopted, there have been two years of extensive flooding. This year, with near drought-like conditions, has mostly spared the southshore from damage.

“We got lucky this year but it’s still not resolved,” Jacobs said.

The congressman has reopened district offices in Clarence and Geneseo and he said his staff is working on a backlog on constituent cases. Jacobs succeeds Chris Collins in Congress. Collins resigned on Sept. 30 and later pleaded guilty to an insider trading scheme. His seat was vacant for about 10 months.

Jacobs is up for election in November for a full two-year term, and again faces Nate McMurray, a Democrat.

“It is truly an honor to represent you,” Jacobs told county legislators. “I want to do it with vigor and use every means possible.”

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has lifted a five-month hiring freeze and ban on out-of-county travel for employees.

County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said several employees have opportunities for important training or conferences to help them do their jobs and better serve the public.

The county also has several vacancies among the workforce. The county on Wednesday voted to appoint a new county historian, and fill other vacancies in the Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, Computer Services, Mental Health Department, Department of Social Services and Department of Public Works.

In other action at Wednesday’s Legislature, the county:

• Set a public hearing for 4:25 p.m. on Sept. 23 to continue a 4 percent Hotel and Motel Room Occupancy Tax.

• Agreed to raise the compensation for members of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board from $30 a meeting to $50. County legislators who are on the board don’t receive a stipend for attending those meetings. The higher pay will be effective Sept. 1.

• Authorized the Orleans County Health Department to apply for a $50,000 grant through The Kresge Foundation for proposed focus areas related to the Chief Health Strategist role/Community Health Strategies and also Covid response activities.

• Agreed to increase the work week of the public health director to 37.5 hours a week and increase the salary to $97,739.

• Authorized the Orleans County Sheriff to accept a $71,028 grant and participate in an agreement between NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for Operation Stonegarden.

• Approved purchase of automotive parts for $25,578 to repair the M1 and M2 Mercury safe boats through Bow & Stern Marine in North Tonawanda.

• Renewed an agreement where the county will provide court cleaning and minor repairs at the Orleans County Courthouse for $107,218, with the agreement between the NYS Unified Court System and the county running from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

• Approved an agreement with Lake Country Media in Albion to provide printed material including letterhead, stationary, envelopes, business cards and appointment cards for all county departments from Sept. 14, 2020 through Sept. 13, 2021.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that free rapid testing sites will be opening in Western New York after a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The testing SWAT teams will be available in partnership with Kaleida Health, Erie County Medical Center, and Catholic Health. Eight new testing sites will open this Saturday.

Sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Saturday through Wednesday. All residents are eligible for tests and appointments can be made by calling 833-NYSTRNG (697-8764).

Some of the sites will be available in Niagara County. Orleans County is in the Finger Lakes Region, where the positivity rate for Covid-19 was 0.5 percent on Monday and Tuesday, and 0.6 percent on Wednesday. In the five-county WNY, the rate was 1.8 percent, 1.4 percent and 2.0 percent the past three days.

New York State will deploy 50 rapid testing machines to support the effort and will deploy more as needed. All tests are free of charge and the results will support the contact tracing efforts being conducted to monitor and control the virus spread.

“In Western New York, we have a caution flag out and we’re going to fly it a little higher today. The region’s infection rate was 2 percent yesterday, which is not good news,” Governor Cuomo said. “We’re going to deploy a SWAT team from the Department of Health that is going to conduct additional testing at eight sites in the region using Abbott testing machines, which provide same-day results literally within the hour. We’re focusing on Western New York and we’re going to continue to focus on it. Thank you to our partners Kaleida Health, Erie County Medical Center and Catholic Health for their assistance with this effort.”

A list of the eight new testing sites includes:

• Delavan-Grider Community Center, 877 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215
• True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 E. Ferry St., Buffalo, NY 14211
• Northwest Buffalo Community Center, 155 Lawn Ave., Buffalo, NY 14207
• Dunkirk Fire Murphy Training Grounds, 665 Brigham Rd., Dunkirk, NY 14048
• SUNY ECC North, 6205 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221
• Vigilant Fire Hall, 666 Main St., West Seneca, NY 14224
• John A. Duke Senior Center, 1201 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14301
• YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, 32 Cottage St., Lockport, NY 14094

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has joined by Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) and Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25) in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Azar to provide additional funds for hospitals from the Public Health Services and Support Emergency Fund.

Jacobs, Reed, and Morelle cited Thompson Health in Canandaigua and Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport, which have not received any relief funding since the initial round of federal funding distributed on April 10th. Thompson Health serves over 165,000 residents and has more than 1,700 workers. Before COVID-19, 80% of their revenue came from outpatient services – these were halted to focus on the COVID-19 response, and they are now facing $10 million in losses.

“Hospitals in our region, such as Thompson Health, have fully complied with all COVID-19 guidelines and served their communities effectively during the pandemic,” Jacobs said. “However, following these guidelines has resulted in drops in inpatient volumes and increased costs for protective equipment and testing. While they have faced the same challenges and financial struggles as other providers, our hospitals, many serving rural communities, have not received the same amount of federal aid.”

Thompson Health and other providers have been without critical funding for over 17 weeks, despite their continued efforts to provide COVID-19 relief services to our area. Without additional support, they are facing severe financial cutbacks that could have devastating effects on the region.

The Representatives are asking for the consideration of a “plus-up” formula for future aid funding. Under this method, each hospital would receive, at minimum, the same percentage of the previous year’s revenue. This would make funding distribution more even, currently Thompson, for example, has received roughly 2% of FY19 revenue, while other hospitals have received up to 50% FY19 revenue.

“We care about our communities’ access to medical care and the incredible hospitals in our region who provide quality services,” Congressman Reed said. “It is only fair that HHS work with us to ensure bureaucratic classifications don’t prevent medical providers from receiving the federal aid they deserve to continue serving people during this difficult period.”

“Healthcare providers have been on the front lines battling this unprecedented global health crisis, yet many smaller providers have failed to receive the support and assistance they deserve,” Congressman Morelle said. “Many are struggling under the weight of financial loss and need our help to continue the essential services they provide for our community. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Chris Jacobs to stand up for these small hospital providers and urge HHS to provide additional relief immediately.”

County approves 2-year agreement to assign deputies to districts

ALBION – The Kendall and Lyndonville school districts will continue to have an Orleans County deputy sheriff as school resource officers the next two years.

The County Legislature approved an agreement with each district on Wednesday. The officers will serve in the schools and on school grounds, from Sept. 1, 2020 until June 30, 2022.

The Sheriff’s Office and the districts first reached the agreement two years ago. The districts each paid $100,000 a year to the county.

With the new agreement, each district agrees to pay $95,070. However, there is no built-in overtime. If a district needs overtime, that will be invoiced separately, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The Sheriff’s Office two years ago pushed for an expanded presence in Lyndonville and Kendall, the two schools in the northern part of the county that do not have a full-time police presence in their communities.

The officers will provide security for the schools, and also educate students with anti-bullying programs, anti-drug education and also guide them in using a new STOP DWI Driving Simulator, where students and other users can see the effects of driving while texting, drowsy or if they are impaired or intoxicated.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Today’s vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases such as polio, pneumonia, and cancers caused by HPV.

Because of advances in medical science, your children and family can be protected against more diseases than ever before. As schools and colleges begin to reopen, parents and guardians should make sure their children are up-to-date on their vaccines.

“Consulting with your child’s doctor before school starts is a fantastic way to get information about vaccine schedules while making sure your family is best prepared to start the school year,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans counties.

With the school guidance set forth by New York State, many safeguards are put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the academic setting. However, it is still important to remember and protect against vaccine preventable diseases.

During these challenging times, the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend every child continues to receive routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Well-child visits and vaccinations are essential services and help make sure children are protected. Children who are not protected by vaccines may be more likely to get diseases like measles and whooping cough,” said Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services of Genesee and Orleans counties. “As communities are opening up, it’s important for parents to work with their children’s health care team to make sure their children stay up to date on routine vaccines.”

With flu season right around the corner, it’s important that you schedule time for you and your family to receive your annual flu vaccine. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu, this fall and winter is more important than ever.

Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to help conserve potentially scarce health care resources. CDC recommends getting a flu vaccination in September or October but getting vaccinated anytime during the flu season can help protect you.

Whether you are a parent, expecting a child, or an adult, you have the power to keep yourself and your family healthy against harmful diseases. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defenses to help safely develop protection from diseases.

During NIAM, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments encourages you to talk to your primary care physician to ensure that you and your family are up to date on recommended vaccines. We also encourage you to visit CDC’s Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout your child’s life. Adults can use the CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool to see which vaccines might be right for you.

For information about Health Department services contact:

• Genesee County Health Department at 344-2580 ext. 5555 or click here for the department’s website.
• Orleans County Health Department at 589-3278 or click here for the department’s website.

Photo by Tom Rivers: These fishermen try to catch salmon and trout in the Oak Orchard River on Oct. 19, 2018.

CARLTON – The Orleans County Legislature has secured public fishing access for the next five years along about 4,000 feet of the Oak Orchard River, including at some of the most desirable fishing spots.

The Legislature on Wednesday approved spending $69,000 over the next five years to Roy and Scott Salmon of Park Avenue in Waterport. That will give the public access to 15.8 acres of highly coveted property. The lease runs from Aug. 22, 2020 to Aug. 21, 2025.

The county first entered into an agreement with the Salmons in August 2007. That first agreement was $7,500 annually over three years. The most recent lease was for $60,000 for over five years, or $12,000 annually.

The county in 2007 pushed to reach a deal with the Salmons for public access after the family put about 50 posted signs along their property. Fishing is the county’s top tourism attraction, generating about $28 million in economic activity in Orleans, according to a recent report from the state DEC based on 2017 data.

The Oak Orchard is a popular draw, especially in the fall during the annual salmon and trout runs with many anglers coming from around the state and country to fish in the river.

In addition to public fishing access, the agreement allows the Salmon property to keep its vegetative cover to protect water quality and riparian habitat, and to also be available for fishery and habitat management, research and educational programs.

The county has signs on the Salmon property, urging anglers to respect the land, by taking out trash and fish carcasses.

Catherine Cooper has been serving as Ridgeway town historian

Photo by Tom Rivers: Catherine Cooper speaks during an event in 2016 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, where she worked for 33 years, including 10 years as director, until her retirement in June.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature appointed Catherine Cooper as county historian on Wednesday. She succeeds Matt Ballard, who served in the post for more than five years.

Ballard took a position in North Carolina as assistant director of Collection Strategies at Davidson College.

Cooper is well versed in local history. She has been the Ridgeway town historian and retired in June after 33 years at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. She was the director for 10 years, and hosted many historical programs and displays.

The historian position pays $11,500 annually. Cooper’s first day on the job is Sept. 14.

Ron Mannella has handled job for Genesee and Orleans counties

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County legislator Don Allport presents a “Special Recognition Award” this afternoon to Ron Mannella, the director of Weights & Measures for both Orleans and Genesee counties. (County Legislator Bill Eick is in back.)

ALBION – Ron Mannella, the Weights & Measures director in Orleans and Genesee counties, has been honored by the state Department of Health with a 2020 Public Health Works! Honor Roll Award.

Mannella received the award from Dr. Howard Zucker, the state’s public health commissioner, “in recognition of your outstanding commitment to public health by promoting the overall heath of the community, preventing disease, and helping New York become the healthiest state in the nation.”

Zucker, in a letter to Mannella, praised his dedication to the field of public health and his efforts to promote equity in the marketplace by ensuring the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices in the two counties.

He was nominated for the award by Paul Pettit, the public health director in Genesee and Orleans.

Manella has worked as weights and measures director in Orleans County for about 18 months. This year he added Genesee County to the job. That saved the two counties $41,000, and Mannella proved to be up to the challenge of doing a role that used to be filled by two people.

“There’s a direct positive fiscal impact and the work he’s getting the job done,” Pettit told Orleans County legislators today. “The work he has been putting out has been top notch.”

Pettit said Mannella also has helped the public better understand the function of Weights & Measures with his posts on social media and on the department’s website.

Weights & Measures acts as financial protection for both the buyer and the seller, ensuring fair transactions for all parties involved. Mannella tests devices used in day-to-day activities, including at gas stations, grocery stores, delis, bakeries, produce stands, laundromats and other businesses.

Last year there were 1,111 devices tested (Genesee: 705, Orleans: 406). Of those, 85.42% initially tested correct. When a device is found incorrect and in the store’s favor, Mannella orders the device repaired. It can be used again until it passes inspection.

Orleans and Genesee counties both don’t have any new Covid-19 cases to report today.

Orleans has 5 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. Genesee has 11 new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel.

Genesee continues to have one person hospitalized due to Covid-19, while Orleans doesn’t have any hospitalized, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

State-wide Data: There are 566 new Covid-19 cases in the state out of 71,189 test results reported on Tuesday for a 0.79 percent positive rate. The state’s rate of positive Covid-19 tests has been below 1 percent for 19 straight days.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state is closely monitoring the recent increase in Western New York’s infection rate, which was at 1.8 percent on Monday and 1.4 percent on Tuesday.

Lynne Johnson says pandemic has highlighted other challenges in community, including access to childcare and nutritious food

Photo by Tom Rivers: Lynne Johnson said there are many needs facing the community during the pandemic.

ALBION – Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson praised county residents for their efforts to slow the spread of Covid-19, especially with only a few cases in most recent weeks.

“Orleans County’s resilience has been nothing short of incredible in the face of Covid-19,” she said on Tuesday during the monthly meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. “In these past six months we’ve risen to the moment by staying home, staying apart, and staying vigilant.”

The county has had 287 people test positive for Covid-19, and suffered 55 deaths, with 54 of those at nursing homes in Albion and Medina.

The rate of new cases has significantly slowed, even as the county and region have reopened the economy.

“I know these months have both been unpredictable and unsettling, but because of your vigilance we’re on the right path in managing this disease,” Johnson said.

She praised the local village, town and county officials who have been working more hours to help protect the community during the Covid-19 pandemic. She urged the local officials and residents to continue to take precautions and guard against the spread of the virus, especially with predictions from public health officials that there could be a surge or second wave this fall or winter.

Johnson said she worries about other negative impacts on the community, due to the impact of Covid-19.

“Our community’s needs for access to mental health, nutritious food and other social supports are rising and present challenges that we must respond to with sustained vigilance parallel to our Covid response,” she said.

There are greater needs for childcare as people try to return to work in person. Johnson also said there are increased calls about domestic violence and stress on other health conditions during this pandemic.

“We must all ask ourselves what role we play in caring for those around us, whether they be a friend, family member, neighbor or stranger,” Johnson told the local officials during their meeting on Tuesday evening. “We are asking everyone to join us in investing our energy into caring for one another and leveraging our resources to help meet the needs of the community.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Hugh Gabalski, left, and his brother John were among the volunteers who helped distribute 1,900 boxes of food today at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

This was the seventh food distribution event at the fairgrounds during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Today’s boxes included 1,450 of produce and 450 of dairy.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County works with James Desiderio Inc., a Buffalo food distributor, and Foodlink in Rochester on the events.

Today’s 20-pound boxes of produce included 8 ears of corn, 3 pounds of apples, 2 green squash, 1 pint of grape tomatoes, 3 green peppers, 3 pounds of onions and 5 pounds of potatoes.

There have been food distributions at the Fairgrounds the second and fourth Wednesdays, and on Fridays at either Albion, Medina or Holley. This Friday morning at the Holley Junior-Senior High School parking is the last distribution on the schedule. That event will likely start around 8:30 and lasts until the food runs out.

Organizers have been waiting to hear from Foodlink and the other distributors if the government-funded program will continue.

Annette Finch, community service director for Community Action, and Melissa Blanar, Office for the Aging director in the county, are leading the distribution on Friday in Holley.

Robert Batt of the Extension has been organizing the efforts at the Fairgrounds. He commended the Kendall Lions Club for taking 69 boxes to people in Kendall, while the Albion Lions Club distributed 15 to Albion community members. The Hands 4 Hope ministry also picked up 10 to be given out to people who may not have cars or were unable to get a ride to the Fairgrounds.

ALBION – Town and village officials in Orleans County have been bracing for a cut in local sales tax payments, were are distributed by the County Legislature.

The county in late June announced the payments would be delayed and perhaps reduced do to a slowing economy. The county’s sales tax revenue was down about $1 million in April and May compared to those months in 2019.

Orleans County Legislator John DeFilipps tells town and village officials they won’t be taking a local sales tax hit this year. DeFilipps is speaking Tuesday evening at the monthly Orleans County Association of Municipalities, which was held at Tillman’s Village Inn. County Legislator Ken DeRoller, center, and Gaines Town Justice Bruce Schmidt, left, are among the local officials who attended the meeting.

But the sales tax has since rebounded, now just slightly ahead of the pace from 2019. The revenue is up $62,040 or 0.1%. With sales tax now holding steady, county officials agreed to keep the towns and villages whole for 2020.

“With sales tax coming back, we will be releasing the money,” County Legislator John DeFilipps, chairman of the county’s finance committee, told town and village officials on Tuesday during the Orleans County Association of Municipalities.

The county will soon be sending out $961,618 among the 10 towns and four villages. The Legislature in April approved the first payment of $405,053.

With the sales tax sharing agreement, the county distributes $1,366,671 to towns and villages. That has been the number since 2001.

This is how the money is to be divvied up this year:

Villages – $375,620 total in 2020

Albion, $165,688; Holley, $45,051; Lyndonville, $15,243; and Medina, $149,638.

Towns – $991,051 total in 2020

Albion, $123,143; Barre, $64,536; Carlton, $95,418; Clarendon, $116,261; Gaines, $88,698; Kendall, $86,813; Murray, $113,915; Ridgeway, $130,143; Shelby, $105,811; and Yates, $66,312.

The funding is typically paid quarterly. The county made the first payment on April 1, but hasn’t made any since.

DeFilipps said he remains concerned about the sales tax revenue because they economy hasn’t fully reopened.

“We don’t know what will happen in the future,” he said. “In the future, we may decide to hold back some of the sales tax.”

Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, said the state is diverting some of the local sales tax.

The county will see $102,814 in its sales tax withheld by the state in January and diverted to the Fiscally Distressed Hospital Fund, with another $87,460 to be withheld later 2021, Welch said.

The county also will have $290,276 taken from its sales tax for AIM (Aid and Incentives to Municipalities). That used to be paid for by the state to some towns and villages but now comes from the local sales tax.

The shifting of sales tax to Aim and the Distressed Hospital Fund will cost the county $480,550, Welch said.

The sales tax was lagging behind last year’s pace, but Welch said growth in sales tax on internet sales helped the county hold steady in sales tax revenue.

The county saw the biggest decline in sales from March through May in the following categories:

• Automobile sales, down 38 percent compared to same period in 2019

• Restaurants and other eating places, down 26 percent

• Gasoline sales down 21.1 percent, and petroleum and petroleum products wholesale down 34.9 percent. The cost of fuel dropped about 18 percent and consumption is expected to decline about 10 percent for the year, Welch said.

Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, said she recognizes the towns and villages have their own fiscal challenges and need the full amount of sales tax they were expecting in their budgets.

“We’re a partnership here with the county and the towns,” she said. “One situation that has come out of Covid, it has brought us closer – the county and the towns.”

Orleans County has a backlog of pistol permit applications that will likely take months to get caught up on.

There are currently 218 applications that need to be processed. Sheriff Chris Bourke said the county has been receiving about two or three a day.

There used to be a monthly pistol permit class at Hoag Library in Albion. But the library has closed its meeting rooms to the public since mid-March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office last month was able to offer the 4-hour pistol permit class for the first time during the pandemic. The Clarendon Rec Hall on Route 31A is being used for the classes, which are being offered twice a month with the maximum capacity of each class at 25 people.

That would allow the Sheriff’s Office to accommodate 50 people a month for the pistol permit applications. With 218 applications – and more expected – it will take several months to get caught up, said Mike Mele, the undersheriff.

The Sheriff’s Office has already received 58 pistol permit applications since Aug. 1, Bourke said.