Provided photo: Maura Pierce started on Wednesday as interim principal of the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion.

ALBION – A familiar face to the Albion school district will be serving as interim principal of the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School.

Maura Pierce started on Wednesday. She worked for the school district for 34 years until retiring in 2013. She has been serving the district in other capacities, including as evaluator of teachers and as an interim principal in the high school.

“I am looking forward to celebrating my 41st first day of school in the Albion district this year,” Pierce said. “I’m thankful to once again be able to serve our district and be part of the Purple Eagle family.”

Pierce started her career at Albion as a high school English teacher. She worked as an administrator in all three buildings. She was the School to Career coordinator and director of Special Education.

“Albion is a special place – one where I chose to spend my career and put down roots,” Pierce said. “My husband and I are very happy to once again be living in our community.”

She is stepping in as interim principal following the resignation of Rachel Curtin, who was the principal the past seven years. Curtin took a job as principal of the Chautauqua Lake Elementary School in Mayville. That is near her hometown of Ripley.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed an executive order extending the state’s moratorium on Covid-related commercial evictions and foreclosures an additional month, until Sept. 20.

This measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants. The extension of this protection gives commercial tenants and mortgagors additional time to get back on their feet and catch up on rent or renegotiate their leasing terms to avoid eviction proceedings and foreclosures moving forward.

“While we have made great progress in keeping New York’s infection rate low, this pandemic is not over and as we continue to fight the virus, we are continuing to protect New York businesses and residential tenants who face financial hardship due to Covid,” Cuomo said. “I am extending the State’s moratorium on commercial evictions to ensure business owners across New York will not be forced to close as a result of the pandemic.”

Governor Cuomo first announced a state moratorium on residential and commercial evictions on March 20 to ensure no tenant was evicted during the height of the public health emergency. The commercial eviction and foreclosure moratorium was extended through Aug. 20 by Executive Order, and the Governor signed the Tenant Safe Harbor Act and additional legislation to protect residential renters and homeowners from foreclosure or eviction due to a Covid-19 financial hardship.

Cuomo also ordered additional protection for residential renters from charges for late payment of rent and allowing tenants to use security deposits to pay rent for residential tenants.

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will be at the Dollar Tree parking lot in Albion on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to do a child car seat check. The Dollar Tree is located at 330 West Ave.

Kevin Colonna, a certified technician with the Sheriff’s Office, will inspect car/booster seats to assure that children are in the correct seat for their size and age.

According to data, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ranging from 1 to 13 years of age. Preventative measures, such as proper installation of car seats, boosters and seat belts can lower many deaths and injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Informing and instructing parents and caregivers on child safety and proper installation of car seats is critical to saving young lives.

Adults and children over the age of 2 attending this event are required to wear a mask and adhere to safe distance protocol.

ALBION – The school district in early June typically has a recognition event for retiring staff, and also for teachers and administrators who are awarded tenure.

The Covid-19 pandemic prompted the district not to hold the event in normal fashion due to a limit on crowd sizes.

The district, however, recently held a celebration for the staff, teachers and administrators, separating the recognition program by building – elementary, middle and high school.

• Retirees – The following retirees were recognized:

Elementary school: Kelly Wadhams (1st grade), Lisa Werner (2nd grade), Lynn DiBella & Peggy Lemke (teacher aides)

Middle school: MaryAnn Jablonski (6th grade), Richard Shrout (counselor) and Tim Thornton (cleaner)

High school: Gary Simboli (Choral Director), Sarah Beckwith (cafeteria monitor), Valerie Rush (teacher aide) and Jean Swiercznski (nurse).

District: Sue Starkweather Miller (public information officer, school to career coordinator)

Board of Education: Chantelle Sacco, Joyce Riley and Gregg Boose Sr.

• Tenure – The following also were recognized for earning tenure:

Elementary school: Elizabeth Incardona (5th grade) and Maggie Orbaker (special education)

Middle school: Brad Pritchard (Principal)

High school: Elizabeth Hall (Spanish), Ann Sentiff (Science) and Jennifer Ashbery (Principal)

District: Derek Vallese, business adminsitrator

• Educator of the Year – The district most years also recognizes a teacher as the “Educator of the Year.” This year the Educator of the Year went to the partnership between the Albion staff and parents.

Press Release, GCC

BATAVIA – Seven members of the Genesee Community College team have been recognized by the State University of New York for outstanding contributions to their profession, the campus and the community. The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

The following faculty and staff members earned SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for 2019-2020.

GCC is proud to announce Carolyn Caccamise and Kari Heidemann have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level of the highest quality.

• Carolyn Caccamise has been an integral part of GCC’s veterinary program. Director and Associate Professor of the College’s Veterinary Technology program, Caccamise played an integral role in building the program to what it is since she started as an adjunct instructor in 2011. Armed with a bachelor’s from Eisenhower College and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and extensive ongoing learning, Caccamise maintains veterinary practices which helps ensure her students are at the cutting edge of practical learning and application. Caccamise resides in Alexander.

• Kari Heidemann has been an instructor of Human Services at GCC since 2006 and began teaching full-time in 2016 when she also began coordinating the program’s internships, advisory board, scholarship opportunities and advising the Human Services Student Club. Heidemann graduated Summa Cum Laude from Niagara University with a bachelor’s degree, earned a master’s from SUNY Brockport and received a NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development for community and technical colleges) Award. Heidemann resides in Barker.

• The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level of the highest quality. This honor was earned by Adjunct Instructor Ruth Rigerman.

Rigerman has taught math courses at GCC for nearly 40 years. She received the NISOD Award for Excellence in Teaching to Adjunct Faculty in 1993, 1998 and 2017. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Education, Mathematics from SUNY Brockport and later earned her MS in Education there as well. Today, Rigerman lives in Batavia.

• For Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, Director of Fine and Performing Arts Maryanne Arena received a SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence. An award-winning educator, director, entertainer, public speaker and police officer, Arena was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary Club and received three Medals of Valor – including one for capturing one of the New York Police Department’s “Ten Most Wanted” criminals. Since she joined GCC in 2004, Arena established GCC’s Children’s Theatre tour, Black History Month/ Social Justice productions and produced numerous performances.

Arena also received a YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Racial Justice in 2015, a citation from Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties for producing, directing, and acting in ‘Night, Mother in 2012, and SUNY Chancellor’s Award recipient for Excellence in Professional Service in 2009. Arena became a Licensed Police Officer in NYC, a PD Officer Certified in East Stroudsburg, earned a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University and then a master’s degree in Acting & Theatre from Brooklyn College. She currently resides in LeRoy.

• The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service which recognizes consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty over multiple years, was awarded to Professor of Business Lauren Paisley. Paisley first began her relationship with GCC in 2002 as an adjunct faculty member and a part-time trainer in The BEST (Business & Employee Skills Training) Center – a role she still plays.

However, in 2006, Paisley added full-time professor of Business at GCC to her resume. Since then, Paisley has served on the College’s Global Education Committee, International Student Organization (advisor), Academic Senate, accreditation work groups and committees for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, multiple scholarship committees and numerous search committees to fill vacant positions within GCC. Her work with student organizations has resulted in thousands of dollars to local animal shelters, food pantries, and programming designed to encourage humanity and kindness. Paisley earned her bachelor’s degree from D’Youville College and a master’s degree from SUNY Buffalo in Business Administration. Paisley resides in Middleport.

• Michelle Forster, Human Communications and Behavior Department secretary,  received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. This award is a system-level award established to give recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. These awards demonstrate SUNY’s commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large.

Forster has served as a secretary in GCC’s Human Communications and Behavior department for 11 years. She has trained other secretaries on many operational processes, covered for other staff positions during absences, and provided superior customer service to students, faculty and staff in all circumstances. She regularly volunteers to participate on college committees and fully embraces GCC’s passion to go “beyond expectations.” Forster resides in Oakfield.

• Recognizing consistently superior professional achievement, the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service was awarded to Kathryn Meloon. Meloon joined the Business Office at GCC in 2000 as a staff accountant, became assistant director of Finance in 2002 and in June of 2007, Kathryn was promoted to her current role of bursar where her primary focus is leading the Student Accounts Office. However, Meloon consistently goes above and “beyond expectations” for GCC and its students.

For the past three years (2016-2019) she wrote and was awarded the President’s Innovation Award which allowed GCC to create its New York City Extended Student Visit initiative. The NYC Extended Student Visit brings approximately 20 already accepted NYC residents with limited financial means, on an overnight visit to experience GCC and Batavia firsthand. The visit allows these NYC students to envision themselves at GCC in an attempt to positively influence their decision to enroll. Meloon earned a bachelor’s degree at Houghton College and a master’s degree at Keuka College. She currently resides in Batavia.

MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club is participating for the first time with five other Lions clubs from Niagara County in a dice run to benefit local food pantries.

This is the fourth year Lions clubs in Olcott, Lewiston, Lockport, Wheatfield and Wilson have taken part in the dice run, but it is the first year Medina Lions have joined them, said Don Colquhoun, a member of Medina Lions.

The dice run will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bob Weaver’s Motorsports in Wilson. Their next stop will be Lockport and then Medina, where they expect to be at the gazebo in the canal basin at 1 p.m. After stops in Wheatfield and Lewiston, the run will end in Olcott about 3 p.m.

Colquhoun said there are many Lions members who enjoy motorcycling and this is a wonderful way to raise money for food pantries.

Riders pay a registration fee for each cyclist and passenger. At each stop, they roll four dice and at the end of the run, the top two riders who rolled the most points win part of the money and the rest is donated to the food pantries, along with any donations received along the way.

The public is invited to visit the canal basin in Medina and make a donation.

Photos by Tom Rivers

WATERPORT – Harrison Brown on Wednesday was presented with a $5,000 Rotary 7090 District Scholarship. Harrison is entering his sophomore year at Cornell University. He also is in the Army ROTC program.

He is presented the scholarship by Dick Remley, left, who was the Albion Rotary Club president in 2019-20, and Bob Artis, the 7090 District Governor in 2019-20.

Harrison, a member of Albion’s Class of 2019, was picked out of about 25 applicants for the scholarship. The Rotary district includes about 70 Rotary clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario.

Harrison is the first person from the Albion community to receive the district scholarship. It is based on academic merit, demonstration of “Service Above Self” and an essay about the ideals of Rotary. The scholarship is for the second year of college.

Harrison is majoring in agricultural science at Cornell University. His family owns Orchard Dale Fruit Company, which was founded in 1804. After he graduates from Cornell, Harrison has an eight-year commitment to the Army.

Harrison, an Eagle Scout, in one of his essays for the scholarship cited the example of his grandfather, Edward Krause. He left his senior year at Auburn during November to join the military to help the country during World War II. He would later earn his GED diploma.

That example of “Service Above Self” has long inspired Harrison. Krause is the father of Margy Brown, Harrison’s mother.

Harrison Brown, second from left, is pictured with Dick Remley, past Albion Rotary Club president; Bob Artis, past district governor (and former Holley resident); and Marlee Diehl, the current Albion Rotary Club president and past district governor.

Press Release, GCASA

BATAVIA – The Recovery Station, an innovative program of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, is presenting an Overdose Awareness Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 28 at its 5256 Clinton St. Rd. location (formerly Bohn’s Restaurant).

“The event is all about raising the public’s knowledge of the opioid epidemic and the dangers of overdose, and reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths,” said Sue Gagne, coordinator of the agency’s recovery center.

Gagne added that the GCASA Prevention Department will conduct Naloxone training and members of the GOW Opioid Task Force will be in attendance to answer questions and share information about the group’s mission.

A “memory tree” will be on site for those who wish to add a friend or loved one’s name in remembrance, and tours of The Recovery Station will be available.

Additionally, Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Erion and his K-9 partner, Frankie, are expected to conduct a demonstration at 1 p.m.

“All are welcome to attend – those in recovery, family members and area residents,” Gagne said, reminding everyone that face coverings must be worn during the tour and all social distancing and other Covid-19-related protocols must be observed.

For more information about GCASA’s recovery services or The Recovery Station, call Gagne at 585-815-5248.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: The Class of 1956 at Medina High School has met regularly since graduation. On Tuesday, 10 classmates met for a picnic lunch at State Street Park, where they spent most of the afternoon sharing memories. Seated from left are Barbara Boyle Schreiber of Clarence, Irene Siwirski Dunn of Medina and Mary Hood Sheeder of Williamsville. At rear are Larry Boyle of Medina, Jack Wasnock and his wife Carol of Medina, Dennis Seekins of Lyndonville, Bill Allport and his wife Nancy of Hilton and Fred Cavers and his wife Sherrill of Medina. Absent from the photo are Teresa Mondo Poler of Lyndonville and Carol Gotts O’Brien and her husband Tom of Medina.

MEDINA – Medina High School’s Class of 1956 has been keeping in touch regularly since they graduated 64 years ago. Even with the pandemic, this year has been no exception.

On Tuesday, 10 members of the class, several with their spouses, met at State Street Park for a picnic lunch and an afternoon of reminiscing.

Those who attended were Larry Boyle, Jack Wasnock and his wife Carol, Fred Cavers and his wife Sherrill, Carol Gotts O’Brien and her husband Tom and Irene Siwirski Dunn, all of Medina; Barbara Boyle Schreiber of Clarence; Mary Hood Sheeder of Williamsville; Bill Allport and his wife Nancy of Hilton; and Teresa Mondo Poler and Dennis Seekins of Lyndonville.

For the first few years after graduation, the class had a reunion every five years, then they started losing classmates and realized the importance of keeping in touch. They began getting together twice a year, once at Sacred Heart Club and usually at Shelby Fire Hall’s pancake breakfast in the spring.

Now that Sacred Heart Club is closed due to the pandemic, they decided to meet outside at State Street Park. Schreiber said many of them don’t like to drive at night any more, so getting together in the daytime is preferable.

The class graduated 100 in 1956, and classmate Loretta Crane Tomasino of Albion estimates they have lost 37. She and another classmate Donna Stahl Laubacher of Albion were unable to attend Tuesday. Tomasino tries to keep classmates informed by computer, while Laubacher calls those who don’t have a computer.

It has become a tradition for the class to donate a book to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in memory of a classmate who dies.

Schreiber said after lunch most of them stuck around and chatted until 4 p.m.

“We talked about everything and anything, including our old teachers,” said Larry Boyle.

“We just had such a good time,” he said.

2 counties pass 30,000 tests for coronavirus

Orleans and Genesee counties both don’t have any new confirmed cases to report today, the local health departments are reporting.

In Orleans, there are two new individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

In Genesee County, 15 more people are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. Genesee also has two residents hospitalized with Covid-19.

• Testing Milestone: The report from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments also shows the two counties combined have reached a milestone, passing 30,000 tests.

In Orleans, there have been 10,348 tests, with 285 people testing positive for a positive rate of 2.75 percent. The county has 40,352 residents, according to the 2019 estimate from the Census Bureau.

In Genesee, there have been 19,837 test results reported, with 273 positives for a positive rate of 1.38 percent. Genesee has 57,280 residents, according to the 2019 estimate from the Census Bureau.

Combined, there have been 558 positives in the two counties out of 30,185 tests for a positive rate of 1.85 percent.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Gyms & Fitness Centers:  In order for these centers to prepare for potential reopening by Aug. 24, it is important for owners and managers to review the guidelines, develop their business safety plan and read and affirm the detailed guidelines (click here).

The local health departments have not received the specific guidance required for inspections.  We will notify these businesses via our briefings, websites and social media platforms as soon as we receive it to contact the health departments to set up appointments as soon as we are able.

This guidance includes but is not limited to standalone fitness facility/gym; facility/gym associated to a hotel, residential community, office building/business, higher education establishment; yoga/Pilates/barre studio; dance studio; boxing/kick boxing facility, martial arts facility; fitness boot camp; cross fit or other plyometric boxes; group fitness class facility; spin center/facility; rowing, etc.

• Bowling Centers: Governor Cuomo announced bowling alleys (with 50% capacity) throughout New York will be allowed to reopen starting Aug. 17 with strict protocols in place. Face coverings and social distancing will be required at all times.

Every other lane must be closed; patrons need to stay with the party at their assigned lane; thorough cleaning and disinfection of shared or rented equipment between each use is required. Read the governor’s press release by clicking here. The link for guidance will be posted as soon as it is available.

Continue to check the NY Forward site (click here) for updated guidance.  Click this link for Sports And Recreation Summary Guidance. Remember you have to have your Business Safety Plan and attestations completed prior to opening.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Alexandra Peracciny, left, and her daughter Emilia stand in Alexandra’s new photography studio above the Book Shoppe in Medina. Gloria and Fred Fierch, the new owners of the Book Shoppe, are Alexandra’s parents.

MEDINA – Being in business in the Medina area is nothing new for Alexandra Peracciny and her family.

Peracciny’s parents, Fred and Gloria Fierch, recently purchased the Book Shoppe, while other relatives, including aunts and uncles, are involved in Lyons Collision, McCauley Canvas and Rudy’s, to name a few. Peracciny’s grandparents were owners of the former Silver Dollar on Main Street. Alexandra’s sister Robin Cramer is a hairdresser next door in the new Revival Beauty Salon.

That is one of the reasons being in business for herself is so special for Peracciny, who just opened a photography studio above the Book Shoppe.

Peracciny was born in Medina and grew up in Middleport. She loves to travel and has had the opportunity to take pictures of such things as the Eiffel Tower and open air markets of Spain. So becoming a photographer was a natural fit.

She was looking for a summer job when she opened her first business, Alexandra Peracciny Photography, in 2007, specializing in wedding photography in the Western New York area. She had completed a program of study in film/digital photography and thought weddings were a great place to start.

She soon realized there was a need for family, senior, maternity, sports and special event photography.

She often brought her young daughter Emilia Peracciny along to help, and later Emilia, a fourth-generation member of the Medina business community, joined her mother working at weddings and sometimes booking her own clients.

Sunflower field sessions and lavender field photos, taken near Sanborn, and other mini sessions became very popular, Alexandra said. She also soon realized there was a need for an indoor studio.

When the family purchased the Book Shoppe in December 2019, they saw the space above the store as a perfect fit for an indoor studio, and Alexandra opened for business in February.

Then the pandemic hit and she was forced to close down temporarily. The studio has reopened and appointments are being taken for fall/winter shoots, newborn photos, and holiday time sessions, along with any outdoor or on-location photos, such as senior portraits and family portraits. Headshots are also done in the studio for professional portfolios and social networking. Appointments are available evenings, weekends and throughout the summer.

Alexandra Peracciny Photography is a full service studio that offers not only digital services, but also professional prints and other photo merchandise.

In addition to her photography business, Alexandra is a full-time teacher of Spanish and French at Medina High School. However, she stresses she is very serious about her dedication to both professions and is careful to keep them separate.

Emilia is also a student at the University of Buffalo, studying marketing, and is employed at Aldi’s and TJ Maxx.

Alexandra said they are thrilled to be vested in the Medina community. They can be contacted at (716) 735-7381 or aperacciny@yahoo.com. They are on Facebook and further information is available at www.alexandraperaccinyphotography.com.

The winning ladies team includes, from left: Sherry Palmeri, Mary Guzik, Lynn Evans and Joan Weatherwax.

MEDINA – A sunny day, record turnout and the highest profit in the history of United Way of Orleans County’s annual golf tournament made for a very successful event Friday at Shelridge Country Club.

There were 32 teams in the tournament to benefit United Way, with the team of Brandon Grzywacz, Jim Grzywacz, Duane Dunlap and Shane Dobesh ending up at overall winners.

The top mixed team was Doug Clark, Chelsie Clark, Raymount Daniels and Patrick Hinkson. They were 14 under par.

Top ladies team was Mary Guzik, Sherry Palmeri, Lynn Evans and Joan Weatherwax. They were 4 under par.

Turnout was almost double that of other years, said United Way’s director Dean Bellack.

“We had to operate under the ‘new norm,’ but everything went off without a hitch,” Bellack said.

Major sponsors annually have been Baxter and Takeform and this year they were joined by new sponsors, Bidleman Chevrolet, Orleans Ford and Hartway Motors, Twin Apple Properties and Curbell Plastics.

“We received a ton of compliments from golfers and from our board members,” Bellack said. “I attribute that to United Way being on the upswing in Orleans County. Also there have been less charitable events this year, so people were looking for something to do.”

This year’s tournament grossed $26,000, compared to last year’s gross of $20,000. Bellack expects the profit this year to net close to $20,000, compared to $12,300 last year.

Dean Bellack, director of United Way of Orleans County, has lots of reasons to enjoy the day as he takes part in the annual golf tournament last Friday to benefit United Way. He not only got to take part in his favorite sport, but the tournament had a record turnout and realized the highest profit in the history of the agency.

Bellack also said United Way of Orleans County gave away twice as much money this year as in previous years, counting grants we received, such as the Buffalo Community Grant and several micro grants.

During this past year, United Way of Orleans County gave money to Medina Area Association of Churches for the first time. Bellack also formed a committee to manage micro grants, which consisted of Darren Wilson of Lyndonville, Bruce Schmidt of Albion and board member Jody Gaines.

United Way supported Project Stork for the first time, as well as Medina’s two food pantries.

Bellack said it was a big decision whether to have the golf tournament or not. But the board discussed it with staff at Shelridge Country Club and decided they could pull it off.

One of the biggest changes was canceling the sit-down dinner and awards ceremony, opting instead for a take-home chicken barbecue. All safety rules were discussed with golfers prior to teeing off, Bellack said.

“We’ve had very positive feedback, and we’re glad we were able to have a fundraising event for the community, even though we had to make some changes to conform to the new regulations,” Bellack said.

He added his appreciation to volunteers from Baxter, Velocity, YMCA, Praising Kids, Bellack’s wife Carol, and United Way board members Jackie Gardner, Melinda Rhim, Kaitlyn Delamarter and Jerome Pawlak.

Provided photo: This safe was left in a farm field last week. It will be donated to the Barre Historical Committee to be displayed in a future town museum.

BARRE – A safe left in a farm field on East Barre Road will be donated to the Barre Historical Committee and will likely be displayed in a future Barre museum.

The safe was left in a field owned by Kirk Mathes last Thursday. Many have tried to get the safe opened to no avail. Mathes will give the closed safe to the Historical Committee.

That group would like to have the note returned that was attached to safe: “If you can open you can have what’s inside.”

That note was removed when the safe was in the field, and so was a dial that was knocked off the safe. The Barre Historical Committee would like the note and dial to be part of a display with the safe.

That message was shared this morning on the Town of Barre community Facebook page.

The Barre Historical Committee has had a barn donated to display Barre relics. Many of artifacts are currently displayed in the Town Hall but there isn’t enough space for the items, especially as there are more donations to the Historical Committee.

News about the mysterious safe quickly spread through town by word of mouth and social media last week. A group showed up with crowbars and sledgehammers and tried to pry it open in the field, but was unsuccessful.

The safe, which weighs about 500 to 600 pounds, was brought to the Mathes farm, but owner Kirk Mathes has since put it in an undisclosed location.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Canalligator mural on a cinder block building on Proctor Place was approved to stay in the historic district. The Form Foundation, led by Tim Hungerford and his wife Teresa Misiti, is leading the effort to have more modern art publicly displayed in Medina.

MEDINA – The Village Planning Board on Tuesday evening approved three murals in the historic district.

All three are on the back sides of buildings along Proctor Place, a one-way street a block from Main Street.

One of the murals, the Canalligator, was finished last month at 428-436 S. Main Street. Another one with a floral pattern would be on the other side of the same cinder block building as the Canalligator on Proctor Place.

Another project, “Fake It Til You Make It” – will be on the back of 410 Main Street. The mural would go from the floor to the top of the cinder block wall. The mural sends a message of the importance of self-confidence in relation to the pursuit of one’s dreams.

Tim Hungerford and his wife Teresa Misiti are leaders of the non-profit Form Foundation that is spearheading the projects, raising funding, connecting with artists and securing permission from building owners for the projects.

They were faulted for not getting a certificate of appropriateness for the Canalligator mural before it was painted. Hungerford apologized for that. He said he didn’t think the backs of the buildings, with cinder block walls, were considered in the historic district and needed a certificate of appropriateness.

The village was concerned about holding a traditional public hearing with a large crowd in the main meeting room of City Hall. So the Planning Board gave the community the option to email comments about the murals.

John Dieter, Planning Board chairman, said he consulted with officials from the State Historic Preservation Office who told him murals with modern art are compatible in historic district as long as they aren’t painted on main thoroughfares, aren’t painted on historic stone or prominent architectural features.

The village also received 118 emails about the murals with nearly all in support of the projects. The Form Foundation offered a Canalligator T-shirt for $1 if people showed support for the project. Hungerford said he was copied on 101 emails that were “overwhelmingly positive.”

In a letter from David and Gail Miller, they suggested creating an “art alley” that gives a modern feel to Medina without impacting the traditional beauty of Main Street and the rest of the historic district.

“These projects might be considered a ‘trial run’ to kick off a much larger discussion about the place of art in developing a unique identity of our village,” the Millers wrote in their letter on Aug. 16.

Cindy Robinson, a Main Street business owner and long-time leader of the former Medina Business Association, said the rules weren’t followed in securing a certificate of appropriateness before the Canalligator.

“I’m opposed to the way it was gone about,” she said. “This is about following the regulations like everyone else does.”

The votes to give the murals certificates of appropriateness passed unanimously, 5-0.  Planning Board Chairman John Dieter said he consulted with the State Historic Preservation Office. That group said the murals and modern art would be OK in a historic district because they weren’t on a main thoroughfare. Proctor Place is a one-way street.

The murals also aren’t being painted on Medina sandstone or other original historic building materials for the structures. The murals also don’t alter prominent architectural features of the sites.

Chris Goyette, a member of the Medina Planning Board, states his support for bringing art to Medina, including in the historic district. Kathy Blackburn, left, and LaRissa DeGraw also are on the board. “We need to make the regulations more progressive and friendly,” Goyette said.

Dieter spoke after hearing from the other Planning Board members. Earlier in the meeting, Planning Board members Mary Lewis and Kathy Blackburn both said they believed sections of the village zoning ordinance made approval of the projects difficult.

“You have to look at is this compatible with the surrounding properties?” Blackburn said. “That is the law.”

Lewis said she supports public art and she thanked Hungerford and Misiti for working on the initiative. But she felt the wording in regulations said any murals or art should be done to be compatible with the historic district.

Planning Board member LaRissa DeGraw said the regulations doesn’t clearly ban modern art in the historic district. She said there are many examples of modern art and murals in historic districts in other communities.

She said the regulations in the historic district are focused on the front facades of buildings and the historic architectural features – not the backs of buildings and cinder blocks.

“The regulations are vague enough that we don’t have grounds to deny it,” DeGraw said.

She said the Form Foundation has found a way to improve the historic district, by focusing art on the back sides of a few select buildings.

“They are creating a new thing in Medina,” DeGraw said.

She sees the art projects as infusing energy and money into the historic district. That ultimately could give the buildings owners in the historic district more revenue to maintain the properties.

Chris Goyette, another Planning Board member, said the village regulations don’t fully address modern art. That language – or lack – shouldn’t derail the current projects, Goyette said.

“We are a little bit hamstrung but I don’t think it should stop it,” he said about the projects.

The Form Foundation is proposing this mural behind 428-436 Main Street on the opposite wall of the Canalligator. Chris Piontkowski has proposed this design using local, native species of pollinator flowers.

Medina should “become more progressive and think outside the box a little bit,” Goyette said.

He appreciates the effort by the Form Foundation to bring attention to the back of buildings, which Goyette said are often neglected and in some cases, “downright embarrassing.”

“We need to make the regulations more progressive and friendly,” he said.

Hungerford said the three murals, plus another one on a cinder block building at the corner of Pearl Street and West Avenue, all feed off each other. He expects the three new murals will be done by October.

His goal is to have new murals painted over the four sites every two years.

Mayor Mike Sidari said the Village Board will be looking to update the regulations to clearly address modern art. The village may create a Public Arts Commission to help review projects.

Sidari said other artists also are interested in projects in Medina, including under the canal bridges.

He commended the Form Foundation leaders for pushing the projects in Medina.

“Tim and Teresa, thank you for what you’re doing in the village,” Sidari said.

Mayor Mike Sidari thanked the Planning Board for working through a challenging issue. Sidari said the Village Board will be looking to revise regulations and perhaps create a Public Arts Commission to help review and site modern art projects.

Orleans County doesn’t have any new confirmed Covid-19 cases today after there were three new cases reported on Monday.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting seven more people in Orleans are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Genesee County is reporting one new Covid-19 case, a Pembroke resident in the 60s. That person wasn’t on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Genesee also is reporting 25 more individuals on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. Two Genesee residents are hospitalized with Covid-19.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Gyms & Fitness Centers: In order for these centers to prepare for potential reopening by Aug. 24, it is important for owners and managers to review the guidelines, develop their business safety plan and read and affirm the detailed guidelines located on the NY Forward website (click here).

The local health departments have not received the specific guidance required for inspections.  We will notify these businesses via our briefings, websites and social media platforms as soon as we receive it to contact the health departments to set up appointments as soon as we are able.

• Travel Advisory: The following states with high coronavirus rates will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia,  Virgin Islands, and Wisconsin.

Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time. Click here for more information.

• Traveler Health Form: For all out-of-state travelers from NYS restricted states, whether arriving by land or air, must self-identify by completing a traveler health form or be subject to a $2,000 fine. Click here for the traveler health form.

• Communication Survey: We need your help! Please consider taking a few minutes to complete a survey (click here) to measure our Genesee-Orleans (GO Health) Health Departments communication efforts in response to our Covid-19. Your response is appreciated! The survey will be available for your input until Aug. 24.