Sorochty makes it official with resignation as Holley mayor
Kevin Lynch appointed to take over as village’s top elected official
Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, right, reads a commendation from the Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday evening for Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty, center in back. Sorochty resigned, effective today, because he is moving out of the community and has increased work responsibilities.
HOLLEY – Brian Sorochty was praised during his final meeting as Holley mayor on Tuesday. Sorochty has resigned effective today and Kevin Lynch will fill out the remaining two months of the term.
Kevin Lynch was appointed by the other Village Board members to serve as mayor. He is running in a Sept. 15 election.
Lynch was deputy mayor under Sorochty. Lynch, a retired Canal Corp. employee, is running for mayor in the Sept. 15 election. The village election was pushed back about three months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sorochty has increased work responsibilities as vice president of engineering for an engineering/construction company. He also is moving out of the village.
He was presented with an official commendation from the Orleans County Legislature for his 15 years of service to Holley, first on the Planning Board, then as village trustee and the past four years as mayor.
County Legislator Ken DeRoller said Sorochty has been instrumental in pushing through major initiatives for Holley, highlighted by a $17 million transformation of the old Holley High School into 41 senior apartments and the Holley village offices.
Residents have moved into the apartments and Home Leasing, developer of the project, is close to having the village offices ready. Holley village employees could shift to that space next month.
Holley also will be putting in new sidewalks and water lines the next year, a $4.5 million project.
The transformation of the former Holley High School is nearly complete. The front columns are yet to be delivered to Holley. The village offices are expected to move to the building next month.
With Sorochty as mayor, Holley created a Local Development Corporation to acquire eight residential homes affected by the Diaz Chemical spill from January 2002. These homes were given a clean bill of health by the EPA, put up for sale, sold to residents and are back on the tax rolls.
Brian Sorochty
Holley also has received a planning grant for redeveloping vacant buildings in the downtown, finding uses for brownfield sites, including the former Diaz Chemical property. The brownfield grant is nearly complete with a final community meeting to be scheduled soon.
DeRoller, the county legislator, also said Sorochty has been active in an association of local elected officials, and also has attended many meetings on better utilizing the Erie Canal in the county.
DeRoller praised Sorochty for upgrading Holley’s signage, infrastructure and parks.
Sorochty also commended DeRoller for being a “good partner” for the village.
Connie Nenni, a Holley village trustee, said Sorochty pushed through major projects in the community.
“Many, many thanks, Brian,” she told him during the meeting on Tuesday. “I can’t stress it enough.”
Tuesday’s Village Board meeting may have been the last one in the upstairs meeting room at 72 Public Square. In this photo, DPW Superintendent Dave Nenni (in orange shirt) updates the board about the DPW. Next to him at right is Aric Albright, sewer plant operator; and Matt Campbell, water and electric superintendent.
