Batavia PD is looking for the public's assistance in identifying the subject of this photo. It's related to an unspecified incident at Batavia Downs.

Anybody with information to share can contact Officer Marc Lawrence, mlawrence@batavianewyork.com.

A grass fire is reported by Route 20 near Bowen Road. Alexander Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: Alexander is back in service.

This is the second in a series of stories about the 2011 winners of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Awards.

Arctic Refrigeration Company of Batavia, Inc. is heating things up in Genesee County and is being honored by the chamber of commerce as the 2011 Business of the Year.

Brothers Henry and Leo Mager established the company in 1947. The two were  factory mechanics at the time.

They started fixing household appliances, doing different kinds of handiwork on the side. Eventually, the plethora of small jobs gave birth to what is now Arctic Refrigeration.

More than six decades later, the company has evolved into what it is today, managing heating and cooling needs locally for both residential and commercial customers.

Sixty-five years of success is due in part to "longevity and reputation," Jonathan Mager said.

He and his brother, Justin, are the third generation in the family to work with the company, following in their father and grandfather's footsteps.

"We have been successful because we have always been small," Jonathan said. "Today, with less than 12 employees, the company has never grown beyond its means, which allows us to keep it personal and focused on customers."

In addition to heating and cooling, they also provide refrigerated and ventilated agricultural storages to enhance the freshness of harvested produce, reducing unwanted waste.

"We have a lot of onion, potato and cabbage farmers in this area," Jonathan said. "We design, engineer and install these storage systems that are the size of a high-school gymnasium."

The units allow farmers to keep produce longer, storing and selling it months later.

"We can increase storage life, shelf life and stored crop quality with experienced precision."

Three of the top 20 farms in the Northeast -- Torrey Farms, My-T-Acres and Turek Farms -- are some of the ones that house refrigerated systems built and managed by Arctic.

"These farms we service, received their awards in 2010. It is cool to see them recognized."

Arctic also has designed and installed one of the first geothermal heating and cooling systems in a home in this area.

As an alternative to using fossil fuels for heating and air conditioning, "geothermal in the simplest form is taking heat or cooling out of ground, running it through equipment to produce 400-percent-efficient systems," he said.

Because the depth of the Earth remains a constant temperature of 50 degrees, little electricity is used to pull energy out of the ground.

“In essence, it’s like free money,” Jonathan said. "With huge heating bills and costs rising, we are always looking for ways to be energy-efficient.”

Geothermal is not a new idea, having once been tried when there was a shift in the heating oil markets due to the Energy Crisis of 1970s. But it lost popularity just as quickly as it appeared.

More recently, geothermal techniques are finding their way back into commercial and residential heating/cooling systems across the country as consumer trends adopt a more "green" solution.

“Everything we do is energy consumption. Farmers and homeowners want to lower energy bills and this means what we do is lead by being ‘green’.”

Arctic Refrigeration will continue to advance heating and cooling systems for the community by building on the most efficient, environmentally sound methods available.

This is the first in a series of stories about the 2011 winners of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Awards.

Since opening its doors for business in the fall, Palm Island Indoor Water Park at the Clarion Hotel has made a big splash.

Being chosen as the 2011 Innovative Enterprise of the Year by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is proof of its positive impact on the area.

On Sept. 30 last year, a risky dream became a reality for owner Chan Patel, when the doors opened at the new indoor water park in the Town of Batavia and people started to trickle in.

It began when Patel starting to think of ways to create a business to attract tourists throughout the stagnant winter months when business typically all but freezes.

The goal was to invest in a new product to provide a steady flow of revenue during the off season.

"I have many long-term employees who have families," Patel said. "I wanted to help keep jobs for them during the winter when it slows."

Previously, the hotel maintained around 60 employees.

This year, rather than laying off staff, the water park has generated additional jobs. Currently, Patel employs 100 people and is still hiring.

"What I have brought to town is unique," Patel said. "The water park is something different and a way to increase business."

Not only has the water park improved business at the hotel, it has boosted the number of tourists pouring into local restaurants and stores.

From September to December, the attraction drew around 10,000 more people than usual for that time of year.

"I have been told that business has increased in town due to what we have done here at the Clarion," Patel said.

He first came to Batavia in 2001 with his wife and two sons, buying what was once the Holiday Inn.

While living in Boston, a friend informed him the hotel was for sale and "I was up for the challenge," he said.

In 2004, after a family trip to Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort in Erie, Pa., he was inspired to provide a similar attraction here.

His oldest son was excited about the plans and told his father that "Batavia will finally be on the map. Everyone will know where it is."

After getting bank approval, work began on the project in 2006.

"When we first started, we traveled all over to try different indoor water parks," Patel said. "Our youngest son was our eyes, giving us many ideas through his perspective."

Right now the park is for children 12 years of age and under. Packages are available for overnight guests, and day passes available if rooms aren't sold out.

In a few years, Patel would like to expand another 10,000 square feet. This water park may be just the beginning of things to come.

Heavy black smoke is spewing from a vacant structure at 6553 Ellicott St. Road in Pavilion. They are not sure whether it's coming from the first or second story. Pavilion Fire Department is responding and so is Le Roy's.

UPDATE 12:34 p.m.: A responder on scene reports this is a "controlled burn" -- a rubbish fire, which includes tires, and it's behind the house. The second-alarm responders are told to stand by in quarters-- they include Alexander, Bethany, Stafford and the City of Batavia's Fast Team.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: They anticipate being able to "knock this out quickly."

UPDATE 12:43 p.m.: Bethany's tanker is en route, non-emergency mode. Stafford is cancelled. (We presume the city and Alexander are also standing down.) They are going to shut the road to traffic.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: "We've got it pretty well knocked down for the most part."

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: The fire is out.

UPDATE 12:57 p.m.: Le Roy is returning to service.

UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: The road is reopened.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Bethany and Pavilion are back in service. A representative of the Department of Environmental Conservation responded to the scene to investigate and is now leaving.

It was a little crisp this morning, but still a fine spring day. As I walked our dog on Jackson Avenue, I took note of this tree with the nice background of the budding trees behind it and the wispy blue sky, so I went home, grabbed my camera and came back.

That said, there's a chance of rain and snow overnight.

UPDATED 2:55 p.m. with a little more information about the grant program.

People living downtown is a great complement to commerce downtown and bringing that mixed use to the city's primary commercial district is part of the city's strategic goals.

To help move that process along, on Monday night the Batavia City Council unanimously approved a change to the city's tax code that would provide a tax break to any building owner who converts a commercial property to one that includes second- and third-floor apartments.

"They (the Main Street Grant consultants) said they have a lot of experience with this," City Manager Jason Molino said. "A lot of communities use this. It’s a great exemption to get on the books to encourage, or at least lighten some of the tax burden, as they (developers) go to change and approve some of these mixed-use developments."

The tax abatement -- much like a PILOT -- provides tax relief on the increased assessment that is likely to occur with the redevelopment of the property. The property owner still pays taxes on the original assessment.

For example, if the assessed value goes from $200,000 to $300,000 because of the property improvements, the abatement applies to the extra $100,000 in assessed value.

In years one through eight, the property owner gets a 100-percent abatement, and the tax relief decreases 20 percent a year over the next four years and is eliminated by year 13.

"This promotes the types of uses we want downtown," Molino said. "We want commercial on the first floor, residential on the second and third floor. We want to promote that livable-community concept. You get the grocery store downtown, so it’s got a great complement. We’ve got the available space. It just needs to be developed."

There are currently 10 properties that have applied for grants through the Main Street grant program and Molino said four of those properties would be potentially eligible for this new tax exemption (the others are already mixed use).

Last year, the City was awarded a $450,000 grant from the state's Main Street Grant program. Of that, $400,000 is earmarked for improvements to existing structures downtown. Three projects have been funded by the BDC, which administers the program.

Ideally, Molino said, both the county and the school district will pass the same exemption.

Some time between Thursday and Monday burglars broke into the former Jell-O building in Le Roy and stole electrical items, according to the Le Roy Police Department.

Investigators are seeking the public's assistance in uncovering leads to help solve the crime.

The building is located at 57 North St.

According to investigators, a person or persons forced entry into the building some time over the long holiday weekend.

Anyone with information related to the crime or who may have seen people lingering in the area of Myrtle Street are asked to contact the Le Roy PD at 768-2527.

It will be red, bright, shiny and brand new and it will belong to the City of Batavia.

In a unanimous vote Monday night, the city council approved the purchase of a fire truck built from the ground up by Rosenbauer, a 140-year-old fire apparatus manufacturer based in South Dakota.

The total cost of $342,369 was the lowest of the bids to meet all of the requirements of the fire department, Chief Jim Maxwell told the council.

City Manager Jason Molino noted it's still below the $370,000 built up in reserve over the past three years for a new truck.

The truck, which may carry the designation Engine 11, will replace Engine 14, which was retired due to escalating repair costs to keep it up to standards.

Locally, the Town of Batavia operates a Rosenbauer engine and Rochester recently bought seven engines from the company.

When questioned by Councilman Jim Russell, Maxwell confirmed that the fire department visited with some of the departments running Rosenbauer equipment, as well has other engines, and didn't come across any complaints.

The department expects delivery of the new truck in 120 days.

On the Web: Build your own fire truck on Rosenbauer's site.

Stephen Christopher Ward, 22, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, speeding and inadequate headlights. Ward was stopped at 9:45 p.m., Monday, on Angling Road in Pembroke by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Alexandria Claire Pisarek, 19, of Fisher Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Pisarek is accused of stealing fentanyl patches (pain medication) belonging to another person.

A brush fire is reported behind 37 Gibson St. in Bergen. Bergen Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 4:18 p.m.: The fire is out. Bergen is back in service.

A mulch fire is reported behind the Radio Shack store at 4234 Veterans Memorial Drive. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:38 p.m.: The fire is out. Town of Batavia is back in service.

A fire is reported at 4822 Broadway Road, between Marsh and Silver roads, in Bethany. It is at the farm on the corner of Broadway and Silver. It's in a "courtyard next to a silo" and near barns. Bethany Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: A responder said the fire is by a 20-foot, round silo that has a bottom filled with hay.

UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: The fire is under control.

UPDATE 3:57 p.m.: The fire is out. Bethany is returning to service.

A grass fire is reported at 9286 Colby Road. It is near a structure and there's an abandoned car nearby as well. This is the Reed's residence. Corfu Fire Department is responding and a person on scene says there's some smoke showing but the problem "doesn't look too big."

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: Apparently, they've extinguished the fire because they told a firefighter calling to check on their status that they were "packing up the hose now."

UPDATE 3:16 p.m.: Corfu is back in service.

There is a power outage in Downtown Batavia. National Grid has no information yet on the extent nor an ETA for restoration.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Power was restored at 2:28 p.m.

As part of its monthly meeting tonight, the Batavia City Council will be asked to approve the purchase of a new fire truck at a cost of $342,369.

The new truck will replace Engine 14, which has been retired due to age and costly repairs needed to comply with safety standards.

The recommendation is that the truck be purchased from Empire Emergency Apparatus, which placed the lowest bid that met specifications.

Another company offered a lower bid, but work to retrofit the demo engine and add required enhancements would raise the price above $356,000.

The United Way Day of Caring is May 16 and the planning committee is seeking volunteers and sponsors. To pitch in, call the United Way office at 343-8141.

Photo: Back row: Erik Fix, Jay Gsell, Dave Cecere, Marie Nettnin, Scott Neff, Shelley Falitico, Theresa DeMars, Jane Scott, Chris Fix. Front row: Susie Boyce, Lori Stupp, Debbie Fischer, Carol Boshart.

Not included in the photo: Donna Saskowski, Sue Schuler, Sue Boss.

Photo submitted by Susie Boyce.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino generated more than $16.99 million for education during the 2011 fiscal year (April 2011 to March 2012), according to the recently released data by the Division of Lottery. As part of Batavia Downs Casino’s ongoing support of New York education, 51 percent of Batavia Downs Casino's net win is given to the lottery to fund education.

“We’re proud to have contributed so much to New York State’s educational efforts,“ said Mike Kane, president of Batavia Downs Casino.

In 2011-2012, revenue generated by Batavia Downs Casino for education was equivalent to the annual salaries of approximately 245 teachers. With education budgets consistently tightening, this revenue will allow for students throughout New York State to continue to earn a high-quality public education. Since opening in 2005, Batavia Downs Casino has generated more than $115 million in education funding for New York.

More information on Batavia Downs Casino is available at www.bataviadownscasino.com and the full lottery report is available at www.nylottery.ny.gov.

Batavia Downs Casino is owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. Batavia Downs Casino is a member of the New York Gaming Association. The New York Gaming Association advocates for, and advances the interests of, the state’s nine racetrack casinos, located at harness and thoroughbred racing venues in all four corners of New York.

The association works in partnership with state government on long-term strategies to financially bolster education, create jobs, support agriculture, horseracing and breeding; and maximize economic revenues to the state that will benefit all New Yorkers.