batavia

​Batavia Board of Education meeting highlights from the Batavia City School District (BCSD) Board of Education meeting on April 8, include news and updates about the following:

• Preliminary Budget Update

• School-to-Work Update

• Bu​siness Education Alliance Presentation

Preliminary Budget Update

Business Administrator Scott Rozanski brought the Board up to date on work being done on the preliminary budget proposal for the 2013-2014 school year.

As relayed at a previous Board meeting by Superintendent of Schools Chris Dailey, the Board advocated for containing any budget increase to 2 percent or less, but the initial “rollover” budget one that maintained but did not add any new expenditures -- would have resulted in a 4.26-percent increase to the budget and a consequent 6.11-percent increase in the tax levy primarily due to significant increases in pension and employee health care.

Furthermore, he noted that the calculation for our district’s Property Tax Cap Levy* equals a cap limited to a 5.51-percent increase (*As has been widely reported, the Property Tax Cap Levy, popularly called “the 2-percent tax cap,” is actually calculated by using the State’s eight-step formula then adding items that the State has identified as exempt from the restriction. If a district’s proposed budget falls at or below this calculated limit, passage of their budget requires 50-percent voter approval. If a proposal exceeds the calculated limit, passage requires 60-percent voter approval.) Our district’s tax cap of a 5.51-percent increase would mean an estimated tax increase of $1.27 per thousand dollars of assessed value or, on an $80,000 home, an annual tax increase of $101.

The draft summary presented to the Board on 3/26/13 by Rozanski noted changes resulting from six teacher retirements, two clerical retirements, and the elimination of a proposed position for a School Resource Officer that would have been partially funded by the City of Batavia and partially funded by the School District. That budget proposal came to $41,409,757, and carried a tax levy increase of 3.98 percent.

The current (4/8/13) preliminary summary presented to the Board included increased revenue of $930,000 from the State, primarily in restored State Aid, but also included additional expenditures of $571,000 -- approximately $121,000 in lost federal grants as well as an estimated $450,000 in additional expenses for the three employee contracts which are in the process of being negotiated.

The final figures for this proposal are: an expenditure total of $41,981,241 (up $1,894,509 or 4.73 percent from 2012-2013); a revenue total of $21,602,411 (up $1,897,680 or 9.63 percent from 2012-2013); an appropriated fund balance of $1,875,660 (down $365,965 or 16.33 percent from 2012-2013); and a tax levy of $18,503,170 (up $362,794 or 2 percent from 2012-2013).

“This budget proposal puts us at a 2-percent cap, which was the Board’s goal, rather than a 5.51-percent cap, which is what the State calculations permitted, and the elimination of jobs is not necessary,” Dailey said.

In addition, he noted, it preserves the funding for transportation so that all pre-kindergarten through first grade students will be eligible for bussing, which has been identified as a safety concern.

As a reminder, important dates related to the May vote include the following: Board of Education candidate petitions became available on March 12 and must be returned by April 24. Beginning May 6, copies of the proposed budget for 2013-2014 will be available in these Batavia locations: the Administration Offices (260 State St.), Batavia High School main office (260 State St.), Batavia Middle School main office (96 Ross St.), John Kennedy Intermediate School main office (166 Vine St.), Jackson Primary School main office (411 S. Jackson St.), and Richmond Memorial Library (19 Ross St.).

Organizations are encouraged to request a presentation of the proposal by calling the Superintendent’s Office (343-2480, ext. 1000). Presentations can be scheduled for after May 6, which is when the official proposal will be adopted by the Board.

The public hearing for the vote on the proposed budget will be at 7 p.m. May 14, in the High School library. The Budget Vote and Elections will be May 21 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with polls open at Batavia High School (260 State St.) and John Kennedy Intermediate School (166 Vine St.).

Absentee Ballot voting is also permitted, and absentee ballots will be available during school business hours from the District Clerk from April 24 through May 14. April 24 is also Voter Registration Day from noon to 4 p.m. in the Administration Offices on State Street.

Please call if you have questions about the proposals or voting procedures: 343-2480, ext. 1000.

School-to-Work Update

BHS Business Teacher and School-to-Work (STW) Coordinator Jillian Thomas provided an update on the STW programs she coordinates: Make a Difference Day, Job Shadows, Career Related Field Trips, and K-12 Junior Achievement.

For the 14th annual Make a Difference Day, 22 nonprofit agencies hosted 170 BHS seniors so that the students could learn about giving back to the community and, for many, explore possible career fields. In addition, by the end of 2013, at least 19 students will have completed job shadows, several classes will have taken career-related field trips such as that taken by AP Biology students to the University of Rochester science labs, and 14 classes will have had a Junior Achievement volunteer come in and teach a business-related lesson.

To provide some examples of the value of STW programs, Thomas provided an opportunity for two students to speak about their experiences. Daemeon Reeves spoke about his job shadow with a State Trooper which reinforced his desire to go into law enforcement, and Jessica Valvano-Hoag spoke about her Careers and Financial Management class (taught by Eileen Ognibene) in which she has learned much about how to pursue a career -- such as how to write a resume, and how to prepare for and conduct oneself in a job interview. Two highlights of her class experience were participating in a mock interview and completing a job shadow with a local photojournalist.

Genesee County Business Education Alliance

Bill Hayes, Business Education Alliance (BEA) board member, reviewed the services provided to the District through the BEA and thanked the District for its continued financial support as well as the guidance and preparation it provides to students in regard to work.

In fulfilling its mission, the BEA fosters a partnership between business and education and assists students in preparing for the world of work through coordinating or participating in such things as: the Business School Interaction Committee; Junior Achievement; mock interviews; job shadows; teacher site visits; students site visits; virtual site visit videos; career speaker luncheons; classroom visits; career fairs and camps; resources and referrals for counselors seeking specific career education and/or employment opportunities for students; and class projects for students that mimic real business interactions.

A few additional District-specific services for Batavia have included assisting with recruiting Senior Exit Project volunteers and judges, and providing mock interviews and job shadows for Eileen Ognibene’s Careers and Financial Management class. The BEA’s programs help the District meet the NYS Learning Standards, particularly in Career Development and Occupational Studies, and they expose students to career opportunities in our own region.

Turning city parks into a more regulated environment didn't go over well with the City Council Monday, which voted to table a resolution that would have added new rules for residents wishing to book large gatherings at park pavilions.

The rules would have banned amplified music, bounce houses and grilling pits.

The council voted 6-3 to table the proposal and have an informal committee of council members meet with City Manager Jason Molino to discuss pavilion rental rules.

"I don’t feel we suddenly need to make changes in our rules and regulations and our application process simply because of a couple of various groups that created some problems," said Councilman John Canale.

Councilman James Russell said further restrictions run counter to the intention of having parks in the first place.

"I think we’re restricting the citizens of Batavia from using the parks for what they were intended to be used for," Russell said.

Council members Kathy Briggs, Tim Buckley and Pier Cipollone voted against tabling the proposal.

Cipollone said he was generally in favor of the rule changes.

"The only one I had any problem with is the amplified music because if I were to have an event there, I would probably want to have music," Cipollone said. "The other items were fine to me."

WBTA contributed to this story.

Press release:

On April 5, the Batavia City School District received notification that a lawsuit was filed by the Empire Justice Center on behalf of a few District parents with the intent to demand an immediate upgrade to the girls’ softball field claiming the District was in violation of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972.

The District believes this lawsuit is misguided as the issues addressed in the lawsuit have already been diligently pursued and we have prepared a proposition for voter approval during the annual District’s budget vote in May 2013.

In 2011, softball field upgrades were included in the District’s capital-improvements project proposal which was ultimately voted down by the taxpayers. Even after the capital improvement proposition was voted down, the District allocated as much funding as possible for material and labor to resurface the girls’ softball infield. In addition, arrangements were made to have nearly half of the home games played at an area premier softball facility, Genesee Community College.

The District also continues to make regular maintenance on this field and whatever improvements it can make within the approved budget. To continue its efforts to upgrade the softball field, in 2012, the District commenced an architectural study to address resurfacing the field, installing dugouts, an electronic scoreboard and outfield fencing. This plan was reviewed and approved by the Board of Education at its Feb.12, 2013 meeting.

A proposal to fund this plan, which also includes capital improvements for District buildings and the Richmond Memorial Library, will be placed on the ballot during the annual vote on the District’s budget on May 21. If the voters approve this capital proposition, the District will initiate the upgrades to the field as outlined above after the softball season ends so as not to disrupt the current season.     

Subsequent to the Board’s approval of the plan, the District received a letter on February 20, 2013 from the Empire Justice Center demanding that the softball field be upgraded immediately. The District met with representatives of the Empire Justice Center to review the matter.

We explained that the requested upgrades in their letter were the same improvements already incorporated into the District’s proposed project with the exception of night lighting. We shared with these representatives that commencing an upgrade immediately was impractical given that the work would render the field unplayable for most of the season as well as that the work was duplicative of that included within the District’s proposed capital project.

Unfortunately, the District’s good-faith efforts in terms of work already done to the field as well as the presentation of comprehensive facility upgrades to the voters for approval in May 2013 were ignored. However, with just a few more months of patience, it is the District’s belief that it will be able to embark on a comprehensive and complete renovation to the softball facilities.

Updated at 5:09 p.m. with additional information.

In December, as the statute of limitations ran out on a set of burglaries in the city, all investigators had was a DNA profile of a suspect, so the Distirct Attorney's Office sought an indictment against the DNA profile.

A man whose DNA matches that profile was recently arrested and he will be arraigned on the three-count indictment in the morning.

The suspect is no longer "John Doe." His name is Samuel G. Malone. He is 27 and most recently a resident of 36 Walnut St., Batavia.

Investigators believe they've found a match with Malone's DNA to the suspect's DNA following Malone's conviction on an unrelated matter.

Malone will be charged with burglaries at the former Ponderosa Steakhouse in August 2008, Mortellaro's Awards, August 2008, and Palace of Sweets, September 2008.

Det. Pat Corona said Malone allegedly made forced entry into the establishments and was looking for whatever cash he could find.

The indictment was for two counts of burglary, 3rd, and one count of attempted burglary, 2nd.

Malone is currently in custody on $25,000 bail pending a bail review in County Court.

Det. Charles Dudek, Det. Todd Crossett and Sgt. Patrick Corona all worked on the case.

Craig Yunker, owner of CY Farms and Batavia Turf, posted this picture to Twitter with the message: "Thieves stole our tractor weights right off our tractor. They look like this. Keep a look out."

Yunker said the weights retail for $3,000.

Tractor weights are used to counter balance whatever a tractor is pulling or lifting.

Tips can be called into the Sheriff's Office at 343-5000.

A disabled tractor-trailer is blocking traffic in the city at Ellicott and Evans streets. Police are on scene.

Michael B. Collier, 50, of Gladstone Street, Rochester, and Stephen J. Wood, 60, of West Main Street, Rochester, are charged with petit larceny. Collier and Wood are accused of shoplifting at Walmart. Collier was arraigned and turned over to the Orlean's County Sheriff's Office on a warrant and Wood was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Brandon L. Doward, 28, of 125 Liberty St., lowor, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Doward is accused of pushing a woman to the ground during an argument. He was jailed on $750 bail.

Diana L. Bloom, 55, of 117 State St., lower, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Bloom is accused of shoplifting at the Hess Mart, corner of West Main and Oak streets, Batavia.

Harry J. Hall, 46, of Pine Tree Drive, Poughkeepsie, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes, plate obstructed and driver's view obstructed. Hall was allegedly found with 24 cartons of untaxed cigarettes during at traffic stop by Deputy Chris Parker at 10:01 a.m., Sunday, on Route 77, Pembroke.

Mitchell Scott Lindbergh, 44, of Chairfactory Road, Elma, is charged with stalking, 4th. Lindbergh is accused of repeated contact with a person in Darien he had been told to leave alone.

Brian Lee Smith, 51, of Colonial Blvd., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Smith is accused of violating an order of protection by contacting the protected party via e-mail.

Dennis Andrew O'Neal, 25,of Alleghany Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. O'Neal is accused of punching holes into the drywall of a house in Corfu.

Andrew Richard Bastiano, 26, of Sumner Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and operating with inadequate lights. Bastiano was stopped at 10:59 p.m., Friday, on Townline Road, Bergen, by Deputy Jason Saile.

A kitchen fire is reported at the New York State Veterans Home located at 220 Richmond Ave. City of Batavia fire is responding. It's in the Ontario Cottage.

UPDATE 2:26 p.m.: The fire is out.

Local history was on display at GCC today with history groups from Genesee County's villages, towns and museums gathering in the college's forum.

Visitors could see displays on history, view artifacts, buy books and gift items and learn directly from the people who know the most what our predecessors did in Western New York.

As part of the event, War of 1812 reenactors, the Genesee County Militia, Kellogg Company, offered lectures and demonstrations on what military life was back 100 years ago.

In the early 1900s, then-Governor Al Smith created the civic position of local historians. New York is the only state to declare preservation and dissemination of local history to be a public purpose. (source)

By 9 a.m. the closest open parking space to St. Joe's was at least a block way in any direction.

Once inside the annual Super Mammoth Sale, it was pretty much wall-to-wall people.

By 9:05 a.m., the first bargain shoppers were hauling their treasures to their cars.

As always, you had to get their early and act quick to find the best deals.

Blue Devil's pitcher Ryan Tenney went five innings Friday, surrendering only three hits and two earned runs in his first varsity start and Head Coach Richard Saunders is hopeful the performance is a sign of good things to come.

"If he can throw like that the rest of the year, I've found my solid #2 starter," Saunders said.

Despite Tenney's strong performance, Batavia dropped the contest to Medina 6-3.

It's the first game of the season and the cobwebs showed, Saunders said.

"Any time you go out for the first time in the spring, you're going to have some glitches in the game," Saunders said. "I think the whole game boiled down to the fact that we had some plays that we'll make all year long and we didn't make them today. That put us behind the eight ball the whole time."

Saunders expects his team to contend not just for the division lead, but a sectional title in Class B.

"We went to the finals last year and I've got six guys from that team coming back," Saunders said. "I might not have my big boppers, but I've got guys who can run and play defense. I expect to be there with this team."

Tenney, Zach Hale and Tom Grammatico each had an RBI. Zeke Lynn had two hits.

Top photo, Brett Scheurelein getting a hit in the third inning.

Ryan Tenney

Tom Grammatico was tossed from the game after he failed to slide coming into home plate. In the style of Pete Rose, Grammatico bowled over Medina's catcher, dislodging the ball from the catcher's glove. The home plate umpire initially ruled Grammatico safe, but after consulting with the field umpire, reversed the call and tossed Grammatico. In Section V players must slide rather than running into players at any base.

To purchase prints, click here.

A passerby reported flames coming from a chimney at 856 Genesee St. in Corfu. Corfu, City of Batavia Fire Department's Fast Team along with Darien, Pembroke, East Pembroke, and Indian Falls are called to the scene. First responders confirm flames shooting from the chimney.

UPDATE 11:46 p.m.: Only Corfu and Darien are told to continue to the scene. Akron and Crittenden, the Fast Team and the others are cancelled. An infrared camera and a ladder to access the side of the house are requested.

A car and motorcycle collision is reported at 5 Prospect Ave. There are injuries. City fire is en route and police just arrived on scene.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Mercy medics are there now.

UPDATE 8:29 p.m.: Fire department has cleared the scene. The motorcycle needs to be towed.

A car vs. bicycle accident is reported at East Main and Summit streets in the City of Batavia. The bicyclist is refusing medical treatment. Police are on scene.

UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: Now the cyclist is reporting pain in the wrist so a Mercy medic is dispatched non-emergency.

MISSING: This 8-year-old Australian shephard answers to "Bindy" and was last seen in the West Main Road of Batavia. There's a reward for the finder. Please call Rita at 716.474.4121.

UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: Rita says the woman who found the dog yesterday contacted her about an hour after this post went up this evening to say Bindy was taken safely to the animal shelter. Because it's now after-hours, Rita won't be able to take Bindy home until tommorrow. Rita said she was overwhelmed with the response from readers of The Batavian who contacted her about the lost dog. And she thanks everyone who tried to help put.

A local businessman is planning a housing development on 100 acres of vacant farm land just off Route 5 and Seven Springs Road in the Town of Batavia, and the town's planning board has scheduled a public hearing on the subdivision application.

Peter Zeliff, an executive EIF Renewable Energy Holdings and a Batavia resident, has filed the application to convert the farmland into 76 lots for 120 single family and town home units.

The public hearing is set for 7:30 p.m., April 16 at Batavia's Town Hall, 3833 W. Main Street Road.

The location of the proposed development is north of Route 5, across from the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

Zeliff is best known locally as an aviation buff, so much so that he built a large house near the west end of the Genesee County Airport runway. He owns small planes and a helicopter.

Among his charitable work is the annual WNY Aviation Camp for youngsters throughout the region.

He's also a member of the Genesee County Economic Development Center Board of Directors. CORRECTION: Zeliff is a member of the Genesee Gateway local Development Corporation, which is affiliated with GCEDC.

The owner of the parcel is listed as Oakwood Hills, LLC. It's currently assessed at $128,200.

Elizabeth A. Denise, 32, of 2 Fisher Park, lower, Batavia, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Batavia PD responded Tuesday to a complaint about an abandoned dog. Upon investigation, Officer Frank Klimjack reported finding an apartment in "deplorable condition" and two children residing in the dwelling. The dog was removed from the residence and taken to the animal shelter. Denise was issued an appearance ticket. There was no further information released about the children.

Daniel L. Dioguardi, 31, 4993 Upper Holley Road, Holley, is charged with burglary, 2nd, petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Dioguardi turned himself in on a warrant and was jailed on $5,000 bail.

After the first hula hoop class presented by Blue Pearl Yoga this evening, the oft-repeated word was "fun."

Instructor Rachelle Simons said it is fun, that's why she went from a mom hooping with her four children to a serious devotee of the sport.

"It's a tremendous work out that works virtually ever muscle in your body, from head to toe," Simons said. "As you're doing it, you don't even realize you're doing it because it's so much fun."

The introductory class covered hoop basics, stretching and a bit of actual hip movements to keep the hoop going.

For many of the dozen students, it was the first time they had hooped since they were children.

The last time for Julie Yaeger, "probably not since I was 12, and I won't tell you how long ago that was," she said.

Donna McJury joined the class because she expected it to be fun, relaxing and a chance to get fit.

"I think I'll get more energy," she said. "And maybe a smaller waist."

Simons ended the class with a demonstration of hula hoop dancing, showing off several tricks and techniques, telling class members that they were all capable of learning everything she did.

She then talked about the types and weights of hoops she has available, and which people might consider using based on their hoop plans and abilities. Her hoops are available at luvhoopsonline.com.

The cost for the five-week session is $45 and if there's demand, more classes could be added.

Press Release from Phil Ricci, chairman of the Gensee County Libertarian Committee:

Dick's Sporting Goods also does not expect to win, or ask for, tax abatements to expand here. "Our goal is to deliver everything at the lowest price," Hennion said. "We really don't feel like we should be using customers' money to build our stores."

That was a direct quote from the VP of Dick's Sporting Goods!

The classification of the Batavia Towne Center as a "tourist destination" is laughable at best, and a complete deception regardless. More than $6 million dollars has already been promised to COR over a 10 year period. Yet even though the company did not complete many of the promises within the original project, they are asking for an additional $ 1 million in "tax incentives" to re-fit a previously failed space!

No tax payer should be asked to subsidize a multi-billion dollar retail chain, so they can do business in their town, but what's even worse is when that retailer is not asking for the help!

Stop the abuse! Tell Mary Pat Hancock and the GCEDC Board to not approve the additional funds!

Sign the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/706/682/307/stop-the-additional-funding-of-tax-incentives-to-cor-for-dicks-sports/

Press release:

The City of Batavia is proud to make the announcement of the following promotions and appointment.

Sgt. Robb Yaeger, a 25-year veteran of the Police Department, is being appointed effective April 7 to fill the position of assistant chief of Police. City Council approved the creation of the position of assistant chief of police as part of the 2013/14 budget.

Sgt. Yaeger began his career in law enforcement in 1986 in the position of corrections officer assigned to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Jail. Prior to this he had served for two years as an animal control officer for Genesee County. In 1988 Sgt. Yaeger was hired by the City of Batavia as a police officer for the City of Batavia. During his time as a police officer Robb served as a field training officer, was assigned to the Neighborhood Enforcement Team, was assigned to the Genesee County Drug Task Force, was a member of the Batavia Police Department’s Crash Management Team and joined the Emergency Response Team.

In 2003 Robb was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He became the Field Training Program’s coordinator, having helped mentor and train countless new police officers. Sgt. Yaeger also served as the department’s quartermaster, fleet maintenance officer, a certified Taser instructor, the department’s STOP-DWI coordinator as well as coordinating several grants awarded to the police department. All this while operating as a uniformed supervisor on various assigned shifts. Sgt. Yaeger is a past recipient of the Batavia Police Officer of Year and was also honored with the Distinguished Public Service Award.

Robb has demonstrated his dedication to serving the City of Batavia, its residents and commuters, all the while holding himself to the highest of standards. Robb is married with three children and lives in the Town of Batavia.

Robb's duties will include, but not be limited to, acting in the capacity of the chief of police when necessary, overseeing and directing the duties and functions of the Road Patrol section of the police department, as well as assisting the chief of police with day-to-day managerial functions of the department.

Officer Chris Camp was promoted to sergeant in February following the retirements of Lt. James Henning and Sgt. John Peck.

Chris is a dedicated police professional, having been assigned to Road Patrol since being hired in 2006. Chris has consistently demonstrated a high drive and zest for police work. Sgt. Camp became a field training officer in 2009, is a certified police instructor, firearms instructor and member of the police department’s Emergency Response Team. He is also a past recipient of the Kiwanis Officer of the Year.

Officer Eric Bolles is to be promoted on April 7 to fill the Sergeant position vacated by the appointment of Assistant Chief Robb Yaeger.

Officer Bolles joined the police department in 2006 after having worked in the private sector. Eric is a former member of the Air Force, having supervised several lower ranking members of his unit. Officer Bolles is also a field training officer, having mentored several new officers.Officer Bolles’ private sector and military leadership will be beneficial to the police department moving forward.