byron

A state Comptroller's audit of the Town of Byron found what might be deemed sloppy bookkeeping in the town court.

While no money is alleged to be missing, several traffic tickets may have gone unpaid.

The audit report dings the town for not conducting annual audits of the court to ensure its books are balanced and items are sufficiently recorded.

Going back to 1985, 629 tickets issued in the Town of Byron are still listed as "pending," including 11 in the 1980s and 84 in the 1990s.

Auditors selected 25 tickets at random to determine what happened to them and found that 13 were either dismissed, a fine was paid, or the case was transferred to another court even though they were still listed as pending with the DMV.

Seven tickets had not being enforced by the court until auditors inquired about them, according to the report.

When fines are not paid on tickets, they are supposed to be reported to the DMV as "scofflawed," and that apparently did not happen with these tickets.

"Every town justice is required to present his/her records and dockets at least once each year to be examined by the Board, or by an independent public accountant," according to the report. "In conducting the review, it is important for the Board to determine whether the Court has effective procedures to ensure the Court’s financial transactions are properly recorded and reported, and that all monies are accounted for properly."

Typically, there is some segregation of duties in a town court, but in Byron, according to the report, the justices (Daniel DiMatteo and James Lamkin (for most of the period of the audit)) performed all of the accounting and reconciliation duties themselves.

"The lack of segregation of duties make the annual audit even more important, however, Town officials failed to provide sufficient evidence that annual audits of the Justices’ books and records were conducted," the report reads.

In response to the audit, the town board informed the Comptroller's office that it will create the position of court clerk and hire a person for the job and perform annual audits of the court records.

Press release:

In efforts to assist Oxbo International Corporation improve upon its quality manufacturing and productivity, National Grid has awarded its Byron plant a Manufacturing Productivity Program Grant.

The grant will be used by Oxbo to help offset the cost of an engineering study on its manufacturing problem solving methodology; development/ validation of appropriate measurements systems; implementation of tools to analyze low-volume variation problems; and, to enhance the Oxbo Product Development Cycle to include best quality practices within their welding department. Oxbo currently utilizes approximately 10,000 different weld configurations which presents high complexity to its problem solving measures and solutions.

“National Grid is committed to assisting and providing value to the manufacturing companies we service,” said Paul Kazmierczak, manager of community and customer management for National Grid in Western New York. “This grant will help ensure Oxbo International is manufacturing its products in the most resourceful method possible.”

“We are very appreciative to National Grid for this $40,000 grant -- it will assist with the development of our next generation corn harvester, which is one of our most important products,” said Gary Stich, president, Oxbo International Corporation. “In our competitive environment, this assistance in improving our efficiency helps to ensure the long term success of the product line.”

National Grid’s Manufacturing Productivity Program provides matching grants of up to $40,000 or 60 percent of the costs incurred by eligible applicants who commit time and resources to lean manufacturing and growth activities.

Oxbo International Corporation develops, manufactures and supplies specialized agricultural equipment for niche market agribusiness worldwide. Oxbo is a direct supplier of much of its equipment, and also utilizes dealers / distributors for certain products and territories. Over the years, Oxbo's product lines have grown to wide acceptance in their markets. Integrity, innovation and superb customer service are time-tested core values of the company’s business practices, and have helped to secure its continuity in an ever-changing agricultural environment. Oxbo currently supplies equipment worldwide to more than 20 countries, making exporting an important part of the business.

At the point this morning I looked outside, it was bright and sunny and I decided I should go for a drive and take some pictures. By the time I actually got out of the house and got fueled up, the clouds were rolling in.

It was still a beautiful morning, however, so I drove through Stafford and Byron and took a few pictures.

Above, from Route 237 looking northeast.

Barn on Transit Road, Byron.

Tree off Transit Road, Byron (across from the barn)

Happy New Year!

Dominique L. Clyburn, 22, of 142 Saxton St., Rochester, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Clyburn was taken into custody by Rochester PD on an arrest warrant out of Batavia City Court and turned over to Batavia PD. Clyburn was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Elizabeth Ann Bucci, 58, of Prestige Crossing, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Bucci is accused of placing a phone call to a person she was ordered not to contact.

Casey Thomas Sutherland, 22, of Westside Drive, Churchville, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Sutherland was allegedly found in possession of a small amount of marijuana during a traffic stop by Deputy Jason Saile at 9:20 p.m. Friday on Route 262, Byron.

Jonathan Christopher Pestillo, 18, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Pestillo is accused of shoplifting from Target on Dec. 16 and Dec. 19.

Jessie Marie Miles, 49, of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Miles is accused of shoplifting at Kmart.

Jason L. Perry, 18, of Pavilion, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving without a license. Perry was arrested by State Police on an alleged incident reported at 2:32 p.m. Thursday in Pavilion.

A car went off the roadway and into a ditch on Tower Hill Road near Byron Road. Byron and South Byron fire companies are responding along with an ambulance. The car is on its side. The driver is out of the vehicle with "minor injuries, however completely soaked," and possible having symptoms of hypothermia.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: Fire crews are told to respond non-emergency.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported in the area of 6719 N. Bergen Road, Byron.

The location is near Merrill Road.

Byron and South Byron fire departments responding.

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.: Byron chief on scene says responding units can come in non-emergency.

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The premiere of the Circle of Giving, a charitable event hosted by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and local Girl Scouts, is Saturday afternoon at Byron-Bergen High School in the cafeteria. Time is 1 to 3 p.m.

The opening ceremony for the new initiative will begin promptly at 1:15 p.m.

Pat Standish, founder of Angels in Action in Genesee County, will tell a story of hope and inspiration.

You are invited to become a Junior Angel in Giving by providing new or clean, gently used items in good condition. All donations for this event will remain in Genesee County. There will be four donation stations set up:

• Food and Toys
• Pet Supplies
• Coats/Gloves/Hats
• Gift-wrapping supplies

In addition, enjoy holiday crafts and make Christmas cards that will be delivered along with the gifts to the needy. Cookies and punch will be provided. The school is located at 6917 W. Bergen Road in Bergen.

Nicole M. Bilby, 26, of 3476 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with trespass and resisting arrest. Bilby was allegedly unruly and disruptive while at the Batavia PD at 9:05 p.m., Friday. Officers directed Bilby to leave several times and she allegedly refused to leave. When taken into custody, Bilby allegedly resisted arrest. Bilby was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Joshua L. Baltz, 36, no residence provided, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Baltz is accused of offensive conduct in violation of an order of protection. Baltz allegedly called the protected person derogatory names and postured in a threatening manner. A child was reportedly present at the time. Baltz was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Rae C. Cook, 23, of 218 Ellicott St., upper, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cook is accused of threatening and pushing another person while at UMMC at 3 p.m., Saturday.

Tasshire T. Brown Sanders, 18, of 7 Caffery Place, Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct. Brown Sanders is accused of standing in front of a residence on Oak Street and shouting obscenities and refusing to leave the area.

Eric D. Mancuso, 18, of 20 Woodrow Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Mancuso was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during at traffic stop at 10:33 p.m., Saturday, by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Dan'l R. Fischer, 35, of 139 Jackson St., Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant after allegedly failing to appear for a court date. Fischer was incarcerated in the Livingston County Jail at the time of his arrest.

Jeffrey Lynn Hayes, 48, of Meadow Circle, Avon, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Hayes was turned over to the Sheriff's Office on an arrest warrant out of Town of Byron Court.

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries is reported at 6081 Byron Elba Road, east of Byron Road. A utility pole there is snapped in half. South Byron Fire Company is responding.

UPDATE 6:17 p.m.: National Grid is contacted because the pole presents a hazard. No ETA given.

UPDATE 6:26 p.m.: National Grid has a 10-minute ETA. A tow will respond to remove the damaged vehicle(s) after National Grid clears the pole/wires.

A caller reports a microwave fire at 5893 Griswold Road that is now out, but an ambulance is requested to the scene.

The microwave is now in a bathtub full of water.

Byron fire responding. South Byron staging in quarters.

UPDATE 10:05 a.m.: South Byron can go back in service.

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: Correction, it was Stafford fire that responded. Stafford fire is back in service.

There is a report of smoke in the residence at 7617 Mechanic St., South Byron.

A chief on scene reports smelling smoke and seeing faint smoke, but can't locate the source yet.

Byron and South Byron originally dispatched, but the South Byron engine has been told to respond non-emergency and Byron can stand down.

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: Faulty hot water heater. All units back in service.

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A woman is complaining of chest pains following a car vs. deer accident which just occurred at the intersection of Byron Holley and Cochran roads. Byron and South Byron fire companies are responding.

UPDATE 6:50 p.m.: The scene of the accident is determined to be a half-mile north of Cochran Road on Route 237.

UPDATE 7:17 p.m.: The victim was transported by Mercy medics to Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport. The road is clear and the responders are back in service.

CORRECTION: Byron's ambulance responded to the scene and transported the patient to Lakeside.

Nicholas Adam Antonucci, 25, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Antonucci allegedly went to his estranged girlfriend's house and had contact with her in violation of a city court order of protection. Following arraignment in Pembroke Town Court, Antonucci posted $1,500 bail at the jail and was released. Antonucci is currently out of jail on a $50,000 bond posted in Wyoming County on burglary and grand larceny charges.

Daniel C. DiLaura, 38, of 32 Brooklyn Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. DiLaura was allegedly observed by employees at Tops Market placing two small items in his pockets. He then allegedly grabbed a case of beer and left the store without paying for the items.

Michael B. Rech, 41, of 28 Forest Meadows, Rochester, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Rech is accused of pushing and knocking down another person while Rech was holding a 3-year-old child.

Kathryn Francis Rose Long, 17, of Mechanic Street, Byron, is charged with harassment. Long is accused of grabbing a youth worker after the youth worker took away Long's mobile phone. Long allegedly grabbed the worker's purse and attempted to take it from her. Long was jailed on $500 bail.

Jason Robert Sando, 45, of Walkers Corners Road, Byron, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Sando is accused of violating an order of protection during a domestic incident at his home.

Jason Carl Nanni, 36, of Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and aggravated harassment, 2nd. Upon release from the Willard Drug Treatment Campus, Nanni was taken into custody on three counts of criminal contempt, 2nd, and three counts of aggravated harassment, 2nd.

Joshua L. Baltz, 36, of 29 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Baltz is accused of shoplifting from the Kwik Fill on Jackson Street.

Photos and story submitted by Erica Lynn Hickey:

A group of Byron-Bergen High School juniors and seniors hosted the Grow-In-Kids Fall Festival on Saturday. The Fall Festival included a haunted house, snacks, and crafts for kids of all ages. 

There will be an extension to the Fall Festival on Halloween night. Grow-In-Kids is located at 42 Rochester St., in the Village of Bergen. On Wednesday night (Halloween) from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., there will be cider, doughnuts, coffee and hot chocolate for trick-or-treaters, as well as crafts and the haunted house.

There is no entrance fee, however donations to March of Dimes will be accepted. March of Dimes assists new mothers and their babies in times of need.

Volunteers are still needed for Halloween night. If interested, contact Fall Festival coordinator Paul Stamp at paulstamp101@gmail.com

Top photo: Paul Stamp, Dan Smith, Colton Young, Andrew Magin, Andrew McKenrick and Blake Snyder.

Jack Walker makes a candy bucket in the shape of Frankenstein.