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Supporters of Genesee ARC packed city council chambers Monday night and encouraged the council to keep jobs local, support workers with disabilities and consider whether a proposed new garbage collection system would really save residents money.

Of the 16 people who spoke, all but about three of them encouraged the council to stick with ARC for garbage collection, whether under the tote system or not. Of the Genesee ARC supporters, about half of them opposed the totes for one reason or another.

"If a business expressed an interest to locate to this area and create 30 new jobs, most areas would offer some kind of incentive to promote them to come to this area and I would hope you would, too," Dave O'Geen said. "Well, we have the opportunity to keep a business with the 30 jobs that the trash and recycling center currently employs."

O'Geen, like every Genesee ARC supporter, received a big round of applause from most of those in attendance. Those who spoke in favor of going to the new system and awarding the bid to the lowest bidder were met with silence.

"Most people I know don’t care who gets the contract as long as it’s the best contract at the lowest price," John Roach said.

The council set a Feb. 11 date for a public hearing on proposed changes to city ordinances to make the new system possible.

Several speakers appealed to the council not to hire an out-of-state contractor.

"Let’s talk about the $450,000 in lost revenue from the people at ARC who will lose their jobs," Carol Grasso said. "Did you ever stop to think that their money is spent right here in our area? Yup, $450,000, I checked it out, that’s their paychecks. They spend it here in the city. It’s like having free trash pick up as far as I’m concerned.

"Some small cities need to stay small," Grasso added. "Let’s do what’s good for Batavia, not some other state."

Tom Houseknecht, a generous financial supporter of Genesee ARC, questioned the dollar-and-cents value of the proposed change in trash collection.

While Houseknecht, who owns commercial property in the city, welcomes a decrease in property tax, he considers the switch to a fee-based system for trash pick-up a "regressive" tax on the city's less well-to-do residents.

"The minimum size tote that will be issued by the city is currently projected to cost a resident $169," Houseknecht said. "With tax rates decreasing $1.56 per thousand, anyone with an assessed value of less than $108,000 will actually be paying more. ...

"If my conclusion is correct," Houseknecht added, "I would ask council to focus on the greater good for the majority of their constituents and not succumb to the lure of lower tax rates that result when refuse is removed from the operating budget."

Paula Fisher (top inset photo) thinks any decrease in the tax rate will be short-lived.

"The levy for trash pick-up in previous budgets was approximately 20 percent," Fisher said. "Our tax rate is going down 14 percent. This tells me our tax rate is going up six. In five years, our tax rate will be right back up there, ARC will be out of the trash business and the bids for trash collection, since they know we don’t have (a) preferred vendor available, will go up."

John Mortollaro said he doesn't really understand the financial implications.

"I still don’t understand how much we’re going to save and how much it’s going to cost," Mortollaro said. "I think this needs to be brought out and explained to the people so they can understand it better."

Kyle Couchman said he's dealt with the kind of proposed plastic totes before, and they don't hold up to Western New York's harsh winters.

Several speakers said older residents will struggle with the totes, Batavia's homes are really too close together to store the totes in a way that isn't unsightly, and that they will be difficult to put by the curb when snow is heavy.

Roach said he has friends and relatives in the garbage collection business in other cities and such concerns are overblown, he said.

"These totes last forever," Roach said. "As for parking and the driveway situation, it's much worse in Kenmore than in Batavia and they don't really have a problem getting them to the end of the driveway. I don’t have a garage and storing them in my backyard isn’t something I’m looking forward to, but it’s not going to be insurmountable either."

Ed DeJaneiro (top photo) said he likes the totes and thinks the new system will encourage recycling. He would just like to see ARC get the contract.

"ARC has always been there for us," DeJaneiro said. "They will continue to be there. I know it’s more money, as proposed, but we’re not sure how much recycling response we’re going to get."

Bottom inset photo: City Historian Larry Barnes listens to the discussion.

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At the end of a more than three-hour council session, just as members were shuffling paper to prepare to leave, Council President Tim Buckley had a request for City Manager Jason Molino:

"We have a request," Buckley said. "Do you think you could find a way to reduce the budget by another 1 or 2 percent?"

Another council member said, "2 percent," followed by another council member who said, "3 percent."

Buckley said they didn't want to go over the budget line by line, but maybe Molino could squeeze out some more savings.

"If it's possible or doable, we would like to do it," Buckley said.

Molino said he would take a look at the budget, which already calls for a 14.5-percent reduction in property taxes if a plan is approved to move the city to a tote-based, "pay as you throw," trash collection system.

Earlier in the evening the council voted to set a public hearing on the budget for Feb. 11.

Tonight, the council covered several topics:

• More than a dozen people spoke out on the proposed changes to garbage collection in Batavia, mostly in support of Genesee ARC retaining the contract;
• Heard a presentation on progress in 2012 by the Batavia Development Corp. from Economic Development Coordinator Julie Pacatte;
• Heard a presentation from Brian Kemp and Marty McDonald on a proposal from Vibrant Batavia;
• Discussed Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian's request for council members to support an assault weapons ban;
• And discussed snow removal from residential sidewalks.

That will be a lot to write about in the morning, but I'll get to each story as soon as possible.

Le Roy PD is looking for public assistance in solving a burglary at a business on Mill Street early Sunday morning.

The break-in occurred about 3:50 a.m. and no suspects have been identified.

The front door lock was broken and the thieves or thief forced entry into the business and stole items.

Anyone having information about this burglary is asked to contact the Le Roy Police Department at 345-6350.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) announced today that Charlie Cook has been appointed GCEDC’s chairman of the board, while Thomas H. Felton has been appointed chairman of the board of the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC). Cook has served as president and CEO of Bergen-based Liberty Pumps since 1975, while Felton currently serves as a commercial lender for the Bank of Castile located in Batavia.

“I am honored and excited to assume the chairmanship of the GCEDC,” Cook said. “Hopefully my years of experience running and growing a business in Genesee County will help me in working with our very capable and diverse board to understand and provide what business leaders and entrepreneurs throughout the region need to be successful.

"The GCEDC will continue to foster increased economic activity through growth, expansion and retention of our existing business base, while also attracting new business development to help build a sustainable long-term economy.”

Under Cook’s leadership, Liberty Pumps has grown to become a leading domestic manufacturer of sump and wastewater pumps and systems for the professional plumbing trade in North America. Cook earned his bachelor's degree in Aeronautics from Parks College of Aeronautical Technology of St. Louis University and served in the Army.

Cook has also served in numerous community roles, including: chairman of the Genesee County Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee (2002-2006); Genesee Community College Foundation Board; vice chairman of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Board; and vice chair of the Gillam Grant Community Center Board of Directors.

He is a member of the Leadership Genesee Class of 2003, a past member of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Small Business Advisory Committee, and currently serves on: the board of directors of the Genesee Patrons Cooperative Insurance Company; the Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association; and the Bergen Business and Civic Association. He was recently appointed by Governor Cuomo to the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.

Cook will take over for John “Jack” F. Andrews, who was chairman of the GCEDC since 1991.

Thomas Felton currently serves as a commercial lender for the Bank of Castile. He is responsible for servicing agricultural and commercial loans in a multi-county area. Prior to his employment at the Bank of Castile, Felton was an agricultural lender at Pavilion State Bank and the district manager of Monroe Tractor. Felton graduated from Cornell University School of Agriculture and Life Sciences with his bachelor's degree concentrating in Business Management and Marketing.

Felton has served his community in a number of different roles, including president and VP of Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension, serving as supervisor of the Town of Byron as well as councilman and planning board member. He was the treasurer of the Byron-Bergen Education Foundation, an elder with the North Bergen Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Byron Kiwanis Club, and past board member with the Gillam Grant Community Center.

Currently, Felton is a board member with UMMC Foundation, Genesee Valley Rural Preservation Council, and the Cornell Dairy Farm Business Summary. He serves as the president of the Northeast Agriculture Bankers Association Rural Affairs Committee and treasurer of the North Byron Cemetery Association.

Nicolas Adam Antonucci, 25, of 4192 Broadway Road, Alexander, is indicted on two counts of burglary in the 2nd degree. Antonucci is accused of breaking into a residence on Broadway Road, Darien, on Nov. 12 and on Nov. 18. (For prior charges against Antonucci, click here).

Daniel H. Bettilyon is indicated on felony counts of DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Bettilyon is accused of driving a 1989 Harley Davidson motorcycle while drunk on Maltby Road, Oakfield, on Aug. 10. Bettilyon allegedly has a prior DWI conviction from July 2004.

Richard David Farley, 64, of New Bethehem, Pa., is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, unlawful possession of marijuana and possession alcohol in a motor vehicle. Farley was a passenger in a vehicle stopped on Route 77 in the Village of Corfu at 11:58 p.m. on Friday. During the traffic stop, Farley was allegedly found in possession of an open container of alcohol, a marijuana cigarette and a loaded, unregistered semi-automatic .22-caliber pistol. Farley was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Brandon P. Stagg, 20, and Oscar J. Familia, 21, of 25 Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, are charged with possession of alcohol under age 21 and unnecessary noise. Stagg and Familia were arrested following a complaint of an underage drinking party at their home. Stagg was charged with possession of alcohol and Familia was charged with unnecessary noise.

Caroline B. Robinson, 31, of 38 Gilbert St., Le Roy, is charged with trespass. Robinson is accused of remaining at a hotel on Oak Street after being told to leave by hotel staff and a Batavia PD officer.

William G. Raschi, 62, of 5630 W. Lake Road, Conesus, is charged with felony DWI, unlicensed operation, unsafe lane change, failure to stop for traffic signal and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Raschi was stopped on East Main Street, Batavia, at 5:57 p.m. Saturday, by Officer Matt Lutey. The charge is a felony because of an alleged prior DWI conviction in the previous 10 years. Raschi was jailed without bail pending a court appearance today.

Steven J. Raimondi, 19, of 679 E. Main St., is charged with possession of alcohol under age 21. Raimondi allegedly hosted a large underage drinking party at his residence, which was reported at 1:12 a.m., Sunday. A 16-year-old female was also charged.

Paul B. Heale, 58, of 234 Ellicott St., lower, Batavia, is charged with DWAI. Heale was stopped following a complaint of a possibly intoxicated driver at 2:30 p.m. Thursday on Pearl Street by Officer Eric Hill.

Robert D. Griffin Sr., 34, of 319 E. Main St., Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal mischief, 4th. Griffin is accused of breaking a window by throwing a boot at it during an argument and then preventing a female from calling police by taking her mobile phone.

Frank J. Falcone, 27, of 10599 Main St., upper, Alexander, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Falcone was charged following a lengthy investigation by Batavia PD into an incident in the parking lot of Billy Goats on Oct. 20. Falcone is accused of kicking a vehicle, causing damage, and of punching and slapping the owner of the vehicle.

Tharon Joseph Kunkle, 52, of Read Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, operating an ATV on a public highway and unregistered ATV. Kunkle was charged after allegedly being observed driving his ATV on Route 5, Batavia at 2:32 a.m. Sunday by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Samantha Nicole Frear, 25, of Hempstead Avenue, Buffalo, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Town of Darien Court by Buffalo PD following a traffic stop.  The warrant stems from a harassment, 2nd, charge in November, 2009. 

John J. Maroni, 50, of Clay, is charged with possession of unstamped cigarettes, DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to use/improper use of four-way flashers, and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Maroni was arrested following a report of a vehicle parked along the roadway on Oakfield-Elba Townline Road, Oakfield at 7:13 p.m., Friday.

Vincent Donald Henning, 35, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with BAC of .18 or greater, improper right turn and unlicensed operator. Henning was stopped on Seven Springs Road, Batavia, at 10:47 p.m. Friday by Deputy James Diehl.

Andrew Garry Anderson, 28, of Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding in zone (65 in a 40 mph zone). Anderson was stopped on Route 77, Basom, at 12:25 a.m. Friday by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Danielle R. Dixon, 29, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Dixon was stopped at 2:30 a.m. Sunday on Hutton Road, Oakfield, by State Police.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2012 award recipients.

The honorees are:

• Business of the Year: Oliver’s Candies, LLC  
• Agricultural Business of the Year: Empire Tractor, Inc.
• Innovative Community Contribution of the Year: Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden
• Special Recognition of the Year: St. Joseph Catholic School
• Geneseeans of the Year: James Neider & Lois Gerace

The 41st annual awards ceremony will be April 13 at the Clarion Hotel, Batavia. Tickets are $50 per person and a table of 10 is $450.

The evening begins at 5:30 with hors d’oeuvres, entrée tables & cash bar (no formal sit-down dinner is to be served). At 7, the Award Program begins at which time dessert and coffee will be served.

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The National Weather Service reports that precipitation has changed from snow to freezing rain, making untreated roads especially slick.

More reports are coming in of cars off the roadway and a school bus having a hard time getting up Molasses Hill Road, Bethany.

Ice accumulations of several hundredths of an inch up to a tenth of an inch are expected before temperatures rise above freezing.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 1 p.m.

The weather service warns, "use extreme caution as road conditions may deteriorate rapidly and become icy with little warning."

An electrical fire is reported at Denny's Restaurant, 364 W. Main St., Batavia.

City fire is responding.

UPDATE 7:43 a.m.: City fire on scene, nothing showing. National Grid requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:45 a.m.: City command: "We still have fire box, we're going to need them here as quick as they can." National Grid's been advised.

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.: Health Department requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:59 a.m.: National Grid on scene.

UPDATE 8:11 a.m.: City code enforcement requested to the scene.

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Batavia PD has requested city fire to respond to the Jackson Street side of the Verizon building, 22 Center St., for possible smoke coming from the building.

UPDATE 12:11 p.m.: Broken water line on the roof.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m.: A Verizon rep has arrived to secure the building and the city assignment is back in service.

UPDATE: There was concern about how long it would take for a Verizon rep to respond so a DPW crew repaired the leak. The water was spraying onto the former Mortellaro building.

Bill Wood, a former chief of the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department has been a firefighter for the past year and his dedication to the department, his willingness to teach younger members and respond to numerous calls earned him the Firefighter of the Year award at the department's annual installation and awards dinner on Saturday evening.

His brother, Tom Wood, is chief for 2013. Dale Ehrhart is 1st assistant chief and Tim Hogle is 2nd assistant chief. Josh Pfendler is business president and Laurie Bater is president of the auxiliary. Bill Seeley is chairman of the fire commissioners.

For this dinner, we tried something a little different for photos. Often when I attend these dinners, getting good pictures of the chiefs and the winners proves difficult because of poor lighting or poor backgrounds (for pictures), so last week I purchased a backdrop stand and a nice cotton U.S. flag. It seems to have worked out pretty well tonight and I intend to bring this set up to any future similar events I'm asked to attend.

For those who attended and wish to purchase pictures, there is a link in the upper right of the slide show below, or click here.

A reader alerted us Saturday that she had seen a swan on the Tonawanda Creek earlier behind Settler's. Sure enough, we found this big white bird hanging out with the geese.

Claire Pfalzer describes her husband Andrew as "hockey crazy." For the past six years, he's had his own ice rink next to their home on Sliker Road in Pembroke.

Last year, it was cold enough to use the rink for only five or six days all winter.

This year's cold snap was well timed to allow the Pfalzers to invite all of their friends over for a daylong skate on Andrew's birthday. Andrew even has lights installed above the rink so the sun going down doesn't mean the end of hockey.

To purchase prints: These photos along with some others from the ice rink today (along with other Saturday photos) are in this gallery (click here).

Saturday, the Village of Corfu celebrated its annual Winterfest with music, hockey, magic, clowns and food.

Above, Paul "Sebar" Schuler fashions a balloon butterfly for 3-year-old Sydney, with her mother, Laura Corbitt, of Corfu.

Deputy Brian Thompson provided demonstrations of his K-9 work with "Pharaoh."

Aaron Wilkins, of Corfu, brought several of his snakes for visitors to see.

Joanne Furer and Ben, 10, of Pittsford, make a "bobble head" video.

To purchase prints: These photos along with some others from Corfu today (along with other Saturday photos) are in this gallery (click here).

An overloaded fireplace is reportedly "leaking fire" at 9767 Roanoke Road, Stafford.

Stafford fire is responding. York fire is responding, and also filling in for Le Roy at Le Roy's fire hall, as well as any other available Le Roy personnel (Le Roy held its annual awards and installation dinner tonight).

UPDATE 10:54 p.m.: Chief on scene reports fire contained to the fire box.

UPDATE 11:05 p.m.: Fire is out. Ventilating.

UPDATE 11:36 p.m.: Stafford and York back in service. York returning to Le Roy's hall for standby duty.

From Sheriff Gary Maha:

I have been receiving numerous inquiries in reference to what is the New York State Sheriffs' position with regard to the NY SAFE Act.

Fifty-two of the 58 Sheriffs met during our annual winter conference last week in Albany, NY, and discussed this legislation at length. There are a number of provisions in the law that the Sheriffs find to be helpful to law enforcement and to our citizens. However, there are also a number of provisions which cause us concern, and which we think should be revisited by the Governor and State Legislature. The Sheriffs of New York State are willing to work with the Governor and State Legislature as revisions and additions to the NY SAFE Act are considered.

Attached is the position statement of the New York State Sheriffs with regard to the NY SAFE Act. This position statement was sent to the Governor and State Legislative leaders.

Click here to read the position statement (PDF).

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed a program that would help local governments save on near-term pension costs, potentially relieving local administrations of a major budgeting challenge, but both County Manager Jay Gsell and City Manager Jason Molino are reacting to the news with some caution.

Molino said until he can fully study the budget bill, assuming this provision even moves forward, he can't really comment on it.

He isn't yet ready to agree with the governor that the city will realize $3.1 million in pension savings over the next five years.

In a press release yesterday, Cuomo isn't promising local governments that they will completely avoid the pension expense, just some relief from near-term pension cost instability.

From the press release:

Under the plan, localities are given the option for a stable pension contribution rate that significantly reduces near-term payments but still keeps the pension systems fully funded over the long term. Local governments which opt in would avoid significant volatility in contribution rates and be better able to plan for the future. Though the locality receives short-term relief, because the contribution rate remains fixed, the total amount paid into the fund by the locality would not be diminished over the life of agreement, thereby maintaining the fiscal stability of the pension fund.

While over the next five years, Genesee County could receive a $11.5 million benefit over five years under the plan, Gsell is also keeping the proposal at arm's length.

Here's his e-mail response:

On the surface it is intriguing, but there are concerns as to the back-end balloon escalators in 10 to 25 years and what Comptroller Dinapoli will do every 5 years to "protect" the retirement system dollars is a major note of caution. This could be the NYS version of the Titanic iceberg, only it involves our budgets and employees retirement assets. Once the full details and not just the second-floor spin are revealed we will look at our pay-as-you-go options.

A year ago, Albany enacted a Tier VI retirement plan, which covers only new hires by government agencies. The plan will supposedly greatly reduce local government pension costs, but not for decades from now. What Cuomo is proposing now is to shift those savings so local governments can realize some benefit from Tier VI in the near term.

In the press release, Cuomo hails the plan as a major step toward helping local governments.

"The difficult financial pressures facing localities are well-known here in Albany, and my administration from day one has been committed to helping local governments meet their budgetary obligations as well as continue to provide critical services to their residents," Governor Cuomo said. "While the Tier VI reforms were a major step toward helping local governments deal with the pension crisis, we understand that more help is needed. For this reason, the Executive Budget proposed the Stable Rate option to offer local governments and schools a bridge to the long-term savings of Tier VI, as well as greater predictability."