The City of Batavia has issued a summons to the owners of Northside Meadows to appear in Batavia City Court next month to answer criminal charges in connection with Batavia Municipal Code violations at the three-building, 24-unit apartment complex at 335 Bank St.

According to documents obtained by The Batavian through the Freedom of Information Law, the summons lists a court date of 10 a.m. Nov. 18 to address offenses pertaining to ongoing roof, drainage and fire classification violations.

Correspondence dated Sept. 29 from Doug Randall, City of Batavia code enforcement officer, indicates that on June 29, 2021 through Sept. 27, 2021, the following violations did exist:

• Roofs and drainage. The asphalt roof coverings are deteriorated, missing material, and not maintained in a sound and tight condition on the two (center and rear) residential buildings located on this property.

• Fire classification: General. Two of the residential buildings – center and rear buildings – are covered with gray plastic tarps. The tarps are not approved roof covering materials.

The notice states that “since notification of 7/1/21 and 9/10/21 (similar violations), the defendant has failed and/or refused to satisfactorily correct cited violations of the City of Batavia Municipal Code and/or New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.”

Additionally, “… the structures at 335 Bank St., Batavia, continue to be in violation of the Property Maintenance Code and Building Code of NYS. That pursuant to B.M.C. (Batavia Municipal Code) 51-45 B, each day that the violation continues is a separate violation.”

The violation notice sent out on Sept. 10 after a re-inspection of the premises called for Northside Meadows Association to correct the violations by Sept. 27. Should this action result in a conviction, the owner would be subject to a maximum fine of $250 and/or 15 days in jail for each and every day that you remain in violation.

Contacted today, property manager David Renzo of V&V Development Corp. of Batavia, said he was aware of the latest inspection violation notice but did not know about the summons. He said he wants to get the roofs fixed as soon as possible and also to pay more than $160,000 in back taxes owed to the city.

“I’m trying to devise a plan to get them paid and get the roofs done,” he said. “We got the blacktop done, but we still are going back and forth with USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) on trying to figure out a plan on how to get the roofs done and the taxes paid.”

A previous violation notice from the city did reveal that the sidewalks and driveways at Northside Meadows were in violation, but that does not appear on the latest notice.

“We fixed the driveways by funding that out of operations,” he said.

Renzo said he has a roofing contractor lined up to do the work.

“I had to submit a plan of action (to the USDA),” he said. “My first plan was to request additional funding to get it done. And I requested to pay it off in three or four years. However, they’re saying that it would be a burden on the project, and that we have to establish some other kind of financing – either through them or through a third party or bank.”

He said he working on a “Plan B,” so to speak, adding, “We’re going to figure this out one way or another. We can’t let it go any further.”

As far as the tax situation, the City Clerk’s office reported that $167,544.26 is owed to the city in back taxes.

Tax bills have been paid recently at two other subsidized housing sites managed by V&V Development – Le Roy Meadows and Corfu Meadows.

The Genesee County Treasurer’s office confirmed that a payment of $615,851.84 was received on Aug. 26 for taxes on Le Roy Meadows and a payment of $62,195.13 was received on Sept. 27 for taxes at Corfu Meadows.

Renzo said that roof work on three of the 10 buildings at Le Roy Meadows, 16 Genesee St., has been completed, with the remaining seven to be done on an “as needed basis.”

Previously: City inspection violation notices call upon Northside Meadows management to rectify roof, driveway issues

Previously: Le Roy Meadows manager says plan will address $600,000 in back taxes, needed repairs

Medina’s Curtis Foss captured his sixth Genesee Region USBC Masters Tournament title on Sunday at Medina Lanes, holding off a spirited challenge from Batavian Jim Pursel to claim the $550 first prize.

Foss, 34, took a 53-point edge over Pursel into the position round final game of the eight-player Peterson Point round-robin match play finals. That meant that Pursel, 54, would have to beat Foss by 24 pins in the last game to claim his first Masters crown.

In Peterson Point competition, bowlers receive 30 points for a victory and plus or minus points based on their score when compared to 200.  So, if a bowler rolls a 220 game and wins the match, he would get 50 points.

Pursel, who averaged 247.7 for his eight games yesterday, defeated Foss, 238-237, in the decisive game, but it wasn’t enough to win the tournament as Foss finished with 572 Peterson Points to 550 for Pursel, who earned $280.

The final match was close throughout with both bowlers registered a string of strikes in the last half of the game. Foss entered the 10^th frame on a three-timer and then spared and got nine on the last ball for the 237.  Pursel also had three in a row going into the 10^th, and added two more strikes and nine for the 238.

“It was exciting,” said Foss. “Jim kept the pressure on me that’s for sure.”

Foss started the day with a bang by topping Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls, 267-234, in the opening match between No. 1 and No. 2 seeds from Saturday’s semifinals.

The high-revving right-hander went on to win six of his next seven matches, including a 279-214 victory over Pursel in game six.

Culp, the 2016 Masters champion, kept on his heels, however, riding a 289-258 win over Batavian Geoff Harloff in game six to pull within 50 points of Foss.

Game seven was a big one for Pursel as the 109 Peterson Points earned for his 279-160 win over Medina’s Hayden Allis put him within striking distance of Foss, who gained just 33 points with his 203-180 victory over Alex Allis of Medina.

Using Roto Grip Idol Pearl and Storm Axiom Pearl balls in the finals, Foss – who didn’t miss a spare in his 16 tournament games -- pointed to games six and seven as keys to his victory.

“The sixth game was huge, especially because Scott started with the first 10 strikes (en route to the 289), so I needed a big score,” Foss said. “In the seventh game (against Alex Allis), the pair we were on, 17-18, was really tricky and I was able to get four strikes at the end to get to 200 (actually 203) and win.”

Pursel put up big scores throughout the day, but ran into tough luck in his first three matches, losing 215-211 to Harloff in game one, 254-247 to Culp in game two and 269-255 to Jim Foss of Medina in game three before rallying to win four of his last five matches.

“I bowled well; a couple carries here and there could have made the difference, but all the bowlers got tapped at times,” said Pursel, another bowler who generates a lot of revolutions on the ball. “Give Curtis credit, he’s a horse and he’s tough to beat in these things. I have no problem losing to Curtis.”

Batavian Jason Quilliam placed third with 443 points, averaging 226 for the finals while compiling a 7-1 match play record. He posted victories over Culp in games seven and eight to jump into the third spot, good for $220.

Culp placed fourth with 433 points and won $190. He was followed by Jim Foss (321 points, $180), Harloff (304 points, $170), Alex Allis (182 points, $160) and Hayden Allis (177 points, $150). All of the finals are right-handers.

Other cashers from Saturday’s semifinals were Mark Brown of Attica, $110; John Ross of Middleport, $100; Matt Balduf of South Byron, $90, and Devon Leach of Batavia, $80.

Curtis Foss won his first Masters tournament in 2008 at Mancuso’s, and followed that with victories in 2009 at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, 2014 at Medina Lanes, 2015 at Letchworth Pines in Portageville and 2019 at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield. The tournament did not take place in 2020.

The two-day tournament drew 42 entries.

Previously: Culp, Foss are 1-2 heading into Masters bowling finals

Submitted photo: Mike Johnson, center, Genesee Region USBC president, congratulates Curtis Foss, left, and Jim Pursel after an exciting Masters Tournament finals.

Longtime bowler Charlie Say Jr. etched his name into the Bennington Lanes history book on Oct. 14 when he recorded the eight-lane center's first United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect game in the Thursday Night 4-Man League.

The 57-year-old right-hander – a member of the Say’s Small Engine team with his brothers, Jeff and Peter, and friend, Tony Stockus – rolled 12 consecutive strikes in the middle game of his series on lanes 5-6, using The Fix bowling ball by Radical.

A 175-180 average bowler, Say started with a 182 game.

He said he moved up a bit on the approach after that and got into a groove.

After the string of strikes reached nine, the nerves set in.

“I was OK up until then, but then I was really shaking,” said Say, whose previous string of strikes from the start of a game was seven.

He put the first two balls in the 10^th frame in the 1-3 pocket, but the last one was pulled to the left.

“I thought I was going to get a split, but it turned out to be a solid Brooklyn strike,” he said.

Say finished with 160 for a 642 series. He said there have been a few 300 games in non-sanctioned leagues at Bennington Lanes but this was the first that will be certified by the USBC (qualifying him for a ring).

Bennington Lanes is part of the Greater Buffalo USBC.

In Genesee Region USBC action, Batavia left-hander Rich Wagner, who rolled an 899 series at Mancuso Bowling Center last season, added another 300 to his long list of honor scores this week.

Wagner posted his perfect game en route to a 783 series in the Wednesday Men’s Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, where he is averaging 241 for 18 games this season.

At Le Roy Legion Lanes, John Lowe came within a pin of perfection, leaving a 7-pin on the final ball for a 299 in the American Legion Thursday Night Men's League.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Honeoye Falls’ Scott Culp and Medina’s Curtis Foss, two of the Genesee Region USBC’s most prolific bowlers, nailed down the top two spots on Saturday for the eight-game Peterson Point match play finals of the 59^th GRUSBC Masters Tournament at Medina Lanes.

The final round, which features the eight bowlers who advanced through eight games yesterday, begins at noon this afternoon.

Culp, a former Masters champion, averaged 249.6 for his eight games – tallying 1,997 pins on 1,020 in the qualifying round and 977 in the semifinals – to earn the No. 1 seed.

Foss, who rolled a 300 game in the qualifying round, knocked down 1,931 pins – 1,005 in qualifying and 926 in the semis. Foss will be looking for his sixth Masters crown.

The semifinals featured the top 12 of the 42 bowlers who entered the tournament, with the top eight advancing to the round-robin finals.

Jim Pursel of Batavia also cracked the 1,900 mark, finishing with a 279 final game to grab the No. 3 seed. Pursel had 934 in qualifying and 978 in the semis.

Rounding out the finals’ field of competitors who will be vying for the $550 first prize are:

• Geoff Harloff of Batavia, 959-917—1,876;
• Hayden Allis of Medina, 963-900—1,863;
• Jason Quilliam of Batavia, 897-927—1,824;
• Jim Foss of Medina, 958-852—1,810;
• Alex Allis of Medina, 901-882—1,783.

Missing out, but cashing, were Mark Brown of Attica (1,763), John Ross of Middleport (1,740), Matt Balduf of South Byron (1,735) and Devon Leach of Batavia (1,691).

For the third straight year Batavia boys Varsity soccer took on Livonia in the Sec V B1 playoffs and for the third straight year they fell to them, tonight with a score of 3 to 1.  Batavia did put up a fight controlling the ball for some stints during the game. They did only managed only 5 shots on goal to Livonia's 21. 

Batavia's defense was very busy with 12 saves for the evening. Livonia kept the pressure up on the defense scoring quickly at the beginning of both periods. 

Congratulations to the Batavia Boys Varsity soccer team for a winning season.

There was  a Halloween Trick or Treat family event at Dwyer Stadium Saturday afternoon.  This event appeared to be very well attended by the community.  Business gave away candy to the children there was also a bull ride, face painting and pumpkin painting. The children walked through the stadium and infield gathering top shelf candy from tables and booths with different holiday decorations set up by the business that took part in the event. 

Senior running back Drew Edwards ran for two first-half touchdowns and junior quarterback Jimmy Fanara passed for four second-half TDs to lead the host Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a 41-0 victory over Clyde-Savannah in Section V Class D football action this afternoon.

The Irish, 3-5, handed the Golden Eagles their sixth shutout loss in seven games this season. Clyde-Savannah’s only win was a 7-6 decision against Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale two weeks ago.

Notre Dame drove to the C-S 16-yard line on its opening possession but turned the ball over on a fumble into the end zone. The Irish made up for that miscue in short order when Edwards capped its next drive with a 19-yard burst off left tackle with 5:47 left in the first quarter (photo above).

Moments later, a high snap over quarterback Logan Massey's head resulted in a safety for the home team when Massey was able to cover the ball in the end zone.

The Irish scored again on the ensuing possession on a six-yard run by Edwards at the 2:30 mark of the opening period. Hayden Groff ran twice for 13 yards and Edwards broke off an 18-yard run to set up the TD. Junior kicker Brandon Carrick booted the point after touchdown to make the scored 15-0.

Notre Dame failed to score in the second quarter as a couple unsportsmanlike conducted penalties thwarted two drives.

While having success on the ground behind the offensive line of center Dalton Hamm, guards Mavrik Hall and Connor McWilliams and tackles Camden King and Joe Trewer, the Irish took to the air after intermission to put the game away.

Fanara hit Ryan Fitzpatrick from 21 yards out early in the third quarter to make it 22-0 (after Carrick’s PAT) and found Bryceton Berry from five yards out with 4:40 left in the period for a 28-0 advantage. A 34-yard pass from Fanara to Berry was the key play leading up to the five-yard TD pass.

The Irish closed out the scoring on a couple more TD passes by Fanara – both to senior Evan Cummings, from 10 yards out with eight minutes left in the game and from 10 yards out in the final minute. Groff had a 22-yard run en route to the first of Cummings’ scoring receptions.

Statistically, ND rushed for 291 yards and passed for 126 for 417 yards of total offense, while the Irish defense held C-S to 24 yards of total offense, including minus 58 on the ground.

Edwards carried 15 times for 114 yards and the two TDs, while Groff gained 75 yards on 12 carries. Fanara, the T.F. Browns Player of the Game, hit nine of 14 passes for 126 yards and the four touchdowns. Cummings caught four passes for 40 yards (and the two scores).

On defense, Conner McWilliams had seven tackles, two fumble recoveries and a sack; Vin DiRisio had six tackles, a fumble recovery and gained possession for ND on a squib kickoff; and Edwards had six tackles.

Notre Dame Coach Joe Zambito said it looks like the Irish will be the No. 7 seed for the sectional playoffs, anticipating a game at Avon on Friday night although it is not official yet.

"We're going in with some momentum but it has been a very difficult year," he said. "I've never seen injuries like this -- losing three key two-way starters (QB/Safety Colin McCulley, LB/TE Cody Henry and LB/RB George Woodruff). But, maybe we can upset the apple cart next week."

Brandon Carrick kicks off for the Irish.

Anthony Fiorentino closes in on C-S runner Detrick Rose.

Lineman Joe Trewer, left, and LB Vin DiRisio pouncing on the ball for a fumble recovery.

ND records a safety.

Another TD for Edwards.

C-S quarterback Logan Massey was under pressure all game.

Before the game, the school recognized its seniors. Their posters were put up on the fence outside Bill Sutherland Field. From left, Drew Edwards, Colin McCulley, Conner McWilliams, Dalton Hamm, Evan Cummings, Vin DiRisio and Camden King. Photos by Jim Burns.

The executive director of the All Babies Cherished Pregnancy Assistance Center said about $4,000 was raised today for the nonprofit, pro-life organization through its second Fall Festival at the Batavia City Centre concourse.

"There are 90 vendors here and they're all doing well," Sue Sherman said during the event that ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. "They're selling their goods and it's a great representation of things that the community has to offer."

Sherman said ABC receives the vendor fees charged to the entrepreneurs, while "the proceeds they (vendors) make here are for the fruits of the their labor."

The procees comes at an opportune time for ABC, Sherman added, as it is setting up a house it has acquired to be used as temporary living quarters for the homeless women the organization serves.

"It will probably be between eight months and a year before we're able to open it for girls to live there. It's a work in progress but we're very thankful that we have one," she said.

The event has become one of the nonprofit organization's major fundraisers, she said, crediting volunteer Lucille DiSanto for her efforts in coordinating the show.

Program Coordinator Mona Doyon said she considered it "a blessing" to see the mall used again and being able meet and greet people.

She also said she is looking forward to ABC's virtual fundraising event this Thursday.

The agency will be hosting a free online fundraiser at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 in commemoration of its 25th year.

Le Roy resident Alexandra Andrews will tell her story as an abortion survivor.

A wife and mother of three, she said her testimony centers upon the ways God revealed His plan for her life, bringing her out of an orphanage in Russia to share a message of mercy, healing and forgiveness.

A registered nurse, Andrews is an active member at her church and serves on the ABC board of directors.

For more information, call 344-5660, go to www.allbabiescherished.com or www.facebook.com/AllBabiesCherishedPregnancyCenter/ 

All Babies Cherished Program Coordinator Mona Doyon, left, and Executive Director Sue Sherman.

Rochester Regional Health "Baby Cafe" employees Jay Balduf, left, and Linda Lee Stoiber greet Barb Worthington and her grandkids, Fae and Arlo Hoisington.

It's all about unique holiday decor at the Creative Crafts by Lori table. From left are Rochester area residents Donna Erickson, Lori Mariani (owner) and R.J. Kessler.

Delevan area residents Sue McKay (owner) and friend Kristi Cain at Grandma's Love Boutique, which features mittens, bows, stockings, washcloths and scrubbies.

Checking out the selection of items at the basket raffle table. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Q. What is a Workers’ Compensation claim?
A. A Workers’ Compensation claim is a legal action that occurs when you get hurt during the course of your employment. In New York State you cannot sue your employer. When you get hurt at work, the Workers’ Compensation system provides for lost time financial payments and medical treatment required as a result of your work-related injury.

Q. How do I know if I have a Workers’ Compensation claim?
A. If you sustain an injury during the course of your employment, you should contact our office for a free case evaluation as soon as possible. We can help you determine if you have a Workers’ Compensation claim and assist you in filing the proper paperwork.

Q. How long do I have to file a Workers’ Compensation claim?
A. You are required to report your injury to your employer within 30 days. There is also a two-year time limit to file a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Board. Failure to adhere to these time limits can result in a denial of your claim.

Q. Is a Workers’ Compensation claim my only recourse if I am hurt at work?
A. In New York State, you cannot sue your employer. In some circumstances, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed in addition to a Workers’ Compensation claim. This includes, but is not limited to, injuries sustained in a work-related motor vehicle accident, constructions injuries, or injuries sustained at a location not owned by your employer. Our team of attorneys at Dolce Panepinto will assess your claim to ensure that every legal avenue available to you is pursued.

Q. How much does a Workers’ Compensation Attorney cost? 
A. Workers’ Compensation fees are generated on a contingent basis. This means that we only receive payment if we generate money in connection with your Workers’ Compensation claim. More information on contingent fees can be found here. Additionally, our attorneys can explain our attorney fees in greater detail.

Q. Do I need an attorney?
A. While an attorney is not required, it is strongly recommended that you retain an attorney. The Workers’ Compensation Law is complex, confusing, and often difficult to navigate. The insurance carrier will have an attorney fighting on their behalf, we recommend that you have an attorney fighting on your behalf. Having an attorney means ensuring your rights are protected, maximizing your benefits, and making sure your questions and concerns are addressed.

Dolce Panepinto works tirelessly to protect the rights of injured workers by making sure that those responsible are held accountable. If you or a family member are injured at work, or in your private life, contact us today for a free case evaluation at (585) 815-9003. For further questions regarding Workers' Compensation Law or to contact Dolce Panepinto: click here.

Charles Earl Ford, 57, of Woodfield Road, Baldwin, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd.  Ford was located at 6:52 a.m., Oct. 18, by a homeowner on Galloway Road, Batavia, sleeping in a car parked in the garage of the residence.  Ford was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Liza Monica Bezczynski, 26, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with violation of a court order by physical contact and harassment 2nd. Bezczynski allegedly struck and kicked a person at a residence on Pearl Street at 11:46 a.m., Friday.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

Drug Take-Back Day continues until 2 p.m. in the Alva Place parking lot in Batavia. You can turn in your unused or expired medications for safe disposal to help prevent prescription drug abuse, accidental poisoning, and protect the environment.

There are also locations at the Pembroke Town Hall and the Le Roy Police Department.

Photo: Officer Stephen Quider, K-9 Batu, and Detective Jason Ivison.

The Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Aggies wrapped up their regular season with a perfect 8-0 record on Friday with a convincing 58-14 win over Geneseo.

The Aggies sit atop Class D heading into the post-season.

Gaige Armbrewster rushed for 155 yards, scored twice, on eight carries.  

QB Bodie Hyde gained 122 yards on the ground, taking the ball into the end zone twice on six carries.  He was 1-1 passing with a 68-yard TD and notched 10 tackles on defense.

Also at QB, Kameron Cusmano was 3-5 passing for 65 yards and rushed for 39 yards on five carries scoring one TD.  On defense, he had nine tackles.

Connor Scott had a 68-yard TD reception.

CJ Gottler lead the defense with 13 tackles and a sack.  Ethan Cramer, nine tackles and a fumble recovery.

"We are very pleased with how the boys started this game," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "From the first whistle, they executed at a high level and that did not waiver during the course of the game.  This was a good way for us to build some momentum heading into sectionals."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

The Blue Devils offense once again proved too much for an opposing defense as Batavia beat Wilson Magnet at home on Friday 42-20.

Cam McClinic scored two touchdowns on six carries for 42 yards. Jesse Reinhart rushed for a touchdown and toss one while going 5-6 passing.

Javin McFollins had a TD reception on two catches for 32 yards. Vincent Arroyo caught a 46-yard TD pass and Aiden Anderson caught a 25-yard TD pass.

On defense, Kaden Marucci had eight tackles. 

Other Friday games:

Alexander 10 over Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen, 10-0.  Brayden Woods carried the ball 20 times for 51 yards.  Nick Kramer had 11 carries for 77 yards and a TD.  He was also 4-6 passing for 25 yards.  The Trojans finish the regular season 7-1.

Oakfield-Alabama beat Geneseo/Mount Morris, 58-14.

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

City schools officials are on a journey to dole out warm welcomes, and they’re taking Batavia Blue Devils on board for the ride.

Or make that, onboarding: an effort that more companies and organizations are making to fully integrate new employees.  For Batavia City School District, this means tours, group sessions to complete required paperwork, and more down-to-earth greetings, says Trisha Finnigan, executive director of operations.

“When inviting them for an interview or screening, it starts with ‘thank you for applying to become a member of the Blue Devils family,’” she said during Thursday’s Board of Education meeting. “We start with that notion that we are a family from the get-go.”

Unlike traditional orientations, usually done in groups to review policies and procedures, onboarding is to acclimate new hires and ensure “they have access to the things they need from the onset,” Finnigan said. Whereas orientations are typically a one-time event, onboarding will be a process of 12 or more months, she said. 

“It’s a process of integrating new employees over that period of time,” she said.  

An informational page of new employees, or those that moved into different positions, and their photos will be included in this effort, she said. People will better be able to place names with faces and know those who work in other school buildings, she said. 

Finnigan is scheduling one-on-one meetings with new employees to find out what they liked about the hiring process and what could have been done differently, she said. 

According to Glassdoor research, a great employee onboarding program can improve employee retention by 82 percent. Human Capital Institute states that 87 percent of employers credit buddy programs for boosting new hire proficiency. Batavia’s onboarding agenda includes a mentoring buddy, Finnigan said. 

The board later approved a slate of new employees, all of which will get to know the rest of the Blue Devils family soon enough. 

Other board approvals went to an inter-municipal agreement between Livonia Central School District and the Batavia district for shared remote/digital learning and a revised agreement with Mary Cariola Children’s Center.     

The introduction of new computer software means that it’s time to say good-bye to an old -- and outdated -- permitting and licensing fee schedule for the City of Batavia, according to a memo from City Manager Rachael Tabelski dated Oct. 25 and sent out ahead of Monday’s City Council Conference Meeting.

Council will convene at 7 p.m. for the Conference Meeting, which features a full slate of agenda items. A Special Business Meeting set up to vote on three of those items will follow.

In the memo, Tabelski promotes Energov software, a program that creates digital files for permits and licensing that will make life easier for Inspection Bureau staff. However, some of the current fees are not articulated clearly enough to jive with that software.

Additionally, she reports that a review of the city’s current processes and procedures – along with permit fees – was conducted.

Noting that the fee schedule hasn’t been updated in at least 15 years and has resulted in varying, inaccurate cost calculations, she is proposing a new fee schedule – a revised list of charges for certain projects that was approved by the Inspections Bureau, Plumbing Board and Bureau of Maintenance.

“In order to ensure that permit fees can be calculated in Energov and to create a permit fee schedule that is fair to all, a new fee schedule is proposed,” Tabelski wrote. “Many permits are proposed to be a flat fee. Permits that are not a flat fee have been structured for easy calculation by staff, the public and will easily compute in Energov.”

The memo indicates that work performed by the property owner will be calculated by square foot. If the project is not included on the list of flat fee permits – such as a porch rebuild or removal of a load-bearing wall – then the value of the cost of the project would be multiplied by 1.2 percent to determine the fee. Also, the fee will triple if work is done without a permit.

If approved by Council, changes would take effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

Tabelski put together a chart showing items up for revision and compared the proposed new cost to fees in Canandaigua, Lockport, Rome and Glens Falls.

Items on the list for revision, followed by the current fee, proposed fee (in bold), and fees in the four cities listed above in order:

• Re-roof all 1-family dwelling (2,200 sq ft - $13,000) -- $52, $65, $100, $59, $75, $50.
• Re-roof porch only (350 sq ft - $1,800) -- $40, $35, $100, $51, $75, $50.
• Re-roof commercial (1,200 sq ft - $26,000) -- $113, $312, $100, $150, $200, $150.
• Six-foot vinyl fence ($15,000) -- $65, $65, $50, $20, $75, $25.
• Six-foot wood fence ($7,000) -- $43, $65, $50, $20, $75, $25.
• Entire house vinyl siding (1,600 sq ft - $14,000) -- $53.50, $65, $480, $47, $75, $400.
• 1-family (375 sq ft - $22,000) -- $115.50, $264, $300, $150, $100, $200.
• Commercial addition (1,400 sq ft-$105,000) -- $550, $1,260, $500, $350, $200, $350.

Other Conference Meeting agenda items are as follows:

• Agreements with the Town of Batavia for city personnel to repair and maintain 31 street lights the town is putting up on Park Road in the area of Batavia Downs Gaming and a traffic control device the town is installing at the intersection of Route 98 and Federal Drive, north of the city.

In both cases, the city would invoice the town for labor and material costs.

Currently, city employees maintain the traffic light for the town at Veterans Memorial Drive and the Towne Center.

• Acceptance of a $500,000 Restore New York Grant that was awarded to the city in 2017 to assist Savarino Companies for demolition, rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the existing former National Grid electric building in connection with the Ellicott Station project.

As a condition of disbursing the funds to Savarino, the Buffalo developer is required to enter into an “Undertaking Agreement” with the city to assume a portion or all of the obligations of the city under the grant.

• Mid-fiscal year transfers due to expenses incurred in excess of budgeted amounts set in April.

These include $30,000 from the contingency fund into the legal services budget for increased litigation costs, $12,000 from contingency into the information technology budget for an increase in the number of monitored computer servers, and $25,000 from the public works administrative salary account to the DPW engineering account for expenses owed to LaBella Associates in light of the city’s ongoing search for a DPW director.

Visit/shop online: Oliver's Candies • Sweet Life Country Store

Costs are going up with unexpected elevator repairs at Batavia Middle School, as city Board of Education members voted Thursday to approve a transfer of $212,000 from the repair reserve fund. 

Business Administrator Scott Rozanski had reviewed the issues and scope of work at the Sept. 19 board meeting, with the vote to occur this month. Members unanimously and without discussion agreed to the transfer for what Rozanski deemed “the worst-case scenario.” 

The elevator stopped working in March. Board members had approved an initial transfer of $65,000 for anticipated repairs by Otis Elevator Company in May, Rozanski said. A hydraulic cylinder had ceased to operate and work was to begin then, he said, but supply chain issues delayed it for a while. Work eventually began to repair the cylinder, however, there was an obstruction that prevented anything to continue. 

Otis Elevator proposed three phases to be used as needed: Phase I would involve cleaning out the hole, removing the pipe, and continuing the necessary work. If the cylinder casing is good, the issue should be resolved, Rozanski said, and the repair could be completed. The price tag for this first phase would be $35,000.

If it is determined that the casing is bad, then they will move on to Phase II for a new casing and another $26,000. Phase III is the “worst-case scenario” of the first two solutions failing, he said. Work will expand to include redrilling the hole, removing all of the debris, and putting in a hoisting beam, all for an extra $86,000 on top of the other two-phase costs. All totaled, it would be an additional $147,495.

The board’s vote on Thursday changed the original transfer from $65,000 to $212,000 to cover all three options if necessary, Rozanski said. That would leave an available balance of $86,703 in the repair reserve, he said. 

At that September meeting, Interim Superintendent Scott Bischoping added that the district’s construction manager obtained second opinions on the recommended work and didn’t just go with Otis Elevator’s proposal.

“This isn’t just a one-company idea,” he said.

The board also approved Campus Construction Management’s proposed cost of $3,875 to conduct a feasibility study on the potential renovation expenses of Batavia Middle School. 

In other matters, School board members received some good news during the district’s annual audit Thursday. Christian Townes of Freed Maxick CPAs said the firm issued an “unmodified opinion” for the school district. 

 “Which is the highest level of assurance that we can provide,” she said.

The overall rating, having no significant deficiencies and having no material misstatements is “a testament” to the hard work the district invests into its financial-related statements, she said. 

“Financially, the district is in good shape,” she said. “Overall, you had a really great audit this year. It went smoothly and there are no negative matters to report to you.”

The board voted to accept and approve the final audited report, basic financial statements, and audited extra classroom activity financial statements ending June 30, 2021. 

With revenues from auto dealer work on the decline, Genesee County Clerk Michael Cianfrini is hoping for a change in New York State’s revenue-sharing practices as well as participation in a pilot program to provide a much-needed boost for local Department of Motor Vehicle offices.

Cianfrini, in his yearly departmental review at the County Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee meeting earlier this week, said a lack of vehicle inventory has resulted in decreased income for the county DMV.

“The volume of dealer work has dropped off pretty significantly in recent months – and that’s statewide,” he reported. “Every county clerk is experiencing the same thing. A lot of that has to do with inventory … so car sales have dropped off.”

County DMV staff continues to handle dealer work for both in-county and out-of-county entities, Cianfrini said, but the revenue thus far – about $132,000 through September – likely will lead to an amount less than what was generated in 2020.

He said he recently registered the local office to take part in a state-sponsored pilot program where local DMV offices will be able to process transactions received at the state office via mail or online.

“They’re (state DMV employees) behind right now in processing those transactions that are mailed into them,” he said. “They’re behind and we need the revenue so they started this program … where they mail (those) transactions to our county for us to process and return them to customers.”

Cianfrini said the pilot program is expected to start in November or December and “hopefully make up for some of the lost revenues from dealer sales being down.”

Mentioning that he attended the NYS Association of County Clerks conference in Poughkeepsie on Monday, Cianfrini said the group’s “biggest push this year is to increase the revenue sharing that we get from the state.”

He said local DMV offices receive 12.7 percent of revenue generated from in-office transactions and “a pittance” from online transactions.

“We will be trying to negotiate either an increase in the online share to bring it up to parity with the 12.7 percent we get in-office or some negotiated figure along those lines,” he advised. “We do the lion’s share of the work, yet we get a minimal amount of proceeds, so we don’t think that’s fair.”

Since August, the county DVM office has been open for residents of all counties without appointment, and continues to offer drop box service.

“We’re processing everything from the drop box or mailed (to us) the same day it is received and we get it turned around and mailed out that same day,” Cianfrini said. “One or two people are assigned to do just that.”

In areas concerning the Genesee County Clerk's office (which, along with the DMV, is located at County Building I pictured above), Cianfrini reported:

• Back-scanning of records to digital images continues, with deed indexes and actual deed images available back to 1927, mortgage index and images back to 1966, miscellaneous records back to 1974 and miscellaneous index back to 1926.

“I just solicited a bid to get our mortgage index books back to 1917 and also asked for an estimate to image our mortgage books back to 1917,” he said. “Each year we’re trying to push our image records farther and farther back, especially for our online record sales. This makes it that much more valuable when people can do their research farther back.”

• The clerk’s office began online record subscriptions in January 2020, and the practice has been successful – generating more than $33,000 thus far in 2021.

“We’re anticipating revenues of $45,000 for this year, which is significantly higher than last year,” he said. “We take these revenues as a credit against our IQS (Info Quick Solutions) document management services contract, so that lowers the contractual amount we have to pay each year.”

• To date, pistol permit applications have hit the 440 mark and amendments have reached 2,273 – numbers that are higher than historic averages.

• About $425,000 is projected in local mortgage tax revenue for 2021, up from $419,000 last year.