Pavilion Fire Police are responding for traffic control at a two-vehicle accident that is blocking traffic at Big Tree Road and Route 19.
UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: The Pavilion assignment is back in service.
The project manager of the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative’s renovation and redevelopment of the historic building at 99 Main St. said a new façade should be up by August following the removal of the original frontage this afternoon.
“I talked to the contractor today and he said that they will begin framing the wall on Monday or Tuesday of next week and then do the brick work,” said Todd Audsley of the Batavia-based smartDESIGN architecture. “It will probably be put back together in four to six weeks.”
Audsley said the new façade will be a frame wall with a brick veneer and will look similar to the old one.
“The new façade will be very much like it was but better construction, insulation, better windows, and new construction technology,” he said. “It’s kind of a facelift for the building, and just a better job of what was there.”
He said the building, erected in 1865, had some issues that needed correcting but the original façade, while not damaged, was worn out.
“The windows were shot. There was no insulation in the wall. The brick was fine but there were concrete sills and headers over those windows,” he said. “There had been some rock and water damage over the past 70 to 80 years. It was just time.”
The $1.1 million project includes renovation of all three floors of the 7,500-square-foot building. A dental practice operated by Kumar Neppalli, D.D.S., is on the first floor and the second floor is being developed for commercial office space. The third floor will include two two-bedroom market-rate apartments.
Audsley said the entire project will go on for several months.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Without any prior publicity, the Genesee Country Farmers' Market opened for the season today.
The public market is now located over by the former JC Penney building off of Alva Place.
We have no information on hours of operation this year.
Submitted photos and information from Mary Alice Loucks.
An Attica artist will be carving an abstract totem from a tree in Genesee County and the work starts tomorrow.
Jeffrey Loucks was given an Individual Artist Award by the Arts Council of Wyoming County to carve the totem into the shape of an obelisk on Maplewood Road in Alexander.
The project will take approximately one week. The public is welcome to come and see the sculptural carving and watch the tree transform and take its shape. Look for the safety cones and scaffolding surrounding the tree.
Loucks uses a chainsaw and burns the wood to preserve it using a Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique. His work is remarkable and beyond surprising to everyone who sees it, according to Mary Alice Loucks.
The artist award grant is made possible by the NYS Council of the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature; administered in Wyoming County by the Arts Council for Wyoming County.
Top photo: Jeffrey Loucks with the tree on Maplewood Road in Alexander that he will carve with a chainsaw into an obelisk.
Below, a completed carved obelisk by Attica artist Jeffrey Loucks.
Press release:
Officials from Genesee County, the City and Town of Batavia, Village of Oakfield, Village of Elba, and the Genesee County Department of Health are once again reminding residents connected to the Public Water Supply System to conserve water.
The call to conserve takes on even greater importance with unseasonably hot weather forecasted for next several days, including over the weekend and into next week.
Residents are urged to avoid filling swimming pools, watering lawns and washing cars and only use appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines for full loads.
Another conservation measure is to check faucets and pipes for leaks which often can be repaired with an inexpensive washer. Toilets also should be checked for leaks and can be done by putting a small amount of food coloring to the toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately.
Taking shorter showers also helps as five to 10 gallons are used per minute. To help conserve water in your shower use easy to install water-saving showerheads or flow restrictors which are available at area hardware or plumbing stores.
For more information, please contact Tim Hens, the Genesee County engineer, at (585) 344-8508 or the Genesee County Department of Health at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5510.
An accident is reported at Ellicott and Jackson streets in the city. Unknown injuries. City fire, police and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 11:39 a.m.: Two vehicles involved; two patients are being evaluated.
UPDATE 11:58 a.m.: A gold Chrysler minivan with Florida plates was southbound on Jackson and it appears to have missed the right turn lane when the driver decided to make a right anyway and go around the little turn island. At that point, the minivan was struck by a sedan. No injuries.
UPDATE AND CLARIFICATION (By Howard) 1:20 p.m.: Upon further investigation, police have determined the Chrysler van was southbound on Jackson and was not attempting a right turn. It was continuing straight. The van had a green light, according to Sgt. Mitch Cowen. The white vehicle was northbound (it might look like westbound on Ellicott Street but the state considers Route 63 a northbound/southbound roadway) and allegedly ran the red light. The driver of the Chrysler decided to be transported to UMMC for evaluation.
Representatives of Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese have visited the Le Roy Food & Tech Park in recent days, exploring the possibility of building a $500 million processing plant at the location off Route 19 and West Bergen Road.
While an officer of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, which owns the park, would not confirm or deny contact with company leadership, Le Roy Town Supervisor James Farnholz this morning told The Batavian that Great Lakes Cheese personnel have been at the 75-acre site.
“Yes, they have been out there and have been in contact, but I don’t know what the status of their negotiations are with landowners. That’s out of our realm,” Farnholz said.
Great Lakes Cheese has been in the news lately as it was looking to expand its operation by locating the new plant in Allegany County, where is already has the Empire Cheese facility in Cuba. Its plans, however, may have been scrapped due to several issues, including a controversial eminent domain seizure of farmland.
Calls to Heidi Eller, company chairman of the board, have not been returned.
A 480,000-square-foot ‘Super Plant’
A report by WGRZ-TV stated the new plant would consist of 480,000 square feet and would mirror other “super plants” owned by GLC in Hiram, Ohio; Plymouth, Wis.; Fillmore, Utah; and Manchester, Tenn.
It also stated that “wherever it ends up would still be eligible for around $200 million in tax incentives over 20 years.”
Mark Masse, senior vice president of operations for the GCEDC, said agency policy prohibits him from commenting until a project application has been submitted.
“We can not comment on projects that may or may not be coming here unless we have an application in hand,” he said. “That has been our stance for a very long time.”
Masse did speak to a referral filed Wednesday with the Genesee County Planning Board by the Town of Le Roy to rezone seven parcels along Route 19 and Randall Road – totaling 185 acres – from R-2 (Residential) to I-2 (Industrial).
Rezoning Lines Up With Town’s Plan
The rezoning would conform with the town’s comprehensive plan’s goal of creating additional industrial uses and, according to documents filled out by Farnholz, “to address one of the town’s weaknesses – loss of jobs/commercial base.”
“Over the years, we have seen some interest in additional property and I think the town is just trying to be proactive to match the zoning with the Le Roy Food & Tech Park in case the project seeks more acreage than is available there,” Masse said. “Our Ag Park (on East Main Street Road in Batavia) is almost sold out at this point, so the larger acreage projects wouldn’t be able to locate there.”
According to the referral, by rezoning the parcels (mainly farmland), it would set the stage for “a potential opportunity for a cheese manufacturing plant (and) would conform to the comprehensive plan.”
Although the referral mentions “a cheese manufacturing plant,” Farnholz said that everything is at the inquiry stage.
Farnholz: Nothing is on the Table
“Nothing is on the table at this point and we are not making specific preparation for anybody. Great Lakes Cheese has made inquiries but we don’t have anything definite. We’re not doing anything for Great Lakes Cheese,” he said.
Farnholz said that land in question should have been rezoned to Industrial years ago to match the property owned by the GCEDC. He also said that a separate parcel, which has a funeral home on it and is operating under a special use permit, would be rezoned to Industrial as well.
“This has been on the table for quite some time,” he said. “Our discussions over the comprehensive plan to expand industrial development along the Route 19 corridor predates anything that is happening now.”
The supervisor said that the town has not spent any money, noting that all of the properties would have to be purchased by Great Lakes Cheese or any other business, with the exception of the GCEDC, which owns the 75 acres off West Bergen Road.
“Any remaining acreage would have to be privately purchased,” he said.
Setting the Stage for Development
He said that if the Great Lakes Cheese plant did not come to Le Roy, rezoning the properties “would just make it more practical for future industrial development. But, again, this is all contingent upon people willing to sell their property.”
The park, which has been in existence for about four years, does not have any businesses yet, Farnholz said.
“Right now, it’s just farmland. The GCEDC leases out their acreage to farmers and the rest of it is just woods and farmland. Down by Randall Road, there’s a group that is grinding up wood and making mulch – that’s the only thing that resembles a business,” he said.
While not a done deal, a $500 million venture in Le Roy would make a significant impact on the local economy.
“Having read many of the articles talking about the project in Allegany County, they were talking about a $500 million plant that would employ up to 400 people, so I would welcome that with open arms,” Farnholz said.
BioWorks to Purchase 60 Acres
In a related development, Masse reported that the GCEDC Board of Directors Thursday approved a purchase and sale agreement with BioWorks Inc. to buy 60 acres at the Le Roy Food & Tech Park for $2.4 million.
“They still would need to forward an application for incentives, which I believe they will be bringing forward,” Masse said. “Last night’s action allows the company to do their due diligence on the site prior to closing to ensure their project can be completed.”
BioWorks Inc. is a national company with a regional office in Victor, is looking to expand its operation.
According to its website, it develops and markets biologically based solutions for customers in the horticulture and specialty agriculture markets. Its products – effective alternatives or additions to traditional chemical programs -- support plant nutrition, disease control, insect control and soil amendment.
From the county Highway Department:
Sandpit Road between Spring Road and Dry Bridge Road in Alexander will be closed on Monday, June 7th for bridge replacement work.
It will remain closed for approximately six to eight weeks and will not be open to local traffic.
The public will be notified when the road reopens.
A three-car accident is reported at Galloway Road and Slusser roads in East Pembroke. A pregnant female complains of foot pain. A first responder says it is not blocking traffic. Pembroke Fire Department is responding and two Mercy medic ambulances are requested.
UPDATE 8:49 p.m.: The second ambulance is cancelled. Three flatbed tows will be needed.
UPDATE 8:59 p.m.: The Pembroke assignment is back in service.
Failure to report an injury in a timely fashion is the basis for a decision by the Appellate Division of a State Supreme Court to disallow a claim by City of Batavia Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano for workers’ compensation stemming from a work-related slip and fall in December 2018.
In a four-page ruling handed down last week, the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department agreed with the Workers’ Compensation Board that since Napolitano waited until after 30 days had elapsed to report the injury, his claim for benefits was invalid.
According to the ruling, the chief waited until April 2019 to file his claim as he contended the injury to his right knee became “progressively worse” as time went on.
Workers' Compensation Law §18 requires that a claimant seeking workers' compensation benefits must provide written notice of an injury within 30 days after the accident causing such injury.
The Appellate Court’s decision indicates that Napolitano “admittedly neither reported the incident to the employer nor sought medical treatment for approximately four months – opting instead to just ‘muscle through’ it by self-diagnosing and self-medicating his injury … until he reached the point where ‘the pain just would not subside.’ ”
Napolitano declined to comment on the matter.
Press release:
Field trip dates at the Genesee Park & Forest are open for schools, youth groups, scouts and more for June and throughout the rest of the year.
This summer the parks are offering The Great Escape, a grant-funded program that provides outdoor recreation for youth groups in Genesee County. Activities include fishing, geocaching, kayaking and hiking.
Youth recreation programs may also include orienteering, project WILD games and more.
School field trips at the Genesee County Parks are designed to support state learning standards for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) grades pre-K through 12.
In addition to field trips at county parks, you can book a visit to your facility year-round.
Call (585) 344-1122 or email Shannon Lyaski at: Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us to book your program!
All COVID-19 and social distancing protocols are followed according to state and county health department recommendations.
For more information visit our website.
A dog is reportedly hanging half out of a second-story window at 129 Hutchins St. in the city. The caller is concerned the dog will drop onto the roof, and/or slide off of it. City fire is dispatched.
Batavian Michael Burns, (photo at right), who began employment with the county on May 24 after more than 20 years at the Rochester Institute of Technology, requested that lawmakers approve acceptance of a cell phone booster that will improve reception at County Building II on West Main Street Road.
The booster is being provided at no charge by Verizon Wireless, which has an agreement with the county for installation, maintenance and operation of the in-building coverage system.
It was Burns’ first request of legislators, who forwarded the resolution to next week’s meeting of the full board.
Burns thanked legislators for the opportunity to work in his hometown and was welcomed by Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein, who voiced her pleasure that his initial resolution didn’t cost the county any money.
Previously (feature story on Burns from April 30): Batavia resident accepts Genesee County information technology director position after long career at RIT
In other action, the committee:
While more of a “behind the scenes” aspect of municipal government, a Code of Ethics and Annual Financial Disclosure Statement are essential in educating public employees and public servants of expected standards of conduct and potential conflicts of interest.
The Genesee County Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee this afternoon, following the lead of County Attorney Kevin Earl, took a step toward unifying its Code of Ethics by setting a public hearing on Local Law Introductory No. 2, Year 2021, to repeal and replace the county’s current Ethics and Disclosure Law.
The public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. June 23 during a meeting of the full legislature at the Old County Courthouse.
Earl said this measure is being taken not because the current Code of Ethics is inadequate but to merge the various aspects of the code into one document.
“Currently, the Ethics Law and the Annual Financial Disclosure Statement came about in a Local Law in 1990,” Earl said. “The Local Law was amended two times by other Local Laws (in 1991 and 1992), so one of the problems is that when you want to find out what’s current, you have to toggle – go back and forth – between three Local Laws, which makes it difficult.
“So, the main purpose of this is to put everything in one Local Law; everything is right there and you can see everything in one place.”
Earl said that he updated some of the language in the code and disclosure statement, basing the county document on the New York State Comptroller’s Office model ethics code.
“We almost quoted it word for word – except for items that apply specifically to Genesee County,” he said.
According to General Municipal Law, officers and employees of a municipality are prohibited from having certain conflicts of interest, and each municipality is required to adopt a Code of Ethics covering disclosure of interests in legislation before the local governing body, holding of investments in conflict with official duties, private employment in conflict with official duties, future employment, and such other applicable standards.
The Genesee County Code of Ethics and Annual Financial Disclosure Statement, which must be filled out annually by designated county employees and members of specific boards and committees. Approximately 125 people currently are required to adhere to the code and submit the financial statement.
Sections of the updated document include:
In another development, County Manager Matt Landers reported that the county has received the first half of its $11.1 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The exact total going into the county coffers is $5,562,984.50. The second half will be distributed in 12 months.
Previously: Landers outlines four areas to use ARPA funds, says plan to spend $11.1 million is on the drawing board
Press release:
Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. announced this afternoon that he is reinstating in-person inmate visitation at the Genesee County Jail effective Saturday, June 12 beginning at 12 p.m.
The Genesee County Jail will be adhering to the following guidelines to prevent the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to employees, inmates and families:
The visitation schedule is as follows:
Monday – Thursday / 12 - 7 p.m.
Friday / NO VISITS
Saturday / 12 - 7 p.m.
Sunday / 12 - 2 p.m. and 4 - 7 p.m.
Visits are on a first-come, first-served basis every hour during the times listed above.
Appointments are highly recommended and can be made in advance by calling the Genesee County Jail at 343-0838. Additions to a visit must be made 24 hours prior to the time of the scheduled visit.
All visitors must sign in separately and fully list all information requested on the visitor sign in form. Visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian with acceptable photo ID.
Riley Wall, (photo at left), a student in Karen LaDuke’s art class, created a flag that shows a healthy ear of corn supported by two different color hands in a tapestry of blue sky and green fields.
Her entry edged out four other finalists in the children’s contest that had citizens vote on the Genesee 2050 website in March and April.
Riley, 13, said she participated in the project as a class after it was suggested by her teacher.
"I think I came up with the design just because I knew that as a county we are very toward agriculture and being part of a community. So, that's why I included a piece of corn and the diversity of it," she said.
She said it took her one or two days to complete the work, with the design in her initial thought process continuing through the finished product.
County Planning Director Felipe Oltramari said Riley’s flag is worthy in that it recognizes the value of farming, Genesee County’s No. 1 industry.
“It represents our agricultural base and symbolizes the importance of farmers, local food and also the diversity of our farming community,” he said.
The winning flag will be flown on June 14 – Flag Day – at the Genesee County Courts Facility as the county flag for a day, Oltramari said.
“We’re still finalizing plans but it looks like there will be a commendation -- with the flag flying at the Courts Facility Building -- and a ceremony outside, either before or after the legislature’s Public Service Committee meeting,” he said, adding that Riley and her family will be invited to attend.
Riley said she is looking forward to the event.
"I think this will be a really good experience for me," she said, adding that the outcome of the contest has inspired to take art more seriously. "When I was younger, I used to draw a lot. Now, I don't draw as much but I think that since I did this thing, I think I'm going to start getting more into it."
Oltramari said he is working with a flag company to make sure it is ready by June 14.
As far as the adult contest to determine the new county flag is concerned, Oltramari said he is waiting on the legislature, which is taking a close look at the five designs deemed as finalists.
Oltramari said his research indicates that all New York State counties, except for Livingston, have the county seal on their flags. He said the reason for that is because if it didn’t have the county seal, people wouldn’t be able to identify it.
Photos and information from Kaylynn Hopkins:
My two best friends and I are all pregnant literally days apart from each other. It’s such a miracle so we are sharing it on The Batavian.
McKenrick wrote her friends:
"Who wouldn’t want to share their pregnancy with their best friends!? Who would have thought our babies would be due days apart? I loved growing up with you two and I can’t wait for our babies to have that same friendship!"
Predicted due dates: July 28th (Kaylynn Hopkins), July 30th (Anmarie Maher), and July 31st (Danyelle Brinkman).
#bestfriends #futurebesties #family
Missing from the Williams Street / Otis Street area in the City of Batavia is a beloved pet cat named Darrell.
Short hair, black, with a few white hairs on his chest.
No collar. Declawed and neutered male. Indoor cat.
Friendly, but may be afraid since he isn't used to being outside.
If you find him or even see him in your area, please call or text (585) 297-3009.
Press release:
The executive director of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse said he feels fortunate that the agency’s detoxification building project on its campus at 430 E. Main St. has yet to hit any major supply delays and he's excited about the prospect of opening the 20-bed facility ahead of schedule.
“It’s an 8,600-square-foot building that will house four people on the first floor and 16 on the second floor (two per unit) for short-term detox – five to seven days,” John Bennett said. “It will be connected to the back of the Atwater Home and, when finished, will continue the look of that structure.”
Javen Construction, of Penfield, is the general contractor for the venture, which broke ground in January.
Bennett said the detox center originally was scheduled to open in December, but could be moved up a couple months.
Amber Gorzynski, a construction field representative with the Dormitory Association of the State of New York’s Buffalo office, said lag time to get materials hasn’t been an issue.
“So far the lead times have been similar to we had before COVID,” she said. “We’re scheduled for December but we’re hoping to beat that.”
Gorzynski said she is looking forward to turning the building over to GCASA.
“It’s needed and I just appreciate that I am part of this,” she said.
Tim Ryan, superintendent for Javen Construction, said the outside walls are finished and inside insulation has been installed, setting the stage for fire inspection in the coming days.
Subcontracting work is being done by local companies, such as Turnbull Heating & Air and Genesee Plumbing.
The facility will be open to Western New York and Finger Lakes Region residents.
Photo at top: The front of the detoxification center under construction at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse campus on East Main Street. Photos at bottom: The connection of the new building with the existing Atwater residential facility; the area where the first-floor dining room will be located.
While Genesee County leaders place conserving water at the top of the priority list, they also are looking at water storage as another step to making sure the supply is able to meet the demand during those extremely hot summer days.
County Engineer Tim Hens reported to legislators Tuesday that water storage does help with peak day requirements and pointed to several corresponding actions currently taking place.
“The addition of the new 750,000-gallon tank in Elba will be beneficial for the entire system as it comes online this summer,” Hens said. “Additionally, large industries in Genesee County are looking to add onsite tanks at their facilities that will allow them to adjust their heavy pumping during peak periods.”
Hens said that he has been talking to CPL (Clark Patterson Lee) engineers about advancing some tanks/storage from Phase 3 of the County Water Project to Phase 2 (which is happening now) as quicker ways to deal with peak day demands.
The Monroe County Water Authority also is moving ahead on a project to build a ground storage tank in Pavilion along Walker Road at the old Village of Le Roy water treatment plant that will provide 700,000 gallons per day, he said.
“There is an opportunity for the county to participate and upsize this tank to 1.5 million gallons,” Hens said. “The county share to do this would be about $400,000 which I feel is a great deal and is something the water fund could easily handle.”
Hens said that MCWA also plans to adjust the hydraulic grade zones south of Le Roy and in the Village of Le Roy to be on the same … zone that feeds much of the “center” of the county.
“This would allow the new Pavilion tank to coordinate directly with the Temperance Hill (situated west of Stafford, close to Fargo Road Pioneer Cemetery) tanks,” he said.
Hens said that the county is willing to pursue this arrangement, adding that he expects this tank to be completed by the end of next summer.
Last week, county, City and Town of Batavia, Village of Oakfield, Village of Elba and county Health Department officials issued a bulletin asking residents to do their part to conserve water this summer.
Reasoning behind the request is that, despite county efforts to increase the supply, “rapid increases in residential district growth and increased agribusiness and industrial use” have resulted in demand outpacing supply improvements during the summer months.
Officials said that if voluntary conservation measures are unsuccessful, mandatory water conservation may have to be enforced.
Hens said that the county is taking steps to save water by reducing or eliminating flushing on peak days, better communication on water storage tank levels and coordinating with contractors filling new water mains.
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