news

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Mystic Riders Horse Club donated nonperishable food items to 40 families in the Le Roy Central School District.  

For more information about the Genesee County 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131. 

Photo: 4H Mystic Riders Community Service – 4-H Mystic Riders Horse Club members with the nonperishable items they collected for Le Roy families. Back row, from left: Jennifer Ewert, Alianna Baris, Katherine Ewert; front row, from left: Jillian Weaver, Jameson Smith, Riley Smith.

Press release:

Ifrah Armstrong, 42, of Batavia, pled guilty to one count of attempted grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor, in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 1. Sentencing has been scheduled for February.

Armstrong was originally charged with four counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, grand larceny in the third degree, all felonies. An investigation by Genesee County Social Services Investigator Dakota Nicholson revealed that Armstrong failed to report income she was earning. 

She subsequently received $5,208 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.

Armstrong has made full restitution of $5,208. She will also be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.

Heidi Connolly, 45, of Batavia, pled guilty to one count of petit Larceny in Genesee County Court on Oct. 28. Sentencing has been set for January.

Connolly was originally charged with seven counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and third-degree grand larceny, all felonies. An investigation by Genesee County Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi revealed that Connolly failed to report income being earned by herself and her adult son, who was residing in the home.

Connolly subsequently received $3,631 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.

Connolly has made restitution of $3,000 thus far. She will also be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.

Brenda Gursslin, 47, of Batavia, was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 1 after she pled guilty to one count of petit larceny.

Gursslin was originally charged with one count of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree 4^th, both felonies. An investigation by Genesee County Social Services Investigator Dakota Nicholson revealed that Gursslin failed to report income she was earning.

She subsequently received $1,775 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.

Gursslin has made full restitution of $1,775. She will also be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of welfare fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigation Unit at (585) 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6541.

Emergency Services Dispatcher Exam

The open competitive Genesee County Civil Service Exam for the position of Emergency Services Dispatcher is being given Jan. 16.

Please visit the Genesee County website for a full job description, minimum qualifications, and instructions on how to submit your application by the deadline of Dec. 9.

Press release:

After successfully securing in July an amendment to the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which expanded the list of diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today (Dec. 4) announced that the final version of the FY2021 NDAA will include his amendment.

It authorizes $8 billion in new benefits for vets suffering from Agent Orange-linked illnesses.

Schumer explained that upon the president’s signature, nearly 240,000 veterans around the state who might be suffering from bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism will be able to access healthcare and benefits, numbers that have expanded because of the senator’s amendment associating additional diseases with exposure to Agent Orange. Schumer originally launched this push from Rochester.

“After years and years of suffering and fighting, I proudly stood shoulder to shoulder with our Finger Lakes Vietnam vets who were exposed to Agent Orange to get Congress to take a major step forward and grant our heroes access to the medical care they need and have earned,” Senator Schumer said.

“It’s taken far too long, and we still need to see this change signed into law, but veterans across the country can celebrate today as a victory. We will work together to get this across the finish line in the very near future so those who put their lives on the line for our freedom can get the healthcare they deserve.

“I’m especially proud today to have expanded access to this incoming influx of benefits by securing an amendment that adds bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism to the list of diseases associated with Agent Orange. Our veterans, like those in the Finger Lakes, did not hesitate in the face of danger to fight for our country, and we must not nickel and dime them as they fight for their health now.”

The senator has fought for years to not only secure funding for Agent Orange-affected veterans’ health benefits, but also to increase the number of veterans who have access to those benefits.

Earlier this year, Schumer was in the Finger Lakes to unveil his plan to add an expansion of the illnesses associated with exposure to "Agent Orange" to the NDAA. The senator has also visited Staten Island, Long Island, Utica, Dunkirk, Wallkill and Albany to meet with Vietnam vets and advocate for an expansion of the associated illnesses list.

Schumer said that the nation’s Vietnam veterans – over 240,000 of which are in New York – who were exposed to "Agent Orange," have been calling on the feds to expand the list of diseases associated with the herbicide exposure.

“I am proud to have helped our Vietnam vets cut through bureaucratic red-tape and with only the president’s signature needed, New York’s vets are closer than ever to getting the medial access they deserve,” Schumer said.

He emphasized the importance of adding added bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism to the list of diseases associated with "Agent Orange" exposure, and reiterated just how long this fight has been waged.

Last year, the Senator secured a provision in the budget deal requiring OMB and the VA to issue a detailed report to Congress on the delay in adding these conditions to the presumptive conditions list, BUT the report was woefully insufficient and Schumer said those agencies failed to properly explain why they were denying veterans.

In addition to the failure to include bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism on the Agent Orange presumptive conditions list, the VA has never acted on a 2018 National Academies report that found sufficient evidence of association between exposure to herbicides and hypertension.

Schumer also explained that per the Agent Orange Act of 1991, the VA automatically accepts that if a Vietnam Veteran physically served in Vietnam between January 1962 and May 1975, it is probable that the veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent like Agent Orange.

Furthermore, the Act established a list of “presumed” diseases that the VA stipulates are caused by Agent Orange exposure. Therefore, if a veteran served in Vietnam at any time between 1962-1975 and is diagnosed with one or more of the diseases VA recognizes as service connected, the VA will compensate the veteran and his or her family.

However, even though there has been scientific evidence linking Parkinsonism, bladder cancer and hypothyroidism to Agent Orange exposure, they are not currently on the VA’s list of recognized presumptive conditions.

Schumer said if an Agent Orange-related condition isn’t specifically listed on the presumptive conditions list then the VA forces the suffering veterans and their families to argue their claim in a lengthy, bureaucratic appeals process that can last years and often end in a denial. In many cases the veteran will die before the process is even concluded.

Schumer said veterans shouldn’t have to wage their own war to gather the scientific facts and medical opinions about hypothyroidism in order to receive the care and benefits needed to treat the illnesses they contracted because they served our nation.

Schumer said that is absolutely crucial that thousands of Vietnam-era veterans in New York State receive the healthcare benefits they need and deserve, and final passage of his amendment in the NDAA will allow that to happen.

The number of patients visiting UMMC's urgent care clinic at the Jerome Center has more than doubled over the past month due to a greater prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, according to Dr. Andrew Tisser, urgent care medical director.

"We've seen a very large increase in both symptomatic and asymptomatic covid testing and need for medical care in Batavia specifically speaking to the urgent care center," Tisser said this morning during a conference call with local media. "Our volume in the last three or so weeks has increased by about 110 percent."

The number of patients visiting urgent care has done from about 25 per day to 50 or 60 per day, and about 80 percent of the visitors are coming to the client for COVID-related reasons.

There is currently a surge of COVID in the community and there is no way to know if we're at the peak or if the caseload will only get bigger in the coming weeks or months. Either way, Tisser expressed confidence that UMMC and Rochester Reginal Health is ready to adapt to changing circumstances. He believes the urgent care center can handle the coming caseload even if there is an increase in community spread.

That said, the community can help, Tisser said. He encouraged local residents to wear a mask, keep socially distant and follow other CDC guidelines to help control the spread of COVID.

In the spring, healthcare workers were hailed as superheroes and feted with free meals and parades. That attention has faded and people are seemingly paying less attention to guidelines about social gatherings. Tisser acknowledged that there may be a degree of COVID fatigue that may have set it but healthcare workers aren't looking for any special attention.

"We don't want to be seen as heroes," Tisser said. "We want everyone to be socially responsible and know that we're doing our best. So if everyone would please do their best, that would be really helpful. But we are here to help you. We're here to take care of you."

Tesser explained to help people and to keep everybody safe, there are now two ways to access the urgent care clinic. The main lobby for standard urgent care but for people seeking COVID-related service, a doorway with a phone where clients can speak to a nurse who can triage their needs. If it's a test for symptomatic or asymptomatic clients, they are asked to wait in their car where the test can be administered.

People who show up at the clinic are usually there because they're symptomatic and were referred by a primary care physician or they are a known close contact with a COVID-positive person and need to be tested as a result.

Tesser said people who are symptomatic should contact their primary care physician to get guidance on testing and evaluation.

The urgent care clinic only handles mild COVID-19 cases, people with a low-grade fever, a mild cough, other mild symptoms. More serious cases are generally referred to the emergency room.

"We're here to help you, but please try to help us," Tisser said. "The virus is not going away any time soon. We are hopeful with the vaccine coming, but it will take time to get everyone on the vaccine. So everyone needs to keep doing what they're doing to the best of their ability and just be smart and stay safe."

The Genesee County Legislature has set a public hearing for next month to adopt a local law that would give lawmakers the ability to compensate coroners more than currently allowed for time spent during catastrophic events.

Resolutions forwarded by the Ways & Means Committee to Wednesday’s full legislative meeting call for the following:

• The scheduling of a public hearing on proposed Local Law Introductory No. 3, Year 2020, at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Old County Courthouse in Batavia;

• The adoption of the local law to allow discretionary compensation for services rendered during catastrophic events by elected or appointed coroners for a fixed term for the County of Genesee as introduced Dec. 9, 2020.

The measures stem from the airplane crash on Oct. 2 off Boyce Road in Corfu that claimed the lives of attorneys Steve Barnes and his niece, Elizabeth Barnes.

Coroner Jeff McIntire of Oakfield reportedly put in 260 hours on that case but, as the law stands now, is eligible to receive $200, based on $100 per case (or deceased individual). The pay increases to $150 per case on observed holidays.

The county’s four coroners also receive an annual stipend of $1,500 – paid throughout the year on regular paydays – but no mileage.

McIntire informed county officials of the situation, prompting the decision to put forth a new local law that gives the legislature some flexibility regarding compensation in unusual circumstances, County Manager Matt Landers said.

“It’s something that I don’t believe was thought of when the compensation was put in place for our coroners,” Landers said. “We’re trying to make this local law … so the legislature can determine what an extraordinary event is and what they want to compensate. Every case can be different, and we don’t want to end up in the future having to change the local law again because we were too restrictive.”

McIntire received a commendation from the legislature for his work (along with a team of responders) at the scene.

He resigned on Nov. 15 after serving more than five years as a county coroner. Landers said McIntire had planned to resign before the crash as he looks to relocate to Florida.

McIntire, who also is assistant chief of the Oakfield Fire Department, did not respond to phone calls from The Batavian seeking comment.

Landers said without this local law, legislators' hands are tied.

“Right now, there really is no ability for this legislature to legally give any compensation above and beyond what he was paid because of the local law that we have,” he said.

Karen Lang, Tom Douglas and Adam Palumbo are the other county coroners. Republican Party leaders are in the process of finding a replacement for McIntire.

The resolution’s specific wording as is follows:

Section 1.  In addition to the existing compensation for Genesee County Coroners that are elected or appointed for a fixed term, the Genesee County Legislature is hereby authorized to provide additional compensation when Coroners provide extraordinary services above and beyond their normal duties after a catastrophic event leading to the death of one or more individuals within Genesee County.          

Section 2:  The determination as to whether or not an event qualifies as catastrophic; as well as the determination as to the amount to be paid to Coroners for extraordinary services, shall be made in the sole discretion of the Genesee County Legislature.

Section 3.  Any Coroner may submit a claim retroactively to October 3, 2020, by a submittal in writing, which details the services rendered and the times and dates of the same. 

Section 4.  This Local Law is subject to referendum on petition pursuant to the provisions of Section 24 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.

Section 5.  This Local Law shall take effect upon proper filing with the Office of the Secretary of State.

Today, the first time since the pandemic hit Western New York, residents of Genesee County who are not showing symptoms of COVID-19 could get free coronavirus test locally.

The newly available rapid test is important, said Paul Pettit, public health director, because asymptomatic people can spread the disease. Identifying them will help slow the spread.

"The folks in the community that may be positive, that don't know they have it, they may be contributing to some of our higher numbers that we've been seeing over the last month," Pettit said.

In the first hour, 100 people were tested and three tests were positive.

Those three people, Pettit said now know they should isolate themselves and avoid contact that might lead to the disease being passed on to a vulnerable person, perhaps a family member.

"These folks probably would not have gotten tested," Pettit said. "So they would have been out in the community going to hang out with their friends or family, doing different activities and they might not have known they had it so bad. By doing stuff like testing like this, it allows them to be identified and now we can put them under isolation and again, hopefully, reduce those transmissions."

As many as 350 tests were administered today. The final number of positive tests of that 350 has not been released yet.

Pettit said rapid tests for asymptomatic people will be available in Genesee County on Tuesday and Thursday through at least January. The location may not always be at the Emergency Management Office on State Street Road. Future locations, or if it will be moved, has not yet been determined.  

More than 30 people volunteered to help with testing. More may be needed in the future.

Among the advantages of the free rapid test is that people who might want to travel or visit elderly family members in senior facilities were having a hard time getting required tests.  

The testing will also help get a clearer picture of how prevalent the disease is locally.

Getting the tests for Genesee County has been a long and concerted effort by local officials, state and federal representatives.

People who do get tested need to recognize that the test is only a "snapshot in time," Pettit said.

"Literally, if you test today and your negative, that's great," Pettit said. "Go home, go do your thing, continue to practice all the social distancing. But the bottom line doesn't mean you won't be positive tomorrow or the next day or the day after. So really, it's one of those things there really isn't a rhyme or reason necessarily on getting tested. I mean, obviously, we don't want people coming out here every day because we want to make sure we have availability for people that need it also. But a test is a snapshot. It's only good for the time you get tested, just like with anything else."

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department has received multiple positive COVID-19 test results from individuals who were at Eli Fish Brewing Co. in Batavia on:

• Wednesday, Nov. 25^th from 6 - 8:45 p.m.

Contact tracing is in progress; however unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive cases.

We advise all individuals who were at Eli Fish on the stated dates and times to monitor their symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms of COVID-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

For more information please visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.

Press release:

Don't forget that tomorrow night a flute quartet from the Genesee Symphony Orchestra will be at the Holland Land Office Museum to help celebrate Wonderland of Trees.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and will be two 20 minute sessions. We are having a limited audience available to attend, which will be limited to 12 people. If you would like to attend please call the museum at (585) 343-4727 to register. There are still some spots available.

The museum is located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

For those of you not in attendance, the concert will be livestreamed and recorded by Paul Figlow of Figlow Productions. Please stay tuned for those links.

Press release:

We can’t stress enough the importance to limit time with non-household members. Continue to do your best to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the flu by frequently washing/sanitizing your hands, wear a mask/face-covering over your mouth and nose when out in public and keep at least 6 feet from non-household members. If you are not feeling well, please stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance.

As of 4 p.m. Dec. 3

Genesee County received 32 new positive cases of COVID-19.

• The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield, Pavilion, Pembroke and Stafford.
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.
• Thirty-two of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Sixteen of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
• One of the new positive individuals is a resident at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia.
• One of the previously reported individuals at the VA Medical center is not a current patient and has been removed from the facility count.
• We received notification of the death of a resident at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia. The resident is over the age of 65. To protect the individual and their family we will not be releasing any further information. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.

Orleans County received 21 new positive cases of COVID-19.

• The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Gaines, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby.
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
• None of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Two of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Six of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• Two of the new positive individuals are residents of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.

Matthew Michael Maniace, 38, of Fargo Road, Bethany, is charged with: driving while ability impaired by drugs, with a prior conviction within the last 10 years; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree; and moving from lane unsafely. He was arrested Dec. 2 on the charges that stem from an accident that occurred at 11:37 p.m. on Sept. 8 on Prole Road Extension, Stafford. After an investigation and toxicology results, it is alleged that Maniace drove a vehicle while his ability to do so was impaired by drugs, resulting in a motor-vehicle accident. It is also alleged that he possessed drugs at the time and attempted to flee from deputies on foot. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, assisted by Deputy David Moore.

Michael Jeffrey Vogt, 40, of Albert Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; DWI with a BAC of .08 percent or more; no front license place; and failure to keep right. Vogt was arrested at 1:52 a.m. Nov. 26 on Main Road in Pembroke. He was issued traffic tickets and is due in Pembroke Town Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Jordan Alejandro.

Victor H. Montanez, 48, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with four violations: driving while intoxicated; driving with a BAC of .08 percent or more; moving from lane unsafely; and speed exceeding 55 mph. He was arrested at 1:48 a.m. on Nov. 28 on Lake Street Road in Le Roy. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Le Roy Police Officer Steven Cappotelli.

Preston Scott Daigler, 22, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. At 3:49 a.m. on Nov. 26, Daigler was arrested on the charge after allegedly punching out a back window of a vehicle in the driveway on South Pearl Street in Oakfield. He was arraigned virtually in Oakfield Town Court and is due in Genesee County Court on Jan. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

Matthew Michael Maniace, 38, of Fargo Road, Bethany, is charged with petit larceny. On Dec. 2 Maniace was arrested. It is alleged that on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. on Fargo Road in Bethany the defendant agreed to repair parts of the victim's truck. While in possession of the truck, he allegedly took the keys and a tow hitch from the truck and never returned the items to the victim. Maniace was arraigned in Bethany Town Court and issued an appearance ticket to return on Dec. 22. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.

Directors of Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation today passed a resolution authorizing the hiring of the law firm of Harris Beach to help explore the possibility of purchasing the Hotel at Batavia Downs, located next to Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road.

“We’d like to explore purchasing the hotel,” said WROTB President Henry Wojtaszek, “and that’s why we’ve retained an attorney. We have been in discussions to purchase the hotel but nothing has come of it.”

The resolution reads that the corporation “wishes to engage Harris Beach to continue to provide legal services to Western in the additional amount of $50,000” in an effort “to negotiate an agreement regarding the purchase of a hotel, as well as the terms of bond refinancing …”

The 84-room luxury hotel is owned by ADK Hospitality, a Buffalo-based development team that purchased land from WROTB in March 2015 and spent $7.5 million to build it.

ADK Hospitality partners, along with WROTB officials and state and local dignitaries, presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception in November 2016.

Currently, the facility is managed by Hart Hotels, which is based in Buffalo.

Wojtaszek said he advised directors that there is nothing to act upon at this time but felt it was prudent to inquire about it and keep their options open.

In other developments, the board voted:

• To close an OTB branch on French Road in Depew as of Nov. 30 and terminate the existing lease;

• To allocate up to $45,000 for the purchase of complementary rooms at the Hotel at Batavia Downs for the remainder of this year and up to $50,000 for the same for 2021;

• To contract with Upstate Strategic Advisors LLC, of Buffalo, for six months, effective Jan. 1, at a rate of $3,500 per month for consulting services designed to help the corporation increase its revenue and improve its marketing strategies;

• To extend an agreement with Mercury Public Affairs LLC, of New York City, for another six months, effective Jan. 1, at a rate of $8,000 per month for lobbying activities with various government entities;

• To contract with Cummins-Allison Corporation for a money counting machine maintenance and service agreement through Sept. 30 at an amount not to exceed $29,768;

• To enter into a five-year contract with Equitable Advisors of Rochester for the company’s deferred compensation plan, a vehicle for employees to invest their pretax earnings.

Press release:

Mothers welcoming a newborn into the family during the COVID-19 pandemic often face added challenges. This includes a growing trend of diaper need -- the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or toddler clean, dry, and healthy.

Nearly one in three families nationwide struggle to afford diapers for their babies. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the problem worse, with diapers sometimes out of stock in stores.

Project Stork Inc., an Oakfield nonprofit serving 200 low-income mothers in Genesee and Orleans counties, has received a grant from the East Hill Foundation, to continue providing free monthly diaper and baby care packages.

“We want to make sure families are healthy,” said Jenny Staebell, Project Stork’s director. “Our partnership with the East Hill Foundation assures that we can support moms and babies in need. Without diapers and baby products, parents often stretch the time between diaper changes to make their resources last.”

Access to diapers has been an under-recognized need. There is no federal assistance for diapers. SNAP and WIC benefits can not be used to purchase diapers. While diapers can be bought with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance, less than a quarter of families living below the Federal Poverty Level actually receive TANF.

Diaper need impacts a mother’s stress level and coping.

“Mothers share that they worry about not being able to change their baby’s diaper often enough,” Staebell said. “We are not only providing supports and resources, but education as well. There is a direct correlation between a mothers maternal well being when their child has their basic needs met. Simply put, diapers and other needed infant and toddler care supply can create positivity within a household.”

Project Stork appreciates donations as well as drop offs of diapers, baby wipes, baby soap and lotion. For more information, go to www.projectstorkinc.org or call Project Stork at (585) 590 – 6626. Follow on Facebook.

Agency: 57 N. Main St., Oakfield, NY 14125

Mailing Address: 20 Webber Ave., Oakfield, NY 14125

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program is now accepting registrations for the 2021 4-H Tractor Safety Program. The program is open to youth age 14 and over and covers farm safety, tractor safety, tractor operation and other related topics.  

The National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program is a certification program that allows youth age 14 and 15 to be certified to legally operate farm equipment for hire. After completing the training course, youth will need to pass a written knowledge test and driving test to receive the certification.

The program is scheduled to run Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., January through April at farm machinery dealerships throughout Genesee County. All New York health and safety guidelines that are in place at the time of the program will be followed.

The fee for the program is $10 and youth must also be currently enrolled 4-H members. Registrations are due Jan. 30. To register for the program or receive more information, please contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131.

Services to be provided at the Healthy Living Campus proposed for Downtown Batavia will go hand in hand with services to be offered by medical specialists at Rochester Regional Health’s facility that is planned for Route 98, north of the Thruway bridge.

That’s the assessment of David Ciurzynski of Ciurzynski Consulting LLC, of Attica, who is representing the owners in planning and design for the Healthy Living Campus project, a multimillion dollar joint venture of United Memorial Medical Center and the Genesee Area Family YMCA.

UMMC is part of the RRH system.

On Wednesday, Ciurzynski talked to The Batavian about the status of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative project -- a day after RRH announced that it is seeking to build a four-story, 140,000-square-foot office building on Route 98 in the Town of Batavia, across the road from Federal Drive and near Call Parkway.

“What Rochester Regional Health is doing is giving the (Batavia area) complementary services,” Ciurzynski said, noting that his team is in the process of revising the design of the downtown building. “They’re looking to make sure it has all of the right services in place to accommodate the community.”

Ciurzynski said the two-story Healthy Living Campus facility will replace the current YMCA at Main and Bank streets, and will feature 54,000 square feet of space for YMCA amenities such as gymnasium, pool, locker rooms, multipurpose rooms, exercise rooms and a community living (common) area.

It also will have 10,000 square feet for the hospital’s Healthy Living (diabetes awareness and education) program as well as a medical clinic on the second floor as a teaching unit for medical residents, and space for RRH’s Baby Café, a breastfeeding program run by lactation specialists who offer education and support to any pregnant woman or breastfeeding mom in the community at no charge.

“It’s all about having multiple access points (to health and wellness),” he said. “Part of the Downtown community wants services that are within walking distance, so that’s what this will be able to provide. The one near the Thruway will be able to service a wider region – with a variety of specialists.”

UMMC President Dan Ireland said that specifics regarding what practices will be in the Town of Batavia building will be revealed as the project progresses.

Ciurzynski called the Healthy Living Campus “the hub of the community,” with a total investment expected to approach $30 million.

The YMCA part of the proposal, estimated at $22.5 million including design fees, has received a DRI award of $4,075,000. The hospital piece is close to $10 million, Ciurzynski said, and has received a Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program II grant from the Department of Health for $7.5 million.

“We’re looking at the Healthy Living Campus as being that entire block – between Main Street and Washington Avenue, with the Jerome Center and everything (from Wiard Street west),” he said. “We’re trying to make everything complementary and symbiotic among all the buildings.”

The campus will cover around 15 to 20 acres in the heart of Batavia and will have ample parking and greenspace, Ciurzynski said.

“There so many wonderful services there between the Office for the Aging, the (Jerome Apartments) senior residency, YMCA and urgent care,” he said. “We will be taking down the boiler house and smokestack (behind the Jerome Center at 16 Bank St.) and making parking area and greenspace. We’re trying to find a way to make that the centerpiece of the community.”

Ciurzynski said he hopes to break ground next fall and see it through to completion by the end of 2022.

As far as the Office for the Aging is concerned, he said it will stay at its current location on Bank Street after separation from the YMCA building that will be demolished. He did say that the OFA could move into an expanded part of the new building in the future.

CPL of Rochester (formerly Clark Patterson Lee) has been selected as the architect, picking up where Gro Development LLC, a national company that designs YMCAs and other community-based facilities, left off.

The Genesee County Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday recommended distribution of more than $400,000 in mortgage tax revenue to the county’s towns, villages and City of Batavia.

The resolution will be considered by the full legislature on Dec. 9.

County Clerk Michael Cianfrini and Treasurer Scott German reported that $418,882.58 is available to be dispersed to the municipalities as the second such payment in 2020. The amount is about $26,000 more than the second distribution in 2019.

Mortgage tax money per municipality is as follows:

City

Batavia -- $95,905.39

Towns

Alabama -- $11,089.24

Alexander -- $13,616.07

Batavia -- $48,557.18

Bergen -- $30,595.20

Bethany -- $11,101.99

Byron -- $10,696.76

Darien -- $24,213.72

Elba -- $12,788.20

Le Roy -- $54,789.53

Oakfield -- $12,464.24

Pavilion -- $16,056.13

Pembroke -- $29,194.08

Stafford -- $20,570.76

Villages

Alexander -- $1,402.37

Attica -- $493.46

Bergen -- $4,227.01

Elba -- $1,580.73

Le Roy -- $15,850.24

Oakfield -- $1,924.86

Corfu -- $1,765.42

In other action, the committee recommended approval of:

• Resolutions to recoup delinquent water/sewer accounts and unpaid school and village taxes, which will be added to the 2021 tax levy as permitted by law.

The county will need to relevy $215,266.39 in outstanding water/sewer bills, with more than half of that amount ($142,941.72) from the Town of Batavia.

Other towns affected are Alabama ($6,351.53), Alexander ($1,138.64), Bergen ($1,187.11), Byron ($36,829.40), Darien ($13,504.56), Elba ($2,027.66), Oakfield ($995.45), Pavilion ($9,852.56), Pembroke ($309.31) and Stafford ($128.45).

The county’s share of the total amount collected is $14,082.80.

In 2020, the total was $172,303.13 with $11,272.23 being the county’s share.

Per Real Property Tax law, more than $1.8 million in unpaid school taxes are to be returned to the county for inclusion in the 2021 county and town tax levy.

The amounts not paid range from $429,215.50 in the Town of Le Roy to $66,864.83 in the Town of Bethany, with the Town of Batavia reporting $99,100.70.

The county makes the school districts whole for their portion and retains a 7-percent fee. The 2020 total was $2,265,897.64.

On the village tax side, unpaid taxes to be levied again amount to $164,023.11 – ranging from $137,935.92 in the Village of Le Roy to $601.35 in the Village of Elba.

Again, the county makes the villages whole for their portion and retains a 7-percent fee. The 2020 total was $199,731.83.

• A resolution to renew a contract with the Genesee County Economic Development Center for 2021 that calls for county support of $233,513 to the agency, the same amount as 2020.

The sum shall be paid in regular installments and is subject to an “out clause” just put into outside agency contracts that gives the county the right to withhold funding in emergency situations.

• A five-year lease with Genesee County Job Development Bureau for the continued operation of the Genesee County Career Center at the Eastown Plaza in Batavia, effective Feb. 1, at an annual cost of $126,000.

The amount is $9,108 more than the current lease, but there will be no increase in costs to the county since rent payments are covered by grant and fee-for-service funding.

• A resolution to appoint Kathleen Carlson (Byron-Bergen), Erik Fix (Le Roy/Stafford) and Caris Carlson (youth representative) to the Genesee County Youth Board for terms running from Jan. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2023.

A silo fire is reported at 5625 Chapell Road, Byron.

A farmworker will meet a chief roadside. It is a conformed silo fire, the dispatcher told a chief.

The location is just east of Transit Road.

Byron, South Byron fire departments dispatched. Town of Batavia's ladder truck along with an engine from Elba requested to the scene.

UPDATE 7:39 a.m.: Batavia can stand down. The silo is about 15 feet in diameter and contains wood chips. The location is apparently a transfer station and not a farm. 

UPDATE 7:48 a.m.: Byron command is all set with the equipment on location.

UPDATE 8:44 a.m.: Assignment back in service.

Press release:

Dec. 2, 4 p.m.

We can’t stress enough the importance to limit time with non-household members. Continue to do your best to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the flu by frequently washing/sanitizing your hands, wear a mask/face-covering over your mouth and nose when out in public and keep at least 6 feet from non-household members. If you are not feeling well, please stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance.

Genesee County received 44 new positive cases of COVID-19.

• The new positive cases reside in Alexander, Batavia, Byron, Le Roy, Oakfield and Pembroke. 
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s 70s, 80s and 90s.
• Fifty-seven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Thirteen of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
• Sixteen of the new positive individuals are residents at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia.
• We received notification of the death of a Genesee County resident. The resident is under 65. To protect the individual and their family we will not be releasing any further information. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.

Orleans County received nine new positive cases of COVID-19.

• The new positive cases reside Albion, Barre, Carlton, Kendall, Murray and Shelby.
• The individuals are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
• None of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Three of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Five of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.
• We received notification of the death of an Orleans County resident. The resident is over 65. To protect the individual and their family we will not be releasing any further information. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.

Press release:

The Genesee Chorale invites you to join them for a unique holiday virtual performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19th.

The performance, titled "And on Earth, Peace" is meant to evoke a sense of calm, hope and peace; in this time of uncertainty and fear, our music is meant to be a welcome balm to our community, glad tidings and heartfelt goodwill from Batavia's own Genesee Chorale.

Selections will feature the entire Genesee Chorale as well as select ensembles of its members, culminating in a full choir performance of "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

Tickets for this 30-minute virtual performance are $5 and are available here.

Your "ticket" purchase provides you access to the private premiere virtual concert. You will receive the link to the concert via email on Dec. 19th at 6 p.m. The concert goes "live" at 7 p.m. The link will be available beyond that time. So, if you would like to see the performance but are unable to be there at 7 p.m. on the 19th, you can still watch and enjoy the concert with the same link!

For more information, please visit our website at GeneseeChorale.com or email:   info@geneseechorale.com.

Please join us, and let the Genesee Chorale help you usher in the holiday season!

Press release:

The City of Batavia and the Batavia Police Department are asking city residents to participate in an online survey the results of which will be used in formulating the department’s response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order 203, which requires police departments across New York State to submit reform plans to the state by April 1.

The online survey can be accessed here. It is anticipated that filling out the survey will take approximately five minutes.

The survey is just one component of the various outreach and engagement efforts being conducted by the Batavia Police Advisory Collaboration Stakeholder Group. The Stakeholder Group has met several times with the next meeting scheduled for Dec. 10^th at a venue still to be determined because of concerns about the increasing COVID-19 infection rates.  

“Community feedback and input is a critical component of our efforts in developing our plan,” said City of Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch. “We realize that not every resident has reliable online access so various members of the stakeholder group are going to assist residents to fill out the survey.”

The survey asks residents to answer various questions, including: the nature of their last interaction with the police department and how they would rate that experience; a series of questions based on a 1-5 rating as to whether they strongly agree or strongly disagree with various statements about the police department; a list of options as far as what the police department should be prioritizing; whether or not assigning non-law-enforcement professionals should respond to certain 9-1-1 calls; and, various demographic information among others.