Interview with Jason Smith, Batavia Concert Band.
The Batavia City School District Board of Education tonight unanimously passed its 2020-21 budget, a $51.4 million spending plan that does not raise property taxes but comes with personnel reductions that were made to close what previously was a $1.6 million shortfall.
Voting took place at the board’s videoconference meeting on its YouTube channel and all seven members cast a “yes” vote.
The board also voted on the district’s yearly capital outlay project, choosing to fund the replacement of exterior doors and landscaping at the Batavia Middle School on Ross Street. The other options were a new restroom at the Jackson Primary School gym and a new stage floor and new clocks at the Batavia High School auditorium.
Board members cited safety of the students as the main factor in selecting the middle school project.
The capital outlay project will cost the district only $10,000, with the other $90,000 covered by an aid appropriation.
A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for the board’s next meeting at 6 :30 p.m. June 2, and voting will take place by paper ballot on June 9.
Business Administrator Scott Rozanski said that ballots will be mailed to all eligible voters by the end of this week, and must be returned (in a provided postage-paid envelope).
The public also will vote on a $618,000 capital project to construct an age-appropriate playground at Jackson Primary School, he said.
Concerning the budget, the board was forced to make numerous spending cuts over the past few weeks due to a significant decrease in state aid and having to meet a “negative” tax cap figure.
It slashed about 30 positions – some full-time, some part-time, and some long-term substitutes – and followed that up by scaling back three BOCES programs.
Other cost-cutting measures included delaying equipment and supply purchases, putting a moratorium on conference attendance and holding off on the hiring of a second School Resource Officer.
At tonight’s meeting, Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr. reported that only about a dozen individuals will be losing their jobs due to shifting positions around, retirements and vacancies that won’t be filled.
Rozanski said not much has changed since the board’s last meeting two weeks ago.
“If the state reduces state aid – and there has been no notification as of today -- then the district will need to decide on further reductions or using more reserves,” he said.
Pertinent financial information can be found on the BOE’s website at www.bataviacsd.org, and then scroll over the District Information tab before clicking on the Board of Education tab.
The district's Property Tax Report Card will be posted on the website homepage's "Spotlight" section sometime on Wednesday.
Rozanski also said that a vote of the Batavia Teachers’ Association on changing the school day schedule has yet to take place, but “will not impact this budget, although it might assist moving forward if there are more state aid reductions.”
Soler has proposed altering the schedules at the four schools, a move that would save $200,000 in transportation costs by having to use fewer buses.
BTA President Mark Warren told The Batavian that a vote of employees who work at each of the schools will take place sometime next week and definitely by June 1. It is believed that each school would have to vote in favor of the schedule change for the measure to pass.
The proposed schedule change is as follows:
-- Putting Batavia High and Batavia Middle on a 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. schedule. Currently, the schedule at those two schools is 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
-- Putting John Kennedy and Jackson on a 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. schedule. Currently, the schedule at those two schools is 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Board President Patrick Burk answered several questions he received via email from the public and invited people to submit questions to be addressed at the next meeting as well. To submit a question, send an email to: bawitkop@bataviacsd.org and include your name, address and contact information.
In another development that hopefully will bring some joy to the seniors who have seen their school year cut short, Soler announced that the BHS Commencement is tentatively scheduled (contingent upon the COVID-19 situation) for 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 at Van Detta Stadium at Richmond Avenue and Union Street.
The superintendent also advised that the last day of remote learning will be June 17, thus fulfilling state and union contract requirements.
Press Release:
Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans Counties' online map of confirmed cases.
Press release:
VA Western New York Healthcare System is the first health care system in Western New York to use the pulsed xenon disinfection robot, the first and reportedly only ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology proven to deactivate the actual SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2).
The disinfection robot destroys SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, in two minutes on surfaces and is a critical and necessary step to protect health care workers and patients in a quick and effective manner.
Xenex Germ-Zapping Robots™ use a xenon lamp to generate bursts of high intensity, full germicidal spectrum UVC light that’s more intense than sunlight. This process used by the robots, quickly deactivate viruses, bacteria and spores where they are most vulnerable without damaging hospital materials or equipment.
The robots work quickly, allowing dozens of rooms to be disinfected per day per robot, supplementing other hospital disinfection methods. Published peer-reviewed studies also show a significant reduction in other infections such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), MRSA, VRE and/or Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rates after integrating the robots along with other disinfection efforts.
Each robot costs approximately $100,000 made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act or CARES Act, signed into law March 27, to protect America’s veterans.
VA Western New York Healthcare System currently has two robots with two additional robots on order.
A VA spokesman in Buffalo told The Batavian today that one of the robots will soon be deployed at the Batavia VA.
“Using the latest technology to combat the virus allows us to improve staff efficiency and disinfection effectiveness,” said Danielle Bergman, acting associate director. “Protecting patients and employees is paramount, especially during this challenging time.”
Press release:
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the Capital Region has met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state's regional phased reopening plan starting tomorrow, joining the Western New York, Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions.
The Capital Region has now identified enough contact tracers to meet the state's guidelines, and the tracers are being trained today in preparation for Western New York entering phase one, which includes construction; manufacturing and wholesale supply chain; retail for curbside pick up and drop off, or in-store pick up; and agriculture, forestry and fishing.
Business guidance for phase one of the state's reopening plan is available here. A guide to the state's "NY Forward Reopening" Plan is available here. The state's regional monitoring dashboard is available here.
Governor Cuomo also announced that Nassau County is now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care. The Governor previously announced that the state will allow elective outpatient treatments to resume in counties and hospitals without significant risk of COVID-19 surge in the near term, and a total of 50 counties can now resume elective surgeries.
The Governor also announced a collaboration with the Greater New York Hospital Association and the Healthcare Association of New York State to implement a two-week hospital visitation pilot program in 16 hospitals across the state to allow increased visitations for family members and loved ones. As part of the pilot program, visits will be time limited and visitors will be provided with and must wear PPE and are subject to symptom and temperature checks.
The Governor also announced the state will allow Memorial Day ceremonies of 10 people or less statewide, with final decisions about ceremonies being left to local governments. The Governor also encouraged vehicle parades in honor of veterans for Memorial Day.
The Governor also called on the FDA to take steps now to make sure that pharmaceutical corporations that produce a COVID-19 vaccine release the rights to the vaccine to provide for immediate widespread distribution and help ensure the vaccine is available to all individuals.
"As more regions and businesses across the state become eligible to begin reopening, New Yorkers are getting excited, but we must not forget the hard work we've done and the pain we've experienced for the last two months," Governor Cuomo said. "Everything that we did -- the closings, social distancing and other measures -- were tough but necessary, and because of it we saved lives and we flattened the curve.
"If you look at the curve in New York compared to the rest of the nation, we're going down while the curve is still going up in many other regions. We must continue to do everything we've been doing even as we begin to reopen and remember the lessons we've learned through all of this."
With all of the traditional ways seniors celebrate and commemorate their final year of high school canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of parents in and community members in Alexander came together to provide gift baskets to the Class of 2020.
From Reverend David Fish, North Bergen Presbyterian Church:
Bergen – The North Bergen Community Food Pantry, a partner of FoodLink, opened its doors in the summer of 2019. Founder and coordinator Reverend David Fish said he knew that there was community need, but could not have anticipated the unusual circumstances brought on by COVID-19.
Since food pantries nationwide are receiving an increase in requests from families, the Byron-Bergen Faculty Association (BBFA) decided to collect monetary donations from faculty and staff to support the local community.
On April 30, Rev. Fish received a check for $3,100 from the BBFA.
“There are no words to express how appreciative I am for this generous donation,” Rev. Fish said. “The donated funds will be used to purchase food for the pantry, to feed our community, and find ways to reach out to those living in poverty. It is truly a donation that stays in the neighborhood.”
“The BBFA and its members have a long-standing tradition of helping people in the community when it is needed most,” said Byron-Bergen Social Studies teacher and BBFA President Ken Gropp.
“In this unprecedented situation, the BBFA members and the District's administrative team saw an opportunity to provide assistance where it was most needed in our community. All of us care deeply about our students and their families. This was a great opportunity for all of us to continue to show it.”
The idea was originally brought to the BBFA by Jr./Sr. High School Music teacher Lawrence Tallman.
“When they announced the need for donations back in March, I decided to share it with the faculty in hopes that we may receive some canned goods and nonperishables,” Tallman said. “I knew we had a generous faculty, but this generosity really overwhelmed and humbled me. It makes me so proud to be a part of this district!”
In less than a year, the North Bergen Community Food Pantry grew from serving fewer than 20 people to hundreds. Last month, the food pantry distributed food to more than 200 people.
At a time of heavy layoffs and social distancing, Rev. Fish has seen many new faces as well as familiar faces coming more often.
“I want people to feel safe and know that there is no judgment,” Rev. Fish said. “This is exactly what we are here for. It is important to feed people.”
For more information on the North Bergen Community Food Pantry call "Pastor Dave" Fish at (585) 290-5487, or visit the North Bergen Presbyterian Church's Facebook Page.
Pictured: North Bergen Community Food Pantry. Photo credit: Reverend David Fish.
Press release:
New York Farm Bureau is launching a new system to connect farms in need of labor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this time of uncertainty, farms may temporarily be down some employees who may have to quarantine due to the virus or to take care of a sick family member. This could potentially create issues on the farm, especially when livestock need to be cared for or during a critical time of the growing season.
In turn, there is now an online database for farmers to turn to and for people who may be looking for additional, temporary agricultural work, perhaps someone who is in need of employment, may be retired from farm labor, or would like to add additional hours.
Anyone who is interested and willing to work on a farm is encouraged to submit their information to the new database to potentially be matched up with a farm in need in their area. Click here to view the database.
New York Farm Bureau hopes this will serve as a resource for its members to have needed staff on hand throughout this pandemic while also providing an opportunity for job seekers. It will be up to the individual farm to appropriately screen and hire any potential employees.
In addition, New York Farm Bureau is still making its COVID-19 resource page on its website, www.nyfb,org, open to all farms regardless of membership, to provide the latest information and guidance to all of agriculture in these difficult times.
New York Farm Bureau is encouraging all farms to continue to take this pandemic seriously, follow all of the recommended safety guidance and protocols, and have a plan in place to mitigate the spread, both in the workplace and in farmworker housing should it be provided.
Protecting farmworkers and fellow family members is a priority for the agricultural community.
(Above, City fire headquarters drive-thru route for free mask distribution Thursday.)
Submitted images and press release:
The City of Batavia will distribute free masks to members of the public on from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 21st and again on Saturday, May 23rd.
Thursday's distribution will be at City of Batavia Fire Station located at 18 Evans St.
Saturday's distribution will be at the City of Batavia Police Station located at 10 W. Main St.
Anyone wishing to receive a mask is asked to follow the drive-thru map instructions for each location and stay inside their vehicles.
Masks were obtained by the Genesee County Emergency Management Office to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
(Below, City police station drive-thru route for free mask distribution Saturday.)
Press release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today (May 19) announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to this direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.
“America’s farming community is facing an unprecedented situation as our nation tackles the coronavirus," Secretary Perdue said. "President Trump has authorized USDA to ensure our patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers are supported and we are moving quickly to open applications to get payments out the door and into the pockets of farmers.
“These payments will help keep farmers afloat while market demand returns as our nation reopens and recovers. America’s farmers are resilient and will get through this challenge just like they always do with faith, hard work, and determination.”
Beginning May 26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), will be accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses.
Background:
CFAP provides vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a 5-percent-or-greater price decline due to COVID-19 and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production, and disruptions to shipping patterns and the orderly marketing of commodities.
Farmers and ranchers will receive direct support, drawn from two possible funding sources. The first source of funding is $9.5 billion in appropriated funding provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act to compensate farmers for losses due to price declines that occurred between mid-January 2020, and mid-April 2020 and provides support for specialty crops for product that had been shipped from the farm between the same time period but subsequently spoiled due to loss of marketing channels. The second funding source uses the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to compensate producers for $6.5 billion in losses due to on-going market disruptions.
Non-specialty crops eligible for CFAP payments include malting barley, canola, corn, upland cotton, millet, oats, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers, durum wheat, and hard red spring wheat. Wool is also eligible. Producers will be paid based on inventory subject to price risk held as of Jan. 15, 2020.
A payment will be made based 50-percent of a producer’s 2019 total production or the 2019 inventory as of January 15, 2020, whichever is smaller, multiplied by the commodity’s applicable payment rates.
Livestock
Livestock eligible for CFAP include cattle, lambs, yearlings and hogs. The total payment will be calculated using the sum of the producer’s number of livestock sold between Jan. 15 and April 15, 2020, multiplied by the payment rates per head, and the highest inventory number of livestock between April 16 and May 14, 2020, multiplied by the payment rate per head.
Dairy
For dairy, the total payment will be calculated based on a producer’s certification of milk production for the first quarter of calendar year 2020 multiplied by a national price decline during the same quarter. The second part of the payment is based a national adjustment to each producer’s production in the first quarter.
Specialty Crops
For eligible specialty crops, the total payment will be based on the volume of production sold between January 15 and April 15, 2020; the volume of production shipped, but unpaid; and the number of acres for which harvested production did not leave the farm or mature product destroyed or not harvested during that same time period, and which have not and will not be sold.
Specialty crops include, but are not limited to, almonds, beans, broccoli, sweet corn, lemons, iceberg lettuce, spinach, squash, strawberries and tomatoes. A full list of eligible crops can be found on farmers.gov/cfap. Additional crops may be deemed eligible at a later date.
Eligibility
There is a payment limitation of $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined. Applicants who are corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits where members actively provide personal labor or personal management for the farming operation. Producers will also have to certify they meet the Adjusted Gross Income limitation of $900,000 unless at least 75 percent or more of their income is derived from farming, ranching or forestry-related activities. Producers must also be in compliance with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions.
Applying for Assistance
Producers can apply for assistance beginning on May 26, 2020. Additional information and application forms can be found at farmers.gov/cfap. Producers of all eligible commodities will apply through their local FSA office. Documentation to support the producer’s application and certification may be requested. FSA has streamlined the signup process to not require an acreage report at the time of application and a USDA farm number may not be immediately needed. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 28, 2020.
Payment Structure
To ensure the availability of funding throughout the application period, producers will receive 80 percent of their maximum total payment upon approval of the application. The remaining portion of the payment, not to exceed the payment limit, will be paid at a later date as funds remain available.
USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment.
More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
Press release:
The Town of Batavia Water Department reminds businesses to flush internal water plumbing systems if your facility has been closed or unoccupied for several weeks prior to reopening.
Our public water contains a residual chlorine disinfectant. As water use in a building slows or stops, the water tends to stagnate, causing a loss of this residual disinfectant.
This can lead to bacteria growth, as well as taste and odor issues, discolored water, and potential leaching of higher than normal concentrations of service line and premise plumbing materials such as lead and copper. Keeping the water moving, flushed and refreshed, is crucial in these situations to ensure clean, clear water, free of these unhealthy contaminants.
The Town of Batavia Water Department is issuing this guidance to ensure the safety of the water supply and the health and welfare of our customers, as businesses and facilities begin to reopen (due to the coronavirus pandemic) .
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) has issued guidance for “Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Little or No Use," the link can be found here.
Or visit the Town of Batavia website for that guidance.
For questions or assistance, you can contact the Town of Batavia Water Department at (585) 356-4900.
Press release:
Out of an abundance of caution and uncertainty of local and state restrictions/conditions in the month of July, the Alexander Fire Department Truck and Tractor Pull, originally scheduled for July 10th and 11th has been cancelled.
It is not the decision that we wanted to make but it was the necessary one for this year. The fans, pullers, sponsors, and vendors deserve the very best from us and given the conditions that we have been placed in with the COVID-19 pandemic it is not feasible at this time.
We thoroughly love bringing all the people to Alexander Fireman’s Grounds for our event and do not want to compromise anyone. Protecting and serving our community is our first priority and we take our responsibility seriously.
The Alexander Truck and Tractor Pull is one of our major fundraisers which helps Alexander Fire Department to function and we take great pride in making the Pull a great event each year. We cannot do this without the volunteer help, support of the community and local businesses. We cannot afford to take this risk and endanger the physical and financial condition of our group.
We appreciate the support of our fans, pullers, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, friends, family, and Empire State Pullers. We look forward to returning July 9th and 10th, 2021 and invite you to join us then for some of the best truck and tractor pulling. Mark your calendars!
Thank you,
Alexander Fire Department
Genesee County legislators, governmental leaders and law enforcement personnel are caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to sinking money into the existing County Jail on West Main Street while a $60 million new jail project remains on hold.
Members of the Public Service Committee, maintenance department heads and jail officials engaged in a 30-minute Zoom videoconferencing discussion on Monday, with everyone, at debate’s end, agreeing to spend only what is necessary to keep the current jail functioning at acceptable levels.
“If the new jail is deferred for any length of time, relative to revenue problems, we have an existing facility that we basically have been duct-taping and bailing twine together for the last couple years with the expectation that we’d have a new facility in its place,” said Tim Hens, county highway superintendent who also oversees capital projects.
Hens said that $3.5 million worth of projects at the 40-year-old jail are “in the can” for the next five years if the county is forced to slam the brakes on the 184-bed, four-pod state-mandated new jail that was moving at full speed ahead in February – just a month before the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head.
He said that replacement and/or repair of the heating/cooling system, fire protection/sprinkler system and plumbing top the list of items that need to be addressed, estimating the “high priority stuff” at $1.5 million.
“And that’s just looking at the jail, the rear portion of the building. This doesn’t consider the Genesee Justice and the front end of the building, which has its own issues and problems,” he said. “There is easily three quarters of a million dollars that you can put on the front end of the building just from a cosmetic stonework standpoint.”
Operationally, things could become much more expensive should the New York State Commission of Correction (COC) require Genesee County to start housing females at the jail, said Hens, noting that he has had talks with Sheriff William Sheron about that possibility.
“The operational change to do that would be very, very costly. I don’t even know how you begin to peel that off. You’d probably have to do another study. You’d have to parcel out a floor for females versus males, there would be significant capital change to adjust how the jail operates,” he said.
At this time, the jail population consists of 32 men and one woman (who is being held at a neighboring county jail).
Sheron said that extensive renovations would have to be made to the interior of the jail and that programming and compliance changes would need to be implemented to accommodate the female population.
“What that would entail at this point?” he asked. “I estimate millions of dollars to do that.”
Legislator Andrew Young inquired if any word had come down from the COC or anywhere else about directing the county to house female prisoners.
Jail Superintendent William Zipfel answered that one of the reasons for a new jail is so the county could “bring female inmates back into our own jurisdiction.”
“They’ve already taken our variance away for males and weekenders and it’s only a matter of time, I feel, before that will go away for females, and they’ll say, ‘Well, population is down and you’ll have to house them there,’ ” Zipfel said. “I have every reason to believe it will happen if things continue the way they are. I don’t have any reason to believe it won’t.”
Dialogue on putting money into the old jail continued with legislators Gary Maha and Marianne Clattenburg and Zipfel agreeing to not put good money after bad, except for maintenance that needs to be done for safety reasons and to avoid a temporary shutdown of the current jail.
Clattenburg suggested calling a special meeting of all the legislators.
“If we’re going to put money into a jail that we’re not going to use much longer, I think that Legislator Stein might want to make that a Committee of the Whole discussion,” she said.
Hens recommended continuing the design of the new jail to have it ready to receive some favorable bids when legislators get more clarity on their revenue stream.
“You’re going to have some hungry contractors out there chomping at the bit since the private construction has basically been locked down for quite a while now and probably will be for the foreseeable future,” he reasoned.
Assistant County Manager Matt Landers, who is spearheading the new jail plan, said the design of the project is complete.
“We’re there for a four-pod, 184-bed jail; we’re there with the design and ready to go,” he said. “Now it’s just a matter of when the dust settles to see that’s going to be what we’re moving forward with. And we’ll continue to have discussions with our regional partners.”
Landers added that county officials have built a solid relationship with the state and that COC officials would understand that “we’re at a reasonable place” with the design and haven’t abandoned the project.
Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein said this is an instance where the county can act upon Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plea to “reimagine government -- and especially in regard to this incredible cost of the jail project.”
“If we can’t move forward with talking about and demonstrating an opportunity for us to do a shared services model with the jail, we’re missing the boat as far as I am concerned,” she said. “We also need to fully understand what the new impact of social just reforms that went through this last budget that none of us have really talked about because we’ve all been talking about COVID and that’s where our focus has been.”
Deputy Highway Superintendent Paul Osborn then wrapped things up with a punch list of maintenance items at the current jail that could pop up in the coming months – two boilers in the basement (estimated at $20,000 per boiler to replace), an old generator (with renting one an option should it stop working), kitchen hood system ($4,500) and replacement of copper pipe in the sewer system.
The powers-that-be in Albany have made it clear to municipalities that they are in charge when it comes to reopening the state’s 10 regions.
-- Four phases, with each listing the types of businesses than can reopen – subject to rigid requirements.
-- Progression through the phases dictated by seven metrics tied to the coronavirus.
-- A fully regional approach, with communities prohibited from doing their own thing.
But when it comes to the enforcement of possible violations of quarantine orders, social distancing mandates or the wearing of face coverings, Genesee County leaders say they are being left in the dark.
Speaking during today’s Public Service Committee videoconferencing meeting, Legislator Andrew Young asked pointed questions about how to handle potentially confrontational situations as people lose patience with an economic shutdown that is into its ninth week.
“Let’s say it got down to the police force,” Young said. “Exclude code enforcement and zoning for a minute. Let’s assume that it’s someone’s home or something. That would have to be a police officer. What’s the threat like? What’s the crime? Is it an executive order and what’s the consequence? That’s a really gray area.”
County Manager Jay Gsell quickly responded, “Absolutely.”
Gsell, providing an update on the Finger Lakes Region “control room," reported that law enforcement and the county Health Department have dealt with issues, such as gatherings, that “might impose potential risk in regard to positive contact tracing and what the state will then look at in regard to the (metrics) dashboard that they have set up.”
He also mentioned that although the county has little input in the reopening process, it bears the burden of enforcement against acts of defiance.
“Whether it be the health department, zoning, code enforcement, basically, the bottom line, is really more and more likely to come to some part of law enforcement,” Gsell said, adding that Monroe County officials said that the State Police should be involved.
“… they would like the state patrol to be really part of this – really the bolstering of and the backup even to our own law enforcement -- if the kind and considerate request for people to stop doing something that seems to be violating or is violating the guidances, that state patrol would be there to help,” he said. “We don’t understand that that’s necessarily going to happen, but that’s what we’re dealing with on a day-to-day basis with the way this entire process is rolling out, starting with Phase One.”
Gsell said the extent to which Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive orders come with a “certain degree of legal enforceability” is superseded by the county’s right to know what it can and can’t do in touchy situations.
Young said the county needs to look to the Sheriff’s Office for answers.
“It’s really about our sheriff (William Sheron Jr.),” Young said, calling for a discussion with the full legislature on this issue. “Does he feel he’s comfortable with this? Is he willing to do this? Does he want to? Do we want him to is another question, right?”
Gsell explained that the state response to handling civil or criminal disobedience has been sketchy.
“The state is advising us to not engage in, I guess we’ll call it the ‘heaviest hand’ but recognize, and haven’t really dealt with the idea, that there’s going to be some people,” he said. “And we’ve already run into them in a couple cases, when they are approached and asked by either health department or even law enforcement people, and the response is not what I would call positive or compliant, and then the question is, ‘Now what are we going to do?’ and to what extent is this going to become … a potential incident.”
County Attorney Kevin Earl brought up a real incident – a recent news report that police officers in New York City wrestled a woman to the ground in front of her kids when she didn’t have her mask on properly. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s response was that he wasn’t prepared to press charges over masks at this point.
“The (NYS) Sheriffs' Association attorneys wrote a very long memo, saying basically kind of the same thing,” Earl said. “Possibly, if they didn’t disperse or something of that nature, could be disorderly conduct or failing to obey a lawful order of the sheriffs, but even the Sheriffs' Association, when they talked about this last week, is not really gung-ho on that course of action.”
Earl also said that lawyers noted that the governor has pointed to a section of the public health law that could be used, but “again, not many people are keen on that.”
He said bail reform means that people receive a ticket and don’t have to disperse.
While that could lead to escalation, Earl said that a violation of quarantine orders carries more weight.
“Basically, between (District Attorney) Larry (Friedman) and the sheriff and I, we came to the opinion that the best way to do it was to get an order from Judge (Charles) Zambito, with the order saying if they did not do this, they could be arrested and taken to that facility in Monroe County that opened up for that purpose and we, of course, got an inter-municipal agreement," he said. "So, Larry was pretty much on the side of civil action in that regard."
Earl encouraged all parties involved to seek “voluntary compliance,” adding “I don’t think we want an incident of where our sheriff’s (deputy) is taking down a lady because she didn’t have her mask or face covering.” He finished by saying he would try to provide more direction for the legislature.
Committee Chair Marianne Clattenburg proposed further debate while expressing confidence that the public “will make an effort to do the right thing and to remember that these precautions are not about taking away your civil liberties but they’re about the health and safety of the most vulnerable among us.”
Gsell said the emphasis must be on positive messaging.
Alluding to the “control room” meeting, he said, “that the community has to keep rallying around the idea (that) we have to get past this together and not as a bunch of individuals or as (Health Director) Paul (Pettit) would call them, the ‘COVID-iots’ running around deciding that today is May 18th and all bets are off.”
Press release:
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the Oakfield Betterment Committee Board must announce the cancellation of this year’s Oakfield Labor Daze in Triangle Park.
We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment, not only to the vendors, volunteers but to our amazing community who were looking forward to another exciting Oakfield Labor Daze this year.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly and there are a few overriding concerns due to COVID-19 that have caused us to make this decision at this time.
Labor Daze is a tradition that is and has always been funded by our wonderful sponsors. In uncertain economic times like these, our wonderful sponsors have the difficult struggle and decision to not only keep, or to not keep, employees, but to keep their door open. Oakfield Labor Daze should not be a decision they are confronted with, nor one we should present to them.
Second, our primary concern is the health and safety of EVERYONE who attends Labor Daze, which includes our committee, volunteers, food, craft and game vendors to YOU, our community, who has welcomed back Labor Daze to Triangle park with open arms.
In closing, with all these factors and uncertainty, we had to make this difficult decision.
As the weeks and months pass, we will be re-evaluating the situation and will be looking for a safe and responsible way to have a celebration during Labor Day weekend. We also look forward to getting a head start on other events that the Oakfield Betterment Committee has done in the past, new event ideas, and Oakfield Labor Daze 2021.
Please stay safe, healthy and continue to show warmth to others in these trying times.
Press release:
New Cases
Click here to view the Genesee and Orleans Counties' online map of confirmed cases.
Press release:
The City of Batavia will reopen part of City Hall to customers requiring services from the Office of the Bureau of Inspections only on Tuesday, May 26th.
New safety measures and guidelines will be in place at City facilities to keep City employees and residents safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tentatively the offices of the City Clerk and City Manager expect to reopen to the public on June 8th as part of the Finger Lakes Regional Phased Opening Plan. This date is subject to change as Phase One reopening progresses, and more information becomes available.
“There will be new sneeze guard shields that will be installed at all public counters including the Clerk’s Office, Department of Public Works, and the City Manager’s Office," said City Manager Martin Moore, Ph.D. "The City will continue to clean all facilities and wipe down all “high-touch” surfaces during the day.
"The fire department will continue to disinfect city vehicles on a regular rotation and all city employees that currently interact with the public will continue to wear masks and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)."
Residents who need to pay a bill are encouraged to use the dropbox outside of City Hall, pay through personal online banking, call with a credit card (fee applies), or mail a check.
Currently, the City has multiple options to contact employees, receive building permits, and pay bills. All departments are available via phone and email to assist you. As always in case of an emergency please call 9-1-1.
Questions on building permits can be directed to the Bureau of Inspection at (585) 345-6345 and forms are available online.
Questions on licenses, birth/death certificates, and tax payments can be directed to the City Clerk’s office (585) 345-6305 opt. 5, opt. 1., and online you can obtain information from the Frequently Asked Questions on the City Clerk's Page here.
Public Reopening at a Glance (These dates are subject to change.)
Stage
Location
Date
Notes
Open Now
City Parks
Yard Waste Station
Community Garden
Open Now
Tennis courts open
Playground equipment -- closed
Limited Access
Police Department
Fire Department
Monday, May 18
Must call at exterior phone for assistance
Stage 1
Inspection Bureau
Tuesday, May 26
Stage 2
City Clerk’s Office
City Manager’s Office
Monday, June 8
Open for purchases only -- not to pay bills
Future Stages
Youth Bureau
Ice Rink
Dwyer Stadium
City Centre
Closed to Public
Water Treatment Plant
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Bureau of Maintenance
Open for staff and delivery’s only
From the Genesee County Board of Elections:
Registration deadline for the Presidential Primary and Primary Election -- May 29 is the last day to postmark an application to register to vote.
With County Building One closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may also use the DMV drop box located on Court Street in the City of Batavia.
Voter registration forms can be found on our website.
Mail registration forms must be received at Board of Elections by June 3.
Registration deadline for the NY-27 Special Election – May 29 is the last day to postmark a registration form.
June 3 is the last day for the Board of Elections to receive a mail registration form.
June 13 is the last day to register in person at the Board of Elections.
Absentee for the NY-27 Congressional Special Election, Presidential Primary Election and Primary Election – June 16 is the last day to postmark, email or fax application or letter request for a ballot.
June 22 is the last day to apply in person for a ballot.
June 22 is the last day to postmark the ballot and it must be received by Board of Elections no later than June 30.
June 23 is the last day to deliver a ballot in person to the County Board of Elections by 9 p.m.
Last day to submit a change of address to the County Board of Elections is June 3.
Student photos and information from the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation:
For the first time ever, the Paulo Busti Cultural Foundation has had to cancel its annual Scholarship Dinner and COVID-19 is the reason.
"It is with great sadness, that for the first time in our history, this event will be cancelled," said foundation board President Michele Fuller. "Italian’s are synonymous with family, generosity and love. These students are our family. The Board of Directors wanted to do something special for them during this tumultuous time. We cannot think of a better way of taking care of our young than to award each one with a monetary scholarship.
The students have met all the necessary requirements, according to Scholarship Chair Annette LaBarbera, who has worked diligently to file all their applications.
The six awardees will be featured in the foundation upcoming newsletter, and their accomplishments will be celebrated at their next event.
They are: Kiaya Marie Condidorio, Rhoori Adea Fix, Christopher Gualtieri, Isabella Marie Riner, Megan Elizabeth Smith and Jacob Torcello.
The Gautieri family is also awarding each student with a monetary scholarship. This is given annually, in honor of their late father, Vincent Gautieri, an avid supporter of the foundation, and proud of his Italian heritage.
"We hope the kids take this opportunity to reflect on the hardships, prejudice, poverty and loneliness their ancestors endured when they came to America," Fuller said. "Their sacrifices made it possible for them to live The American Dream. They prevailed and they will, too!”
"He is an incredible man and we look forward to showcasing his many accomplishments," Fuller said.
Responsibility, passion, courage and accountability are the values Kiaya demonstrates with strong Italian roots. Both sets of grandparents arrived to the United States shores from Italy and Sicily.
Kiaya has learned to balance her academics and sports to achieve the Honor Roll consistently. She played soccer, softball, and basketball during her high school years and will continue to play soccer in college. Kiaya said that playing sports helped her realize her strengths and weaknesses, and grew from these challenges. Kiaya was awarded Scholar Athlete in soccer and basketball.
Volunteering at the school sports concession stand, cleaning and organizing at the fire hall, working at the Knights Closet, teaching youth basketball camp, and school peer counselor has helped to be a better leader.
Rhoori’s goal is to achieve her bachelor of science degree in Nursing with a specialty in Obstetrics -- Labor and Delivery. This demonstrates her desire to apply integrity, leadership and caring to her goal. Rhoori will be attending Genesee Community College in the Fall in Health Studies.
She's a member of the National Honor Society, qualified for the National Art Honor Society, and a Public Relations officer of the National Art Honor Society. Rhoori was the communication liaison between students and teachers on society events and the recipient of the BHS Silver Award.
As an active member of Ascension Parish, she assists in various parish events, assisting as an instructor for the younger students in the Faith Formation classes, student tutor for the district’s Extended Year program, assistant teacher/mentor at Center Stage Dance Company, and a volunteer for Ricky Palermo Foundation.
Rhoori said she feels “caring for others, no matter what, is something that I grew up valuing on a day to day basis."
His great-grandparents arrived in the United States from Italy, Sicily and Capri and settled in our community. This has instilled in Christopher the importance of family.
His plan in the Fall is to attend Fredonia College, majoring in Computer Science, with a minor in Athletic Coaching. He will be participating in track.
During his years at Le Roy HS, he participated in indoor / outdoor track team, and cross-country and was the captain on all three teams.
He is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, Design Club and Mock Trial.
Christopher appreciated the time he volunteered at Our Lady of Mercy Parish as an altar server, student volunteer for Religious Education, Vacation Bible School and fish fry dinners. At summer Camp Stella Maris, Christopher was a leader in training and counselor in training.
“I am a person of strong faith, a community giver, driven and dedicated to achieve my goals,” Christopher said.
Participating in extracurricular activities was a big part of her high school years. She received a Sportsmanship Award from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association; attended a World Leadership Conference; was a participant in the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadershiop Foundation program and named an Air Force Scholarship Athlete.
Isabella was Class President, Student Council Officer, President of National Honor Society, participated in the Page Turners, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Student Athletic Association, and Masterminds.
Sports was also a part of Isabella’s High School years, participating in Soccer, Basketball and Tennis.
Volunteering contributed to Isabella qualifications, a Bell Ringer for The Salvation Army, waitressed for Byron Presbyterian Turkey Dinner Church, Brayden Day of Play, Christmas Craft Show, Halloween in the Park, Secret Santa, cleanup at the cemetery, and Friends of Strong.
Isabella has been accepted at University of Rochester majoring in Bio-Medical Sciences and Anthropology. Her ultimate goal is Pediatrics.
Isabella states ”I am a strong Italian-American, and I take everything my family worked towards and I will keep it close to my heart."
Megan will be attending Niagara University in the Fall majoring in Education, specializing in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
A member of Resurrection Parish, where she is a kindergarten and first-grade Faith Formation instructor. This opportunity brightens her day, reassuring Megan that the choice of teaching will fulfill her.
Megan's accomplishments include: membership in the National Honor Society; working in Student Government and serving as a Student Representative; and participating in Rochester Youth Broadway Theatre, where she received Tip of the Hat recognition for stage crew exhibits.
She also participated in JV soccer, JV track, and band.
Volunteering is also a part of Megan’s life, she assisted at the John Kennedy Primary School Pasta Night, Applebee's Pancake Breakfast, Meals on Wheels, BHS Stage Crew and Link Crew Leader.
"Without my family, I would not be the person I am today!" Megan said. "Now that is Italian!"
"Being a member of an Italian family encourages everyone to work together to keep it running," Jacob said, and he exemplifies this in his studies, volunteer services and sports.
He's a member of the National Honor Society and participated in indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, summer soccer, BHS soccer and cross-country.
Jake demonstrated his leadership as a team captain for indoor and outdoor track and field.
Jacob has volunteered for Team Literacy Extended Year program, Breakfast with Santa, Z-club, Spring cleanup at St. Joseph Cemetery and at the Bethany Presbyterian Church.
A member of Ascension Parish, Jacob has helped at fundraisers and Bingo.
Jacob said “that his family has taught him to trust and love them and himself and it will help to overcome any problems that comes his way!”
Jacob will be attending SUNY Brockport, majoring in Education.
Press release:
Even though we are not sure when Western New York will meet the last of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s seven metrics for Phase One reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic and New York on PAUSE restrictions, Mental Health PEER Connection (MHPC) has created a safe way to relieve stress and observe Mental Health Month – by online teleconference on Thursday, May, 28th.
Realizing that isolation exasperates mental health issues, the staff of MHPC, all of whom have mental health concerns, have developed a system of specific tools to help all people to deal with the pandemic.
Maura Kelley, CPRP, director of MHPC, will lead the staff in sharing their tools by making up a so-called “Tackle Box for Emotional Health.”
“We are doing this to celebrate ‘May is Mental Health Month’," Kelley said. "If we who already have mental illness can thrive in this troubled time, people should support us and learn from it during this observance.”
Each staff member selected a mental-or-emotional-health-enhancing topic to research and prepare a two-to-three-minute presentation. At 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, anyone who registers to log onto the GoToMeeting teleconference site will enjoy the 16 uplifting presentations.
If you wish to participate in the Mental Health Awareness Month Celebration, or have any questions, please email Jillian Moss at: jmoss@wnyil.org. Or call her at (716) 836-0822, ext. 146, before May 28th. Upon registering, you will receive the GoToMeeting link to log in.
A member of the Western New York Independent Living Family of Agencies (WNYIL), Mental Health PEER Connection is a peer-driven advocacy organization, dedicated to facilitating self-directed growth, wellness and choice through genuine peer mentoring.
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