Local News - Week of February 19, 2012
DEC to hold “State of Lake Ontario” meetings
Biologists to update status of lake’s fisheries
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has scheduled three upcoming public meetings to discuss Lake Ontario fisheries. The annual “State of Lake Ontario” public meetings will be held in Niagara, Monroe and Oswego counties during February and March.
Lake Ontario and its embayments and tributaries support thriving populations of fish, including a variety of trout and salmon, bass, walleye, yellow perch and panfish. New York’s Lake Ontario waters comprise more than 2.7 million acres. A 2007 statewide angler survey estimated more than 2.6 million angler days were spent on Lake Ontario and major tributaries. The estimated value of these fisheries exceeded $112 million to the local New York economy.
The meeting dates are as follows:
•Wednesday, February 22, 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Oswego County BOCES, 179 County Route 64, Mexico (Oswego County). The meeting is co-hosted by the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association.
•Tuesday, February 28, 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Ingel Auditorium, in Building 4 (Student Union) on the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus, Rochester (Monroe County). The meeting is co-hosted by RIT and the Monroe County Fishery Advisory Board.
•Thursday, March 1, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport (Niagara County). The meeting is co-hosted by Niagara County Cooperative Extension and the Niagara County Sportfishery Development Board.
DEC, United States Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources biologists will make a number of presentations, including updates on the status of trout and salmon fisheries, forage fish, stocking programs, and fisheries management plans. Time will be provided at the end of the scheduled program for the audience to interact with the presenters. Information summaries for a host of Lake Ontario fisheries assessment programs will be posted at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27068.html prior to the public meetings. Previous annual reports can also be found at this site.
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2/19/12
No sales tax on shoes, clothes under $110
According to Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I - Greece), beginning April 1, clothing and footwear under $110 will now be exempt from the four percent New York state sales tax. The new exemption comes as the current, $55 and under, sales exemption will soon expire. Reilich says he voted against the measure to enforce sales tax on items under $110, and welcomes the new exemption.
“People do not like the idea of paying taxes on footwear or clothing when, prior to 2010, they didn’t have to. Quite frankly, they are taxed enough already. This exemption will further the buying power for families who need new clothes and shoes for their children for school, without having Albany taking their hard-earned money.”
“This is also great news for our local businesses,” said Relich. “Instead of families heading out of state where the sales tax rate is lower or doesn’t exist, this will help support them.”
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2/19/12
Noted planner to present economic development seminar
He has been credited with orchestrating the re-birth of downtown Mount Morris and on Wednesday, March 28, Greg O’Connell will present his success story during an economic development seminar at the A.D. Oliver Middle School Auditorium in Brockport from 7 to 9 p.m.
The seminar is free and open to interested community members, Mayor Connie Castaneda said during the February 14 regular meeting of the Brockport Village Board.
O’Connell is the president of The O’Connell Organization and has been called, “one of America’s best known progressive developers.” He attended SUNY Geneseo in the 1960s and worked as a New York City police detective before beginning his work of buying and restoring properties.
Joining O’Connell will be Livingston County Development Corporation downtown coordinator Louise Wadsworth. Wads-worth owned and operated a successful retail store on Main Street in Geneseo for 25 years.
2/19/12
Spencerport Food Shelf helps community in need
Steve BrownThe Spencerport Food Shelf is sponsored by the Spencerport Ecumenical Ministries, and staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers.
The food is donated by nine churches and numerous civic organizations and school groups. Currently they help about five families a week. They also send out seven baskets a month to senior citizens in need. Sixty three Thanksgiving baskets are also sent out.
In addition to food, each family received a gift certificate to TOPS to purchase perishables. In December 2011, thirty-four new families called for help, so the need keeps growing.
Food and cash donations from the community help make the outreach possible. Steve Brown, (upper left) has served in a leadership role for the Spencerport Ecumencial Food Shelf for more than 15 years.
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2/19/12
Board votes down proposal to change playground name
by Kristina Gabalski
Brockport village trustees have voted down a proposal by Mayor Connie Castaneda to re-name the Barry Street Park/Playground in honor of village resident John Lessord.
Trustees voted 3-1 during their regular meeting February 14 against the proposal. Trustees Carol Hannan, Margaret Blackman and Scott Hunsinger cast the no votes, Mayor Castaneda cast the yes vote. Trustee Kent Blair was excused from the meeting.
Trustees had asked the mayor to table the proposal for consideration at a future time.
“The last thing I want to do is vote against this,” Trustee Scott Hunsinger said.
But the mayor said she would not table the measure and called for a vote.
Mayor Castaneda had asked trustees to consider re-naming the park for Lessord during the January 24 meeting of the village board.
During a workshop session February 7, board members discussed putting a policy and procedure in place for naming parks and other village entities.
“We need to take a step back here,” Trustee Margaret Blackman said during discussion before the February 14 vote. “This has nothing to do with the person (whose name was brought forward).”
Mayor Castaneda said that in the past, the board has voted to re-name parks (most recently the Monika Andrews Children’s Park on Utica Street in 2011) with no policy or procedure in place. She also noted the village board voted in 2001 to name the police Department Building for a former police chief.
“You have set a precedent in the past, the Mayor said, “we need to honor him (Lessord), to not do that would be a disservice to him.”
Trustee Blackman said the re-naming of the Utica Street playground in honor of Monika Andrews was an emotional decision. “It was a wake-up call that we need to have a policy and procedure in place,” she said.
Trustee Carol Hannan agreed. “It’s important to take emotions out of decisions,” she said.
In her proposal to re-name the Barry Street Park in honor of Lessord, the mayor noted the years of “vigilance, hard work and determination” Lessord put into investigating the source of pollution in a creek running by his Lyman Street home. “Remediation is ongoing, even today,” she said.
Mayor Castaneda said Lessord’s work was instrumental in the village acquiring $64,000 to restore the playground at the park.
2/19/12
Municipalities, not-for-profits encouraged to apply for assistance
Applications are now available to eligible municipalities and not-for-profit organizations to compete for funds through Preserve New York, a grant program of the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts (NSCA).
A total of $83,674 is available for historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys. Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $10,000 each. The application deadline is May 7 of this year.
Examples of eligible projects include: historic structure reports for cultural institutions and public buildings; historic landscape reports for municipal parks; and cultural resource surveys of downtowns and residential neighborhoods.
In 2012, the Preservation League especially encourages projects that advance the preservation of neighborhoods and downtowns that qualify for the NYS Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit; identify and protect buildings and cultural landscapes at risk due to technological, transportation and energy developments; and continue the use of historic public buildings for cultural, interpretive and artistic purpose.
For Preserve New York Grant Program guidelines, visit the League’s website at www.preservenys.org. Prospective applicants should contact the Preservation League to discuss their projects and to request an application form.
The Preservation League of New York State is a private, not-for-profit organization that works to protect and enhance the Empire State’s historic buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods. The Preserve New York Grant Program is made possible through funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Organizations and municipalities receiving grant awards in 2011 included Monroe County: The South Wedge Planning Committee, Inc. and approximately 20 others.
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2/12/12
Bridge removal in Spencerport to be underway by end of month
Necessary permits issued to allow three railroad overpass demolitions
by Kristina Gabalski
Union Street, SpencerportSpencerport Mayor Joyce Lobene says she has been informed the CSX railroad bridge over Union Street (Route 259) in the village will be taken down by the end of February.
Lobene says she was informed that the final New York State DOT permit was issued on Friday, February 3.
Three bridges are being removed as part of the project and Mayor Lobene says the Manitou Road bridge will be taken down first, followed by the bridge in the village and then the Washington Street bridge.
Manitou Road, OgdenIn the village, only the bridge will be removed over Union Street. The village has agreed to keep and maintain the two abutments, Lobene says.
She adds that the abutments will be cleaned and the village hopes to work with the Spencerport Central School art department to paint murals on each side.
Village officials say they will let the public know as soon as an exact time table becomes available, Lobene says.
Washington Street, Adams BasinThe canal bridge will also be closed at times in the near future for repair work, the mayor advises. Lobene says the bridge will be closed for three weeks and the DOT will coordinate their time tables so that both bridges will not be worked on at the same time. She asked that the traffic signals be put back up on the Martha Street bridge so residents on the north side of the village will not have to deal with long detours. The signal lights were installed last week.
2/12/12
Long-term plans in place for Cupola site’s future
by Kristina Gabalski
The Town of Clarkson and Lakeside Health System officials say long-term plans are in place in regards to the former Cupola Nursing Facility on West Avenue.
Lakeside’s Bill Beideck says Lakeside plans to demolish the former nursing home and construct a state of the art medical office facility in its place.
“It’s a long-term goal and part of the (3-5 year) strategic plan for the health system,” Beideck says. “There are costs associated with this.”
Beideck and Clarkson officials say the cost of demolition is expected to be $300,000 because of asbestos abatement that will need to be a part of the process. Lakeside has been working with a developer on the project, Beideck says.
Lakeside has also been working closely with the Clarkson building department, Beideck adds, to make sure the building is kept secure and safe and that it meets town code requirements.
Utilities have been removed from the building, Beideck notes, and the hospital, “... has worked to prevent access to the building. The Town of Clarkson and the Brockport Fire Department are aware of how to deal with a situation if they had to enter the building.”
Clarkson Supervisor Paul Kimball says he is aware that holes have begun to develop in the roof of the building and that he has been in contact with hospital officials. “We have been working with Lakeside to keep the building safe,” he says.
2/12/12
Area churches launch Hispanic outreach
The United Methodist Church of North Chili and Rochester: Emmanuel United Methodist Church are launching a Hispanic outreach into the Chili, Gates, Churchville, and Spencerport areas. The effort is part of the church’s overall aim to be a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic church for all peoples and will begin with a series of bilingual Spanish-English family-oriented movie nights, February 26, March 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 5 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of North Chili, 2200 Westside Drive, Adam’s Fellowship Hall. Refreshments will be served. Each movie will be followed by a discussion about the Hispanic ministry. The order of movies are February 26, “Chestnut;” March 4, “Fireproof;” March 11, “Diaries of a Mad Black Woman;” March 18, “Facing the Giants;” and March 25, “My Family aka Mi Familia.”
The churches plan to hold the first worship services at the North Chili facility, a Celebration of Christ’s Passion, April 1 and a Celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, April 8 at 5 p.m.
The project is being led by the Reverend Dr. Wilfredo J. Baez, Pastor of the United Methodist Church of North Chili and Ruth Rosa, Lay Missioner from the Rochester: Emmanuel United Methodist Church. People willing to be part of the project can contact Rev. Baez at the United Methodist Church of North Chili, (585) 594-9111 or revwillbaez@gmail.com.
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2/12/12
Congresswoman Hochul visits Churchville dairy business
During a visit to Zuber Farms in Churchville February 6 to discuss her opposition to burdensome government regulations for farmers, like the recently lifted ban on the wintertime application of manure, Congressman Kathy Hochul announced she has joined the bipartisan House Dairy Caucus to better represent the farmers in New York’s 26th Congressional District.
“Dairy farms play an important role to the New York State economy, making up nearly half of our state’s $4.5 billion agriculture industry and yielding more than 12 billion pounds of milk annually,” said Congresswoman Hochul. “Fighting against burdensome regulations, like the ban on the wintertime application of manure, and fighting to give them the workforce they need, by supporting an expansion of a temporary guest worker program, are some of the reasons why I joined the House Dairy Caucus. We must continue to support common sense initiatives that provide our farmers with the proper resources and right opportunities to grow and continue to be driving factors in the Western New York economy.”
With nearly 35,000 farms, most family-owned, New York’s agriculture industry is one of the state’s largest small business industries. New York currently ranks fourth in the nation in milk production, and Wyoming County, in the middle of New York’s 26th District, leads the state with almost 200 dairy operations.
Joining Congresswoman Hochul on the tour at Zuber Farms were Kim and Eric Zuber, co-managers of Zuber Farms; Scott Page, president of the Genesee County Farm Bureau, and seven other local dairy farmers from throughout Western New York. Kim is also the former President of the Monroe County Farm Bureau and a member of the Executive Committee for the New York Farm Bureau’s Western New York Regional Advisory Committee. Eric is currently a member of the New York Farm Bureau.
Zuber Farms is a dairy farm in Monroe County, home to 1,000 head of young stock. The 10 farmers present represented more than 10,000 head of cattle.
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2/12/12
Monroe County village mayors and officials gather for annual association dinner
Mayor Nancy Steedman, Churchville; Mayor Fritz May, Fairport; Mayor Joyce Lobene, Spencerport; Peter Baynes, NYCOM; Mayor Joe Lee, Hilton; Mayor Peter Elder, Webster; Mayor Maria (Connie) Castaneda; Mayor Robert Corby, Pittsford; Mayor Rick Milne, Honeoye Falls. Provided photoThe Monroe County Association of Villages Annual Dinner Meeting took place on Saturday January 21 at Midvale Country Club. This year’s event was hosted by the Village of Brockport.
The Assocation of Villages is an organization of participating Monroe County villages that provides a forum to identify and discuss common issues and to facilitate cooperative action. Through the sharing of information and ongoing collaboration, the Association strives to enhance the quality and efficiency of our individual operations and services as well as the success of their shared mission to improve life in Monroe County. The 203 in attendance were primarily government officials and staff from the ten Monroe County villages.
At the head table were Brockport Mayor Maria (Connie) Castaneda, association president, and her friend Norm Giancursio, Trustee Kent Blair and his wife, Rachael, and Trustee Dr. Margaret Blackman and partner Ulpian Toney. They were joined by Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and her husband and this year’s guest speaker, Peter A. Baynes and his wife. Baynes is the Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM), a membership association representing more than 590 city and village governments. Mr. Baynes is a native of East Rochester but now lives and works in Albany. Baynes provided the village representatives an update on various legislative issues facing Association leadership in the upcoming session.
Also in attendance from Brockport were Village Manager Mike Giardino, Village Clerk Leslie Morelli and her husband, John, DPW Superintendent Harry Donahue and his wife, Robin, David Moore and his wife, Scarlet, Linda Baker and her husband John, and Village Attorney Rob Leni. Also in attendance and showing his support was Monroe County Legislator Robert Colby.
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2/12/12
GCC offers free income tax preparation
For the third consecutive year, volunteers at Genesee Community College are providing free income tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2011 tax season. Working collaborative with Genesee County Department of Social Services (GCDSS), interested participants have access to walk-in sessions at GCC’s Batavia Campus or appointment-based services at DSS.
The walk-in sessions at the GCC Batavia campus are Tuesday, March 6; and Thursday, March 22, each from 4 to 7 p.m. in room T204. The appointment-based services available at the Genesee County DSS at 5130 East Main Street, Batavia are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. by calling 344-2580 ext. 6552.
Through VITA, IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to community members with low to moderate-income. The certified volunteers have undergone rigorous online training to be able to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.
The services are available to anyone whose household income is below $50,000 and does not require the filing of Schedule C or D. Business tax returns or complicated capital gains transactions cannot be completed through the VITA program. Each client leaves with a copy of his or her return that has been prepared. GCC is pleased to be working with Mark Castiglione from the Department of Social Services, who is the site coordinator.
Participants must bring all their necessary documents including W-2 (wage and earning statement(s) from employer(s), W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc (interest and dividend statements from banks) forms; social security cards for all persons listed on the tax return; and a copy of last year’s Federal and State returns, if available. In addition, bank account routing numbers and account numbers are also needed for direct deposit. Other information participants may need to provide includes total annual payment for daycare providers plus the daycare provider’s tax identifying numbers and address. Lastly, for married-filing joint tax returns, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
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2/12/12
Souper Bowl raises funds for Lakeside
Front l to r: Chef Stephen DeSantis of Stephen's Loft, Michelle Spagnola, chair of the Prairie Fire Twig, and Chef Paul Kraaijenbrink, from The Garland House, following award presentations. Provided photoWinners and participants in the 2nd annual Souper Bowl Competition sponsored by the Prairie Fire Twig of Lakeside Memorial Hospital held January 29 at the Sweden Farmer’s Museum helped raise funds for a new digital mammography machine for the hospital.
In the Best Restaurant Chili category, the winners were: The Garland House Restaurant - Sirloin Chili (Chef Paul Kraaijenbrink) and Jimmy Z’s (Chef Jimmy Zisovski). The Best Restaurant Soup/Stew category was won by Stephen’s Loft with their Braised Veal and Vegetable Stew with Garlic Bread (Chef Stephen DeSantis). Honorable Mention goes to 2 Brothers Family Restaurant (Chef Nichols Tasanis) for their Avgolmondo, The Garland House entry of Seafood Bisque (Chef Paul Kraaijenbrink), and Stephen’s Loft (Chef Stephen DeSantis) for their Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya. The best individual soup/stew category went to the Spagnola family, for their Tortellini Soup.
The Town of Sweden provided the venue, Jimmy Z’s donated the paper products/spoons and EcoVis Incorporated donated all of the trophies for the event.
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2/12/12
Unity defends pursuit of Brockport facility
by Kristina Gabalski
Unity Health System continues to move forward with plans to open a new 18,000 square feet facility near the Wegmans Plaza in the Town of Sweden, as it awaits state approval of its Certificate of Need (CON) application.
In response to a recent resolution by the Brockport Village Board opposing Unity’s CON application, backlash from community members and Lakeside Health System’s ongoing effort to fight the project, Unity Health System’s Patrizia Corvaia provided the Suburban News and Hamlin Clarkson Herald with updated details about Unity’s plan and the services it currently provides to the Brockport community.
“Unity has been providing health care in the Brockport community for ten years,” a statement says. “Our new Brockport office location will enable us to continue to provide services requested and needed by community residents.”
Unity Health states in a detailed fact sheet that the designation of Brockport as a Health Professions Shortage Area for Primary Care by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, was made in October of 2010 and included in the September 2011 update.
“Unity, Lakeside and affiliated physicians receive a ten percent Medicare bonus for providing primary care services in this designated area,” Unity says.
Unity also contends a high proportion of Brockport residents are active patients of Unity Health System physician practices.
“As of November 2011, 5,664 Brockport women (in the 14420 zip code) were active patients of one of our 32 owned physician practices,” Unity says. “Of these, 1,463 used our Unity Ob-Gyn at Brockport practice. The additional thousands of women who use Unity Ob-Gyn at Brockport travel from as far away as Medina, Batavia, Fairport and Webster.”
“Additionally, over 4,500 Brockport residents have utilized one of Unity’s three ACM Medical Laboratory patient service centers in Brockport (6565 Fourth Section Road, 80 West Avenue, 300 West Avenue) at least one time in the past two years,” Unity states.
“Our expansion is in no way a competitive action against Lakeside or any organization,” Unity says. “In fact, a number of physicians who will work at this site currently provide coverage at Lakeside.
“We continue to believe that where patients get their health care is a matter of personal choice and convenience.”
The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency approved Gallina Development for property tax breaks of $465,295 for the construction of the $3.1 million building that Unity at Brockport will lease. Projected benefits are $1.1 million, the Unity statement says.
Unity also says Gallina Development was selected based on a competitive bid process. “Gallina Development specializes in commercial and industrial real estate, managing over 1.4 million square feet of office and warehouse space throughout Monroe County,” Unity says. “Among them are two medical complexes: South Point Landing Office Park in Greece and Cambridge Place in Brighton.”
According to the Unity fact sheet, “COMIDA continues to provide incentives for the completion of significant health care projects in our community. Recent among these are: $6 million to Rochester General Health System, $15 million to Highland Hospital, $35 million to Unity Health System, $36 million to Strong Health/University of Rochester and $30 million for the renovation of the former Genesee Hospital.”
Unity also provided additional information about its CON application:
“Administrative level CON approval is required for Unity at Brockport,” Unity says. “Because Unity at Brockport involves the operation of an existing primary care site, it is eligible for an administrative CON review. Public Health and Health Planning Council review is not required.”
Unity maintains its history of collaboration to meet community health needs, officials add.
“In 2008, noting the under-utilization of Lakeside Hospital and its proximity to Unity Hospital, the 2020 Commission of the Finger Lakes Health System encouraged collaboration between Unity and Lakeside,” Unity states. “Unity stated publicly that this recommendation had merit and was worthy of review. Subsequent formal and informal discussions initiated by Unity between Lakeside administrators, trustees and physicians have not been met with any interest.”
Unity says the new office facility will offer several speciality services, ranging from infectious disease and diabetes care, to neurology, pulmonology, and nephrology. One or two family medicine physicians will be added in the future.
“Again, for patient convenience, laboratory (provided by ACM Laboratory), x-rays and mammography (provided by Borg & Ide Imaging), and physical therapy services will be provided here as well,” Unity states.
Lakeside CEO James Wissler has stated that Unity plans to bring services into the community that are already offered at Lakeside and which will result in redundancy of services, increase cost and jeopardize the viability of Lakeside and the services it provides to the area.
2/5/11
Dogs need to be licensed annually
New York State requires that all dogs over the age of four months be licensed by the local municipalities. Licensing is done to be sure that all dogs have current rabies vaccinations, protecting the dog, their owner, and the rest of the community.
New licenses may be obtained either in person at the Town Clerk’s Office or by mail. Ogden’s clerk’s office is located at the Ogden Community Center, 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport 14559. Hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To license by mail submit the following information: proof of a current rabies vaccination, proof of spaying or neutering, a check payable to the Town of Ogden for the appropriate amount. Make sure the dog’s type, color, name and birth year are included in the information.
The annual licensing fee for an unneutered or unspayed dog is $17 and $9 if spayed or neutered. The Town of Ogden offers senior residents 65 and older a reduced license fee $11.50 for unneutered or unspayed dog and if spayed or neutered, $3.50.
Monroe County Dog Parks require that all dogs be licensed in order to make use of the parks. The on-site registration times at the new Greece Canal Labor Center are February 8, 13 and 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. Before coming to the park on these dates you need to bring copies to be kept on file of your current rabies certificate and dog license. They accept checks or money orders only. The cost is $24 per dog. Checks are to be made payable to “Monroe County Parks Department.”
For information visit www.ogdenny.com Town Clerk’s Department or call 617-6111.
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2/5/12
Brockport Ambulance Corps becomes independent of village
by Kristina Gabalski
January 2012 will go down as a history-making month for the Brockport Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.
On January 12, the Ambulance Corps celebrated its 50th anniversary, and at its regular meeting January 24, members of the Brockport Village Board unanimously voted to approve and authorize an agreement which includes the transfer of its New York State Department of Health Ambulance Service Certificate (“operating certificate”) to the Corps, making it independent of the village.
Many Brockport Ambulance Corps members attended the January 24 meeting and called the transfer of ownership a “milestone.”
Brockport Ambulance President David Rice said now the Corps only needs the “stamp of approval” from the State Health Department. “It’s the final piece of the puzzle,” he said of the effort to establish the Ambulance Corps as an independent EMS agency.
Ambulance Corps member Christopher Martin said the agreement will allow for the “continuation of 50 years of service by this community of volunteers.”
“This was a group effort,” David Rice noted of the many months of meetings and negotiations which went into finalizing the agreement. “Everybody on the committee added something to this.”
He commended Corps members who have worked diligently over the past year continuing to take calls day and night allowing other Ambulance Corps members to focus on reaching an agreement and obtaining all the necessary approvals.
Under the agreement, the Brockport Volunteer Ambulance Corps will provide ambulance service to the Village of Brockport. “We hopefully will contract with the Brockport Fire District,” Christopher Martin said.
David Rice explained that the newly created fire district and the Ambulance Corps’ independence from the village will have a positive impact on emergency fire and medical services provided to the community by separating them from politics.
It will allow the Fire Department and Ambulance Corps to “rise above the muck,” he said.
The Ambulance Corps has had no hidden agenda in the process of becoming independent, Christopher Martin said. “It’s stepping up to serve out of love for the community,” he said of the Corps, whose goal is: “to come when called.”
According to the Emergency Medical Services Agreement, “The Brockport Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BVAC) shall pay the Village the sum of $55,000 to be held in escrow by counsel on behalf of the Village pending the successful transfer of the Village’s Operating Certificate to the Corps, and the Corps will provide services ... to the Village and in return, the Village will allow all third party billing money received subsequent to the Operating Certificate transfer to be received directly by the Corps.”
Under the agreement, the Village also authorizes the Corps, “either directly or through a billing service agency contracted by the Corps, to establish and collect fees or charges for services rendered by the Corps. Such fees or charges may be billed directly to the user’s insurance carrier, in such instances that the user’s insurance contract provides for such direct payment as long as a copy of said bill is also sent to the user.”
The Village will provide, at a monthly rate of $1.00, the facility, or specified portions thereof, located at 38 Market Street, for the Corps to occupy for the purposes of providing EMS, the agreement states.
The agreement also gives sole authority and control to the Corps’ Board of Directors over the management of the Corps’ operations, assets, revenues and expenditures and transfers to the Corps ownership and legal title to emergency vehicles and all equipment and supplies currently in the possession of the Corps.
The term of the agreement begins February 1, 2012 and expires January 31, 2017. It will be automatically renewed for an additional five years at that time unless either party notifies the other in writing on or before August 20, 2016, that it has decided not to renew or wishes to renegotiate.
Mayor Connie Castaneda thanked the Ambulance Corps for assisting “the Village in accomplishing this goal. We wish them the best of luck,” she said.
1/29/12
Middle Skills job training offered through Center for Workforce Development
Middle-skill jobs - those that require more than a high school diploma but not a four-year degree - account for nearly half of all current jobs in New York, and are a substantial share of future job openings. The Center for Workforce Development offers training in middle-skill jobs - such as computer support specialist; dental assistant; skilled trades; and legal, general, medical and administrative office careers.
•Skilled trades includes building maintenance, HVAC service technician (residential/light commercial), and machining/CNC fundamentals. Each of these courses begins March 1 and runs for 19 weeks (605 hours) with classes held Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•Legal, general, medical and administrative office career training opportunities begin March 5 for 20 weeks (600 hours). Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PELL Grants, Stafford Loans, and other tuition assistance are available to those who qualify. Skilled trades and dental assistant classes are held at the Spencerport location at 3589 Big Ridge Road. Computer support specialist and office careers training are held at the Center for Workforce Development, Rochester TechPark, 160 Wallace Way, Building #9. For information, call 349-9100 or visit www.monroe2cwd.edu. Information sessions are offered weekly and open houses are held monthly.
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1/22/12
Trees and shrubs available through Conservation District
The Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District’s Annual Tree and Shrub Program is accepting orders through March 18, 2012. Proceeds from this sale go to support the conservation programs at the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The district now offers more than 30 species of bare-root conifers, hardwood trees, shrubs and groundcovers, as well as seed mixes and other products used in conservation projects. Packages range in unit size and price, from a bundle of 10 plants for as low as $11, to bundles of 100 plants for an average cost of $84. Some of the new selections for this year are: Nannyberry, Black Walnut and Am. Cranberry. Options to meet planting needs include individual packs of 10 for tree and shrub species, as well as multi-packs that include two each of five different species, suitable for the suburban conservationist.
All plants are bare-root stock making them easier to transport and plant. This is a pre-order program and the deadline date for ordering is March 18.
Those interested may get order forms by logging onto the district’s website: www.monroecountyswcd.org or by stopping at any Monroe County town clerk’s office, or contact the County Soil and Water Conservation District at 585-473-2120 extension 3, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to have the order form faxed, mailed or emailed.
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1/1/12
