Press release:

The Run for the Acorns is from Friday, Sept. 23, with the virtual run going to Oct. 1. It includes the following events: 10k Run (In person), 5k Run/Walk (In person), Virtual 10k Run, and Virtual 5k Run/Walk.

Race in person or use the virtual option. Both courses are marked with signs and direction arrows, and the app tracks the courses using GPS points.   Your start and finish times will be recorded and posted to the results automatically.  To join the virtual race run the 5K or 10K course at the park between 8 a.m. Sept.  23, and 5 p.m. Oct. 1, using the RaceJoy tracking app.  Your start and finish times will be recorded and posted to the results automatically. 

The courses are on single and double-track trails through the forest, along a creek, and up and down rolling hills in the Genesee County Park & Forest, with an estimated 100 feet of climb in the 10K loop. Trails are very wide and easy to negotiate (rocks and roots are clearly marked for safety). The courses start on asphalt and then lead into the woods for a truly beautiful run through the countryside. Surround yourself in the beauty of the forest in October on trails through the woods, along the headwaters of Black Creek, and over rolling hills.

Grab a friend for some great exercise and fun in the park!! Meet at Pavilion B for the race start.  This 5k/10k trail run and walk is designed for people of all ages and activity levels.  Awards will be given to the top overall male and female running finishers in each race.   Awards will also be given to the top male and female running finishers in each age group.  Enjoy post-race snacks and drinks as you congratulate your fellow participants!

DETAILS

Starting Times for October 2nd: Check-in 8:00 a.m. 10K Run 9:00 a.m. 5K Run/Walk 9:15 a.m.

Virtual Run:  You must run the 5K or 10K course at the Genesee County Park & Forest between 8 a.m. Sep. 23, 2022, and 5 p.m. Oct. 1, 2022, using the mobile RaceJoy tracking app which you can download when you register.

10K Run: You must finish the first 5K of the race in 50 minutes or less or you will be disqualified.

Shirts: Must register by September 10, 2022, to receive a long-sleeved tech race shirt. No guarantee of a shirt if you register after this date.

Awards: Medals to the overall top two male and female finishers in the 5K and 10K run, to the winning team in the 10K Team Relay event, and to our top male and female finishers in each age group (14 & under for the 5K run, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & over) – you must be present to receive your medal. No awards to virtual race participants.

Fees: October 2, 2022: $30 in advance (must be received by 5 p.m.  Sept. 25, 2022); $35 late and race day registration.

Virtual Race: $10 in advance for virtual race participation plus a $20 option to purchase a race shirt (order for shirt must be received by 5 p.m. Sept. 10, 2022). 

Packet Pickup: Friday Sept. 30, 2022 4:30 – 6:00 pm at DeWitt Recreation Area 115 Cedar St., Batavia, at Pavilion 1 or on race day.

Register online:  runsignup.com/Race/NY/EastBethany/RuntheAcorns

Photo: File photo by Howard Owens

Anthony Louis Liberi, 50, of Burrow Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle 3rd, reckless endangerment 2nd, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, reckless driving, and failure right of way to an emergency vehicle.  Liberi is accused of fleeing from deputies attempting to make a traffic stop at 12:33 a.m., Aug. 27, on Buffalo Road in Bergen. The pursuit ended when Liberi's vehicle struck a median and his vehicle become disabled in the Town of Gates.  Gates PD assisted in the pursuit.  He was arrested by Deputy David Moore and Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Thea Mauritia Irons, 29, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Irons is accused of shoplifting at Walmart on Aug. 29 at 5:02 p.m. and was arrested by Deputy Zachary Hoy. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Donald S. Lewandowski, 44, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI. Lewandowski was stopped by State Police on Main Road, Newstead, on Aug. 23. According to State Police, Lewandowski failed a field sobriety test. He was processed at SP Clarence following his arrest where he allegedly refused a chemical test.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Stanley F. Piasecki, 61, of Alexander, is charged with DWI. Piasecki was stopped at  DWI checkpoint on Broadway in the Village of Alden. State Police say he failed a field sobriety test.  He was arrested and transported to SP Clarence for processing where he allegedly recorded a .11 BAC. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Alfred A Wasielewski, 63, of Pembroke, is charged with DWI and refusal to submit to a breath test. Wasielewski was stopped at a DWI checkpoint on Aug. 25 on Route 33 in the Town of Alden.  He allegedly failed a field sobriety test. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Press release:

The GCEDC board approved a final resolution for a proposed $17.6 million project by NEXgistics to construct a 140,000 sq. ft. warehouse distribution center and national headquarters in Pembroke at its board meeting on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

NEXgistics is a fast-growing third-party logistics provider specializing in consumer electronics, sporting and outdoor goods, e-bikes and related products with operations in New York and Nevada.

The facility will be located on 30 acres of land on Vision Parkway in the town of Pembroke. NEXgistics currently leases space at two locations in western New York and will build a centrally located facility that enables the company to retain 21 full-time positions and create three new jobs.

“Thanks to our local and state officials, Genesee County is becoming a business ecosystem that companies across the country want to be a part of,” said Steve Hyde, Genesee County Economic Development Center president and CEO. “Along with our friendly business environment, companies have access to talent developing at our high schools and career-focused Genesee Valley BOCES, and institutions such as the Monroe Community College FWD Center, Northland Workforce Training Center, Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association, and other partners.”

NEXgistics has requested sales tax exemptions estimated at $812,000, a property tax abatement of approximately $1,116,360, and a mortgage tax exemption estimated at $154,650.  For every $1 of public benefit the company is investing $7 into the local economy.

Even though the end of summer is now upon us, construction marches on for as long as the weather permits.

Batavia Development Corporation Director Tammy Hathaway recently reviewed a list of projects — from completed and in progress to still in the design phase — throughout downtown.

Hunt Real Estate’s new home at 97 Main St. is set for its debut with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday while architectural and design firms are working out details for a revamped Batavia City Centre and Jackson Square.

Ellicott Station — the $22.5 million project of 55 units within an apartment complex, office suites and a restaurant/brewery is coming along, Hathaway said, sharing that she and City Manager Rachael Tabelski had taken a tour of the south side construction zone.

Standing just outside of the four-story, naked wood complex, one can hear power tools and occasionally see workers on the top floor. Peeking through the window and door cut-outs, one can see traffic along Ellicott Street and businesses on the opposite side of the street.

The project is moving along swiftly, Hathaway said during the BDC meeting at City Hall.

“It’s a gorgeous building,” she said of the defunct Della Penna site that’s part of the project.

Theater 56 will be going into the next phase of construction at its new location in Batavia City Centre, she said. BDC member Pierluigi Cipollone asked if the project was still on course for year-end completion. “As far as I know,” Tabelski said.

Other projects are underway from 99 to 216 Main Street, including a $5.25 million "Carr's Reborn" renovation, and focus has been placed on 60 Evans St., known as Creek Park LLC, Hathaway said. The LLC company is a subdivision of Batavia Development Corporation: "BDC will take ownership of  Creek Park LLC for land development," she said. "To make the unknowns known."

For example, Savarino Companies went through Creek Park LLC for its Ellicott Station project, she said. There is also a piece of property called Creek Park that sits behind the ice arena on Evans Street.

“We’re working on getting that into Brownfield development,” she said.

Brownfields are identified for potentially needing remediation to remove toxic materials from those sites. There has been some interest in the site, so far, Hathaway said, and it's unknown right now whether remediation will be required, so that will need to be explored.

“It’s been extremely exciting lately,” she said. “I have a major crush on this job.”

Three different blocks of projects have so far tallied estimated investments of $2.4 million, $66 million, and $1.14 million, she said, for all of the above sites, plus the Healthy Living campus, which is also under construction, and Ellicott Place, which has been completed on top of the Save-A-Lot building at Ellicott and Jackson streets.

A majority of the $69.4 million investment has been from private developers, with the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and New York Main Street grants providing about $10.8 million toward the cost.

“I would say to pack your hard hat and work boots because so much is going on with tours,” she said to the BDC members.

Top Photo: Creek Park on Evans Street, Batavia, has been identified as potential development property; Ellicott Station developer Savarino Companies continues to progress toward a 55-unit apartment complex with 52 balconies, nine units dedicated to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, 37 garage parking spots and 44 surface parking spaces, a laundry room, elevator, community room, bicycle storage and an enclosed ADA playground on Ellicott Street. Photos by Joanne Beck.

The clear evening sky at sunset in Pembroke.

Photo by Joanne Meiser.

Jim Owen, in red, back row, a familiar face as a long-time substitute teacher at Batavia City School District and honorary Mayor of Redfield Parkway, visited the high school to check out the newly named Frank E. Owen Auditorium, dedicated to his late father for forging a new and successful music program at the district during his 37 years as music director.

Owen was not able to make last week's dedication in person, but he was present in spirit, and via a pre-recorded video message of how much the event and naming meant to him, emphasizing that it was in honor of his father, music students, teachers and all that use the State Street auditorium. Superintendent Jason Smith, left, and BHS Principal Paul Kesler, right, flank Owen in a group of Blue Devils students happy to join in.

Earlier this week during a Board of Education meeting, the board accepted a $5,000 donation from Owen. He gave it for "any enhancements in the Frank E. Owen Batavia High School Auditorum at the discretion of the district."

Photo submitted by the city school district.

File Photo of last year's Walk to End Alzheimer's by Howard Owens. Walk organizers opted to have a hybrid version of the walk to include both virtual and in-person participants after the pandemic prompted a virtual-only event in 2020.

Press Release

The Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter, is inviting Genesee and Wyoming County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on October 1 at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m., and the actual Walk commences at 11:15 a.m.

Lynn Westcott, senior director of development at the WNY Chapter, says: “The Genesee/Wyoming Counties Walk to End Alzheimer's is our signature event for awareness and we are thrilled to bring the Walk back as a completely in-person event this year.” Covid-19 concerns prompted the Alzheimer’s Association to hold a virtual Walk in 2020 and a hybrid version in 2021.

On Walk day, participants come together to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and raise funds that ensure the programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association are free to all who need them. In addition, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony, with the colors of the Promise Garden flowers representing people’s connection to Alzheimer’s – their personal reasons to end the disease.

Kim Arnold, chair of the Genesee/Wyoming Counties Walk to End Alzheimer’s, shares, “I volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association in support of the families and caregivers of those who live with Alzheimer's disease. We have so many outstanding people and families in these two counties' communities who have been affected by Alzheimer’s and consistently support the Walk, and the Alzheimer’s Association. The dedication and turnout has been heartwarming year after year. We look forward to seeing all those smiling faces again for Walk 2022! It's a morning full of fun with music, performers and activities to interest all ages.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In New York alone, there are more than 410,000 people living with the disease and 580,000 caregivers. 

This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is presented by Uniland. To register and receive the latest updates on the Genesee/Wyoming Counties Walk, visit act.alz.org/GeneseeWyoming. To learn more about the planning committee or sponsorship opportunities, contact Lynn Westcott at lwestcott@alz.org or 716.440.4251.

Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk^®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.  

Alzheimer's Association^®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900. 

Press release:

Genesee County Interagency Council, Inc. will start our 2022-2023 year on Sept. 21.  Membership in this Council consists of representatives of various agencies/organizations, social interest groups, or others including: representation of religious faiths, schools, youth agencies, health groups, special agencies, professional societies, and community volunteers interested in the well-being of Genesee County residents, and all types of human service related agencies/organizations.

We welcome new members and visitors into our council.  Meetings are held at noon on the third Wednesday of each month (September through June), at Literacy West CORE building, 1 Mill Street in Batavia. 

Our Council objectives are

• To help develop, strengthen, and support the networking of various agencies in the Council.
• To provide a means of understanding and exchange of experience between the agencies concerned, to provide reporting time for agencies at Council meetings; and to encourage members to report Council activities back to their agencies.
• To help identify existing community issues and encourage the development of resolutions.
• To create fellowship and understanding among agencies.
• To include activities and training that will increase the interest, understanding, and knowledge of the members in community service.

Interagency Council Membership Benefits are:

• Network with more than 50 organization representatives
• Collaborate with other organizations that serve Genesee County residents
• Professional development and educational programs
• Information and resource sharing

For more information, please contact Lisa Smith (President) at Lisa.Smith@co.genesee.ny.us or David Dodge (Vice President) at ddodge@caoginc.org. Visit Genesee County Interagency on Facebook.

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the return of its West Side Batavia Ghost Stories on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. Connie Boyd will be sharing the spooky, sinister, and weird documented stories from the West Side of Batavia's past. Come and listen to tales of murder, ghosts, body snatching hangings, and abandoned cemeteries. This presentation is the same as our Ghost Walk, perfect for those who don't want or aren't able to go on our guided Ghost Walks. Tickets are $5/$3 for museum members. If you would like to attend please contact the museum at (585) 343-4727.

Welcome to 221 S Main Street in Batavia! This 4-bedroom, 1 and a half bathroom split level ranch is the perfect place for a growing family. Enjoy a bright eat-in kitchen that opens through sliding glass doors to an expansive and private back deck. Every day will feel like vacation on the gorgeous back deck overlooking the large above-ground pool, and the concrete patio underneath provides a lovely shady place to play or relax. A shed offers additional storage in the back yard in addition to the storage provided in your own 2-car garage. Inside, enjoy a living room with brand new recessed lighting and a large picture window. You'll love the privacy of the spacious master bedroom with a fireplace along. 3 more bedrooms are available to provide plenty of space for you and your family. Don’t wait to check out 221 S. Main St for yourself! Delayed Negotiations Till 8/31/22 @ 3pm. Call Sunny today; 585-813-2445

Press release:

Six Flags Darien Lake, the Thrill Capital of New York, today announced the launch of the 2023 Six Flags Seasonal Pass and Annual Membership programs along with a robust lineup of special events during the 2023 season. New offerings create endless opportunities for fun all season long.

• Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS^®– Select dates September 17 through October 15, The area’s scariest and best Halloween event returns! Nighttime festivities include a terrifying scare zone, two haunted houses and a Haunted Trail designed for the ultimate scare;
• NEW – Kids Fest – Saturdays and Sundays June 3 through June 25, the tiniest thrill seekers can celebrate during this event designed for children and their families, including kid’s activities, entertainment, and other fun filled experiences;
• NEW- Festival of Light - Nightly June 23 through Sept. 4, celebrate summer with a variety of spectacular LED light and tunnel displays plus the return of our popular Laser Light show;
• NEW - Can/Am Friendship Festival – July 1 through July 4, celebrate Independence Day and Canada Day with a four-day celebration of fireworks, flags and Patriotic Tributes;
• NEW - Beach Party Weekend – July 21 through July 23, Life’s a Beach at Hurricane Harbor, join us for sun-filled days with a pig roast, specialty food & drinks, live island entertainment and wacky water park contests;
• NEW- International Festival – September 1 through 4, 9 & 16, This family-friendly festival features a selection of seasonal craft beers, delicious cuisine from all over the world, live music, dancing, and a selection of local craft artisans.

The popular Seasonal Dining Pass is back! The re-launched dining program offer guests with a Seasonal Pass or Membership a convenient way to fuel up for their day. The Seasonal Dining Pass allows up to two meals per visit with a 3-hour window between meals. And those who purchase their pass or membership by September 5, 2022 will receive a 10% discount off the new Seasonal Dining Pass.

Membership returns with three tiers of benefits! The Gold Thrill Seeker includes unlimited visits plus parking and in-park benefits. The Platinum Thrill Seeker levels up and is ideal for guests that like to visit multiple Six Flags venues, including Hurricane Harbor and other outdoor properties. The Diamond Thrill Seeker is the best value with the best benefits; it includes all the advantages of Platinum, plus deeper discounts on food and merchandise, extra discounted tickets for friends, and more skip-the-line passes! Best of all, there are no block-out dates! Guests may also select the flexible payment plan for the Thrill Seeker annual memberships. Six Flags also offers a Seasonal Pass for frequent home park only visitation.

Six Flags Pass Program:

• Seasonal Pass:
  • Provides access to Six Flags Darien Lake through Labor Day 2023 for $59.99;
• Gold Thrill Seeker Annual Membership:
  • Only $6.99 per month after initial payment of $18.11;
  • Includes access to Six Flags Darien Lake, Six Flags New England, Six Flags America, Six Flags Great Escape, Six Flags Great Adventure and La Ronde, for one year beginning on date of purchase;
  • General parking;
  • 10% discount on food and retail items;
  • Two Specialty rate friend tickets;
• Platinum Thrill Seeker Annual Membership:
  • Only $7.99 per month after the initial payment of $37.11;
  • Includes access to all Six Flags Outdoor Parks for one year beginning on date of purchase;
  • General parking;
  • 15% discount on food and retail items;
  • Five specialty rate friend tickets;
  • One skip-the-line passes;
• Diamond Thrill Seeker Annual Membership:
  • Only $17.99 per month after the initial payment of $51.11;
  • Includes access to all Six Flags Outdoor Parks for one year beginning on date of purchase;
  • Preferred parking;
  • 20% discount on food, and retail items;
  • Ten specialty rate friend tickets;
  • Five skip-the-line passes.

Pass details can be found at sixflags.com/darienlake

Press release:

The Hope Center of Le Roy Gears Up for Fall Programs

The Hope Center, located at 42 Main Street in Le Roy, is a faith-based, non-profit community outreach center established in 2016. Their mission is to serve by providing resources to help those in need. All are invited to participate in their programs, three of which will be starting up this fall:

"GriefShare" is a weekly grief support group that will meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm, starting Sept 8th through Dec 8th. This program is designed to help and encourage those who have experienced the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. If you, or someone you know needs help healing their broken heart, this is the place to be. For more information or to register, please call Mari-Lee Ruddy at (716) 861-5645.

"Fresh Start Tutoring" is a free program that supports children in grades K-6 by assisting them with their math and reading skills. Students meet with a trained volunteer for about 30 minutes each week. We are currently in need of caring hearts to become volunteer tutors. (This is ideal for high school students or retired teachers!) Please contact Amy at fs.hopecenter@gmail.com if you are interested in making a difference in a child's life.

"Memory and Friends" is a free monthly respite care program for those challenged with early to mid-stage memory impairment due to Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. We are looking for dedicated volunteers to work with our guests one-on-one, or to assist with preparing lunch, set-up, clean-up, and activities. Please contact us at hopecenter585@gmail.com if you have approximately 4 hours a month or every other month to join us and become a Friend. You'll be so glad you did!

File photo by Howard Owens.

Press release:

Save the date! Saturday, Sept. 17,  from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Fall Garden Gala at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main Street in Batavia.

This plant sale features hardy garden perennials, most grown by Master Gardeners.  Fall is a good time to plant many perennials as there is still time for them to grow a strong root system before winter.  An interesting selection of house plants will also be available for sale.

Don’t forget to stop inside for the Basket Auction.  You never know what treasures may appear, including unique garden art.  The Basket Auction drawing will begin at 12:30 pm.

Learn how to artfully arrange flowers fresh from the garden as talented Master Gardeners create arrangements and bouquets right before your eyes!  These beautiful flower arrangements will be available for sale.

The Master Gardener Helpline will be open to answer your gardening questions.  Not sure what your garden pH is?  Bring in a soil sample for FREE pH testing.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants at great prices.  Arrive at 10 am for the best plant selection.  No early birds please.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the educational outreach of the Genesee County Master Gardener Program.

For more information contact Jan Beglinger at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 132, or stop by the Extension office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia.  Visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information.  Like us on our Facebook page for Gala and other Master Gardener program updates: https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

“Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County provides equal program and employment opportunities.”

Press release:

Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District invites you to our Tree Planting and Maintenance Event on September 17^th from 10a-1p. The event will be hosted at Godfrey’s Pond (7925 Godfrey’s Pond Road, Bergen NY 14416) and directions to our site will be posted when you arrive. At this workshop, NYS DEC Forester Gary Koplun and fellow foresters will demonstrate various tree-planting techniques. They will also cover the best ways to prevent deer damage, how to maintain healthy seedlings, and other important tree maintenance techniques. Following the demonstration, a small hike will be taken around the property to explore a reforestation project, identify trees, and discuss trees that are suitable for various site conditions. All are welcome to attend, and the event is free of charge.

Please register ahead though by either visiting our website: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/soilandwater/index.php

Or using the link below: https://forms.gle/jBKvvjhjYqn4Fadf7  

Press release:

The GCEDC board will consider a final resolution for a proposed $17.6 million project by Nexgistics to construct a 140,000 sq. ft. warehouse distribution center and national headquarters in Pembroke at its board meeting on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

Nexgistics is a fast-growing third-party logistics provider specializing in consumer electronics, sporting and outdoor goods, e-bikes and related products with operations in New York and Nevada. Nexgistics currently leases space at two locations in western New York and is seeking to build a centrally located facility that will enable the company to retain 21 full-time positions and create three new jobs. The facility would be located on 30 acres of land on Vision Parkway in the town of Pembroke.

Nexgistics is requesting sales tax exemptions estimated at $812,000, a property tax abatement of approximately $1,116,360, and a mortgage tax exemption estimated at $154,650.  For every $1 of public benefit the company is investing $7 into the local economy.

The Sept. 1, 2022, GCEDC Board meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at the MedTech Center’s Innovation Zone, 99 MedTech Drive across the street from Genesee Community College.  On-demand recording of the meeting also will be available at www.gcedc.com.

Press Release

To all motorists, businesses, and property owners along Park Road in the City and Town of Batavia:

The Park Road Improvement project continues to progress.

Milling and Paving operations will occur on Thursday, September 1, 2022. This work will be focused on the portion of Park Road between Veterans Memorial Drive and Oak Street/ NYS Rt 98. Traffic will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic. Expect delays. Motorist are asked to seek alternate routes if possible.

Final course paving will occur on Friday, September 2, 2022. This work will be focused on the portion of Park Road between Veterans Memorial Drive and Oak Street/ NYS Rt 98 & Park Road between Richmond Avenue and Veterans Memorial Drive. Traffic will be reduced to one lane alternating traffic.

Expect delays. Motorist are asked to seek alternate routes if possible.

Park Road between Lewiston Road/ NYS Rt 63 and Richmond Avenue remains closed in preparation of final paving course. Date to be determined.

Batavia Downs traffic is asked to enter and exit the facility parking area from the north end of Park Road near Richmond Avenue. Signage will direct Batavia Downs customers and staff to the parking areas.

For traffic needing to access Park Road approaching from Lewiston Road/ NYS Route 63, you are asked to follow the Park Rd Detour utilizing Veterans Memorial Drive.

For traffic needing to access Lewiston Road/ NYS Route 63 approaching from Oak Street/ NYS Route 98 and NYS Thruway, you asked to follow the Route 63 Detour utilizing Veterans Memorial Drive.

All through traffic is asked to avoid Park Road if possible and seek alternate routes.

Some of the circumstances are different, but Genesee County could be like Jackson, Mississippi if upgrades aren’t made.

Things might not be as harsh as the southern state is experiencing, but it’s a worthwhile scenario to keep in mind, county Highway Superintendent and Engineer Tim Hens says.

Hens shared that perspective with county legislators during a meeting Wednesday. He reviewed the last pieces remaining for the second phase of the county’s water project that began three years ago.

“This is the last significant piece of Phase Two required to get the full expanded capacity that we anticipated long ago,” Hens said. “And with the continuing supply chain disruptions and labor shortages and equipment delays, and everything that you can imagine under the sun in a post-pandemic world, every day and week that we can grab onto the schedule to advance these projects is much appreciated.”

He laid out two bids each for general construction and electrical work within this phase, selecting C.P. Ward, at $4.17 million for existing pump station upgrades, and electrical construction work to Concord Electric Corp. for $2.2 million, for a combined total of $6.35 million for the project. That is “a staggering double” figure to what pumping station upgrades would have been pre-COVID, he said.

“That’s obviously a significant pill to swallow,” he said.

The county received a $1.23 million grant, which isn’t nearly enough for that $6.35 total, and other options considered were to apply for another grant, or rescind the one received and go for a larger amount, plus obtaining a loan. The risky part of rejecting that grant money already in hand is that the county might not receive that larger request, he said, and the county cannot apply for a second grant on the same project.

Assistant County Engineer Justin Gerace was talking with New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation on Wednesday to learn how to go about applying for funding that is available through that state agency specifically for water, and he will be working on applying for a $2.7 million low-interest loan, Hens said.

“So Justin's already diving deep with the EFC on how to apply for that and when to apply for that,” Hens said.

That would alleviate the county from having to come up with that cash right now, he said.

Why such an overage from what was originally calculated, Legislator Marianne Clattenburg asked. It was a number of issues, including overly busy contractors, inflation, and supply chain and labor shortages, Hens said. Other than those reasons, “nothing substantially changed … nothing that significantly increased the cost.”

“It's probably the worst time to try and build anything,” he said.

Legislators — somewhat begrudgingly — agreed that it shouldn’t be put off any longer. Legislator John Deleo suggested that “kicking this can down the road” wasn’t a tactic that will accomplish anything. Fellow Legislator Gary Maha agreed.

“I don’t think we have any choice but to keep going,” Maha said.

The group unanimously approved:

• A construction contract as specified in the bid documents for the existing pump station upgrades – General Construction — to C.P. Ward, Inc., 100 West River Rd, Scottsville, for a total amount not to exceed $4,166,000.
• A construction contract as specified in the bid documents for the existing pump station upgrades – Electrical Construction — to Concord Electric Corporation, 305 Pinewild Drive, Suite 4, Rochester, for a total amount not to exceed $2,185,000.

The total cost of both contracts is $6,351,000 and will be funded from the bonds issued by Monroe County Water Authority for the Phase 2 construction and grants secured by the county under the IMG program offered by the state Environmental Facilities Corporation.

As for the turnaround time, Hens said “realistically,” completion would be around the end of 2023 into 2024.

“It’s going to be a long project,” he said.

If the work isn’t done, however, Genesee County could be looking at — instead of close calls during hot, dry summers — actually running out of water due to the pumping stations’ current production abilities, he said. Poor infrastructure and lack of upkeep has led citizens of Jackson, Miss., into a dire situation with no drinkable water, and although that’s due to the actual quality of water due to flooding, it’s a lesson to be learned, he said.

“So for the last three years, we've been kind of maxed out on our water supply. And then the few hot dry days we get in the summertime, we're tapped out, we don't really have a lot of water to go around,” he said. “So the last couple of summers we have been asking people to save water, not water their lawns, not fill their pools. It usually ends up being like two or three weeks of summer. But until these pumping stations are completed, we're gonna have the same thing happen again in 2023.”

The problem with a continuous message to conserve water use, he said, is that people eventually tend to ignore it. He becomes “the boy who cried wolf,” since there hasn't been an actual water shortage that they can see. Hens argues that it’s because of the messages and cooperation from at least some folks to conserve, that the well has not run dry, so to speak.

“We have a water supply in Genesee County, it’s just that we're using everything that we produce. Okay, so this phase two project that we've been working on since 2019, is designed to increase our supply from Monroe County. So it's basically bringing another two and a half million gallons a day into Genesee County from farther away," he said. "So these pump stations are the last piece of the puzzle to get that water here. Once these four projects are done again, which will be a year, year and a half away, we won't have to do the emergency water restrictions every summer, hopefully, for a while.”

Photo: Genesee County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Tim Hens answers questions from The Batavian in the lobby of the Old Courthouse after a meeting with the county Legislature. Photo by Joanne Beck.

It's coming down to the wire at Wolcott Street School, as several items in the district's $12.1 million capital improvement project are not yet completed and students are set to return in less than a week.

Superintendent Merritt Holly isn't too worried about all of the important things to be done before students return on Wednesday. Although he can pick up the phone for a contractor, he's not ready to pick up a hammer himself, he said.

"It would be worse for everybody," he told the Board of Education during Monday's meeting.

The contractor has had to deal with a shortage of workers, Holly said. For example, there's been one guy to lay all the tile in the remodeled bathrooms next to the gym.

"When you have one laborer doing tile, what more can you do?" Holly said. "Probably they'll tell you how lucky, you got one laborer. He was darn good at laying tile but he's one person."

The main thing with the bathrooms is having the partitions in place, and nobody expects a problem with completing that task on time. But even so, with one bathroom ready to go, that's all that is needed for the first day of school, he said.

The gym floor has been stripped and refinished but needs to be sealed before the first modified volleyball practice next week.

There are ceiling tiles to be put in place and general clean-up to finish yet, as well.

"Now we're down to four cleaning days left before kids are in the building, inside of classrooms," Holly said. "It's the responsibility the contractor to clean, and then we come in, check it to make sure it's up to standards, and then we finish it off."

As for the parking lot, it was supposed to be resurfaced on Monday. 

"They were here today and were ready to go," Holly said. "Then the rain came and they were gone."

Before the parking lot is ready, it needs to be resurfaced and striped.  The backup plan is to have staff park on the grass off Stanley Place.

As for how the contractors feel about the looming deadline, "they're saying they're not stressed at all," Holly said.

Top photo: Superintendent Merritt Holly and some members of the Board of Education in the hallway outside the Wolcott Street School gym explaining that eventually a mural will be painted along the wall that will tell the story of schools in Le Roy, starting with a one-room school house.

Photos by Howard Owens.

One of the bathrooms next to the gym has partitions in place.

The other one doesn't. Yet.

One of the gym equipment storage rooms on the second floor of the gym wing of the building.

The refinished gym floor still needs to be sealed.

The tile is down in one of the locker rooms on the second floor of the gym wing.

In the hallway outside the Memorial Auditorium, a new TV monitor will share school information and student accomplishments. 

For Fallon Walenski, her new house on Clifton Avenue in Batavia isn't just home; it's a dream come true -- a place she can eventually pay off and leave to her children, a place where her children can play in a yard and have rooms of their own.

Walenski helped volunteers with Habitat for Humanity build the house from the ground up, and on Monday she cut the ribbon to celebrate her venture into home ownership.