batavia

A garage fire is reported at 141 Ross St., Batavia.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 11:01 p.m.: City fire on location, smoke showing.

UPDATE 11:02 p.m.: Working fire, second alarm.

UPDATE(S)(By Billie) 11:14 p.m.: Fire is now coming through the roof and the south side of the garage.

UPDATE 11:26 p.m.: The structure is fully involved and flames are shooting at least 20 feet into the air.

UPDATE 11:34 p.m.: The chief on scene reports they're "making some progress" in getting the blaze under control.

UPDATE 11:38 p.m.: The fire appears to be knocked down pretty good; no flames are visible.

UPDATE 11:47 p.m.: Fire under control. Doing overhaul.

UPDATE 12:01 a.m.: City Fire Captain Dan Herberger said shortly before 11 p.m., the call came in for a garage fire on Ross Street. When they arrived a few minutes later, smoke was showing at the 25 by 60-foot structure. "It was a deep-seated fire with a fiberglass boat and several cars inside," Herberger said, adding that the presence of those vehicles amounted to a "tremendous load" for fueling the fire and that the garage was "very difficult to get in," and accessing it was "labor intensive." Firefighters got in through a front garage door; there were no other doors or windows. They had to cut holes in the rear and side of the garage to battle the blaze. The wind wasn't bad, but Herberger said there was "enough to knock smoke in your face and know it was smoke." The breeze also caused some concern about flying embers. The mission was accomplished in short order: "We deployed a line right away, got in right away away and put water on it."

UPDATE 12:50 a.m.: Elba and Town of Batavia Engine 24 back in service.

"A large disturbance of 20 to 30 people" is reported on Maple Street in the city. Batavia PD units are responding along with Sheriff's deputies.

UPDATE 9:43 p.m.: Those involved scattered immediately and were gone by the time officers arrived, which was quickly. Officers are clearing the scene or have done so.

It takes good data to make good decisions and a lot of times when planners are considering housing projects, the developers with the proposals are the ones who have all the data.

A new housing needs assessment for Genesee County will help solve that problem, said Felipe Oltramari, the county's planning director. 

"(Developers) are not going to come into a market where they know there is no need," Oltramari said. "They did their own study, but it's a private study that is focused on their segment of the market."

As part of the needs assessment process, the county hosted an open house at the Senior Center on Bank Street last night, which gave the residents who attended an opportunity to provide feedback on what they see as local housing issues, whether it's too much stock in one place, or of one type, or not enough of something.

Oltramari said the comprehensive study will also use interviews with various stakeholders in the community, whether they be veterans' groups, groups that serve seniors, the disabled and business groups. Officials and consultants will also try to identify the housing needs of Millennials. The goal is to get a broad picture of what is needed, which will help guide planning decisions and maybe uncover undetected needs.

"When a study like this happens, you will be able to put that information out there for some developers who may not be looking at this area," Oltramari said

The study is expected to be completed by December.

Oftentimes developers look at census, sales data and current housing patterns to identify a need in a community -- that same data will be gathered for the county's assessment -- and then try to fit a project into that community. But in a small community such as Genesee County, there are potentially niche needs that private developers won't uncover on their own. The county's housing needs study could identify a potential need and make that information available to developers who might decide trying to fill that need could be profitable.

"We want to make sure we’re looking at all segments of the market," Oltramari said. "One thing we heard, especially when Muller Quaker came, there was no housing for executives and lot of them ended up living outside of the county. When STAMP comes, we want to make sure the same thing doesn't happen."

The county's own study will also be used to confirm, or not, what private developers say is a local need. For example, when DePaul Properties was still pursuing a $25 million project on East Main Street in the City, CEO Mark Fuller said DePaul had identified needs in the city for more housing for disabled people, seniors with diminished mobility and veterans. Asked where those people are now, Fuller said they are most likely living with parents or in substandard housing.  

That could be an example of a market need that isn't readily apparent to most observers, but solid data could help identify.

(The project was stymied by a City Council decision not to change the zoning of the property from industrial to commercial.)

"They (developers, such as DePaul) know that and they might do their own research and come to that conclusion, but we haven’t seen that research," Oltramari said. "I’m sure there is probably that need, because they have a business model and they have to make sure the project is going to work, so there is some evidence, you have to trust that. But it’s nice to really have the tool to show 'yes, there is that need and this is something we should support as a community.' "

A brush fire is reported in the area of 19 Ross St., Batavia, near the Richmond Memorial Library.

City fire is responding.

Robert R. Richmond, 53, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 16, and possessing a sexual performance by a child less than 16. Richmond was arrested following an investigation and he is accused of using a publicly accessible computer to view child pornography. The incident occured at 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 20 at an unspecified location in Batavia. Richmond was issued an appearance ticket for City Court at 1 p.m. next Tuesday, May 23. The case was investigated by Batavia Police Det. Eric Hill. (According to Batavia PD, no mug shot is available of the defendant.)

Charles Gregory Monacelli, 43, of West Bacon Road, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. On May 13 at 10:30 a.m., while attending Bontrager's Auction on Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia, he allegedly removed a tailgate from a pickup truck that was parked on the side of the road and drove off with it. He was arrested on May 14 and is due in Town of Batavia Court on June 13. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Roy Derwood Hooten, 56, of South Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with promoting prison contraband. Hooten was jailed on May 16 at 3:40 p.m. for an unspecified reason and when he entered the jail he had a walking cane, according to the Sheriff's report. Allegedly later than evening, the cane was found to contain 10 cigarettes. Today, he was charged with promoting prison contraband. Hooten is due in City Court on May 30 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Loftus.

Matthew Brian Starowitz, 28, of Whitney Mill Road, Elba, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and a muffler exhaust violation. Starowitz was stopped at 11:42 p.m. on May 12 on Byron-Holley Road, Stafford, following the observation of a vehicle and traffic violation. The defendant allegedly possessed a quantity of marijuana on his person at the time. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Stafford Court on June 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Howard Wilson.

Bryan Charles Greek, 31, of Electric Avenue, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. At 1:40 a.m. on May 13, the defendant was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana following a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in Stafford. He allegedly possessed a "rolled cigar" containing marijuana. Greek was issued an appearance ticket for June 16 in Town of Stafford Court. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Ryan Young.

A fuel spill is reported at Jackson and Cherry streets in the city. City firefighters are on scene. A first responder says about eight gallons of fuel is on the ground and fuel has spilled into a nearby storm drain. Didn't catch how or why the spill occurred.

UPDATE 5:17 p.m.: A flatbed tow truck towing a car came around a corner and the plastic gas tank of the towed vehicle came off and spilled about eight gallons of fuel. Two of those gallons was captured in a container, most of the rest was soaked up with absorbent material. Less than a gallon went down the storm drain. Jackson was briefly closed but is now reopened. CORRECTION: The car was on the road. The tow truck was only there to pick up the disabled vehicle. The SUV, a Jeep, was not being towed.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched the second round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, DRI, on Tuesday, investing $100 million into 10 additional downtown neighborhoods across the state.

Batavia’s Economic Development coordinator Julie Pacette said the City of Batavia will be applying for the grant again this year.

“I think this year we will have a stronger application,” Pacette said. “We have had one year to think about it. We have been through the process and have a better understanding of the competition.”

According to a press release from Cuomo’s office, in the first year of the DRI, $100 million was awarded to 10 communities, one in each region of New York State, to identify and implement projects to restore their downtown.

“This new Downtown Revitalization completion will build upon the demonstrated success of round one, allowing even more communities across the state to reach their full potential,” Cuomo said in the press release.

“With this funding, we can provide 10 more forward-thinking communities the opportunity to transform their downtowns into vibrant economic hubs for people to live, work and raise a family.”

Pacette said there is a team meeting within the next week to finalize a plan for the application, but that residents of Batavia should look out for opportunities to offer ideas.

Last year, Pacette organized an event for residents to write and draw on the sidewalks in chalk to show how they would spend the $10 million if Batavia was chosen. Pacette said she will be looking at how to get residents involved this year.

Applications for the second round must be submitted by 4 p.m. on June 14.

One downtown community will be selected by each of the state’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils. Each council will choose from applications for downtowns that are “ripe for revitalization and have the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, greater economic and housing diversity, and opportunity.”

Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said 123 communities applied for the DRI designation last year.

“We look forward to working with the 10 additional communities nominated by the Regional Councils this year to identify strategic investments for their downtowns that will help attract new and growing small businesses, improve the visitor’s experience and attract more residents to downtown,” Rosado said in a press release.

Clinton and Barbara Worthington held an open house party at their new home built by the Building Trades Program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Batavia Campus on Thursday.

Around 70 students worked on the custom 2,200-square-foot home starting in September, learning technical skills in carpentry and cabinet making, residential wiring, plumbing, and heating.

Clinton said the project went very well and they are very pleased with the home.

Each year, students in the program build a house, getting hands-on experience in residential framing, door and window hanging, electrical wiring, heating systems, plumbing, siding, roofing, drywall installation, and trim on the interior and exterior. Students are also taught blueprint reading, and material codes and specifications.

Building Trades Program instructor Richard Monroe said the students are taught a set of transferable skills through the program.

“In our country, there is a huge skills gap,” Monroe said. “There are not enough trades people to fill the needs.”

Monroe said after students leave the program, some choose to step into postsecondary education. Others can directly go to work making around $75,000 a year.

In the spring of 2016, the Worthingtons decided to build a house at 4828 Ellicott Street Road in Batavia. They began meeting with the Building Trades Program weekly to create a calendar and develop plans for the house.

The Worthingtons designed the open floor plan for the house. Barbara said she likes to entertain, which inspired the plan.

One advantage to having the students building the house is the cost savings, Clinton said.

“We don’t have to pay the students for the labor, which was a huge advantage,” Clinton said. “The only disadvantage was the time frame.”

Clinton said the longer time frame gave them more time to shop.

“You can’t just go to the store and shop for all the stuff in one day,” he said.

Clinton said there were some limits to what they could do. He said if they wanted metal roofs or tile work they would have to subcontract.

“We like living in Batavia,” Clinton said. “[The students] needed a house to build and we needed a house to receive, so it worked out well.”

Genesee Community College is ready to welcome students to campus under the state's new free-tuition plan for SUNY schools, known as the Excelsior Scholarship, said College President Jim Sunser, but implementing the program won't be without a few snags.

First, Sunser said, not all the guidelines and rules have been released yet, so school counselors have less information than is ideal for advising students. Second, the program could have a small impact on cash flow for the college.

The way the program works is, students must successfully complete two semesters of 15 credits each. The state will pay the first semester, but no payments will be released to school for both semesters until the student has successfully completed a full 30 credits.

"From a cash-flow perspective, we would have to wait until the student finishes before we’d see the dollars, so there is an eight-month lag," Sunser said.

Based on the current school population and demographics, GCC expects about 100 students to enroll in the program, and since most would be expected to successfully complete 30 credits, the negative cash flow impact is expected to be something the college can absorb.

Of course, one of the goals of the Excelsior program is to encourage more students to enroll in college, and the college is ready to embrace a higher enrollment if that's the outcome, Sunser said.

"We would very much like to see as many students as possible take advantage of it and take advantage getting an education here in New York, for sure," Sunser said.

The Excelsior program is a "last dollar in" scholarship, meaning if a student has other grants or scholarships, those would be used first to pay for tuition and Excelsior would make up the difference.

Because of the 30-credit requirement, Excelsior may not be the best option for some students who might otherwise qualify, so school counselors will work with students to help them find the best fit.

"When they come in, we’re going to individually advise them through Student Success Center and we’re going to let them know if this is the best possible avenue for them to pursue or even if campus-based scholarships might make more sense," Sunser said. "We’ll work with them one-on-one to make sure they get to where they need to be."

Sunser spoke about the scholarship program after providing the County's Ways and Means Committee with a budget update Wednesday afternoon.

The college trustees have not yet approved the budget, but it's expected that it will call for an increase in spending from $40,537,000 to $40,923,000, which Sunser noted is less than a 1-percent increase in spending. 

"On our budget, we are already cost conscious and make sure we are as responsible as we can be," Sunser said.

The county, as the sponsoring county, is required to make a sponsorship contribution to GCC's budget.

Currently, the county's contribution is about 6 percent of GCC's budget. Sunser said that's the second-lowest sponsoring county's contribution in the state.

In recent years, the amount of the county's contribution has been going up by $50,000 per year. Last year, there was some sentiment on the part of legislators that they didn't get enough time to provide input or deliberate its contribution, so there was no $50,000 increase and Sunser agreed to open up communications with legislators earlier in the process. He said he provided an update in the fall and then yesterday's appearance was made in advance of the final budget being approved.

This year, the college is asking for a $100,000 increase in county share, covering the $50,000 not provided last year and $50,000 for this year.

Sunser said the trustees are looking to approve the budget next week. The committee took no action yesterday on the request.

Hundreds of volunteers spread out throughout the area today to perform a variety of tasks for charities and other civic groups as part of United Way's Day of Caring.

Among the projects, members of the Rotary Club built a new tool shed for the community garden behind the Youth Center off State Street. The garden's organizers had applied for a grant to buy the building materials and the club went a step further, sending over a volunteer construction crew as well.

Other volunteers at the garden helped replace about a third of the raised beds with new, deeper beds, which will make it easier for gardeners to grow carrots and other root vegetables.

There were dozens of projects countywide.

Along with the efforts at the community garden are pictures of the annual Lions Club bicycle repair at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, with the bikes going to clients of Arc of Genesee Orleans, and a project by the Batavia Improvement Association to chalk the sidewalks of Main Street with positive art and messages.

Rights of injured workers threatened workers’ compensation and the rights of injured workers has become a hot topic in today’s news. Recently, an Alabama judge has found portions of their state’s Workers’ Compensation Act to be unconstitutional. The judge ruled that the monetary cap for injured workers violates the due process of the law.

Similarly, here in New York State new workers’ compensation laws have been passed that threaten the rights of injured workers. These laws will not only decrease benefits, but also make it more difficult to qualify for benefits.

Our workers’ compensation team at Dolce Panepinto is always fighting for injured workers’ rights and are here to help. We will continue to keep you updated as changes continue to the workers’ compensation system. If you have any questions about your rights or if you or a family member has been hurt on the job, please do not hesitate to call us at 585-815-9003. Click here for more information.

Work crews were at Batavia Downs this morning resurfacing the parking lot.

Neighborhood Legal Services Inc. (NLS), a nonprofit organization previously located on Clinton Street, recently moved office locations to 45 Main St. in Batavia.

NLS provides free legal services to low-income people and the disabled. They also provide a wide range of technical assistance and support services.

John Zonitch, the managing attorney at NLS, said the services remain the same, but they were looking to expand personnel.

“We have added an attorney that specializes in Social Security work, so we are able to handle more cases than we used to,” Zonitch said.

Zonitch said they enjoy their more centralized location.  

“We’re definitely closer to the courts,” Zonitch said. “It’s convenient for the courts as well as for those with transportation difficulties. I think it’s a lot easier for them.”

Zonitch said the Community Action Center was also hoping to expand their Head Start preschool program.

NLS offers services in family law, disability law, housing, public benefits, consumer issues and New York State of Health Marketplace. They do not handle criminal cases, traffic tickets, money damage actions, estate work and real estate closings, torts, small claims court cases, workers’ compensation, unemployment and cases where fees are available for other counsel.

There are three offices throughout Western New York. One located in Buffalo, serving Erie County, one located in Niagara Falls, serving Niagara County, and the branch located in Batavia, serving Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

Residents can call or walk in to fill out an application. Some of the services are funded by grants, which have qualification requirements.

“Assuming their income and their assets meet our maximums, then they would be financially eligible,” Zonitch said. “Then as long as it’s a problem type that we handle, then we would certainly be very open to providing them with some service.”

Zonitch said their services concentrate primarily on divorces, evictions from the tenant’s standpoint and Social Security work. He said they also have healthcare navigators to assist people looking to get health insurance to navigate the online system.

“Our mission is to help low-income families have access to the court system that they might not otherwise be able to have,” Zonitch said.

Shane Zimblis, 46, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and criminal obstruction of breathing. Zimblis was arrested following a manhunt yesterday morning that involved deputies and troopers and two K-9s in the area of Wortendyke Road, Batavia. The alleged crime was first reported at 1 a.m., Tuesday, and Zimblis was located around 7:30 a.m., reportedly attempting to flee on a motorbike in the wooded area near Wortendyke and Rose Road. He eventually was taken into custody by Deputy Kevin McCarthy after walking out to the parameter of the search area. Assisting were Deputy Andrew Hale, Deputy Lonnie Nati, Deputy Patrick Reeves, Deputy Chris Erion with "Destro," Trooper Eric Daigler, Trooper Palizay, Trooper Frank Veletta and K-9 "Paris." Zimblis was jailed on $500 bail. (Initial Post)

Elaine Heather Gearman, 31, of Park Street Arcade, and Douglas Robert Pasinski, 33, of Middle Road, Springville, are charged with petit larceny. Gearman and Pasinkski are accused of shoplifting from the Dollar General in Corfu.

Lachian Case Kellogg, 23, of Lancaster Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Kellogg was arrested on a warrant out of City Court and jailed on $1,000 bail.

Batavia's two girls 12U fast-pitch softball teams got to play for the first time yesterday on the field at Genesee Community College, which Coach Matt Landers said was a real treat for the girls.

Sophia Papponetti got the win on the mound for the Batavia Black squad, with Emma Bigsby taking the loss Batavia Yellow. Landers said it was a close game until the sixth when Batavia Black broke open the game to secure a 19-11 win.

Submitted photos and information.

Batavia City School District:

Budget - $49,870,585 (increase of $5,504,146 or 12.41%: $0.00 increase in tax levy)
Yes - 374 (81.84%)
No  - 83 (18.16%)

Establish $7.5 Million 10 Year Capital Reserve 2017 -
Yes -  370 (80.96%)
No -    87 (19.04%)

Board of Education positions (2):
Two terms from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020 
Barbara Bowman, 293
Tanni Bromley, 279

 

Oakfield-Alabama Central School District
Proposition #1-Budget
Yes:  297
No: 53

Proposition #2-Buses
Yes: 290
No: 60

Proposition #3-Athletic Equipment
Yes:  258
No: 92

Proposition #4-Capital Reserve Fund
Yes:  288
No: 59

Board Members (Three Vacancies)
Chris Haacke, 208
Bonnie Woodward, 171
Jennifer Kirkum, 170
Tim Edgerton, 162
Andrew Merkel, 142
Bruce Pritchett      141

 

Elba Central School District

Proposition #1 Budget - $9,273,839
Yes: 136
No: 26

Proposition #2 – Authorization to establish the 2017 General Capital Reserve Fund 
Yes: 132
No: 29

Proposition #3 – Authorization to appropriate and expend from Transportation Vehicle and Equipment Capital Reserve to purchase one (1) 65 passenger school bus
Yes: 134
No: 28

Two Board of Education seats with two candidates running:
Travis Torrey, 149
Michael Augello, 134

 

Byron-Bergen Central School District

Proposition 1, Budget
Yes: 327
No: 153

Proposition 2:  Bus purchase
Yes: 340
No: 150

Members of Troop A, State Police, based in Batavia, honored the men and women who have died in the line of duty while serving and protecting the people of Western New York in a service at the Batavia Barracks today.

Troop A Commander, Major Steven Nigrelli, said: "The Fallen Troopers did not wear capes, hit walk off homeruns are defend Earth from aliens, those are Hollywood Heroes; These Troopers are real American Heroes.

"They simply died doing what they swore an oath to do, the service and defend the public -- even in the face of peril and personal danger."

(In photo above, Trooper Dean Nolte and K9 "Weltz.")

To purchase prints, click here.

Plans continue to move forward for construction of the Ellicott Trail, a 4.6-mile, east-west pedestrian and bicycle path through the Town of Batavia and around and in the City, connecting parks and other points of interest.

Yesterday, the County's Public Service Committee recommended approval of an inter-municipal agreement between the Town and the County to construct the portion of the path through DeWitt Recreation Area, with a bridge over some wetlands.

The path will pass north of the lake and come out at Route 5 near the Tractor Supply store.

The bridge would be made of aluminum, said Highway Superintendent Tim Hens.

"We wanted to avoid pressure-treated timber because when it gets wet it gets slimy and slippery," Hens said.

The bridge cost is $85,000 plus $30,000 in in-kind county labor expense, which will assist the Town of Batavia in meeting matching funds requirements for grants.

The funds will come from capital reserves already set aside for improvements to the park.

"It's a pretty sharp bridge," Hens said.

The total Ellicott Trail project is expected to cost $1.7 million, and 80 percent of the cost will be covered by a state grant.

For prior coverage of the Ellicott Trail, click here.

A subject who is wanted in connection with possible criminal mischief complaint stemming from an argument is trying to evade deputies in the area of Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

He reportedly tried escaping on a dirt bike but now may be pushing the bike through the mud.

A State Police bloodhound K-9 has been dispatched to assist in the search.