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Stephanie Campbell has felt the pain of addiction in her life and now — as a key employee at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports in Albany – she works to help others overcome the devastating effects of substance use disorder.

So, on Thursday afternoon, as she toured the new detox center on the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse campus on East Main Street and spoke to the 50 or so people attending an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony, Campbell’s appreciation and gratitude came shining through.

Campbell (photo above) introduced herself as the director of OASAS’ Behavioral Health Ombudsman office, a program that connects people to substance use and mental health treatment.

“But, more importantly,” she said. “My name is Stephanie Campbell and I'm a person in sustained recovery. And what that means for me is somewhere in 1989, someone picked me out of the gutter, and gave me the message of hope. And, and I say that because so many people right now are desperate for that hope and that care and that compassion.”

One of four speakers during the open house, Campbell said that “community and connection” – vital aspects of GCASA’s mission to provide comprehensive services at all stages of substance use disorder – are what turned her life around.

“I can tell you that back in 1989, when someone reached into that gutter and picked me up, and gave me that message of hope, and that compassion and treating me like a human being, I was able to go from being homeless street kid to having three master's degrees, being a professor, and being a director and having an extraordinary career,” she said. “And that's not to brag— there's millions of people just like me — who get the care and compassion that they need.”

She then turned to GCASA Executive Director John Bennett, commending his team as having “some of the most heart-warming, heart-feeling” people on it.

“When someone's in pain, and they look in someone's eyes, they know when that care is there,” she said, “and they know when that connection is there, that compassion -- and that makes all the difference.”

Campbell said hundreds of thousands of people are dying from drug overdose.

“I get the calls from the mothers and fathers on the phone desperately begging for help for their loved ones. I get people who can't get access to the medication and who are incapable and don't know where to go,” she said. “I also get the follow up calls from people who say, ‘If you hadn’t helped, I would be dead today.'”

She said it’s “the heroic folks,” such as the people at GCASA, that are making a difference.

“Talk about essential workers, you guys are saving lives,” she said. “And each life that you save is someone who gets to go back into their community, take care of their kids, be a productive member and pay their taxes.”

Bennett Expresses Thanks to OASAS

Bennett (photo at right) shared the circumstances that ignited the project around five years ago, citing statistics showing that Genesee County had one of the highest opioid overdose rates in the state at 37 deaths per 100,000 people.

He said that Rob Kent, lead counsel for OASAS at the time, was instrumental in getting the funding for the two-story, 20-bed facility.

“I went to him and said that rural communities just don’t have the services that we need and we have just as many problems in our rural communities, but we just lack the depth that some of the urban communities have in place,” Bennett said. “We have 3 ½ acres here, and could you help me build services that meet the demand that we have in our community?”

Bennett said GCASA received a grant in 2018, but the pandemic put the project on hold until last year. Previously, the agency constructed a methadone clinic across the parking lot on the campus.

“We’re incredibly indebted and thankful to OASAS,” Bennett said.

Speaking from the experience of seeing the negative effects of alcohol abuse years ago in his family, Bennett said he foresees the detox center as a starting point toward ending generational cycles of substance use disorder.

“There weren’t services like this back then to help families, and then what happens is it just goes on for generations and generations. I just want the community and the staff who are going to be working here to know that everything you do – every person who walks through this front door – you’re going to impact their life.”

Bennett sees the detox center as a “building of hope – a wonderful place for people to start their recovery.”

“It’s going to be a place of hope and, hopefully, a place where people can break the cycle of addiction for themselves and their families as the start the beginning of their recovery,” he said.

He also credited the Orchard Park architectural firm of Fontanese Folts Aubrecht Ernst for designing a building that fits with the campus’ historic theme.

“They’ve actually done the last four or five projects for us, and they do a wonderful job in keeping with the historic nature of some of our buildings,” he said. “As you can see, the outside of this building is in keeping with the Atwater House (Community Residence).”

The official opening of the detox center is yet to determined.

Others speakers were Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, GCASA Board Finance Chair Fred Rarick and OASAS Regional Director Colleen Mance.

-- Stephen Hawley presented a certificate of merit to GCASA, thanking the agency for its efforts because substance abuse and addiction “has not gone away as a result of this (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I’m sure that it’s grown more dire,” he said. “The challenges we faced in our lives because of the pandemic have had an especially harsh impact on folks in recovery and those who support them -- all of you here today.

“With circumstances changing constantly in this fight, it’s critical that we remain persistent in our work to raise awareness of ongoing substance abuse and help those who are affected by it.

“This facility will give hope to hundreds of folks struggling with substance abuse over the course of the upcoming years, and I’m certain that it will help save many lives.”

-- Colleen Mance emphasized the importance in affording everyone “the same opportunity to access treatment and a continuum of care.”

“Congratulations to GCASA on this new milestone. I know it’ll be a huge success and we looked forward to the benefits that this will bring to Genesee County and the surrounding area,” she said.

-- Fred Rarick, a defense attorney, noted that many of his clients have families and friends who are affected by substance use disorder.

“You can have one individual in a family ... who has substance abuse issues and that impacts the entire family. It impacts their children who, many times, follow in the footsteps of their parents to become involved in the criminal justice system.

“(GCASA) is on the front lines of what we want to accomplish, and together we can all do it … I think it has come a long way from some of the initial programs. When people take advantage of these programs, they’re less inclined to be out on the streets, committing crimes.”

From left, Colleen Mance, OASAS regional director; Randi Johnson, detox center physician's assistant; Stephanie Campbell, NYS Behavioral Health Ombudsman Office director; Allison Parry-Gurak, GCASA director of Residential Services; John Bennett, GCASA executive director; Fred Rarick, GCASA board finance chair; Assemblyman Stephen Hawley; Kathy Hodgins, GCASA chief clinical officer; City Council members Tammy Schmidt and Eugene Jankowski Jr.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Bennett conducting a tour of the new detox center. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

As expected, the Batavia Town Board on Wednesday night approved hiring Batavia native Kevin Earl to serve in the new position of counsel to the supervisor on a part-time basis.

Earl, per the resolution that was passed unanimously during a special meeting of the town board, is expected to work 20 hours per week at a starting rate of $51.52 per hour.

The resolution stipulates a six-month probationary period for the job, at which time an evaluation of performance will be assessed for an increase in pay or dismissal of duties.

For the past five years, Earl was employed as the Genesee County attorney.

During its organizational meeting, the board also made several appointments and reappointments to the Town Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Assessment Board of Review.

PLANNING BOARD

• Jonathan Long: Reappointed through Dec. 31, 2028;
• Steven Tanner: Appointed to replace Jeremy Liles, who resigned, through Dec. 31, 2025. Tanner had been an alternate member;
• Brooks Hawley: Appointed to replace Lou Paganello, who resigned, through Dec. 31, 2023. Hawley had been an alternate member;
• Jennifer Zambito: Appointed as an alternate, through Dec. 31, 2023;
• Brittany Witkop: Appointed as an alternate, through Dec. 31, 2023.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

• Keith Boeheim: Appointed through Dec. 31, 2026;
• William Sutton: Appointed through Dec. 31, 2023, replacing Witkop;
• Michael Dana: Appointed as an alternate, through Dec. 31, 2023.

ASSESSMENT BOARD OF REVIEW

• William Sutton: Appointed to replace Lynn Eick, who resigned, through Sept. 30, 2022;
• Michael Dana: Appointed to replace Robert Shell, who resigned, through Sept. 30, 2024.

The town board also set the salaries for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals members, as follows:

• Planning Board chair, $6,910;
• Planning Board secretary, $95-$153.58 per meeting;
• Planning Board members (7), $99.65 per meeting;
• ZBA members (4), $55.18 per meeting;
• ZBA chair, $1,456;
• ZBA secretary, $75-$82.78 per meeting.

“Welcome home to Genesee County. We expect great things – tomorrow.”

With that introduction from Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein, lifelong Geneseean James Wujcik took his seat as the new county attorney.

The legislature’s appointment of Wujcik, who is replacing Kevin Earl, runs through Dec. 31, 2023.

Wujcik, a partner in the Attica firm of Dadd, Nelson, Wilkinson & Wujcik, said is leaving his part-time position as Wyoming County attorney in order to work on a full-time basis and be closer to his Le Roy home.

“I really didn't have any reason to leave Wyoming County,” he said following tonight’s Genesee County Legislature organizational meeting at the Old County Courthouse. “I love that job. And I thank the Board of Supervisors for allowing me to serve.”

He served four terms in Wyoming County.

“And the only reason I would have left is when this opened up. I grew up here and my family's from here. And it just seemed time to make a change,” he said, adding that his contract with Genesee County will result in him “phasing out” his private practice.

Longtime Batavia residents surely remember the Surprise Store and Enterprise Clothing on Ellicott Street in the city, which was owned by the Wujcik family.

“I'm from Le Roy; my mother’s side has been in Le Roy since like the 1850s,” he said. “My father’s side was from Batavia. My family's the Surprise Store and actually my grandmother’s house is where All Babies Cherished is now (down the road on Ellicott Street).”

Wujcik said he owes much of his success as a lawyer to the late Eric Dadd.

“I worked for Eric (Dadd) and he actually hired me as a part-time, first assistant county attorney. He was a mentor and beyond that to me. And he’s still missed to this day after he unexpectedly died in July of 2013,” he said.

“Now, his two associates have both become county attorneys (Wujcik and Jennifer Wilkinson, who is succeeding him in Wyoming County).”

When asked about the challenges facing Genesee County, Wujcik simply said he understands there are many important issues on the table and that he is “just looking forward to working with the legislature.”

“And I'm not going to comment on anything else," he said, ending the brief interview with a hearty laugh.

Photo: James Wujcik, with his son, Joseph, and daughter, Anna, is sworn in as Genesee County attorney by County Clerk Michael Cianfrini. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

The Genesee County Legislature welcomed 2022 tonight with an organizational meeting at the Old County Courthouse marked by the swearing in of district representatives, attorneys and clerk – and Chairperson Rochelle Stein's hope for better days ahead.

Stein (in photo above being sworn in by County Clerk Michael Cianfrini and joined by grandsons Daniel, left, and Lockwood Sutherland) was unanimously approved by her peers to continue leading the legislative body.

She called Genesee County “a community of wealth of spirit and pride” while thanking those in public health and the hundreds of volunteers who gave countless hours in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to a Committee of the Whole meeting where lawmakers passed a resolution authorizing county treasurer Scott German to borrow up to $70 million in serial bonds toward the construction of a new county jail on West Main Street Road. Following is the text of the speech Stein gave at the end of the session:

“The county faced many challenges in 2021 and achieved many accomplishments. The COVID pandemic continues to rage on. We have our Public Health Department staff, Emergency Management staff, Public Safety officers and all county departments and other municipal partners leadership to thank for their dedication to our health and prosperity in 2021.

“Our ability to serve members of Genesee County came down to testing, clinics and vaccination clinics and now mask distributions and soon at-home COVID test kits.

“Volunteers from every department of Genesee County came together to accomplish one goal: Recover our good public health. Truly the best example of meeting the needs of our communities. Thank you to all of our volunteers.

“Our Chamber of Commerce and (Genesee County) Economic Development Center took on the communication and guidance and support of our businesses. Our business sector of essential businesses learned that staff and employees are critical needs to continue meeting supply demands.

“Highways and bridges were repaired and replaced all throughout the county. (WNY) STAMP campus has Plug Power as an initial green energy business tenant. More interest in our shovel-ready parks was evident in 2021.

“Families lost love ones, whether due to COVID or not, (and) traditions of gathering in grief and loss were curtailed. We carry these friends, family members and neighbors with us daily in loss and in prayer.

“Accomplishing a 40-year sales tax agreement with the City of Batavia and municipal water surcharge agreements (with towns and villages) is game changing for moving our next public water project into motion.

“Moving forward with construction of a new jail in 2022, Phase 3 of the (Countywide) Public Water (Project) and investing in high speed broadband are next up on our to-do list.

I am very pleased to be part of this legislative body of thoughtful forward-thinking individuals who take responsibility for moving our county forward into the next decade with courage and vision.

“In spite of COVID arresting what was our normal way of life, we have embraced technology – we may even be ‘remote meeting gurus’ by now. We have learned to think outside of the box for local governments to accomplish goals.

“We have much to be appreciative of, and see the uncertainties ahead of us. Together with dedicated leadership, factual information and administrative support from our county manager, we will continue to be a successful county. Genesee County is a community with wealth of spirit and pride. We are proud to serve her.”

JAIL FINANCING AT TOP OF LIST

County Manager Matt Landers said the resolution giving German the go-ahead to identify financial institutions willing to issue the bonds caps a “long journey” to construction the state-mandated 184-bed jail.

He also mentioned that the county has money in reserve, believed to be in the $7 million to $10 million range, that could be used to enable the county “to borrow a little less” than the $70 million or to cover any overages brought about by a “volatile” construction marker.

German said he will be contacting banks and other lenders, keeping a Feb. 15 deadline to change the amount to be borrowed, again depending upon construction costs.

Members of the 2022 Genesee County Legislature, front from left, Gregg Torrey, Rochelle Stein, Marianne Clattenburg; back, Brooks Hawley, Christian Yunker, Chad Klotzbach, John Deleo, Gordon Dibble and Gary Maha. Clattenburg and Torrey will serve as 1st and 2nd vice chair, respectively.

Kevin Finnell, accompanied by his wife, Nanette, takes the oath of office as the county's District Attorney. Cianfrini is at right. Jerry Ader of Clarence was reappointed as Genesee County public defender through Dec. 31, 2023.

Cianfrini swears in Legislature Clerk Lisa Casey as her mother, Sandy, looks on. Casey was hired by the legislature in early September 2021.

Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Previously: Legislature set to appoint LeRoyan Wujcik as county attorney; Town of Batavia to hire Earl on part-time basis

It seems as though the Genesee County Legislature and the Batavia Town Board are on the verge of making changes in their legal representation departments.

Personnel moves -- per resolutions to be considered at meetings tonight and previously passed by the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors -- are as follows:

• James Wujcik of Le Roy (photo at right) is being appointed as Genesee County attorney through Dec. 31, 2023, replacing Kevin Earl, who has served in that capacity for the past five years;

• Earl is being hired as counsel to the supervisor for the Town of Batavia on a part-time (20 hours per week) basis;

• Jennifer Wilkinson of Attica has been appointed as Wyoming County attorney, replacing Wujcik, who has served as counsel to that county’s Board of Supervisors for the past eight years. Both Wilkinson and Wujcik are lawyers with the Attica firm of Dadd, Nelson, Wilkinson & Wujcik.

• Jerry Ader of Clarence is being reappointed as Genesee County public defender through Dec. 31, 2023.

COUNTY SET TO ‘MOVE FORWARD’

County Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein cited Wujcik’s experience as a county attorney as he steps into the role of helping to facilitate key projects facing the municipality in the near future.

“Jim has just finished his term with serving Wyoming County – not as a full-time attorney – and we are looking forward to having him come on board (in a full-time capacity),” she said. “He was interested (in the Genesee County job) and we were interested, and we believe that we're going to continue to work on behalf of the taxpayers here in Genesee County -- in a really smart, effective and efficient way.”

Stein said that Earl (photo at left) was “ready to step into his semi-retirement role” and she thanked him for his service.

“This was mutual on both sides,” she said. “He has really performed a great service to the county for the last five years. We have gone through some … amazing things while he sat in that office, and there's the craziness of this pandemic.”

She mentioned the addition of a corporate compliance officer, progress on the new county jail, 40-year sales tax agreement and the water agreement with towns and villages as major accomplishments.

“We just wish him (Earl) all the best as he transitions into this new role,” she said.

Earl, contacted by telephone moments ago, issued the following statement:

“I thoroughly enjoyed my work with the county and all the county employees, and I am grateful for this opportunity with the Town of Batavia on a part-time basis as part of my semi-retirement strategy.”

TOWN CREATES NEW POSITION

The Batavia Town Board is set to create the counsel to the supervisor position tonight and hire Earl, a former attorney for the town and longtime Batavia resident, at a rate of $51.52 per hour, effective January 10.

Town Supervisor Gregory Post said the decision was predicated upon the additional volume of legal work coming into the town coupled with the desire of current Town Attorney Andrew Meier, a Medina resident with a private practice, to decrease his workload.

Post added that a “number of line items in our budget are dedicated to legal and we are in a good position to enter into an agreement with Kevin for his services.”

The position will be evaluated after six months, Post added.

“There are things that have been on the table for six or seven months that haven't been attended to, and we’ve got two new projects that are been grant funded in the last 30 days.” Post said. “We have pretty good vibes that more development is on the way.”

Post noted that Wujcik represents the town on code enforcement and building inspection matters, but expects that he will be giving that up in his new role as Genesee County attorney.

The supervisor had high praise for Earl, who, he said, “did an unbelievable job for us for so many years.”

“I have great respect for Kevin,” Post said. “And when I found that he would be available, he and I had a conversation and I talked it over with my counsel and my staff. And we feel as though we're finding a path of trying to save some money.”

Post said the normal hourly rate for contracting with attorneys is around $200.

“Kevin will be in the office – and will be immediately available to the building department, to code enforcement and inspectors, to the engineering staff, to the town clerk and be able to work with planning and zoning,” he said. “He will help us move through these new public works projects and navigate contracts and insurance service agreements for the next year.”

Officials with the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports as well as local dignitaries are expected to participate in Thursday afternoon’s open house of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse’s new detoxification center at 424 East Main St.

The event, which is open to the public, is set for 2 to 6 p.m.  Pre-registration can be done by clicking on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gcasa-detox-open-house-tickets-215846260977

All attendees will be expected to wear face masks and adhere to other guidelines related to COVID-19.

Guest speakers leading up to a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:15 p.m. include Colleen Manse, addictions program specialist, and Stephanie Campbell, ombudsman project director, for OASAS; Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, and GCASA Executive Director John Bennett.

Tours of the facility will be conducted, and food and refreshments will be available at no charge.

Kathleen Hodgins, GCASA’s chief clinical officer, emphasized that the two-story, 20-bed facility further reinforces the agency’s mission of providing care at all levels of the substance use spectrum.

“Clients in detox will benefit from having a continuum of care starting with detox and including in-patient, residential and supportive living if they choose that specific pathway to recovery without having to go to another treatment facility,” Hodgins said, noting that having a detox center in Batavia will make it easier for those living in the GLOW Region.

“They will have all modalities of treatment available to them -- including peer services and case management.”

For many people, medically supervised detoxification from certain drugs and alcohol is crucial to beginning recovery, Hodgins added.

“Finding the strength to seek help isn’t always easy. We’re here to let those struggling with substance use disorder know that they’re not alone. Help is available, and it starts with our detox center admissions’ process,” she said.

The detox center is attached to the rear of the Atwater Community Residence. The opening date has yet to be determined.

Hodgins said the 8,600-square foot facility will be fully staffed by medical and substance use counseling professionals -- specially trained and certified to assist those who require short-term services.

Bennett said GCASA’s latest expansion is resulting in the creation of around 25 new jobs --mostly professional and living wages.

“The medical staff will consist of a medical director, a mid-level (supervisor) and several nurses,” he said. “There will also be a clinical supervisor and several counseling staff as well as med techs and support staff.”

As far as additional expansion, Bennett said GCASA’s Batavia campus, which also includes supporting living and childcare residences, is full. But the agency is in the midst of developing a  women’s and children’s 25-bed residential program in the Town of Albion.

Construction on the detox center began last January, with Javen Construction of Penfield as the general contractor. GCASA received a grant from OASAS and New York State to fund the project, which is estimated at $3.2 million.

Batavia Notre Dame lost to Aquinas by a 3-2 score tonight in a penalty-free Section V varsity hockey match at Lakeshore Rinks in Rochester.

Senior forward C.J. Mangone scored two goals for the Little Irish, now 9-1 after their eighth straight victory. Aquinas’ only defeat came in BND's season opener by a 6-3 count.

For United, 5-4-2, Ronin Hofmaster and Gavin Schrader tallied goals in the second and third period, respectively, with Schrader’s 21^st of the year coming with just 59 seconds left on the clock.

After a scoreless first period, Mangone capitalized on a United turnover to beat BND goaltender Courtney Schum with a slapshot from the left side seven minutes into the second period. Assists went to Kevin Howse and Tyler Day.

Mangone made it 2-0 when he deposited a rebound off a shot by teammate Alex Smola with 5:36 to play. Day also assisted on the goal, Mangone’s 15^th of the season.

United cut the lead in half when Hofmaster stole the puck, maneuvered to the right and beat Aquinas goalie Andrew Gatti to the glove side with 1:34 on the clock. Brady Johnson picked up the assist.

Aquinas scored what proved to be the game winner six minutes into the third period when Tony Terrana took a shot from the point that got past Schum, who was screened on the play. Caleb Wood and Mangone were credited with assists.

BND had several opportunities in the closing minutes as it controlled much of the play in the third period -- outshooting Aquinas 13-5 -- but wasn’t able to score until Schrader muscled the puck away from an Aquinas contender and drilled it past Gatti.

For the game, United had 30 shots to the Little Irish’s 27.

United hosts Western Finger Lakes at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Batavia Ice Arena. BND defeated WFL 10-1 on Dec. 14.

All the votes are in and the results show that 15 of the 20 municipalities in Genesee County are “opting out” of allowing cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption places.

The Town of Byron and Village of Alexander earlier this week joined the other communities who previously opted out prior to the New York State-imposed deadline of Dec. 31.

As a result, the following is the situation as it pertains to the state’s Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act, legislation that was signed into law by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo on March 31:

OPT OUT

Towns – Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield, Stafford.

Villages – Alexander, Bergen, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield.

OPT IN

City – Batavia.

Towns – Darien, Pavilion, Pembroke.

Villages – Corfu.

Communities opting out can opt in at a later date, but those opting in will not be permitted to opt out.

Cities, towns and villages that have opted out are subject to permissive referendum should residents wish to push for retail dispensaries, such as storefronts to buy products for home consumption and adult use consumption sites.

Sales tax on cannabis will be 13 percent, with 9 percent going to the state, 3 percent to the host municipality and 1 percent to the county. Additionally, a THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) excise tax will be imposed.

Freshman forward Jameson Motyka recorded a hat trick Thursday afternoon as Batavia Notre Dame closed out the 2021 portion of its varsity hockey schedule with 5-5 tie against Frontier of Section VI at the LECOM HarborCenter in Buffalo.

It’s the second straight tie for BND United, which battled Hamburg to a 6-6 draw on Wednesday night at the HarborCenter.

United, 5-3-2, is off until Jan. 4 when it takes on Aquinas Institute at Lakeshore East in Rochester.

BND got on the board first when senior Gavin Schrader, one of Western New York’s most prolific goal scorers, found the back of the net at 11:04 of the first period. Assists went to Ronin Hofmaster and Brady Johnson.

Frontier pulled even with 3:20 left in the period on a goal by sophomore Tanner Smaczniak.

The Hamburg club struck twice in a minute’s time early in the second period on power play goals by junior Jake Losey and senior Matt McCarthy to take a 3-1 lead.

Motyka scored the first of his three goals at the 8:56 mark (assisted by Andrew Kasmarek and Vin DiRisio) before Frontier’s Max Conklin broke free for a shorthanded goal with 5:10 on the clock to make it 4-2.

United closed to within one at the end of the period as Motyka scored again, with Orion Lama picking up the assist with 1:37 remaining.

Schrader tied things up at 4 apiece just 29 seconds into the third period (assisted by Parker Corbelli).

A game misconduct penalty on Frontier coach Brian Dehlinger with a little over 10 minutes left for excessive arguing with referees gave BND the man advantage and it capitalized when Motyka scored again. Hofmaster picked up the assist.

BND held the lead until three minutes remained in regulation but a turnover in its own zone led to a goal by Frontier’s Nick Falcone.

Neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period although Frontier came close with only eight seconds to play. United outshot the Falcons 34-31.

Schrader now has 20 goals in United’s 10 games.

Photo at top: Jameson Motyka celebrates one of his three goals Thursday against Frontier.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

To view or purchase photos, click here.

United's Noah Whitcombe looks for an opening in the crease.

Gavin Schrader propels a slap shot at Frontier goaltender Kyle Kacmarski. Schrader recorded his 19th and 20th goals of the season.

Vin DiRisio looks to put a move on the Frontier defenseman.

BND's Zack Eschberger and Addison Warriner dig the puck out along the boards.

Members of a committee charged with updating the Town of Batavia’s solar law on Wednesday night acknowledged that a compromise on setback distance requirements may be in order after hearing from two couples seeking to place ground-mounted systems on their property.

Speaking at an informational meeting at the Town Hall on West Main Street Road, Dan Reuter, a Corfu resident, said he has issues over the 200-foot setback criteria listed in the final draft of the town’s Solar Energy Local Law.

Reuter and his wife, Kathy, own 68 acres on Alexander Road (Route 98) in the Town of Batavia.

“The setbacks proposal is extremely constraining,” Reuter said, adding that such a condition would put an end to his plan to place a 1.8-megawatt solar array on 9 acres of his property. “It will make it not viable.”

As currently written, the final draft stipulates that Tier 3 systems shall meet the following requirements:

• Be setback from any non-participating property line by 200 feet;
• Be setback from any participating property line by 20 feet;
• Be setback from any adjoining, participating property existing structure by 30 feet;
• Be setback from any adjoining, non-participating structure by 500 feet.

Reuter said his property is vacant and, for the most part, unusable, farm land that already is limited in scope due to requirements of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. He said that he is looking to put in the solar system to assist in the couple’s retirement.

“We ask that you would revisit that,” he said, noting that 200 feet “would kill us” but that a 50-foot setback would work.

John and Kerry Hylkema said they applied in 2016 for a permit to place solar on their property on Alexander Road.

 “We saw other solar farms go in,” Kerry said. “and we’ve been waiting and waiting.”

Her husband said he also disagreed with the setback requirements, and asked for the committee’s “consideration to work with us.”

Buffalo attorney Charles Malcomb, representing solar developer Renewable Properties on behalf of the Reuters and Hylkemas, referred to a letter that he wrote to the committee highlighting other projects where the setback was less than 200 feet.

“The main issue is the setback from non-participating properties,” he said. “Two hundred feet is a real problem.”

Malcomb pointed to projects in the towns of Alabama and Sardinia where a 50-foot setback was in place.

“We think that’s a sufficient setback,” he said, noting that screening provisions would help to “hide” the panels – one of the goals of the solar law.

At that point, Dan Lang, who also is the town’s building inspector, asked other committee members to weigh in on the 200-foot setback. He then proposed keeping the 200-foot limit on the front and changing it to 50 feet on the side and rear.

“The intent is to get these away from roads and houses,” he said.

Committee member Nancy Brach, a town resident, asked Malcomb to modify his renderings to show various distances, and he agreed that he would fulfill that request.

The committee has been working on a new solar law – one that would mesh with the town’s Comprehensive Plan – for about a year.

Drew Reilly (photo above) of Wendel Companies of Williamsville is the group’s consultant and he spoke at length last night about the progress it has made.

Reilly said that the solar environment is changing rapidly.

“If you have a solar law and it’s more than three years old, it’s probably outdated,” he said. “NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) is even updating its law” (because it doesn’t address everything).

Lang said the committee will take another look at topics brought up last night (others included the percentage of Smart Growth land to be used for solar and the role of planning boards and zoning boards of appeals in the process) and submit the revised law to the Batavia Town Board sometime next month.

Town Supervisor Gregory Post, who was in attendance, said he hopes to have the law passed by April. Before that can happen, the law needs to go through a State Environmental Quality Review, review by the Genesee County Planning Board and Town Planning Board, and a public hearing.

Photo: Town of Batavia solar committee members, from left, Brittany Witkop, Nancy Brach, Dan Lang, Paul McCullough. Reilly is at right. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Previously: Town of Batavia committee drafts revised solar energy law, sets informational meeting for Dec. 29

Senior forward Gavin Schrader's third goal of the game -- coming just 21 seconds into the third period -- enabled Batavia Notre Dame United to gain a 6-6 tie against Hamburg in non-league varsity hockey tonight at the LECOM HarborCenter in Buffalo.

Trailing 6-5 after two periods, Schrader beat Hamburg goaltender Gavin Waite, with assists going to senior linemates Zack Eschberger and Vin DiRisio.

United, now 5-3-1, was unable to find the back of the net the rest of the way, however, despite outshooting the Bulldogs, a Section VI club, 15-1 in the third period. Both teams had four shots on goal in the five-minute overtime period.

Hamburg took a 3-2 lead after one period with senior forward Luke Stotz scoring twice around a power play goal by junior forward Josh Gregoire. BND's goals were by Schrader (from DiRisio and Eschberger) -- see photo above -- and DiRisio (from junior defenseman Noah Hudson and freshman forward Jameson Motyka).

The wide open play continued in the second period as both teams scored three goals. 

Schrader and Eschberger opened the scoring in the period, giving BND a 4-3 edge, before the Bulldogs countered with a goal by junior forward Braeden McGuire.

United took a 5-4 advantage on a goal by junior forward Ronin Hofmaster 10 minutes into the period before Hamburg rallied to take the lead on goals by senior forward Luke Nassoly and sophomore defenseman Matt Holst.

BND outshot Hamburg, 40-29. Senior Courtney Schum was in goal for United.

Schrader now has 18 goals and 16 assists, while DiRisio upped his goal and assist totals to 11 and 10, respectively. Hofmaster's goal was his seventh of the season to go along with his 14 assists.

United is back at the HarborCenter for a 4:15 p.m. game on Thursday against Frontier.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Vin DiRisio connects for a power play goal in the first period.

Brady Johnson looks to maneuver past Hamburg's Alex Wood (55).

Zack Eschberger (middle) gets some high-fives from DiRisio and Jameson Motyka after his power play goal in the second period.

Motyka seeks an opening in the Hamburg defense.

United's Ronin Hofmaster pokes the puck past Waite to tie the game at 5-5.

Press release from BAAS:

On Dec. 10, Byron Association Against Solar members Eric Zuber, Gayla Starowitz and Jim Lamkin led state and local officials on a tour of the proposed Excelsior Solar Project in Byron as indicated by the black line on the Excelsior map (above).

Included on the tour were officials and attorneys from NextEra/Excelsior, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Public Service, the Department of Agriculture, BAAS and the Byron Town Board.

The purpose of the tour was to allow state and town officials to see for themselves the size and scope, and magnitude of the prime farmland acreage that will be covered by solar panels if the NextEra/Excelsior project is approved.  These areas are colored “purple” on the attached map.     

Local landowners have agreed to lease 3,400 acres of land for 30 years for the project although only about 1,700 acres (in purple) will initially be covered by solar panels, roads, fences, wires, poles, batteries and other related equipment.  The landowners, the Byron-Bergen Central School District, Genesee County and the Town of Byron will receive compensation from the project.

We ask that Byron Town residents view the proposed site of the project for themselves by starting at the South Byron Firemen’s Recreation Hall and following the black line on the map.  The numbers represent view sites.

It is expected that in early 2022 the project will be reviewed by the New York State Siting Board as part of the Article 10 process.  If approved, it is likely that construction will begin in 2022.

Firmly entrenched in a profession where compassion and knowledge work hand in hand, Shannon Murphy, director of Treatment/Batavia office at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, stands out from the crowd.

“Shannon is more committed and the most dedicated in this field than anyone I’ve ever seen,” said GCASA Executive Director John Bennett, marking Murphy’s longevity award as a 25-year employee of the nonprofit agency on East Main Street.

“She loves the patients. That’s her strength and her gift. She’s always there for her team, the agency and the people she serves.”

Murphy (photo at right) was one of 14 GCASA employees to receive longevity awards, ranging from 25 years to five years with the company.

Not one for being in the public eye, she said she “was so grateful” for her job and her co-workers.

“I love everybody here,” she said. “It has been an honor.”

Treatment Director Kathy Hodgins, who has worked with Murphy for the past 20 years, called her colleague “a game-changer.”

“She is the most loyal person I’ve ever met – my comic relief (noting Murphy’s quick wit) – and sincere and genuinely compassionate,” Hodgins said.

Others recognized for their longevity were as follows:

TWENTY YEARS

• Liz Riter, director of Corporate Compliance/Quality Assurance, Batavia office;
• Lisa Schutt, chemical dependency counselor, Batavia office.

FIFTEEN YEARS

• Holly Main, assistant director of Treatment, Batavia office;
• Sue Murphy, registered nurse, Batavia/Albion offices.

TEN YEARS

• Sarah Millen, billing clerk, Batavia office:
• Shellye Dale-Hall, prevention educator, Batavia office.

FIVE YEARS

• McKayla Burvid, registered nurse, Batavia office;
• Beth Collee, executive secretary, Batavia office;
• Gretchen Franke, registered nurse, Batavia/Albion offices;
• Shannon Ford, director of Communications & Development and Prevention, Batavia office;
• Dawn Sagerman, director of Prevention Resource Center, Batavia office;
• Gina Henry, prevention educator, Batavia office;
• Matt Martin, chemical dependency counselor, Batavia office.

Disclosure: Mike Pettinella is publicist for GCASA.

In what Head Coach Marc Staley called “our poorest effort of the year,” Batavia Notre Dame United – plagued by mistakes in its own zone and outshot by a more than two-to-one margin – dropped a 7-4 decision to Pittsford tonight in Section V hockey at the Batavia Ice Arena.

Sophomore Ben Norten scored three goals and assisted on another as the visiting Panthers broke away from a 2-2 tie with four goals in the second period to take a 6-4 advantage heading into the third period.

Pittsford, 4-3-1, fired 46 shots at BND goaltender Courtney Schum, while United could manage to put just 19 on Panthers’ goalie Aden Brown.

“This was our poorest effort of the year and we have to address that,” Staley said. “We have to come to play every night. And we didn’t execute tonight and they’re a fast team and a skilled team.”

Staley pointed to his team’s miscues in its own end that provided Pittsford numerous extra opportunities.

“We gave up too many pucks in our own zone -- sloppy play,” he said. “Pucks in the back of our net (given away). You can’t make mistakes against Class A teams that are good like this. And we made too many tonight, so we’ve got to tighten that up. And we will. It’s still early in the year.”

Pittsford had several chances to draw first blood but was unable to capitalize on a power play midway through the opening period.

When BND drew a pair of penalties at the 8:00 and 7:21, it came through with the two-man advantage -- with senior Gavin Schrader putting away a rebound at 6:59. Jameson Motyka and Zack Eschberger assisted.

The Panthers tied the score at 3:44 on a goal by sophomore Henok Hankinson (assisted by junior Will Masaschi) and took the lead less than two minutes later when junior Lucas Procious scored from close range, with Norten and Colin Norton assisting.

United rallied with a minute left in the period when Eschberger converted a pass from the speedy Schrader, who had raced down the left side of the rink past the defense.

Pittsford controlled most of the action in the second period, outshooting the home team 26-10. And it didn't help the United cause when defenseman Noah Hudson's skate blade broke, forcing him to miss most of the 17-minute session while correcting the situation.

Norten scored off a rebound of a shot by Norton at 13:22 and Masaschi buried the puck after an initial save by Schum at 12:09 to put Pittsford up 4-2.

Following a BND timeout, United cut the deficit in half as Schrader deflected a shot by Parker Corbelli past Brown at the 11:00 mark (Eschberger also assisted), but Pittsford came back 55 seconds later as sophomore Brady McMahon beat Schum to her glove side from a tough angle.

After Schrader hit the crossbar on a shot at 6:25, United pulled to within a goal again as senior Vin DiRisio found the back of the net after a nifty pass from Motyka.

Schum made a couple tough saves inside of three minutes, but was unable to thwart Norten at the 1:14 mark when he scored his second goal, assisted by Norton. The duo combined again to close out the scoring at 10:57 of the third period after United gave up the puck behind its own net.

Pittsford clamped down in the third period, holding BND without a shot on goal until 2:57 remained in the game.

Asked if he thought Pittsford had a deeper team and better skaters, Staley instead talked about United’s unforced errors.

“We scored one on ourselves. Those are the things we have to address; too many giveaways in our own zone,” he said. “And we need more balance. We’re relying on two few guys right now.”

Still, Staley said he saw it as a learning experience.

“It’s good for us to play against these teams to learn the level that we have to get to,” he said.

Schrader upped his goal total to 15 (to go with his 15 assists) while DiRisio’s goal was his 10^th of the season.

United, 5-3, travels to the LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo for games against Section VI opponents next week – at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday against Hamburg and at 1:15 p.m. Thursday against Frontier.

Photo at top: Batavia Notre Dame's Jameson Motyka avoids a Pittsford defender as goaltender Courtney Schum looks on. Photos at bottom: United's Parker Corbelli controls the puck as Pittsford's Lucas Procious converges; teammate Brady Johnson looks to maneuver past Pittsford's Keegan Ahern. Photos by Howard Owens.

A victory over Pittsford tonight would give Batavia Notre Dame a psychological lift through Christmas and snap a long Section V hockey drought against the suburban Rochester school.

“This is a very important game for us, psychologically, as it can get us to 6-2 heading into next week's tournament at the (LECOM) Harborcenter in Buffalo, and knowing that a Batavia team hasn’t beaten Pittsford since, I think, 1994,” Head Coach Marc Staley said this afternoon.

The game is set for 6 o’clock at the Batavia Ice Arena on Evans Street.

The Batavia Blue Devils were unable to defeat a Pittsford club when they met regularly in Monroe County League competition over the past three decades and, last year, Notre Dame dropped a 5-3 decision to the Panthers in the first round of the sectionals.

Batavia and Notre Dame combined forces prior to this season as "BND United" and has won five of its first seven contests. Pittsford is 3-3-1 but the record doesn’t indicate the overall strength of this year’s Panthers’ team, Staley said.

“This looks to be a dead-even game,” he said. “They have played against some very strong teams – Fairport, Massena and Penfield – and play a similar style to ours.”

On paper, United has more offensive firepower than Pittsford with five players in the top 10 in scoring among the six Independent teams. BND has scored 47 goals and given up 25 while Pittsford has scored 22 and allowed 22.

Senior Gavin Schrader is No. 1 in points with 13 goals and 14 assists, freshman Jameson Motyka and junior Ronin Hofmaster each have six goals and 11 assists, senior Vin DiRisio has nine goals and seven assists, and freshman Brady Johnson has seven goals and eight assists.

BND goaltender Courtney Schum has a 3.53 goals against average in her seven games.

The Panthers have three players with five goals apiece – senior Aidan McGrain, junior Lucas Procious and sophomore Henok Hankinson, while junior Will Masaschi has four goals and nine assists. Goalie Aden Brown has a 2.96 GAA.

Staley said both teams have solid power play units and it could come down to which team stays out of the penalty box.

“The team showing the most discipline likely will come out on top,” he said. “It shapes up to be a close game.”

Genesee County is expected to receive up to $1 million to help in its COVID-19 prevention efforts as well as around 3,000 in-home test kits over the next few weeks, County Manager Matt Landers said in response to an email from The Batavian today.

“Based on information from the press release (from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office) yesterday, Genesee County is in line to be reimbursed for up to $1 million in costs,” Landers said.

The money is earmarked for local health departments for vaccine and testing sites, staffing, and personnel expenses related to media campaigns, supply distribution and enforcement of mask/vaccine mandates.

Landers said he doesn’t see the additional funding having a signficiant impact upon the county’s ability – or willingness – to enforce Hochul’s rule requiring those over the age of 2 to wear masks or show proof of vaccination when entering businesses.

“We are still waiting on more guidance on what the money can be used for, but based on the short window to spend this money, it does not appear that Genesee County will have any greater ability to enforce the state’s mask rule,” Landers advised. “More than likely, we will use some of this money to promote our residents to get vaccinated or boosted, testing clinics and vaccination/booster clinics.

“Genesee County believes that masking in public settings does offer greater protection against the spread of COVID-19, and encourages businesses and residents to take appropriate precautions during this holiday season.”

Landers reported that he was just notified that more test kits (likely in early January) and masks (on Thursday) will be coming to Genesee County.

“Our Emergency Management Office is coordinating the distribution efforts for both and we will have details in the days following. We haven’t received word on the exact distribution numbers yet, but we are anticipating around 3,000 take-home test kits to be distributed to the public in early January,” he said.

The county manager said he “appreciates” the open communication line with the governor’s office and the distribution of supplies to rural counties such as Genesee.

According to Hochul’s press release, the state is prepared to release $65 million to New York’s 62 counties to help enforce the most recent mandates, which was announced two weeks ago and expires on Jan. 15.

The governor said she is opposed to more school or business shutdowns to the coronavirus “because we have the tools available to all of us (and) we’re going to keep fighting back.”

Wastewater treatment facility disinfection projects in the Town of Pavilion and Villages of Bergen, Elba and Le Roy have been identified for funding through Round XI of the Regional Economic Development Council’s program to improve water quality, combat harmful algal blooms and update aging infrastructure across New York State.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, in a press release issued today, announced that more than $272 million is being awarded to 179 projects to protect and improve water quality.

These awards are in addition to the $196 million awarded to 488 projects from multiple State Agency programs through Round XI of the Governor's Regional Economic Development Council Initiative announced last week to stimulate New York's post-pandemic economic recovery.

“Our state's economic development goals cannot be achieved without clean water for drinking, recreation, and the overall quality of life New Yorkers expect and deserve,” Hochul said. “These sustained investments in water quality improve the health of our communities while creating economic opportunity through well paying, long lasting jobs.”

The Water Quality Improvement Project grant program is administered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and funds projects that directly address documented water quality impairments or protect a drinking water source.

Genesee County grants -- all to install ultraviolent effluent disinfection at the municipalities’ wastewater treatment plants -- will go to the following initiatives:

• Town of Pavilion: This project will improve the quality of treated effluent entering the Oatka Creek. $428,000.

• Village of Bergen: This project will improve water quality by reducing pathogens in the plant's discharge. $137,500.

• Village of Elba: This project will improve the quality of treated effluent entering the Oak Orchard Creek Tributary. $288,750.

• Village of Le Roy: This project will improve water quality by reducing pathogens in the treatment facility's discharge to the Oatka Creek. $1,000,000.

Tom Dix is looking for a little help from his friends as he and his mother carry on their mission of renovating the historic Union Hotel at the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue in the Village of Corfu.

Dix, who owns Potter Lumber on Maple Avenue with his mom, Mary, is in the midst of the monumental task of bringing the restaurant, bar, eight-lane bowling center and, eventually, the 16-room hotel back to life.

Determined as ever, he said it’s a matter of “when” and not “if” the project is completed.

Purchased by Tom and Mary in September 2018 – they closed on the property on the birthday of Mary’s late husband, Bill – the 25,000-square foot, three-story building has had multiple owners over the years.

It was built in 1828 and served as a stagecoach stop for travelers passing through Western New York in the 19^th century. The facility has been closed since around 2013.

Tom Dix said he and his mom couldn’t stand by anymore and watch it deteriorate further.

“We would drive by every day, sometimes twice a day, and saw that it was dying and falling apart,” he said.

So, he decided to invest his time and money (likely $200,000-plus when it’s all said and done) into fixing it – starting with the exterior, which has taken on a new look thanks to local artists/craftspeople Charlie Flagg, Sue Weber and Mark Zimmermann.

Flagg and company are in the process of painting murals of scenes that depict notable moments in the village’s history, while Dix is fortifying the roof, installing vinyl siding and making other repairs to beautify the outside walls.

“Now, we’re just about ready to go to town on the inside,” said Dix, noting that reopening the restaurant and bar are priority No. 1. But to move things along at a quicker pace, he is appealing to community members to roll up their sleeves and help out – and he will pay them for their time on a per diem basis.

“I really don’t have a timetable; it’s just that we have been hindered by a lack of workers,” said Dix, adding that he has handled all of the engineering and design aspects of the project.

He said the electric and heating were upgraded by Shayne Poodry, who owned the building from 2007-2018, but much work needs to be done in the areas of insulation, drywall, doors and windows, the cupola, chimney, lanes and pinsetters (at the former Andrews Lanes).

Mary Dix said she is convinced that Union Hotel means a lot to village residents and the Pembroke area in general.

“It has been here forever,” she said. “The whole community is enthusiastic about what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Flagg, who has been painting for more than 40 years, said Tom Dix contacted him last winter about doing something on the outer walls.

“They called me because they knew of my reputation, I believe, of being a muralist in the area,” Flagg said. “And we got together and I told him, I’d think about it last winter, when I went to Florida. I thought about it down there. And I came up with the idea of bringing the history of Corfu around the outside perimeter of the building.”

Flagg, 78, said there are 10 murals on one side (facing Maple Street) and there will be more on the Route 33 side.

“That’s going to have the new Veterans Cemetery that is on Route 77 and the Fun Country (Six Flags Darien Lake) amusement park and large angel wings where you can stand up and have your picture taken – and you’ll become an angel,” he said.

The back (south side) of the building will feature old signs, such as “Buy a Chevy for $580” and “Sirloin Steak at 18 cents a pound,” Flagg said. “Nothing but signs and bricks on the back.”

He credited Weber and Zimmermann for their contributions.

“Sue is a fantastic painter – that’s why I wanted her to interject her thoughts into the project, and Mark has been a godsend. I wouldn't have got nowhere near as far as I’ve done without him.”

Flagg said that Zimmermann is going to step up to the lead role in the near future.

“I'm getting ready to hang it up because I'm getting pretty old. But he he's got the ability to take over,” he said. “Our plan is to finish it next spring when I return from Florida.”

The Union Hotel venture is just a start, Flagg said.

“If you look across the way you got Burling Drug Store, which is going to have five murals on it. And there are four or five other projects,” he advised.

“This town is going to be a picture town. You’ve got a million people that drive by 77 and 33 every year. We are trying to get them to stop here in Corfu …  to draw people in, to create some interest and, hopefully, when they’re here, they’ll spend a few bucks.”

Photo at top: Tom and Mary Dix on the front porch of the Union Hotel in Corfu; Photos at bottom: Murals on the outside of the building that illustrate the village's history (the bottom one is of the Dix family). Photos by Howard Owens.

VIdeo about the project from 2019:

After taking several months to review the Town of Batavia’s regulations governing the installation of solar systems, a seven-member committee working with a Williamsville consulting firm is ready to share its recommendations with the public.

An informational session is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 29 at the Town Hall on West Main Street Road.

The final draft of the town’s revised Solar Energy Local Law is available for viewing on the Town of Batavia website.

Town Board member Chad Zambito is the chair of the committee that also includes Town Building Inspector Dan Lang, Town Zoning Board members Steve Tanner, Don Partridge and Paul McCullough, Town Zoning Board of Appeals member Brittany Witkop and town resident Nancy Brach.

Drew Reilly of Wendel Companies served as the group’s consultant.

Zambito said the committee used the New York State Model Solar Energy Law as a basis for the town’s law, with some modifications. He said he hopes to receive feedback from residents at next week’s meeting.

According to the document, the town has the authority to develop a solar code through town law and Section 20 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, which authorize the town “to adopt zoning provisions that advance and protect the health, safety and welfare of the community, and, in accordance with the Town Law of New York State, to make provision for, so far as conditions may permit, the accommodation of solar energy systems and equipment and access to sunlight necessary therefore.”

It advances a five-fold “statement of purpose” – emphasizing the need to capitalize on renewable energy, reducing electricity costs to residential and commercial customers, increasing employment and business development, mitigating solar’s effects on agriculture and the environment and linking to the town’s Comprehensive Plan.

The revised law also lists solar term definitions, time frames, safety guidelines, decommissioning (end of use) procedures, maintenance/fees and enforcement/penalty provisions.

The bulk of the document is devoted to “permitting requirements” for the four levels of solar systems – Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4.

• Tier 1 systems are defined as roof-mounted solar panels and new building-integrated systems, and are must meet design, glare and height guidelines.

• Tier 2 systems, such as accessory structures, also have to comply with glare, setback, height, screening, visibility, equipment placement and lot size requirements. Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 systems are permitted in all zoning districts and are not subject to site plan reviews as long as the specific criteria are in order.

• Tier 3 (larger) systems are permitted through the issuance of a Special Use Permit within the Agricultural Residential zoning district. They are subject to additional requirements, including maximum percentage of land use, written application, public hearing, underground utility lines, vehicular paths, signage, glare, lighting, tree cutting, screening/landscaping, noise, decommissioning and security.

• Tier 4 systems along the line of those proposed for widespread areas in Byron and Oakfield/Elba, also need a Special Use Permit. These may qualify for a Solar Energy System PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and will require a Host Community Agreement as determined by the Town Board. Additional restrictions on large-scale Tier 4 systems include submission of an Agricultural Impact Statement, Economic Impact Analysis and Host Community Agreement proposal.

Sophomore Addison Warriner’s power play goal with six minutes and 11 seconds to play lifted Batavia Notre Dame to a 4-3 victory over Webster Schroeder this afternoon in the championship game of the Dave McCarthy Memorial Christmas Tournament at the Batavia Ice Arena.

Host United, now 5-2, prevailed in a fast-paced, well-played contest between evenly-matched Section V hockey clubs

The game featured only seven penalties, but one of those infractions proved to be the difference, however, when Warriors’ defensemen Matt Grattan was hit with a five-minute major for checking from behind at the 10:21 mark of the final period.

BND fired off several shots at Webster Schroeder goaltender Peyton Sanfilippo over the next four minutes before finally cashing in on a Warriner slap shot, with assists going to Jameson Motyka and Gavin Schrader, to break a 3-3 tie.

From there, United employed its neutral zone trap scheme and managed to keep the Warriors off the scoreboard.

United Coach Marc Staley mentioned his team’s all-for-one, one-for all approach when talking about the game-winner.

“The attitude in the locker room is just next man up. And that's what happened, we popped in Addison Warner there in the middle on the power play, and he scores the game winning goal,” Staley said. “And so, what I love about this team is that we have this deep bench. And if someone's not getting it done, we can just bring somebody in to take care of business.”

Freshman Brady Johnson stepped up in a big way as he registered a “natural hat trick” with three consecutive goals for United – two as BDN took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission and a third that erased a 3-2 deficit in the second period.

Webster Schroeder opened the scoring on a goal by Aiden Baldwin (assisted by Gunnar Bolton) at 14:45 of the first period. Johnson evened things up at 4:38 when he took the puck the length of the ice, broke through two defenders and found the back of the net, and put the home team on top at 1:15 after taking a pass from Ronin Hofmaster.

The Warriors responded in the second period on a power play goal by Evan SanSoucie at 16:27 and an even-strength goal by Bolton (assisted by Ryan Reeves) two minutes later to regain the lead at 3-2.

United bounced back once again as Schrader and Hofmaster worked the puck to Johnson at the point and his shot beat Sanfilippo at 10:33 to knot things up.

“Brady is just an incredible talent – a player who mixes great skill level with just a huge compete factor,” Staley said. “He just willed that first goal and that really gave our bench some life.”

Johnson, Schrader, defenseman Andrew Kasmarek and goaltender Courtney Schum were named to the all-tournament team for United, joining Warriors Alex Bollis, Baldwin and Sanfilippo.

They each received medals that were presented by Mike McCarthy and Brian McCarthy, father and brother, respectively, of Dave McCarthy, a standout athlete who was killed in a car accident in 2006.

United outshot the visitors 31-18, but Schum made several spectacular stops among her 15 saves, including a shot at point blank range by Bollis with 1:02 remaining to preserve the lead.

Staley recognized the performance by Schum, who has been filling in admirably for injured starter Frank Falleti Jr.

“She's been steady the whole year for us,” he said. “She makes the saves she's supposed to make and we know when we stay out of the penalty box and we don't give up odd man rushes, she’s going to do the rest for us. I'm very happy for her making the all-tournament team as she deserved it.”

BND, already without forward Cooper Hamilton (broken collarbone) until sometime in January, lost its co-captain, Zack Eschberger, midway through the second period when he was hit from behind into the boards. He reportedly was being evaluated for a concussion.

“I’m really proud of this team for gutting it out,” Staley said. “I mean we were down some of our key players tonight, for different reasons. And then we lost Eschberger, so we’ve got to figure out what his status is going forward as we have a big game against Pittsford (6 p.m. Thursday at Batavia Ice Arena) coming up this week.”

Photo at top: Batavia Notre Dame players gather round goaltender Courtney Schum after the buzzer sounds, marking their 4-3 win over Webster Schroeder. Photo at bottom: Players, coaches and tournament officials celebrate with a group photo. Photos by Mike Pettinella.