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Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing millions in waste and water disposal loans and grants in the towns of Alexander, Oakfield, Canadice, and Barre.

In each of these towns, water quality testing has indicated threats to public health and a lack of safe water. The funding will go toward various solutions to alleviate these concerns and provide reliable water service to residents.

“USDA’s investment in the towns of Alexander, Oakfield, Canadice, and Barre will improve the quality of life for residents of those communities,” Collins said. “Access to clean water is essential, which is why I voted in support of the 2018 Omnibus spending bill that included these funds to our nation’s rural communities.

"The Trump administration has prioritized investing in rural communities to build a foundation for rural prosperity, and I am pleased that these efforts are being seen in Western New York.”

Funding awarded is listed below:

• Town of Alexander will receive a $2.7 million loan and a $2.2 million grant
• Town of Oakfield will receive a $236,000 loan and a $691,000 grant
• Town of Canadice will receive a $1 million loan and a $200,000 grant
• Town of Barre will receive a $708,000 loan and a $493,000 grant

Rural community leaders can apply for these funds electronically by using the interactive RD Apply tool. They can also apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.

For more information on USDA’s projects to upgrade water and wastewater systems in rural communities, click here. Municipalities seeking assistance from the USDA are encouraged to call Collins’ Lancaster District Office at 716-634-2324.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for all of Genesee County by the National Weather Service and it is in effect until 10:45 p.m.

The storm is moving east at 35 mph hour with wind gusts up to 60 mph. Damage to roofs, siding and trees possible. 

The National Weather Service recommends moving to an interior room at the lowest floor of your building.

Large hail and damaging wind and continuous cloud-to-ground lightning spotted in this storm, along with torrential rainfall, and flash flooding is possible.

A car fire was reported in the Village of Alexander this evening at a residence next to the cobblestone village hall on Buffalo Avenue.

We don't have any other details on the fire at this time.

Photos submitted by Heather Jackson.

Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell and Legislator Gordon Dibble have responded to the public hearing held July 9 by the Village of Corfu to address the county’s proposal to double the charge for municipal water.

Corfu officials had hoped someone from the county would attend the hearing to address residents’ concerns about the proposed increase.

However, no county representative was present at the meeting because they were not notified until the day before, Gsell said in an e-mail to The Batavian.

Apparently, Corfu Trustee Al Graham contacted Dibble about 1 p.m. Sunday to inquire if he had received any notice of Monday’s hearing. Dibble replied that he had not.

“It was too late at that point because we want to get all the people there who have the right answers,” Dibble said in a phone call today.

Gsell said they last met with the Village of Corfu officials in June and agreed to come to another village meeting with appropriate notice.

Currently, the county and village of Corfu are trying to agree on a date when all parties can attend.

Gsell has also shared a letter sent to Genesee County’s attorney by Corfu attorneys David Saleh and John Whiting with the Whiting Law Firm after the June meeting. The letter, dated July 5, which was also forwarded to MCWA, says claims were made by Corfu that the county and MCWA were ignoring the village in regard to municipal water, although Corfu has been a retail customer of the MCWA since 2001.

The MCWA told Corfu Mayor Joe Johnson the letter had been forwarded to them and it contained statements that the Village of Corfu had concerns with the services provided by MCWA’s operation and maintenance of the water system.

Several statements made by Corfu in the letter indicate the existing water system that provides water to thousands of county residents, including the residents of the village, is facing many challenges, including a crisis in maintenance of the existing water lines and other facilities.

The village wrote that the water lines running through the village are nearly 100 years old and needed attention even when these agreements were signed nearly 22 years ago.

“It was expected that efforts would be made to replace existing lines that have been subject to compromising breaks on a regular basis. In that near 20-year period, the existing lines haven’t been properly addressed and the problem is only worse,” the letter said.

Finally, the village wrote, “The Water Authority is struggling with maintenance, and the county needs to get involved to help find a solution.”

The MCWA’s Executive Director Nicholas Noce responded that this secondhand notice was the first they had heard about the Village of Corfu’s concerns.

Noce said the Village of Corfu water system was functional at the time the Water Authority and the village entered into an agreement.

He also said MCWA disagrees with the statements about struggling with maintenance and not properly addressing the system.

“This should be recognized by the nearly $2 million invested in the portion of the county’s water system in the Village of Corfu,” Noce said.

He said while there have been water main breaks in the village, those mains do not rank high enough for replacement at this time.

“Typically, age is not a criteria for water main replacement,” Noce said. “Water mains can break for several reasons, such as shifting of the ground during freeze-thaw cycles, pressure changes, casting flaws with material, or from corrosion.”

Noce said the Water Authority has a long-standing main rehabilitation program that has proven to be very effective. When compared to other water utilities across the nation through the benchmarking studies prepared by the American Water Works Association, the MCWA ranks in the national top quartile for the least number of water main breaks per 100 miles of water main.

Noce also said his organization would gladly come out to Corfu or have further discussions with the village to answer any questions about their programs. He said they have no record of receiving any direct contacts from Corfu with the above concerns.

He also reiterated the fact that since the Water Authority and the Village of Corfu entered into the retail lease agreement, the Water Authority has invested $1.95 million into the portion of the Water Authority’s system which is within the village. That investment, Noce said, paid to replace or clean and cement mortar line on approximately 48 percent of the water mains in the village; replace 70 percent of the hydrants; it rehabilitated the water storage tank; and replaced the roof on the water treatment plant (to name a few).

“If the village stayed in the water business, the village water system would have had to fund the $1.95 million of improvement and spread that cost over just 285 water customers in the village,” Noce said.

"A Knight's Journey" is a book meant to carry its readers on a trip through the history of Le Roy Oatkan Knights football but in writing it, the authors, Jim Bonacquisti and John Mangefrida, traveled their own path of discovery, going deeper and learning more about a subject they had known their whole lives.

It was meaningful to Bonacquisti to learn more about some of the great Knights' coaches of the past, such as Edward Refsteck, Ed Walsh and Jimmy Brown, but the learning more about two former Knights who gave their lives for others really touched him.

"John Aramino and Gary Scott, those two stories, I mean I knew of both of them, but when you start to do the research about what heroes they were, I really thought it was important, specifically those two, for our young, not even just football players, but our young kids of this community to know about them because it's so long ago," Bonacquisti said. "It's 50, 60 years and these were selfless acts that these two did. It's incredible. The common bond is they were both Knight football players."

Aramino was still in school when he and some friends went out to target shoot around Buttermilk Falls in May 1961. A couple of the boys were on the tracks when a train came along, surprising the boys. A younger boy tried to run from the train and Aramino jump on him, forcing him to the ground between the rails and covered him with his body. Aramino was killed instantly.

After graduating from Syracuse, Gary Scott, who was Knights' team captain in 1962 and the second graduate to win the John Aramino Award, joined the Army and volunteered for the infantry, thinking combat was the quickest route to promotion, and as an African-American he felt blacks were underrepresented in leadership roles in the military. He was killed in action in 1968, saving a fellow soldier's life when their platoon was ambushed and winning the Silver Star as a result.

For Mangefrida the discovery of Reginald D. Root and his story and accomplishments was a gem to research. 

Root was a 1920 graduate of Le Roy. He won a scholarship to Yale where he excelled academically and was a standout at football and lacrosse. After graduation, he was selected by the U.S. ambassador to Mexico to travel to the University of Mexico and start an American-style football team. He coached that team for two years before returning to Yale to become the freshman football head coach. In 1933, he became varsity head coach but his 4-4 record disappointed alumni and he was replaced before the start of the 1934 season. 

He stayed on at Yale for eight more years as a coach and instructor. After Yale, he became athletic director at Hillhouse High School, where mentored a young football player by the name of Levi Jackson. Jackson would become Yale's first African-American football player and eventually Ford Motor Company's first African-American executive.

"I had no idea about what an influence Reggie Root was," Mangefrida said. "Not only was he a good player here. He was an all-star student. ... He was just an outstanding individual and I never knew anything about him."

"A Knight's Journey" was inspired by a book about Cal-Mum's program but the authors wanted to go deeper, telling the stories of the young men and coaches who passed through the program, Bonacquisti. 

The stories come together to weave a tale of Oatkan Knights' football from its beginning in 1897 through today.

"The other thing which was really cool was to listen to what former players had to say about their coaches," Bonacquisti said. "There are some funny stories but maybe more important is how prominent they (the coaches) were in their lives, even if it was only two years, three years, four years; what a positive effect that the coaches here had on young man's life. That's pretty cool."

To make arrangements to purchase a copy of the book, email Bonacquisti at jbona2333@yahoo.com.

Submitted photos and press release:

A 2018 Tri-County BEFO program, sponsored by Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties concluded on Friday, July 13. Eighteen students completed the 79-hour program from 13 departments across the region.

The Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) program is an entry-level program for the volunteer fire service designed to prepare students to respond to emergencies as exterior firefighters.

Students are instructed in fire extinguishers, building construction, forcible entry, ladder deployment, incident command, drafting operations and hazardous materials operations level. In addition, students are trained in ropes and knots, and first aid/CPR.

A Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) program, sponsored by Genesee County, is scheduled to begin in August. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact your community volunteer fire department or the Genesee County Fire Training Center (585-344-0078).

Participants last Friday included: 

Alabama

• Rebekah J. Allen

Alexander

• Daniel Harris

Attica

• Kaylee Sumeriski

Town of Batavia

• Bryan Moscicki  
• Ian Sanfratello
• Tyler Stewart

Bennington

• Jordon McKinsey
• Grace Schmidt

Bergen

• Tina M. Carson          
• Harrison T. Dodson

Byron

• Paige E. Johnston

Carlton

• Matthew Edick

Castle

• Zachary Dake

Corfu

• Justin Rodland

East Avon

• Jefferson Moon

North Java

• Taylor Guizzotti
• Tyler Shaver

Strykerville

• Matthew Solly

Press release:

Four students successfully completed the NYS Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) program sponsored by Genesee County.

The five-month long program, held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center, provided an opportunity for current NYS DOH EMTs to acquire additional life support skills such as intravenous (IV) therapy, advance airway management, emergent medications, advanced patient assessment techniques, etc.

In addition to the required classroom hours, students completed clinical experience at an area hospital as well as an internship with an ALS ambulance. The advanced emergency medical technician provides mid-level, pre-hospital, emergency medical services.

New AEMT certification was achieved by:

• Branden F. Davies,
• Lynn A. O’Donnell
• Jocelyn K. Yockel
• Taylor A. Zaccarine

Genesee County sponsors an AEMT program annually. The program begins each January with testing conducted in June.

Michael J. Piasta Jr. is indicted for the crime of second-degree robbery, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on March 25 at the Arby's restaurant in Batavia, located at 212 W. Main St., that the defendant forcibly stole property and in the course of the commission of a crime or in the immediate flight from it, he allegedly displayed what appeared to be a pistol, revolver or other firearm. In count two, he is indicted for third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony, for allegedly stealing property on that date that had a value exceeding $3,000. In count three, Piasta is accused of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a second Class D felony, for allegedly possession an imitation pistoal with the intent to use it unlawfully against another person. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Piasta is accused of having been convicted of: third-degree burglary, a Class D felony, on Dec. 20, 2010, in Genesee County Court; petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, on Sept. 7, 2010, in City of Batavia Court; attempted petit larceny, a Class B misdemeanor, on Jan. 18, 2011, in Town of Batavia Court; attempted failure to pay for service, based on stealth, a Class B misdemeanor, on May 1, 2002, City of Batavia Court; petit larceny again, on July 19, 2001, in City of Batavia Court; and criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor, on April 5, 2001, in City of Batavia Court. These convictions form the basis for Count Three in the current indictment.

Lamont L. Crimes is indicted for the crime second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged that on May 28 in the Town of Elba that, with intent to cause physical injury to another person, Crimes caused injury to another person using a dangerous instrument -- a knife. In count two, the defendant is accused of the same crime involving a second victim.

Jaomi Delgado is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 20 in the City of Batavia that Delgado knowingly and unlawfully possessed one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic -- cocaine -- and these were of an aggregate weight of one-half ounce or more.

Katelyn M. Bennett is indicted from the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 11 in the Town of Bergen that Bennett drove a 2011 Chevrolet on state routes 33 and/or 19 while intoxicated. In count two, she is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or more at the time. In counts three and four, the defendant is accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, Class A misdemeanors, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing, respectively, concentrated cannibas and alprazolam (Xanax). In count five, Bennett is accused of unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, another Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count five that she knew she had been directed to stop by a police officer or marked police vehicle and she attempted to flee at speeds which equaled or exceeded 25 mph above the speed limit, or she engaged in reckless driving (VTL 1212). In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Bennett is accused of having been convicted of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, as a misdemeanor, on Dec. 20, 2011, in the Town of Gates and that conviction was within 10 years of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Brent J. Chapman is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 11 in the Town of Le Roy that Chapman drove a 2006 Lincoln on I-90 while intoxicated. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, the defendant is accused of having been convicted for misdemeanor DWI on March 8, 2016, in the Town of Greece, and that convicted is within 10 years of the crime alleged in the current indictment.

Paul D. Fields Jr. is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a misdemeanor. It is alleged that on Feb. 7 in the Town of Pembroke that Fields drove a 2002 Saturn eastbound on Indian Falls Road while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of DWI, per se, as a misdemeanor, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time. In count three, Fields is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for knowing or having reason to know that his driver's license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities at the time. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, Fields is accused of having been convicted of DWI on April 10, 2006, in City of Batavia Court. That conviction forms the basis for Count Three of the current indictment.

Carl Bruce James Miller, 26, of Attica Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and failure to keep right. Miller was charged following an investigation by Deputy Ryan Young into a rollover accident reported at 2 a.m. Sunday on Harper Road, Darien. There were two occupants in the vehicle at the time and were transported to ECMC for evaluation of minor injuries.

A 17-year-old resident of County Line Road, Darien, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. At 3:41 a.m. on July 7, deputies responded to County Line Road, Darien, to investigate a report of an intoxicated male trespassing on a residential property. The youth charged was later accused of hosting a party at his residence where he provided alcohol to individuals under age 21. 

Nathan Adam Millar, 30, of Church Street, Alexander, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Millar allegedly struck another person during a disagreement.

Roy Watson Jr., 29, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with a criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Watson was allegedly found in possession of a small quantity of cocaine at 2:30 a.m. Sunday at a location on Main Street, Le Roy.

Michael Arthur Brade, 34, of Olyn Avenue, of Batavia, is charged with sex offender failure to report change. Brade, a Level 3 sex offender, is accused of creating a new email account and not notifying authorities within 10 days. Batavia PD opened an investigation after being alerted by a parole officer.

Matthew I. Diers, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with sex offender failure to report change. Diers, a Level 2 sex offender, is accused of creating a Facebook account and email address and failing to report it to authorities within 10 days. Batavia PD was alerted to the accounts by a parole officer.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office during the Lynyrd Skynyrd Concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday:

Stuart M. Thorp, 41, of Magnolia Crescent, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada, arrested for criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly reentering the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return. Thorp was arraigned in Darien Court and jailed in lieu of $1,500 bail.

Andrew G. Lehmann, 30, of Prospect Street, Attica, arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly flipping over benched outside the concert venue.  Andrew was arraigned in Darien Court and released on $150 bail.

Chad R. Carrington, 25, of Marcy Place, Bronx, arrested for false personation after allegedly providing a false name to deputies. 

Pasquale A. Damato, 43, of Kinsley Road, Elma, arrested for harassment, 2nd, after allegedly punching a female in the face.

Christine M. Kroger, 52, of Barks Road, Caledonia, arrested for trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected and told not to return. 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) and Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-36) introduced legislation to ensure that emergency physicians’ due process rights are protected if they are employed by a third party contractor. More than half of all emergency physicians around the country are denied due process because standard contracts require them to waive away these rights.

“Emergency departments (ED) are at the core of our nation’s health care safety net, staffed with hardworking physicians who provide care 24 hours a day 365 days a year,” Collins said. “Many hospitals have turned to physician staffing companies to meet complex organizational challenges, although that has come at an unfair cost to ED doctors.

"These hardworking men and women, who spend a decade in school and residency training and dedicate their lives advocating on behalf of their patients, have lost their due process rights. My legislation seeks to fix that.”

“Patients come first. Quality of care and patient safety should be the first concern of any doctor, not whether they could be fired for whistle blowing or reporting dangerous conditions in the hospital,” Dr. Ruiz said. “I am proud to co-author this bill to improve patient safety and cut down on fraud in our health care system by guaranteeing all doctors due process and whistleblower protections.”

Due process, a guaranteed right under the U.S. Constitution, is the foundation of one’s employment status across many industries. Physicians receive due process rights from a number of sources including Medicare, as a condition of participation, and the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986. However, these laws only afford due process rights to physicians directly employed by the hospital.

The third-party staffing model is most common in emergency departments across the country, leaving emergency doctors without the ability to negotiate basic terms of employment. These physicians are required to waive their right to a fair hearing and appellate review by their peers on the medical staff, in the event of termination or a restriction of their practice rights.

For patients, the link between due process and quality care is clear. Physicians are unable to act as their patient’s best advocate when they fear retribution from their employers.

Among the medical community, there is concern that third party contract structures will deter future generations from pursuing a career in emergency medicine and leave our nation with a shortage of emergency room physicians. This legislation has the support of leading organizations in emergency medicine.

"In the field of emergency medicine, there is no greater policy imperative for patient safety and quality care than enacting this due process legislation," said David Farcy, president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. "The Academy is proud to stand with Representative Collins and Representative Ruiz, and we applaud them for championing this bill that serves the best interest of the patient and the taxpayer."

“On behalf of more than 38,000 emergency physicians, emergency medicine residents, and medical students, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is proud to support Congressman Collins’ and Congressman Ruiz’s legislation to ensure every emergency physician has medical staff due process rights,” said Paul Kivela, MD, MBA, FACEP, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “This is an important safeguard that will ensure all emergency physicians have access to a fair due process procedure.”

“The Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine (CORD) represents the over 240 emergency medicine residency training programs in the U.S. CORD strongly supports due process rights for emergency physicians as this is in the best interest of the public, the institutions and the safe practice of medicine," said Christopher Doty, MD, president, Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine.

"Therefore, CORD supports Representative Collins and Representative Ruiz on this important bill."

“Due process legislation will improve patient safety and support our physicians’ focus on providing patient-centered care, which is the hallmark of the osteopathic profession,” said Mark A. Baker, DO, president of the American Osteopathic Association.

“With nearly 10 percent of the nation’s 108,000 DO degreed physicians specializing in emergency medicine, the American Osteopathic Association commends Congressman Collins and Congressman Ruiz for their leadership on legislation that would ensure due process is available to physicians working in a complex practice environment.”

“On behalf of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, I am in full support of Representative Collins and Representative Ruiz in proposing this legislation," said Christine F. Giesa, DO FACOEP-D, president, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians.

"Our patients are the core of our work, and this legislation is a major step forward in ensuring their health and safety.”

“The guarantee of due process rights is one of the most critical issues facing emergency physicians and is fundamental to our ethical mandate to act in the best interests of our patients, many of whom are among the most vulnerable in society,” said Steven B. Bird, MD, president of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). “Therefore, SAEM strongly supports the passage of this legislation.”

"Entering a workforce where due process is ensured is the best possible future for residents and students in emergency medicine," said Mohammed Moiz Qureshi, president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine Resident and Student Association.

"AAEM/RSA echoes the commitment of Representative Collins and Representative Ruiz to that future and we appreciate their work on this legislation to help future generations of emergency physicians best serve their patients."

“A physician’s duty to advocate for safe and effective treatments, policies and practices is impaired by lack of due process,” said Charles McKay, MD, president of the American College of Medical Toxicology. “ACMT is proud to stand with Representative Collins and Representative Ruiz in this effort to better protect patients’ health and quality improvements within the health care system.”

For a copy of H.R. 6372, click here.

When Jay Beaumont and his partners decided to buy the Eagle Hotel in Le Roy in 2012 and open the Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew, Beaumont immediately noticed that the Eagle's back property line included access to the Oatka Creek.

His first thought: Paddleboats.

For the first few years of the Smokin' Eagle, Beaumont had many other restoration projects to work on in the old tavern and hotel at 9 Main St. His idea was to build a wooden dock and that, he figured, would be a lot of work.

As Bill Farmer's restoration project of the Creekside Inn at 1 Main St. progressed, Beaumont put his idea on hold.

"As Farmer started to pick up the pieces, he told me he would build us access to the creek," Beaumont said. "What he built was the Taj Mahal down there. He really advanced my idea."

With further research, Beaumont found a pre-built plastic dock that could be floated into place. That was installed this past Thursday, just in time for annual Oatka Festival and the Eagle's inaugural Paddleboat Regatta.

The regatta started with just enough hardy sailors to power five paddle boats. By the end of the first race, there were enough new entrants for a second race, and by the end of the third, enough for a fourth race. The top two teams from each race then faced off in a finals race.

"It was really exciting," Beaumont said. "It was a big hit."

Beaumont has hired some high school students to help get customers on and off the boats and a college student to manage the business.

"The kids did a great job," Beaumont said. "It's a chance for them to get experience in a small business but it's also fun. What could be a more fun job? What kid wouldn't want to do it?"

The dock also includes a kayak ramp so any kayaker on the creek can stop at the Eagle or the Creekside Inn for a drink, snacks or a meal.

Besides paddleboats, the concession rents kayaks.

Paddleboats are $20 an hour with a weight limit of 460 pounds and children must wear a life vest.

Kayaks are $10 an hour.

For kayakers who want to dock their own kayaks to visit the restaurants, there is a $10 fee, which helps cover the cost of dockside staff assisting the boaters, but the customers will receive a $5 voucher for the Smokin' Eagle.

Beaumont said the service will be open from 11 a.m. to dusk every day of the week, but those hours may be adjusted as they learn to gauge demand.

Rentals will not be available during times of heavy water flow on the creek for safety reasons.

Maddie Augello (center, above) is the 2018 Onion Queen. She was crowed yesterday by 2017 Queen Emily Reynolds. The first runner-up was Maddison Howard left), and second runner-up was Nataly Galvez.

The Elba Betterment Committee also brought back Elba's annual parade, which hasn't been run for a couple of years.

To purchase prints, click here.

Press release:

The Batavia City School District (BCSD) applied for and was granted federal funding that will allow all students attending a District school to receive one nutritious breakfast and one nutritious lunch each day that school is in session.

This four-year funding will begin in 2018-2019, with the District being eligible to reapply for additional four-year terms as long as the federal program is funded.

Batavia qualifies for this Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) funding – a provision of The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act – because of its classification as an economically disadvantaged community due to a significant number of students already qualifying for free or reduced meals.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for the District, and we are very excited to be able to take advantage of a federal program that allows us to offer every student one healthy breakfast and lunch every school day at no cost to our families,” says Superintendent of Schools Christopher J. Dailey.

“Research is conclusive that good nutrition is a critical factor in learning. This is a program that allows us to bring some of our federal tax dollars back to our community to provide nutritious meals for all of our students.” 

The CEP funding is for the first full breakfast and first full lunch. If a student would like a second breakfast or second lunch, or would like one or more particular separate items (“a la carte” items), then those will need to be purchased. Purchases can be made with cash or through My School Bucks – the Nutrikids computerized payment system which has been used by families in the District for several years.

Because all children will receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost, the option of charging items to a tab to be paid at a later time will no longer be available.

To qualify for other income-based funding and grants – a process which was formerly measured by information recorded on the Free and Reduced Meal Applications -- all students’ families will be asked to submit a short household form to establish the level of community need.

The District currently receives a significant amount of money in grants and other funding based on economic need. Collecting data from all households will permit us to continue to apply for and receive funding for which we are eligible.

The new form is currently being developed to ensure that the information required for applications to grant-funding agencies is gathered while not being unnecessarily burdensome or invasive to families.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for Batavia City School District

Question:  Who receives free meals?

Every student enrolled in the Batavia City School District will receive the first breakfast and the first lunch at no cost each school day regardless of the family’s household income.  Students are not required to participate; students may still bring their lunch if that is their preference.

Question:  Is my child able to make purchases, such as for milk (if bringing lunch from home), for other a la carte items, or for a second school meal? 

Yes, students may make purchases instead of or in addition to the first free breakfast or first free lunch. The purchase of all a la carte items will remain the same, in that families are responsible for payment. Additional meals are not covered under the program and it is each family’s responsibility to pay for those meals. Payment is due at the time of purchase. Purchases may be made with cash or through My School Bucks, the Nutrikids computerized payment system which has been used by families in the District for several years.

***Please note: there is NO charging allowed for additional meals or a la carte items. 

Prices for second meals and additional milk (or milk purchased a la carte) for 2018-2019 are:

Jackson and John Kennedy                     Middle School and High School

Second Breakfast                      $1.35                                              $1.45

Second Lunch                            $2.10                                              $2.30

A la carte Milk*                           $0.60                                              $0.60

Milk is included with the first breakfast and the first lunch or any additional paid meals. However, milk purchased separately (for students who bring their lunch) will be charged at a la carte prices, which is $0.60.  

Question:  How does the program work?

The New York State Child Nutrition (CN) Department began this program several years ago with federal funding backing the program.  School Districts must be eligible based on their specific poverty rates and have to apply to CN for approval.  Batavia City School District is eligible because it has an Identified Student Percentage of 40 percent or higher according to building level data. An Identified Student refers to any student certified to receive free meals by any means other than the submission of individual paper applications, such as SNAP and Medicaid.

Question: What impact does this program have on school taxes?

There is no impact on school taxes.  The General Fund budget (which the taxpayers vote on each year) is completely separate from the self-sustaining School Lunch Fund.    

Question: Who needs to fill out the CEP Household Income Eligibility Form?

All District families are asked to fill out the CEP Household Income Eligibility Form. The completion of this form is essential for the District. Many state and federal programs use socioeconomic data (that is, household and income information) to determine eligibility for their programs. In addition primary state funding calculations use socioeconomic data.

In order to continue to receive such funding and grants, the income information still needs to be gathered from our student population. The form is available in the school calendar, online at the Batavia City School District Nutritional Service Web page at:  https://www.bataviacsd.org/Page/5872  and will also be available at all school open house events. 

Question: If I have questions about the Household Income Form or if I received a letter this school year indicating that my children are approved for free meals, who can I contact?

Please contact the Food Service Department at 585-343-2480, ext. 1007. The office will be able to assist you with any questions or paperwork.

Question: Who do I include as members of my household and what if my monthly income is not always the same?

You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives or friends) who share your income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children living with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (people that you do not support, who do not share income with you and your children and who pay a pro-rated share of expenses), do NOT include them.

List the income that you normally receive if your monthly income varies. If you have lost your job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

Question: Does this program change the quality of food that can be served?

There is no impact to the quality of food that is served.  The District must still continue to follow all food and dietary guidelines that are set by New York State Child Nutrition Program.

Question:  What constitutes a complete meal for breakfast and lunch?

The District complies with the Federal Program: Choosemyplate.gov.

For breakfast, the District offers two grains, a fruit, and a milk. Students must choose at least three of the four offered items, and one of those chosen must be the fruit. For lunch, the District offers a protein, a grain, a fruit, a vegetable and a milk.

Students must choose three of the five offered items, and one of those chosen must be the fruit or vegetable.

Question:  May a student be charged for an incomplete meal if the student refuses to select the required components for a complete meal?

The District will offer a complete meal to each student in order to qualify for the CEP fully funded reimbursable meal. However, if a student refuses to take the complete meal then the student will be charged a la carte prices for the foods selected on their tray.  

Question:  My child has a positive balance on his/her “MySchoolBucks” account. What happens to the current balance?

The balance on the My School Bucks account can be used for a la carte purchases or for any additional/second meals.

If you would like a refund of your account balance please send an email to: Susan Presher at slpresher@bataviacsd.org or a written letter to Susan Presher, Nutritionals Services Director, 260 State St., Batavia, NY 14020.

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A person reportedly suffered a compound fracture of a leg bone in a three-wheeler accident at 39 S. Pearl Street, Oakfield.

Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A field of straw is on fire in the area off Richley Road, between Ridge and Simonds roads. A tractor near a barn is also on fire now; "it has been separated from the power unit." Darien Fire Department is responding. About one acre is in flames.

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: Corfu is called to assist. UTV units will be deployed. Four separate fires in the vicinity are spotted.

UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: "Multiple grass and equipment fire reported." Alexander and East Pembroke UTVs requested to the scene. Hale bales are burning, too.