On December 23, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) announced that the Brockport Fire District and Spencerport Fire District will receive $19,629 and $24,710, respectively, through the Recruitment and Retention Grant Program. The grants are part of $576,401 awarded to 31 entities statewide to strengthen recruitment and retention rates for fire companies, departments, municipalities, emergency medical service organizations, and supporting nonprofits that are comprised of at least 50 percent volunteers.

“The volunteer fire service has a strong tradition in New York, with tens of thousands of brave men and women putting their lives on the line to protect their neighbors and the places they call home,” said New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray. “This funding will play a critical role in helping local departments grow their ranks to ensure their beloved communities are protected from the threat of fire and any number of other dangers.”

State Fire Administrator James Cable said, “The greatest resource of any volunteer fire or EMS agency is its members. The projects funded by this grant program will support the retention of trained and experienced personnel while promoting recruitment efforts for new members to allow these organizations to continue to protect the communities they serve as effectively and as safely as possible.”

Volunteer fire and emergency medical agencies are struggling to recruit new members and maintain their current staffing levels. This statewide crisis directly impacts the safety of all communities. This program will assist in ensuring that these agencies are able to enhance their recruitment and retention efforts so that these volunteer agencies are adequately staffed and able to serve their communities. 

Allowable costs for this program include leadership training and development courses; public outreach and special events; explorer programs and other career-based educational programs; marketing and advertising; health and wellness initiatives; and personal protective equipment (PPE).

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At the beginning of the December 22, 2025, Village Board workshop, the Village Board proposed the following resolution: “To establish a local law to abolish the position of village justice and the village court.” The justification: “The functions of the court can be more efficiently and effectively handled by the Sweden Town Court.” This is simply not true.

Efficiency and effectiveness are the precise reasons that on October 7, 2013, the Village Board created the Brockport Village Court. The Village Court has, over an 11-year period, proven not only more effective and efficient for Brockport, but it is Village – not Town – focused and carries a greater caseload than the Sweden Town Court.

Village residents may remember the $89,000 in delinquent Brockport parking tickets that were discovered in 2013, which had not been pursued by the Sweden Town Court for lack of staff and because criminal cases took priority. The Village hired a collection agency that worked exclusively with judicial courts to retrieve that money. Brockport currently receives roughly $90,000 per year in parking tickets. Could we count on the Sweden Town Court this time to collect them for the Village?

The Village Board plans to turn over the functions of the Village Court to the Sweden Town Court, having had no prior detailed discussion with Sweden or the Sweden Court regarding what the change would entail, including personnel, logistics, and costs.

At the Village Board workshop on December 22, 2025, Sweden Town Supervisor Patricia Hayles commented, “There has been no discussion of the process. What is the process? We have never seen any of your data. The town is open to any discussion, but we haven’t any data. We might not have enough judges to take care of your load.” Furthermore, Sweden’s budget for 2026 is already set.

The financial justification for abolishing the Village Court is questionable, and it is not simply a question of spending or not spending money.

The Court has operated since its inception within its annual expense budget. There was never an expectation that the revenues for the Court needed to equal or exceed their expenses. You don’t create a court to make money. The Court is a service to the community and operates accordingly. No different than the Police Department, DPW, Codes Office, Welcome Center, etc. No department has been expected to operate as a profit or loss center. Village accountant Dan Hendricks estimates that eliminating the court could result in a tax rate decrease of about $.09/$1,000. On a home valued at $250,000, this is a savings of $28. However, villagers can likely count on an increase in their town taxes if the Sweden Town Court has to take on all of Brockport’s court business and hire more personnel.

I see no evidence that the Village Board has considered the overall benefits that a most local, village-focused judicial court offers the village. Some of these advantages were pointed out in the carefully researched presentation given by Chris Hamlin, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on courts, at the December 1 Village Board meeting. Additionally, it is to the village’s advantage to keep the criminal justice system within the village, where police, judges, and defendants are part of the same system and separate from the influence of other agencies. The speed with which cases are heard, the priorities of cases, and the simple fact that the elected judges are village residents who understand village ordinances and their relationship to the quality of village life are all factors recommending a court most local. Brockport Village Court has earned the respect of other courts within the NYS court system. These qualities are difficult to measure in dollars and cents.

This important issue has been extremely rushed — two weeks from start to finish over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. What’s the hurry? Will the Town of Sweden have sufficient time to review and carefully consider taking on the Village Court by then? Will you, Brockport residents, get to vote on the issue?

The current Village Board ran on a campaign of transparency and listening to the voters. If they really care what the voters think, they will call for a referendum on the issue so Brockport voters, not the Village Board, can determine whether our Village Court continues to exist.

Let your voice be heard at the public hearing on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Margay Blackman
Brockport

NOTE: In the fall of 2025, the Village of Brockport assembled an Ad Hoc Committee to study the Brockport Village Court. The committee was comprised of two trustees, one department representative, and two community representatives. They were tasked with doing a general overview with an eye on department transparency, opportunities to improve services, and financial responsibility and stability. A link to the Ad Hoc Committee’s full review of the Village Court is posted online at https://brockportny.gov/news/.

Oak Orchard Health continues to operate the Brockport Community Warming Center at Brockport First Baptist, 124 Main Street, in the heart of Brockport. The Center has been open since November 3 and operates on demand during “Code Blue” weather events, when temperatures drop below 32 degrees. This marks Oak Orchard’s second year providing warming services in Brockport and the third year in Albion.

This ongoing partnership with the Monroe County Department of Human Services and Brockport First Baptist Church reflects a shared commitment to supporting individuals without stable housing during the coldest nights of the year.

If an individual needs evening shelter during a Code Blue, they can call 585-340-1355 to access a warm, safe place to stay. The Warming Center opens as needed during the week and on weekends, overnight, and 24 hours during holidays when weather conditions require it. Guests also receive support from county agencies and local nonprofits, creating a comprehensive approach to health, safety, and stability.

During times the Warming Center is not open, individuals seeking daytime warmth may visit Seymour Library, 161 East Avenue, Brockport, during regular business hours.

“This winter season continues to be a critical time for our Warming Center operations, and Oak Orchard Health is proud to serve the Brockport and Albion communities for another year,” said Robin Govanlu, LMHC, LPC, LAC, Chief of Behavioral Health, Oak Orchard Health. “We could not operate these Centers without the support of our community partners and the dedication of our staff. These Centers are a vital safety net for individuals facing harsh weather, and we remain committed to helping those who need us most.”

Over the past three years, Oak Orchard Health has served more than 400 individuals through its warming centers, and demand continues to grow each winter. In addition to its existing sites, Oak Orchard is actively working to open two additional Warming Center locations in Genesee and Wyoming counties, with more information to be shared soon.

The Warming Centers are not only for individuals experiencing homelessness, but they also support people who become stranded during severe weather or who suffer utility shutoffs that leave them without heat. While the Centers are designed for adults, if children arrive, they will never be turned away; staff will immediately coordinate with the Department of Social Services to ensure they are placed in a safe, appropriate setting.

The Warming Centers are a vital asset to the community, providing refuge during harsh Western New York weather and connecting individuals with the services and resources needed to achieve long-term stability and get out of homelessness.

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The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and Selfhelp Community Services recently announced the availability of free access to Selfhelp’s Virtual Senior Center (VSC) for any individual age 60 and older in New York State.

Selfhelp Community Services created VSC in 2020 to help homebound and socially isolated older adults stay connected to their community. The VSC offers robust programs designed for older adults, managed by social workers and a team that provides intentional engagement. Its inclusive and engaging environment offers a space where older adults can connect with one another from wherever they call home.

The VSC includes more than 400 monthly live programs and other features — such as email, news, games, and self-directed “channels” — that can be navigated independently. Older adults can participate in classes, tour world-famous locations, interact with peers, engage in wellness activities, and, most importantly, expand their social network.

NYSOFA and Selfhelp began their partnership in 2021, offering access to the platform for homebound older adults in several counties through their Area Agency on Aging (AAA). The partnership was designed to supplement existing social engagement offerings for individuals identified by AAAs who may experience barriers accessing in-person social opportunities. The partnership is now expanding so that any New Yorker age 60 and older can access the VSC for free on their tablet or computer.

Among the VSC’s partners, local aging service organizations also host hybrid classes on the VSC platform, further allowing older adults to maintain a connection to those in their community.

Independent evaluation found that 84% of VSC participants reported a decrease in loneliness, and 76% reported feeling less depressed because of the VSC. Seventy-six percent made new friends, and 67% joined programs for social connection and to learn something new.

To learn more about the VSC, watch NYSOFA’s recent livestream with Selfhelp Community Services (https://tinyurl.com/5embu3eb), which provides more information about the platform. To register as a VSC participant, visit https://www.vscm.selfhelp.net or call Selfhelp’s VSC program at 718-559-4370. Provided information

The Parma-Hilton Historical Society will meet on Monday, January 12, at 7 p.m. Parma and Hilton Historian Dave Crumb will give a presentation on the Fraser Department Store.

From 1875 to 1941, brothers Allan and Evan Fraser operated a store in Hilton (which was called North Parma until 1895). It began as a small general store in the old Tennison Block on the corner of Main Street and South Avenue. Riding the wave of prosperity that the arrival of the new R.W. & O. Railroad brought to Hilton, the store relocated and grew to one of the largest country stores in Western New York for a town the size of Hilton. There was good luck and bad luck in this operation, but over the years, it prospered and served the greater community diligently until the Great Depression, the automobile, and good roads signaled its decline and final closure in 1941.

The meeting will be held in the Ingham Room at the Hilton Community Center, 59 Henry Street. Presentations are free and open to the public. 

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The Town of Clarkson has received a $660,375 matching grant through the Environmental Protection Fund Grants Program (EPF) from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The funding is part of more than $28 million awarded to support 64 recreation, historic preservation, and trail projects statewide through the 2025 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative. 

The EPF Grant Program for Parks, Preservation, and Heritage supports matching grants for the acquisition, planning, development, and improvement of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas located within New York. Funds are awarded to municipalities or not-for-profits with an ownership interest. The maximum award for EPF in this year’s grant cycle was $675,000. 

Clarkson will use the funding for improvements at Hafner Park, including multi-use trails throughout the park, two accessible bathrooms, an amphitheater for community events, and stormwater and drainage improvements.

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Genesee Country Village & Museum is excited to celebrate its 50th anniversary throughout 2026. GCV&M offers visitors opportunities to explore the museum during the winter season through outdoor activities, indoor exhibits, and special programs. From guided nighttime hikes to Winter Weekends throughout the museum, GCV&M invites visitors to experience history, art, and nature all month long.

Owl Moon: January 16, 17, 23, and 24, 4:30 to 8 p.m. 

Genesee Country Village & Museum is partnering again this winter with Wild Wings Inc. to host the popular Owl Moon night-hike and owl meet and greet experience. Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to take a guided night hike with a GCV&M naturalist, meet owls with Wild Wings, hear a reading of the book Owl Moon, and more. Guided hikes will take place from 5 to 7:45 p.m., and the earliest tours are best for those with concerns about visibility or those who would like to hike in relative daylight. This event will take place in snow or rain – visitors are encouraged to dress for cold weather and wear good walking shoes.

Educators from local group Wild Wings Inc. will be on-site in the GCV&M Meeting Center Auditorium with a variety of owl species in their care. Hearty food and drink will be available in the museum’s Meeting Center Lounge from 4:30 to 8 p.m., with a cash bar featuring historical craft beer, rotating hard cider, wine, and soft drinks. Visitors can shop for owl-themed merchandise, village-made goods, museum apparel, and more at the Flint Hill Store. Tickets must be purchased online in advance, and are available at https://www.gcv.org/event/owl-moon/.

Winter Weekends at GCV&M: Saturdays and Sundays, January 10 through March 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Celebrate the snowy season at Genesee Country Village & Museum during Winter Weekends. Visitors are invited to enjoy seasonal recreation and indoor experiences across the museum. Activities include sledding on the Great Meadow, walks through the Historic Village, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on the trails, warm food and beverages in the Meeting Center, shopping at the Flint Hill Store, and more – all for a discounted seasonal rate.

As part of Winter Weekends at GCV&M, the John L. Wehle Gallery and the Nature Center will be open, offering exhibits, talks, and opportunities to engage with museum staff and naturalists. These programs will be included with Winter Weekends admission and will feature:

• Mobile Planetarium (Saturday, January 10)
• The Making of Our Museum by Peter Wisbey, Philip K. Wehrheim Curator of Collections (Saturday, January 17)
• The Stories They Brought with Them: Folktales of Early Settlers by Cris Reidel (Sunday, January 18)
• Vines and Virtue by David Fiorito, Director of Interpretation Operations (Sunday, January 25)
• Digging Up Bones – Hidden History of the Finger Lakes (Saturday, January 31)

Stay tuned as more programs are announced. Visitors looking to plan for weekend winter fun can explore what’s coming up and purchase daily admission tickets at https://www.gcv.org/event/winter-weekends/.

Coming up in 2026

In addition to regular daily visitation, GCV&M is excited to launch its 50th season, full of special events and programming throughout 2026. Stay tuned to https://www.gcv.org/ for more information.

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Walk-ins are available, but to ensure less wait time, please call 585-922-PINK (7465) to schedule an appointment. Parma Greece UCC is located at 1211 Manitou Road at the Latta Road intersection.

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Former members of the Army and Air National Guard, the Naval Militia, and New York Guard who served on State Active Duty in New York City following the destruction of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, can now register for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs World Trade Center Benefits Program, which would enable them to receive benefits if they develop a 9/11 related illness.

The extension of a pension benefit to 9/11 responders with qualifying health conditions was approved by the legislature and added to New York State Military Law in 2023. Survivors of Guard personnel who die as a result of a 9/11-related condition may also be eligible for benefits.

Submitting the Application for World Trade Center Notice preserves the individual’s right to file a claim in the future and waives no legal rights. A service member does not have to be sick to apply.

The deadline for filing this application is September 11, 2026. For instructions and documents required to file for this benefit, or to submit the application of notice, visit https://dmna.ny.gov/911/.

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As the investigation progressed, water infiltration into critical building components, including the electrical and HVAC systems, was identified. The building was evacuated to ensure the safety of all residents and staff.

Disaster contingency plans are in place for such events and were activated with support from Hilton East staff and the Department of Health. Hilton Central School District assisted with the use of Quest Elementary School on West Avenue and multiple buses from the HCSD Transportation Department for resident transport.

With the assistance of the Spencerport Fire District, Monroe Ambulance, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Fire Bureau, and the Office of Emergency Management, all 131 residents were safely evacuated to Quest Elementary without incident. Evacuation was completed by 3 a.m., and Monroe Ambulance remained on scene to ensure all residents were cared for.

On Monday, lodging was found at various locations for all 131 Hilton East residents while the damage is being assessed and repaired. At press time, the length of the displacement was unknown. The Department of Health, as well as the Village of Hilton Fire Marshal and Building Department, will determine when residents can return.

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