Daily Archives: May 19, 2011

Nice week: Joanne Maly earns doctorate degree, award for business achievement

Joanne Maly of Old Forge has had the best week ever.

It all started Sunday, May 15 when she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Utica College. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a perfect 4.0 average.

Then, on Monday, May 16 Dr. Maly’s business, ADK Physical Therapy, which she owns and operates with her partner Dr. Shane Davis, was honored with an SBA Small Business Excellence Award.

Dr. Davis received the award at the 13th annual U.S. Small Business Administration and New York Business Development Corporation luncheon at the Double Tree Hotel in East Syracuse.

The event recognizes the achievements of local small businesses.

The NYS Small Business Development Center at SUNY IT nominated ADK Physical Therapy for the award.

In 2008, Maly and Davis began exploring the idea of starting their own physical therapy business.

After much research help from the SBDC at SUNY IT and a guaranteed loan from SBA, they started their practice in Barneveld.

The business has experienced steady growth in both revenue and clients served, with a second location in Boonville opening within the first year.

This provided a service previously unavailable to the community, along with skilled and professional employment opportunities.

In just one year, patient visits increased 84% and staff doubled in Boonville.

“Joanne and I would like to thank the SBA and the Small Business Development Center at SUNY IT, specifically Sharon St. John for her detailed and invaluable information. We’d also like to thank Ken Finnegan at Adirondack Bank who worked very closely with us in our financing. We contribute our success to diligent financial management by Sharon, our office manager, employees and clients,” said Dr. Davis in acceptance of the award.

Small businesses are selected for the Excellence Awards based on their company’s longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity or community contributions.

 

Share Button

Haderondahs 4-H Club Reporter by Casey Hamlin

A tangle of news and notes reported by Town of Webb School students

Hosted this week by Webb 7th Grader, Casey Hamlin

Local 4-H holds public presentation program On Saturday April 30, the Haderondahs’ 4-H group of Old Forge hosted a public presentation program for Herkimer County at Niccolls Memorial Church.

The 4-H is a youth development program which is offered through the Herkimer County extension office.

Leaders of the local group, Tammy and Ashley Andre, with assistance from Amy Bartel and Jennifer Hartsig helped the 13 club members prepare and present a topic of their choice.

There were a variety of topics including how to knit, making maple syrup, and Legos, among many others.

The youth were evaluated by a volunteer panel of community members skilled in public speaking.

Following their presentation, each youth met with the evaluators to discuss the delivery, subject, and presenter qualities.

They received feedback and a numerical score for their presentation based on the Danish system.

Each score is compared with a national average and also the scores from youths throughout Herkimer County.

Robin Smith, Allison Williams, Casey Hamlin and Matthew Andre received high scores and have been chosen by the evaluators and Herkimer County 4H Youth Coordinator, Jen Collins, to represent Herkimer County in the District Competition to be held May 21 at the Home Depot in New Hartford.

The event was a great success and plans are already underway for next year’s event in March 2012.

Tammy and Ashley Andre along with the Haderondahs would like to thank the evaluators Lawrence Bartel, Leilani Crafts Ulrich, Alan Saban and Star Livingstone for sharing their time and talents.

The Haderondahs would also like to thank 4-H Youth Development Coordinator Jen Collins for her guidance and joining them for a very fun afternoon.

Thanks are also given to Niccolls Church for use of its Fellowship Hall, and the family members and members of the community for coming out and supporting the 4-H Haderondahs.

Share Button

Outside the Box by Chuck Walley

Another big week: Boys track team continues dominance;

golf team impresses with strong play, nary a weakness Jessica Menges has nice outing, pitches lady Eskimos to extra innings victory over Rome Catholic Is it me, or does the Spring sports season seem to fly by like no other? It feels like we just got started and, here we are, staring at the closing weeks.

I, for one, will miss the action but, on a positive note, am greatly looking forward to the joys of summer. Undoubtedly, there are a plethora of students who will second that motion!

Varsity Track and Field

With League and Sectional meets on the near horizon, the guys and gals got in a fine tune-up last Wednesday, May 11 at Remsen.

Oriskany and Morrisville-Eaton were also on hand to round out the field.

The girls looked solid as they cruised to a second-place team finish, with Remsen taking home top honors.

Two of the top performances came from Maddie Phaneuf and Caitlyn Bailey, who each earned first and second place ribbons.

Phaneuf’s were in the 1500 (1st) and 800 (2nd), while Bailey’s occurred in the 100 high hurdles (1st) and 400 intermediate hurdles (2nd).

Lauren Holt continued her strong season with a second place finish in the high jump as well as third place in the pole vault.

–

Meanwhile, the guys dominated the meet and won going away. None was more impressive on the day than Connor Rockhill, however.

All Connor did was to win the high hurdles and 400 hurdles, place second in the high jump, and then wrap up the remarkable showing by breaking his own pole vault record with a mark of 13 feet.

Also adding a slew of points was Ethan Kress, who won the triple-jump and discus while placing third in the long jump to boot.

Lance Frymire had a terrific meet, winning both the 100 and 200 meter dashes as he had personal bests in both events. Continue reading →

Share Button

Talkin’ Code with Andrew Getty

PERMITS & GRANDFATHERING

We got a building permit but the project got delayed-are we still good?

Q: A building permit was issued to us three years ago to build our house. Is it expired now? Or does it expire one year after we start construction?

A: All permits from this office including building permits expire one year after the date of issue.

Q: But we never started construction! We should be grandfathered!! Why can’t we just renew it?

A: Sorry, no. However, if the project had been substantially started, you may have been able to renew the original permit.

Q: We cleared the lot and had the plans done. That cost a substantial amount of money, why can’t we just renew it?

A: Building codes change in time. If construction had actually started, which included footings, foundation, framing, doors and windows, mechanicals, insulation, you may be able to grab some grandfathering on work already completed.

Grandfathering does not apply for work not done yet.

Q: You mean if we started work and the codes change, we would have to meet the new codes?

A: No, not necessarily. If work continued, without interruption and there were changes you could continue the work as originally planned.

Q: Will the Code Office come back a few years and make us change to new codes?

A: Of course not. This assumes that the house had a valid permit issued and the work was completed in substantial compliance with the codes in place at that time the permit was issued.

Q: What about remodeling? Do we meet the code that was in place when the house was built?

A: Probably not. Some codes may stay the same but not all. Any new work must meet the Existing Building Code. Especially the Energy Code, which is getting stricter and stricter.

Q: So we need to get another permit for this house. Can we use the original plans?

A: Sure….if they meet the minimum requirements of the Residential Code of New York as of today.

Q: What are the minimum requirements of the Code?

A: This article is just not long enough to answer that one! Take your plans back to your favorite Architect or Engineer for revision and certification to current code standards. Then bring them back in here for review. If we discover any omissions or have any questions, we will contact you.

Q: Will our Architect understand what you want?

A: What we want is all in the code manuals. However, here are some of the basic design criteria standards which should help your Architect get started:

• Roof snow load, which is now called Ground Snow Load [GSL], is calculated based on elevation. 80 lbs plus 2 lbs for each one hundred feet in elevation above 1,000 feet. For the Town of Webb all GSL ratings will be between 94 lbs GSL to 102 lbs GSL. That tells you that the Town has elevations ranging from the low 1,700’s to over 2,000 feet above sea level.

• Wind category is almost always 90 mph. There are some locations that should have 110 – 120 mph for design purposes. Like areas where there is a mile of more of lake in front of the building.

• Energy Code HDD 7244

• Exposure – severe

• Frost protection 48 inches minimum. We have seen frost as deep as 72 inches, especially in traffic areas or areas where the snow is always shoveled away.

• Seismic categories B in the southern part of the town and C in the Northern portion.

Q: I still can’t believe that we can’t just renew our permit. How about our septic system permit? Do we need another plan for that as well?

A: No, assuming that there is no change in leach field location or number of bedrooms from the first plan.

Q: Well actually, we are switching the locations of the house and leach field. Do we need a new plan?

A: At least a new perk test and deep test to show the soil conditions have not changed from one end of the property to the other. But the standards and codes for waste water treatment are basically the same as before.

If you have questions, call your Code Office and ask before you dig.

Share Button

A Column of News & Commentary by Sen. James L. Seward

Worthwhile measure, but Tax-Cap Tango needs one more partner

Governor Cuomo needs to point the blame light squarely at the Assembly obstructionists As the clock ticks down on the 2011 legislative session in Albany there are several pieces of unfinished business that must be addressed before we bang the final gavel.

First and foremost is enactment of a property tax cap.

Skyrocketing property taxes are making it difficult for seniors to stay in their homes and tougher for young people to afford to purchase their first homes.

Families are constantly forced to rework their household budgets to pay for the ever increasing burden.

Placing a cap on school and local government property taxes would provide relief that homeowners desperately need.

Business owners are also tapped out.

Rising property taxes mean fewer jobs, less business expansion, and in the case of retail, higher costs that are passed on to consumers.

It is a vicious cycle and it needs to end now.

A number of major business organizations have joined in embracing a property tax cap.

The National Federation of Independent Busi-ness (NFIB), Unshackle Upstate, and the New York Farm Bureau have all offered strong support for the property tax cap.

Heather Briccetti, acting president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State says, “The property tax cap is overwhelmingly supported by voters in survey after survey.

Our manufacturing members have told us in a survey that property tax rates are a major hurdle to investment and job growth in New York.

This was the first bill the governor sent to the legislature and was quickly approved by the state senate.

The assembly must act on this vital reform.”

It is the last part of that statement that is important to focus on.

We all know the well used cliché, “it takes two to tango,” but in Albany it actually takes three-the governor, the senate and the assembly.

In the case of the property tax cap, two of the three are on the dance floor and ready to perform the property tax cap tango, unfortunately, we are still one short.

I was pleased that the governor recently initiated his own push to ensure passage of the property tax cap, but I must also say I was a bit disheartened that he seemed to paint the legislature with a broad brush in calling for the cap’s approval.

One of the first major pieces of legislation approved by the state senate this year was the property tax cap.

In fact, the bill, which I supported, came from the governor himself.

The cap would limit tax levy growth for school districts and local governments to two percent or 120 percent of the annual increase in the consumer price index (CPI), whichever is less.

So while I applaud the governor for traveling around the state promoting his property tax cap bill, I would suggest that the focus needs to be placed squarely on the state assembly, the missing partner in the three-way legislative dance.

Let me also add that while I am a strong supporter of a property tax cap, the measure will not be effective without significant mandate relief.

A good portion of what local governments and school districts are forced to spend their budget on is a direct result of requirements forced on them by federal and state governments.

Each time a cap is discussed, I have also called on state government to take steps to drop many of those requirements, freeing up local dollars for local priorities.

If you have not already added your voice to the battle cry in favor of a property tax cap, now is the time to join the fight.

Please sign the on-line petition at www.passthetaxcap.com and feel free to enlist your friends and neighbors who are fed up with skyrocketing taxes.

Together, we can advance this much needed tax fix that will give families some breathing room and allow upstate businesses to grow.

Share Button

Town of Webb UFSD Board of Education accepts ballot results at May 17 meeting

The Town of Webb Union Free School District’s Board of Education held a meeting on Wednesday, May 18, with the following actions being taken:

• Approved the Board minutes from April 26, 2011.

• Accepted the following results of the May 17, 2011 balloting:

BUDGET:

IN FAVOR: 275

AGAINST: 62

CANDIDATE: 5-Year Term-

Colin Clark: 297

Write in Candidates:

Guy Greco: 2

REDUCE THE BOARD

FROM 7 TO 5 MEMBERS:

IN FAVOR: 234

AGAINST: 96

Total Votes: 337

• Approved the recommendation of the Committee on Special Education and approved the authorization of funds to implement the special education programs.

• Approved the appointment of Maria Merino and Caitlyn Goodwin as Substitute Teachers and Substitute Teacher Aides.

• Approved the leave of absence requested by Karen Mitchell for the 2011-2012 school year.

• Approved the request from Camp Gorham for the use of buses and drivers to transport campers from Camp Gorham to the Town of Inlet for the 4th of July fireworks.

• Approved the elementary summer instrumental music program for July and August 2011.

• Approved Gregory Clark as 2011 Elementary Summer Music Program Instructor.

• Approved the resolution to abolish, for reasons of economy, Madeline Fenton’s position in the K-6 Elementary area, effective June 30, 2011.

• Approved the appointment of Madeline Fenton as a long term substitute AIS Math Teacher/CST Coordinator/AIS Coordinator/RTI Coach for the 2011-2012 school year.

• Approve the appointment of Arthur Eyre, Gloria Norton and Margaret Daiker as members of the Board of Voter Registration for the 2011-2012 school year.

• Approved the appointment of Madeline Fenton as Summer Program Teacher.

• Approved the request from Town of Webb Recreation Program for the use of bus and drivers to transport the summer playschool program.

• Appointed Andrew Kalil to the position as School Resource Officer.

Board Members discussed the location of new trees around the school.

Kirsten Down gave a presentation with information from the NYS Reading Conference she attended in April.

Mr. Gooley gave information regarding the Town of Webb UFSD awarded a grant to upgrade the distance learning equipment.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. Continue reading →

Share Button

Adirondack HASCA among local groups to benefit from next weekend’s ‘Giant Tag Sale’ in Old Forge

The Home Aide Service of the Central Adirondacks (HASCA) will be one of the recipients of proceeds from the Giant Tag Sale held in the Niccolls Church Fellowship Hall during Memorial Day Weekend, May 27, 28, 29.

Since HASCA was established in 1979, it has provided Certified Home Health Aides for the elderly and infirm that allowed them to live independently in their homes instead of being placed in a nursing home.

The aides provide them with a variety of services that includes personal care, meal preparation and assistance, light housekeeping and shopping.

The not-for-profit organization operates from offices in the Town of Webb Professional Offices in Old Forge. Roberta Konecny, R.N., is director.

Nancy Venetz, president of HASCA’s Board of Directors, said their share of proceeds from the Tag Sale will be used to purchase a new computer to replace their old, outdated computer.

Other officers on the HASCA Board are Natalie Tickner, vice president; Peg Masters, secretary; and George Hiltebrant, treasurer.

Proceeds from the Giant Tag Sale will also be shared by the Niccolls Food Pantry, the Youth Mission trips, the Niccolls Church Renovation Fund and the Community transportation Services, Ltd (CTS).

Organizers of the TAG Sale are accepting donations of furniture, appliances, tools, sporting equipment and electronics in working condition (no computers).

Unique items of all kinds are welcome and may be delivered to the Niccolls Fellowship Hall beginning Sunday, May 22.

If storage is needed before that date, please call the office at Niccolls Church at 369-3475 for assistance.

All clothing donations should still be dropped off at the Thrift Shop in the church basement.

Share Button