Category: News, Notices and Articles

Submitted by: Town Supervisor

During the Fall of 2017, it became apparent that the Caledonia Ambulance/Genesee Valley EMS (GVEMS), who has a rich history of serving the emergency medical needs of the Mumford Fire District Area of our community, was at risk of not being able to continue to serve the community.  As Town Supervisor, I personally attended various meetings with the Mumford Fire Commissioners, the Caledonia Ambulance Board of Directors and CHS Mobile Integrated Health Care (CHS) to gather information and to discuss service options.  Caledonia Ambulance was at the point of considering closure due to the current health care reimbursement and regulatory climate.  GVEMS held the Certificate of Need for that area of the town outside the Village west of Wheatland Center Road which matched the Mumford Fire District boundaries.  At the same time CHS was assessing the feasibility of assuming the functions, liability and Certificate of Need of Caledonia Ambulance.  Ultimately, CHS decided to undertake this transition and coverage in order to more comprehensively serve the south west quadrant of Monroe County.

While developing the 2019 town budget, the Wheatland Town Board discussed ways to approach ambulance coverage to the Mumford Fire District residents. Our two years of experience with CHS providing services to the Wheatland Fire Protection District has been a positive one. Quarterly reports are received, response times are within contracted time lines, satisfaction data is forwarded, annual reports are delivered, real time updates are sent via email. In addition, service statistics are documented and used to build the foundation for the following years contract.  CHS provides a free loan closet for medical items such as crutches. We also have a local resident representative appointed to the board of directors. 

The Town Board and I continue to support the philosophy that yes, CHS does bill insurance companies for calls, but in time of need and stress, we prefer that our residents not receive another “co- pay” bill.  We also believe that CHS should not have to “eat” the cost of non-reimbursable “lift assists” (picking people up who have fallen) (mainly services to our seniors, disabled and/or seriously ill neighbors).  Other non- reimbursable services/benefits include blood pressure clinics, public Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training at no cost to residents of the Town, AED inspection, first aid and CPR classes for our recreation counselors, as well as stand by vehicles and staff for public events. 

Because of these additional benefits, the Town Board decided to act as “contract partners” and determine how best to ensure equal services to both sides of Wheatland Center Road – the entire town outside the Village. With the experience of data driven costs (number of various services delivered and costed out = cost of following years contract), the town board decided to fund the cost through an “ad valorem” tax on those residing outside the Village.  An ad valorem tax is a tax for a specific service.  The establishment of an ambulance district was considered but this would be another special district and would have “locked in” all future town boards to absolutely provide ambulance service through some provider forever or until NYS law changed.  The ad valorem tax is reflected in the part B portion of the town budget – those services provided outside the Village of Scottsville.  The rate for 2019 will be $0.21/ $1000 assessed value. Town residents outside the Village of Scottsville will not receive a bill from CHS for copayments, co-insurance or self-pay accounts.  These costs will be absorbed by the tax funding. It should be noted the tax subsidy will not be used to offset deductible amounts for services.  No one outside the Village will receive a bill from CHS.  Anyone who is not a town outside village resident and requires CHS services, will be billed after insurance payments are made by their carrier. This would apply to someone visiting your home, someone attending an event or business in town, or someone driving through who is involved in a car accident.  Your $0.21/$1,000 rate is likely less than any single copay expense.  This holds true no matter how many times an ambulance is called to your home during the year. 

The Town Board and I consider this approach as one of ensuring that all our residents are not only represented at the CHS table of decision makers but also that the town government receives an annual CHS financial statement and independent auditors report.  Everything is “transparent” and the board can make informed decisions about the value of continuing as “partners” with CHS Mobile Integrated Health Care, Inc. 

Submitted by: CHS

As we look toward the upcoming holidays, it’s hard to believe 2018 has flown by and we have yet another year under our belt. All the caregivers and staff at CHS Mobile Integrated Healthcare, the Town of Wheatland’s primary EMS provider, have been working diligently on a number of initiatives. 

Breast Cancer Fundraiser – Lieutenant Jennifer Flickner organized a great t-shirt fundraiser which benefited the Wilmot Cancer Center. Thanks to her efforts as well as those who purchased a hot pink “One Team. One Fight” t-shirt, we raised over $800!

New Vehicles In-Service – Residents of Wheatland will start to see a couple new ambulances in the district. CHS recently took delivery on a set of twin ambulances each of which are outfitted with the latest features for patient comfort and caregiver safety. This acquisition will allow us to better serve the residents for years to come.

2017 Annual Report – Our comprehensive annual report was released over the summer. 

Opportunities For You! – Do you have an interest in helping your neighbors?  Do you have a desire to enter the medical field? We can help! We offer free training and volunteer opportunities in our dispatch center and as a medic. To learn more or apply for membership with CHS, visit CHS online.

By: Wheatland Recreation Commission

The Town of Wheatland Community Hall of Fame has been established in 2018 by the Wheatland local Town Government, for the purpose of facilitating a community-wide tradition of identifying, recognizing and honoring Wheatland’s most outstanding citizens who have made significant, positive, notable and/or lifetime contributions to the Town of Wheatland in the areas of community, education, recreation, civil and social services.

For 2018, three extremely deserving individuals have been inducted into the Wheatland Community Hall of Fame (for a description their community contributions click on the specific inductee’s name).  The new inductees were formerly recognized at a gathering during the Scottsville Parade of lights, receiving Certificates of Recognition by Steve Brew, local County Legislator for the Wheatland area. Each Community Hall of Fame inductee is also recognized by a plaque proudly displayed in the Town of Wheatland Municipal Building.

John Talcott Wells Sr.

R. T. Miller Jr.

Glenn Sickles

The Hall of Fame is governed by the Town of Wheatland local Government, supported by a volunteer Committee and funded by a combination of donations and sponsorships. The Town of Wheatland Community Hall of Fame has been made possible through the effort and diligence of the Wheatland Recreation Commission, serving as the “Salute to Excellence Committee” for collecting, evaluating and recommending selections for the Community Hall of Fame. Thank you to the following members of the “Salute to Excellence Committee”: Mark Turner (Chairman), Edd Kuhn, Cheryl Marginean, Scott Birnie, Lisa Bates, Shelley Gorino and Jenny Smith for their dedication and support.

In addition, a significant thank you to Edd Kuhn and Scottsville Lion’s Club, and to Scott Birnie of Jeffers and Birnie CPA’s PC for their heart-felt contributions for the purchase of the plaques. Hopefully this is the beginning of a great tradition of support from local businesses and organizations in patronage of this endeavor. Also, a special thank you to Barb Chapman, the Wheatland Town Historian for her help with the nomination and evaluation of various historical candidates for Hall of Fame induction.

By: Barb Chapman, Town of Wheatland Historian

As I was sitting in my office at the Wheatland town hall on a late summer Tuesday afternoon, a distinguished looking woman approached the doorway and asked, “Are you the historian?” She went on to tell me that she had driven from Washington D.C. to talk with me and to explore the Scottsville area. Her name is Mary Helen Thompson, and she is the granddaughter of Frank Thompson who was born in Scottsville, the son of a former slave who had migrated from Culpeper, Virginia after the Civil War. Mary Helen later sent me this biography of Frank Thompson. It is a remarkable story of a young man of courage, determination and outstanding ability. Here is the story in her words:

Frank F. Thompson Sr., MD (1887-1964)

Frank French Thompson was born February, 1887, in Scottsville, New York, a small farming community in Monroe County not far from Rochester.  Both his father and his mother migrated north from Culpeper County, Virginia after 1880.  His father, Albert, a farm laborer, was born into slavery in 1859 and his mother, Mollie Turner, was born about 1868, just after the Civil War.  Mollie’s father, Fielding Turner (1830-1895) of Culpeper, Virginia, fought in the Civil War for the Union Army in the 20th US Colored Troops.

Frank was expected to become a farm laborer like his father. However, Frank had a brilliant mind, a thirst for higher education and from an early age, aspired to become a physician.  He always recounted the story that he and his father were down in a ditch, digging away, when the bell pealed for the first day of school. He kept digging that day and the next, but on the third day, with tears in his eyes, told his father that he simply had to disobey him and go to school. His father, Albert, told him that he would have to step over him to do so. Young Frank struck his father down, leapt out of the ditch and defiantly went to school with the help of his Aunt Millie, his father’s sister, who worked for a wealthy white family in the community and garnered their support. Millie Alexander is pictured to the right with her husband John.

Frank graduated from Scottsville High School in 1904 and entered Syracuse University, graduating in the class of 1909. In 1907, he and another student were inducted into the “jewel” chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, which originated at nearby Cornell University in December 1906. Needless to say, it was a huge source of family pride that he was “almost” a jewel and a devoted “Alpha Man.” Frank entered Syracuse Medical School but due to the rampant discrimination of the times, he transferred to Howard University Medical School, receiving his MD in 1912.

Frank moved to Montclair, New Jersey where he practiced medicine for over 50 years. In 1915, he married Julia Ellen Ruffin of Warrenton, Virginia, daughter of the Rev. Robert Logan Ruffin and Mary Turner Jordan. Frank and Julia had two children—Frank French Thompson, Jr. (1916-1966) and a daughter, Julia (1921-2009).  Julia, also a graduate of Howard University, both undergrad and masters degrees, married Dr. John L. Pinderhughes.  Frank F. Thompson, Sr., MD died in 1964 leaving a rich legacy of service to his family and community.”

Like many other municipalities, the Town of Wheatland has endured the destructive effects of the emerald ash borer. Our highway department has removed many trees that could present a potential safety hazard along the road right of ways or within the boundaries of town owned land. This effort is undertaken as time and money permits while ensuring that all spoils are disposed of per New York State guidelines.

When it became apparent that an ash tree at the entrance to Freeman Park (a town owned park at 845 State Street in Mumford) was diseased, Chuck Hazelton, our highway Superintendent brought the issue before the Wheatland Town Board for a discussion. He noted that the tree was anywhere from 75 – 100 ft. tall and perhaps just as old as it was high. He thought it might present an interesting opportunity to do something creative. The Town Board was “on board” with his idea. From there, the project took shape and the work began in late June and early July. The skeleton of a tree was reduced to a height of about 16 feet. From there, Black Creek Carving, specifically Ric Letourneau, discussed various designs with Chuck and sharpened his chain saw. The Town Board selected a design that would highlight the eagles known to be nesting about the rural areas in our Town. Ric began his custom design woodcarving on the tree about the second week of July. Approximately eight days later, with much saw dust and sweat (the hottest days of the summer) being created, the first phase of the project was completed.

The final phase will consist of two additional steps. The first will be to imbed a Freeman Park sign into the front of the tree. The second will be to place a plaque (also in the tree) recognizing the “Two Mary Anns” who have spent years donating their gardening skills and love of Mumford to beautify the park with flowers. That would be Mary Ann McGinnis and Mary Ann O’Dell. The Town Board and I thank them both profusely for using their friendship and skills to help beautify our community. We also thank the neighbors and residents who endured the chain saw noise and sawdust while this project took a dead tree and brought it back to life through a sculpture. Our expectation is that this sculpture should endure another 40 – 50 years. Please visit Freeman Park and enjoy the sculpture when you have a chance or visit the Town Website and view photos in the Town Photo Gallery. Wishing all a wonderful Fall Season!

LEGAL NOTICE OF ADOPTION TOWN OF WHEATLAND

Notice is hereby given that on October 4, 2018 the Town Board of the Town of Wheatland adopted Local Law Number 2 of 2018 entitled a “Local Law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law Section 3-c. (A copy of the complete Local Law is filed in the Town Clerk’s Office).

By Order of the Town Board of the Town of Wheatland
Dated: October 5, 2018
Laurie B. Czapranski, Town Clerk

Town of Wheatland Legal Notice

Notice is hereby given that the Town Board of the Town of Wheatland sets Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. at the Wheatland Municipal Building as the time and place for a Public Hearing to consider Local Law No. 2 of 2018 a Local Law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law Section 3-c. The entire Law may be viewed at the Wheatland Town Office.

By Order of the Town Board of the Town of Wheatland
Dated: September 21, 2018
Laurie B. Czapranski, Town Clerk

The Wheatland Town Board has approved a new logo as part of an ongoing branding and marketing initiative to develop broader recognition and community awareness for the Town. The new logo provides a contemporary look and feel in a form that is compatible with today’s electronic media. The former Town logo served its purpose very well for many years and will be gradually phased out over time.

 

Based on changes in the collection, processing, and marketing systems of recycling, Monroe County has worked with the operator of the Monroe County Recycling Center, Waste Management, to update the list of acceptable materials. These updated recycling guidelines will go into effect on November 1, 2018. We estimate that the Monroe County Recycling Center serves approximately 75% of residents in the county, but not all private collection companies utilize this facility, so residents are encouraged to follow the guidelines of their hauler. Refer to the Monroe County “Recycle Right” flyer for details.

HELP WANTED – TOWN OF WHEATLAND HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – FULL TIME EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
CDL CLASS B LICENSE REQUIRED (Minimum of 2 years)
(Includes the operation and maintenance of construction equipment
and performance of a variety of manual labor tasks)

Applications may be picked up at the Wheatland Town Office at 22 Main Street, Scottsville NY (585-889-1553) or printed from the Town of Wheatland Website.

Please return completed applications to the Wheatland Town Office
MONDAY THOUGH THURSDAY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8 A.M. – 4 P.M.
MONDAY 6 P.M.-8:00 P.M.
FRIDAY 8 A.M.-1 P.M.

APPLICATION DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
Equal Opportunity Employer