Please click below to read the story in the Genesee Land Trust Fall/Winter 2022 Newsletter featuring the Chase Family.

pdf Genesee Land Trust featuring Chase Family

Now that winter weather is upon us and temperatures routinely dip below freezing, it’s a good time to review the best practices for winter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is often viewed as a last resort when it comes to employee safety, but it is perhaps the most essential. During cold weather, PPE should be designed to be warm and protective without compromising flexibility and comfort. PPE for the winter months should include:

• Insulated gloves – protects against frostbite which can affect areas with limited blood circulation, such as the fingers, toes, nose and ears. Insulated gloves are a critical part of winter PPE, balancing protection, flexibility and dexterity even at very low temperatures. Gloves should be soft and layered on the inside with a sturdy, weather-proof exterior to prevent injury against moisture, cold and impact. Gloves also need to provide a firm, safe grip on equipment which is likely to be cold, frozen, icy and slick.
• Outerwear – The best option here is for layered clothing, with the inner-most layer providing insulation and moisture-wicking properties to move sweat away from the skin. Additional layers add to the insulation factor, and an outer shell that is wind and moisture resistant is important. Outer layers that do not absorb moisture work best to keep the weight of the garment down. Inner layers also add comfort and flexibility as they can be removed should the weather or work conditions permit.
• UV eye protection – Do not get fooled by the lack of sun in the winter months. It can be just as strong and damaging as during the summertime and can even reflect off the snow to cause eye damage and discomfort. Wearing properly fitting safety glasses or goggles with UV protection should be required. Working outside on sunny, cold days can still damage the eyes through UV exposure.
• Anti-Slip and Insulated footwear – Safety boots are a commonly worn PPE around the garage area. In the winter, make sure these boots have insulation to keep the feet warm, a sturdy exterior which is water[1]resistant to keep the feet dry, and a solid sole construction to add grip and stability when negotiating slick walking surfaces. Wearing lined socks made of synthetic material that moves moisture away from the feet, but also provides good insulation can also help if the boot insulation is not adequate on its own. You may want to consider insulated sole inserts that can be removed to reduce moisture contact.

It is important to maintain properly protecting and fitting PPE throughout the year, especially during the winter months when our bodies are not equipped to handle the ice, snow and cold conditions. Remember to wear layers, cover exposed skin, keep hydrated, keep active, and avoid prolonged exposure to severe cold weather. For additional tips on winter safety, please contact the Director of Loss Control, Robert Blaisdell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also, check out some PPE safety training videos from Safety Source On-line –

Project Adds 1.2 Miles to Popular Multi-Use Trail in Town of Greece, Enhances Connectivity to Regional Trail Networks

Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy 

December 6, 2022 (Rochester, NY) – New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced the completion of a $1.6 million project that added a new, 1.2-mile section to the popular Route 390 multi-use trail in the Town of Greece, Monroe County. The project, which began in April, extended the trail from its previous southern terminus at State Route 104 to Ridgeway Avenue and created a direct link to the City of Rochester’s Eastman Trail, expanding recreational opportunities for pedestrians, hikers and cyclists.

“We are continuing to enhance our transportation network with multi-modal connectivity that can benefit all users, including those who seek access to recreational opportunities that can only be found in the beautiful Finger Lakes region,” said Commissioner Dominguez. “By expanding and promoting greener modes of travel with multi-use trails like this one in the Town of Greece, we are advancing New York State’s ambitious climate goals and improving the quality of life for residents and enhancing the livability of our communities.”

With this new section, the Route 390 trail now stretches more than six miles from its northern terminus at The Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail and winds strategically through the Town of Greece, providing access to multiple parks, several Greece Central School District schools, and key commercial corridors such as along State Route 104. The trail’s new segment is adjacent to the Eastman Business Park, providing a new recreational amenity for hundreds of workers and boosting the site’s attractiveness and ability to attract new businesses.

As part of the project new benches were added at the corner of Ridgeway Avenue and Latona Road, and new curb ramps were installed for the trail crossing at Latona Road and Kodak Park. Large stones were placed along Paddy Creek Circle to create a natural seating area for visitors.

The Route 390 Trail is part of a network of nearby trails that includes:

1. The Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail — 2.7 miles: A paved shared-use, east-west path within the Town of Greece and provides access to Charlotte.
2. The Eastman Trail — 1.1 miles: A widened sidewalk along Ridgeway Avenue that extends from Latona Road to Mount Read Boulevard, enhancing connectivity into downtown Rochester.
3. The Genesee Riverway Trail — 24 miles: An off-road trail along the Genesee River that runs through the heart of the City of Rochester, 11 different parks and the University of Rochester campus.
4. The Erie Canalway Trail/Empire Trail — 750 miles: New York State’s network of trails that extends from Buffalo to Albany 365 miles along the Erie Canal, and from New York City to the Adirondacks.

CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE: “The completion of this project means an exciting addition to the local trail network connecting our neighborhoods. I’m grateful to NYSDOT for recognizing the importance of enhancing accessibility and look forward to our continued work expanding recreational transportation opportunities within our community.”

SENATOR JEREMY COONEY: “Recreational opportunities are plentiful in our region, and now more accessible with the completion of this project. We are grateful for the efforts undertaken by the NYS Department of Transportation to further connect our community in a sustainable way. Residents of Greece are sure to take advantage of this new trail as they travel to school, support local shops, or simply enjoy green spaces throughout town. We thank the State of New York for their continued investment in our region.”

ASSEMBLYMAN HARRY BRONSON: “Rochester is known for its easily accessible trails and paths connecting our community and offering recreational opportunities for all ages. I’m pleased to see the completion of this new multi-use path along I-390 connecting the Town of Greece with the City of Rochester. I know this path will lead to enhanced accessibility and new transportation opportunities for the families of our region. Thank you to NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and NYSDOT Acting Regional Director Christopher Reeve for your commitment to this project on behalf of the greater Rochester area.”

ASSEMBLYMAN JOSH JENSEN: “Today’s announcement of the completion of the Route 390 Trail Extension is great news for the people of the town of Greece and the surrounding area. This is a great opportunity for residents of our community to get some fresh air and explore the outdoors in a safe, enjoyable way.”

CITY OF ROCHESTER MAYOR MALIK EVANS: “I want congratulate Commissioner Dominguez and the New York State Department of Transportation on the successful completion of Route 390 Trail and thank them for creating this new gateway into our city. Connecting the City’s bicycle network to the regional trail system is a critical component of efforts to create a hope-filled city with an exciting future.”

TOWN OF GREECE SUPERVISOR WILLIAM D. REILICH: “This project puts us one step closer connecting Greece and surrounding communities with the Empire State Trail. My hope is that our recent collaboration with NYSDOT to develop a feasibility study for restoration of the existing Route 390 Trail north of Route 104 will position them to take the lead on that as a capital project. Restoration of the existing trail, along with the latest project and the eventual future connection with the Empire State Trail are all in keeping with recommendations from the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, and our 2016 Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan. These projects would not be possible without the leadership and resources NYSDOT brings to the table.”

KODAK EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN AND CEO JIM CONTINENZA: “Kodak is proud to partner with the New York State DOT in developing the trail extension by providing access to portions of our property to enable the completion of the project. Our participation reflects our commitment to sustainable development and increases the attractiveness of Eastman Business Park by providing access to trails for people who work in the Park.”

RECONNECT ROCHESTER INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARY STAROPOLI: "The new Route 390 Trail Extension fills a critical gap in transportation infrastructure that will allow cyclists and pedestrians to connect with job opportunities, beautiful parks and all that the Town of Greece has to offer and will also offer a more seamless connection to the City of Rochester via the new Eastman Trail. The more safe and scenic trails that are built in our region, the more people will be encouraged to get around on bike and on foot, resulting in a more vibrant and healthier community. This project is a great example of municipalities working across boundaries, and we celebrate this step toward building a well-connected transportation network that provides mobility options and resource access for everyone.”

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward 

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here. ​

NYSEG and RG&E today announced that both companies will suspend late payment charges on customer bills from December 1, 2022 through April 15, 2023 for all customers. This action is in response to current market conditions that have raised energy supply prices and to provide relief from financial hardships many customers may face during the winter heating season. 

The press release relesaed from NYSEG and RG&E Government & Community Relations from the companies.is found here. 

pdf NYSEG AND RG&E ANNOUNCE LATE PAYMENT CHARGE SUSPENSION FOR WINTER HEATING SEASON

Throughout the winter heating season, the companies will continue to remind their customers of programs and assistance available to help customers manage their utility bills. The Town of Rush Supervisor is committed to distributing any information we receive on these programs to community residents.  Please share the information.   

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 
 Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) is now available at https://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/enb.html

The Monroe County’s HUD Consortium is requesting we share this information with residents in our community 

There is a flyer with program information for a free government program to help homeowners with needed home improvements.  This is a scam that is (re)surfacing in our area for Home Improvement.  Here is a link to a 2020 notice from NYS Office of the Aging alerting residents that this is not a government program.  Please help us share this information to residents in your area or participants in your program so they do not fall victim to a scam.  https://aging.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-office-aging-issues-guidance-against-government-grant-scams.  If you know of someone that may have been victim of a scam, please direct them to call Lifespan, 585-244-8400/866-454-5110 toll-free or New York State Attorney General’s Office: 800-771-7755.

If residents/owner-occupied homeowners have a home improvement need, please let them know about the County’s Home Improvement Program.  The Home Improvement Program brochure and application packet can be found https://www.monroecounty.gov/planning-community.  

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me (contact below) or a member of the Community Development team at 585-753-2000.
Chanh Quach, Community Development Manager
50 W. Main Street, Suite 1150, Rochester, New York 14614
O 585.753.2021    F 585.753.2028

  pdf H pdf EAP enrollment

Article on Winter Preparedness 2022-2023

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (DEC)  JOB POSTINGS The Listing of Job Vacancies on DEC's public website has been updated for the coming week. The current vacancy list can be found online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/about/27863.html