Editing West Bloomfield, New York

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = West Bloomfield, New York
|settlement_type          = [[Administrative divisions of New York#Town|Town]]
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
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|mapsize                  = 
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<!-- Location -->
|pushpin_map            = New York
|pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_mapsize        = 
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location within the state of New York
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|54|43|N|77|31|32|W|region:US-NY|display=inline}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New York|County]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[New York (state)|New York]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Ontario County, New York|Ontario]]
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Town Council]]
|leader_title             = [[Town Supervisor]]
|leader_name              = Todd Campbell
|leader_title1           = [[Town Council]]
|leader_name1            = {{collapsible list|framestyle=border:none; padding:0|title=Town Council members
  | 1= Ruth Smith
  | 2 =Kevin Carey
  | 3 = Bill Travis
  | 4 = Scott Harman
}}
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2016">{{cite web|title=2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2016_Gazetteer/2016_gaz_place_36.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 66.05
|area_total_sq_mi         = 25.50
|area_land_km2            = 65.94
|area_land_sq_mi          = 25.46
|area_water_km2           = 0.10
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04

<!-- Population -->
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 294
|elevation_ft             = 965
|population_total         = 2760 {{increase}}
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020—2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
|population_density_km2   = 38.05
|population_density_sq_mi = 98.54
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 14585 (W. Bloomfield) & 14475 (Ionia)
|area_code                = [[Area code 585|585]]
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
  
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 36-79356<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0979618<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|pop_est_as_of = 2021
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|population_est = 2746
}}
'''West Bloomfield''' is a [[Administrative divisions of New York#Town|town]] in [[Ontario County, New York|Ontario County]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2020 census.<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>

The '''Town of West Bloomfield''' is on the county's western border and sits parallel to the [[East Bloomfield, New York|Town of East Bloomfield]], both of which lie south of the [[Rochester, New York|City of Rochester]].

== History ==
The town is within the historic homeland of the [[Seneca tribe|Seneca Nation]], and tradition holds that three of the tribe's villages were located in the town. As such, during the spring season when much of the town's farmland is being plowed, it is not uncommon to find arrowheads and other artifacts.The first Europeans to visit the area were members of the [[Jesuits]] in the 17th century during their westward quests.

Settlement began around 1789 and the Town of West Bloomfield was officially established in 1833 from part of the [[Bloomfield, New York|Town of Bloomfield]].

The West Bloomfield Congregational Church was founded in 1799. The Congregation would meet on top of a hill that would later (in 1806, current building erected in 1875) be home to the actual church building.

The town was home to the '''Batavia Branch Rail Line''', or "'''Peanut Line'''", of the [[New York Central Railroad]], which brought much prosperity and business to the town for almost a century. Built in 1853, it was a spur line between the rail hubs of [[Batavia, New York|Batavia]] and [[Canandaigua (city), New York|Canandaigua]] with stops in both the town itself and its hamlet of '''Ionia''', there was also a trestle constructed on the eastern side of the town that spans the gap now occupied by [[New York State Route 64|NY-64]] just before entering the [[East Bloomfield, New York|Town of East Bloomfield]]. The line provided daily freight and passenger service, with connections to larger stations, and served as an integral part of the towns development. Service was discontinued in 1939, as ridership had fallen due to the usage of the automobile, and the railroad (experiencing its own financial troubles) was not making enough on freight to justify the cost.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crookedlakereview.com/articles/136_167/142springsummer2007/142sheret.html|title=The "Peanut Line" of the New York Central Railroad by John G. Sheret|website=www.crookedlakereview.com|access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref>

The [[Ontario and Livingston Mutual Insurance Office]] and [[John and Mary Dickson House]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|25.5|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|25.5|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}} (0.16%) is water.

West Bloomfield is the second smallest town in the county by area.

The west town line is the border of [[Livingston County, New York|Livingston County]], formed by [[Honeoye Creek]].

Conjoined [[U.S. Route 20 in New York|US Route 20]] and [[New York State Route 5]] cross the town. [[New York State Route 64]] is by the eastern town line, and [[New York State Route 65]] is in the northwestern corner of West Bloomfield.

The town sits on the southern edge of the Hopper Hills and the northern edge of the Bristol Hills, and features a number of high points with views of the [[Finger Lakes|Finger Lakes Region]] (including [[Honeoye Lake|Honeoye]] and [[Canandaigua Lake|Canandaigua]] lake areas).

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 2094
|1850= 1698
|1860= 1646
|1870= 1651
|1880= 1713
|1890= 1481
|1900= 1306
|1910= 1181
|1920= 1113
|1930= 1040
|1940= 1068
|1950= 1155
|1960= 1444
|1970= 1990
|1980= 2281
|1990= 2536
|2000= 2549
|2010= 2466
|2020= 2760
|estyear=2021
|estimate=2746
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,549 people, 1,013 households, and 729 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|99.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,049 housing units at an average density of {{convert|41.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.27% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.43% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.31% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.12% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.31% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.55% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.78% of the population.

There were 1,013 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,347, and the median income for a family was $52,206. Males had a median income of $37,340 versus $26,410 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $20,309. About 1.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 0.7% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

== Government ==

=== Executive ===
The town's executive government is made up of an elected [[Town board|Town Board]] (four members) and an elected [[Town supervisor|Town Supervisor]], both positions are part-time; terms are four years. The town does operate its own court for minor criminal, civil and traffic matters; this is presided over by an elected [[Magistrate|Court Justice]] the current{{when|date=July 2021}} serving [[Magistrate|Court Justice]] is Richard L. Whitesell.

=== Public Works/Utilities ===
* An elected Highway Supervisor who oversees operation of the West Bloomfield Town Highway Department; this department is also largely used for general "Public Works" as well.
* The majority of residents have [[Water well|well]] water due to the sparse, rural population. A small, populated section in the central part of the town does have piped water for homes and fire hydrants; the town managed this via the Highway Department until control was ceded to the '''Monroe County Water Authority''' around 2011 as part of a deal to receive significant improvements to the system. 
* Electric services are provided by companies such as '''National Grid, Niagara Mohawk and RG&E''', however a growing number of residents are turning to alternative forms of power such as solar or wind. 
* The town operates '''Michael Prouty Memorial Park''' as the sole town park/recreation area. The park is home to a baseball diamond, a multi use sports field area, a pavilion and a playground. In years past, the town operated a summer recreation program for youths at the park, however in recent years due to funding concerns the town has joined with [[East Bloomfield, New York|East Bloomfield]] to offer a joint program at the central school grounds.

=== Law Enforcement ===
The town does not operate its own police department, and the area maintains low crime rates.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} It instead relies on the services of the Ontario County Sheriffs Office, who post a Deputy in town, and patrolling Troopers of the [[New York State Police]] who will act as a backup unit for the Deputy should the need arise.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

=== Emergency Services ===
All 911 calls in the town are directed through the '''Ontario County Sheriffs Office''' as the town does not have its own call center.

==== Fire/Rescue ====
The town utilizes two [[Volunteer fire department|volunteer fire]] stations; one in the northern hamlet of '''Ionia''' and a second is located centrally by the town highway garages on Co Rd 37. In total, roughly thirty men and women operate a combined nine fire/rescue apparatus, responding to ~100 calls for service per year. The majority of fire/rescue personnel are state certified interior/exterior firefighters (those who are not provide support services at scenes) and several hold specialized certifications in the [[Hazardous Area Response Team|HazMat]], [[Rope rescue|Rope Rescue]], [[Firefighter assist and search team|FAST]] and [[Emergency medical services|EMS]] fields.

==== EMS/Ambulance ====
For many years (~1960's-2005), the town operated its own volunteer ambulance squad. Due to low membership, aging equipment and rising costs of operation, the squad was disbanded around 2004/2005. The town initially contracted with a local paid private ambulance service that covered the neighboring towns of [[East Bloomfield, New York|East Bloomfield]] and [[Bristol, New York|Bristol]]. Both those towns however either began paying their members or increased volunteerism and dropped the paid private service, resulting in fewer ambulances in the area and increasingly longer response times. In late 2014, the Chief of the fire department approached the Town Supervisor about concerns regarding the fire departments already limited EMS staffing being forced to deal with increased wait times for an ambulance. In 2015, the town severed its contract with the private service and entered into a new contract with the neighboring municipality of [[Honeoye Falls, New York|Honeoye Falls]] for use of their ambulance and Paramedic fly-car services on a regular basis.

==Notable people==
*[[Joseph H. Bottum (state legislator)|Joseph H. Bottum]], former South Dakota State Senator
*[[John Dickson (New York politician)|John Dickson]], former US Congressman
*[[Anna Gertrude Hall]], author and librarian

== Communities and locations in West Bloomfield ==
*'''Bush Corner''' &ndash; A [[hamlet (place)|hamlet]] east of West Bloomfield village on US-20.
*'''Factory Hollow''' &ndash; A historic location.
*'''Ionia''' &ndash; A hamlet on NY-64 in the northeast part of the town.
*'''Millers Corners''' &ndash; A historic location also known as "Taylorville," was in the northeast part of West Bloomfield. It would later be renamed "Taylorsville", and then, finally, "Ionia".
*'''North Bloomfield''' &ndash; A hamlet at the west town line, northwest of West Bloomfield village is on NY-65.
*'''West Bloomfield''' &ndash; The hamlet of West Bloomfield on US-20/NY-5.
*'''West Bloomfield Station''' &ndash; A historic location.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.wbhsny.com/about-us|title = Adapted from the 1998 Ontario County Community Directory.|date = 1998|access-date = September 12, 2014|website = West Bloomfield Historical}}</ref>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{Commons category|West Bloomfield, New York}}
* [http://www.townofwestbloomfield.org  Town of West Bloomfield, NY]
* [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/west-bloomfield-ny.htm  Early history of West Bloomfield]

{{Ontario County, New York}}

{{Coord|42|54|21|N|77|32|21|W|type:city_region:US-NY|display=title}}

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[[Category:Rochester metropolitan area, New York]]
[[Category:Towns in Ontario County, New York]]
[[Category:Towns in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1833 establishments in New York (state)]]