🏛️ Board of Trustees
Albion Board Seeks State Relief from Rising Health Insurance Costs
Trustees voted unanimously to urge the state to exempt employee health insurance premiums from the property tax cap, citing a $360,000 burden that threatens the village's fiscal stability. The board also accepted a DPW resignation and set a date for a public hearing on increased parking fines.
▶
Key Actions & Decisions
●
Adopted Resolution 2025-13 urging Albany to remove health insurance premiums from the tax cap calculation (4-0).
●
Accepted the resignation of DPW MEO Robert Verhagen, effective Dec. 31, 2025, and voted to advertise for his replacement (4-0).
●
Scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 11, 2026, to propose raising parking fines to $40, $50, and $65 based on violation length (4-0).
●
Approved the annual Strawberry Festival for June 11–13, 2026, with street closures on East Bank and East State Streets (4-0).
●
Authorized nearly $126,000 in budget adjustments and transfers, including $68,206 for water infrastructure (Statewide Aqua) and $9,750 for a new salt spreader.
●
Appointed Nicole Horn to the Zoning Board of Appeals; her term expires April 1, 2027.
●
Approved election inspectors for the March 18, 2026 village election: Denise Cornick and Sandra Flugel (Democrats); Inda MacFarland and Brenda Radzinski (Republicans).
●
Moved to seek outside legal counsel to review contract language for the DPW union prior to negotiations.
Rising health insurance costs have become a "snowball" threat to Albion’s fiscal stability, the Village Board warned this week, prompting officials to formally ask the state for a change in how the tax cap is calculated.
During Wednesday’s regular meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-13, urging Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature to amend the General Municipal Law.
The resolution asks that the cost of public employee health insurance premiums paid by municipalities be exempted from the New York State Real Property Tax Cap.
According to the resolution, the Village of Albion’s total cost for health insurance premiums is $360,342. This line item consumes a significant portion of the village's overall budget of $4,701,848.45. The board warned that without an exemption, these costs will force the village to exceed its tax levy limit, creating compounding budgetary issues in future years.
The cost of providing coverage has spiked, with the municipal share of a family plan now sitting at $33,482.84 per employee, according to the board's figures.
Deputy Mayor William Gabalski presided over the meeting, as Mayor Angel Javier Jr. was excused. Trustees Joyce Riley, Greg Bennett, and Tim McMurray were present. Copies of the resolution will be sent to the governor, local representatives including Senator Robert Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and the New York Conference of Mayors.
**Department of Public Works Changes**
The board accepted the resignation of Robert Verhagen, a Motor Equipment Operator (MEO) at the Department of Public Works (DPW), effective December 31, 2025.
To maintain operations, the board moved immediately to advertise for a full-time replacement. The position will be advertised externally if necessary.
Additionally, the board authorized Attorney Gavenda to seek pricing for outside legal counsel to review contract language for the DPW Union (Village of Albion Employee Association) before upcoming negotiations.
**Financial Housekeeping**
The board approved a series of budget adjustments and fund transfers totaling over $125,000.
Notable appropriations included:
* **Water Infrastructure:** A budget transfer of $68,206.09 to Statewide Aqua.
* **Insurance Recoveries:** The acceptance of $9,750 from NYMIR to be added to DPW equipment reserves for a "Salt Dogg" spreader, and $5,484.42 to cover repairs on a 2021 Dodge Durango.
* **Police Equipment:** The addition of $675 in revenue from the sale of equipment (specifically a shotgun) to be placed in police equipment reserves.
* **Upgrades:** The acceptance of $19,830 from National Grid for "Upgrades incentive."
Trustees also approved the monthly payment of bills totaling $75,484.79 across general, water, and sewer funds.
**Parking Fines and Strawberry Festival**
Residents will have an opportunity to sound off on the cost of parking violations next month. The board scheduled a public hearing for February 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM to discuss proposed increases to parking fines.
The proposed tiered structure is as follows:
* 1-7 days overdue: $40
* After 7 days to 30 days: $50
* After 30 days: $65
In a lighter moment of business, the board approved the special events permit for the annual Strawberry Festival, a cornerstone of the Albion summer calendar. The event is scheduled for June 11 through June 13, 2026. Street closures will be in effect on East Bank Street (from Main Street to Platt Street) and East State Street (from Main Street to Ingersoll Street).
**Appointments and Elections**
The board made several personnel appointments and preparations for the upcoming election cycle.
Nicole Horn was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals, filling a seat effective immediately through April 1, 2027.
With the Village Election set for March 18, 2026, the board approved two Democrat and two Republican inspectors.
**Democrat Inspectors:** Denise Cornick, Sandra Flugel.
**Republican Inspectors:** Inda MacFarland, Brenda Radzinski.
The board also agreed to keep employment applications from Micah Martin (DPW) and Samuel Recco II (part-time clerk) on file for one year.
**Infrastructure Planning**
Trustees discussed grant opportunities to improve village infrastructure.
Trustee Riley expressed interest in pursuing a "street sweeper/vacuum truck" through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program, utilizing G&G Municipal Consulting. She also indicated she would explore a potential grant from the USDA for the same equipment.
Additionally, the Village Clerk noted a new grant opportunity called "NY Plays" for playgrounds, and Trustee McMurray agreed to forward that information to John Grillo, the Park and Recreation Director.
Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2026-01-14,
Village of Albion, NY.
View original document ↗
This article was drafted by AI (claude-sonnet-4-20250514) from the official meeting transcript and reviewed by a human editor.
Quotes link to source video timestamps for verification.
Read our editorial policy.
🔍
Ask Albion
Have a question about this story? Search across meeting transcripts, village history, and municipal code.
Related Board of Trustees Meetings
2026-01-28
Albion Board Schedules Tax Levy Hearing, Adjusts Water and Sewer Fees
▶
Key Actions & Decisions
●
Scheduled public hearing for tax levy override (Local Law 2-2026) for Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.
●
Approved approximately $12,060 in budget adjustments, including $10,149.61 for salt invoices.
●
Granted a $165.92 sewer break request for resident Charles Robers.
●
Adopted Resolution 2026-01, allowing Main Street grant recipients to sell properties without prior Village consent.
●
Authorized G&G Municipal Grant Writing to apply for a Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant for a new streetsweeper.
●
Set tentative dates for departmental budget hearings from Feb. 25 through March 9.
●
Approved a $100 weekly stipend for Pollution Control Plant Chief Operator Aric Albright for assisting with an outgoing aide.
●
Accepted 19 applications for the Water Treatment Plant trainee position.
2026-02-03
Albion Board Places Village Employee on Administrative Leave, Hires Outside Counsel
▶
Key Actions & Decisions
●
Board voted 3-0 to place an unspecified employee on administrative leave with pay.
●
Authorized Village Attorney John Gavenda to retain outside legal counsel for a personnel matter.
●
The meeting lasted approximately 23 minutes, entirely within an executive session.
●
Mayor Angel Javier was absent from the proceedings; Deputy Mayor William Gabalski presided.
●
Trustee Greg Bennett was excused from the meeting.
2026-02-11
Parking Fees Rise, Financial Positions Shift in Albion Board Meeting
▶
Key Actions & Decisions
●
Parking Fine Increase: Fines for parking violations will rise to $40 if paid within 7 days, $50 if paid within 30 days, and $65 after 30 days (5-0 vote).
●
Local Law 1-2026 Approved: Terms for the Clerk-Treasurer, Deputy Clerk, and Deputy Treasurer will now run for four years, concurrent with the Mayor's term (5-0 vote).
●
Budget Adjustments: Trustees authorized over $127,000 in new expenses, including $94,923.75 for CIR Electrical Construction and $6,693.40 for a Bobcat snowblower.
●
Water and Sewer Breaks: Denied a water break request for William Wittman; granted a sewer break for Aaron Pappalardo.
●
Personnel Matter: Rescinded a Feb. 3 motion regarding administrative leave for an employee; the employee will use PTO while unable to work.
●
Utility Projects: Approved nearly $95,000 in budget increases for Water Improvement Index Areas (WIIA) I & II.
2025-12-17
Albion Trustees Approve Major Wastewater Plant Upgrades, Address Park Sign Saturation
▶
Key Actions & Decisions
●
Approved $107,825 in electrical expenses and $11,846 in professional services for the Water Pollution Control Plant (WIIA 1 & 2 projects).
●
Authorized the sale of surplus police items, including two shotguns to be sold to North Star Ammo and Defense for $675 total.
●
Voted 3-2 to allow the Albion Betterment Committee to install a memorial sign for Charles E. Bergeman at Waterman Park.
●
Approved a $5,150 budget adjustment to cover the Zenner Bill using Water capital reserves.
●
Authorized the destruction of 41 boxes of village records dating from 1985 to 2018, following state retention guidelines.
●
Appointed David Warren to the Zoning Board of Trustees; term set to expire April 1, 2029.
●
Accepted the November treasurer’s report and paid $63,404.68 in total village bills.
●
Removed the residency requirement for election inspectors, allowing them to reside outside village limits.
2026-02-17
Village Moves to Recover Costs from East Bank Street Roof Collapse
▶
Key Actions & Decisions
●
Board unanimously agreed to seek reimbursement from property owner Francisco Corso for total costs associated with Security Enclosures Inc.'s work at 20 E Bank St.
●
Village Attorney John Gavenda directed to issue a formal letter to the property owner outlining the financial obligation.
●
Trustees entered executive session for legal consultation regarding the property for approximately 30 minutes.
2026-02-25
Albion Board Dismantles Historic Preservation Law, Raises Tax Levy for Upcoming Year
▶
Key Actions & Decisions
●
Historic Preservation Repealed: The Board voted 4-0 to remove Chapter 173 and Section 173-2 from the Village Code, effectively dissolving the Historic Preservation Commission.
●
Tax Cap Override: Adopted Local Law 2-2026 (4-1) to allow a tax levy exceeding the state limit for the 2026-2027 fiscal year; Mayor Javier voted against the measure.
●
Water Treatment Repair: Approved $26,475 from equipment reserves to repair a pump at the Water Treatment Plant.
●
Cemetery Upgrades: Allocated $7,800 from cemetery reserves for residence pointing and an overhead door replacement.
●
Village Election Set: Scheduled the General Village Election for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Village Hall.
●
Cannabis Notification: Accepted notification of a potential adult-use cannabis dispensary at 126 N Main St.
Community Discussion
0 commentsBe the first to comment on this story.