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.
●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.
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Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2026-01-14,
Village of Albion, NY.
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