🏛️ Board of Trustees
Albion Trustees Advance Plan to Expand Cemetery, Set Vote on Canal Park Gazebo Name
The Village Board authorized a public hearing on a $250,000 plan to purchase 35 acres for cemetery expansion, while moving forward with naming rights for the Erie Canal Park gazebo. Trustees also addressed water policy updates and denied a request to credit residents for water and sewer charges.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Cemetery Expansion Hearing Scheduled: Public hearing set for Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. to discuss using cemetery funds to purchase 35 acres of land, not to exceed $250,000.
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Gazebo Naming Vote: Four nominees—Jonathan Doherty, Donna Rodden, Neil Johnson, and Kathleen Ludwick—will be placed on the Village Facebook page for a public vote ending Nov. 13.
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Water/Sewer Credits Denied: The Board voted to deny a request to remove charges for residents' water/sewer bills.
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Billing Policy Adopted: Trustees approved a new policy regarding final bills and newly opened water/sewer accounts.
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Fluoridation Project Payment: Approved $19,362.62 in payments to LaBella for the Fluoridation Building project.
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Canal Park Security: Approved the purchase of a camera for the Erie Canal Park bench and a proclamation for a time capsule to be opened in 2059.
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McKinstry Street Speed Limit: A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13 to consider reducing the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on McKinstry St.
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Holiday Decorations: Approved the "Bring Back Christmas to Albion" Committee to decorate street lampposts.
The Village of Albion Board of Trustees took significant steps Wednesday night to plan for the community’s future infrastructure and honor local residents, while addressing resident concerns regarding billing.
During the regular meeting at Village Hall, the Board, led by Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley with Mayor Angel Javier Jr. absent, scheduled a public hearing for October 23 at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will address a proposal to use cemetery funds to purchase 35 acres of land for the enlargement of the village cemetery.
The resolution, moved by Trustee Timothy McMurray and seconded by Trustee Greg Bennett, caps the expenditure at $250,000 to cover the cost of the land, survey, and abstract. The Board also authorized the Department of Public Works (DPW) to mark the boundaries of the new cemetery land using the village’s GIS system and rebar.
In a move to engage the community, the Board approved a slate of four nominees for the naming of the gazebo at Erie Canal Park. Residents will be able to vote for Jonathan Doherty, Donna Rodden, Neil Johnson, or Kathleen Ludwick via a poll on the Village’s Facebook page. The voting period concludes on November 13.
Trustees also moved to enhance security and record-keeping at the park. The Board approved the purchase of a camera to be placed on the park bench. Additionally, Deputy Mayor Riley requested the Board review a proclamation for a time capsule located at the bench, which is slated to be opened on September 28, 2059. The proclamation will be sent to the International Time Capsule Society following final approval.
Addressing water and sewer administration, the Board denied a request from residents to remove charges for water and sewer bills. However, they did adopt a new policy regarding the finalization of bills and the opening of new accounts.
On the financial front, the Board approved roughly $154,000 in general, water, sewer, and capital bills. They also processed payments related to the Water Improvement Incentive Award (WIIA) grant and approved a final payment of $19,362.62 to LaBella for the Fluoridation Building project. This payment was split between remaining NYCLASS (ARPA) funds and Water Capital Reserves.
Looking ahead to traffic safety, a public hearing was scheduled for the November 13 meeting to consider reducing the speed limit on McKinstry Street from 30 mph to 25 mph between East State Street and East Avenue.
In other business, the Board approved the "Bring Back Christmas to Albion" Committee to decorate street lampposts throughout the village and use electricity for the displays. They also accepted an employment application from Levi Boyer for the position of Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator.
The Board adjusted its meeting schedule for the upcoming holiday season, canceling workshop meetings for November 27 and December 25. Department heads will instead attend the regular meetings on November 13 and December 11.
The meeting included updates from Trustee McMurray on the Bullard Park concession stand and a report from Gary Kent of the Albion Betterment Committee. Following an executive session for personnel matters, the meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2024-10-09,
Village of Albion, NY.
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Related Board of Trustees Meetings
2024-10-14
Village of Albion Board Votes to Dissolve Village Fire Department, Approves Transfer of Assets to New Joint District
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Adopted Resolution 2024-27: Unanimous vote (4-0) to dissolve the Village of Albion Fire Department; Mayor Javier absent.
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Asset Transfer: Approved transfer of all fire department monies and apparatus to the Albion Joint Fire District (AJFD) within 10 days of notice.
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Timeline: Dissolution effective December 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
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Engineering Hire: Unanimously authorized Code Enforcement Officer to engage TYLin Group for inspections at 56 N Main St.
2024-09-27
Albion Board Sets Date for Fire Department Dissolution Hearing
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Scheduled public hearing for Oct. 9, 2024, regarding dissolution of Village Fire Department (Vote: 3-0; Two absent)
2024-10-23
Village Eyes Cemetery Expansion, Time Capsule, and Holiday Parade Prep
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved the public hearing to purchase 35 acres of land adjacent to Mt. Albion Cemetery for expansion.
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Allocated $2,500 from Cemetery Reserve funds for repairs to the Ingersoll Memorial Fountain.
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Approved a proclamation setting September 28, 2059, as the date to open a time capsule buried at Erie Canal Park.
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Donated $1,500 from HRA reserves to organizers of the Annual Santa Parade for a replica sleigh.
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Approved a $300,200 budget adjustment for a WIIA 1 Grant invoice payment to STC Construction.
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Hired a student part-time clerk at $15/hour (3-2 vote, Trustees Bennett and Gabalski opposed).
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Approved GACRE funding for fencing at Bullard Park pickleball courts.
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Denied a request to replace an ancestor's headstone for resident Wende London.
2024-09-25
Village moves to dissolve fire department, weigh joint district model
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 9, 2024, to abolish the Albion Fire Department and create the Albion Joint Fire District (5-0).
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Approved hiring three seasonal employees for three weeks at $17/hour for leaf pickup at Mt. Albion Cemetery (5-0).
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Approved a "triple net lease" for 108 S. Platt St. to the proposed Joint Fire District for two years with a 10-year option (5-0).
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Authorized the purchase of two cell phones for police officers at $36/month per line (5-0).
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Lowered rent for 121 N. Main St. from $2.50 to roughly $1.70 per square foot (5-0).
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Voted to have the village attorney seek 100% cost recovery for crossing guard funding from the school district (3-2).
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Accepted the 2023 Audit Report; auditors will attend the Nov. 13 meeting (5-0).
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Approved a "ride on" policy allowing teachers and students to ride on fire apparatus (5-0).
2024-09-19
Fire District Infrastructure and Police Negotiations Dominate Village Board Session
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Fire District Discussion: Board and Fire Commissioners discussed "various avenues" for the district regarding building infrastructure and utilities.
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Executive Session: Board met privately for 40 minutes to discuss collective bargaining with the PBA (Police Benevolent Association).
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Attendance: Mayor Javier and Trustees Gabalski and Bennett were present for the executive session vote; Trustee McMurray was absent.
2024-09-11
Albion Village Board Approves Pay Hikes for Water Operator, Addresses Crossing Guard Dispute
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved Levi Boyer as acting Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator with a $5,000 salary increase, effective Sept. 21 (Vote: 4-0).
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Agreed to pay 100% of the first semester cost for a school crossing guard at Albion Central School, capped at 2 hours daily at $17/hr (Vote: 4-0).
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Authorized the Village Clerk to advertise the vacant Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator position for 30 days.
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Adjusted the employment status of a currently suspended employee from unpaid to paid suspension pending outside litigation.
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Approved an 18.72% increase in healthcare premiums for village employees for the 2024-2025 plan year.
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Ratified invoices for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant totaling $2,898.
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Named Rebekah Karls as the second-quarter Community Hero Award recipient.
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Accepted a new lease agreement with Crown Castle for a cell tower, pending legal review.
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