🏛️ Board of Trustees
Albion Board Sets Date for Fire Department Dissolution Hearing
The Village of Albion Board of Trustees has scheduled a public hearing for October 9 to discuss the potential dissolution of the village fire department. The decision comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the future of local emergency services.
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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)
ALBION — The Village Board has taken a formal step toward a major restructuring of local emergency services, scheduling a public hearing next month to discuss the dissolution of the Albion Fire Department.
During a brief special meeting on Friday, Sept. 27, the Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to set the hearing date. The session is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 6:00 p.m. at Village Hall, located at 35 East Bank Street.
The meeting lasted only minutes, but the agenda item carries significant weight for the village’s future. Dissolving the fire department would mark a dramatic shift in how Albion, the county seat of Orleans County, provides fire protection to its roughly 6,000 residents.
Mayor Angel Javier Jr., Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley, and Trustee Tim McMurray were present for the vote. Trustees Greg Bennett and William Gabalski were absent. The motion to hold the hearing was moved by McMurray and seconded by Riley.
The decision to hold a public hearing does not itself dissolve the department, but it legally opens the floor for residents to weigh in on the proposal before any final vote is taken by the board. Under New York state law, the dissolution of a village fire department involves a specific legal process, including the review of a dissolution plan and a referendum vote by the public, unless the board determines the process can be handled differently under specific municipal statutes.
Discussions regarding the status of the fire department have been a topic of contention and review in various forms over the past year, as village officials grapple with budget constraints and the efficiency of services. The outcome of the hearing could lead to the village exploring contracts with surrounding fire districts or the creation of a new fire protection entity to replace the current village-run department.
Residents interested in the future of fire protection in Albion are encouraged to attend the Oct. 9 hearing. Public hearings allow for direct comment from the community, giving citizens a chance to ask questions and voice support or opposition before the board moves forward with any formal legislation.
Following the public hearing, the board would need to draft and vote on a specific dissolution plan if they decide to proceed. Any such plan would likely detail how assets are distributed and how fire services would be contracted in the future.
Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2024-09-27,
Village of Albion, NY.
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Related Board of Trustees Meetings
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.
2024-10-09
Albion Trustees Advance Plan to Expand Cemetery, Set Vote on Canal Park Gazebo Name
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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.
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.
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.
2024-09-03
Village Board Ratifies Formation of New Albion Joint Fire District, Sets Water Plant Salary Range
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Adopted Resolution: Formally approved the establishment of the Albion Joint Fire District (AJFD), encompassing the Village of Albion, Town of Albion, and Town of Gaines.
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Executive Session: Board met privately for over an hour (5:30 p.m. to 6:39 p.m.) to discuss pending negotiations.
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Legal Strategy: Directed Village Attorney John Gavenda to respond to the "Police Attorney" regarding ongoing contract negotiations.
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Salary Range: Established a pay range of $65,000 to $75,000 for the Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator civil service position.
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Park Protection: Voted to prohibit cars from parking on the grass at the multi-use field at Bullard Park during the upcoming Honda-Tech and Hospice Car Show.
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Commissioner Approval: Ratified the appointment of David Buczek as the Village's representative to the AJFD Board of Commissioners.
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