🏛️ Board of Trustees
Cannabis Regulations Advance, Main Street Property Gets Second Look from Albion Board
The Village Board moved forward with regulations for cannabis retail dispensaries and addressed maintenance on village-owned property during a lengthy meeting on July 24. Trustees also approved funding for park improvements and addressed personnel matters.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Cannabis Local Law: Public hearing opened and closed for Chapter 83 regarding cannabis retail dispensaries; code sent to planning board and attorney for final review.
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Spray Park Policy: DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura authorized to adjust spray park hours if temperatures exceed 90 degrees.
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Bullard Park Improvements: Approved numbering pavilions for better identification; reviewed quotes for security cameras (tabled).
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Main Street Property: Albion Betterment Committee approved to place Santa house on Village-owned N. Main St. land, pending code review; 121 N. Main St. vacancy advertised at $2.50/sq ft.
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Personnel Actions: Board approved sick time donation between employees and swapped a salary raise for vacation time for one employee.
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Grants & Funding: Approved $3,677.50 in Youth Department Program grants and authorized Assemblyman Hawley’s support for a CFA Comprehensive Planning Grant.
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Fire Commissioner: Appointed David Buczek to represent the village.
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Cemetery Purchase: Approved $7,000 deposit to Peter Snell Realtors for land purchase.
The Albion Village Board took significant steps toward regulating the cannabis market and improving public recreational infrastructure during a special meeting that stretched late into the evening on July 24.
Trustees opened a public hearing regarding the creation of Chapter 83, a local law governing cannabis retail dispensaries. After hearing no public comment, the board closed the hearing just after 6:50 p.m. and voted unanimously to send the proposed legislation to the Codes Enforcement Officer, the Planning Board, and the Village Attorney for final review before approval.
Mayor Angel Javier, Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley, and Trustees William Gabalski and Timothy McMurray were present. Trustee Greg Bennett was absent.
**Spray Park and Park Safety**
With summer heat in mind, the Board moved to address operations at the village spray park. Trustees voted to authorize Superintendent of Public Works James Pahura to adjust operating hours in the event the temperature rises above 90 degrees, offering flexibility for residents seeking relief during heatwaves.
In an effort to improve safety and organization at Bullard Park, the Board approved a motion to number the park’s pavilions. The clerk, a police lieutenant, and the DPW superintendent will collaborate on the specific verbiage for the new signage.
Security cameras for the DPW and Bullard Park were also discussed. Representatives from Upstate Alarm had provided quotes for the installation; however, the Board decided to table the decision until their next meeting on August 28 to allow time for further review.
**Main Street and North Main Property**
The Board took action regarding two separate pieces of village-owned real estate.
Trustees approved a request from the Albion Betterment Committee (AMA) to move forward with placing a Santa house on a Village-owned parcel on North Main Street. The motion passed with the stipulation that plans receive final approval from both the Village Board and the Code Enforcement Officer.
Aric Albright, Pollution Control Plant Chief Operator, provided an update on a separate village property, advising the board that he had contacted the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). According to the minutes, Albright noted that construction can proceed on the property provided no soil is removed or transported from the site.
Additionally, the Board moved to advertise vacant space at 121 North Main Street. The approved rental rate is $2.50 per square foot. The vote was not unanimous; Trustee McMurray voted against the motion, while Mayor Javier, Deputy Mayor Riley, and Trustee Gabalski voted in favor.
**Funding and Grants**
The Board approved a series of budget adjustments totaling nearly $3,700 for the Youth Department Program (YDP Grant). The allocations included funding for "Summertime Bounce" events, magic shows, a refrigerator purchase for Home Depot, and supervisor t-shirts.
In a move to secure future funding, the Board approved a request to have Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office issue a letter of support for the village’s application for a CFA Comprehensive Planning Grant.
**Personnel and Appointments**
The meeting concluded with several personnel matters. The Board approved the appointment of David Buczek to represent the Village of Albion as Fire Commissioner for the Albion Fire District.
Following an executive session to discuss personnel, the Board emerged to approve two specific employee requests. One employee was permitted to donate 12 hours of sick time to another employee for medical reasons. In a separate action, the Board approved a one-time agreement allowing a specific employee to receive three additional vacation days in lieu of an annual raise increase.
**Other Business**
* **Warranty Review:** The Board reviewed warranty options for two new plow/dump trucks, with prices ranging from $1,244 for transmission coverage to $6,805 for chassis coverage.
* **Resident Request:** Gary Derwick requested the Board review a previous denial regarding a sewer break at 14355 Northwood Drive. The Board chose not to change its decision.
* **Crossing Guard:** A discussion regarding a crossing guard was tabled until the August 14 meeting.
* **Healthcare:** The Board scheduled a special meeting for August 2 at 9 a.m. to further discuss healthcare options presented by Benecare representatives.
Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2024-07-24,
Village of Albion, NY.
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Related Board of Trustees Meetings
2024-08-06
Albion Board Holds Three-Hour Executive Session on Personnel Matters
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Entered executive session at 5:31 PM to discuss the employment history of a specific person.
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Exited executive session at 9:06 PM.
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Adjourned the meeting immediately following the executive session.
2024-07-10
Albion Trustees Adopt 'Pro-Housing' Pledge to Unlock State Funding, Code Enforcement Officer Gets Raise
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Adopted "Pro-Housing Community" resolutions to apply for state designation and funding priority (3-0 vote).
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Approved hourly wage increase for Code Enforcement Officer Chris Kinter from $28 to $30, with $400 in retroactive pay (3-0 vote).
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Authorized over $55,000 in budget adjustments for water infrastructure consulting and bond services (3-0 vote).
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Accepted $500 donation from residents Joyce O’Connor and Donna Boyce for police equipment reserves.
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Referred John Fitzak’s request to rezone East Bank Street property from Residential (R-2) to General Commercial (GC) to the Planning Board.
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Acknowledged loss of Certificate of Occupancy for 43 Brown St; owners must restart process to operate adult day care.
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Modified Special Events permit for "Family Funday" to allow Friday setup and a large tent at the Amphitheater.
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Tabled discussions on MEO positions and Ingersoll Street/bridge matters until the July 24 meeting.
2024-08-14
Health Insurance Costs Spike Nearly 19% as Village Names 'Erie Canal Park'
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved an 18.72% increase in Univera Healthcare premiums for village employees effective Sept. 1, 2024 (Vote: 5-0).
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Officially named the village parcel #73.23-1-13 "Erie Canal Park" (Vote: 5-0).
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Scheduled a public hearing for Aug. 28, 2024, to rezone East Bank Street properties from residential to commercial (Vote: 5-0).
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Mandated new DPW hires must obtain a CDL (B) within one year or face termination (Vote: 5-0).
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Approved $99,990.91 in total bills across general, water, and sewer funds.
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Authorized overtime for DPW workers for the next three weeks to handle time-sensitive projects (Vote: 5-0).
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Set a public hearing date for Sept. 7, 2024, regarding the closure of East State Street for a church event.
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Accepted the resignation/application for a new DPW hire to replace a retiring employee, with the new hire starting immediately.
2024-06-29
Albion Village Board Moves to Acquire 30 Acres for Future Cemetery Needs
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Authorized Mayor Angel Javier to sign a purchase agreement for approximately 30 acres of land owned by Patricia A. Nelson for use as cemetery land (3-0 vote).
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Entered executive session at 3:47 PM to discuss pending land acquisition details (3-0 vote).
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Returned to open session and adjourned the meeting at 3:59 PM.
2024-06-26
Albion Trustees Eye LED Lighting Upgrade, Approve Bullard Park Events
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Authorized LED Lighting Negotiation: Unanimously passed Resolution 2024-20, directing DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura to negotiate with National Grid to replace 20 metal halide lights with LED fixtures at Canal Park and Platt Street, and to investigate other village locations for cost-effective upgrades.
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Accepted Youth Recreation Grants: Accepted three grants totaling $20,327 from the 2024 Sports & Education Opportunity Fund and Youth Development Program.
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Approved Special Events: Approved the "WNY Honda-Tech Meet 2024" for Sept. 15 and the "Bounce for Bullard Fundraiser" for July 12 at Bullard Park.
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Sidewalk Repair Update: DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura stated the department aims to install sidewalks on parts of East State Street this year, pending no unforeseen issues.
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Tabled Santa House Proposal: The Albion Betterment Committee’s request to place a Santa House in the Municipal lot and a sleigh at Waterman Park was tabled until July 10 pending DEC review.
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Appointed Cybersecurity Officer: Appointed Derek Reiner as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
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Operation Honor: Approved the group’s request to lay wreaths at Mt. Albion Cemetery.
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Sewer Break Requests: Denied requests for sewer fee breaks for properties on E. Bank St. and Northwood Drive; approved a water fee break for a property on W. Park St.
2024-08-28
Village of Albion Secures Funding for New Plow Trucks, Approves East Bank Street Rezoning
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved a $471,000 loan (4% interest) and $50,000 grant from USDA Rural Development for two new dump/plow trucks (5-0).
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Voted to rezone 73.6-3-21 and 73.6-3-23 East Bank St from R2 Residential to GC General Commercial (5-0).
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Authorized Police Chief David Mogle to purchase camera equipment from Upstate Alarm for $27,584.58 using grant funds (5-0).
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Approved budget adjustments allocating $4,210 in water improvement reserves for Koester repairs.
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Accepted the July treasurer's report and departmental reports from DPW, Police, and Fire officials.
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Agreed to waive 50% of mowing charges for a property at 222 E. Bank St.
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Scheduled a NY Forward public meeting for applicants on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.
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