🏛️ Board of Trustees
Albion Trustees Adopt 'Pro-Housing' Pledge to Unlock State Funding, Code Enforcement Officer Gets Raise
The Village Board adopted resolutions supporting the "Pro-Housing Community" program to qualify for state funding, despite recent housing stock growth being below state thresholds. Trustees also approved a raise for the Code Enforcement Officer and accepted updates on the former Brown Street adult day care facility.
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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.
The Village of Albion Board of Trustees took a significant step toward accessing future state funding on Wednesday, formally adopting resolutions to designate the village as a "Pro-Housing Community."
During the July 10 meeting at Village Hall, the board unanimously approved two resolutions (Resolutions 2024-21 and 2024-22) aimed at qualifying for New York State’s Pro-Housing Communities program. While the designation does not guarantee funding, it gives priority status to communities when applying for certain state grants.
To qualify, municipalities must show housing growth—specifically, a 1% increase in units over the past year or a 3% increase over three years. According to the resolution, the Village does not currently meet these metrics. Data from the New York State Housing Dashboard cited in the meeting minutes shows Albion has seen a 1.63% increase in units since 2020, falling short of the 3% threshold.
As a result, the board moved to pass the "Pro-Housing" pledge, the second option for qualification. The resolution commits the village to streamline permitting for multifamily and affordable housing, adopt policies to further fair housing, and encourage a broader range of housing development.
"As part of this process, the Village will have to submit a letter of intent, zoning maps, and housing permit data from the last five years to the state," the minutes noted. Once certified, the village must resubmit housing data annually.
In personnel matters, the board voted to adjust the pay rate for Code Enforcement Officer Chris Kinter. Trustees approved an increase from $28.00 per hour to $30.00 per hour, effective June 10. The motion included $400 in retroactive pay to cover the period from June 10 through July 13. The raise is pursuant to an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Albion.
Financially, the board approved roughly $55,000 in payments and budget adjustments related to water infrastructure projects. The largest allocation, $44,270.89, went to G&G Municipal Consulting for grant writing services under the WIIA 2 (Water Infrastructure Improvement Act) category. Additional funds were allocated to Donegan, May legal services, bond services, and Core & Main.
The board also authorized a $500 donation to the police department's equipment reserves, contributed by residents Joyce O’Connor and Donna Boyce.
In zoning matters, John Fitzak addressed the board regarding a request to change the zoning of his property at 73.6-3-21 and 73.6-3-23 on East Bank Street from R-2 (Residential) to GC (General Commercial). The board voted to send a letter of intent to the Planning Board for review.
Code Enforcement Officer Kinter provided an update on 43 Brown Street, the site of a former adult day care. The board acknowledged that the Certificate of Occupancy has been lost and the special use permit is potentially invalid. "They would have to go through the entire process again if they want to have the same Adult Day Care," the minutes noted.
Looking ahead to community events, the board approved a modification to the permit for the upcoming "Family Funday." The changes allow for setup to begin Friday, August 9, at 7:00 a.m., and authorize a 20x30 tent to be placed across the Amphitheater, along with bounce houses.
Discussions regarding MEO (Municipal Employee Organization) positions and issues regarding Ingersoll Street and the bridge were both tabled until the next meeting scheduled for July 24, 2024.
Absent from the meeting were Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley and Trustee William Gabalski. The board entered executive session at 6:44 p.m. for personnel and contract matters and adjourned shortly after 7:43 p.m.
Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2024-07-10,
Village of Albion, NY.
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Related Board of Trustees Meetings
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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Entered executive session at 3:47 PM to discuss pending land acquisition details (3-0 vote).
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Key Actions & Decisions
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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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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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Albion Board Holds Three-Hour Executive Session on Personnel Matters
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Exited executive session at 9:06 PM.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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