Board of Trustees
Albion Trustees Advance Cemetery Land Purchase Between Two Closed-Door Sessions on Contracts
Source records: Apr 30, 2024
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▶ Key Actions & Decisions
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• Board entered executive session at 5:19 PM to discuss contracts, on a motion by Trustee McMurray seconded by Trustee Gabalski; carried, with Deputy Mayor Riley and Trustees Bennett, Gabalski and McMurray voting aye and Mayor Javier absent. Exited executive session at 5:29 PM (same vote pattern).
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• Voted to move forward on purchasing land immediately south of Mt. Albion Cemetery at $7K an acre based on a survey (carried, same vote pattern).
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• Directed that a letter to NYSDOT seeking help with repairs to Ingersol St, closed due to a bridge closing, be put on village letterhead and readied for all board members to sign at the May 8, 2024 meeting; no vote recorded.
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• Approved closing East Bank St on May 5, 2024 for the Motorcycle Awareness special event held by ABATE of Orleans (carried, same vote pattern).
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• Reentered executive session at 5:40 PM to discuss contract negotiations, exiting at 5:50 PM, then adjourned with no further business (all carried, same vote pattern); minutes record no detail on what contracts were discussed in either closed session.
The Village of Albion Board of Trustees spent more of its April 30, 2024 special meeting behind closed doors than in open session, retreating into executive session twice to discuss contracts while also moving forward on a land purchase next to Mt. Albion Cemetery.
Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley opened the meeting with a pledge of allegiance at 5:15 PM in the absence of Mayor Angel Javier Jr. Four minutes later, on a motion by Trustee Timothy McMurray, seconded by Trustee William Gabalski, the board entered executive session to discuss contracts, returning to open session at 5:29 PM.
In the public business that followed, trustees voted to move forward on purchasing land immediately south of Mt. Albion Cemetery at $7K an acre, based on a survey. The board also directed that a letter to NYSDOT seeking help with repairs to Ingersol St, closed due to a bridge closing, be prepared on village letterhead and ready for all board members to sign at the May 8, 2024 meeting. Trustees separately approved closing East Bank St on May 5, 2024, for ABATE of Orleans' Motorcycle Awareness event.
At 5:40 PM, the board returned to executive session, this time to discuss contract negotiations, before exiting ten minutes later and adjourning at 5:50 PM. The minutes name no other business and record no discussion of what contracts were addressed in either closed session. Deputy Mayor Riley and Trustees Greg Bennett, Gabalski and McMurray voted aye on every recorded measure; Mayor Javier's absence was noted throughout. Clerk-Treasurer Tracy A. VanSkiver recorded the minutes.
Archived coverage for Board of Trustees. Record date: 2024-04-30. View original document ↗
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Albion Resident Who Challenged Water Plant Timecards Named to Two Village Boards Same Night
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
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• Resident Jeff Holler told the board about results of a FOIL request on Water Treatment Plant timecards, and the minutes record he "expressed his concern and displeasure of how hours work is being utilized"; no further detail on the discrepancy is recorded.
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• Later in the meeting, trustees appointed Holler an alternate to the Planning Board effective immediately, and separately appointed him to the Grievance Committee for a term expiring 4/2025 (both moved by Trustee McMurray and Trustee Riley, carried, Riley/Gabalski/McMurray aye, Bennett absent).
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• The board accepted Deborah Zicari's resignation from the Planning Board, effective immediately, and appointed Linda Smith to the seat for a term expiring 4/2028 (carried).
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• Trustees adopted the 2024-2025 budget after adjustments decreasing line A0.1210.0101 from $8508.91 to $1.00, decreasing A0.1210.0405 from $2500.00 to -0-, and increasing A0.7310.0403 from -0- to $11,007.91; the resulting tax rate of $20.40 is, per the minutes, above the New York State tax cap, a status enabled by Local Law 1-2024, passed at the board's 3/28/2024 meeting (carried).
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• Budget totals: General Fund appropriations $4,701,848.45, estimated revenues $1,322,885.33, fund balance $261,150.00, tax levy $3,117,813.12; Water Fund appropriations and revenues each $2,068,150.00; Sewer Fund appropriations $1,424,335.00, revenues $1,412,000.00, fund balance $12,335.00.
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• In the two minutes between exiting executive session and adjournment, trustees authorized counsel to proceed on terms in an April 25, 2024 proposal to the Albion Benevolent Association, denied a request for improvements to the Mt. Albion Apartment property at 14925 State Route 31, and voted to terminate the rental agreement there, directing the attorney to send notice (all carried).
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• Trustees authorized a Canal Park gazebo roof repair not to exceed $1750.00, expected after road work, and asked Pollution Control Plant Chief Operator Aric Albright to bring a list of items needed for the gazebo's electric upgrade to the 5/8/2024 meeting.
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• The board approved a temporary increase in the village's NYCLASS deposit limit to $8M from $5M, citing BAN funds received for the WIIA 2 project (carried).
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• Trustees approved payment of $3,731.50 to William Schutt, increasing expense line A0.6989.0404 by the same amount (carried); the village was also approved for a $10,500 grant for a charging station.
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• A public hearing was scheduled for 5/8/2024 at 6 PM on the village's application to Empire State Development under the Restore NY Communities Initiative.
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• The board observed a moment of silence for Dr. Neil Johnson, village historian for more than 40 years; current historian Susan Starkweather-Miller asked trustees to support a small group pursuing grants for Mt. Albion Cemetery and other historic areas.
Albion Trustees Table Water Plant Operator Hire Until Leaks Are Addressed
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
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• Hiring of a water treatment plant operator was tabled until May 22, 2024, and until leaks are addressed; Trustee Gabalski will reach out to DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura to investigate leak detection options.
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• Cameras and a Code Enforcement memorandum of understanding were also tabled to May 22, 2024, the latter for attorney review.
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• Board scheduled a public hearing for May 15, 2024 on grant funding under Round 8 of the ReStore NY Communities' initiative municipal grant program (carried).
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• Board scheduled a public hearing for May 22, 2024 to amend zoning for parcel 73,10-1-24 from RC to GC at 210 S Main St (carried).
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• Village Historian Susan Starkweather-Miller presented a donated art piece by Peter B West, arranged through George Harris on behalf of former resident George D Harris; board moved to have the historian research the need for a chapel at the cemetery (carried).
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• Approved use-of-funds/budget adjustments including $300.00 in contingency funds to pay the Village Historian, $2,266.78 in ARPA funds and later $224.04 in ARPA funds plus $144.49 in HRA reserves to I.D. Booth for the Bullard Park Pavilion, $4,825.75 to Bernard Donegan, Inc. split across WIIA 1, WIIA 2, plow/dump trucks and FMS lines, and $500.00 in contingency funds to pay the ReStore NY application fee (all carried).
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• Approved payment of village bills, vouchers #45933-46007, totaling $21,589.21 (General), $35,166.17 (Water) and $40,669.50 (Sewer); approved the April 2024 treasurer's report (both carried).
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• Approved a month-to-month lease to Gabrielle Major for 153sqft of office space at 121 N Main St at $1.50 per sq ft, effective June 1, 2024 (carried).
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• Approved implementing suggested cybersecurity upgrades for village computer equipment, with Trustee Gabalski to follow up with Deeley IT (carried); approved posting department head board reports to the village website pending legal review of PCF (carried); board asked that an attendance log for all boards and committees be made available on the website.
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• Approved a letter to the NYSDOT regional director requesting repairs to Ingersol St due to a bridge closure (carried); approved a proclamation to be presented to officers at the May 22 meeting (carried).
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• Approved special events permits for the Bullard Park AYSAP football program (7/22/24-10/31/2024) and for use of the Platt St parking lot for the Law Enforcement Torch Run on 5/31/24; Trustee McMurray abstained on both.
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• Board entered executive session for personnel and contract matters at 8:08 PM and exited at 9:04 PM; meeting adjourned at 9:04 PM. Mayor Angel Javier Jr. was absent throughout.
Albion Trustees Loosen Water Plant Purchasing, Then Order a Spending Memo to Department Heads
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
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• Trustees voted 3-0, with Angel Javier Jr, Mayor, and William Gabalski, Trustee, absent, to let Adam Rush, Water Treatment Plant Chief Operator, purchase equipment needed because of the April 17 power outage at the plant.
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• In a second 3-0 vote, trustees let Rush make further outage-related purchases without returning to the board, keeping it informed "as it progresses," for this power outage only.
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• Trustees also voted 3-0 to let Aric Albright, Pollution Control Plant Chief Operator, buy pipe for a bench from his own budget line, and to let Jay Pahura, Superintendent of Public Works, have the codes car decaled.
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• A further 3-0 vote directed Joyce Riley, Deputy Mayor, to issue a general statement to department heads on spending.
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• The special session opened with the pledge of allegiance at 3:12 PM and adjourned at 3:44 PM.
Albion Trustees Target 11 Vacant Downtown Buildings for State Restoration Funds
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
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Adopted Resolution 2024-19 to apply for Restore NY grant funding (Unanimous 3-0; Mayor Javier and Trustee Bennett absent).
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Authorized use of Equipment Reserves to purchase a stand-up mower for $9,065.26 (Unanimous 3-0).
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Approved early bill payment schedule for May 22, 2024 (Unanimous 3-0).
Albion Trustees Raise Water and Sewer Rates as They Bond $3,563,441 More for Treatment Plant Project
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
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• Trustees closed a hearing on the 2024-2025 budget, then opened and closed a hearing on water and sewer rate increases; moved by Joyce Riley, Deputy Mayor, and Tim McMurray, Trustee, the new rates carried with Angel Javier Jr., Mayor, presiding.
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• Trustees adopted Bond Resolution BR 2024-5, authorizing up to $3,563,441 in additional bonds for water treatment plant, storage tank and transmission-system work beyond the $7,855,059 bonded November 10, 2021, for an estimated project total of $11,418,500; the roll call recorded ayes from Javier, Riley, Gabalski, McMurray and Bennett.
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• Trustees adopted Bond Resolution BR 2024-6, authorizing up to $105,000 in additional bonds for two dump trucks beyond the $470,000 bonded December 13, 2023, for a total of $575,000; Riley, Gabalski, McMurray and Bennett voted aye and Javier voted nay.
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• Trustees approved employee vacation/personal-day sell-back, rollover and medical opt-out requests for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 budgets.
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• Trustees moved to send $10,205.58 in unpaid water and sewer bills to Orleans County for addition to the 2024-2025 Village taxes.
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• Trustees approved payment of village bills covering Vouchers #45763-45856: $44,134.21 general, $11,012.29 water and $8,025.95 sewer.
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• Trustees approved rent increases at village-owned properties: Diane Rouse's Mt. Albion apartment from $900.00 to $1,000.00 a month starting June 1, 2024, and Darlene Benton's office space at 121 N Main St from $405.00 to $425.00 starting May 1, 2024.
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• Trustees approved a Crown Castle lease for additional land at 301 Washington St (DPW) at $207.00 a month plus 30% of net sublet proceeds.
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• Trustees reinstated a food truck permitting process at temporary 50% fees, with fees set to rise once the bridge referenced in the record reopens.
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• Trustees appointed Sandra Walter to the Library Board through April 2025; tabled Recreational Committee appointments to April 25, 2024; and tabled a Codes MOU and a Town of Carlton surplus-water request to May 8, 2024.
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• Resident Robin-Jo Zaczek told the board fire hydrants on East State St had been covered with black plastic bags and asked that her written statement be posted on the village website; no further board action is recorded.
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• John Pastore, representative for Reid Patroleum, Hawley Development and Crosby's, informed the board of intent to seek a zoning change for 210 S Main St; no vote is recorded.
Albion Trustees Approve Major Water Infrastructure Spending, Adjust Spray Park Hours
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved roughly $750,000 in payments to STC and Core & Main for the WIIA 1 and 2 water projects (Unanimous).
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Voted 4-1 to change zoning at 210 S. Main St from Residential to General Commercial; Trustee Bennett opposed.
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Unanimously cut spray park hours from 9am-9pm to 12pm-7pm due to the Gaines tank upgrade.
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Appointed Chris Kinter to a full-time Code Enforcement position at $28/hour.
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Approved an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Albion for zoning and code enforcement.
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Scheduled a public hearing on the village cannabis code for June 26.
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Donated 10 yards of millings to Sandstone Park.
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Recognized local police officers and a community hero.
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