The Albion Village Board convened for a special meeting Wednesday evening, March 4, focusing heavily on the financial future of the village’s water infrastructure and animal control services. Deputy Mayor William Gabalski, presiding in the absence of Mayor Angel Javier, opened the meeting at 6:27 p.m. at Village Hall. The primary item on the agenda was a series of budget hearings, specifically targeting the Water Treatment Plant and Animal Control expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. While the minutes do not detail the specific public comments offered, the board's decision to schedule dedicated hearings for these two line items suggests they are significant points of focus in the 2026-2027 budget. The Water Treatment Plant is a critical piece of infrastructure for the village, requiring ongoing maintenance and operational funding. Similarly, Animal Control services often generate public interest regarding costs and the scope of services provided to residents. The board composition shifted slightly during the proceedings. Trustee Bennett arrived shortly after the meeting’s start time, joining Gabalski and Trustee Tim McMurray. Trustee Joyce Riley was excused from the evening’s session, and Mayor Javier was absent. Following the budget hearings, the board moved quickly into executive session. At 8:05 p.m., a motion was made by Trustee Bennett and seconded by Trustee McMurray to enter the closed session. According to the minutes, Clerk-Treasurer Tracy A. VanSkiver and Deputy Clerk Holz exited the room during this time. Public bodies in New York are permitted to enter executive session for specific reasons, including the discussion of personnel matters. The board remained in executive session for just seven minutes, returning to open session at 8:12 p.m. With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned immediately upon the return to open session. Residents can expect the board to incorporate the feedback from these hearings into a final budget proposal. Under state law, the village must adopt its annual budget by April 1. The next steps will likely involve a final public hearing and a vote on the spending plan in the coming weeks.