The Albion Village Board moved to solidify its water department leadership during a special meeting held Thursday, Dec. 19, ultimately approving a salary package for a new chief operator after an initial proposal failed to receive a second. The board met at Village Hall to address personnel matters and equipment purchases. Mayor Angel Javier Jr. and Trustee William Gabalski arrived late to the session, which was opened by Deputy Mayor Greg Bennett. The most significant business of the evening concerned the Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Following an executive session to discuss negotiations, Trustee Greg Bennett made a motion to offer the Chief WTP Operator position to Levi Boyer. However, the motion stalled when no other board member seconded the proposal. According to the minutes, Boyer had requested to discuss the salary, prompting the board to return to executive session at 6:36 p.m. Upon returning to open session, the board reached a consensus. Trustee Joyce Riley motioned to offer Boyer the position with a specific compensation package. The board voted 4-0 to approve the appointment, effective immediately (Dec. 19). Boyer’s salary was set at $78,314.50. The terms approved by the board include a cell phone stipend retroactive to Sept. 21, 2024, 15 vacation days, and five personal days. Boyer will serve a probationary period ending March 29, 2025, and will not receive a raise in June 2025. Boyer was given until Dec. 23 to accept the offer. Once hired, Boyer will also have the authority to hire for a vacant WTP operator trainee position, a power the board delegated to the acting chief in a unanimous vote. In other personnel news, the board moved to bolster the Department of Public Works (DPW). Trustees approved the hiring of Shawn Diebel as an Auto Mechanic. Diebel will serve a 52-week probationary period, with a start date and pay based on the terms of the VOA DPW EA Contract at the discretion of the DPW Superintendent. This vote passed 3-0, with the Mayor and Gabalski absent. The board also authorized DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura to proceed with the purchase of an air-tow trailer and a truck. While the specific dollar amount was not listed in the minutes, the purchase was approved by a 3-0 vote. Looking toward economic development, the board backed a grant application effort. Trustees approved a motion allowing Planning Board Chairman Karen Conn to sign a letter of support on behalf of the Planning Board for a Restore NY grant application. The meeting involved two executive sessions, both held for employee and contract negotiations, totaling about an hour of closed-door discussion. The board adjourned at 7:01 p.m.