🏛️ Board of Trustees
Albion Trustees End Fire Contracts with Town, Target Main Street Redevelopment
The Village Board voted unanimously to terminate fire protection contracts with the Town of Albion and Town of Gaines effective Dec. 31, 2024. Trustees also applied for state grant funding to rehabilitate a vacant commercial building on North Main Street.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Fire contracts terminated: The board unanimously ended the 2022-2026 contract with the Town of Albion and the 2023-2027 contract with the Town of Gaines, effective Dec. 31, 2024.
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Restore NY grant application: Unanimously approved Resolution 2024-29 to apply for state funding to rehabilitate 132 N. Main Street, a vacant mixed-use building, for commercial space and affordable housing.
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Water infrastructure appropriations: Approved budget adjustments increasing expenses and revenues by $192,923.30 for the WIIA 2 Project and $15,664.71 for the WIIA 1 Project.
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Personnel changes: Accepted resignation of Police Officer Alexandra Reigle and Deputy Treasurer Derek Reiner; authorized the hiring process to fill the police vacancy.
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Monthly bills paid: Approved $94,108.88 in total payments across general, water, sewer, and capital funds.
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Property surplus: Approved the sale of three surplus firearms to Albion Gun Shop for $100 each.
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GOART donation: Authorized up to $500 from recreation reserve funds for a donation to GOART (Greater Orleans Arts Together).
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Cemetery deeds: Approved deeds for Anne E. Neilans and Clark M. & Anne M. Brooks.
ALBION — In a decisive move to alter the village's emergency service agreements, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to terminate fire protection contracts with both the Town of Albion and the Town of Gaines.
The meeting, held Dec. 11 at Village Hall, was presided over by Deputy Mayor Greg Bennett, with Mayor Angel Javier Jr. and Trustee Joyce Riley absent.
The termination of the fire contracts, effective Dec. 31, 2024, ends the 2022-2026 agreement with the Town of Albion and the 2023-2027 agreement with the Town of Gaines. The vote authorizes village leadership to sign the necessary termination documents. The decision marks a significant shift in inter-municipal relations, though the minutes did not specify the reasons behind the board's unanimous decision to end the agreements years earlier than originally contracted.
On the economic development front, the board is targeting a vacant property in the downtown core. Trustees approved Resolution 2024-29, applying for Round 9 of the Restore NY Communities Initiative Municipal Grant Program.
The application targets the property at 132 N. Main Street. The 5,984-square-foot building is currently vacant and listed as mixed-use. According to the resolution, the proposed project aims to rehabilitate the structure to create new commercial spaces and affordable housing.
"The project is consistent with all existing local plans," the resolution states, arguing that the rehabilitation will "promote both economic development and preservation of community resources" and help sustain employment opportunities in the village.
The board authorized the mayor or deputy mayor to sign the grant application for submission to Empire State Development.
Significant financial adjustments were made to the water department's budget to accommodate infrastructure projects. The board approved budget adjustments for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) projects.
For the WIIA 2 Project, the board increased expense and revenue appropriations by $192,923.30. Payments from these funds include $162,450 to No. 2 Statewide Aquastore Inc. and $30,059.30 to Wendel, an engineering and architecture firm.
Similarly, the WIIA 1 Project saw a budget increase of $15,664.71, with $14,163.96 allocated to Wendel and smaller amounts to other contractors.
In personnel matters, the village is seeing changes in both the Police Department and the Clerk’s Office. The board accepted the resignation of Police Officer Alexandra Reigle, effective Dec. 13, and Deputy Treasurer Derek Reiner, effective Dec. 30. Following Reigle's departure, the board moved to allow Police Chief David Mogle to begin the process to fill the vacancy.
The board also managed surplus property and public donations. Three firearms—a Keltec PF9 and two Smith & Wesson Eastfield Model 916s—were declared surplus and will be sold to Albion Gun Shop for $100 each.
John Grillo, Director of Park & Recreation, sought approval to create a special account to hold public donations for a July 3 celebration. The board also approved a donation of up to $500 from recreation reserve funds to the Greater Orleans Arts Together (GOART).
During the open forum, representatives from Spectrum presented an overview of fiber and internet services to enhance capabilities for the Police Department and Clerk’s office. The board tabled this discussion until the Jan. 8, 2025 meeting.
Department heads presented monthly reports for November, covering operations ranging from the water treatment plant to animal control. Additionally, the board approved the payment of village bills totaling $94,108.88, covering general government, water, sewer, and capital project expenses.
Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2024-12-11,
Village of Albion, NY.
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Related Board of Trustees Meetings
2024-12-19
Albion Trustees Fill Key Water Department Post, Approve New Mechanic and Equipment
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Accepted resignation of Police Officer Alexandra Reigl (read resignation letter into record).
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Unpaid Taxes: Approved forwarding 45 unpaid tax bills totaling over $40,000 to the County for collection.
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Albion Animal Control Passes State Inspection Amid Busy Year for Local Wildlife
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Wildlife Activity Highlighted: Data showed increased interactions with local wildlife, including reports of coyotes, foxes, and bats.
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