The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is exploring ways to foster a stronger connection with residents living within Albion’s Historic District just in time for the holidays. During the commission's meeting on Nov. 21, member Mary Anne Braunbach led a discussion on outreach, proposing the idea of sending a personalized Christmas card or letter to homeowners in the district. The initiative aims to remind residents of their location within the historic boundaries and the unique character of the neighborhood. According to the minutes, the commission discussed crafting the cards personally and delivering them by hand. Member Linda Smith agreed to investigate creating a design through Shutterfly, while member Ian Mowatt will research and locate historic photographs of Albion to include in the design. The outreach effort comes as the commission continues to balance preservation with modernization in the village, which serves as the Orleans County seat and boasts a rich collection of 19th-century architecture. The most tangible business of the evening involved the rear facade of Five Star Bank. Mike Miller, representing the bank, presented drawings and mockups for the back exterior renovation. The commission reviewed physical samples of the proposed colors and materials to ensure they align with the historic aesthetic of the area. Following a review of the samples, the commission moved to approve the aesthetic plan. A motion to approve the colors and materials for the back exterior of Five Star Bank was made by Ian Mowatt and seconded by Dan Conrad. The motion carried, authorizing the bank to proceed with the renovation work. In administrative news, the commission confirmed it will no longer move forward with a recertification letter for the New York State Certified Local Government (CLG) program. The CLG program offers grants and technical assistance to communities with strong local preservation programs, but the decision to pause or halt this process was noted briefly in the minutes without further elaboration on the reasoning. The commission also turned its attention inward to address procedural issues regarding membership. A discussion was held regarding the composition of the board, including the number of members and the specific descriptions of their roles. Crucially, the board discussed attendance policies. It was noted that members who miss three or more meetings should face removal from the commission. To formalize this, the board directed Chris Kinter and Attorney John Gavenda to collaborate on drafting the necessary code changes to address these three items: member counts, role descriptions, and the attendance-based removal policy. The meeting was called to order at 5:39 p.m. and adjourned at 6:06 p.m. Commissioners present included Braunbach, Smith, Conrad, and Mowatt. Other members listed as attendees included Angel Javier, Joyce Riley, Chris Kinter, Mike Miller, and Jose Cano.