The Village Board voted to lower the speed limit on McKinstry Street to 25 mph and approved a significant budget adjustment for the purchase of cemetery land. The Board also accepted the resignation of a DPW mechanic and acknowledged a proposal for a new cannabis dispensary.
●McKinstry St Speed Limit Reduced: Approved Local Law 2-2024, setting a 25 mph limit from Route 31 to State St (Unanimous 4-0).
●Cemetery Land Purchase: Approved budget adjustments appropriating $243,749.58 for land acquisition and legal fees (Unanimous 4-0).
●Staffing Changes: Accepted resignation of DPW Automotive Mechanic Jeff Arnett; authorized hiring for Water Treatment Plant Operator and Mechanic positions.
●Cannabis Dispensary: Acknowledged intent to apply for a microbusiness license for Joseph Molisani Jr. at 18 N Main St, then rescinded a previous license for the same applicant.
●Park Naming: Voted to name the gazebo at Erie Canal Park "Donna Rodden Park."
●Comprehensive Plan: Board indicated preference for a stand-alone village plan rather than a joint plan with the Town.
●Unpaid Taxes: Approved forwarding 45 unpaid tax bills totaling over $40,000 to the County for collection.
●Infrastructure: Approved payments of $79,548.10 for WIIA Grant invoices (water infrastructure).
Drivers traveling through a section of McKinstry Street will soon need to slow down, following a unanimous vote by the Village of Albion Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
The board approved Local Law 2-2024, establishing a new 25-mile-per-hour speed limit on McKinstry Street from Route 31 (East Avenue) at the south end to State Street at the north end. The vote took place during a public hearing specifically convened to address traffic safety in that corridor.
The move was one of several significant actions taken during the workshop meeting, which also included financial maneuvers to secure land for cemetery expansion and personnel changes within the Department of Public Works (DPW).
**Planning for the Future**
While the traffic law addresses immediate neighborhood safety, the board is also looking toward long-term planning. Mike Massaro, a member of the public, inquired about the status of the village’s Comprehensive Plan.
According to the minutes, the Board discussed its intent to apply for grant funding to guide the plan’s update. Trustees indicated a preference to keep the village’s plan separate from a potential joint plan with the Town of Albion, favoring a "stand-alone" approach to guide village development.
**Securing Cemetery Land**
In financial matters, the board authorized substantial budget adjustments to facilitate the purchase of land for cemetery expansion.
Trustees approved an increase of $243,749.58 in appropriations for the cemetery land purchase. This sum includes $241,374.58 for the land acquisition and legal fees paid to Klafehn, Heise, and Johnson, PLLC, as well as an additional $2,375 in related costs.
The adjustment involves moving funds between revenue and expenditure lines to finalize the purchase, ensuring the village can move forward with expanding burial capacity.
**Staffing Changes**
The village faces immediate hiring needs following the departure of a veteran employee. The board accepted the resignation of Jeff Arnett from the DPW, effective Nov. 13. Arnett served as the automotive mechanic.
To fill the gap and address another vacancy, the board voted to advertise externally for both the Automotive Mechanic position and a Water Treatment Plant Operator-Trainee position. The board also moved to request an eligible list from Orleans County Civil Service for the operator trainee role.
**Main Street Business**
The board addressed a request regarding a potential new business on Main Street. Trustees acknowledged an intent to apply for a microbusiness license for an adult-use cannabis retail dispensary at 18 N Main St, submitted by Joseph Molisani Jr.
In a procedural move, the board also voted to rescind a microbusiness license for Molisani—effectively clearing the table for the new application process.
**Community and Recreation**
In lighter business, the board continued preparations for the holiday season. They approved the use of a fire truck for the Fire Department’s Christmas party, specifically allowing Santa Claus to ride the vehicle for the event.
The board also honored a local figure by approving a name change for the gazebo at the Erie Canal Park. The structure will now be named "Donna Rodden Park."
**Financial Housekeeping**
The meeting concluded with standard financial approvals. The board accepted the October Treasurer’s Report and paid village bills totaling $77,225.85, covering general, water, and sewer expenses.
They also approved payments related to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant, totaling $79,548.10, and accepted a $500 donation from GACRE intended for summer concerts.
Mayor Angel Javier Jr. was absent from the meeting. Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley, along with Trustees William Gabalski, Greg Bennett, and Timothy McMurray, were present.
Share
Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2024-11-13,
Village of Albion, NY.
View original document ↗
This article was drafted by AI (claude-sonnet-4-20250514) from the official meeting transcript and reviewed by a human editor.
Quotes link to source video timestamps for verification.
Read our editorial policy.
Community Discussion
0 comments
Be the first to comment on this story.
🔍Ask Albion
Have a question about this story? Search across meeting transcripts, village history, and municipal code.
●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.
●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.
●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.
●Personnel changes: Accepted resignation of Police Officer Alexandra Reigle and Deputy Treasurer Derek Reiner; authorized the hiring process to fill the police vacancy.
●Monthly bills paid: Approved $94,108.88 in total payments across general, water, sewer, and capital funds.
●Property surplus: Approved the sale of three surplus firearms to Albion Gun Shop for $100 each.
●GOART donation: Authorized up to $500 from recreation reserve funds for a donation to GOART (Greater Orleans Arts Together).
●Cemetery deeds: Approved deeds for Anne E. Neilans and Clark M. & Anne M. Brooks.
Village of Albion Board Votes to Dissolve Village Fire Department, Approves Transfer of Assets to New Joint District
●Cemetery Expansion Hearing Scheduled: Public hearing set for Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. to discuss using cemetery funds to purchase 35 acres of land, not to exceed $250,000.
●Gazebo Naming Vote: Four nominees—Jonathan Doherty, Donna Rodden, Neil Johnson, and Kathleen Ludwick—will be placed on the Village Facebook page for a public vote ending Nov. 13.
●Water/Sewer Credits Denied: The Board voted to deny a request to remove charges for residents' water/sewer bills.
●Billing Policy Adopted: Trustees approved a new policy regarding final bills and newly opened water/sewer accounts.
●Fluoridation Project Payment: Approved $19,362.62 in payments to LaBella for the Fluoridation Building project.
●Canal Park Security: Approved the purchase of a camera for the Erie Canal Park bench and a proclamation for a time capsule to be opened in 2059.
●McKinstry Street Speed Limit: A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13 to consider reducing the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on McKinstry St.
●Holiday Decorations: Approved the "Bring Back Christmas to Albion" Committee to decorate street lampposts.
Albion Trustees Fill Key Water Department Post, Approve New Mechanic and Equipment
Community Discussion
0 commentsBe the first to comment on this story.