Village Eyes Cemetery Expansion, Time Capsule, and Holiday Parade Prep
The Village Board moved to expand Mt. Albion Cemetery by 35 acres and allocated funds for fountain repairs, while also formally establishing a date for a new time capsule to be opened in 2059. Additionally, the board approved funding for the upcoming Santa’s Hometown Parade.
●Approved the public hearing to purchase 35 acres of land adjacent to Mt. Albion Cemetery for expansion.
●Allocated $2,500 from Cemetery Reserve funds for repairs to the Ingersoll Memorial Fountain.
●Approved a proclamation setting September 28, 2059, as the date to open a time capsule buried at Erie Canal Park.
●Donated $1,500 from HRA reserves to organizers of the Annual Santa Parade for a replica sleigh.
●Approved a $300,200 budget adjustment for a WIIA 1 Grant invoice payment to STC Construction.
●Hired a student part-time clerk at $15/hour (3-2 vote, Trustees Bennett and Gabalski opposed).
●Approved GACRE funding for fencing at Bullard Park pickleball courts.
●Denied a request to replace an ancestor's headstone for resident Wende London.
**ALBION** – The Village Board took steps Wednesday to secure the future of Mt. Albion Cemetery, while also cementing a piece of history for the next generation.
During a workshop meeting at Village Hall, the Board of Trustees opened a public hearing regarding the purchase of 35 acres of neighboring land to enlarge the village cemetery. According to the minutes, the land acquisition would be funded through Cemetery Reserve funds. No members of the public spoke during the hearing, which was closed shortly after opening.
The trustees also voted to use $2,500 from those same reserves to repair the Ingersoll Memorial Fountain located within the cemetery.
Looking toward the holiday season, the Board heard from residents Michael Bonafede and Susan Oschmann regarding the Annual Santa Parade, scheduled for December 14. The organizers are constructing a replica of an original Charles Howard sleigh on a removable trailer and requested $5,000 to assist with the project.
The Board ultimately approved a donation of $1,500, drawn from HRA reserves, to support the parade efforts. Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley noted that while the board supported the event, the organizers should also seek funding from various other organizations.
As part of the parade logistics, the board approved a street closing request for East State Street (from Main to Platt) and Platt Street (from East State to Route 31) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 14. The municipal parking lot on Platt Street will also be utilized for the event. The board also authorized the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to sign a letter of support to the Department of Transportation regarding the closure of State Route 98 and Route 31 for the parade.
In other business, the Board formalized a legacy project for Erie Canal Park. The trustees approved a proclamation declaring September 28, 2059, as the day to open a time capsule recently interred in a bench at the park. The date marks the 200th anniversary of the Main Street Bridge collapse.
The capsule, placed to celebrate the Erie Canal and the bridge's history, contains books created by Albion Central School District middle school students, business cards from current downtown businesses, a thumb drive of downtown landscapes, and coins minted in 2024.
The Board also addressed improvements to recreational facilities. They approved the use of GACRE funds to purchase and install fencing along the west side of the pickleball courts at Bullard Park. Discussion also included the possibility of planting pine trees as a natural barrier along the east side of the basketball courts, subject to agreement with the Department of Public Works.
On the personnel front, the Board voted to hire a student as a part-time clerk at a rate of $15 per hour for a maximum of six hours a week. The vote was not unanimous; while Mayor Angel Javier, Deputy Mayor Riley, and Trustee Timothy McMurray voted in favor, Trustees William Gabalski and Greg Bennett voted against the motion.
Significant financial business included the approval of a $300,200 budget adjustment to cover an invoice from STC Construction Inc. related to the WIIA 1 Grant.
The Board also heard from several residents during the meeting. Stacy Bryan spoke about potentially hosting new events in the village, such as comedy shows, while representatives from AFLAC presented services to the Board for village employees.
During the department head reports, Deputy Mayor Riley requested that the Water Treatment Plant report include monthly water loss statistics and that the Police Chief include year-to-date call totals in future reports.
One request from a resident was denied. The Board chose not to move forward with a request from Wende London for the replacement of her ancestor’s headstone, Andrew Hall, at the cemetery.
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Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2024-10-23,
Village of Albion, NY.
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This article was drafted by AI (claude-sonnet-4-20250514) from the official meeting transcript and reviewed by a human editor.
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Related Board of Trustees Meetings
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.
●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).
Albion Board Sets Date for Fire Department Dissolution Hearing
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