ALBION — The Village Board convened for a special meeting Tuesday evening, taking a closer look at the financial inner workings of two key municipal departments: the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Codes Department. The hearing, held at Village Hall, is part of the village's ongoing process to finalize the 2026-2027 budget. While Mayor Angel Javier was absent from the proceedings, Deputy Mayor William Gabalski presided over the meeting with Trustees Joyce Riley and Tim McMurray present. Trustee Bennett arrived at 6:36 p.m., roughly half an hour after the meeting began at 6:00 p.m. The focus on the DPW and Codes departments comes as the village continues to balance the maintenance of its historic infrastructure with the needs of a modern community. The DPW is responsible for the upkeep of village streets, water, and sewer systems. Meanwhile, the Codes Department oversees building permits and inspections, a key function in a village known for its rich 19th-century architectural heritage. Unlike a regular business meeting, Tuesday's session was dedicated specifically to hearing the budget proposals for these specific departments. According to the meeting minutes, the board reviewed the financial requests for both operations, though specific dollar amounts for line items were not detailed in the minutes released. Following the budget presentations, the board pivoted to a closed-door discussion. Moved by Trustee Riley and seconded by Trustee Bennett, the board voted unanimously to enter executive session at 7:25 PM. Under New York State's Open Meetings Law, a board may enter executive session to discuss the medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person, or matters that would imperil public safety if disclosed. The board remained behind closed doors for just under 45 minutes. Clerk-Treasurer Tracy VanSkiver and Deputy Clerk Holz exited the meeting room at 7:46 PM, though the board remained in session. The public portion of the meeting resumed at 8:09 PM. With no further business to conduct following the executive session, Trustee Bennett moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Gabalski and carried unanimously. Residents interested in the final outcome of these budget hearings will have to wait for the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, where the broader budget is expected to be adopted or further discussed. The 2026-2027 budget will determine the property tax levy and user fees for village residents in the coming year. The next regular meeting is scheduled for later this month at Village Hall, 35 East Bank Street.