🏛️ Board of Trustees
Water Rates, Property Nuisances Top Albion Village Board Agenda
Trustees approved new payment plan guidelines for water and sewer bills while scheduling a special meeting to discuss future rate increases and infrastructure needs. The Board also addressed resident complaints about nuisance properties and authorized funds for equipment repairs.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved new payment plan guidelines for water/sewer bills, allowing clerk's office to handle requests internally (3-0).
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Scheduled a special meeting for Sept. 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss various water rate scenarios.
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Allocated $6,037.19 from building reserves for generator repairs and $6,555 from DPW reserves for a salt spreader.
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Accepted donations of $783 total for village reserves.
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Authorized an encroachment agreement for property west of the Village Cemetery office on Route 31.
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Directed Code Enforcement Officer Chris Kinter to research permit wording for Village Code Section 161-14.
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Received a resident petition regarding the property at 336 W. State St.
**ALBION** — With an eye on future infrastructure needs, the Village Board has scheduled a special meeting for next month to discuss potential water rate increases.
During Wednesday’s workshop meeting, the Board discussed the rising costs of water maintenance and the need for long-term capital planning. Mayor Angel Javier Jr. informed the trustees that a representative from Wendel, an engineering firm, will attend the Sept. 10 meeting to detail the village’s infrastructure requirements.
To prepare for that discussion, the Board scheduled a special meeting for **Thursday, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m.** specifically to analyze various water rate scenarios.
"We need to look at the numbers," Mayor Javier said, noting the importance of planning ahead to avoid larger shocks to the budget later.
In the meantime, the Board took steps to make handling water and sewer bills easier for residents. Trustees unanimously approved new payment plan guidelines presented by Deputy Treasurer Michelle Martin Rice. The new procedure allows the clerk’s office to approve payment arrangements internally for water and sewer bills, a move designed to streamline the process for residents facing temporary financial hurdles.
**Public Safety and Equipment**
The meeting opened with public recognition for the village’s police force. Mayor Javier thanked Sergeant Will Francis and Officer Nathaniel Staines for their assistance in a narcotics investigation on July 21. The officers worked alongside the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office Major Felony Crime Task Force.
"Public safety is our top priority, and we appreciate their collaboration with county partners," Javier said.
On the infrastructure front, the Board approved several budget adjustments to keep village equipment running. Trustees voted to move **$6,037.19** from the Building and Infrastructure reserves to cover repairs to a Cummings generator. Additionally, **$6,555** was transferred from DPW equipment reserves to purchase a "Thru-Way Salt Spreader," a critical piece of equipment for the upcoming winter season.
The village also received a financial boost in the form of donations. The Board accepted **$500** from Jeff Holler and **$283** from Cash Buckets, placing both amounts into the village reserves.
**Property Nuisances and Code Enforcement**
Resident concerns regarding property maintenance returned to the forefront. Nicole Blue addressed the Board during the public forum, asking for updates on nuisance properties she had previously highlighted on July 30. She submitted a petition with 12 signatures regarding a property at **336 W. State St.**
According to the minutes, no formal action was taken on the specific property Wednesday, but the Board continues to grapple with code enforcement tools. A motion to hold a public hearing on Section 161-14 of the village code—regarding permits—failed due to a lack of a second.
Instead, the Board directed Code Enforcement Officer Chris Kinter to research the exact wording used by other municipalities to correct the local code. Kinter is expected to present his findings at the Sept. 10 meeting.
In other business, the Board approved an encroachment agreement for property located at **14917 Route 31 East**, which lies west of the Village Cemetery office.
The meeting was attended by Mayor Javier, Trustee William Gabalski, and Trustee Timothy McMurray. Trustees Joyce Riley and Greg Bennett were excused. The board entered executive session at 7:36 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter and adjourned shortly after 7:55 p.m.
Coverage of the Board of Trustees meeting on 2025-08-27,
Village of Albion, NY.
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Related Board of Trustees Meetings
2025-09-04
Albion Trustees Discuss Water, Sewer Rates in Special September Session
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Discussion held on proposed water and sewer rate changes (no vote taken).
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Board entered executive session for 37 minutes to discuss a personnel matter with Terry Wilbert.
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Meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM.
2025-08-13
Albion Residents to See Water, Sewer Rate Hikes as Village Eyes Debt Service
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Public Hearing Scheduled: The Board set a date of Sept. 24, 2025, at 6 p.m. to discuss water and sewer rate increases necessary to cover debt service.
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PFAS Settlement Accepted: The Board accepted a second payment of $53,785.30 related to a PFAS settlement, along with a separate $1,309.60 energy rebate for a generator failure.
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Health Insurance Costs: Approved a 5.62% premium increase for Univera Healthcare coverage for village employees, effective Sept. 1, 2025.
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Grant Writing: Approved hiring G & G Municipal Consulting to pursue a Vacant Rental Rehabilitation Program Grant.
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New Business: Hydro-Grow NY (Richard Stacey) received acknowledgment to apply for a microbusiness license at 162 South Main St.
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Personnel: Accepted the resignation of Delores Hansel, a Part-Time Clerk, effective Aug. 29.
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Financial Adjustments: Transferred $27,550 to cover electrical construction costs and appropriated $939.20 for police overtime.
2025-09-23
Consultants Pitch 'Transformational' Funding Opportunities for Albion Revitalization
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Board met with G&G Municipal Consulting to discuss DRI Round 9 and NY Forward Round 4 grants.
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Special meeting called to order at 6:11 p.m. by Deputy Mayor William Gabalski.
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Mayor Angel Javier Jr. and Trustee Greg Bennett were absent from the brief session.
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Meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
2025-09-24
Historic Chapel Roof Repairs Approved; Water, Sewer Rates to Rise in 2026
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved $94,875 contract for Mount Albion Chapel roof and gutter repairs via Easton Specialties Inc. (Vote: 4-0)
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Adopted Local Law #3 regarding FEMA Floodplain regulations. (Vote: 4-0)
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Approved water and sewer rate increases effective for January 2026 usage. (Vote: 4-0)
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Authorized surplus of a 2010 Silverado pickup truck from the Department of Public Works.
2025-07-30
Albion Board Maps Out Village Future with $12K Comprehensive Plan, Approves New Welcome Center
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved G&G Municipal Consulting to administer a Comprehensive Plan for $12,000 (split over two fiscal years).
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Designated the Downtown Browsery as the official Village of Albion Visitor/Welcome Center.
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Approved budget adjustments increasing expenses for a new police vehicle ($55,590) and SCADA system upgrades ($37,672).
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Authorized the purchase of a 2025 Chevy Tahoe for the Police Department using equipment reserves.
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Scheduled an informational meeting for August 12, 2025, regarding a grant for vacant rental funding.
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Approved a change order for the WIIA 1 project, reducing the contract price by $4,878.26.
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Hired Randy Pearl as a Motor Equipment Operator (MEO) for the DPW.
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Voted to upgrade St. Joe’s Park on S. Clinton St to a league-size baseball field.
2025-10-08
Albion Trustees Back Federal 'Energy Choice' Act, Reject EDA Lease Renewal
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Trustees voted 4-1 to support Congressman Nick Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act (H.R. 3699) opposing state-mandated natural gas bans; Trustee Joyce Riley voted nay.
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The Board rejected a counter-offer from the Orleans County Economic Development Agency (EDA) to extend their lease through 2029.
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Brian Vagg was appointed Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator; the Board voted 4-1 to eliminate a Maintenance Worker position at the plant.
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Approved $65/month for Bullard Park security cameras; Spectrum will install equipment at no cost.
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Requested an RFP for "pigging" water mains to clean infrastructure.
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Scheduled a Halloween Movie Night in the North Main Street municipal lot for Oct. 24.
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Voted to cancel meetings on Nov. 26, Dec. 10, and Dec. 24; a meeting is set for Dec. 17.
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