Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A caravan of vehicles escort an oversize load down Gaines Basin Road in Albion this morning.

The 195,500-pound condenser was manufactured by Graham Corp. in Batavia and started is journey around 5 a.m. today. It reached the Erie Canal in Albion around 10 a.m.

It will be transported east to its destination at the Navy. This is at least the third condenser made by Graham that will be shipped by the canal for the Navy.

Previous trips went to Albany, then down the Hudson River to New York Harbor. From there the condensers have moved to an ocean-going-barge for the trip to the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

The oversize load heads north on Gaines Basin Road, getting close to the Countyhouse Road intersection.

The permitted route of travel started on Harvester Avenue in the city of Batavia, proceeded west on Route 5 to north on Route 98. Then it was west on Route 31A to north on Gaines Basin Road to east on Albion-Eagle Harbor Road in Albion.

There were about 15 bucket trucks in the caravan with people holding wires high for the big load.

The load had an escort by the State Police and other officials. Here it is shown going north on Gaines Basin Road, past Countyhouse Road.

Many onlookers came out to see the dispenser get lifted by two huge cranes onto a barge in the canal. Ellie Quatro brought her three sons to see the big machinery. Two of the sons are home-schooled.

They also saw the cranes in action two years ago when Graham made a similar-size delivery to the canal for the Navy.

The cranes, barge and big tugboat are ready to receive the heavy load.

Graham also had similar loads on the canal on May 22, 2022 and then another Sept. 27, 2023.

The load on the barge will be pushed by the tugboat Edna A., which is owned by the New York State Marine Highway Transportation Company of Troy.

Many people gathered on both sides of the canal to see the heavy equipment in action. The Gaines Basin Road bridge is in the background.

Donors have given $200K towards restoration of prominent Mount Albion building

File photos by Tom Rivers: The chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery, shown in September 2024, is getting new mortar and a new roof, with other upgrades as part of a $225,000 restoration. Donors have given $200,000 towards the project so far.

ALBION – The chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery will be getting a new slate roof. The building is a focal point of the historic cemetery for people who enter through the main arch.

The new roof is among several improvements for the structure that was built in 1875.

A committee led by Village Historian Sue Starkweather Miller set a $225,000 fundraising goal and raised $200,000 in about three months.

The Albion Village Board on Wednesday accepted a bid for $83,985 to remove the existing roof and replace all the Vermont slate. That was the lowest of three submitted bids. The others were for $111,875 and $114,220.

The mortar on the structure is currently being repointed and that was funded with a $5,000 grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

“I have been overwhelmed by the community support for the project,” Starkweather Miller said. “We are very excited about this.”

Other work includes:

• Asbestos abatement on the roof
• Interior replastering of the north wall
• Electrical upgrades (wiring, outlets, internal and external lighting
• Heating unit for seasonal use
• Repair of plaster and vaulted ceiling
• Remove old floor, repair subfloor and put in a new floor
• Refurbish exterior doors and window trim

The committee that has been working on the project, identifying the needs and fundraising, includes Starkweather Miller, Tim Archer, David Snell, Toni Stark and Tony Wynn.

About 90 donors have contributed to the project so far. Tax deductible donations for the project can be sent to the Orleans County Historical Association, 3286 Gaines Basin Rd., Albion NY 14411. For more information, click here.

‘Murder and Mayhem’ fundraiser tour set for Oct. 4

Matt Ballard is shown leading 200 people on a tour of “Murder and Mayhem” on Sept. 13, 2019 in Albion. Ballard was the county historian at the time. He shared stories of high-profile crimes from the community’s past, and some other curious happenings. He will be doing the tour again on Oct. 4.

A fundraiser is planned for Oct. 4 for the chapel. Matt Ballard, the former Orleans County historian, will lead a “Murder and Mayhem Tour.” Ballard did this tour in 2019 and it attracted 200 people.

There is a $20 donation to be on the tour which starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Pullman Universalist Church. Parking in the lot across the street.

In the photo of Ballard above, he is shown speaking on the Courthouse lawn. He told about Albion leaders ploy in deceiving state officials to naming Albion the county seat, over Gaines, which was more developed in the 1820s due to the well-travelled Ridge Road.

Philetus Bumpus and Nehemiah Ingersoll led the push for Albion to become the county seat. They concocted a plan to have Sandy Creek dammed just before the state commissioners were in town. The water was then released to make it appear Sandy Creek was a much stronger stream.

What appeared to be a powerful stream was influential in swaying the commissioners to pick Albion over Gaines. Ingersoll would later donate land for the courthouse to be built.

Ballard has several other stories to share on the tour.

Press Release, State Police

ALBION – The State Police will be assisting with an oversized load escort on Thursday morning which may disrupt traffic patterns beginning at 5 a.m. in the city of Batavia and ending in Albion.

The width of this load will at times obstruct oncoming traffic.

The height of this load will necessitate the lifting of most overhead wires and traffic control devices. The load will move into oncoming traffic to avoid overhead obstructions.

The weight of the load will keep speeds to around 5-10 mph with many stoppages.

The permitted route of travel will begin north on Harvester Avenue in the city of Batavia, proceed west on Main St. (Rt-5) to north on Oak St (Rt-98) to west on Rt-31A (Lee Rd) to north on Gaines Basin Road to east on Albion Eagle Harbor Road in Albion.

It is recommended that if you encounter this load, move to the shoulder of the roadway, into a driveway or parking lot or seek an alternate route of travel to your destination.  Lower your window and follow directions from State Police or escort vehicles.

Thank you for your patience and drive safety.

Editor’s Note: There have been other oversize loads in recent years from Batavia to Albion. Graham Manufacturing built 200,000-pound condensers for a nuclear submarine. The part was delivered to Albion, where the condenser was lifted by crane and set on a barge on the Erie Canal.

It then headed east to be delivered to a Navy base. There was an oversize load from Graham on May 22, 2022 and then another Sept. 27, 2023.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Albion has a new 750,000-gallon water tank on Route 98, part of the Village of Albion water distribution system primarily in central Orleans County. The new glass-fused steel tank was built for $1,369,000 by Aquastore.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board expects to raise the water rates significantly, about 50 percent over the next three years.

The increases are needed to pay for upgrades to the water plant and aging infrastructure.

Village Board members will present the rates during a public hearing today at 6 p.m. at the Village Office. The new rates would take effect on Jan. 1.

Water users would face a 25 percent increase in the rates in the first year, then a 20 percent increase in year two, and then a 5 percent increase in the third year. The village would also raise an administrative charge by 55 percent the first year, then 40 percent and 5 percent.

The changes would raise rates for village of Albion residents and property owners by $3.90 per $1,000 gallons to $4.88 next year, $5.85 in year two and $6.14 in year three.

The average village water customer currently pays $92.10 every quarter. That would change to $125.21 next year, then $160.66 in year two, and then $168.70 in the third year, according to village.

The village also supplies water to several towns in Orleans County. They would see their rates go from $3.57 to $4.46 next year, and then $5.36 and $5.62.

The two correctional facilities would be increased from the current $4.65 per 1,000 gallons to $5.81 next year, and then $6.98 and $7.32.

Village Trustee Joyce Riley said the increases are necessary, but she worries some of the towns could switch to the Monroe County Water Authority, which would take away needed revenue for the water system.

The board during a Sept. 10 meeting considered making a 50 percent increase in the first year, but decided to do a staggered approach over three years.

 The village is embarking a major capital project at the water plant on Wilson Road in Carlton. The village also replaced a water storage tank on Route 98 and needs to replace many of its transmission lines.

The Albion water fund has estimated expenses of $2,639,864 in the current fiscal year, but the current rates only will generate $2,195,250, forcing the village to use $444,614 in its fund balance. That will leave the fund balance at about $700,000.

The new rates and administrative charges would bring the revenues to $2,680,546 in 2026-27, while the expenses are at $3,021,857. (The expenses increase because the village needs to begin paying back a bond at about $400,000 a year.)

The second year, the revenue is up to $3,328,013 with expenses at $3,172,950. The third year, the revenue totals $3,494,414 with expenses at $3,331,597.

Village Board members said they will be working to develop a capital plan for the water plant and water distribution system.

Wendel, an engineering firm, presented a proposal on Sept. 10 for replacing some of the water lines on the east side of the village, a project that could top $13 million.

That project would include East State Street, from Platt Street to the village line (including Goodrich Street), Moore Steet (from the Butts/Caroline intersection to the village line, Brown Street and Knapp Street.