Albion urged to seek consultant to help update comprehensive plan
Village also may pursue new street sweeper for DPW
ALBION – A member of the Village of Albion Planning Board said it’s long overdue for the village to update a comprehensive plan for zoning, land use, development and other long-term priorities.
Jeff Holler, a member of the Planning Board, said that board and a Comprehensive Plan committee have been working on a revised plan, but the village needs a planning professional to move the project forward.
Holler said there are grant opportunities through the state Department of State that would pay for a planning firm to assist the village with the updated plan.
He has been pressing the Village Board at recent board meetings about applying for state grants for the comprehensive plan. That updated document would help guide development in the village with businesses, housing and other projects, Holler said.
Village trustees Tim McMurray and Joyce Riley said the board will out to its grant writer, G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, about pursuing a grant for the comprehensive plan.
During the board meeting on Wednesday, DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura said the village should be looking to replace a 30-year-old street sweeper, which is expected to cost $350,000 to $400,000.
Pahura was able to save $149,000 from last year’s CHIPS allotment from the state and expects to set aside a similar amount this year. That would give the village about $300,000 towards the new street sweeper, which he said can also be used for leaf pickup especially in high-traffic areas such as Route 31 and Main Street.
Village Clerk Tracy Van Skiver said there also are state grants to that could go towards the purchase. She will check those programs that have funded street sweepers for other communities.
The board also agreed to a policy update where employees in the village office will be paid if the office is closed due to weather or another emergency. This applies to employees scheduled to work on the affected day, and not people who may be on vacation or off.
