16 stops gave tasting of wine, beer and mead

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These friends were out today at Albion’s annual Sip N’ Stroll. From left include Brandi Buzard, Shelby Buzard, Mary Kay Jenks, Peggy Lyman and Shanna Johnston.

In back at left is Tracy Birge, co-owner of Autumn Moon Farm in Bergen. They are all in Argento’s Bakery & Deli, one of 16 stops that served wine, beer or mead.

There were 379 people on the Sip N’ Stroll, believed to be the most in its history and topping the 357 from last year.

The Batavia Pedal Party carries a group of people down Main Street.

Dominic Wilder of Albion gets a taste of wine from Ken Kibler of Main Street Winery in Arcade. Christina Tilbe is behind Wilder at the Downtown Browsery. She said she enjoyed seeing so many people having fun in Albion.

Sam Kingsbury performs at Wish and Wonder Tattoo on East Bank Street. A grant from Go Art! paid for six musical performers during the event. Other musicians included Sebastian Erakare at Hearth & Home Real Estate, Andy & Mandy at 39 Problems, Jim Aina at Arnold’s Auto Parts, Steve Novak at The Lockstone/Tinsel, and V3 at Dubby’s Tailgate.

David Mantle from the Thousands Islands Winery serves wine at Wish and Wonder Tattoo.

“It’s really fun,” said Andrew London, Wish and Wonder owner and a first-time host for the event. “People like the vibe.”

Darian Papia of Becker Farms in Gasport serves tastes of wine to Marie Wehling, Mollie Radzinski and Crystal Hallenbeck. They are at 101 East Bank Street.

The check-in crew greets people at Dubby’s. Right to left include Marlene Seielstad, Brenda Benjovsky, Tara Neace and Kim Hazel. Seielstad was chairperson of the event.

She noted it’s the biggest fundraiser for the Albion Merchants Association.

“It brings more than 350 people to downtown Albion and through the doors of the businesses,” she said. “They have a great time and it showcases our businesses.”

The wheelbarrow full of wine bottles was a prize. The wheelbarrow was donated by Luddy’s, with the wineries also donated bottles of their wine.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The candidates for mayor in Albion – Joyce Riley and Tim McMurray – speak during Thursday’s candidate forum at Hoag Library. Riley is running under the Democratic Party and independent “Vote for Albion” lines, while McMurray has the backing of the Republican Party. The election will be from noon to 9 p.m. on March 18 at the Village Hall at 35-37 East Bank St.

ALBION – The candidates for the upcoming Village of Albion election all said they are ready to work hard for the community, but they said it takes more than a Village Board for Albion to move forward with challenges with becoming more affordable, increasing housing options, attracting businesses and improving the quality of life.

The candidates – Joyce Riley and Tim McMurray for mayor, and Jami Allport, Issac Robinson and Kevin Sheehan for trustee – urged more community participation in the village government, civic organizations, youth programs and other groups.

The election will be from noon to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, with voting at the Village Hall on 35-37 East Bank St.

Riley and McMurray have both been on the board for nearly four years as trustees. The current mayor, Angel Javier Jr., isn’t seeking re-election. Riley is backed by the Democrats and the independent “Vote for Albion” lines while McMurray has the Republican line.

Riley worked as a registered nurse and later supervised an ambulatory surgical unit in Washington, D.C., overseeing 200 employees. When she retired, she moved back to Albion in 2015. She is the oldest of 10 siblings. She praised her parents for her upbringing.

She has served on the Albion Board of Education, and boards for Hoag Library, Orleans Community Health Foundation and the Cobblestone Museum. Riley said she will put in the time to research issues and move projects forward.

“It requires more than great ideas,” she said. “It requires a commitment to the process and seeing it to completion. I have the determination to see it to the finish line.”

She acknowledged village taxes and water rates have gone up significantly in recent years. But she said the big increases should be over. She said the village didn’t have reserves for needed equipment purchases, such as two new dump trucks, and upgrades to the water treatment plant. The village has begun setting aside funds in reserves which should lessen a tax jolt in the future, Riley and McMurray both said during a candidate forum on Thursday at Hoag Library.

The village’s tax levy is up $612,407 over the past three years – 21.5 percent. The tax levy went from $2,851,056 in 2022-23 to $3,463,463 in 2025-26. The fire department also was moved out of the village budget in 2025 when Albion formed the Albion Joint Fire District, which is its own taxing entity.

The village tax rate is currently at $15.99 per $1,000 of assessed property. Riley said if she is elected mayor she would fight hard to keep the upcoming budget at a $15.99 rate.

The new terms start on April 1 and the budget needs to be adopted by April 30 for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

About 50 people attended the forum at Hoag Library with Michael Bonafede serving as moderator. The forum can be viewed on the Orleans Hub’s Facebook page. The forum was sponsored by the Orleans Hub and Lake Country Media.

McMurray has been very involved in the community as a youth football coach the past 18 years, and through other events, including the Strawberry Festival and lighted parade in December. He served in the Marine Corps. McMurray worked at the former Chase and North American Mortgage call center in Albion, as well as in construction. He most recently was with Sanzo Beverages as a merchandizer stocking beer.

He has attended numerous local events and conferences in Albany to reach out to other local and state officials to build support for the village.

His campaign is focused on better “communication” from the board to the community. He wants to start livestreaming the board meetings so people can see the board’s decision-making and know what issues are before the village government.

He also wants to canvas local business owners about their needs.

“Communication is key,” he said. “It’s paramount.”

He wants to be mayor to help Albion become more vibrant in its business and residential districts. He noted the recent closing of the Thrive freeze dry complex on East Avenue. He said he would work with the Orleans Economic Development Agency to find a new business for that site on East Avenue.

“I feel our village has been stagnant for the last umpteen ears,” he said. “Turning the village around is my biggest point.”

He wants Albion to update its comprehensive plan with lots of community input. That plan can be a guide to the future, including updates to the business district, perhaps allowing awnings and more modern colors with paint.

The trustee candidates include, from left: Jami Allport, Issac Robinson and Kevin Sheehan. Allport and Sheehan are on the Republican line while Robinson is on the independent “Vote for Albion” line.

Many residents are quick to complain on Facebook, but they can be ambassadors, spreading positivity about Albion, Issac Robinson said.

He moved to Albion about 15 years ago with his wife to be near her family. Robinson is a former Army medic who used to own the Robinson’s Redemption business in Albion near Walmart. He owns a bottle redemption business in Lockport and works in the arcade industry.

He is running under the independent “Vote for Albion” to give people a choice in the election. Two trustee terms are up for election. Jami Allport and Kevin Sheehan both are backed by the Republican Party.

Robinson sees many strengths in Albion, but he said the frequent complaining by residents is self-defeating. He called on residents to post positive reviews of businesses and spread positivity. Albion needs to share its “pride” in the community, he said.

Taxes are high for village residents, and he said he wants to maintain services without overwhelming taxpayers.

He thinks there would be more participation from residents at meetings by moving the starting time back from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Kevin Sheehan has been active in the community for about 30 years, from youth sports, as a previous Village Board member, as a current fire commissioner and other roles with COVA Ambulance and the Orleans County Auxiliary Police. Sheehan said the community needs the younger adult generation to be step forward with helping to run and lead the community.

“We’re losing future generations,” he said. “The residents are losing touch with the village.”

Sheehan, a former Albion code enforcement officer, said village officials can be creative in helping businesses succeed in Albion. He was the code officer when Dubby’s Tailgate opened its food and entertainment business in a former warehouse on Platt Street. He sees potential in many sites around the community for businesses and housing.

Sheehan is retired as a union plumber and pipefitter. He said he has the time and expertise to help with many of the issues facing the Village Board.

As the community is aging, Sheehan said there should be more housing options for seniors, including “cluster homes.” He was on the board with the redevelopment of the former grammar school on East Academy Street into senior apartments.

Jami Allport said many residents feel left out of the decision-making by the board. She said she would bring their voice to the board’s discussions. She works as executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and also as Albion’s cheerleading coach at the school.

“People should always feel comfortable approaching their elected officials,” she said.

Many local families feel the financial stress from escalating taxes and other costs, Allport said.

The village needs to avoid any future sharp increases in taxes and rates because it can be very hard on many residents, she said.

She would like to see the village poll existing businesses on how they are doing, what are their concerns and what they see as the strengths in Albion. The village should also reach out to businesses that have closed or moved to other communities, she said.

The candidates from left include Joyce Riley, Tim McMurray, Jami Allport, Issac Robinson and Kevin Sheehan. D.J. Button in back worked the sound board during the forum.

The candidates were asked if they see opportunities for shared services with other governments.

Robinson only sees animal control as a realistic possibility. The village has a part-time animal control officer, and that service could be taken over by the county, Robinson said. Ending other village departments “would be a huge loss to the community,” he said.

Riley said she was instrumental in a shared service agreement between the town of Albion and the village for code enforcement that saved both municipalities money. She has been working with Gaines officials on a grant proposal for shared water billing.

McMurray said municipalities could join together in buying equipment for leak detection in waterlines and sewerlines.

The collapse of a roof at 20 East Bank St. last month forced about 15 residents out of their apartments and temporarily closed some first floor storefronts. Candidates were asked about code enforcement and what can be done to prevent other buildings from a roof collapse or disrepair.

Riley said the code enforcement officer can issue violations and send letters, and often will need support from the village attorney if the issue goes to court. She would like to see Albion implement a vacant building registry, where owners of vacant buildings pay the village an annual fee and need to provide a plan for the site. Medina has a similar law that has helped reduce the number of vacant sites.

“It works in other places,” Riley said. “The question is does the village want it to work here?”

McMurray said a simplified code would help property owners, who now see many redundancies in the village property maintenance rules. He urged community members to alert code enforcement to roofs and porches that are shot.

Allport also said neighbors can make complaints to have code enforcement check on properties.

Robinson said it comes down to enforcing the code.

Sheehan, a previous code officer, said the code officer would need to be invited by the owner to inspect a roof or upper level apartment, or would need a warrant to check inside.

Michael Bonafede, the debate moderator and a former Board of Education president, thanked all the candidates for their willingness to be on the board.

“It’s about putting people together who can work together as a team and get things done,” he said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Kyler Preston steers the Batavia Pedal Party down Main Street in Albion for the Sip N’ Stroll on March 15, 2025. The pedal bar and a bus helped move people to the stops at the event. The Batavia Pedal party will be back for the Sip N’ Stroll on Saturday (March 7).

Provided photo: The souvenir glass features a barn quilt, which is popular in the local area, especially in Kendall.

ALBION – Saturday will be a big day in downtown Albion with several hundred people expected for the annual Sip N’ Stroll.

There will be 16 stops for people to sample wine, mead and beer. The Sip N’ Stroll starts at 4 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate. It is organized by the Albion Merchants Association and is the group’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

The AMA wants to build on last year’s event which sold 362 tickets.

“We’re hoping for 400,” said Natasha Wasuck, the AMA president.

There will be six musical performers at the event, and they are funded through a grant administered by GO Art!

Tickets at the door are $30, and are $28.52 online. Click here to purchase a ticket online.

Participants can travel by pedal bar or shuttle bus if they prefer not to walk. Wasuck noted the weather will be in the 60s.

Lynne Menz to get Lifetime Achievement award, while Albion group supporting Bullard Park named “Organization of the Year”

Photos by Tom Rivers: Lynne Menz speaks on Sept.7, 2019 during a dedication ceremony for a bronze statue and memorial to the soldiers who trained at the Medina Armory, which is now a YMCA on pearl Street in Medina. Menz’s late father, Bill Menz, had the vision for the monument and pushed to get it done.

Provided photo: This lamppost was made from old, discarded steel from the lift bridge in Albion. Bill Schutt turned it into a lamppost that is now at Albion’s Erie Canal Park between the two lift bridges.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council has announced the winners of the annual Genean Awards for artists, cultural supporters and organizations in Genesee and Orleans counties.

Lynne Menz of Point Breeze will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for her many years with the Orleans County Tourism Department, and as a very active volunteer with the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, Friends of the Orleans County Marine Park, Oak Orchard Lighthouse Association and Medina Sandstone Society.

Menz helped her father, the late Bill Menz, make a bronze statue of a soldier a reality outside the YMCA in Medina, which formerly was used as the Medina Armory to train soldiers.

GO Art! has named Bill Schutt of Basom, Genesee County as its “Individual Artist of the Year.” One of his projects was creating a lamppost in Albion that was made from old discarded steel from the Main Street lift bridge. He makes art from recycled metal.

The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events Inc., a not-for-profit organization, will be honored by GO Art! as its “Organization of the Year.”

G-ACRE runs the annual Rock the Park – Albion Summer Music Festival, featuring about a dozen bands and performers over two days in August. G-ACRE also has been a fundraising arm for recent improvements at the park, including new basketball and pickleball courts.

The Genean Awards will be presented at 6 p.m. on March 28 at GO Art!, 201 East Main St., Batavia.

The awards include:

• Lifetime Achievement in Orleans County: Lynne Menz
• Lifetime Achievement in Genesee County: Maryanne Arena
• Supporter (of the Cultural Sector) of the Year: Raeann Engler
• Individual Artist of the Year: Bill Schutt
• Honorable Mention: Lily Renz
• Organization of the Year: Greater Albion Community Recreation & Events, Inc. (G-ACRE)
• Volunteer of the Year: Andrea Hofmaster

Basketball players try out the new courts in Albion on Oct. 26, 2023, the day the courts opened. The Greater Albion Recreation Committee and Events Inc. secured the funding for the project.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – East Bank Street reopened to traffic today around noon after the fencing was removed that was put up 15 days ago on Feb. 17.

The fencing was added after a roof collapsed at 20 East Bank Street. Those debris have been removed from the third floor of that building, and the site has been deemed structurally sound, said Chris Kinter, the Village of Albion code enforcement officer.

The owner of the building, Frank Corso, is determining whether to put a temporary roof on the building or a permanent one. Once a roof is back on that will stop water from coming into the building, the second-floor apartments should soon after be available again to tenants, Kinter said.

The building at the end of street at 28 East Bank has reopened its apartments and the first floor storefront also can be used again, Kinter said.

The sidewalk near 20 East Bank St. remains off limits to pedestrians.

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – Hoag Library is expanding what it means to be a library this spring — offering not just books, but vital health screenings, legal and social service outreach, tax assistance, and live music, all under one roof.

The UR Medicine Mobile Mammography Van will be onsite at Hoag Library on March 27, providing convenient breast cancer screenings. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 1-844-870-0002.

Several community organizations, including Oak Orchard Health Clinic, YWCA, Neighborhood Legal Services, HCR Home Care, Alzheimer’s Association of WNY, Homeless Alliance of WNY, and Cancer Services Program, will be present at the library throughout the month of March offering medical, legal, and social outreach services.

For those preparing their tax returns, IRS-trained tax volunteers will be available at Hoag Library on select Mondays in March and April. Appointments are required for tax preparation services.

The free Hoag Library Music Series was set to return on March 28 with a performance by the Medusa Quartet; unfortunately, they are unable to perform that day, but we are working to schedule another performance and will share updates soon.

In April, Hoag Library will host the EDDY Mobile CT Unit in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, offering lung cancer screenings. Registration is required by calling 1-800-ROSWELL.

“Many people are surprised to learn just how much Hoag Library offers beyond traditional library services,” said Library Director Betty Sue Miller. “We are proud to serve as a hub for health services, legal assistance, tax help, and cultural enrichment — all free and open to the public.”

Conveniently located in the center of Albion, Hoag Library continues to redefine what a modern library can be: a place where community members can read, learn, connect — and access essential services that improve quality of life.

For more information about upcoming programs and services, visit Hoag Library or call 585-589-4246.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Albion Central School District’s Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) applications and kindergarten registration packets are now available for the 2026-27 school year.

The district plans to once again offer a morning and afternoon UPK program at the Albion Elementary School. Applications can be picked up from the District Office or the Elementary Main Office. They can also be printed from the ACSD website. Applications must be returned by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 1, to the registrar at the District Office.

The Albion UPK program is a New York State grant-funded education program, so there is no cost to enroll. To be eligible for the Albion UPK program, children must be four years old on or before Dec. 1, 2026 and must reside in the Albion Central School District.

There are 72 half-day UPK seats available for the 2026-27 school year with 36 students to be placed in the morning session and 36 in the afternoon session. Please note, if the District receives more applications than seats available by the deadline of May 1, there will be a lottery drawing.

If there are 72 or less applications, all students will be placed in the program. Families will be notified of either placement or the lottery process within the first week of May. For subsequent applications received, students will be placed based on availability within the program. A waitlist will be developed if the program becomes full after May 1.

Registration for kindergarten is also open. If your child is already enrolled in Albion’s UPK program, they are automatically registered for kindergarten and parents don’t need to complete any other paperwork.

A letter will be sent from the elementary school inviting parents/guardians and the student to the kindergarten screening process, which will be held in late June. If you are new to the district, or have a child who was not enrolled in Albion UPK and did not receive a registration packet in the mail, you may pick one up from the District Office or the Elementary Main Office.

Packets should be returned to the registrar at the District Office by 4 p.m. on March 30. A letter regarding kindergarten screening will then be mailed after all paperwork is received.

More information including printable UPK applications and kindergarten registration packets are available on the Albion CSD website, https://www.albionk12.org/page/registration. Please contact the registrar’s office with any questions at 585-589-2051.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The annual Ben Kirby Memorial Tournament in Albion has brought about 2,000 people to Albion for the two-day tournament that started Friday and concludes tonight.

The top photo shows the grades 5 and 6 teams from Albion and Buffalo United in the elementary school gym. Buffalo United won the game, 2 to 1.

There are 74 teams in the tournament, up from 65 last year. The teams can have six players on the court and most teams have three or four subs. Many of their parents attended the tournament.

Lena Grillo of Albion looks for a pass in a JV game against the Batavia YMCA. Grillo would score for Albion in the game.

There are teams from grades 3 and 4 to adults in an open division in the tournament. The teams are from Albion, Alexander, Attica, Batavia, Bloomfield, Brockport, Buffalo, Campbell Sanova, Canandaigua, Holley, Hilton, Kendall, Le Roy, Lyndonville, Palmyra Macedon, Pavilion, Victor and Warsaw in the tournament.

Peter Borello, one of the organizers of the tournament for the Albion Soccer Club, runs the scoreboard during a game in the elementary school gym.

Borello said a big group of volunteers put on the tournament. He estimated about 2,000 people attended the tournament on Friday and today.

Peter Borello holds a medal that will go to a winning team.

Renee Wolf, coach for Holley’s JV and varsity girls teams, gathers the JV team before a game against Attica this afternoon in the high school gym.

The Albion Soccer Club organizes the two-day tournament which honors the memory of Ben Kirby of Albion. He was a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology when he died in a car accident on Nov. 6, 2017. He was 21 at the time, in his senior year majoring in software development. Kirby played youth soccer for Albion and also on the school teams.

Some of the proceeds go towards a $500 Ben Kirby scholarship given to a student nominated by one or more of the teachers in the Albion High School. Three of the scholarships are awarded each year.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – ONE Catholic is hosting the Albion Ministerium’s annual Lenten Luncheon series on Wednesdays at St. Joseph’s Lyceum, 114 South Main Street.

This past Wednesday was the first luncheon of the season. Albion churches and clergy take turns preparing soups and sandwiches, and also sharing a devotional message.

Elsie Boring and her daughter, the Rev. Susan Boring, are in line to try some of the soups and sandwiches prepared by the First Baptist Church of Albion and the Gaines Carlton Community Church. The Rev. Boring is pastor of the Eagle Harbor Methodist Church.

Mike Thaine, left, was an enthusiastic participant in the luncheon. The serving line includes, front to back, Peggy Bropst, Cheryl Denson, Eileen Allen and Lori Thomson.

The hour-long gatherings will occur five consecutive Wednesdays, from Feb. 25 through March 25.

There is no charge for the meal. A free will offering is collected to be used for luncheon supplies and other Ministerium events, such as the Albion High School Baccalaureate in June.

Kay Marsh plays the piano for one of the hymns during Wednesday’s luncheon. Pastor Marsha Rivers of the First Baptist Church and Gaines Carlton Community Church gave the message.

Medina’s Lenten luncheon series is hosted by the Medina Area Association of Churches. It started last Thursday and takes place at noon every Thursday for six weeks at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street.

Participating churches will provide lunch on a rotating basis, followed by a meaningful reflection. There is a suggested donation of $5 for lunch, with all the proceeds going to the Meals on Wheels program and the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The pavement on Ingersoll Street in Albion has cracks and potholes after four months of punishing winter weather. This photo was taken on Thursday. The Village of Albion DPW was out today using cold patch to fill in the pavement.

ALBION – The brutally cold winter has caused cracks in street pavement and big leaks in waterlines.

It’s also meant many trips for DPW and highway departments for salting and plowing roads.

Crews have been out frequently since early November with few breaks from any prolonged warmups in the temperatures.

Jay Pahura, the Village of Albion DPW superintendent, said his crews have already been out 82 times for salting in the past four months. The village is down to its last load of salt – 80 tons, he told the Village Board on Wednesday.

The winter started in earnest in early November. Pahura said village crews were out salting 30 times before Jan. 1. In some winters, the DPW plows and salters don’t see much action until January.

The freezing temperatures also have been hard on the village’s underground infrastructure. Pahura said there have been 10 major water leaks this winter, including one on East Bank Street on Wednesday that probably was a 200,000-gallon water loss.

The village’s water system typically shows a 15 percent water loss from leaks in the system. But the current report reports about 20 percent.

Village Trustee Will Gabalski said the brutal winter has caused major waterline ruptures through Western New York, not just Albion.

“It’s been a tough winter,” Pahura said. “It’s hard on the roads and what’s underneath.”

It’s also hard on the DPW budget with additional costs for salt and overtime.

Albion DPW crews are out today putting cold patch on roads. Steve Borowczyk, left, and Shaun Stephens were working on Ingersoll Street.

Site plan goes to Village of Albion Planning Board for final vote on March 12

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Broadway Group wants to knock down this building at 327 East Ave. and build a new 10,640-square-foot Dollar General across from the high school. The Broadway Group will remove three underground storage tanks as part of the project. The current building has been used for auto sales and a warehouse. Ridge Road Station parks school buses on the site.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday voted in support of the site plan for a new Dollar General store at 327 East Ave. in Albion, a store that would be across from the high school.

Fagan Engineers created this site plan showing the parking lot with 35 spaces for vehicles and a 10,640-square-foot building.

One Planning Board member, Bruce Kirby of Gaines, opposed the store at that location, saying he is concerned students from the school would eagerly be going to the Dollar General for snacks and likely wouldn’t use the cross walk from the road across from the middle school.

“A lot of us are concerned about putting a candy store across from the school,” Kirby said during the board meeting. “This is a damn bad place to have a store.”

Other Planning Board members noted the zoning as general commercial fits for the store. The site is in a school zone with the speed limit at 20 miles per hour, and there already is an ice cream business next to the proposed site.

There also is a crossing guard at the beginning and end of the school days, and the Albion Police Department also helps monitor the speed on East Avenue.

Kirby said the zoning may allow for the store, but he declared “it’s not safe.”

Dan Strong, the Planning Board vice chairman, noted there is a Dollar General in Lyndonville across from the school. He said he is unaware of any incidents with students and traffic.

Another board member, William Quaranto from Carlton, said he was concerned about delivery trucks being able to negotiate the site. The plan shows them pulling in on one side of the store, and then backing up on part of the site. Then will back in front of the store and be able to exit the site driving forward. The trucks will be limited to exiting from the east only. That was a stipulation by the state Department of Transportation.

Trey Lewis, development manager for the Broadway Group, said many other stores have the same layout for truck deliveries as the one proposed for Albion. He expects there will be one or two Dollar General truck deliveries a week and those deliveries can be scheduled during lower peak times. There will also be trucks from other vendors, such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

The Broadway Group will demolish the existing building and will need to remove three underground tanks. Then it will build the new 10,640-square-foot store with 35 parking spaces.

The project goes before the Village of Albion Planning Board for a final vote on the site at 5 p.m. on March 12. The County Planning Board voted to recommend Albion approve the site plan.

The property is owned by Chris Kinter, the village’s code enforcement officer. He has recused himself from the review of the project with Dan Strong, the Town of Albion code enforcement officer, filling in for the village with this proposal.

The Orleans County Planning Board discusses the site plan for a Dollar General on East Avenue in Albion.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Main Street on Albion at the East Bank Street intersection is shown on Wednesday evening.

ALBION – The Albion Historic Preservation Commission is no longer an entity where building owners need to get “certificates of appropriateness” for signs, exterior renovations, structural work or demolition of a building in the historic downtown district.

The Albion Village Board on Wednesday voted to do away with the commission which has struggled in recent years to get a quorum. The group has seven members and needs at least four to have a meeting.

The lack of a quorum has slowed approvals for projects in the downtown, code enforcement officer Chris Kinter said. He told the Village Board he has two applications that have been waiting on the commission.

Although the HPC has been disbanded, the duties of the group will be passed to either the code enforcement officer or the Planning Board. That will be determined by the Village Board.

“Don’t just throw it away,” Planning Board Chairwoman Karen Conn told the Village Board. “We should preserve what we have.”

The HPC’s most recent members included Ian Mowatt, Mary Anne Braunbach, Linda Smith and Courtney Henderson. None of them spoke against doing away with the HPC at Wednesday’s public hearing.

Trustee Joyce Riley said Albion can discuss the preservation standards if the village moves to update its comprehensive plan.

Trustee Tim McMurray said the code for the downtown standards should be revamped. He said there are some inconsistencies. He noted projecting signs are allowed in one part of the code but not in another.

Any changes in the code would need to have another public hearing for the community to have a chance to comment.

The village code notes Albion “has many significant historic, architectural and cultural resources which constitute its heritage.” The village has sought to “protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts which represent distinctive elements of Albion’s historic, architectural, and cultural heritage.”

The code states certificates of appropriateness will be needed for alteration, demolition or new construction affecting landmarks or historic districts.

“No person shall carry out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new construction, or moving of a landmark or property within an historic district, nor shall any person make any material change in the appearance of such property, its light fixtures, freestanding lights, signs, sidewalks, fences, stairs, outbuildings, walls, driveways or alleys, paving or any other exterior element which affects the appearance and cohesiveness of the landmark or historic district without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission,” the code states.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board voted on Wednesday to override the tax cap in the 2026-27 village budget, a spending plan that needs to be adopted by April 30.

The tax cap usually allows for about a 2 percent increase in the ta x levy, but for the village the calculation shows Albion would have to cut taxes significantly to be under the cap.

With the village’s current budget, Albion’s tax levy is $3,463,463. However, the village can only take in about $3.2 million with the new budget to be under the cap, said Tracy Van Skiver, the village’s clerk-treasurer.

Albion’s number is below the current tax levy because the fire department moved out of the village budget in 2025 and is now its own taxing entity through the Albion Joint Fire District.

Although Albion and other villages typically vote to exceed the tax cap in March, before the final budget is adopted, that doesn’t mean those municipalities have to go beyond the tax cap. This gives them the option to exceed it.

Albion most likely will be above the tax cap. The Village Board would have to cut well over $200,000 from the current budget to get under the cap.

Van Skiver and board members said they are focused on not raising taxes in the upcoming budget.

The village’s taxes have seen steady increases in recent years. The 2025-26 budget increased taxes by 11 percent, even without the fire department in the budget. The tax levy, what the village collects in property taxes, went up $345,650 – from $3,117,813 to $3,463,463.

The village’s tax levy is up $612,407 over the past three years – 21.5 percent. The tax levy went from $2,851,056 in 2022-23 to $3,463,463 in 2025-26.

Rick Merrill, a village resident, told the board the rising taxes are putting a strain on him and other residents, especially when increases in utilities, health insurance and car insurance are included. He said his village taxes have increased by $900 a year.

“It’s hard to get ahead of the game,” Merrill said during a public hearing. “It’s not just you (Village of Albion). It’s the whole state. It’s tax, tax, tax.”

Van Skiver said the village is in a better position for the 2026-27. The board needed to replenish the village’s contingency funds and also establish some reserve funds in 2025-26.

The current tax rate is $15.99 per $1,000 of assessed property. Trustee Joyce Riley said the board will be focused on keeping it at $15.99 in the new budget.

“There’s nothing that makes us want to go over $15.99,” Riley said. “We’re taxpayers just like you.”

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. also said he doesn’t support increasing taxes. He voted against exceeding the tax cap.

Van Skiver said the village faces increasing costs, just like residents, that makes it difficult to cut more than $200,000 from the 2025-26 budget level to next year’s.

Trustee Will Gabalski said the community would have to decide to eliminate services if it wanted to get under the tax cap and reduce taxes. Gabalski said that could ultimately mean dissolving the village and having the services currently provided by the village be shifted to the towns of Albion and Gaines, and also Orleans County.

“If you want the village to exist and provide these services, this is what it costs,” Gabalski said. “If you’re not willing to pay those costs, you could have the towns and county do them.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: There are dumpsters in front of a building at 20 East Bank St. where a roof collapsed last week on Feb. 17. The roof collapsed near the middle of the taller brick building. The street is blocked off to traffic for about a half block from Platt Street going towards Main Street. The fence is expected to be in place for at least two more weeks.

ALBION – The owner of a building where a roof collapsed last week will soon have a temporary roof on the structure and is working to get apartments reopened for displaced residents.

Frank Corso owns the three-story building where the roof caved in on Feb. 17. A temporary roof covering 70 feet will soon be constructed. Jeff Holler, manager of the property, told the Village Board this evening he expects fencing will be able to be removed after about two weeks.

The entire block from Platt Street to Main Street was fenced off to traffic the night of Feb. 17 with village officials concerned the building may not be structurally sound, posing a danger to the public.

An engineer reviewed the site two days later on Feb. 19 and deemed the building structurally sound. About half of the fence was removed. It remains in place from Platt Street to about halfway towards Main Street. It also is blocking off cars from parking in the village municipal lot at the corner of East Bank and Platt streets.

Holler said he and Corso are getting estimates for a permanent roof replacement as well as other work on the building. The costs are expected to be high, perhaps more than Corso can afford on a property that was underinsured, Holler said.

Corso may ultimately decide to have the site demolished or sold, Holler said.

The owner is committed to the temporary roof at a cost of about $25,000, and then getting some of the apartments open for tenants again. About 15 people have been displaced since the roof collapsed.

Right now, Corso is having debris removed from the building. The materials for the temporary roof have arrived, Holler said.

ALBION – There will be a candidate forum on March 5 where the public can hear from the two candidates running for mayor and the three seeking village trustee positions.

The forum starts at 6 p.m. at Hoag Library. The event is sponsored by the Orleans Hub and Lake Country Media with Michael Bonafede, a former Albion Board of Education president, serving as moderator.

Candidates will give opening and closing statements, and respond to questions from the public. The forum follows the League of Women Voters format and isn’t a debate.

The election will be on March 18 with a mayor and two trustees to be elected. The terms are all for four years.

The two candidates for mayor include Tim McMurray, who is backed by the Republicans, and Joyce Riley, who has the Democratic Party and independent “Vote for Albion” lines. McMurray and Riley are both currently trustees on the Village Board.

The Republicans also supported Kevin Sheehan and Jami Allport for village trustee. Issac Robinson also is seeking a trustee position under the independent “Vote for Albion.”