Funding would ‘transform abandoned and neglected properties into modern, 21st century buildings’

Photo by Tom Rivers: Downtown Albion is shown this morning. Some of the buildings on Main Street are vacant and in disrepair.

ALBION – The Village of Albion is discussing applying for a Restore New York grant that could bring up to $10 million to revitalize commercial and residential properties.

The village last Tuesday held a public meeting with property owners to try to gauge interest in the program. Jay Grasso, owner of G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, gave an overview of the program. He sees Albion as a strong contender to receive funding through Restore New York.

The village already meets the qualifications as an economically distressed community due to poverty levels and economic hardship. That means the village won’t need to do income surveys for a part of the village to qualify. The entire village meets that criteria, which means projects can be picked throughout the village and not just the downtown business district, like other state programs are focused on.

“Albion is in a unique situation with the distressed status,” Grasso told village officials.

That status makes Albion eligible for large state grants that could help jump-start the community’s transformation.

“This is real money,” he said. “I could see several million if we apply.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today that a new round of $250 million in Restore NY funding is available. Municipalities need to submit an intent to apply form outlying possible projects by Nov. 30. A more thorough application would then be due by Jan. 27, 2023.

“Revitalizing our communities starts with investing in the historic buildings that have long formed the backbone and character of our neighborhoods,” Hochul said in a news release today. “Restore New York funding gives localities the resources to transform abandoned and neglected properties into modern, 21st century buildings. By helping to rebuild and strengthen communities across the state, we will stimulate local economies and continue to build back New York better and stronger.”

Restore NY funding can be used for vacant, abandoned, condemned or surplus buildings. These properties can be demolished, deconstructed, rehabilitated or reconstructed. The grant allows up to $70,000 per residential unit.

Emphasis will be placed on projects in economically distressed communities, projects that leverage other state or federal redevelopment funds and the project’s feasibility and readiness, Hochul’s office said today.

There is up to $10 million for a “special project” that could include several properties.

The program is administered by Empire State Development and is designed to help local governments revitalize their communities and encourage commercial investment, improve the local housing stock, put properties back on the tax rolls, and increase the local tax base.

Grasso, during a presentation to the Village Board last week, said he submitted an application to the state for two electric charging stations in the village’s municipal lot on East Bank Street across from the village office.

Grasso and village officials also are looking at grant options for cyber security at the sewer plant, fire department equipment and recruitment, and records management. Grasso also is urging village officials and buildings owners in the downtown to consider projects in the future for the NY Forward program for downtown revitalization.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Amanda Krenning-Muoio and others from the First Presbyterian Church of Albion hand out candy for Beggar’s Night this evening in Albion. Sue Thaine, the church’s pastor at lower right, dressed up for the occasion.

Several hundred kids wore costumes and collected candy. Downtown was closed off to traffic for the event.

Albion teacher Samantha Flansburg hands candy to Drake Neri, 4, who wore a green skeleton costume. Other teachers in the Albion Teachers Association spot included Meghan Kania, Jen Simpson and Bob Epperson.

A group of women dressed as witches and did a dance down Main Street.

Connie Boyd of Batavia joined in the witches’ dance.

The group of ladies pose for a photo at Marti’s on Main before their dance.

A group from Body by Summer in Brockport performed Michael Jackson’s Thriller in front of the Downtown Browsery. Some Browsery vendors joined in the dance of people dressed as zombies. Summer Torrance led the group in the dance.

A long line of kids stopped by Arnold’s Auto Parts for trunk or treat from the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries. The church gave out more than 1,000 pounds of candy. The Albion Free Methodist Church also did a trunk or treat with lots of candy given away.

Amy Sidari gives away candy at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy. Ray Keffer and Stephanie Yankevich brought their twins, Ryan and Evelyn, to the event. Sidari said she was impressed by the variety of costumes on the kids throughout the evening.

The Albion PTA did a trunk or treat at the village’s municipal lot on Bank Street. Angie Wolfe, an Albion teacher, was one of the stops with candy stashed in her trunk. Her son Caleb helped to give out the candy.

Liz Groat of the Downtown Browsery holds one of the gloves that was filled with candy. The Browsery filled 350 gloves with treats for the kids. Groat was happy to see so many kids and their parents come inside and walk through the Browsery, where there are more than 40 vendors.

Planning Board members voice concern about difficulty of right turn from entrance for tractor-trailers

Design by APD Engineering & Architecture in Victor – Hospitality Syracuse is proposing a 2,600-square-foot Taco Bell at 118 West Ave., next to McDonalds. The Taco Bell site would have 39 parking spaces and room in the drive-through lane for 12 vehicles.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is recommending the Village of Albion approve the site plan for a new Taco Bell on Route 31, and also give variances for the signs.

Hospitality Syracuse is the developer for the Taco Bell, which is proposed for 118 West Ave. at a vacant paved lot next to McDonalds.

Hospitality Syracuse would remove a 36-foot high steel water tank from the back corner of the lot, and make about 40 percent of the 1.33-acre lot green space with grass. That would be an improvement with drainage at the site over the current space that is nearly all asphalt, planners noted.

The project now goes to the Village Planning Board for a vote on the site plan, and the Zoning Board of Appeals for consideration of the variance. The ZBA has a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 to hear from the public on the sign variances.

The developer is proposing four signs with three on the building and one on a freestanding pole. The village code calls for a maximum of two signs.

The developer is proposing the new Taco Bell go on this vacant lot next to McDonalds.

The freestanding sign would be 79.5 square feet, which is above the 48 square foot maximum.

Hospitality Syracuse also is seeking a pole height of 25 feet, which is 5 feet higher than the limit.

The company wants its pole for the sign to be set back 10 feet from the road to align with the sign at McDonalds. However, the village code calls for signs to be set back at least 15 feet.

The site plan shows vehicles will need to make a sharp turn left at the end of the drive-through. Planning Board members think it will be difficult for tractor-trailers to have to make that left turn and then turn right onto Route 31.

The total cumulative area of the signs is at 147.6 square feet, which is 44 feet over the Albion zoning.

The developer is seeking the additional building signage due to the unique “tower” aspect of the building design. A sign on each side of the tower provides architectural symmetry, and a sign over the door identifies the main entrance, Hospitality stated in the application.

The configuration of the drive-through does not allow for a pylon setback greater than what has been proposed.

County planning officials said the sign variances would not alter the neighborhood if granted because the Taco Bell would be in the general business district and adjacent to McDonalds.

“Signage and brand recognition are critical to quick-service restaurants,” county planning officials wrote in reviewing the proposal. “The consumer needs to quickly identify the business from a distance and safely navigate to the site. Larger directional signs aid in on-site circulation through the site.”

Planning Board members would like to see a sagging chain-link fence either repaired or removed. The fence at the back end is in good shape. That is along the property line backing up to the Orleans County Highway Department or the Department of Public Works off West Academy Street.

Planning Board members spent the most time at this evening’s meeting expressing concern over tractor-trailers being able to turn right from the property after making deliveries.

The big trucks will need to go through a lane next to the drive-through and then turn left, and then make a hard right, and then another right to get onto Route 31.

“There is no way you can make a right turn safely,” board member Tim Elliott said.

Jim Bensley, county planning director, doesn’t want to see the trucks out of their lanes on Route 31, disrupting traffic. That happens in several locations around the county when trucks are making deliveries.

Stephanie Albright, engineer for the project, said the developer sought two entrances from the state Department of Transportation for the site. There are already three entrances to the property, but the DOT wants it reduced to one entrance. The DOT told the engineer and developer the design allows for tractor-trailers to make right turns without a problem.

The County Planning Board recommended Albion village officials press for a wider entrance to make it easier for the big trucks to turn right.

Albright, the engineer, said Hospitality Syracuse is eyeing a spring construction start for the project.

Vinny Navarra says land available for housing development behind Tops

ALBION – Vinny Navarra sees vacant land behind the Tops store on Route 31 as an opportunity for a housing development in the village. Navarra owns some of the acreage and the village also owns 7 landlocked acres.

Navarra said if King Street was extended south, from Route 31 to Allen Road, the vacant land could be developed for about 20 houses. He presented the idea during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting.

The village would need to pay for putting in a road. Navarra said the tax revenue from the new houses should allow the village to recoup its costs in perhaps five years.

He acknowledged the village tried to get him to back the proposal more than a decade ago, but he declined because he had another project in the works. That venture didn’t go forward, Navarra said.

“The village asked before but I wasn’t ready,” he said. “What I wanted to do then didn’t go through.”

He has been approached by companies to put solar panels on his land, but he thinks a housing development would be the best choice for the community. He would like to see smaller ranch-style houses.

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said the board would consider the idea, and try to get estimates on extending the street and see whether zoning would need to be changed.

Navarra also raised the issue of low water pressure on Allen Road, where he lives. It has been discussed for several years by village officials.

The pressure is above the minimum of 20 psi, but is only 35 psi, said Adam Rush, chief operator for the village’s water system.

Boosting the pressure on the entire line would be expensive, with a higher water tank or large booster pump needed. Or Rush said individual houses could have pumps that cost about $250 to improve the pressure.

7 towns close to reaching agreement with Monroe Ambulance

Photos by Tom Rivers: Mercy Flight and COVA officials tell the Albion Village Board the two organizations have reached an agreement for Mercy Flight to take over COVA, which could be as early as next week. Pictured form left include Aaron MacKenzie of COVA; Scott Wooton, vice president of Mercy Flight EMS; Laurie Schwab, chief operations officer for COVA; and Margaret Ferrentino, president of Mercy Flight EMS.

ALBION – COVA has reached an agreement with Mercy Flight EMS to take over as the main ambulance provider in central Orleans County, a deal where Mercy Flight will retain COVA’s 44 employees, work out of the COVA base on South Main Street in Albion and keep two ambulances in service.

However, the four towns in central Orleans – Albion, Barre, Carlton and Gaines – are close to signing a deal with Monroe Ambulance. Monroe currently is the main ambulance provider on the eastern end of the county in the towns of Clarendon, Murray and Kendall. The four central towns are negotiating with Monroe as part of a seven-town agreement.

That deal hasn’t been signed yet, but is expected in the next two weeks.

Mercy Flight officials met with COVA employees on Wednesday evening and stated their commitment to keep the workers. That was a big selling point for Aaron MacKenzie, a COVA paramedic.

COVA ambulance will be closing soon after 43 years, and COVA officials would like to see Mercy Flight EMS take over the central Orleans area, working out of the COVA base on South Main Street in Albion.

“With Mercy Flight we can keep those employees who are passionate in serving this community,” MacKenzie said.

The Mercy Flight deal was announced during Wednesday’s evening Albion Village Board meeting. The COVA board voted Wednesday to reach a memorandum of understanding with Mercy Flight to assume the COVA service area. Mercy Flight said it could start next week.

The MOU would allow Mercy Flight to use COVA’s certificate of need on a temporary basis while working to get the CON from the state Department of Health. That CON is needed to be a primary ambulance provider in the area. Mercy Flight, which has a base in Batavia, has been doing mutual aid calls in central Orleans for several years.

But the town supervisors in the four central towns could sign a contract with Monroe Ambulance to be the main ambulance provider. Sean Pogue, the Barre town supervisor, said this morning he would be open to sitting down with Mercy Flight to hear their plan for serving the area.

He said Monroe has committed to two ambulances in the seven-town block of eastern and central Orleans, and could bring in other resources during a high-volume time by drawing from staff and ambulances in Monroe County.

Monroe officials told Pogue and the town leaders it would need 90 days to ramp up the service and set up a base in Orleans County. However, Monroe could increase its service in Orleans, including the central towns, sooner.

Pogue said the town leaders had been viewing Monroe as the lone option to take over if COVA ended its service. He would be willing to talk with Mercy Flight officials “ASAP” to consider their proposal for providing service.

“The bottom line is we are going to need an ambulance service,” Pogue said today. “I’m going to need it someday and I want it 10 minutes away not 45 minutes.”

Pogue also wants to see the ambulance provider keep as many COVA staff as possible.

Mercy Flight EMS responds to a call in Albion on Oct. 11. The organization has been providing mutual aid for several years.

The Albion Village Board doesn’t have a role in picking the ambulance provider. The board set a hearing for Wednesday about giving COVA $16,000 a month on a short-term basis to help the ambulance provider stay afloat. Albion won’t have to contribute anything with COVA’s impending closing.

COVA President Jennifer Stilwell and Laurie Schwab, the chief operations officer, said COVA has reached its limit and can’t continue. They said they support Mercy Flight, which is a non-profit organization.

“The best fit is to continue with a non-profit,” Schwab told the board.

Stilwell said she favors Mercy Flight for its plan to keep two ambulances in central Orleans, keep the COVA staff, work out of the Albion base and not be hard-nosed with residents on ambulance bills.

“We tried our best,” Stilwell said. “We think this is an answer to prayer. We want to make it seamless. We haven’t closed our doors yet.”

Margaret Ferrentino, president of Mercy Flight EMS, said she has been in the EMS field for 45 years. She commended COVA for its 43 years of service. She said Mercy Flight is ready to start service in central Orleans as the first call for help.

“We want to be considered as a solution for you,” Ferrentino said at the village meeting.

She said there would be no immediate change in the service if Mercy Flight takes over. The organization would review how the COVA assets could be transferred to Mercy Flight. COVA would still be able to collect any of its bills before Mercy Flight takes over, and those older bills as they are paid would help COVA hopefully wipe out its debt.

If Mercy Flight takes over, it would start doing its own billing on the first day.

Scott Wooton, Mercy Flight vice president, believes Mercy Flight can be successful in central Orleans. Mercy Flight would keep two ambulances – an ALS and BLS – in central Orleans. Mercy also has relationships with all the major insurance carriers in Western New York to be paid for its services.

COVA has struggled financially with bill collecting, and also a high percentage of calls with patients on Medicaid or Medicare, where the reimbursement rates are very low, COVA officials said.

Mercy Flight is a $20 million organization with a staff of about 200 employees, including those in the helicopter service and ground-ambulance division. Mercy Flight does about 10,000 ambulance transports a year. COVA does about 2,000 annually.

Anna Tower, the COVA treasurer, thanked the local community for its support during a difficult past few months. She said about 1,200 to 1,500 people signed petitions to keep a community-based, non-profit ambulance in central Orleans.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Taco Bell has submitted a plan for a new restaurant in Albion at 118 West Ave., next to McDonalds.

The new building would go on a vacant lot owned by Landsman Development in Rochester.

The Orleans County Planning Board at 7 p.m. on Thursday will review the site plan for the project. The Village of Albion will need to make an amendment to its zoning map and approve a variance for the project to go forward as submitted.

That meeting is at the Orleans County Administration Building in the legislative chambers.

The project is proposed for a vacant lot along Route 31 next to McDonalds and across from Freeze Dry.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Chris Kinter and his son Jack serve up pulled pork dinners with fresh cut fries on Friday in a fundraiser for the Brennan Moody Memorial Scholarship given out to two Albion seniors.

Trellis Pore, pictured in window, also helped with the dinner on Friday in the parking lot of the Cone Zone in Albion. The Kinters used the Hot Spot’s food trailer to prepare the meals.

The scholarship is in honor of Brennan Moody, a member of the Class of 2019 who was killed in a car accident on June 18, 2019.

The $500 scholarship is awarded to two students who are active in the school’s music program and also show genuine kindness to everyone they encounter.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Gates Keystone Club (Police Pipes and Drums) lead a procession into the Holy Family Parish in Albion on Sunday for the annual Blue Mass to honor and seek blessings on first responders in Orleans County.

This is the seventh year the parish held a Mass to honor and pray for law enforcement officers, corrections officers, coroners, firefighters and medics.

The Gates Keystone Club formed in 1998 to “for the purpose of honoring our fallen brothers and sisters and to participate at official ceremonial events.”

Knights of Columbus members Casimer Pruski, right, and Mike Rich get the American flag ready to be carried into the church sanctuary.

The Knights of Columbus has been leading the Blue Mass since 2016.

A blue wreath symbolized first responders killed in the line of duty, including Bruce Baldwin, Albion Fire Department; Richard Buongiorne, Kendall Fire Department; Lewis Grimes, Albion Fire Department; Matthew Phillips, Albion Fire Department; Martin VanWcyke, Carlton Fire Department; and David Whittier, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Father Richard Csizmar, pastor of Holy Family, also acknowledged the death in the line of duty of Rochester police officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, who was killed on July 21. His partner, officer Sino Seng, also was wounded that day by a shooter.

About a dozen first responders attended the Mass, including Mike Fuller (left) of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company and State Trooper Doug Rich, right.

Jeff Johnson of Lyndonville, center, is a member of the Gates Keystone Club. Lieutenant Steven Fox of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, left, and State Trooper Steven Papponetti of Albion were among the first responders at the Mass.

Peter Sidari, an Albion firefighter, greets the attendees for the special Mass on Sunday.