Albion

This year is Mt. Albion Cemetery’s 175th anniversary

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 21 July 2018 at 7:45 am

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 29

“We have met to provide a mansion for the dead. We have come out from our quiet homes and the bright sunlight and the crowded streets and all the garish show of life, to this secluded spot to set apart a last final resting place where the weary pilgrim…may come and lay down his burden forever…” – Daniel R. Cady, Esq.

Benjamin Franklin once said that there are but two certainties in life; death and taxes. For the pioneers of Albion, the question of a sacred final resting place plagued them from the earliest years of settlement. Small burial grounds existed within the village limits, but the harsh realities of life and death proved problematic for these noble citizens.

It became apparent soon after the incorporation of the village that a cemetery on East State Street would be quickly overcome with the bodies of those who succumbed to the tribulations of pioneer life. Discussions shifted to purchasing land outside of the municipal boundaries, which required an amendment to the village charter. Yet after careful consideration, the proposition to amend the charter was replaced by a full redrafting of the document under the care and attention of Arad Thomas and Lorenzo Burrows.

Upon the conclusion of this task, Alexis Ward and Lorenzo Burrows were charged with selecting an appropriate site for this new municipal cemetery. A large sandy drumlin east of the village limits provided the ideal spot for the burial of local citizens. The village purchased 25 acres from Lyman Patterson and Jacob Annis, the land containing a mixture of rolling meadows and wooded hills; $1,000 was the final price.

It is believed that upon the dedication of the cemetery on September 7, 1843, that the first lots were sold at auction. Those families who purchased graves were responsible for the initial upkeep of these final resting spots. Even after the first interment occurred in October of 1843, the care of individual lots were lacking in even the smallest of improvements. For nearly 20 years, it was the responsibility of the village trustees to oversee the management of the cemetery. With no dedicated caretaker of supervisor, the work often fell upon the village president.

The response to this problem was the appointment of Dr. Lemuel Paine, Lorenzo Burrows, and Henry Sickels as the first three commissioners of the cemetery while Daniel Hanley was hired as the first caretaker. The first task of the commissioners was to construct a receiving vault and caretaker’s house on the western end of the cemetery (now the main entrance).

According to research by Marguerite Monacelli and Eleanor Wilder, a schedule of allowance for services was established:

1. Digging a grave and attendance of burial service for a child under 12: $1.00 without box, $1.50 with box.

2. Digging a grave and attendance of burial service for person over 12: $1.50 without box, $2.00 with box.

3. Depositing of remains in vault: $.50 with burial in Mt. Albion, $1.00 with burial in another cemetery.

4. Improving and ornamenting lots owned by individuals: $1.00 per day.

As families decided to relocate graves from small family burial grounds starting in the early 1860s, a fee of $3.00 was assessed per interment and added costs associated with the construction of “vaults” from stone or brick.

The history of Mt. Albion is a lengthy one and far too long to contain within the confines of one article. However, we fast-forward to 1912 when this image was taken. At the center is the cemetery’s main entryway, surrounded by trees and beautiful flowers carefully arranged throughout the landscape. The “small” fountain is representative of other smaller fountains situated throughout the grounds. In 1914, Emma Ingersoll provided for the installation of the large fountain constructed by William Karns of Albion. The following year, Ingersoll’s will provided for a granite bench that was installed at a cost of $500.

In keeping with tradition, the County Historian will host tours of Mt. Albion Cemetery starting on Sunday, August 5th at 6 p.m. Tours will take place every Sunday during the month (Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26) starting at 6 p.m. from the chapel. As the Village of Albion celebrates the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the cemetery, tours will cover the majority of the cemetery grounds over the course of four Sundays and visit a number of notable local politicians, entrepreneurs, activists, and criminals. These events are free and open to the public – please contact the Historian at Matt.Ballard@orleanscountyny.gov or 585-589-4174 with any questions.

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Albion PD donates to Special Olympics after Rochester police officer runs 175 miles

Posted 20 July 2018 at 2:07 pm

Provided photo: Brett Sobieraski accepts $700 total in checks from Albion police officers, including Karol Hughes, left, and Police chief Roland Nenni, right. Sobieraski, a Kent resident, ran 50 straight hours on the Erie Canal from July 13-15, covering 175 miles to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Press Release, Albion Police Department

ALBION – Sobieraski, an Orleans County resident and sergeant with the Rochester Police Department, ran over 175 miles for 50 hours nonstop to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.

Brett’s journey took him from Buffalo on July 13 along the Erie Canal to just outside Syracuse when he finished the 50-hour run on July 15. Sobieraski’s efforts were called the 50 for 50 running campaign, signifying 50 hours of running for the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics.

The Albion Police Department was honored and proud to have assisted Brett when he passed through Orleans County.

To help support the Special Olympics and Sobieraski’s effort to raise money, the Albion Police Union and the Albion Police Command Staff have made donations to Brett Sobieraskis 50 for 50 running campaign.

The Albion Police Union Donated $500 while Chief Roland Nenni and Lt. David Mogle of the Albion Police each donated $100.

Sgt. Sobieraski’s dedication to such an important cause is inspiring. In law enforcement we are a family that is known for supporting one another in our times of need. Sgt. Sobieraski’s actions show us that our family can also support others. The Special Olympics is life changing to many people and supporting its mission makes it so everyone can have a chance to compete and become a winner.

We at the Albion Police hope that others will feel as strongly as we do and support Sgt. Sobieraski’s efforts and help the Special Olympics by making a donation. Click here for more information.

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18-year-old hits hole-in-one at Rotary golf tournament

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 July 2018 at 10:39 am

Event raised funds for Leadership Orleans, Leon Sidari Memorial Fund

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The 25^th annual Albion Rotary Club Golf Tournament on Thursday had a hole-in-one for the first time in the event’s history.

Nic Whittaker, center, travelled from Ithaca to play in the tournament, which is named for the late Curtis Lyman. Whittaker had never played at Hickory Ridge Golf Course before. On hole 3, Whittaker hit the ball 135 yards. It landed 5 feet past the hole, and then spun back and went in.

Whittaker is pictured with Bill Downey, left, the hole sponsor and owner of Downey Signs, and Bill Bixler, co-owner of Albion Agencies which provided the insurance on three holes-in-one.

Whittaker won a new TV for the shot. Other par 3s with prizes included $10,000 and a new set of golf clubs.

Whittaker and his team also posted the lowest score of the day with a 59 on a par 72. Whittaker played in the tournament with his father, Randy Smith, and two friends, Ed Kirker and Rich Banks. They are friends with Nathan Lyman, a former Albion resident who now lives in Ithaca. Nathan is Curtis Lyman’s son.

Whittaker just graduated from high school. He is going to a golf academy in South Carolina and hopes to be able to play for a college team in the future.

Leon Sidari

The tournament included about 100 golfers. The beneficiaries for the event included Leadership Orleans, a new program with 25 residents. They are learning about multiple facets of the community to better understand how local government, businesses and other sectors work. The class draws on a cross section of the community. The program picked residents who have demonstrated leadership abilities, interest in community affairs, and a commitment to Orleans County’s future.

The other beneficiary is the Leon Sidari Memorial Fund, which formed in honor of Leon Sidari, who died from influenza this past Christmas at age 4. His parents are Tony Sidari and Laura (Lyman) Sidari. Laura is Nathan’s daughter.

Tony and Laura are both physicians with the Air Force, based in San Antonio. The memorial fund in Leon’s name will direct 100 percent of the funds to be given to help children with medical problems at Christmas time. In the first year, this will be focused on children of military parents, “but with your help this will grow in the years to come,” Nathan Lyman states on a GoFundMe that has raised nearly $65,000 so far for the fund.

The first placed mixed team had a score of 69 and includes, from left: Richard Pilon, his wife Sibyl, and John Dale, who is Sibyl’s brother. Richard and Sibyl’s son, Mike Pilon, also played on the team.

The first place women’s team had a score of 70 and includes Mary Jane Schultz, Sharon Campfield, Shannon Perry and Chris Lukas. They are from Lockport.

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Mount Albion Cemetery tours will be back in August

Posted 19 July 2018 at 10:18 pm

Historic site was started 175 years ago

Photo and article courtesy of Orleans County History Department

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of History will host a series of cemetery tours running every Sunday in August beginning at 6 p.m.

The tradition was started by Bill Lattin, who is now retired as the county historian. His successor, Matthew Ballard, will lead visitors through historic Mount Albion Cemetery in celebration of the 175^th anniversary of its incorporation.

Tours will assemble at the chapel and depart at 6:05 p.m. with each tour lasting approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. These events are free and open to the public with nor reservations required. Tours will run rain or shine, so visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately and pack an umbrella.

August 5 at 6 p.m. – East End

Visitors will tour the original section of the cemetery making stops at the graves of several Orleans County pioneers including John Proctor and Joseph Hart, notable politicians, local entrepreneurs, and one particular story involving a murder in Carlton.

August 12 at 6 p.m. – Center Section

This tour will visit the graves of several local businessmen, pioneer settler Lansing Bailey, Virgil Bogue, and visitors will have an opportunity to hear the tale of Orleans County’s only execution.

August 19 at 6 p.m. – Soldiers & Sailors Monument

Visitors will explore several areas not touched in previous tours, approaching the Soldiers & Sailors Monument from the east section of the cemetery. The tour will visit the graves of notable movers and shakers from Western New York including John Hull White, Rufus Brown Bullock, Elizabeth Denio, Noah Davis, and Caroline Phipps Achilles.

August 26 at 6 p.m. – West End

This tour will stop at various points along the western boundary of the cemetery and visitors will hear stories of Orleans County’s first self-made millionaire, the murder of Horace Halpin, a local Walt Disney animator, Susan B. Anthony’s personal secretary, and the story of Mt. Albion’s Civil War lot.

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Arnold’s Auto Parts will celebrate 50 years in Albion

Photos by Tom Rivers: Dan DeCarlo, president and owner of Arnold’s Auto Parts, is pictured inside the store at 116 North Liberty St. His father opened the business at the site in 1968.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2018 at 7:39 am

ALBION – An Albion business will celebrate 50 years in the community on Saturday with a car cruise-in that is expected to draw 100 classic cars.

Dan DeCarlo, president and owner of Arnold’s Auto Parts, wanted to celebrate the business’s milestone anniversary by welcoming classic cars. The 4 to 8 p.m. cruise-in will include a wine-tasting from Midnight Run Wine Cellar, food from the Masonic Lodge, and music from the band Black Jack, which will include a special guest appearance by Scott Lonnen, who works at Arnold’s.

The car show will be in the parking lot behind Five Star Bank, across the street from Arnold’s at 116 North Liberty St.

Arnold DeCarlo, Dan’s father, started the business in October 1968. Dan has been working at the business for 41 years, since he was 14.

“It’s nice to wait on people and try to help them,” he said. “We have a lot of good customers who are good people.”

Arnold’s Auto Parts became a NAPA Auto Parts dealer two years ago. Arnold’s also continues to sell ACDelco Auto Parts.

DeCarlo said the business has been growing since it became a NAPA Auto Parts two years ago. NAPA gives Arnold’s access to parts for farm machinery. NAPA also has parts for many old cars, which DeCarlo said are in increasing demand. He said more people are working on older cars and hot rods.

“YouTube has been a game-changer,” he said. “It allows people to do things they normally wouldn’t do. We’re seeing more people working on their own cars.”

Arnold’s continues to sell ACDelco auto parts, and is looking to expand its electronics inventory.

The business has 10 employees, with two on the road making deliveries to auto repair shops and farms between Medina and Hamlin.

The car show on Saturday follows a Christmas in July from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. That event, planned by the Albion Merchants Association, includes sidewalk sales, raffles, a Christmas-themed “kiddie parade” at noon, and many other games and activities.

The day’s events start at 9:30 with a ribbon cutting for the new Santa mural at Waterman Park.

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Albion planners approve building by canal for wedding venue and candy store

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2018 at 7:11 am

ALBION – The Village of Albion Planning Board gave the final site plan approval on Wednesday for a building by the Erie Canal to be used as wedding venue and also to sell candy and ice cream.

John and Natasha Wasuck of Spencerport next spring expect to open “The Lockstone” at 160 North Main St. The building was the longtime site of Burgio Tire and then a carpet store.

The Wasucks see a lot of potential in the building. They will renovate the site including significant changes to the exterior.

Mrs. Wasuck sells real estate between Rochester and Buffalo. She saw the building in Albion listed for sale. The site includes two storefronts and has up to 90 parking spaces.

The couple is pushing to have new business open in April or May, Mrs. Wasuck said.

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Albion approves 40-unit apartment building on Liberty Street

Photos by Tom Rivers: Gary Smith, project engineer for DePaul Properties, goes over the site plan for the apartment complex today during a Village of Albion Planning Board meeting. Smith works for Parrone Engineering in East Rochester.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2018 at 10:19 pm

ALBION – DePaul Properties today secured local approvals for a proposed 40-unit housing project on Liberty Street.

The Village of Albion Planning Board approved the site plan, and the Zoning Board of Appeals approved three variances for the project.

With the local approvals in place, DePaul said it will work to secure final state financing for the project. Construction of the project, including demolition of three vacant houses, is expected to start in October 2019.

DePaul wants to have 36 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units. The one bedroom units can have up to two people and the four-bedroom apartments have room for up to four people.

DePaul will have staff on site to oversee the apartment complex, and also to take residents to appointments with a DePaul van.

“This is to build community housing for people for people who don’t have it right now,” said Gillian J. Conde, vice president for DePaul.

During public hearings by the Zoning Board and Planning Board, residents asked who the project is targeting for tenants.

DePaul is designing the project to support people with disabilities, including senior citizens and veterans. The organization will do extensive background checks for credit, criminal and sex offender history and evictions.

“This is not housing to rehabilitate offenders,” Conde said.

She was asked if the project would hurt local landlords. Conde said she didn’t think it would impact landlords who provide quality housing.

She expects many of the tenants are currently “doubled up” living with friends or family.

DePaul had renderings of how the building would look in Albion, including new sidewalks by the property on Liberty and Beaver streets.

Ron Vendetti, the village’s code enforcement officer, said the project will likely force landlords to improve many of the other apartments in the community.

“If you provide a better product, you’ll get the better people,” Vendetti said, responding to a question.

He said the new apartments would be a significant improvement to the neighborhood on Liberty and Beaver streets. Two of the houses being demolished have been vacant for several years and are covered with brush and vegetation. Another house was recently vacant following the deaths of the long-time residents of the house.

Betty Sue Miller, director of Hoag Library, said she hears from many lower income patrons at the library that many of the apartments in the community are infested with bed bugs and are not appealing.

“I don’t want to see local landlords who do a great job get hurt,” she said about the project. “But there are bad landlords. Some people are living in squalor because that’s all they can afford.”

DePaul will offer the one-bedroom apartments for $675 a month, including utilities, while two-bedroom units are $775 monthly.

Tenants on Section 8 will be eligible to apply for an apartment at DePaul, but Conde said the project isn’t focused on Section 8. She expects veterans, senior citizens and some people needed mental Health and other services to be tenants.

DePaul is proposing to demolish three unoccupied houses on Liberty Street, between the railroad tracks and Beaver Street.

The meeting room at Village Hall was packed for the presentation about the project.

DePaul needs variances for the project. It is proposing 50 parking spaces, when the village code requires 80 (two parking spots for each unit). DePaul is seeking a 5-foot rear setback when the village code requires 25 feet. DePaul also wants a fence to be 8 feet high for a sound wall on the south side of the property, instead of the 7 feet required by the village code. The vinyl fences won’t be white, DePaul officials said.

DePaul anticipates the 50 spaces will be adequate based on the demand at its other apartment buildings because many of the tenants do not have cars.

With the rear setback, DePaul will plant a row of evergreen trees for additional screening. DePaul also wants the taller sound wall to mitigate noise from the neighboring rail line.

The ZBA, led by chairman Richard Tibbits, approved the variances while the Planning Board, led by chairman Matthew Hand, approved the site plan.

The village needs to work out a PILOT with DePaul for how much it will pay the local governments in revenue. Those agreements are typically for at least 10 years.

Linda Smith, a local resident, said the village should have worked out the PILOT before approving the project. Smith owns several apartments in the village.

She didn’t like that her state tax dollars were being used to fund a new project that may result in increased vacancies in her apartments.

“It will be tough to compete against an entity with your tax dollars when they’re not adding to the tax dollars here,” she said.

DePaul officials assured her they would provide local governments with annual payments, and those payments might top the property taxes the site would generate without a PILOT.

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Albion dealership becomes Bidleman Chevrolet Buick GMC

Photo by Tom Rivers: George Bidleman (left), owner of Orleans Ford in Medina, and his business partner, Sam LaNasa, have acquired the Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in Albion. The site will be upgraded and the inventory should grow from 80 vehicles to about 300 in a few months.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2018 at 2:31 pm

ALBION – The Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in Albion has new owners who will add inventory and staff to the Route 98 location.

George Bidleman, one of the partners at Orleans Ford, has purchased the former Don Davis Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership. Bidleman is co-owner of the Albion dealership along with Sam LaNasa, who works as general manager for Bidleman at Orleans Ford.

“We’re looking to increase our presence in the Orleans County market,” Bidleman said.

The dealership will be known as Bidleman Chevrolet Buick GMC.

Bidleman started as general manager at Orleans Ford in 1987, when he was 27. He became president and partner in the business in 2002. Orleans Ford has grown to an inventory of 500 vehicles and a staff of 55 that sell about 200 vehicles a month.

LaNasa has 35 years in the auto business in the Buffalo market. He has worked closely with Bidleman the past two years and is impressed with how Bidleman operates, the way he treats customers and employees.

The Albion location was built in 1967 and opened as Nesbitt Motors. LaNasa and Bidleman said the building and site will be upgraded. The existing six employees in sales, service and the office will stay and more employees will be added.

LaNasa expects up to 20 employees there in the next few months and the inventory to increase from 80 vehicles to about 300.

The 22 acres at the site, 4048 Oak Orchard Rd., is one of the appeals. That gives Bidleman and LaNasa plenty of room to display vehicles. In Medina, they use the former Ames parking lot of Maple Ridge Road as an overflow lot.

LaNasa also said three brands “have a great new lineup of cars” with sedans, SUVs, pickups and other vehicles.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman: On Monday the deal closed for George Bidleman and Sam LaNasa to acquire the Albion dealership. Pictured, from left, include Jillian Stadwick, Chevrolet rep; George Bidleman, owner; Sam LaNasa, owner; Carl Eldridge, GM Financial rep; and David Jetty, zone business manager.

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Building by canal proposed for wedding venue in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2018 at 12:08 pm

ALBION – A building by the Erie Canal in Albion would be turned into a wedding venue and events site in a plan by John and Natasha Wasuck of Spencerport.

The building at 160 North Main St. was the longtime site of Burgio Tire and then a carpet store. The Wasucks want to turn the building into “The Lockstone.” In addition to be an events venue, the site would be a candy and ice cream shop.

The Orleans County Planning Board approved the site plan on June 28. It goes to the Village Planning Board on Wednesday for a final approval.

The building is located between the Erie Canal and The Lake Country Pennysaver in Albion’s General Commercial District.

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Albion boards have public hearings Wednesday on DePaul project

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2018 at 10:56 am

ALBION – There are two public hearings Wednesday on the 40-unit housing project proposed by DePaul Properties of Rochester.

DePaul is proposing to demolish three unoccupied houses on Liberty Street, between the railroad tracks and Beaver Street.

DePaul needs variances for the project. It is proposing 50 parking spaces, when the village code requires 80 (two parking spots for each unit). DePaul is seeking a 5-foot rear setback when the village code requires 25 feet. DePaul also wants a fence to be 10 feet high for a sound wall on the south side of the property, instead of the 7 feet required by the village code.

The Albion Zoning Board of Appeals will have a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Wednesday about the variances. The hearing is at the Village Hall, 35 East Bank St.

DePaul anticipates the 50 spaces will be adequate based on the demand at its other apartment buildings. DePaul serves low-income individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.

With the rear setback, DePaul will plant a row of evergreen trees for additional screening. DePaul also wants the taller sound wall to mitigate noise from the neighboring rail line.

The Village of Albion Planning Board will then have a public hearing at 5 p.m. for the site plan of the 40-unit apartment complex at 150 Liberty St.

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Albion mayor says Beaver Alley pavers won’t be removed

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2018 at 2:10 pm

ALBION – The Village of Albion won’t be removing the Medina sandstone pavers on Beaver Alley, Mayor Eileen Banker said.

Village officials have been discussing how to maintain the alleyway off Main Street. Removing the pavers was mentioned, but Banker said the board wants to keep them.

Plowing the street, with the bumps from the pavers, has damaged DPW plow equipment and weeds require pesticide application.

The board is considering closing the street for the winter, but is checking with Fire Chief Harry Papponetti if that poses a fire safety issue, Banker said.

The DPW might also plow the alley with the sidewalk blower.

The village had the pavers put in 15 years ago after they were dug up during the reconstruction of routes 98 and 31 in the village.

The board in 2003 decided to have the alley resemble a street from the late 1800s.

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Albion considers removing sandstone pavers from Beaver Alley

Photos by Tom Rivers: Beaver Alley, a short one-lane street made of Medina sandstone pavers, is a half block south of the Erie Canal.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2018 at 9:15 am

The sandstone pavers are pictured with a dusting of snow. The street has been hard on the village’s plowing equipment.

ALBION – The Village Board is discussing removing Medina sandstone pavers from Beaver Alley because the stone blocks have been hard on plowing equipment.

The village also has to contend with weeds that sprout up between the blocks. Pesticides are typically sprayed to battle the weeds.

The street was paved until 2003. When the Pike Company in Rochester, a contractor for the state Department of Transportation, tore up routes 31 and 98 in Albion about 15 years ago, there were sandstone pavers under the roads.

Ed Salvatore was the Albion mayor at the time and he negotiated having the Pike Company put 5,500 of the pavers in Beaver Alley.

Salvatore at the time said the pavers, made of Medina sandstone, provided a sharp contrast between the new style of road construction on Main Street with the style from a century earlier. He also wanted to preserve some local sandstone history and add another element to historic downtown.

Before asphalt and concrete, many of the streets were made of cut Medina sandstone blocks. Salvatore wanted Beaver Alley, a short one-lane street, to resemble a street from the late 1800s.

There have been complaints the street is bumpy and hard to drive on. The DPW says the pavers also damage snow plows.

If the sandstone blocks were removed, the village would repave the alley.

The Village Board discussed removing the pavers this past Wednesday and has tabled the issue until its next meeting at 6 p.m. on June 25.

The alley has been a popular spot for senior pictures and other portraits. Rhonda and Mark Parker, former Albion residents, used the street in a scene for their film, “Message in a Bottle.” They are shown shooting a scene in June 2015. Rhonda Parker, front left, and her husband Mark, kneeling with camera, have named their film business, Beaver Alley Studios.

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Carnival returns to Bullard Park in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2018 at 4:22 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Peyton’s Express gives kids a ride through Bullard Park today on a miniature train. The ride was available as part of the children’s carnival at Bullard.

Today was the popular day for the Albion summer recreation program with carnival, which included a bounce house, numerous games, events, and activities.

Oliver Beach, 11, of Albion plays the milk can toss.

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Chamber of Commerce celebrates grand opening of 39 Problems in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 July 2018 at 9:52 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of 39 Problems this afternoon. The restaurant and bar opened on March 1 at 43 North Main St., following extensive renovations. A larger site next door, at 39 North Main St., could be opened for expanded seating in the future.

Adam and Tina Johnson run the business, which gives Albion a draw in the downtown business district, Chamber officials said.

This group includes, from left: Becky Charland, Chamber of Commerce director; Cliff Thom, a Chamber board member; Madelyn Genovese, communications director for State Sen. Robert Ortt; Patrick O’Sullivan, 39 Problems chef and general manager; Jonathan Doherty, Albion resident; Adam Johnson, 39 Problems owner; County Legislator Ken DeRoller; Chamber board member David Gagne; and Kathy Blackburn, Chamber board member.

“I’ve been here to eat a couple times and it’s very, very good,” Charland said. “This is great for Albion. I love the look of it. It’s trendy.”

Johnson said the business has dedicated customers and new ones who are discovering the site. A Tuesday night trivia concert at 7 p.m. has been a surprising success.

“It’s growing and that’s what you want to see,” he said. “We have our footing under us. The building and the menu have come together.”

Last month, 39 Problems added a food cart that goes to local festivals and events.

Adam Johnson is congratulated by Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller.

The Johnsons purchased the downtown building, which includes three storefronts, in 2015. They have been working diligently to renovate the site, while preserving its historic charm. In June 2017, they opened 39 Problems, selling pizza, grilled foods and “chill desserts.” The site didn’t have a dine-in option.

Now 39 Problems has a dine-in restaurant. The Johnsons have two of three storefronts done, and they would eventually like to expand the dining area to the remaining storefront.

Johnson continues to be involved in downtown projects, including Thursday cruise-ins. Those events are timed to coincide with the canal concert series from 6 to 8 p.m.

There will be a bigger cruise-in on Aug. 11 when a section of Main Street is closed off. Proceeds go to the Warrior House in Shelby.

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Village of Albion installs new waterline on West Academy Street

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 July 2018 at 7:50 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Village of Albion Department of Public Works on Wednesday installs a new 8-inch waterline on West Academy Street, south of Route 31.

The village started the job on Tuesday and expects to be done with the work on Friday. The waterline will service the new 13,000-square-foot transportation facility for the Regional Transit Service.

RTS has run a public transportation service in Orleans County since 2003. It has six buses in the county, and they are parked outside by the County Highway Department on West Academy Street.

The new $4 million facility will allow the buses to be parked inside. The facility will be behind the County Highway Department. The facility will include eight indoor bus bays, three bus maintenance bays, a vehicle wash bay, storage for parts and materials, administrative office space, a break room with kitchenette, and designated parking.

The new waterline is an upgrade from the 6-inch main that was used on the other side of the street. The village can now extend the bigger line in the future.

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