ALBION – The Hoag Library Board of Trustees last week approved a 2015 budget that stays under the tax cap and will go before voters on May 19.

The $698,601 budget increases spending by 2.2 percent or by $14,941 from the $683,660 approved for 2014. However, the amount of taxes collected to support the library would increase by 1.6 percent or by $10,551 from $669,860 to $680,411.

Most of the spending increase can be attributed to the $10,000 in “transition costs” for selling the former Swan Library and clearing out the historic building. The library has incurred legal costs, and expects it will hire a professional mover and will need to rent storage units for some of the valuable items that remain in the Swan building.

The library expects to close on selling the building next month for $53,000 from Chad Fabry of Holley. Proceeds from the sale will be used to pay down the mortgage on the Hoag Library, which opened in July 2012.

The library budget reduces payroll from $278,337 to $269,384. Social Security and Medicare would rise from a budgeted $17,256 in 2014 to $24,550 this year.

The library budgeted $61,000 for new library books in 2014, but only spent $37,698. The 2015 budget sets aside $50,000 for new books.

The vote for the budget will be from noon to 8 p.m. on May 19 at the elementary school.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A two-car accident resulted in minor injuries at about 6:45 p.m. on Route 31A, just east of Route 98.

Albion firefighters and Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies were on scene, along with Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance. COVA personnel were examining a woman who complained of pain in her wrist and arm.

(Katelynne Klossner wrote on the Orleans Hub Facebook page that she was in the accident and suffered a broken arm. Her car was also totaled, she said.)

The accident is under investigation. The slippery roads were likely a factor. Orleans County dispatch said a few drivers slid off the roads today when temperatures were either below 0 or in the single digits. It was 2 degrees out when firefighters, COVA and law enforcement responded to this call.

Dan Morrow, a member of the Albion Fire Department, directs traffic at the routes 31A and 98 intersection.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A team from the Albion Free Methodist Church left this morning for a week-long mission trip to Peru.

The group includes, front row, from left: Caleb Pettit, Ashlyn LeBaron, Elliott Neidert, Vivian Rivers, Savannah Allen and Olivia Neidert.

Back row: Andrew Moore, Paul Pettit, Mike Neidert, Sara Moore, Pam Allen, Pastor Randy LeBaron and Zack Moore.

The group is headed to Toronto for a flight to Lima, Peru. The capital city of Peru has about 9 million people and is nearly 4,000 miles from Albion. The team from the Albion church will work with local Christians in drama and street ministries.

Sara Moore of Albion is going with her sons Andrew, 15, and Zack, 13. The 8-hour flight will be the first time flying for her sons.

“I wanted to expose the boys to a different culture,” Mrs. Moore said this morning. “They will see people from another country and see that we have more in common with them than is different.”

Pam Allen is going on her first mission trip. She is going with her daughter, Savannah, 17.

“I wanted to put my faith into action,” Allen said. “It will be fun. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has planned for us and learning about myself.”

Photo by Tom Rivers – Betty Sue Miller, interim director at Hoag Library, wants to boost programming for adults and computer training for employees.

ALBION – The new director of Hoag Library is a familiar face in the Albion community. Betty Sue Miller grew up in Albion, taught in the district and later was a library director for Holley Central School.

She will serve at Hoag for about a year in an interim capacity. The library Board of Trustees will begin another search process for a permanent director, but wants some time before starting that process.

Miller started about three weeks ago and has been working with staff to develop programs for the future, while tending to other needs in the building. That includes providing more guidance to teen-agers and making sure they are respectful in the building, Miller told the Board of Trustees on Wednesday during the monthly board meeting.

“We’ve re-established rules,” she said about the teens.

She has cleared off some of the displays at the front counter and slid them over by a bookcase of new books. That has made staff more visible to patrons, improving those connections with the public.

Miller also has been a visible presence in the building, talking with staff and community members, said Board President Kevin Doherty.

Library staff are developing the summer reading program which will be split into reading groups for children, tweens, teens and adults. The tween group will be new. Miller and the staff wanted that age group to have its own focus.

She will push for more computer training for staff, and also wants to order more new books and other materials for patrons.

Expanding programs for adults also will be a focus. Miller said some programs could include sessions on knitting and crocheting. She is open to ideas from the community on other topics for adult programs.

Doherty said the library board and Miller had a retreat on Jan. 31 with a facilitator from the Nioga Library System. The group identified four goals: a collection development strategy that meets the needs of the community, “relentness” pursuit for improved customer service, recommendation from director on best use of staff and how to perhaps use employees to develop new programs, and more adult programming.

The library has had a turbulent past year following the termination of director Susan Rudnicky, Terry Wilbert serving in an interim role, and then Jeff Davignon leading the library for about five months.

The library parted ways with Davignon last month after many community and staff members complained about his management style. Several long-time employees either quit, retired or were fired under Davignon.

Gerard Morrissey, a library patron, addressed the board last night. He said the board should consider it a fresh start with Miller on board.

“This is a new start for everyone,” Morrissey said. “It doesn’t matter who started it or who’s right or wrong. Let’s have a new beginning. The old stuff is wiped away.”

Miller’s husband Fred is an Orleans County legislator. He is also the long-time owner of Family Hardware in downtown Albion.

The library has long been a customer of the store. Doherty said that will likely continue. The library will compare prices between Family Hardware and Ace Hardware and go with the lowest price when it needs hardware supplies. Mrs. Miller said she would have someone else sign off on any purchases from Family Hardware.

Photos by Tom Rivers
Albion firefighters, including Rob Connor with Hurst Tool, pry open a door on a pickup truck to let out the driver after an accident this morning at about 9:07 on Clarendon Street.

The driver of the pickup truck was making a left turn from Crimson Drive and was struck by another vehicle that was coming over the Clarendon Street Bridge.

Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance was on scene treating people for minor injuries.

Police Chief Roland Nenni said the accident remains under investigation. He said the intersection at Crimson Drive and the base of the bridge is “very dangerous” due to limited visibility. However, there haven’t been too many accidents there over the years.

The bridge is scheduled to be torn out this spring.

Photo by Tom Rivers – This picture was taken today of the former Swan Library at 4 North Main St.

ALBION – The board of trustees at Hoag Library tonight approved a $53,000 sale price for the former Swan Library. The closing date has been set for March 15.

The library will have to work hard to empty the building in the next month before Chad Fabry of Holley takes ownership of the building, a former mansion at 4 North Main St. The 6,000-square-foot building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fabry would like to make the building available for professional offices. He intends to make the main meeting room in the library available as a community meeting space.

“He is looking for the highest and best use of the building,” said Kevin Doherty, president of the library board of trustees.

Library leaders say they are disappointed the building didn’t command more on the open market. It was listed by Peter Snell Realtors for $99,900.

“We wanted it to be more,” said Dele Theodorakos, a library trustee who works in real estate.

The building from 1851 only has a few parking spaces. It doesn’t have a kitchen and has asbestos in the basement. The building is being sold “as is” and for cash.

Fabry likes that the building is intact and hasn’t been altered too much since it was built.

The money from the sale will be used to pay down the mortgage on the new Hoag Library, which opened in July 2012. Selling the Swan site will relieve the library of about $25,000 to $28,000 in annual expense for utilities, insurance, elevator maintenance and other costs.

The library has an ambitious time frame to clear out items from the site. Most of the historical artifacts including those from the Civil War Room will be moved to the new building to be displayed in the foyer and also in the local history room.

The library will likely need to rent storage units for many of the items at the Swan site, and many items will likely be discarded.

Library employees and volunteers will set about the task of determining what goes to the Hoag, what goes to storage and what will be thrown away. A professional mover may be hired after the items are catalogued, Doherty said.

ALBION – Matt Ballard’s talk scheduled for this evening on Orleans County soldiers’ involvement in World War I has been cancelled due to nasty weather.

Ballard, interim director of The Cobblestone Museum, was scheduled to share stories of several local veterans of World War I during a presentation at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. The talk was arranged by the Orleans County Genealogical Society.

The Cobblestone Museum is currently developing an exhibition entitled “The Lost Generation” focused around the contributions of Orleans County soldiers to WWI.

That exhibit is expected to debut on June 1.

ALBION – Matthew Ballard, interim director of The Cobblestone Museum, will share stories of several local veterans of World War I during a presentation tonight at 7 at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.

The Cobblestone Museum is currently developing an exhibition entitled “The Lost Generation” focused around the contributions of Orleans County soldiers to WWI.

Residents familiar with local history are aware of Company F of the Medina Armory and the service of that unit during the World Wars. Many men enlisted with other units and other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces well before President Wilson issued his declaration of war in April of 1917.

Ballard will be the featured speaker during tonight’s meeting of the Orleans County Genealogical Society. Ballard will share stories of several local men who served with the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps during the war and will highlight the service of Company F, 108th Infantry during the unit’s attack on the Hindenburg Line in September 1918.

Although the unit suffered its heaviest casualties, the men of the 108th were the only ones to break the German defenses. The heroics of their sacrifice was noted through the numerous citations and medals awarded to the men of the company.

Guests are invited to bring along stories of their own ancestors’ service during the war and are encouraged to share photographs, records, documents and letters.

The program is free and open to the public. The Pullman church is located at 10 East Park St., Albion.

ALBION – Some engineering students at the Rochester Institute of Technology are using Albion for some real-world experience.

Four students in Paul Chatfield’s class were in Albion this morning to look at extending sewer services south on Route 98, between Allen Road and Route 31A.

Chatfield has provided engineering service for the town for about 20 years. Since 2003, he has been an adjunct professor at RIT in the Civil Engineering Technology Department.

Albion town officials have considered extending sewer mains on 98 before, but the project hasn’t moved forward. Town Supervisor Matt Passarell sees land along 98 as attractive to potential businesses and developers – if the sites have sewer service.

“The water is there but right now we don’t have sewer,” Passarell said today after meeting with Chatifeld and the RIT students.

Chatfield and the students will work on the project without a cost to the town. They will look at the engineering needed to extend an 8-inch sewer main about 1.5 miles from Allen Road to 31A. There is a slight rise in elevation from Allen Road going south that will have to be part of the engineering for a new sewer district.

If the town decides to pursue a sewer district, Passarell said residents would be surveyed and cost estimates would be detailed.

For now, he said he is pleased Chatfield and the RIT students are interested in the project.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A huge crowd crammed into the Elk’s Lodge in Albion today to show support for David Rustay and his family. Mr. Rustay is fighting brain cancer. He is pictured pulling the winning ticket for one of the 123 gift baskets donated for today’s “Rally with the Rustays.”

Donna Vanderlaan, left, helped organize the event. She graduated with Rustay in 1985 from Albion. Many of Rustay’s classmates were the main organizers behind today’s event.

“We went to school with him and we love him very much,” said Marlene Seielstad, one of his classmates and event volunteers. “Once an Eagle always an Eagle.”

Three women who graduated with Rustay call out winning raffle tickets at the Elk’s Club. They include, from left, Dawn Thiel in orange shirt, Kellie Braley, and Pam Jenks.

Rustay has had brain surgery to remove nearly all of a tumor. He has endured radiation and just started a second round of chemotherapy. He has continued to work full-time as a highway mechanic and motor equipment operator for the Town of Gaines.

“Everybody likes Dave,” said Ron Mannella, the Gaines highway superintendent. “He has helped a lot of people through the years. He’s a super nice guy.”

Rustay has proven a dedicated and skilled employee in the highway department.

“It’s remarkable the things he can do,” Mannella said. “He can fix anything.”

David and Stephanie Rustay and their children, Katie and Alex, express their thanks for the community support.

Rustay hasn’t missed much work since he was diagnosed with brain cancer in late September.

“It hasn’t slowed him down a bit,” Mannella said.

Mannella is a member of the Orleans County Highway Superintendents Association, which donated $1,000 to the Rustays to help with medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs.

Organizers estimated more than 1,000 people attended the event today, which included 60 pots of chili and soup, many tables of gift baskets and other raffles.

Rustay said he was overwhelmed by the enormous crowd and all of the support.

“I was so surprised,” he said. “It’s a really satisfying thing for me and my family.”

David Rustay, highway worker for Gaines, fights brain cancer

Photo by Tom Rivers – David Rustay is pictured with his daughter Katie and wife Stephanie at the Albion basketball game tonight. There will be a party and benefit for the family on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge, 428 West State St., Albion.

ALBION – David Rustay has always been the one people call for help. If a car breaks down, a snowblower stalls, or a driveway fills with snow, he gets the call.

Rustay works as a mechanic and motor equipment operator with the Town of Gaines. He likes to help his friends when he’s off work. He enjoys his job with the highway department, connecting with many community members.

“He does a lot for everybody,” his wife Stephanie says.

Mr. Rustay is a frequent presence at youth sporting events. His son Alex, 13, plays soccer and daughter Katie, 15, is a cheerleader and also a pole vaulter in track and field.

Mr. Rustay, 48, has brain cancer. A tumor was removed in early October. He endured six weeks of radiation and 42 days of chemo. He just started round two of chemo.

He has continued to work full-time for the town, including one 80-hour week in early January during heavy snowfall. While out on the community in recent months, he is often stopped by residents, both friends and strangers. They tell him they are praying for him. Many drop off meals for his family.

Rustay tears up talking about it. He didn’t expect so much support while fighting this battle.

“It’s a true testament of a small town,” he said this evening in the high school cafeteria. “I constantly hear from people. I just can’t believe the support.”

Rustay was at the school tonight to watch his daughter be a cheerleader at the girls’ basketball games.

On Saturday, there will be a “Rally with the Rustays” from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge in Albion at 428 West State St. More than 100 gift baskets will be auctioned off with other raffles for a kayak, an iPad mini, a queen-sized handmade quilt, a Buffalo Bills golf bag with lots of accessories, a fishing charter gift certificate for $375, and a vacuum cleaner valued at over $600.

There will also be chili/chowder/soup cook-off, and a $5 donation gets an all-you-can-eat bowl with a beverage.

Provided photo – David and Stephanie Rustay are pictured this fall with son Alex and daughter Katie.

Mr. Rustay said he is grateful his energy hasn’t been sapped by chemo and radiation. He has been able to keep working and keep up with his kids’ activities.

He was with his son Alex in the fall when Alex got his first deer with a bow. Alex was with his father when David shot an 8-point buck on Dec. 14, the biggest deer he’s ever got. That one is being mounted and will be displayed in the family home.

Rustay’s energy during the treatments has surprised his doctors.

“They have never seen a patient like him,” his wife said.

Rustay gets up early, takes care of his own driveway and then goes to work, climbing under vehicles in need of repair and driving plow trucks.

He had a seizure on Jan. 27 and will be on light duty until he is cleared by the doctors. Rustay won’t be able to drive a plow truck likely for a few months, but he is still fixing town equipment and checking waterlines.

Rustay graduated from Albion in 1985. He was a member of Albion’s undefeated football team in 1983, playing wingback and cornerback. A picture of that team hangs in the hallway leading to the gym.

Many of his teammates, including those from the other side of the country, have reached out to him since his cancer diagnosis.

The Rustays are looking forward to the rally on Saturday, to seeing so many friends and thanking them for their support.

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Apollo Family Restaurant, located at 13939 State Route 31 West and 13927 State Route 31 West, has a new owner.

ALBION – The former Apollo Restaurant was purchased today from Orleans County, which became owner of the site after several years of unpaid taxes.

The property is on Route 31, just west of the village. Rick and Dawn Stacey offered $125,000 for the property and the County Legislature unanimously approved the bid this afternoon.

Stacey, owner of RS Automation, said the site “is a great location.” He is considering options for the property.

He said the site will be improved. He also owns other properties on Route 98, including the building for Weedman and the former Starkweather Freight Lines. Stacey said he upgraded those buildings and has worked with the tenants to grow their businesses.

“Everything I’ve done I’ve put a lot of effort in,” Stacey said. “I’m optimistic about it. It’s a nice piece of property.”

Ted Scharping, a long-time local real estate investor, bid $151,500 for the property, but the Legislature selected Stacey’s bid. Scharping didn’t submit a bid in writing until today, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer.

The property had been on the market for many months, and was listed by Peter Snell Realtors in Albion for $164,900.

Scharping said the former diner is a desirable piece of property. He said a father and son wanted to reopen the place as a restaurant.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A concert on Friday night, with nearly 20 different musical acts, raised more than $7,000 towards a memorial scholarship in honor of Wayne Burlison, an elementary music teacher who died on March 26 after fighting colon cancer.

The top photo shows David Martin, a member of The Hit Men based in Rochester. Burlison was a member of the group and wrote music for the popular parade band.

Burlison’s colleagues, friends and family are trying to raise $10,000 for a scholarship is his memory. The Albion Alumni Foundation will administer the fund with a plan to offer a $500 scholarship each year. Burlison’s wife Lisa, an elementary school teacher, will help select the scholarship winner.

Burlison was an active musician in the community, and several of the groups he played in performed during Friday’s concert. He also was a leader in the Albion Running Club.

The Running Club is organizing a 3.17-mile walk and run on March 28 that will start at 12:01 p.m. at the school. Proceeds from the “Run for Wayne” will go towards the scholarship.

The distance is a little longer than the 3.1-mile 5Ks. The 3.17 represents 3 months and 17 days, the amount of time Burlison lived from his cancer diagnosis until he died.

Rachel Curtin, the elementary school principal, sings and plays the piano during the concert on Friday that was attended by about 600 people at the middle school auditorium.

“I am very grateful for the students who performed, assisted, and/or attended,” High School Band Director Mike Thaine posted on the band’s Facebook page. “It was a wonderful tribute to Mr. Burlison, and raised more than $7,000 toward his memorial scholarship.”

About 600 attend concert at Albion Middle School

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Nearly 20 musical acts performed on Friday night in a concert for the Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship. Burlison was an active member in several groups at the school district and also with community bands.

The top photo shows Albion native Travis Klossner, a member of The Hit Men in Rochester. Burlison performed in the group and played many different instruments for the band, which is popular at many local parades.

Burlison was 36 when he died from colon cancer last March 26. He was an elementary band teacher at Albion, and also worked with the marching band, jazz ensemble and other musical groups.

“He was very much loved and involved in a lot of things,” High School band director Mike Thaine told about 600 people who attended the concert. “This is a celebration of music in our schools and Wayne’s legacy was a love for music.”

An ensemble from the marching band, including Riley Seielstad on saxophone, performed early in the concert. The drum majors include Char Olick, left, and Meredith Patterson.

Burlison was a member of the Mark Time Marchers based in Churchville. Wayne wrote several of the band’s parade songs. His brother-in-law Bob Pastecki is the group’s leader.

Retired Albion instrumental teacher Mike Grammatico plays in a saxophone duet with his grandson Nate Grammatico, one of Burlison’s students.

Burlison was a member of the praise band at the Albion Free Methodist Church. Tom Smith and Linda Logan sing one of Burlison’s favorite songs, “Beautiful Things.”

Karen Conn (right), a music teacher and music therapist at the school, performs with her daughter Shannon Vanderlaan, a 2011 Albion grad and oboe major at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

Albion music teachers perform in a jazz combo in this photo taken from the side of the stage. The group includes, from left: Greg Martillotta on drums, Lindsey Fix, Mike Thaine and Gary Simboli.

Megan Zambito, an elementary vocal teacher, and retired Albion teacher Alec Sherman sing, “Somewhere Out There.”

The Albion Alumni Foundation will manage the Burilson scholarship. The group is working to raise $10,000 to endow the scholarship. Another fund-raiser will be March 28 and includes another passion of Burlison’s: fitness.

The Albion Running Club is planning the “Run for Wayne” that will cover 3.17 miles and is open to walkers and runners. (A shorter course will also be available.) For more information, click here.

Photo by Tom Rivers – The century-old lift bridge on Main Street will have its weight limit reduced today from 22 to 19 tons.

ALBION – The Main Street Lift Bridge will soon be getting repairs, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley announced today.

The state Department of Transportation is reducing the maximum weight limit today from 22 to 19 tons so repairs can soon get underway, Hawley said.

The DOT may need to close the bridge for some of the construction. Notifications will be sent to the media if the bridge is shut down for repairs, he said.

“I am proud to announce that infrastructure improvements are taking place right here in Albion,” Hawley said. “Work is scheduled to begin very soon on the lift bridge and I have been told that we could see a completed project as early as March. Projects such as these are crucial for the transportation of heavy materials that go through Albion. These repairs will not only improve the safety of the bridge but allow heavier loads to cross once repairs are complete, which in turn cuts down on travel time and reduces costs for local businesses.”