By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 April 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A tentative village budget would raise taxes by 7.3 percent, but Mayor Dean London said the Village Board and department heads will work hard to bring that increase down.
He would like to avoid a tax increase over 2 percent. To do that, the board will need to chop about $130,000 from the budget.
The board has already cut many costs from the 2015-16 spending plan, and trustees said they will try to find more expenses to trim.
The board will meet Saturday to go over the budget and has scheduled a vote for 7 p.m. on April 22 to pass the budget. It must be adopted by April 30.
The tentative budget includes $6,562,504 in the general, water and sewer funds. The village would need to collect $2,640,662 in taxes as part of the budget, which is up $180,333 from the $2,460,329 in 2014-15.
If the village raises taxes by 2 percent that would be about $49,200 more in taxes, rather than the $180,333 in the tentative budget.
“We still have our work cut out for us,” Trustee Gary Katsanis said during Wednesday’s board meeting.
Albion already has one of the highest village tax rates in the region at $17.48 per $1,000 of assessed property. The tentative budget would raise that by $1.29 to $18.77.
The village has seen the rate climb in recent years as the overall tax base of the community went down. A year ago the village lost $2.7 million in assessed value. The latest numbers show another decline, but only by $60,830. The village’s taxable value for 2015-16 will be $140,690,261.
Photo by Tom Rivers – A pedestrian walks south on King Street on Tuesday in Albion while a motorist heads north on the street after crossing the railroad tracks. King Street doesn’t have sidewalks.
ALBION – The Village of Albion is hosting one of 10 “walkability audits” happening across the Finger Lakes region. Community members are welcome to be part of the discussion and audit on April 13 to make the village more pedestrian-friendly.
The project is funded by the Genesee Transportation Council through its Unified Planning Work Program. The purpose of the audit is to get local perspectives on the problems and opportunities faced by pedestrians, and develop solutions for improving pedestrian safety, accessibility, convenience and comfort.
The intent of the effort is to help increase foot traffic and encourage alternatives to automobiles as a means of transportation. As a result, the Council hopes to increase the vibrancy and appeal of the Village of Albion as a place to shop, socialize and recreate.
The walkability audit will succeed best if it includes a range of community stakeholders from all perspectives working together to understand the issues and opportunities and make sure the plan is responsive to locally identified needs.
Participants in the “walkability audit” should RSVP with Dale Brooks, Albion DPW superintendent, by calling 585-589-7061.
The tentative schedule for the day includes:
11:30 a.m. – Stakeholders to join at Village of Albion board room, 35-37 East bank St., with lunch to be provided
Noon to 1 p.m. – Presentation to stakeholders
1 p.m. – Audit Start (tentatively planned to meet at the Village DPW)
2:30/3 p.m. – Working Group Sessions at Village Hall
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion High School Alumni Foundation will offer a new scholarship this year in memory of Wayne Burlison, the district’s elementary band teacher who died at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.
Burlison also served as assistant marching band director, assistant jazz band director and was active in many community musical groups. He also was co-founder of the Albion Running Club and spearheaded a fitness program through the Albion Free Methodist Church that helped many people run their first 5-kilometer race.
A concert on Jan. 30 included 20 musical acts and raised about $7,000. A “Run for Wayne” on March 28 raised another $3,000 towards the scholarship. The proceeds from the events met the $10,000 goal for an endowed scholarship in honor of Burlison.
Some of the leaders of the Albion Running Club met with Burlison’s family and Chris Haines, president of the Alumni Foundation, for a check presentation today.
The group includes, from left: Thom Jennings, Running Club communications director; Brian Krieger, Running Club executive director, Adam Burlison; Lisa Burlison; Mark Moore, Run for Wayne race director; Chris Haines from the Alumni Foundation; and Shannon Brett, board member for Running Club.
The first scholarship for $500 will be awarded in June at Class Night. It will be presented to a graduate with a passion for the arts, who demonstrates perseverance and overcame challenges, said Mrs. Burlison. She and her son Adam will be on the selection committee with members of the Alumni Foundation’s Scholarship Committee.
The scholarship winner doesn’t have to be majoring in music or the performing arts, but needs to participate in the fine arts in college.
“Wayne believed anyone could be a life-long musician,” his wife said.
She is grateful the community responded to the concert and the “Run for Wayne” and raised the money for the scholarship. She thanked the Running Club for organizing the run and walk on March 28 and Mike Thaine, the high school band teacher, for taking the lead in the concert on Jan. 30.
“I’m very grateful for how it all came together,” Mrs. Burlison said. “I couldn’t have done it by myself. They’ve turned into beautiful community events.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There has been a whole lot of shaking on Clarendon Street this afternoon with heavy equipment taking apart the Clarendon Street bridge.
Wargo Enterprises in Akron was hired as a subcontractor to rip apart the concrete structure. Keeler Construction in Barre is the main contractor on the project.
Wargo used a shear attachment to chop into the concrete.
The bridge will be removed and the street will be blocked off at the railroad tracks.
Eventually, Village of Albion officials are hopeful the state and federal governments will allow an at-grade crossing at the site.
Wargo started the demolition on the south side of the bridge.
The demolition unleashed lots of dust.
Mark Fite, a collision technician for DK Autobody, stopped by for a photo. DK is on Childs Street, next to the bridge.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2015 at 12:00 am
New art show, fall festival join wine tasting, other events
File photo by Tom Rivers – Scott Sackett of Batavia, a vendor at the Downtown Browsery, pours Blanc d’Orleans from Leonard Oakes Estate Winery on Aug. 9 during the a wine-tasting event in downtown Albion. About 200 people tried wines at several spots on Main Street and in the downtown.
ALBION – Last year the Albion Merchants Association and village government worked together to add a concert series and wine-tasting event.
Both the concert series and wine-tasting will be back this year, and the Merchants are planning more activities as well, including an art show and a fall festival.
The events are intended to draw people to the downtown and support the local businesses, said Debbie Grimm, vice president of the Merchants Association and a vendor at the Hazy Jade Gift Shop.
Some of the events for 2015 include:
Stained-glass window tour on April 18, starting at 11 a.m. at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. The tour will highlight the seven historic churches in the Courthouse Square. Many businesses will also offer sales for the day.
The new “Art in Bloom” features art submissions from the community, from children to senior citizens. Their artwork will be featured on 5-by-7-inch canvasses that will be displayed inside the Hoag Library.
File photo – The Dady Brothers, shown performing last June 19 in Albion, will be back again this year to kick off the second season of Albion’s “Concerts on the Canal.” In this photo, Joe Dady pops the penny whistle in his brother John Dady’s mouth during the performance while John continues playing guitar.
“It can be of anything you want as long as it’s on a 5 by 7 canvas,” Grimm said at this morning’s Merchants Association meeting.
The canvasses are available at Hazy Jade Gift Shop, Bindings Bookstore and the library. The submissions should be returned by May 11. The show will run from May 16 to June 13. An opening reception is planned for 5 p.m. on May 16.
The artwork can be purchased for $10. The proceeds will be used to fund flowers and other events in the downtown.
The “Concerts on the Canal” will be on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. from June 18 to Aug. 13. The series kicks off with the Dady Brothers.
The village is managing the concerts, which have been moved from Bank Street to a park on the canal at the end of Platt Street. A grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is helping to pay for the series.
The 400 to 500 cyclists who ride the Erie Canal are expected to pass through Albion on July 13 between 8 and 10 a.m. The Merchants Association urges the community to welcome the participants for the annual “Cycling the Erie Canal.”
The second annual “Sip & Stroll Through History” will feature wine tastings at many local businesses and stops in the downtown from 3 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 15. Grimm reported that 11 wineries have already committed, as well as farm vendors, BAD-AsH-BBQ and the local musical group, the Sophisticats.
The Merchants will continue a shopping tour on Oct. 9-10 that will include deals and raffles at local businesses.
File photo – Gary Deiboldt of Albion plays the keyboards for the Sophisticats during a performance in downtown Albion last July. The group will play during a wine-tasting in Albion on Aug. 15.
The shopping tour will include a Fall Festival on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will includes many children’s activities and games, a quilt display, baking contest, scarecrow auction, entertainment and a beer-tasting or beer tent.
Beggar’s Night will be at 6 p.m. on Oct. 30 when kids in costume visit local businesses for treats.
Nov. 28 will be Small-Business Saturday when residents are urged to shop at local businesses.
The 4th Annual Hometown Holiday is planned for Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include games, raffles, pictures with Santa and other activities.
The Merchants welcome community support in helping to plan and fund the events.
For more information on the Merchants, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Clarendon Street bridge dismantled after 40 years
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A bridge that was built 40 years ago came down today after being ripped apart from the shears on heavy equipment from Wargo Enterprises, an Akron company specializing in demolition.
Wargo is a subcontractor for the bridge removal. This photo was taken at about 7:40 p.m.
Keeler Construction is the main contractor and removed the pavement and road base on the bridge and its approaches.
Keeler will take away the bridge debris and the embankments and level off the street, which will be blocked off at the railroad tracks.
The project will allow for the proper turning radius for Crimson Drive and Childs Street. The blocked off areas will be landscaped.
This photo was taken at about 4:30 p.m., when Wargo started tearing into the top of the bridge.
An employee at Genesee Valley Transportation, owner of the railroad, watches the demolition. A platform was placed over the railroad tracks by the bridge so the tracks wouldn’t be damaged from the heavy equipment and falling debris.
A platform is set up over the tracks for the equipment to maneuver without damaging the rails. (The GVT employees weren’t eaten by the machinery.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Although church closed, congregation will still serve coffee, snacks
Photo by Tom Rivers
Provided photo – Andrews last month received an award from the United Methodist Women for her volunteerism in the church. Andrews, center, is pictured with Marie Follett (left), the president of the UMW at the Albion church, and Elli Lockwood, secretary of the UMW.
ALBION – Sandy Andrews shovels the steps in front of the First United Methodist Church in this photo from Jan. 16, 2014. Andrews is part of the church’s hospitality ministry for people taking the road test through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
For years the church has opened its building so friends and family of the drivers could have a cup of coffee or hot cocoa, a snack and use the bathroom. The road test starts in front of the church.
The church is no longer holding services at the location at the corner of Platt and East State streets following a deconsecration service on Friday. The congregation held its first service this Sunday at Christ Episcopal Church, where it is now sharing the building with the Episcopalians.
Andrews said the United Methodists plan to continue to offer the hospitality ministry “as long as we are in possession of the building.” The church will likely sell the historic church building, but a time frame hasn’t been established.
The church typically offers the hospitality ministry once a week during the winter for people taking road tests. As the weather warms up, there are road tests two or three days a week. Andrews said the congregation will try to be available each time there is a test-taker.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There was another accident at about 11:30 a.m. today at the intersection of Route 31 and Eagle Harbor Road.
No one was seriously injured. Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance responded to the scene, but no one needed to be transported.
Albion firefighters also responded and cleaned up debris on the roadways. This intersection has been the scene of many accidents, including fatal collisions, in recent years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A crew cut down a cluster of pine trees by the tennis courts this week at Albion Central School. The trees were shedding needles and dropping debris on the tennis courts.
The trees were planted about 30 years ago as a memorial to John Moyer, who died in a car accident on Ridge Road on April 6, 1985. Bruce Wright, one of Moyer’s friends, helped plant the trees and was upset to see them cut down.
The school district is exploring options for “a suitable replacement landscape,” said Margy Brown, president of the Board of Education.
Wright said he would like to see a memorial continue for Moyer on school grounds.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 April 2015 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – Bill Lattin, Orleans County historian, talks about the Christ the Consoler window in the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church during a stained glass window tour in December 2013. The church in 1895 wanted a window with outstretched arms of Christ to fit the denomination’s welcoming tradition.
ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association sees the seven historic churches in Albion’s Courthouse Square as a community asset, and their artwork and architecture will be celebrated on April 18 during a stained glass window tour.
Bill Lattin, the recently retired Orleans County historian, will lead the tour beginning at 11 a.m. at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. That church has more than 40 windows from the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, perhaps the most famed stained glass artist.
The Merchants Association is organizing the event and many of the businesses will have spring sales that day. The Merchants are suggesting a donation of $5 per person for the window tour.
A crowd views the stained glass window at the First United Methodist Church during a tour of windows in December 2013. The Good Shepherd window was a gift to the congregation by the church’s pastor in 1914, the Rev. Henry Clay Woods.
This may be the last chance to see the windows at the United Methodist Church. That church is having at farewell service today at a 7 p.m. ecumenical Good Friday service.
The church has some structural problems with its roof. The congregation will start holding services on Sunday at Christ Episcopal Church.
The fate of the United Methodist church building is uncertain.
The seven churches are part of a district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lattin will discuss styles and designers of the windows, the symbolism and Biblical stories in the scenes, and some background on the people memorialized with some of the windows.
The Albion churches have examples of windows from the 1860s to 1960s. Lattin wrote a book about Orleans County’s stained glass windows: “Luminaries in the Firmament.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Workers from L.C. Whitford in Wellsville repair the cover plates on the bottom of the Main Street lift bridge in Albion this afternoon.
The bridge has been closed since March 25 for repairs. Besides working on the cover plates, L.C. Whitford is fixing the floor beams and replacing some of the stringers on the bridge.
Two years ago most of the stringers were replaced. The current project will replace ones that weren’t changed in 2013.
“The road salt just wreaks havoc on these old bridges,” said Scott Sullivan, the DOT engineer in charge of the project.
The pits on the north and south sides of the bridge from 1911 also need work. Those pits hold the counter-weights that are used to move the bridge up and down. The lifting frame on the south pit will be upgraded and the beam on the north side pit will be fixed as part of the repair effort.
Sullivan said the DOT wants to have the work done by April 22, when the historic Erie Canal begins to be filled for its 191st season.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Democratic Party Committee presented a $1,000 check this evening to leaders of the Albion Fire Department. The donation was made in memory of Fran Nayman, a leader in the party who died in a fire on Dec. 12 at his small engine repair shop in Albion.
Jeanne Crane, Democratic Party chairwoman, presents the money to Albion Fire Department officials, from left: Al Cheverie, president; Jeremy Graham, assistant fire chief; Harry Papponetti, deputy fire chief; and Rocky Sidari, fire chief. Gary Kent, back left, and County Legislator Fred Miller are also pictured.
Nayman was a big supporter of the Fire Department, as well as other causes in the community, Kent said.
“He was all about his community and giving back unselfishly,” Kent said.
The Democratic Party Committee wanted to direct the money in Nayman’s memory to the Fire Department, because volunteer firefighters exemplify Nayman’s traits of community service, Kent said during a presentation at Hoag Library.
“There is no group of people that epitomizes selflessness and giving without any expectation of getting anything in return,” Kent said about firefighters.
Nayman was 76 when he died in the fire. He is former county legislator and Albion town supervisor. He was a source of encouragement for Democratic Party candidates, who need to overcome a 2-to-1 enrollment advantage against Republicans in Orleans County.
“There isn’t a Democrat in Orleans County who ran for office and didn’t get help financially or with advice to try to help you win the election,” said David Green, retired Orleans County sheriff and current vice chairman for the party. “He was always out there with you.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 April 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Morgan Tinkous, manager of the PAWS Animal Shelter on Gaines Basin Road in Albion, visits with Bailey, a dog that was adopted and will soon be picked up by its new owners.
Tinkous has worked at the shelter the past 8 years, starting when she was 16. The no-kill shelter, which started in 1981, currently has four dogs and 10 cats up for adoption. Usually it has more animals.
Becky Karls, manager of Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Homes in Albion, noticed that April is “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.” That prompted her to want to help collect donations for PAWS.
Merrill-Grinnell will collect food, blankets, toys, cat litter and cleaning supplies this month with a decorative box at the funeral home, 12 Ingersoll St.
Tinkous said the items are welcome. PAWS could also use money to pay for the vet bills, utilities and other costs in running the shelter – about $4,000 a month, Tinkous said.
She is working with volunteers to plan fund-raisers this year. A wine-tasting last year raised $3,000 for PAWS. Tinkous said the organization expects to try that fund-raiser again and is considering other events to raise money.
Morgan Tinkous and Becky Karls are pictured with some of the cats and the “cat tree” at Paws Animal Shelter.
This Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., the Easter Bunny is stopping by the shelter. There will also be an egg hunt from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and community members are welcome to bring their own dog and search for eggs.
PAWS also has a separate fund-raiser for remodelling its outside kennels, a project that could cost $5,000 to $10,000.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The sale of the former Swan Library building at the corner of West State and North Main streets is expected to close any day now.
ALBION – For nearly two months, Hoag Library staff, volunteers and professional movers worked to empty the former Swan Library.
The sale of the building was to be finalized on March 23. Eight days after that date, the building remains in possession of the library.
The sale should close any day now, said Kevin Doherty, president of the Board of Trustees.
He said there aren’t any problems with the sale or the process, but some of the paperwork is still being reviewed by lawyers. The library met its goal of cleaning out the building by March 23.
The former library, a historic 6,000-square-foot site on Main Street, will be sold for $53,000 to Chad Fabry of Holley.
He wants to make the building available for offices, as well as a community meeting room.
“It needs some paint, some flooring work and fixture updates,” Fabry said today. “Otherwise it’s in great shape. I look forward to closing sometime soon.”
The library rented a dumpster for some of the junk and non-valuables at the site. Some of the more valuable artifacts were moved to the Hoag Library or a storage unit.
Swan was home to the community’s public library for 112 years, until the library moved a few blocks south to a new 14,600-square-foot building in 2012. The Hoag Library more than doubled the space for the library and offered far more parking spaces. The new site also is fully handicapped accessible.
Provided photo – Albion students who attended the “Close Up” trip include, from left: Morgan Seielstad, Daniel Beam, Andrew Hollenbeck, Kaitlyn Pieniaszek, Ben Miller, Jacob Squicciarini, Dylan Bader, Drake Arnold, Alyce Miller and Scott Daniels.
Press Release
Albion Central School
ALBION – Each year, high school students from around the country gather in Washington D.C. to share ideas, embrace geographic differences, make connections and ultimately gain a better understanding of how our government works.
This experience is hosted by the “Close Up” Foundation with a mission it is to inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. It brings together students from a wide variety of backgrounds and communities so they can share their outlooks and immerse themselves in national policy.
This year 10 students from Albion High School participated in this self-funded week-long educational experience. The trip included touring national monuments, meeting with representatives from the military, Secret Service and exploring many other opportunities.
Each of the students had different opinions of the highlights of the trip.
“This trip has taught me that even as someone who is not eligible to cast a vote, there are outlets for my voice to get heard,” said student Scott Daniels said. “A citizen in America holds immense power, we are the government, and once we become informed, we can be politically effective.”
Andrew Hollenbeck said: “The trip made it apparent that in the future, politics was going to be up to us. We are the future of this country and we better be prepared.”
Ben Miller attended one workshop which discussed the “Pledge of Allegiance.” “Being able to participate in the Close Up trip and this workshop in particular opened my eyes to the views of many people from around the U.S. and their ideas on how to improve our government.”
Alyce Miller found a unique experience that really impacted her. She said: “While on the trip to Washington, D.C., we were fortunate enough to speak with a man who had been homeless. This experience really opened our eyes to what the world is really like. He is now heading up a soup kitchen to help others who find themselves homeless. His hard work and perseverance demonstrated that you should never give up!”
Jacob Squicciarini summed up the trip by echoing a common theme amongst students. “Although it may seem that one person cannot possibly make a difference, if that one person works hard and spreads the work, others will join the cause and better times will come,” he said.
