By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2022 at 5:33 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The at the Masonic Lodge in Albion poses in the kitchen after they served 182 Thanksgiving dinners.
The Renovation Masonic Lodge teamed with The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries to prepare and serve the meals. Pictured in front from left include Lisa DeCarlo, Val Rush and Bonnie Johnson. Back row: Dan DeCarlo, Pastor Al Wilson, Ykeeta Wilson, Decklan Meiers, Nicole Horn and Jeff Holler.
Provided photos
Many of the meals were takeouts were delivered to local EMTs, law enforcement officers, Arc residences and the Boxcar Apartments.
Jeff Holler and Nicole Horn fill a takeout tray with food.
Photos by Tom Rivers
Lee Tisdale, owner of Romyn’s Smoked BBQ on Bank Street, also served Thanksgiving meals for free today. He was up to 23 meals at about 2 this afternoon and would be open until 6 p.m.
Tisdale opened Romyn’s about three years ago. He serves barbecued food, as well as Philly steaks, hamburgers and other food.
“This is just a way to give back to the community and thank you for their support,” Tisdale said.
The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion also had 350 meals ready to be served today for the community.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2022 at 9:12 am
Stage will be set up on Main Street near bridge for performers
Photo by Tom Rivers: There will be a stage set up Saturday in this part of Main Street, near the closed off lift bridge, for performers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ALBION – Merchants are planning an expanded Small Business Saturday celebration in Albion to encourage people to stop by the local shops.
There will be activities in the downtown and also at the Arnold Gregory Complex on South Main Street. The businesses at Arnold Gregory will have a craft sale, basket raffle and will welcome many vendors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The downtown businesses will be offering specials and welcome people to check out the locally owned shops.
“We have a lot of amazing businesses that other places don’t have,” said Laura Kemler, owner of Laura Loxley which makes hand-dyed baskets, purses and vintage items. “People will be surprised by what we have to offer.”
The Main Street lift bridge closed to traffic on Nov. 14 and expected to be shut down for 18 months for a major restoration. Merchants are hoping one silver lining of the project may be it will slow down traffic so people can check out the businesses in the downtown area and also see what is offered at Arnold Gregory. (The businesses also are planning a Hometown Holiday event on Dec. 10.)
For this Saturday there will be a stage set up Main Street between Bank Street and Beaver Alley. Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, has performers lined up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The schedule includes:
10 a.m. – Albion High School Clarinet Choir
10:30 a.m. – AHS Brass Ensemble
11 a.m. – Danielle Schmidt vocal soloist
11:15 a.m. – Historic trivia/Pack 164 Boy Scouts skit
11:30 a.m. – Celebrate Jonathan Doherty’s memory with karaoke
Noon – Holiday Tap Dance – Sleigh Ride
12:15 p.m. – Historic Trivia
12:30 p.m. – Ugly Sweater Parade (meet on the stage – everyone welcome)
1 p.m. – Music by the 3D Trio (John Borello, Alona Kuhns and Lonnie Froman)
1:30 p.m. – Line dancing with Miss Gloria
2 p.m. – Excerpt of the Nutcracker (Snowflakes)
2:15 p.m. – Excerpt of the Nutcracker (Flowers)
2:30 p.m. – Julia Fuller & Isabelle Truelson Dance Duet
2:25 p.m. – Jenna Uderitz dance solo to Holly Jolly Christmas
2:30 p.m. – Holiday music
3 p.m. – Mia Standish dance solo
3:15 – Line dancing with Miss Gloria
Sidari, owner of the dance studio for 25 years, hopes people will enjoy the performers and also explore the downtown businesses.
“This is an opportunity to get acquainted and get to know us,” she said about the businesses. “We want people to enjoy our downtown. People come here and say it’s a beautiful little village – It’s charming.”
Tara Thom, owner of the Town and Country Quilt Shop on Bank Street, said the businesses offer goods and services throughout the year. She would like to see people from outside Albion also shop in the community.
“I’m hoping people will get excited about shopping in their hometown or their neighboring hometown,” Thom said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2022 at 10:20 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Sheila Doty sets the tables at the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship. Doty was among a big group of volunteers from the church getting ready to serve up to 350 Thanksgiving dinners on Thursday.
“It is my way of sharing,” Doty said about helping at the “OK Kitchen.” “It warms me up and makes me feel good.”
There are about 75 settings at the church. The meals will be served from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 560 East Ave.
Roland Meiers, right, and Tim Delamarter chop onions for a casserole. The OK Kitchen opened at Harvest on June 2 and serves meals and offers fellowship on Thursdays.
Donna Verhagen, left, and Dee Huntington get turkeys ready to be cooked. There are 19 turkeys that will be served on Thursday for the Thanksgiving meal.
The food is ready and the tables are set for Thursday’s big meal.
Tim Delamarter checks the temperature of the turkeys in the oven.
Faith Smith and her husband Mike Smith organize nonperishable food items to be given out on Thanksgiving.
Mrs. Smith serves as the volunteer director of the kitchen. Albion students donated many of the canned food through a class challenge. Students were encouraged to bring in food with the grade level with the most cans winning an ice cream social.
About 200 to 250 people are served through the kitchen each week, with Mr. and Mrs. Smith taking meals to about 100 shut-ins.
Last week the village of Albion government prepared and served the meals – authentic Mexican tacos. That meal brought in a big crowd – 245 people were served.
Many other churches and community groups from around the county are taking a Thursday to prepare and serve a meal.
‘This is 100 percent community-based, supported by the community,” she said about the OK Kitchen.
Mrs. Smith said many of the people who come to the kitchen on site are there mostly for the fellowship, for the chance to sit down and have a meal and conversation with others.
“It’s the fellowship kitchen,” Smith said. “It’s for everyone.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2022 at 10:10 am
Photos courtesy of Faith Smith
ALBION – The Albion Police Department and Village Board held a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday evening for three officers who have been promoted to sergeant.
Will Francis, one of the new sergeants, takes the oath which is read by Village Trustee Tim McMurray at left.
Dillon Black also was promoted to sergeant. Black and Francis are both Albion graduates.
Albion Police Chief David Mogle, left, and Lt. Brandon Annable, right, welcome new sergeants – Robert Wagner and Dillon Black – to the department’s leadership.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2022 at 1:37 pm
ALBION – The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship will serve Thanksgiving meals on Thursday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 560 East Ave.
The community kitchen in Albion used to be based out of Christ Church on Main Street and served its meals on Friday evenings.
The new community kitchen switched to Thursdays at Harvest Christian Fellowship, with the first meals served on June 2.
Different church and community service groups volunteer on Thursdays, including doing prep work a day before.
With the switch to Thursdays that means the kitchen can serve a Thanksgiving meal on the day of the major holiday.
Faith Smith, director of the kitchen, is grateful the kitchen can provide meals and a gathering place on Thanksgiving for many people in the community.
“I just feel there are a lot of people especially seniors especially who are alone,” she said today. “I just want to open our doors and have a home-like setting and be able to fellowship with friends. It’s Thanksgiving but it’s also Friendsgiving.”
Many church members from Harvest offered to prepare and serve the meal. Smith said there will be 19 turkeys cooked for the dinner. The menu also includes green bean casserole with and without bacon, stuffing with and without sausage, homemade cranberry sauce, applesauce, rolls, sweet potato casserole and many dessert – pies, brownies and cakes.
The meals are available for free and can be eaten in the fellowship hall and taken home.
“I’m extremely excited,” Smith said. “I’ve always wanted to do the dinners on the holidays.”
She said many community organizations have assisted the kitchen in its first six months. Just recently the Elks Lodge in Albion donated $2,000 and also gave the kitchen a freezer and meat-slicer.
Another church also is serving Thanksgiving meals for free to the community on Thanksgiving. The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries is partnering with the Renovation Masonic Lodge 39 to serve the meals from noon to 4 p.m., or until gone at the Masonic Lodge, 39 Platt St.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2022 at 1:23 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: Doing the Dec. 15, 2019 Christmas in the Neighborhood concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, students sing, “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow.”
ALBION – The lineup of musical performers is set for Albion’s annual community holiday concert.
The event will be 3 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. All proceeds go to the Albion High School Alumni Foundation scholarships program and the First Presbyterian Church.
The concert includes current Albion students and many alumni. Concert coordinators are all Albion graduates and include Sue Thaine (the church pastor), Mike Thaine, Gary Simboli and Sue Starkweather Miller.
This year’s list of performers includes Gary Simboli, Community Brass Ensemble, Albion Presbyterian Choir, Hannah Brewer, Ethan Ferchen, Mike Thaine, Matt Mooney, Travis Klossner, Janet (Miller) Klossner, Karen Kenney Conn, AHS Choir Ensemble, Mike Grammatico & grandson Nate Grammatico, Community Choir: Hallelujah Chorus, AHS Instrumental Ensemble, Marlene Seielstad, Jennifer Trupo and Jason Pahura.
The community chorus has been practicing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church. They will perform the song during the concert.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2022 at 11:20 am
Businesses would like to see motorists turn at Bank Street instead of State Street
Photo by Tom Rivers: Main Street from near Beaver Alley to just north of the Erie Canal is blocked off to traffic while the lift bridge gets an extensive overhaul in the next 18 months.
ALBION – In the first week that the Main Street lift bridge was closed to traffic there were far less vehicles moving through the downtown, some Albion businesses said during a meeting Monday of the “Bridging Albion” committee.
Lynn Palmer, owner of Upscale Overstock at 50 North Main St., said her sales were down about 67 percent in the past week.
She was expecting brisker business with the holiday season close by. But she said there are far fewer cars coming down Main Street.
Palmer is hopeful “Small Business Saturday” this Saturday will bring people downtown to support the local merchants.
Laura Kemler, owner of Laura Loxley Vintage Inspired Goods, said signage about the bridge closing seems to be diverted traffic to turn right at State Street, then left onto Ingersoll Street, bypassing the downtown. She would like to see traffic come down to Bank Street, and then turn to go to the Ingersoll lift bridge.
“It has really put a halt on our traffic,” Kemler said. “We’re not getting eyeballs on our stores.”
The group would like to see more signs in the community proclaiming that downtown is open for business. They want more leeway for businesses to put sandwich signs in the sidewalk, promoting specials.
Businesses also will try to put out more flags when they are open, to make the downtown look more dynamic and to better show the public there are many businesses on Main Street and Bank Street.
Michael Bonafede, one of the Bridging Albion members, said the local merchants need help right away from the community and the government officials to weather the tougher economic climate imposed by the closure of the bridge.
The bridge is expected to be shut down for 18 months while the span from 1914 gets extensive repairs.
The Albion Merchants Association is planning a “Small Business Saturday” celebration on Nov. 26 with activities and special deals in the downtown and also at the Arnold Gregory Complex at 243 South Main St. There also will be another day of events on Dec. 10 that are planned by Albion businesses.
Next year’s summer concert series also will include four concerts in a blocked off part of Main Street (between Bank Street and Beaver Alley) and five concerts at Bullard Park.
Natasha Wasuck, one of the Merchants Association leaders, said the group wants to see more food trucks in the downtown and other attractions in addition to the special events. She is asking the Village Board to either waive and significantly reduce the food truck fees. Those fees are currently $100 for one to seven days, $250 for eight days to 6 months; and $500 for 6 months to a year.
Provided photo: Jim Doyle and Elizabeth Tuttle have joined the staff at Hoag Library in Albion.
ALBION – Hoag Library is delighted to welcome Elizabeth Tuttle and Jim Doyle to the NYS Pubic Librarian certified team!
At the September meeting of the Hoag Library of the Swan Library Association Board, trustees approved the hiring of Elizabeth Tuttle as a full-time Youth Services Librarian. Elizabeth graduated with an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo in May 2022. She is already planning exciting youth programs, including a visit from Santa on Nov. 28, and storytimes in December.
At the November board meeting, library trustees approved Jim Doyle as a part-time Reference Librarian. Jim graduated with an MLS from the University at Buffalo in 2016. Jim is looking forward to planning adult programs and sharing his musical talents.
Additionally, at the November board meeting, Elizabeth Haibach was named Assistant Director. Haibach worked as an Adult Services Librarian at Hoag Library since November 2018, and also holds an MLS from the University at Buffalo.
Jim Doyle and Elizabeth Haibach are both Albion natives, graduating from Albion Central School. Elizabeth Tuttle commutes from Shortsville, and plans to relocate to Albion.
This brings a total of six Hoag Library staff members that hold NYS Public Librarian certification including, Mike Magnuson, Dee Robinson, Elizabeth Haibach and Betty Sue Miller.
Please join us in welcoming the new faces to our wonderful library!
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 November 2022 at 12:01 pm
Thanksgiving meals also will be available at the Masonic Lodge
File photo by Tom Rivers: Mitch Grater and Ed Wolfe flip chickens that are among the 1,000 chicken dinners that were served on Dec. 18, 2021 at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex on South Main Street.
ALBION – The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries is partnering with the Renovation Masonic Lodge 39 in Albion to give away free meals during the holidays.
The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries was started in Albion little more than a year ago by Pastor Albert D. Wilson Jr. and his wife Ykeeta, who are affiliated with a similar ministry in Buffalo. They hold services in Albion at 7 p.m. Fridays in the Arnold Gregory Complex.
On Thanksgiving Day, free turkey dinners with all the trimmings will be given away. Meals can be eaten in or taken out from noon to 4 p.m., or until gone at the Masonic Lodge, 39 Platt St.
On Dec. 10. During Albion’s Hometown Holidays Event, Royal Body Shop Ministries will give away 2,000 chicken dinners at the Masonic Lodge. Last year 1,000 dinners were given away free of charge as part of the Ministries’ “Que in” for Christmas event. This year, they are doubling the number of dinners. The meal is take-out only and starts at noon, until gone.
In addition, the Royal Body Shop Ministries is holding a raffle for a 65-inch smart TV. Tickets are $1 each and are available at Arnold’s Auto Body Parts. The winner will be drawn during the event on Dec. 10. All proceeds go back to the church for future community projects.
The Hometown Holidays event will include many activities to celebrate the season, including “Santa’s Hometown Parade” at 5:30 p.m.
Albion built plant after years of complaints of foul-smelling water from reservoir, Erie Canal
This photograph shows the Village of Albion Water Treatment Plant as it appeared at the dedication ceremony in 1963.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 2, No. 38
ALBION – It was announced recently that the Village of Albion had approved the construction of a Fluoridation Building at the Albion Water Treatment Plant in Carlton, at a cost of $388,000.
The Water Treatment Plant has now been in operation for 60 years. The Medina Daily Journal announced that Arthur Leavitt, State Comptroller, would tour the “new water treatment plant at Lake Ontario and the booster station at Five Corners” on July 30, 1962 “accompanied by village officials and other interested civic leaders.” The plant, which is located on Wilson Road, was formally dedicated on September 24, 1963.
Albion voters had approved the $1,760,000 bond for the construction of the plant by a 4-1 majority on March 15, 1960. At issue was the source of water supply: the bond proposal favored the establishment of a new water system for the village, and of sourcing water from Lake Ontario.
Those who opposed the 1960 bond proposition claimed that the proposed plan was too expensive, an unfair burden on future generations and that all of the possible alternatives had not been investigated thoroughly.
The sourcing of Albion’s water supply had been a contentious issue for many years. At first, water was supplied from wells dug by the Albion Water Works Company in 1897. The village bought this private company in 1914 and drilled additional wells. This was supplemented by water from the Otter Creek reservoir, southeast of the village.
However, these sources proved inadequate, and the village frequently relied on water drawn from Erie Canal. This was occasional at first, but by 1959, the village was using three intakes from the Canal on a regular basis, even though this has been deemed “an unsuitable source” as early as 1914 by the New York State Conservation Commission. The State Department of Health disapproved the use of canal water as an auxiliary source and set a succession of deadlines – 1946, 1949, 1953, 1955 and 1958 – for the discontinuation of its use. Concerned by continuing use of potentially dangerous water and frustrated by the Village Board’s delays in producing a plan to find another source of water, it was reported that the State would resort to a court injunction to stop the use of Canal water.
The Buffalo engineering firm of Nussbaumer, Clarke and Valzy was responsible for the project. A report noted in the Buffalo News of February 16, 1961, highlighted the urgent necessity for completion of the new plant. Albion Mayor John D. Robinson had received hundreds of complaints about the taste and odor of the drinking water.
People complained that it tasted like iodine, gasoline, or paint and that when boiled, an oily scum rose to the top. Apparently, the Eagle Harbor Reservoir, which had been used for Albion’s winter water supply, was dry for the first time in years. A protracted cold spell caused the formation of ice on the canal, and only three feet of water was available. Assemblyman Alonzo L. Waters assured the Mayor that the state would raise the level of water in the canal to alleviate the problem. A representative of the Health Department stated that the water was safe to drink but unpalatable.
Mayor Robinson acted as master of ceremonies at the dedication of the new plant on September 24, 1963.The raising of the flag was performed by the Color Guard, Sheret Post, American Legion, under Commander Sam Navarra. The Albion Central School Band, Moses Sherman conducting, played the National Anthem and God Bless America. The invocation was given by Msgr. Felix F. McCabe, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, and the benediction by Rev. Herbert W. H. Corey, pastor of the First Methodist Church, both of Albion.
In his address, Lieutenant Governor Malcolm Wilson praised the village for its vision and foresight in building the new water system. It now supplies the village and the towns of Albion, Barre, Carlton, Gaines and Murray.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2022 at 10:15 am
13-year-old Edwina has lots of advice to share
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Asher Curfman portrays Vladimir, a scary uncle who resembles Dracula. Vladimir is one of the characters in the Albion Middle School production of “Dear Edwina.”
Friday was opening night at the middle school auditorium. There are shows today at noon and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Lily Brigham plays the role of Edwina, a 13-year-old advice-giving extraordinaire. Edwina receives many letters seeking her opinion on may challenges, from birthday party etiquette, to a picky brother, to setting the table with proper silverware.
Edwina hears a talent scout is visiting her community of Paw Paw, Michigan, and Edwina is determined to make a good impression and be included in the Kalamazoo Advice-a-Palooza Festival. She is jealous of her siblings who are very talented at piano and math.
Kamryn Simmons gives a high-energy performance in a song about manners, “Say No Thank You.” The show features many different soloists.
Liam Leader plays Scott who expresses his love for Edwina.
Anna Grillo, Carly Smith and MaKenzie Cook have a new batch of letters for Edwina.
Lily Brigham, right, plays the part of the “Fairy Forkmother” while Sophie Kozody is Chef Ludmilla.
Ayme Vallejo Morales plays the role of Lola in this song, “Hola, Lola.” In her advice letter, Lola writes about an upcoming trip to Switzerland and feeling shy. Edwina advises her to learn to say hello in the new language.
Anna Grillo plays “Mary Sue Betty Bob” and sings “Put It In The Piggy.” She sends a message about saving money and putting your nickels in the piggy bank. Phoebe Allen is at left and Lily Brigham is at right.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2022 at 9:02 am
ALBION – The Village of Albion Zoning Board of Appeals approved several variances for the proposed Taco Bell store on Route 31 in Albion.
The ZBA met on Nov. 15 and approved the variance requests from Hospitality Syracuse for the 2,600-square-foot building.
The ZBA agreed to allow the restaurant to have four signs, which is more than the maximum of two allowed in the village code. The developer is proposing four signs with three on the building and one on a freestanding pole.
The freestanding sign will be 79.5 square feet, which is above the 48 square foot maximum. The ZBA approved that variance for the sign’s size.
The ZBA also approved a pole height of 25 feet, which is 5 feet higher than the limit. The total cumulative area of the signs is at 147.6 square feet, which is 44 feet over the Albion limit. That was given the OK by the ZBA.
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.
The Village of Albion Planning Board on Nov. 10 approved the site plan for the project, which proposed for a vacant lot owned by Landsman Development of Rochester.
Hospitality is eyeing a spring construction start on the project.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The project is proposed for a vacant lot along Route 31 next to McDonalds and across from Freeze-Dry Foods. Hospitality Syracuse will remove the 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. The company will remove the chain-link fences and replace them with ones made of wood.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2022 at 9:01 am
First meeting will be at Albion on Nov. 29 with more planned around county
ALBION – Orleans County Chamber of Commerce leaders want to hear about the challenges faced by businesses in the community, including some obstacles that may be specific to certain municipalities in the county.
The Chamber is launching “coffee and conversations” on Nov. 29 with Chamber officials available at 8 a.m. in the 2nd floor conference room at the Arnold Gregory Building, 243 South Main St. in Albion.
Local elected officials and business owners are welcome to attend and share their insights about ways to improve the business climate in the Albion community. The Barre Betterment Committee and Barre community members also are welcome to attend.
“We want to hear what the hurdles are,” said Darlene Hartway, Chamber executive director. “We want to listen.”
Hartway will be joined by Dave Gagne, Chamber president, in the meetings. More sessions are being planned in Holley, Carlton-Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.
“It’s a starting point to get a good pulse on what each community faces,” Hartway said.
Locally owned businesses are still regrouping from Covid-19 pandemic, and many of the businesses face challenges with more chain stores coming into the area, Hartway said. The business environment could get tougher because the Small Business Administration is forecasting a recession, Hartway said.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Phipps Road culvert over Otter Creek has been closed to traffic since Sept. 9.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 November 2022 at 9:38 am
ALBION – The Town Board has authorized Highway Superintendent Michael Neidert to pursue state funding to replace a culvert on Phipps Road.
That culvert has been closed to traffic since Sept. 9 after an inspection showed the steel high-beam supports are rotted.
Neidert said it could cost $600,000 to $700,000 to replace the culvert that spans 19 feet over Otter Creek. He told the Town Board on Monday that the state has opened up a new round of Bridge NY funding.
The town has previously received a Bridge NY grant from the state. In 2019, Albion used $174,000 from that program to replace a culvert on Clarendon Road.
Neidert said the Phipps Road project is a bigger culvert and it’s over a protected stream. Albion applied for Bridge NY funding for the Phipps Road culvert in 2016 and 2018 but was denied. Now that the culvert has been closed to traffic, Neidert said that will give Albion more points in the grant application.
Village of Medina approved for $50K for assessment of drinking water system
ALBION – The Village of Albion has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant funding for upgrades to its water plant on Wilson Road in Carlton.
The Village of Medina also was awarded $50,000 to complete an assessment of its drinking water system.
Gov. Kathy Hochul today announced those grants as part of 54 CDBG awards totaling $33 million. The funding will help municipalities to make improvements to water systems and also build public housing that serve primarily low- and moderate-Income residents.
“These critical investments in our public infrastructure will help provide safe, stable housing and affordable amenities to New Yorkers while allowing businesses to grow and thrive, and I thank the New York Congressional Delegation for securing this vital funding for our state,” Hochul said in a statement.
The Community Development Block Grant program is a federally funded program administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal that helps counties, cities, towns and villages with projects that improve communities and benefit residents across the state.
Community Development Block Grant Housing grants can be used for housing rehabilitation of owner-occupied or renter-occupied homes, down payment assistance for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers, and private water/wastewater system assistance for low- and moderate-income homeowners, according to a news release from Hochul’s office.
For 2022, Homes and Community Renewal awarded $10.4 million for 24 housing rehabilitation, manufactured housing, and well and septic projects. A total of 301 households are projected to benefit from the proposed improvements.
Community Development Block Grant Public Infrastructure and Community Planning grants can be used for improvements to public water, public sewer, stormwater sewer and flood drainage improvements. For 2022, Homes and Community Renewal awarded over $23 million for 21 public water, public sewer, and public facility projects, and another $445,000 towards nine community planning projects.
