Photo by Tom Rivers: Mercy Flight EMS is now operating COVA ambulance based out of Albion and Hamlin.

ALBION – Mercy Flight EMS announced today that it is operating Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance, Inc. That includes the operations in Orleans County based in Albion and in Hamlin, Monroe County.

Mercy Flight’s agreement with COVA was effective at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. Mercy Flight will provide ground ambulance service under COVA’s NYS Department of Health “Certificate of Need,” said Scott P. Wooton, executive vice president and treasurer for COVA.

“Under the agreement, COVA’s medical providers have been hired by Mercy Flight, and will continue to operate COVA’s vehicles while the two organizations work to have COVA’s Certificate of Need permanently transferred to Mercy Flight,” Wooton said in a statement. “Additionally, as per the agreement, Mercy Flight has taken over the right to billing and collections for ambulance services as of the same date.”

Mercy Flight submitted a proposal to seven towns in Orleans County to be considered in a contract for ambulance services. Monroe Ambulance also is seeking that contract for the seven towns. Barre and Albion already have voted to have Monroe Ambulance be the ambulance provider and the other towns are expected to vote in the next week on a contract.

Mercy Flight’s agreement with COVA “has allowed for a seamless continuation of Advanced Life Support ambulance service to the people of Orleans County and Hamlin, and provides opportunities for COVA’s dedicated employees to continue to work for a nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to provide compassionate patient care,” said Wooton of Mercy Flight.

Albion will pay $84,400 in 1-year contract; big tax hike approved for 2023

Photo by Tom Rivers: Anna Tower (back right), treasurer for COVA Ambulance, speaks during Monday’s Town Board meeting. She questioned the board about picking Monroe over Mercy Flight EMS.

ALBION – The Albion Town Board in a 5-0 vote on Monday approved a contract with Monroe Ambulance of Rochester to provide ambulance services for the community.

Albion is one of seven towns in the contract. The contract calls for the towns to collectively pay $200,000 to Monroe. Albion will pay $84,400, or about 42.2 percent of the total.

The town hasn’t been paying towards ambulance services. That $84,400 is a big factor in the tax rates jumping in Albion in 2023. (Albion also will see a big increase in its budget for a town-wide reassessment next year, and the town will replenish its reserve funds.)

The Town Board also approved next year’s budget on Monday. Tax rates will go from $3.09 per $1,000 of assessed value for village properties in 2022 to $4.69 in 2023, while outside-village properties will go from $4.17 to $6.27 per $1,000. (The owner of a house assessed for $100,000 in the village will pay $160 more in town taxes while the owner of a $100,000 property outside the village will pay $210 more in town taxes.)

Anna Tower, treasurer for COVA Ambulance, asked the board why it’s going with Monroe, when Mercy Flight EMS is willing to provide ambulance services for central Orleans. Mercy Flight is taking over in the short term after COVA closes. Nearly all of the COVA staff will become Mercy employees for at least the short-term.

Town Supervisor Richard Remley said officials from the seven towns have had several meetings with Monroe, which currently is the primary ambulance provider for Clarendon, Murray and Kendall in eastern Orleans. The central Orleans towns – Albion, Barre, Gaines and Carlton – joined with them in a seven-town block to negotiate a contract.

Monroe has agreed to station an ambulance in Albion and Holley as part of the contract, and can draw on other ambulances in Brockport and Greece if there is a need for more.

Jason Dragon, a village resident, said the plan for two ambulances to serve seven towns seems like a drop in service for Albion because COVA typically had two ambulances in service the past 43 years.

“I’m very confident it won’t be less than what we have now,” Remley said about the Monroe service.

The contract calls for Monroe to start on Jan. 1 for the seven-town block. Officials from the towns will meet with Monroe leaders in August or September next year to evaluate response times and discuss if the one-year contract will be extended, Remley said.

Dragon also asked when Albion is paying such a high percentage of the overall contract. He said other agreements among multiple towns divvy up the share based on either population or tax base. In this agreement, the percentage is based on call volume in each town.

“It seems to be disproportionately affecting the Town of Albion,” Dragon said. “I’m concerned we’ll be establishing a precedent for other contracts.”

Dick DeCarlo, another resident who spoke at the public hearing, asked if Mercy Flight offered to provide the service at lower cost. Remley said Mercy Flight’s proposal was about $15,000 less than Monroe’s $200,000 contract.

But Remley said Mercy Flight is coming in very late in the process, “at the 11 and a half hour.”

The seven town leaders drafted a contract for one year to allow for them to revisit the level of service. Remley said Mercy Flight could be considered as an option in the future.

“We’re at the 11^th hour and we’re not going to take it back to the drawing table,” he said about opening talks with Mercy Flight EMS.

Mike Gugliuzza, director of medical operations for Mercy Flight EMS, attended the meeting on Monday and said the organization would like to be considered as a primary ambulance provider. He said Mercy Flight would stage three ambulances in the service area.

Anna Tower urged the town officials to go with Mercy Flight, which will station out of COVA’s base and keep the COVA staff – at a lower cost than the towns have to pay Monroe.

“Inflation is hurting a lot of people,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like you’re working for us.”

Monroe hasn’t said where it will be stationing ambulances in Albion or Holley. Remley said Monroe would like to hire COVA staff for its service in Orleans County.

The Town Board approved the contract with yes votes from Remley and board members Darlene Benton, Sandra Bensley, Terry Wilbert and Arnold Allen Jr.

Low-volume users will pay less while average users pay about $25 more per quarter

ALBION – The Albion Village Board approved changes in its water and sewer rates with a more simplified system that bills customers for actual water and sewer usage, rather than a minimum bill for the first 5,100 gallons.

Some people would get billed for 5,100 gallons of use even if they only used 2,000 gallons.

The result in the new changes will be smaller quarterly water and sewer bills for low-volume users, while an average user will pay about $25 more per quarter.

“We’re not trying to raise this to make a fortune,” said Deputy Major Joyce Riley during a board meeting last Wednesday. “It’s to continue to provide safe water for the public.”

The new water rates lower the rate from $3.61 to $3.39 per 1,000 gallons for the village residents and commercial customers. And the village eliminates a $5 quarterly administrative fee.

The big changes are the addition of a new base charge at $21 per quarter for residents with ¾” meter and how the village does a minimum charge. That is currently $28.16 for residents and most small businesses and includes the first 5,100 gallons of water.

The new system puts the minimum at $21.00 per quarter (the base charge) but doesn’t include any water usage. The village will start billing at zero gallons.

The changes should net the village about $100,000 more annually for the $1.7 million annual water fund.

The new water rates were approved by the board on April 27 and will go into effect in the January 2023 bill, while the sewer rates were approved last Wednesday and take effect in the April 2023 bill.

The village operates a sewer system with 24 miles of sewer lines, 600-plus manhole covers, five lift stations and the sewer plant on Densmore Road. The budget for the current sewer fund is $1,249,377.

The sewer bill will include a base charge for $26 per quarter. The rate for village and commercial users will be $3.97 per 1,000 gallons for a ¾” meter, which is a 5-cent drop. Outside-village residential and commercial users will stay at a $4.95 rate.

The correctional facilities will be increased by 25 cents (to $4.35 for water and $4.65 for sewer). Those increases for the two prisons were approved the board two years ago but haven’t been implemented.

Riley said the sewer plant has received about $3 million recently in improvements that were mostly funded with state grants.

“There is a cost to having a service that is good for us and the environment,” she said.

The sewer plant operates at about 84 percent capacity. That excess space is considered one of the village’s big assets in attracting new residential and business development.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Traffic moves along Main Street in Albion near the lift bridge this evening.

The bridge will be closed beginning on Monday for a major rehab that is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The state Department of Transportation will also be closing the Main Street lift bridge in Brockport in the spring for a similar rehab. The two projects will cost $28.3 combined.

Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport is the general contractor on the two bridges. Crane-Hogan did the rehab work on seven canal bridges in Orleans County from 2018 to 2021. That was a $10.8 million project for the work on the single-lane truss bridges.

The Main Street lift bridge in Albion was built in 1914. Some of the upcoming work includes:

• Replacing bridge deck and portions of the truss system with high-strength, galvanized steel.
• Modernizing mechanical and electrical components within the bridge’s lifting system.
• Rehabilitating the bridge tower.
• Installing new bridge rails.
• Repainting the bridge, maintaining its current shade of green.

During construction, the bridge will be dismantled with individual trusses lifted and placed in the lot adjacent to the Canal, where the rehabilitation work will occur. When work is complete, it will be moved back into place over the Canal, according to a notice from the DOT.

A signed detour will be in place utilizing State Routes 31, 387 (Fancher Road), and 104 (Ridge Road). The Erie Canal Trailway will remain open for the duration of the project.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A big crowd is at Maison Albion today for a benefit to help Byron Neal and his family. The Neals are dairy farmers and neighbors of Cole and Kerri Glover, owners of Maison Albion.

They are loaning out use of their events venue for free today to host the basket raffle for Byron.

The benefit started at 11 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m.

Byron Neal is shown with his sister Lyla and their parents, Tina and Jeremy Neal.

The Neals have been dairy farmers on West Countyhouse Road since the family started Poverty Hill Farms in 1956. Jeremy teams with his brothers, Jody and James, and their father Ed Neal in the operation, as well as many employees.

The family is very involved with the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Jeremy was chairman of the grease pole competition and developed the new hay bale rolling event. Byron has been a mainstay at those events, tagging behind his father.

There are 195 baskets up for raffle, and 20 high-end items. Jodi Anstey, an Albion school bus driver, took the lead in organizing today’s event. Anstey has been Byron’s bus driver since he was in Pre-K and also the bus driver for his older sister, Lyla.

Marsha Cook also teamed with Anstey to collect many of the baskets and donations.

“Anybody who knows the Neals know they would drop anything to help you,” Cook said. “Jeremy and Tina are friends with everyone.”

Jeremy and Tina both thanked the community for their attendance and donations for the event today.

“It’s absolutely overwhelming,” Jeremy said. “It’s unreal the people who have come throughout the day to help.”

Byron is currently receiving chemo each Friday evening. He is taking it easy today, watching cartoons at Maison while the crowd buys tickets for the raffle items.

Tina Neal said the community has given the family so much love in recent months.

“Thank you for all the prayers,” she said. “They are working.”

(From left) Jenn Haylett, Crystal Hand and Kim Hazel sell tickets at the benefit today. Many of the family members and volunteers at the benefit today wore shirts with a giant tractor crushing cancer.

Paul Henry of the Masonic Lodge works the grill. Members of the Masonic Lodge and Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries teamed to sell food.

ALBION – The Village of Albion Planning Board today gave unanimous approval to the site plan for a new Taco Bell on Route 31, next to McDonalds.

Hospitality Syracuse is proposing a 2,600-square-foot Taco Bell at 118 West Ave., a site that is currently a vacant parking lot with a steel water tank in the back corner.

The water tank will be removed, and so will chain-link fences. The Village Planning Board wants solid wood fencing on the east and west sides, and the back property line.

Hospitality Syracuse proposed two sold wood fences on the east and west, but wanted a chain-link to stay on the back end. That fence is in good shape now, but planners said they wanted a consistent look for the fencing, and didn’t want a chain-link fence that could get rusty in the future.

The County Planning Board, during its Oct. 27 meeting, voiced concern about how difficult it would be for tractor-trailers to turn right from the site. But the tractor-trailers won’t be driving around the store on a lane next to the drive-through. Those big trucks will go to the back end of the property, and will have room to turn around and then drive straight through the parking lot for a manageable right turn, Hospitality officials told the Village Planning Board.

Planning Board members – Chairman Matthew Hand, Karen Conn, Michael Massaro, Christine Buongiorne and Janet Salvatore – approved the site plan.

The project needs another village approval. Hospitality is seeking variances for the number of signs, size of the signs and height of the pole for the sign.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 to consider whether the restaurant can 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 village code calls for a maximum of two signs.

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

Hospitality Syracuse also is seeking a pole height of 25 feet, which is 5 feet higher than the limit. The total cumulative area of the signs is at 147.6 square feet, which is 44 feet over the Albion limit.

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.

ALBION – Gotta Dance by Miss Amy is welcoming the community to get up and dance to show their appreciation for COVA and raise some money for the organization, which has providing critical services to Albion and the surrounding area since 1979.

There will be a dance-a-thon from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 22 at Gotta Dance at 28 West Bank St. Dancers don’t need to pre-register. They can simply show up and dance, and give a donation of at least $20. Others are welcome to attend and watch the dance-a-thon and leave a donation for COVA. Cider and donuts will be available.

COVA has been struggling financially and could cease operations soon, with a different ambulance organization expected to take over in central Orleans County.

Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance, said COVA has served the community for 43 years, providing emergency help, including for her late mother.

“I pray your family hasn’t needed their help, but for those of you who have, I am sure you share in my gratitude,” Sidari said. “Last year we lost my mom and it was the most difficult two years of our lives. I do not know how we would have made it and kept her safe during times of emergency. Thank you to all the staff who have dedicated their days and hours to serving Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance.”

If there are changes to COVA and the organization closes, Sidari said the funds raised at the dance-a-thon will still go to COVA for the organization to use as needed, possibly to set up scholarships, cover past expenses or emergency needs.

For more information, click here.

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.

ALBION – The Village Planning Board will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday to review the site plan for a new Taco Bell in Albion, with the Zoning Board of Appeals to meet at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 to consider whether the restaurant can have four signs, which is more than the maximum of two allowed in the village code.

The business also wants the main sign on a pole with that sign exceeding the square footage that is allowed in the village code.

Both meetings are at the village office on East Bank Street. The ZBA meeting on Nov. 15 includes a public hearing at 4 p.m.

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

Hospitality Syracuse would remove a 36-foot high steel water tank from the back corner of the lot, and make about 40 percent of the 1.33-acre lot green space with grass. That would be an improvement with drainage at the site over the current space that is nearly all asphalt, members of the Orleans County Planning Board said during an Oct. 27 meeting.

The county board recommended the Village Planning Board approve the site plan, and the ZBA approve the variances.

The County Planning Board encouraged the village and developer to press the state Department of Transportation for a wider driveway or a second driveway to make it easier for tractor-trailers to turn right when exiting the property.

Hospitality Syracuse is proposing four signs with three on the building and one on a freestanding pole. The freestanding sign would be 79.5 square feet, which is above the 48 square foot maximum.

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

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

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

The developer is seeking the additional building signage due to the unique “tower” aspect of the building design, the company said in its application. 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 developer stated in the application.

File photo: The late Wayne Burlison competes in a long distance race. He completed a marathon and also several half marathons.

ALBION – The organizers of the Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K announced that next year’s event will also include an option for a half marathon on March 25.

Bert Galloman of Wolfpack Multisport sent an email previous participants on Sunday, informing them that there will be a 13.1-mile option on March 25. Galloman said he wanted to include the half marathon, a distance conquered several times by Burlison, a former Albion elementary school band teacher who passed away at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.

Burlison promoted fitness in the community through a Run for God program that took people from the couch to a 5K in less than three months. He lost more than 150 pounds through exercise and better nutrition.

“This was one of Wayne’s favorite race distances and we have been trying to find a way to make this happen and 2023 was finally the right time!” Galloman said in his email. “There will be a limited number of spots for the half marathon for the first year, so don’t miss out on this inaugural event.”

The course map will be released in early December, Galloman said. The 5k course starts on Clarendon Road near the elementary school and goes east on Route 31 to Mount Albion Cemetery. After running in the cemetery, participants come back out on 31 and head back to the elementary school parking lot.

About 75 to 125 runners (and some walkers) typically participate in the Burlison 5K.

Some of the proceeds from the event on March 25 will support a scholarship in Burlison’s name. Some of the money raised from previous races supported a new walking trail at Bullard Park.

“Come join us and break up the cabin fever we all get during the long winter months and let’s have some fun!” Galloman said in a message to runners.

Click here for more on the Burlison run.

ALBION – The Village of Albion will have a 6 p.m. meeting on Thursday at the village office on East Bank Street to discuss possible projects in the Restore NY program, which could bring up to $10 million to revitalize distressed commercial and residential sites.

The program funds reconstruction, structural repairs, repair and replacement of mechanical systems, energy efficiency upgrades, and demolition.

Projects could include new construction, renovation of existing buildings, facade improvements, and renovation for new retail, office, commercial, industrial, recreational or cultural uses.

The village is working with G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing in Spencerport to submit an application. For more information, contact a G & G representative at (585) 368-8866 or Contact@GGProcess.com.

The village already meets the qualifications as an economically distressed community due to poverty levels and economic hardship, said Jay Grasso, owner of G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing.

That means the village won’t need to do income surveys for a part of the village to qualify. The entire village meets that criteria, which means projects can be picked throughout the village and not just the downtown business district, like other state programs are focused on.

He sees Albion as a strong contender to receive funding through Restore New York.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – There are more than 200 raffle items, plus 28 bigger-end items up for raffle today in a benefit for Maddox Pearl and his family.

Maddox, 5, has an incurable brain tumor. He is receiving radiation and has his treatment on Tuesday. His mother Katelyn Pearl said her son is responding well to the treatment and remains very positive.

She and her husband Ryan Pearl are very grateful for the community response to help Maddox.

“The support of the community, our friends and family have shown us we’ll never be able to repay,” Mrs. Pearl said today at the start of the benefit at Dubby’s Tailgate. “This gives us strength and hope. We are looking at every possible way to keep him happy and healthy.”

Maddox Pearl plays pinball at Dubby’s with some assistance from his grandmother Kim Achzet and aunt Riley Fitzwater.

Dubby’s on Platt Street will be hosting family fun time from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with games for children and a raffle of baskets for children. Another basket raffle and big ticket raffle will go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a cornhole tournament from 5 to 9 p.m.

Maddox’s family and volunteers at the benefit are wearing “Full Steam Ahead” shirts with a train because Maddox loves trains, especially Thomas the Train Engine. His family is planning to take him on the Polar Express train ride in Medina this Christmas season.

Dick DeCarlo, left, and Cameron Heller get ready to flip chickens in an outdoor space by Dubby’s. The 750 chicken barbecue dinners are already sold out.

The chicken barbecue cooking team poses for a photo. Dan Monacelli organized the crew. Tom O’Hearn, Dick DeCarlo and Dusty DeCarlo also were key volunteers in the dinner.

Maureen Bennett, left, organized the basket raffle. She is shown with Annette Pearl, Maddox’s grandmother and a retired special education teacher at Albion. Bennett worked with Pearl for many years. Bennett said the benefit quickly outgrew space at the First Presbyterian Church and was moved to Dubby’s. She praised the community for donating so many raffle baskets, including the high-end items.

“This is pure love at its greatest visibility,” Annette Pearl said, looking at all the donated items and the people arriving for the benefit.

She said the Albion community is showing why it’s a great place to live in its support for Maddox and also with a benefit next Sunday for Byron Neal, 8. Byron also is facing cancer. That benefit will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Maison Albion.

“This community is supporting two children in this small town,” Pearl said. “There is something to be said about living in this small community.”

There are more than 200 items up for raffle at Dubby’s.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Mallory Kozody stars as Snoopy in the Albion High School Drama Department’s production of The World According to Snoopy!!!

Opening night was Friday with shows today at noon and 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium. Tickets are $5 each.

Nick Andrews, left, is Linus and Zackary Baron is Charlie Brown.

The musical is based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. This is an updated musical featuring the characters from Peanuts.

Natalie Baron portrays Woodstock in the musical. In this scene she is acting out a scene being written by Snoopy for a book submission. Snoopy received several rejection letters from publishers for the material. Woodstock is quite animated in the show as Snoopy’s best friend.

Nick Andrews as Linus keeps his blanket close at all times. Here the characters are in school struggling with an essay about Edgar Allan Poe. Mallory Kozody provides the voice of the teacher, Ms. Othmar. Alexis Hand in green is Peppermint Patty and Ella Trupo is Sally at right.

There are 17 students in the cast, including from left Khalil Thompkins as Floyd, McKenzie Olmstead as Frieda and Charlie Allen as Eudora. There are 38 students total involved in the production.

Charlie Brown (Zack Baron) seeks help from Lucy (Mallory Ashbery). Charlie Brown struggles with feelings of being a misfit. Lucy doesn’t offer much to make him feel better. Mike Thaine, the high school band teacher in back right, played Charlie Brown in an Albion show in 1985.

In this scene Snoopy (Mallory Kozody) sings about being “The Big Bow Wow” and becoming the “head beagle.”