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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2022 at 3:10 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2022 at 8:44 am
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 11th 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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2022 at 12:24 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2022 at 8:20 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2022 at 3:12 pm
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.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jay Grasso, owner of with G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, outlines the Restore NY program during a meeting Thursday evening with about 30 village residents and building owners.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2022 at 9:22 am
ALBION – The Restore NY program could bring millions of dollars into Albion to address properties in distress, the village’s grant writer advised building owners during a meeting on Thursday evening.
“This is a rare opportunity,” said Jay Grasso, owner of with G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing in Spencerport. “I really think we have to try. That is a lot of money to leave sitting on the table.”
The Restore NY program could bring up to $10 million to revitalize distressed commercial and residential sites, providing 90 percent of the costs. The program funds reconstruction, structural repairs, repair and replacement of mechanical systems, energy efficiency upgrades, and demolition.
Jay Grasso said Albion is a good candidate to receive funding through the Restore NY program, which targets distressed properties.
Projects could include new construction, renovation of existing buildings, facade improvements, and renovation for new retail, office, commercial, industrial, recreational or cultural uses.
Grasso and village officials are gauging interest from building owners in the program. They are asked to complete a short form that includes a 150-word description of a potential program.
The village has until Nov. 30 to submit a letter of intent to apply for funding. The state will let Albion know if it should then do a more in-depth application that would be due Jan. 27, 2023.
That application would need at least one bid from contractors for work at each building.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 1 announced a new round of $250 million in Restore NY funding is available.
“Restore New York funding gives localities the resources to transform abandoned and neglected properties into modern, 21st century buildings,” Hochul said in a press release. “By helping to rebuild and strengthen communities across the state, we will stimulate local economies and continue to build back New York better and stronger.”
Restore NY funding can be used for vacant, abandoned, condemned or surplus buildings. These properties can be demolished, deconstructed, rehabilitated or reconstructed. The grant allows up to $70,000 per residential unit.
Albion meets the criteria of being in an economically distressed community.
Grasso urged building owners to show recent investments in their properties, including “sweat equity” where they did the work. The state will want to see that people “have skin in the game” with the sites.
The projects aren’t limited to the central business district, like many other state programs. Albion qualifies as a distressed community throughout the village, Grasso said.
The state wants to see Restore NY projects that spur development in the community. Grasso would like to see some projects near the canal, to help the village better capitalize on that asset.
“This is a charming community,” Grasso said. “It just needs a little help.”
He urged the property owners to “Think Big” and consider roof work, asbestos and lead abatement, heating and plumbing upgrades. If applications include energy efficiency and renewable energy (including rooftop solar) that would stand out to the state, Grasso said.
The work in gathering information for this grant could pay off with other grant initiatives from the state, too, Grasso said, including the $4.5 Forward NY program.
Grasso said the Village Board wants to go after grants to help the property owners.
“The village is trying to do the right thing but they can’t do it without you,” he said.
For more information, contact a G & G representative at (585) 368-8866 or send an email to Contact@GGProcess.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2022 at 9:27 pm
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.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans Community Health facility at the corner of Butts Road and Route 31 is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. There will be an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 30.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 November 2022 at 8:24 am
ALBION – Orleans Community Health will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Albion Healthcare Center with an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 30.
“This is an exciting time for the center,” said Alana Palone, clinic administrator at Orleans Community Health. “We’ve seen a growing number of those in the community deciding to use our walk-in services, and it’s right as we celebrate this anniversary. Beyond this event, several exciting things are in the works for the Albion Healthcare Center. We’ll be excited to share them all soon.”
The Albion Healthcare Center originally opened as an Urgent Care Center, but wasn’t utilized that way, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Community Partners. OCH officials soon realized the site could better serve the community as a walk-in, healthcare center.
“Whether it’s primary care, a walk-in lab and radiology, physical therapy or the several other services, the Albion Healthcare Center is leading the way in providing for the Albion community,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health. “We couldn’t be more proud of the team and all they’re doing for the health and wellness of the surrounding communities.”
The community is invited to join in this anniversary celebration by attending the open house Nov. 30. Light refreshments will be provided.
The Albion Healthcare Center is located on Route 31, at the corner of Butts Road, just east of the Village of Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 November 2022 at 3:28 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 November 2022 at 1:01 pm
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.
