Statue, currently in clay form, to be cast in bronze, with unveiling expected in June 2023

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Joe Gehl, one of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee, poses with a statue of Charles Howard as Santa Claus.

Gehl was able to see the life-size form of the statue on Saturday in sculptor Brian Porter’s garage in Pendleton, outside Lockport.

Porter has been diligently creating the 6-foot-tall clay mold in recent months. The model will be moved to the University of Buffalo’s foundry for the mold and casting process next winter with a goal of being installed in downtown Albion in time for the June 2023 Strawberry Festival.

Gehl and the Albion Betterment Committee have been raising money for the statue and working on the project since about 200 Santas came to Albion in April 2015 for a convention of people who portray Santa.

Howard is revered by the Santas for starting a school in 1937. He ran the school until his death in 1966 and the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School continues today in Midland, Michigan.

The statue reflects the Howard design for Santa Claus suits. Porter used one of the Howard Santa suits and also received many helpful suggestions from Ken McPherson, who has been portraying Santa for more than four decades and collects many artifacts from the Santa School and Howard’s Christmas Park that was on Phipps Road in Albion.

Charles Edward Bergeman, Howard’s grandson who lives in Lewiston, praised Porter for the creation of the 6-foot-high statue.

“He just looks fantastic,” Bergeman said.

His grandfather died when Bergeman was 7. He remembers the man who was also a farmer, toy maker, community volunteer and who was very devoted to his family.

“He was more than just Santa Claus,” Bergeman said. “He did so many things.”

Brian Porter said the Santa statue is most intricate and detailed of all the statues he has created.

He also made the statue of the soldier in Medina outside the former Armory. That statue was dedicated on Sept. 7, 2019.

Brian Porter discusses the look of the statue with Natasha Wasuck, one of the Albion Betterment Committee members. Wasuck owns Tinsel, an ice cream business on Main Street. She wants to see Albion celebrate Howard and the Santa Claus legacy of the community.

Wasuck, Gehl and the Betterment Committee will discuss the statue and other elements of Waterman Park with the Village Board this coming Wednesday. The group would like to include lighting, benches and a Santa House at the park, which is a half block south of the canal. An interpretive panel would also detail other aspects of Howard’s life and tell his impact on the Santa Claus community.

Donations for other elements of the project can be sent to Albion Betterment Committee/Charles Howard Project, 14487 Baker Rd., Kent NY, 14477. That is the address for Joe Gehl, one of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee.

Photos courtesy of the Santa Claus Oath Foundation – Charlie Howard is shown as Santa during a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Howard served as the Macy’s Santa from 1948 to 1965.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Volunteers have been out in canal communities throughout the state this weekend as part of Canal Clean Sweep.

This photo shows four Albion High Schools students carrying big bags of trash they picked up along the railroad tracks in Albion. These students include Sydney Mulka, Lucy Rivers, Audrey Pask and Leah Kania. They were joined by Albion Interact Club advisor Tim Archer and some members of the Albion Rotary Club. They picked up nine bags of trash.

Robert Batt, director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County and a member of the Albion Rotary Club, filled three bags of trash. He was joined by his wife and daughter in picking up litter along the railroad tracks, just west of Main Street.

Leah Kania and Sydney Mulka hunt for trash along Platt Street near the railroad tracks.

The Albion Lions Club also went out and cleaned up several sites on Saturday. This group includes from left: Ben Lennox, Ron Albertson, Kevin Howard, Mark Johnson, Bill Robinson, Jonathan Doherty and Henry Smith Jr.

The Medina Rotary Club also cleaned up trash and debris on the north side of the canal from Fruit Avenue bridge to Marshall Road bridge on Saturday.

The Doherty family and friends picked up on litter near the Brown Street bridge in Albion for the Canal Clean Sweep.

Other upcoming events include:

• Medina Lions Club will be doing its Environmental Cleanup Day from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on May 7. Volunteers will meet at the Canal Lift bridge on North Gravel Road and then be assigned areas along the canal and village public areas to clean up trash and spread mulch.
• The Holley Rotary Club and Holley Interact Club from 8 a.m. to noon on April 30 will gather with other community members to walk the canal the length that spans the school district. They will cover from the public boat launch on County Line Road at Route 31 to Transit Road. Teams will work from bridge to bridge picking up trash. If there are enough volunteers, they will try to cover the entire village for clean up as well. Volunteers are meeting at the Holley High School parking lot and disperse from there.

Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – Seventeen seventh-grade students from Albion Middle School were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during a ceremony Thursday night.

Phoebe Allen, Olivia Andrews, Lily Brigham, Adam Burgio, Shayla Cruz, Brooke Doty, Yaritza Fernandez Perez, Heidi Franco-Lopez, Loralei Gailie, Anna Grillo, Jillian LeBaron, Bradley Pierce, Meadow Smith, Jackson Snook, Mason Snook, Ava Woolston and Abigail Worsley all took the oath, signed their names and became formally recognized as members of the prestigious organization.

The National Junior Honor Society was established in 1929 and today estimates it is made up of more than one million members across the country. NJHS elevates a school’s commitment to the five pillars of membership: scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship.

Spanish teacher Mrs. Casey Flynn was chosen by NJHS students as the guest speaker for the ceremony. She discussed the ways students can exhibit the five pillars in their everyday lives and the value they have.

Current members led the ceremony. Those students are Kailee Anstey, Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Lindsay Crawford, Abigail Ferris, Benjamin Fleisher, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Amiyah Jones, Justin Kania, Abigail Kincaid, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Madison Muckle, William Plummer, Pablo Rosario Reyes, Alondra Santana Gonzalez and Joshua Zayac.

Barnes, Beltran Roblero, Ferris, Gannon, Kincaid, Plummer and Zayac were all recognized for earning the Service Award. The advisor of Albion’s NJHS is Mrs. Lisa Castricone.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Pastor Tim Lindsay from Harvest Christian Fellowship holds a book written by Will Ford and Matt Lockett, “The Dream King.” Ford and Lockett will be in Albion and Medina from April 29 to May 1 to share their story about healing America’s racial divide.

ALBION – Two men who met by chance and became friends will share their story about healing America’s racial divide in Albion and Medina on April 29 to May 1.

The Rev. Timothy Lindsay is pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion, and a member of Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation (PACT). Pastor Lindsay was instrumental in bringing Will Ford and Matt Lockett to the area to speak in their upcoming visit.

Lindsay first heard about Ford and Lockett when he was having lunch last year with a friend in Rochester. They were discussing race relations when the friend told Lindsay he had to read “The Dream King,” a book about Ford and Lockett and how their lives are woven together, including generations ago by history.

Lindsay realized a man in his church had met Ford, who was his teacher at a Bible school in Dallas, and the pastor asked his Rochester friend to help arrange a visit. The friend contacted Ford, who then called Lindsay.

Ford and Lockett’s story is unbelievable, Lindsay said.

“Will is an African-American with intricate knowledge of his family’s life in slavery in Louisiana,” Lindsay said. “He has shared his story for years. He was in Washington, D.C. in 2005, on Martin Luther King Day, speaking in front of the Lincoln Memorial. A white man was in the audience – Matt Lockett. Will’s speech resonated with Matt and he made an effort to meet Will. This led to a friendship between the two families, which continues today.”

The two families have spent considerable time together. Lockett was very interested in ancestry and genealogy, and after 10 years, Ford and Lockett made an astounding discovery.

Lockett discovered it was his family who owned Ford’s ancestors in Louisiana.

“It was a very emotional discovery for the men,” Lindsay said. “The slave owner was a very wicked man and was terrible to the slaves. Now you’ve got a family name attached to that. It was Will’s best friend’s family. The men realized God was going to use their friendship to reconnect the nation.”

Will Ford, left, and Matt Lockett will share their story of friendship and racial reconciliation during presentations at local churches and two schools on April 29 to May 1.

Lindsay said every person in America needs to hear their story.

The coincidence doesn’t end there, however. General Lee fought his last battle in the front yard of Lockett’s family farm at Sailor’s Creek, near Appomattox.

“In reality, that’s where the Civil War ended,” Lindsay said.

Ford and Lockett will share their story at 7 p.m. April 29 at Albion First Presbyterian Church; at 1 p.m. April 30 at Medina First Baptist church; at 7 p.m. April 30 at Roberts Wesleyan College’s Cultural Life Center; and at 7 p.m. May 1 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Rochester. They will also be speaking at assemblies in Albion and Medina high schools.

In addition Ford will speak at Sunday services at 10 a.m. May 1 at Harvest Christian Fellowship.

Registration to attend any of presentations is encouraged by logging on to www.UnitedAndHealed.com. A free will offering will be collected at each event.

Ron Armstrong recognized for 65 years of service to AFD

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A.J. Fisher was recognized on Saturday night as Albion’s “Firefighter of the Year” and Brianna Caldwell was named “EMS Fireman of the Year.” Both also were among the top 10 of the volunteer firefighters for responding to calls.

Fisher, 21, has been around the fire hall since he was 2. His father was an Albion firefighter. His brother James also was a long-time Albion firefighter before joining the Carlton department. Their sister Amber is married to Albion Fire Chief Rob Conner and is a 15-year member.

Fisher was praised by Chief Conner for responding to so many calls and for a willingness to help the department.

“He’s nonstop,” Conner said.

Fisher will often be working at Walmart and will clock out to go to a call, and then return to work.

“I like to help out and be involved in the community,” he said.

Caldwell, 25, joined Albion a year ago after being a firefighter with the Barre Volunteer Fire Company. She responded to more than 250 calls last year with the Albion Fire Department.

She works from home as project manager for a software company. She enjoys being a firefighter.

“I love my community and I want to give back to it,” she said.

The department had more than 500 calls last year. The top responders included: Jeremy Babcock, 74 percent; A.J. Fisher, 65 percent; Brianna Caldwell, 50 percent; Dylan Marks, 47 percent; Rob Conner, 40 percent; Fred Piano, 40 percent; Austin Zobel, 37 percent; John Papponetti, 36 percent; Steven Papponetti, 33 percent; and Paul Urquhart, 31 percent.

Ron Armstrong was recognized with 65 years of service to the fire department and community. Armstrong is shown receiving a gift from Chief Rob Conner on behalf of the AFD.

Armstrong, 88, only recently stopped being a driver for fire and emergency calls.

Armstrong served as fire chief in 1975, and then from 1996 to 1998. He stayed very active with the department through his 70s and early 80s because he said there is a need for volunteers, especially during the work hours.

Armstrong served in the Air Force as a radio operator. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He then worked 30 years as a printer at the former Eddy Printing in Albion before working another 16 years at Kodak. He has served on many of the truck committees over the years.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a certificate of commendation to Armstrong for 65 years of service and for “repeatedly demonstrating courage in the face of adversity” by responding to many fires, motor vehicle accidents and other emergencies.

The crowd gives Armstrong a standing ovation when he was recognized by Hawley.

County Legislator Ed Morgan presents a special recognition award from the County Legislature to Armstrong. He also received awards from State Sen. Rob Ortt and the Firefighters Association of New York State.

Armstrong said Albion has been fortunate to have a dedicated group of firefighters for many decades.

“We’ve always had a good crew behind us,” he said.

Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management coordinator, installs the officers and executive committee.

The officers for 2022 include: Rob Conner, chief; James Peruzzini, deputy chief; John Papponetti, assistant chief; Steven Papponetti, captain; Jeremy Graham, first lieutenant; Nathan Bloom, second lieutenant; Jeremy Babcock, third lieutenant; Harry Papponetti, chief mechanic; Fred Piano, EMS captain; and Brianna Caldwell, EMS lieutenant.

The executive committee include: Nathan Bloom, president; Austin Zobel, vice president; Dawn Marciszewski, treasurer; Kelly Irwin, assistant treasurer; Christine Bloom, secretary; and directors Jan Cheverie, Jeremy Babcock and Nathan Bloom.

Joe Grube, the outgoing president of the fire department, presents the President’s Award to Al Cheverie, who served in the role for many years and was a steady help to Grube in the past year. Nathan Bloom is the department’s new president.

Brody Stirk of Albion has a following on YouTube

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brody Stirk is filmed by his mother Janna Stirk today overlooking Sandy Creek near Bullard Park. Brody has nine YouTube videos so far about science and autism. He is working on some videos about Albion, including some off-the-beaten path.

ALBION – Brody Stirk has autism. The 10-year-old isn’t afraid to let the world know.

Some people with autism will use masking to hide their flaws or characteristics.

“I myself don’t do masking,” Brody said in a YouTube video he made about autism. “I show myself.”

Brody Stirk is shown in a video about the autism spectrum disorder. Brody urges compassion for those with autism. He said having autism isn’t a disability, but a super power.

Brody, an Albion fourth-grader, has teamed with his mother Janna Stirk to make nine videos so far on his YouTube channel – “Brody Educates – Welcome to the world of science.”

Brody, in his videos that tend to be 5 to 9 minutes, has done features on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Keuka Lake (where his parents were married), Pelicans, Dolphins, Flying Boats, Mamba Mia, Star Sailors, Ten Tickles (The Common Octopus) and Ants in my Pants.

He has 230 subscribers to his channel so far. He started posting videos about two months ago.

His mother records him on her iPhone and she edits the videos. Brody is happy to do the research for the videos, and do the talking.

He said he is bringing science – “with a sense of humor.”

His mother is amazed to see him transformed into a very confident chatterbox on the videos. He shares lots of facts and also mixes in some jokes and bloopers.

In his video about ants, Brody tells his audience some “fun facts” including that ants have five eyes – two big eyes and three little tiny eyes. They have an exoskeleton where their bones are on the outside of their body. And ants do a lot of work every day taking care of their colonies. They can carry 50 times their weight which Brody would be like him picking up his dad’s pickup truck.

Brody and his mother feel the most proud about a video released April 2 on Autism Awareness Day.

Brody shares that 1 in 44 kids have autism. He was diagnosed at 2 ½. People with autism are on a spectrum with variety of levels of function. Not everyone is affected the same.

Brody Stirk has nine videos so far posted on YouTube.

He shares that people with autism often communicate differently. It may be hard for them to pick up social cues. They often don’t get sarcasm and may avoid eye contact.

“It can make it harder to make friends,” he said.

He and others with autism will often hyper fixate, and get obsessed on ideas, which he said can be both a blessing and a curse.

Many top inventors or the richest people have autism. It helps them really focus on a task and can lead to a major breakthrough. Brody mentioned Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, and Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, who are believed to be on the spectrum.

He urges people to celebrate neurodiversity, and show them compassion, empathy and understanding.

“People experience and interact with the world in different ways,” he said in his video. “There is no right or wrong way to experience the world.”

Brody also doesn’t like to hear autism referred to in a negative way, as if it’s an affliction.

“It makes me very upset when people say autism is a disorder,” Brody said. “I say it is a super power.”

Brody said many of his classmates and teachers have seen his videos and he feels like a celebrity. His video about Keuka Lake was mentioned by Finger Lakes tourism official and was shared over 100 times on Facebook. He goes to Keuka Lake with his parents, Janna and Morgan Stirk. That’s where they were married. Brody declares it the most beautiful lake in the world.

He is planning more videos about science and also wants to show off special spots in Albion, including those that are often overlooked.

He is happy to use the videos to show himself, a person with autism.

“Just don’t call autism a disorder,” he said today during an interview at Bullard Park. “It’s a different-ability.”

Brody Stirk takes a break today on the railroad tracks behind Bullard Park. He was out to see the waterfalls on Sandy Creek and the aqueduct holding the railroad over Sandy Creek.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Teri Lester, left, and Kathy Alexander move a wardrobe into a display on the floor of the Main Street Store. The store has a large variety of furniture at very reasonable prices.

ALBION – The Main Street Thrift Store, like many others, is struggling because of Covid, said Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.

The store offers employment services, on-the-job training and post-employment support to local residents. Proceeds from the store make these services possible.

Hungerford and Katrina Chaffee, director of community services for Community Action, met last week with employees and volunteers at the store to promote community support and remind the public of the great service this store provides.

The store, which opened in 2014, is managed by Michelle George. Other employees are Teri Lester, Kathy Alexander and Cassie Eagle, who is classroom instructor and in training for store manager. John Heschke is a volunteer who performs a variety of duties.

The store has embarked on a campaign to thank the community for its support and encourage shoppers to check out the Main Street Thrift Store. For the first time, the store has posted coupons online, in addition to the daily specials on select items in the store.

“When everyone else’s prices are going up, ours are going down,” George said.

They are also running an employee contest, in which employees get a supply of tickets to hand out to family and friends. The who has the most tickets returned will win a $100 gift card to Home Depot.

This year, the store participated in Albion’s Sip and Stroll, with food samples, wine tasting and live music.

Staff and volunteers of the Main Street Store sit on several sofas which are for sale at the store, which is offering coupons to get people back into the store, after the slowdown caused by Covid. From left are John Heschke, volunteer; Teri Lester, Kathy Alexander, Michelle George and Cassie Eagle, staff; Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action; and Katrina Chaffee, director of community services and reporting.

George calls the Main Street Thrift Store the area’s “Best kept secret.”

They offer men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, household goods, small appliances, electronics, collectibles, books and games and furniture, even a violin, among other things. A year-round holiday room is very popular, George said.

An important part of their success is donations from the community – of gently loved household items and clothing. They offer pick-up for large furniture items. Cash or credit card donations are accepted at the store on Just Giving at https://caoginc.org/. The Main Street Store should be indicated in the message of support.

Volunteers are also welcome to decorate displays and work at the cash register. There is also an opportunity for people to create e-bay listings for the store.

George also explained the important service the store provides to Albion Central School students. The store contracts with the school to provide one-on-one tutoring for credit recovery. Students come to the store one day a week for instruction by Eagle. Sessions are also attended by Eagle’s dog Aggie. Eagle said they found the dog had a calming effect on students.

The Main Street Thrift Store is open from 10:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Information is available on their Facebook page at Mainstreetthriftstore.albion.

Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle

ALBION – On April 9^th at approximately 12:13 a.m., Albion police officers were dispatched to the 300 block of West State Street for the report of shots fired.

Once on scene, officers located evidence confirming that shots were fired. At this time, it is believed that no one was injured in this incident and officers did recover a semi-automatic handgun near the scene that was previously reported stolen in an unrelated incident outside Orleans County.

This incident is being actively investigated by the Albion Police Department and anyone with any information regarding this investigation is strongly urged to contact the Albion Police Department at (585) 589-5627, the Orleans County Dispatch Center at (585) 589-5527 or 911.

The Albion Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the New York State Police and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Timmy Ficarella, 4, of Warsaw holds one of the nine golden eggs in today’s Easter egg hunt on the courthouse lawn.

The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries, a church that meets at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex, had 3,000 eggs scattered on the lawn for children.

Kids with one of the nine big golden eggs could win larger prizes including a bicycle or scooter.

The Easter Bunny hugs Joshua Bennett, 4, of Albion while his mother Jamie Bennett gets a photo.

Wallace McHenry, 6, of Holley is happy after finding an egg with a treat inside.

Student volunteers helped distribute 150 Easter baskets after the egg hunt.

Pastor Albert Wilson of the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries welcomes families to the egg hunt. He was pleased to see so many kids. He thanked Arnold’s Auto Parts and the Masonic Lodge in Albion for their support of the event.

“It’s all about family,” Wilson said. “It’s bringing back activities. This is just a start of what God is allowing us to do in Albion, and more is coming.”

Matt Hollenbeck of the Masonic Lodge cooks hot dogs. The Masons gave away 500 hot dogs and 600 orders of French fries.

Before the Egg hunt, about 15 Albion businesses hosted an egg scavenger hunt with businesses handing out to treats to kids. Laura Kemler, owner of Laura Loxley’s, hands out Kit Kat candy bars to these siblings – Julie, Mollie and Andrew Westenfeld of Barre Center. More than 200 kids stopped by the businesses in the “Easter Hop.”

Allie Snitzel, 10, of Albion gets her face painted by Brenda Nanni at the Coffee Joint.

Karen Mogle of the Coffee Joint hands out plastic eggs of candy.

Carter Annecharico, 7, of Medina gets treat at Toyz n Kandy as part of the Easter Hop. He also visited the face-painting artist for some snake artwork.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Emily Mojein, left, and Leah Orsini, Covid response specialists with the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments, are at a table highlighting volunteer opportunities through the department, namely through VALOR – Volunteer Alliance Linking Our Responses.

VALOR assists the health department with health emergency repsonses, humanitarian projects and in trainings for prepared and safe communities.

The group is among nine organizations at a Volunteer Fair today from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hoag Library.

The volunteer fair is being organized by the Albion Rotary Club. There is a cake available celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club.

Alex Krebs (left), president of the Rotary Club, and Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, promote their organizations.

Farley said the museum is seeking two summer interns which receive a stipend, as well as many volunteers to help with tours, grounds upkeep, the gift shop and used book sale, general office tasks and help with special events.

Organizations can be part of an online directory listing volunteer opportunities. For more information, email Robert Batt at rpb23@cornell.edu.

“So many Orleans County organizations are able to have the impact they do because our friends and neighbors are willing to volunteer and contribute,” said Batt, who is executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. “We hope this event and the volunteer opportunity directory will be a good way to help connect those looking to help and organizations looking for a hand.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: A plaque inside the Hoag Library in Albion recognizes the gifts from Maurice “Mo” Hoag and his wife Courtenay.

ALBION – Last month the Hoag Library in Albion paid off its mortgage – 10 years ahead of schedule.

The fast-paced payoff is thanks to Maurice “Mo” Hoag and his wife Courtenay. They gave another $200,000 to close out the mortgage. That will result in a 10 percent cut in the library taxes.

The Hoags have been steady donors to the library. Initially they gave $25,000 towards the capitol campaign for the new library about a decade ago. But they increased that by $225,000 to $250,000 and secured the naming rights for the building.

In July 2015, they sent another $100,000 check and then another $100,000 arrived on April 14, 2017. In 2018, they sent a check for $250,000, then gave another $100,000 and the latest at $200,000. That makes for a cool one million in total.

Mr. Hoag said the donations were never about getting his name on the library. He just wanted to help his hometown and believed the library was a great way to improve access to education and opportunity for everyone.

Hoag grew up in Albion and graduated in 1961 as valedictorian. He lived in big cities throughout the country, as well as Geneva, Switzerland during a successful 30-year career in chemical manufacturing.

The Hoags live in Baltimore and come back to Albion for annual class reunions. Mr. Hoag stays in touch with many of his classmates. He saw the community struggle, with the closing of many businesses including Liptons. He viewed a vibrant and modern library as a way to help counteract those losses.

Hoag Library has become a vital part of the Albion community since opening nearly 10 years ago in July 2012.

When the new library opened, circulation went way up, programs saw bigger crowds and meeting rooms were booked. The library is a gem for the community, a symbol of success for citizens committed to a noble cause.

The Hoags made the daunting task of building a new library easier and they haven’t stopped with their support.

They have never requested a photo opportunity or press release. They send in the checks unannounced with a note from Mr. Hoag to use it to pay down the mortgage.

The Hoags also fund generous scholarships for Albion college students pursuing engineering. Those scholarships are for $12,500. They also donated towards the bronze statue of a Santa in downtown Albion that will celebrate the life of the late Charles Howard, who started a Santa School in Albion.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoag, we thank you for your support of the Albion community.

District proposes capital reserve to transfer $13 million from overfunded post-employment benefit reserve

ALBION – The Board of Education approved a $38,298,690 budget on Monday evening that will go before voters on May 17.

The budget keeps the tax levy at $8,449,039. This is the 14^th time in the past 16 years that taxes have either stayed the same or decreased.

The district was faulted in an audit last month from the state comptroller’s office for building a surplus of funds in excess of the statutory limit by $17.3 million.

The audit said Albion on a regular basis would overestimate appropriations, resulting in the district levying more real property taxes than needed and the accumulation of a sizable surplus fund balance.

The district has a multi-year plan to reduce the surplus. Those funds protect the district from any future swings in state aid, which accounts for about 75 percent of the district budget.

Board of Education member Margy Brown said she is proud of the district’s financial position and hopes the district can continue to hold taxes largely in check for another decade or more.

Brown, a member of the district’s finance committee, said Albion has taken an “extreme conservative” approach in guarding the district finances from spikes in taxes.

Kathy Harling, the board president, in a response to the comptroller’s office, said the district’s leadership has had a collective goal over the years “to minimize the impact of inconsistency of funding levels from the State Education Department while trying to maintain an effective instructional program insulated form swings in state aid revenues.”

The audit offers a chance “for continuous improvement” and Albion will be looking to implement some of the recommendations from the comptroller’s officer.

One suggestion is moving most of the funds in a post-employment benefit reserve to a capital reserve fund.

The May 17 vote includes a proposition to establish a Capital Improvements Reserve Fund for acquisition, construction, reconstruction, expansion, renovation, alteration and improvements of buildings, facilities, sites and real property in the district, or the district’s share of any projects undertaken by the Orleans-Niagara BOCES. The district wishes to set the amount at $15 million.

Albion is proposing to transfer $13,831,050 coming from the District’s Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund. That is the amount the state comptroller’s office said the account is overfunded.

“This is essentially a savings account which will be used to pay for necessary repairs of our buildings in the future,” Harling wrote in a budget message on the district website. “We are extremely proud of our school facilities and grateful for the investment our community has made in them.”

Even with the transfer, the Employee Retirement System would remain fully funded at $1,730,335, the district said.

That $13.8 million plus another $7,195,000 in a capital reserve fund would cover most, perhaps all, of the construction costs for $26.69 million capital project approved by district voters on Dec. 14. The project that includes work at all three schools, as well as the bus garage, and new synthetic playing surfaces for football, soccer and softball.

Albion could pay for the project without taking out a bond. That would save in financing costs and interest. The state would still pay Albion back over 15 years the state share, plus interest.

“We will save the taxpayers a ton of money by not paying interest over 15 years,” said Rick Recckio, the district’s business administrator.

To transfer the $13.8 million, the district needs to create the new capital reserve fund. It will be set at a maximum of $15 million.

The $38.3 million overall school budget maintains all current programs and also adds summer programs and after-school opportunities to help students make up for lost classroom time during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Maintenance/custodial expenses also were increased from $1,506,661 to $1,863,092. Major maintenance items included in the 2022-23 plan are painting, carpet replacement, energy efficiency, health and safety updates, blacktop striping and stair tread replacement.

The vote on May 17 will be from noon to 8 p.m. in elementary school conference room A.

Propositions to be voted on include:

• Proposition 1 – School budget at $38,298,690
• Proposition 2 – Bus purchase at $550,000
• Proposition 3 – Hoag Library at $648,964
• Proposition 4 – Establishment and proposed initial funding and utilization of a capital improvements reserve fund

Two board seats also will be up for election. They are currently filled by Kathy Harling and Wayne Wadhams. Both positions are five-year terms.