Photo by Tom Rivers: Flags advertise merchandise and collectibles at The Downtown Browsery Co-op at 118 North Main St. in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2025 at 1:17 pm
ALBION – The Albion Village Board say it will look at how some communities are using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as incentives to bring investment in a downtown business district and other targeted areas.
Village trustee Joyce Riley learned about TIFs at a recent municipal conference. She spoke about them during last week’s Village Board meeting.
“We have to find a way to make dormant buildings be vibrant,” Riley said.
A TIF would give a property owner a discount on taxes for their investment in a project. Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said a drawback could be a loss of tax revenue. He wants to see the potential impact on the village tax revenue as part of a TIF district.
The TIF would be similar to a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) where there is a gradual sliding scale for a property owner, where a small amount is paid in the beginning and a percentage is added each following year until it is at full value. A PILOT typically is 10, 15, 20 or 25 years. Locally, the PILOTs are done through the Orleans Economic Development Agency on behalf of the taxing jurisdictions.
Riley said there could be a loss of revenue in the beginning of a TIF, but ultimately there would be more revenue for the village later in the PILOT and the village and community would have the benefit of more buildings being put to use.
“We have to look at it at the long haul, not the short haul,” she said. “In the long haul we’ll make more money.”
Village officials said they would do more research on Tax Increment Financing. Riley said it would be another way to facilitate business and housing investment in Albion in a way that is less reliant on state grants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2025 at 9:46 am
COs want more staffing in prisons, end to HALT Act
Photos by Tom Rivers: This group is out in the bitter cold across from the Orleans Correctional Facility on Gaines Basin Road for a strike. About 100 correction officers gathered outside the prison to demand more staffing and an end to the Halt Act which limits solitary confinement among incarcerated people. The HALT Act has made the prisons less safe for both inmates and staff, officers said.
ALBION – Corrections officers are on an historic strike at prisons around the state today, including the two in Orleans County: Orleans and Albion correctional facilities.
The staff were supposed to show up to work at 6:45 a.m. for a shift change. But instead about 100 corrections officers gathered outside the facilities for a strike.
Officers are demanding the HALT Act be rescinded. That state law has limited how inmates can be put in solitary confinement. It has taken punishment and deterrents away from officers in trying to keep the facility safe for both staff and other incarcerated people, COs said at the strike today.
“It is absolutely horribly unsafe,” one striking corrections officer said outside Orleans Correctional, a medium security men’s prison.
Corrections officers say the HALT Act keeps many violent inmates in the general population, putting the facility at risk for both staff and incarcerated people.
About 100 staff were outside Orleans Correctional on Gaines Basin Road, standing in bitter cold temperatures. It was about 10 degrees out with blowing snow, and a wind chill below zero.
Another group was outside on strike at Albion Correctional, a women’s prison at the end of Washington Street.
Orleans Correctional is down about 60 COs. It should have 281 but currently only has 220, one corrections officer said. That was required lots of mandatory overtime. One CO said many new hires quit because of the long hours and safety inside the prison walls. COs also said drugs regularly enter the prison, adding to the unsafe conditions. Drugs are often sent in packages and the understaffed facility can’t fully check all of the packages and mail, COs said.
“This is as serious as it’s got in my 40 years,” said retired Sgt. Arnold Jonathan of Orleans Correctional. “I thank God every day I’m retired.”
He drove from Niagara County to be at the strike in a show of solidarity. He said the last strike was in 1979.
The officers are on strike knowing they could lose their jobs as part of the Taylor Law which prevents a strike from public employees. The strike at Albion and Orleans follows a strike on Monday at Elmira and Collins correctional facilities. COs interviewed at Orleans said those strikes prompted a much larger response across the state today. More than 20 prisons out of the 44 total are expected to have striking COs today.
COs also oppose mandatory overtime. One officer drives an hour to work at Orleans, He said he has regularly been working 80 hours a week and seldom gets to spend time with his family.
The union representing the corrections officers, the New York State Correction Officers Police Benevolent Association, is not sanctioning the strikes.
This sign blames Gov. Kathy Hochul and Daniel F. Martuscello III, the commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, for unsafe conditions in the prisons that prompted the strike.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2025 at 1:32 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: This miniature clay model of a reindeer was created by Brian Porter of Pendleton. He would like to make the reindeer as a bronze statue that would be 6 feet high and 6 feet long to add to Albion’s embrace of its heritage as home to a school for Santas.
ALBION – The Albion Village Board wants to hear from the community whether it should devote any village funds towards a sculpture of a reindeer.
The board will have a 6 p.m. public hearing on Feb. 26 in the village office about spending money towards a full-size clay model of a reindeer. Sculptor Brian Porter of Pendleton in Niagara County has created a miniature model of a reindeer. It’s the first step towards creating a full-size bronze statue. Porter envisions a reindeer with big antlers that would be six feet in height and six feet in length.
He also created the bronze statue of Santa on Main Street. That project was led by the Albion betterment Committee and funded with donations.
Village Trustee Joyce Riley said adding reindeer sculptures around Albion would be another way to celebrate the community’s Santa heritage and boost local tourism.
Porter said a full-size clay model of the reindeer would cost $12,500. To make a statue out of bronze would be another $65,000.
Riley would like to give Porter the go-ahead to work on the large clay model so it could be ready in time to be displayed during the Sept. 26-28 Erie Canal Arts & Craft Festival led by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. The three-day festival is planned for Albion, Holley and Kendall.
Riley suggested the village fund the large clay model, and then pursue grants and donations for the bronze statue.
Once there is a mold for the bronze statue, Riley said duplicates could be made at the lower-cost metal and material so all of Santa’s nine reindeer are displayed around the community.
She would like to see $15,000 total set aside from the village with $12,500 towards the larger clay model and another $2,500 towards and advertising and fundraising campaign.
Mayor Angel Javier said the $15,000 “is a lot of money” and he wants to hear from taxpayers.
Riley said the reindeer ultimately could be part of encouraging more people to live in Albion, set up businesses and visit. She thinks it would have a larger economic impact on the community.
Albion is home to a Santa School from 1937 until the death of the school’s founder, Charles W. Howard in 1966. Howard also led the Christmas Park attraction in Albion.
Besides the bronze statue of Howard, there are two Christmas-themed murals in Albion as well as “Believe” signs. The state Department of Transportation also has dedicated a section of Route 31 in Albion as the Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2025 at 11:19 am
‘There is so much good in Albion. How can we get people to see that?’
Provided image: “I Chose Albion” stickers and signs are expected to soon be available to show support for the Albion community.
ALBION – Rebecca Alexander and her family are grateful for the Albion community which has supporting their businesses, Dubby’s Tailgate and Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza.
Alexander and her husband Brian and their children started the wood fired pizza business in the summer of 2019, selling pizzas from a portable trailer and oven they set up by Arnold’s Auto Parts in Albion. The pizzas sold out every Friday, week after week.
When they were looking to establish a restaurant with tailgate and backyard games, they considered Lockport, Brockport and Batavia, but ultimately chose Albion due to the community support. Dubby’s Tailgate opened in a warehouse on Platt Street in December 2021 with the restaurant following in November 2022.
“We have a good community,” Alexander said. “We just need that extra motivation to change that mindset.”
She thinks many in Albion can be overly negative, and quick to be naysayers about efforts to better the community.
Alexander shared those thoughts with Courtney Henderson, owner of a social media agency in Albion – Babe Cave IncYOUbator.
The two wanted to counter the negativity they see about Albion in many social media posts, the knee-jerk tendency by many to share gloom and doom.
Last week, Henderson and Alexander invited about 30 people from Albion who own businesses and lead local organizations to discuss why they chose Albion.
“There is so much good in Albion,” Alexander said. “How can we get people to see that?”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Courtney Henderson, left, and Rebecca Alexander led a discussion and presentation last week about the positives of living and working in Albion. Dubby’s Tailgate hosted the event.
Alexander and Henderson presented an image proclaiming “I Chose Albion” that will be available on stickers and yard signs.
Henderson acknowledged being a business owner in a small town is a tough task that is not unique to Albion.
She led the group of about 30 attendees in a discussion where they split up in small groups. They were asked to discuss the following:
What’s your vision for Albion’s future, and how do you see yourself contributing to it?
If you could tell someone considering Albion why they should choose it, what would you say?
What change or growth have you seen in Albion that excites you the most?
What made Albion the perfect choice for your business?
What first drew you to Albion, and what made you stay?
How has being part of the Albion community impacted your journey?
The attendees were asked to share on note cards why they chose Albion and what motivates them to invest their time and talents to the community.
One said her husband loves Albion and wants to see the community prosper. “His passion is admirable and I have joined forces.”
One chose Albion because of the Erie Canal and Santa history with the Santa School and Christmas Park.
Albion has a deep heritage, one person wrote, and has youth sports opportunities with Little League, football, wrestling and basketball.
“It’s close to home with affordable property, beautiful architecture and family-oriented,” another wrote.
One person said Albion has “magical qualities” and “intangibles” like the town from the Brigadoon musical.
Another person grew up in Albion and sees friends in town she has known since grade school. “It is nice to go places and see people you have known for years.”
One person who has been rec director for about 50 years said he will never give up on Albion. John Grillo said he is grateful to have been in youth sports, and to have coached kids and led the parks program.
One said Albion has been a place for their family to have a growing business and small-town values where neighbors know each other.
“I came here because I could buy a huge house with lots of property affordably,” one person wrote. “It was a great place to raise successful, well-rounded children. They had a great experience here.”
One person said Albion is “not too big, not too small” and offers affordable housing and opportunities to be in school sports and music programs.
Another said Albion is safe with a small town feel, “everything is right around the corner.”
Some of the organizations at the discussion at Dubby’s included representatives from the Village Board, Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events (G-ACRE), Albion Merchants Association, Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program (AYSAP), the Albion Lions Club Albion Ministerium, Albion Rotary Club, Albion Town Board, Albion Betterment Committee and Bring Christmas Back to Albion.
“We want to get the organizations on the same page and be a united front,” Henderson said.
She and Alexander would like to see the groups meet every three months and share their upcoming activities and programs so the organizations can help promote each other and make the events even better.
They encouraged more people to celebrate the good in Albion.
“Every journey begins with a single choice – the choice to believe in Albion,” they said in one of their slides. “It’s the choice to see beyond challenges and recognize opportunity, to invest in not just businesses, but in people, in dreams, and in the future we are building together. It’s the choice to embrace Albion’s rich history while shaping its next chapter. And tonight, as we come together, we celebrate that choice – because every investment, every idea, and every partnership forged here strengthens the foundation of a thriving, connected, and prosperous Albion. The best part? The story is being written, and we all have the power to make it extraordinary.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2025 at 8:28 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There are 65 teams playing indoor soccer Friday and today at the Ben Kirby Memorial Tournament. The top photo shows McKinley Knight of Albion trying to get the ball past a Brockport player in the high school gym.
There are teams from Albion, Attica, Batavia, Brockport, Buffalo, Canandaigua, Holley, Newark, Pavilion and Warsaw in the tournament. That is approximately 500 players from grades 3 and 4 up to adults in the open division. With other spectators, well over 1,000 people are expected for the tournament, which also includes games at the elementary school gym.
Some of the volunteers at the tournament include from left Peter Borello, Kyler McQuillan, Wendy Kirby, Stacey Braley and Nisi Beltran Roblero.
Borello coaches and coordinates the tournament. He said Albion’s location in between Rochester and Buffalo helps bring in the out-of-town teams.
The Albion Soccer Club organizes the two-day tournament which honors the memory of Ben Kirby of Albion. He was a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology when he died in a car accident on Nov. 6, 2017. He was 21 at the time, in his senior year majoring in software development. Kirby played youth soccer for Albion and also on the school teams.
Some of the proceeds go towards a $500 Ben Kirby scholarship given to a student nominated by one or more of the teachers in the Albion High School. Three of the scholarships are awarded each year.
The tournament includes sponsorships from Kirby’s Farm Market, A & J Kirby Farms and Oak Orchard Health.
Photos courtesy of Harvest Christian Fellowship: The Rev. Tim Lindsay and his wife Laurie (left in photos), long-time leaders of Harvest Christian Fellowship, pass the torch of the church’s leadership to the new lead pastors, Melisa and Jovannie Canales.
Posted 13 February 2025 at 4:15 pm
Press Release, Harvest Christian Fellowship
ALBION – Pastors Jovannie and Melisa Canales were installed as the new lead pastors of Harvest Christian Fellowship in a special service on Sunday, January 26th.
Pastor Jovannie had been serving as the church’s associate pastor since mid-2024. Previously the husband and wife served as pastors of Oasis Church in Medina.
Tim Lindsay began Harvest in 1987 and has served as the senior pastor for the past 37 years. Pastor Lindsay will continue to serve the church in this new season and is excited about the transition. He will be assisting Pastors Jovannie and Melisa with pastoral care, teaching, mentoring and in other ways.
Church leaders pray over Melisa and Jovannie Canales as they are installed as the new lead pastors.
When Jovannie and Melisa made the commitment to accept this new call, the church leaders at Oasis began to explore the possibility of merging the two congregations. Last April the congregation of Oasis voted unanimously to move forward with the merger and the two churches have been together since June 2024.
Oasis Church had seen consistent growth over the past seven years under the leadership of Pastors Jovannie and Melisa. Additionally, it hosted the “Family Fun Day” in Medina, which now takes place annually in Albion on the second Saturday of August.
“I am confident that this is the direction that God has for us, and I believe that Jovannie and Melisa will do a great job,” said Pastor Lindsay.
Harvest has been involved in numerous ministries in the county over the years; helping in the formation of the Care Net Center of Greater Orleans, the Orleans County Christian School, Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation, Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, and Trade 180 (a mentoring program for young men that also provides transitional housing), to name a few.
The church meets on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. as well as conducting mid-week Bible studies, children’s Sunday School, home fellowship groups, and other outreaches.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2025 at 3:20 pm
ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion will close to traffic on Feb. 13 for an inspection. The bridge is expected to be off limits to vehicles for two to four hours, starting at about 9:30 a.m.
State Department of Transportation officials notified the Albion Village Board of the upcoming inspection. The bridge will reopen soon after the inspection.
The bridge reopened on Dec. 27 after being shut down for more than two years for a major rehab of the structure that was built in 1914.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Albion Village Trustee Joyce Riley joins Brian Porter, a sculptor, after he presented a clay model of a reindeer.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2025 at 8:08 pm
ALBION – A group in Albion wants to do more to proclaim and celebrate Albion’s history with a Santa School and Christmas Park.
A group led by Village Trustee Joyce Riley would like to have a bronze statue of reindeer on display in the community. Lori Laine, leader of a group celebrating Christmas in Albion, also is pushing for the bronze reindeer. She suggested the idea in a recent meeting attended by Riley, and the village trustee agreed it made sense for Albion.
The mold from that statue could be used to produce other reindeer that wouldn’t be in bronze but would be durable enough to be outside year-round. Riley would like to see the reindeer in many locations in the community.
“I see it as a way to generate excitement in Albion,” Riley said.
Some of the deer could include artwork to highlight the history of the community, she said.
Brian Porter, a sculptor from near Lockport, created the bronze statue of Santa that was unveiled in Albion in June 2023. He also made the statue of soldier that was dedicated in September 2019 outside the former Medina Armory that is now the Orleans County YMCA.
Brian Porter envisions Rudolph as a strong reindeer. He researched caribou, which are reindeer, to create this three-dimensional model of Rudolph. He said the nose could be made in a red bronze.
Porter would like to make the statue of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This afternoon he presented a small clay model of a reindeer to Riley, Village Trustee Tim McMurray and Village-Clerk Treasurer Tracy Van Skiver. Porter researched caribou, which are reindeer, to create a strong-looking animal, much different from the small and bashful Rudolph popularized in a book and TV show.
Porter saw other artist renderings of Santa with reindeer, and many show powerful reindeer that pulled Santa’s sleigh in an epic trek around the world.
“I feel adopted by Albion,” Porter said about a positive experience working on the bronze Santa, a project spearheaded by the Albion Betterment Committee. “I’ve had a wonderful experience in Albion and Medina.”
Brian Porter created the bronze statue of Santa which was unveiled in June 2023. It was done in honor of Charles W. Howard, who ran a Santa School and Christmas Park in Albion.
Riley said there are a lot of details to work out with the location and fundraising for the bronze reindeer. She sees a project with a lot of potential to help Albion celebrate its Santa and Christmas legacy.
Porter estimates the bronze statue of a reindeer, at feet high and 6 feet long, would be about $65,000. The final costs will depend on the bronze charges from a foundry.
The replicas reindeer would be far cheaper because the mold would be done and less expensive material could be used. Riley would like to have the full set of Santa’s reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph.
Riley said she will ask for the full Village Board’s permission to pursue the project and have a life-size clay mold created in time for a September festival celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal. That clay model would be $12,500.
Riley welcomes donations and grants of all sizes if the effort moves forward. Those interested in helping with the project are welcome to send Riley an email at jriley@villageofalbionny.com.
Brian Porter also made the 7-foot-high bronze statue of a soldier outside the former Medina Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA. Porter is shown during a Sept. 7, 2019 dedication ceremony for that statue. That project honored the 550 soldiers who trained at the Armory from 1898 to 1947 and they fought in four major conflicts: the Spanish American War, Mexican Border Incursion, World War I and World War II.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2025 at 2:01 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – These students in the Akron Interact Club filled backpacks with school supplies that will be delivered by Albion teacher Tim Archer to a school in a remote part of Honduras.
Archer is also the Albion Interact Club advisor. The two Interact clubs teamed to fill about 400 backpacks with notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, bookmarks, stickers, wristbands, folders, maps, T-shirts and other supplies.
The Albion Rotary Club also id donating most of the proceeds from its March 13 St. Patrick’s ham dinner towards assisting the school. Archer has a connection to the school from when he was a missionary in this jungle area of Honduras.
Archer leaves on Sunday and will be gone for three weeks.
Some kids from the Honduras La Mosquitia region are shown at left. Archer will be visiting several small villages along the 200-mile Patuca River. Archer will be traveling by canoe with pastors in that region.
Photo by Tom Rivers
The two Interact Clubs also met today in Albion for a leadership conference. The people seated at the table were the featured speakers.
From left include retired State Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt, a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War; Craig Lane, Orleans County DPW commissioner, Holley Rotary Club president and a 20-year Air Force veteran; Albion Village Trustee Joyce Riley, a retired nursing supervisor; Steve Giroux, owner of seven pharmacies, including Rosenkrans in Medina and a Rotarian for 41 years; Pastor Jovannie Canales of Harvest Christian Fellowship; and Tim Archer, Albion Rotary Interact Club advisor.
ALBION – Hoag Library is pleased to announce its collaboration with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP) to offer free tax preparation services to eligible community members.
Program Details:
Eligibility: Individuals with a 2024 federal adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less and investment income of $11,600 or less qualify for this service.
Session Dates and Times: TAP sessions at Hoag Library are scheduled for the following dates: Feb. 10, 24; March 10, 24; and April 7, 14.
Each date offers four time slots:
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
12:30 to 2 p.m.
2 to 3:30 p.m.
3:30 to 5 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, please contact Hoag Library at 585-589-4246.
Don’t miss this opportunity to file your taxes accurately and for free with professional guidance at Hoag Library.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2025 at 9:07 pm
ALBION – An Albion police officer used a fire extinguisher from a patrol car to put out a fire in a television at 116 East Bank St.
Officer Jacob Cotriss was quick to respond to the scene after a call to 911 at about 8:30 p.m. The call to first responders said children were stuck upstairs at the residence.
Cotriss put the fire out, and Albion firefighters then aired out the upstairs. The family is able to stay in the residence.
Firefighters also were dispatched to a fire in Clarendon this afternoon at 16395 Fourth Section Rd., between Powers Drive and Church Street. The fire was contained to the attic, said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2025 at 5:58 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Buffalo Bills fans gathered to show their support and excitement for the team at 5 p.m. today outside the First Presbyterian Church of Albion where the church sign carried this message: “GOD IS IMPARTIAL BUT THE SIGN GUY AIN’T – GO BILLS”
Orly the Orleans County mascot joined the gathering and held the “Billieve” banner with Dakota Marasco. She posted a message on Facebook this afternoon, urging people to stop by the church sign at 5 p.m.
Marasco said the region is rallying around the team for today’s AFC Championship game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. in Kansas City. If the Bills win, the go to the Super Bowl for the first time in 31 years.
“The Bills are our team and they love us as much as we love them,” Marasco said.
Lori Laine holds her Dachshund named Mattie while they are next to Orly the Ox. Laine has three Dachshunds and they all have Buffalo Bills outfits.
Laine is holding a sign from 1994 when the Bills were last in the Super Bowl.
ALBION – For the second year Albion is hosting a Classical Music Series in 2025. The performing groups will be the Wind Chamber Group of the Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, The E-Yah-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet, and the Argos String Trio.
Starting us off on Feb. 8 will be the Wind Chamber Group of the Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble performing a 4 p.m. recital at the Albion First Baptist Church, 30 West Park St.
The Wind Chamber Group is made up of small ensembles: a flute trio, a clarinet quintet, a bassoon duet, a saxophone quartet and a mixed woodwind ensemble with director Philip Briatico. All members are experienced musicians who play in numerous organizations throughout Monroe, Genesee and Orleans counties. Many are current or retired music teachers.
The program promises to be interesting and diverse, from classical works to popular pieces including long time favorites. The concert is free and open to the public.
The following concerts in the classical music series will be the full Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, directed by Philip Briatico on May 3 in the Albion Middle School Auditorium at 4 p.m.
The E-Yah-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet will join the Cobblestone Society’s Summer Soirée on July 17, playing at 5 p.m. The soirée will be held at the gardens at Riley Place in Albion. The event is a summer favorite of the museum membership and community, enjoying a beautiful garden setting, music and fellowship.
The fourth concert of the series is the Argos Trio featuring Liana Kirvan, violin; Lars Kirvan, cello; and Ciao Wen Chen, piano. All are also members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert will be held at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, 10 East Park St. in Albion. A fall date will be scheduled.
All concerts are free and open to the public. This series is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO Art!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2025 at 9:34 am
Shelby seeks more time for wind energy regulations
Photo by Tom Rivers: The 17-member Orleans County Planning Board met for the first time this year on Thursday in the legislative chambers at the Orleans County Administration Building. The board re-elected Brian Napoli of Ridgeway as chairman and Dan Strong of Carlton as the vice chairman.
ALBION – The Town of Albion is working on updating regulations for larger solar projects and also wants an ordinance for battery storage utilities.
The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday backed six-month moratoriums in Albion for constructions of commercial solar farms and construction of battery storage utilities.
Albion has three commercial solar farms under construction and another one has been approved. Dan Strong, a member of the County Planning Board, said Albion wants to address “some glitches and holes” in its ordinance and have an option for host fees to allow the town to receive a larger percentage of the revenue for the projects. Right now with a PILOT the revenue is shared in thirds among the town, school district and county.
The town approved regulations for solar farms in 2017.
The Albion Town Board has scheduled public hearings on the moratoriums for 5 p.m. on Feb. 10. During a moratorium no applications shall be considered or processed by the town while it works to update or write its ordinances.
The town currently doesn’t have any battery storage utilities, including among the four commercial solar projects, Strong said.
Albion approved regulations for battery storage systems in 2021, but wants to update those, he said.
The Planning Board on Thursday also gave its OK for a six-month extension of a moratorium in Shelby on wind energy systems. The Planning Board approved a six-month moratorium in July 2024, but the town wants more time to go through and approve the regulations.
Kirk Myhill, the Shelby Planning Board chairman, said the Planning Board has made its recommendation to the Town Board, which is now reviewing the ordinance.
During the moratorium, town officials will suspend any permitting, processing, interpreting or deliberating upon wind energy projects and wind energy overlay districts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2025 at 2:50 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orly the Bicentennial Ox was on the move this morning, going from the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds to Hoag Library in Albion.
Keith Ward, left, and Vincent Zona, motor equipment operators for the Orleans County DPW, move the painted fiberglass statue from a trailer into the library. The ox isn’t too heavy, approximately 60 pounds.
Orly was painted during last July’s fair by Albion native Stacey Kirby Steward. One side has an agricultural theme honoring the pioneer settlers and the other side has a 4-H and County Fair theme.
The ox was moved the library today so people could get a close look at him.
There will be an informational meeting at noon on Saturday at Hoag for artists, organizations, businesses and other sponsors to hear how they could be part of having more oxen painted around the county.
The ox was featured during the Medina Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 and then Albion Christmas parade on Dec. 14.
Library director Betty Sue Miller sizes up Orly with the DPW workers, who also include Wayne Krull, the deputy commissioner for the DPW.
Miller noted the library has several other paintings and a large mural done by Stacey Kirby Steward.
Orly will greet library patrons for maybe the next three months or so. He might be on the move again on April 15, which is the county’s official 200th birthday. April 15, 1825 was the day the State Legislature first recognized Orleans County. Before that Orleans was part of Genesee County.
