This chart shows the new senior citizen income levels and the percent of the property tax discount.

MURRAY – The Murray Town Board on Monday voted to raise the eligible income levels for both senior citizens and disabled property owners younger than 65 to receive a break on their property taxes.

The town followed the Orleans County Legislature which last week approved the higher income levels for the seniors and disabled to receive a discount on their taxes.

Like the county, Murray’s senior exemption previously gave 50 percent off property taxes for those 65 and older with an annual income at $15,500 or less.

The new exemption levels offer 50 percent off at annual incomes of $19,000 or less. It then drops in 5 percent increments until bottoming out at 20 percent off between $23,800 and $24,699.99.

This chart shows the new low-income disabled resident income levels and the percent of the property tax discount. Low-income disabled residents will switch to the senior citizen tax exemption once they are 65.

Murray also expanded the income levels for low-income disabled residents. The maximum exemption used to be at incomes $15,500 or below. Now it’s up to $19,000 for 50 percent off. That exemption then drops 5 percent before the lowest level of 5 percent off at incomes between $26,500 and $27,399.99.

The exemptions take effect in the 2024 tax bills. Applications for the exemptions are due by March 1.

Property owners can go through the town assessor to apply for the exemption.

Gerald Rightmyer signs the oath of the office as a new member of the Murray Town Board. Town Clerk Cindy Oliver administers the oath. Rightmyer resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals to take the position on the Town Board, filling a vacancy created when Paul Hendel resigned. Rightmyer was appointed unanimously by the board to fill a term ending Dec. 31, 2023.

MURRAY – The Town Board this evening approved a $30,600 contract with Monroe Ambulance to provide EMS services in the town in 2023.

Murray follows Barre, Albion and Clarendon in approving an agreement with Monroe. The Rochester-based ambulance company negotiating a contract with seven towns in Orleans to provide ambulance services.

Monroe would be paid $200,000 collectively by the seven towns, with the share of each town based on call volume.

Murray has the second-largest amount at $30,600. It is the fourth town to approve the contract after Albion at $84,400, Clarendon at $18,800 and Barre at $8,000.

Gaines ($24,600) wants to consider wait on Monroe to get more information from Mercy Flight EMS about its proposal for ambulance service. Kendall ($18,000) also has tabled a decision. Carlton at $14,800 hasn’t voted yet, either.

Monroe currently serves the three eastern towns – Clarendon, Murray and Kendall – but doesn’t station an ambulance in Orleans County.

With the new agreement, Monroe would station an ambulance in Holley and also in Albion.

Murray Town Councilman Randy Bower said the agreement will result in better service for the community.

“I think it really, really helps our town with the ambulance coverage because we have been lacking in that area,” he said at the board meeting. “Monroe can keep an ambulance and backfill when needed.”

Monroe can draw on about 20 ambulances to help when there are high call volumes.

Murray will pay for the $30,600 out of federal funds it received through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The agreement with Monroe was approved unanimously by Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio and councilmen Lloyd Christ, Mike Mele, Randy Bower and new board member Gerald Rightmyer.

MEDINA – The village has received a design and layout plan for additions to the Medina fire hall and village office, projects that the Barton & Loguidice firm estimate could cost $6 million.

The Village Board last week briefly discussed the design and layouts submitted by Barton & Loguidice. Representatives from the firm will attend a meeting in the near future to go over the project in detail.

“Everybody read it, digest it,” Mayor Mike Sidari said to the other board members.

Barton & Loguidice met with village officials to assess the needs for the two buildings. The fire hall addition could be $4.5 million with the addition to the village office at up to $1.5 million.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The current fire hall is too small for a bigger ladder truck. Currently there is only two inches of clearance from the top of the truck to get in and out of the bay in the fire hall.

With furnishings for the two buildings, the total cost could be close to $7 million, Sidari said.

The plan for the fire hall includes an addition approximately 62 feet, 8 inches by 88 feet, 8 inches.

The addition would be on the current fire hall on the west side in an area that is currently a parking lot. That addition is needed to house a new ladder truck. That truck could be $1.5 million. Fire Chief Matt Jackson said the lead time for a ladder truck is 39 to 42 months.

The village hasn’t yet moved forward with replacing a ladder truck from 1996. That truck has a ladder that is 75 feet long. That truck barely has clearance in the garage. The ladder truck has a clearance of 10.4 feet but the space in the garage is 10 feet, 6 inches, Jackson said.

The new ladder trucks have a clearance of 13 feet. The design for the new hall addition would have bays that allow up to 14 feet.

“There is no getting around need for a fire house,” Trustee Marguerite Sherman said.

With a new space for fire trucks, the ambulances could be moved to the current fire house. The space for the ambulances right now could be used for police cars or perhaps as a meeting area, Sidari said.

The Barton & Loguidice reports also details plans for:

• A new public entry, radio room/office, laundry room, EMS room, restrooms, Decon room, gear room, mechanical room, tool room, and apparatus bay with the existing apparatus bay being repurposed to house the village ambulances.
• A mezzanine space will be located along the perimeter of the new apparatus bay with file storage and office space accessed from the existing building second floor hallway.
• A new air and vapor barrier membrane and new exterior cladding system will be installed over the existing concrete masonry unit wall construction of the existing fire station, and the existing overhead sectional doors will be relocated and replaced allowing for adequate clearances around the ambulance apparatus bay.
• The renewal of the building’s existing façade will result in creating a weather tight envelope while simultaneously allowing the cladding system of the addition to carry over creating a cohesive look to the updated facility.
• The existing concrete slab in the existing ambulance apparatus bay will be replaced, including the installation of new trench drainage and epoxy floor finish.
• The outdated emergency generator located south of the alley will be replaced and upgraded to accommodate the fire station and addition.

This site plan shows additions on the west side of the fire hall and village office, as well as additional parking by the village office. The fire station is on the right and the village office is on the left.

The village is considering a 42 by 48 foot addition with a vestibule on the side that is 7 feet by 10 feet, 8 inches. That addition primarily would include meeting space.

The project would include two fully accessible restrooms and drinking fountains, as well as more parking. A window would be eliminated in the employee breakroom, and a hallway reconfigured to the new addition.

Barton & Loguidice said the village office addition presents infrastructure challenges similar to the fire station addition. Although there is no underground electrical service, there may be utility work associated with the construction of the new restrooms to connect into the sanitary piping within Park Avenue’s right of way, the report states.

The adjacent green space to the west is being purchased by the village, and provides room for the addition as well as more parking for the village office.

The Village Board is looking to expand the village office and add some parking in the greenspace area west of the current village office on Park Avenue.

Photo courtesy of Medina Central School: At Clifford Wise Intermediate School is School Counselor Morgan Brower receiving the funds from Medina Teacher Aide Treasurer Pam Canham and Medina Teacher Aide President Gary Scholes.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – A special thank you to our teacher aides who are making sure that some of the children in our district are going to have a wonderful Christmas.

Every year since 2005, the Medina teacher aides donate $250 to each of our three schools to help students and families in need be part of the Angel Tree Program. The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. Once children have been registered and accepted as an “angel” their Christmas wish list is shared with donors in their community who purchase gifts of new clothing and toys. The gifts are then distributed to the family to place under the family Christmas tree.

Medina Teacher Aide Association President Gary Scholes says, “We were seeing and hearing that students were only receiving a few presents for Christmas. We love our kids and want them to be happy and excited on Christmas morning. This makes us all feel great.  Even though we’re not there, it’s just a little way we try to make a difference on Christmas Day!”

This beautiful tradition touches all of us and we are grateful for our teacher aides’ generosity!

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

‘Tis the season to bundle up, spend more time indoors, and enjoy family and friends over the holiday season. Unfortunately for some, it is also the time of colds, flu, Covid-19 and RSV.

We are already seeing an increase in flu activity across Genesee and Orleans counties. (Editor’s Note: The state Department of Health’s weekly flu tracker on Friday reported there are 7 active flu cases in Orleans and 29 in Genesee.)

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year.

“The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to reduce the spread of the flu in the community, as well as decrease the risk of severe symptoms,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

For those who are more at risk of serious complications of these respiratory viruses, it is important to talk with your primary care provider about the best way to protect themselves from illness. If you are sick, stay home! Wash your hands and sanitize shared items frequently. Take care of yourself by eating healthful foods, getting good sleep, regular exercise and drinking plenty of water, non-caffeinated or non-alcoholic beverages. If you are a smoker or someone who vapes, that increases your risk of upper respiratory viruses.

If you are at high risk, consider that the more people you are exposed to, the more likely you are to get a virus. During this time of year, it is important to stay connected with family and friends, so be creative in how you do that. If the weather is good, spend time with family outdoors snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

For more information about the flu activity in New York State, click here.

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said local law enforcement agencies will increase patrols for impaired drivers from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27.

Bourke the county’s STOP-DWI coordinator, said the local law enforcement agencies will actively participate in the STOP-DWI Thanksgiving High Visibility Engagement Campaign.

“As Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, it is vital that law enforcement presence be at its peak on this night to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, reminding drivers to have a plan while traveling to prevent injuries and save lives,” Bourke said.

During this campaign, law enforcement agencies and local STOP-DWI programs will collaborate across the state in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths.

Bourke urged people to have a plan to not drink and drive.

Governor Kathy Hochul also said the State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout the state will participate in the traffic safety initiative to prevent unsafe driving behaviors as the winter holiday season kicks off. The Thanksgiving weekend initiative runs from Wednesday, November 23, through Monday, November 28.

“Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the busiest travel times of the year, and our top priority is to make sure everyone gets to and from their destinations safely,” Hochul said. “There is zero tolerance for drunk and impaired drivers who risk the lives of everyone on our roadways. If your Thanksgiving celebrations include alcohol, plan for a safe ride home with a sober driver.”

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is down 11 cents nationally in the past week to $3.66 today, AAA is reporting.

The price dropped 5 cents in New York to $3.85 and a penny in Orleans County to $3.88, AAA reported today.

The current average prices in Western New York counties includes:

• Orleans, $3.879
• Genesee, $3.708
• Wyoming, $3.797
• Livingston, $3.768
• Monroe, $3.791
• Niagara, $3.721
• Erie, $3.772
• Chautauqua, $3.900
• Cattaraugus, $3.849
• Allegany, $3.813

The average price for regular unleaded is at $3.852 in New York today, compared to $3.899 a week ago, $3.678 a month ago and $3.566 a year ago.

The diesel average price in the state today is at $5.950 a gallon compared to $5.980 a week ago, $5.743 a month ago and $3.758 a year ago.

“Gas prices nationally are down this week led by a decrease in the cost of oil,” AAA said in a news release. “Lower demand coupled with increased production from refineries that came back online after being shut down for scheduled maintenance is producing relief at the pump heading into the Thanksgiving holiday week.

“The price drop is being mirrored in New York with falling prices in just about every region. While the average price from a gallon of regular is 28 cents higher than it was last year at this time, New Yorkers are projected to hit the roads in record numbers for Thanksgiving.”

MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market has a new home for the winter. The market has moved into the former NAPA Auto Parts Store on North Main Street, in space loaned to them by owner Craig Lacy.

“For a few years, the market has taken place at their summer site on West Center Street and West Avenue,” said Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market. “A few hardy vendors have braved the cold conditions to continue the market through the winter months. While not entirely unsuccessful, the summer site has not been ideal for winter operations, given limited sheltered space and little heat.

“It’s been a real challenge,” said Gail Miller, who has been market manager since it started in 2015.  “For the summer, the entire corner site is great, and each week the summer market has a festive atmosphere. However, for winter, the site is lacking indoor space. The building was built as a gas station and has little sheltered space with heat.”

Craig Lacy came to the rescue, offering his historic, sandstone building on North Main Street, that has been in his family for decades. It is, in fact, the very same building where Grover Cleveland, a former U.S. president and New York governor, was allegedly held in the basement jail in a case of mistaken identity, Busch said. For many years, the building housed NAPA Auto Parts store, but when NAPA decided to relocate their store to Maple Ridge Road, Lacy’s building was left empty.

“Craig offered us use of the site for the winter market,” Miller said. “His incredibly generous gesture is a game changer for the winter market. We’re thrilled and grateful to have a huge indoor space with heat. The space is just incredible.”

The new indoor site has allowed Miller to retain all of the summer market vendors through the winter, along with numerous holiday vendors for the special market during Olde Tyme Christmas on Nov. 26.

Miller said they are able to host a large number of crafters and any non-profits who want to come in. More than 20 vendors are signed up for this Saturday, she said.

Heartland Organics of Gasport is one of the regular vendors who has moved to the Canal Village Winter Farmer’s Market new indoor space, beginning this month.

Two new vendors, Stone House Farm Bakery from Middleport and the Whole Empanada will join regulars Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels, Catherine Street Bakery, Baker’s Farms, Human Farms and Greenhouse, Heartland Organics and Gardner’s Gardens.

Special holiday vendors are Tastefully Simple, Dust and Rust Fabrication, Granny’s Gotcha Covered, Potholder Weaving, Laurels by the Creek, 3BeesWax, Eleanor Delilah Laser Engraved Ornaments, Pugbully Studio, Towpath Trading, Collen Creates, Usborne Books, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and Mountain Mule Ciderhouse.

“We are so incredibly grateful to Craig Lacy for his generosity,” Busch said. “Because of him, the community will have a great market throughout the winter season and a great holiday market on Nov. 26.”

“We’re looking to bring the summer gathering vibe indoors for the winter,” Miller said. “Papa Thom’s is going all out to create an atmosphere where market patrons can hang out, listen to music and enjoy a breakfast sandwich.”

Saturday Morning Spins features Thom Jennings spinning tunes on vinyl while customers enjoy a cup of hot coffee, bagel or egg and bacon breakfast sandwich, made with Papa Thom’s bagels and products from Baker Farms.

The Whole Empanada sells pre-cooked empanadas to take home or to purchase and eat there.

The Canal Village Winter and Holiday Market is located at 345 Main St. and operates from 9 to 1 p.m. Saturdays through May. More information is available on the market’s Facebook page.

Press Release, New York Farm Bureau

File photo by Tom Rivers: Two turkeys roams along West Bacon Road in Gaines.

New York Farm Bureau’s 2022 Market Basket Survey shows the price of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner saw a double-digit price jump from last year’s meal.

The average total price, which includes a 16-pound turkey and other common items found on a holiday dinner table, is $66.39, about a 26% increase over last year’s price of $52.59.

Our volunteer shoppers found turkey prices to be about $1.89 per pound in New York State, which is 43 cents per pound over last year’s average price in this informal survey. This price is slightly above the national average of $1.81/lb. As we move closer to Thanksgiving, turkey prices may drop in the stores, reflecting sales in the final days before the holiday.

The New York numbers revealed price increases over last year in nearly every category, except for fresh cranberries which saw a 30-cent decrease. The most notable increases were for stuffing mix, brown-and-serve rolls, and frozen pie crusts.

This year’s survey also includes a similar increase for an expanded menu that includes a four-pound ham, five-pound bag of russet potatoes and a package of frozen green beans. When those prices are included, the total meal price jumps to $82.16 or a 22% increase over last year’s number. New York shoppers found bargains on hams compared to the national numbers, with a four-pound ham costing $10.08 or $1.56 less than the national average.

There are several reasons for the increased costs of this year’s meal. They reflect the continued supply and demand issues, higher commodity prices because of the war in Ukraine, as well as the increased costs for packaging and transportation. Despite those increases, most of those higher costs do not trickle down to the farmer who receives only about eight cents of each dollar consumers spend on food at the store. The rest goes to pay for things like marketing, processing, and transportation of the food.

This dinner price represents the greatest increase since the survey began more than three decades ago and will undoubtedly make it more difficult for some families to afford a big holiday dinner. But it is important to put the cost into context: at just under $6.64 per person for a family of 10, New Yorkers still enjoy one of the most affordable food supplies in the world.

This survey is one of the responsibilities of the NYFB State Promotion and Education Committee and is part of the national effort with the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF’s 37th annual informal national price survey found the average national cost of this year’s feast is $64.05, or $2.34 cents less than New York’s number. That is in part attributed to the competitive nature of grocery store markets and perhaps better promotional pricing in other regions of the country. More information on the national survey can be found at www.fb.org.

“New Yorkers continue to face challenges at the grocery store, but the supply of food remains strong in this country thanks to our farmers and farmworkers who continue to produce amidst their own price and labor challenges. The best plan of attack for shoppers is to do comparison shopping to find the best deals near you. We expect more people to purchase store brand and frozen food items compared to years past because of the ongoing inflation,” said Darleen Krisher-Meehan, chair of New York Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee.

New York Farm Bureau’s volunteer shoppers sampled prices at more than a dozen different supermarkets throughout the state between October 18 – 30, trying to get the best prices available, but they did not use promotional coupons or special deals such as “buy one-get one free.”  They were also encouraged to use online shopping. The shopping list includes 15 common Thanksgiving food items ranging from turkey and rolls to stuffing and celery to pumpkin pie mix, enough to feed 10 people around the dinner table. An average for miscellaneous ingredients, like flour and butter, is also included.

The numbers below reflect the overall average of the volunteer shoppers and is not meant to be a true scientific survey, but rather a snapshot of what shoppers may find leading up to the holiday.

Thanksgiving meals also will be available at the Masonic Lodge

File photo by Tom Rivers: Mitch Grater and Ed Wolfe flip chickens that are among the 1,000 chicken dinners that were served on Dec. 18, 2021 at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex on South Main Street.

ALBION – The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries is partnering with the Renovation Masonic Lodge 39 in Albion to give away free meals during the holidays.

The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries was started in Albion little more than a year ago by Pastor Albert D. Wilson Jr. and his wife Ykeeta, who are affiliated with a similar ministry in Buffalo. They hold services in Albion at 7 p.m. Fridays in the Arnold Gregory Complex.

On Thanksgiving Day, free turkey dinners with all the trimmings will be given away. Meals can be eaten in or taken out from noon to 4 p.m., or until gone at the Masonic Lodge, 39 Platt St.

On Dec. 10. During Albion’s Hometown Holidays Event, Royal Body Shop Ministries will give away 2,000 chicken dinners at the Masonic Lodge. Last year 1,000 dinners were given away free of charge as part of the Ministries’ “Que in” for Christmas event. This year, they are doubling the number of dinners. The meal is take-out only and starts at noon, until gone.

In addition, the Royal Body Shop Ministries is holding a raffle for a 65-inch smart TV. Tickets are $1 each and are available at Arnold’s Auto Body Parts. The winner will be drawn during the event on Dec. 10. All proceeds go back to the church for future community projects.

The Hometown Holidays event will include many activities to celebrate the season, including “Santa’s Hometown Parade” at 5:30 p.m.

MEDINA – Medina residents and businesses are encouraged to decorate their premises and enter the Village of Lights contest, held in conjunction with Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration Nov. 26.

Contest chair Cindy Robinson said she is already receiving applications and is hoping for many more.

The contest was started in 2020 during the pandemic to give families something to do which would be safe and entertaining.

“Families could get in the privacy of their own car and drive around the village looking at the decorations,” Robinson said.

The contest was a big success, with 15 to 20 homes entering, and it continues to grow each year, she said.

Entries must be received by Nov. 28 and applications are available at the English Rose Tea Shoppe, 527 Main St., or on the Christmas in Medina website. Entrants must live within the Medina village limits, and decorations must be completed by Dec. 5. There is no entry fee.

Only decorations on the front face and lawn of the house will be judged. Judges will view and judge from the curb. Lights and animated displays must be turned on during the judging periods. Each participating home will have a yard sign with their entry number displayed on it.

Modern Mercantile on East Center won a prize in the commercial category last year in Medina’s Village of Lights contest. The contest is again taking place and business and home owners are urged to decorate their buildings and enter.

Businesses may decorate any and all parts of their façade. Categories are Christmas Spirit (Traditional), Christmas Spirit (Innovative), Most Whimsical, Best Use of Lights, Probably Visible from Space and Block Party.

Four or more adjacent homes on one side or across the street from each other may enter as a Block Party. Winners of each of these categories will receive $50. A runner-up prize will also be awarded to the above residential categories.

Prizes of $50 each will also be awarded for the Best Business (Christmas Spirit) and Best Business (Community Spirit). The Grand Champion will receive $200.

Judging will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 9, 10 and 11.

Winners will be announced and notified on Dec. 12. Photos of the winners will be posted on Medina Parade of Lights Facebook page, Christmas in Medina website and the Orleans Hub.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Santa and Mrs. Claus pose with one of their elves on a Santa Christmas train at the Medina Railroad Museum. This year’s Santa Train will run Dec. 17 and 18, after the Polar Express is in town Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11.

MEDINA – Families who want to experience the nostalgia and magic of the famed Polar Express can ride the historic train when it returns to Medina Railroad Museum for the 11th holiday season. The Polar Express has been an annual sell-out event here since 2011, with only 2020 missed because of Covid.

Trains are scheduled for six runs a day on Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11.

First-class tickets are all sold out, but some coach tickets are still available. A week ago, ticket sales had already surpassed this time last year by 4,000 tickets.

Passengers on the magical train will ride to the sounds of the hit motion picture soundtrack, reliving the classic story as the Polar Express whisks them down the tracks on a one-hour trip to meet Santa.

Once on board, the conductor will punch the passengers’ golden ticket, before hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie are served by the chefs. Passengers then read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. During the trip, characters on each car lead onboard entertainment.

After arriving at the North Pole, Santa will join passengers for the ride back to the museum. Each child will receive their first gift of the Christmas season – a sleigh bell. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride.

Tickets to ride also give passengers admission to the Railroad Museum, which boasts one of the largest model train layouts in the country. There will also be an opportunity to take a Christmas photo in Santa’s sleigh.

Food trucks will be stationed on the Museum property and passengers will be able to sit at tables on the covered deck to eat.

After the Polar Express has left for the season, families can visit the Railroad Museum Dec. 17 and 18 and enjoy Santa’s Reindeer Story. This includes a one-hour train ride to the North Pole, during which hot chocolate and a cookie will be served and passengers can take part in a Christmas singalong.

Then passengers can read along with the children’s book, “Santa’s Reindeer Story, How the Reindeer Got Their Names.” The book tells how Santa got the names for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and “the most famous reindeer of all” – Rudolph.

At the North Pole, Santa will join passengers for the ride back to the museum, while he listens to each child’s wishes and gives them all a gift.

Children and adults are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas for the relaxing ride in cars adorned with holiday decorations.

Back at the museum, there will be live reindeer for children to visit, photos in Santa’s sleigh and free rides on a miniature train around the yard.

A food vendor will be on site with a variety of food options to choose from. All items purchased may be brought onto the train. No outside food or beverages are allowed.

For more information about tickets, click here or email medinarailroad@gmail.com.

Albion built plant after years of complaints of foul-smelling water from reservoir, Erie Canal

This photograph shows the Village of Albion Water Treatment Plant as it appeared at the dedication ceremony in 1963.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 2, No. 38

ALBION – It was announced recently that the Village of Albion had approved the construction of a Fluoridation Building at the Albion Water Treatment Plant in Carlton, at a cost of $388,000.

The Water Treatment Plant has now been in operation for 60 years. The Medina Daily Journal announced that Arthur Leavitt, State Comptroller, would tour the “new water treatment plant at Lake Ontario and the booster station at Five Corners” on July 30, 1962 “accompanied by village officials and other interested civic leaders.” The plant, which is located on Wilson Road, was formally dedicated on September 24, 1963.

Albion voters had approved the $1,760,000 bond for the construction of the plant by a 4-1 majority on March 15, 1960. At issue was the source of water supply: the bond proposal favored the establishment of a new water system for the village, and of sourcing water from Lake Ontario.

Those who opposed the 1960 bond proposition claimed that the proposed plan was too expensive, an unfair burden on future generations and that all of the possible alternatives had not been investigated thoroughly.

The sourcing of Albion’s water supply had been a contentious issue for many years. At first, water was supplied from wells dug by the Albion Water Works Company in 1897. The village bought this private company in 1914 and drilled additional wells. This was supplemented by water from the Otter Creek reservoir, southeast of the village.

However, these sources proved inadequate, and the village frequently relied on water drawn from Erie Canal. This was occasional at first, but by 1959, the village was using three intakes from the Canal on a regular basis, even though this has been deemed “an unsuitable source” as early as 1914 by the New York State Conservation Commission. The State Department of Health disapproved the use of canal water as an auxiliary source and set a succession of deadlines – 1946, 1949, 1953, 1955 and 1958 – for the discontinuation of its use. Concerned by continuing use of potentially dangerous water and frustrated by the Village Board’s delays in producing a plan to find another source of water, it was reported that the State would resort to a court injunction to stop the use of Canal water.

The Buffalo engineering firm of Nussbaumer, Clarke and Valzy was responsible for the project. A report noted in the Buffalo News of February 16, 1961, highlighted the urgent necessity for completion of the new plant. Albion Mayor John D. Robinson had received hundreds of complaints about the taste and odor of the drinking water.

People complained that it tasted like iodine, gasoline, or paint and that when boiled, an oily scum rose to the top. Apparently, the Eagle Harbor Reservoir, which had been used for Albion’s winter water supply, was dry for the first time in years. A protracted cold spell caused the formation of ice on the canal, and only three feet of water was available. Assemblyman Alonzo L. Waters assured the Mayor that the state would raise the level of water in the canal to alleviate the problem. A representative of the Health Department stated that the water was safe to drink but unpalatable.

Mayor Robinson acted as master of ceremonies at the dedication of the new  plant on September 24, 1963.The raising of the flag was performed by the Color Guard, Sheret Post, American Legion, under Commander Sam Navarra. The Albion Central School Band, Moses Sherman conducting, played the National Anthem and God Bless America. The invocation was given by Msgr. Felix F. McCabe, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, and the benediction by Rev. Herbert W. H. Corey, pastor of the First Methodist Church, both of Albion.

In his address, Lieutenant Governor Malcolm Wilson praised the village for its vision and foresight in building the new water system. It now supplies the village and the towns of Albion, Barre, Carlton, Gaines and Murray.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – About 20 members of the Kendall Community Band performed in a benefit concert this afternoon at the First Baptist Church in Albion.

The band played patriotic music, including “God Bless America.”

Donations were accepted to go towards the church’s major project fund, which includes repairs to the stained-glass windows. Some of the windows need minor repairs, while others need more extensive work.

The church also wants to replace parts of the slate roof on the steeple. Some of the slate is falling apart, said Kim Pritt, one of the church members.

Lori Cyr has been director of the Kendall Community Band since it started 12 years ago. She introduces one of the songs.

The band will next perform at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 for Kendall’s tree-lighting ceremony. The trees will be lighted at the town’s park, while the band performs at the elementary school.

The band also performed on Nov. 10 in a benefit for the Kendall food cupboard.

Mike Metcalf of Albion performs with the band.

Kay Metcalf, center, of Albion also is one the band members.

Tod Symons, left, and Don Bishop have been in the band for several years.

The band welcomes local musicians who play an instrument.