Photo by Tom Rivers: The pavement on Ingersoll Street in Albion has cracks and potholes after four months of punishing winter weather. This photo was taken on Thursday. The Village of Albion DPW was out today using cold patch to fill in the pavement.

ALBION – The brutally cold winter has caused cracks in street pavement and big leaks in waterlines.

It’s also meant many trips for DPW and highway departments for salting and plowing roads.

Crews have been out frequently since early November with few breaks from any prolonged warmups in the temperatures.

Jay Pahura, the Village of Albion DPW superintendent, said his crews have already been out 82 times for salting in the past four months. The village is down to its last load of salt – 80 tons, he told the Village Board on Wednesday.

The winter started in earnest in early November. Pahura said village crews were out salting 30 times before Jan. 1. In some winters, the DPW plows and salters don’t see much action until January.

The freezing temperatures also have been hard on the village’s underground infrastructure. Pahura said there have been 10 major water leaks this winter, including one on East Bank Street on Wednesday that probably was a 200,000-gallon water loss.

The village’s water system typically shows a 15 percent water loss from leaks in the system. But the current report reports about 20 percent.

Village Trustee Will Gabalski said the brutal winter has caused major waterline ruptures through Western New York, not just Albion.

“It’s been a tough winter,” Pahura said. “It’s hard on the roads and what’s underneath.”

It’s also hard on the DPW budget with additional costs for salt and overtime.

Albion DPW crews are out today putting cold patch on roads. Steve Borowczyk, left, and Shaun Stephens were working on Ingersoll Street.

ALBION – A business that will be growing cannabis in a 1,000-squarefoot warehouse has the Orleans County Planning Board’s support.

Joe Molisani Jr., owner of Dream orchard LLC, wants to cultivate the cannabis at 13353 Kendrick Rd., Waterport. He then plans to sell it from another business he plans to be opening in downtown Medina, a cannabis dispensary.

Molisani said he won’t be selling any cannabis directly from the Kendrick Road site. If he has any wholesale orders, he will make the deliveries with no customers coming to the site in Carlton.

He needs a special use permit from Carlton to grow the cannabis. The County Planning Board recommended Carlton approve the permit. Some of the Planning Board members didn’t think a special use permit was necessary because Molisani will be doing an allowed use in a residential-agricultural district.

Molisani has his license to grow cannabis as a micro-business through the state’s Office of Cannabis Management.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Kay Van Nostrand describes this steel shovel used by her father all of his life to shovel snow, coal and even grain. (Right) Georgia Thomas, a member of Medina Historical Society, brought this 12-candle mold to Show and Tell at the February meeting.

MEDINA – The Medina Historical Society’s meeting on Monday night was a crowd-pleaser.

Once a year, the society features “Show and Tell,” and gives members an opportunity to share unique, unusual or unknown items with the membership.

While a stormy evening likely kept some people away, the brave souls who attended the meeting enthusiastically enjoyed the evening’s presentation.

Historical Society president Reinhard Rogowski welcomed guests and announced the next two meetings would be at the Medina Senior Center, due to construction at the library. At the March 30 meeting, Ron Stork will share some of his collection of Medina treasures. The April 27 meeting will feature Erica Wanecski giving a history of Medina Memorial Hospital.

The first to “Show and Tell” was Diane Mazur, who brought her grandmother’s wedding shoes. They were black, size 4 and perfectly preserved.

Next, Georgia Thomas produced an 18th century candle mold, which made 12 beeswax candles. She shared how she made bayberry candles at Christmas.

“Bayberry is very expensive, but it smells nice,” she said.

 Kay Van Nostrand demonstrated a very heavy shovel made of steel.

“I grew up in Attica where they had lots of snow, and my dad used this to shovel snow,” she said. “He was married in 1928 in Dannemora and I’m sure he shoveled snow there. This was the only shovel he ever used. He shoveled a path to the house, to the barn, to the woodshed and to the driveway. In his younger days, he shoveled coal for train cars. He was also known to shovel grain. He would wax his shovel with paraffin from my mother’s canning jars.”

(Left) A photo of noted Medina builder Frank Mallison was shared by Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper during Show and Tell at the Medina Historical Society’s meeting on Monday. The photo was discovered at a house sale in Shelby. Mallison is credited with building many of Medina’s historic buildings. (Right) Ron Stork entertained members of the Medina Historical Society during their Show and Tell meeting with a demonstration of this musical cigarette box.

Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian and board member of Medina Historical Society, shared a photograph of contractor and builder Frank Mallison, which had been discovered at a house sale in Shelby. On the back it listed four generations of his descendants.

“This is significant because Mallison’s buildings form part of the structure of Medina,” Cooper said.

Some of the buildings built by Mallison include Medina Cold Storage, the Senior Citizen’s Center, armory, Medina Memorial Hospital, the high school, S.A. Cook buildings on East Avenue and Main Street, the Masonic Temple addition and the chapel at West Ridgeway Cemetery.

“He left a lasting memory,” Cooper said.

Ron Stork, a longtime collector of Monitor clocks, brought a very unique gadget – a cigarette music box made by Edgar Gould. Gould also made Monitor clocks, owned Medina Toy Company and worked with veterinarian Dr. Stocking. The music boxes were last made in 1933, Stork said. He said they would sit on a bar and for a penny a customer could buy a cigarette. As the six-sided music box revolved, its doors opened wide.

The program concluded with Shirley Bright-Neeper, who read a letter she had received from the late Pete Nesbitt of Pine Hill, after meeting him in 1992. Pete and his older brother Bob were both Navy pilots – Bob serving in World War II and Pete joining 12 years later in peace time. Bob was awarded four Flying Crosses for his heroics during the war.

“This was another year of intriguing items at the Show and Tell,” Cooper said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A farmer harvests soybeans on East Barre Road in Barre on Oct. 13, 2019.

Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – “Farming Under Pressure,” a stress management and suicide prevention workshop designed for farmers, farm families, growers, and agricultural professionals will occur at the Orleans County Fairgrounds.

The workshop will take place on March 19 beginning 8:30 a.m. at 12690 State Route 31, Albion, in the Harrington Classroom. The presentation is open to growers and members of the public.

This educational session will feature speakers from FarmNet and GOW Pathway to Hope. Together, they will address the unique pressures facing those in agriculture and provide practical tools to support mental wellness in farming communities.

Topics will include:

• Common stressors in agriculture and how they impact mental health
• Practical stress management tools participants can use immediately
• Warning signs of suicide risk
• How to start conversations and support someone who may be struggling
• Available local and regional resources for farmers

Farming is demanding work. Long hours, financial pressure, isolation, and unpredictable conditions can take a toll. This workshop is designed to provide practical guidance in a respectful, stigma free environment and to strengthen support networks within the agricultural community.

The program is offered in partnership with FarmNet, Tobacco-Free, and GOW Pathway to Hope.

There is no cost to attend. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information, contact Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 585-798-4265, orleans@cornell.edu or visit https://cce.cornell.edu/orleans.

Site plan goes to Village of Albion Planning Board for final vote on March 12

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Broadway Group wants to knock down this building at 327 East Ave. and build a new 10,640-square-foot Dollar General across from the high school. The Broadway Group will remove three underground storage tanks as part of the project. The current building has been used for auto sales and a warehouse. Ridge Road Station parks school buses on the site.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday voted in support of the site plan for a new Dollar General store at 327 East Ave. in Albion, a store that would be across from the high school.

Fagan Engineers created this site plan showing the parking lot with 35 spaces for vehicles and a 10,640-square-foot building.

One Planning Board member, Bruce Kirby of Gaines, opposed the store at that location, saying he is concerned students from the school would eagerly be going to the Dollar General for snacks and likely wouldn’t use the cross walk from the road across from the middle school.

“A lot of us are concerned about putting a candy store across from the school,” Kirby said during the board meeting. “This is a damn bad place to have a store.”

Other Planning Board members noted the zoning as general commercial fits for the store. The site is in a school zone with the speed limit at 20 miles per hour, and there already is an ice cream business next to the proposed site.

There also is a crossing guard at the beginning and end of the school days, and the Albion Police Department also helps monitor the speed on East Avenue.

Kirby said the zoning may allow for the store, but he declared “it’s not safe.”

Dan Strong, the Planning Board vice chairman, noted there is a Dollar General in Lyndonville across from the school. He said he is unaware of any incidents with students and traffic.

Another board member, William Quaranto from Carlton, said he was concerned about delivery trucks being able to negotiate the site. The plan shows them pulling in on one side of the store, and then backing up on part of the site. Then will back in front of the store and be able to exit the site driving forward. The trucks will be limited to exiting from the east only. That was a stipulation by the state Department of Transportation.

Trey Lewis, development manager for the Broadway Group, said many other stores have the same layout for truck deliveries as the one proposed for Albion. He expects there will be one or two Dollar General truck deliveries a week and those deliveries can be scheduled during lower peak times. There will also be trucks from other vendors, such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

The Broadway Group will demolish the existing building and will need to remove three underground tanks. Then it will build the new 10,640-square-foot store with 35 parking spaces.

The project goes before the Village of Albion Planning Board for a final vote on the site at 5 p.m. on March 12. The County Planning Board voted to recommend Albion approve the site plan.

The property is owned by Chris Kinter, the village’s code enforcement officer. He has recused himself from the review of the project with Dan Strong, the Town of Albion code enforcement officer, filling in for the village with this proposal.

The Orleans County Planning Board discusses the site plan for a Dollar General on East Avenue in Albion.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Main Street on Albion at the East Bank Street intersection is shown on Wednesday evening.

ALBION – The Albion Historic Preservation Commission is no longer an entity where building owners need to get “certificates of appropriateness” for signs, exterior renovations, structural work or demolition of a building in the historic downtown district.

The Albion Village Board on Wednesday voted to do away with the commission which has struggled in recent years to get a quorum. The group has seven members and needs at least four to have a meeting.

The lack of a quorum has slowed approvals for projects in the downtown, code enforcement officer Chris Kinter said. He told the Village Board he has two applications that have been waiting on the commission.

Although the HPC has been disbanded, the duties of the group will be passed to either the code enforcement officer or the Planning Board. That will be determined by the Village Board.

“Don’t just throw it away,” Planning Board Chairwoman Karen Conn told the Village Board. “We should preserve what we have.”

The HPC’s most recent members included Ian Mowatt, Mary Anne Braunbach, Linda Smith and Courtney Henderson. None of them spoke against doing away with the HPC at Wednesday’s public hearing.

Trustee Joyce Riley said Albion can discuss the preservation standards if the village moves to update its comprehensive plan.

Trustee Tim McMurray said the code for the downtown standards should be revamped. He said there are some inconsistencies. He noted projecting signs are allowed in one part of the code but not in another.

Any changes in the code would need to have another public hearing for the community to have a chance to comment.

The village code notes Albion “has many significant historic, architectural and cultural resources which constitute its heritage.” The village has sought to “protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts which represent distinctive elements of Albion’s historic, architectural, and cultural heritage.”

The code states certificates of appropriateness will be needed for alteration, demolition or new construction affecting landmarks or historic districts.

“No person shall carry out any exterior alteration, restoration, reconstruction, demolition, new construction, or moving of a landmark or property within an historic district, nor shall any person make any material change in the appearance of such property, its light fixtures, freestanding lights, signs, sidewalks, fences, stairs, outbuildings, walls, driveways or alleys, paving or any other exterior element which affects the appearance and cohesiveness of the landmark or historic district without first obtaining a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission,” the code states.

Provided photo: A grouping of flower pots is positioned in front of Rotary Park at the four corners of downtown Medina. The Medina Area Partnership is seeking donations to place 69 flower pots in the business district this summer.

MEDINA – Beautifying the downtown business district has always been a major goal of the Medina Area Partnership, and in continuing that long trend they have announced plans to place 69 flower pots throughout the downtown, in addition to four hanging baskets at the intersection of Main and Center streets.

To achieve that initiative they are seeking monetary donations from the public to assist with the cost of flowers, soil and other products associated with the project.

“These efforts are not possible without the support of the community and help from the village DPW in placing and watering the plants,” said Mary Lewis of Creekside Floral who chairs the project.

Lewis said the downtown flower project was started about 20 years ago by the Medina Business Association, which became Medina Area Partnership. She doesn’t know how many pots were originally sponsored, but she is sure the number steadily grew to the 69 flower pots and four hanging baskets they have had in recent years.

She said they have limited the pots to that number, as they have to rely on the Department of Public Works to place and water the pots all summer.

“We couldn’t do this without them, and we don’t want to over-burden them,” Lewis said.

Lewis also stressed their efforts would not be possible without the support of the community, on whom they count for donations to cover the costs associated with the project.

The cost to sponsor a flower pot is $100 and anyone who is interested should send a check payable to Medina Area Partnership, in care of Creekside Floral, 509 Main St., Medina. Sponsors will be recognized on a sign in a flowerpot, on the large sign outside of City Hall and on the MAP website.

Donations of any amount will also be accepted to assist with beautification projects. Donation forms can be found on MAP’s website.

Lewis urges everyone to consider helping them continue to make Medina’s downtown community and greater Medina area an attractive place to visit.

Lewis notes that signs may not be placed until June 30.

Anyone with questions is welcome to contact Lewis at Creekside Floral.

Provided photo: These students were recognized on Wednesday for committing to paid co-ops. From left include Joshua Zayac (Albion), Tyler Rothwell (Royalton-Hartland), Elliot Beyrle (Albion), Miles Arbegast (Medina), Deven Byrne (Medina), Carson Schwab (Barker) and Aaden Munn (Barker).

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – There was a celebration on Wednesday evening at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

The Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering students in teacher Bill Rakonczay’s program had their annual Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program signing event. The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program bridges the gap between youth and manufacturing careers through apprenticeships, job shadows and paid co-ops. Students gain skills and experience while connecting to future career opportunities.

“Students get recognized for signing on to play college sports, correct? Why not recognize students signing on to the workforce?” Mr. Rakonczay said.

The students were recognized for officially signing on to their paid co-op program. Each student received a swag bag from the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship that included a caliper and micrometer set.

 “Thank you to all the parents that showed up to support their loved one,” said Mr. Rakonczay. “A huge thank you to our local employers that support my program and students. Without them none of this would be possible. I am so proud of these students!”

Governor says average NY household owed $1,751

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

 Governor Kathy Hochul today sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calling on him to immediately work with federal agencies to refund all tariff payments to New Yorkers.

Following the recent Supreme Court decision that ruled President Trump’s tariff policies to be unlawful, Governor Hochul continues to demand a full refund of $13.5 billion in tariff payments.

Based on estimates by the Budget Lab at Yale, the average New York household has faced an estimated $1,751 in added costs due to tariffs since they were enacted last year, for a total estimated $13.5 billion statewide impact.

The full text of the letter is included below:

The Honorable Scott Bessent

Secretary of the Treasury

U.S. Department of the Treasury

1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20220

Dear Secretary Bessent,

On behalf of over 20 million New Yorkers, I demand the Trump Administration refund approximately $1,751 for every New York household, for a total tariff refund of approximately $13.5 billion to New Yorkers. To that end, I am calling on the Department of the Treasury to coordinate with appropriate agencies and immediately formulate and implement a plan to refund all tariff proceeds.

Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Trump administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unlawful. These unlawful taxes wrought havoc on the American economy and increased costs for hard-working families.

Having unlawfully seized billions of dollars from American people and businesses, the federal government should now do the right thing: give it back. Based on estimates by the Budget Lab at Yale, the average New York household has faced an estimated $1,751 in added costs due to tariffs since they were enacted last year, for a total estimated $13.5 billion statewide impact.

New Yorkers have felt the consequences of these tariffs ripple through every sector of our economy. Consumers have paid dramatically more for everyday goods. Small businesses have faced increased supply and equipment costs. Our state’s farming industry has taken a particular hit, with farmers reporting an added layer of uncertainty that makes planning and future investment challenging.

Millions of New Yorkers are owed a refund for the real and widespread consequences of President Trump’s reckless and illegal tariff policy. Compensation is owed to the people of New York, and New Yorkers look forward to receiving our payout in full.

Sincerely,

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Kathy Hochul

​​​​​​​​Governor

Photos by Tom Rivers: Cyclists on last summer’s Cycling the Erie Canal adventure stopped in Holley on July 14. About 600 cyclists traveled over eight days from Buffalo to Albany.

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley has been awarded a grant to enhance its canalway trail with bike racks, a repair and charging station, LED lighting, and an enclosed pavilion to support year-round community use, tourism and safety.

The grant was announced today by the NYS Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Holley is among 41 non-profit organizations and municipalities to receive 2026 NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Event Grants totaling $207,953.

The grants will support 11 tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 31 events along canal waterways and the Canalway Trail.

Grants range from $500 to $24,000 and will leverage an estimated $808,104 in additional support. Now in its fifth year, this grants program has invested approximately $1 million in amenity improvements and events to date.

Two events in Orleans County also were approved for funding:

• Semi-quincentennial Building Bricks Event on June 13 in Medina. The Village of Medina Tourism is planning the event to honor the nation’s 250th birthday at a one-day, all-ages event where participants build brick creations that represent America’s founding. Compete for age-based and creativity awards on the eve of Flag Day, where builders may even recreate the American flag in bricks.
• Erie Canal Artisan Festival from Aug. 28-30 in Holley. The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is planning the event as a celebration of heritage, creativity, and community spirit. Artisan vendors, live performances, cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, evening concerts, outdoor movies, and a Saturday 5k/10k canal-side run round out a weekend of fun.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Ben Walsh said, “As we begin our third century of operation, ensuring that New York’s canals can be enjoyed by everyone is a top priority. This grant program represents our commitment to supporting accessibility, as well as the corridor’s communities and nonprofits. This in turn ensures a Canalway that is a vibrant, accessible destination for both residents and visitors alike.”

Events ranging from large festivals to community celebrations to recreational activities invite people with and without disabilities to enjoy the Canalway Corridor all year long. Infrastructure and amenity grants will fund accessibility updates, trail enhancements, restroom renovations and interpretive signage, enhancing the visitor experience for years to come.

Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said: “We’re proud to support these community events and improvement projects. When we work together, we make the Canalway Corridor a more welcoming place for everyone—offering more ways to enjoy the waterway and strengthening heritage tourism. I encourage everyone to check out the events and mark your calendars for the 2026 canal season.”

To see all the tourism infrastructure and events grants, click here.

The cyclists stopped for some refreshments by the gazebo at Holley’s Canal Park.

Community eyeglass clinic planned for March 21

Provided photo: Russ Martino, right, presents the trophy to the winning team in Saturday’s second annual Winter Snowflake Bowling Tournament. The team includes Jeff Annable, Tom Mocarski, Jeff Black and Ken Schubert.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

MEDINA – The Lyndonville Lions Club closed out their winter schedule with the second annual Winter Snowflake Bowling Tournament on Saturday at Medina Lanes. Over 60 participants enjoyed the event, which saw the defending champions once again take home the top prize. The event also featured a silent auction, basket raffle, and complimentary pizza and wings for all attendees

The winning team – Jeff Annable, Tom Mocarski, Jeff Black and Ken Schubert – retained the trophy and will be ready to defend their title at next year’s tournament. In true Olympic spirit, team members received gold medals to recognize their achievement.

The Lyndonville Lions Club is excited to announce its 6th Annual Free Community Eyeglass Clinic at the White Birch on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 9 a.m. Future informational ads will provide additional details.  Participants can receive a free eye examination, glaucoma screening, and a pair of eyeglasses. The University of Rochester Mobile Eye Exam Unit is expected to be on site to provide information and additional services.

The Lions Club will also conduct vision screenings for Lyndonville students on March 5, ensuring that any children who need professional eye exams or glasses can take full advantage of the upcoming Eyeglass Clinic.

Additionally, the Lyndonville Lions will continue to support community traditions:

• Easter Egg Hunt: Enjoy a hot dog and beverage service at the community-wide Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28, at the Lyndonville School.
• Mother’s Day Roses: Our long-standing tradition of selling roses for Mother’s Day will continue. Roses will be available for purchase starting the first week of May, with orders accepted through the White Birch Resort or Lyndonville School.

We look forward to seeing the community at these events!

The Lyndonville Lions Club is gearing up for the largest July 4th Celebration in Orleans County history, as the nation marks its 250th year of Independence. More details will be shared in the coming months as we get closer to this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Any organizations, clubs, or individuals interested in participating in this year’s July 4th celebration are encouraged to send an email to susanhrovat@gmail.com for application materials. The Club invites businesses and local organizations to join with floats, marchers, or business vehicles for inclusion in this year’s event.

A special Grand Marshal will be announced in early June, and once again, the Lions Club has requested a military flyover to kick off the celebration.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board voted on Wednesday to override the tax cap in the 2026-27 village budget, a spending plan that needs to be adopted by April 30.

The tax cap usually allows for about a 2 percent increase in the ta x levy, but for the village the calculation shows Albion would have to cut taxes significantly to be under the cap.

With the village’s current budget, Albion’s tax levy is $3,463,463. However, the village can only take in about $3.2 million with the new budget to be under the cap, said Tracy Van Skiver, the village’s clerk-treasurer.

Albion’s number is below the current tax levy because the fire department moved out of the village budget in 2025 and is now its own taxing entity through the Albion Joint Fire District.

Although Albion and other villages typically vote to exceed the tax cap in March, before the final budget is adopted, that doesn’t mean those municipalities have to go beyond the tax cap. This gives them the option to exceed it.

Albion most likely will be above the tax cap. The Village Board would have to cut well over $200,000 from the current budget to get under the cap.

Van Skiver and board members said they are focused on not raising taxes in the upcoming budget.

The village’s taxes have seen steady increases in recent years. The 2025-26 budget increased taxes by 11 percent, even without the fire department in the budget. The tax levy, what the village collects in property taxes, went up $345,650 – from $3,117,813 to $3,463,463.

The village’s tax levy is up $612,407 over the past three years – 21.5 percent. The tax levy went from $2,851,056 in 2022-23 to $3,463,463 in 2025-26.

Rick Merrill, a village resident, told the board the rising taxes are putting a strain on him and other residents, especially when increases in utilities, health insurance and car insurance are included. He said his village taxes have increased by $900 a year.

“It’s hard to get ahead of the game,” Merrill said during a public hearing. “It’s not just you (Village of Albion). It’s the whole state. It’s tax, tax, tax.”

Van Skiver said the village is in a better position for the 2026-27. The board needed to replenish the village’s contingency funds and also establish some reserve funds in 2025-26.

The current tax rate is $15.99 per $1,000 of assessed property. Trustee Joyce Riley said the board will be focused on keeping it at $15.99 in the new budget.

“There’s nothing that makes us want to go over $15.99,” Riley said. “We’re taxpayers just like you.”

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. also said he doesn’t support increasing taxes. He voted against exceeding the tax cap.

Van Skiver said the village faces increasing costs, just like residents, that makes it difficult to cut more than $200,000 from the 2025-26 budget level to next year’s.

Trustee Will Gabalski said the community would have to decide to eliminate services if it wanted to get under the tax cap and reduce taxes. Gabalski said that could ultimately mean dissolving the village and having the services currently provided by the village be shifted to the towns of Albion and Gaines, and also Orleans County.

“If you want the village to exist and provide these services, this is what it costs,” Gabalski said. “If you’re not willing to pay those costs, you could have the towns and county do them.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: There are dumpsters in front of a building at 20 East Bank St. where a roof collapsed last week on Feb. 17. The roof collapsed near the middle of the taller brick building. The street is blocked off to traffic for about a half block from Platt Street going towards Main Street. The fence is expected to be in place for at least two more weeks.

ALBION – The owner of a building where a roof collapsed last week will soon have a temporary roof on the structure and is working to get apartments reopened for displaced residents.

Frank Corso owns the three-story building where the roof caved in on Feb. 17. A temporary roof covering 70 feet will soon be constructed. Jeff Holler, manager of the property, told the Village Board this evening he expects fencing will be able to be removed after about two weeks.

The entire block from Platt Street to Main Street was fenced off to traffic the night of Feb. 17 with village officials concerned the building may not be structurally sound, posing a danger to the public.

An engineer reviewed the site two days later on Feb. 19 and deemed the building structurally sound. About half of the fence was removed. It remains in place from Platt Street to about halfway towards Main Street. It also is blocking off cars from parking in the village municipal lot at the corner of East Bank and Platt streets.

Holler said he and Corso are getting estimates for a permanent roof replacement as well as other work on the building. The costs are expected to be high, perhaps more than Corso can afford on a property that was underinsured, Holler said.

Corso may ultimately decide to have the site demolished or sold, Holler said.

The owner is committed to the temporary roof at a cost of about $25,000, and then getting some of the apartments open for tenants again. About 15 people have been displaced since the roof collapsed.

Right now, Corso is having debris removed from the building. The materials for the temporary roof have arrived, Holler said.