69´«Ã½

The Aurora Village Board held a special meeting Saturday to advance a memorandum of understanding for accepting Wells College's omnibus and stagecoach, a first step toward ensuring that important pieces of the college's 156-year history remain in the village. 

It was the college's idea to gift the omnibus and stagecoach to the village, according to Henking, who attended the meeting. The next step is the memorandum of understanding, which Henking explained would allow the college to draft a gift agreement. 

The gift agreement would be included in Wells College's asset disposition plan. The college is developing the plan, which must be submitted to the state attorney general's office for review, after announcing its closure in April. 

The college and village aren't the only parties involved in the potential transfer of the omnibus and stagecoach. Orman said Bill Haines, owner of Ledyard, has offered to house, insure and maintain the horse-drawn vehicles. The omnibus and stagecoach would be available for use by Ledyard Farms and the village. 

"This is a partnership that New York state absolutely loves," Orman continued. "It is a public entity, it is a nonprofit entity and it's a private entity. They love that and it's very unusual to have that. We are presented with an opportunity to do that here. I'm ready to move it forward." 

A motion passed by a 5-0 vote to submit the draft memorandum of understanding to the village's attorney for final review. The board plans to approve the MOU at its regular meeting Wednesday. 

The board also voted to advance a draft purchase offer for college-owned lakefront property. The offer would include the Wells College Boathouse and dock, along with the adjacent open space used by the Aurora Farmers Market during the summer and early fall. 

The property is part of Aurora's pursuit of a waterfront park. The village's proposal is included in the Downtown Revitalization Initiative project list submitted to the state. Aurora, Cayuga and Union Springs won a $10 million grant this year to invest in their downtown areas. 

Like the omnibus and stagecoach transfer, the sale of the college-owned property would be subject to approval by the state attorney general. 

The meeting also highlighted the improved relationship between the college and village. Orman previously expressed frustration to 69´«Ã½ that there was no communication from the college. He noted this while saying that the village was still waiting for the college to transfer ownership of the water plant. The two sides have since reached an agreement that allows the village to operate the plant. 

The water plant was among the topics discussed last week during the meeting between Henking and Orman. Orman revealed it is the college's intent to transfer ownership of the water plant — what he called "a big step forward." 

"It's a huge indication that everyone needs to work together to resolve this and keep this village intact because, quite frankly, that's where we are," he said. "Right now, Wells College is engaged with us and is willing to work with us." 

A consultant has been brought in to serve as a facilitator between the college and village. Mary Beth Bianconi, an Aurora native, is a partner at Delaware Engineering in Albany. She has been in contact with the asset disposition team formed by the college's board of trustees. 

Bianconi's focus has been on finding common ground for the college and village. She views the eventual transfer of the omnibus and stagecoach as a first step. She has suggested a joint meeting between the college's board of trustees and village board. Henking and Orman also discussed this during their meeting, which Orman said is "in process now." The details still must be finalized. 

"This is just too important to not have everyone working together," Bianconi said.