Tom Sellman

This document outlines a strategic decision-making framework designed to guide Mendon in defining its Climate Smart Communities (CSC) primary mission. It poses critical questions across five areas: Identity & Purpose, Community Lens, Capacity & Reality, Risk & Sustainability, and Strategic Framing. The objective is to facilitate a choice among three strategic options for the next 12 months – 'Bronze-first', 'Impact-first', or 'Hybrid' – to ensure alignment with goals, resources, and community needs.

This document outlines a 12-18 month action plan for the Town of Mendon's Climate Smart Communities Task Force, structured into four phases. The 'Stabilize' phase focuses on establishing structure and direction, followed by the 'Select' phase to choose priority activities, including quick wins and higher impact initiatives. The 'Plan' phase converts these priorities into an executable implementation plan, while the 'Implement' phase ensures execution with accountability, monitoring progress, and documenting credit. The overarching goal is to achieve measurable progress, submit for CSC points, and enhance community resilience.

The special meeting commenced with an executive session to discuss a personnel matter, which concluded at 6:45 PM. Following the executive session, the Board approved a resolution to increase the salary of the Town Assessor, James LeGrett, by $4,000.00, effective March 1, 2026. The meeting concluded with adjournment at 6:47 PM. Subsequently, a Regular Meeting convened. Key discussions included adopting the agenda with an added engineer's report. Public comment raised inquiries about hamlet sidewalks and sign ordinance restrictions. Communications covered the Town Clerk's report on tax payments and payroll processing, efforts to finalize a sign ordinance, and updates from Climate Smart Task Force meetings. The Engineer's Report detailed progress on retaining walls, sidewalk projects, road closures, and soccer field grading, identifying three priority projects. The Highway Superintendent reported on heavy snow removal operations and concerns regarding healthcare benefits affecting recruitment. The Board approved the December 2025 Supervisor's monthly report and authorized a waiver for a potential conflict of interest involving the Town Attorney concerning the Southco tax challenge. Updates were provided on advertisements for community positions and the search for an architect for the Historic Preservation Commission. The Highway Superintendent recommended proceeding with a lower bid for LED lights. The Board approved the January 2026 Town Clerk's report, the minutes from the January 20, 2026 meeting, and attendance approvals for various training sessions. Amendments were approved for the resolution establishing the Community Engagement Advisory Committee, defining its membership and scope. A dedicated webpage for this committee was also approved. A sign regulation item was tabled pending attorney review. Finally, the Board approved several abstract vouchers for General and Highway expenses, as well as library vouchers, and authorized the purchase and installation of a fuel system software upgrade. The session concluded with a study session on the Code of Ethics, noting confusion over documentation, and further public comments regarding essential employee compensation and the provision of advance meeting motions.

This Draft Action Plan by the Town of Mendon's Climate Smart Communities Task Force outlines a roadmap to strengthen Mendon's climate resilience, protect natural resources, promote fiscal responsibility, and ensure environmental stewardship. The plan is guided by principles of community focus, practicality, leveraging existing efforts, coordination, and resilience orientation. Over a 12-18 month period, it details actions across four main tasks: stabilizing the task force, selecting and prioritizing activities, planning for implementation, and executing the plan. Key focus areas include identifying quick-win certifications, aligning resilience projects with state recognition, and fostering strong coordination among town departments and stakeholders, with a commitment to transparency and adaptive adjustments.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda. Key discussions included public comments thanking board members for their service, reports from the Town Clerk regarding tax warrant collection, and updates from the Highway Superintendent on CPR training, snow fence installation, and salt orders. The Town Engineer detailed ongoing projects such as retaining wall work and sidewalk installations, noting delays due to DOT approvals, and discussed the Stoney Lonesome Road closure planning. Board members provided updates on Planning Board and ZBA activities, including discussions on a two-lot subdivision requiring further information on EPOD IV and landscaping. The Supervisor reported on a recent storm outage, town budget tracking indicating minimal fund balance usage for 2025, and attendance at a menorah lighting ceremony. The Board approved the Town Clerk's November 2025 Monthly Report, approved minutes from the December 8, 2025 meeting, and passed several budget adjustments spanning various town departments. Public hearings were held and closed for the Stoney Lonesome Road Closure and Short Term Rental Renewal. Following the hearings, the Board passed a negative declaration regarding SEQRA for the Stoney Lonesome Road closure. The renewal of the Short Term Rental at 3880 Rush Mendon Road was approved. The session concluded with expressions of gratitude for outgoing board members.