Tonight (2018-04-02) was the Honeoye Falls Annual Meeting.
As usual, about half an hour before the Annual Meeting, was the public hearing for next years Village budget. Total budget looks to be just over $2 million for the Village proper, and about $500 thousand for the sewer. Tax rate will go from $2.15 to $2.20 (per thousand).
From a comment, it sounds like the ‘2%’ cap would have been negative this year. Wasn’t explicitly stated, but if true, would make for yet another year where 2% does not equal 2%.
As with most years, the budget hearing is mostly chatting. This year was slightly difference in that one of those trickling in for the Annual meeting had some questions to ask. Unfortunately, they didn’t really fit the topic of ‘budget’ very well. From what they said, it felt more policy related. Hopefully they will find a way to get their concerns addressed. Perhaps at the general comment sections at the monthly meetings (next one being April 16), or maybe in private with the mayor.
Shortly before 6PM, the budget was approved and there was a short break before the Annual Meeting started.
The Annual Meeting had the usual appointments and official declarings. That took about 15 minutes. I always think about ways to streamline/quicken that process. As suggestions directly after the meetings seem to go nowhere, maybe some shortly before would lead to lowering the time taken. So I went ahead and put a note on my calendar to make some suggestions next March. Come back in a year and read how that went.
Of note was reaffirming the regular Board of Trustees meeting time of the 3rd Monday of each month. Nothing was said about January and February being on Tuesday instead. Will be interesting to see what happens next Martin Luther King and Presidents Day. Are we back to a simple pattern, or will those two move a day?
Sending letters to owners of Zombie properties was approved. Ironic considering discussions I was involved in over the weekend. I was visiting some people who were rather interested in the status of Zombie properties. Without that context, I doubt I would have taken any note of this action, intermixed as it was with all the others.
Which is probably a good as time as any to point out we all make mistakes. Tonight, a number of people at the meetings made mistakes, some more then once. Is part of being human. So there were a few spots when things happened slightly out of order. Some may find fault there, but I don’t, especially in the context. Some procedures exist because they are necessary, others because they make life simpler/easier. The ‘mistakes’ tonight, in my opinion, fall into the second category. Everything necessary happened. If a few items were slightly out of order, and therefore less efficient, so be it. It all works out in the end.
Related, Rick (Mayor) is not the best speech giver in the world. Not that he does a bad job, he’s better then I am (which isn’t a high bar). While he did slip up a few times, I think it’s more important that he corrected himself (when needed) and kept going. Perhaps recordings, were corrections before publishing are possible, have spoiled us all.
While Rick made a number of points in his ‘State of the Village’ speech, two stood out to me. First was how he commented on the usage of social media, and the implication about ‘fake news’. At the core, he seemed to be saying it’s good neighbors talk to each other. Which is good, but I find it amusing the way people talk about social media and it’s various impacts. The good, the bad, but mostly the way things have changed. Even as they stay (mostly) the same.
Second was how the village should fill it’s empty spaces. He seemed to be implying that retail isn’t the way to do it, but that making the village into an attraction (ie tourism) might work better. I’ve heard the bit on retail before, others have stated how anytime a new store opens, another seems to close. But I think, fundamentally, manufacturing is what is needed. Could take various forms, but it is the making of things that translates into the creation of wealth. And from that, the long term filling of buildings.
All in all, a nice enough speech. Positive view and outlook, which is good to hear.
With the end of Rick’s speech, the meeting adjourned for conversation and refreshments. Can’t argue with cookies, and chatting with neighbors was nice.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the April 2nd, 2018 Annual meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.