The evening of 2025-12-15 was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.
If I were to give the meeting a theme, it was ‘Rule of Law‘ Or maybe ‘soon‘.
This started with me making a comment to the Board on the topic of construction start times. I have no opinion on the start time itself, I can see pros/cons in both directions. The more important part, at least in my mind, is that the law as written is the law as enforced. And when the two get out of alignment, steps are taken to restore the alignment. Making adjustments as needed, through the appropriate due process.
When the Board talked about this topic, they set a Public Hearing for next month. By the sounds of it, they are hopeful they will have a proposed code change ready by then. Which I would expect to bring law and practice back into alignment.
Rick (Mayor) also expressed a desire for rule of law (even if he didn’t use that phrase) when talking about damage to Village parks. From context, it sounded like graffiti was the concern. But regardless, this has been happening more often then the Board is happy with. Perhaps most frustrating, the enforcement process does not appear to be working. So even if the Village presses charges (and can figure out who to press charges against), it goes nowhere.
On a happier note, the Fireman’s parade received much applause. Even what I would have called a hiccup, the nicking of some overhead wires by deer and horn, was framed as an entertaining part of the event. In all fairness, the crowd did cheer when the blow up unicorn popped back up after pushing past the wire. And Santa played to the crowd as well, even if I’m not sure he was close enough to hit the wire. In any case, many nice words about a well done parade.
Although, there were a few comments about candy that wasn’t collected by kids. So I made a note to help with cleanup next year. Maybe after visiting a few people, giving time for the crowd to disperse. Also time for the kids (or those with kids) to claim as much candy as they want.
As usual, 20 North Main was discussed. Sounds like there is a tentative offer, which won’t become ‘official’ until February. ‘Thompson’ was mentioned, which I assume refers to Thompson Health. Which is consistent with other things said in the past. We’ll see what happens next year.
It sounds like the Manor sidewalk crossing issue is being resolved. The relevant parties appear to have signed off on a plan, although an exact date wasn’t said. Regardless, the existing power pole should be replaced soon. Which will set the stage for other improvements. I didn’t catch what exactly those were, apart from involving installing some equipment.
There was a surprisingly long discussion about next years paid staff holidays. Which was focused around Columbus day vs indigenous people day. While there is a clear desire for further discussion about non-paid holidays, for the time being Columbus day remains a paid holiday. Reasoning seemed to be primarily about it being what the Village has done in the past, while also matching the federal holiday. I’m all in favor for more non-paid holidays. Perhaps the Village can also recognize Pi day, for all the ways math improves our lives. Or just because it’s another excuse to eat pies.
Green Light should be coming to the Village soon, setting up their hardware in the fire hall. As I’m not that far from the fire hall, I’m looking forward to this. I’ve heard good things about Green Light. Will be interesting to see how much of that is true. Regardless, more internet options is a good thing in my opinion.
Installing security cameras and similar at the Village office should be happening soon. Considering earlier discussions, I found it amusing that, if people followed the rule of law more, this would be completely unnecessary. It did have me wondering: How much of this is because additional security is actually needed? And by extension, there is a greater risk than in previous generations (why being a good question to look into). And how much of this is security theater? More to comfort people who feel frightened then having tangible results.
And there was a rather odd resolution about a vehicle on Rodney Drive. Apparently, the Village code requires the Board hold a Public Hearing to remove a vehicle, once certain conditions are met. The Code Enforcement Officer says the conditions are met, legal counsel agrees, so a Public Hearing was scheduled. Even as that was being done, multiple people commented on how this didn’t make sense. Yet the code has a reasonably clearly stated process. Regardless of how this particular situation plays out, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a code change on this topic before too long. But until then? We follow the rule of law.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the December 15, 2025 meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.