The evening of 2026-05-18 was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.
Rick (Mayor) started the meeting off with some clarification on Public Hearing process. Which sounded more or less the same as it has been, just trying to more formally follow it when there is a crowd. Because it mostly doesn’t matter if there are only a few in the audience
Rick also apologized for being less grateful then would have been ideal at the last Public Hearing. While I thought he handled himself well enough, it’s always good to recognize where we can do better. And apologizing when you believe a mistake was made is also nice. Hopefully those who need to, received his message.
Mary (Friends of Library) gave a presentation on the Mendon Public Library. And how they are celebrating 15 years at the ‘new’ building. While they are also working to setup an endowment fund. So part ‘look at all the good things we do’ and part ‘please donate money’.
Rick mentioned something called the Dignity Index. While I haven’t had a chance to digest the information here, I applaud the attempt to improve communication. Although, the cynic in me has seen this sort of thing be manipulated in the past. Either way, good for them to make the attempt, and good for Rick trying to help as well.
Tying into that, there was a discussion on the Village’s usage of social media. Which I found amusing, as they were getting dangerously close to the conclusion of social media being evil. An opinion I have long held. So interesting to see others sharing it. Even if they didn’t use those exact words… yet.
The 20 North Main urgent care project might make it to the next Zoning Board meeting. Or it might miss the deadline. Either way, sounds like formal signing of the contract is waiting for full building approval. Which in turn is waiting for the Zoning Board approval. Which is waiting for a complete application to review. The process continues along.
I found out the reason for the village office security improvements: First amendment auditors. Which is fair enough, the locked doors should contain them. But by making it harder for a nuisance to run wild through the office, it is also harder for residents to enter the office. For any of the number of legitimate reasons they might have. I expect this to create a less welcoming experience as time goes forward. So far, the staff has been very diligent with opening the doors whenever I stop by. But I wonder if that will last when the doors are old hat? Hopefully I’ll be wrong, and nothing of note changes.
Security, and it’s cousin safety, are always trade offs. At some point, you can become too safe. Which is when safety interferes with living your life. Is this that point? Unlikely. But it is something to remain aware of. Both here, and in all our lives.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the May 18, 2026 meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.