Town Board Meeting Highlights from
Positively Pittsford
Highlights seeks to efficiently inform residents about discussions and topics that Positively Pittsford thinks many residents will find relevant, interesting, or noteworthy. Highlights does not summarize or comment on every topic, discussion, or action taken at a Town Board meeting.
Comments made by Positively Pittsford are based on our interpretation of a topic and not meant to reflect opinions of the Town Board members.
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Highlights of the latest Town Board Meeting
Highlights of the May 5, 2026 Town Board Meeting
Board member Koshykar was absent.
- May is Asian American/Pacific Islander Month. The Supervisor acknowledged the residents of that background for their contributions and membership in our community. Positively Pittsford is reminded that 20 different languages besides English are spoken by students in our schools. In a recent Facebook comment, a resident said her neighborhood reminded her of the United Nations. Yes, we are part of the American Melting Pot!
- Recognition of Renee McQuillen, Town Clerk. Congratulations on earning the professional designation of Registered Municipal Clerk (RMC) from the NYS Town Clerks Association. This achievement acknowledges her successful completion of extensive educational requirements and her demonstrated mastery over time of the broad range of competencies required in her position. This RMC indicates the highest professional level in her position.
- An ASL interpreter is present at every Town Board meeting.
Gift of artwork for King's Bend Park by Dr. and Mrs. Vikram Dogra, Dr. Dogra is the Managing Director of the Dogra Art Foundation which promotes and supports South Asian art in North America. Dr. Dogra expressed the desire to present this gift to harmonize with the existing surroundings and create a lasting cultural gift for the Pittsford community. Next step is an unconditional gift affidavit, signed by the donors. Then, the board can vote to accept this generous gift. Timestamp 2:54.
Paul Schenkel. Commissioner of Public Works. Road Paving and Maintenance Schedule for this season including storm sewers and gutters. Timestamp 31:18. Positively Pittsford was impressed by the depth of this presentation - an informative update on projects and educational regarding the definitions, technology, challenges, process, planning, and execution that happen behind the scenes every day at our Dept. of Public Works. Let's be grateful for this skilled and dedicated leadership and the department's workforce.
🖐️A resident inquired if the Town considers sidewalks used by students walking to school; Commissioner Schenkel answered yes.
Other Business: Supervisor Smith raised a growing concern from town residents regarding Airbnb's, specifically from mothers concerned about a rotating cast of strangers occupying homes in their neighborhoods. Supervisor Smith was not suggesting restrictive policies for long-term rentals or residents renting homes for PGA championships or similar events, but rather he asks the board to think about recommendations to address this valid concern specifically about short-term Airbnb rentals. Timestamp 1:14:35
Board member Havannavar asked for input on remedies for the number of speeding infractions in Pittsford, he made particular note of infractions by teenagers. He also inquired about and suggested methods residents can use to report potholes and request repairs. Timestamp 1:21:20
Environmental Board Community Action Plan. Board member Arcuri encouraged residents to read the plan in preparation for input on this topic at the next board meeting.
Other Routine Items: Little League vendor permit. Budget transfers. Standard personnel adjustments.
Highlights of April 21, 2026 Town Board Meeting
NOTE: According to the Town’s website, the video recording had technical difficulties and cannot be recovered. So, Positively Pittsford’s Highlights for this meeting will lack any timestamps.
Public Comment on the Proposed Annexation of Linden Avenue Parcels by East Rochester. Supervisor Smith provided background including that the 5 parcels East Rochester is asking to annex are adjacent to Northside Salvage. The annexation would solve the problem of a single entity that now straddles two municipalities. It would also allow for an improved appearance of Linden Avenue by moving stacked cars away from the road and end many trucks backing into the roadway. To address the $800 / year loss in tax revenue to Pittsford, Supervisor Smith asked Northside Salvage to pay $1,000 per year to Pittsford for the next ten years and a representative of Northside Salvage agreed. There were about seven residents who commented. Most residents were supportive. One resident thought it was better to put subsidized housing on those parcels. Two residents complimented the Town attorney and Supervisor for the expertise they provided throughout this several month process and supported the annexation. Positively Pittsford supports the annexation. It is a sensible action, improves the aesthetics of properties, and was executed by a thorough process. Those interested in the process can find details in the minutes and videos of the March 3, 17, and April 7 Town Board meetings.
Proposed Annexation of Linden Avenue Parcels by East Rochester. Board Members Havannavar, Arcuri, Sattler-LeBlanc, and the Supervisor all spoke in support. Board member Koshykar expressed reservations. The proposal was then unanimously approved by the Town Board.
East Street Sidewalk Project: Grant of Easement to Water Authority. A ten-foot easement was granted to the Water Authority so a fire hydrant could be moved.
Annual Free Rabies Clinic is scheduled for May 14th. Cost to the Town is $500 for the event. There was discussion regarding communicating the event to as many dog owners as possible. Here's the link for details:
https://www.townofpittsford.org/news/rabies-vaccine-free-drive-through-clinic-may-14-2026
The Dobra Art Foundation gifted a piece of abstract art that will be displayed at Kings Bend Park.
Public Comment🖐️A resident questioned the wisdom of a state mandate for electric school buses.
Other Routine Matters included: The Town Court Lease Subordination Agreement and Tenant Estoppel Certificate. Payment of routine vouchers.
Highlights of April 7, 2026 Town Board Meeting (44 minutes)
Announcements from Supervisor Smith:
Sign Language interpreter is present at every Town Board meeting.
The Supervisor asked Deputy Supervisor Havannavar to present a commendation congratulating the School District's Pittsford Panthers Robotics Team for achieving a place at the World's Competition. (Time Stamp 00:49)
Bonadio & Co. Annual Audit Presentation by Randy Shepard, Bonadio Audit Partner. The auditors provided a clean audit opinion, which represents the highest level of assurance an audit can provide. Shepard noted, "The Town Finance Team does a great job throughout the year of providing you [TB members] with information." (Time Stamp 3:53)
Proposed Annexation of Linden Ave. Parcels by East Rochester. Discussion among Board members and the Town attorney regarding ER's request to annex four lots on the Pittsford/ER town line adjacent to the Northside Salvage that are in Pittsford. Town Attorney, Robert Koegel, requested and received from ER amendments to its town code that Pittsford considered necessary in order to consider the request. The annexation should permit ER to move Northside Salvage’s junkyard activities away from the road and create a more attractive property. Decision will be made by April 28. Board member Koshykar asked that the April 21 meeting include public input about this annexation. (Time Stamp 14:24)
Positively Pittsford has noticed in prior meetings and again in this one how heavily board members rely on the expertise of the Town employees and Supervisor Smith. In this meeting, that reliance can be seen in the discussion about the annexation of Town property to East Rochester and the sewer easement release to the school district.
Public Comment (Timestamp 35:45)
🖐️Resident Comment: This resident continued long beyond the guideline of 2 minutes. Positively Pittsford supports residents speaking up and voicing concerns. Respecting the order of the Board meeting, when an issue cannot be stated within the 2 minutes guideline, PP sees it as more appropriate for a resident to meet individually with the board members and those town employees best equipped to address the concerns.
The Board moved into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations under the state civil service law.
Other agenda items: Approval of Partial Release of Sanitary Sewer Easement at Mendon H.S. Approval of Budget Transfer for Replacing the Synthetic Turf at Thornell Farm Park. Acknowledgment of the Annual Town Court Financial Review by Bonadio Group. Approval of Summer Recreation Programs. Mitchell Rd. Speed Bump to be painted as soon as weather permits.
Highlights of March 17,2026 Town Board Meeting (75 minutes)
Deputy Supervisor Naveen Havannavar is absent.
Supervisor Smith Announcements:
- Library sale on 3/19.
- Congratulations to Pittsford Rotary for another successful Taste of Pittsford.
- Residents can comment at a Town Board meeting or by emailing to comments@townofpittsford.org to have their comment read at the meeting.
Siemens Findings Re: Pittsford's Climate Action Plan (Timestamp 1:36) Siemens presented their audit of town facilities. Supervisor Smith noted this is the first step in a multi-year and potentially costly process likely requiring a public hearing and a referendum.
Trail License Renewal. (Timestamp 27:20) Permission by St. John Fisher for continued use by the public of its trail segment segment. Our Commissioner of Public Works also remarked that SJF graciously maintains most of the trail.
Bid Award for Parks Contracts to Josh Landscape as the lowest bidder. (Timestamp 31:00)
🖐️🖐️🖐️Resident Comments:
Resident Comment (Timestamp 33:00): Requests and receives confirmation that Josh Landscaping will not use pesticides unless absolutely necessary.
Resident Comment (Timestamp 57:27) : Questions plowing and mowing near his home.
Resident Comment (Timestamp 1:03:55): Compliments our town leadership and employees on their depth of knowledge, which allows for a proactive approach to resident safety, i.e. State Street Median, new sidewalks, and trails. Also, the resident values The Pittsford Messenger in print format in addition to electronic. In that way, everyone can have access.
Resident Comment (Timestamp 1:06:40): Resident reminder for the Library Zoom events on March 23 and 30, addressing topics related to the Town's pollinator pathway challenge.
Resident Comment: (Timestamp 1:08:44) This resident supports Deputy Supervisor Havannavar's 1/20/26 statement against ICE; asks for board action; mentions a walkout at Sutherland H.S. the following day. Positively Pittsford views it as inappropriate for the town board to take positions on national partisan issues that it cannot resolve. We also repeat our concern stated in a previous highlights regarding Havannavar's use of his title and board meeting time to voice his personal stance on this partisan national issue; it conflates town board and personal opinions. We continue to support a town board focused on Pittsford and that avoids becoming mired in partisan national issues.
Resident Comment(Timestamp 1:10:32): Requests smoke-free policies on town properties. Positively Pittsford supports any measures that help keep Pittsford a family-friendly community.
Resident Comment (1:12:34): Raises concerns about teen vaping and asks about school district actions.
Other Agenda Items: ZBest Foodz Thornell permit, NYS snow and ice agreement, surplus inventory disposition, repair of the library's HVAC units, new hires, staff attendance for training, congratulations to the new president of Nazareth College.
Highlights of March 3 Town Board Meeting (24 minutes)
Announcements from Supervisor Smith:
- Registration for Summer Camp & Spring Recreation programs is open.
- National Invasive Species Week. Fewer invasive species mean less need for pesticides. See the Town's website for our toxin-free challenge and pollinator pathway program.
Reminder: Residents can comment at a meeting or by emailing to comments@townofpittsford.org to have their comment read at the meeting.
East Rochester Annexation (Timestamp 03:25)
Consent to designate East Rochester as the SEQRA lead agent regarding the East Rochester annexation petition. After discussing the matter the motion to consent was approved. Essentially the annexation involves five parcels of land totaling 2.3 acres and owned by Northside Salvage.
State Street Median (Timestamp12:40)
As part of Pittsford’s Active Transportation Plan, this median should improve traffic speed mitigation for vehicles entering the village from the east. Simultaneously, it will serve as a pedestrian island, providing a safe crossing across State Street for people moving between the Wood Creek neighborhood and the canal path. Positively Pittsford applauds this action. This demonstrates the foresight possible only when our town board includes leadership that comprehensively understands our town’s dynamics, anticipates improvements, and proactively plans and budgets for them while keeping residents' welfare at the forefront, and is supported by experienced employees.
Kings Bend Park Playground Project (Timestamp15:25)
A recommendation from the Finance Director was made to create a capital project account. $175,00 is needed for the project, $80,000 of which will come from Pittsford. The rest will come from Monroe County ARPA and a NYS grant. The motion to approve this account passed.
Other Business (Timestamp18:48)
Deputy Supervisor asks the Town Clerk about data on the Town Window.
Positively Pittsford gives kudos to our Town Clerk, who, despite having no prior time to prepare, provided a comprehensive answer, including options other than the Town Window.
Public Comment (Timestamp 21:35)
🖐️Resident Comment: Praises the Highway Department's snow removal this year, noting the job was well done, particularly the maintenance performed on the canal path throughout the winter.
Other agenda items: An executive session to discuss a matter involving an employee's employment history. Hiring approvals. The county’s annual pre-order program for Native Tree and shrub seedlings is open until March 6th. Approvals for staff attendance at Genesee Valley Recreation and Parks Society and at American Public Works Association in Utica.
Highlights of February 24, 2026 Town Board Meeting (26 minutes)
Announcements from Supervisor Smith:
- Refuse Districts have recycling every week. Any letter from Casella stating otherwise is incorrect, and the Town has spoken, yet again, with Casella. (Timestamp 00:36)
- Congratulations to our own Pittsford native Gold Medal Olympian - Chris Lillis. See board remarks later this evening mentioning consideration of further acknowledgement of this achievement.
- National Public Schools Week. Congratulations to our schools for their outstanding performance resulting in a ranking once again in the top 1% of public school districts nation-wide. (Timestamp 1:14)
Public Hearing and Vote on proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2026: This Law proposes changing terms of the Real Property Tax Exemptions for Seniors to expand eligibility and improve the exemption for those at the lowest income levels. Following the public hearing, the Town Board voted unanimously to adopt this law. This exemption doesn't effect the bottom line of the Town's revenue. The tax burden shifts to other Pittsford taxpayers, both residential and commercial. Note that if 100% of people who qualify applied for the exemption, the total additional cost to each individual taxpayer would be less than one dollar a year. The estimated total annual absorption will be approximately $12,500. (Timestamp 2:18) Positively Pittsford applauds this action. It is one example of a commitment to focus on local issues.
Public Comment (Timestamp 20:28)
️ 🖐️Resident Comment: Calling attention to the tremendous value of the fabulous programs offered by the Pittsford Recreation Department.
️ 🖐️Resident Comment: Looking at tonight's 132-page agenda, it reminds her of the incredible amount of experience it takes to run our town. Appreciates Supervisor Smith being so knowledgeable and experienced. Also, how lucky we are to have employees with lots of experience. It is so reassuring to see how our town government has kept up with the town's growth. She is so impressed with Supervisor Smith's responsiveness and accessibility. Not everyone returns calls from town residents.
️ 🖐️Resident Email: Does the Town ever use MWBE businesses? Positively Pittsford wishes that residents would use the full name of entities.
Other agenda items: Storm Water Intermunicipal Agreement. Town Court rental space considerations. Approval of agreements to hold annual Town events. Library and Recreation Department positions filled. Playground Safety Inspector Certification.
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Highlights of February 3 Town Board Meeting (37 minutes)
Board Member Koshykar was absent.
🖐️ Resident Comment: Supports a concert on Juneteenth and compliments the town on its choice of the musician, Judah Sealy, https://judahsealy.com/ (Time Stamp 3:10)
🖐️ Resident Comment: Praises Town snow plow crews during this challenging winter; cites examples.
🖐️ Resident Comment: discusses leaf removal. (Time Stamp 17:30)
😱 Resident Comment response to the Deputy Supervisor's statement at the prior board meeting. (Time Stamp 23:45). This resident believes - and PP agrees - that Supervisor Havannavar’s immigration comment at the last meeting was inappropriate for an elected town official. While the Deputy certainly has a right to express his opinions, in this instance, as an elected official of a Town Board, the Deputy’s statement ignored his fiduciary responsibility to represent ALL of Pittsford residents. On Feb. 3rd, the resident requested a one-on-one meeting with Deputy Supervisor Havannavar.
NOTE: Positively Pittsford contacted the resident who made this comment to ask about the one-on one meeting. As of the publication of these highlights, Havannavar has not met with this resident.
🖐️ Resident Comment: Expresses fear of ICE raids.
🖐️ Resident Comment: People from all over the world have chosen Pittsford as their home for its schools and quality of life. Divisive public protests undermine our community.
🖐️ Resident Comment: Reminds the Town Board that during their board tenure, they are obligated to focus on Pittsford municipal services; their personal or political interests should not be included in Town business
Routine agenda items: Hearing date for seniors' property tax exemption, Farm leases, Harladay Hots permit, State snow removal, Parks maintenance, PT library aide, and Volunteer board appointments.
Highlights of January 20 Town Board Meeting (80 minutes)
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Town Board reads its Martin Luther King Proclamation.
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NYS DOT denied Bill Smith’s initial request for a traffic light at Mitchell & Jefferson Rds. Smith is pursuing.
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Presentation: Monroe County Aging Alliance. Melissa Wendland of Common Ground Health describes age-friendly livable communities; requests consideration in Pittsford’s comprehensive plans. (Timestamp 3:20)
🤔REFUSE DISTRICTS. Casella’s purchase of Seyrek. (Timestamp 31:50)
- The Town is “locked in” with Casella until the end of 2027. Fortunately, the rate remains $261 per year per household; a substantial savings.
- Casella did not notify the Town of its purchase of Seyrek.
- Casella's communication and the number of trucks need improvement.
- Smith- there are costs & intricacies to creating our own municipal trash collection including a bond referendum
- All Board members agreed for now to work with Casella; to communicate with residents; and to prepare for when the contract goes out for bid at the end of 2027. Seven locally-based companies are interested in bidding.
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Approval of Spring 2026 Recreational Programs:
🖐️ Resident Comment: Argues against a Town concert on Juneteenth. (Timestamp 56:10)
Other Business
😱Statement by Naveen Havannavar, the newly-appointed Deputy Town Supervisor, regarding his personal stance (his phrase) on Federal Immigration Control Enforcement. (Timestamp 1:03:40)
Positively Pittsford questions whether a personal statement made from the board table by a Town Board member regarding a national policy issue outside the scope of town operations is appropriate. PP appreciates Supervisor Smith’s response reiterating that the Monroe County Sheriff Department’s policy is to participate in apprehending or detaining an unauthorized immigrant and/or those subject to a valid criminal warrant. NOTE: See relevant resident comments made at the February 3 meeting. Positively Pittsford supports Town Board members’ efforts at the board table that focus on town operations and management. As regards national, political, or ideological matters outside the Town Board’s jurisdiction, restraint by individual board members helps ensure that personal views are not perceived as reflecting the collective position of the Pittsford Town Board.
Other routine items: Surplus Inventory / Pittsford Cemetery Assn. to archive records in the Town Archives.