Menands names Trustee Lisa Newman Climate Smart coordinator, forms 5–7 member committee

The Menands Village Board on May 20 approved a resolution appointing Trustee Lisa Newman as the village's Climate Smart Communities coordinator and agreed to form a 5–7 member Climate Smart Committee to pursue Bronze certification and related grant opportunities.

Trustee Lisa Newman described completing Cornell's Climate Stewards training and outlined a project to help the village reach Bronze certification under the New York State Climate Smart Communities program. "I have been participating in the Cornell Climate Stewards training... and last week, I completed the class," Newman said. The resolution the board read cited the state program's framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to a changing climate.

Board members noted the village has already earned points toward certification and that certain climate actions helped secure funding: the meeting record referenced roughly $135,000 obtained previously for environmental efficiency improvements. Trustees debated committee size and recruitment methods and settled on a five-member committee (with the option to expand to 7) that will include up to two board members and a mix of community applicants and appointed residents. The resolution took effect immediately; one trustee abstained from the vote because the appointment named that trustee.

Trustee Newman and staff will work with the Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) liaison to inventory remaining Climate Smart points, recruit committee members, and return with an implementation plan and potential grant opportunities.