Fenton board creates Climate Smart Communities task force, appoints coordinator

The Town of Fenton Town Board on May 6 unanimously approved Resolution #2026-07 to establish a Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Task Force and appointed Michael Grasso, chairperson of the Conservation Advisory Committee, as the town’s CSC Coordinator.

The resolution, moved by Councilman Michael Husar and seconded by Councilman Richard Pray, directs the task force to serve as an advisory body on climate-change mitigation and adaptation, meet at least twice a year, keep minutes and attendance records, and act as the liaison to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as the town pursues CSC certification.

Supervisor David Gunster told the board the CAC had adopted the idea and that the town must provide a formal town-board resolution to meet application requirements; the CAC has until May 22 to complete parts of the application. The resolution lists initial membership that includes CAC representatives, the supervisor, and a deputy town clerk; it names Grasso as coordinator responsible for convening and managing the task force and interfacing with state officials.

Board members framed the action as a procedural step needed to secure state certification and to centralize local climate work under a single coordinating official. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all five members recorded as “aye.”

The town did not set a first meeting date for the CSC Task Force in the record; the board’s next steps are to assemble the task-force membership as listed in the resolution and submit required materials for the CSC application.