Town schedules Oct. 22 Community Vision event as part of comprehensive plan outreach

Comprehensive Plan Project Manager Jordyan Mueller told the board a Community Vision Event will be held Oct. 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Benton Hall School to gather resident input through keynote presentations and facilitated discussion aimed at shaping high‑consensus priorities.

Mueller described a five‑week social media campaign that will highlight priority areas, present examples from other New York municipalities, and direct residents to a digital form where people can RSVP or simply drop ideas. She encouraged board members to attend both as officials and as town residents.

Town Attorney Nicholas Macri questioned the purpose and scope of the engagement, suggesting the effort could be larger than necessary for a town of Little Falls and asking what defines "community engagement." Mueller and Supervisor Casler responded that community engagement is a required element of a comprehensive plan and that the intent is to cultivate priorities and strategies that will position the town for targeted funding and future action. Macri offered to assist with drafting the plan when it comes time to convert priorities into a document.

Councilman Kevin Sullivan said he supports the engagement strategy and noted that broad participation helps ensure residents cannot later claim they were not consulted. Councilman Mitch Soules expressed concern that some priorities (for example, agriculture and jobs) are primarily county responsibilities and may be beyond the town’s authority.

No formal vote was recorded on the comprehensive plan schedule; the steering committee and project manager will continue outreach and next steps include the public event, subsequent drafting, and planning‑board review.