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Preservation and progress do not have to be at odds with each other. Yet, many of us are paying attention to proposed changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The first challenge is understanding what Section 106 actually does. In simple terms, it applies when a federal agency funds, permits, licenses, or approves a project that may affect a historic or culturally significant place. It does not automatically stop a project. It requires the federal age

This week I finished Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke: clever, surprising, deeply uncomfortable, and unexpectedly empathetic. It aches with me as I continue navigating the sandwich generation: consolidating estates across three states, caring for my 96-year-old mom, tending to wounds left by the uniquely American trauma of domestic gun violence while helping relocate a vulnerable family member, keeping pace professionally, and beginning my own Swedish Death Cleaning and workin

A neighbor recently wrote to the Pittsford Town Board asking each of us to share our resumes to learn more about the qualifications and experiences of the people currently serving the town. It’s a fair question. Local government works best when residents take an interest in who represents them and how decisions are made. Rather than responding privately, I thought it would be more helpful to share the information here so anyone who is curious can access it. Below is the short

A question came up at a January Town Board meeting: what gets recorded in Pittsford’s story? What counts as history? As we wrap up February and reflect on Black History Month, I took time over the month to look into the history of African Americans in Pittsford. I can design a social graphic as well as the next politician — but if I’m honest, I’m a nerd. So I started reading local histories, regional archives — the sources I could access. In the early twentieth century, racia

January 26, 2026 Probate lessons, property taxes, and why town budgets matter I’ve been using gallows humor lately — threatening to create a coloring book for grown-ups titled What to Expect When Your Loved One Dies. I’m currently navigating my aunt’s estate in one state that was managed by my brother in another state — who passed away in September. I now know more than any civilian should about HOAs, probate court, legal retainers, and municipal tax offices across multiple t

January 21, 2025 How do you answer the question, “Where do you live?” Why do so many of us say we live in one place—but write “Rochester” when speaking to a broader audience? How is it possible to live in a town that surrounds a village? And what, exactly, is a hamlet? (Out, out, damn spot.) Day one of new-elected training opened with that deceptively simple question: What is a town? It turns out the answer explains far more than geography. As communities grew, services didn’

I do my homework, but they also have a school for folks like me. After my second town board meeting this week, I'll be heading out to Corning for some training. It’ll be full days focused on money management, governance, and Roberts Rules. I'm packing all my learning tools and tricks to stay attentive—watch this space for updates!

One thing I’m learning quickly as a Town Board member is that much of the work happens before a Town Board meeting ever begins . Site visits, legal review, environmental questions, and coordination between municipalities all take place in advance. A public hearing is where that work becomes visible and where the public is formally invited into the process. Last week (January 15, 2025), the Town of Pittsford and the Town of East Rochester held a joint public hearing on a prop