Jenn Townsend Perinton Town Supervisor

09/30/2026

As promised, we've been gathering feedback from residents, neighbors, local businesses, and event organizers following this year's Hoochenanny.

Overall, here's what we heard:

✅ Safety was not a concern. People consistently described the event as well-organized, secure, and easy to navigate.

✅ Traffic and parking went smoothly. While there was certainly increased activity in the area, most felt it was well managed.

✅ Sound levels on Friday and Saturday were generally well received. The most consistent concern we heard was that Sunday was simply too loud for nearby neighbors and that the music continuing until 10:00 PM felt too late.

We also paid close attention to how our athletic fields were impacted. No previously scheduled practices were canceled, and while there was some minor field shuffling, rec and youth sports continued with limited disruption. We are still working with the organizers on improvements to one of the fields, but they have been responsive, collaborative, and great to work with throughout the process.

I also want to be honest about something. Going into the event, I had some reservations about the wh***ey component. As Town Supervisor, it's my job to think through every aspect of an event this size and how it fits within our community.

What I saw, however, put many of those concerns to rest. The wh***ey tastings were conducted in a dedicated area and were thoughtfully organized, professional, and focused on the craftsmanship, history, and artistry of wh***ey making. It felt much more like a curated culinary and cultural experience than an event centered on drinking. Those who attended can hopefully attest to this.

Were there things we learned? Absolutely.

Are there adjustments that could be made? Of course.

But overall, Hoochenanny was an exceptionally well-run, responsible event that brought a unique experience to Perinton while generating significant support for our local businesses and organizations.

I think there is a strong foundation to continue the conversation, build on what worked, address what didn't, and make an already successful event even better.

As always, thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback.

09/25/2026

Tonight I went to the Terry Schmidt Legislative Reception at the Breast Cancer Coalition.

Those who know me personally know that breast cancer has touched my family, just as it has touched so many Perinton families.

When I was 23, we lost my mom to breast cancer. Weeks later, filled with grief and anger, I ended up at the Breast Cancer Coalition's doorstep. I didn't have a plan. I didn't know anyone there, or what they did. I just knew that I felt lost.

The amazing women of the Coalition took me in and helped me channel my grief into advocacy and leadership. Their support and compassion have had a lasting impact on my life. Twenty (or so) years later, many of these women are still dear friends.

I found them too late. My mom was never able to use their services. She would have loved the candid information they share and the way they empower you to advocate for yourself during treatment.

Tonight, a young mother shared the story of her diagnosis at 35 (yes, only THIRTY-FIVE). I couldn't listen without thinking about my own kids and how terrifying that must be.

She spoke about how critical the Coalition has been throughout her journey, not only because they provided resources and education, but because they listened to her, empowered her, and carried her through many dark moments. Thank goodness she has them, and through them, a community of other young survivors who understand what she's going through.

I also met Julie, a fellow Perinton resident, 12-year survivor, and member of the Coalition's Research Committee. And she made me think (thank you, Julie)…the Coalition may not be based in Perinton, but they serve Perinton families every single day.

This damn cancer has touched too many families in our community. Too many mothers. Too many daughters. Too many sisters.

I'm looking forward to attending the Coalition's annual ACTober event on October 1st. Hopefully, maybe, I'll see some fellow Perinton residents there supporting this mission too.

💗

09/16/2026

Do you feel like people are driving faster, paying less attention, and that our roads just don't feel as safe as they used to? Me too.

Today I joined Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello at his Complete Streets training, while key members of Perinton's Engineering team were invited to take an even deeper dive into the topic. The reason is simple: we have a problem to solve.

Since 2010, traffic fatalities have increased significantly. Experts point to a combination of factors, including larger vehicles, distracted driving, and changes in driver behavior. The reality is that many people feel less safe walking, biking, crossing the street, and even driving than they did a decade ago.

Most importantly, I hear from Perinton residents on a regular basis about speeding, dangerous driving, and concerns for pedestrian safety, so this needs to be addressed.

However, as we all know, simply lowering a speed limit from 35 to 30 mph, or adding a stop sign, isn't enough to change overall behavior.

So what do we do?

We start by learning from similar communities that are seeing success.

Successful suburban communities have more roundabouts, narrower lane widths, street trees, medians, more sidewalks, clear bike safety, and solid statewide and local laws around e-bikes. I am working towards this goal for us in Perinton.

The goal isn't to make driving difficult. We all want to get where we're going quickly.

The goal is to make driving at safer speeds feel natural. Traffic engineers call it traffic calming.

Street design influences behavior far more than signs do. The width of a lane, the design of an intersection, where pedestrians cross, how bicyclists are accommodated, and even how landscaping and parking are arranged all influence how fast people drive and how safe/inviting a road feels.

If we want safer roads, we need to focus on changing behavior, not just changing signs, and Town staff and I have already started the work to get us there. Stay tuned for more to come.

09/15/2026

Exciting news for Perinton!

Yesterday, we were proud to join Assemblymember Jen Lunsford to announce that the Town of Perinton has been awarded a $58,680 New York State Records Management Improvement Grant.

This funding will help us identify, organize, and index decades of Town records, creating the foundation for our future digitization efforts.

So, what the heck does this mean for residents?

✅ Faster access to information when residents need assistance from Town Hall.

✅ Improved transparency and easier retrieval of public records.

✅ Better preservation of important Town documents and local history.

✅ More efficient customer service as staff can locate information more quickly.

✅ Long-term savings by modernizing systems without adding costs to local taxpayers.

This project is another step forward in our broader modernization efforts, helping ensure that Town government is efficient, responsive, and prepared to meet the needs of our community for years to come.

A sincere thank you to Assemblymember Jen Lunsford for her support in securing this funding for Perinton. We appreciate her commitment to helping local governments improve services while protecting taxpayers.

09/15/2026

This video does a great job of capturing the calm positivity that is Greg Seigfred, our Director of Building and Codes.

Whether he's helping residents, working towards departmental efficiencies, or navigating tricky issues, Greg brings steady leadership, a wealth of knowledge, and a good sense of humor to everything he does.

We're lucky to have him on Team Perinton and grateful for the many ways he serves our community every day.

Thanks for all you do, Greg! 👏

Perinton's nine-person building and codes department serves a commu...

09/10/2026

A quick reminder as we head into fall:

The people we pass every day, at the park, in the grocery store, at school events, or walking down the street, may be carrying challenges we know nothing about.

This season, and especially the upcoming holiday season, can be difficult for some. Stress, loneliness, grief, and mental health struggles don't always have visible signs.

Take care of yourself. Check in on your friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Be a little more patient. Offer a smile. Say hello. Ask someone how they're doing and really listen to the answer.

We often talk about building a strong community through projects, programs, and events, but I know that in Fairport/Perinton it also happens through simple acts of kindness, compassion, and looking out for one another. That's part of the magic.

You never know when a small gesture, a friendly conversation, or a moment of understanding might make a very big difference in someone's day.

Let's take care of ourselves, take care of each other, and remember that someone may be fighting a battle we can't see. ❤️

09/09/2026

Here's a behind-the-scenes glimpse:

Our department heads (this is from today's meeting, where I awkwardly asked them all to pose for a pic) meet regularly to share updates, discuss challenges, coordinate projects, and provide feedback across departments. These are the conversations where a lot of important work happens and, of course, a few good laughs.

This type of communication helps break down silos, solve problems more efficiently, and make sure everyone is rowing in the same direction. It also helps us catch issues early, coordinate resources, and keep projects moving forward.

Sometimes, the best government work isn't glamorous. It's just a room full of people sharing information, asking a boat load of questions, and working together to get things done. Proud to be a part of this crew.

09/08/2026

At tomorrow's Town Board meeting, I will be a proposing six-month moratorium on certain new development applications within the Bushnell’s Basin and Egypt Historic Hamlets, as well as the Erie Canal Conservation Overlay (ECCO) District.

As many of you hopefully already know, the Town is actively engaged in sub-area planning initiatives for these important community destinations. We are focused on gathering public input, evaluating future growth opportunities, considering historic preservation, and creating a shared vision for how these areas should grow and evolve in the years ahead.

A temporary moratorium will give us the opportunity to complete this planning work and help ensure that future development proposals are evaluated against a clear community vision, rather than standards that may soon change as a result of the planning process.

We encourage residents to stay engaged and follow the planning process. Should the Board agree to move forward with this proposal tomorrow, a public hearing on the moratoriums will be held at the October 5th Town Board meeting. Please join us if you can!

09/01/2026

Do you like trees? Trails? Birds? Open space? Seemingly endless discussions about land use and environmental impacts?

Well, I have good news: we have two openings on Perinton's Conservation Board!

You might be a great fit if you:

🌳 Know a little (or a lot) about plants, wildlife, wetlands, or ecology

📋 Like thoughtful discussions and problem-solving

🏘️ Care about balancing conservation and responsible growth

🤝 Enjoy working with other residents to make our community even better

You don't need to be a scientist. You don't need a degree in environmental studies. Mostly, we're looking for people who are curious, engaged, and passionate about preserving the things that make Perinton such a special place.

Interested in joining the Town Team? Go to the attached link and email Lori Stid the Director of Volunteer Boards.

A seven-member Board, appointed to two-year terms (no term limit), which typically meets on Tuesday before the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month @ 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Board Room […]

08/31/2026

Here's a good one.

We are currently doing the engineering for the Turk Hill Road sidewalk project, which is expected to begin construction in Spring 2027.

Thankfully, a very thoughtful resident, Anne Borix, who walks to work from the Village for her job at our Recreation Center, had the idea that this new sidewalk should connect directly to the entryway sidewalk project that is being completed right now. Great idea, because as it turned out, the plans did not call for a sidewalk on that side of the entryway.

And it was the kind of detail that could have easily gone unnoticed.

So Anne filled out a comment card (which, I didn’t even realize we had) and Eric Williams, Assistant to the Commissioner of Public Works, and master of all things, took the time to read it, consider the suggestion, and update the plans accordingly.

There are SO many things about this that I love: a resident who cared enough to pay attention and speak up, a team member who took the time to listen, consider, and adjust, and a project that will be better because of that collaboration.

A big thank you to Anne for making the thoughtful suggestion and to Eric (I don't think Eric is on social media, so we'll have to find another way to embarrass him) for embracing resident feedback and turning a good idea into reality.

This is local government at its best. People paying attention. People listening. People working together to make things better.