Mayor’s Message-Summer 2026
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
I hope you and your families are enjoying the summer. This has been a little quieter for a couple of months in terms of major announcements, but a great deal of important work continues behind the scenes.
We’ve recently submitted grant applications for major work needed for infrastructure. Much of what municipal government does requires patience, planning, engineering, coordination, and persistence. Major infrastructure projects do not happen overnight. Grant applications can take months to prepare and even longer to review. Once funding is awarded, projects must move through design, environmental review, bidding, and construction.
ADDRESSING STORMWATER AND FLOODING
The Village continues working on stormwater and flooding concerns affecting several areas of Avon. We have met with Town officials, local farms and property owners, State officials, engineers, and other partners to better understand how water moves toward and through the Village—and what practical steps can be taken to manage it more effectively.
Our short-term plan includes improvements to the stormwater retention facility behind Hal-Bar Road, together with strategic berms intended to redirect water more effectively and keep it moving toward the drainage areas designed to receive it. We are also continuing drainage-system cleanouts and working with the New York State Department of Transportation to address stormwater as it travels near and around Main Street and NYS Routes 5 and 20.
Our medium-term plan will create an additional stormwater retention facility east of the Village, near the Pole Bridge Road solar fields. The goal would be to better control the direction and runoff speed before it reaches Village streets and stormwater systems.
There is no single solution to the flooding challenges we have experienced. Meaningful progress will require coordinated improvements both inside and outside the Village.
NEW YORK MAIN STREET APPLICATION
The Village is working with Livingston County, local businesses, and community stakeholders to develop strategy for strengthening our downtown. As part of this effort, we have applied for grant funding through the New York Main Street Program.
Our application seeks assistance with building and streetscape improvements, including support for the creation of ADA-accessible pedestrian walkway connecting Genesee Street with more and better municipal parking. The proposed walkway would be a beginning step to improve walkability and parking access in the Village downtown corridor.
PUBLIC SAFETY: POLICE AND FIRE
Our Police Department continues working closely with residents to identify areas where speeding, reckless driving, and other unsafe behavior may be occurring. Officers are using that information to help direct patrols and enforcement efforts. We ask residents to continue helping us by reporting recurring concerns, problem locations, and dangerous behavior. If you see something, say something. Reach out to the Village office, notify an officer, or let me know! The more specific the information—location, time of day, vehicle description, and pattern of activity—the better equipped our officers are to respond effectively.
This summer, we also took delivery of the Avon Fire Department’s new rescue vehicle. Every detail of this truck was carefully and thoughtfully planned by our own volunteers, based on their experience. We know Rescue-229 will be used capably and professionally to protect our residents, businesses, and everyone who relies upon the Avon Fire Department.
We also recently completed important maintenance and service work on our large quint ladder truck. This work will help keep the vehicle safe, dependable, and in service for years to come.
CELEBRATING A PROUD HISTORY
The Avon Fire Department has entered its 150th year of service, while the East Avon Fire Department is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
These are remarkable milestones that represent generations of neighbors helping neighbors. Together, the two departments will mark these anniversaries with a downtown community celebration on Saturday, August 22, from noon to 3:00 p.m. We hope you will join us as we celebrate these two outstanding organizations.
STRENGTHENING VILLAGE CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity has become a critical responsibility for every level of government. Over the past several months, the Village has completed significant work to strengthen computer systems, reinforce data protection, backup and recovery capabilities, and provide employees with additional cybersecurity training and procedures.
SUMMER AROUND THE VILLAGE
There is plenty happening throughout Avon. Our Farmers Market continues each Saturday at the Village pocket park. Our parks, trails, athletic fields, and recreation facilities remain busy. Improvements at Five Arch Bridge Park and other public spaces continue to enhance the places that bring residents and visitors together.
I encourage everyone to support our local businesses, enjoy our parks and trails, attend community events, and take advantage of everything Avon has to offer.
Some projects produce immediate and visible results. Others require months—or even years—of planning before construction begins. In every case, our goal remains the same: to protect the services you rely upon, plan responsibly for the future, and keep moving Avon forward, together!
THANK YOU
~ Rob Hayes
Mayor
