The Stanford Town Board closed out the year on Thursday, Dec. 11, with a meeting that blended routine municipal business with a celebratory sendoff for Town Supervisor Wendy Burton, whose final meeting was marked by balloons, reflections on her six-year tenure, and a standing ovation.
Floating stars and a large helium- filled unicorn framed a sign reading, “Thank you Wendy! Happy retirement!” as the board worked through a full agenda of appointments, resolutions, and year-end approvals.
Burton addressed the board and the dozen members of the public present at the meeting with an emotional statement, reflecting on her time in office.
“Municipal government truly is a team sport, and it works the best when you can get citizens involved,” Burton said. “I’ve just been really happy to be a member of Team Stanford.”
“When I first went for office, my desire, many of you know, was to build community,” Burton continued. “I believe we were able to do that, and many other things as well…I wanted Town Hall to be a place where citizens felt welcomed and people who worked here felt appreciated. And it wasn’t like that six years ago, when I came into office. I’d hoped to create committees and activities that would draw in a wide range of citizens, and collectively we did that.”
Stanford resident Claudia DeBellis echoed that sentiment during public comment.
“Six years ago I stood up at your meeting and I was full of ideas,” she said. “I just want to say thank you for moving us into the future, while still holding on very firmly to everything that makes this town a fine place to be.”
Working through the agenda, the board appointed James Finley as interim building inspector and code enforcement officer through January, following an accident that left the current building inspector, Don Smith, recovering from an injury. Geneva Simms was appointed deputy town historian, while longtime Zoning Board of Appeals secretary Mary Dalton submitted her resignation, creating an open position.
The board also announced an upcoming Town Board vacancy. Julia Descoteaux’s seat will need to be filled when she becomes Town Supervisor on Jan. 1. Residents interested in serving are asked to submit a letter of interest to Town Clerk Ritamary Bell. The seat will be up for election in November 2026, with the winner beginning a four-year term.
Several committees delivered updates, including the Climate Smart Communities Task Force, which discussed potential projects for 2026. Town Board member Theodore Secor said the group is considering waste management initiatives tied to composting, farm tours, and coordination with the town’s Water Quality Committee.
“We are still plotting along and hopefully we can have some exciting projects again in the coming year,” Secor said.
The Planning Board reported that it voted unanimously on Nov. 19 to conditionally approve the Burdick Park site plan, pending New York State Department of Transportation approval of a curb cut on Route 82. The Planning Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 18.
The board unanimously approved a resolution allowing the DOT to conduct measurements on Route 82 in response to requests for a speed limit reduction through the hamlet center. While the DOT did not find sufficient justification for a speed reduction, officials recommended studying alternatives such as lane narrowing, sidewalks, walking paths, or a crosswalk.
Other actions included approving the 2026 Town Board meeting schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule for town employees, staff appointments for the coming year, funding adjustments for a new highway truck, and participation in training sessions and an awards luncheon at the Association of Towns gathering in Albany.
The board also approved a resolution supporting America 250, authorizing funding for historical materials, exhibits, and public programming tied to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.