The Village of Granville council adopted an amended resolution to join a regional Sustainable 2050 program, with the council vote recorded as 5‑1 in favor. Councilmembers debated the scope of the program, what committing to the initiative would require financially, and whether joining would limit local control.

During discussion, one councilmember said they had read external materials and felt the program was “slanted” toward particular energy policies and questioned whether the village should highlight specific demographic groups in program outreach. The speaker said, “I don't know what I'm voting on. I don't…I'm not voting on being part of a team. I'm voting on saying we as a community want to support this thing that exists in this document that she's got that I don't have.”

Staff and the program presenter said the Sustainable 2050 affiliation functions as a menu of actions municipalities may pursue — such as expanding recycling, advancing efficiency, or pursuing local renewable energy — and that joining provides technical support and peer collaboration. A staff member noted that some measures on the program workbook could require local investment, but that those investments would be subject to council approval and normal budget processes.

Councilmembers asked for copies of the program materials; staff committed to providing the full documentation in the Friday update if the council decided to table the resolution. One councilmember said the village already implements many sustainability measures and could choose what elements to adopt locally. Another member said local control must be explicit in any commitment: “I don't have any problem with the program as long as we have local control and we can set local priorities and decide what pieces and parts are right for our community,” a councilmember said.

After the debate, a councilmember proposed amended language to state simply that “the Village of Granville hereby joins the Sustainable 2050 program,” removing more prescriptive wording; the council approved the amended resolution by voice vote, recorded as five in favor and one opposed.

Staff said the program’s board recently approved its materials and that some communities tailor the workbook to local needs. The resolution as adopted does not obligate the village to immediate spending; staff said any items that required budget commitment would return to council for appropriation.