Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson wants a new social media policy for everyone who gets a village paycheck.

Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson wants a formal social media policy for everyone who works for the village.

“I reached out to the Board (of Trustees) and asked for feedback on a social media policy for all village employees and officials,” Ferguson said at the trustees’ most recent workshop. “This does not have to be part of a contractual obligation. It becomes policy once a person becomes either an employee of the community or an elected official of the community.”

Ferguson offered negative comments about online chatter. “Personally, I think the social media has gotten out of control. It has become slanderous, not just here. It’s a critical part of our current life — and it’s unfortunate that it goes the way it does.”

The mayor continued, “I think there are certain obligations to working for the village and collecting paychecks for the village, whether you are an employee or an elected official, that you should have to adhere to.”

Ferguson said he has also presented his proposed policy to village attorneys Webster Szanyi for review. He wants trustees to approve it soon.

“I’m not going to go through it right now, but it’s quite lengthy,” the mayor said. “So far, our attorneys have looked at it and said that it’s fine, but I want to make sure that our board agrees with it as well.”