Chatham Dems Newsletter

Thanksgiving greetings to all

The “word for the day” on gratefulness.org is from Willie Nelson, country singer and songwriter:

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

Just one thought, and one wish from the Chatham Dems:

May each reader find blessings to count during this Thanksgiving season, regardless of our concerns and worries, and appreciate each day as it comes.

We are grateful for you and for our community.

Board works to balance old and new priorities for Chatham

The audience at the November 21, 2024 Town Board meeting spontaneously applauded the awarding of Farmer of the Year to longtime resident and successful farmer Adrianus Ooms (see related article in this newsletter). This award was only one of the topics covered at the board meeting that focused on the town’s longstanding and continuing efforts to preserve the agricultural and rural aspects of Chatham. In recent years and currently, the board regularly addresses these preservation efforts while balancing newer initiatives, like energy policy and solar development regulations and creating potential housing options for those who want to live here but find housing costs to be too challenging. The Town Board is the hub of many efforts that work on how these potentially competing needs are addressed and what compromises may be necessary.

Town of Chatham Farmer of the Year

Ooms’ selection for this award is based on the recommendation of the Chatham Agricultural Partnership (CAP), a longstanding citizen advisory committee to the Town Board. CAP spearheaded the 2009 Agricultural Protect Plan and the 2023 Community Preservation Plan.

In the resolution to award the 2024 Farmer of the Year Award, Mr. Ooms’ is cited for decades of service to the Town and the community at large. Some of his contributions include: his participation in the development of the Town’s 2009 Comprehensive Plan as well as the 2023 Update of the Comprehensive Plan and the 2023 Community Preservation Plan. Mr. Ooms has regularly participated in agricultural education and outreach to the Town of Chatham, Columbia County, and upstate NY, and his farm and family business is the recipient of numerous awards.

For more information on Mr. Ooms and his family’s business see a short article by the travel guide AFAR or check out their farm’s page on Facebook.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT INCOME-BASED FUNDING

APPLICATIONS DUE BY 12/13/24

A reminder to the Chatham Community and Beyond

There is less than one month left for applications to the PLUS ONE ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) funding program through Columbia County and New York State.

If you are considering applying for a grant, the deadline for this first round of $125,000 worth of individual support is December 13, 2024.

Income and other eligibility and application information are found here.

Columbia County residents are now eligible to apply for the benefits of this program.

Town Board Meeting Schedule

Town Board Workshop Meeting, Thursday, December 5, at 6:30 pm

For other Town meetings and events, such as committee meetings, paving schedule, KISS (document shredding service), and Free Store hours, as well as for the link to these meetings, go to the Town calendar https://www.chathamnewyork.us/calendar_app/index.html

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