Werwaiss resolution brings heated public comment and Board vote to address County officials’ action on ballot referendum

The Chatham Town Board meeting on July 17 was extended to approximately forty minutes beyond the scheduled two-hour mark to allow for additional public comment and a second vote on a resolution ** offered by Town Board member Rick Werwaiss. The extra time was needed to correct an issue with the board process: i.e., the board took up the resolution, which was submitted but not included on the published agenda, at the end of the meeting and voted prior to public comment. The resolution was reintroduced, a public comment period was held, and the board held a second vote.

of a petition to have a referendum on the November ballot that would create a County Executive position as a new form of government. That petition included close to 4000 signatures of registered voters, 40% of which were invalidated by the County. 

The text of the resolution stated in part that the town board “strongly supports the right of residents to pursue ballot referendums and views the protection of this process as essential to a healthy democracy” and called  “for full transparency from Chairman Matt Murrell, including the immediate release of all records related to the hiring, compensation, and selection of the special counsel engaged to challenge the referendum.”  

Comments on new Town laws?

SPEAK UP AT THE NEXT PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN OF CHATHAM
Columbia County, New York
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Town Board of the Town of Chatham will hold TWO public hearings on August 7, 2025 at 6:35PM and 6:40PM respectively at the Town Hall, 488 Rte. 295, Chatham NY for the purpose of accepting public comment on:

1. Proposed Local Law to allow for Two Family residences to be constructed on Single Lot Exemption Lots 

2. Proposed Local Law for Electric Vehicle charging stations.

STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN COLUMBIA COUNTY

On July 14, residents of Chatham were invited to a virtual presentation on housing issues as they are currently being addressed or considered across Columbia County. 

Town Board member Angus Eaton hosted the discussion with Chris Brown, who serves as the Housing Development Coordinator for the Columbia Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Brown gave a wide ranging presentation on current efforts to increase housing options in the county and answered a number of questions from those in attendance. He said he hoped more individual towns in the county would join forces to work toward more housing options in the county to streamline the planning process for new housing development and to collaborate with resources.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE PRESENTATION HERE. 

Coming SOON!

Pickleball courts in Crellin Park

Nestled between the skate park and Children’s Garden on the entry road to Crellin Park, two newly constructed pickleball courts are shaping up and will be ready for action soon.

Stay tuned to find out when you’ll be able to play pickleball!

NEW:

4% County tax on Short Term Rentals 

In Columbia County, New York, a 4% lodging tax on short-term rentals (STRs) payable to the county is effective July 1, 2025. This tax applies to hotels, motels, and short-term rental properties, including Airbnb, within the county, but excludes those within the City of Hudson, which has its own occupancy tax. 

All individuals and business entities that rent their building, or rooms in their building, to be used on a short-term basis (in Columbia County rentals under 30 consecutive days) must register with the County and pay the Occupancy Tax. 

If you own multiple properties for rental in Columbia County a separate registration is needed for each address. This registration is in addition to the registration of short-term rentals that is required for properties in the Town of Chatham NY.

For information on how to register, deadlines to register, and how to make payment, go to this link. 

Are you looking for part time work? 

A chance to contribute time and skills to our town?

Employment and volunteer opportunities with the Town of Chatham government are regularly posted on the Town website.  Currently, the following positions are open for application.  See more information on all of these positions and find out how to apply here.

VACANCY: Part time – CLERK/TYPIST for BUILDING DEPARTMENT 

The Town of Chatham is seeking to fill the part time position of Clerk/Typist in the Building Department.

The Clerk/Typist is responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to the Code Enforcement Officers. This is a forward facing position that requires computer literacy, organizational skills and a personable disposition to interact with the public. Please submit letters of interest to chatham@chathamnewyork.us or contact Supervisor Collins at 

(518) 330-1019 with any questions.

VACANCY: ZBA ALTERNATE

The Town of Chatham is looking to fill alternate position for the Zoning Board of Appeals. If you are interested please submit a letter of intent to chatham@chathamnewyork.us. If you have any questions feel free to contact Supervisor Donal Collins by supervisor@chathamnewyork.us.

VOLUNTEER– COUNCIL AND CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES 

The following citizen advisory committees are seeking new members.  So many areas of interest! Can you join and make a difference?

• TOWN OF CHATHAM CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

• FINANCIAL PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

• CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

• CITIZEN ADVISORY INVASIVES COMMITTEE

• CITIZEN ADVISORY HOUSING COMMITTEE

• CITIZEN ADVISORY GRANTS COMMITTEE