STORM DAMAGE ADDRESSED The Town Board meeting began with a review of recent storm damage in the area that resulted from a weather system that hit parts of Chatham on July 2, 2026. Town Supervisor Collins recognized and expressed appreciation to the full complement of individuals and agencies that responded to the destructive storm that created havoc in the area. He specifically noted town, county and state employees, along with emergency management and EMS personnel, local fire department members, public safety officials, Village officials, and utility workers. This topic came up later in the meeting under new business related to emergency mitigation of storm damage on town property. Note to our readers: A video of the Town Board meeting is available here to readers who want more detail on the following summary of the meeting. There is a time stamp on the video that facilitates viewing of specific segments of the meeting, e.g., old business, new business, public comment. Public correspondence received and posted is found here. Send communications to the Board to: Chatham@chathamnewyork.gov. Monthly subcommittee reports included: Supervisor Collins gave a 20 minute-long Town and County report, including statistics from the County on various topics and details on some of his activities over the past two weeks. Housing Committee Chair Lisa Simonetti announced that the committee is releasing a draft proposal for a Planned Residential Development that will soon be posted on the Town’s website. She wants to “start a public discussion” on the proposal, which would require a change in Town zoning to allow greater density of residential homes in certain areas of the Town subject to various limitations.
The Chatham Agricultural Partnership is organizing a Farm Day on September 26, 2026. More information on which local farms will be open to visitors on that day will be available soon.
Communications Committee Chair John Wapner reported that the Committee’s “New Neighbor” brochure has been revised with feedback from Town employees and others. It will be posted on the website for public comment, prior to a Board vote to approve it.
Park and Recreation Committee Chair Wapner announced that planning for Crellin Park Day is ongoing, and includes collaboration with PS21 on a performance / parade that will take place that day. Volunteers will be needed for the day’s activities.
Supervisor Collins, for the Traffic Safety Working Group, said a traffic / speed monitoring device was recently installed in Chatham Center, and one is scheduled for installation in Malden Bridge. Once completed, the Town will have speed monitoring devices in all of the Town’s hamlets, with the exception of the Kinderhook Lake area. Financial Planning and Economic Development Committee Chair John Breault reported on progress / contacts with DOT related to signage on the Taconic for destinations in the Town of Chatham; more information is expected on costs and process. He also announced that the committee will be circulating a budget priority matrix to the Board to aid in future budget planning.
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