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Both of these topics were discussed previously, and there will be more opportunity for public comment on these and other matters at the next Town Board meeting on May 7th. Bring your opinions and let the Board know what you think! Other public comment included: A request for more information on the timeline and steps required for putting speed monitors on state roads, noting that it has been nearly three years since North Chatham has had a speed monitor, and despite many discussions that this is desirable. Supervisor Collins explained that the State has added new requirements for the placement of speed monitors. A request that the Board postpone voting on a resolution that included a retainer for a specialized law firm. The person commented that the meeting agenda had not been available to allow enough time for the public to review the matter and other Town business. The speaker also commented this is often the case with the posting of the agenda and that late posting interferes with transparency, and asked whether some of the Board members have a conflict of interest related to the expenditure. Several Board members explained that the retainer ensured that legal advice will be available in case of emergency matters and denied a conflict of interest. A request for data related to the costs and revenue related to the contracted use of the Village of Chatham Police Department and about the costs of the electric charging station at the Chatham Brewery. A request that there be an automatic response to email correspondence to the Board so that the sender has assurance that the message has been received. A request that the Board follow up on establishing a Town Ethics Board as was proposed at the last Town Board meeting. Another person commented that the Town should use the County Ethics Board instead, opining that a Town Ethics Board would allow “neighbors to judge other neighbors”, and that the Board should instead focus on housing initiatives that benefit Town residents.
In Old Business:
Board Member Werwaiss reviewed a resolution regarding a change in the current Town Board Minutes policy. Board Member Simonetti reviewed a proposed draft resolution for the Correspondence Policy that will allow for correspondence to the Board to be published after Town Board review, subject to certain conditions. The draft policy stipulates that the Town will establish a correspondence e-mail address, with a disclaimer that all correspondence received will be in the public domain and will be published after and subject to Board review. That resolution will be presented at the next Town Board meeting. Board Member Wapner asked that the Town Attorney attend an upcoming meeting to clarify his comments regarding Citizen Advisory Committees. Wapner asked that the Board come to a common understanding regarding the policy that these committees must follow the NYS Open Meeting Law and that Citizen Advisory Committee records are subject to NYS’s Freedom of Information Law.
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