Ballot referendum —
Werwaiss followed up the reading of the resolution by saying that “The lack of transparency from our County government is stunning…and inappropriate.” In addition to the matter addressed in his resolution, he noted that Board of Supervisors (BOS) agendas and minutes are not readily available on the County website, and said he received no response from County office staff when he called to request access to this material.
Board discussion on the resolution included Supervisor Collins’ comment that a Town government action to counter a County government “sets a dangerous precedent.” He said he believes the court will rule on the legitimacy of the petition and did not want to endorse the resolution. Board member Hallenbeck supported the right to engage in the referendum process but did not want the board to take a position relative to the choice offered to the voters. She indicated she would not vote in favor of the resolution because the title of the board resolution implied support for passage of the voter referendum. Board member Wapner commented that the County government actions were “a disgrace” and anti-democratic; he supported the resolution. Eaton concurred that the County action had disenfranchised voters and said that he believed it was proper for the town to address the county’s action.
Public comment following the board vote began with complaints that the resolution had not been publicized, and that the board process was inherently not transparent, in that the public had not been given opportunity to express opinions on the matter. One person called the board’s action “an abuse of power…a blatant attempt to influence the judiciary.” Other comments included a disagreement on whether the resolution was a proper focus for the Town Board, i.e., did the invalidation affect town residents to the extent that the Town Board should be involved at this level; a suggestion that the resolution was more that the wording implied, i.e., was the resolution an attempt to influence the judge who will hear a lawsuit filed by Columbia County Forward to challenge the invalidation.
After discussion and agreement that the process had been incomplete, and the board wanted an opportunity for public comment on the resolution, the Board rescinded their original resolution and reintroduced the resolution. Following additional public comment, the vote on the resolution was 3 - 2, with Werwaiss, Wapner, and Eaton voting in favor, and Collins and Hallenbeck voting against the resolution. To see the full discussion go to the segment of the Town Board meeting video from timestamp 1:49 through 2:40.
In other resolutions, the board agreed:
To adopt the NYS deferred compensation plan for voluntary participation by town employees. This plan is helpful to participants to increase savings for retirement by designating deductions from paychecks for investment in a tax-deferred savings account (in addition to the NYS retirement plan), where the employee does not pay income tax on these regular contributions until money is withdrawn in retirement.
In standard business, the board approved / accepted the following:
Town Board minutes for June meetings
The Town Accountant’s financial Supervisor’s report
The financial abstract as presented to pay town bills
Two public hearings on proposed local laws (To allow for 2-family residences to be constructed on single lot exemptions; and to establish an electric vehicle changing station law)
An agreement with the Chatham Central School District that allows them use of soccer fields at Crellin Park
A collective bargaining agreement between highway employees and the Teamsters Local 294
An agreement with the Morris Memorial Association that allows them use of soccer fields at Crellin Park
Application for the NYS Association of reduction, reuse and recycling grant to support an expansion of the Free Store on Town Hall grounds
Further, in personnel matters, the board:
Accepted the resignation of Gary Martin from the Financial Planning & Economic Development Committee
Accepted the resignation of Jennifer Trolenberg from the Chair position on the Grants Committee
Accepted the resignation of Ann Formel, who has been a town employee serving as Clerk of the Building Department, and to advertise for the position vacancy.
The next Town Board meeting will be held in person on August 7 at 6:30. Find the agenda and a link to attend online on the town calendar.
**The text of the resolution as offered by Board Member Werwaiss is here:
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Chatham affirms the right of community members to collect signatures and petition for ballot referendums, a fundamental element of democratic participation and local self-governance; and
WHEREAS, nearly 4,000 Columbia County residents lawfully exercised this right by petitioning for a referendum on the creation of a County Executive position, demonstrating a significant grassroots effort to engage with and shape local government; and
WHEREAS, this legitimate democratic action is now under threat by an effort to block the referendum, including the hiring of a special counsel using public funds; and
WHEREAS, there has been no public disclosure regarding the selection process, contractual terms, or cost to taxpayers for this special counsel; and
WHEREAS, the residents of Columbia County deserve transparency, accountability, and full access to information regarding the use of their tax dollars;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Chatham strongly supports the right of residents to pursue ballot referendums and views the protection of this process as essential to a healthy democracy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board calls 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.